what does exercise do for me? so are we talking mentally, physically, what? well for me, i mainly continue to work out for many reasons. first, i dont even want to think about what my body would look like if i didnt. i know a couple of things- when i was pregnant with my son, i was put on rest- pelvic rest for the whole thing and on and off bed rest. so after like week 7- no exercise for me. that was ridiculously hard for me to grasp- working out is what keeps me sane and healthy and not fat! so i was terrified to feel what 8 months of sedentary lifestyle would feel like. so 65 or 70 pounds later (i weighed more than my husband who is about 10 inches taller than me at the end of my pregnancy), i found out. i, quicker than i thought, fell into a sluggish lifestyle- it became easier and easier not to work out. and along with that, i noticed my eating habits got worse. great combo! i felt worse about myself than i ever had. well day 1 after getting the OK to resume excercise i did. i really did. i lost 40 pounds in like 4 months. but then i got pregnant again. oh man was i scared! i still had about 30 extra pounds on me to start this one. but luckily, i could keep working out throughout, and i managed to only gain like 25 pounds. but after that pregnancy, there i was again having to lose a bunch of LBs. but i did. in fact, after that baby girl, i got down to a lower weight than ever- about 104 pounds. that was a bit extreme. but it wasnt intentional to lose that much. it truly just dropped right off- well with running about 5 miles a day 6-7 times a week. getting back into running was really hard- if youve ever run with excess weight- man it sucks! you feel every jiggle, wiggle, and bounce! but it is what works to shed pounds, so i kept going, and going, and going! i really fell back in love with running. it helped me to feel better about my body- i couldnt believe how quickly my body responded to my hard work. and every day it got easier and less and less jiggling! running also was my respit from hectic work and kids and husband and all the stresses we have. many people dont understand that running and yoga and meditation have a lot in common. once you get your stride, running is a very rythmic exercise. the pounding of your feet, your breath, its all very rythmic and calming. not to mention the hormones that get released into the brain a bit into your run. these "feel good" happy hormones elevate your mood and reduce stress. this is often what runners refer to as "runners high". and theyre not kidding- many a run i have hit my stride and literally sighed as i felt the calm wash over me. a lot of people view running as hard, and let me tell you, it is sometimes! but there is nothing, i mean nothing, like that feeling. and that is what gets me out there- day after day- to RUN.
"dont ask me why i run. ask yourself why you dont."

theres been a few articles in the news about supplements not having an effect on health, and in some cases, actually hurting your health. i have these intuitive long standing beliefs about supplements and popping vitamins and minerals. the thing is, they are all synthetic and processed versions of what they claim to be. they make for some very expensive pee- as said on "the chew" today. the best place and most ideal place to get these nutrients if from your food. so stop looking for that magic pill and focus on eating whole, real, and nutritious foods. its really all you need.

well its been a long time. i have to say i am becoming very discouraged in my work. i began to feel the same way when i was doing sex ed. i feel like poeple dont really want to chcnge their bad habits if it entails work. my goal is not to change the world, its to change a life. we have one go around here and i feel like we should embrace it to the fullest- and that means mentally physically, and sexually. you CANNOT get even close to your potential in any of these areas without your health. my mom reminded me the other day of one of my favorite guys from grad school- maslow- and hos famous heiarchy of needs. the basic premise is that if your primal needs arent met, like food, health, and shelter, you will not be able to climb the heiarchy. upper levels like self-esteem, loving and belonging, and finally, self-actualiztion, cannot be achieved. i have been fat and thin, an unhealthy smoker, and a healthy vegetarian at a healthy weight. and i can tell you life is so ridiculously much better when you feel good inside and you feel good about your outsides too. i mean lets not ignore the fact that we all want to look good. life just somehow is more enjoyable when you feel and look your best. you can get up in the morning and throw anything on and feel ok- as opposed to an hour in front of the mirror trying to find something you'll not be too embarassed in. ive been there. its not fun. at all. everyones looking for that magic pill or answer to get to that place of feeling and looking their best. the thing is that doesnt exist. it takes hard work- mentally and physically to get there. and its so much better when you do knowing you did it on your own. it really is- so heres the answer- actually there is magic- i think its magic- its so overlooked anymore- the simplicity of the answer- its exercise your body and feed it well. no jenny craig or weight watchers needed. no diet pills or zumba. just MOVE and feed your body like the temple that it is. even my 90 year old grandpa has fallen for the gimic- i mean at 90? geez- thats how powerful these big advertisers have become. he wont eat anything but his pre-packaged frozen processed jenny craig food. really? really? even at 90 they can get into your head and make you believe their food is best? it really infuriates me! i had him over the other day and he refused my fresh and organic grapes and cheese b/c he had to get home for his frozen processed lunch and how good he's being on his diet. so ridiclous i dont even know where to start! you should NEVER EVER pass up fresh and esp. organic fruits and veggies! NEVER! that is the basis for health- and to be so brainwashed to think his diet food is better is just beyond. so i feel like i am fighting a losing battle- and mostly on my own. sure there are some that have tried to brake through- my beloved dr.weil and dr.oz i love too. i just wish more people would blindly follow people like them as opposed to weight watchers, jenny craig, and all the diet pill commercials. so the question ive been asking myself lately is how can i help? how can i make a difference? how can i penetrate this bubble of big business and taking advantage of people? i dont know the answer yet. i just keep plugging along slowly and hope that even just one person will listen and feel the joy of good health and well-being.

