1. Do FitCity Indianapolis moms have to live in Indianapolis? FitCity moms need to live in the greater Indianapolis area, which includes larger cities and towns like Avon, Carmel, Fishers, Plainfield and Greenwood.  Our FitCity moms can live in Marion county and the immediate surrounding counties. If you have a question about if your area is included, let us know.
2. How much time is involved in being a FitCity mom blogger? It depends on the mom blogger. The new FitCity mom must write a 300-400 word blog each month, so the amount of time it takes to write a blog will vary from person to person. The FitCity mom is responsible for taking advantage of the healthy prize pack, so additional time to take classes, meet with a personal trainer or nutritionist, etc. would be up to the mom.
3. Can the FitCity mom write more than one blog a month? The new FitCity mom will only be required to write one blog a month; however, if she has more to share she can submit additional blogs.  Our communications coordinator will determine if and when those additional blogs will be posted.
4. How will the winner be determined? Our current FitCity Moms will review all of the entries and identify the top five. Those five finalists will have their blogs posted during the week of February 6th for our blog readers, Facebook fans and Twitter followers will vote for the winner.
5. When is the deadline for submitting an entry? The deadline is Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Check here to see what you need to submit with your entry, and then send everything to comments@fitcityindy.org.

Other questions? Please send an e-mail to comments@fitcityindy.org, and we’ll answer as quickly as possible. Good luck, everyone!

If you’re trying to help yourself and your family lead a healthier lifestyle, and you’re willing to share the ups and downs on our FitCity blog, you may be just the mom we’re looking for to join our FitCity Moms’ team.

The new FitCity Mom will write on our blog during February, March and April, sharing experiences about her efforts to eat healthy and move more. To help make those healthy changes, our newest blogger will receive:

• A three-month membership to the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.
• $100 worth of program credits toward classes and programs at the YMCA.
• A massage from Resolve Massage Therapy.
• A grocery store tour and menu-planning recommendations from Alec Smith, RD, of Feel Good Nutrition.
• Two entries in the May 19, 2012 Geist Half Marathon and 5K .

How to Enter

Moms who reside in the greater Indianapolis area are eligible to enter the contest. To enter, submit:

• A 300-400 word blog explaining why you should be the next FitCity Mom. We want to know your story, your health and fitness goals and how you plan to achieve them.
• Your name, address, e-mail and phone number.
• A picture of yourself.

Send your materials to comments@fitcityindy.org by Tuesday, January 31.

Our current FitCity moms will review the entries to select the top five entries. During the week of Feb. 6, the top five posts will be featured on the blog and we’ll let our blog readers, Facebook fans and Twitter followers cast their vote. The final winner will be announced on February 13, 2012.

Good luck, we’re ready to hear from the moms out there – and we can’t wait to meet our next FitCity Mom!

First, I think of the gift of time.  I know we all wish we had more of it to give to those we love.  In today’s busy, busy world those moments when we are 100 percent attentive are too rare. I am guilty of multi-tasking, checking my e-mail , doing  the laundry, helping kids with homework, writing a blog in my head ….somehow at the same time!

But time is a gift with so many possibilities. You need time to have some good ‘ol fun! This year, I think our family had the most fun back in February snow tubing at Perfect North .  I don’t know how many calories we burned, but somehow we worked up a sweat. And we’ve had our every day fun too, riding bicycles, dancing to the radio, swimming at the pool.

Second, the gift of laughter. You’ve heard the cliché “Laughter is the best medicine.” It really is. The scientific studies prove that laughter relieves stress, but we all know it does from our personal experience. At 11 and 14, my kids still make me laugh at cute things they say or do, but I think they have just as much fun laughing at their parents — in a good way!

Third, the gift of a good example. As I’ve said so many times this year in my blog posts, parents set the example by what we do, not what we say. When we make healthy choices, it helps our kids make healthy choices.  One of the most surprising things about the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon was the number of kids who registered for the kids’ race who had a parent in the marathon. The little ones were so proud of their moms and dads, but they were also anxiously waiting for their own race to start. I am not the perfect role model by any stretch of the imagination, but my kids do see that I try different foods, I eat smaller portions and I like to be out doing things with them.

Those are my three “gifts” I’m giving this year. What are you giving your family this year?

I started to get a little concerned because for the first time ever I am leaving all three of my children and husband for a girls weekend to San Francisco. I made sure to go to the store and get plenty of healthy snacks, and I made enough dinners for for my family so my husband could just grab and go.

What I didn’t think about was how I would do while out of town. I am not sure what is all planned for this weekend other than being in the city and definitely going to Wine Country. But my concern is how will I keep up with my new healthy lifestyle? This is something I am sure we all grapple with when going on vacation.

