It is time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy”!

Today’s fit mommy is Della, a very busy mom and grandma! She became a certified Pilates instructor in 2002 and in 2007 she was introduced to Kettlebells and Lauren Brooks. According to Della,

“I have found this to be an all-over endurance and conditioning work-out. I have personally seen results in weight loss, definition and all-over strength and it is my new found love. I have since become HKC certified, battling ropes certified and will be going to the RKC in August.”

Della and Lauren have teamed up to start BuggyBellz, a kettlebell workout for moms with their babies. She can also be seen in Lauren’s second DVD,The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells DVD Volume 2.

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

Q. What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

A. I didn’t grow up in a “healthy” home, so it did take me a while to figure it out.  I started to exercise in my twenties, which consisted of a trip to the gym and 30 minutes on the lifecycle.  I wasn’t very consistent  though.  With the pregnancy of my 4^th daughter at age thirty, I started to walk everyday and that is really where my road to fitness started.  I had a great pregnancy and delivery and after she was born, I felt awesome.  That’s when I learned that a active lifestyle felt really, really good.

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

A.  Every mom should be able to squeeze in a 10-15 minute workout and that is the beauty of a kettlebell workout.  It is such  an efficient workout that that is all it takes if you’re pushed for time.  There are free workouts online that moms can follow along with, even using their babies instead of a kettlebell can work for squats, lunges, even swings.  Moms really should make their workout, short or long, a priority because you feel so good, physically and mentally afterward and that makes everyone happy.

Q.  Are you more of a strength training mom or cardio mom?

A.  Up until 3 years ago, I was mostly a cardio mom.  I took a spin class 3-4 days per week, did a longer road bike ride on the weekends, hiked and ran.  The most strength training I did was Pilates.  Then I found Lauren Brooks and Kettlebell training.  My body has been totally transformed and I have muscle definition and strength. Kettlebell training is also a combination of strength training and cardio, so now I would say I do equal amounts of both.

Q.  What is my favorite exercise and why?

A.  Kettlebells because of the amazing all-over-body workout in a short amount of time.  Of the Kettlebell exercises, my favorite is the snatch.

Q.  What is my least favorite?

A.  Probably running, it takes me a lot of mental energy to run more than 3 or 4 miles.

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

A.  I tell myself just to go and that I don’t have to push myself today, it can just be an easy day.  But, once I get to class and get warmed up I always feel different.  I never regretted getting a workout in!

Q.  What is your favorite snack food?

A.  I love tortilla chips with guacamole and salsa and also veggies and hummus

Thank you Della for being an inspiration to moms (and grandmas!) everywhere!

You can find out more about Buggy Bellz at http://www.Buggybellz.com.

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Buggy Bellz mom

It is time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy Daddy”!  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 dad is Tony, who blogs over at The Anti-Jared. Tony is a busy dad who has lost over 200 POUNDS thanks to healthy eating and exercise. If you are not a reader of Tony’s blog, you must go (now!) and start reading. I love his no-nonsense approach to getting healthy and his tweets always crack me up.

Please read on for more about Tony and why he is definitely “One Fit Daddy!”

Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

Well, first off let me tell you how much I love Workoutmommy.com. Lisa, I have known you for some time, and I love your dedication to being a great mother and workout enthusiast.

I guess I was inspired by my family. When I hit my heaviest weight, it was not about being fat anymore, but being healthy. I started to work out and fell in love with it. It is so much fun! I know my eating portions will need some discipline, but I feel with my workouts, I can be the “total package” when it comes to health.

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

Find time. Make time. Do whatever! Most gyms have a little daycare. There is a Wii, a park, a neighborhood to walk around. Take your husband, wife, kids. I work 65 hours a week. I “parent” my son and do a lot for my wife. I workout at least two hours a day. But I sacrifice. i make time.
Q: Are you more of a strength training dad or cardio dad?

Good question! I think I am a little of both dad! I love cardio, but I am not a runner. I use the Stairmaster or the Arctrainer. I also work out with free weights. I do not believe in machines. But if I had to choose, I would say i am a strength training dad!

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Squats! I love working out my legs. I love the feel of the weight on my back (no pad). I have strong legs. Plus, it works out my abs!

Q: How about your least favorite?

None! I love it all.

