My favorite fitness gifts...with a giveaway!

Okay, so Christmas is literally RIGHT around the corner! I can't wait! For the first time ever, I think I'm actually done shopping. In my family, it was almost tradition to spend at least part of Christmas Eve at the mall. I'm determined that this year, however, will be different. We're traveling across the country to spend the holidays with my parents. We made a deal that for the week we are there, we will NOT be spending our time together at the mall! Hopefully my dad survives buying gifts for my mom WITHOUT the assistance of his "personal shoppers." Online shopping has been my best friend this year! How did our parents survive Christmas without the Internet?

Hopefully you're all nearing the end of your holiday shopping so you can actually enjoy the season. (Although, truth be told, I really love the hustle and bustle of crowded shopping centers...my husband and I were among the crazy thousands at Walmart on Black Friday, and I loved it!)

I'm often asked if I give all fitness-related gifts for Christmas. The answer is actually NO! While I would love to give everyone on my list my favorite heart rate monitor, not everyone gets as excited as I do about new workout gadgets! (And let's be honest...I don't have that kind of money!) But if you're looking for some fun gifts for yourself, or other fitness-minded loved ones, here are a few of my favorites:

1. My Polar Heart Rate Monitor. If you don't know how much I love it, you haven't been reading my blog long enough. When asked recently by a friend what she should do to lose a few pounds, I told her to GET A HEART RATE MONITOR! It is the most motivating piece of equipment I've ever used. I'm a number girl, and I LOVE knowing how many calories I've burned, how high my heart rate got, the percentage of calories that were fat calories, etc. I work out longer and harder than I would without it. I asked my parents for it for Christmas two years ago, and I've only worked out a few times without it...I literally almost drove back home to get it...I feel nekkid without it! I know my body better because of it, and would recommend it to anyone...whatever the fitness level!


2. The Garmin 305 Forerunner. Okay, so I haven't actually used this yet. But I got it for my husband for Christmas (if only he read my blog...), and I can't wait to share it with him! To me, the beauty of running on a treadmill is knowing exactly how fast I'm running, and how far I've gone. With the forerunner, you can know this while running outside! I've always estimated distance based on time, but now I won't go even 1/10 of a mile further than planned! It also has a built in heart rate monitor, so my arms won't be loaded up with extra watches. Did I mention that this gift is for my husband? I can't wait to "give" it to him! They actually have newer models with smaller watches, but they're a lot pricier for the same outcome. I got mine on sale at amazon for &139.99. Several months ago, they had it at REI for $130. It won't get much cheaper than that. If you're interested, watch for deals...it's pricey, but worth it!
   


3. My blender! I rarely go a day without using my blendtec blender! I use it to grind wheat, make soup, make my own peanut butter, make amazing smoothies, and homemade not-exactly-as-they-appear pancakes. I LOVE IT! My mom and sister both have the vitamix which I also love (pictured above). It does just as much as the blendtec, if not more. However, I've also heard great things about the magic bullet. It doesn't grind wheat, but is a great compact blender.


4. My running skirt. There's just something about feeling cute when you work out. I have to say, however, that I prefer the "athletic" style skirts. Under the skirt are compression shorts instead of just the running brief. I wore my skirt with the briefs in a race, and ended up with some seriously chafed inner thighs! Plus, I can wear the skirts with the shorts to any workout...Yoga would not be pretty otherwise!


5. Good socks. The first pair of actual running socks I ever purchased were Balega socks. They are still my favorite pair to run in. Good socks are a must when working out. I never get blisters, don't have overly sweaty feet, and will never go back to regular cotton socks. Another brand of socks I've come to love is Sof Sole. I was lucky enough to receive several pairs of socks to try out, and I've loved each and every one.


6. Shoe insoles. This is actually a new favorite. Several months ago, I received some Sof Sole Performance Insoles to try out. I ran a lot last summer, and my knees were starting to seriously feel it. After a long run late in September, my knees ached for days. Before the Ragnar Relay in October, I decided to finally give the insoles a try. My knees did not hurt AT ALL during the race, and haven't bothered me since. My shoes don't feel any different, the inserts are comfortable, and they're absorbing a lot of the hard impact of running...instead of my knees! Yay!

The list could go on...I have definite favorite workout videos, workout equipment, healthy snack choices, etc. But for now, that will have to suffice. But I have good news! Because Sof Sole generously sent me SO MANY great products to try, I'm going to pass some along to you!

For the first winner, I have ONE PAIR of The Sof Sole Airr® insole featuring their revolutionary air chamber technology with a Coolmax® fabric cover (pictured above). Air chambers in the heel and arch provide extra comfort while maximizing shock absorption! The Coolmax® fabric cover absorbs moisture and provides breathability. I really love mine. The insole I have is a Women's Insole for shoe sizes 5-7.5. If this doesn't fit you, it would make a great Christmas gift! (Retail Price: $24.99)

For the second winner, I have a package containing 3 pairs of Women's Multi Sport Liner Performance Socks! They fit Women's Shoe Sizes 5-10, are made of natural bamboo for wicking and comfort, and have a seamless toe! And my favorite part? THEY'RE PINK! (Retail Price: $9.99)

• For one entry, leave a comment below telling me how you would use the shoe insoles and/or the cute pink socks!


• For a second entry, follow this blog (and leave a comment with the word "follow").


• For a third entry, post a link to the contest on your blog (and leave a comment with the link).


• For a fourth entry, post a link on facebook or twitter (and let me know in the comments).

The random winners will be announced on Friday, December 11th. Good luck, and I hope you win!

Long Overdue Lessons on Gratitude

I know...Thanksgiving is OVER! But I have been out of the blogging world for far too long, and never took the opportunity to publicly GIVE THANKS!

I have SO MUCH to be thankful for:

1. My health. It is something I take for granted every day. It is a blessing to be able to get up out of bed, and exercise whenever I want to. On Thanksgiving, I ran 4 miles, then went to a 90 minute cycle class. I know...I'm a bit crazy, but to me, burning 1200 calories in one session is actually fun! I'm grateful for my body allowing me to do what I love! BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE IS A BLESSING!
2. My family. I rarely go a day without complaining about the joys of motherhood. But my children and husband really are my greatest joys. My life has so much more purpose and meaning than it would without them. Being a mom is by far the hardest thing I've ever done, but also the most rewarding.
3. Good people! So I'd like to think I can use pregnancy as an excuse for becoming seriously brain dead these last few weeks. On Saturday afternoon, before heading to watch The Holy War with my SIL (without my hubby...all he wanted for Christmas was to go to the game...hopefully he remembers that he got his wish come December 25th!), I made a quick stop at the post office. With kids in tow, my head was obviously not screwed on tight. Later that night, I arrived home to find a message on the phone from a nice lady who had FOUND MY CREDIT CARD (AT THE POST OFFICE) THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I'D LOST! I promptly drove over to her house, and was so grateful that there are still honest people in this world! Phew.
4. Loving (extended) family and friends. A few nights ago, I honestly thought I was going to die. Beginning at about 10:30 pm, I was in the bathroom throwing up (not to mention what came out the other end) every 20 minutes all. night. long. At one point, I woke up passed out on the bathroom floor. My mom lives 1700 miles away. My sister lives 250 miles away. My husband was recently left with no employees and couldn't stay home from work the next morning. So my awesome sister-in-law and mother-in-law came to the rescue. They fed my kids, changed poopy diapers, cleaned up potty mishaps, and loved my friendly beasts while I stayed home and slept on the couch all day!
5. Miracles! I was devastated when I got sick that I would have to miss singing with some of my favorite people in the world. Each week, I get together with a group of girls to sing and chat! Last night, we planned to perform a Christmas Kickoff Concert for all of our family and friends. I miraculously woke up yesterday feeling like a whole new person. I know it wasn't by accident...miracles still happen! Before the concert, one of the girls prayed in gratitude for Jesus Christ, and the opportunity to celebrate His birth. As I sang a solo during one of my favorites, "Still, Still, Still" the tears couldn't keep from flowing. You know what happens when you start crying, but have to sing (or talk) anyway? Ugly cry face, and frog-in-throat-voice. I'm sure I sounded terrible, but I was actually really grateful for the chance to feel the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.

So as you kick off the month of December, remember to have an attitude of gratitude! It makes life worth living!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." --Melody Beattie

What do you have to be grateful for this holiday season?

Confessions of a Chocoholic...and a big announcement!

So I have a few confessions...

• Who am I kidding? I am NOT giving up chocolate until Christmas. I've found that depriving myself of one of my true loves--chocolate--does nasty things to my mood. But I am going to try THIS chocolate that I read about on THIS blog.
  

GREEN AND BLACK 85% CACAO DARK CHOCOLATE. It's LOW in sugar, LOW on the glycemic index, chock full of antioxidants, and rumor has it that it also tastes great! Haven't tried it yet, but after reading Bonnie's raving reviews, I'm sold. So for those of you joining me in the no chocolate challenge, you win! I lose!

• I never told you about the funnest race of the year...the Vegas Ragnar.
  

We had a blast. Getting NO SLEEP when it's my choice, and not a result of screaming children is actually really fun! I ran with my husband, my sister-in-law, my brother, my cousin, and two of my favorite old roommates. It was a 180-mile party! Somehow having them there made me run my fastest time ever...go figure! I'll be running more of these crazy Ragnars in the future...let me know if you want to join in on the madness!

