Life (happily) interrupted.

Crickets. 
That's been the sound from my blog for almost 3 years.  At first, the fact that I hadn't made an entry crossed my mind quite often and it weighed on me.  But then, after awhile, it became one more task on a list that kept getting longer.  My priorities changed and sadly, this blog became easy to push to the back burner.  Life has been in full swing, and its kept me on my toes.  In February 2012, I was blessed with another healthy baby girl.  Lila Maren has brought nothing but happiness to our family since her arrival.  We could have never imagined what space this little person could fill in an already very full family.  But she makes her presence known every minute of every day.  At two years old now, she offers something for everyone: she's mommy and daddy's cuddler, a baby doll for her big sis, a fort-building sidekick to her big bro, a helpful, inquisitive, outgoing little explorer to babysitters and grandparents.  She has shaped us all and helped her older siblings become more responsible, loving, and aware, and has helped Keith and me appreciate the present.  It's only through a toddler's eyes that pinecones and stones become treasures, and the simple act of taking a walk down the block turns into an adventure.  To say she is our joy is an understatement.

Having three children has impacted my business, but it hasn't lessened its importance to  me.  My passion is just as strong as it was when I began training clients, and if anything it has grown.  Since moving to the valley over three years ago, I've transitioned from working mostly on the west side to our home gym.  This has afforded me great flexibility -- I'm able to drop Madeleine and Owen at school every morning and be back within ten minutes for my early clients. I also have the luxury of being with Lila most of the time.  She is often in the gym during session acting as a cheerleader and (usually) a happy distraction.  Because I'm in such demand when the kids are home, the few hours I work each day are sacred to me.  In that time, I recharge.  The workouts, the conversations, the friendships that have been built in that gym and in my yard during my weekly class, are so healing to me.  A constant theme in my blogs is the overwhelming love I have for the people I work with, and I have to reiterate that again.  I've gained quite a few new clients since moving to Studio City, and these people have become close friends that I look forward to seeing. I owe each client more than I could ever give.  My sessions give me purpose and that fulfills me in a way I know positively influences the way I parent and relate to my husband.

While motherhood and personal training take up most of my time, my life wouldn't be the same if I didn't run.  We all need something that is purely our own in life -- whether it's exercising, meditating, practicing yoga, reading, cooking -- it doesn't matter as long as you are left feeling better when it's over.  Running has been that outlet for me for many years, and a lot of my motivation to stay fit comes from the desire to keep my body in strong running shape.  Cross training, weights, and yoga have helped me become a better runner, and I try to pass along this balanced approach to my clients. I've completed two marathons since Lila was born, and I'm proud to say that one of them qualified me to enter the Boston Marathon next year.  This was goal I had in the back of my mind for some time, but I didn't know if I'd be able to achieve it.  It gives me great satisfaction to know that even though I'm getting older, I don't have to compromise my physical aspirations.  Everything worthwhile in life takes hard work, and as I watch my clients push pass their limits, I'm encouraged to continue pushing past mine.

Along with my fitness goals, I am determined to recommit to this blog.  I'm inspired by my friend, Katie Romey, who is a Registered Dietician and has partnered with me to offer a healthier approach to eating.  I believe that together we can help people take charge of their exercise routines and diet dilemmas once and for all.  Her new blog, aweekdayvegan.com, is a great resource for nutritious recipes and ideas.  Her blog pushed me to get back to writing, and I look forward to once again having a place to share my perspective on fitness and health.  Life is traveling at a million miles an hour right now, but I believe this blog will give me another occasion to slow down and relish in what's important.  Yes, it's another thing to do on a list that keeps growing, but I'm ready now to give it top billing.

Labor of love

I originally began writing this blog so potential clients could get to know me better before committing to work with me. The personal trainer/client relationship is unique, and I would be foolish to assume that I'm the right fit for everyone. I also started this blog as a way of keeping in touch with my distant relatives and friends. As you can see by the date of the last entry, I've failed miserably at making updates. I can blame a lot of things - the constant chaos associated with raising two young children, the increasing demands of my growing business, the overall lack of free time in general. But, reasons aside, it really comes down to time management and I haven't balanced my time well during these last months.

