Today’s fit mommy is Heather, who blogs over at Run Faster Mommy. I stumbled upon her blog and was instantly impressed with her dedication to keeping fit. Heather juggles school, a job, and two little boys that are at home with her.   Despite her crazy schedule, she still finds time to fit in workouts and marathon training!   One of my favorite quotes from our interview is:

“A fit mom is a happy, healthy mom.  Not only do you deserve that, but so do your kids.”

Very well said Heather! Thank you for being “One Fit Mommy”! Please read on for more about Heather and what she considers her “Superwoman’s cape”:

Q: Have you always been fit?  What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
Have I always been fit?  Yes and no.  I was very active growing up, playing sports all through school.  When I went off to college I entered the typical sedentary college lifestyle, complete with a diet of beer and pizza, and put on about 30 pounds VERY quickly!  After I took time off from school, I moved to South Carolina and took up surfing.  It kept me somewhat active, but it wasn’t until after the birth of my first son that I really started running and living a healthy lifestyle.  I was inspired to start running by my older sister, a very active runner and triathlete.  After I started, I just LOVED the way I felt about myself and everything else in life, and it inspired me to keep up that healthy lifestyle.  I also gained a lot of weight with my pregnancies, 30lbs with the first and 60lbs with the second.  So I am no stranger to that feeling of being a beginner when it comes to working out!

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

I say that’s a lame excuse!  If I can work a job outside of the home, go to school full time, take care of my two year old and eight month old (that do not go to daycare or a babysitter) and still find the time to exercise, anyone can find the time!  You just have to make it part of your daily routine, and be creative!! I do not have the luxury of having much family around, so I don’t get a lot of time to workout alone.  The jogging stroller has become a staple in our house.  And instead of the gym, I do weights and plyometrics at home using a workout DVD, usually while the kids are napping or playing quietly.  I do my weekend long runs for marathon training EARLY while everyone else in the house is still sleeping.  Be creative-if your kids are older, have them bike along side of you as you run.  Or take them to the park for a family game of soccer or tennis.  Make a “simon says” type of game with some hill sprints and push ups.  Anything goes!  Working out does not have to be mindlessly sweating on the elliptical at the gym for hours on end.

I think a lot of times as moms we tend to put our family, the housework, pretty much EVERYTHING else first, and ourselves last.  Not only is this doing a disservice to yourself, but it’s a disservice to your family!  A fit mom is a happy, healthy mom.  Not only do you deserve that, but so do your kids.  And what an amazing example you are setting for your children by showing them how important a fit lifestyle is!

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
Running, by far, is my favorite exercise.  It is almost like meditation for me. Running clears my head and gives me time to think.  Plus I love challenging myself by running further and faster each time, pushing my body to see what it is capable of.  And I am addicted to racing - 5k’s all the way to full marathons.  It’s just the most amazing atmosphere, and the “runner’s high” and feeling of accomplishment at the finish line is indescribable!

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
Cardio! I like to be on the move.  I do know how important strength training is for my body so I do try to make sure it’s part of my regular routine, but I do get bored easily with it.

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
When I don’t want to work out, I put on my sneakers.  They are comparable to superwoman’s cape!  When I have them on I just feel ready to take on the world!  And if that doesn’t work, I tell myself to just get out there for 15 minutes.  If I’m still not feeling it after that time frame, then I can quit.  9 times out of 10, once I reach that 15 minute mark, I’m into the workout and will keep going!  Also, I find it’s better for me to do my workouts in the morning.  My head is still somewhat clear and I’m not overwhelmed or exhausted from all the events of the day.  It’s easier to make excuses at night when you are tired!

Q: Random question:  what’s your favorite brand of workout clothing and why?
Oooh tough one!  I don’t have one specific brand that I love.  Usually, anything that is comfortable, stays put, and makes me feel strong and pretty.  I have found a few random pieces I adore.  I LOVE Nike Women’s Tempo Track Short for women.  I have 4 pairs in different colors!  And I love comfy socks.  One time I bought a pair of Balega Ultra socks at a race expo, and I swear it’s like running on clouds!!

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

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Run Faster Mommy

In the past, I have loved my Frog Bra from Title Nine Sports.  It held everything in place with minimal bouncing.   These days it just isn’t getting the job done though.  I’m getting bigger with this pregnancy and therefore need a more supportive bra to handle the load!  I’ve been forced to double bag  (wear two bras at once!) and that is getting uncomfortable as well.

