Madonna, Michelle Obama and Jennifer Garner aren’t afraid to lift more than just their children and their beautifully sculpted arms are proof it's a good thing! I should start by saying: “weights won’t make you bulky”. This is a common concern that I hear from a lot of mothers and it’s actually far from the truth.

I’m all for discovering new activewear and when I do, you better believe I will tell you about it. What’s more, when a brand is local to Toronto then it's really caught my attention.

I love supporting local Canadian brands especially those that promote a healthy lifestyle for the entire fam. Say hello to Jill Yoga activewear! Aside from being a Toronto brand (which I love), I was really drawn to all the vibrant and bold colors right off the bat. If you know me, you’ll notice that we lack a little color in our workout wardrobe, so this line really brought life to our closet! Seriously, if you look at previous pics you will notice a whole lot of black. Boring, I know ... but not anymore!

Spring is in the air and with the new season it makes for a good time to do a little spring cleaning … and I’m not just talking about inside your household! This post is dedicated entirely to quick and simple tips to help you clean up your habits to support a healthier and happier lifestyle! By answering these three common questions, you will have a better idea of how to get your ‘spring cleaning’ well on its way.

This article I recently wrote was just featured on the Not So Mumsy Blog, but it's an important topic so I felt inclined to share it on my own blog too! For all you mamas, please (please) take the time to read this article.

The one concern I hear most about revolves around the tummy area. Mothers often ask, “why do I still look 6 months pregnant?” or “I have a pooch that won’t go away” or “I just want my pre-baby tummy back”. The mommy tummy is actually a ‘thing’ and is likely a result of a condition called Diastasis Recti Abdominis.

After having a baby, our bodies naturally change. I’m a big believer in embracing our new and beautiful mom bods, but of course, we still want to be fit and feel our absolute best! But it’s not only our bodies that change, our hormones do too! If you’ve been fighting to reduce some belly fat, but have been unsuccessful, there is a good chance that your hormones are a big part of the equation. And sadly, hormone imbalances can get the best of us! If you missed this post on the Not So Mumsy blog, I am posting it here because this info is too good not to be shared!

A week since Halloween and the candy temptation is still going strong ... even more reason to give it our all in today's workout. This is what's about to go down: 

'This is how we roll' ... especially after last night's amazing adidas #HereToCreate class with Julian Ho at Totum Life Science. My mini couldn't attend and was pretty bummed about it. However, it was a great change for me to get a sweat on with other women in the city. Be sure to sign up next Thursday morning at 9 a.m. for your chance to join in on the fun (and sweat). PS - it's FREE!! Sign up at www.heretocreate.ca

Halloween is just around the corner and this girl keeps changing her mind about what she wants to be. Yesterday was a police officer and today is a storm trooper. What a dilemma! Costumes aside, it’s that time of the year again where those baby kit kat bars and tootsie rolls are lying all over your home ready for the taking. Yup, say hello to Halloween! Sadly, those little two-bite candies can add up and before you know it you’ve eaten half a bag.

Now let's get down to business! Many of us haven’t jumped rope since grade school, but perhaps it’s time we skip down memory lane. You can get a wicked cardio workout in just 10 minutes and all you need is a skipping rope... and some jumping skills.

Healthy and sustainable weight loss happens over time and includes a wholesome eating regimen coupled with a consistent workout routine. But what happens when you only have a week to fit into you favorite little black dress for a friend’s wedding or you need to get bikini ready for a last-minute family vacation. Everyone asks what you can do if you only have a week to get it together! I just shared these tips on the amazing Not So Mumsy Blog, but if you missed it here are the details!

We're back on the amazing Not So Mumsy blog talking about common fitness myths that need to be put to rest once and for all! Seriously almost every other week there is another weight-loss trend promising to get your mom butt in shape, so naturally it’s tough to know what actually works when it comes to becoming a healthier mama.

Sure, we lug around a heavy diaper bag all day and maneuverer busy malls carry a toddler, but sometimes this just isn’t enough to tighten that arm jiggle us moms often complain about. Tank top season might be over here in Toronto, but that doesn't mean you give up on toning those arms of yours. Last summer we shared this post on the Lot801 Blog so just in case you missed it, I want to make sure you're in the loop with three moves you can do to help you achieve shapely toned arms. Who wouldn’t kill for arms like celebrity moms Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker? Me please! Not to worry, this doesn’t involve rushing to your local gym and lifting dumbbell after dumbbell; these moves can be done right at home (with no weights required) and hopefully you’ll be sporting a tank top with confidence in no time!

It’s easy to get caught up in everyday mom life and sitting in silence to meditate sounds like a far-fetched dream. I speak from experience; my to-do list stresses me out as it hangs over my head and there seems to be so much more I can do in 5 minutes than meditate. Well mamas, that’s where I was wrong.  Meditation is very much an important part of your health and wellness journey.

We just got home from an incredible trip to Antigua! After the whole issue of losing out on travelling two weeks ago due to my mini's expired passport, this trip was definitely necessary!

I wanted to keep this post short and sweet and simply just share how we stayed active and healthy in Antigua. Yes, we relaxed by the beach a whole lot and yes, we had french fries and ice cream, but we ate healthy the majority of the time and still maintained a very active routine while on the island. 

I was pressed for time today so here is a snapshot of this morning’s kettlebell workout:

Sometimes it’s getting yourself out the door and to the gym that’s the hardest part about exercise. Geez, some mornings you can barely get in a shower let alone a workout. So what if there are some basic moves you can do in the comfort of your own home that can help you get well on your way to becoming a healthier and fitter mama? Sure, you might have to deal with a toddler here, a baby there and a few Thomas the Train toys during a workout, but this could be an amazing alternative to having to get your mama-butt to the gym for a 7:00 o’clock fitness class.

Say hello to a healthier and happier mama ... Anne-Marie completed the April 30-Day Challenge and not only lost 10 lbs., but she trimmed 7.5 inches off her waist. AMAZING!

My Mom Crush Monday goes to the beautiful Ariane, who is a mom of a little 2-year-old cutie! Seriously, how cute is her mini?! Ariane just completed the April 30-Day challenge and lost 7 lbs., 3 inches off her waist and 2 inches off her hips! AMAZING!

This month you might also recognize some familiar faces in the latest issue of Today's Parent! We are so grateful to have made a small appearance in such a respected parenting magazine - thank you!! 

Denise is a mom of two girls who was committed to making a true lifestyle change. She wanted to build healthy habits that could last her a lifetime.

In 30 days with a flexible eating plan and home workout regimen, she lost 8 lbs. and two inches off her hips AND waist! But most importantly, she feels amazing! Clothes fit different and she raves about her new "defined jaw line". She is such an incredible and funny woman; I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with her because she is kind and sweet, but also hard-working and committed. She made my job very easy!