Sprinkler and Races!

Today was so warm and beautiful that I decided to not let the kids play video games and watch movies (as much as they wanted to) and instead I "threw" them outside this afternoon to play in the water! They had so much fun running around, chasing each other they forgot about wanting their technology. Phew!

I mean, how cute is she?! Maybe I'm biased, but she's the most adorable little person in the world. Besides my other two most adorable little people:) 

So as far as me being active, I have to admit today wasn't one of my most super active days in the world. I wasn't feeling that great, and we did run errands this morning which wears me out more since I have to lug three kids in and out of their car seats everywhere we go. However, I did make it a point to park extra far away from the Costco entrance so that I would have further to walk. It might not sound like a big deal, but anyone who knows me knows that I will circle for fifteen min if I have to just to get a super close parking space! With three kids and a very full and very heavy cart, I was working up a sweat by the time I made it back to the car. I then realized, that's why I will circle the parking lot for a close spot a bazillion times if I have to! I did also chase the kids around the yard a few times and had some races. They like to race! 

My sweet boy stopping for a rest after a good run! 

Tomorrow will be a better day of pictures, as I will hopefully won't be as busy. What did you do today to get your heart rate up and your blood pumping? Feel free to leave a comment! 

Happy Workout!

MAY IS NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH!!

Doesn't that just make you want to do a happy dance? Today, I want to say that those who need to commit to being healthier or more active, that there is no better month to start than this month. SO...

In honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports month, I am posting a challenge! The challenge is to be active every single day this month. Did you catch that? Every. Single. Day. Don't cheat. As my dad used to say, "Cheaters never perspire." You can be active in the simplest ways like walking, dancing, stretching, Yoga, Pilates, playing a sport (even if it's taking the kids outside and throwing a baseball), lifting weights, having a race, bike riding, hiking a trail, taking the stairs instead of an elevator, jogging in place, swimming, playing tennis....the list goes on and on. Today, I took the kids outside and played tag, hide n seek, and red light, green light for an hour. Even with these crazy allergies that have been kicking my butt for two days now. If I can do it barely breathing, you can do it! Just be active in some way, shape, or form.  As a motivator for myself, I will be trying to post a picture of our daily activity everyday. Follow along and maybe they will help you to do the same thing! Ready, set, GO!

I would also like to say, I have been so inspired and grateful by everyone who has given me feedback, who have told me their stories, who have come to me asking for help, advice, etc. Ya'll have really kept me motivated and have boosted my confidence! You make me so thankful I am choosing this as a career. Thank you, thank you! 

Keep it up and as always, 

Happy Workout!!

Choices, Choices...

There are lots of myths and remedies focused around physical activity, lifting weights, exercising, and dieting out there. How are you supposed to know what to try and is it true? Well, I am hoping this post will maybe answer some of those questions that you may (or may not) have or things that you have thought about that you think might be nice to know. So I am going to be touching on a few of the things that I personally had questions, doubts, etc. about and I am posting this by experience only! This is my personal opinion, and I am just stating those things that I have already tried, done or am in the process of doing.

I'm going to start with the thing that I think is the "trendiest" on the list, and that is BODY WRAPS. (I know they have been around for years and years, so why so popular today?) What are they? Do they work? What's all the hype about them? Are they worth the money? I have to be completely honest. I was looking for an easy way to lose the last bit of weight that I wanted to lose without working for it so I got wrapped. I did a lot of research beforehand and was pretty skeptical about it. How does it work? Basically, you choose a wrap depending on what you want. Do you want to lose weight? Inches? Cellulite? Or maybe you just want to get moisturized or detoxed. You get a specific wrap with special (mostly herbal) ingredients that claim to target that key area you want fixed, it is applied to said area, and after 45 min or so you remove the wrap and voila! Does it work? In my experience (the one and only time I tried it), I didn't feel any different, nor did I get any staggering results as was promised. That is not to say that it won't work for anyone, but I don't believe that getting wrapped will give you true, lasting results. Friends that I have talked to who have or have had body wraps done, say that you have to keep doing them in order to keep the inches down, which in my opinion is only keeping the water weight (in other words the bloating) down. So, are they worth the cost? I think if you want a quick fix and you're not expecting lasting results, then sure. Always be wary of  any quick fix that promises lasting results. 