Last week I sent out a tweet asking for suggestions on your  favorite sports bras.  Here are some of the responses I received:

KatyShops, 2Peachkids, and RenaeRed all like Moving Comfort brand.   Mublogger agrees with them, specifically recommending the  Fiona Bra, because the straps can be adjusted with just one hand for moms that are still nursing.

ToThink recommends Hanes, especially for the well endowed woman, which I definitely need at this point!   I had no idea they even sold these!  (Here is a coupon for their website, just in case you are interested:Free Shipping with $50 order and an additional 20% off clearance items at Hanes.com Expires 7.26.09)

Metropolitan Mama has been a strong supporter (no pun intended!) of the Enell sports bra, saying it takes away the “bounce” factor.

So, my quest this week is to find some new sports bras that can support my (growing) chest during all my favorite workouts.  Please let me know if you have a favorite that I have missed!

Have you been active today gang?  Get up and get moving, no excuses!

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What is your favorite sports bra?

Fresh pineapple is not only a delicious fruit to snack on in the summer time, but it is also nutritious! A ¾ cup serving of pineapple has about 56 calories, 15g carbs, 2g of fiber and 11g of sugar. And as we all know, most of the things that we LOVE to eat are bad for us! But, pineapple is very low in fat and sodium and has no cholesterol. It is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), copper, dietary fiber, Vitamin B6 and Manganese.

Now, you may ask what exactly does manganese do for the body? Well, it is a trace mineral and an essential co-factor for many enzymes involved in energy production and antioxidant defenses. So when you find yourselves energy deprived or under the weather, try eating manganese and antioxidant rich foods like pineapple!

Thiamin helps to increase blood circulation and provide a greater supply of oxygen to the blood cells. Thiamin also functions to metabolize carbohydrates for digestion.

Pineapples also contain a unique enzyme called Bromelain. Bromelain has the special ability to help the body balance and neutralize fluids so that it’s neither too alkaline nor too acidic.  It also stimulates hormonal secretions in the pancreas which are important for digestion. This enzyme also helps reduce pain as it is responsible for reducing inflammation and swelling. Interestingly enough, drinking pineapple juice can help reduce soreness and redness in throats!

Remember that the longer you store fruit, the lower the nutritional value. As the fruit is exposed to oxygen and further ripens, it also loses some important vitamins and minerals.

I love to eat fresh cold pineapple in the summer, don’t you?

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Why you should be eating fresh pineapple

Image by Camera Slayer via Flickr

Have a great weekend everyone and Happy 4th for those of you in the states!

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How are you going to make your weekend an ACTIVE one?

Today’s fit mommy is Tammy, who does not have a blog (yet)!

As you can tell from her before and after pictures, she worked hard to attain her “One Fit Mommy” status!

Please read on for more about how she did it:

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

A: No I haven’t. In fact I come from a long line of couch potatoes. After the birth of my son 11 years ago, I hated the way I looked & felt. I was under the impression that once the baby was born, the weight would just disappear. (I heard a lot of ‘”don’t worry about your weight - you can just lose it after’” during my pregnancy, so I ate ‘whatever’.) I’m sure many other women have heard the same thing.

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

A: You have two choices. Accept and learn to like the way you look, or make exercise and eating right a priority. (That was my mentality anyway!)

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
A: I like crunches and shoulder presses. I like feeling those muscles the next day.

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
A: I do both.

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
A: Oh that happens often, especially having a baby who doesn’t sleep through the night and I am often so tired the next morning. I just tell myself when I get to the gym, I finally get some uninterrupted ‘me’ time.

Q: What’s your favorite brand of workout clothing and why?
A: I like Lululemon because it looks great, and its the kind of clothing that is flattering on most body types.

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She had to work that baby weight off!

Today’s fit mommy is Sheila, a busy mom with two small children. She is also the owner of Fit 4 Moms, a “unique exercise program dedicated to hard-working moms who are serious about a healthy lifestyle and proper exercise techniques”.

Sheila started the program after having her second child and believes that all moms should take the opportunity to get fit and healthy. Children are welcome in the class sessions at Fit 4 Moms, so there really are NO excuses!

