It was like someone had punched me in the gut. I read it again: (me) "I work just as hard as you."...........(her) "Not really. Not even close." I was in the middle of working on a project and I was trying to explain why I couldn't, at that moment, drop what I was doing and do what she wanted me to do. As I tried to explain what was on my plate she responded with "ha ha ha, whatever." And then, after I lost my cool and told her why I was stressed she patronized me saying, "mo

Breastfeeding can be hard. Aside from the obvious beginning challenges (sore nipples and incessant feeding), nursing can impose physical, physiological and mental demands on a mama that can be draining. Ethan cluster fed ALL. DAY. LONG for weeks and I remember sitting in the glider, thinking I was NEVER going to leave. My back was achy, my shoulders were tired and emotionally, I felt stuck. I wanted to get up off my bum and move! But, I didn't have the energy to anything exce

In another lifetime, before my fitness career, I studied and worked in the textiles and apparel industry. It sounds pretty fancy and zsa zsa and usually, when people hear about my past line of work they most often ask, “Were you a designer?” No. No I was not. I did a much cooler job! Actually, I worked in several different factions of the industry with a majority of my time focused on apparel production- costing garments (the reason I don’t buy expensive clothing) and trim (t

This week, I'd like to introduce Maria. Maria and I met almost 10 years ago working at the American Cancer Society. We quickly bonded over our potty mouths and thinking that the other was five years younger than we actually were. We used to talk about how neither of us would ever have kids and how we didn't understand the "weird" maternal drive we didn't seem to have. Then, about six years ago Maria called and told me she was pregnant. I think she was a bit nervous because ou

As a soccer player I never worried much about having a booty. Actually, I used to hate it- buying shorts and jeans in high school was a joke and don't even get me started about how I used to feel during bathing suit season. Thank goodness for separates. Then, Sir Mix-a-lot released a catchy little tune and my biggest (literally) physical attribute became my best physical asset. Sir Mix-A-Lot and J. Lo put booty on the map. And while it was very inappropriate that I was once s

Next year will mark my 10th anniversary of becoming a yoga teacher. While yoga isn't my only form of exercise, it has been a tool I have employed for over 15 years to compliment running and weight lifting, to help me control anxiety and stress, to relieve symptoms of PMS and exhaustion and, to generally feel good about life. Yoga is my go-to travel exercise, was with me throughout pregnancy, and helps me contribute financially to my family. Yoga is a friend- trusty, reliable

We've all been there- told ourselves as soon as the kids go down for their nap, I will work out. And then, the couch beckons your name, you are too full from a meal, you look around the house and decide the five laundry baskets full of laundry are more important. And those things are important. But, so are you and so is making time for yourself. So how do you motivate yourself to make exercise a priority? Think of motivation like a muscle- you have to use it to make it strong

If I had a penny for every time I said it... I wouldn't exactly be rich, but I would have several hundred pennies. I started noticing how often this phrase escaped my lips on Saint Patrick's Day. You see, traditionally St. Patty's is a super fun day for us- I make corned beef and cabbage, we drink some Guinness (my favorite beer), and we relax. But this year was different. I was now working Tuesday evenings and Ethan was in the picture. I had planned to slow cook the meal for