Fit Mom's Blog

For those of you who follow this blog {thank you, by the way}, you know that only VERY recently I got my first muscle up. And, just last summer, I had reached a long time goal of a 100 pound Snatch.

Since January, I’ve been loosely following the Outlaw Way …the workouts are short, intense with TONS of Olympic Lifting practice, love it. {Rudy, if you read this, more than my mother reads it!!} My PR’s in most of my lifts have gone up regularly and consistently…which has made me more of a follower lately. Long story, yesterday the workout called for “Amanda” 9-7-5 of Snatches & Muscle-Ups. Two of the hardest things to do in CrossFit and both of which have taken my years to get. Since my first muscle up two weeks ago, I had not been able to get another one…with the encouragement of one of my teachers, “Rachel, today, you go down there and get another one.”

I did. I got 5 muscle ups and completed all 21 reps of the Snatch at 90 pounds!…..I was pretty damn happy with that result.

Then, today, I read on Facebook about the Amanda Miller Memorial WOD. In 2009, she competed in the CrossFit Games and passed away less than a year later from Melanoma Cancer. This July, there will be a competition in her honor. A $20 participant fee is all that is required and you can compete at whatever level you are capable of or you can just donate money.

Resources
AmandaWod
RobbWolf

[Read more →]

Here are some really fun & funny articles, I’ve found on the internet lately!  All have been found via my Flipboard app on the Ipad and I positively love.

A Working Mom Defends the “Lululemon Stay-At-Home Mother”  I do live in workout clothes 90% of my time (but, I really am either working out or teaching yoga or PE!!)

New York Times Cartoonist Live Draws the NYC Marathon while running in it.

Free Race Entry SoCal Wine Country Trail 13.1 Half Marathon

Undercover Billionaire: Sara Blakely {Fascinating, anybody ever try Spanx? I haven’t, but, might now}

Thoughts, comments or suggestions welcome!

[Read more →]

For all outdoor enthusiasts, check out this new website, called Park Visitor.com. Simply log in your zip code and suddenly, I had 5 new places to take the kids that is fairly local that I’ve never even heard of before. You can search by cooking, biking, water sports, camping, hiking and pets just to name a few! Pretty cool website and easy to use!

Park Visitor.

[Read more →]

Nothing like a good laugh along with just a good message…”get out there and do some push-ups ladies!”

[Read more →]

Last week, I joined the growing number of communities members using Pinterest.  What an amazingly cool place to hang out {massive time suck}!  Although, I am still learning how to use it, what I’ve found interesting is that you can “Create” your own vision boards in any category you wish as well as seeing hundreds of others who have done the same.

I found this image on utrecsports.org and “pinned it” on my Vintage Women Athlete Photos.    I love reading about and searching for old photos of women athletes and I was particularly hunting for information on when women starting lifting weights for strength. Did any of you ever see the movie, Pat and Mike? One of my all time favorites where Katherine Hepburn actually plays Babe Didrickson Zaharias in the movie (but Babe won’t let her win even in a movie). Loved it!

Feel free to follow me on Pinterest! If you have comments or suggestions on how to better use it, please leave a comment. My time on it has been less than an hour, lol.

[Read more →]

My blog is the “Blog of the Week” on Social Moms this week!! WHOO HOOO….Thank you, I’m honored to be working with such an amazing group of people.

[Read more →]

If I’ve learned one thing in 39 years, its that if you love what you’re doing, then, it won’t feel like work.  And, in the past three years of having this website, I’ve really understood myself better- writing daily will do that for you!

I used to love running- now I love CrossFit.

I used to love cycling- still like, but, don’t ride.

I used to love Iced Mocha’s—now, I drink Iced Americano’s.

I used to think I was fit, now, I am fit-truly–or at least working towards “fitness” all the time.

My goal has always been to find something I love doing and earn money at the same time. I’ve finally found that- in blogging and in encouraging others in getting physically fit. It’s not a chore to do. And, I’m lucky, because I’ve been given other opportunities to share what I love on other websites- such as Read Breathe and Athleta!

My next project involves a brand new health and wellness website called, Well, Then. I’m super excited to be working with Harvard Pilgrim in helping create a healthy online community to share ideas to get and stay healthy.    I will be creating both videos and helpful tips on clean eating, family fitness ideas and favorite yoga stretches!

The first one asks the question, “What do you do to stay motivated?” {stay tuned for when it’s published!}

So, let’s get the conversation started here….what keeps you motivated?

P.S. Harvard Pilgrim is compensating me for my contributions to the Well, Then community and I’m super thankful for this opportunity.

[Read more →]

Some Very Important Facts from the website:

Physical Education

* According to the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) – The average budget spent annually for physical education is $764

* According to ACE® – Most physical education programs to do not offer students resistance training…more

* According to the American Heart Association – A high-quality physical education program enhances the physical, mental, and social/emotional development of every child and helps them understand, improve, and maintain physical well-being.


* According to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports – Only 28 percent of students in grades 9 through 12 participated in daily school physical education in 2003, down from 42 percent in 1991.


* According to the American Heart Association -The national recommendation for P.E. is 150 minutes per week in elementary and 225 minutes per week in middle and high schools.


* According to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports – Only 25 percent of students in grades 9 through 12 engaged in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more of the previous 7 days in 2003.


* According to the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) – 38% of teachers who use technology more frequently perceive that parents’ interest in students’ physical activity has increased in the past three years…vs. 26% of teachers who use technology less frequently/not at all.


* According to the American Diabetes Association – The Department of Health & Human Services estimates that by 2010, 20% of children and youth in the U.S. will be obese.


* According to the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) – Elementary school teachers are more likely to have attended special training conferences than have middle or high school teachers.

I am going to enter my school in this contest! {I am a phys ed teacher and we could surely use the money!!} Now, why don’t you enter your school?!

For more information on the contest or you’d like to enter your family, click here.

[Read more →]

I don’t know about you, but, when I get to watch endurance events first hand, it gets me VERY motivated.  In fact, I’m not that good at watching sports because I get so antsy about moving around!  If I am going to a race, I will be racing it- usually!  Anyway, a great way to get excited about new sports is to surround yourself with athletic people by volunteering your time at an event.   Volunteers are what make events special- even for just one person.  I can recall many times when I was in an event- marathon, triathlon, or a run event where a volunteer has helped me in a special way.  I get goosebumps thinking of all the times when I really needed help in an event and someone was generous enough to be there to help me.

In California, we are lucky enough to have some big races coming up where the opportunities to volunteer are fantastic!  You can volunteer at the Tour of California, Redlands Classic or even at a Cross Fit Games sectional meet!

Local readers, it’s time for the Redlands Classic and they have put the call out for volunteers!  You can be a host family a race marshall, help with the children’s races, be a judge or ride in neutral support vehicles!  Here is the link for local readers to read more about volunteering!

There you have it.  Lots of options and opportunities to get in and see the action up close and free!

[Read more →]