Archive for the ‘Athlete of the Week’ Category
The Athlete of the Week series was created to spotlight the amazing people around us who are not only moms, dads, workers and friends but they are superstar athletes as well. Being an athlete does not always mean that they are Olympic level in their sport. It doesn’t even mean that they compete, or that they would beat anyone else if they tried. It means that they have made a commitment to their health by staying active and changing their lifestyle to do so. They inspire me every day, and I hope they inspire you as well.
Every Friday, look for a new installment and a new athlete spotlight. If you’d like to be featured, just email me at curvyandfit@gmail.com!
This week’s Athlete of the Week is Lacy Fuller, a swimmer, yogini, new bride and computer magician in Fort Collins. She is one of my favorite people to work out with because she is always thinking about how much farther she can go, but always knowing her own body. She lives to exercise because she has fun doing it. Lacy is an adult athlete extraordinaire, and not just because of her performance in the water, but because of her ability to treat her body right and balance her life.
Age (optional):
32
Personal Mantra (optional):
Don’t waste your time feeling guilty. I read once (on the blog of Olympic swimmer Ian Crocker) that feeling guilty actually slows down your metabolism, so it’s better to just eat that donut you’re craving and not feel bad about it, than to agonize over it.
There’s also the guilt of skipping a workout. I’m terrible about feeling bad about missing a swim practice or planned workout session, but feeling bad about it doesn’t help anyone. We are all human, and some days we just need that extra sleep, or to rest an injury, and realizing that skipping a day at the gym isn’t the end of the world is important to keep you from overdoing it (again, I’m very guilty of this), or burning yourself out. This is a mantra that I keep up to try and remind myself that I’m not a professional athlete, and that I’m allowed to take a day off if I need it.
What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise?
Swimming. I spent a lot of years trying to get excited for just going to a gym and lifting weights, run on a treadmill, or go to aerobics classes, but I could never make myself stick with those things. It was just too easy to blow them off, or put them off, especially when my parents were footing the bill for the gym membership.
A few years ago I got really excited watching the summer Olympics in Beijing, particularly the swimming competition. That spurred me into taking swimming lessons (I hadn’t had any instruction since I was a little kid) and then, eventually, to start swimming with a Masters team. I found that swimming with Masters was way more motivating than swimming on my own. Having a coach there to dictate a workout keeps you from just doing easy sets and not pushing yourself. It’s also a great way to keep yourself going, having a coach and teammates who expect to see you, and question your whereabouts when you skip a practice. Not to mention all the camaraderie of being on a team, having people to help you when you’re struggling, or share your victories.
Swimming is such a great workout; probably the best I’ve ever done. Another thing I really like about it is the lack of impact. I have issue with my ankles and knees (including one that I just had surgery on for a torn meniscus), and I can still swim (and fast!) with little pain or irritation.
What makes you committed to staying active?
The way it makes me feel. Days when I don’t get to do something active, I tend to get anxious, or have trouble focusing. I feel better when I can slip off at lunch and swim, or even just ride my bicycle to work.
I also like that it keeps me healthy. Doing endurance sports has helped my asthma, and improved my overall health (more muscle, less fat, lower resting heart rate, etc.). And that helps buoy my self confidence, makes me feel better about who I am and what I can accomplish.
How do you work exercise into your busy life?
I work for a company that is very committed to keeping a good work/life balance. They encourage people to be active, and allow for flexible schedules to allow employees to get out of their chairs and do something. Because of that, I’m able to swim almost every practice my team offers, and I can easily ride my bike to work.
I also tend to make a schedule and stick to it. I decide what days I want to do which activity: softball on Tuesday, swimming M/W/F morning, running on Wednesday nights, something like that. Then I keep track of what I’ve done on my US Masters Swimming Fitness Log (FLOG) so I can keep myself accountable. I try not to skip my workouts or change my schedule unless it’s something unavoidable. Having a schedule enables me to keep up with my plan, and try to avoid the inevitable decision to blow a workout off because I’m not feeling like doing it.
Who inspires you?
