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!

Why I Love Spinning!

After joining the gym 6 years ago, I was completely intimidated by the cycling classes. I've never been one to really ask questions (I know, right? What's my deal?) so trying a new class was almost out of the question. How would I set up the bike? How would I know how to change the resistance? What if I couldn't make it through the class? How could I leave unnoticed?

My mom was actually the first in the family to try a spin class. She thought she would try something new, and ended up being the only one who showed up for the class. She wanted to die, but like me, would never let on that she was suffering. I still laugh until I cry when she relates the story. Being alone in a group fitness class is my worst nightmare!

Not too long after my mom's experience, a friend invited me to try a cycling class with her. I totally gave in to the peer pressure, and went, knowing full well the torture that certainly loomed. Not surprisingly, I HATED the first class! Everytime the instructor shouted in her happy, motivating, chipper voice to turn up the resistance, I wanted to rip off the resistance knob and chuck it at her pretty little sweatless face. I was dripping. How was she still even talking? I think I looked at the clock literally every two seconds to see how much longer I had to endure the pain. After a grueling hour, the class finally ended. I walked out looking like I'd just jumped in a pool, and went home with a saddle sore backside.

As the hours in my post-cycling day passed, I sort of felt good. You see, spin classes are a lot like childbirth. You endure, and you forget because you love the result (although the forgetting may take a year or two)!

I now go to cycling classes on at least a weekly basis. And you know what? I still sort of actually hate it, but in a weird way that makes me love it. I still watch the clock every few minutes (and occasionaly every few seconds), but I leave feeling ready to conquer the world.

If you've never tried a cycling class, try it. It's definitely not your everyday bikeride. But here are a few reasons I love this painful class:

• I love the energizing music!
• You don't have to wear a helmet!
• It is the BEST interval training workout around.
• It does wonders for the heart and lungs.
• It burns a gazillion calories.
• It lowers total cholesterol
• It decreases stress (although those hill climbs can feel pretty stressful!)
• It reduces the risk of some diseases.
• The classes provide a fun, non-competetive setting (You don't really know who's winning!)
• It increases leg strength (cuz it uses all the muscles...glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves...watch out!)
• It helps improves posture.
• There is a lesser risk of injury...it's a great, low-impact workout since your body doesn't have to support your full body weight.
• It's a great cross-training option for runners.
• It boosts your metabolism.
• It has helped bring my resting heart rate to 49!
• The best showers are post-spinning showers.
• I love the sweat.
• It always feels good afterwards.
• It helps keep sickness away.
• It forces me to push my limits.
• Because I can.

Have you ever tried spinning? Are you a fan, or does the thought make you cringe? If you're interested in trying, 24 Hour Fitness is offering a 7-day free trial promotion to new members. Come with me...it's always better with a friend!

Diet Soda...America's OTHER Drinking Problem

I grew up on fast food. Probably 3 times a week, my family ate out. With a working mom, and busy running-all-over-the-place schedules, waiting around for dinner to cook wasn't always an option. I grew up going to restaurants, thinking that ordering "just water" wasn't really an option. Why drink water when you can have soda? Well, fast forward to my poor-student-college days, and things became quite different. Why pay two dollars extra for a drink, when I can have water for FREE? I was converted. I am no longer a soda drinker. Ever. At first it was a money issue, but now it's a health issue. I guess I'll occasionally drink lemonade, or another non-carbonated, low sugar variety, but I'm really OK with...water.

A lot of people say "You shouldn't DRINK your calories." I agree...sort of. I drink lots of homemade smoothies, and feel 100 percent OK about the calories I'm putting into my body. But if overdosing on calories worries you, then reaching for a Diet Soda probably isn't the best solution. Yes...I'm about to step onto a soap box here. I realize Diet Soda (or regular soda for that matter) is the drug of choice for many of you. But before you reach for it, think again.

Artificial sweeteners may be just as bad for you as high fructose corn syrup. (And you know how I feel about that!) In 2004, a study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that rats ate more after consuming an artificially sweetened drink than they did after sipping sugar water. Interesting. The reason? According to researchers, calorie-free artificial sweeteners act like stomach teasers. You drink your diet soda, and your body waits for the calories that should surely follow. They never arrive, however, so your body tells you you're hungry and sends you elsewhere to look for them! And where do we find those calorie cravings? In the form of a high-calorie snack bowl! (At least I do...)

Another study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas in 2005 found that diet soda drinkers (one can per day) had a THIRTY-SEVEN PERCENT greater incidence of obesity.

Diet, or not, I'm not a soda fan. My dad, on the other hand, can't live without his Pepsi. For you soda drinkers, what's the lure? Seriously. I've never been attached to soda. I just used to order it. For me, it wasn't a hard habit to break. But for many of you, it would be the hardest thing ever. I really am curious why. And if any of you have been addicted to soda and have given it up, let us know how. I would love to break my dad of his Pepsi addiction (which I know isn't the worst thing in the world...but for a man working out daily and trying to lose weight, he would probably drop 10 pounds in a week. But he won't give it up! He loves it too much.) Any suggestions?

2 Healthy Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! Today has to be one of my favorite holidays of the year. Why? I love fiestas, and I love Mexican food!

Here are a few recipes for two appetizer dips you can feel good about: guacamole and salsa!