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

This is a funny question. I hear how people dread the gym. They hate it. They have a love/hate relationship with it. I love going to the gym. I love listening to music. I do a little Twitter and Facebook while I do cardio  (Real fun, and I ask great questions!). Work out with a friend, maybe think about it as alone time.

Q: What is your favorite snack food?

Hard Boiled Eggs!

Thank you Tony for being an inspiration for everyone!

Ok gang, it’s time for YOU to get up and get moving!  NO excuses!

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

The Anti-Jared is one fit daddy!

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 mom is Jenn, also known as Coach Jenn. She is a busy mom of two who blogs over at Personal Fit Coach. After gaining excess weight during each of her pregnancies and battling post-partum depression and anxiety,  Jenn decided one day to change her life with proper nutrition and exercise.

Just look at her transformation pictures!  I’d say she is definitely “one fit mommy!”  Please read on for more about Jenn and be sure to stop by her Beachbody coaching site.

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

In my youth, I was not very focused on sports. I was into music and theater the most. That said, I suppose I was lucky with my genetics and did not seem to put on much weight even though I did not eat very healthy. I gained some weight in college and struggled in finding a balance between eating and exercising in my twenties. I probably bordered on having an eating disorder in trying to lose weight by eating nothing but vegetables and salads. Sure, I lost weight, but I was not fit or healthy at all. I did what most women do and set a new goal for my wedding to get fit and healthy. This worked for a while, but having kids put me over the edge. I was back to being unhappy, unhealthy and rather overweight. When I felt like I had to go to bed before my kids, who were only about 2 and 4 at the time, I knew something had to change.

Initially, I set a really small goal to ride my exercise bike just 15 minutes after my husband got home from work. Then I tried to build up to 30 minutes and 45 minutes. Then I gave some home workout DVDs a try like Turbo Jam and stuff from Jillian Michaels. A friend of mine suggested that I try P90X. I had seen a commercial for this program at least once or twice while riding my exercise bike. I thought, “there is NO WAY I can do that program.” But, I decided to give it a try and after 90 days, my results were amazing. I could not believe that after 2 kids and after hitting age 40 that I was in the best shape of my life. I even had the pleasure of working out with P90X creator Tony Horton in person a few weeks ago. It was wonderful to thank him personally for having such an impact on my life. This is now a lifestyle choice for me for sure. I am trying my best to set a good example for my children and to help other moms fit exercise into their busy lives with my fitness coaching.

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

Ah, the time excuse. I hear it all the time. Moms need to put themselves back on top of their priority list. We get so caught up in trying to care for and please everyone else that we often lose ourselves. I can’t remember who said it, but “A healthy and happy mom makes for a healthy and happy family.” I find that this is so true. I think we can all make time for exercise. It is so important. Even in the early days of 15-20 minutes a day made such a difference for me. Get up a little earlier and get in the exercise before the day gets busy and filled with excuses. Break up exercise intervals. Even 10 minute exercise bursts 2-3 times a day can make a difference. I even workout with my kids sometimes. They love some of the exercise DVDs. You may be surprised by what they can do and how much fun you can have together. However you do it… make time. It is so worth it.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Hmm, now that’s a tricky one. I like so many exercises. I suppose I would have to say anything that combines upper and lower body at once. Squat thrusts or mountain climbers are a good example. These exercises work upper, lower and even core all at once. They are a great way to tone your body, and get in cardio in short bursts.

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

I try to strike a balance. I used to be a cardio gym rat, but I sort of felt like just that, a mouse or rat running on one of those wheels. I was sort of thin and sort of in shape, but not quite. Blending cardio, strength and even a weekly yoga session (or something similar) for flexibility is key.

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

Turbo Jam creator Chalene Johnson is the one I credit with helping me with this the most. In a number of her workouts she reminds participants to just get started. If I really don’t feel like working out, I remember what Chalene says, “Just give it 10 minutes, and you will want to do more, if you don’t, you can quit.” I am so thankful that probably 99% of the time those 10 minutes really do make the difference to get my mind and body ready to do more.

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

I am having fun exploring new snack ideas. My favorite these days is celery sticks with peanut butter. I suppose there is nothing extraordinary about this idea, but it’s one I had never tried and I love it! It is so satisfying when I am having cravings for something unhealthy.

Thank you Jenn for being an inspiration!
You can see more interviews with other fit moms (and dads too!) over here.

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Coach Jenn is one fit mommy!

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. I then hunt them down and force them to tell me their secrets, which I then share with you!

