1 year anniversary

My first post was a rambling about why I wanted to start a blog, in all reality I did not even read that many blogs at the time. What a difference a year makes. Last year I thought that maybe my boyfriend and my mom might read what I wrote. I never thought it would turn into a Facebook page, twitter following, you tube channel or that I would compete. I never ever would have believed I would be embarking on the One Fit Mama Canada brand, or that I would be a personal trainer. Then again, when I started working out on November 18, 2011 no matter my best intentions I’m not sure I knew how addictive this healthy lifestyle could be.

 

November 18, 2011 and November 18, 2012

What a difference a year makes!

I have made many new real friends, some absolutely amazing virtual friends and learned things from every single one of them.

A big big thank you to all of my followers, reader, tweeters, and friends! Wonder how big I can make this?!?

As a fun little exercise I thought I would share some of the stats that I have achieved this year.

I have published 228 posts.

There have been 1001 comments in total on those 228 posts.

The blog averages about 200 views in a day.

My busiest day was November 18, 2012 which was the 1 year anniversary of me deciding to change my life. On that day I had 532 views.

433 times someone has landed on my blog by searching for me “one fit mama”. I think that is really neat.

 

I have 181 followers on the blog directly, 287 followers on theFacebook page, 22 twitter followers and another 151 followers onInstagram.

 

One Fit Mama on Stage at the UFE Spring Bash 2013

All these people read what I write! And while one may be my boyfriend, and one may be my Mama the rest are wonderful and supportive people that make it so easy to stick with this lifestyle I have chosen.

 

Cheering Section

A huge heartfelt thank you to all of you!  Thank you for reminding me that one bad day is not a reason to quit.  And that sometimes life will force you to slow down!  Thank you for pushing me when I needed it, making me laugh when I was down, and most of all for just being there!

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!

 

One Fit Mama Re-Enters Cyberspace

I am the former writer of http://www.mamaisfit.wordpress.com. Because of alot of personal crap I went off the web for a couple of months, WordPress will not let me re-instate my old web address so I have started this new one.

I would like to happily report that said “crap” has been dealt with. I have moved back to my home town, started a new career and am happily and healthily on my way to being One Happy Fit Mama.

Little update. June 2013 I competed in my second UFE Bodybuilding competition in the fitness model category this time. I am sad to say that I did not place as well as I would have liked, but that was’nt the point. I was so happy with how I looked and more importantly how I felt. The absolute best part of competitions? All of the amazingly positive people you meet doing them!

 

That being said I regretfully took almost two months off after my last competition due to well… stressful life. Not to be deterred I am back in the gym with a vengence, working to get back my PB’s and happily feeling fabulous!

 

Just wanted to post a quick, Hi and I missed you! Lots more coming soon.

Keep Smiling,

One Fit Mama

Keep Calm and Relay on June 2013

Over the years I have lost many important people to Cancer. My Uncle Tom was taken far too young. My son’s grandfather again lost his battle and last year my son Jacob walked with me. Robin, Lissa, Kelly, Pam, the list goes on and on. All of these people have battled, some survived, some lost that battle.

This year will mark my 3rd year walking with the Freedom Fighters Team. Last year mere weeks before the fundraiser I received the news that I had a malignant tumor in my right breast. The walk took on new meaning. Over the previous year I had lost over 30lbs and many inches when I had enough of being over weight and decided to get fit. I took on bodybuilding, lifting weights. In May of last year I was the healthiest I had ever been in my life and I was very angry at my diagnosis at first. During the relay I ran laps occassionally and ended up running 20 in total. I also rarely sat down or took a break. My feet by the end of the 12 hours were like lead weights at the end of my feet, but somehow in my head I knew that if I could keep walking, and keep focusing on all of the love and support pouring out of all of my friends, team mates, family, the volunteers and participants I would be fine… I would win my fight. During the walk I realized that while I was angry that Cancer had invaded my healthy body I also realized that I was in the best shape of my life and in a great place to win my fight. My body was ready for it, and maybe that happened for a reason.

I had surgery in July 2012. It was a best case scenario and I am now on hormone therapy. Not many people know, but there has been a reoccurrence. It is small and I am following doctors orders. I have side effects from the medication but I am still a fit girl and preparing to compete in my second bodybuilding competition the week after the relay this year.

