Monthly Archives: December 2011

Today we’re making a trip over to Workout Mommy where Lisa writes about health and fitness. In her life before kids, Lisa was a personal trainer and gym rat. These days she is racing between changing diapers and preschool activities with her 4 little boys. She loves all things fitness, especially running and kettlebells. Her blog is a way of holding herself accountable for staying fit as well as keeping her (somewhat) sane. Lisa’s motto is: never underestimate the power of a workout! Be sure to stop in a say “hi” to Lisa today. While you’re there, check out Kara’s guest post about fit friendships.

Jen Singer might very well have the mother of all mom blogs: Momma Said has been around for 9+ years. If you, too, are a blogger, then read this touching post meant for those of us who write and share it for the world on a blog. It’s just like getting a hug from your mother. Jen is the author of five books, including the Stop Guessing Yourself Guides to Parenting (Baby’s First Year, The Toddler Years, and The Preschool Years); You’re a Good Mom (And Your Kids Arent’ So Bad Either); and 14 Hours ‘Til Bedtime: A Stay at Home Mom’s Life in 27 Funny Little Stories. And this is important to mark on your calendar: for 10 years Momma Said has sponsored “Take My Children to Work Day,” for full- and part-time stay-at-home mothers.

Jen’s books all help steer Mom out of that dreadful place of thinking she’s not good enough. In Hot (Sweaty) Mamas we devoted a small section of our book to Mother Guilt (because it’s there even when we’re trying to do something “good” for ourselves) but we’ve discovered when writing or speaking, this particular topic seems to resonate and be popular among the mamas. So if you need more reassurance, check out Jen’s books and site. She’s there for you!

Today we’re back in our home state of Minnesota with Tracy of Sellabit Mum. Tracy juggles a busy life caring for her husband, three daughters, and two cats. She’s a 40-something mom who left a high paying corporate job—just walked out one day, threw her badge on the floor and never looked back. She started blogging in 2008 after she realized her kids never laughed at her jokes and she needed a new audience. She says even though her kids oftentimes drive her crazy in the head, she still knows she is exactly where she is supposed to be. For now. Tracy blogs about family, motherhood, and womanhood. She talks fashion, home, and cooking a bit, too. Stop by and say hello!

Today we’re heading back to the Windy City to check in with Michel of Baby Weight My Fat Ass. Catchy name, huh? We’re into that kind of thing, so of course we asked about it. To that Michel says, “Well, my baby is over 3 years old now and the left over weight from my pregnancy can no longer be called Baby Weight.” Michel is all about honesty—from her struggles with losing weight and running injuries to life in general. Check out her Q & A with us and look for another opportunity to win your very own copy of Hot (Sweaty) Mamas!

We’ve arrived in Michigan to meet up with Aly of Seventeen Sirens. A young mom whose husband currently lives overseas, Aly is wise beyond her years. Her blog is family friendly, sharing product reviews, giveaways, and insight for new moms. From parenting tips and baby updates to product reviews and fitness goals, there is something that every mom can relate to. Check out 17sirens.com for a huge giveaway event until December 25, where they are giving away an Angelcare Baby Monitor (retail value $300). For a more personalized read, check out Aly’s current weight loss journey, which includes the diet plan and exercise program she’s using. Be sure to check out Laurie’s guest post on Mother Guilt today, too, because (yes!) you deserve to be fit!

Today’s host is author Cami Checketts, a wife, mom and pro bono fitness trainer who will undoubtedly encourage us to get in our daily dose of fitness before kicking back with one of her books. Cami found her passion for writing after the birth of her second son and has since authored three novels: The Sister Pact, The Fourth of July, and The Broken Path. She shares health and fitness advice on her blog Fitness for Moms and talks books, reading and writing at Cami Checketts Books. Today we have a guest post on Cami’s fitness site; we’ll visit Cami at her book site and do an interview of her here on December 20th, so be sure to check back then!

After two days off, we’re back on the road to visit Lori Lanham of Get-Fit-Naturally. Get-Fit-Naturally is a blog designed to help people achieve a healthy balanced lifestyle through nutrition and physical fitness. The blog isn’t about losing weight to look great; it’s about losing weight to reduce your risk of health problems and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and even cancers. It’s about having energy to play with your children and to participate in activities that you love (and who doesn’t want that!). Lori wants to help you to be healthier by covering information on the foods you need to be eating to achieve and maintain good health, as well as info on how to incorporate physical fitness into your daily life. Lori is currently studying to obtain her BS in Nutrition, and enjoys helping others obtain their fitness goals. Check out today’s post, which includes a chance to win a copy of Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom plus a hot and sweaty guest post, “Five Ways to Get Fit as a Family.”

Today we’re over here with the PREGNANT lady at Love & Diapers, a Parents.com blog by Berit Thorkelson. I (Kara) got to know Berit somewhat intimately almost two years ago when we were both in New York City for a conference. The first thing I noticed about Berit were her killer shoes. Actually it was the only thing I noticed because that was all I could see of her as she pumped in the bathroom stall next to me. We chatted later and I learned that her son, her firstborn, was just a few months old. My son, my lastborn, was weaning (in fact that trip away from him officially ended that chapter). I couldn’t bear that she was pumping in the bathroom and gave her my hotel room key (after properly complimenting her on her killer shoes, of course). When I returned to my room later than night Berit had left me a thank you note on my bathroom mirror with her red lip stick. She was my kind of gal. Now don’t you just want to hang out with her, too? Along with being a writer, mother and wife, Berit adores martinis, thrift stores, and most of all, her now toddler—so much so that baby #2 is due in January. Check in with her every Tuesday for her weekly Tummywatch Tuesday posts to see Berit in bloom. Berit writes candidly about all of life’s moments–funny to heartbreaking and everything in between–from her home in the urban Midwest. Come with us to Love & Diapers today. We’ll be rubbing Berit’s tummy and ogling her shoes.

We’re headed south on I-35, where Austin, Texas, is a straight shot from Minneapolis. A long drive, but relatively easy. Our final destination is into the waiting arms of Carla, otherwise known as Mizfit and the blog of the same name, where fitness isn’t about fitting in. Carla, “unapologetically herself,” is extraordinarily good at creating communities, motivating, supporting, inspiring. She has an enormous following (you probably already know her and love her) and is everywhere! You might already be familiar with her My Trainer Fitness Workouts and if you’ve ever heard the term “Playout” that was all Carla. Carla has such a clever, unique style. Her wit and musings (often including her daughter) make her voice stand out among the many fitness blogs. I’m leaving so much out that’s worth saying, so I hope you’ll read more about who Carla is here. Can you tell we’re thrilled and honored to be there today? We’re talking about making fitness a habit, come join us!