Pittsburgh Moms Gettin' Fit & Healthy: Leigh Anne Cowger

 This series is intended to be an encouragement to all moms, whether you have battled weight gain all your life or simply find staying fit & healthy a much more difficult challenge as a busy mom. We can learn from each other and, most of all, be a cheer leader to those in this journey! You can read the introduction to the series here. 
Embody Natural Health will be sending Leigh Anne a free smoothie coupon from their Juice Cafe! 

And so we begin with Leigh Anne's story, in her own words.....
Hi, I'm not sure how "great" my story is, but I have always been a bigger person all my life. Here is where I started.....

 I was in athletics but still not the "skinny one". I gained 70 lbs while pregnant (my son will be 4 in May). It took me a little over a year to get the motivation to begin but I am continuing my journey. Weight watchers is the only thing that works for me. I still have my struggles, I am still trying to get about 15 lbs off to get to my goal (which is also the lightest I will ever be/maintain in my 34 years of life).

In the past 2 years I have also got an interest in races. I started off with 5k's but as of today I ran in a marathon relay, 3 half marathons (training for my 4th now) and hope to at some point complete a full marathon. I still don't like to run just for fun; but once I get signed up for a race that is the motivation I need. I also am trying to get into other things to keep it interesting; classes, weight training...anything, especially if I can include my friends!

So I don't have a completed story; and I am still working to find a balance. It seems you get a good routine down, then your child gets into the next phase of life to throw it into craziness again. So I know with my history/family background it will be a tough battle and I don't have the motivation everyday; but overall I am going in the right direction and will continue to work and do what I can to reach my goal and maintain for myself but also for my son...my family. I know there are a lot of great stories out there and I can't wait to read from other moms to see I am not alone and get the "motivation" on the days I can't give it to myself.

Leigh Anne Cowger

I say, Way to go Leigh Ann! Keep up the motivation and the great work!

{Look for more stories in the coming months.}