Flip Flops & Furs

Soooo, I have been begging (read harassing) this beauty to do a fit mom interview for me!! She motivates me to elevate my game everytime I look at her, and she lights up the room when you’re around her!! Ride along with me as we get to know Katina Taylor.

Katina and I are both from Texas…I say this because we met back in 1999 when our husbands were both playing for the Miami Dolphins. It was nice to hear a Texas twang other than my own while living in The Magic City. Not to mention, often times feeling like I was in the middle of a Rihanna video as I attempted to embrace South Beach. As crazy as it is…our dads were actually fraternity brothers in college. They are both in pretty amazing shape now (they’ll show you) haha!! I have witnessed Steve do a one armed push up, and my dad still thinks he can outrun college kids in the 40 yard dash! My point being, I think she would admit to some good genetics. Her brother, Zach, was an All Pro Linebacker…just saying…it’s a really good looking/athletic family!!

Brace yourself, but this body has produced 3 gorgeous children…yes, three!!! And, I asked and she said it would be fine to tell you she is also 40 years old!! Pretty unbelievable. Katina runs Camp Katina, and they just celebrated 10 years. It is a gymnastics, cheer, dance and life skills program for young girls with the mantra “Cartwheels to Character!!” Read more about it and follow/like Camp Katina on Facebook HERE. She also writes a column for InWeston Magazine in South Florida and keeps up with all of her kid’s activities. She is just an all around incredible person. So, I know you’re ready to get on with how she maintains THIS body!!!

~Describe what you’re doing to stay in shape? How often? How long do you workout?

I like to be active everyday. I prefer to knock out my workout first thing in the morning, if not my “to do list” takes over. I always choose activities that I enjoy and that make me feel HAPPY. Every week my schedule is different, but I “TRY” to hit the gym 2 days a week and tennis 2-3 days a week. I live in a community that has a beautiful small gym that I put on my earphones and often focus on body parts that have the most jiggle. (For me that is triceps, legs and booty.) I am in the gym no longer than an hour, and I can get the same results in my living room using my body weight. I use tennis as my cardio, and it is a full-body workout too. I like to change up my workouts so that I don’t get bored.

~How do you stay motivated to workout when you just aren’t in the mood?

JUST DO IT…or skip it if you know that you can get back on track…(knowing it isn’t going to hurt to miss a day or two.) However, I love exercising! I “light-up” just talking about it. 🙂 haha! Some readers may think I’m “one of those!!…a fitness fanatic…eats bird seed…only thinks of my next workout!” NO……far from it. Physical activity is just part of my lifestyle, and I just don’t make working out that difficult. I used to kill myself for the same results I am seeing now with just productivity, balance in my diet and activities that I enjoy. I do listen to my body, and if I’m not feeling like a beast that wants to drip sweat then I just go for an easy walk/jog and add some pushups, lunges or curls. I am so passionate about health and fitness because I truly have seen the benefits for myself physically and mentally. When I’m having a difficult day, exercise has gotten my mind off my problems and focused on my blessings. Exercise also gives me the energy I need to keep up with my 3 children.

~Top 3 fitness tips:

* Workout to FEEL good, be healthy and feel strong…
* Drink lots of water….stay hydrated. An expert told me to drink half of my body weight in ounces of water per day (Ex. 140 lb. person would have 70 oz of water a day) Sometimes when we feel hungry we are just dehydrated. I often don’t drink enough, but I do believe in the importance of water for our overall health.
* Resistance Training is key to having a toned body, especially as I’ve gotten older I need to maintain muscle to help prevent injuries and continue activities that I enjoy

~Things you’ve you tried and hated—diets and working out?

I believe in MODERATION not DEPRIVATION when it comes to my diet. I love to eat great foods and sometimes fattening ones too, but it is all about keeping my diet in a healthy balance. In college I was definitely a yo-yo dieter. I would gain 10lbs from eating till I was stuffed every meal to cutting my bread and sugar until I got it off. Then would be right back on the rollercoaster because it wasn’t realistic longterm. I HATE diets. I think they can show quick results, but are often not maintainable. My suggestion is to find your balance and predominately eat healthy foods and sneak in that cookie, slice of pizza or wine without guilt because you know you have earned it.

~What does your diet look like on a typical day?

Breakfast: coffee 🙂 eggs or
eggs and a slice of toast with little butter or jelly
or
1/2 bagel with peanut butter and banana slices
or
eggs and turkey sausage or regular sausage
Lunch: salads; sushi, fish, chicken, veggies

Dinner: lean meats and veggies

If feeling like I need to clean up my diet a bit…I always lower my breads and sugars.

~What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

Chips and Salsa, Salty and buttery popcorn and wine, Nutella, oreos

~Would you say your body image has improved with age?

Yes! I’m way easier on myself. Perfection is overrated and boring! I don’t compare myself to others and I am not critical of others. That will weigh you down and you will never feel satisfied. We are all unique and different and I’ve learned with age to not sweat the small and stupid stuff! Beauty truly comes from within.

~Thoughts on aging and plastic surgery?

I don’t mind aging because I like to think I’m getting wiser, however sun-spots and wrinkles are no fun. I also want to slow life down because it is hard to see my children growing up so fast. Aging is another reason I am a supporter of healthy eating and exercise…..we are only as OLD as we FEEL! A healthy lifestyle is going to help us feel younger. Living in Florida I see tons of plastic surgery. Hard question to answer because I would never want young girls to think it is ok to go under the knife for beauty or to use plastic surgery as a “quick fix” to something dedication, determination and hard work can change. However, if a woman is unhappy with how things have gone South after babies or extreme weight loss and would like a “pick me up” then more power to them. I do suggest getting honest opinions from confident women without plastic surgery that encourage you to tone up or tan it or wear a pretty bra or….or…or before making such a decision. Some women can be way too hard on themselves.

~Final words:

Confidence is KEY no matter your size….surround yourself with positive and uplifting friends…..and focus on being the best PERSON you can be…..LIVE, LAUGH AND LOVE