One Mama Gets Fit

Or rather the title could be "things that motivate". Not working out. Restaurants that don't have healthy options. Not being able to run with my husband. Loose skin. I could go on but I won't. I've discovered during this journey to a healthy lifestyle that the things I don't like…they don't get me down anymore…rather they MOTIVATE me for change. Kyle says I'm a fighter.  A beast. (I love my shirt that says "mom in beast mode".  It's pretty accurate.) I make time to work out.  It's a priority for me…for us…6 days a week. Recently, I didn't get a chance to get my whole workout in (hello life!).  I was frustrated for a moment and then I turned it to motivation to up my game rest of the week. So, I didn't get to complete a day's workout or have time one day to workout?  No problem - I'll just turn up the heat on other days. Restaurants can serve whatever they want and I don't have to go to a

It was said by my 3 year old son this morning. We're in the kitchen making breakfast…whipping up some smoothies (a family favorite). He looks up at me and says "Mama, you are a workout lady!" *Big, huge grin on my face* Oh yea, buddy? Yea!  And your stomach is hard! (And he feels it to make sure that it's true.) (I'll note that it's not hard…but def getting flatter!) I'm pretty sure no one can beat that compliment :) He made my day.  Literally. Working out is paying off.  It's so sweet to hear words like that from my son. Our kids are watching what we do, friends.  They watch everything. (Even when we think they aren't.)

I won't lie. This dish has become one of my absolute favorites. It will require control not to eat the whole thing.  I'm serious.  :) That's just how amazing it is.  (Plus, it has zucchini hidden in it - bonus for parents trying to get their kids to eat more veggies.) Here's the LINK for the recipe….or read below. We pair it with some quinoa and another steamed veggie.  Makes for a great meal. Let me know if you try it! THAI TURKEY ZUCCHINI MEATBALLS For the meatballs… 2 lbs ground turkey, extra lean 1 cup zucchini, shredded & liquid squeezed out 1 tbsp fish sauce 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped 2 tbsp basil, finely chopped 2 tsp ginger, grated 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 tsp red curry paste 2 tbsp coconut milk, light (canned) 1/8 tsp hot pepper chill flakes For the sauce… 1 + 1/2 cup coconut milk, light (canned) 3 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp red curry paste 1 tsp fish sauce 1/8 tsp hot pepper chili flakes, or to taste 5-6 kaffi

I completed my very first 10k today. And to boot…here in Kenya. Kenya is for runners. And because of that, it completely baffles me that I just ran a 10k here!  What?!?! And, I decided to run it last night. Yea, the night before. Nuts. Oh and push the kids in the stroller.  That's 2 kids.  Plus a heavy book bag. What!?  50 pounds easy. Up an down hills. Hello arm workout.  Trying to keep that stroller in line really worked my arms.  Moms and dads that push their kids in races are TOUGH.  They have strength, friends.  That was no joke. I was totally encouraged though by everyone around me.  I had so many people come up beside me and run with me and ask about the kids and ask "how in the world are you doing this?" I'm tough.  :) But really, so many people blessed my socks off during the race - speaking encouragement and I heard a lot of "go, mama!"  One woman was so lovely to me that she came running up to me towards the end of the ra

Check it out, friends, here ! Totally excited to share a bit of advice on getting healthy & fit! And, wow, everyone's stories are just amazing! Be sure to read the story on the last couple - their goal is to lose a total of 600 pounds and they are almost there! Totally inspirational! Hope you enjoy the read!

I'm excited about today.  I will have a short Q&A on my favorite blog, Running for Cookies, site later today about losing 100+ pounds.  Can't wait to read it and to read everyone else's stories! But…in other news... This past week has been rough on our family.   My family has been sick for the past one and half weeks - even our baby girl.  She has the most sad cough that I wish I could just take away from her.  (Mine is just silly mastitis…again.  Seriously, you can go away and never come back.)   Even with all this sickness, I managed to still eat well and workout 5 days last week (although at times I don't know how I still got that many workouts in - even one day with running 9 miles.)   Kyle and I were talking this morning about hitting my goals.  I get SO nervous before I meet them - like really nervous.  I do feel like I'm doing all the right things - eating well and working out and so I can't be hard on myself if I don't meet them.