• There's a real reason for my lack of posting. I'M PREGNANT WITH BABY #3! A little nausea + MAJOR EXHAUSTION + still trying to work out in the morning + needy children and husband = blog deprivation. I'm only 8 weeks along, so I have a loooooooong way to go. But I'm thrilled that I get to bring another human being into this world.

I may focus a bit more on having a fit pregnancy, but other than that, fitmepink is still fitmepink! I'll try to drag my lazy self off the couch with more updates and less confessions.

See you soon!

Halloween Madness and TWO MONTHS WITH NO CHOCOLATE!

WHOA! Has it REALLY been a month since I posted? I tell you, I'm having a love-hate relationship with my new early morning workout schedule. I LOVE having my workouts done by 7 am, but my middle-of-the-day-during-naptime-and-late-at-night-blogging is sure suffering! I have about a million updates floating around in my head, however, so I'll be back to regularly scheduled posts soon...I promise!

Hopefully you all survived the craziness of Halloween. I LOVE the holiday, but CAN'T STAND the way my kids act when they have that much candy in their possession. The downward descent of unhealthy eating has officially begun. And it doesn't end until Easter!

Here's my goal. I don't know that I can commit to giving up sugar (actually I do know...I can't. I've tried it, remember?) BUT I AM going to try to give up chocolate. That's the majority of my sugar eating, anyway. HERE'S THE DEAL: NO CHOCOLATE UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY! There, I said it. Anyone want to join? That's NO CHOCOLATE for less than TWO MONTHS (yikes! Is Christmas really that soon?)

Think it over. Let me know if you want to join me. And check this out in the meantime...my Halloween was ALL ABOUT CHOCOLATE (and blueberries...)

The New High Fructose Corn Syrup Anthem

I've told you before about my food-label-reading obsession. My husband never fails to make fun of me as I mock products containing High Fructose Corn Syrup. He should know better. In the final weeks of my second pregnancy, he brought home the wrong kind of wheat bread--the kind with High Fructose Corn Syrup. I literally cried for over an hour! (A little hormonal, anyone?)

A few weeks ago, my husband brought home some "juice." You know, the kind of juice that isn't really juice. He brought home the kind that lists HFCS as the second ingredient--second only to water--on the label. I started getting upset, but he must have prepared for any emotional outbursts on my part. He began singing his own made-up song...to the tune of God Bless America. It was catchy, alright. My 3-year old now walks around singing about High Fructose Corn Syrup. Nice.

If you're curious, here are the unfortunately catchy lyrics:

High Fructose Corn Syrup (to the tune of God Bless
America)

High Fructose Corn Syrup

That's what we eat!

It's delicious, not nutritious,

But it makes our food taste sweet!

My kids filled up on HFCS crap-juice for the next several days, my husband luckily avoided an angry outburst, and we are all still singing the dang song. What's a girl to do?

Nobel Prize Medicine....

I have a disease. If you're reading this blog, you probably do too. It's called the "I worry" disease. I worry about my health. I worry about my husband's health. I worry about my kids' health. I worry about my grandparents' health. I worry about the overweight lady in the next booth over at the restaurant who's eating a huge plate of onion rings while drinking an extra large coke's health.

I worry about heart disease. Heart disease runs in my family. For me, heart disease prevention is a top priority. For this reason, I run. For this reason, I add strange concoctions of garbanzo beans, fruits and veggies to my kids' pancakes. For this reason, I jump for joy every time my dad calls me to report how many calories he's burned for the week (according to his heart rate monitor). Yes--he's even more obsessed than I am. I really want to be healthy, and I really want my family to be healthy. Cardiovascular disease claims over 900,000 lives each year in the United States...it's the number one killer! I don't want it to take me or anyone I know!

A few months ago, my parents started talking about an arginine supplement they'd started taking. I thought it sounded good, but didn't see how it would benefit me. That is, until they started telling me more. My mom, who's been working out regularly for months without seeing results, started losing weight. My dad, who's been on medication for high blood pressure for quite a while, was able to go off his medication!

I wanted to learn more, so I've done some research. ProArgi-9 Plus is based on research that won the Nobel Prize. In his book NO More Heart Disease, Dr. Ignarro states that by restoring normal production and activity of nitric oxide in your body, you can "lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation, delay the onset or progression of atherosclerosis, and reduce your likelihood of (and possibly prevent) a heart attack or a stroke."

Supposedly, no matter your age or physical condition, taking steps to increase your nitric oxide production (which the proargi-9 supplement helps accomplish), you can either prevent or begin to reverse cardiovascular disease!

About a month ago, I decided to give it a try. I would like to think I'm a pretty healthy individual, so I didn't know if I would feel any different. And I can't say it's been life-altering for me. But I definitely have more energy. After a hard workout, I haven't been as sore. I haven't been Monster Mom as often. I'm sleeping better. Several small changes=happier me. I'm sold.

If you're as intrigued as I was, read on. Here are a few more possible benefits that this amino acid may provide (and why I recommend considering adding arginine to your wellness plan)...

1. Arginine may protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It may also slow the aging process. Arginine is 1,000 times more powerful than any naturally occurring antioxidant in the body.
2. Arginine increases the production of nitric oxide by the endothelium. This keeps your arteries more elastic, which helps with blood flow and blood pressure.
3. It can improve memory...especially long-term memory!
4. Since many complications associated with diabetes are related to the vascular system, it may help with it's treatment and prevention. It may also help regulate insulin secretion in the pancreas.
5. It improves prostate function.
6. It boosts human growth hormone (HGH) production to normal levels.
7. It helps the immune system.
8. It helps lower LDL and serum cholesterol levels.
9. It can improve male sexual performance!
10. It's anticoagulant abilities can reduce clotting, thus lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke!
11. It reduces pregnancy-related high blood pressure!
12. It helps asthma (and other lung disorders) by opening pulmonary pathways.
13. It helps prevent and heal hemorrhoids by relaxing overly tight sphincter muscles! (Yay!)
14. It promotes lean muscle mass and preserves bone density. USEFUL COMPONENT IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND STRENGTH TRAINING!
15. Helps speed up wound healing and recovery after surgery.
16. Helps improve athletic performance!
17. It may prevent and possibly reverse the effects of osteoporosis by helping increase bone density!
18. It has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Phew...this isn't even a complete list.

I'm not about to stop worrying (it's a disease, remember?). And I don't think any supplement should replace healthy habits. But I'm sleeping a little better (literally) knowing that we actually can have more control over our heart health than I realized!

I'm still learning about this "miracle" drug. If any of you want to come learn with me, let me know. If you're in the Salt Lake area, I'm going to a meeting Wednesday night at 6:30 pm to hear more about the benefits. Come with me...I'd love to have a friend! Let me know in the comments......

More Worms For Dinner, and other updates...

In case you were worried, we all survived the worms-in-the-brown-rice disaster. Stie's comment that she's "just a good tape worm away from reaching [her] goal weight" would have been a happy ending to the story (in my case...not in my pregnant friend's)! Maybe I'll buy some more Great Value brown rice in hopes for some sort of fat-eating parasite! But all was not lost, and my dear friend Evelyn and I have shared many a laugh because of the unfortunate event.

First, I took over a peace offering:And Evelyn brought over the BEST "wormy" Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Pizza EVER. What a nice friend for working so hard to make me feel OK after feeding her rotten rice! As for the rest of my silly experiments, going 'poo-free is actually going well! The baking soda wash makes my hair squeaky clean, and the vinegar rinse makes it super soft! I have super fine hair, so I'm trying to adjust the amounts to see what works best. Too much vinegar makes it too soft and straight. By focusing only on the ends with the vinegar rinse, everything seems fine. Has anyone else dared to give it a try?

My cousin mentioned to me that she actually washes her hair with egg whites! In college, I used to curl my hair with an egg-white mousse, but I've never tried washing it that way! Michelle adds her own concoction of good smells with cloves, mint, crushed flowers, etc. Who knew eggs could be so versatile! The baking soda thing's working for me, but maybe I'll get brave someday and give this one a try!

The other experiment--waking up early to work out--is going quite well. I'm definitely more tired. And I'm for sure suffering from sleep-deprivation-induced-grumpiness. But I love being done with my workout by 7 am. More on this later.

Are you experimenting with anything? (Brown rice meal worms, anyone?) Let us know what you've tried and what works/doesn't work for you!

Side note to the egg-white mousse thing: After my mission, I was at a friendly gathering where my pre-mission-boyfriend was also present with his wife. I'd used egg whites in my hair that night to give it the crunchy-curly look (I know...so hot). My ex's wife was having a major allergic reaction for some reason, and they weren't sure why, so they left early. Come to find out, she was allergic to eggs, and my hair had caused the reaction! Good way to put an end to an otherwise awkward evening! Go me!

Healthy Dinner Exchange Gone Bad

I think I just threw up in my mouth. If I didn't know the reason for the nausea, I might think I was pregnant. But I don't normally actually get sick when I'm pregnant. No, I feel much worse.

I'll tell you why...but I might seriously lose some friends. Actually, I think I sort of already have.

Crap.

About two years ago, a friend and I started a dinner exchange. I would cook for her family one night, and she would cook for us another night. I loved the exchange so much, I asked another good friend if she'd be interested in joining. I trusted these girls...their taste in food, their cleanliness in preparation, their healthy eating habits. Plus, they are really good friends. I knew they would understand the occasional breakfast-for-dinner nights on the days I just didn't have as much time as I thought.

