FAQs
1. How did you meet your husband?
We met in college during Freshman Orientation events. It was my first week there, back in August 2002. He's 4 years older than me and was in his last semester (he went 4.5 yrs). He was an Orientation Leader and I was a new student, so we met outside one of the events. We ended up having a mutual friend who helped "set us up" so to speak. She did the whole "hey he thinks your cute", "hey she thinks your cute" thing. Ha. We went on our first date about 2 weeks later and the rest is history!
2. Why Shape Her?
Because I wanted to create a way to blend my relationship with the Lord, passion for family, and love of fitness! Women are thrown so many lies and I wanted to create Shape Her to help equip, encourage and motivate them to see truth. To remember God loves them - no matter what. I wanted to create a space for women to have the accountability they need to put time with the Lord first, prioritize their family, and strive towards those health and fitness goals. I'm blown away with what God's doing through Shape Her and continuing to lay it all at God's feet.
3. What does your typical workout look like?
I'm a Body Pump junkie. So that's my first workout of choice. I've seen the most change in my body through Body Pump. I've been doing it since 2010. I shoot for 4 days total and try to get a good mix of cardio and weights. I'll usually do 2 cardio days and 2 weight days.
4. What do your typical meals look like?
Breakfast is a Shakeology smoothie. I have vanilla, chocolate and strawberry packets so I switch it up each day. And I always add all kind of goodies to the packet, in the blender, to make it extra yummy and filling. If I need to switch it up, or I'm out of shakeology, I'll have oatmeal (not in the packets). Lunch is either a sandwich with some chips (like pretzels) and some fruit. Or a spinach salad with tons of goodies on top like a protein, bean, cheese, boiled egg, and apple. I always have at least one afternoon snack which is something like yogurt, fruit, veggies with hummus, or a Lara Bar. 95% of the time dinner consists of a protein and 2 veggies. Sometimes a starch with a veggie. If I'm hungry about 8:30pm I'll grab a handful of nuts or a coffee mug full of a non sugary cereal. And I always drink water. No cokes, no tea. Just a decaf coffee in the morning and water the rest of the day. (FYI: I'm not opposed to a dessert here and there....I have a huge sweet tooth. I just try to limit them during the week. If I have a craving I can't get over, I'll grab one small piece of dark chocolate.)
5. What exercise equipment do you recommend having at home?
Ideally - a bench or step, hand weights in 3, 5, 8 and 10 lbs, kettlebell in 8-10 lbs, exercise mat.
6. Did you workout during pregnancy?
Yes, with both Landon and Allie's pregnancies. It looked a little different, but yes. In the beginning, I did pretty much everything I always have. My Dr. said as long as I did it pre-pregnancy, I could do it during pregnancy. I just had to keep my heart rate from sky rocketing (I wore a heart rate monitor) and listen to my body as it changed. I ran up until about week 10 with Landon and week 8 or 9 with Allie and stopped because it just didn't feel comfortable. I did Body Pump until about week 28 with Landon and week 22 with Allie. I had to stop because of my lower back. (I adapted for the tracks on the bench and did them standing) With Landon, I did "Expecting More" by Sara Haley a LOT in my late 2nd trimester and early 3rd. Once I got really big and things were just hard to do, I walked. I would walk 30 minutes and go at whatever pace felt good. I would workout 3 days a week while pregnant. I walked just days before having Landon. With Allie, I did my own Crossfit style WODs at the gym that are pregnancy friendly. Exercise was harder with her (Braxton hicks, just all around uncomfortable) but I exercised up until about 3-4 weeks before her arrival.
7. How do you workout with a toddler at home?
I plan it. And in the early days, when my kids napped several times, a day I did it during nap times in the garage. Then once Landon was down to just one afternoon nap, I rejoined the gym. After I had Allie, I quit the gym and worked out at home. Now, I workout at home 99% of the time, and hit up the gym a time or two as well.