starting a moms running group

the sessions will be held outdoors so we can enjoy the scenery! some places we will be meeting are.... high school tracks, westlake rec outdoor track, trails around huntington beach, lake road, the metroparks trails, lakewood park track, bradley nature park trails. i will alternate meeting places to accomodate everyone, and times too. weekends, evenings, and weekdays will be included in the 5 sessions/week. also, completely open to suggestion for running routes :) and if you have a favorite route, each month one person can have the opportunity to take the group on their route!

i think pricing will be like this.... $5 drop in session or $50 a month for unlimited sessions. this will include... running log, training insight/tips, courses and distance previously planned out so no planning ahead or worrying about time/distance on your part! personal coaching of course.... food log, nutrition advice/tips, and best of all- sharing with other moms :) also, at each session, i will have handouts/tips on varying topics relating to training/running/nutrition and womens health. i will have 5 sessions a week- come to as many or as few as you'd like!

moms running group
train for a summer 5k, or just come to chat and clear your mind, while burning off some calories! running releases endorphins that can put you in a better mood to go home and be an even better mom with more patience, clarity, and confidence.

runs led by fellow mother of 4
fitness trainer . educator . counselor
be well by aimee
aimeetkc@gmail.com
216.990.6520



we will be following a training program for running a 5k race…. gearing up for smiles for sophie, the girls with sole 5k, or any summer/fall 5k! feel free to join the group anytime and we’ll get you up to speed with private sessions or give you guidelines for on your own catch up.
can pay monthly or by the session as you go.

choose from 5 meeting times every week at local trails, parks, tracks, and streets. come as often or as little as you’d like! guidelines for training will be given so that you can do some work on your own if you choose to meet only once a twice a week with the group.
call or email for training times and places!

we're all the same

a phrase ive been thinking about so much lately.... we're all the same on the inside. we all start out the same (of course with some exceptions) we all have the same ability to have a strong heart, healthy lungs, and a fit body- inside and out. i dont know why some people sell themselves so short? you CAN achieve ANYTHING you want to- anything you put your mind to. if you see someone running a 7 minute mile and you think i could never do that- you are sooooo wrong! do you think that person started out running a 7 minute mile? or even running at all? no way! small steps guys... start walking 1 mile, then walk a mile and jog a mile, then jog 2 miles, then run a mile and jog a mile, then run 2 miles, and so on. you get the drift! i have been so bummed about losing progress so many times, and every time i have come back. with a little hard work and dedication. i think a lot of people are just afraid. afraid to work hard, afraid of success, afraid of failure, afraid to prove themselves wrong or maybe prove others wrong! people are afraid, and i challenge you to NOT BE AFRAID. have some confidence and who really cares who you prove wrong or right. its not about them- its about you and your life. and how you feel and how you take care of yourself- or not.