Today’s fit mommy is my IRL friend Kelly. We used to share a lot of laughs when we worked next to each other at AOL  before we became moms.  She now lives in one of my favorite places in the US and I am forced to live vicariously through her active mom lifestyle!

Kelly is a busy mom to Grant, (and Huli, the crazy dog!), and wife to Matt. She also works part-time from home for an ad agency in Boulder.

Despite having her hands (and backpack) full, she still manages to find time for fitness and active living.

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

Q: Have you always been fit?

For the most part…I have been active since I was a kid. I was always on some team, playing some sport. I didn’t take very good care of myself in college but realized after I graduated how much I really needed fitness in my life. I have some health issues that exercise really helps regulate; it helps keep me balanced, and ultimately, just makes me feel better about myself.

Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

I’m not concerned about my weight (I haven’t weighed myself since I had my son over a year ago!), I’m concerned about how I feel, how my clothes fit, and staying active makes me feel healthy and strong. But most importantly, I want to pass along a healthy lifestyle to my children and teach them the importance of caring for their body.
Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?

We all know as moms that finding time for ourselves is HARD and getting back into it after baby is even harder. So I incorporate my son into my workouts (just like workout mommy!). I started small by doing little leg lifts with him laying face down on my legs (modified tummy time!) and now that I’m stronger, we’ve worked our way up to running and hiking together. The BOB Revolution and my REI hiking backpack are essentials to our day. And, I always feel like I’m getting a better workout when he is with me because of the added weight!

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Snowboarding! I learned when I moved to Colorado 4 years ago and can’t get enough. I never feel like I’m exercising when I’m on the mountain, but it’s great for your core and legs and I feel myself getting stronger during the season. Plus, it’s tough to get to a gym or exercise outside in the wintertime so it’s a nice way to get in a great workout and not even think about it.

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

I love strength training, but I’m more of a cardio mommy. Especially now, it’s just easier for me to fit a workout in during the day with my son, then carve out a half hour during nap time to lift by myself (I work part time from home so nap times are dedicated to work.)

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

I am really competitive so I challenge my husband or friends and we compete for little prizes. We use the Nike Kit or the RunKeeper app to keep track of our miles and workouts. It’s not so much the prizes I’m working towards, but more so bragging rights! Most of my challenges are with men, so I really feel like I have something to prove. If I don’t feel like working out someday, I just think about how I’ll feel winning my challenge and it usually is enough to get myself motivated. Plus, after you’re out there for about 5 minutes, you forget about the fact that you didn’t want to be out there in the first place!

Q: What brand of running shoes do you wear?
Asics, love ‘em!

Thanks Kelly for being an inspiration to other moms. Hopefully I will make it out to visit you one of these days.

Ok gang, it’s your turn to get up and be active!

What are YOU doing today? No excuses!

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Hiking Mommy

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 Sharon Mann. Back before I had kids, I used to turn on Fit TV and sweat with Sharon. I had a girl crush on her.

I then moved, had some kids and forgot all about Fit TV until a few months ago when I rediscovered Sharon. When I read that she also has 3 little boys I just knew that I had to feature her as “One Fit Mommy”! She makes the time to get it done and never fails to deliver an awesome workout!

Please read on for more about Sharon and why she is definitely “One Fit Mommy” and enter to win her Body Sculpting DVD !

Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

I was very active as a child ! I played baseball , on the track team in school , enjoyed swimming , skating and gymnastics . I have two older brothers who I always played sports with and we would run at our local track – racing each other !! I started training for competitive aerobics when I was 18 and really got the bug for training hard at that point .

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
Make it a priority … like brushing your teeth. Set  time aside everyday that includes physical activity – this could be with the kids or on your own . If mornings work the best for you – do it then / include another mom or a group of moms . Plan get togethers around working out – game of family soccer ….. then dinner. If your kids are small , in a snuggly and go for a hike . When my kids were small , I would squeeze exercise in any chance I could – running our stairs at home , core work on a stability ball while they played – push ups anytime / anywhere !! I did many hours of running with them sleeping in the jogger ( nap time for them )

Q: Did you have to change your training/workouts once you became a mom?
I became very good at time management and my workouts became more intense because I realized I didn’t have as much time. But I also have great opportunities to do active stuff with the family that we all love .

