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Hot (Sweaty) Mamas
Achieving and maintaining fitness for busy Moms
©Outdoor Adventure Canada

Authors Kara Thom and Laurie Kocanda share five secrets to life as a fit mom in their audacious book Hot (Sweaty) Mamas. But it's not about getting that perfect body, it's about, more importantly, getting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle all the while dealing with the trials and tribulations of motherhood.

The five secrets—You have to train your brain before you can train your body; There are no good excuses; Be as good to your body as you are to your children; People can sabotage your fitness faster than a cookie binge; Act like others are watching because they are - are chalk full of tips and tricks on how to make each secret work for you. Included in this are sidebars with motivational and helpful quotes from other mothers as well as from the authors.

The secret that has stuck with me the most is number two, There are no good excuses. As a mother of three in an extremely busy household, working two jobs (nevermind that with one of those jobs I make my own hours) and trying to maintain an individual relationship with each of my children, plus my husband (who likely often feels neglected) and making time to do all the other things I enjoy (knitting, reading, hanging out with the dog) I am the Queen of Excuses. There are no good excuses really hit home and as I (re) begin my quest for fitness and head towards running a half marathon I am sure this secret will reverberate in my mind.

Kara, Laurie and I have another thing in common I discovered while reading Hot (Sweaty) Mamas. They have a passion for getting fit as a family. My husband and I have always maintained that not only should we set good examples by being fit ourselves, but that we encourage each of our children to be active with us. We bike as a family, run as a family, hike, camp, walk and play as a family. Laurie and Kara are absolutely correct: when they say "We're convinced a family that sweats together, gets closer together."

Even though Hot (Sweaty) Mamas is a practical guide for women who wish to adopt a healthier life style during every stage of motherhood, there is fitness advise in each chapter that will work for all members of the family. For more tips, advise and laughs from Kara Thom and Laurie Kocanda check out their website Hot Sweaty Mamas and follow them on Facebook.

Contest

We have another book contest. Tell us what motivates you to stay fit or tell us how you've worked up a sweat with the kids in tow. Your entry can be text-based, a photo, or even a short video. Please send entries to us via oacteam@outdooradventurecanada.com

Written by Outdoor Girl Samantha Rogers