The fabulous women behind the website Fit Bottomed Girls have been doing a series called “My Fitness Truths”. I. Love. Them! Each one shows something different and it really got the wheels churning in my brain. What would I list out as my own personal fitness truths? Well, I will take a stab at it this fine morning!

I would rather look like I work for my body than starve for it.

I’ve done the deprivation thing and it’s not a good look for me. Every body is different, but I like a little muscle definition on my frame! Let Hollywood emphasize whatever they want…I’ll still feel proud of my arms.

My workouts aren’t social time. Well, besides at conferences.

It’s my time to get alone with my thoughts…not chat with other moms at the gym.

Change begets change. You want progress? Push the limit. Switch it up. Go past the comfort zone. Don’t fear change. Change is good.

I love to sweat.

I know you don’t have to sweat for a good workout…but it sure feels good when you do.

My body deserves respect. It deserves care.

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God gave it to me to house something much more important…I better treat it well with nutritious foods and regular movement.

Yes, I like to workout. Yes, I like to eat healthy. That doesn’t mean I can’t also love on some frozen yogurt or enjoy a lazy day.

Healthy living is more than diet and workouts.

You won’t get to your deathbed wishing you weighed 10 pounds less or had a flatter stomach all those years ago. You will cast your thoughts to the love and memories you created. Don’t forget those in a fit, whole life.

Don’t. Give. Up. From escaping binge eating to racing a half marathon…don’t give up. You are stronger than you think.

And when all else fails, picture a “Hammer Time” flash mob.

• What would be one of your “fitness truths”?

Evening, friends! Did you all have a delightful Tuesday? I sure did! Despite a minor snafu I will get to in a moment. First, I need to tell you all about my killer intervals session today!

This morning I headed to the gym for some upper body training. Gotta keep this body nice and strong and fit.

I did a strength endurance style workout by completing supersets coupling the same muscle group for an extra challenge. For back I did assisted pull-ups immediately followed by underhand barbell rows. Then, for chest, I did machine bench press followed by dumbbell flyes on a stability ball. I rounded it all out with a couple sets of bicep hammer curls and tricep kickbacks. Burn baby burn!

As much as my upper body workout pushed me, I really want to highlight my interval workout from the day. It started off feeling not too difficult, but boy did it build on itself quickly for a good sweat session! Low impact certainly does not mean low intensity!

Low Impact High Intensity Interval Workout

Use an elliptical, spin bike, incline walking, or cross trainer for this workout. Set the resistance or incline to a moderate, but challenging level. I used level 12 resistance on the elliptical. You want a resistance where you can pick up the pace but still feel challenged when at lower recovery speeds.

The intervals start off with one minute “work” and one minute “rest”, then the work period gets longer than the rest period to amp up the intensity. Finally, at the end, you go back to shorter intervals. It doesn’t get easier! Having shorter rest intervals doesn’t feel so friendly.

This workout keeps the impact out, but will still leave you with a good burn. Promise! And you can easily switch it up to make it work for you by choosing the equipment or altering the length of the intervals or workout. Have fun with it!

I spent my elliptical session daydreaming about pumpkin bread and carrot cake. So, I decided to do something about it this afternoon. I realized I didn’t have any pumpkin still hoarded from last year, so I headed out to the store. Just for pumpkin. With both kids. I’m telling you – I was determined.

Bwah bwah bwah. <— sad attempt to make the “disappointed” sound from cartoons

I ended up picking up pumpkin pie mix and not pumpkin! #fail

Looks like I will just have to wait for my sweet baking visions to become reality. On the bright side, the store clerks will get some amusement from Makenzie again.

I love my Santa-hat-wearing, turd-in-the-tub-dropping children.

• What is your favorite low impact workout activity?