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Twin Cities Mom Collective

I Am A Twin Cities Mom: Ali Holman

AliHoman

Continuing our I Am A Twin Cities Mom series, we’re welcoming fitness expert Ali Holman!

Ali is a Fitness Expert for CBS, ABC, and she travels the country to various nationally syndicated shows as a Health and Fitness Expert.

She recently launched her book, #StrongGirl: 20 Minute Workouts and Quick Meals to Keep you Lean Trim and Powerful, on Barnes and Noble’s website, Amazon, and at Costco.

You can also workout with her on your own time, regardless of your fitness level, on her site CoreCamper.com!

 

Holman FitFam5Usps Screen ShotIf we peeked in your purse right now, what would we find?

I would love to say a designer lipgloss or hand cream–but let’s keep it REAL real:)  On any given day, you will always find baby wipes (I don’t have babies anymore, but for some reason my kids still have sticky hands:), notes and notes to myself (yes, I know I could have them on my iPhone–but I’m old school, I have to write stuff down to remember!), dandelion root tea bags (ladies, if you need to banish the bloat–make this part of your daily routine!), and probably any garbage my kids were too lazy to throw away and gifted to me! Ha!

Why do you call the Twin Cities home?

I was born here and lived all over–primarliy Arizona for many years after getting a degree in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Arizona.  I swore I would never move back to the cold–but something always called me home.  I have a confession–I may be the least “Minnesotan” person you’ll meet–I don’t ice skate, I don’t fish, I don’t watch hockey, I complain about the cold–BUT, I love the people.  When you live in other areas of the country–you gain a true appreciation for home.  From the way we take pride in our state, to the focus on living a healthy lifestyle-regardless of the icicles hanging from our nose–this is my home.  So much, in fact, that I building a new home right now!  This is a new experience for me…have I mentioned that I never have paid attention to what shape door handles or stair railings I prefer?

 

What’s been the greatest joy of motherhood?

I absolutely love being a mom.  Some days I kick butt at it–getting the kids to where they need to be, knocking out 4th grade math homework (curse you Common Core math), healthy dinner ready to go, beds made, house on point.  Some days, I completely suck at it.  Like the days you are driving with the kids and thinking, “I feel like I am forgetting something…”–and it’s that birthday party they have been dying to go to.  Ahhhhh!

But my kids love me regardless.  I love raising #StrongGirls – so much, I wrote a book about it!  My daughters inspire me to inspire other moms to raise #StrongGirls.  There is so much pressure on girls to be pretty and my least favorite word–“girly.”  As a mom, I love seeing my girls go after goals without feeling limited, seeing them embrace strength not only physically, but also in their values and identity.  I feel so blessed to have this “job” – I just didn’t realize it also would have little feet following me to the bathroom and still asking me questions under the door:) #CanAMomHaveAMoment ?!

 

How do you hope your life influences and/or inspires other women?

As women, our insecurities are often passed on.  We grow up seeing our moms go on diets, make comments in the dressing room that “our” body types don’t look good in that style, the non-acceptance of compliments…the list goes on.  I meet many women in their 40’s who truly are still struggling with the same body issues they had at 14.  My goal has always been to inspire women to stop right where they are–and give themselves some credit.  We do so much that we shrug off as insignificant.  Carrying a baby?  No big deal.  Monthly cycles of raging hormones we are supposed to ignore?  Eh.  Being a primary milk source to sustain life?  Standard.  NO!  That deserves several standing ovations in my book.  Look at your body RIGHT NOW and see it for the powerhouse that it is.  View Fitness and health as a journey to strengthen that powerhouse.  When I can help women find their power–physically and mentally–I am truly following my passion.

 

What is your favorite non-fitness activity?

Dirty secret…if you don’t follow me on social media, you may not know I am the “Dog lady.”  Three French Bulldogs and a two pound chihuahua.  Did I mention my husband isn’t a huge dog fan?  Sorry honey!  But I love animals–they truly help me “click off” and bring me so much joy.  I also LOVE the Dollar Store.  I know, I know…this isn’t exactly a “hobby”–but roaming around this place will put me in a zen–and usually minus $34 with a bunch of crap I don’t need.

 

How did you get your start?

I went to college for Broadcast Journalism–and always having a passion for fitness, got certified as a personal trainer as well.  I realized quickly my dream was to marry the two–bring my message of health and fitness to television.  I love producing segments, simplifying fitness and nutrition.  It is where I am most at home.  After many years of private training in home, my husband and I (he is also a trainer) created CoreCamper.com.  Primarily because LIFE got in the way for so many of our clients.  Sick kid, traveling for work, hubby out of town, Spring Break, bad roads–you name it.  We decided to expand nationally by coming to YOU with 20 minute daily online workouts on YOUR time.  Our site has been thriving for eight years now with a 94% annual retention rate–because our program is actually something you can fit into your life.  Log in wherever you are, choose your difficulty level, press PLAY and go! New workouts every day plus my easy, non-diet, family-friendly weekly meal plans and recipes.  It is amazing to reach so many people and we feel so thankful to be their trainers!

 

What’s your best piece of advice for women who are nervous about starting their fitness journey?

A few tips:  Think of your busiest day, then find a program that fits into THAT day.  That is why I don’t like the pressure of Jan. 1–because who wakes up with MORE time in the New Year? No one!!! So set yourself up to succeed without over-promising.

Realize that you will screw up and that’s okay!  No one is perfect–and you may have a bad day, week or month.  But there also is NO LIMIT on the number of times you can put that behind you and start fresh. No guilt–just DO.

Enjoy the journey.  I love when I hear our CoreCampers say, “I am so excited–I can now do pushups off my knees!” That means they are in the right mindset…goal-oriented, eye on the prize, focusing on STRENGTH.

Throw away your scale–PLEASE!

Hear me! Hear me! Hear me!  One pound of muscle is the size of a small lime; a pound of fat is the size of a large grapefruit.  So if you are using the scale to measure your success when embarking on a fitness journey, you are barking up the wrong tree.  The.number.doesn’t.matter. Instead, measure yourself monthly and then put it away.  ENJOY the fact that you have a functional body that you are nurturing, strengthening and improving!

Twin Cities Favorites

Date Night: Is my kids leaving the house & my husband and I staying here a lame answer? Ha!

If that is not an option, we love going to a nice dinner at Crave, walking around the lakes and being in bed by 10!

Entertainment:
Movies, concerts, basketball games, festivals–I love to explore.

Shopping (for YOU!):
Scheels in the Eden Prairie Center or the Nike Outlet in Albertville

Relaxation:
My guilty pleasure is eyelash extensions–they last 3-4 weeks.  It is so relaxing to have them done and gives me a great opportunity to just BE STILL (which is hard for this go go go girl!)


We love having the opportunity to share the personal sides of local Moms of the Twin Cities! If you would like to recommend another local Mom you think should be featured in our I Am a Twin Cities Mom series, please email us at info@twincitiesmomsblog.com.

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