Photo by Adam Wink

So I am going a little off my usual topics today because I want to talk about my other “job.”  When I am not working as “mommy,” “swim coach,” or “pilates instructor,” the job that pays the bills is high school college counselor.  I truly enjoying working with my students and watching them grow over their four years of high school.  The change that takes place in a high schooler over four years is truly amazing.  In the last year, I have really noticed how the recession has affected kids and their college choices.  Nearly fifty percent of our kids will attend one of our in-state schools, while the other group will be going out-of-state to mostly private, smaller schools.  I have had the privelege of working at both large state universities and a smaller regional liberal arts school during my career.  I would have to say, hands down, I enjoyed the small school experience the best.

I believe that smaller schools allow you to be more engaged mentally, active in a campus community, and participate at a broader level in various campus activities.  Not to say state schools don’t have their merit, I am solely talking about the college experience that prepares a student for their future through open class discussion, small student to teacher ratios, and a focus on writing and critical thinking.  I recently read Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You by the late Loren Pope, he readily discusses the benefits of the small, liberal arts institution that focus on teaching and student research.  He believes the perfect college size is those that are under 5000 students because it gives the students the ability to interact with their professors and classmates.  Small schools encourage kids to have dialogues in and outside the classrooms and to take ownership of their own education.  Pope actually has his own list of Colleges that Change Lives and describes their benefits in the book of the same name.  What I find most intriguing is how today’s society focuses on the big name universities; ranging from the Ivy League to large state schools, in turn, dismissing many small, excellent institutions due to lack of name recognition.  Several years ago, I worked at a great liberal arts school, Truman State University, I was so impressed by the high level of teaching, camraderie amongst the students and faculty, and research done by the students that I would easily recruit students to that amazing institution.  In addition, the campus was thriving; they regularly had lectures from prominent national and international speakers, they had excellent sports teams and extremely active intramurals, and lastly it was cool to be smart and engaged in your own learning.  There are many great institutions out there that families don’t know about or discount because they haven’t “heard” of them.  If you have a student in high school I highly encourage you to check out some of the smaller, liberal arts institutions that will prepare your child for their future and help them grow into critical learners and productive members of our community.

While this post easily swayed from my usual topics, I have been extremely enamored with small liberal arts schools and the great college experience they can give to our young people.  In addition, I encourage you to check out those lesser known schools that may peak the interest of your student and/or yourself.   Active mommies need to also be active in finding our kids the best education possible!

Phoenicians have it tough in the summer when the kids are out of school, unlike most areas of the country we are forced inside most of the day keeping our kids out of the hot sun.  I found lots of indoor activities for my busy three year old to participate in and was happy that many business owners focused on opening their spaces to their young clientele.  We regularly frequented a cheer gym who had a bouncy house and use of their equipment open to the public twice weekly for a cheap $3 visit.  We frequented the story-hour at Barnes and Noble, participated in the Little Gym, went to library activities, and took regular trips to the mall.  I do believe the mall became my sons favorite summertime treat.  We rode the elevators and escalators for hours and played in the mall play place.  In addition, the mall frequently had kids activities (car racing was our favorite), music, and entertaining fountains all in the cool (almost cold) airconditioning.  As long as I stayed away from shopping, the mall was a free entertainment venue! The Phoenix Zoo had Friday and Saturday evenings open with lots of water play, bouncy houses, and slides to entertain too!  Overall, summer could be a bust when it is so hot, yet you can find cheap and/or free options to get your family out and moving during those hot days.  Finally, our true family favorite is the swimming pool.  Whether you have a pool in your yard or you head to the local pool, swimming cools you down and keeps your kids active.  My son became increasingly water safe and enjoyed countless hours playing in the water.  Get yourself and your children outside as the summer quickly comes to a close!

photo by funsportchallenge

I recently was on the road for a three day span and was out of my usual training element.  They were three busy days and it was also raining at my destination.  Finding time to fit some fitness in and also connect with my little boy at home was a challenge.  I actually found that doing workouts from the book 90 Second Fitness Solution really made a difference for me.  It was cold and rainy and a run or outside fitness was out of the question, so I made sure I committed to my usual wall squat and plank to maintain my strength and get my heart rate up.  While the workout is quick and simple (15 minutes) I felt much better getting some strength work in.  I know that I wrote about the book in a prior post (90 seconds to a healthier, fitter, active mommy), but I have really seen a difference in my muscle tone over the past couple of weeks.  I have been regularly adding his short, but intense, 15 minute workouts into my weekly schedule and I have been impressed with the success I have been seeing.