I'm happy to say that I've been kept busy with the things that make my life rich. Owen turned two in early November and Madeleine just celebrated her 4th birthday in February. Keeping up with the kids is an exhausting, but immeasurably gratifying task. Madeleine is a girl in every sense of the word; she loves princesses, fairies, dresses, and makeup. And she could color for hours straight, which is a true blessing because it gives me the occasional break. Having grown up as a tomboy, I'm tremendously unskilled when it comes to braiding hair, painting fingernails, and sewing tattered princess dresses back together, so this is a learning curve for me. Our conversations have become much more grown-up and I relish in hearing her observations and opinions.

Owen is very much in the "terrible-two" phase. To say he's head-strong and determined is an understatement. I'd like to say Keith is responsible for passing along the stubborn gene, but unfortunately, that comes from me. My parents have no reservations telling me how amusing it is watching me go head to head with a toddler, much like they did with me. I guess it's payback for all the stand-offs they had when I was his age. While definitely a challenge, Owen is also extremely entertaining. His sense of humor already shines, even at two years old. Sometimes I feel like I'm dealing with an older soul when I can tell by the look in his eyes that whatever I'm laughing at is exactly what he intended. He adores music and usually strolls through the house singing. His favorite song right now is 'Rudolph the Red-Noised Reindeer', and he has no problem blaring out his version of the lyrics for anyone that might be listening. Luckily, the kids are wonderful pals. Their personalities balance each other, as Madeleine is much more mild-natured, responsible, and reserved, while Owen is outgoing, curious, and unafraid. It's so rewarding to watch them grow together and influence one another.

I've been lucky enough to find a manageable balance between work and motherhood due largely to the help of my babysitter. She's been instrumental in caring for the kids while I'm off to sessions early in the morning, especially when Keith is out of town for business. I'm thankful everyday for her as nothing would be worthwhile if I thought my kids weren't happy. Once I leave the house, I'm able to completely focus on the client I'm working with. Over the last 3 months I've started training 5 new people. It's been interesting and enlightening to learn how to challenge each person. I have to stay on my toes in order to keep things fresh, and the only way to do that is to read as much as possible about fitness. It also forces me to push myself in my workouts so that I can lead by example, because I would never feel comfortable telling someone to do something that I haven't done myself. I'm still working with my previous clients as well, and I'm so fortunate to watch their progress. I'm equally fortunate to have established genuine relationships with each person, and I truly consider them dear friends. Because I care about them so much, I feel an added responsibility to make sure their workouts are structured to the best of my ability. I take the sessions seriously, but not so much that we can't get lost in conversation (which we quite often do). With each person, I've learned something new, both about the service I'm trying to provide and about myself. It's the type of job that never becomes dull, and to have discovered this passion in my thirties is such an unexpected gift.

Everything I do right now is a labor of love. I can honestly say, as most mothers can, that I'm never fully rested - I don't know that last time I've seen 8 AM in bed - but I still feel like I'm completely in my element. Motherhood, friendships, and work have more meaning because they don't come easy. There are days when I feel like I do everything wrong in each of those roles, but most of the time I know I'm doing the absolute best I can and that let's sleep soundly at night. Even if it's only for six hours.

How is it already November?

With the holidays quickly approaching, our predictable routines are bound to be disrupted. I love this time of year for all the reasons that it's also challenging - parties with friends and family, excessive food and alcohol, lazy days where workouts just don't seem to fit in. While it's important to enjoy the holidays and cherish the extra time with our loved ones, it's just as important to remain committed to our healthy habits. If exercise is prioritized, the evening get-togethers are that much more enjoyable. And I plan on attending as many as I'm invited to!

