Yoda is helping her become a fit mommy

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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 Holly, who blogs over at Making Over Me.  Holly  is a busy mom of 3 who is on a journey to lose over 100 pounds and change her life!  Please read on for more about why Holly is definitely becoming “One Fit Mommy”!

Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

Hmmm…I’ve been inspired many times over the years to lose weight and get healthy. I’ve been inspired before by others who have been successful at losing the weight and keeping it off. I’ve been inspired by my two grandfathers with adult-onset diabetes (meaning I have a family history…). I’ve been inspired before by my husband. But THIS TIME? This time, the time that WILL BE the last time? I’ve been heavily inspired by my children…the ones who love me anyway…but who I’ve seen shift uncomfortably when they try to figure out a way to avoid using the word “fat” (even if they aren’t talking about me!) and whom I haven’t been as active with as I know I would be if I were fit and at a healthy weight. Also…for the first time EVER in my 35 years, I experienced negative health ramifications as a result of my weight. Those included high blood pressure, minor heart arrythmias and swollen feet…all of which are no longer a problem, but had been a real problem just one year ago. So kids and health are my inspirations this time…and some pretty powerful inspirations they are!

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

Seeing as how that was me just a few months ago, I say that you gotta get creative! I don’t work out at the same time every day and I don’t spend the same amount of time on exercise every day either. Though I would love to, I can’t do an hour (or more!) workout every day. Some days I can barely get in a 20 minute workout. But that is enough time to do a great workout. Hello…ever heard of the 30-Day Shred? That is a butt-kicking workout in just 20 minutes. I’m not a morning person and I hate waking up too early. But there are a couple days that I just have to wake up early to get the workout in. A few other days I do my workout later in the evening after the kiddos go to bed. Sometimes it is a lunchtime workout while the kids are eating. Sometimes I can get out and workout while my husband looks after the kids…but mostly my workouts happen at home (DVD workouts, weights, etc.). I’m a SAHM, but I used to be a working mom. I didn’t do great with working out then, but I know there were opportunities for me to get some exercise in over lunch or alternate some morning and evening routines. I also involve my family with being active where I can…a bike ride with the family is a great connecting time AND gets in a workout too. YAY!

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

I’m traditionally more cardio. I don’t feel like I’ve really worked out unless my face is red, I’m pouring sweat and I’m panting…and that requires cardio! But I’ve been converted to a way of working out that combines strength moves with cardio moves for maximum calorie burn. So then I get the sweaty workout I want, and the strength training benefits! (Biggest Loser DVD workouts have a lot of strength training paired with cardio type of workouts)

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Strictly cardio I am developing a love for jogging! I’ve been training for a 5K using the C25K program and have found that jogging was not as impossible as I originally thought it would be. But I’m an outdoorsy kind of gal…and I really love things like kayaking, biking, backpacking and rock climbing. Wish I could do those workouts every day!

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

Envisioning myself at my goal weight helps…while reminding myself that I will never get there if I skip workouts! I also like to think about what I will be able to do at my goal weight and fitness too. I’ve also collected a few quotes that I run through my mind when I’m feeling weak. One of the best is borrowed from Yoda… “Do or do not. There is no try”

Q: I love the idea of your weight loss “Bucket List”–can you explain it for my readers?

When I was putting together Making Over Me, I was writing a post one day and kept thinking of things that I was looking forward to experiencing or being able to do as I lost weight. I thought it would be a good idea to write those things down somewhere so I could celebrate each time I could cross one off the list! As the list grew I began calling it my ‘weight loss bucket list’ because it contained all the things I wanted to experience with my weight loss. Some big and some small…but all important and celebration worthy!

Thanks Holly for being an inspiration to us all! We look forward to following your journey!

You can see more interviews with other fit moms (and dads too!) over here.

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