My swim teammates. I swim with a lot of really ambitious people (including Ms. Sara Jelley) who go off and do things like swim 10Ks or do Iron Man triathlons or swim across the English Channel. I’m not sure those are things I’ll ever do myself, but I figure if they can do that, then I should be able to do an Olympic distance triathlon, or swim a mile in competition. The people I train with inspire me to go faster (to keep up!) and work on my technique.
Being on a team is so encouraging. I can’t stress that enough. My teammates lift me up when I’m feeling down, and cheer me on when I’m racing. They’re there when I climb out of the pool to give me high fives and hugs of congratulations. There’s really no better feeling than knowing you’ve got people on your side. It makes you want to do the best you can, so you don’t let them down.
Do you have any words of advice for new fitness enthusiasts, regarding sports, exercise, and/or life?
Listen to your body, and do what’s right for you. There’s no need to push yourself past your limits, and trying to keep up with someone who has more experience or ability than yourself can be extremely discouraging, and potentially harmful to yourself. There’s nothing wrong with competition, but the only person you need to measure yourself against is you.
I’ve recently hit a rough patch in my active life by sustaining a sports related injury. I’ve been knocked off my feet a couple of times in the last two months, and it’s so hard for me to sit back and wait to heal. I spend a lot of time thinking about the hours of work I’ve put in – in the pool, on the treadmill, in the gym – and wondering where I’ll be when I’m finally back on my feet again.
The challenge for me is to listen to my body and not rush myself back into my normal exercise routine. All I want is to be back to normal, but that’s going to take time. The thing is, it will happen. I just need to be patient, and to take it easy when I’m able to return to activity.
We are all different, have different levels of ability and skill. Don’t let the feeling that you’re “bad” at something discourage you from doing it. If it’s something you truly love, don’t give up on it! Who cares if you’re the slowest person on your swim team? You’re still swimming, and taking that step toward a more active life. And that’s never a bad thing.
Favorite vegetable and why?
Okay this is a tough one for me. My first thought was avocado, but that’s not a vegetable. 
Being a vegetarian, I eat a lot of vegetables – and love a lot of them, too – so choosing one favorite is quite a challenge! I think I will go with green bell pepper. I love them cooked and incorporated in things like veggie chili and stir fry, but I also love to eat them raw, dipped in a little ranch dressing. They have such a unique flavor and pleasing texture, I just really enjoy eating them!
Thank you Lacy! I love what she has to say.
Subscribe up there –>^ to get in on this inspiration weekly! Thanks, friends!
Click to view our past Athletes of the Week:
Dee Wanger
Love,
Sara
“Do what you love. Its ok to start small; there is no shame in beginning.” – Dee Wanger
The Athlete of the Week series was created to spotlight the amazing people around us who are not only moms, dads, workers and friends but they are superstar athletes as well. Being an athlete does not always mean that they are Olympic level in their sport. It doesn’t even mean that they compete, or that they would beat anyone else if they tried. It means that they have made a commitment to their health by staying active and changing their lifestyle to do so. They inspire me every day, and I hope they inspire you as well.
Every Friday, look for a new installment and a new athlete spotlight. If you’d like to be featured, just email me at curvyandfit@gmail.com!
This week’s Athlete of the Week is Dee Wanger, owner of Ridekick.com, a great new company that features a new design for a bike power trailer. She is also a mom, a wife and a long-time member of the Fort Collins community. Dee has been an inspiration in my life for a long time. She faces challenges with a confidence I aspire to, and she is always moving and finding new ways to keep herself and her family as healthy and happy as possible. Here is Dee’s story (and a video of her too!):
Age: 54 and happy for it!
Personal Mantra: I’ll try anything. Believe you can do anything in a new challenge.
What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise?
Volleyball- I don’t play enough now, but I played from the time I was 14 until 44 regularly. I love hiking and mountain biking, and usually prefer single-person activities over group activities. Its just easier and more accessible than calling 8 people to get together at the same time.
What makes you committed to staying active?
Health, and wanting to defy stereotypes around aging. The mantra of “believing I can” led me to climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro, and I hope to do it again at 65.
How do you work exercise into your busy life?
