Why Marathons?

By Jen on October 15, 2008 12:00 PM | 7 Comments
Why Marathons?
On Sunday November 2nd, I will be competing in the New York City Marathon.  I’ve run NYC once before in 2004.  This will be my 8th marathon since the birth of my third son…an average of one marathon a year. Lately, several people have asked me “Are you crazy?  Why would anyone ever want to run a marathon?”  Sometimes I ask myself the same question! Particularly when I have to get up out of my warm bed to run! Oddly though, once I am up and out I really love it.  Why do I run marathons?1.    Because I... More »
| Add a Comment: 7 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

Bye-Bye Back Fat!

By Jen on August 26, 2008 2:21 PM | 1 Comment
Bye-Bye Back Fat!
One of the most common questions I get as a personal trainer is “how do I get rid of this?” or “how can I make this smaller?” Typically, my answer to these questions is that you can’t spot reduce.  The most problem areas seem to be the back of the arms and the core.  Lately though, I have had several clients ask how they can get rid of back fat.  Specifically, the area of the back where the skin bulges out from underneath the bra.  Yuck! Why should we work the back?  Strengthening the back helps improve posture by... More »
| Add a Comment: 1 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

Staying Positive

By Jen on January 29, 2008 10:13 PM | 4 Comments
Staying Positive
Happy New Year!  As the resident “fitness expert” at urbanmoms.ca, I have decided this year to focus more on writing about my life as a newly single mom and relate that to wellness rather than focusing solely on exercises.  Writing this blog has really helped me to heal and the support I have received has been overwhelming…thank you.  I used to worry a lot about how my relationships were going to change when we separated.  I’ve known my husband’s family for over 30 years.   They are so much a part of my life now - I couldn’t imagine life... More »
| Add a Comment: 4 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

By Jen on November 20, 2007 12:13 PM | 7 Comments
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
I have learned a lot about myself in the last few months.  Some of it good.  Some of it not so good.  Some of it downright ugly.  I have been a single mom for about 5 months now.  Just to let you know, I survived Thanksgiving intact.  And I survived my son’s 8th birthday intact (the first birthday party I’ve thrown alone.) The best way to describe the past few months is that I have good days and bad days - just like before “the thing” (as my kids call it).  But the difference is that my good days... More »
| Add a Comment: 7 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

Something's Gotta Give

By Jen on October 16, 2007 3:15 PM | 16 Comments
Something's Gotta Give
I totally forgot the deadline for this fitness article. It is the day after Thanksgiving, I ate too much rich food (my son asked me if I was having a baby?!) and my house looks like it was hit by a tornado after hosting turkey dinner.  Life is busy. And normally, I am on top of things.  I have a thriving personal training business, 3 busy kids and a puppy.  But this summer, my husband and I decided to separate after 17 years of marriage. And last week, my youngest decided he couldn’t to go to school anymore because... More »
| Add a Comment: 16 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

Goal Setting With Susan

By Jen on September 11, 2007 11:41 PM | 1 Comment
Goal Setting With Susan
September always feels like the start of a brand new year.   It’s the time of year when the kids go back to school and we start back into our routines.  September feels more like January 1st than January 1st  does!  I always mourn the end of summer but once we get to the first full week of school, I embrace the change.  If you’ve truly enjoyed your summer, then you’re ready to switch gears and start thinking about what you have to look forward to in the upcoming months.  Fall brings cooler weather, Thanksgiving and a chance to start... More »
| Add a Comment: 1 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

10 Ways to Stay Motivated in the Summer

By Jen on July 11, 2007 1:31 AM | No Comments
10 Ways to Stay Motivated in the Summer
As a Personal Trainer, one of my biggest challenges is keeping clients interested in their exercise routines. It has to be enjoyable because if it’s not fun, you won’t do it.  So it makes sense that the most successful clients are those who actually like doing their workouts.  How do we stay motivated and keep our exercising fun? Here is a list of 10 ways to keep interested, motivated and focused on fitness this summer. 1. Time In my experience, when you plan a workout into your schedule you are more likely to stick to it. Alternatively you’ll wake... More »
| Add a Comment: 0 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

The Park Bench Workout

By Jen on June 12, 2007 7:40 PM | No Comments
The Park Bench Workout
I remember when my boys were really small. We had just moved to Calgary. I was a new Mom with no friends, 25 lbs of extra baby weight and a stroller. I walked everywhere with the stroller.  It was my salvation and the thing that kept me sane. I would walk for miles along the river and end up at this great park. I remember feeling such a sense of accomplishment when I arrived at that park. And I knew that if I accomplished nothing else at the end of the day, at least I got some exercise.  It’s... More »
| Add a Comment: 0 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

Susan's Core Mini-Workout

By Jen on May 16, 2007 1:34 AM | 4 Comments
Susan's Core Mini-Workout
Motherhood is a joyous thing (most of the time anyways!). But as we all know, our bodies never quite look the same after we have children. In addition, most of us are faced with the added burden of extra pregnancy pounds. We are tired, hormonal, have less time to ourselves, and body parts that were once rather perky are now beyond saggy … sorry, I digress!!! As a mother of 3, I have experienced all those things. And as a personal trainer, all of my female clients have experienced those things. But by far the most common complaint I... More »
| Add a Comment: 4 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes

Introducing Urban Mom Fitness

By Jen on April 17, 2007 10:46 PM | 4 Comments
Introducing Urban Mom Fitness
Hello urban moms!  My name is Susan and I am a mom of 3 boys.  I am a Can-Fit-Pro Certified Personal Trainer and run my own personal training business in Toronto called Pursuit Personal Training which specializes in customized training programs for busy moms. I have always loved sports and since having my kids I have raced in seven marathons including the 2003 Boston Marathon and the 2004 New York City Marathon.  I take a holistic approach to training, building relationships with my clients and using humour and motivational strategies to help them to reach for and achieve their... More »
| Add a Comment: 4 | Like this post? Recommend it: Vote 0 Votes
« Margot's Movie Reviews | Blog Home | Organization 101 »