One topic that even I had been misinformed about is WEIGHT LIFTING. When you think about lifting weights, the first thing that goes through your mind is probably, very muscular, buff men or women. I personally have always liked lifting, although I never did it on a consistent basis until a few months ago because I didn't want to look like a man. Seriously! But, did you know that the hormone that causes muscles to become big when you lift is testosterone? And did you know that men have a significant higher amount of that hormone than females? Which means, unless you are taking in an extra (significant extra) amount of testosterone or steroids, if you're a female lifter you're not going to end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger! And lifting weights is a great way to lose weight while getting toned and it works the muscles you use everyday. Good news, right?! I thought so too. Get lifting ladies!

Okay, what about DIET PILLS or DIET SUPPLEMENTS? A couple of months after the birth of my second child, my very kind, generous, loving husband came home from work one day with a bottle of diet pills for me. I had been complaining how I was so tired and I needed motivation to workout and yada, yada, yada...so that's why he bought them. (He really is a good-hearted man and I love him to pieces!) The following morning I took one and waited for about half an hour before I started feeling the effects. Boy, was I moving that day. The pills suppressed my appetite and gave me energy so I continued taking them. They seemed okay and they did help for awhile. However, after about three weeks I was finding that I had to take more and more to keep the same energy level I had when I first started taking them. I was becoming immune to them and by the end of the second week, instead of giving me tons of energy, they were dragging me down and making me really tired unless I took more than the dosage said to. So I stopped taking them and then got the worst headache that I have ever had for a whole week. True story. Why do I tell you this? Because while I believe that it is okay to use certain things as "jump-starters", I know how easy it can be to let that thing become your crutch. What you should be aiming for is a whole lifestyle change. Honestly, a cup of coffee gives me as much energy as one of those pills. It doesn't suppress my appetite, but you have to practice self-control somehow. And if you eat healthy, drink enough water, and exercise, your energy levels are naturally going to go up. And your immune system will love you more!

I know there are so many "cures" and remedies and myths out there about what you should and shouldn't do, or what is or isn't healthy so hopefully this was helpful. What is something that you have wanted to try but not sure if you should or not? Always feel free to comment, and as always, Happy Workout!

With Great Music, Comes Great Workouts

I think one of the most important things when getting ready for a workout (at least for me) is finding the right music. Because of course, you can't really exercise without good tune-age. Can you? So I have been on the hunt for the best, most awesome exercising music that not only inspires, but motivates and is FUN! I was tickled when, one morning, I typed in Pat Benatar on my Pandora and voila! I am pretty sure I reached my workout music nirvana. And it was doubly awesome because my amazingly cool husband LOVES 80's music. Particularly hair metal. I think if he could have lived in that era, he would. And by that I mean he would be one of the hair metal junkies that smoked pot and wore a leather jacket with studs. I don't know what I'm talking about really, I can just imagine him doing that. I mean, we were both born in '85 but by the time we were old enough to know what awesome music was, we were into the Backstreet Boys and NSync. Okay. Maybe that was just me...Anyways, now we both listen to 80's so it worked out.

The point of all this, is that I have found awesome workout music with a click of a button and am now OBSESSED. And I came up with a list of my faves just for you. So please do me a favor and compile a cd or something for yourself with these songs and I promise, you will not be sorry. In fact, you might want to keep on working out and never ever stop...or maybe that's just me. Am I always the weird one? Don't answer that. And if you're not into the whole 80's theme, no worries because I've got lots of great music lists. But today we're going retro...

BECAUSE WHO DOESN'T WANT TO FEEL LIKE THIS WHILE THEY'RE WORKING OUT?

Pat Benatar--HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT  

Imagine yourself in a hot pink leotard with your hair in a sideways pony-tail rocking out to this. Great starting out song to get you motivated. It's like you're singing it to your workout. For real. Ready. GO.  

