It is time for our monthly featured Fit Parent. I love choosing a Fit Parent to recognize here on Muscles & Munchkins, and I am surrounded by so many Fit Parents that it is difficult each month to choose just one. Making fitness a priority in the midst of a busy lift is tough, and when you add children to the mix it becomes even harder. The best thing about giving you a peak into the lives of these Fit Parents is that it allows you to see different ways it can be done. Each one of these Fit Parents has their own way of making fitness a priority and they each inspire me- I hope they do you too.
Meet (Another) Heather
Heather is the mommy to three of the most hilarious and caring children you will ever meet. This doesn’t surprise me about her children because they take after their awesome mom. Heather is the type of friend everyone needs in their life: she is hilarious; she is never too serious, unless you need her to be and then she is a great listener; she is extremely thoughtful; and let’s be honest here, everyone needs an ultra creative friend.
Heather inspires me to be a better mom. Her kids are so lucky because she is incredibly fun and always puts them first- she will do anything for her children (within reason, of course). She makes sure to spend quality time with her children whether it is baking cookies, taking them sledding, doing music class with her youngest, or jumping in the bounce house watching her be a mother makes me smile.
Heather knows how to live a true, balanced lifestyle. If her children want S’mores in the their outdoor fire pit she will enjoy one too, but this is not an every day thing. If she misses a workout because she needs to attend a class party or she wants to enjoy a day with her family, she doesn’t beat herself up over it.
Let me also mention how far Heather has come in this fitness journey: not only can you see it in her physique, if you see her at the gym, you can see how much stronger she has become. She hasn’t always been into fitness and in the last year she has really taken it up a notch and on Monday…. she did two unassisted pull-ups! Heather does not spend hours in the gym. Heather does not eat clean 100% of the time. Heather is a prime example of how fitness is not a sprint, it is a marathon and each little step you take to a healthier you counts. There are so many things I love about this woman, I will let her do the rest of the talking for you.
Q: Share your fitness background. How & When did you get into fitness?
Heather: I am the furthest thing from being born into fitness! In fact, I hated all things fitness for the first 28 years of my life! I had no appreciation for what fitness did for me and how it made me feel. Growing up, I was active as a competitive gymnast and with cheer and dance, but I despised any of the additional conditioning. I “dabbled” in fitness after college but I was the furthest thing from consistent. My 2nd child was when the game changed – she is 5 now. I started taking a Progressive Fitness Class two times per week and I was surrounded by fitness minded people! I was seeing results and I stuck with it and still see a lot of those people around my gym.
Q: What inspires you?
Heather: My family inspires me – my husband and 3 kids (ages 6, 5, 2)! I workout to get the crazy out. Fitness keeps me level headed and I admit, I love the social side of it! I have made so many friends through fitness and that connection is what gets me there on the days I want to skip out!
Q: How do you make time in your busy schedule for your own health and fitness?
Heather: I plan my other activities around my workouts! My expectations are reasonable – I allow Tuesdays and Sundays free to schedule appointments that would normally fall during my regular workouts.
Q: What is your favorite workout?
Heather: Let’s be clear, I do not ENJOY actually working out. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the results – the feeling when I am finished and the strength I have gained keep me going. Last February, I made the decision to hire a personal trainer – best fitness decision ever! Working out with Sara for an hour a week is something I always look forward to! She tailors my workouts to my goals and fitness needs, holds me accountable to other workouts, and the knowledge I gained from her has transferred over into my other workouts, making them far more efficient!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do with your munchkins?
Heather: We love to just “be” at our house. I love the ordinary things like playing airplane, baking, watching movies, snuggling, wrestling, laughing, dance parties and having friends over. I love that we are raising funny little people with big hearts! I thoroughly enjoy just watching and listening to my kids interact with each other. Watching their unique relationships grow is very special.
Q: What is a goal you have for yourself?
Heather: In April, I will complete a Sprint Triathlon. I am not a swimmer, I am not a cyclist, nor am I a runner, but I am doing something that will push me outside of my comfort zone! I am not aiming to beat any records, I plan to compete to complete!
Heather is simply awesome! If you are waiting for the inspiration to start your fitness journey, let her inspire you. Five years ago she started her journey and each year she has added more: a trainer, a new class, healthier choices in her food and now a sprint triathlon. Find the right balance for you and your family and make your health a priority.
yay Heather…enjoyed reading about you! You Go Girl! FitMom4Sure