I schedule it. My husband Mark is a startup founder working often 9am to midnight daily, and he still plays squash at the club in the morning, even when he goes to bed at early hours of the morning. I have a commitment to myself to workout at least once a week at the gym, but the days I get exercise are often. I walk, play softball, bike as much as possible, and garden. Any activity counts, if you find the exercise “angle”.
Who inspires you?
My friend Kathy. She is always moving under the guise of “play”. She is always saying “let’s go do something”. She goes skiing, biking, and works out at the gym. She is determined to move, and not let an injury keep her from constantly playing and having fun in every situation.
Do you have any words of advice for new fitness enthusiast, regarding sports, exercise, and/or life?
Do what you love. Its ok to start small, there is no shame in beginning.
Favorite vegetable and why:
Broccoli- because of how it tastes with peanuts, as well as jicama on a hot summer day.
Thanks, Dee!
Subscribe up there –>^ to get in on this inspiration weekly! Thanks, friends!
Click to view our past Athletes of the Week:
Love,
Sara
“The more active I am the better my body moves & feels, and it keeps my figure young. But it also gives me a broader social group of people of all ages and interests and professions.” – Marga Powell
The Athlete of the Week series was created to spotlight the amazing people around us who are not only moms, dads, workers and friends but they are superstar athletes as well. Being an athlete does not always mean that they are Olympic level in their sport. It doesn’t even mean that they compete, or that they would beat anyone else if they tried. It means that they have made a commitment to their health by staying active and changing their lifestyle to do so. They inspire me every day, and I hope they inspire you as well.
Every Friday, look for a new installment and a new athlete spotlight. If you’d like to be featured, just email me at curvyandfit@gmail.com!
This week’s Athlete of the Week is Marga Powell, an amazing woman who was like both a mother and a friend when I lived in Boulder. She is an incredibly inspiring climber, but there is much more to her than meets the eye. Find out about Marga’s story:
Age: 56 (yikes)
Personal Mantra:
So at age 56, I don’t really live by a personal mantra, but live by what I love to do, my passions, my choices, are all driven by a love for what I am doing.
What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise?
I’ve got to say that while rock climbing still gives me a real high and I want to do it until I drop, I am also becoming an avid yoga practitioner. Its amazing; it really enhances my mind/body awareness in a way that I’ve never experienced before. I go to Corepower in Boulder – both north and south. They offer so many classes that something always fits my schedule. I even found a studio in Iowa while I was home and enjoyed going there a couple of times.
What makes you committed to staying active?
My commitment to staying active is multifold – it is a reward in itself. The more active I am the better my body moves & feels, and it keeps my figure young. But it also gives me a broader social group of people of all ages and interests and professions. It also opens my world to exploration – rock climbing has taken me all over the states and into other countries as well.
How do you work exercise into your busy life?
Working exercise into my life – well it does help to be semi-retired. I have afternoons and Fridays, plus weekends off, so have more time then most people to exercise. But I also make my exercise fit my lifestyle. Rock climbing, skiing, yoga, biking, all give me a great deal of pleasure and I enjoy doing them. I enjoy the outdoors, so most of my sports allow me to spend a lot of time in the mountains. And many of my friends enjoy the same sports that I do, so its a meshing of several important aspects of who I am.
Who inspires you?
Everyone inspires me! I’m inspired by all of [the] students who I’ve worked with, [their] qualities and choices in life. I’ve learned a great deal from you all. I’m inspired by people who are older than I am who have stayed interested in life and active in living their lives. But my rock climbing idol is Lynn Hill, an incredible woman who has broken through in many areas of climbing.
Do you have any words of advice for new fitness enthusiast, regarding sports, exercise, and/or life?
I would just suggest that it helps to find something that lights a passion in you AND fits your personality/lifestyle. Not every sport fits every person. Lifting weights would never be my thing and I’m not into team sports. But the sports I choose are personally competive, I strive to become better by measuring my performance against my previous preformance. I like to push myself a little (but I’m not crazy about it). Just find something that you’re curious about, fits your work schedule and don’t be afraid to be bad at it at first.
