Ok, let’s get started. First, I would like express how much I absolutely adore and love my husband. He is my main source of inspiration, my biggest supporter, my number one fan and the love of my life. We have two beautiful girls ages 2-1/2 and 5, whom I also absolutely adore, love and draw inspiration from. It is because of my family, I have committed to being the best wife and mother I can be no matter what life throws my way.

Of course this goal is easier said than done. I began with the obvious, I decided to take better care of myself by exercising regularly, being mindful of what I eat and really taking some time out to “sharpen the saw" (translation to regenerate), so I can better take care of my family. I knew if I took time out to take care of myself than I would have more energy to be a better person, wife and mother. I have always been relatively active all my life, but never to the point where I have had a set routine down every week consistently. My enlightenment really began last October. Balancing work and family life was really getting stressful to say the least and getting the best of me. I felt run down and sluggish. I’m sure all working mothers can relate. All I wanted to do was focus on my family as that's what mattered most to me, but I knew I still needed to continue to work. I needed to make a bold change to manage my stress level and reclaim my energy. About the same time my husband and I had the opportunity to visit with our close family friends, Cathy and Richard (who by the way are one of the most fit, energetic, and upbeat people you’ll ever meet). They were raving about hot yoga classes they have been attending. This really got my curiosity going because I had read about the benefits of yoga (means union & balance) and how it is a workout without being too strenuous, but most importantly adds balance and focus to what normally would be a distracted mind. Great, sign me up! I needed an activity to ease into, but still be a challenging workout. I did not hesitate, to my husband’s surprise as well as Cathy and Richard’s, I took a class immediately and loved it! I practice hot yoga which may not appeal to everyone as the room is heated to nearly 109 degrees (can you say sweaty), but there are other types of yoga practices that are of bearable temperature with the same benefits. It is a workout, so be prepared.

A few months went by and I was happily settling into my routine of hot yoga 2-3 times a week starting at 6am. I can’t speak enough about how greatly yoga helps me deal with stress, but still I knew I needed to incorporate some other variety to my fitness endeavors. Low and behold, an opportunity to run in the OC Marathon comes up, which coincidentally my crazy fit cousin, Sally, who’s 40+ was already registered in the half marathon (13.1 miles). I conservatively signed up for the 5k version (3.1 miles) thinking I’ll take it easy. So now it’s early March and with my IPod Nano w/Nike Plus in hand (thanks to hubby), I had incorporated running to my weekly fitness routine to train along with my hot yoga. I’m not a stranger to running, but I had never run in a long distance marathon before. During my training my husband realizes that I was finishing 3.1 miles in about a half hour. He challenges me to run the half marathon because the 5k would be too easy. My competitive nature beast kicked in and I excitedly upgraded to the half marathon. So down to serious business, I quickly contacted my crazy fit cousin to train along side her and her band of merry running mates (no exaggeration). The best thing I ever did. Not only was it fun, training in Orange County, CA, enjoying our beautiful scenery, hanging out with my cuz, meeting new friends (the band of merry running mates), but I was also building aerobic endurance and toning up. After 8 weeks of training, on May 3^rd, 2010, I finished my first half marathon (13.1 miles) in 2 hours 30 mins. 5 seconds. My goal was 2 hours 30 mins, but I guess it was close enough. I wasn't the fastest, but I certainly wasn't the slowest and most importantly I had the courage to finish. I felt blessed my entire family including my wonderful parents (who are merry in their own right) came to see me at the finish line. All I could think of was that I hoped I had inspired my daughters to do this one day too. I have continued running on my own tapering back a bit and running with my cousin. I really enjoy it and hope to keep it up.

It’s never too late to start exercising, eating better or taking some time out to relax no matter what your fitness level may be or how hectic family life and work may be. I continue to strive to improve each day, each week with all of the above. Find an activity you love to do and stick with it even it means you start one day a week. The first step is to begin the moment you are inspired and then commit. The rest will fall into place.

Agnes