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
This changes all the time ! I just got a new bike …… so I absolutely loving being on the road riding , fresh air, big hills and spending time with my family. I teach 8 classes a week ( group exercise ) and I’m having tons of fun in my athletic core class – that’s a combination of kickboxing / weight training / athletic drills – intervals and core work .

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

Good question! I have several tricks – playing my favorite music usually gets me in the mood for a good workout, call one of my keen workout friends, download some new music for class is a good one. If all fails – a shot of espresso ……. and I just do it !!

Q: What is your favorite snack food?
I love anything that gives me energy ….. so I tend to snack on goji berries and dark chocolate chips . I make this really great energy bar with oats / seeds / wheat germ / dried fruit and almonds that is great for kids too . I love foods that make me feel good ! protein shake – using Vega protein / frozen berries and yogurt – yum !!

Thank you Sharon for being an inspiration to all!

Want to workout with Sharon?  I have Sharon’s Body Sculpting DVD to giveaway to one lucky reader!

To enter, please leave me a comment on this post telling me who in your life inspires you to fitness and why?

Fine print: Winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, June 5th at 9pm EST. Open to US addresses only.

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Sharon Mann is one fit mommy!

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 Cheryl, who blogs over at EasyPeasyBlog. She is a busy mommy who juggles everything from editorial director to marketing specialist and copy writer to copy editor.  She is also a published author, including  the book “Shortcuts to Sexy Body”.

Despite being super busy, she still finds time to stay FIT!  Please read on for more on why Cheryl is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

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

I guess you could say I’ve always been very active. It translated to being “fit” when I learned that what I was doing was actually good for my body (not just fun) and I set a goal to stay healthy. When I was younger, my Sony Walkman never left my ears. This love of music translated to an on-the-go fitness outlet—a gawky teenager bopping around her house or strapping on her roller skates for a trip around the block. Whether I realized it or not, I was working out pretty hard during those hour-long dance and skating sessions. Then came the fitness tapes of the ‘80s (think Jane Fonda, Kathy Smith). Who could resist those colorful fashions, leg warmers and headbands? On a side note, an onscreen exercise icon became a real life friend a few years ago, when I was lucky enough to write a fitness book with Tamilee Webb of Buns of Steel fame.

When I entered college in the ‘90s, fitness and feeling good about my body became a priority, as I narrowed my career interests to writing for beauty, fitness and fashion magazines. As an editor and freelance writer in the years to follow, I was constantly interviewing experts about new ways to be healthy and fit. This inspired me to apply what I had learned to my own life. At this point, I began my love affair with exercise and staying fit.

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

The reason I started EasyPeasyBlog.com is to help busy women (moms included, of course!) understand that staying a beautiful and fit woman is possible even when your schedule is packed. You can fit working out into any busy day if you know how. First off, make an appointment with yourself for yourself. If you treat exercise like a non-negotiable “meeting,” then you’re less likely to skip it. Get up early for a quick workout or stay up a little late for one (but not too close to bedtime). Sign up for a class at the gym or do an OnDemand home workout.
You can incorporate stay-fit activities throughout the day. Remember: you don’t have to have a full hour block of exercise. You can spread it out—10 minutes here, 10 minutes there. Involve the kids, and you’ll be keeping yourself active while also teaching them it’s important to get moving. Turn up the music and dance around your house. Go for a jogger stroller jog. Get out the Wii Fit and have a family “workout night.” Go for a walk after dinner. On weekends, take the family on a hike. Being fit doesn’t require exercise equipment or a gym. It just needs you and a great attitude.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

Rollerblading. I was in the best shape when I used to go three or four times a week. I love the freedom you have when you’re racing down a hill and the strength it takes to pump yourself back up the next one. And when you get a good song on your Ipod (there are those headphones again!), it’s almost like dancing.
When I became pregnant I had to hang up my blades for a bit. In my quest to stay fit, but with a child on the way, I was realistic that I wasn’t going to be able to hit the gym or rollerblade as frequently anymore after she was born. So a gift to myself was the Cybex Home Arc Trainer. It’s a good thing I got it, because I ended up gaining 70 pounds with my daughter. She was born in March 2007, and being in Boston, that’s still winter weather. The Arc Trainer really helped me lose the weight and get back into shape. It’s now my favorite go-to exercise when rollerblading isn’t an option. It’s situated in our TV room, so I can catch up on fitness, favorite shows, even emails on my laptop—the ultimate multi-tasking. I really have no excuses.

