This mom walks 5 miles a day. Here's how she finds time and stays motivated.
Michelle Washington gets up every morning before the sun rises and walks for about 2 hours.
She's a mom of two, grandmother to one and owns her own bakery. And, oh yeah, she has a full-time job as managing editor of STUDIO Gannett.
Time is not always on her side. But, she still gets up nearly every morning to walk 5 miles or the 10,000 steps the American Heart Association recommends daily. Her friends say she's addicted to steps and it's a title she's proud to wear.
"About three years ago my weight spiraled out of control and I was always tired and didn't have energy, which made it difficult to keep up with my super-energetic 13-year-old son," Washington said. It was time for a change.
So, she started walking, lost weight and never looked back.
More: Want an excuse to drink more wine? Go to the gym, mom says
More: Mom says babywearing helped her lose added weight
More: Mom shares 3 tips for becoming more confident
Here's how she stays focused on her fitness goals:
1. Get a good night's sleep. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours a sleep a night, according to Mayo Clinic.
2. Join at least one fitness challenge a week. Washington, who wears two fitness trackers, says Fitbit challenges help to keep her accountable.
3. Make yourself a priority.
"If I'm not being the best me that I can be, then that means I'm not being
the best mom that I can be," Washington said.
More: To-do list hack helps this working mom stay focused, organized
More: Mom of twin boys says this keeps her stress, anxiety under control
Mom Bod is a Paste BN video series featuring tips from moms on fitness, nutrition and mental health. The goal? Let's be real about the struggle to "healthy" and learn to love our mom bods.