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.

Today’s fit mommy is Becky, who blogs over at Skinny Dreaming. Becky is a busy mommy of SEVEN—who has recently lost 137.5 pounds to reach her goal weight.

Yes, she has seven kids and still manages to make time for health and fitness! Becky deserves a huge round of applause for all that she has accomplished, don’t you agree?

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

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

I was not fit as a teenager, but I wasn’t more than about ten pounds overweight back then.

After I had my first child, I began putting on weight, a bit more each year. My eating habits were horrible! I spent the age of 20 through the age of 36 going up and up in weight. At my highest weight, I was 272.5 pounds. I now weigh 135 pounds.

With my fifth and sixth pregnancies, I had developed high blood pressure and been admitted to the hospital before they were born. During the fifth pregnancy’s labor, it became truly life-threatening. When I found out I was pregnant for the seventh time (and still unfit and morbidly obese), I knew I had to do something about my health. I waited until I was past the first trimester (and past the risk of an early miscarriage) and then I joined Slimming World. I knew someone who went to Slimming World and had lost over 60 pounds, s I decided to give it a try. I had thought about joining Weight Watcher’s, but Weight Watcher’s did not have a plan for pregnant women and Slimming World did.

I also started walking a lot. It was painful while I was pregnant because I had really painful pain in my hips and pelvic area caused by the pregnancy, and I also had a condition known as plantar fasciitis (inflamed heels) which made walking excruciatingly painful, but I knew it was good for me, so I walked anyway. After a few weeks, my husband bought us an elliptical crosstrainer and I started using it more and more. (The plantar fasciitis went away completely after my weight started dropping.)

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

Everyone has time for exercise, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. It’s just a matter of making exercise a priority in your life. Sometimes I get up before the kids do (which isn’t easy as they are early risers) to fit in some exercise if I know I am going to have a busy day. Other times, I exercise when the baby is napping. If I’ve procrastinated, I end up having to do my exercise late at night after the kids have gone to bed, but I try not to wait that long to do it.

It’s not always easy, and the kids can sometimes cause lots of interruptions in my workout, but I still get it done.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

I don’t really have a favorite. I am not an exercise lover. I use the Wii Fit (and Wii Fit Plus) and I like that I can add hand weights in when using the step exercises on

it. I like that using the elliptical crosstrainer really makes me break out into a sweat and feel like I am really burning calories. I also enjoy the time I spend with my husband when we take the dog for long walks together.

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

I do both, but I have to admit I do more cardio at the moment. I am pretty much ata healthy weight now after losing more than half my starting body weight, so I am thinking about selling my crosstrainer and buying a rowing machine. I’m looking to tone up now that I’ve lost 137 pounds.

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

I just make myself do it. I tell myself I’ll feel good about it when it’s done. I tell myself that it’s better to just get it over with so I stop worrying about it for the rest of the day. If I don’t do it early in the day, I really do spend the rest of the day worrying that I won’t manage to do it. I’ve just made it a part of my daily routine.

Q: Random question: What is your favorite snack food?

I love making up a big bowl of chopped fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and melon and then pouring a fat-free vanilla yogurt over it. It’s filling, full of fiber and nutrients and really helps when I
need something sweet.

Thank you Becky for being an inspiration to all of us!

Tweet This Post 

We did it!  I survived! (barely)

(Maria, me, and Carla)

It was tons of fun though and worth every single step.  Would I recommend this race to someone?   Definitely.  Disney goes all out on everything and really creates some “magic” for you.   The only two things I did not like were the crazy wake up time (hello 3am!) and the course was slightly boring at times.  You only run through the Magic Kingdom for a few minutes and the rest of the race is on Florida’s highways.  For anyone who has run a race before, you understand that crowd support is important.  There were not many spectators during this race so by mile 9 and 10 I was definitely dragging.   But my fellow princesses kept me going and I finished with a big smile on my face. 

It was fantastic and FUN and I hope to be back at Disney again very, very soon.

I will be posting more details of this fabulous weekend soon, I just wanted to quickly thank everyone for your support and virtual cheering!