I am a personal trainer and blogger and I advocate whenever I can the need to not only find a cure but the amazing benefits of healthy eating and exercise while dealing with this debilitating disease. I managed to run 20 laps last year and I plan to double it this year. I will run for my health and the hope that everyone’s fight will someday end with the same outcome.

Please join me in supporting this amazing cause. I will walk for 12 hours and remember, believe and know that no matter what I will fight and so will the doctors, nurses, patients, volunteers, caretakers, family and friends of everyone who has been affected by Cancer.

Donate Here

Help us reach our goal
You can be part of a community that takes up the fight. Please make a donation to myself or my team in support of the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life – with your donation, you can help us make cancer history.

My name is not mom

My real name is not Mom by One Fit Mama In just 20 short days I am going to yet again get on stage and compete in a fitness competition.  20 days can one day seem like loads of time, I look in the mirror and think pfft I got this!  And then other days I want to panic, cancel, research liposuction and boob jobs.  Could be the crazy workouts, could be the diet, could be that I have no idea on some days why I want to do this. Why I do this to myself changes daily.  I spent much of my adult life like many other moms feeling that spending time or making an effort to invest in myself means that I am somehow taking away from or diminishing my responsibilities to my kids.   Reality is, that’s not true.  I am a person apart from being a mom.  Making myself a priority and learning to take time out for fitness has given me the ability to separate me from me-as-Mom and it gives me time to think, process and evaluate the things going on in our lives right now.   I realized not so long ago that when I was a smoker (I quit in 2007 by the way) I used to justify my breaks at work by saying that it was when I came up with solutions.  Doing something other then focusing on the problem and taking a time out (yes in a very very unhealthy way) allowed me to come up with ideas that were far more out of the box and valuable then making lists and wracking my brain in front of a computer.  For many years I missed smoking because I liked being stinky and unable to breath,  I liked getting sick all of the time and not feeling better for months. But – because I missed the excuse to take a break.  I no longer take 15 minutes every hour to myself, but I do take about an hour or so to myself a day all at once. I love how I look, do not get me wrong. The fact that after 2 children I am able to stand next to 18 year olds and feel good about my body on a stage is an absolute thrill! I encourage my kids to take part in all types of activities.  The big kid has played hockey, baseball, did tae-kwon-do and taken guitar lessons.  He likes basketball and last year played soccer.   Boo played soccer, did hockey lessons, and will be embarking on tennis this year.  Those are their activities and I will always be their number one supporter and cheering section.  I think its healthy for them to know that I have goals too and hobbies, that I embrace them and always will and that I expect them to cheer for me.  My kids go to their dads every other weekend.  I purposely picked my last show and my upcoming show because I have my children on the weekends of my shows.  One of the kids dad’s gave me some flack for this: Dad: “Why would you put yourself first on a weekend with your children?!?” Mama: “Why wouldn’t I want them there?” I get comments on the blog about how my kids must be so proud of me.  I’m sure that one day they will be.  But when was the last time you met a 14 year old boy who thought anything good about his mother?!?   Let along one that’s mom was only 20 years older and competed in bikini competitions?? That’s normal.  One day they will understand everything that I did was with the best intentions and that I did amazing things with them and because of them, but also that I did amazing things, just because. That’s healthy.

First competition break down

1.  Tanning
The place that did my tan was amazing!  The owner is a friend of mine and she went absolutely above and beyond.  That being said, when I do this again I will either stick to good old tanning booth tan (I was already really dark) or I will pay for the on site competitiion)

2.  Division
I chose bikini because it seemed honestly the “simplest” division.  1 walk, 1 bikini, 1 pair of shoes.  Although I felt amazing I also felt after looking at pictures that I was a little too defined and perhaps “bulky” for the division. Next time I plan to compete in Fitness model and give that a go!  Plus, now that I have a taste for the stage, going on twice isn’t quite so scary.

3. Children.
It was amazing having my boys at my first competition.  They screamed and yelled and cheered me on when I went on stage.  That being said having to worry about the munchkins at the same time as compete was allot to deal with and I think I’ll find something for them to do or somewhere for them to be next time.