But we've been on a little dinner-exchange-hiatus. For me, summer happened. A big move happened for another. And a complicated-bedrest-sort-of-pregnancy happened for the third. But as fall approached, I was excited to start back up. The first friend is still mid-move, but the other friend is back on her feet and wanted to exchange. Woo hoo! One less night to worry about what the heck is for dinner!

Today, the first day of Fall, was the first day of the exchange. I made Moroccan Chicken (the winner of last year's healthy recipe contest) with brown rice, and delivered it to my friend. I sat down with my kids, and they amazingly ate every last bite. As I was clearing the dishes, my good friend--who'd just eaten my dinner--called.

"Hi!" I exclaimed.

"Hey!" she replied. "Dinner was really good. I need to get that recipe from you."

"Oh good! I'm glad you liked it. I had to change it up a bit. I added black and kidney beans, and did green peppers instead of red."

"Yeah...it was so good."

"I also added some tomatoes that I canned last week with my mother-in-law."

"Oh...that made it really good!"

My dear friend had me feeling pretty darn good about the dinner I'd delivered. She's really nice that way. But before hanging up, she had a little more to say.

"Ummm....Robyn?"

"What's up?"

"You might want to check your rice."

"Why?"

"Well...there are little worm things in it."

"(Silence)"

"It's not a big deal! I didn't even notice until I was almost done. I figure a little extra protein never hurts anybody. I just wanted to let you know in case you haven't fed your kids yet...you could make some new rice."

At that point, I headed over to the stove to check out the rice. I couldn't believe it. She had to be mistaken. Brown rice has lots of weird looking grainy things, right? Plus...it was stored in the fridge! But to my dismay, there one was. Some sort of dead meal worm right in the brown rice that I'd just eaten, my kids had just eaten, and my neighbors had just eaten!

I am still so grossed out, I can hardly stand it. And I actually can't believe I'm blogging about it. If you hear of the strange deaths of two neighboring families in your local news, you'll know why! And don't be surprised if I don't invite you to dinner anytime soon. I'll be busy throwing all our food away! Gross!

Giving Shampoo-Free a Try!

Remember when I debated whether or not I should wash my hair everyday? I tried only washing it every other day for about a week, and was too grossed out by the post-workout-sweaty-hair, so I went back to my daily shampoo and conditioner nice-smelling ritual.

I still know that I definitely need to do something to cleanse my hair after working out each day. I was just born with sweaty genes...and sweat literally pours out of my hair follicles when I work out.

Lately, I've been reading around the web about something completely foreign to me--going completely 'poo-free. (I know...can you believe I just called it that?) I'm intrigued...and I can't believe I'm actually considering trying it.

I have a good friend who hasn't touched a bottle of shampoo for months. Every time she talks about her hair-non-cleansing ritual, I smile and nod, and think to myself, "I'm glad it works for you, but there ain't NO WAY this girl's giving up her shampoo". But then I did something else I never thought I would do...I switched to cloth diapers. And I actually love it!

So after reading on simplemom (and about 10 other blogs) about her experience going 'poo-free (I laugh every time I say that), I decided to give it a try...starting tomorrow.

Wait...before you unsubscribe to my blog, hear me out.

If I look and smell disgusting, and absolutely hate it, there's no harm in going back to shampoo, right?

Here are a few intriguing reasons simplemom gives for cleaning your hair without shampoo.

1. Shampoo is a detergent. Sure it cleans your hair, but it also strips your hair of all the natural oils produced by your body. It's harsh stuff...we're essentially washing our hair with the same stuff we use to wash our dishes!
2. Shampoo is full of all sorts of chemicals. If you're trying hard to eat natural, whole foods, why would you put something on your extremely porous skin (and scalp) through which harmful substances can enter the bloodstream? Most shampoos contain mineral oil--a byproduct when gasoline is distilled from crude oil. Mineral oil (and hundreds of other products) are added to shampoo to coat the strands and give the hair an artificial shine. Mineral oil can't absorb into the skin, so it creates a barrier on the scalp preventing oil from being released. You then need MORE shampoo to wash away the built-up grease. Yes...my scalp is definitely addicted to shampoo! (And it needs an artificial protectant--conditioner--to combat the stripping of oils!)

I'm sure there are hundreds of other reasons shampoo isn't really good for you. And while one of my favorite smells in the world is a nice, clean head of shampoo'd hair, I'm willing to give going 'poo-free a try.

Here's what I'm going to do:

1. Pour 1 Tbsp baking soda into a little 8 oz. squeeze bottle, then add a cup of water. I'll give it a good shake to dissolve the baking soda. When I'm in the shower, I'm going to squeeze the solution onto my scalp, I'm going to rub it in, let it sit for a minute or two, then rinse it out. Baking soda is gentle, it’s the weakest alkaline, and it supposedly removes chemical buildup from the hair.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar--which I've been know to drink for it's health benefits--is the next key ingredient in the 'poo-free cleansing ritual. The standard recipe is also 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 Cup Water. After washing and rinsing with the baking soda mixture, focus on the ends and apply the vinegar mixture. Apple cider vinegar is a mild acidic, so it works to counteract the baking soda, and supposedly acts as a great replacement for conditioner. It detangles the hair follicles, seals the cuticles, and balances the hair’s pH balance.

For more trouble-shooting tips, check out simplemom's post. Until I've actually tried it, I can't be held responsible!

Have any of you gone 'poo-free? Are any of you willing to try this with me? Are any of you going to stop calling me friend if I stop washing my hair? I'll let you know next week how it goes...wish me luck!

Life AFTER the Freshman 15

It's no secret that I hate missing a workout. I'm the type who plans my day around my workouts, not my workouts around my day. Signing The Boy up for preschool really threw me for a loop. I had to re-arrange my workout schedule to accommodate his new schedule. Preschool would not change her schedule for me. (Rude, no?) In the normal, not-stay-at-home-mom world, people have to actually arrange workouts around other commitments. What a concept!

Working out has just become a normal, routine part of my daily life. It has been for several years, but it wasn't always. Though I've always enjoyed physical activity, before joining the gym after gaining the Missionary-Woman-30 (on top of the Freshwoman 15 I'd gained three years earlier), I was definitely just a sporadic worker-outer. My daily trek to and from campus had to count for something, right?

I have fond memories of college (and of Finnish pastries on my mission). From those years, however, I have actually very few memories of working out. My freshman year, some roommates and I joined a kickboxing class. We laughed at each other as we fumbled our way through it, but if something more fun was happening on kickboxing night, we'd skip the workout in a heartbeat. My first date with my now-husband was actually a 3-mile run (that almost killed me) as he was training for his first marathon. But we all know that the run wasn't just a run. Any exercise I did in college was more for the social benefits than the physical.

If I could go back, would I work out more? No way! I'm glad I had that time in life to socialize, be crazy, eat junk food, and occasionally fit in a workout with friends. I was in a completely different season of life, with very little worry about my physical health. I'm glad I wasn't obsessing over every slice of pizza-brownie-vending machine purchase. I enjoyed life. I was happy. I honestly barely noticed that the pounds were creeping on. I was too busy!

My life is completely different now than it was back then. I had so many outlets as a student that I really didn't need to set aside ME time. Everything in my life was about ME. I had no idea how different life as a mom would be. I only thought about dressing my perfectly behaved children in the cutest clothes, and wearing them on my hip as I would wear any new accessory. I didn't realize that in reality, NOTHING would be about ME anymore. Honestly, my workout is just about the only thing. So even if it means waking up at the crack o' dawn to get it, I'm going to get it. I can't live without it. As my kids get older, and my schedule more and more is merely a reflection of their schedule, I will still find a way to fit exercise in. I have to.

When I joined the gym 6 1/2 years ago, I knew I was making a lifetime commitment. So now that life has changed (as it always does), I'm not going to let the routine slip. Sure, I'm changing from working my life around my workouts. But I knew that one day my kids would start growing up, and I'd have to fit my workouts around my life. And I guess I'm OK with that. As I learned in college, living is really what it's all about. Exercising just helps me live better.

Why I Love Races

Tomorrow morning I am running in the 3rd annual memorial 5K for my husband's grandpa who passed away in 2006. It is just a family 5K that family members can run/walk each year to kick off the family reunion festivities. Best part: it's free, and still gives you that good-amazing-end-of-the-race-finish-line feeling. Can't wait.

I was reflecting the other day on just how much money my husband and I have spent on running races over the years. This year alone has cost us several hundred dollars (not including gas and hotel costs for the out-of-town ones.) But honestly, it's money that I wouldn't want to spend on anything else. I LOVE races. I'll tell you why:

1. Races give me a reason to run. It's a lot easier to get out and run long distances when I know that I'm working towards something. (i.e. working towards not collapsing on the course!)
2. Races are a concrete way to track my running progress.
3. Race-day endorphins are addicting!
4. Crossing the finish line--no matter how long the race--puts me on a high for days!
5. Being a runner in a race is a lot more fun than being a spectator!
6. I love being surrounded by hundreds of other runners headed for the same finish line!
7. I. Love. Running.
8. Lots of people don't care about it, but I love the special shirt I get just for running the race!
9. I love finish line treats!
10. I love the finisher medal.
11. I love feeling like I actually accomplished what I set out to do.
12. I love seeing my cute family at the end!
13. Finish lines ALWAYS make me cry.