I also must thank Disney for giving me this opportunity.  The baby and I will miss Mickey, but we plan to be back very soon!

Disclosure: Disney paid for my trip and covered the costs of food, drinks, events, and other items.  I was not paid for this post, this is my honest opinion.

Tweet This Post 

Even my boys know how to squeeze fitness into their day!
Here they are finishing up their push ups right before bed.

Never underestimate the power of a workout gang!

Have a FANTASTIC weekend! I’m off to Disney to run like a princess!

Tweet This Post 

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.

Today’s fit mommy is Anne Marie, who blogs over at Goals for the Week. She is a busy mommy of two who finds the time to make fitness a priority.  Please read on for more about Anne Marie and how she is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

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

I was never known to be overweight, but I was never really fit until after I decided to hire a trainer/nutritionist when my twins turned 1. At my heaviest ~5 yrs ago, I was 175 (this is NOT including pregnancy weight which is a TOTALLY different number), and now I’m ~138. What inspired me to live an active lifestyle was wanting to take my fitness to a more serious level as an athlete for both triathlons and running. So I hired a trainer/nutritionist and it was by far the best investment ever! It changed my life.

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

I think it initially takes a risk for moms to put exercise on their daily agenda for many reasons. There’s the ‘Mommy guilt’ for leaving their baby so they can go hop on a treadmill. It can feel weird at first. Also, potential post baby body issues, etc, etc. I can say for me though, I KNOW I was and am a better mom because I plan exercise in my life. It’s my ‘Me’ time, and the results transcend across all the roles I am in life.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Ooooh, that’s a tough one. I feel like it depends on my mood. But overall I’d say strength training and fartlek runs are my favorite. I’ve seen the biggest results from learning how to properly strength train. Inverse crunches and Smith rack squats are my favorite. And I love interval style runs. Talk about a post run high

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

Ohh, again hard to choose! I really heart them both. They just really compliment each other well. I don’t think I can choose one over the other, it’s like choosing a favorite child or something;-)

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

Oh, yeah! I have a mental rolodex I rely on when I just don’t feel like working out. I’m always adding new inspirations to it, but currently my Top Motivators are:
1. I know it’ll make me feel better physically and mentally. I might lessen the intensity or duration, but I just need to get that workout in. The post workout high is worth it

2. I’m usually ‘training’ for, or tapering from, a race. These events are what fuel me. At the beginning of the year, I choose my races, then create a general training plan. This plan helps me stay focused and committed.

3. My workouts let me eat ice cream and drink my sugar coffee. If I don’t do my workouts, my treats just don’t taste the same. I like having my cake and eating it too- and that’s how I feel when I follow my workouts

4. Sometimes it comes down to passing someone using a cane and I just think ‘Okay Anne Marie, use your body today… because you CAN’

5. If I don’t feel like doing my swim, bike, or run, I’ll just say ‘okay get out there and at least do it for ~10 minutes, then if I feel like quitting I can. And most times I end up doing the whole workout.

Q: Random question: What is your favorite breakfast food?

Every morning my DH makes me and the kids a fruit/protein smoothie…and it’s like dessert. Then I have it with toast and a lil’ peanut butter and I’m good to go. I am a TOTAL believer in breakfast!

Thank you Anne Marie for being an inspiration!

Ok gang, let’s all take Anne Marie’s advice and use our bodies today because we CAN! Never underestimate the power of a workout!

Tweet This Post 

This past summer I was having a VERY difficult time with my almost four year old.  So much so that I considered sending him to a therapist.  My sweet little boy had transformed into a very angry child who was never happy.

I was at the end of my rope.  This was compounded by the fact that he still did not sleep through the night.  Yes, he was almost four and still was getting up several times per night.   I had tried EVERYTHING and felt like I was a parenting failure.  With baby #3 due in short time, I did not know what to do.

