Introducing Steph aka Fit Mom…in Training

When Janice, Greta, Rachel and I started talking about our fitness goals, our journeys and what we’re passionate about, it was just a natural progression to come together, unite and form Fitness Collaborative. And here we are! What I love about our collaboration is that we’re all from different parts of North America, all from different backgrounds but all share a passion for fitness, physical and mental health and empowering anyone to change their lifestyle to achieve whatever it is they dream about.

Back in the day, I was an enthusiastic subscriber to the belief that you could be naturally thin and that naturally thin meant naturally healthy. This was of supreme comfort to me because I was a naturally slender person so clearly, this meant that I was healthy and any food that I put into my body was automatically transformed into muscle. Truth be told, poor nutrition does no body good. I spent a good portion of the time feeling slow, sluggish and relying on coffee and pop to keep me going.

I learned a few things about health and fitness in the years that followed my big aha moment but unfortunately, I conveniently forgot about most of them while pregnant with my son. I was encouraged by everyone and anyone to eat what I wanted, indulge in ways I wouldn’t normally be “allowed” to. After all, if I was craving cake, then clearly it was because baby needed cake right?  Don’t even ask me about the butt groove I wore in my couch from 42 weeks of pregnancy spent sitting on it and not moving. What makes this all the more saddening to me is that right before I got pregnant, I was training for my first half marathon and celebrated my pregnancy by running 21.1km on my own with my husband biking beside me cheering me on the whole way.

50lbs and one bouncing baby boy later, I had some work to do. I lost the weight but more importantly, I lost it though proper diet and exercise. Both of which were severely lacking during my pregnancy. I vowed that I would not go down that path again. I felt awful, I looked awful and I really did a disservice to my baby by not taking better care of him or myself while I was pregnant.

Since then, I’ve worked hard to keep the bad foods out and the good foods in my life. I’ve exercised regularly and feel great. So wouldn’t you know that after a couple of weeks of feeling sluggish and tired, I decided that I better buy the little stick and pee on it.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Or is it?

I believe that everyone, no matter shape or size is beautiful, and am a strong advocate for self-love, empowerment and achieving anything you set your mind toward. I chronicle my journey to better health over at Fit Mom…in Training and on Twitter and will be giving you the insider view to the ups AND downs of living a fit and active pregnancy. From morning sickness to leg cramps to mismatched socks, you’ll hear about it all so buckle up and get ready to go, go, GO!