8. Any recommendations for finding time to workout while being a full time working mom?
Two words - lunch break. When I worked, I utilized my lunch break at lesat 2-3 times a week. I'd go to a nearby gym and do weights during lunch (so I didn't sweat too much because I couldn't shower) and then get in my cardio after work. I also planned out my workouts so I knew what was going on each week. (And so did Ben) On workout days, I packed my gym bag and headed straight to the gym after work, before going home. If you're not a gym member, you can still do stuff in your office, at the park, at home, etc. Email me at teamshape.her (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll be happy to help you figure this out or recommend workouts, etc. If you workout at home, I recommend putting your workout clothes on before you leave the office, if possible. Then, workout as soon as you're home. If that's not possible, can you workout before work? What about making a deal with your husband that you get X amount of time before starting dinner to exercise on X days. You'll have to be proactive and think outside the box when needed.
9. When do you do your quiet time?
When I don't have a baby, In the morning - first thing. I set my alarm, get up, make my coffee and head straight to the place where I do my studying. When I have a baby, I typically do it during the first nap of the day, while Landon is watching cartoons/playing, and I'm eating my breakfast. I also will do it before bed, too, for a little more focus and quiet.
10. How do you meal plan for 2 weeks at a time?
I have a sheet that lists every meal we eat. I pull that sheet out, make our menus, and ask for Ben's input. (Most of the time he doesn't care much) I only buy what's on my list, unless it's a really good deal and something we eat a lot of. Our budget is pretty tight so I try my best to keep it to items only on my list. I'll have to go back and get a few things we eat a lot of in the second week like milk, bananas and sandwich meat from the deli.
11. Do you eat all organic? How do you afford that?
No we don't. We try our hardest to buy as much as we can, but we can't afford it. I try to stick to those items on the "dirty dozen" list and buy organic can goods, but everything else is hit and miss. I wish I could buy 100% organic beef, chicken, fish, etc. Some of that is hard to come by around here and when you find it, it's pricey. We do go to a butcher here and there, but even that isn't all 100% organic, and it's not done every time I shop.
12. How do I get started working out?
You just have to do it! Take that first step. Get that first day behind you and move toward your goals. Set those goals and work to achieve them. Join a gym. Try an at-home workout routine/program. Get accountability. Join one of my online Fitness Accountability groups for the encouragement, tips, motivation and accountability as you begin. It's a place to be real, open and honest in your journey, all within a faith based environment. Make it a priority and go for it!
1. How did you meet your husband?
We met in college during Freshman Orientation events. It was my first week there, back in August 2002. He's 4 years older than me and was in his last semester (he went 4.5 yrs). He was an Orientation Leader and I was a new student, so we met outside one of the events. We ended up having a mutual friend who helped "set us up" so to speak. She did the whole "hey he thinks your cute", "hey she thinks your cute" thing. Ha. We went on our first date about 2 weeks later and the rest is history!
2. Why Shape Her?
Because I wanted to create a way to blend my relationship with the Lord, passion for family, and love of fitness! Women are thrown so many lies and I wanted to create Shape Her to help equip, encourage and motivate them to see truth. To remember God loves them - no matter what. I wanted to create a space for women to have the accountability they need to put time with the Lord first, prioritize their family, and strive towards those health and fitness goals. I'm blown away with what God's doing through Shape Her and continuing to lay it all at God's feet.
3. What does your typical workout look like?
I'm a Body Pump junkie. So that's my first workout of choice. I've seen the most change in my body through Body Pump. I've been doing it since 2010. I shoot for 4 days total and try to get a good mix of cardio and weights. I'll usually do 2 cardio days and 2 weight days.
4. What do your typical meals look like?
Breakfast is a Shakeology smoothie. I have vanilla, chocolate and strawberry packets so I switch it up each day. And I always add all kind of goodies to the packet, in the blender, to make it extra yummy and filling. If I need to switch it up, or I'm out of shakeology, I'll have oatmeal (not in the packets). Lunch is either a sandwich with some chips (like pretzels) and some fruit. Or a spinach salad with tons of goodies on top like a protein, bean, cheese, boiled egg, and apple. I always have at least one afternoon snack which is something like yogurt, fruit, veggies with hummus, or a Lara Bar. 95% of the time dinner consists of a protein and 2 veggies. Sometimes a starch with a veggie. If I'm hungry about 8:30pm I'll grab a handful of nuts or a coffee mug full of a non sugary cereal. And I always drink water. No cokes, no tea. Just a decaf coffee in the morning and water the rest of the day. (FYI: I'm not opposed to a dessert here and there....I have a huge sweet tooth. I just try to limit them during the week. If I have a craving I can't get over, I'll grab one small piece of dark chocolate.)