I did some planning for my long flight. My first thing was to get some healthy snacks so that I would not be tempted to stop and buy something quick and fattening. I packed almonds, dried fruit and oatmeal cookies to carry on with me, so that I can have some protein and good hunger killers.

I also told my friends who I am meeting up with that I still would like to watch what I’m eating and to walk as much as possible. We have made plans to visit organic farms and make dinners at home, with each of us making our own special recipes. We are parking at a neutral place and walking up and down the streets. I’m making sure to stop at a local grocery store to pick up munchies for while we are out so I will not be tempted to stop for a quick treat.

All in all, I think I’m pretty prepared due to good friends and quick thinking.

How do you make sure you stick to your healthy lifestyle while out of town?

My dad always loved to run. So one day when I was 12 years old, I thought I’d give it a try. I laced up my Nikes and started jogging the short loop behind my house. I was all gung-ho, but two minutes into it I was huffing and puffing and questioning my dad’s sanity.

I didn’t run again until my junior year in high school when my friend Becca convinced me to join the cross-country team. This time I questioned my own sanity as my muscles ached, my lungs tightened, and my legs cramped with each step. When I came down with mono in the middle of the season, I was relieved. After all, running was difficult—and exhausting! But a funny thing happened during my convalescence…I missed running. Huh. Who knew?

The moment I was well, I hit the pavement—only this time I felt inspired, energetic, giddy even. I grew to eagerly anticipate and fervently adore my runs, during which I could clear my head of the clutter and gain clarity, joy, and peace with each passing mile.

When I was pregnant with my kids, I continued to run—or “wog” as I called it (a cross between a “waddle” and a “jog”). I wasn’t moving fast but I was moving! When my boys were infants and toddlers, I’d strap my itty bitty training partners into the stroller and off we’d go to explore the world. My youngest son is now 14 months and we have a blast running roads, parks, paths, neighborhoods, and trails like the one around the Hendricks Regional Health YMCA. To mix things up, we even run the perimeter of hospital, stadium, and school parking lots. My older son is now 7 and sometimes we run the neighborhood together to help him condition for soccer and basketball.

Running strengthens my muscles, lowers my cholesterol, and keeps my mind sharp. Most importantly, however, running feeds my soul and nurtures my spirit. Plus, it’s become a great family affair!

So it turns out Dad wasn’t crazy. Or maybe he just passed the “crazy running gene” on to me. If that’s the case, thanks, Dad; I’m eternally grateful.

What activity do you adore doing solo and/or with your family?

By day, I work at an agency where I manage about eight people and I sit. No movement. By night, I have my own nonprofit, which does keep me busy but mostly just going from meeting to meeting. Recent studies have confirmed what we already know – sitting too much is not good for you.

I noticed that I stopped scheduling in workouts and gained and gained. I and a co-worker looked up and wondered where all of the extra beauty came from! I realized it was finally time to make the change I keep talking about.

What has been very helpful is working out with a trainer three times per week. At 7 a.m., I’m with my trainer and I’m sweating and moving. He talks to me about nutrition and pushing myself through the workouts and to keep my eyes on the prize.

The best thing is really the accountability factor. To have someone send me text messages about drinking enough water and making healthy food choices throughout the day has been great! It has kept me on my toes. It has made me want to push myself. I truly want to be healthier and give a good report to my trainer when I see him. I needed the big ole PUSH!

Something I also like about my trainer is that he shows me how to use what I have at home to workout. Using chairs, stairs, and other household items to get me moving or to help with strength training has been interesting to discover. We also review workout DVDs.

I’ve given myself a year to reach all of my health goals, and it’s a great to have a partner there to help me.

Who are you accountable to?

Case in point:

1. A few weeks ago, after I’d dropped one kid off at soccer and another at play practice, I asked Kid #3 what kind of activity he thought he might be interested in. “Do you want to play soccer? Gymnastics? Swimming?” “No. No. Nope” was the response. “Well, what kind of activity do you want to do?” His answer: “Sit on the couch and watch TV.”  His very honest answer reminded me that I need to encourage him to go outside and play and to engage in physical activity, even if it’s not an organized sport.
2. My very theatrical, but not athletically inclined daughter, has mentioned a couple of times recently that she really likes to run. Maybe now would be a good time to sign us up for a 5k and find a training program online to get us prepared for it.
3. One of my kids was practically born wearing a pair of cleats. He’s never met a sport he didn’t like and has asked if he can play lacrosse, rugby and run cross country all next spring. Tonight, he came home from school, sprawled out on the couch and said “I think I want to skip soccer practice tonight. I’m tired.” In the 7 years he’s been playing sports, I can count on one hand the number of times he’s wanted to skip any kind of practice. I could have given him a pep talk and told him how he’d be glad he was there once he got out on the field. But instead, my husband and I decided that he knows his own body and everyone needs a break from time to time.

