Pregnancy and Tae Bo: keep on kicking!

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.

Our mommy this week is Leah, who created the fantastic fitness community for moms over at BookieBoo. Leah is a busy mom with one toddler boy and another bundle due this winter. She is a weight loss success story; a few years ago Leah lost over 100 lbs through fitness and diet and has kept it off!

She continues to exercise throughout her pregnancy and she admits that she is now a fitness “junkie”!

Please read on for more about Leah and why she is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

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

No, I didn’t get into fitness until my son was born in February of 2006. I gained over 70 lbs. with him after already being overweight. I got up to 253 lbs. when I gave birth to my son. After he was born, my life really changed dramatically with new motherhood and the loss of my father to cancer. When my son was three months old, I started soul searching. I decided that I wanted to be a good mom who wasn’t always tired and out of shape. That led me to lose over 100 lbs. and encourage everyone around me to get fit as well. So you could say that my father and son inspired me, and I’m glad they did.

After losing most of that weight, I started Bookieboo, an online magazine and social network for moms into fitness, weight loss and healthy living. The site not only keeps me motivated, but helps me reach out to other moms with the same kind of interests.

Q: How are you staying fit during your pregnancy?

I’m a Tae Bo fanatic! I modify things, but I still take Tae Bo classes and use Tae Bo workout DVDs. Shellie, Billy’s daughter, has been 8 weeks ahead of me, so watching her do things has helped too. I also meet with some friends from the gym twice a week to do a “boot camp” with Julieann Hartman, my private trainer.

Although I have slowed down dramatically and get tired quicker, I haven’t really stopped doing the things I used to do. I had a conversation with my doctor about it and she gave me her blessing. In fact, because I was such an athlete type before I got pregnant, I use a different system to track my exercise exertion. I don’t track my heart rate and instead use the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale, also called the Modified Borg Scale, so I don’t overdue it. It’s been awesome and so much easier than monitoring my heart rate.

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

I totally empathize, but I exercise now for my own sanity. Being a mother is exhausting, but exercise gives you energy and dramatically lowers your stress level. You actually become a better mom because of it. You can handle more and love more. With that in mind, I would encourage moms to make time because it’s worth it!

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Tae Bo is my favorite. Tae Bo is an exciting kickboxing workout that never gets boring. I’m actually in Billy’s newest T3 series, which was filmed in January before I got pregnant. And if you really want a laugh, check out his Freestyle Funk Video where he dances with me. Every time I see it, I’m turning bright red.

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

I guess technically you could say I’m more cardio, but I use weights during my workout and really get into my core, so I’m actually doing both. When I workout I like to move and jump around because I get bored easy. I do strength training, but not as often.

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

I say to myself “you gotta give some to get some” (which is a saying of Billy Blanks) and remind myself of how much better I’m going to feel when it’s over. I love the high I get after a good workout…so I’m looking to get that endorphin high. Okay, I admit it, I’m a junkie…even when pregnant.

Thank you Leah!

Now gang it is YOUR turn to get up and get moving! No excuses!