Introducing: Busy Mom Fitness!
Hi there High Country Moms! My name is Margaret Wilkes. I am a high school graduate and the oldest of seven children and I live on a farm in beautiful Ashe County. Throughout my life (which spans 18 years), I have been very involved in the athletic realm. I swam on a local swim team for 8 consecutive years, finished several triathlons and 5k runs, and recently completed The Bear (a run up Grandfather Mountain) this past July. Needless to say, I have always had a passion for active living. More recently, however, I began to devote more attention to health and nutrition
A couple of years ago, when my Mother was 7 months pregnant and on bed rest with my younger brother, she allowed me to take on all the grocery shopping for our family. My Mother has always cooked healthy and delicious meals. She taught me such skills as how to mill whole wheat berries and turn the nutritious flour into homemade bread, a pastime which she and I continue to this day. My Mother had taken me to the store so many times that it was second nature when it came to choosing minimally processed and nutritious foods. I became a passionate label-reader, and even got my brothers and sisters to sample some of my smoothie concoctions, some of which were green!
Once I became aware of the fact that what we eat has a direct correlation to our health and overall wellness, I began to research different exercise techniques and ways to eat to better achieve fat loss and muscle definition. I combined my love of fitness and wholesome food into a method, and, using my post-partum Mother as my test subject, we both learned firsthand what works and what doesn’t. So, that’s why I am here, to share my knowledge with all you busy Moms out there on how it is possible for you to tone up, lose weight, be fit, and eat great, all without spending an inordinate amount of time and money on expensive equipment, useless ‘fat-burning’ pills and boring, hour-long cardio sessions.
Here are some things that I will be discussing in my upcoming articles:
- Did you know that eating healthy fat (like the fat found in salmon, grass fed beef, raw nuts, and olive oil) will NOT make you fat? In fact, if you are trying to lose weight, these foods will help you burn fat even more effectively.
- Long cardio workouts are not the most effective way to burn fat.
- You don’t have to perform hundreds of crunches per day or use a machine-based exercise to have a flat stomach and toned abs.
Stick around for my next article in which I will discuss the “hows” and “whys” of these points and more.
Comments
By Lillie Troyer on October 7th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I will look forward to learning! Yes, Any helpful advice on flat stomachs and toned abs would be very much appreciated from this Mommy of 4
By Sarah on October 7th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
My abs are so stubborn since I’ve had three c-sections!
By Valerie Somers on October 8th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Hi Margaret: It is wonderful that you have the burning desire to become, and to stay, fit at your age, and to share the knowledge with others as you find some tried and true methods to reach and maintain a healthy lifestyle. From experpience as a restaurant owner and enthusiastic gourmand, I have had to face major lifestyle changes because of my lusty appetite, and bringing awareness at any level to people is much to your credit, or that you even care past the realm of your own family. Keep on keeping on, Margaret. You are special! Pal Val
By Betty on October 22nd, 2009 at 12:59 am
Nice article. It’s important to exercise and eat healthy after all as parents we are the best examples for our children. I’ve been looking for a way to get the whole family involved in some type physical activity and nutritionally sound eating. I read a book called Family Fit by Dr. John E. Mayer which really helped me. He gives activities and interests to maximize this time spent together. It’s like multi-tasking for your family and for yourself!
By Jack Brooks on October 28th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Firstly, what a great and inspiring picture!
Growing up in Virginia, I miss the lush green fields and meadows that the desert clime of Southern Cal doesn’t have.
We at Family Fitness Future agree wholeheartedly about your diet, exercise and family points of view.
Clearly, it’s more important than ever for the family to get and stay fit together. We think it’s moms that drive that effort forward.