New Year, New Commitment

It happens every January 1st. It's inevitable. We crazy human beings start making deals with ourselves about what we're going to start doing or what we're going to stop doing. And what happens? By February 1st we're back to our old ways. For the most part.

Some people talk about not making resolutions. They talk about changing your lifestyle instead. They make it sound easy even with the "this will take a long time to achieve" disclaimers in .5 font. So, what's a person to do?

I am, by no means, an expert on this and can't even say I've led by example for a long time. However, what I can offer is honesty in this endeavor of fitness and changing a sedentary lifestyle into a healthy, active one. I can also offer some resources to help you get going.

In the next few weeks I'll be posting the charity fitness events that you can get involved in in your neck of the woods on GymMama.net. I'll also be starting a monthly newsletter, featuring guest fitness writers and posting more links than you can shake a stick at. The GymMama Shop will be updated and the handmade GymMama ArtFire Shop will get some new goodies as well.

I'll be looking for more GymMama's of the Month and featuring weekly giveaways on Mondays (what better way to start the week?!). Downloadable fitness tracking sheets, goal pages, and so much more will also start popping up. It's my renewed commitment to GymMama.net.

If you'd like to get involved by writing a column or submitting events I encourage you to do so. Email me directly at GymMama {at} GymMama.net. It's tough going alone, but with all things, a little help from some friends makes change so much easier.

See you in 2009!

Meet Melissa - May's "Gym Mama of the Month"

The "Gym Mama of the Month" for May is a woman who I am proud to call a friend. I met Melissa while training for The 3Day two years ago. She walked it that year (as did my mom!), but I wasn't able to be there. We've kept in touch and I'm so excited that she's our first "Gym Mama of the Month"!

I remember the first time we met (after numerous emails trying to coordinate a time!) for a training walk. Through a cemetery. A cemetery that didn't seem like it was very hilly. Until I started pushing a double stroller with about 80 pounds of child weight in it. Melissa was so sweet to my boys and was observant enough to realize that I could barely breathe, let alone hold a conversation!, as we trudged up one hill after another. She must have had a million thoughts running through her mind that day! I had one - "Don't stop breathing."

Melissa has personally raised over $5,000 in the fight against breast cancer in 3 years. She walks in honor of her Aunt Lana who is fighting the disease and so that the rest of her family never has to suffer through it.

Who says one person-one amazing woman-one awesome mom, can't make a difference?