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While I have the utmost respect when someone creates their own stardom and successes, I can’t help but cringe when it can so negatively impact thousands and thousands of people.  1.1 million followers are lured to Arielle Charnas’s Instagram account. There is no question that her style blog, Something Navy, offers helpful information, direction, and advice when it comes to clothing and fashion. But, in a time where young girls are struggling emotionally and physically by constantly comparing themselves to others on social media, Charnas does no favors. In our world of social media, we validate our worth based on how many people follow us,Read More →

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My 6 year old son has been asking me for the last several months to run a race together. Though the idea of signing us up sounded wonderful, I couldn’t help but have uncontrollable and intrusive thoughts creep back in head from the time of my eating disorder. At the time of my eating disorder, I not only restricted calories to the extreme, but I worked out excessively. No matter how intense the exercise, the length of time I ran, or the amount of calories burned, it never seemed enough. But, in my mind was always a minimum that I wouldn’t allow myself to fallRead More →

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Lately, I have been feeling in a rut when it comes to exercise, running, and working out. After having three kids, a double hernia surgery, and not being 21 years old anymore, I admit that I haven’t felt the best about myself and my body. My belly button is deformed, my stomach now has this pouch covering it, and it seems I am gasping for air on every machine. So, I did the scariest thing for me, and approached the head of group fitness and wellness at my gym. Let me first start off by saying she is a beast. And, not in size per-say,Read More →

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It was a gorgeous, early September day. After giving up my morning run to take the kids to the state fair, I felt motivated to get some exercise later in the day. Feeling guilty about leaving my husband home with three kids, I begged one of my boys to come with me. After multiple rejections, I whispered in my oldest son’s ear that I’d take him for an ice cream cone. That’s all it took. He hopped in the stroller, and off we ran to our brand new neighborhood Italian ice and frozen custard shop. The kids in our area have watched this shop come toRead More →

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I stood in front of a three way mirror. Staring at myself in what I believed was the least flattering color on me ever, I couldn’t even pull the sample dress up over my body. Tears came pouring down, and I quickly had an array of emotions and thoughts going through my head.  I had just spent an entire year battling anorexia. This dress fitting happened to have taken place as the pendulum swung the other way–I was overweight. The skinny ass girl who was helping me pulled out her measuring tape, and started wrapping it around different parts of my body. As if thatRead More →

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I signed my two boys up for half-day soccer camp last summer. I was seven months pregnant at the time, and it was the hottest month of the year in Maryland.  Our mornings that week were pretty routine. Woke up, fed them breakfast, got them ready, buckled them in the car, and somehow managed to get to the fields with three minutes to spare. As soon as they were called in by the coaches, I was finally able to take a long, deep breath. Then, while lacing up my running shoes, I planned out my workout. I was making good use of my time —Read More →

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At 3 years of age, he stands tall at 36 inches. A tiny toddler to me. As his mother,  all I want is to soak in as much as I can of his little feet, small hands, soft skin, and adorable high-pitched voice. But, all he wants is to “get big.” Like any ordinary morning, my 3-year-old son came sprinting into my bathroom so proud that he got himself dressed without any help. (Mind you, his shorts were on backwards, and his shirt was inside-out.) As I was brushing my teeth and analyzing each and every black pore on my face, I heard him shout,Read More →

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When I accepted a job in Baltimore in 2007, my dad assured me that I was only a quick flight away if I needed to come home or felt the urge to visit. Southwest Airlines flew direct to Detroit for quite low fares at the time. So, even then, I returned home regularly. It was easy then. I’d bring my backpack filled with goodies to get me through the hour flight, and my carry-on luggage to make my travel time that much quicker.  Then, I had my first son. Though I couldn’t imagine my desire to fly to Detroit could magnify, it did. I wantedRead More →

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I did it again. For the third time. And as much as it is what I dreamed of and wanted, I have to be honest… kids have a way of disrupting any rhythm or routine. So, for me, the fact that I have done this now three times is amazing.  Today I saw a young, glowing, and beautiful pregnant girl. You have to understand…my idea of young has evolved. Since having kids, I feel I have aged drastically. So a first time pregnant woman looks stunning compared to how I feel and how I feel I look. As I admired her and her adorable maternityRead More →

Cross Fit Trainer Pregnant

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My friend shared an article with me the other night from Fox News. Just from the title of the article that was published in Self, I felt fired up, empathetic, and extremely emotional. “CrossFit trainer receiving backlash for lifting more than 90 pounds while pregnant.” The article reads, “Though Breeze has assured her followers that she’s been listening to her doctor’s advice as far as fitness is concerned, many have said they’re worried she’s jeopardizing the health of her pregnancy by maintaining such an active life in the gym.” I have two kids, which means I have experienced the lengthy, physically and emotionally challenging moments of pregnancy…twice. And,Read More →