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

I like to incorporate both into my week. I probably enjoy cardio more because I really like to feel that my entire body is moving. But there’s nothing like the results of strength training, as you watch each muscle tone and become more defined.

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

Believe me, there are days when the last thing I want to do is exercise. After a day playing with my three-year-old, training our new puppy, pitching article ideas, completing magazine assignments and blogging, I would rather sit on the couch and munch on snacks. To get motivated, I usually flip through one of my fitness magazines. Instead of the rail-thin fashion models that can lead to an unhealthy expectation of a woman’s body, these show healthy, fit women enjoying life, eating right and having fun with exercise. This usually is the trick to pump me up enough to get up and get going. There might even be an article with a new exercise that I haven’t tried yet. Mixing things up and being creative with your routines can also be a great trick to getting motivated to exercise.

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

If you mean healthy favorite snack food, it’s Greek yogurt. If you mean, bad-for-you snack food…I would have to say Doritos. I can’t even have them in the house because the bag won’t last five minutes. And I don’t share. I’m a greedy snacker. Get your own bag.

Thanks Cheryl for being an inspiration for all of us!

For more fit mommy interviews, please click here!

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Cheryl Fenton is one fit mommy!

Check out my 15 minutes of fame in Shape Magazine! (April 2010 edition)

(and just when you think you are out of the game, something comes along that brings you back in!)

Make today an active one gang!  No excuses!

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Shape Magazine lists Workout Mommy as a favorite!

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!

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Trainer Momma is definitely “One Fit Mommy”

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 Jill, a busy mom of three who was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes just over three years ago. Since then, she has lost over 100 pounds and competed in the Mrs. Idaho competition, where she placed 6th!

She blogs over at Get Up and Get Moving and is definitely an inspiration and “One Fit Mommy!”. Please read on for more about Jill:

Q: Have you always been fit?

When I was younger I was a professional dancer and model. I did that into my 20’s. I got married at at age 27 had 2 miscarriages before my first child. Then the weight battle begun!  I lost myself being a wife and mom. Total of 4 miscarriages and 3 kiddo’s sure did not help with my weight problem.

Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

Since it was my career, dancing and modeling helped keep me in check. I also loved to dance so it was a fun outlet for me. Thirteen years later it was unfortunately hearing the words you have type 2 diabetes that really made me start to change my lifestyle. I wanted to be around for my husband and 3 kids ages, ages 11,9 and 4. I knew it was now or never.

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

Make the time! If you gain and don’t lose it all the first time it makes it so hard the other times. You will find it may never come off and then when all is said and done you have a long way to go to get it off.

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

I am both. I love Cardio. When I was competing in the Mrs. Idaho Pageant this year a trainer Rebecca Carington sponsored me. As a sponsor she got me in my best shape ever. At age 42, after losing 100 pounds, I was proud to place in the top 6 out of 16 amazing woman. It was through having a personal trainer that I learned how important it is to weight train.

Q: What are some of the lifestyle changes you made after being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes?

I learned to cut out the refined sugars. Cookies, candy pretty much all junk food. I eat 6 small meals a day. That helps speed up the metabolism and with that the pounds started dropping off.  Don’t starve whatever you do. You will not lose weight by doing that.

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
I just go. I get dressed and go. I don’t think about it to long or I may talk myself out of it. Once I am there, I am so happy I did it.

Q: How do you reward yourself after a workout?
With a feeling of job well done. Not a tangible reward. Not a food reward, just a pat on the back to know I did what I need to do to reach and keep my goals!  I also run a website so I will post on my site something to help others. Since reaching my goal of losing 100 pounds my goal is to spread my message. Visit my site to learn more about my journey at http://getupandgetmoving.net

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

This fit mommy lost 100 pounds to place 6th in the Mrs. Idaho competition!

Please help me learn a little bit more about you. I’ve created a very easy survey for you (should take about 2 minutes). Just click the link below…please?

Click Here to take survey

and as a reward for your effort, each person who takes the survey will be entered to win a $10 Target gift card! Please leave me a comment below letting me know that you took the survey. Winner will be chosen on Sunday, October 25th at 9pm EST.

If you are reading this via reader, please click through to visit the survey and get your chance to win.
Thanks and have an active weekend gang!

copyright owned by www.workoutmommy.com Please do NOT reprint without permission.

Opinions needed! Rewards given!