Fitness: Time to Trot off that Turkey

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by Kelsey Fields

The Holidays are upon us! In order to prepare for the mounds of mashed potatoes and over abundance of sweets I stick to a very strict regimen. First, I pull out all of my maternity pants from the bins in basement storage, and second, well, that’s it. Just the maternity pants.

It’s hard to find time to offset all of those wonderful, creamy, pumpkin-y calories. In between Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, football, and the rounds of food and cooking, you’ve got Grandma Sweetie asking you way too many personal questions–No, Grandma Sweetie, I am not pregnant with Fields boy number three, I just really enjoyed your cooking today.

As much as I love all of the family time and Grandma Sweetie, I tend to get a tad overwhelmed in these circumstances. When I get peopled out,  my usual solution is to pound the pavement or throw in an Insanity DVD. However, during the holidays, I always feel guilty for pulling myself away from family time when we only get to be together a few times a year.

This year, I think I have solved my dilemma. I am going to keep my sanity by working out, and I am going to make my whole family join me. Get out your turkey costume Sweetie, because Thanksgiving morning we are going on a Turkey Trot!

A turkey trot is race that occurs on Thanksgiving morning. It’s usually a 5k distance (3.1 miles), but it can be any length. Many people run it for fun in costumes, but they can be competitive as well. Traditionally, turkey trots are held because Americans anticipate indulgent Thanksgiving feasts and run to burn off calories before the big meal.

Looking for a new tradition and this sounds right up your alley? Here’s a list of Turkey Trots happening near SWMO on Thanksgiving morning.

Imma get real with you for a sec. Running a 5K burns around 300 calories. The average American eats 3000 calories on Thanksgiving day. Turkey Trot or not, you’re gonna need those maternity pants. No shame.

SWMO Moms fitness category, which is full of healthy tips for all women,  is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series. 

Their mission is to celebrate health and wellness, outdoor adventures and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks. Programs are designed to include activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, fitness levels and areas of interest. CLICK HERE for more information or give them a call at 417.873.5214.

Kelsey is an elementary teacher (just finished her first year!), a Beachbody certified Insanity instructor, avid runner and yoga enthusiast. 

When she is not working out, you will find her cheering on the Denver Broncos, substitute teaching and spending time with her family. She is wife to Blake and mom to busy 2 year-old son Max and 1 year-old, Mick.

Fitness: Accept the Challenge

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by Kelsey Fields

I am officially five days away from the most challenging race of my life. I don’t know if I had too much NyQuil, was in a Taco Bell coma, or if I just officially hit my quarter life crisis when I signed up. My fingers registered me before my brain could tell me to back away from the computer. Races should have a 24 hour think period. You sign up, and then 24 hours later you have a chance to come to your senses because you’ve realized that just because you want to run 25 miles doesn’t mean you should or that you can. Maybe I’ll work on that along with my beach jeans.

This is the overview the website gives of the race:

“The Out & Back Challenge is a Run-Relax-Run Relay format for runners who want to get in some serious miles without running during the night.

Your team will run approximately 125 miles (depending on final course measurement). Each runner will run 4 legs (based on a 6-person team). You will be challenged and actually run more miles than the 200-mile standard teams, but get a good night’s rest.

Think of us as a high-speed walkabout through the best that the Natural State has to offer. From panoramic mountain vistas and rolling valleys, to winding rivers, lush National Forests and 5 scenic State Parks, Outback in the Ozarks will take you to a breathtakingly beautiful “Land Down Under.”

This is what it actually means:

The Out and Back Challenge is a ‘run the hardest 7 miles of your life with 1000 feet of elevation gain-have enough time to rest that your legs cramp up and die-then run 8 more miles just for fun, but don’t worry, you get to stay in a hotel and wake up and do it all over again the next day’ format.

I’m not bitter. Really, I’m not. But I am nervous! And that is the whole reason I signed up for this race. I really didn’t know if it was something I could do, so I am testing my limits. What I do know is that when I finish I will have accomplished something that took a lot of hard work, dedication, and grit.

My best friend Kayla and I have been training for this race together. Our training has consisted of early morning hills, speed training, strength training, and endurance runs. We found out that if you wake up early enough, you can start running before your brain registers it as a bad idea. Besides my butt looking better in my skinny jeans thanks to those terrible, terrible, hills, my easy run pace has gone down by a solid 30 seconds per mile, I have loads more energy, and I am sleeping like a baby.

Does your daily running consist of sprinting to your child once you’ve noticed they have a deathgrip on an uncapped sharpie and are headed towards the walls? That’s okay!  You don’t have to join in on my kind of crazy, but you really should find a way to challenge yourself. Here are some ways to challenge yourself, starting from the bottom up!

  • Beginner: “I run to Target to buy dry shampoo and coffee.”

