Maria Kang, also known as the “No excuse mom” is one fit mommy!
Today’s fit mommy is Maria, a very busy mom with two little boys. Maria’s blog, Fitness Cure, is one of the first blogs I started reading and she continues to inspire me every single day. (updated: She no longer runs Fitness Cure but instead can be found on her own page, Maria Kang.)
Not only does she make fitness a priority for herself, but she goes out of her way to help others make fitness a priority for themselves.
Please read on for more about Maria and why she is definitely “One Fit Mommy!”:
Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
I’ve always been drawn to fitness ever since I was seven years old dancing around my parent’s house in my stockings and bathing suit to the song, “Let’s get Physical!” In high school I volunteered as a step instructor and in college I became a personal trainer. I was never involved in sports because I was very shy, but I was a cheerleader, which provided a great physical outlet in my younger years. I’d say my biggest influence was my mother because she suffered from a lot of health-related diseases due to her sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle. I decided that I wanted to prevent the same things happen to myself, as well as make a difference in the lives of other people who also struggled with an unhealthy lifestyle. This passion led me to found Fitness without Borders (www.fitnesswithoutborders.org), a nonprofit that promotes fitness programs in middle and high schools.Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
I am a freelance writer, nonprofit director and business owner of a residential care home for the elderly, Comforts of Home. Besides my professional job, I also have two small kids at home currently ages 21 months and 6 months. It’s definitely hard to incorporate fitness when you are a stay-at-home working mom because once the kids awake it’s really all about them. I fit exercise into my schedule by training at 5am in the morning. Training early gets that priority out of the way and decreases the guilt I often have for leaving them when they are awake. I also started a Mom-Me fitness club (www.mommyfitnessclub.com) in my area where we meet at a local park 1-2 times a week to run with our strollers and perform exercises with our young kids. It’s a great way to get outside, get active and meet other moms. The kids watch and emulate us too, which makes it a great opportunity to set a strong, healthy example for our family.
Q: Are you more of a strength training mom or cardio mom?
I’m both. I try to run at least ten miles a week. Sometimes, I like to join a dance or kickboxing class. I also try to incorporate glute training twice a week (since my butt has changed since giving birth!) and work on each muscle group at least once throughout the week.Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
That’s a tough one as I have been strength training for over ten years and enjoy a lot of different exercises. However, if I had to choose one, I think the good old fashion deadlift is the best exercise for your back, butt and hamstrings. It get’s your heart rate up and makes you feel strong and powerful.Q: How about your least favorite?
I detest the squat. It’s tough, but it’s a great exercise to improve your overall body. I also hate running. But I do both because my body loves it.Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
Yes I do! If I don’t feel like training the first thing I tell myself is to not think about and just “Take Action!” Sometimes thinking too much can get you into trouble…and I mean lazy trouble. I also give myself a minimum of 20 minutes on a cardio machine and tell myself that if I want to leave afterwards, I can. (I usually don’t.) Lastly, I have a ton of things I can do at home like run on the treadmill, perform plyometrics in the backyard or pop in a DVD if I don’t want to go to the gym. There are definitely no excuses in my household.Q: What is your favorite snack food?
It depends what I’m in the mood for. If I want something salty, my oldest son and I like snacking on veggies straws. If I want something sweeter, I like to eat blueberries.
Thank you Maria for being a fitness inspiration!
You can see more interviews with other fit moms (and dads too!) over here.
I always say that being able to work out at home eliminates the lack of time as an excuse not to exercise. Even if you can do something for 10 minutes while the kids are napping it will benefit you. It also eliminates the need for commuting to the gym and waiting for the equipment while you’re there. BTW, I agree the deadlift is one of the best exercises you can do for your body!
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