Healthy Moms, Healthy Families

Dear moms:

Fifteen years and 50 pounds ago, I had low self-esteem, zero energy and was feeling depressed. Then something happened that changed my life dramatically: a friend encouraged me to take a fitness class. For the first time in my life I felt strong and healthy, and I was hooked immediately.

Fast-forward several years later, I was pregnant and found myself filled with the fear of gaining weight that I wouldn't be able to lose. Were those years of hard work to get healthy going to go down the tubes as I gained pregnancy weight? How was I going to regain my personal health while handling the extraordinary task of caring for a baby? To add to these fears, I became pregnant again when my daughter was just 8 months old! Time was now at a premium and everything had to be done while juggling two babies, a business (or two), a husband and a home.

I know how it feels to be responsible for so much that your own health becomes an afterthought. But today I am fit, healthy and have more energy than ever before! This is a good thing, because I absolutely love my life and my line of work.

As president of StrollerFit®, powered by mommymuscle®, I have had the opportunity to help other moms. You've heard the saying, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," and IT'S TRUE! Your health is truly vital for you and your family.

But as moms we are not just responsible for our own health; we have our families to consider, too. That's why I am proud to partner with the makers of HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE®, the award-winning line of 100 percent natural meats with no preservatives. Hormel Foods cares deeply about the well-being of our families and they are active in educating parents about nutritious foods and healthy lifestyles. HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE® products are always in my fridge (my daughter refers to the honey ham as "Mazie's ham!"). Food that's ready in a flash AND good for you — HORMEL® NATURAL CHOICE® meats are free of preservatives and have no artificial colors or flavors — that's my kind of meal!

I am very excited to begin my column here at HormelNatural.com and to get to know all of you moms out there. Check back for new recipes, ideas for family activities and fun ways to get fit with your family. I've included some thoughts here to get you started!

In health,

Mary Beth Knight
http://www.strollerfit.com