So this brings me back to my “on the road” workouts.  I actually did wall sits while talking to my husband and son.  I have to stay in touch and with my busy schedule it was a great multi-task exercise.  It made me feel better and it actually made me forget much of the burn involved in the wall-sit.  As busy moms, it is always important to prioritize our busy lives.  Make sure you make time for your own well-being and fitness, even if you have to multi-task!

Introducing Brandi Dickie:

I am a stay-at-home mom who has been blessed with the world’s best husband (Bobby), four beautiful and healthy children (a son Lachlan, and daughters Tristin, London, and Amaris), and two dogs (Simba and Chloe – who also participate in family fitness).  I currently have a child in every stage…teenager, kid, toddler, and baby and they all bring such joy to my life.  My husband who is an incredible athlete being the 3rd American finisher at the Boston Marathon has been a remarkable example to me.  Just watching his discipline and motivation over the years as he has trained for countless races has been a huge motivating factor for me and our kids.  He along with my children inspire me to live a fit and healthy life!

1. How do you handle working out and raising your children?

I try to incorporate working out while raising my children.  For example, taking the babies in the jog stroller when I run.  Also, I ride my bike alongside my son while he is running.  He trains very hard for track and cross country and I feel that by my riding a bike with him, I’m helping him achieve his goals while staying in shape myself.  My 9 year old daughter also rides with me which helps her fitness as well and the babies ride along in the Burley, adding weight to help me get a better work-out and providing enjoyment for them too – and sometimes a good nap:). 

2. How do you live a fit life?

I try to do something fitness related daily and usually it involves my kids in some way.  I also strive to be a good example by having healthy eating habits, although my weakness is chocolate:)

3.What is your favorite form of exercise and why?

My favorite form of exercise is riding my bike because I am able to do that with the whole family.  We usually take our bike rides out in the country which is my favorite place to be.  I also love to kayak but currently don’t live near a place to do that so it’s not something that I get to do often. 

4. How do you motivate yourself?

I remind myself of the importance of looking my best for my husband and having lots of energy to be the best mama I can be.  I also want to be around and active for my future grandchildren.  

5. How do you encourage your children to be active?

Actually, I don’t have to encourage my children to be active… they encourage me.  They take after their ultra-fit father and are already very active and motivated and that inspires me to be also.  My oldest son and daughter enjoy helping mom get fit and are always showing me ways to do so.  We do push-ups, sit-ups, curls, and drills together and it is much more fun than doing them alone.  And they seem to have a blast ordering their mama around for a change:)  

6.What activities do you do as a family to stay fit?  

We run, take walks, play football and basketball, and take long bike rides together.  When living in Hawaii, we hiked mountains, surfed, and kayaked often. 

7. What advice do you have for other moms on staying fit and active?

I guess since I always want to spend so much time with my family, my advice would be to find ways that you can incorporate fitness with family.  To me, it is so much more fun that way and I don’t feel like I’m missing time with them either as I would if I were working out alone, although sometimes it is important for moms to have that alone time too.

When we were in college we always loved free food.  The nice thing about our meals is all the “mommies” try to make well balanced home cooked meals for the parents and children.  While the one night a month may be challenging because you have to make a dinner for nine, it is always nice to know when it isn’t “your week” that you are going to have a healthy meal that you don’t have to make.

