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Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start your blog “02befitmom”. Have you always been into fitness?
I have been in the fitness and health industry ever since college and I knew when I became a mom I wanted to inspire other moms to keep up with a healthy lifestyle amidst the hectic life! This has been a dream of mine to help women gain knowledge and confidence to be active and fit while understanding nutrition and how it can help them reach their healthy lifestyle goals!
On your blog you share that you are a new mom. How has your fitness routine changed since becoming a mother? Have you learned any tricks you can share with other new moms who want to be healthy and fit?
Since having my daughter I can now empathize with every mom out there! Although you are sleep deprived and feel completely drained, you need to take time out each day for YOURSELF! This started with how I began my days. I made a commitment that I would move and be active before I had breakfast each day. Set aside that time for yourself to go take a walk or go to the gym for you. I started off walking, then walk/run, then running and gradually it became easier on my and now I fully enjoy it. It takes time!
What are 5 of the best tips you learned while studying to become a nutrition specialist?
1. When grocery shopping READ LABELS! You want the ingredients to be 5 or less and to be able to read and know the words listed!
2. Produce is key. If we have produce in the house I feel the NEED to eat it before it goes bad.
3. Get in your colors. I make it a goal to get in at least 3 colorful fruits/veggies in a day. Green, red, yellow, blue, orange.
4. Always keep healthy snacks with you! Hunger usually strikes when you are on the go and you want to be prepared. Raw almonds, apples, bananas, carrots, pretty much anything to munch on before you have your main meal! Lean protein and fiber will hold you off best.
5. Do not deprive yourself of food. It is all about moderation and I go by the 80/20 rule. Eat healthy 8-% of the time and treat yourself 20%. Have a cookie or ice cream but only have a serving size and MOVE ON!
As a fitness instructor, what advice do you have for someone who wants to start getting into shape?
Start off small. Have an attainable monthly goal and then have a bigger yearly goal. Always try new things like spinning, yoga, pilates, or a bootcamp class, because you might surprise yourself and like it!
What is your favorite way to prepare for a marathon?
Make a plan. I always use a training plan and I am not super strict with it but I run 2-3 times during the week and then make sure to get my long run in on the weekend. Always cross train and don’t just stick to running; for instance I cycle, elliptical, and do yoga. The hal higdon training program is great and it has a plan for all levels. I always have a banana before every run and it is a natural source of energy and potassium. Make sure to drink a lot of water the night before a long run, but typically I don’t change my diet much! I am not into “carb loading” because I naturally include carbs with every meal, but make sure they are whole grains and don’t overload on them! BALANCE is key with nutrition and exercise, so be smart!
For more from Caitlin, visit her blog, http://www.o2befitmom.com/ and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
