FIT MAMA ERICA

Hi, my name is Erica. I am a mom to a high-energy 3-year-old girl and an equally busy 18-month-old boy. I don’t claim to be a fitness expert, but I do enjoy being active and I am happy to share some tips with you that have worked for me.

Growing up, my parents encouraged me to play outside and participate in sports. When I left home to attend university, while not always consistent, I did enjoy running and a variety of workouts with my roommates. After I graduated, I immediately became a missionary for my church and moved to Taiwan for 18 months. I loved that bikes were our only method of transportation. I established a routine of working out 6 days a week and even accomplished my goal of running a 6-minute mile! During that time, morning runs were one thing that helped me focus and clear my head. When I returned home from Taiwan, I felt strong and in good shape!

Shortly after moving back, I married my high school sweetheart, Coleman. We were on opposite schedules with my work and his school, so although we enjoyed doing active things together, I had a difficult time maintaining any sort of exercise routine. After having our first child, I just felt like something needed to change. I was stressed and felt like I was always running on fumes. I realized I missed the energy and happiness that exercising brought me. At that moment, I decided I needed to establish an exercise habit again. I found a workout partner and we became fast friends. She eventually convinced me to do a half marathon, and shortly after, we decided to tackle a full. It is amazing what training (and a good friend) can enable you to do!

Here are a few tips that I have found helpful in maintaining a good routine:

Tip #1. Accountability… Find someone to hold you accountable. For me, that means finding a friend workout with me! I won’t hit snooze on my alarm if I know someone is already awake and planning to meet up. Working out with a friend also makes me push myself; there is someone by my side offering encouragement when things get hard!

If you have a hard time finding someone to workout with, go out of your comfort zone and ask around- you never know who is interested! Most of my closest friendships have been formed through exercising together.

If you prefer to workout by yourself, or simply cannot find someone to do it with you, find someone (your spouse, a sibling, a friend) you can account your progress to. Tell them about your workout goals and plans, and report frequently on your progress.

Tip #2. Coordinate with your Spouse… As a mom, it can be tricky to find the means (time, money, etc) to workout. Decide together with your spouse how you can make exercise a priority.

Does that mean exercising while your husband watches the kids? Does that mean paying for a gym membership? Does that mean buying equipment so you can exercise at home? Does that mean planning family recreational activities? Does that mean taking turns exercising so you both meet your exercise needs? Does that mean adjusting sleep schedules to accommodate for night or morning exercise?

Discuss how you are going to make it work so you can support of each other and both be happy! I am so grateful for my loving and supportive husband and for the adjustments we’ve made in our life to accommodate exercise.

Tip #3 Variety, lots of Variety… For a while, I did the same running loop day after day, and I started to dread running. When my workout plan changed to include cross training (cycling, weights, and swimming), and different kinds of running days (track interval speed workouts, tempo runs, and long runs), I started to look forward to every day of exercise. Try including a variety of workouts to not only avoid burn out, but to also tone and strengthen different areas of your body!

Tip #4 Expect Improvement… I have learned through experience that our bodies can do amazing things we never thought possible if only we train them to. I used to struggle after running a few miles and never in a million years even wanted to run a marathon. I honestly thought there was no way my body could do it. However, after setting small goals to increase speed and distance, I started to run faster and longer than I thought possible and was able to finish my first marathon!

Our bodies are amazing! Start where you are comfortable and record an aspect of your workout (reps, speed, laps, distance, etc), then gradually push yourself to go a little further or faster or harder than you did before. You’ll be in awe of your improvement!

My reasons for trying to be a “fit” mom are directly associated to the benefits I see:

HAPPINESS. I absolutely love being a mother and wouldn’t trade it for anything, but I will admit that motherhood is a lot harder than I expected. Exercise is a way for me to work out my frustrations. I feel happier and more in control of my emotions when I exercise.

ENERGY. My toddlers have lots of energy. They enjoy running in opposite directions, everywhere we go. They go stir crazy if they’ve been still too long, and thrive when we go on outings or play outside. Exercise gives me energy to keep up. I love being able to carry my kids, chase them, and actively participate in their play and take them on outings.

APPETITE. I love how exercising gives me a healthy appetite! I love to eat wholesome foods, but I also feel great about enjoying the foods I love (chocolate) without adding too many numbers to the scale!

FIT BODY. I just love feeling strong, toned, and looking my best. And my husband seems to enjoy that benefit as well…

FRIENDSHIPS. As I mentioned, many of my closest friendships have been formed while working out together. Working out with others provides quality time to talk and really get to know a person!

I know that our bodies are meant to do both hard and amazing things, especially when we put forth effort. Find what works for you, stick with it, and I know you will see benefits and results! Good luck!

– Erica

If you loved Erica’s story, you’ll want to check out some of the other amazing Fit Mamas!!

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