My Cup of Daily Motivation.

*Tears* An amazing friend gave this to me today and it means the world to me.

Aldona joined my very first online fitness group almost one year ago as I started this crazy coaching journey! She has literally been with me since day one. There was something about having her alongside me this last year that inspired me to always do better, be better, jump higher, run further, dig deeper and dream bigger.

Having her support right from the beginning in this business made me want to give 100% EVERY TIME. THAT is a friend. She joined me in running my first half marathon last summer checking off my New Year's resolution for 2013 and a long time goal. I was quite under the weather that day and considered not running and she reminded me that I had trained and I was READY! And I was. We finished in less than 2 hours! Who knows...I may never have run without her encouragement that day. She always believed I could do it, even when I wasn't sure myself.

Girl, you were literally the FIRST person to join this amazing adventure with me..and it would NOT be the same without you in it. THANK YOU for everything. Proud to have you on my team...even more proud you are my friend. Words...really not enough...xo.

 

Just a little something more...

I have been a stay at home for just about 10 years now and I can hardly believe it has gone by so fast. I've transitioned from a sleep deprived, overwhelmed, new mom rarely ever leaving the house to being a (miraculously) more rested "hockey mom" to 4 amazing little boys...running the roads all day as a taxi driver, enjoying a hot coffee in the early morning at the rink, back and forth to school, going on field trips, to playdates, birthday parties, kiddie lands, playlands, Christmas parties, you name it....and you know what?? I LOOOOOVE IT. There is NO where in the world I would rather be and I am SO blessed to be able to stay home full time...of course, we have had to make sacrifices to be a one income family, but me being home with our boys was what meant the most to Jody and I, so it was worth it. I wanted to be the here for EVERY first smile, giggle and step...and NEVER miss a moment.

But sometimes you get lost in the mommy role and you have a small desire to do something apart from being a mom. I think most mothers could attest to that. It's not that you don't love and cherish every inch of being a mom, but sometimes it's hard to always see where you are contributing outside of the daily task of getting 4 kids out the door and off to school on time or convincing a 3 year old to eat what he is given because you are not making 6 different meals...That, YES, you have to get a shower/bath AGAIN...the list could go on....

Although, you know you are investing in the lives of your little ones...and wouldn't want to be anywhere else, there can be a pull to have something in addition to daily routine tasks...because you know what? Being a mom is not an easy job. In reality...I think it really is THE hardest job in the world...trying to be the patient, loving, kindhearted mom you always envisioned you'd be and somedays feeling like you've really nailed it, only to feel like you've failed the next. Putting out SO much into your day, but feeling like you accomplished little. Even though changing pampers, reading stories and picking up play-doh all day really is the most rewarding job, you feel there has to be something more for you. For you moms who "get" this....this is where I was. This is the point I decided to add something more to my life and that is when I took my desire to be healthier and make it a full time job as a fitness coach.

I'm sure not everyone can understand why a busy mom of 4 boys would want to add working at home to an already hectic lifestyle or why I wouldn't just sit back and enjoy the ride. Not everyone can understand why I do what I do or how it changed my life in so many ways. Not everyone understands that if I could, I would get every mom to join me in being more active and more healthy because it feels SO good to do something for you, whether you are just in it to get healthy yourself, or to inspire others as you go. In truth, sometimes the highlight of my day is to receive a message from a challenger who "LOST 5lbs!!!" or a call from someone who feels that in some way I helped "change their life," when in reality they have changed MY life.

It's not about being top 20 in Canada or earning cruises or reaching "star diamond"(especially when most of the world doesn't even know what that means!..LOL!) and although ALL of this means the WORLD to me because it means I have reached goals in my business... but it means there is that something more. It's feeling like in some way, I can step outside of being "just a mom" and feel like I am making a difference in another one's life...no matter how big or how small.

Because as I mom, I get that we can feel disconnected from the real world. I get that some days we feel unappreciated. I get that we need support to reach our fitness goals, because it is NOT easy to go it alone. I get we can't all afford gym memberships or have child care to get to the gym. I get that it's nice to feel like you are bringing income into the family and helping to pay the bills. I get that there are SO many moms like me who LOVE being a part of a group and taking a little break through the day to "chat" with other adults...even if it's just online! And I get that other moms AND dads LOVE doing what I do and it has changed their lives in ways they could never have imagined.

It's crazy to think of how things have changed in less than one year. No doubt, I have always felt SO blessed to be home with my boys and blessed with health and happiness, but I feel doubly blessed that I can follow a passion to helping others achieve goals living healthier, fitter, happier lives, as well....DREAM COME TRUE. And the crazy part? All it took was one leap of faith and taking a chance on something new...:)

The Race That Almost Wasn't...

After over 15 years of running, I FINALLY committed to a half marathon a few months back! June 16, Father's Day, was race day and I was PUMPED! I trained for it. Les Mills Combat was my cross training program...combined with Hal Higdon's Half Training Schedule.

The weekend finally came and after weeks, uears really, of preparation I came down with one of the WORST chest colds I have ever had in my life. I am not one to get sick often, but the kids had been sick for two weeks straight...going in rounds, keeping this mama up almost every night leading up to the race. I saw my family doctor the Friday before race day to be sure I didn't have pneumonia and he gave me a thumb's up and "good luck in your race!" I was set!

