Crossfit helps make her one fit mommy!

It’s time for another edition of “One Fit Mommy”!
Today’s mommy is Pamela, who blogs over at A Renaissance Woman.   I first met Pamela online many years ago when she sold adorable tagless baby clothing (that my youngest now wears!) and I hope someday to get the chance to meet her in person and give her a big old hug!  :)
Pamela is a super busy mom who is now crushing it in Crossfit.  Please read on for more about why she is definitely “One Fit Mommy!”

Have you always been fit?
To me “fit” is athletic. People could look at old photos of me and see that there was not a weight problem but I wouldn’t have classified myself as “fit.” Yes I could rock the skinny jeans but there wasn’t any muscle tone to speak of. My eating habits were horrible. My soda intake was horrific and smoking was a part of my life for years. No, I have not always been fit.
What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
Many things inspired me, my environment changed, I had more children, my education increased and honestly I began gravitating toward healthier people. After my husband and I made the decision to stop having children it was time to focus on my body and becoming healthier. I came pretty late to the game on my fitness journey but it’s been about 4 years now and I feel so much healthier and fit.
What advice do you have for moms who claim they don’t have time for exercise?
At some point you will have to make that time. You have a choice between now or later when a doctor is saying you have to. Find that movement you love! When a movement gets tough that’s the easiest time to quit. Let’s be honest, we don’t normally want to push through our weaknesses. We want to focus on what we are good at so we feel good. If you can find the movements that you like, you will make the time to do what you enjoy. You will begin putting yourself on your to do list. If you like swimming find that pool, if you like dancing get a playlist together and get moving. Maybe exercise sounds like a bad word. Try exploring more options like yoga, zumba, the couch to running program, or kick boxing. Mix it up and try different things before you decide you just don’t have the time.
How have your workouts changed since having kids?
I don’t workout at home. It’s nearly impossible to do it when they are around. They climb on me, over me, under me and join in but I’m not fully focused which makes it harder on me. I am a member of the YMCA and my kids like to go to child watch while I attend a class. When I work out at a CrossFit gym there is usually a room that they hang out in and they can see me through the window. However, I don’t use that option as much because they still need supervision. I have three so it takes several eyes to watch them. It would be great to take them to the track to run with me or walk but they don’t really like anything over two miles. It’s harder to push myself with little whiny voices begging to go to the park!
Are you more of a cardio mommy or strength training mommy?
Oh wow this is a tough choice! I love cardio because it gets my heart pumping. I’m not a great runner but I like to put the ear buds in and just get lost in the music and be alone with my thoughts. It clears my head and I really enjoy that part. Strength training is my true love. This is why CrossFit has been so appealing to me because of how much strength you can gain without that bulky look. I would pick strength training over cardio just because of how powerful I feel afterward. It’s a great stress reliever too!
What is your least favorite exercise?
My least favorite exercise would be box jumps! One time during a work out I was fatigued and slipped on a 20″ box and went rolling on the floor. It’s been a challenge ever since. Most of this is mental and I’m sure once I conquer it I will grow to like it again. For now it’s on my least favorite list.
Do you have any mental tricks that you use when you just don’t feel like working out?
This is a great question! Yes I do have a trick or two. The one that works the most is inviting a friend to come and work out. It gets me out the door every time because then I feel obligated to meet them. Who cares! We both get a good work out so it’s always worth it. The other trick is rewarding myself if I do work out. One of the balancing acts as a blogger or just working online is you have to sit or stand at your desk a lot. What I like to do is force myself to get a work out in before I begin writing because it takes up so much of my time. If I didn’t make deals with myself then I would be one of those people saying that I don’t have time to work out.
Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?
The last two years I have gone to Fitcation hosted by the online support group Mamavation. This is a healthy vacation for moms and I get to go alone for a few days. It’s the best place to go and mingle with moms, get a break and just rejuvenate. The location isn’t so important to me as just having some breathing room for a few days. It’s only one time a year and it is literally the only break I get from all three of my kids so I take it!