"You Can Make It if You Try..."

Between work, kids, and family obligations, many of us put self-care and exercise at the bottom of our list. It’s easy to use other’s needs as an excuse to forgo your own. But even with seven kids, Amy Fitzmaurice has managed to fit in, not only daily exercise but, eleven fitness competitions over the years while still raising her kids!

When I first met Amy, she was teaching a 5AM aerobics class at my gym and driving to work downtown right after. She had two little boys and a third one on the way. Still, she wanted to have an outlet to keep her energized.

When a full time teaching and training position opened up at the gym, she jumped at the chance. Finding something that was just for her, and being able to do what she loved was a strong motivator for her to become more and more involved in the fitness industry.

I was lucky enough to have Amy train me and really, she sparked my interest in becoming a trainer. She still loves training people and loves the camaraderie that goes along with it. She says when you help women (and men) accomplish something just for themselves, it can keep them (and me) from getting lost in the kids’ (and work and family) lives.

Amy first started to do fitness competitions to challenge herself, yes, but more to push herself outside of her comfort zone. It wasn’t so much the “I wanna win or look better,” outcome; it was the day-to-day process that drove her.

She knows that everyone struggles with motivation to exercise and having a goal gives you a push to try to master something new for yourself. Of course she has tough days, but if she lets that negativity take over, then what? Sure she’ll still be able to function as a mom, wife, and employee, but then lose the joy. Getting into the gym and accomplishing a workout doesn’t allow her to stay in a funk. She preps for excuses by reminding herself that no one has ever regretted a good workout!

Each competition gives her motivation. And since everyone struggles with motivation, trying to master something new gives her a push to work harder.
She says that being around like-minded people at the gym helps too. Like-minded, meaning people who she sees at the gym; all shapes and sizes, who are doing something for that’s just for them.

Of course it takes practice to keep a focus on your workout every day, but especially when you are training for a competition. I was surprised to hear that the workout doesn’t change that much, but the diet is what changes significantly. As the food changes she has to push herself harder because she’s not going to be as strong.

Her regular weight hits about 140, but she gets down to about 130 when competing. Typically at her regular weight she’ll have 1600-1800 calories, but for competition, it never dipped below 1200 calories. She eliminates most carbs when competing, but she says some people do need a little carb in their diet or they have no energy to compete.

She logs all food and exercise and writes down how she feels, even when she’s not competing. She will always take at least one rest day, and sometimes the body needs at least two days in a row. Logging her emotions is helpful, too because rather than covering up emotions with food, she deals with them. Making a plan for the time of day when she might normally overeat helps her focus on alternatives to using food for stress.

She has competed in Show Me Naturals, and NANBF competitions.

So between Evan, Cameron, Brendan, Riley, Brian Jr, Donovan, and McKenzie’s activities, working part-time with her husband, Brian, at Fitzmaurice Performance Sports and Personal Training Facility, she still is training for the NPC competition in St. Louis.

She says, “Everyone thinks that everyone else has it all together. We have to share our own fears with each other. Physically, I’m the best I can be when I don’t try to cover up my emotions…”

So, next time you think you’re too busy to hit the gym and do something for yourself, think again!!

Note to Amy: My legs still hurt from doing lunges with you, lol!!

(Although we all may think we are “superwomen”, sometimes the mundane gets in the way of our progress. I ran into Amy last week with a cast on her arm from a slip on the ice. However, there she was at the gym, doing something for herself and ignoring the negative!! )