After the 5K tomorrow, I have one last race to finish the season. My husband and I (along with 10 others) are running in the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay. I can't wait!

If you've never run a race, start with a 5K. You just might cross the finish line and go sign up for a marathon!

Have you ever run a race? Are you addicted, or did you swear off running forever?

For more fit-me-running tips, go here!

Gym Germs

This morning I didn't stick to my original plan of working out at 5:30 am. Luckily, preschool doesn't start until next week, so working out at 9 am was still an option. I skipped the class, and did my own cardio session followed by some strength training.

While at the gym, I always carry around at least a towel and water bottle. Not having a towel drives me crazy! I have to have it to wipe off the gallons of sweat pouring out of my body. I sweat. I wipe. I set the towel down for a few seconds, complete another exercise, pick up the towel, and repeat. For some reason, I totally grossed myself out today.

I was working with some free weights. I set my water bottle on the floor, and my towel on a workout bench next to me. You know, the incline bench that seats hundreds of nasty, sweaty men as they grunt and press each day? My wet towel was now nicely wedged in the crevice...the nasty-bum-sweat-gathering crevice. Before I gave second thought to the germs now congregating onto my towel, I picked it up, wiped my entire face, then set it back down...this time on top of my water bottle on the gym floor. That's when it hit me. Sweaty, fecal matter could be crawling all over my face. And towel. And water bottle.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm definitely not a germaphobe. My kids eat off the floor at my house, and quite frankly, so do I. I figure they need germs to build up their immune system, so bring it on! But that's my house. I know what's coming in and out, and I personally scrub and disinfect my floors at least every week.

I know they clean the gym equipment, but how often? Definitely not in-between each user. And those benches? I've never seen a wipe down. I'm sure it happens, but not while I'm there. So hopefully I survive the sweaty bum germs contaminating my towel, face, and water bottle. Next time I'll leave the towel home and just use my shirt. Or I'll bring my own disinfecting wipes. Either way, the nasty, sweaty, grunting men at the gym are not those with whom I'd like to share germs. Ewwww.

Are you a germaphobe? Do you think about what germs you're letting into your life and body, or do you think it's okay just to share and share alike when it comes to germs? Am I overreacting here? Discuss.

Will Exercise Make You Fat?

According to the cover story in TIME magazine, exercise won't make you thin. SWEET! Time to throw away my new running shoes, and buy a box of donuts then! Right? The article explains that exercise actually makes us hungrier, so we eat more after than we would had we never worked out. Interesting...but I'm still not convinced.

I'm not a dietician, or a physician. I'm a runner. I'm a daily exerciser. I'm a personal trainer. On occasion, I'm a group fitness instructor. I'm a fit-me-blogger. And I'm a FIRM believer in using exercise as part of a weight management regimen.

It's true that I'm often hungrier after a strenuous workout. And yes--I probably eat more than I would have otherwise. And yes--I often feel entitled to a treat or two or four because I exercised. And yes--I probably often eat more than I actually expend calorie-wise. And yes--even with all the working out I do, I still have some pounds to shed that haven't come off since the birth of Baby #2.

But...I would NEVER give up exercise to solve my weight issues. Just as my body has slowly adapted to running long distances, I know I could train my body (and brain) to eat the right amount of food. I'm healthier, happier, have more energy, and avoid becoming Monster Mom with my regular workouts! And I have seen changes in my body that would NEVER have happened without exercise. So take that, TIME magazine. Don't believe everything you read!

How has exercise helped you in your weight management?

No Sleep + No Exercise = Monster Mom

I'll let you in on a secret that I've mentioned before.
Every so often I'm a mom that none would adore.
Most days I'm patient. I'm loving, secure.
But on occasion I'm NOT! Stay away, or endure.
There's a monster inside that sometimes comes out.
Watch out or she'll yell, she'll hiss, and she'll spout.
She's tired, she's ornery, she's nasty at best.
Please leave her in bed...she obviously needs rest!
If sleep I have gotten, she'll stay hidden away.
But if slept I have not, she's coming to stay.
Even worse, if I haven't had a chance to work out,
the monster creeps in. She's beastly, no doubt.
Don't look at her wrong, and don't spill your water.
And don't leave your toys in her path...she might slaughter!
Stop whining, stop crying, START EATING YOUR FOOD!
Stop fighting at meal time...I'M NOT IN THE MOOD!
Stop clinging, stop begging, start sharing your toys!
Stop screaming, stop yelling...CAN'T HANDLE THE NOISE!
It's time now for bed. Choose a dang book already!
Hurry! Brush your teeth...before I scream nice and steady.
AAAAAAHHHH AAAAAAHHHH! Is the day over yet?
I'm on the verge of doing something I just might regret!
Tomorrow's a new day. A day to start fresh.
But the new day starts NOW with a good night of rest.
And a workout tomorrow...endorphins I need.
I'll pray that the monster stays hidden indeed.
No one likes the yelling. Laughter's preferred to the roar.
So, ha ha, look at that. Milk on my freshly cleaned floor.
And ha! Pretty toys! They're all over the place!
I'm trying so hard to laugh and put on a kind face.
Being a mom is hard work. Harder yet with no sleep.
And without exercise, I'm really a creep.
So to keep us all happy, I devote time to me.
It's not selfish, it's essential. Now GO TO SLEEP! LET ME BE!

Take Care of Yourself to be a Better Mom/Wife/Friend

As the fall season comes into view, I'm digging deep to find the motivation I need to be better. I love Fall. I love the crispness in the air, the changing of the leaves, the sense that things are, well, changing. I'm especially loving the fact that I can't really feel these changes just yet (stay a while, summer), but I know they're on the way.

For most of my life, Fall has been the time to set goals and to renew my commitment to be better this year than the year before. For 22+ years, school forced me to set goals, and gave me the motivation to work hard. After graduating from college, it was strange to be suddenly in charge of setting my own goals and deadlines. After having babies and leaving the full-time workforce, it was even stranger...I had no black and white commitments to anyone. (Although keeping a baby and husband alive is no small commitment!)

I quickly found, after the birth of The Boy in 2006, that if I didn't make a commitment to do certain things, they would never get done. The less productive I was, the less happy I was. The less I took care of myself, the more neglected other things became. If I sat around in my pajamas all day, nothing was accomplished. My home became disorganized and cluttered. I had no energy. A few things in my life became an absolute priority so that I could remain happy and sane. With the Fall Season ahead, I'm focusing on me for unselfish (OK...and selfish) reasons. No one wants to be around me if I don't take care of me. Here are a few of my personal-care areas of improvement:

1. Friendships: I've been blessed with some really, really great friends. My husband is my best friend, but as much as he tries to understand me, he'll never be a woman. Having a girlfriend to talk to--even if we can only get in a few sentences before the kids prevent the conversation from going any further--is essential to lifting my sometimes not-so-chipper spirit.
2. Daily Fresh Air: For me, getting out of the house, if only for a few minutes every day is like taking anti-depressant medication. I. NEED. SUN.
3. Exercise: Even if it means waking up at 5am...I won't neglect it! Remember...The benefits I'll gain from working out early are much more important than the bit of sleep I'll lose!
4. Showers and Makeup: Even if I know the 3 and under crowd are the only ones who will see me during the day, I never skip this. You'll rarely see me without makeup on...even if it's just a smidgen of mascara. Why? I feel better about myself. I know that if a friend calls and wants to stop by in, say, 2 minutes, I'm prepared and even excited for the visit. I have more energy. I feel like a non-stinky, proper member of society.
5. Healthy Eating: One of my biggest struggles...I love my sugar...but also one of the key indicators of how I feel. I can tell what kind of foods my kids have eaten by how they're acting. I can also tell what kind of foods I have eaten by my mood. If the foods are healthy, I'm a much better me. (But I'm also a better me with some occasional chocolate...)
6. Marriage: As a mom, it's so easy to put The Man on the back burner. But I notice that when we're not getting alone time, or going on dates, I'm much more discouraged and down about life in general.
7. Sleep: This one will be tricky with my new workout schedule, but if I have any desire to not turn into Monster Mom, I. must. sleep.
8. Meditation: Taking a few minutes to pray, reflect, and listen helps me organize the chaos that is my life as a toddler mom into a more doable job. Even just a few minutes at the beginning and end of the day helps me assess where I am, and where I'm trying to go.

These are a few things I'm going to work on this Fall...how about you?

Working Out Early Morning vs. Never At All...

It's going to take me a while to really admit it, but summer is over. As a stay-at-home mom with a 3-year old and a 1-year old, my life of motherhood has yet to revolve around the school year or the seasons. I can up and leave on vacation anytime somewhere-other-than-here beckons. I can also workout whenever my little heart desires. Most days, it's desire is to be at the gym by 8:30 so I can fit in a little cardio session before the group fitness class at 9. Tough life, I know.

Recently, I had a hard decision to make. I was getting ready to sign The Boy up for preschool, and I had two sessions to choose from: morning or afternoon. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but I hated making the choice! If I chose morning, I would have to drastically change my workout schedule. No more 9am group fitness if he has to be to school by 9:30. If I chose afternoon, The Boy (and I) would miss out on the much-needed nap time. An early-morning-angel-boy isn't quite so pleasant by late afternoon if he's missed his nap. His teacher would NOT thank me for that choice. So somewhat reluctantly, I chose morning preschool.

