Margi Faze sounds like she could be one of my girlfriends.  Her story is oh-so-similar.  Overweight, exhausted mom who one day looks in the mirror and hardly recognizes the reflection staring back at her.

Been there?  I thought so.  But that is where her story’s similarity ends.

Margi made a decision to change her life and her circumstances.  She enrolled herself in the Body-For-Life Challenge.  (Unfamiliar? Body-For-Life was introduced in 1997 by EAS.  It essentially challenges people to a 12-week lifestyle overhaul then compares results with other “competitors” for a grand prize.)

In just 12 weeks, she  dropped an amazing 28 lbs and 13% body fat to reign supreme as the 2007 Body-for-LIFE Grand Master Champion.  Can you even imagine? Margi successfully morphed from overweight and frazzled mother to that of spokes model, author, motivational speaker and fitness competitor.  She has had the opportunity to meet and inspire hundreds of people on their own fitness journey.

I interviewed Margi recently about her accomplishments:

Q. Okay, as a mother of two children myself, I am dying to know how you did it! What is your typical workout day like?

On a typical day at the gym I will do circuit training for 30 minutes and do 30 minutes of cardio whether that is running several miles on the track or getting on the stairmaster, arc trainer and treadmill for ten minutes each. Then I take approximately 15 minutes to stretch and relax.

Q. Well, that doesn’t sound too hard.  So I assume then that you don’t EAT, then?

Actually, I eat five to six small meals a day.

Q. Well there goes THAT argument. Best advice you can give to those of us struggling with our weight?

I would say to remain positive regardless of what the scale tells you. You didn’t gain weight overnight! Getting fit takes time. Keep your self-talk positive, stay the course and you will succeed.

Hey, I did it and so can you!  What it takes is determination and perseverance. Make your health a priority in your life. Between diaper changes, homework, extra-curricular activities, dinners, housekeeping and more, we never find the time for ourselves. You have to make that time and stop making excuses.

Start slow and give yourself time. If you rush into harder workouts you can burn out easy and even hurt yourself. We’ve all heard the saying “slow and steady wins the race.”  Be sure to set yourself some goals, too. If you can’t make it to the gym for whatever reason, go for a brisk walk. Do jump squats and run in place at home. Make a commitment to get at least 15 to 30 minutes of cardio a day and do it. The energy that comes with exercise will help you get everything else in your list done quicker and better.

Feeling inspired yet?  I know that I certainly am! So with a little help from Margi and her new “Transformation Journal” I plan to make some changes.  I’m going to use her journal to map out my own healthy lifestyle.  I invite you to follow along with me and change your own reflection in the mirror! More information on Margi or her new project can be found here.

DON’T FORGET: I’m hosting a $250 cash sponsorship to Blogher2010 from SEED!  Find out more here!

This Fitness Friday I have asked my friend Lori Rypka to do a guest post.  Lori has lost an amazing amount of weight (70 pounds and counting…)on her fitness journey and inspires me every day to make the right choices.  She is living proof that determination will get you the results you want every time!

Dieting sucks, so why do it?

Now that you’ve gasped and spit out your morning danish, hear me out.
It’s true, dieting sucks. Coming from a serial dieter, I can’t say I have looked back on a single program and thought, “Wow, this is the
life. I’ve got it made on this program. Next stop: The cover of Oxygen magazine.”

Deprivation, starvation, contemplation of confection. Shun them all. I have seen the light and am giving you a glimpse of my world.

The Girl Scout Cookie Diet.

OK, I’m obviously kidding. So let’s drill down to what we hear the most. Forget Aktins. Forget South Beath. Forget The Cookie Diet. Doctors have
been saying it for time and eternity. Eat a well balanced diet with fruits, veggies, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats. I mean,
they built a whole Food Pyramid on these principles.

Yeah, yeah, heard that before. Guess what … it actually works. Whoa!

Call the media! This is HUGE news!

A friend told me about the Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Rosa. I thought about it, researched it, bought the book … and a light went on in an already
lit room. She’s got some great information there, the actual food she recommends is on the Food Pyramid. No food groups are eliminated.
Certain food groups are limited. She recommends food as close to how God made them as possible, and in the healthiest varieties (read: no white
flour/sugar/rice). I’ve heard it all before, but this time it clicked. I was also weighed down with the whole “Do I really want to set my kids up
for health issues in the future?” guilt.

Was it easy? Yes and no. Yes, because I made up my mind that this is a lifestyle change and not a diet, and that it ultimately is the best
thing I could do for my family. No, because I have too cook and shop a lot more (sort of wish I could find all the ingredients in one store).

I’m about three weeks into it, and I do feel better, have dropped some weight and feel good for what I’m doing for my kids. It’s also been fun
to be approached for advice from friends who have also been thinking about this. It’s worth the extra mileage hunting down ingredients as
well as the extra time in the kitchen. After all, a diet is temporary. A lifestyle is for life.

Lastly, it was also about deciding that I’m worth it. And I am.

Today I reconnected with a friend that I hadn’t spoken with in awhile.  It was so nice to laugh with her and reminisce and talk.  Truly, she is an amazing lady.

Talking with my pal made me realize that I was desperately missing something in my life. Something essential. Something that has left a void in me.

I desperately miss my running.

You see, this pal was with me when I ran my first marathon.  We trained for months together and became very, very close friends.

Our conversation made me realize what I was missing at this point in my life.  I am missing the breeze in my hair. The steady sound of feet on the pavement. I am missing the daydreams.  The goal setting. I even miss the speed work. (Which is weird because nobody misses speed work.)

When I run I feel like a warrior.  I feel strong.  Running makes me feel like I am more than just a mother. More than just a suburban housewife. More than just a business woman.  When I run I feel like, well, like nothing short of  a badass.

