This week we are featuring an active mommy from Swartz Creek, Michigan.   I found about this amazing mommy through an old high school friend of mine that I recently got back in touch with and Brandi is his wife!  She is a very busy mom of four children who just recently had a baby and is keeping in great shape. 

Introducing Brandi Dickie:

I am a stay-at-home mom who has been blessed with the world’s best husband (Bobby), four beautiful and healthy children (a son Lachlan, and daughters Tristin, London, and Amaris), and two dogs (Simba and Chloe – who also participate in family fitness).  I currently have a child in every stage…teenager, kid, toddler, and baby and they all bring such joy to my life.  My husband who is an incredible athlete being the 3rd American finisher at the Boston Marathon has been a remarkable example to me.  Just watching his discipline and motivation over the years as he has trained for countless races has been a huge motivating factor for me and our kids.  He along with my children inspire me to live a fit and healthy life!

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

I try to incorporate working out while raising my children.  For example, taking the babies in the jog stroller when I run.  Also, I ride my bike alongside my son while he is running.  He trains very hard for track and cross country and I feel that by my riding a bike with him, I’m helping him achieve his goals while staying in shape myself.  My 9 year old daughter also rides with me which helps her fitness as well and the babies ride along in the Burley, adding weight to help me get a better work-out and providing enjoyment for them too – and sometimes a good nap:). 

2. How do you live a fit life?

I try to do something fitness related daily and usually it involves my kids in some way.  I also strive to be a good example by having healthy eating habits, although my weakness is chocolate:)

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

My favorite form of exercise is riding my bike because I am able to do that with the whole family.  We usually take our bike rides out in the country which is my favorite place to be.  I also love to kayak but currently don’t live near a place to do that so it’s not something that I get to do often. 

4. How do you motivate yourself?

I remind myself of the importance of looking my best for my husband and having lots of energy to be the best mama I can be.  I also want to be around and active for my future grandchildren.  

5. How do you encourage your children to be active?

Actually, I don’t have to encourage my children to be active… they encourage me.  They take after their ultra-fit father and are already very active and motivated and that inspires me to be also.  My oldest son and daughter enjoy helping mom get fit and are always showing me ways to do so.  We do push-ups, sit-ups, curls, and drills together and it is much more fun than doing them alone.  And they seem to have a blast ordering their mama around for a change:)  

6.What activities do you do as a family to stay fit?  

We run, take walks, play football and basketball, and take long bike rides together.  When living in Hawaii, we hiked mountains, surfed, and kayaked often. 

7. What advice do you have for other moms on staying fit and active?

I guess since I always want to spend so much time with my family, my advice would be to find ways that you can incorporate fitness with family.  To me, it is so much more fun that way and I don’t feel like I’m missing time with them either as I would if I were working out alone, although sometimes it is important for moms to have that alone time too.

So we are lucky enough in our little neighborhood to have neighbors with kids around the same age.  In the last couple of months we have established a roving dinner at our houses.  There are three families in our little group and each week a different family hosts everyone for dinner.  The boys get to play and the parents get some grown up conversation.  It truly has been a lot of fun.  Of course there are only three families so on the fourth Wednesday of the month we go to Chipotle and enjoy an evening out! 

When we were in college we always loved free food.  The nice thing about our meals is all the “mommies” try to make well balanced home cooked meals for the parents and children.  While the one night a month may be challenging because you have to make a dinner for nine, it is always nice to know when it isn’t “your week” that you are going to have a healthy meal that you don’t have to make.

Our weekly gatherings have become a focal point of our week and allowed us busy “active mommies” socialization and kid friendly locations.  Just as having a workout partner is important for fitness, it is also important to have other mom’s to connect with and share ideas and good food.  It also lets the “working Daddies” talk shop, sports, and repairs (at least that seems to be the common theme with our husbands).  I highly suggest finding a group of families and enjoying some good food and company, start your own roving dinner and family fun!

photo by PaulaVK

So wherever you are in the country, Spring is either there or just around the corner.  Most of our children have a little bit of Spring Fever.  My son is obsessed with playing outside, actually he is obsessed with riding his tricycle.  Everyday he pretends to be the UPS man and delivers packages down the street to one of his friends houses.  He has improved so much on his tricycle and flies down the street pedaling as fast as he can go.  He has even take to riding on driveway slopes and occasionally crashing into curbs.  Also, my son enjoys playing with a soccer ball and kicking it in the street “it goes farther…”  Of course, it also gets mommy running after a ball before it rolls to far away, a little extra exercise for me!  Whether it is the park, the backyard, or the driveway, get outside with  your child.  Learning motor skills is essential to your child’s development and allows you time outside with your child to get you moving too.