I would love to think that I could change from working out in the morning to working out in the evening, but it just won't happen. Sure, it may happen on occasion, but things always come up at night...meetings, parties, snuggling up with a good book on the couch, reality TV...you know, important stuff. I love me a good workout, but by nighttime, my motivation to get sweaty drops to pretty much nothing.

Before The Girl entered this world 19 months ago, I was somehow motivated to get out of bed at the crack 'o dawn to workout. But since then, my bed has become cozier. I've stayed up later. Now, waking up at 5am sounds (and feels) like waking up in the middle of the night. (Why wake up at 5, when I can drop my kids off at the kids' club and work out at 9?) But I'm trying to find motivation to do it again. Sure, I could go to the gym and do my own thing while The Boy is at preschool. But there's no group fitness option. Lame, I know, but most days, it keeps me going. The 5:30 am group fit classes are my only other morning option.

So right now, as I type, I'm building up the motivation to wake up in T-10 hours. I think I can do it. I actually love working out early...once I'm up and there. It's just the getting up. It's the leaving the pillow that has formed itself so nicely around my head. It's the wanting to find out what happens in the rest of the now-interrupted-by-the-alarm-clock dream. It's the trying to negotiate with myself that I'll fit in a workout later...sounds good in my half-asleep mind, but it never actually happens. So here's my new commitment:

I will wake up at 5 am at least 3 days a week to work out. I'll allow myself the other two days to negotiate a later time. I'll be more productive as a result. I'll be a better mom! I'll blog more! I can take a power nap later! So, along with Mama Sweat, here's my new mantra:

The benefits I'll gain from working out early are much more important than the bit of sleep I'll lose!

Say it with me now.

The benefits I'll gain from working out early are much more important than the bit of sleep I'll lose!

OK, I feel better. The alarm is set. My new schedule starts tomorrow. Who's with me?

Possible Health (and financial) Benefits of Crying

When I decided to make this morning a productive morning, I should have known I was headed for disaster. With two small children in tow, even one uneventful outing is a miracle. If I can make it to and home from wherever I'm going without a major outburst, it's been a good day. So planning three all-at-once-without-returning-home stops is never a good idea. But this morning, I had places to go.

First stop: The Gym. The gym stop is so deeply engrained in my kids' brains, that I can happily plan on arriving, dropping off at the kids' club, working out, and escaping without causing a big scene. Normally we leave and go straight home so as not to be seen in my sweaty, post-workout state. I shower, the kids have some down time, they nap, and we plan any other outings for later. Today was different. I wanted to get it all done at one time. It's only two more public places, I told myself. They're getting older...they can handle it, right?

I head to my second stop: The Mall to exchange The Boy's new shoes for a smaller size before they give the last pair in his size to another. After the somewhat painful exchange is made (because The Boy can't bear parting with the too-big-shoes...until I let The Girl carry the new box that he just CANNOT let her have), we run out of the mall before one more person glares at the Children (and me) for screaming. With a small hand in each of mine, we run out of the store as their legs flail behind them while trying to keep up with my get-us-the-heck-out-of-here pace.

I throw the kids in their carseats, start the car, and The Boy promptly starts to whine that he missed his "show." I bribe him to behave for just one more stop. Third stop: The library. My kids love the library, because I let them choose all the movies and books they want...they're free! I tell him that maybe, just maybe, the library will have a Word World DVD. But before we go look at the DVD's, I just have to clear something up at the counter.

A few weeks ago, we rented several DVD's. I returned all ten of them on time, not wanting to pay any more dang library fines. Shortly after returning them, I received an email saying that two of the DVD's (both Elmo) weren't returned properly, so I owed the library $30.00! I knew I'd returned them in the same condition I'd received them (or so I thought), so it had to be a mistake. And $30.00?!?!? I could buy them both new for less than that!

I stand at the counter, and calmly explain to the library lady what happened. She looks at me and explains that the paper covers inside the cases are ruined, and that the barcode is torn off one, leaving the DVD's in a state unsuitable for re-circulation. As a line forms behind me, the tears threaten to flow. Maybe it's the money. Maybe it's The Girl now hanging upside down in my arms as she tries to squirm away. Maybe it's the impatient people in line behind me wanting me to pay the dang $30.00 already so they can get on with paying their own library fines! Maybe it's the lady who stopped to tell me that my daughter's shoe is on wrong. Whatever it is, I am on the verge of tears. I, still in my sweaty gym clothes, trying to be productive and responsible on this gloomy Monday morning, fight back tears and ask if anyone can help me so that I won't have to pay this stupid fine (especially if I can't even keep the two movies!)

A manager comes out, re-explains to me that my children are obviously the ones who ruined the paper inserts. (And how can I blame her for thinking that my kids are the ones, when hundreds of children have handled the same DVD's? The hundreds of others aren't present, whining and crying, running in circles, speaking in very un-library-like voices, now, are they?) But somehow, out of the kindness of her heart (because there is no kindness in her voice or eyes), she reduces the $30 fine to $10. I gladly pay, then run out, little legs flailing behind, as the Boy screams that he wants to get his library movies. We are NEVER getting another movie from the library, I threaten. Not if it's going to cost me each time you two get your little paws on one!

We make it home. We eat lunch. We calm down. I let myself cry a bit. I feel better. I knew there were health benefits from crying. Who doesn't feel better after a good cry? But I didn't know there were financial benefits, as well. A few months ago, my tears got me out of a speeding ticket (for going 14 mph in a 10 mph zone at the airport). Today, they saved me $20. So as much as I hate being emotional, I guess I'm gonna keep crying! And I guess I'll limit my public post-workout outings to a minimum!

Summer fun: Sweating Outdoors AND Indoors with the "COOLKEEPER" program!

I was laying in my bed just the other night,
Thinking of summer and her many delights.
Swimming, playing, being kissed by the sun.
I truly love summer...the sweat and the fun.
I often am out in the sun and the heat.
Nothing's more glorious than coming in for retreat.
The sun gets so hot, the AC is my friend.
Without a cooling system, the heat NEVER ends.
A few years ago, I lived without cool.
My baby boy and I sweat enough for a pool!
Happy wife? Sad to say, my DH did NOT have.
The heat makes me cranky. Don't come near...I might stab!
Who invented the swamp cooler? Well, he had no brain.
It worked nary a day in this house we'd attained.
Central air, we conceded, of necessity we'd buy.
Not 'til Fall, when on sale. I suffered through August and July!
Then all winter long, I waited and prayed
For the HOT days ahead when inside I'd stay!
So a year ago, summer was glorious indeed.
I'd sweat, I'd melt, then crank the air 'til I'd freeze!
As summer rolled in, this great year of '09,
My plan was the same. We'd survive summer just fine.
Until one day last week...we had a few guests.
The hottest day yet, the AC failed the test!
Cranky-me, feeling sweaty, upon hubby's return home
Nearly tackled him as he walked through the door, mouth a-foam!
"WHY IS IT HOT IN THIS AIR-CONDITIONED (expletive) HOUSE?!?!?
WE'RE HOT AND WE'RE SWEATY, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN WORKED OUT!"
The husband calmly replied in his matter-of-fact voice,
"Today must be the 1st day they used the 'cool keeper' device."
He went on to explain that dear Rocky Mountain Power,
Could turn our AC off at peak times...hour after hour.
Supposedly most customers don't notice the change.
But my 3-year old noticed. And he sure did complain!
So I'm helping conserve energy, and not liking it one bit.
I'm a baby, I know. I completely threw a big fit!
But I feel sorta guilty saying, "Please take it off!"
That little signal receiving device, it's ticking me off.
Stop turning off my air when I want it back on!
I paid money to be cool...the heat is making me yawn
...and yell and complain and be ornery at best.
Can I survive this through August? That will be the test!
At least it gets cool when peak hours have ended.
I can crank the air up when the sun has descended.
And I can spend all my days in the cool of the shade.
We can swim, run through sprinklers, and drink lemonade.
Guess that's what I get for actually becoming somewhat green.
Today I bought cloth diapers...I'm an environmental machine!
How about you? Do you enjoy doing good for the earth?
Sure, I hate global warming, but AC has great worth!
I'm kind of on the fence. At least I'm trying my best.
But this summer in the heat will be a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE test!

Ragnar Relay: The Wasatch Back in Review

A week ago tomorrow, I embarked on a journey. I embarked on a 31 hour, 23 minute, 7.4 second journey to be exact. I got to run an 18.5 mile leg of 188 miles from Logan to Park City, UT. And I got to spend it with 11 amazing others who ran the remaining 169.5 miles. I knew I would be tired. I knew I would be sore. I knew I would enjoy the kid-free weekend (maybe too much...the things I'll do to have some me-time!). I also knew I would cry (because races always bring out my emotional-sentimental side). What I didn't know, however, was what an impact this race, more than any previous race, would have on me.

You see, most races are purely selfish in nature. You go to the start line, the whistle blows, and you end at the finish line. YOU end at the finish line. However long the distance, you complete it yourself. Someone might be there to cheer you on. And if you're lucky (like my husband), someone might even run a bit with you. But you start, you finish, you get your medal, you feel amazing for what you accomplished, and you go home.

