Seven Questions...Keepin' Fit

Gabtalk is turning into my latest obsession! I am channeling Barbara Walters and making my "Most Fascinating People" blog list.

Truthfully, I would much rather hear from real-life-in-the-trenches folks than celebrities. I learn so much seeing how "people like me" are reaching their goals and enriching their lives.

Today's victim: Bridget. I love her. She is so cute and friendly and positive! Her love for her family is obvious and her posts are always uplifting. Besides, we are practically related with all our family connections.

You can tell a lot about someone from their blog. And I can tell that Bridget is fit and fabulous but not obsessed and anorexic. So I asked her seven questions about keeping healthy and happy.

Here are her thoughts...



1. What is your weekly exercise routine?
I have classes at the gym I go to that I just love. After I get my kids off to school I head to the gym. With my youngest now in preschool too I actually have some free mornings! I usually workout between 3-5 days a week. Ideally 5 but, you know, life happens sometimes.

2. How do you balance your fitness goals with all your other responsibilities?
I just make it a priority. I figure taking care of myself is just as important as taking care of my kids, husband, house, etc. Everyone makes the time for the things that are really important to them. This is a passion of mine and its not something I would ever cut out of my schedule to make room for something else. Other things would go first.

3. Do you diet? Or follow any eating "rules"?
I have never been on a strict diet. I am trying to just find more healthy foods that I like. I love the idea of just eating fresh foods- lots of fruits and vegetables and cutting out the junk. I tell myself I can always have it later and chance are later I don't care about eating it anyway. One thing I have gotten better at over the years is reading labels on foods. I did a youth fireside a few years ago and found from my research that many fast food meals have more calories than your body needs in an entire day!

4. What's your favorite healthy snack?
Whatever great produce Costco has. I am really into d'anjou pears right now. The summer its all about the berries. When I need a treat, I love the dark chocolate covered almonds. The dark chocolate is low in sugar and has lots of antioxidants and the almonds are great for you too. I tell myself it might as well be a health food. :)

5. How do you encourage the rest of your family to get fit?
I try to put the emphasis on having fun. I tell my kids I exercise because it is fun not because I am trying to be super skinny. I think leading by example is the only way to go. If your kids see you having fun at sports or fitness, they'll catch on to it too.

6. How do you motivate yourself to get moving on those "fat" days? Or do you even have them...?
Oh, sure I have "fat days." I take it as extra motivation to work out more. I feel so sluggish when I get out of my workout routine. Even if I don't see any numbers budge on the scale, I just feel better when I am consistently working out. I have more energy. Few things make me happier than seeing a muscle where I didn't know I had a muscle before. But the real motivation has to come from just finding something you enjoy- the gym isn't for everyone. Some people need to find a group sport to make it fun. I am doing my third triathlon in May. I never in a million years thought I could do a triathlon and here I am. I am an average Joe which makes it fun. I will never place in my age division but I enjoy the training and trying to do better than I did last time.

7. What are the top three workout songs on your iPod?
"Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne
"Pump it" Black Eyed Peas
"I Fought the Law" Green Day

Thanks, Bridget! I'm going to get some chocolate-covered almonds right now...

To get to know Bridget a little better, visit her blog. My all-time favorite post was this one.