Great advice from a fit mommy

It is time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy”! Each week I scour the blogosphere to find other fit moms who inspire me to fitness.

I met this week’s fit mommy over at Twittermoms, a fantastic community of women. Lisa is a fit mom with two school-aged children. She transformed her life and body several years ago and has not looked back since. Her enthusiasm for fitness in contagious and as you can see, she is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

Please read on for more about Lisa and be sure to visit her new blog, www.healthiestlife4me.com.

Q: Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

I was fit as a kid, but I wouldn’t say healthy. My parents didn’t understand health the way that I do now. I was athletic having danced and played soccer. However, eating healthy wasn’t a way of life. After getting married and having kids, the weight came on and the less active I became. It was a vicious cycle. Things like Weight Watchers were temporary helps, but the weight always came back.

To be honest, quite honest; at my heaviest (175 lbs and I am only 5’2”) one evening my hubby rolled over and got a little frisky. I was so unhappy with myself that I seriously didn’t have any desire. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but at some point he called me boring. I knew that he was unhappy with that part of our marriage and quite frankly, I wasn’t happy either. But what was there to be happy about? I was fat, unhealthy, unmotivated, and unattractive to myself…somehow, I lost myself. At that point, I made the decision to get my butt to the gym, spend every last penny I had on a trainer so that I could learn EVERYTHING and learn it RIGHT! I spent 6 months with a trainer. I am sure my body changed. And of course I lost some weight, but not enough to really notice. After that time, I spent a lot of time researching nutrition, asking questions to the nutritionists at Max Muscle Orangecrest (phenomenal people), and buying Muscle and Fitness for Her and Oxygen magazines and reading them like they were the bible. Upon becoming friends with the owner of Max Muscle and his wife, they introduced me to the fabulous nutritional supplement company that I am a business partner with now and have spent so much time with doctors who are involved with product development and I have learned the importance of nutrition and how it can heal and I haven’t looked back since.

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?

If you have time to breathe and you care about your kids and family enough, you will understand how important it is to put exercise on your daily schedule. You’d be amazed at how much more energy you’d have if you spent time working out and taking care of yourself. It is just part of my schedule and after a while, people (including the hubby) stop trying to make plans during my workout time.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Oh, this is a tough one. I only get to pick one, seriously? Well, I would have to say that tricep press downs are my favorite because I have really strong triceps and I love to watch the men look at me and the weight and be surprised. But I will have to say that I love to work my chest, triceps, and legs (glute, hammy – not so fond of quads).

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?

Oh, I love this one…I would give up cardio in a New York minute if I could get away with it. I will say that as long as it’s not running or a spin class, I will do all sorts of cardio. However, if in a pinch and can only fit part of my full workout in, I give up the cardio and lift weights.

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?

I don’t because I like to go. When I don’t feel like going, I feel like it’s because I have been overtraining, so I take a day off. But only one day off because otherwise it makes it harder to get back.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? and would you bring your kids?

I would love to take the kids to St. Lucia. My hubby and I went on our honeymoon there and we had a great time. I would love for the kids to see the beauty of the country while seeing how the truly poor live. It would make them appreciate all that they have. There is much to do in the outdoors and to stay fit there and we could do it together.

Thank you Lisa for allowing me to feature you. You have inspired me to go and work on my triceps right now!

What are YOU inspired to work on today gang? Don’t think too long, just get up and do it!

Be Sociable, Share!

•