Favorite vegetable and why:
I love tomatoes, but I hear they are really a fruit. So second, I’d say carrots, because they are sweet and can be dipped in all sorts of good stuff, cooked, added to salads, taken on hikes, a very versatile veggie. I’m also pretty fond of eggplant these days.
Thanks, Marga! You are amazing!
Subscribe up there –>^ to get in on this inspiration weekly! Thanks, friends!
Click to view our past Athletes of the Week:
Love,
Sara
“Don’t be hard on yourself– the whole point of exercising is to feel good and have fun. If you miss a day here or there, it’s not a big deal. Listen to your body and get out another day!” – Caroline Hudnut
The Athlete of the Week series was created to spotlight the amazing people around us who are not only moms, dads, workers and friends but they are superstar athletes as well. Being an athlete does not always mean that they are Olympic level in their sport. It doesn’t even mean that they compete, or that they would beat anyone else if they tried. It means that they have made a commitment to their health by staying active and changing their lifestyle to do so. They inspire me every day, and I hope they inspire you as well.
Every Friday, look for a new installment and a new athlete spotlight. If you’d like to be featured, just email me at curvyandfit@gmail.com!
This week’s Athlete of the Week is Caroline Hudnut, a Colorado girl and lifelong friend of mine, who loves some fine snowfall and just being outside in general! She inspires me by always being up for new experiences. She lived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a few years and is moving back down to the Front Range. She is also competing in her second triathlon tomorrow! Send her lots of luck and love and read her story here:
Age (optional): 24
Personal Mantra:
Just keep swimming (or pedaling/running/fill in the blank) from the movie Finding Nemo. I guess if it’s from a movie, it’s not exactly my personal mantra. Oh well. That’s always what I say to myself when I’m exercising and getting very tired!
What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise?
What makes you committed to staying active?
I like how it makes me feel. I’m more relaxed, I’m happier, and I’m healthier. I sleep better, I’m kinder to others, and I feel better about myself when I exercise. I also live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, so it’s easy to be committed to staying active because I want to go outside whenever I can to check out the flowers, the animals, the snow… whatever.
To be fair, my life isn’t very busy right now. At the moment, I try to commute to work, which is a 13 miles bike ride each way. I also live about a 10 second walk from great mountain biking and hiking trails. However, in the past when I’ve been busy and lived further away from trails (like in Louisiana!), I schedule it in. I concentrate better and am far more productive if I’ve exercised, so it’s always worth the hour or so that it takes out of my day. Usually, I try to figure out where I’ll be, when I might be free, and what activities are easiest to do at those times and places (yoga? swimming? run? bike ride?) I actually find that I’m more likely to exercise when I’m busy because I can’t dilly-dally all day thinking about what I might do.
Avocados– because they are delicious and creamy and filling! Also, they go with (almost) everything.Thanks Caroline!!
Stay tuned for next Friday’s spotlight on a new Athlete of the Week!
Read about the previous Friday Athletes of the Week, Lance Holter and Reu Smith .
Subscribe to my website over on the sidebar (–>) to be e-mailed as soon as a blog post is published! This is a free service by the way. I know, its fancy.
Love to you!
Sara
“Its amazing how great work is when you have released a little bit of stress and played a little. You never see someone playing with a frown. It’s just not humanly possible.” -Reu Smith
The Athlete of the Week series was created to spotlight the amazing people around us who are not only moms, dads, workers and friends but they are superstar athletes as well. Being an athlete does not always mean that they are Olympic level in their sport. It doesn’t even mean that they compete, or that they would beat anyone else if they tried. It means that they have made a commitment to their health by staying active and changing their lifestyle to do so. They inspire me every day, and I hope they inspire you as well.
Every Friday, look for a new installment and a new athlete spotlight. If you’d like to be featured, just email me at curvyandfit@gmail.com!
This week’s Athlete of the Week is Reu Smith, a swim coach and marketing guru in Fort Collins. He inspires me not only because he gives me great swim workouts and pushes me to work harder in the pool, but because he pushes himself to be a better coach and athlete. He knows how it feels to be both teacher and student, so he coaches all types of athletes in the way that they want to be coached as an individual. He balances his work life and his home life and cares for both his health and his family’s health equally. Here’s Reu’s story:
Age (optional):
33, a young 33.