Our weekly gatherings have become a focal point of our week and allowed us busy “active mommies” socialization and kid friendly locations.  Just as having a workout partner is important for fitness, it is also important to have other mom’s to connect with and share ideas and good food.  It also lets the “working Daddies” talk shop, sports, and repairs (at least that seems to be the common theme with our husbands).  I highly suggest finding a group of families and enjoying some good food and company, start your own roving dinner and family fun!

photo by PaulaVK

So wherever you are in the country, Spring is either there or just around the corner.  Most of our children have a little bit of Spring Fever.  My son is obsessed with playing outside, actually he is obsessed with riding his tricycle.  Everyday he pretends to be the UPS man and delivers packages down the street to one of his friends houses.  He has improved so much on his tricycle and flies down the street pedaling as fast as he can go.  He has even take to riding on driveway slopes and occasionally crashing into curbs.  Also, my son enjoys playing with a soccer ball and kicking it in the street “it goes farther…”  Of course, it also gets mommy running after a ball before it rolls to far away, a little extra exercise for me!  Whether it is the park, the backyard, or the driveway, get outside with  your child.  Learning motor skills is essential to your child’s development and allows you time outside with your child to get you moving too.

I recently was introduced to a new site called ebeanstalk.com that discusses toys that are beneficial to your child’s development.  They actually brought in a host of experts to discuss why certain toys are better than others and which work at different times in your child’s life.  I am impressed with their panel and the interesting articles they include in their Expert Advice.  Physical Therapist, Deanie Barth contributed a great article on “Achieving Gross Motor Milestones and Play Skills through Summer Time Fun,” she discusses different toys for kids at different age milestones.   Check out their site, it is great to have recommended toys for each age group.

Overall, I am excited that my son finds playing outside so much fun.  As a kid I remember playing outside daily and having all our friends outside too.  It is good for their physical fitness and development and establishes a lifelong love for the outdoors.  Get outside with your child and have some fun!

Now as an “Active Mommy,” I am always looking for a way to maintain fitness even with an extremely busy schedule.  I began reading about the author’s ideas and became excited about the possibilities; he easily dispels many of the usual workout routines as inefficient.  There are different levels in the book and after passing level 1 the strength training routine takes 15 minutes just a couple of days a week.  So you are wondering, I thought it was a 90 second fitness solution?  Well the secret to his workout is holding exercises for 90 seconds; the two most important are the wall sit (squat position with back flat on wall) and the plank position (full push-up position with abs held tight).  The illustrations for the exercises are excellent and easy to follow.  In addition, the testimonials throughout the book will motivate you and encourage you to keep following the routine.

I believe the most important part of the book is that you can do this fitness routine AT HOME and only a couple of days a week.  You do not need a gym membership, a babysitter, or tons of time.   As a working mom, I am able to do this strength program for 15 minutes with my son watching me and even being a participant.  Have you ever tried to do a wall sit with your child in your lap?  How about a plank with your legs wide and your son sitting on your back?  Trust me, the strength moves burn and you get an intensive workout that makes a difference.   As someone who struggles to get a strength workout in, this 15 minute workout is making a huge difference in my life.  I do still run in the mornings because I enjoy it and of course I teach pilates three days a week, but my body is becoming firmer and I can actually see a difference in how my clothes fit.

The other part of the book focuses on the diet, the author talks about the importance of eating real food.  I have talked about eating the foods on the outside of the store; including fresh meats, vegetables, and fruits.  The author gives great evidence why this system works and includes some great recipes to help you make tasty meals.  The only part of the book I haven’t tried and I am still not sure about is the author’s fasting techniques to lose weight quickly.  I believe the “real food” diet is an important component of healthy living and weight control and the author gives you the evidence and results to support this assertion.

Overall, combining this 15 minute workout a couple of days a week with a change in eating can really make a difference in your body, health, metabolism, and well being.  If you are someone who needs a fast way to increase your fitness level or add in a strength routine this book is for you.  If you are someone who feels they do not have enough time in the day, can you find 15 minutes to make the strength training gains?  Check this book out, I have seen a definite difference in myself in just 3 short weeks of doing the prescribed workout.  Excellent book and excellent idea for all of you “Active Mommies!”

photo by Title Nine

So early last week I received an email announcement about a blow out sale for the Title Nine catalog in the Phoenix area.  I was very excited, I love the Title Nine catalog and usually drool over their merchandise.  Unfortunately this “not so wealthy” active mommy can’t always purchase these awesome active mommy clothes.  The promise of 60% off on their clearance merchandise led me to make the 45 minute trek immediately after work on the first day of the sale (hey I wanted to get the best selection!)

