photo by Bigcountry15

There are always many ways to workout.  As a mom, it is a struggle to workout and spend time with your child.  This past weekend my husband and I took my son to the zoo.  Now, walking around the zoo with my son is usually a workout.  We always start in a stroller, but quickly move on to him walking/running around the zoo.  We are members at our local zoo so he knows the area quite well.  I discovered this past weekend that our zoo actually has a fitness walk as part of it’s program.  This walk takes a certain path and has you do certain exercises at each stop.  It is a fun way to entertain your family, see the animals, and get a workout in.  Now, you don’t need a set schedule from your zoo, you can put in short bouts of exercise at each stop.  I found that doing lunges by the giraffes and doing squats by the rhinos may make you look funny; but it was well worth it!  Like usual, my son joined in and had a fun time exercising with mommy, now if I could only get my husband to take part!

I have also talked about the importance of group exercise.  If you are embarrassed to do push-ups by the monkeys alone, you can always enlist a friend to join you.  Our zoo also allows a local Stroller Strides to do group workouts at our zoo.  These early morning workouts are similar to other “mommy” workout groups, yet they mostly focus on fitness walking at different speeds.   Our zoo also has a great playground, we get out there and swing like the monkeys on the bars, do pull-ups like the apes, and run like the zebras.  If you pretend to be an animal with your child, he/she will enjoy it immensely and you will get a great workout.  Whether it be at the zoo or a local park, get out there and get moving.  There are no excuses to get a workout in while entertaining and spending time with your child.

This month our Amazing Active Mommy of the month is Christie Bruner, she is one of my former swimmers who is dedicated to fitness and being a great mom.  Christie was an All-American swimmer at Truman State and now owns her own Strollerfit franchise in Florida.  Christie has some great ideas for active mommies and will also write an article for our blog this week about heart health. 

My name is Christie Bruner and I live in St Petersburg, FL.  I have lived here for six years with my husband, Dusty.  We were both college athletes and have always lived pretty active lives.  I received a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.  When we were blessed with our first baby three and a half years ago our lives just got turned upside down!!  Luckily I found a wonderful program called StrollerFit while I was still pregnant and started training to be an instructor as soon as my daughter was born.  StrollerFit is a great workout for new moms incorporating cardio & strength training all while providing a fun, developmental experience for the kids.  I bought the StrollerFit franchise when I found out I was pregnant with my second daughter, and I decided that this would be my stay-at-home career while my children were young.

1. How do you handle working and raising your children?

Since I own my business and work from home, it is so hard to separate “family time” from “work time”.  I have a three year old daughter and a 15 month old daughter – and I want to spend as much quality time with both of them as possible.  However, I do realize that it is because I have the opportunity to work from home and earn some extra income that I can spend my days with my kids.  I’ve been trying to really schedule my day out so that we have play time, meal time, and quiet time (mommy work time).  It’s a work in progress.

2. How do you live a fit life?

It is definitely a lot harder to live an active life after kids come along.  Before I had children, I would take advantage of the wonderful weather and environment that I live in daily.  St Petersburg, FL is full of parks, gardens, beaches and more that beckon you to roller-blade, swim, and run.  While I can’t participate in these activities at the drop of a hat anymore, I try to incorporate my family into these activities that I love so much.  Eating well is also a lot harder when you have to figure in children’s appetites.  I always have lots of fresh fruits and veggies on hand to offer as snacks (another perk of living in Florida!).  It’s almost easier for me to eat better now that I know that I have two precious girls watching my every move – I want to model a healthy lifestyle for them.

3.What is your favorite form of exercise and why?

I am so glad that my “sport of choice” was swimming when I was growing up.  I was fortunate enough to swim through college (shout out to Coach Colleen!) and on to a Masters team.  Swimming is truly a lifelong sport, and is so healthy for all people in all stages of life.  I don’t have the opportunity to swim all that much right now (our pool needs to have a daycare!), but I love it every opportunity I get.  Whether it’s been six days or six months since I last swam, I get such a total body workout each time.  Since I’ve been swimming for so long, I know how to tailor a workout to get the greatest benefits – whether I want to just get a great cardio workout (4 x 500s) or to focus on my core (25s dolphin kick on your side).

4. How do you motivate yourself?

Hard question – sometimes I don’t feel very motivated at all!  I teach five StrollerFit classes a week, and I think that really helps me get out of the house and get going.  I know that other moms are there counting on me, and I want to bring something new and exciting to them every day.  It makes me be accountable.  Again, I know that my girls are watching my every move and I don’t want them to remember mommy watching Oprah every day when they were growing up.  I want them to remember being outside, having fun and being active.  Making active play-dates also helps – instead of just meeting at a friend’s house (and inevitably watch TV), I’ll make plans to meet friends at the zoo, go for a walk or attend a dance class.

