I’ve been struggling with my weight for a long time. To be exact, I can remember going to Weight Watchers meetings with my best friend in Grade 7. A recent survey commissioned by Multi-Grain Cheerios examining young women ages 10-17 revealed some compelling stats:

3 in 5 women have been on a diet

52% of girls get their information about dieting and nutrition from family member

1 in 5 girls under 18 is currently dieting

I totally believe in these stats! I was also delighted to learn that Multi-Grain Cheerios is encouraging Canadians to take the first step in being a positive, healthy role model by taking the “Never Say Dieting Oath” at WorldWithoutDieting.ca.

As a mom  to two kids,  I’ve really tried hard to lead a healthy lifestyle and to be a positive role model. I try to serve healthy meals which include veggies, fruits, and protein and really do try to make as much from scratch as possible. Not to mention, I’m always heading to GoodLife Fitness to run on the treadmill.

Full Disclosure:  I was on a no carb diet for a year and a half but did not exercise at ALL during this time. As of October 2013, I got back on the treadmill and started to introduce (some) carbs back into my diet. It feels really good and it was the right thing to do. I really do love going to the gym and having the fuel in my body to run again or take a class.

I’m a huge fun of the word “healthy lifestyle” and thrilled to see that this campaign called “WorldWithoutDieitng.ca” exists. Please Take the NEVER SAY DIETING OATH and together we’ll make the next generation healthy – mind, body, and spirit. 

ps I was compensated for this post however all opinions are my own.

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GoodLife Fitness opened a beautiful 10,000 square foot facility at Toronto Pearson Airport yesterday. This is great news for the 30,000 employees who work at the airport and the 32 million passengers who pass thru the airport as well!!

I love the concept that you can rent workout clothing as well at this location, as well as they have partnered with Reebok.  What a great idea in the event that you forgot to bring your workout  clothes or don’t have room to pack them.

They thought of everything. Even oversized lockers.

You wouldn’t want to miss your flight so these schedule boards were installed inside the gym too. Smart.

An opening party wouldn’t be the same without a VIP guest so Darryl Sittler was present at the opening party. Naturally I made sure I took a photo with this hockey legend.

Congratulations to Goodlife Fitness. I have no doubt that this is going to be one very very busy location.

For more information:

Goodlife Fitness, Terminal 1, Arrival Level, Toronto Pearson Airport, 905 671 3721

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O.K…I’m just going to spit it out.

MomWhoRuns…has NOT BEEN RUNNING. Phewww….I feel better already.  Seriously, I should switch the name of my blog to MomWhoEats.

I ran the Toronto Half Marathon on May 6, 2012 and have not put on my running shoes since that date.

No Zumba..No Body Pump... No GoodLife Membership….No Triathlons.….No treadmill. No NOTHING.  Bye Bye wet suits, bikes, Lululemon, and more!!

Oh how I miss cross training!!

Why did I stop exercising? I figured that it was time for a sabbatical after working out for 7 years. Not to mention that I had gained some serious weight in April/May 2012 and in June 2012. decided to make major changes to my diet (another blog post – I promise).

Here are the pros/cons regarding my decision to stop working out.

PROS:

-I have a LOT more free time

-I lost two sizes and more than 20 pounds

CONS:

-I miss all of it…the races, challenging my body and reaching fitness goals.

Therefore, in late April I had the opportunity to visit the InsideOut  Studio  (210 Laird Dr, Toronto) for a work out. I loved it. I truly did. It felt great to move again and I loved the one-on-one private training session.

Sadly, I have NOT put on my running shoes since that visit.

I thought that on May 6, 2013 I would put on my running shoes and start to run again. Sadly, this has not happen.

Any advice?

PS Many thanks to the InsideOut Studio for reaching out to me! For further information about this boutique studio, please contact them at (416) 849-4765 or visit their website.

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I’ve got a confession to make. My twitter handle is “momwhoruns” – but I haven’t put on my running shoes for MONTHS. I should rename my blog “momwhoeats” coz I certainly haven’t been running. But I would never do that – coz I really really like going to the gym.

Just a few months ago,  I was regularly going to Body Pump classes, Zumba Classes at GoodLife Fitness (sometimes two classes back to back), or running on a treadmill. Now I am doing NOTHING ..absolutely NOTHING.

I LOVED this class...

