Fit Mama of the Week: Mattie

If you looked up the definition of ACTIVE MAMA, you would probably find Mattie's picture.  She is a working mom of two and she manages to make time for her love of running and staying fit.  The women that we have featured here on our blog are busy women.  This we know is very true and is a common denominator.  But they all have found different ways (that work for them) to workout and stay fit.  Their workout of choice is very tailored to their lives, their goals, and their happiness.  Find an activity that works for you and that you find FUN.  If you don't like going to the gym and find that you are dragging your heels there each and every time, perhaps the gym isn't for you.  Try a cardio dance class.  Try a kickboxing class.  Find something else that will keep you motivated to want to workout!

Name/Age/Ethnicity/Marital Status/Occupation

My name is Mattie; I'm 40 years old, African American; Married. I work as a Medical Assistant.

Do you have kids?  How old are they?

I have 2 boys ages 8 and 13.

Have you always been into fitness? 

I have been somewhat into fitness for the last 15 years but I really have been making it a lifestyle for 6 years. I started getting into fitness when I started learning more about healthcare.

What do you do to stay active?  What is your favorite way to get exercise?  What do you do as a family to get exercise?  

I participate in boot camp, crossfit and circuit training. I currently do short bootcamp at lunchtime Monday through Friday. This consists of burpees, sit-ups, push-ups, mountain climbers, tricep dips, bicep curls, planks and many more exercises. But I enjoy running and this is what I focus on the most. I enjoy running because it relaxes me, It also helps me clear my head and live a stress free life. It's also simple: just grab your shoes and go. I was inspired to run by 2 nurse practitioners at San Rafael Kaiser 13 years ago. At that time, they challenged me to run with them during lunch breaks. I tried it once with them and that was the last time I did that. They were too advanced for me to run with them but it inspired me to start going out on my lunch breaks 3 days a week on my own.

My first race was a 5k in February 2010. It was a Kaiser sponsored event. I was very nervous and barely slept the night before. I currently run 13+ miles a week and walk 10+ miles a week utilizing breaks at work. Lunch breaks are always used for a workout.  I have completed 6 half marathons and many 5k/10k runs. I always look forward to run events! I placed 2nd place in the Asparagus festival Spear It Run last year. 

As a family we do occasional biking and walking. My kids will sometimes ride their bikes while I run; this enables the whole family to spend time together AND helps keep everyone active.

Making a commitment to staying fit is something that isn't always easy for everyone.  How do you stay motivated?

Fitness to me is a lifestyle so I feel that I stay motivated because it has become a regular thing and an important part of my life. I think it is important to continue to look forward to my workouts. I am a part of the BGR (black girls run) running group and look forward to running with my group every week. Keeping it fun is a big key. When people ask how I stay so fit, I will tell everyone that diet is the key but exercise unlocks the door to a happier and healthier life.

How do you balance work and family  and then trying to stay fit at the same time?  

Following a schedule has helped me balance everything. Balancing family, work and fitness requires a lot of planning ahead. I plan healthy meals, family outings, and active events. As a family we do occasional biking and walking. My kids are also super busy because they play multiple sports so the different schedules can be very challenging.

Share what you would eat for a typical meal or a typical day. Do you have any healthy meal ideas that the kids love that you would like to share? What are some of your favorite healthy snacks for yourself and your kids?

As far as meals go, I think it is important to plan ahead so that I don't have to look to unhealthy options like fast food. I plan ahead a couple days. I shop on Sunday for the week. I'm very creative with my meals. Very seldom will I run out ideas for meals. My meals vary from salads, soups, casseroles, beans and stir frys. I cook everyday. The crockpot and rice cookers are a big help for busy families. I put my meals on in the morning before work and finish it up when I get home.

Planning my meals is essential to clean eating. And then clean eating is essential to great performance/my running. I'm on week 4 of eating clean excluding eating out, sugars, whites, sodas and fried foods. It's not a practice for me anyway however my household is abiding as well.

For my lunch, I normally pack fruits, nuts, cheese stick, milk, cereal and salad. This covers breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks. I also make sure to take care of my hydration needs. I drink 60 plus ounces of water daily. I will do electrolytes before my intense workouts. My kids favorite meal is taco salad made with ground turkey. It's a fast meal to prepare.

