Movin’ and Improvin’: Our journey to get fit by 40

Women, especially women caretakers, frequently put their own health and well-being on the bottom of endless long to-do lists. Pushing it off until so and so is better, my babies have grown up, etc.  Loralie and I are no different. Busy work-at-home moms who let their own health and wellness slide to raise children, take care of a home and family and build a business.  We have recently partnered with Advocate Condell Centre Club to change that – to make small incremental steps towards better health, and share our journey.

We will be documenting the journey to get Movin’ and Improvin’ and be fit by 40 here on the health enews blog and our social media.

Here is some background about us:

Melissa is the “Mom-in-Chief” and creator of Little Lake County, a website for parents about living in Lake County.   As a busy entrepreneur and WAHM to four children including a toddler, she struggles with finding time and taking care of herself.  A former college soccer player and an aspiring marathoner, her fitness goals have been sidelined by injury, pregnancy, and the demands of motherhood and a growing business. Recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, she seeks to lower it through proper nutrition and exercise.

Melissa’s Goals are:

• More energy and better sleep
• Be able to keep up with a very active toddler
• Be able to hold a 32 lb. toddler through the entire Sunday church service
• Carry a tantrum toddler in one arm
• Lower cholesterol, goal is 30 points
• Be comfortable in her own skin

Loralie is Little Lake County’s Marketing Director and Features Editor, she is one of the 78.6 Million American adults who are obese (according to CDC).  In Illinois, 28.2% of adults are obese.  Her weight struggles are echoed by many struggling with post-baby weight and the added stressor of raising young children.  Loralie’s weight issues gained national attention in 2007 when she participated in the ABC reality series, Fat March.  Like so many, her weight has been a life-long struggle and she is seeking to regain her health and fitness and get “Fit by 40.”

Loralie’s Goals are:

• Go rock wall climbing with her daughter and play soccer with her son
• Alleviate arthritis in her knee
• Alleviate stress through exercise
• Lead an overall active lifestyle incorporating regular gym workouts
• Avoid family history of Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure
• Set a healthy example for her kids

We hope you will follow us on our journey and see how we transform and make small changes to get Fit by 40. You can join in by sharing snapshots of your journey on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #LLCMoves and #Fitby40, and if you see us at the Advocate Condell Centre Clubs, give a high-five!