I have even participated in triathlons over the last five years and this was the first year I didn’t do one (sniff).

Vicky - Smiling - After The Race!

It kinda feels good and it kinda feels bad.

Here’s why it feels good:

-I have more TIME

-Im not as hungry (infact I have not gained weight at all – huge surprise)

Here’s why it feels bad:

-I miss having a goal i.e to accomplish a half marathon, or do a sprint or an olympic distance triathlon

-I miss zumba and body pump. I totally enjoyed those classes.

I’m sure I will return to the gym one day soon!! It’s just a matter of time….right?

p.s I shouldn’t be so hard on myself (but I am) as I did complete the Sporting Life 10K and The Toronto Half Marathon…but they were in MAY!!

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Thought I might jot down some “reflections” regarding 2010. I’m a pretty positive person so naturally I only think of the “GOOD TIMES’.

I even have a napkin that reflects this positive outlook:

Here’s my list of some “good times” that occurred in 2010.

-completed the Niagara Sprint Triathlon and ran the Sporting Life 10K too.

-worked as a food sales rep for DSM Foods and opened up many  new accounts (double digits).

-enjoyed a variety of tweets ups in Toronto and in Ottawa as well.

-travelled to New York to attend the Speciality Fine Food Show in June.

-went skating on the canal in Ottawa for the first time in decades and had a blast.

-discovered new coffee shops and restaurants like a good foodie. (ha)

-2010 could be called “the year of twitter”. I’m addicted. It’s official

-bought an Ipad and a Macbook in 2010 and loving both. (i hope my iphone isnt jealous).

-read some great books (Repairing Rainbows by Lynda Fishman) and saw some great movies too (Black Swan).

-blogged for Urbanmoms for almost a year and then created momwhoruns in October. Blogging, for sure was a huge part of 2010.

-was introduced to Zumba at GoodLife Fitness and now I’m hooked.

-tried hard to eat breakfast. (think egg whites or quinoa flakes)

-enjoyed the summer by travelling to Kingston, Cobourg, Elora, Stratford and Niagara on the Lake. We live in a great province. Really.

-Continued to be surrounded by awesome family and friends!!

Looks like 2010 was a good year. I’m certainly looking forward to 2011.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

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I was introduced to Body Pump at GoodLife Fitness several years ago. I immediately loved it. What’s not to love?

It’s an hour long class that has you lifting weights for each muscle group (tricep, back, bicep, legs, and abs). Of course, its all choreographed to music and of course, it’s fun. (probably because of the great music and the great instructors)

me strong!!

I started off with small weights and then gradually increased the weights. At the begininng, it was rough. (ie those muscles clearly hadn’t been used before). But I kept going back even though I was kinda stiff. The key is to keep stretching in between sets and to really start off with low weights.

For someone who doesnt like to get up before 7:45 a.m…I am now getting up at 6:00a.m. so I can be at the 6:15 a.m. body pump class at my local GoodLife Fitness.Everyone in my house is in shock that I am so committed to pumping weight three times a week.

I can see results (think biceps…think strong legs) and I know I love how pumping iron makes me feel.

It’s a great way to start off the day. Try it…you are going to love it. I promise.

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zumba

I really wanted to blog about body pump, but then I went to a Zumba class at Goodlife Fitness and changed my mind after the Zumba class!!

This weeks post is about Zumba. Next week I will post about Body Pump. Promise.

Here is what I discovered:

ZUMBA ROCKS.

Why?

a) I was impressed that I  was sweating more that I do in a body pump class!!

b) the positive energy in the room was contagious…no joke, 60 people (including a dozen men) were working out and SMILING throughout the hour class

c) it was FUN. Really really fun. Not saying my body pump class isn’t fun, but this is SUPER fun. (do you know what I mean).

Apparentely this instructor has a real following. Not every instructor has 60 participants in their class, but guess who will going back to the Monday nite class at 7:30 p.m?

Oops, forgot to tell you what is Zumba all about? Silly me.

It’s kinda like a dance class but with purpose…ie my heart beat was up and EVERYONE was dripping. (including me). The music was fabulous and the dance moves are easy to learn if you follow the instructor. Some moves/steps are easier than others but I was still smiling!!

Hope you get a chance to check out a Zumba class as well.

(if you click on the word “zumba” – you will get the link to their website).

Happy Zumba!!

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