So, I picked up my son from his school and proceeded to fight the traffic to arrive at the amazing sale.  First mistake, making the trek to the location with my son eagerly in tow and no drinks, snacks, or diapers.  On the way, he became extremely excited to go to the Title Nine shop.  We arrived to an old Linen’s and Things store with boxes and boxes of clothes, swimsuits, shoes, sports bras, and accessories.  I was in heaven and so was my son.  It was a great wide open space with amble areas to hide, climb, and generally play around the store and mommy saw lots of outfits she had seen in the catalogs at much cheaper prices.  Needless to say, it was hard for mommy to dig through the bins to find those amazing deals, but I persevered!  Don’t get me wrong, I still found some great things, but I ended up chasing my son around most of the time.  I got some great workout clothes and even left with a new pair of shoes. 

Well, I ran around following my son while looking in the occasional bin and adding to my garbage bag full of clothes.  Honestly, they actually handed out garbage bags at the beginning of the store!  We eventually made our way to the makeshift dressing room, which was actually a sheet separating the back of the store from the rest.  It was a large area with lots of other women changing.  My son entertained the room with his random comments, including “mommy that doesn’t fit you,” “why are you trying that on mommy?.” and my favorite “mommy can I try that on?”   Unfortunately, we ended our time at the store with “mommy I have to go poopy,” we ended in the big boy bathroom with no extra diapers!  We survived and overall it was an exhausting shopping trip, but it tired my son out and I got some great deals.  Shopping with your child sans stroller, treats, sippy cup, etc is truly an adventure.  We improvised throughout the trip, having a granola bar from mommy’s purse and using the drinking fountain repeatadly during the hour.  The next day my son asked to return to the Title Nine shop, my husband nixed that idea, but I did make it back on Saturday for a quick trip to buy a new swim suit (just couldn’t do that with my son there).   Thanks Title Nine  for the entertainment and if you are looking for some great gear check them out!

photo by Rail Life

Today our family went to our first art festival with our son.  Now, I didn’t see a lot of the art, but I did get a chance to see things through my son’s eyes.  We got a lot of walking in with our son leading the way and dictating our travels.  We also got a good workout dancing to some great live music.  It is so important to introduce our children to different things, including different art forms, music, food, and activities. 

We started our day riding the “light rail,” Phoenix’s new commuter train that opened in December.  This was the third time our son has ridden the train, yet he had the same excitement that he had the first time.  We rode the train for about 15 minutes and ended up at the far end of the art festival.  The first hour we simply played by the water fountain and ate kettle korn (OK not the best thing for my diet, but delicious all the same).  Then, my son decided it was time to explore.  He was fascinated by other kids getting their face painted, enjoyed a booth of animal photography that was amazing, and gave the juggling street performer about five minutes of attention.  We soon found the children’s area where he was able to do arts and crafts and play with a bunch of pool “noddles.”  My son was disappointed that the noodles did not include a pool and began to search for a body of water.  We got some great exercise going down some stairs that served as an escalator and jumping back up those same stairs.  We ended our “children’s time” dancing to a trio of stings player and being fascinated by a cello.  On our way to find lunch he was given some stickers which he used to decorate his shirt and mommy.  We soon ended up at a Mediterranean restaurant staying healthy with chicken, humus, and pita bread.

Overall, the art festival was a new experience for all of us.  Allowing our son to lead the way, we were led by his desires and enjoyed the atmosphere and freedom to explore.  Other then the food we ate, the festival and three hours of entertainment were totally free.  I highly suggest researching your own community to get out and enjoy new activities.  In addition, the walking is a great workout and other kid’s activities usually get you dancing and active.