I'm especially looking forward to this holiday season because we'll be able to celebrate in the comfort of our new home. The last couple of months have been hectic and, as a result, my blog has suffered neglect. But now that all the boxes are unpacked and the paintings hung, I'm finally in a position to dedicate more time to writing and to my business. And as a new valley resident, I'm eager to expand my client base. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it's a great occasion to begin an exercise routine. We all know the facts - exercise is no only good for the body and the mind, it also fights chronic disease, promotes better sleep, and just makes you feel good. I'll definitely need to be reminded of these benefits occasionally over the next two months during all the festive cheer, and I'd love the opportunity to remind some others as well. Feel free to contact me via email if you or anyone you know may be interested in working with a personal trainer. I offer specials on 5 and 8 session packages for the months of November and December. It also makes a great gift for loved ones who could use a little extra motivation. And, let's be honest, we could all use some around Christmas!

Where there's a will, there's a way

Two of my clients ran their first 10K race on Sunday, and I was lucky enough to join them. When we started training together almost six months ago, they were very much beginning runners with a lot of natural ability but definitely untrained muscles. For the cardio portion of our sessions, they started by jogging for two minutes followed by one minute of walking. Each week the jogging intervals increased and the walking intervals decreased until they could both run consistently for thirty minutes. Watching their progress was gratifying but I knew they needed a goal, so I suggested signing up for a 10K. I'm the type of person who always performs better if I have something to aim for, and I was hoping an event would keep them focused and motivated as well. I quickly learned that motivation was not lacking in either of these ladies. Since I've been working with them they have never missed a session unless out of town. They also complete two additional outlined workouts sent by me each week without complaint. They are committed to becoming healthier and, as a result, they've lost weight, increased muscle mass and, in meantime, become runners. I learn from the people I teach, and their dedication has been a great example for me.

I've mentioned before how fortunate I feel to work with such wonderful clients. These two particular women have become much more than that - I consider them friends. I should have known that when I became a personal trainer, I would inevitably become invested not only in the health and well-being of those in which I work, but also in the relationships created. The 10K on Sunday was a great success for many reasons, but I'll always treasure it because it was an accomplishment two friends set out to achieve and I had the pleasure of helping them realize it. Just another reason I love my job.

Valley bound

As the summer comes to a close, so does our life in the Pacific Palisades. We recently entered escrow on a home in Studio City and while I'll definitely be sad to leave the ocean breeze and very close friends behind, I'm extremely excited about our new adventure. Obviously our friends (and the ocean breeze for that matter) won't be gone, they'll just be 30 minutes away instead of 5. We've been on a long journey through plenty of different homes and locations in order to find the place we really want to settle, and now that we're almost there, I feel anxious about all the physical obstacles we need to surmount in the next 30 days (inspection, appraisal, packing), but very confident in our decision to move to the valley.

With any move comes challenges: new schools, new commutes, new local doctors, babysitters, dentists. But with this specific move also comes an opportunity to really establish roots and start a new chapter in our lives. This is a house where we can watch our young family grow. I can already imagine looking out the window and seeing the kids playing in the yard and swimming in the pool. We're excited at the thought of teaching them how to ride bikes on the flat, shaded street. Although I have zero skill in decorating, I'm determined to really put my own personal stamp on this house by slowly furnishing it in a way that makes me proud. There are common milestones we all share, and owning a home is high on the list. As this becomes a reality, the blessing is definitely not lost on us.

Today while the inspection occurred, I took some time to drive around the area a little more and look at the coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and boutiques. I've always had a restless gene, and before getting married I had a hard time lasting in one place for more than a couple of years. So, exploring new neighborhoods and being out of my element appeals to me more than most people I know. I love discovering what will become my new regular coffee shop, or the Friday night happy hour spot. My long weekend runs become even more appealing when I'm in unfamiliar territory - untraveled paths in every direction means there's hours of sightseeing ahead. The newness of an area intrigues me. But moving with a family is obviously much different than moving alone. Now I have the responsibility of creating a happy life for my children. I don't have the ability to pack up easily and relocate if I don't like my surroundings. I also have to think of my work and the clients I've established in the Palisades and Santa Monica. I've been so fortunate to meet such great people, and working with them isn't like working at all - it's like spending time with friends. My move doesn't mean that their needs matter any less; it just means my schedule can't be quite as spontaneous as it has been.