Run everyday for a month. I do this every summer for the Runner’s World Run Streak and it is one of my favorite running commitments. I run a mile each day, but if you are a beginner smart small. Try running three minutes each day, and build up to twelve over the course of the month.

  • Intermediate: “I run when I can find an opportunity to escape from my children’s sticky grasp AKA a weekend or evening jog here and there.”

Enjoy running every once and a while but too scared to commit to a race? Just do it! Sign up for a 5k. Start training with the Couch to 5k app and take it slow. Build up your mileage a little at a time until you feel confident enough for the big day. I swear to you that once you feel the adrenaline and atmosphere of your first 5k you will be addicted.

  • Advanced: “Mommy runs when she needs to clear her head…otherwise known as 3-4 times a week.”

Run a 5k every month for a year. This is something I have always wanted to to do, but you know, having babies. I may have to make it my New Year’s Resolution for 2019. Sign up for your races far in advance so you can’t back out and so your registration fees are lower (the closer to you get to an event, the higher the registration fees). Pick races that have gorgeous views, awesome swag, or dope medals. (Can I say dope? Am I too old for that?)

Our sponsors at Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series offer an amazing variety of races, from a beautiful trail race through Dogwood Canyon to a half-marathon through the sites of Springfield. I dare you to check out the races on their website, and sign up for one today!

SWMO Moms fitness category, which is full of healthy tips for all women,  is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series. 

Their mission is to celebrate health and wellness, outdoor adventures and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks. Programs are designed to include activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, fitness levels and areas of interest. CLICK HERE for more information or give them a call at 417.873.5214.

Kelsey is an elementary teacher (just finished her first year!), a Beachbody certified Insanity instructor, avid runner and yoga enthusiast. 

When she is not working out, you will find her cheering on the Denver Broncos, substitute teaching and spending time with her family. She is wife to Blake and mom to busy 2 year-old son Max and 1 year-old, Mick.

Fitness: Getting Jacked with Jack-O-Lanterns

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By Kelsey Fields

One of my good friends just got done reading the book, Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, and was raving about how good it was. I’m always looking for new books to read, so I decided to dive right in. Basically the whole book talks about how she has failed time and time again but still manages to maintain happiness and balance in her life because she chooses to try again each and every day.

How refreshing! A woman who is not afraid to air her dirty laundry just so other women can understand that we’re all falling short. Those women who appear to have perfect lives on social media? They probably pee their pants doing jumping jacks and tuck jumps in the middle of teaching aerobics classes at the Y. Those women who write fitness articles for SWMO Mom’s every month about the importance of a healthy balanced diet? They probably, maybe, ate a Quarter Pounder with cheese for dinner last night. Those women who don’t ever use YouTube Kids as a babysitter? I caught a glimpse of one handing over the iPad in the middle of a flag football game so she could cheer for one kid and keep an eye on the other. Don’t ask me how I know this. I just do.

Anyway, I figured some of you mamas out there might actually think that I have it all together (or maybe I’m just hoping that someone out there thinks that…) because I write fitness articles. And before I let you get carried away with that idea, I wanted to stop you in your tracks and say I too, am failing at life most days. Take a look at just this past week.

Fail #1-I Licked the Spoon

I am right at the end of another round of Whole30 which basically means I can’t eat anything. Taco Bell included. Last week I was making my kids dinner and I licked a spoon. It was muscle memory. I was so used to eating off their plates that the spoon found my mouth without my brain even registering it. Anyway, the spoon had ketchup on it, ketchup has added sugar and added sugar is a NO-NO. Whole30 followers are obsessive. According to them, my Whole30 should have restarted (I was already on day 15) the moment that sugary goodness hit my taste buds. I could’ve let that hiccup derail me. One bite of ketchup and then the next thing you know, you wake up covered in chocolate syrup and regret. Instead, I knew that I slipped up unintentionally, and decided to keep going on my journey. Just don’t tell the Whole30 dictator’s in my Facebook support group. They’re mean.

Fail #2-Balance

Fall is a CRAZY time of year for us. I leave for work before my kids roll out of bed, and from the moment I pick them up from daycare we have things to do. Last week I had Parent/Teacher conferences, staff meetings, flag football practices, Wednesday night church, training runs, church meetings and classes at the Y. If I even got to see my kids, it was only for around an hour and most nights after kissing my husband hello, I immediately kissed him goodnight. My kids and husband are my safe place (Usually. Not so safe after a weekend in a car together, but you get the point). They recharge my batteries and fill my cup. Last week my cup was empty. My cup was past empty. All I can tell you is I was failing at being a good wife, mother, and teacher. I’ve said yes to just about everything lately and I think it’s time to decide where my priorities lie. I’m choosing to try again at this balance thing and every morning when I wake up I pray for God to show me His will.

