Fit Momma Fridays

I am so inspired by other mothers who make time for taking care of themselves with all the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet:

Rachel of Running Rachel

Name:  Rachel Steffen

Children: Three wild and crazy boys: Calvin 5, Peyton 3, Tristen 2

Occupation:  I am a full time, never-at-home, stay-at-home Mom.

Favorite Fitness Activities:  I love being out in nature, and all fitness activities that happen outside.  My soul mate fitness activity is running.  Other fitness activities I enjoy are: hiking, swimming, biking, softball, dancing (random dance parties with my children), gymnastics and my new crazy fitness addition cross-fit!

How do you find time for fitness?:  I make fitness a priority, my normal daily routine.  I include my children and bring them along for the ride.  I have a fantastic double jogger that I use each (and almost every) morning.  Because fitness is part of our regular routine, my children expect it as part of our day.  I do not belong to a gym... fitness happens at home WITH my children present.  I do weights in the garage, usually with my children using me as a bridge, horse, or pole to run circles around.  When my husband is home/available I take advantage and enjoy the rare solo run.  I find time for fitness because I make time for fitness.

Tips for other moms:  My biggest tip for busy moms on how to fit fitness in their day is to fit fitness in their day.  Make fitness/movement a priority like you would a doctor's appointment on your family calendar.  Once the habit and routine is established, you will feel off when you miss the fitness appointment. 

Blog address:  http://www.runningrachel.com/

Are you a Fit Momma? Contact me to be featured

Turn it up Tuesday

Another Christmas hit...

Give Love on Christmas Day-The Temptations

Motivational Monday

I have found these quotes on various websites and books. Some of us take the weekend off, so Monday can be a bit tough to get up and go. Let's kick off our fitness week with a few inspirational words or images. Enjoy!

Fit Momma Fridays

I am so inspired by other mothers who find time for taking care of themselves with all of the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet:

Meredith of Swim.Bike.Run

Name:   Meredith

Children: James, 4 and Stella, 3

Occupation:  Attorney and Freelance Writer

Favorite Fitness Activities:   Swim. Bike. Run. Repeat.

How do you find time for fitness?:   You make time.  Pure and simple.   Fitness must be your top priority in that moment.  When you are running, you must run.  Don’t worry about what has to be done.  Just live in that moment.  Most women feel guilty as all sin for taking thirty minutes, an hour, or (gasp) three hours to do something that makes them feel alive.  Most women are too busy being everything to everyone else in the organized box of life.  The consequence – is that before she realizes it – she may have absolutely no room to breathe.  For me, triathlon helped me escape this trapped feeling, the being everything to everyone feeling. Through the intense training, I was able to take steps to learn my strengths, these strengths that fell outside of my little box.  When I started taking time for myself, I noticed that a door to other possibilities opened up, and I was able to be a better wife, mother, and employee.  Finally, I think making time to race or sign up for events creates an accountability that is necessary for moms – a race is something written down on the “master schedule.”  You plan it, and the rest of the family understands it’s part of the schedule.  Sometimes this makes all the difference. 

Tips for other moms:  Don’t feel guilty for taking time to take care of yourself.  If people are negative about your workout time, tell them to stick it, close your ears, or unplug them from your life.  This is your life – live it.  Don’t sit on the sidelines and let someone else live it for you.  Do not apologize for being the best “you” possible.   Take a risk and who knows where it will lead you.  

Blog address:  http://www.swimbikemom.com/
Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/SwimBikeMom
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SwimBikeMom

Turn it up Tuesday

In the spirit of Christmas, Turn it up Tuesday is dedicated to Christmas music! Here is another one of my favorites:

Mariah Carey-All I want for Christmas

Motivational Monday

I have found these quotes on various websites and books. Some of us take the weekend off, so Monday can be a bit tough to get up and go. Let's kick off our fitness week with a few inspirational words or images. Enjoy!
Self-delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales.
- Paul Sweeney

Fit Momma Friday

I am so inspired by other mothers who find time for taking care of themselves with all of the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet:

Momma Violet of Windy City Mama

Name: Mama Violet

Children: Violet 15 months

Occupation: SAHM

Favorite Fitness Activities: Zumba and strength training

How do you find time for fitness? I look for classes I can take with Violet or evenings and weekends when my husband can take care of V. I walk (while pushing or babywearing V)  instead of drive whenever I can. I just completed a 10 week stroller fitness at my local park district. I also go to a fitness studio three times a week. I'll soon be incorporating some in home workouts during nap time and evenings. It's going to be hard getting out once the cold weather kicks in. I loathe cold weather!

Tips for other moms: Start slow and build. Be active. Walk (move) as much as possible. Just do it. You won't regret having completed your fitness activity. Put it on your calendar. Don't beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon. It happens. Just start again.

Blog address: http://www.windycitymama.com/

Turn it up Tuesday

Since it is December, Turn it up Tuesday will be dedicated to my favorite Christmas songs...oh so many!
This song is super sad, but it is one of my favorites...love the end..What do they do, What do they do!

What do the lonely do-Emotions

Motivational Monday

 I have found these quotes on various websites and books. Some of us take the weekend off, so Monday can be a bit tough to get up and go. Let's kick off our fitness week with a few inspirational words or images. Enjoy!

No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change.
- Bill Phillips

Fit Momma Friday

I am so inspired by other mothers who find time for taking care of themselves with all of the responsibilities of motherhood. Every Friday I will feature a Fit Momma who makes time for fitness. Let's meet

Fran of BossyGirl1980

Name: BossyGirl a.k.a Fran

Children:  Ava, 3 years old; Chase, 1 ½ ; D.J., 11

Occupation: Writer, Blogger, Consultant

Favorite Fitness Activities:  Running

How do you find time for fitness? I schedule my workouts on days that I can fit it in. For example, when I was training for this half marathon, I decided to block out and hour and ½  three to four times a week---NO MATTER WHAT! If that meant me getting a babysitter then I just had to do it!

Tips for other moms: “Take care of yourself first. If you are happy then everyone around you will be happy.” For years I took care of everyone better than I took care of myself. AS a result, I gained 50 pounds and my self esteem suffered. Once I had my two toddlers 15 months apart, I knew I had to do SOMETHING. I signed up for a 5k, 10k and half marathon and I made it work. It was literally a matter of life or death.

Blog address: http://www.bossygirl1980.com/

Are you a Fit Momma? Contact me to be featured.