Take the “Fat Chants” Challenge – and possibly win an iPod Shuffle!

“Fat Chants” – Your Online Friend in the Quest for Bathing Suit Confidence

It’s time to shed the fluff and release the thin, trim, hot-lookin’ mama who’s been kidnapped by a size-18 frame (no doubt being held for a cheesecake ransom). This is my mission. This is my journey. May the Fat Chants bring about a new chance … at a better, brighter life.

Fat Chants: A Better Mom Bod By Summer? Fat Chants!

And so we meet again. I knew you’d be back. ☺ This little bi-weekly MOMologue of fatness is kinda’ addicting, huh. Like a sizzling plate of cheese fries served with a margarita chaser just after your son finally (FINALLY) succumbs to the greatness of sleep.

      But, with less calories, of course.

In the two weeks since we last chanted, I must confess, I was a gooood girl. And then I was a very baaaaad one. But, with reason, I assure you. There’s always a method to my madness. (OK, maybe “always” is a bit of a stretch …)

So, here’s the deal: I’ve been cheating, or, as I like to call it, front-loading. Last week I was trucking along, doing great on my hot-mama mission when genius hit me like last night’s Easter candy hit my thighs — full force. I was just days away from the start of my company’s “fitness” competition and here I was, working my rear off to defluff the frame. Um, hello, what in the world was I doing losing weight before the battle had actually begun???

As someone motivated by two things (in addition to the whole “be a better mama” initiative) — accountability (aka possible humiliation) and competition — I knew I had to call it quits on my hot body overhaul in preparation to kick the tails of every single one of my participating coworkers (one big-mouthed bald one in particular).

     So I did. I quit and I savored every delicious second of it.

But, now I’m back on track. Today kicked off three months of a “Biggest Loser” style weight loss competition (which I fully intend to win), as well as a 4-week walk-a-thon of sorts in honor of the American Heart Association’s National Start! Walking Day (also today). Last year, my team Hot Soles was crowned the victor, logging more than 1,180 miles walked between us, with 180+ of those pounded out by yours truly.

This year I intend to surpass my personal best by at least 20 miles. And, as a member of a 5-girl group (go 10 Feet of Fabulous!!! We’re the ones in the fabulous shirts at left; I’m the one second from the right), I have high hopes that my team will take home the company’s top walking honors. 

Drawing on inspiration from last year, I have to tell ya’, if you don’t have a pedometer, get your gams to the nearest store and grab one, like now! They’re completely habit forming!

On average, the health geniuses out there encourage everyone to take (or work your way up to) 10,000 steps a day, which equates to about 5 miles. I nearly died when I heard this figure last year (I get bored after driving 5 miles, much less walking!!!). But, when you make the commitment to take those 10,000 steps, it’s amazing how quickly you change your routine in order to get them in, which means you’re slowly, but surely changing your life … and there’s awesome power in that.

And, keeping that pedometer on your waistband is a constant reminder of where you need to go and how you need to get there. Exercise doesn’t have to be a 60-minute sweat fest, it can be squeezed in anytime, anywhere, you just have to make a conscious effort.

Oh, and one more fun factoid for ya … you gain two hours of life for every one hour of exercise, which is why the AHA’s National Start! Walking Day officially kicks off at 2:41 pm annually.

In honor of today, my two challenges at work and my own personal hot-mama mission, I’m throwing out a little incentive for each of you to join me, to slip on those athletic shoes and walk your way to a better mom bod by swimsuit season.

Details:
1.    Visit my blog at www.fat-chants.blogspot.com.
2.    Become a follower (remember, I’m counting on accountability to power me to greatness) and leave a message on my blog that says you’re participating.
3.    Post a message on your own blog that shares why you’ll be walking with me and include the tagline, “A Better Mom Bod By Summer? Fat Chants.”
4.    In your post, be sure to say you read this on MomsOutLoud.com and include a link back to this article.
5.    On the off-chance that you’re not a blogger (huh? what? that’s craziness!), no worries, click here (http://www.momsoutloud.com/login/index/reason/expired) to create your own Moms Out Loud MOL-ly account and share your story in the “A Better Mom Bod By Summer? Fat Chants” discussion group (found in the MomsShare section of this site).

The Good Part:
I love music that gives you that oomph, that extra pep in your step that makes you wanna’ walk and roll all night long. So, all walkers who sign up for the 4-week walking challenge (and follow the steps above, either linking to my blog via yours or joining the MomsOutLoud.com discussion group) will be entered to win a snazzy iPod Shuffle and iTunes gift card. I will announce the winner at the conclusion of the challenge, in my May 7 Fat Chants article on Moms Out Loud. This is just my little way of saying thanks for holding my feet to the fire, ladies and thanks for joining me in the journey.

     Now, let’s get walking!

The chanting continues here on MomsOutLoud.com, every other Thursday through May. For an (almost) daily dose of Fat Chants, visit www.fat-chants.blogspot.com.