The Ragnar Relay series, however, are different. You are part of an actual team. No one wants you to finish more than your team does. 12 runners, same goal: to finish 188 sleepless miles. That's right, one hundred and eighty-eight crazy-uphill-in-the-rain-and-fog-and-middle-of-the-night-into-the-morning-while-breathing-dust-and-smelling-like-yesterday's-sweat-while-hanging-out-with-previous-strangers-who-are-now-your-best-friends-stinking-glorious miles.

I got to start the race as runner #1. That meant that after my 3rd leg, I was the first to finish. But my finish didn't feel like a finish at all. I got to watch the rest of my team run up c.r.a.z.y. steep hills, and down c.r.a.z.y. knee-jarring descents. I wanted to cry as slowly, but surely, we all finished. WE. ALL. FINISHED.

At a post-race team BBQ, we all looked (and smelled) like different people. We'd all felt like sleeping for days straight when the race was over. But every runner said that they'd do it again. In a heartbeat, even. (Or maybe in Vegas in October?!?!?!)

Life gives us hard things. In this case, we each chose the hard thing. We knew we'd be exhausted. We knew we would experience hot and cold and rain and sunshine. And somehow, we knew we'd survive. At some point we would see the glorious "ONE MILE TO GO" sign (or at least the faint smell of the "honey bucket" at the exchange point). But let me tell you...after surviving that, I know I can do anything. The proverbial "ONE MILE TO GO" sign is looming ahead during any trial. You just keep going, and remember to reach out to your team for support (and water)!! That's what they're there for...to help you make it to the finish line!

And guess what else got me through? The OTHER teams! I would read the vans as I ran to pass the time. One of my favorites read, "We tell ourselves there's nothing to fear. Sometimes we're wrong." That pretty much sums it up. Thanks for the laughs, fellow crazies! I LOVED it!

Who's in for next year?

20 Reasons I LOVE Yoga!

Here's a little tidbit of information about me: I'm a little bit OCD about my work outs, and missing a workout seriously stresses me out. Forgetting to wear my heart rate monitor before going to the gym just about sends me into a fit of hysteria. I love my cardio workouts, and I love strength training workouts. But today I reminded myself that I LOVE YOGA! I often opt for the higher calorie burn, thinking that Yoga just isn't enough. But tonight I attended a Yoga class, and remembered why I should do it more often! We would all do well to incorporate some Yoga into our regular fitness regimen.

I LOVE YOGA BECAUSE...

• I have to adjust my rear view mirror for the drive home...it makes me sit taller by improving my posture.
• It decreases blood pressure, lowers the heart rate, and improves circulation.
• It helps me control my breathing in normal-life-stressful situations.
• It massages my internal organs, so I'm more in tune with my body.
• It helps me stay regular (along with my fabulous fiber!)
• It gives me a stronger immune system.
• It gives me a higher tolerance for pain.
• It reduces spinal compression and back pain.
  
• It stimulates detoxification of the body...and keeps me younger.
• It is non-competitive. (Although I'm still working on remembering that I don't need to compare what I'm doing to what the instructor is doing.)
  
• It makes me stronger...using only my own body weight.
• I sleep better.
• It teaches me balance and control over my body.
• It makes me a better runner.
• It improves...ahem...sexuality.
• It improves my mood.
• It reduces stress and anxiety.
• It humbles me into better self-acceptance. I can't do every move. And that's OK!
• It's a great measuring stick for my own level of strength and fitness.
• It teaches me to remain calm in the midst of a storm.

For more surprising health benefits of Yoga, read this. Why do YOU love Yoga?

Bear Lake Marathon Highlights (and Lowlights)

A week ago, I was a nervous wreck. My husband was getting ready to run his 9th marathon. Well, he did, and here's a bit of good news: he finished, and he lived to tell about it! That's all that really matters, right? Actually, the race itself wasn't too bad. The weekend, however, wouldn't top my list for best vacations ever. But bad stories are good stories, right? Here's what went down in Bear Lake, Utah last weekend.

THE BAD...

• Husband and his brother think camping sounds like a fun way to spend the night before a marathon.
• Husband and brother think camping really close to a lake sounds like a fun way to camp.
• Husband and brother don't think about the thousands of Edward-esque mosquitos that will want my Bella-esque blood at said campsite.
• Husband and brother don't think it's worth an extra $13 to park both cars at the campsite.
  
• Husband informs me as he's setting up our tent that, oops, he forgot the tent poles!
• Husband thinks sleeping in the car with our two children sounds like a good alternative. I think eating our chicken parmigiana spaghetti foil dinners, and going home sounds better! Forget the darn race!
• Husband's brother graciously offers to let our family of four share a tent with his family of seven. Yes...that's eleven people in one tent, including two babies in two pac-n-plays.
• One of those babies (mine) decides that sleeping in a tent isn't her thing, around 1 am. All ten of us get to hear her scream for the next hour.
• Husband and brother awake at 4:45 am to run the race.

THE GOOD...

• 7 kids sleep until 7.
• Sister-in-law and I drive these 7 kids to find the runners.
• We arrive at mile 17 early, so I put my kids in the jogging stroller, and run to find the husband.
• We find him with bloody nipples at mile 15, and run with him to our car at mile 17.
• Husband requests that we run a little further...to mile 18.
• We run back to the car.
  
• We drive and stop at every subsequent mile...yes, we're supportive!.
• At mile 22, husband requests that we drive to mile 24 to accompany-run-push-and-possibly-drag him along the final 2 miles.
• We love him, so we do it.
• I cry as we cross the finish line, and feel guilty that I'm crossing it. I sure didn't run 26.2 miles! Hauling two kids in a stroller for 8 counts for something, I guess!
• Husband gets his 2nd worst time ever, but somehow wins 2nd place for his age group.
• We fall in love with the small marathon!
• We clean up camp and drive home.

Fun weekend, no?

16 Fitness Facts You Might Not Know...

Did you know that toning your butt actually makes your stomach look smaller?

Did you know that it only takes 100 too many calories each day to gain 10 pounds in a year?

Did you know that it only takes a deficit of 500 calories a day to lose a pound a week?

Did you know that a pound of muscle burns about 9 calories a day, and a pound of fat only burns 2?

Did you know that you eat more calories each day if you enter your home near the kitchen than if you use the front door?

Did you know that oatmeal, citrus fruits, and honey can improve fertility, and boost your sex drive?

Did you know that rinsing your nose with salt water can help decrease allergy symptoms?

Did you know that a 20-minute nap does wonders for mood, productivity, and overall alertness?

Did you know that eating fruits and vegetables may help the human body make its own aspirin?

Did you know that the combination of adequate sleep and exercise may decrease a woman's chance of getting cancer?

Did you know that your brain is much more active at night than during the day?

Did you know that in addition to having more fun, blondes have more hair?

Did you know that the lifespan of a human hair is 3 to 7 years?

Did you know that you get a new stomach lining every three to four days?

Did you know that women's hearts beat faster than men's?

Did you know that it takes twice as long to lose new muscle when you stop working out than it did to gain it? (So go build some muscle...it grows fast!!!)

Now you know! What interesting tidbits can you share?

The Runner's Diet: 6 Tips

I'm a nervous wreck. My husband is getting ready to run his 9th marathon this week. The fact that he's done this 8 times before should mean NO PROBLEM, right? Well, if you remember his last marathon, I let you in on a little secret...my husband is a wait-until-the-last-possible-second-to-start-training-to-run-a-measly-26.2-miles-kind-a-guy. About a month ago, he came out of hibernation and started running. As a training bonus, he's been riding his bike to work. But the longest run my DH has yet to complete in his latest bout of training is about 8 miles. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. That's not very many when he has to run 26.2 in a few days! If he acted at all worried about it, then I wouldn't be. But one of us has to worry!!! Why is it always me?

Another aspect of training that my husband waits until the last few hours to worry about, is his diet. This morning, realizing that the race is just days away, he nonchalantly sauntered into the kitchen asking, "So, babe...what do you think I should be eating this week?" Are you kidding me?!?! I didn't have an immediate answer. Can't he hear the echo of my nagging voice? "You really need to eat better if you think you're going to run a marathon in June." NOW he decides to care! So yes...I have tips for the next week. But really, I have tips for what he should have been doing ALL ALONG. I bring you my top diet tips for runners:

1. If you're just a normal runner, don't eat like an elite runner. If you're only running a few miles, you don't need to load up on energy drinks, bars, and gels. Calories still count...even for runners!
2. The Runner's Diet consists of a 50-25-25 plan. 50% of your daily calories should come from carbohydrates, 25% from protein, and 25% from fat.
   
3. I'm not a calorie counter, but if you know how many calories you're aiming for in a given day, half of them should come from carbs. Because carbohydrates provide the fuel you need for a run, plan to eat them just before and just after your runs. Opt for fiber-rich carbs with high water content.
   

