Jennifer Lopez finishes a triathlon!
Categories: Celeb parenting
In my third trimester, I wasn't inspired to do much more than run to the corner for a pint of Ben & Jerry's. (That is, when I couldn't get my husband to do it for me.) But during those waning days of Jennifer Lopez's pregnancy, something clicked. Feeling "like a beached whale," the expectant mom -- dreaming of the day she got her body back -- went looking for inspiration and found it... in a triathlon."I was watching TV, and I saw a triathlon and I said, 'You know what? I think I could do that, that would be great for me to do. Maybe I'll do it this year.'" This past weekend, the star reached her goal. She finished the Nautica Malibu Triathlon on Sunday in 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 38.8 seconds, raising $127,000 for Children's Hospital of L.A. in the process. She wasn't the only celeb parent there. Matt McConaughy finished the race in 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 44.7 seconds.
Jennifer gave birth to her twins, Max and Emme, just seven months ago. Seven months after I gave birth, I was still trying to get my husband to fetch Ben & Jerry's for me, despite his arguments that I was no longer pregnant. I think that may have something to do with why Jennifer has her pre-baby body back and why mine is still missing.
What inspired you to get back into shape after your baby was born?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jan Bay 9-16-2008 @ 6:00PM
The only way I could have time to train for or run a triathlon would be if I was pushing a full double stroller and backpack carrier!
Very few moms have the luxury of time to devote to different competitions like Jennifer Lopez and other celebrity mothers.
Stroller-cizing has helped me make it through some stressful days and to keep my energy levels up. I suppose the need for an energy boost rather than my appearance was my personal motivation to get out and get moving...getting firmer was just an added bonus.
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/
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Karen 9-16-2008 @ 11:09PM
The whole time I was pregnant with DS#2, each day I put in my jar the money I would've spent otherwise on a pack of cigarettes had I not quite due to the pregnancy. I continued sticking money into the jar for over a year after he was born.
I finally got completely disgusted with the way I felt and looked at that point, and took my money to the local bike shop and bought a road bike and trailer. I started riding, and it was the best thing I've ever done. I am now using that bike and trailer to pull around his little sister while getting my fitness back after yet another pregnancy.
However, at 7 mos postpartum I was merely surviving on too-little sleep and still nursing many times a day. While I applaud Jennifer Lopez and her efforts, I cannot believe such an achievement is within the reach of the average mom (not without lots of money and/or lots of help).
Jan Bay 9-17-2008 @ 9:20PM
Karen! Congratulations on kicking the habit and figuring out a way to exercise with a newborn on board. It takes a lot more planning and imagination for average moms to "work out" than it does moms with nannies, maids and professional trainers but we're up to it and manage fine with what we have.
I'm not trying to diminish Jennifer Lopez's accomplishments, she could have just as easily used her childcare resources and energy to be out clubbing like some of the other infamous celebrity moms have been known to do. However, the average mom should not be made to feel less because she can't manage to squeeze in competitive sports while tending to a house, cooking meals and raising babies.
Enlightenment 9-17-2008 @ 11:32AM
Good for her! It's hard enough to just find the time to workout, or go for a little run when you have kids. It must also be nice to afford the luxury of extra time to train and participate, knowing that the majority of people out there have to work and balance their schedules to support their families. That still doesn't take away from the commitment and effort it takes to complete a triathlon.
Congratulations to Jennifer and Marc on the twins, and completing the triathlon.
http://www.online-degree-enlightenment.com/blog/ - great news that we have decided to share with our viewers.
Enlightenment
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kate2 9-17-2008 @ 2:23PM
You really don't need to be rich or have the "luxury" of a lot of spare time to train for a triathon. You just need to WANT to do it. I'm 46 with 2 kids, and I completed my first one this summer, and I am hooked!!
Most people have a treadmill at home (usually gathering dust, like ours used too!!) or you can just run around the block - you would be surprised at how easy it is to build up to three miles and it only takes 30 minutes to run it. And you just need to schedule about 1 hour twice a week for about 4 weeks to build up to the 1/2 mile swim requirement. Bike training can also be accomplished in about 1 hour, twice a week. Pick one of the three and start building up your endurance. I.e. once you are capable of running the 3 miles, move on to the swimming. Then the biking. Once you have the endurance to do each of them separately, you can maintain with just a few hours each week, alternating between the three. Race day was the only day I ever did the full tri.
Building up slowly like this takes about 2-3 hours per week for about 2-3 months , but it can be done if you have the dedication!! So quit thinking that only celebrities have the time and money to do this - you can too!
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Jennifer@Dell 9-19-2008 @ 9:08AM
Congrats kate2! I completed my first one this summer also. It took me longer than 7 months postpartum though! My twins had just turned 3 years old, and most of my training was done with them in tow. I traded evenings of training with evenings of online college classes - not easy but had great support from the hubby. What inspired me? – my 30th birthday was 9 days after that triathlon!
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