Last updated : Monday, January 25, 2010

Print | |

 

Fitness Tips from Summer Sanders

Making the commitment to live a healthy lifestyle is important, but for moms of small children, it can be tough to stay on track. For former Olympian Summer Sanders, this is all too familiar. Sanders, who won two gold medals, a silver and a bronze in swimming at the 1992 Barcelona Games, now has two children ages 3 and 1. She gave us her tips on fitness and nutrition.

With two small children, how do you find time for fitness?
You know, before I had kids I didn’t really understand the notion of "not having time". I thought, "you can always find time". But it truly is very hard. My husband and I trade off mornings. So when the alarm clock goes off I have to get my booty out of bed at 6 am and spend an hour and half at the gym. On my mornings my husband stays home and feeds the kids breakfast and I'm home by 7:45. The next morning he gets to go. This system works for us. On days I don’t go to the gym I try to fit in exercise in other ways: I'll put the kids in the chariot and go for a stroll, I'll do yoga, I find other ways to be active. I'm more irritable when I don’t work out. It weighs on my shoulders.

What are some of your favorite exercises?
I personally like cardio. I love to run and be outdoors. I like skate skiing, cross-country skiing, biking. Really easy go-tos are push-ups and dips. I do dips on the side of the bath tub while I'm waiting for my shower to heat up. I try to blend in workouts throughout the day. Also, the last thing I do before I go to bed are sit-ups. As a mom, I spend so much time hunched over holding kids I tend to forget about the core. So if I do some stretching and sit-ups before bed I find that it helps.

What about for new moms? What advice do you have for them on how to get back in shape after the baby comes?
It took you nine months to put the weight on, so it will take you at least nine months to get your normal body back. Shifts have occurred and it takes a while for your body to find its natural shape. But embrace your new body. After my first child I tried to take it too fast and I tried to go for a run five weeks after she was born and it literally felt like my insides were falling out, which actually, the doctor said could happen! It's important to be patient and eat healthy.

Speaking of nutrition, what are your go-to snacks?
Almonds – all kinds of nuts, really. I bring almonds around in my purse. I also eat fruit leather.

What about for your kids; what do they snack on?
I'm a big fan of raisins. I'll give them yogurt covered raisins as opposed to gummies. Also, string cheese. I struggle with getting the kids dairy, so I'm happy when they eat at string cheese or drink a yogurt drink. I also keep the kitchen stocked with fresh fruit.

What are your favorite nutritious meals to make your kids?
I'm a huge fan of broccoli, plain and simple. I've been instilling the importance of broccoli in my daughter and I think she's buying it. But I try to incorporate some fresh vegetables every day. I also feed my kids a hearty breakfast, which usually includes eggs. When kids are cranky they don't necessarily know it's because they are hungry; they tend to be happier throughout the day if they eat a good breakfast.

What are your favorite indulgences?
I love ice cream, cookies, lots of sweets. My theory is "everything in moderation". My bowl of ice cream at night is half a cup, maybe with a few M&Ms on it, which satisfies my sweet tooth without going overboard.

For more fitness tips, go to the Wellness section. 

 

Print | |