Moms on the Run

August is here, and that means it’s more important than ever to keep your family hydrated in the summer heat. But, maybe water is not your jam? Never fear! Our friends at MedExpress Urgent Care have seven other ways to help you and your family stay hydrated this time of year.

Before we dive in to how to stay hydrated, let's start with the basics. Why is hydration so important? "Whether you’re pedaling uphill in a spin class or going for a trail run, any activity that makes you break a sweat means you need to bump up the water intake. Why? Sweat is made almost completely of water, and it’s important to replace any of the fluids you are losing during your workout." Read more of the blog here. 

Content courtesy of sponsor Oakdale ObGyn

While information is widely available about multi-faceted vitamin D, many women still have questions. According to Oakdale ObGyn nurse practitioner Carmen Stansberry, common questions she gets in clinic range from how much is needed, what’s normal and deficiency symptoms. “There’s still confusion, particularly in younger women who don’t see themselves at risk for heart disease or bone loss.” Read on to learn more of what you need to know and what you can do regarding vitamin D.

Join us for a special online webinar series on June 6 in celebration of Global Running Day and learn from the very best in running! Get tips to improve your training, fitness and nutrition with live video chats on a variety of running-related topics, featuring Olympians Meb Keflezighi and Carrie Tollefson, Moms on the Run founder Karissa Johnson, world-class running coach Greg McMillan, and more! Sign up for free here.
*You'll get access to all of the sessions when you sign up and you can tune in LIVE or watch the recording at your convenience.

Becky Collins of Shoreview/White Bear Lake Moms on the Run lost 20 pounds in 18 weeks, making her our “Biggest Loser” of the 2017 summer running season in the Twin Cities. How did she do it? She attributes her weight loss to her triple weekly runs with Moms on the Run, biking, walking, hiking and participating in the new MOTRwell nutrition program.

Becky began her journey with Moms on the Run in 2010. She joined after receiving a flyer in her mailbox the year her daughter graduated from high school. Seven years later, she says Moms on the Run has become her social life and her stress relief.
 
“I have developed amazing friendships through this group,” notes Becky, who works full time as V.P. of marketing for a parking equipment and technology company. “It’s my one time of the day when nobody wants or needs anything from me.”
 
Becky has long struggled with her weight. At one point in her life, she weighed 100 pounds heavier than what she weighs today — a proud 139.
 
She admits her weight was like a rollercoaster — up and down depending on what diet she decided to try next. But it was not sustainable; she felt hungry all the time, which gets old, hard and frustrating.
 
Enter MOTRwell, a nutrition program piloted by Moms on the Run this summer.
 
“The MOTRwell program offered me exactly what I needed: different ideas, taking things to the next level, really learning how to eat better in a healthy way, but most important the ‘why’ — why things work together they way they do,” she explained.
 
Somewhat leery of starting yet another diet, she decided to give it 30 days. A month later, she was hooked. She had a ton of energy and had never felt better. And the bonus? She wasn’t hungry, either.
 
“I feel like now, I eat more than ever and I’m not craving the stuff I did before," added Becky. "Yet, I'm not depriving myself of things either. At my son's wedding last week, I ate a piece of cake. I don’t call this a diet; I call this a lifestyle change.”
 
Becky’s running also has benefited from her increased energy and health. She set out on a 12-mile run this summer, but ended up running 15 — her longest run ever — because she felt so great. She is registered to run the TC 10 Mile and the Monster Dash 10 Mile this fall. And for the first time ever, she bought herself running shorts.  
 
“Will I continue to lose weight?” asks Becky. ”I don’t know. I’m ecstatic where I am. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. I have never felt better. If I lose more, that’s just a bonus.”

For her efforts, Becky received a $150 prize package from Run N Fun at the annual Celebration Banquet on Aug. 25.