Today on Fit Mama Friday, meet Nellie, of Brooklyn Active Mama. As well as writing her successful blog, Nellie works as a full-time Account Manager outside of the home, is a Zumba instructor, and she and her high school sweetheart (they’ve been married 16 years!) have two gorgeous sons, aged 2 and 5. Oh, and she also works out 5 times a week! Nellie was kind enough to answer all my Fit Mama Friday questions (and yes, “How on earth do you do it?” was one of them), so without further ado…
Meet Nellie.
Nellie, tell me a little about your fitness habits prior to having your sons. Fitness and health is obviously part of your life now – was that always the case?
Prior to my kids I had lost around 50 pounds for my wedding day. When I got pregnant with my eldest I did not workout – I was too nervous! With my second child I did, but minimally as I suffered from Sciatica. I love to Zumba, spin, lift weights and jog a mile here and there. 🙂 My diet prior to pregnancy was pretty much the same as it is now. I work out mainly for my health, I need to keep up with two little boys who are NON stop!
How on earth do you do it all? I know you blog on your phone on the train, and answer comments at night when the boys are in bed, but you really seem to have time management down to a fine art. When do you work out?
First and foremost, working out is my therapy. I have worked some MAJOR issues out during a workout! Who needs a shrink when you have endorphins?! Sometimes depending on my work schedule (or lately the unrelenting snow) I can have a hard time fitting in workouts. I fit in 5 workouts a week about 90% of the time -I workout during my lunch break four times a week and on Saturdays I teach Zumba 🙂
How did you get into Zumba, and when did you become an instructor? Were you nervous when you led your first class?
I became an instructor after getting inspired at Fitbloggin 12 two years ago. I had been taking classes for years but had been all caught up in having the perfect body to teach. The instructors at the conference gave me the kick in the pants I needed to go after my passion.
I was extremely nervous, like my palms were super sweaty, my heart rate was off the chain, I woke up at like 4am the morning of my first 8am class. It was absolutely terrifying. Once the music came on, I fell right into step (pun intended).
That’s so awesome! It’s scary trying something new – what’s your best advice for someone trying to get back into fitness, or to start a fitness routine from scratch?
Start small. Try everything. I tried spin years ago only because people looked really sweaty afterwards and the music reminded me of being in a club. Turns out, I LOVE spin! There is something out there for everyone. No matter how intimidating, just try it!
A lot of fit mamas with daughters have said they like setting a healthy body image example for their girls – why do you think it’s important for a mama of boys to lead by example and show them that mama is fit and healthy?
SO important! I think lately there has been a shift from outdoor play to everything being in an app or on a screen. When I leave and tell the boys that I am going to workout, or turn off the TV to practice my Zumba routine, they see me step away from the screen to move my body. Boys are natural runners and are super active, however, its way more fun when mommy is running around with them too!
Being fit benefits me tremendously! I feel calmer and better equipped to handle these kids. I am also proud that my kids know that I love to exercise and sometimes when they see dancing women on the TV they say “Mommy! Look! Zumba!!”
What are your biggest challenges to fitting in your workouts?
My challenges include VERY busy days at work mainly. Since my only slot of free time is lunch time, I tend to miss a workout if the workload is particularly heavy or if I have client lunch meetings.
You’re clearly a woman who sets a goal and goes after it – what’s next for you?
I am attempting to run a 10k for the first time ever. Training is optional. 🙂 This should be interesting. 🙂 I want to lose these final 8 pounds (OR get to my desired size because that number on the scale doesn’t tell the whole story!) to get to my happy weight again too!
Woo Hoo!! I can’t wait to hear more about your training and the 10K on your blog! Thank you so much for being on Fit Mama Friday today, Nellie! Those gorgeous boys of your have a kick-ass fit mama!
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Fit Mama Friday – Fit Dad Friday
Every Friday on Fine Fit Day I feature a Fit Mama or a Fit Dad story of how and why a fit and healthy mama or dad ensures fitness is a priority in her or his life. You’ll read about all kinds of parents and their fitness stories. Some are stay-at-home parents, some are single parents, some juggle more than one job on top of parenthood, but they are all committed to a fit and healthy lifestyle. As you’re getting ready for your weekend, I hope you’re inspired to be active after reading about these kick-ass mamas and dads on Fit Mama Friday – Fit Dad Friday!Do you want to be featured on Fit Mama Friday? Or do you know someone you’d like to see featured? Please contact me for details!
Great interview!! I couldn’t agree more that it’s important for kids to see their parents leading healthy lives 🙂
Susan Fishback recently posted…My love/hate relationship with the treadmill
Definitely – I loved Nellie’s quote that her boys see her stepping away from electronics to be active. They just soak in that example, especially when they’re little.
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Nellie rocks!!! I love her interview – she truly is the queen of time management!!
And, the part about the number on the scale not telling the whole story is so true!!
Kim recently posted…In Case You Were Wondering….
I am in AWE of Nellie’s time management! And she’s definitely got the right approach to losing weight!
Nellie you are awesome!!!!! Most inspiring person I’ve ever met. Hands down! Thanks for sharing Carly! 🙂
Britt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Friday’s Food & Fitness: Studio 360 Cycling + Yoga
I was thrilled to feature her! Nellie rocks! 🙂
Nellie is like a super hero in my book! I love her blog, her boys are adorable and she seems to excel at everything she does – work, blog, fitness – I mean, really!? Nellie’s blog was one of the first I started reading. She is so motivating and inspiring is pretty much the reason I will be doing a 5 minute “spark” talk at FitBloggin this June. I cannot wait to meet her in person and just say THANK YOU!
Allie recently posted…You’re Going To Spain To Do What?
Oh that’s so exciting you’re doing a spark talk at FitBloggin!! Congrats! 🙂 Nellie really is like superwoman, She has the work/life balance done to a fine art.
Hey, Nellie! Great to see you here. I am amazed about how Nellie fits it all in. Actually, this entire interview just gave me an idea. Thank you for that! Teaching a healthy lifestyle to boys can be just as important. Unfortunately, I did not realize that until it was too late for my 22 year old. He had some real problems in high school and had to go to therapy on a weekly basis for over three years.
Carla recently posted…Fitness Friday 4: Should I Go Gluten Free?
I feel like sometimes boys get ignored when we’re talking about mamas setting healthy examples, but all kids learn from all adults in their life.
Nellie’s time management skills are SO impressive. I’ve tried blogging on the train… but then I fall asleep. lol.
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself) recently posted…Journey to Wellness// Week 1 T25 Results
I’ve never even worked out *how* to blog from a phone!! 😉
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