It is a passion that most can’t understand or relate to.  I know.  But it makes me feel ALIVE. And I had forgotten that passion.  At least, I thought I did.

Chatting on the phone today with my pal brought it all back to me and put a fire in my belly.  So I laced up my shoes, threw in my headphones and rocked out on the treadmill.  The experience was exhilarating and totally reminded me of a quote I once saw:

“The longer I run, the smaller my problems become…”

Everyone has passions.  Though not the same in size or scope, our passions are what make us come alive.  They are gifts given to us that make us unique and special.  Have you reconnected with your passions lately?

I am incredibly frustrated today.

Today was not a good food day. I pretty much ate anything that was not nailed down.

GAH!!!  I really, really hate dieting.

I know, I know… dieting doesn’t WORK. I need to make a “lifestyle change.”

Whatever.

I know all of this. Truthfully, I know everything I need to know about it. I’ve worked in the fitness industry. I’ve studied books. Heck, I’ve even run two marathons.

It is all about food and control.  I envy women who have this control. I don’t have it.  I am at war with food.

So I am having a down day, you know?  On the up side, I am not going to let it beat me.  I’m going to forgive myself and start again in the morning.  Try to make up for the Mexican mess I ate for lunch and dinner. (Cheese, chips, tacos, cheese, salsa… Did I mention the cheese?)

So, in case you are in same boat as I with regards to food, I am listing a couple of links that might be helpful in YOUR battle of the bulge.

Jump Start Your Diet

Clean Eating <—awesome resource.

Bookie Boo.  Weird name. Excellent fitness community. They will keep you motivated!

POST #8 IN THE FITNESS FRIDAY SERIES

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s time to get back on track. If you went a little (or a lot) overboard with your eating yesterday own it and move forward. There’s no sense in beating yourself up over it—what’s done is done.

Make better choices starting right now. Don’t wait until Monday or even New Years. Set one small attainable objective for today and reach it. Do it again tomorrow, and again the following day and each successive day thereafter.These daily achievements will help reinforce your commitment to reaching your fitness goals.

Remember, don’t give up on yourself—NO EXCUSES!

My goal for today is to drink at least 80 ounces of pure water. What’s yours?

ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Swartz-Hartje is an NASM certified personal trainer and is currently completing her degree in community health promotion. She enjoys running, bodybuilding and torturing her clients (and friends) into submission. She is definitely a bad-ass. Don’t let her nice profile picture fool you. Her mantra? “Discipline is the Bridge Between Goals and Accomplishments.” Oh yeah, she also used to be in the Navy. Don’t. Mess. With. Her.

POST #7 IN THE FITNESS FRIDAY SERIES

Don’t panic!  Just because Thanksgiving is around the corner, doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to gaining weight!  I’ve asked Rachel to put together some words of wisdom to address the holiday weight gain debacle.

Worried?  Stressed about an over abundance of food on Thanksgiving?  Here are a few tips for managing that Thanksgiving buffet:

• Eat as you normally would prior to dinner. Don’t “save up” your calories as this could backfire leading to overeating.

• Focus on lean protein and veggies. The protein and fiber will keep you feeling fuller, longer.Fill your plate with 2/3 veggies and 1/3 protein.

• Control your portion sizes. Skip that second helping.

• Eat slowly. Put your fork down between bites and really enjoy your food.

• Go easy on the alcohol. One drink for women, two drinks for men.

• Ditto for desserts. Pumpkin pie is lower in sugar, fat, and calories than pecan pie. Plus, you’ll get an extra dose of fiber and vitamin A. Limit yourself to one slice and, if you must, top sparingly with light whipped cream.

• Get moving. Sign up for a 5k Turkey Trot or take a walk with your family in the morning.Take another walk about an hour after eating.

• Be realistic. For those of us trying to lose weight, shifting the focus to weight maintenance may be more reasonable. As if it isn’t tough enough to lose weight any other time of year, the holidays can be particularly challenging.

First and foremost, remember what Thanksgiving is all about: family and friends. Don’t let food be your focus– choose wisely and you won’t feel deprived.

ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Swartz-Hartje is an NASM certified personal trainer and is currently completing her degree in community health promotion. She enjoys running, bodybuilding and torturing her clients (and friends) into submission. She is definitely a bad-ass. Don’t let her nice profile picture fool you. Her mantra? “Discipline is the Bridge Between Goals and Accomplishments.” Oh yeah, she also used to be in the Navy. Don’t. Mess. With. Her.

POST #6 IN THE FITNESS FRIDAY SERIES

Another fabulous recipe for Fitness Friday.  This is yummy clean eating, folks!

“CHERRY BOMBS”

1lb Lean Ground Sirloin
12 Cherry Tomatoes
2 Egg whites
3/4 Cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 sup skim milk
1 1/4 cups chopped onion
Salt and pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tbsp parsley

In a bowl, combine all ingredients, except meat and tomatoes.  Add mixture to ground sirloin and minx well.  Shape 1/4 cup of the mixture evenly around each tomato so that the tomato is hidden inside the meatball.  Spray a baking dish with Pam.  Place meatballs in baking dish and bake at 375 deg F. for 25 to 30 minutes.

Calories:104
Fat:9g
Carbs:4g
Protein:10g

Serve with Brown Rice

ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Swartz-Hartje is an NASM certified personal trainer and is currently completing her degree in community health promotion. She enjoRachel ys running, bodybuilding and torturing her clients (and friends) into submission. She is definitely a bad-ass. Don’t let her nice profile picture fool you. Her mantra? “Discipline is the Bridge Between Goals and Accomplishments.” Oh yeah, she also used to be in the Navy. Don’t. Mess. With. Her.