Fit Triangle Mom- Understanding the Journey

I've been writing Fit Triangle Mom for nearly 2 years now, and sometimes I ask myself What do I want this blog to accomplish? What is the goal? Is it more followers? Yes, that would be nice. Is it more income? That would be great! Yet, I still wonder if Fit Triangle Mom could be more. I always come back to the name of the blog, Fit Triangle Mom. Three words, each with separate meanings, combined to create one extraordinary individual- A Mom who lives in the Triangle and pursues a Fit and healthy lifestyle.

Fit Triangle Mom might be the name of my blog, but anyone who fits the criteria above is a Fit Triangle Mom. It's not about going to the gym everyday; it's about finding balance between the challenges of being a mom and fitness. It's about activities or travel with the kids or family. It's about living in the Triangle- shopping, going out to eat, and the many wonderful events our area offers.

Fit Triangle Mom is a glimpse into my journey of fitness, family and faith. I'll share the books I'm reading, the scripture that touched my heart, the cute thing my kid said, or a new exercise I'm learning. I'm not an expert. I'm just a mom and writer, and I want to share my experiences with you.

Fit Triangle Mom supports local businesses especially those located in the Triangle and throughout NC. I enjoy reviewing places of business, shops, restaurants and hotels that cater to a Fit Triangle Mom. Occasionally, I will review national products that are beneficial as well, but the heart of this blog is North Carolina.

Fit Triangle Mom is about helping others. Each year, I have organized a team with the Susan G. Komen race. This past year, I partnered with Vend Raleigh. We had a team t-shirt, partnered with local businesses, and raised some money. It was a wonderful experience.

Finally, Fit Triangle Mom is about you. What concerns you as mom? What type of posts, products and reviews would you like to see? Motherhood is a journey that shouldn't be taken alone. Fit Triangle Mom wants to understand your journey. Please comment below.

Third Time's A Charm

Pink balloons, lively music and tents on the lawn would seem like a carnival to an untrained eye, but this spectacular sprawl is apart of the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure hosted at Meredith College in Raleigh. This was my third year running in the competitive 5k, and it never gets old. I train hard to break my personal record in this slightly hilly route, but what keeps me coming back is the people and their stories.

I arrived early Saturday morning to warm-up and drop-off our Team Vend Raleigh t-shirt for the team shirt contest. I was met by a race volunteer who directed me to the team t-shirts that were to be displayed on a clothes-line set-up between a few stately Oak trees. The volunteer inquired about our shirt, asking about Vend Raleigh and FitTriangleMom.com. I explained to her our partnership, me blogging about being a mom and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and Cary Heise supporting other mompreneurs through Vend Raleigh. She was intrigued with our outreach towards moms, but she was most impressed with our t-shirt sponsors that helped us raise $210 that went directly to Susan G. Komen. Her face lit-up and her eyes sparkled as she gave me a high-five. "I'm a survivor," she said to me. "Awesome," I replied. It was then and there that I remembered why I run this race. I run for the survivors, the ones fighting and to remember others.

You don't have to listen to someone's story to know why someone is running or walking in the race. Many participants pin pink papers on their backs with either "in celebration" or "in memory" of tags. I saw one woman celebrating herself and her husband celebrating his wife; another in memorial to Mee-Maw.

Fellow teammate, Pamela Nogle of It Works! wanted to share her incredible experience. "Thousands... I mean thousands of people walked in support," said Nogle. I felt blessed to be part of the walk and humbled to know many were walking in honor of loved ones.. many were walking to support loved ones and many were survivors."

The race might be over, but the fight for a cure against breast cancer continues. You can still donate to our team and all the proceeds will fund Susan G. Komen. Visit Donate to Team Vend Raleigh.

A special thanks Green Pea Baby & Child, Inked Custom Apparel, Triangle Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, Hedoe Paper, It Works! Pamela Nogle, Mickey World Travel, Fitness 19 Cary, and North Raleigh Family Eye Center for sponsoring our t-shirts.

A Passion for Running; A Passion for Pink

If you would have told me ten years ago that I would run a 5k, I would tell you that I'm not a runner, but if you told me that I would run at least one 5k every year I would know you were crazy. I never had a passion for running before I had my boys. I went to the gym lifted some weights and got on the elliptical, but just don't ask me to run. I don't know exactly what happened. I think it might have something to do with giving birth naturally (2x), and then feeling like you can run a marathon.

I started small with the Running Mate program as I pushed my son in the jogger. Every day, a little bit, each time until I was running 3 miles. The program encouraged me to sign-up for a 5k to set a goal for myself. I chose the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k. 

It wasn't a random decision. I knew I wanted to run for something that had meaning. Like the young mom I knew who died of breast cancer, or my Aunt who battled breast cancer with chemo and surgeries, and my own scares of cysts and lumps. It was a disease that affected some many people in my life, and I wanted to make a difference. 

It gave training for the race a whole new meaning. When a steep hill would cause me to slow down, I would remember to keep running for those who couldn't. I would imagine myself running proud in my pink t-shirt inwardly cheering for those fighting for their life.

This year will be my 3rd time running in the Susan G. Komen race on June 14, and this time I have partnered with Cary Heise at Vend Raleigh. We are organizing a team of walkers, runners and sponsors within our community to help raise awareness for breast cancer and money for research.

A special thanks to our sponsors Green Pea Baby, Inked Custom Apparel,  Triangle Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center, Mickey World Travel, North Raleigh Family Eye Care, Fitness 19 Cary, Pam Nogle with It Works! and Hedoepaper.etsy.com  for being our team sponsors. 

Interested in being part of the team as a walker, runner or supporter? Click here to Join the Team

See you at the race!

Shop Smart at Designer Consignors

I jokingly tell my friends that I train like a beast, but I'm a beauty queen at heart. It's not much of a joke because while I may lift heavy at the gym; I really enjoy shopping for new clothes and accessories, putting together cute outfits, dressing up and going out on the town. Like the queen, I have expensive taste and prefer brand names. Unfortunately being a stay-at-home mom and blogger, my budget is tight. So if I want my name brand apparel and accessories, I have to shop smart.

A couple years ago, I found Designer Consignors. It was the perfect fit for me with it's designer labels at consignment prices. It was a little piece of heaven filled with purses, jewelry, clothes, shoes and even home decor. At first, I started out as a shopper at the bi-annual event (spring & fall). Then I got a little smarter, and realized I could even make money as a consignor. Spring is my favorite time to change up my wardrobe. Each spring before the sale, I look through my closet and pull out last year's clothes/accessories/jewelry to make room and even pay for the new items.

Another thing that I love about Designer Consignors is how they give back. This year they are raising awareness of domestic abuse/violence against women with their support of InterAct. "InterAct is a non-profit, United Way agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. InterAct fulfills this mission through the support of its volunteers and community.” It's free to shop the sale, but they are asking shoppers to bring in an item from the InterAct List as a donation. Women helping women is always a good thing. 

I'm super excited about the sale this year on March 13-15. They have convenient location at the intersection of Hwy 55 and High House Rd in Cary in the former Jump Zone spot. If you've ever went to Jump Zone, you know the space is huge. I'm just about finished tagging all my clothes and excited about the deals I'll find at the sale. 

Would you like to attend the preview sale, the night before the sale actually begins? You would get first dibs on all the clothes, jewelry, purses, shoes and decor. Then register below to win a free pass.




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