In her spare time, Sheila enjoys competing in marathons, triathlons, water-skiing, wake boarding, and snow-skiing. She is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

Please read on for more about Sheila and be sure to visit her website Fit 4 Moms:

Q: Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
Yes, pretty much my entire life I have spent in gymnastics, cheerleading, track and other physical activities (Skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, bike riding, etc.) Being “Fit” was not my goal in participating in these activities, however. It was a lifestyle that I was introduced to at a young age which continued through to adulthood. Being active was just “how we carried on”. I grew up in a small town outside of Montreal in Upstate NY. We were close to Lake Placid. So when the Winter Olympics came to Lake Placid in the 1980’s, my parents were elected to work at them. I had the good fortune of witnessing these incredible winter sporting events front row. Even at the age of 7 years old, I was filled with emotion when a competitor would win his/her event. Realizing the time and effort put into their training was enlightening. This and other similar events inspired me to live a fit lifestyle. Having a husband who is ‘one fit daddy’ keeps me doubly inspired.

Q: How did you get started with FIT 4 MOMS?
After having my second child, I realized that my time at the park with my children could be better spent…exercising. The word got out to other moms at the park that I was organizing a “fitness group for moms where the children can enjoy themselves too!” And it is history for there. The FIT 4 MOMS clientele has grown from 3 to 100 since 2006.

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
Hogwash. You make time. It has to be a priority otherwise there will not be time, just like anything else in life. You have to eat to stay alive; we make time to eat. You exercise to stay fit, healthy and to feel good; find time to do so.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
Plank. In this position every muscle is engaged. It is excellent for your arms, back, abs, glutes and quads. Our motto is “Plank…like a mother.” It is displayed on our FIT 4 MOMS T shirts.

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

What comes to mind when I have second thoughts about waking up at the crack of dawn to train are paraplegics, cancer victims, single moms with little help, and any other challenged athlete who can find it in themselves to get out of bed each day. I chant to myself “Just do it. No excuses. ”

Q: Random question: What is your favorite brand of running shoes?
I have run in all brands of running shoes from Nike to Mizuno. As long as they are comfortable, reduce the risk of blisters and ankle problems, they’re good in my book.

For more interviews with fit moms (and dads too), visit the “Get inspired by these fit moms” page.

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Plank like a mother with Fit 4 Moms!

Today’s fit mommy is Foodie McBody, who can be found blogging over at FoodFoodBodyBody.

Foodie decided to change her life after being diagnosed with diabetes in 1/09 and has made quite the transformation! She has lost 28lbs and has become a runner. Check out the picture below of Foodie and her medal! I’d say she is definitely “One Fit Mommy”, wouldn’t you?

Please read on for more and be sure to visit her blog too!

Q: Have you always been fit?  What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
No, I have NOT always been fit! The last time I was fit was when I was in the track team in high school, and that was several millenia ago.   I was inspired, or rather scared to pieces, to live a fit lifestyle when I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes in January 2009 and then with “real” diabetes Type 2 in April.

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
I know it seems that way. Moms, especially with small kids, never seem to have a moment of time to themselves. But it has to be a priority because an unfit mom is probably a tired, cranky, unhappy mom. I definitely was, especially when my kids were small. I was terribly unfit and pretty unhappy, and it affected me. You CAN make it a priority and you can incorporate them into it and make it fun. One of the most inspiring fit moms out there is MizFitOnline. She has a toddler (”The Tornado”) whom she incorporates INTO her workouts - she calls the “Playouts” - and she is raising a child who is going to have a fabulous body image and a love of activity. I wish I’d met her way back in the day when my kids were small.
I also really really encourage moms to get support- from their partners, from other moms - to get the childcare necessary to make it work. Or use your kids as weights. Put them in a backpack or jogging stroller. You can make it work!

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
I love walking/running with my iPod. Music just takes me to another place and when it has a certain beat, I can’t help walking fast or breaking into a run. Add that to a gorgeous setting (I am fortunate to live near a beautiful regional park) and it’s pretty heavenly. But I also love working one-on-one with a trainer who pushes me to new and different limits all the time. I know that strength training is important so I do that with him. I recently bought Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred and LOVE how it did the trick in less than half an hour. Jillian rocks.

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
I actually like doing both, but am more likely to do cardio when I’m on my own. I recently did the couch-to-5k running program, and shocked myself by actually completing two 5k races in May. I really WAS a couch potato when I began, but the gradual increased intervals in C25k made it totally do-able. I love c25k, and now I love doing cardio workouts because it brought me to a level of cardio fitness I never had before.

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
I have my “before” pictures on my phone and I whip it out and say, “Do you really want to be back in this place?” The answer is always no. I also have come to rely on the endorphins and how happy they make me when I do workout. When I don’t I am noticeably more glum and irritable. I need those endorphins like I need oxygen now.

Q: Random question:  what’s your favorite brand of workout clothing and why?
I LOVE the clothing on Athleta.com. It’s so beautiful and original and comfy and all of the models really inspire me.

