FITNESS QUESTIONS ANSWERED! A Questionnaire

I'm often asked a lot of the same questions about eating and exercising.  Below are 22 questions - answered!!  It's a lot so feel free to just skim and judge me as you see fit...

1.  What did you eat for breakfast?

I had four whole wheat waffles with fresh blueberries and some pure maple syrup.  That's my breakfast almost everyday! As my sister-in-law once noted "Wow.  You like to carb up in the morning!"  Indeed I do.  I also don't leave the house without at least a sip of coffee and most likely a whole cup!  And YES I put REAL sugar and half and half in it.

2.  How much water do you drink a day?

Not enough.  Truth be told, I HATE drinking water.  It seems so pointless.  Unless I'm teaching spin or running on the treadmill, I rarely drink water.  I know, I know, but it doesn't seem to be bothering me health-wise so THERE!!

3.  What is your current favorite workout?

It has been and will always be (I think?) RUNNING!  Stunning I know.  I have to admit that I'm on my road bike now more then ever since I'm training for the duathlon championship in the fall, and I'm actually starting to like it...like a redheaded step-child to running.

4.  How many calories do you eat a day?

I have no clue but it's probably more then a small family in a third world country consumes.  I eat all day and I eat a lot...and I love every meal. 

5.  What are your favorite healthy snacks?

Oh there are just SO many!!  I love fresh fruit, toasted whole wheat bread with natural peanut butter, KIND bars, LUNA bars (the little protein chocolate ones, cold in the fridge), goat cheese with cherries and crackers, Kashi Chia Flax cereal, homemade salsa with blue chips, smoothies and sushi...just to name a few!

6.  What do you usually eat for lunch?

Hmmmm.  This is tough because I'm more of a grazer  (yes, like a cow!) so I tend to eat all of the above all day long...

7.  What's your favorite body part to strength train?

My mouth!!  Oh, I mean my legs I guess.  They usually get quite the workout...not to mention my heart and lungs!

8.  What's your least favorite body part to strength train?

I don't think I have one.  When I lift weights or do body weight workouts, I don't feel like it's complete unless I work out the whole dang thing!!  I never train like a bodybuilder, i.e. have a back and abs day and then a bicep and tricep day.

9.  What are your "bad" food cravings?

First of all, there really are no "bad" foods unless we're talking deep fried donuts with bacon or something.  I love french fries (the real deal, not sweet potato...although I love those too!) and....um....I don't know!?  The thing is, once you start eating healthy, your body craves healthy foods.  Some people think I "deprive" myself of certain foods but in all honesty, I eat mostly what I want (in moderation!) and NO I don't want a donut.  Really.  I don't.

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?

No, no and no.  I feel (perhaps foolishly) that by eating healthy I get all the essential nutrients I need to do all the vigirious activities I need to do.  Until a doc tells me I'm deficient in something (with actual proof!) then and only then will I pop a pill.

11.  How often do you eat out?

Not often enough!  My husband and I used to eat out all the time prior to the little ones and now we take every opportunity we get to go out, sit down and have a nice meal where we can actually have a conversation. 

12.  Do you eat fast food?

Dear God NO!  Fast food is the child of satan.  I could (and probably should) write another blog about the problem with fast food.  And PLEASE don't tell me McDonald's has healthy options.  The only fast food I have in a pinch is Subway or Fresh City...and I'm not happy about it.

13.  Who is your biggest supporter?

My Aunt Carla.  She is my number one fan and hardly ever misses one of my races...even if I tell her not to come!  She has helped me take care of my kids since before they were born and does it with love and generosity like no one I've ever known (besides my own mom, her sister, who passed away when I was 17) and I absolutely, without a doubt, could not be the person, athlete and mom I am without her!  No way. 

14.  Do you have a gym membership?

Oh hell yes.  I used to have several but now I'm down to two - the one I teach classes at and the one my husband likes to go to.  I also used to own a personal training studio so - YES!

15.  How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

Are we talking uninterrupted sleep or...

I'm a morning person so I definitely hit the sack early (like 10pm) and sleep until around 6.  One or both of my kids usually wake us up at least once a night for various reasons.  It's awesome.

16.  Do you have a cheat day?

Nope.  Everything in moderation...and when I'm on vacation I take that pretty seriously - drinking and food wise because hey, I'm on vacation!

17.  Do you drink alcohol?

Have we met?  YES!  Red wine, white wine in the summer, the occasional beer, margaritas, mojitos, sangrias...I'm not in treatment yet... 

18.  Do you have a workout buddy?

I have several but don't get to buddy up as often as I'd like.  When I run with a friend, I'm always reminded of what I'm missing out on when I run solo.  With a friend, the miles seem to fly by!...plus you get some added therapy which is always a bonus. 

19.  What is the best thing that has changed about your life since you committed to a healthy lifestyle?

The people I've met!  I'm inspired everyday by all the people around me who are committed to doing the same.  It's pretty cool.  And when I teach fitness classes, I'm surrounded by them!  It's like a sweat party...for me at least. 

20.  What is the last healthy thing you did?

Said "no" to something I really didn't want to do.  Seems like a no-brainer but I tend to overcommit and it makes me insane so, no more!...well, I'm trying anyway...

21.  What are your favorite shoes to workout in?

My MAGIC SHOES of course!!  Ever since I started wearing these puppies the PRs are flowing like rain!!  I'm a little scared because I'm almost due for a new pair...will the spell be broken?

22.  Your favorite workout clothes

I love, love, love Athleta clothing!  They recently opened a store near me and I have to physically restrain myself from going there too often!  Power to the She!