Were your athletic as a child growing up?  If so, what sports did you play?
I was extremely athletic growing up. I played basketball and softball in high school. My parents are both very athletic and gave my sister and I a very good foundation for keeping healthy and exercising. My Dad is in the NJ Coaches Hall of Fame for his accomplishments coaching baseball. I had the best teacher when it came to learning the fundamentals of baseball. He also runs baseball camps throughout NJ. I attended all of them growing up and my dad always made me play with the boys. He always told his players, campers and me to practice with people who are better skilled than you are so you are always improving and striving to be better. I was a 3-time NJ All State Softball centerfielder, 1 of 500 invited to try out for the first ever Olympic Women’s Softball Team in 1996 and I received a scholarship to the University of Virginia to play Softball.

Tell us about your weekly exercise routine now.
I take group exercise classes. I cannot show up to the gym and push myself as hard as they do in the classes I take. I need the teacher and the other people in class to motivate me. I shoot for 3 classes (kickboxing, cardio pump, body blast or boot camp type class) during the week. If I have time, I lift weights and stretch on my own after class. I try and fit in another workout on the weekends with my husband whether it is a cycle class, biking in our neighborhood, wakeboarding or water skiing.

My husband is very athletic and watches what he eats. It is great having a partner who is also athletic and maintains a healthy exercise routine and diet. I look for him for motivation when I am in a workout rut or have been eating badly.

What is your nutrition routine?
About 7 years ago, I really began focusing on eating less and working out more. It is such an easy concept yet we all struggle with it. I am half the size I was the majority of my life. I don’t think my newer friends would recognize me in old pictures.

I grew up with healthy eating habits. My Mother always had fruits and vegetables at meals. We did not have soda, sugar cereals, cookies, and unhealthy snacks around. I rebelled in college and gained the “freshman fifteen”. Trying to eat healthy is conscious choice I try to make everyday. I cannot eat whatever I want and stay the size I am. It is a daily effort to keep myself at this size. My Mom’s good habits certainly carried over to me. I still eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and I don’t buy cookies or snack foods.

Most people know what good and bad nutrition choices are. I do, but I also struggle with making good ones all the time. I have good eating days and bad ones. I am a terrible nighttime sweets eater—ice cream is my enemy. I will blow a great day of eating and exercise with Ben & Jerry’s late in the evening. The next day I have to start all over again.

What was your post-baby exercise plan?
I didn’t struggle too much to loose my pregnancy weight. I was very active before I got pregnant and kept up with workouts while I was pregnant. I was in cycle class the day before my due date. Continued exercise during my pregnancy helped me strengthen my body for labor, lifted my mood and spirit, alleviate nausea, and help post baby weight come off easier and faster.

I am forever thankful that Dowd YMCA accepts infants into their child watch program as early as 6 weeks. I was counting the days until my daughter was old enough to go. The Y was the only place I got a break from caring for my daughter. I was deliriously sleepless at 6 weeks post partum but somehow managed a decent workout and then would nap on the locker room mats.

Exercise was very important for me post partum because I was suffering from Post Partum Panic, Anxiety and Depression. I wish I could say diet and exercise cured me, but I needed much more help than that. Does Tom Cruise subscribe to CHF?

What are your health & fitness goals for the future?
I am very excited about starting yoga this fall. I feel more comfortable in my skin than I ever have in my entire life, but I need some work in the mind and spirit department. Becoming a mother has been more emotionally and physically demanding than I ever could have imagined. I want to attack it being the best me I can be.

My sister has been practicing and teaching yoga for many years. She is a fantastic teacher. I love her classes but unfortunately she lives in NJ. I’m scoping out studios now so I can get started.

I am also planning on getting a cycle teacher certification. I have always thought I would make a great instructor.

What do you like/dislike about today’s fitness culture?
I like watching my husband compete in triathlons. Although I don’t compete, these events are extremely motivating to me. You see all shapes and sizes and various fitness levels and ages. I love to see athletes pushing themselves, encouraging one another, and crowds cheering on the participants. I don’t compete in sports anymore so I crave and appreciate this atmosphere. I leave those events feeling empowered. You can choose to be a winner everyday. Even if no one is watching.

Weezy is a 32 year old, married, stay-at-home mom and is available to speak about her experience with Post Partum Panic/Anxiety and Depression at New Mom support groups, Daddy Boot Camp classes, hospital courses, and Post Partum Emotional/Adjustment support groups. She can be contacted at: weezyjones@carolina.rr.com