For more interviews with fit moms (and dads too), visit the “Get inspired by these fit moms” page.

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A diabetes diagnosis started her on the path to ‘One Fit Mommy”!

Today’s fit mommy is Michelle, who blogs over at Weight Watcher is a Runner Now. She is a busy mom with 3 boys, works full time as a teacher, and has successfully lost over 70lbs thanks to the Weight Watchers program. In her road to fitness, she discovered she is a runner and is currently training for her first marathon.

Please read on for more about Michelle and I think you will agree she is definitely “One Fit Mommy”!

Q: Have you always been fit?
A: As a young child I was fit. I was in soccer, basketball, volleyball and track. When I reached high school, I quit all of my sports. I wanted to be more social. I was on the dance/drill team which was some aerobic exercise, but dropped out midway my senior year. That’s when I really started to become unfit.

Q: What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
A: At first, my goal was to simply loose weight so I could get pregnant. You see, I had one child and tried for my 2nd. I had a really hard time conceiving the 2nd child. I was diagnosed as prediabetic, mild polycystic ovaries, and mild endometriosis. All of these conditions are worsened by obesity. My BMI was in the morbid obese category. I was placed on medications for the prediabetes. Also, I had sleep apnea, asthma, and acid reflux. I had to sleep with a CPAP mask every night. Very unattractive. I looked like Darth Vadar. My poor husband I’m sure loved sleeping next to me. I was taking $40 worth of Prevacid monthly for the acid reflux. I would be in severe pain if I ran out of my meds and no over the counter medicine helped me. After all of these health conditions, the one that did it for me was the word PREDIABETES. I did NOT want to become diabetic at 32 years old! I knew I had to change. So I lost 30 pounds and that was enough to get pregnant. Really pregnant….after having fertility problems…I became pregnant with twins! About 3 months after the twins were born, I really starting trying to lose weight again. I lost about 75 pounds using Weight Watchers. Even though I was thinner, I wouldn’t say I was fit. I had lost my weight without exercising at all! Once I was at a healthy weight, I started going to the gym. I love to dance so I’d take step aerobics classes, strength training classes, and then tried the machines. It’s been about 2 years that I’d say I’ve became FIT and healthy. I now workout regularly. Also, my sister in law was a huge inspiration to me. She was also overweight too and hated exercise. One day she decided she wanted to try jogging. She starting jogging while she was overweight. The weight just melted off of her. Not even a year into her running she decided to do a marathon! Who does that?!? I figured if she could do a marathon right away I could at least start trying to run.

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
A: I am a mother of three boys aged 8 and 3 1/2. Also, I am a full time elementary school teacher. I understand about having a hectic schedule. It’s really easy for mommies to have that “mommy guilt.” I feel it too. I’m already at work all day and should I really take up another hour away from them to workout? My answer: YES. Before I became fit, I wouldn’t be able to chase after them, ride bikes with them, take hikes, etc. There’s no way I’d be able to catch up with them. After about 2 minutes I’d need to take a nap. Being healthy makes me a better and more involved mom. Look carefully at your schedule. If you don’t think there’s any time in your day, I would ask you to rethink it. I HATE mornings. I’m not a morning person at all. But I wake up at 5 AM to workout. That way, it’s not mommy time since my kids are asleep and it’s just me time. If waking up before your kids doesn’t work, can you workout during their nap? I bought a treadmill so if I needed to I could run at my house. Many times during the summer, my boys will come downstairs to watch me and play while I run. It’s a great example for them to see me being healthy. Also, you could get your children involved with you. Do active things with them. Pick them up and dance with them. I bought a bike trailer to pull my toddlers around while I ride my bike with my son. Our family has a Wii and we have Wii Sports, Wii Fit, and now Wii Active. My oldest son loves the activities on these and we can do them together. If you’re too busy running around driving your children to their different activities, maybe between things you could do a 10 minute walk here or there. When I used to take my son to soccer, I would run around the neighborhood while he was at practice. Then I might do step ups or dips on the bench there. I would just try to just not SIT for an hour when I could be active like my son.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
A: Right now running. I never used to think I’d be a runner. In fact, I remember telling my sister in law when she told me she was running that I’d rather get stabbed in the eye with an ice pick than run. But I got the bug. It’s a fast and efficient way to get a workout. That’s why I like it. I can burn 400 calories in about 32 minutes! It’s perfect for someone who is rushed for time. I started running races and that really is a thrill! I live to race. I never knew I was so competitive until I started racing. I’ve done 5K’s, 5 milers, 10K’s, 12K’s, and two half marathons. Currently I have decided to train for a full marathon!