Load up on these carbs:

Fruits (about 60 calories per serving)
Apple, orange, pear, nectarine
Banana
Peach, plum
Grapefruit
Canteloupe
Berries
Fresh pineapple
Canned fruit (in its own juice)

Low-Starch Vegetables (about 25 calories per serving)
Carrots, celery, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, leeks, onions, green beans
Green pepper
Asparagus
Lettuce/raw greens
100-percent vegetable juice

Carbs to eat a bit more sparingly:

High-Starch Vegetables (about 80 calories per serving)
Beans (lima, navy, pinto)
Corn
Peas/lentils
Baked white or sweet potato with skin

Pasta/Rice (about 80 calories per serving)
Couscous (cooked)
Brown or white rice (cooked)
Noodles/pasta (cooked)
Bulgur (cooked)

Breads/Cereal/Crackers (about 80 calories per serving)
Tortilla (wheat)
100-percent whole-wheat bread
Mini-bagel
English muffin: 1/2
Pretzels: 3/4 ounce or 8 sourdough nuggets
Popcorn (air popped): 3 cups
Saltine crackers: 6
Rice cakes (all varieties, large): 2
High-fiber cereals: 3/4 cup
Oatmeal: 2/3 cup cooked or 1 instant packet

4. Choose lean protein! Not only does protein help with muscle recovery, it also keeps you full longer!

Protein Selections:

Very lean (about 35 calories per serving)
Chicken or turkey breast (skinless)
Fish fillet (all whitefish)
Canned, water-packed tuna
Shellfish
Egg whites
Egg substitute

Lean (about 55 calories per serving)
Chicken or turkey (skinless dark meat)
Salmon, swordfish, herring, trout, bluefish
Lean beef (flank steak, top round, ground sirloin)
Veal or lamb (roast or lean chop)
Pork (tenderloin)
Canadian bacon
Low-fat hot dogs
Low-fat luncheon meats

Dairy Products (about 90 calories per serving)
Fat-free or 1-percent-fat cottage cheese (calcium fortified)
Low-fat, sugar-free yogurt
Fat-free, sugar-free yogurt
Low-fat cheese (all types)

5. Before you cut fat out of your diet, think again! Foods with a little healthy fat help slow digestion, and keep you full longer! 25 percent of a runner's calories should come from heart-healthy vegetable, nut, and fish fat sources.

Try the following fats of choice:

Fat sources (about 50 calories per serving)
All oils: 1 teaspoon
Avocado (medium): 1/8
Almonds, cashews, filberts: 6
Peanuts: 10
Pistachios: 15
Olives (green or black): 8 medium
Peanut butter (creamy or chunky): 1 teaspoon

6. Make sure you know your daily running schedule ahead of time, so you can plan your 50-25-25 eating plan around your runs. The bulk of your carbs should be eaten around your runs. Leave the high calorie energy bars and gels for race day, and fuel up during training with mother nature's choice: food!!!!

For more running tips, check out runner's world! Wish my hubby luck! And wish me, the spectator, luck! Not to give myself all the credit, but hauling two kids around to cheer on daddy is a lot more work than just running from start to finish. I'd trade any day! Well...maybe...just not on Saturday!

Watch Out For the Falling Treadmill

Buenos Dias, fitmepeeps. Have you missed me? Truth be told, I've been questioning whether I'm actually qualified as a fit blogger. Why, you ask? Well, apparently I don't know how to operate a treadmill. I'll spare you the details of my own treadmill mishap. Rather, I'll give you an "imaginary" scenario in which you, the reader, get to choose the outcome.

Here it is...

It's Friday morning. Your house is (once again) full of family-guests. Your mom has requested that you accompany her to meet your brother's future mother-in-law at the reception venue in approximately two hours. Everyone leaves for other wedding-planning events. You have the house to yourself, and before dropping your own children off at your angel mother-in-law's house (so you can actually enjoy the outing), you decide to squeeze in a quick workout.

Option 1: Treadmill
Option 2: Yoga
Option 3: P90X

You choose the treadmill option. You head downstairs and quickly move the air mattress and lovesacs out of the way. You proceed to move the treadmill away from the wall. You step on the treadmill to wheel it into place before lowering the running belt to the ground. You forget to check to make sure the belt was actually latched at the top. As you tilt the treadmill towards you, the unlatched belt falls, smacking you in the head, and knocking you into the wall.

What do you do next?

A. You sit on the floor and cry for a minute, then get up, set up the treadmill properly, and run anyway (with a pounding headache, and a mixture of tears, blood, and sweat on your face).

B. You scream for your 3-year old to bring you the phone so you can call 911.

C. You lay on the floor crying hysterically as you think of the "what-ifs" for the next 20 minutes. What if I'd been knocked unconscious or paralyzed and my kids found me downstairs and didn't know what to do, and no one found me for days...

D. You curse the treadmill and decide to never run again. But you proudly show everyone the big bruise on your head from when your treadmill tried to kill you.

That's the scenario. And since this isn't my story...ahem...I'm curious what you would do. (Psssshhh...like I wouldn't check to make sure the treadmill was latched. Duh.) Choose your option!

Birthday Biathlon...A Race for the Kids

When your 2-year old spends countless hours in the jogging stroller during the week, he's bound to want to get out and run. As he sits in the bike trailer watching you pedal, he's bound to want to get out and ride. He has more energy in his little pinky finger than you have in your big legs. Sitting still is not his forte.

When your 2-year old spends several Saturday mornings cheering you and your hubby on as you race, he's bound to want to get out and...race! He has more will power in his little toes than you have in your entire body.

When your 2-year old is approaching his 3rd birthday, he'll want to have a party. And what could be a better party than one that includes three of his favorite things: running, biking, and racing! A birthday biathlon is the key to his happiness. What should you do?

1. Chart out a course along the local jogging trail. Mark it with blue sidewalk chalk arrows pointing the way...you never know when someone's going to take a wrong turn!
   
2. Instruct "race participants" to bring their bikes and running shoes.
3. Give the biathlon-ers a choice...bikes or running. Switching from one to the other might just be more than 3-year-olds can emotionally handle.
4. Have parents stationed around the course to cheer their racers on.
5. Be thrilled as your 3-year-old comes in 2nd place!
6. Smile as your one-year-old stains her entire body with a red-ice-cream-man-popsicle instead of racing.
7. Give each little racer a medal, a juice box, and a banana.
8. Love the accomplished look on each of their little faces.
9. Eat the birthday boy's "Trail Cake".
10. Laugh as the kids leave the cake to "race" again. (More cake for me! Why can't I have my priorities that straight?!?!)
    

See? Fitness CAN be fun! How do you encourage your kids to be physically active?

Benefits of At-Home-Fitness: P90X Style

Let me introduce you to our guest poster for the day, Lyenna! Lyenna is a busy mother of 3, and one of the most motivated worker-outers ever. (Just reading about her workouts makes me tired!) As a mom, I love reading her blog to get a realistic picture of the highs and lows that come with motherhood. Hilarious! After the birth of her 3rd baby last year, she dug deep and found the motivation she needed to take charge of her body and life. Read on to find out what she has done AT HOME to reach her goals...

There are so many reasons to tell yourself you don't have time to work-out. It's so easy to use your kids as an excuse. And it's so easy, especially for moms, to put others before yourself. I am a very competitive and athletic person, and I thrive on anything challenging. I was raised in a family that is all of these things, almost to the extreme. I know no other way. I was raised to accept change, and go for the gusto! After becoming a mom I lost a little of that gusto. I gained about 40lbs., stretch marks, and nursing boobs (we all know what those look like after) with my first child. I lost the weight, but I was NOT in the same athletic shape I used to be in. I assumed that was just one of the sacrifices you make to be a mom. I then had another child, but my body had some clue as to what to do, so I didn't put on as much weight as my first. However, I was slowly losing muscle tone. I was what I like to call "skinny fat" Having my third child had me feeling like I had to do something. Being a mom slowed me down for a while, but I finally got my groove back. I have always been active, but never like this!

A little over year ago I started a work-out group. I never thought I would be a group fitness girl, but I have grown to thrive on it. We would use random videos that everyone had collected over the years. They were okay, but nothing really spectacular, and we weren't seeing any changes, but at least we got to socialize, right? Needless to say we wanted more of a challenge. We had to make dragging our kids along worth it! I had seen the infomercial for P90X and had wanted to try it, just to see if what they claimed was actually possible. I ordered it and those of us who have stuck with it within the group have seen awesome results. One of the women in our group has lost 55lbs. I haven't lost weight, at least not a lot but I lost fat and have gained muscle tone. I can now do 2 pull-ups (previously I could do zero), 40 straight leg push-ups (previously 20), and have a resting heart-rate of 50bpm (previously 60bpm). All of this from using a fitness video!!! Who knew!?

Because of my results I have become an online fitness coach. I get to share my passion with the world, and get paid for it! I e-mail, and encourage others who want to FINALLY make time for themselves. So what is Beachbody? This link gives you a quick look. What I have found is you don't need a gym membership to get into the best shape of your life! I get to do all of this while my 3 kids run around. I get to be with other women that share my passion and hold me accountable. My kids now look forward to exercise, and are sad if we miss a day. I am in better shape today than I was in high school, and I played 3 sports a year. I thought those days were over forever when I had children, and it turns out I was way wrong!

You can become fit, do it at home, and see REAL results. To see my before and after photos visit my website. If you have any questions or want to know more about getting fit, getting paid, and working from home email me at fit2bhappy@beachbodycoach.com. Beachbody is the real deal. They do things the right way by showing you how to eat right, showing you how to exercise to get results, and giving you support for the journey ahead. It has changed my life. Will it change yours?

There you have it. Thanks, Lyenna! I actually have tried P90X, and can say that the series of workouts really are the hardest, best workouts I've ever done! (By best I mean the so-sweaty-it's-dripping-off-your-elbows-while-you-burn-a-gazillion-calories-and-you're-sore-for-a-week-kind-of-workouts). Really. You want results? Check it out!