5. How do you encourage your children to be active? What activities do you do as a family to stay fit?

I’ve been involved with my business, StrollerFit, since before my first daughter was even born.  I began attending classes when she was five weeks, and started teaching when she was six months.  Since StrollerFit has always been a part of her life, and a part of my life as a mom, it has been easy to live an active lifestyle.  Both of my daughters have grown up accompanying me to class, watching moms workout and have fun.  They think of being active as an enjoyable part of life.  I am so thankful that I was able to raise them in an environment such as StrollerFit.  My girls are both busy-bodies and can’t sit still to watch a movie or do indoor activities for very long, so we are always outside playing.  We take family bike rides on the weekend, pack picnics to bring to the park, and spend afternoons playing Frisbee at the beach.  Being active has become a natural, easy part of our lives.

6. What advice do you havefor other moms on staying fit and active?

My biggest piece of advice is to find other moms in your area.  Before kids, moms usually don’t have any “mom friends”.  It is amazing how much your life changes after baby, and how your friends without kids just can’t relate.  If you can find a group of moms to bounce questions off of, get together for play-dates, and bond with – you will be a happier, healthier mom.  When you get together with other moms, you’ll be more likely to participate in fun activities that will keep everyone moving.  You’ll be able to motivate each other to stay busy and try new things.  Consistency is key for new moms as well.  If you can get on a schedule of working out – whether it’s going to the gym every day or just going for a walk after dinner with the family – once it’s part of your daily routine it’ll be easier to stick with.

Thank you Christie for all your wonderful advice and ideas, check back this week to read Christie’s article on heart health.  In addition, Strollerfit is a national chain and has franchises throughout the country.  If you are looking for other active mommies to workout with check them out: www.strollerfit.com

photo by Soja Martial Arts

I realized today that while I enjoy teaching pilates, it is hard to get a workout in while you are teaching.  Luckily,the advanced class I was teaching tonight allowed me to workout with them.  It was a great workout and we all enjoyed doing it together.  Group camaraderie is so important, most of the advanced students could easily do a workout on their own, yet they consistently attend class to get a workout together.  As their instructor, I challenge them to reach new goals and challenge their level of intensity, but truly working out together and motivating each other is their best energizer.  They laugh and groan together, but enjoy the company and the workout.  If you are having trouble getting motivated to workout find a class that interests you or a workout partner who will keep you moving.  I swear by pilates, if you are looking for a way to get rid of that mommy pouch, improve your other activities, and feel strong, pilates is for you.  There are two new mothers in the advanced class and they are losing their baby weight and toning up very quickly.  I know other moms who have committed to yoga who have had similar results, it really depends on the type of workout you want to get.  Whatever that workout is, stay active!

Other exciting news, I am being featured on http://workoutmommy.com for being “one fit mommy” please go to the site and check me out!

photo by shapestotalfitness.com

This morning I walked into the gym to screaming, no there wasn’t something wrong, it was screams of joy.  Startled, I looked around the room to see a morning regular jumping up and down ecstatic.  She was with four other women and they stood by the only scale in our gym, well actually they were all very excited for this woman.  I have met all of these women over the last couple of weeks at the gym.  I will occasionally end up on a treadmill next to them or in a spinning class.  Each of them has become increasingly more friendly and we usually carry on some sort of dialogue if I end up on a machine near them.  They are an extremely dedicated crew, they are always at the gym when I show up at 5:30am and they are usually still working out when I leave.

So today, I felt the urge to walk over and join their excitement.  I found out that the screaming woman had just lost 5lbs in two weeks and she was thrilled.  They instantly asked me to jump on the scale and join them.  I hadn’t weighed myself recently and after a slight hesitation I removed my shoes and hopped on the scale.  I felt some trepidation about letting four other women see how much I weigh, yet something felt comforting that we were all working towards a common goal.  I stepped off the scale calmly and the excited woman said “well?” with a big smile I informed them I had also lost 5lbs.  At that moment, I realized the importance of having support in our goals of losing weight and staying fit.  The women genuinely shared in my happiness and soon asked me to join their own “biggest loser” group.

I will weigh in again in two weeks with my new found gym friends, while I still don’t all their names we now have a common bond.  Their presence in the gym motivates me to get up on the mornings I just want to stay in my warm bed and their varying exercises will enourage me to try new machines.  Just today, we shared different ways to workout on the treadmill.  I told them about my interval training and they told me about varying their inclines in their workouts.  I also gave them tips on mixing up their routines with circuit training and core body strength moves. 