Cyndi Lauper--GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

Exercising can be fun...it can!

Survivor--EYE OF THE TIGER  

I just love this one. Who doesn't?

Journey--DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' 

Blast this in the middle of your workout when you feel like giving up. You won't give up.

Culture Club--KARMA CHAMELEON

I can remember my mom dancing around the house singing this one. It's kind of special to me now because of that. Maybe you have a great workout song that has some sentimental meaning to you?

Kenny Loggins--FOOTLOOSE

This one's great to dance to.

Pat Benatar--LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD

Wait, it is?

Pat Benatar--HEARTBREAKER

Denise Williams--LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY

Motley Crue--GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS

Random fact: my husband always gives me a quirky smile when this one comes on. It's pretty cute.

Bon Jovi--YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME

The Police--EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE

Journey--ANY WAY YOU WANT IT

Any way you want it, that's the way you need it...(catchy, no?)

Pat Benatar--INVINCIBLE

We will be invincible!

And when you have finally come to the end of your long, hard workout, play this one to remind yourself and to celebrate the fact that you, indeed, are a champion...

Queen--WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

So there ya go! I will leave you now, but not without the famous, and very fitting words of one of my personal favorite workout inspirations, Richard Simmons...

"SPARKLE FOR ME. SPARKLE."

Happy Workout!

Get in 30 min of exercise a day (even as a busy mom)!

I found this motivational poster on Pinterest and thought it was fitting for this time in my life. With 3 small kids, a husband, and needing study time, it's hard (or should I say, almost impossible!!!) trying to find the motivation to keep up a healthy lifestyle. So lately I have been on the search for posters like this one that will boost my optimism and give me a fresh angle from where I am in life. Need some motivation or optimism like me? 

The last one is so the truth! However, I know what it's like when everyday feels like you're starting over, but it doesn't have to if you're creative...

MY WAYS TO GET IN 30 MIN OF EXERCISE A DAY (even with all the demands of life)!

1. THROW A DANCE PARTY

Okay. It's the middle of the day, the kids are getting bored, if you have to watch another episode of Barney your head is going to explode, so what do you do? Turn on some music and dance. Most kids are gonna love it if you get up and start moving with them. You don't have to be a choreographed dancer either. Just get your arms and legs moving, your blood pumping and in 30 min you will have had yourself a workout! 

2. JOG AROUND THE HOUSE

Sounds strange. I know. The fact of the matter is, sometimes I just want to go for a jog. And I can't do that because taking all the kids for a jog by myself is...let's just say not worth the try. If you have a house with a large yard or even a way for you to run completely around the house, put your headphones on and start jogging. You can even do this while the babies are napping. Score. 

3. USE CANS FOR WEIGHTS

Everyone has cans of food in their pantry but they can be used for things other than cooking! Simply use a couple of cans as weights everyday and feel your arms start to get stronger. Seriously. You can do this while watching your favorite show, or while you're waiting for the pasta water to boil. Flex your arm while you're lifting to ensure you are working the muscles. And try raising them over and behind your head. Be creative.

4. TRY A YOUTUBE VIDEO

This one is going to sound pretty silly but let me explain. I love doing Yoga but when I moved out, I realized all the Yoga videos that I had were actually my mom's. So instead of going out and spending money on new videos, I did a Yoga search on Youtube and what do you know, I now have a whole new set of Yoga videos to watch and do. Yay! You can do this with anything...from workout videos to dance videos! 

Now that you have a few ideas, it's time to get moving! Remember, the point is not to wear yourself out with crazy workouts that you're not going to finish; the point is to be active for 30 min. a day to stay healthy. Start with one of these and work up. Do it when you have time and make it a priority. Then, even if all you do is dance with your kids, you won't have to "start over" tomorrow. 

Happy workout!