Personal Mantra (optional):
1. Push, push, push. You’ll never get anywhere unless you push yourself and your closest friends to achieve more, but don’t be an ass about it.
2. Play in everything you do. Even if it’s serious, seriously play.
What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise?
I love to play, so anything playing related. I recently played tag in the park with a bunch of friends (25 – 60 years old) at a park. It was one of the best workouts and fun times I have had in a long time. Play is so important to stay young. Even as adults, by age not by mental capability, our tendency is to play. I believe a life long playing regime is key to a long healthy life and happy life. Its amazing how great work is when you have released a little bit of stress and played a little. You never see someone playing with a frown. It’s just not humanly possible.
What makes you committed to staying active?
I get fat, and fat is not so becoming of me. Actually when I exercise less I feel like a blob, I hate feeling this way so I generally try to have fun activities. I grew up where my mom would make a lot of the housework a game. I use to hate but secretly love these “games”. As an adult I do a lot of the same things mentally to really keep it interesting. Even if I am swimming I always imagine a ghost opponent in the lane next to me. I usually beat the ghost but sometimes I don’t, that is okay also. We all have our up and down days.
How do you work exercise into your busy life?
Owning a business, being on the board of a few NPO’s, and being the Head Masters Swim Team coach takes a lot of time for non-exercise activities. It seems I am always doing something or being somewhere. I firmly believe that you will make time for what you care about. I know a lot of things can be pushed off but coaching and Muay Thai recharge my batteries for all the other things I do. So it’s a necessity for me to take time in those activities to achieve the best in my work and community volunteering. Plus the mental recharge of letting someone else tell me what to do is nice also. I try to be the athlete that I would want to coach when I am at Muay Thai.
Who inspires you?
My family is a great inspiration to me, parents and girlfriend to be exact. I feel like making them proud inspires their lives. It’s a cyclical relationship. I find a lot comes from not one person’s achievements but from many people’s small achievements that help me become motivated for achievement. I love watching sports on television. I know the dedication and heart they have to have to compete, I love watching the competition of it all and the heart of the athlete to achieve their best, even if that is last place. I really want to see the best brought out in everyone. I love being part of the conduit for their achievement.
Do you have any words of advice for a new fitness enthusiast, regarding sports, exercise, and/or life?
I guess the one thing I didn’t cover above is that passion drives a human. I am a huge fan of Marcus Buckingham’s theology of ‘do what makes you happy’. That will keep you driving to achievement that is consistently attainable.
OK, a little more. Get a coach, be a mentor and surround yourself with people you want to become. You’re not the best at everything, [so] the things you want to become better at, get a coach to help you become the best that you can be. The things that you are great at, teach them to someone else. Legacy when you leave is the only thing that will continue to be passed. Money is great but is a consumable object. Education and experience live forever. I forget who said this but “you are the sum of the six closest people to you”. Be surrounded by people you would want to be around and like what they are doing. I have a lot of friends but my close ones know that they are in a select group that is cherished by me; it is almost more like they are family.
Favorite vegetable and why?
I grew up on a farm as a vegetarian, till I was 12. I pretty much like all veggies. I really like jicama. It’s crunchy and watery; pretty good. All veggies are pretty good overall. It’s a great snack that you don’t have to have ranch with it just to get your veggie intake in for the day. Its fantastic if you Julienne it over a salad.
Muchas Gracias, Reu!!
Stay tuned for next Friday’s spotlight on a new Athlete of the Week!
Read about the previous Friday Athlete of the Week, Lance Holter.
Subscribe to my website over on the sidebar (–>) to be e-mailed as soon as a blog post is published! This is a free service by the way. I know, its fancy.
Love to you!
Sara
“I want my kids to remember me as a Dad who was always actively involved in what they were doing. I want to show them that you can be an athlete at any age.”
The Athlete of the Week series was created to spotlight the amazing people around us who are not only moms, dads, workers and friends but they are superstar athletes as well. Being an athlete does not always mean that they are Olympic level in their sport. It doesn’t even mean that they compete, or that they would beat anyone else if they tried. It means that they have made a commitment to their health by staying active and changing their lifestyle to do so. They inspire me every day, and I hope they inspire you as well.