I have talked about workout buddies in the past, they are indispensable in keeping me on track with my fitness.  Accountability is so important and now I have a whole group of women (along with my usual buddy) to push me, entertain me, and share in common fitness goals.  Waking up at 5am is always tough, but at least I have others sharing in that early morning ritual with me.  And you may wonder, where was my usual workout buddy?  She was on vacation in Las Vegas, I actually made it to the gym without her and now I have four more buddies to keep me coming.

Sometimes you can really get stuck in a rut.  Change is always a difficult task, but getting stuck in an exercise rut is extremely hard to break.  I find that I seem to fall back on the 30 minute run I have found near my house.  Don’t get me wrong, I love this run, I know the path well and I know I can get in a quick 30 minutes of physical activity. 

by Sirwiseowl

Many people quit exercising because of boredom.  They find a workout routine and commit to it.  Initially they see weight loss, stength gains, and heightened aerobic capacity, then the day comes when they plateau and get bored with their routine.  They don’t see the gains of their exercise and many times lose interest in what they are doing.  I fall into this rut many times when I am exercising and get lazy with my usual workout.  Cross training is an important fitness component and can help you maintain your fitness goals and keep you excited to workout each day.  Today my training buddy suggested we try a new workout, spinning.

Now if you don’t know, spinning is a class run by an instructor on a stationary bike.  You are in charge of the intensity of your workout by controlling the resistance on your bike.  So we joined the class ready for a change in our usual routine, I left with a rather sore bottom.  First suggestion, if you try a new activity, make sure you have the right equipment.  In this case, I needed padded workout shorts!  All in all, I was very happy with the change to my workout and enjoyed the new activity.  It was a fun class and had a group of very energetic and entertaining participants.  I highly suggest trying different forms of exercise every once in awhile, this can range from the occasional spinning class to an attempt at belly dancing to a yoga class.  You never know, you may find an exercise that you totally love.  Just make sure you don’t get stuck in a rut and do the exact same thing every day/week.  Keep your mind and muscles fresh by mixing up your workout routine.

by Time Share

Today I watched my older sister complete her first marathon.  I have never actually watched a run, I usually am a competitor and I have run quite a few runs with my sister.  Last year, my sister and I started the marathon together, but she had to pull out for an injury after mile 13.  So this year, because I couldn’t run the marathon with her, I became her biggest cheerleader.  It was an exciting event and while I really wanted to be in the race running, it was a different and exciting perspective from the sidelines.  I was able to observe such a wide variety of participants all with the goal of completing one of the most challenging sporting events.  While I don’t think everyone needs to run a marathon, I do think participating in a road race as a runner or volunteer gives you a different perspective on challenge and committment.  I also think it is great for our kids to see a road race.  My son loved being part of the marathon.  At mile 18, he began to run with the runners.  He was an absolute hit and all the runners in that vicinity got a good laugh and cheered him on.  He has been talking about how he “ran a marathon” all day.  I am glad he has had exposure to such a challenging event and the excitement surrounding the participants.  Ninety-nine percent of the runners today ran this race not to win, but to finish and achieve their own personal goals.

A couple of things that really stood out where the number of competitors competing as part of the Team in Training  organization.  These runners, clad in purple, were running to raise money for the Leukimia and Lymphoma Society.  They committed their time to training and getting pledges and in turn had a professional coach and a group to train with.  These runners had a ton of sideline support and many cried as they crossed the finish line.  I am sure many of them have been directly affected by cancer and used this opportunity to help fight this deadly disease.   There were many other groups raising money for their particular organizations during the race and I am impressed with how many people committ to a cause to complete a marathon or 1/2 marathon. 

Maybe you haven’t ever been a runner, but sometimes committing to something larger than yourself is the push you need.  Whether you join a group like Team in Training or simply compete in a local 5K raising money for the YMCA, I highly encourage you to find a cause to run or volunteer for.  There are walks such as the Susan B. Komen 3 day, and even triathlons, bike rides, and hikes that raise money for a cause.  The incentive to get in shape and train for a competition while helping your community can be the ultimate push to get up and exercise each morning.  So put those running or walking shoes on and head to the gym!

I am proud to say that my sister completed her first marathon today.  She wasn’t feeling the best during the race, but she persevered and finished strong.  I am very proud of her accomplishment and look forward to competing with her next year.  Information on the PF Changs Rock and Roll Marathons and 1/2 Marathons.

Sometimes there comes a point in your life when you realize you can’t do it all.  I know as a Mom that point has come often.  As a type A personality who is always “go, go, go,” it is hard for me to step back and relax.  My husband has had to deal with this for the last 12 years.  At times, I am sure that he has wanted to just yell “enough already,” but fortunately for me he is always pretty understanding.  I have a complex about trying to be the “best I can be at everything .”  Only after having my son did I realize that I can’t do everything.  OK, so relaxing is a challenge for me, but at least I can admit it!