americans obsession with meds

or should i say doctors obsessions with drugs? and americans obsession with not asking second opinions. on a side note, i think we all need a course in the differences in doctors training. as a pyschology graduate and counselor, i am always surprised to find out that people do not know the difference bewteen a pyschologist and a psychiatrist. let alone counselors, therapists, and social workers! there are big differences. the reason i think people should inform themselves about these guys, is that if you go to see a pyschiatrist for anxiety, he will prescribe drugs. if you go to see a psychologist, or a counselor for anxiety, they will counsel you. pyschiatrists are medical doctors who go to med school and choose psychiatry as their specialty area, like a gynecologist would choose gynecology. so they dont have the counseling training that a psychologist does, nor do they believe they need it. most, but not all, of them believe that problems like anxiety and depression will be cured with meds. but let me ask you, if you take take meds for depression, what happens when you come off them? it's still there. and ive seen this happen- the drugs are covering up the problem, not solving it. and in addition, they are making matters worse with their side effects. i have watched more than one person in my own life go from being addicted to alcohol or whatever, to being addicted to anti-depressants b/c they had a hard time coping with coming off the previous substance. so when did everything have to be so easy? why are we so afraid to feel and put in a little effort? it builds character people! dont take credit for quitting smoking if you did it with pills- you didnt quit, you just exchanged one form of nicotine for another. how about a little hard work and being so proud of yourself b/c you did it on your own like a big girl? im always so hesitant to post what i feel about things, because i truly do not want to offend anyone. i know life is hard, and if something can help us through the rough times, who cares right? but i guess my point is just that we are stronger than we think. we dont need these crazy drugs that have a billion side effects and put you in a state of permanent spacy-ness! i am more scared of what the drugs do to you than feeling depressed or what it really feels like to get off nicotine for example. dont be afraid to feel! thats what lie is all about- feeling and experiencing. last year i had my 4th baby, and little did i know, had the worst year of my life. i went into a huge depression- hormonally induced, but very very real. my son is 16 months old, and i am just coming out of it. i barely remember the past year, it was so hard and tiring and sad. i could cry just thinking about it. but i fought and fought to get through it, and i knew i would, b/c i have faith in myself. not my doctor, not anti-depression meds, but myself. and i cant tell you how strong i feel for not giving up on myself. i kept working out, i ate healthy food, and i got sleep when i could. i kept in touch with friends and i cried a lot. i mean a lot! but i kept myself from falling deeper by keeping the faith. in myself. doing cardio releases "feel good" hormones in your brain that mimic a happy euphoric high. so i kept at it. day in day out, so many days i didnt want to get up and work out, but i made myself b/c i knew that was my ticket to feeling better.
we are responsible for our lives, for how we see the world, and how we feel the world. dont be afraid to feel your life. and i dont think we should be afraid to work hard and to battle things w/out the help of drugs. thats when we learn the most about ourselves.
on another side note! theres this amazing doctor, dr. weil. and his website is drweil.com btw....
he is a harvard trained MD. but he grew disappointed in the treatment minded medical system, and began focusing on prevention as opposed to treating his patients. he is very well known and in my opinion, an amazing guy who really has a grip on whats important and what it means to be healthy. he discusses exercise, our diet, and disease. he talks about how to heal from things w/out the typical drug cocktails. but most importantly, he feels like we need to put more emphasis on preventing illness, rather than treating it.
check him out! he just developed a food pyramid that we all should follow- throw out your ideas from the FDA and the ADA, and refer to his! it will literally, save your life :)

cardio or strength?

so the better question is what are your goals? the new trend is to focus more on strength training. but my heart is always with cardio. if i had to choose i would choose cardio. but some go the other way. i personally choose to do both, but there have been periods in my excercise life that i have not done much strength besides yoga, which can absolutely be strength training using your own body for resistance. i think the bottom line is that strength can reshape your body, but nothing can replace the feeling, the high of cardio. i love how it feels, and no amount of lifting weights has even done that for me. yoga also, i just love the way it makes me feel. so if i only have a half an hour to workout, i will choose cardio. but my goals are to feel good, feel well, feel better, and to keep my heart and other organs healthy. some people focus on their outside figure and some focus on health. there is a bridge between these 2, but it seems as though most fall on one side or the other. best case scenario, do both. for me, working out is for health, and a lot for relieving stress. for me, cardio does this. i cant explain the amazing high you get from running, there is really nothing like it. it makes you feel calm and strong all at the same time. it makes you feel lean and svelte, even if youre not! i do other types of cardio, like the bike, and spinning, and the elliptical, but for me, nothing comes close. you have to find that one for you. the one cardio workout that makes you feel good. for some its swimming, or biking, or even rowing. try them all and see what works for you. some people think they cant run- im just not a runner they say. but i urge you to try it- really try it. try anything you think you cant do. we are all capable of working out hard, and we are all strong. find your strength!