My family worries that I'll miss the conveniences of the westside more than I'm anticipating. I know that the heat of the valley will take some adjusting to, and the traffic on the 101 freeway will mean more DVD time for the kids in the car, but distance and heat aside, I think we're really going to settle in nicely to our sweet home. At the end of the day, life is really about the kids right now, and as long as they're healthy and have a roof over their heads, the rest doesn't really matter. We already have everything we need, and getting this particular home really is the icing on the cake. And we're all looking forward to enjoying the icing.

Perspective

I dropped Madeleine at camp yesterday and as I was making my way back across the parking lot to the car, I ran into another little girl from her class with her mother. This particular mom is naturally beautiful - tall, lean, bright eyes. But yesterday she looked even better, wearing a knee length pencil skirt, simple fitted shirt, and a fedora. I had to tell her how great she looked and especially how much I admired her for pulling off the white fedora. She laughed easily and said she was dressed for work, and since almost all of her hair was gone, she had no choice but to wear a hat. I was caught off guard because I had no idea she was sick. She didn't go into details, just briefly explained that she had lung cancer that had spread to her brain. She had had surgery, was undergoing chemo again, and had just returned to work after a long hiatus.

I'm usually not at a loss for words, and although I kept talking, I know the sentences that followed her admission weren't very articulate. It was like I was hearing myself speak from outside of my body, with no control over my word choice. After we parted, I kept replaying what I said - something along the lines of, "Well... you look amazing" and "I'm so sorry...". She was so gracious and obviously saw that I meant well, but I really wish I could go back in time and better express myself. Even now, I still have trouble finding the right words (if there is such a thing). I don't know this woman well, so I wouldn't want to offend her by assuming I know more than I do about her situation. But I feel naturally connected to her because we're both mothers, similar in age. That may be where the commonalities end, but that's still enough to make her struggles very real for me.

I'm in awe of anyone fighting cancer. Having witnessed my mother's battle, I know how mentally and physically debilitating it is. When I think of this young woman having to fight an illness while raising a young child, it puts all my trivial woes in perspective. I realize that we're all faced with our own challenges in life, and even if those challenges aren't as grave as cancer, they're still significant. I'm not making light of my own obstacles, but I do see the pettiness in some of my daily stresses when compared with the load this woman carries.

Life is precious and I feel disappointed in myself when it takes someone else's adversity to make me see that. If I were faced with a similar fate, I don't think I could exude the same warmth, strength, and confidence that she does. Our brief encounter impacted me greatly, and although I only know a small piece of her story, it was enough to make me see things a bit clearer. At least clear enough to recognize how little I have in which to complain.

Dinner is served, and it's: Lemon-Basil Chicken

I've been a bit lazy in the kitchen these past few weeks, mostly because of traveling and also the 4th of July holiday. I did manage to try a couple of new recipes and this one was a definite hit. It's so easy and surprisingly tasty, and it's healthy -- all qualifying characteristics to make it a regular in our weekly menu rotation.

Here's what you need:

2 chicken breasts
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp coriander (or 1 tbsp fresh cilantro)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil

Dressing:
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh basil (approx. 3-4 large leaves chopped)
salt & pepper

1/2 cup quinoa *

Here's what you do:

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, mustard, lemon juice and coriander. Place chicken breasts into zip-lock bag or glass dish, pour in mustard/lemon marinate and leave in the refrigerator for as long as possible (you can even make this in the morning and leave all day). Heat grill pan over medium-high heat, spray with non-stick cooking spray, and add chicken breasts. Discard mustard marinate. Cook on each side for approximately 5 minutes.

While chicken is cooking, make lemon-basil dressing. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, and basil in small bowl. Whisk together and then add salt and pepper to taste. Remove chicken from grill pan and let rest for 5 minutes.

Cook quinoa according to package (usually takes about 15-20 minutes, so start before chicken). Also, feel free to use another starch such a wild rice. Place quinoa in the middle of plate, sliced chicken breast on top, and drizzle lemon-basil dressing generously over both. Serve! This is delicious with steamed asparagus, but would also be good with sauteed spinach (perhaps in between quinoa and chicken).

Hope you enjoy!