Chunky Guacamole

• 2 large ripe avocados
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  2 tbsp (30 mL) lime juice
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cumin
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

Instructions:

• Pit, peel, and dice the avocados. Eat a chunk or two, then dump the avocado flesh into a bowl.e off easily. Dice the avocado flesh, and dump into a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, and toss to combine. I like mine chunky, so I don't mash the ingredients. If you prefer a smoother texture, mash away!
• Serve with tortilla chips for dipping, or as a yummy any kind of Mexi-food topping!

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Eleisha's Yummy Fresh Salsa

• red, yellow, green, and orange bell peppers (1 of each)
• 2 whole tomatoes
• 2 cans whole tomatoes (or diced--whatever you have)
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1-2 limes
• 1 tsp cumin
• 3 tsp garlic salt
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

• Cut peppers and tomatoes into chunks. Blend or process in a food processor the tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and green onions. (You may have to do it in batches depending on how much your blender/food processor will hold. I like it chunky, but blend it as much as you want). Mix it all in a bowl and add the seasonings to taste. Stir well and squeeze lime juice to taste.
• Great way to get lots of healthy veggies into your wee ones!

Enjoy! What are your favorite cinco de mayo tradiciones? Share a recipe!

How 24-Hour Fitness Changed My Life

There are few investments I've made in my life that have reaped greater benefits than joining a gym. I had just returned home after living abroad (in cold, dark Finland) for 18 months. I was 30 lbs. heavier than when I left. (Side note: If you're ever in Finland, they have the BEST pastries! Don't leave without eating some pulla!) One day soon after returning home, some guy friends invited me and a girlfriend to the beach. I was mortified as I watched my friend take off her clothes to reveal a cute, slender, tan, perfect beach body. I've never wanted to be the girl who refuses to wear a swimsuit, so I removed my clothes to reveal a chubby and white-from-literally-not-seeing-the-sun-for-a-year-and-a-half- body. I wanted to hide. I wanted to be ANYWHERE but at the beach, wearing ANYTHING but the full-coverage, black one piece swimsuit that didn't hide enough.

Don't get me wrong. I don't believe that a perfect body is the only key to happiness. But I was depressed. I had just returned home from a mission I'd waited to serve my entire life. I'd had my life planned up until that moment. I wasn't sure what the future held for me at that point. I had a college degree to complete, and a Mr. Right to meet. But at that beach moment, I was miserable...and feeling fat and ugly didn't help.

A few mornings later, I woke up and made a decision. I was joining a gym. I didn't care how much it cost, I was going to join. Yes, I was the perfect walk-in-potential-member. I walked into 24 Hour Fitness (with my little brother who I coerced into joining with me), and started looking at my options. When the guy-hoping-for-the-sale told me about the "lifetime membership," I was sold. I knew that fitness had to be a way of life. I wasn't going to be in this for the short haul. I wasn't going to lose the 30 lbs. and quit. I was going to start doing something that I would continue forever. So I paid nearly $1,000 that day for a 3-year membership, and 5 sessions of Personal Training. (I now only pay $20/year to renew! Plus I get FREE babysitting! WOOOO!)

The Best Decisions I've Made On This Lifetime Fitness Journey

1. For me, joining a gym that day was the FIRST best decision I made in the beginning of my on-going fitness journey.
2. The second best decision was signing up for those 5 Personal Training sessions. Before working with a trainer, I really only did cardio. Working out meant running. Period. (OK, and Tae Bo with Billy Blanks). After my first few sessions with a trainer, I was sold on the benefits of resistance training. I was sore in places I didn't know existed on my body! I loved it! I loved knowing that I was making changes on my body that couldn't be made any other way. I fell so in love with resistance training, that I went on to become a certified personal trainer.
3. The third best decision I made on my fitness journey was stepping foot into a group fitness class. I used to watch from the outside and feel totally intimidated by the barbells, steps, and free weights. I vividly remember my first experience in a 24 S.E.T. class (strength endurance training). I looked to see how much weight the other ladies had on their bars. Being the overly-competitive girl that I am, I foolishly matched the ones with the most. I barely made it through class, and couldn't walk normally for days. I'm sure the instructor cringed as she watched my form...I had no idea how hard the class would be. But now, the classes are honestly what keep me going to the gym. They're on my schedule, and I plan many of my days around these workouts. I workout longer, and harder than I probably would on my own. I've made friends in the classes. I heart group fitness!
4. The fourth best decision I ever made was signing up for a race. Mind you, signing up for a full 26.2 mile marathon as the first organized race probably wasn't the smartest thing. A 5- or even a 10-K would have been better. But regardless of how long the race, I had a goal to work towards. I couldn't NOT run knowing that I would probably keel over and die on the race course if I didn't train. Running soon became an addiction with which I have an ongoing love affair.
5. The fifth best decision I made was asking for a heart rate monitor for Christmas two years ago. (Thanks, mom and dad!) I now strap a Personal Trainer to my chest, and wear it on my wrist for every workout...from running to Yoga. Love it.
6. The sixth best decision was starting a fitness blog with my sister. (Hi, Kimberly! You alive?) I love that fitness is always on my mind! I love that I get to learn as I research. And I love that I get to gleam insights from all of you lovely readers.

I hope to make new life-changing decisions in this on-going fitness journey. The most important thing for me is knowing that I'm doing something that I feel I can sustain for...well...forever. I don't workout for hours a day. That's not a pace I can maintain. But I can chug along, go to the gym, and not be completely mortified at the thought of wearing a swimsuit on my Cruise! Yes, I still have some post-baby-body issues, but I'm a happier, healthier, more confident me.

What decisions have you made in your fitness journey?