What are some of your fitness goals for the year?

My fitness goals for the year are to go on 2 hikes, to get physically stronger and to run a race every month through the end of the year. The boot camp and crossfit classes has definitely pushed me to another level because of the diversity in the exercise routines and building on of reps. This has increased my endurance and made me stronger. The strength training had helped me increase my speed in running. I am currently training for a half marathon in Folsom on October 19.

Besides your family/kids, what are some other things that inspire you or motivate you to put on your workout clothes and get moving?

I'm continuously motivated by the results I see in my body and the strength I'm feeling I'm gaining over time. Ultimately I'm encouraged by my family and friends.

Get It Girl Wednesday: Brazen Racing Summer Breeze Half Marathon Race Recap + Running Form

For my fourth half marathon of the year, I was *determined* to beat my PR (personal record).  My timing for my third half marathon of the year (Seattle RnR) was so far off  from what I was used to getting that I wasn't really sure if I could even get anywhere near the PR.  The last time I beat my PR was over a year ago (and I've ran 5 halves since then).  I was very apprehensive but I wanted to do this once and for all.

So I trained.  And trained some more.  I train with EVERY half I do because I'm so afraid of pushing myself too far and getting injured.  But this time around, I switched things up a little.  This is what I did: 

#1--I changed my diet.  Since starting this blog and really learning about how Christelyn eats clean, it made me realize that it isn't so hard.  And everything she made sounded so good. When we filmed Good Day Sacramento, she opened my eyes even more at all of the healthy foods she had me set up for filming. She inspired me so much.  I dropped white rice.  This was really, really hard for me.  I eat mostly protein, vegetables and fruits now.  I am not on what I consider a super strict diet.  I still have my sugary coffee in the morning.  I had a cronut the other day for the first time!  I have not lost any weight but I do feel lighter on my feet and more energized.  And the lower belly pouch that I've had since I had my first son at 21 years old is shrinking!  I am far off from a 6 pack but I didn't even know getting rid of that pouch was possible.  I thought I was stuck with it for life because I worked out all the time and could never get rid of it.  What finally did it was my diet.  

#2--I used a different training plan.  My go to plan is Hal Higdon's half plan.  This time around I used Jeff Galloway's plan.  The Jeff Galloway plan is a walk/run method.  I didn't follow the plan to a T but I used the basic concept of it.  I think this plan helped me get over a mental plateau I have been on for a year.  At this point in my running, my body could handle the pushing but for some reason, my mind couldn't handle it...or it wasn't mature enough?  I know this might only make sense to other runners but I don't know how else to explain it.  I have heard this before from other runners.  Running can be compared to growth and development stages and you just have to get through these stages and learn in order to go further or improve.  Jeff Galloway's plan helped me do this.

Both of these keys I think helped me PR at the Summer Breeze Race.  

This race takes place in San Leandro, CA.  The start is about 10 mins. from my house with no traffic but Mr. DJ, who was also running the race, and I decided to get there about an hour early.  There is only ONE lane on the street leading into the park where the start/finish line are.  I've ran a race here before and learned my lesson that there is a HUGE traffic jam on the one lane street and traffic can be a hassle.  This is just a head's up for anyone who might be planning to do this race next year!  

Just like at every start of any race, I was nervous.  I don't know if I'll ever be not nervous.  Brazen puts on a great event with food available before and after the race.  But I couldn't eat anything before my race.  I was way too nervous!

I started the race off pretty fast.  I tried to slow down because I didn't want to burn out early but I just naturally kept going back to my 'Miracle Mile' pace and felt good.

Me on the course.  Picture taken by event staff.

I wanted to share this above picture because it highlights what NOT to do.  :)  I have been consciously working hard on my running form and I have gotten better but it really is difficult to break bad habits.  This picture shows that I am definitely a heel striker which I am working on improving.  Studies show that when you heel strike, your leg is extended away from you (vs. being more under your hip), creating a force that could be jarring to your knees and hips (risk for injury!).  Read this article from runcoach.com for more information about this.  Below are some more event pictures showing the running form that I'm trying to master. 

landing on a flat foot.  landing knee is under hip.  Good.

Super tired at this point.  Can you tell? haha.  But notice the foot is not landing on the heel!  Good.