So that brings me to life as a Mom, wife, counselor, maid, cook, woman, etc… the list is endless! .  Over New Years, I resolved to get in the best shape possible (or at least get back to my fitness and weight prior to having my son).  In my usual manner, I went full boar on working out and scheduling my fitness life.  I started running again, which I love, and recommitted to my practice of pilates.  In addition, I started doing Yoga, even though I wasn’t  particularly fond of it and can’t do most of the poses.  I found myself committing to hour and a half classes three days a week.    Along with that commitment came 20 minute car rides back and forth from the studio, thus I had a 2 hour and 10 minute commitment to a practice I actually didn’t enjoy and I am not very good at.  So this past weekend, I realized my two week trial period was coming to an end and I had no desire to continue the practice.  Luckily, I hadn’t signed up for the additional classes (which were too expensive anyway) and I cut my loses.  I guess Yoga just isn’t for me, maybe it is to relaxing?  All of a sudden, the stress of making Yoga class was released and I felt like a much better Mom and wife.  See Yoga did serve to relax me, by not doing it!   Instead of my large time commitment, I am going to take 15 minutes to wind down and relax each evening.  If that means going for a walk with the dog, reading a book or magazine, or taking a bubble bath I plan on enjoying my 15 minutes to myself as I rejuvenate for the next day.   I have realized that you have to find what works for you and makes you happy in your fitness and personal life, I highly suggest finding an activity that you love and sticking to it.

In this day and age, it is so important to have a support network.  We all know how hard it is to motivate ourselves to workout when there are so many other things pulling us away; food, sleep, that TV show, our kids, etc.  That is why it is so important to schedule your workout times into your day.  I have found one of the easiest ways to keep yourself on track and get yourself out the door is to have a workout buddy.

My current workout buddy and I meet three mornings a week at the Y.  While I can only stay for a 30 minute cardio boost, having her there helps to drag me out of bed in the morning and keeps me committed to my goal.  It definitely makes me accountable to someone and I don’t want to miss our workouts.  In addition, she makes it fun to be on the elipitical or treadmill because I have someone to talk and chat with.  Back in October, she was out of town for two weeks and I proceeded to not get up the entire time she was gone! 

My advice, find someone who you can meet up with a couple of times a week.  It could simply be for that afternoon walk after work (I have a buddy for that too!) or someone who you check in with weekly to check on your workouts.  I have a friend in Michigan who is trying to lose the baby weight and we check in with each other on our progress.  Make it an even bigger goal and find something that the two of your are shooting for; weight-loss, a 5k run, or a triathlon.  But even those afternoon walks/talks are a great way to have support and get your body moving.  Accountability goes a long way!

For some reason, I have an overwhelming feeling of guilt leaving my little boy to workout.  Before I had a child, working out was easy.  I would go for a run after work, do pilates a couple of nights a week, spend extra time at the gym lifting or swimming.  Now working out is an enormous effort and maximization of a short period of time.  I find that I want to get in, get out, and get it done.  Unfortunately, classes like yoga and pilates typically take an hour to an hour and a half, couple that with feeling like you also need a cardio workout and getting a full workout is difficult.

When I first had my little boy, I was told by a salesperson at REI about a group called Baby Boot Camp.  Unfortunately, the Baby Boot Camp that I found was inconvenient for me because of location and distance away.  I tried the class and found it challenging and rewarding because my son could be at each class with me.  I continued my search and found a group called StrollerFit with a location near my home.  This group served to give me a full body workout combining cardio, strength training, and ab work together in a 50 minute workout.  In addition, my son was in a stroller with me, we sang nursery rhymes, and did funny things like scary mommies as we ran towards our babies.  Most importantly, it gave me a group of moms interested in fitness to bond with.  Unfortunately, my StrollerFit time would soon end.  The owner of StrollerFit ended up moving for her husband’s job to Colorado where she continues her business today.  Click here for Strollerfit-Denver.  (I highly recommend her if you live in the North Denver area of Colorado).  I also have a former swimmer who runs a strollerfit business in the St. Petersburg, Florida area thatt I know is an amazing instructor and a great friend. Click here for Strollerfit-St. Petersburg

So now I am back to feeling my workout guilt.  I am running with my son in a running stroller and doing pilates and yoga about 4 days a week.  As I had a second trimester miscarriage at the beginning of December, I am trying to work off some of the baby weight.  I try to workout as much as possible with my son around.  I think it is very important for our children to see us workout and stay in shape.  So while it is a daily struggle, I have found that I am a better parent and healthier person finding time to take care of my health and be in shape.  I am definitely not the competitor or athlete I was in college, but I feel much better about myself.