Her dad inspired her love of fitness

It is time for another installment of “One Fit Mommy”! Each week I scour the blogosphere to find other fit moms who inspire me to fitness.

This week’s fit mommy is Rachel, who blogs over at Fitness For Mommies. She has two young boys, works as a PE teacher, and still has time to bike, do yoga, lift weights, and train for a marathon! That definitely makes her “One Fit Mommy”!

Please read on for more about Rachel:

Q: Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?

Yes, I have always worked at being fit. Started running in middle school and have been an endurance athlete my whole life.

My dad inspired me! At the age of 8, my parents got divorced, and that’s when my dad took up running and triathlons. He was already active in the Sierra Club but participated in his first triathlon at age 43. I remember just planning on going out for cross country as a freshman because that’s what my dad did. I used to ride my bike next to him when he was running or we’d take our bikes to the beach with the girl scouts. He would tell you as would I that that was the best time of our young lives- when he and we all (I have two brothers) were competing in local races. My bro, Rob, has qualified and competed in the Hawaii Ironman five times. Dad influenced him too!

Q: What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?

You need to make yourself a priority in your own life. Most of the time, I run, lift, and do yoga when everybody is asleep at 5or 6 in the morning. I feel better, which makes me a happier mommy.

Q: What is your favorite exercise and why?

At the moment, it ISN’T running! Ha! Training for my fourth marathon (on October 4th), and I would rather do anything else right now, then run! I love yoga and I love cycling. In college, I spent 3 memorable years racing bikes and loved every minute of it. I also love competing the local 5, 10km and sprint triathlons.

Q: Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?

Hubby says I am a cardio mommy, however, I have learned only recently about how much results I get from lifting heavy weights. We have a weight bench in the garage, and so as the kids run up and down the street, I can grab my 15 or 20 pounders and crank out three sets of a chest press, or butterfly or tricep pull downs, or anything else fairly quickly!

Q: Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?

No, I love to sweat. Very rarely don’t feel the urge to do something! Even if it’s only an 8 minute routine.

Q: Random question: favorite brand of running shoes? brands of clothing?

Used to be Asics. Currently trying out a sweet pair of New Balance and the jury is still out since I haven’t been running much lately. My newest favorite products: I love be present.net yoga clothes! I wash, dry and wear every third day. Can’t get enough.

Thank you Rachel and GOOD LUCK this weekend with your marathon! I’ll be virtually cheering for you!

If you, (or someone you know), would like to be featured as
“One Fit Mommy”, please send me an email and let me know!

Her dad inspired her love of fitness

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