Every Friday, look for a new installment and a new athlete spotlight. If you’d like to be featured, just email me at curvyandfit@gmail.com!
This week’s Athlete of the Week is Lance Holter, a dad of two boys who lives in Fort Collins and swims on the master’s swim team. He inspires me by leading his lane at swim practice most every day. He swims with grace and humility, but he knows when to pull out all the stops and go for his goals. He makes others feel great, as he makes sure to say “Good job today!” to his lanemates at the end of practice. Here’s Lance’s story:
Age:
44
Mantra:
The simpler, the better.
What’s your absolute favorite activity/exercise
The activity that gives me the absolute most pleasure is “boarding.” In the winter, there is nothing I like more than bombing down a ski run covered with a foot of fresh powder. In the summer, I achieve that same feeling wakeboarding behind the boat. I’m not outstanding at either activity, but I absolutely love the freedom I feel when I’m doing them. As far as exercise, I swim to stay in good enough shape to do the other activities I enjoy. Sadly, I’m not a big fan of weight lifting, but when I’m in a lifting pattern, it seems to provide the most physical fitness benefits.
What Keeps Me Exercising?
My Dad and my kids keep me exercising, but for very different reasons. My Dad…and his Dad both have serious coronary artery issues. My Dad had quintuple bypass surgery when he was in his early 50’s. He’s never been overweight. He’s never smoked. My Dad’s Dad died of a heart attack at age 63. Knowing my family history, I bust my ass…to keep the blood pumping through my arteries. The other reason I try to stay fit is because I don’t want to miss out on interacting with my kids. I can’t swim as fast as they do, but I swim enough to converse with them on the topic. I don’t ski as fast as my kids, but I can make it through the day with them. I want my kids to remember me as a Dad who was always actively involved in what they were doing. I want to show them that you can be an athlete at any age.
How do you work exercise into your busy life?
I fit exercise into my “busy” life by always doing it first thing in the morning. I’ve been a morning person my entire life, so swimming is a good fit for me. Exercising first thing in the morning is my coffee!
Who inspires you?
Is it cheesy to cite a television show as inspirational? Our entire family watches The Biggest Loser. Each season, I’m totally amazed at the effects intense exercise and controlled diet has on the contestants. Watching them inspires me to continue exercising and to try and eat better. The joy the people experience through their weight loss journey inspires me to stay healthy.
Do you have any words of advice for new fitness enthusiast, regarding sports, exercise, and/or life?
1) Find an exercise partner or a group exercise class. I’m fortunate to have swimming lane mates at the pool. At home, my wife and I exercise together. At one point in my life, I did a lot of running. I always ran alone, and over time, I got really bored with it and stopped.
2) Ease into new activities. I’m seen way too many people start a new exercise routine, go great guns for about a month, and then quit all together.
3) Mix it up. I swim, snowboard, wakeboard, golf, hike, and travel.
4) Routine and discipline. Swimming works for me because it is scheduled. The advice I give my boys is, “Don’t think of swim practice as optional. Don’t let yourself make a decision about whether or not to go.” Too many times, if we give ourselves a decision about whether or not to exercise….we make the wrong choice.
5) Record your exercise. It’s a good way to see that you’re making progress.
6) Schedule some days of “intense” exercise. Do intervals with short rests. Occasionally, some of the exercise you do needs to make your heart race and get you breathing hard.
7) You have to match healthy eating with exercise. Unfortunately, I’m horrible at this. I’m very disciplined with my exercise. I’m the opposite with my eating. Often, it’s not so much what I’m eating, but how much of it I’m eating.
Favorite vegetable and why?
Do potato chips count? I’m going to have to say carrots….but I also like asparagus. I won’t touch cauliflower.
Thank you, Lance!
Stay tuned for next Friday’s spotlight on a new Athlete of the Week!
Subscribe to my website over on the sidebar (–>) to be e-mailed as soon as a blog post is published! This is a free service by the way. I know, its fancy.
Love to you!
Sara