Right before the half way point of this race, I started to feel really tired.  It's an out and back course and the turn around is right near the San Mateo Bridge.  After the turn around, I started to get a second wind as the sweeping views of the peninsula across the bay were so pretty.  I also passed a mom pushing her physically disabled daughter in a modified wheelchair.  I thought if that mom can run this easily, there is no reason why I should give up.  I had to take a few deep breaths and blink some tears away when I saw the mom and daughter.  That mom's strength and perseverance was so beautiful and it inspired me so much to keep my pace up.  I wish I knew her name.

This race is definitely a lot smaller than the Nike races or the Rock and Roll races.  I was by myself for a lot of the second half which was hard for me because I didn't have anyone to follow or focus on to pace me.  I just had to continue to push myself.  I kept looking at my pace on my watch and was becoming a little obsessed and somewhat disappointed when I saw my pace slowing down.  I decided at mile 10 I was not going to look at the watch again.  

By mile 12 I felt like I was done.  I didn't feel as if I was near a PR.  No one I started with was any where near me; I assumed they all finished ahead of me.  All of these negative thoughts.  At mile 12.5, was when I saw Mr. DJ.  He always finishes ahead me and but always returns to the course to see me through the last half mile.  I swear I was going to start walking had I not seen him.  I really needed that push of someone running with me to pace that last half mile.  It's like having someone carry you through but not actually carrying you.  What would I do without my better half?!  

As I came to the finish line, and looked at the big ol' clock, it said 2:09:13.  Or something like that. I can't remember exactly but all I remember was that it was under 2:10 which was my goal!!  I felt that I ran so slowly during the second half of the race that it couldn't possibly be right.  So I didn't even celebrate my PR until I got home and looked online at the results.  haha.  Mr. DJ kept telling me the clock/timing was accurate but I just could not believe I accomplished my goal.

Like I've mentioned. this race isn't a big race with a ton of participants but it's always nice to see your name in the top 20 isn't it?   :)

Mr. DJ and I, post race

I realized a lot of our #fitfam was also at this race.  But I didn't know until I got home and saw all of the pictures online on everyone's IG and FB!  If you guys ever see me at a race, please come over and say hello!  I would LOVE to meet you guys in person and I promise I do not bite.  

Fitness Mama New Logo Design

Moving forward, we knew that we really needed some type of logo to distinguish Fitness Mama from other sites.  Most of the 'fitspiration' memes we put out there are created by Fitness Mama and we definitely needed some type of logo to watermark the memes.  We are also in the works for a new website/blog design and needed a logo for that too.

This is what we decided on:

What do you guys think?  

We absolutely are so in love with it!  

We love the color combination for the logo.  Bright and bold was what we were looking for.  Christelyn wanted to incorporate the running stroller because it is a reminder of where she first started in her fitness journey.  

Choosing a logo was a huge process.  There were SO many decisions you need to make.  It was enough to make our heads explode.  We knew we wanted a silhouette of a fit mom...but how do you communicate that?  Because unfortunately graphic designers can't read our minds.  Should the silhouette be super muscular?  Slim and lean?  What should she be doing?  Long hair?  Short hair?  Ponytail?  Bun?  Just choosing this color palette was a discussion that Christelyn and I had that went on until 3am on one morning.  We were obsessed with the logo process at that point.  

Luckily we were working with Kelsey, an amazingly talented graphic designer who was SUPER patient and easy to work with.  We went back and forth, hemmed and hawed, changed ideas about a million times and Kelsey never once complained.  She was able to capture exactly what we wanted despite our some what vague ideas.  Thank you Kelsey for everything you've done for Fitness Mama!  

If you are looking to get a logo designed or need a free lance graphic designer to help you out with a project I would totally recommend you call Kelsey!  

You can check out more of Kelsey's work here: http://kelseyjane.carbonmade.com/ 

Fitness Mamas Christelyn and Christina

Happy Monday fit fam!

I would like to start off this week by introducing my BEST FRIEND & FITNESS MAMA partner, CHRISTINA! She has been a regular contributor to this blog as well as helping me keep up all of our social media websites.  