Fail #3-Pumpkin Spice Latte

I’ve already pulled out my booties, flannel, and oversized cardigans. Only one thing is missing. A Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s missing because I’m Whole30ing until October 4th, not that I am counting or anything. Once my clock hits 12:01 A.M. on Wednesday, October 4th, rest assured I am gonna do everything in my power to get my hands on a PSL. So I‘m thinking of this as a future fail. It’s as inevitable as Max saying the word ‘poop’ at least 6 times a day. I’m going to be swimming in a 380 calorie, 13 g of fat, 16-oz. grande, made with 2 percent milk and topped with whipped cream. Since I already know this future fail is coming, I present you with my plan to combat those creamy calories…Getting Jacked With Jack-o-Lanterns (you can thank my hubby for the sweet name). Just do this workout every time you want to have a PSL and it will help offset the damage.

*Disclaimer: my husband brought me home a very big pumpkin and it was heavvvvvyyyy. Maybe start a little smaller. Or don’t, you rockstar.

 

SWMO Moms fitness category, which is full of healthy tips for all women,  is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series.  

Their mission is to celebrate health and wellness, outdoor adventures and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks. Programs are designed to include activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, fitness levels and areas of interest. CLICK HERE for more information or give them a call at 417.873.5214.

Kelsey is an elementary teacher (just finished her first year!), a Beachbody certified Insanity instructor, avid runner and yoga enthusiast. 

When she is not working out, you will find her cheering on the Denver Broncos, substitute teaching and spending time with her family. She is wife to Blake and mom to busy 2 year-old son Max and 1 year-old, Mick.

Fitness: Prioritizing your Priorities

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by Kelsey Fields

I went to the grocery store last week and bought three things in bulk:

  1. Cereal and Poptarts. Because school is back in session.
  2. Pre-sharpened pencils. Because school is back in session.
  3. Coffee and dry shampoo. Because school is back in session.

Now that I’m back in school and the kids are too, I am left trying to juggle my job, husband, kids, and all the extras that come with the territory. Like most of you mamas out there, I tend to put my kids and husband first, leaving my well dry and my spirit tired. In order to avoid being a ‘mombie’ I like to remind myself of what’s important by writing down my priorities in order of importance. My top three look like this:

  1. Bravo TV
  2. Coffee
  3. Sleep

Just kidding.

  1. Jesus
  2. Blake, Max, and Micky
  3. My health

Every Sunday evening as I am planning the upcoming week I make sure to schedule set times to nurture each of these priorities. Here’s how I’m trying to fit it all in.

Wake Up Early

There are only so many hours in the day so you really have to make them count. I wake up early, like really early, three times a week to run and do my devotional. This doesn’t take away any time from my loves because those lucky dogs are still fast asleep. Doing my devotional first thing allows me to have a focus for the day. I also run with my best friend so I am able to grow friendships at the same time. Multitasking. It’s what we mamas do best.

Leave Work at Work

I try my best to not take work home with me. Sometimes it’s inevitable. When that happens I only work on it after the kids are asleep so it doesn’t take away from the few hours we have together.

Eat Together

The science behind eating dinner as a family is legit. It boosts your kids vocabulary, keeps them healthier by providing more nutrients, fruits, and veggies, and is a powerful predictor of high achievement scores. Data is still out on whether or not eating McDonald’s together at the dinner table counts. I personally say it does, but I may be biased.

Schedule Something YOU Want to Do

Spending time as a family does not have to be all Paw Patrol and Super Mario Brothers. Each weekend I try and schedule one fun family memory maker. And guess what? Since I’m the one planning it, I get to choose what we do. Plan something that the whole family can enjoy so it doesn’t feel like a chore to spend time together. Let’s face it, you can only spend so many hours at Kiddie City. During the summer you can find us on Table Rock. My kids love it and being at the lake is good for my soul. Also, can we talk about the sleep you get out of your kids after spending a full day at the lake. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. We also love using our season passes at Silver Dollar City. Blake, and I genuinely love going there with the kids. We may like it better than them…

Prioritizing Your Mental and Physical Health is NOT Selfish

Just remember when you are wandering through the aisles of Target  all by yourself after a miserable week (because Target brings you joy in the darkest of days), you are not being selfish. Let’s be honest, all of the things in your cart are probably for your kids anyway. Or when you’re in the bath and dirty fingers poke through from underneath the door asking for Cheetos, it’s okay to answer, “Mommy’s not here right now. Try back later.” You can not give from an empty cup! I never feel bad for going to the gym or recharging my batteries at Target. If my kids want their mom around when they are older, I have to be healthy and take care of the one body and mind that I’ve got.

Take some time this week to jot down your priorities and schedule a time to nurture them. Don’t forget to plan something that focuses on your needs as well as the needs of your loved ones. Mom on!

SWMO Moms fitness category, which is full of healthy tips for all women,  is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series.  