5. What exercise equipment do you recommend having at home?
Ideally - a bench or step, hand weights in 3, 5, 8 and 10 lbs, kettlebell in 8-10 lbs, exercise mat.
6. Did you workout during pregnancy?
Yes, with both Landon and Allie's pregnancies. It looked a little different, but yes. In the beginning, I did pretty much everything I always have. My Dr. said as long as I did it pre-pregnancy, I could do it during pregnancy. I just had to keep my heart rate from sky rocketing (I wore a heart rate monitor) and listen to my body as it changed. I ran up until about week 10 with Landon and week 8 or 9 with Allie and stopped because it just didn't feel comfortable. I did Body Pump until about week 28 with Landon and week 22 with Allie. I had to stop because of my lower back. (I adapted for the tracks on the bench and did them standing) With Landon, I did "Expecting More" by Sara Haley a LOT in my late 2nd trimester and early 3rd. Once I got really big and things were just hard to do, I walked. I would walk 30 minutes and go at whatever pace felt good. I would workout 3 days a week while pregnant. I walked just days before having Landon. With Allie, I did my own Crossfit style WODs at the gym that are pregnancy friendly. Exercise was harder with her (Braxton hicks, just all around uncomfortable) but I exercised up until about 3-4 weeks before her arrival.
7. How do you workout with a toddler at home?
I plan it. And in the early days, when my kids napped several times, a day I did it during nap times in the garage. Then once Landon was down to just one afternoon nap, I rejoined the gym. After I had Allie, I quit the gym and worked out at home. Now, I workout at home 99% of the time, and hit up the gym a time or two as well.
8. Any recommendations for finding time to workout while being a full time working mom?
Two words - lunch break. When I worked, I utilized my lunch break at lesat 2-3 times a week. I'd go to a nearby gym and do weights during lunch (so I didn't sweat too much because I couldn't shower) and then get in my cardio after work. I also planned out my workouts so I knew what was going on each week. (And so did Ben) On workout days, I packed my gym bag and headed straight to the gym after work, before going home. If you're not a gym member, you can still do stuff in your office, at the park, at home, etc. Email me at teamshape.her (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll be happy to help you figure this out or recommend workouts, etc. If you workout at home, I recommend putting your workout clothes on before you leave the office, if possible. Then, workout as soon as you're home. If that's not possible, can you workout before work? What about making a deal with your husband that you get X amount of time before starting dinner to exercise on X days. You'll have to be proactive and think outside the box when needed.
9. When do you do your quiet time?
When I don't have a baby, In the morning - first thing. I set my alarm, get up, make my coffee and head straight to the place where I do my studying. When I have a baby, I typically do it during the first nap of the day, while Landon is watching cartoons/playing, and I'm eating my breakfast. I also will do it before bed, too, for a little more focus and quiet.
10. How do you meal plan for 2 weeks at a time?
I have a sheet that lists every meal we eat. I pull that sheet out, make our menus, and ask for Ben's input. (Most of the time he doesn't care much) I only buy what's on my list, unless it's a really good deal and something we eat a lot of. Our budget is pretty tight so I try my best to keep it to items only on my list. I'll have to go back and get a few things we eat a lot of in the second week like milk, bananas and sandwich meat from the deli.
11. Do you eat all organic? How do you afford that?
No we don't. We try our hardest to buy as much as we can, but we can't afford it. I try to stick to those items on the "dirty dozen" list and buy organic can goods, but everything else is hit and miss. I wish I could buy 100% organic beef, chicken, fish, etc. Some of that is hard to come by around here and when you find it, it's pricey. We do go to a butcher here and there, but even that isn't all 100% organic, and it's not done every time I shop.
12. How do I get started working out?
You just have to do it! Take that first step. Get that first day behind you and move toward your goals. Set those goals and work to achieve them. Join a gym. Try an at-home workout routine/program. Get accountability. Join one of my online Fitness Accountability groups for the encouragement, tips, motivation and accountability as you begin. It's a place to be real, open and honest in your journey, all within a faith based environment. Make it a priority and go for it!