"Fitness Mama" has evolved so much since I started on Instagram in September of 2012. I started Fitness Mama because I wanted to take note of my weight loss journey-my struggles and my accomplishments, while encouraging and motivating other mamas who needed a little motivation. In the spirit of wanting to further motivate and inspire women (and myself as I am SO inspired by all of your stories!), I started a Facebook page. This is where Christina came in because I quickly realized that 'Fitness Mama' was becoming an entity that I could no longer support on my own. I really needed help with keeping up all of the social media sites as well as keeping up a blog. Christina and I both are busy moms of two kids and so it helps that when I get too overwhelmed, she can continue to keep up with the posts on our social media sites and vice versa. This way, there really are no big chunks of time where you guys don't hear from 'Fitness Mama' and we both don't have to sacrifice too much time away from our families and fitness goals. Christina and I live and hour and half away from each other and the distance definitely makes things challenging but we both work hard to keep everything updated for you mamas.

This is the most recent picture we have taken together.  In the spirit of 'keeping it real' Fitness Mama meetings have to consist of play dates at the park.   We are definitely moms FIRST and foremost.

It’s true when they say that, “2 MINDS ARE BETTER THAN 1.” In this case, Christina has helped me remarkably by evolving Fitness Mama to what it is today. You may have seen her work with Get it Girl Wednesday’s and Fit Mama of the Week Friday’s! Together we've also streamlined the look of our Instagram feed; there is now a somewhat uniform look yet we try to continue to inspire! You can easily find our Instagram feed on the right hand side of this page if you scroll down.

Christina and I met in the summer of 1992. Christina is my dad's sister's husband's cousin's daughter. Does that make sense? Anyway, our families were very close. :) Our moms actually would go to the gym together when our families lived about 2 mins. from eachother; just a little tid bit that we both found ironic since our generation has taken it a step further with this blog. We both attended Chipman Middle School in Alameda. I remember her being a cheerleader and also playing tennis in high school. And at the time, I was the total opposite. I loved the performing arts- acting, dancing, and singing.  

Christina and I (and Denise!) sometime in the mid-90's.  Does anyone else have Perfect Studios pictures?  :)  I think it's a Bay Area thing?

Us in front of Lyon's (which is now Sushi House!) in Alameda...late 90's

Although my family moved a lot throughout the years, our friendship remained true. We played important roles in each other’s wedding as bridesmaids; we are God mothers to one another’s children. Outside of our husbands, we have always been each other's biggest source of support in one another’s goals/ passions.  

I was pregnant with Miyah.  My girls drove out to see me before I gave birth.  I ended up going into labor a few hours after they left!

We've spent more than a few crazy Halloweens together

Our birthdays are 12 days apart with New Year's landing right in the middle.  One year, we had a black and white NYE birthday party together.

I have to say, Christina is definitely a Fit Mama herself! She is a wife, mother of two boys, and a full-time pediatric RN. She is very involved in her kid’s school activities and sports. Just like our busy fit mamas out there, she makes it a priority to exercise and to prepare healthy meals for her family. She is a woman of many talents- creative, crafty, an amazing photographer and writer. A phenomenal woman to say the least! 

Team GIG at the Capitol City Run

Davis Moonlight Run

Dirty Girl Mud Run

Nike Women's Marathon 2012

Christina and I have always wanted to create a blog we can maintain together. We have in the past created a food blog together called Sugar Bomb and even spoke of creating health and beauty page called Glitter Bomb. Asking her to help me create a healthy lifestyle blog so we can incorporate all of our ideas along with our new love for staying fit was really the next natural step.

We all have that one friend.  Christina is mine and I'm hers.  haha.

Last year, around the time of the beginning of my weight loss journey, Christina and I, and a couple friends formed a running group called Team GIG (Team Get it Girl/Guy). We ran multiple events together and wanted to share our love for running to others. In return, we hoped to expand our group in the Sacramento and East Bay area. Christina and I have always wanted and NEEDED some kind of outlet to share our ideas and passions with others. That’s why I truly believe that this was meant for us to experience together.  

Currently, we are in the midst of evolving Fitness Mama even more. We have a Fitness Mama website in the works and a few other surprises in store that we are extremely excited to share with you! In the meantime, continue to message us with questions or requests that you may have. We love the #fitfam community and support that you all bring! Thank you to all our Fit Mamas and a special thank you to my very own Fit Mama, Christina! Love you.

Fitness Mamas with our families at the Strawberry Festival a few years ago