Saturday night found me flat out in my hotel bed with cough medicine and kleenex. I downed a teaspoon of DM and hit the hay. Sunday was worse. I woke up in a pool of sweat and totally defeated. I googled EVERY variation of "running with head/chest cold" that I could find and it seemed the general consensus was above the neck...fine. Below the neck...attempt at your own risk...lol. I toyed with skipping the race. After reading numerous things to freak myself out just a little more....I decided it was best to put my phone away. I jumped out of bed and determined I was going to try.

Here's the thing about runners. We run. Bad weather? We run. Tired? We run. Flu? We run. Snow? We run. Below zero? We run. I had trained for what seemed like my whole LIFE for this race! I was NOT going to be stopped by a case of the flu. I jumped out of bed and looked around the room where my friend had posted NUMEROUS motivational quotes. This girl...I will forever thank her for doing that. She KNEW. She KNEW how much this race meant to me. She KNEW this was on my bucket list. She KNEW this was my New Year's Resolution and did not want to see me go home with regret. I hopped in the shower, and the steam did me good. I felt better already. I called my husband, slightly bummed I wasn't top notch and he simply told me "Have fun." He knew, too. He knows how much I love running. He knew I trained and I was prepared. He knew how excited I was to do this, encouraging me to go away on a weekend that really should have been all about him. My two biggest supporters were in my corner. I was ready.

We agreed, I should run 10k and reassess. If I felt it too hard, I would pull out at 10. But when I got down to that starting line, I knew I would finish. We had made a goal to finish at 1:50, but under 2:00 would be just fine. We kept a steady pace together and by 15k, I told her to push herself on with a thumb's up. I was comfortable. I was in a rhythm and didn't want to run out of steam in the last few k, but I SO wanted her to see where she would finish. I would never hold another back. She carried on and finished at a strong 1:55...I think had I been in top form, she could have hit our 1:50 goal. I came in 3 minutes behind at 1:58!

I DID IT! I've had this dream for years. I am not sure WHY it took me so long to fulfill it, but I made it and I have NO regrets. I think had I not run, I would have always wondered if I could have. This may not be the best choice for everyone..I would never encourage anyone to push their bodies beyond what they feel capable, but for me...it was the best decision.

I had the best running partner and the best motivators in the world. I now have my 21k under my belt and can honestly say, I gave it everything I had and I am SO glad I did! Would it have been the end of the world if I didn't run? Of course not. But when you set a goal, there is no greater feeling than accomplishment! The next day found me visiting my doctor with a sinus infection...lol, but I daresay it would have been the case anyway. And he congratulated me and sent me on my way with a prescription...;)

New Year's Resolution....check!

Diastasis Recti - Abdominal Separation

So, almost one year after delivering my 4th little guy(5 pregnancies), here I sit. I have abdominal separation and meet with a specialist next month to talk about repair. Curious if there are mamas out there that have successfully closed the gap between the muscles on their own, or if surgery is the only way. It seems it is not budging. And honestly, the health risks that can erupt from diastasis recti (muscle separation) does not appeal to me...lol! I hear varying opinions about whether surgery is necessary and having had 4 c-sections, surgery is not necessarily high on my "to-do" list...ha! So the question is: Surgery or keep pushing out core exercise? I know sit ups and crunches are no-nos, but that isn't easy to avoid! Here are a few exercises "they" recommend for helping to correct the separation and truly, I think it depends on the degree of separation...:))

http://www.livestrong.com/article/332482-exercises-to-correct-abdominal-separation-after-pregnancy/

Flip Belt!

I have to share this awesome little fitness accessory! I used this while running my half on Sunday and it was PERFECT. Nothing moved! It's the same material as yoga pants(comfortable, washable, but secure) and has a few little pockets. It's perfect for running, the gym or even just a walk with the kids. Definitely worth the investment(roughly $30-35w/shipping). I didn't have to adjust anything on my run! It does not disappoint...

You can order yours here!

Finding Your Fit

I think the most common mistake in people beginning a new healthy lifestyle is going so hard, so fast, then giving up. While going full force works great for some people, it doesn't always work for everyone. It's so important for people to choose goals that are attainable. Making small changes will soon turn into big changes that soon become a way of life. Finding an activity you enjoy, such as swimming or biking, would be far better than taking on a workout you dread that you are sure to put off or even forego on the best of days.

I see it all the time. People are so eager to have a quick fix, they ultimately sabotage themselves before they even start. Yes, it requires dedication and no, it's not ALWAYS fun, but choosing something you do enjoy will help you succeed.

Once you are into a good routine and making good nutrition and regular exercise a habit, then take on bigger challenges. Small progress is better than no progress...it needs to become a way of life, not a life long battle back and forth.

I am a runner because I enjoy running AND it keeps me active and healthy. I don't love biking, so I certainly didn't go out and buy myself a bike to keep fit. I enjoy martial art inspired workouts, so I discovered Les Mills Bodycombat. I am one who actually enjoys working out, but it is still important for me to do what I like to do, to ensure the best possible results and have fun in the process.

I LOVE to eat...and not just salads..lol. I do eat healthy every day. Make great choices when I can, but if I am out with my husband on a date night, or just feel like pizza night with the kids, I go for it. But that's it. It doesn't destroy the other 20 meals and numerous snacks in the week where I ate well.

Life is for living! I don't feel I deprive myself. I enjoy my healthy lifestyle. I love reaching my physical goals. I do work daily to maintain it....but I also like to have fun while doing it!

Find a lifestyle that you can maintain and enjoy! Your lifestyle doesn't have to match another's. It's about finding YOUR fit and making it work for you...:)

Feel free to check out my page!

Love my shakes!!

Who says eating healthy isn't delicious?!!!