Different Yet So Similar

Ever since my dad passed away a few weeks ago, I've become very aware.  Aware of the feelings I have, and the motivations that drive me.

Couple that with participating in the #FitBlog Twitter party and I realized something.  First, The #FitBlog party was all about taking your blog to the next level and one of the questions was "what makes your blog unique?"

I tried desperately to come up with something cool and catchy and couldn't.  All day I've been thinking about it and it occurred to me that I'm not different, not really and the thing that hopefully makes you want to read my blog is that we are similar.  We have similar lives, with similar hurdles, challenges, and motivations.  I'm assuming the if you read "Mom's Little Running Buddy" you pretty much figured out what it was about and that's what you might have been looking for. 

I'm not here to talk at you.  I'm here to talk with you, to encourage you and maybe show you some of the things that I do to keep making it all fit (as best as it can).  I won't judge, I will only motivate, and maybe vent every now and then.  So in the essences of full disclosure, if you're new to my little blog, let me tell you a little about myself:

Physical: I'm in my early 30's.  I weigh about 130 pounds and I'm 5'4.  I have an athletic build, brown hair and brown eyes.  I have scars all over from sports (and I'm proud of every one of them).  I have asthma and a bad back from years of college volleyball and softball.

Family: I have a husband that I met at the gym and a crazy toddler who is about 17 months old now.  I wasn't the happiest of pregnant women.  In fact, it took all 9 months and a therapist to come to grips with the reality of it.  Not that I didn't want a child but my career was at the forefront of my mind at the time. Now I can't imagine life without E.

I come from a family of 4 kids (all but one are married with a kid), I'm the second oldest and you could say I have middle child like tendencies I guess. My family is super close. I talk to my mom everyday. She is by far, my best friend. She is brutally honest and sometimes it's good and sometimes it's frustrating.

My family thinks my love of all things fitness is a little crazy but they support me and I love them for it.

Personal: My family also taught me that it's important to give back and it doesn't have to be big.  Donate to charity, volunteer your time, hell, just hold the door open for someone that needs a hand.  Whatever it is you can do, I promise you'll be repaid.  I'm addicted to Pinterest and am a closet crafter. 

Career: I am a project manager by day and probably work about 50 hours a week.  I'm a graduate student attempting to get my MBA although I'm not even a full year in yet.  (BOO!)  But I will NOT give up. I study at night after E goes to bed from about 9:30 to 11:00, which may be the reason I'm not good at working out in the morning (or at least that's what I'm telling myself)

Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise was something that I was taught young.  My dad had 2 heart attacks by the time I was 17 so my mom was always trying to get him to eat healthy.  I know how to cook chicken 150 ways because of it.  :)

Life with a toddler presents new challenges and hurdles for staying fit.  I'm learning that sometimes you have to roll with the punches.  It's not always going to go the way you planned it and that's ok.  You're better off, letting it go and moving on.  If it's a workout you missed, get creative and try to fit it in other ways or just do it tomorrow. 

Mantra: Make it worth it .  Life is too short.  If you're going to do something do it as good as you can and then dig a little deeper. Example:  after working so much, I hate being away from E so when I do go to the gym, you can be sure I'm busting my a*# because I've made the choice to do that instead of play with E and I don't want to think for a minute I wasted that time.  I'm a better mother because I stay fit.

Oh and No Regrets.  I'll try almost anything at least once.

My Dream: Would be to one day be some sort of professional motivator/blogger/tv personality/spokesman for an amazing fitness company. Oh and maybe finish a 1/2 Ironman along the way. 

Ok, I'm done talking.  Tell me about you.  What makes us similar?  What makes us different?  Lets talk.