Enter Positive Parenting Solutions.  I learned about the course through a webinar exactly like I am offering here and purchased the program instantly.  It was an absolute EYE OPENER for me.     Some of the concepts are so simple, yet they had never even crossed my mind. (example: spending more time encouraging instead of correcting)

The course  was founded by Amy McCready.  She presents the material via high quality videos, readings and interactives.  Within the sessions are Note-Taking Guides, a Toolbox, a FAQ, and an index of terms.   You take the course at your own pace, which I really appreciated.   I also sought Amy’s advice via a telephone call and she was so responsive and helpful. I only wish she was local to me so I could hire her to come directly to my house!

I love Amy’s Positive Parenting Breakthrough Solutions course so much that I am thrilled to be offering a free Webinar on the Art of Consequences.

Please join me on Tuesday, March 16 from 9-10 PM EST.   You can sign up HERE and again it is absolutely FREE!

I’ve come a long way with my four year old and still have a bumpy road ahead. (he sleeps through the night though!)

Now that I have some great tools in my toolbox, I feel much more prepared to handle that road!

Tweet This Post 

I ran my 10 mile run this weekend and I am happy to say I survived.

(Was it pretty?  Nope.) The blisters on my feet are out of control.

and remember that hallux rigidus issue I had back in October ‘09?  and how the doctor told me I would not be running long distances anymore?  Well, I’m beginning to think he was right.   My foot felt fine when I was running, but the post-run pain was excruciating!

But I am ready for the Florida sunshine and fun with friends!  I’ll be bringing baby R. with me too, so don’t tell my other kids that the baby gets to go to Disney before they do, okay?   Thanks!

This week I will just go for a few quick and easy runs to keep my legs (and mind) feeling fresh.   Look out Mickey, here I come!

How did your week go?

photo credit: KiSS_Ze_CHeF

Tweet This Post 

Don’t be a couch potato this weekend!  Get up and BE ACTIVE!

Never underestimate the power of a workout gang!

photo credit: Amarand Agasi

Tweet This Post 

Yesterday’s episode of “The View” brought up a whole host of emotions I have not felt for awhile.  The episode was about infertility, something I struggled with personally.  (hello family! you learn something new every day, don’t you?)

Celebrities Guiliana and Bill Rancic came on to discuss their personal struggle with infertility and the treatments that have tried and are considering.   The conversation took a personal turn for me when Guiliana mentioned that the doctors believe she is too skinny and if she would just gain 5 or 10 pounds she might be able to get pregnant.    She balked at this idea–citing her job and the fact that she likes being thin.  The View co-hosts all gave her an earful on how if she really wanted to get pregnant, she would put on those pounds.    Over on Twitter, the conversation was the same.  The general consensus was:

Like Whoopi said, no butts!! Screw the sizes and tv look, you want to have a baby then you need to do what you have to do (@wrestlingaddict)

This is much easier said than done.
I’ve been there.  After two years of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant, I started infertility treatments.  After they did not work, the doctors told me my chances to get pregnant were slim, but I might consider gaining some weight.   Just like Guiliana, my cycles were not consistent and there was a chance that an increase in body weight might help get me on track.

When you are consumed with a certain lifestyle and look, it isn’t just THAT easy to “gain a few pounds”.   I was in phenomenal shape that I worked VERY hard to achieve.   Although my heart wanted children, my MIND could not allow myself to “just gain some weight”.   I feared every extra ounce that might end up on my body with absolutely NO guarantee that I would even get pregnant.

If you have never been in this situation, it is very easy to judge.  After all, five pounds is just five pounds.   But to someone who lives by the number on the scale, five pounds can mean days, weeks, and even months of self-loathing.    So please don’t judge her.  Guiliana was courageous enough to go on TV and tell women it’s okay to talk about infertility.

I chose not to gain those five pounds. I did not get pregnant and my husband and I got divorced.

So are you wondering how on earth I ended up with THREE children if I chose to not gain those 5 pounds and I got divorced?
Well, you’ll have to meet me in public (Fitbloggin anyone?) to get the rest of the story as I don’t feel comfortable putting it all out here on the internet!

I can tell you though, I still struggle everyday with my weight.  I absolutely LOVE my children with all my heart but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t cringe at my new mommy-body in the mirror.    Some habits/thoughts/feelings never go away. 