Maybe in another life I had it "EASY"

This was me 4 years ago. I had just had my daughter four months prior and we took a family vacation to the beach. I was around 140 lbs. and the biggest I have ever been. I was out of shape, and pretty unhappy with myself. What you're thinking right now is, "But you just had a kid...that shouldn't count." And you're right. It doesn't count. So why show you the picture? Because what does count is my attitude. A few months after I had her, I got down in the dumps about being "fat" and I became very insecure about myself and my body. I kicked myself over and over. I cried, I complained, and then I finally decided to take control and do something about it. I started going to the YMCA at least three days a week and was consistent about it. And it wasn't some miraculous change that happened automatically. In fact, it took almost a full year for me to start seeing the results I wanted to see. But I kept at it. I set a goal. My goal was to get to 125 lbs. However long it was going to take, I was going to get there! Almost a full year went by, and I finally made my goal. Nothing was going to stop me. Nobody was going to tell me I couldn't do it. My mind was made up and I did it.

Why do I write this? Because I know that there are so many excuses that you can make for yourself. You can say that I have it easy because I have a "small frame" or I've always been small. I've heard it all and the truth is, I didn't have easy. Let me tell you what I think EASY is. Easy is not caring about your health. Easy is  saying, "Screw it! I'll never be in shape." So you quit. Easy is quitting. Easy is comparing yourself to others and thinking you're not good enough. That's what easy is and QUITTING IS EASY.

 Here I am with two of my three children almost four years later. I stuck to my goal, and then some. I didn't allow myself to quit, I didn't allow myself to think that I wasn't good enough. The important thing to me is that you see yourself as worth something. Is being fit--is being healthy worth it to you? The ability to go on a hike with my family and not have to stop every ten minutes is awesome. Being able to encourage someone on the same path and give my testimony is priceless. So many people take the easy way out and forget about themselves or they just don't care and then they end up on a hopeless journey of self remorse. If you decide to not care, you are the one who has it easy. Getting fit is hard. It's harder after you have one or two or three kids. I know, because I've been there, done that. But I didn't allow that to stop me.

I decided not to take the easy way out. I was not a quitter.                                                                          

Healthy is the new size Two. Repeat. Believe it!

Hey ya'll! I'm back in the blogging world but this time it's all about CHANGE. Don't you all think it's time for a change? I thought it was time so I decided to get my personal trainer's certification through ACE fitness and help others make a change too. Granted, I'm still in the process of becoming certified, but my whole mindset is already there! So what made me come up with this decision to do this? Well, for as long as I can remember I have loved to work out. The thing I missed most when I was pregnant was the burn I would feel after a great, long work out and the satisfaction it brought. Most importantly, I know what it's like to be on both sides. I had 3 kids in 4 years (do the math) and what that did to me, well...let's just say I am glad I'm on the other side of that now, although I am still a work in process because being fit isn't just a one time fix. It's a lifestyle. It's a change. An inner change which flows outward. Honestly, my whole thought process when I was thinking about becoming an ACE personal trainer was, "What can I possibly say to my future clients that would motivate them to want to make that lifestyle change?" What I would say is, ERASE THE IMAGES. Erase the images of every model, every size 0 actress, everyone you compare yourself to. THROW THEM OUT OF YOUR MIND. Honestly, who has time or the money to look like that? If it's your job to look like that, then you would. And you'd probably have thousands of dollars to spend on the best personal trainers, dietitians, and let's not forget a nanny to watch your children while you work out 6 hours a day. So, let's be realistic and remember that IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO FIT IN A SIZE 0! However, it is our job as mothers to be healthy, to be energetic, and as women it is our job to stay sexually attractive for our husbands. (GASP!) Did I just say that out loud??! You betcha! Although I do not compare myself to other women, I know that it is a competitive world out there and if my husband hints at something I could do then darn right I'm gonna do it! Or at least attempt to. And ladies, you wanna know a little secret? If you even attempt to make a change like 30 min of exercise a day, your confidence is gonna rise, which is going to boost your attitude, which is going to motivate you to stay consistent, which is going to end up with you seeing results not only on the outside, but also inwardly and there is nothing quite as sexy as a woman who is confident, empowered, and fit (at least that's what my husband says)! So I promise if you follow my blog, I will post things to motivate, and empower you to make a lifestyle change. Let's change together, not to become a size 2, but to become confident, healthy and happy!