 

My #1 Fans

4. Posing
I practiced and practiced and practiced before this show.  That being said, I needed allot more practice.  I have already signed up for a workshop in May and I may contact my posing coach again before the next competition

That’s a short list considering.  I had such an amazing experience. Thanks again to everyone who supported me through all of this.  I’m hooked!

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24 hours to first bikini competition On April 13, 2013 I competed in my very first bikini fitness bodybuilding competition.  I had an amazing experience and I say its my “first” because it certainly is not going to be my last. The day before the show I went to the gym to do my last workout before the show.  Up until the day before I had drank more than 3 gallons of water for 6 days and the plan for the day before was about 3 liters consumed before 5pm when the plan was to stop drinking water.  I also got to add in carbs again on Friday.  After my disastrous experience on my experimental peak week however I was very cautious with this.  First couple carbs were small apples spaced 2 hours apart.   I went to the gym in the morning and did a whole body circuit workout that took about an hour. After the gym I ran home and showered and shaved and then headed to the tanning salon.  I had done one coat and washed it off the night before, and I spent close to 3 hours standing around naked waiting for the drenching we applied on Friday to dry.  When I just could’nt wait anymore I put on a t-shirt and really big loose pants and ran home only to find that I had messed up the tan and there were blotchy marks all over.  A few moments of panicked ensued as I was already late to leave and go to the athletes meeting.  I took a damp cloth and blended the worst of it.  Then off to the athletes meeting. I admit I had no idea what this was going to consist of.  I didn’t know weather this was something I was supposed to be dressed up for, or weather I was OK as is etc.  Upon arriving at the meeting I immediately saw two very pretty blond girls that were there as competitors as well.  They were tanned very dark with their hair done, 5 inch heels, dresses and makeup done.  I looked like I had rolled out of bed.  Luckily once I entered the correct room more people looked like me then like them and I relaxed.  The athletes meeting really just means you hand in your bio, sign waivers and get your goodies bag and t-shirt.  I met some people and was standing behind a group of 3 girls all first time competitors in my division (bikini open).  The UFE splits ages up at 35 years old.  I am 33. Meaning while many of the girls in the 35 + group competed in the open division as well I was being judged as equal to an 18 or 20 year old… umm pressure?.  No matter I was trying to make frie On my way back home after the athletes meeting I go a hold of the tanning salon and went back for another coat of tanner.  I then went home – finally. Dinner was a small grilled steak and sweet potato wedges with curry and cinnamon in the oven.  I also drank 2 glasses of wine because its supposed to help the carb up and well… Sleep was an issue.  Because I was trying not to ruin the tan I slept on my back, trying to keep my legs from sticking together and my hands from getting sweaty and touching anything.  Plus I was excited.

1 Year Anniversary

Its been a year!
A whole year since my first blog post.

November 18, 2011

My first post was a rambling about why I wanted to start a blog, in all reality I did not even read that many blogs at the time. What a difference a year makes. Last year I thought that maybe my boyfriend and my mom might read what I wrote. I never thought it would turn into a Facebook page, twitter following, you tube channel or that I would compete. I never ever would have believed I would be embarking on the One Fit Mama Canada brand, or that I would be a personal trainer. Then again, when I started working out on November 18, 2011 no matter my best intentions I’m not sure I knew how addictive this healthy lifestyle could make.

I have made many new real friends, some absolutely amazing virtual friends and learned things from every single one of them.

A big big thank you to all of my followers, reader, tweeters, and friends! Wonder how big I can make this?!?

As a fun little exercise I thought I would share some of the stats that I have achieved this year.

I have published 228 posts.

There have been 1001 comments in total on those 228 posts.

The blog averages about 200 views in a day.

My busiest day was November 18, 2012 which was the 1 year anniversary of me deciding to change my life. On that day I had 532 views.

433 times someone has landed on my blog by searching for me “one fit mama”. I think that is really neat.

I have 181 followers on the blog directly, 287 followers on the Facebook page, 22 twitterfollowers and another 151 followers on Instagram.

All these people read what I write! And while one may be my boyfriend, and one may bemy Mama the rest are wonderful and supportive people that make it so easy to stick with this lifestyle I have chosen.

A huge heartfelt thank you to all of you!  Thank you for reminding me that one bad day is not a reason to quit.  And that sometimes life will force you to slow down!  Thank you for pushing me when I needed it, making me laugh when I was down, and most of all for just being there!

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!