Fabulous Friday Fitness Challenge...step it up!

Time to S T E P  I T  U P girls!

The other day a random guy at the gym paid me a compliment on my legs. Compliments are far and few between for me, aside from my hubby who believes in flattery, but when I do get one it's always about my legs. Why? I believe it's a combination of good genes and billions and billions of squats and lunges.

So find a step and do one of my favorite leg exercises. This one will get your heart pumping and tone those legs. Face the bottom stair of a flight of stairs, a turned over (sturdy please) box, a curb or for a real challenge a picnic bench. Step up with one foot, follow with the other for a toe tap, then back down you go. Repeat leading with the other foot. That's one. Repeat for 20. Rest. Repeat.

Thank me in the morning for those burning hamstrings, glutes and tight calves.

READY...SET...GO!!! 

comment when you are done.

See the finish line...

Having a specific goal in mind can help boost your dedication to a workout schedule. Visualizing that finish line may even propel you to get up early to walk before work, or to run while the kids ride bikes to the park. Summer is a great time to pick a local event and start training!

Here are a few nearby events to check into:

July 16 – Davis Moo-nlight Races: 5K, 10K, half marathon and 1 mile kids run.

An evening event, with 4 distances to choose from and a 7 p.m. start time.

July 23 – Eppie's Great Race

Combines running, biking and paddling for a twist on the usual triathlon.

Aug 7 – California Kids Triathlon

Get the whole family involved and sign the kids up for a kid-size triathlon! Or join the parent/child division and complete it together.

Sept 3 – Elk Grove 5k Fun Run

Save a few $$$ and participate in the Elk Grove 5K Fun Run series right here in town! Ten dollars gets you registered and entered to win great raffle prizes.

Oct 2 – Urban Cow 5K, half marathon, relay

Get your mooooo-ve on at the Urban Cow with 3 distances options to fit every runner and walker, with a fun new course this year.

Visit http://zinsli.com/events/sacevents.asp for a full listing of local events. Once you’re hooked and become a repeat event participant, you can even plug in your name to see a history of your results for the local events you’ve completed.

Elk Grove is host to many local training groups to help you prepare, including Moms in Motion. So lace up and put on your sunblock: Summer training season is here!

Blog post originally posted on Elk Grove Patch.

Moms in Motion getting Fit to Give

Moms in Motion Getting Fit to Give

Wendy Hoag

Moms looking for a place to focus on fitness, make new friends and give back to their communities are flocking to a new fitness trend called Moms In Motion. Founded by teacher, triathlete and mom Jamie Allison in 1999, the company was designed to bring women together in a constructive, meaningful way. “Women—especially moms—often find themselves overwhelmed with multiple roles, and limited time for themselves,” Allison explains. “As a new mom myself, I wanted a place where I could connect with other women in a positive way and who could understand what it meant to be a mom and still get to practice.” With over 8,000 members, and teams in 26 states and 8 countries, Jamie has tapped into a much needed, unique niche.

With that goal in mind, Moms In Motion was born. Each group trains for a specific event (“We’re all about the carrot,” says Allison) and chooses a charity to support. Leaders take members through a “season”, building towards a culminating event. At the same time the team selects a charity to support, deepening the overall experience.

Moms In Motion draws women of all ages and abilities, women who have recovered from life-threatening illness, women who have never been active before, past athletes, women looking for a new challenge, women who want to address weight issues, and women who just want to make new friends. “For thousands of women, Moms In Motion is the highlight of their week,” says Allison.

Here in Elk Grove,Ca, Moms In Motion has been inspiring moms to get moving for two years. Lead by Wendy Hoag, local director, group fitness instructor, marathon racewalker, triathlete and mom of two, a run/walk team and a strength/core team run year-round. Triathlon coach, personal trainer and mom of two, Rachelle Hightower, leads triathlon teams in the Spring and Summer. “Seeing the community of Elk Grove embrace the fun, fitness and philanthropy of Moms in Motion is very fulfilling.” says Hoag. “Giving back to many local charities in so many ways makes me proud to be part of it all.”

To find out more about Moms In Motion, please visit www.momsinmotion.com

movin mamas

After two exciting info meetings, the summer Moms in Motion teams are gearing up to get movin!

Several moms are signed up to do their first half marathon, or their first 5K! Many are coming back for more and adding one more notch to their belts.

Each season, I love to see returning faces eager to get going again and m
aking new goals for themselves. Its just as exciting to see how each person looks to her fellow mims to help that person reach their goals as well. Such a wonderful group to be part of, and to be supported by.

This season, it's equally inspiring to think of ways to support the philanthropy of the summer, cases for cheer. They are an organization,started by a little girl and her mom, that sews pillow cases for local cancer patients. What a difference a pillow case can make. And all we have to do is help sew, spread the word and invite others to do the same. OOOO and don't miss the beauty for a cause event on August 14th or the sewing event on August 12th. See details and RSVP for both on our MIM meetup group calendar.

What's stopping you mama? There is still space on both the Strength, core and More team (starting up in August) AND the Run/Walk team starting up this Saturday.

Call 916-690-7624 or email me directly for info today, or invite a friend. The more the merrier is our motto!

Moms In Motion Summer Team

We’re a supportive group of women, training together for a culminating event, helping out a local charity and having a great time along the way.

Info Meetings:

Wed July 14th 10:30am Elk Grove Park

Thurs July 15th 7pm Running Zone

Summer Teams:

Strength, Core & More Team

Run/Walk Team

Philanthropy:

Cases For Cheer

RSVP Today:

www.momsinmotion.com 916-690-7624

Fitness Takes NO Holiday #1

Here we go!!! From now till the end of the year, I'll be providing reasons to keep on your fitness routine, stay true to your goals and focus on the result of a healthier, happier you. Suprise..this will help your family to stay healthier and happier too!

Read up at about.com for more info on the subject:

"Exercise and Immunity
Fight Off Colds with Exercise

By Mark Stibich, Ph.D., About.com Guide
exercise has the ability to improve your immune system and help you fight off colds, flu and other infections. It can even help you recover faster from a minor infection. So don’t stop exercising just because you are a little bit under the weather.

Why Does Exercise Improve Immunity? No one really knows for sure, but there are a few theories:When you exercise, your body increases the speed at which it removes waste products."

Read the rest online: http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongfitness/a/exercise_immune.htm?p=1