Today’s Fitspo Feature is Real Fit Mama a/k/a Maria Sparks
You can follow her on Twitter:@realfitmama
Like her RealFitMama page on Facebook
Stop by and visit her blog/site at RealFitMama.com
Q: Have you always lived a healthy fit lifestyle?
NO!! I was your average, cliched American up until about 10 years ago.
I lived off of fast food and didn’t exercise at all. I was over weight, out of shape and constantly looking for that”quick fix” and then my daughter was born. I had ballooned up to 200lbs and knew that something had to be done.
So I began walking, little by little, and really watching what I was eating. I started Weight Watchers and began to quickly drop pounds. When I got to 150lbs or so I hit a plateau. So I made some adjustments again. I became a vegetarian, I started lifting weights and I moved to running.
I’ve never looked back!
Q: What keeps you going, motivated?
My daughters are my number one motivator. I want to lead by example as opposed to the “do as I say, not as I do” mentality that so many in my family use. I have worked very hard to change my way of thinking, my way of speaking and my way of living so that they are willing and able to make healthy choices and lead happy, healthy lives.
Q: What is your favorite workout?
I really love to go out and run in my neighborhood!!
But living in the Midwest there are definite times of the year when running outside is not all that enjoyable. Like right now!! So I am currently highly obsessed with the P90X program. The KenpoX DVD is my absolute favorite. I love all the punching and kicking and blocking and grunting. It makes me fell powerful. 🙂
Q: What are some of your goals?
I have run a few small races and one half marathon so far.
Eventually I would really like to run a full marathon.
Q: What are some of your accomplishments or things you’re proud of?
I wouldn’t say that I am “proud” or that I’ve accomplished this, but raising my daughters to be compassionate, loving little girls is what makes me the happiest. They are both vegetarians and are proud to tell you that as well!! The fact that I know I am giving them the best start I possibly can in this fast food, fast paced world makes me feel good as a mother.
Q: What is one random fact we should know about you?
One random fact about me is that I only go running with my Chicago Cubs hat on (and I live in St Louis) so please, if you see me, don’t heckle or say mean things!! I just really like the hat… I think it’s a superstition thing. 🙂
Q: What words of advice would you like to leave the readers?
While this isn’t really words of advice so much as words of positivity, my favorite quote is from the movie Moulin Rouge, and it goes like this…
“The greatest gift you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.”
If you never remember anything that you read I hope you remember that
because I believe, vehemently, that it’s the truth. 🙂