I recently was introduced to a new site called ebeanstalk.com that discusses toys that are beneficial to your child’s development.  They actually brought in a host of experts to discuss why certain toys are better than others and which work at different times in your child’s life.  I am impressed with their panel and the interesting articles they include in their Expert Advice.  Physical Therapist, Deanie Barth contributed a great article on “Achieving Gross Motor Milestones and Play Skills through Summer Time Fun,” she discusses different toys for kids at different age milestones.   Check out their site, it is great to have recommended toys for each age group.

Overall, I am excited that my son finds playing outside so much fun.  As a kid I remember playing outside daily and having all our friends outside too.  It is good for their physical fitness and development and establishes a lifelong love for the outdoors.  Get outside with your child and have some fun!

Recently I was offered the privilege to review a new fitness book by a representative of Simon and Schuster.  I agreed and was sent the workout book, The 90 Second Fitness Solution: The Most Efficient Workout Ever for a Healthier, Stronger, Younger Youby Pete Cerqua and Alisa Bowman.  I was extremely skeptical when I first received the book, how can you get fit in 90 seconds?  Everything I have learned as a coach and pilates instructor screamed “there is no way!”  But, I was intrigued by the title and began reading this well written and illustrated book.  The book is important, it helps you to train smarter and with limited time.

Now as an “Active Mommy,” I am always looking for a way to maintain fitness even with an extremely busy schedule.  I began reading about the author’s ideas and became excited about the possibilities; he easily dispels many of the usual workout routines as inefficient.  There are different levels in the book and after passing level 1 the strength training routine takes 15 minutes just a couple of days a week.  So you are wondering, I thought it was a 90 second fitness solution?  Well the secret to his workout is holding exercises for 90 seconds; the two most important are the wall sit (squat position with back flat on wall) and the plank position (full push-up position with abs held tight).  The illustrations for the exercises are excellent and easy to follow.  In addition, the testimonials throughout the book will motivate you and encourage you to keep following the routine.

I believe the most important part of the book is that you can do this fitness routine AT HOME and only a couple of days a week.  You do not need a gym membership, a babysitter, or tons of time.   As a working mom, I am able to do this strength program for 15 minutes with my son watching me and even being a participant.  Have you ever tried to do a wall sit with your child in your lap?  How about a plank with your legs wide and your son sitting on your back?  Trust me, the strength moves burn and you get an intensive workout that makes a difference.   As someone who struggles to get a strength workout in, this 15 minute workout is making a huge difference in my life.  I do still run in the mornings because I enjoy it and of course I teach pilates three days a week, but my body is becoming firmer and I can actually see a difference in how my clothes fit.

The other part of the book focuses on the diet, the author talks about the importance of eating real food.  I have talked about eating the foods on the outside of the store; including fresh meats, vegetables, and fruits.  The author gives great evidence why this system works and includes some great recipes to help you make tasty meals.  The only part of the book I haven’t tried and I am still not sure about is the author’s fasting techniques to lose weight quickly.  I believe the “real food” diet is an important component of healthy living and weight control and the author gives you the evidence and results to support this assertion.

Overall, combining this 15 minute workout a couple of days a week with a change in eating can really make a difference in your body, health, metabolism, and well being.  If you are someone who needs a fast way to increase your fitness level or add in a strength routine this book is for you.  If you are someone who feels they do not have enough time in the day, can you find 15 minutes to make the strength training gains?  Check this book out, I have seen a definite difference in myself in just 3 short weeks of doing the prescribed workout.  Excellent book and excellent idea for all of you “Active Mommies!”