How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Memorial Day and Summer BBQ's

Weekends are hard enough (when it comes to food) when a holiday isn't attached! For me, memorial day marks the beginning of one of my favorite times of year: BARBECUE SEASON! BBQ is synonymous with summer. Love it! But with the re-emergence of potato salad, hamburgers, hot dogs, and lots and lots of saucy (read: high sugar, lots of calorie) condiments into our diets, you don't have to throw your hard work out the window. Here are a few things to think about:

• Fill up on fruits and veggies! YAY, my favorites are finally in season! (And this year I planted a square foot garden...more on that later...the EASIEST, CUTEST garden ever! I can't wait for the harvest!)
• Go easy on the condiments. You don't need as much mayo-ketchup-chippy-dip as you think!
• If you're grilling, why not cook veggie kabobs? YUM!
• Turn down the AC. Believe it or not, you eat less when you're slightly hot! Try a slightly uncomfortable 78 degrees instead of 72.
  
• Portion control. When I go to a family BBQ, I usually need a second plate to hold all my food. Do I really need to fill half a plate with potato salad? Probably not.
  
• Exercise! Take advantage of all that summer has to offer...WAY more opportunities for fitness. I'll need it to balance out my caloric intake! Yikes!

We're doing yard work today (meaning keeping my kids from picking the freshly planted flowers). I'm hoping to burn enough calories to justify a hamburger or two. What are your Memorial Day plans? Have fun, and take a moment or two to remember those who have worked so hard to preserve the freedoms we enjoy! God Bless America!

My 9 Favorite Gym Personalities

I've talked a lot lately about why I love the gym. One reason I haven't mentioned is purely for the entertainment factor. I love people watching! Most people go to the gym to work out in peace, to lose the muffin top, or to burn enough calories to make up for the over-indulgent weekend. They show up, they quietly do their thing, and they leave feeling good about what they've accomplished. Occasionally, however, you'll see someone who catches your attention in a big way. For some, these annoying personalities ruin the gym experience. And yes--maybe they do need to learn proper gym etiquette. However, I love seeing those that "stand out" in the gym crowd:

1. The cell phone addict. I occasionally walk into the gym talking on my phone, but the conversation usually lasts no more than a few minutes once inside. Others, however, will show up and gab for 45 minutes straight while walking on the treadmill. If you really want to get in a good workout, you probably shouldn't be able to carry on a long conversation! But thanks for sharing the juicy details of your life with the rest of us gym-goers.
2. The Sweat-er. OK...I guess I sort of fit into this category, because I. sweat. a. lot. I try to be conscious, however, of the sweat I leave behind. There's nothing worse than going to sit on a machine that displays a perfect wet outline of Mr. Sweat. Ewwwww.
3. The Beauty Queen. Back in my Personal Training days, I had an adorable old lady named Christine who never showed up without lipstick, earrings, and an overwhelming aroma of hairspray and perfume. I'm not sure who she was trying to impress, but I loved her dearly. I felt bad working her hard, however, because I didn't want to mess up her hair! These days, I see girls showing up with long, flowy hair (that they never put in a pony tail), with their full makeup on (that they never work quite hard enough to sweat off), their cleavage spilling out of their tops, and their bum cheeks hanging out the back. Really, girls? Are you trying to make those of us who roll out of bed and head to the gym with bed hair and no makeup look bad? Well it's working. But we're the ones laughing!
4. The Farter. Do I need to explain? These ones are always lurking somewhere in my early morning spin class. Small, crowded, sweaty damp room. I'm not laughing...I'm choking.
5. The Grunter. We see your muscles, guys. Do we really need to hear them, too? Actually, this one makes me laugh more than any other. Keep on grunting. You're helping strengthen my core with laughter.
6. The Social Butterfly. For some, the gym really is just a social outlet. Avoid eye contact at all cost unless you want to spend 20 minutes gabbing instead of working out! They have nice jaw muscles, though.
7. The Front Row Performer. In group fit classes, these girls are the ones who stand closest to the instructor, but practically make up their own routine. The instructor marches, and they jump. The instructor does 10 squats, and they do 20. Over-achieving-attention-seeking-non-conformists. I love these girls. I'm just not brave enough to join them. I'm a conformer, yes I am.
8. The impatient guy. Stop asking me if I'm done with the machine. I'll get off when I'm done! Unless you're secretly hitting on me...I'm married...he liked it so he put a ring on it! (Not that I've ever been hit on at the gym--refer to #3--I'm no beauty-gym-queen.)
9. The Nudist. OK, I don't love this one. I usually avoid the locker room in case the beauty queen decides to take a shower and forgets to put her clothes back on. I don't want to see it, thanks! I got enough of that in Finland (the land of the nekkid saunas!)

So what category do you fit in? Farters, 'fess up! OK, don't. But thanks for making me laugh like an immature 10-year old! Who wants to join me in my people-watching--entertainment and a work out. Who could ask for more?

13 Reasons I Love the Gym Kids' Club!

What. A. Week. Let me tell you, fit-me-peeps, life after the big vay-cay sure stinks! I'm pretty sure my kids didn't poop this much before I left. I'm also pretty sure they didn't cry this much before. My baby girl will NOT let me leave her sight. I sort of enjoyed the neediness for the first day or two--8 days away from my babies left me longing for their cries--but NOW I need a break.

My normal pre-Cruise routine consisted of a near-daily trip to the gym, with a glorious drop-off at the Kids' Club. But I have not visited the gym this week. I'm pretty sure leaving my baby for the brief hour would have sent her over the edge. I've taken the week to remind her that I'm not going anywhere. But next week? We're going back. I LOVE the kids' club. I feel GREAT taking my kids there. When I work out at home, sometimes I end up feeling more stressed out when the workout's over. Here's why I heart the kids' club so much:

1. They know that I'm going to work out. I'm hoping my example will teach them the same behavior.
2. They get to play with fun, exciting, different toys.
3. I don't have to scream from the treadmill for them to share, not hit, and to stay off!
4. Someone else gets to listen to the whining! (Or lack thereof...they're having fun!)
5. My needy children always get special attention.
6. They learn that fitness is fun.
7. They've made friends, and look forward to gym playdates!
8. I get some much needed ME time!
9. Since we're regulars, the "gym ladies" know and love my kids.
10. It helps with socialization.
11. It gets me out of the house.
12. If I don't accomplish, or do anything fun for my kids for the rest of the day, I know they had at least one fun hour.
13. We all leave happy!

How do you fit in fitness while still fulfilling your mommy role?

8 Ways To Stay Fit on a Cruise

It's taken me all week to finally sit down to admit that the vacation is indeed over. So hi, fit-me-peeps, I'm back! I have to admit that it was pretty easy to adjust to kid-free life. Our cruise. was. fabulous. I've yet to weigh myself to see what damage was done, and I probably won't. I don't need to...my skinny jeans are tight enough to show me that poundage was definitely gained. But I enjoyed every last morsel of food I shoveled into my mouth. And the lovely souveniers I'm prominently displaying on my thighs would be even bigger if I hadn't taken my own advice. Here are a few tips to minimize the post-vacation-extra-body-baggage:

1. TAKE THE STAIRS! We decided on the first day that we would take the stairs E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. Our room was on deck 2, we ate dinner on deck 3, we watched shows on deck 5, we enjoyed the buffet on deck 9, we swam on deck 11, and ran on deck 12. Each day gave us PLENTY of opportunites for stair climbing. (With many an ice-cream cone waiting at the end of the big climb!)
2. CHECK OUT THE GYM! We made it a point of finding the fitness center the first day. It was at the front end of the ship, with windows looking out. I decided that running on the treadmill while watching the waves crash in front of me would be worth a daily trip. Let me tell you...running on a moving boat is a killer core workout...you never know which way the incline is going to go! The gym also offered several free health seminars and fitness classes (for a fee--I would've gone--but I'm too cheap!)
3. MAKE FITNESS FUN! I LOVED the days at sea on the ship. My favorite activity of the week was probably the Disco Dance Class taught by the Cruise Director. We spent an hour learning a new dance. I was laughing the whole time, and sweating by the end. We also entered a free-throw contest, a ping-pong contest, and danced every chance we got.
4. TRY THE LOW-CAL ENTREES. OK...I didn't really do this one, but I did love the fruit and salad bars! I occasionally tried the "SPA" selections at dinner, but only in addition to the three other entrees I ordered. Yes, I ordered A LOT of food, but I never felt obligated to clean the plate! With so much food, a few bites of each entree (and dessert) was plenty.
5. ON DECK FOR THE CURE! I was really sad that our cruise coincided with Susan G. Komen's Race For The Cure. I was thrilled, however, to find out that a small scale version of this do-good race was on schedule for the week. I walked a mile in my flip-flops for On Deck For The Cure...and yes, I cried.
6. DRINK WATER! OK...I'm pretty sure the drink servers hated us. But the fact that we didn't spend a dime on a single beverage on board saved us not only a LOT of money, but a TON of calories!
7. PLAN ACTIVE EXCURSIONS! We hiked, we snorkeled, we swam, and we ran on the beach. (But I was also sore after holding on for dear life to my husband driving a motor scooter on the left side of the road in the Bahamas!)
8. ENJOY! Don't stress...you're on vacation. If you eat more for a week than you normally would, your body will adjust when you get home. Whatever you do, have fun! Your only real jobs while cruising are to eat and poop. Everything else is extra. Enjoy!