******
Did you watch this episode?  Are you an official View Mom Ambassador? (twitter hashtag #theviewmoms).  (I’m not but I think I should be. ) I also think that I should get the chance to interview Elisabeth for my “One Fit Mommy” series.
Elisabeth—are you listening?

Photo credit: InStyle and JJB

Tweet This Post 

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 Mandi, who blogs over at Trainer Momma.  She is a full time mommy of three who works part time as a personal trainer.  Prior to becoming a trainer though, she struggled with her weight.   A quote on her blog really stood out for me–she says:   “I just wanted to sit and eat. I was miserable, often sick, and unable to sleep well.”

So what changed for Mandi? Please read on for the details and how she is definitely now “One Fit Mommy”!

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

No way!
After I got married, I started to teach kindergarten and quickly my overwhelming job consumed my days. I had no balance in my life, never exercised and tried to give myself the energy my job demanded by filling my body with sugar. I was well over 180 pounds, hated my job and hated myself.

My inspiration for a fit lifestyle was my mother’s weight loss. She had hired a trainer and lost 40 pounds, and I started wearing her hand-me-down “fat clothes”. That was just not right. I had to do something.

I hired a trainer and he turned my life around. That was over 11 years ago and I haven’t looked back (and I’ve burned my mom’s fat clothes).

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

I tell mothers I work with to substitute the phrase “I don’t have time…” to “It’s not important to me…” When you interchange those phrases, it puts a whole new twist on exercise. When we don’t MAKE the time, essentially we are saying that we are not important enough to make the time. When it is phrased that way, most of us will turn off the phone, leave the dishes in the sink, walk away from piles of laundry and get exercising.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Oooo. Hard one. My favorite exercise is change. I definitely cannot do one form of exercise day after day or even week after week. Some of my favs are: weight lifting, jumping rope, running stairs, swimming, cycling, running, treadmill, spin class, basketball, stair master, elliptical trainer, plyometrics, track work… See? I knew I couldn’t answer this question.

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

Even stevens. I am absolutely both. I firmly believe that women need to be sweating their brains out doing cardio, but also building lean muscle by strength training. I am a certified personal trainer and encourage women every day to challenge their muscles with new and different ways to lift weights. Then, I shoo them off to spend at least 30 minutes on the cardio equipment for the ole’ ticker. We’ve got to do both, ladies. There’s no way around it.

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

When the alarm rudely blares at me at 5:30 A.M., I am not hopping out of bed thrilled to work out. I think of how nice it would be to get some more shut eye to face the demands of yet another day. But then I think of THE FEELING. Hhhmm. How do I describe this FEELING? Not in one word, but pieces of many:

Exhilarating. Validating. Peaceful. Hopeful. Cheerful. Strong. Whole. Joyful. Happy. Power. Control. Patient. Alive. Energy. Full. Complete.
I’m sure it’s the endorphins flooding my body and brain. Whatever chemical or hormone it is, I’ll take it. And often. When, I start a workout I’m tired, stressed and wonder if maybe I should pass for the day. This thought crosses my mind nearly with every workout. You’d think I’d be over that by now. Nope.

But then I realize the only other option is to NOT feel the FEELING, and quite simply: that is not acceptable to me.

Q: Random question: What is your favorite breakfast food?

I definitely go through phases. Right now I’m in a Power Oatmeal kind of mood:

1/2 cup rolled oats,
dash of cinnamon
dash of vanilla
1 scoop protein powder
water — enough to barely cover the oats

Zap that in the microwave for 3 minutes. Top with 1/4 cup of skim milk and sweeten with fresh berries. Y.U.M.

Thank you Mandi for sharing your secrets and being a fit mommy inspiration!

Never underestimate the power of a workout gang!

Tweet This Post 

It’s hard to believe my little guy is already 11 weeks old!  Time just flies by, doesn’t it?

He proudly wears his fat rolls in his new onesie—many thanks to Pamela at Happy Panda Baby for sending it to him.

I think his first words might be “Never underestimate the power of a workout!”

Tweet This Post