Monday, December 28, 2015

Life as a Fit Mom: The Complete eBook Series

This is my 480th post on Mama Sweat. I have finished publishing all six books in the Life as a Fit Mom eBook series and now the final book that includes the complete series. Ta-Dah!

Life as a Fit Mom: The Complete eBook Series is available for $5.99 on:
Amazon
Apple iBooks
Google Play
Barnes and Noble and Kobo should have it within the next day or so.

As the days for 2015 dwindle and the expectations for 2016 rise, I have an "I've got this" feeling, which no doubt I've earned, not just through trial and error, but from writing about those experiences on this blog. Thanks for listening and giving me space to flesh out the best way to balance fitness and motherhood (or learn from my mistakes).

What I've discovered in these last seven-plus years:

1) Committing to a fitness goal is hard. This I've known for a long time, even back before I had kids. No matter what is going on in your life you have to want that goal, really want it, for that goal to see light. Committing to something can make you feel vulnerable, which can be scary. Then you have to rise above that fear and work toward your goal with focus, passion and intensity. Whether you've set your sights on a 5K, being able to do a pull up, deadlift your body weight, or finish an Ironman triathlon, getting to the finish line will feel easy compared to making the commitment and working toward your accomplishment. And when you do reach your goal the exhilaration is priceless. But there is a price, often a high one, for pushing your body to its limits and so you should spend wisely (and not declare body bankruptcy like I did a few years ago).

2) Committing to an active life is easy. It is. Boils down to moving everyday. The simplicity is shocking. For me, that revelation is also empowering. Being active everyday is also inclusive for my kids (and dog). Most everyday I go for a walk, hike or run for whatever amount of time available, even if I have only 10 minutes. We have a living area in our house with nothing more than a gym mat. There is always someone moving in some way in that room. I fit in yoga and pilates a few times a week and throw down some push ups or play on the bosu ball here and there. I move every single day without any expectations and that's what opens up my options and opportunities to make an active life easy.

I've got this. I'm going to keep on living this active life and when the desire for a fitness goal strikes, I'll take it on. (But I will be judicious about when and how often I do this). I've got this. I'll keep taking my kids on hikes, to go swimming, rock climbing, play tennis, or other activities to keep their bodies engaged (and one of these days they'll appreciate it). I've got this. I'll keep writing and weaving fitness into my work, whatever that continues to be. I've got this. I've also got a messy kitchen, piles of unfolded laundry, and a neglected junk drawer. I've also got a loving family, faithful friends and good neighbors. As I enter 2016 I just have this overwhelming feeling that I've got this. And if you haven't already figured it out, you do too.

Let's stay connected. I'll send very occasional emails to subscribers from my new website, www.lifeasafitmom.com.

Make sure you enjoy these last few days of 2015 with some Mama Sweat of your own!



Monday, December 21, 2015

Winning as a Fit Mom



It's my birthday! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with the final launch of the eBook series that I've been working on for two years. This last book, Winning as a Fit Mom, became it's own  short publication after I decided that my musings on striving for my personal best as an athlete/mother/human warranted more than a chapter in another book. Winning as a Fit Mom deserved to stand alone. Head held high.

Winning as a Fit Mom is now available for $1.99 at:

Amazon
Apple iBooks
Barnes and Noble
Google Play
Kobo

As 2015 comes to a close, so will the blog I've written for more than seven years. Please stay connected with me on the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. And don't forget the e-newsletter sign-up form on my website so I can touch base here and there (that's where e-book deals and freebies will come from).

However it is you celebrate the holidays I hope they are filled with comfort and joy (plus sweat, always a little sweat for mama).

Monday, December 14, 2015

Feeding the Fit Family


One of the many parenting struggles I made public on this blog was feeding my children healthy food. I've experienced more than a few instances of rebellion at the dinner table. But I believe feeding my children well is part of raising a fit family. So I persevered and shared on my blog small success stories. Turns out, I included more than a few kid-approved recipes and so compiled those and more, plus a few epic fails and dinner-table strategies into the fifth book in the Life as a Fit Mom eBook series.

Feeding the Fit Family is now available for $1.99 at:

Amazon
Apple iBooks
Google Play
Barnes and Noble (coming soon)
Kobo (coming soon)

Those who have already signed up for my e-newsletter by December 19 will receive this eBook free!

I have only two posts left at Mama Sweat. Please stay connected with me on the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. And don't forget the e-newsletter sign-up form on my website so I can touch base here and there (that's where the e-book deals and freebies will come from, including a free copy of Feeding the Fit Family!).

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Raising a Fit Family


The Boy, now 6, is fickle. He loses interest quickly in any activity or sport he participates in. He made it through two sessions of gymnastics this fall but now says he's done. He doesn't want to play basketball. He likes rock climbing but doesn't want to take lessons. Same with swimming. So what, I asked him, does he want to do?

"Exercise at home," he said.

Because I'm on a mission to raise a fit family I was tickled by his answer. In my effort to keep him active and introduce new sports, though, I hadn't considered that option, but yes, of course, playing outside or being active at home should be part of his lifestyle (just like it is for his mom and dad, which he observes on a regular basis and so--yeah!--he noticed). Saving money to sign him up for some class is an added bonus.



When I started Mama Sweat my intention was to motivate moms to find space in their busy demanding lives to take care of themselves with regular workouts. It wasn't long before I realized kids needed to be part of this fit life too. They were watching, after all, and I wanted them to grow up to be active and healthy as much as I wanted to stay active and healthy. Turns out I wrote enough material about this to publish the fourth book in the Life as a Fit Mom eBook series. Raising a Fit Family is now available for $1.99 at:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble (coming soon)
Google Play
Kobo (coming soon)
Apple iBooks

Please stay connected with me on the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. And don't forget the e-newsletter sign-up form on my website so I can touch base here and there (that's where the e-book deals and freebies will come from).