I don’t think my kids are trying to tell me something all the time. Sometimes they really are just babbling for the sake of hearing their own voices.  And sometimes, I won’t go along with what they are telling me because it’s not in their best interest. But by tuning in, I can listen for clues that can help me help them lead healthy lives.

Before I tell you why I’ve been forced into changing how I eat, let me give you a brief history of my family. There are certain gastro issues and diseases that run in my family: Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and now Dumping Syndrome.  Because of this family history, I am more prone to have some gastro issues as well.

Years ago, I went to the doctor to see why I was having issues with cramping, nausea, sweating and most of all needing to use the restroom within 15 to 20 minutes of eating. Sometimes this wouldn’t occur until a few hours after I ate. My doctor at the time told me to take medication 30 minutes before eating, and I would be fine. He also said that it is caused by rich foods. I didn’t like having to take pills every time I ate and stopped.

Fast forward to this year. I had begun to have all those same problems again and decided to figure out what was really causing it.  After speaking with my doctor and doing a little research, I found out that fatty foods are most likely the reason behind my stomach issues. For a week straight I kept a log of all the food I ate, what time and also my reaction to it (if there was one). Sure enough, any type of fatty or rich food would set off my stomach issues.

With that in mind, I have adjusted my eating accordingly. Good bye to most fast food — which I shouldn’t eat anyway — sweets, and other high fat foods. I’m eating more fruits, veggies, lean meats and whole grains — things that I had tried to focus on in the past but could never stick with. Now that I have a serious reason to, I will definitely practice healthier eating habits. Keeping the food diary also is very helpful to me and my doctor. I want to try to avoid medicines and procedures, so the new eating guidelines are my best bet.

Hopefully, now that I know what is going on and why, I can make the appropriate changes and start to feel much better.

Have you had to make a change because of a medical condition? What kind of changes did you make and how has life changed since making those adjustments?

It’s been the best 2 ½ weeks of being a “YaYa” and watching my daughter learn the basics of motherhood and learn about her new son. It’s been 20 years since a baby was in the house.  When I had my daughter, I decided not to breastfeed.  I’ve regretted that decision tremendously.  A month after having my daughter, I went back to school and work.

The past few weeks have been an adventure.  This biggest issue we’re facing is making sure my daughter eats. We all remember being a new mom and eating sometimes doesn’t make it on the schedule.  I’m the food scheduler. I’m always checking in and making sure she’s eating healthy foods. It’s easy for her to run to a fast food restaurant to get something in her body, but I am not having that.

Getting her to drink a lot of water, fruits and veggies has been the goal. It’s more about having a healthy nutrition plan for HER than just focusing on the baby and his needs alone. My daughter Sydney has always been a very healthy person, but she is very focused on motherhood.  I have to do little reminders to say she’s still important and she needs to EAT. Eating nutrient-rich foods like the ones suggested in this article is good for moms and their babies.

I help by keeping my daughter’s favorites in the house like grapes, bananas and lots of fresh juices.  Because I have a soy allergy, I make sure I cook healthy meals.  This is VERY new for our household because I hate cooking!

I believe being a great support to my daughter will continue to help her be a healthy young woman and now young mom.

That would be my fault. Ice cream is my go-to celebratory treat. And, as made apparent by my daughter, I’ve passed that tradition down to my kids. Not that I expected Annie to get in the car and say, “Hey Mom, school was great! Let’s go run 3 miles to celebrate.” But her request did make me think about what kind of examples I set.

I drink Diet Coke first thing in the morning, so it doesn’t surprise me that I’ve had to scold my kids about drinking the same before they’ve even eaten breakfast. My husband has a habit of grabbing a snack at the gas station near our house. Not so coincidentally, our 8-year-old declares “I’m hungry” almost every time he gets in the car.

Sleeping on the couch with the TV on is a special comfort of mine. I seriously have a crazy-comfortable couch!  But when my 12-year-old starting sacking out there night after night this summer, I had to put the kibosh on that, telling him that he would get better sleep in the more restful space of his bedroom.

It’s not just negative examples that our children mimic. My husband is not a big fruit eater, but if I serve fruit at dinner, he always takes at least a little bit, not  because he likes it, but because he wants to set a good example.  When I make a regular effort to exercise — even if it’s just walking the dog — the kids often ask about joining in.

As a mother, I have a responsibility to prepare my children for their futures.  If I want those to be healthy and long futures, then I have a duty to model healthy practices for them in the present.