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It is time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy”! As I surf around the blogosphere, I come across fit moms (and dads too!) who inspire me to fitness. From there, I hunt them down and force them to tell me their secrets, which I then share with you!
Today’s fit mommy is Julia, who blogs over at Sweet as Punkin Pie. Julia is a very busy mom of 2 who is also a competitive powerlifter. As a cardio freak myself, I am fascinated by the power lifting moms, so I was very happy when she agreed to be interviewed as “One Fit Mommy”.
Most recently Julia found out that she is “ranked 12th on the “All-time best Totals” list for women in the 132 lb weight class (total = squat + bench + deadlift)!” I’m not sure what that really means, but I can tell you that she is definitely “One Fit Mommy!”
Please read on for more about Julia and how she juggles life with a 2 year old, a 7 month old, and a very heavy barbell!
Q: Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
I’ve always been an athlete. I played sports growing up, into high school and college. So it’s always been in my blood. But I really got into it in high school when I took a weight training class. I realized how fun it was to see myself get stronger and how much better it made my body look (for looks and for sports)
Q: Tell us what is a “powerlifting meet” and what inspired you to enter one?
When I stopped playing sports in college, I continued to workout. I loved that I was getting stronger and still looked so feminine! (yes, it’s a myth that you will look like a man if you lift weights.) My boyfriend (now hubby) got me intrigued in powerlifting. I did my first meet in 2001 and never looked back. Since then I have competed in at least 1, sometimes 2 powerlifting meets a year. A full powerlifting meet consists of 3 events. The squat, the bench press and the deadlift. In short, you get 3 attempts at each lift. If your first squat is good (you go low enough), you go up in weight and try again. After you do all 3 squat attempts, you move on to the bench press. Then the deadlift is last. It’s so fun and exciting to see if you can do more than you did last time. It’s a great adrenaline rush!
Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
If you say you don’t have time, you’re fooling yourself. You really are. I’ve done it before. In fact, when I went back to work after having my son, I didn’t work out as much. I told myself it was because I didn’t have time. I watched my strength go down and my body change. I lost alot of good lean muscle. And in reality, I had plenty of time. I could’ve taken 30 minutes I spent on the computer and done a workout instead. You really have to make it a priority. It makes me mad when I hear women complain about not losing weight or not getting in shape when they aren’t putting in the work that needs to be done. It doesn’t happen magically.
Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
Just one? Gosh, I’d probably have to say the squat or any variation of. It’s an all-around great exercise that hits SO many muscle groups. And don’t take the easy route and do leg press!! The squat will work everything from your back, to your shoulders, to your butt and legs. I love it.
Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
It’s not a trick, but I just do it. If I keep saying “I’ll do it tonight” or “I’ll do it when the kids go down for a nap”, it won’t get done. If you have the time to do it now, do it! Things will come up later that you won’t expect. If I want to go for a run or do the elliptical, sometimes I’ll say, “I’ll just do it after lunch.” Wrong. Before you know it, I’m caught up in reading something online, writing emails, on the phone, etc. So, if you have the time NOW, do it NOW. That way you have no excuses later. Besides, if you do it in the morning, it’s done!! And you won’t use the excuse of “I’m too exhausted” to do it at night.
Q: What is your favorite post workout snack?
A good cold chocolate protein shake is yummy… with peanut butter in it! I also love trail mix. A good mix of proteins, good fats, some carbs to replenish my glycogen stores…. and a bit of sweet!
Thanks Julia for inspiring us all to strength and fitness!
You can see more interviews with other fit moms (and dads too!) over here.
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thanks for sharing that Lisa! glad i could be a part of your blog!
.-= julia´s last blog ..Faith Friday: Intro =-.
I love this interview. Great stuff, women lifting and big moves.
Jacqueline
BabyBumpFitness
.-= Jacqueline´s last blog ..One Of Those Days =-.
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