I love Monday’s because they are always a chance for me to feature new bloggers! Today I am bringing you the awesome Whitney.

 

Name: Whitney

Blog: http://whitneykristine.wordpress.com/

When did you first start blogging and why?

I started blogging in late 2008 – just about life and nothing specific. My mom and my aunt were pretty much the only people who read what I wrote. haha I blogged sporadically through 2011, then pretty much stopped completely. In 2013, I started back up again with the intent of posting more consistently and having more of a focus – fitness and healthy living. I enjoy writing and being active is a big part of who I am (I work at a gym and I teach group exercise classes), so I mostly blog because it’s something I enjoy and want to share it with others.

 

What is your most helpful blogging tip?

Be you! I think people identify with and appreciate someone who is genuine.

 

What is your favorite fitness activity?

Oh gosh, I have so many! I teach a cycling class and a combination yoga/Pilates class and I enjoy running as well. I need variety, otherwise I get bored.

 

What motivates you?

Seeing my own progress – being able to stretch a little deeper, run a little farther. Progress makes me want to keep going! When I first started taking cycling classes, I could barely make it through the whole class. Now I can not only make it through the class, I can talk while I’m doing it! 🙂

 

What has fitness changed about your life?

It’s changed the way I view myself. I was never an athlete or an active child. I didn’t really start working out or making fitness a part of my life until I was in college. I just didn’t see myself as that active person. Now, when I see high school friends and I tell them where I work or that I run races, they’re floored. It’s taught me not to limit myself – that if I work hard, I can be whoever I want to be.

 

What is your favorite pump up song?

“Club Can’t Handle Me” by Flo Rida. The beat gets me ready to move.

 

What is your favorite running distance?

5k is my favorite. Long distance running is challenging for me. I can run a 5k and feel successful, yet not feel like I want to die afterwards.

 

What is your favorite motivational quote/mantra?

“No matter how slow you go, you’re still lapping everyone on the couch.” It reminds me that even when I don’t feel like I had my best workout, I got up and did it and that’s what really counts.

 

What is your favorite piece of running/fitness gear?

My Nike cowl neck sweatshirt…I don’t know what the style is called, but it has thumb holes and it’s so cozy! My husband bought it for me for our first wedding anniversary.

 

What is your favorite “treat”?

No Bake Energy Bites! They taste like little cookie dough balls, but they’re WAY healthier! I pinned the recipe on my Pinterest page: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/29414203786161956/

 

What is a long term running or fitness goal you have for yourself?

I would love to do a sprint triathlon someday! Swimming kinda scares me, though, so I would want to take swim lessons first.

 

Tell us something unique about yourself.

I LOVE baking and am pretty good at it, but I suck at cooking. Seriously, I have to take disarm our smoke detector any time I attempt to make a meal.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is starting out running, what would it be?

Don’t compare yourself to others. My dad and I have running in common, so when I see his times/distances on my Map My Fitness app I can get discouraged that I’m not as fast or I don’t run as far. Just focus on your progress. Celebrate the small victories – running a half mile farther or increasing your pace by a minute.

 

How do you find/make time to train?

It’s easy to find time to train for the classes I teach. It’s my job, so I just do it. Finding time to train for a run is harder. I just have to schedule it into my week. If I have a list or training plan that I can mark a run off on when I finish it, that helps. Checking something off is satisfying and I’m more likely to actually do it.

 

What’s an accomplishment you are most proud of?

Running the Shamrock Run 15k in March. It’s not the longest distance I’ve run, but 4 miles out of the 9.3 miles were uphill. Yeah, ouch! Even though my legs were screaming at me, I finished and managed to only walk 1 mile and run the rest.

 

Head over to Whitney’s blog and check it out! You can also find her on Twitter.

If you would like to be featured in the Bloggers on the Run feature – please go here.