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
A: Cardio. I know I need to add more strength training. I’ve been trying to add more strength training on my cross training days. I am in LOVE with Jillian Michaels DVD’s!

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
A: I say, “Just try it for 5 minutes to see how you feel.” Or I’ll picture myself with all of my fat rolls and that can get me going too! If I’m truly too tired in the morning, I’ll try again in the afternoon after work. If it’s still not right, I listen to my body and rest that day.

Q: What is your favorite brand of workout clothing and why?
Hmm, I don’t really have a brand. I buy a lot of Nike, but sometimes I like it and sometimes I don’t. I like clothes that really wick and doesn’t show my sweat because I sweat a lot! I like Jockey and Adidas. If you know of a good brand that is good at wicking and hiding sweat please let me know!

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

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Weight Watchers helped her become a fit mommy

Today’s fit mommy is Susan McCorkindale, author of Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl.  She can also be found blogging   at Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl and DC Metro Moms.

Susan converted a corn crib on her farm into her personal gym where she sacrifices sleep for fitness by getting up for 4am workouts.  She also loves Bon Jovi, which in my mind also makes her a cool mommy!

Please read on for more about Susan and how she manages to be “One Fit Mommy”!

Q: Have you always been fit?  What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
Hmmm… Yes, I’ve always been fit, but there was a while when I was very overweight and sick, so I was totally out of shape.

As a kid, I danced - ballet, tap, jazz, all that good stuff - and even in high school and college I took classes and kept in shape that way. Sometime after college I discovered Jazzercise and fell in love with it. I’ve done it on and off for years, even toyed with getting certified to teach. Sometime during my tenure at Family Circle magazine (2002-2004), I got really, really sick. It was a stomach thing and none of the doctors had a clue what was going on. All I knew was I was in pain, I felt like there was a rock in my abdomen, and when I did any kind of cardio “it” bounced up and down and hurt like hell. I was also always nauseus and convinced if I could just eat something, I’d feel better. So I ate. And I went from 117lbs to 145lbs. And I definitely did not feel better.

When we moved to VA four years ago, my sister in law took me to her dr who diagnosed IBS with a serious infection. He put me on meds and, as soon as I started to feel better, I started running around our farm (not a good call; cattle chase small blonde women. Who knew?). Then I joined Jazzercise, watched everything I ate and today weigh just about 112 and am in the best shape of my life. No kidding. I’ve had two c-sections and a splenectomy and I have a ab muscles you can see. I’m proof that it can be done! (i am so damn proud of those silly abs…:-) )

These days I work out every morning in a corn crib my husband converted into a work out “studio” for me. He’s so sweet. I never, ever want to be out of shape again. I felt awful. I had no energy. And I hated how I looked in clothes. Nothing fit and God forbid I had to go to a dressy function.

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
Get up earlier than everyone else in your house and just do it. Force yourself. Lay your clothing, sneakers, and iPod out at night. Have your water bottle in the fridge. It makes it easier. I get up at 4am every day. And on those days I don’t want to do it, I promise myself that if I still feel lousy after just one song, I’ll stop. Usually after something like Bon Jovi’s Who Says You Can’t Go Home? I’m rocking and I’m so glad I got out of bed.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?
Aerobics, Jazzercise. That kind of dance-y cardio.
Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
I do both every day. 40 mins of cardio, 20 mins with weights.

Q:Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
Oops. I think I answered that in question #2.

Q:What’s your favorite brand of workout clothing and why?
I’m into Nike sneakers now, and they’re great. I like Ryka also. As far as clothing goes, if I like it and it’s not super expensive, I buy it. Doesn’t matter if it’s from Target or Wal-Mart or Victoria’s Secret.

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

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Fit mommy on the farm

I’ll be running the BlogHer 5k Fun Run/Walk, I hope you will join me?  It’s only $5 and you’ll get a cool tshirt! (and I’m one of the sponsors, so more reason why you want the shirt, right?)

It will not be timed and will just be a great way to get a FIT start to your day!  (yes, the starting time is scary, but it’s summer in Chicago! We have to get out early so we don’t fry!)

I am also thankful for my BlogHer sponsors VitaMix and Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt for helping make my trip a reality this year!

Please let me know if you are going to BlogHer this year because I’d love to meet you in person and put a face with the name.

Now get up and get moving gang.  Never underestimate the power of a workout!

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