Their mission is to celebrate health and wellness, outdoor adventures and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks. Programs are designed to include activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, fitness levels and areas of interest. CLICK HERE for more information or give them a call at 417.873.5214.

Kelsey is an elementary teacher (just finished her first year!), a Beachbody certified Insanity instructor, avid runner and yoga enthusiast. 

When she is not working out, you will find her cheering on the Denver Broncos, substitute teaching and spending time with her family. She is wife to Blake and mom to busy 2 year-old son Max and 1 year-old, Mick.

 

Fitness: Wanderlust Summer

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by Kelsey Fields

If I could think of one word for my summer in a nutshell it would be…wanderlust.

I’ve been everywhere, man. Most recently, some of my best friends and I went on a very special trip. You see, 2018 is the year that we all turn the big 3-0. You don’t just turn 30 and not celebrate. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than cramming into a car for an 8 hour drive to Nashville!

 

 

Road Trips As A Kid Be Like:

  1. Stop at one McDonald’s per hour.
  2. License plate game. Ya’ll know what I’m talking about. “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom I can tell you I don’t have money, but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. People with a Hawaii license plate.” -Me with help from Liam Neeson
  3. Snacks. All of the gas station snacks.

But we 30 year-olds, well, our metabolisms just can’t hang like that anymore. We also couldn’t find a Hawaii tag, but that’s another story. Here’s how we managed to keep health a priority so we could still rock our cowgirl boots on Broadway:

  • Choose smart snacks. We bought a cooler and packed it full of carrots, hummus, deli meat, Cuties, strawberries, grilled chicken breast, and tons of other healthy options. There were oreos too. But the ratio of healthy food to junk was a solid 80/20.
  • Hydrate with H20. We avoided sodas and sugary drinks and stuck with water. We bought a 24 pack and sipped on that during the whole trip. I know it’s easy to pass on water because of potty breaks, but it is so important to stay hydrated. Just think of those extra stops as a chance to stretch your legs.
  • Take frequent pit stops. See, it’s okay to drink water! We stopped at the Arch, Mizzou campus, once in Illinois and once in Kentucky. Sitting in the car is hard on these thirty year old bones, so I welcomed every excuse to stop.
  • BYOG (bring your own gym). If any of you follow my previous posts, I made a summer bucket list that included running a mile in every state that I visited.  That included passing through on this road trip! We literally stopped at a McDonalds in Illinois (we didn’t eat the food, there was just a good road nearby), and a Wendy’s in Kentucky (we didn’t eat the food there either) so I could run my miles. My friends were SO supportive of my bucket list that Bethany ran with me and the other two downloaded an Insanity workout and did it in the grass while we ran. I mean, we got some looks, guys! Also the car smelled sweaty for a bit. BUT totally worth it. It gave us bursts of energy at just the right time.

Now, I’m not sure what you guys know about me, so this may be a shock to you, but I also prepped workouts for us once we got to Nashville. Shocker, right? We arrived on a Friday night, my girlfriend Tiffany and I did a short 15 minute Insanity workout once we got to our VRBO, and then BBQ. The best BBQ nachos I have ever had in my whole entire life to be exact. First Insanity, then BBQ. Moderation, people.

Saturday morning at 7AM, Tiffany, Bethany, and I rolled out of bed and into an Orange Theory gym. If you live in a city and you have Orange Theory, this workout is amazing. It’s half strength, half cardio for a full hour. You will burn ALL the calories, leaving more room for, you guessed it, BBQ.

Finally, on Sunday, we combined fitness with fun on a Broadway Peddle Tour. I honestly thought this was going to be more of a lazy bike ride through town, but getting that huge thing to move was actually HARD. I totally counted it as a workout on my Apple Watch. You can judge me if you want.

Being a healthy mama is not something you can do part time. I want to be around to run with my grand-kids, I want to be healthy enough when I retire to travel the world with my husband (and my best friends!). It’s not a switch you can turn on or off. You have to incorporate this lifestyle into every aspect of your life. Sometimes it’s as easy as running a mile in the middle of Kentucky in a Wendy’s parking lot with your best friends by your side.

SWMO Moms fitness category, which is full of healthy tips for all women,  is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series.  

Their mission is to celebrate health and wellness, outdoor adventures and wildlife conservation in the beauty of the Ozarks. Programs are designed to include activities for people of all ages, backgrounds, fitness levels and areas of interest. CLICK HERE for more information or give them a call at 417.873.5214.

Kelsey is an elementary teacher (just finished her first year!), a Beachbody certified Insanity instructor, avid runner and yoga enthusiast. 

When she is not working out, you will find her cheering on the Denver Broncos, substitute teaching and spending time with her family. She is wife to Blake and mom to busy 2 year-old son Max and 1 year-old, Mick.