Ambassador Spotlight: Ericka Andersen

This week we have Ericka of The Sweet Life in the Spotlight! You can keep up with Ericka here:

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/ErickaAndersen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetlifeericka.com
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/Ericka203
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/Ericka_Andersen
• Instagram: Ericka81
• Tumblr: http://www.sweetlifeericka.tumblr.com

1. How do you define FitFluential?

For me, Fitfluential is about living a positive, healthy lifestyle that is contagious to others. It means wearing fitness and healthy living on your sleeve and encouraging those around you to live up to their potential in multiple ways. It’s making good decisions for your body whether that means eating veggies at every  meal, learning how to strength train, getting enough rest, drinking enough water or something else.

I’d also like to mention my work with Back on My Feet, a non-profit organization that works with men & women in homeless and recovery shelters to use running as a means of self-suffiency. It has been a huge part of making me value being Fitfluential in the past year because fitness makes such a difference in the lives of these men & women who I admire so much for trying to regain their lives again.

2. What is your main motivation to be fit?

I really enjoy the way being fit feels. I am at my best mentally, physically and spiritually when I’m getting a lot of exercise and accomplishing my fitness goals. It is just part of my lifestyle and I am motivated by the knowledge of how much fulfillment and joy being fit brings to my life. Plus, every day activities are just more pleasurable when you are strong, energized and balanced.

3. FitFluential believes the key to balance is Eat, Sleep, More and Enjoy. What is your favorite way to enjoy life?

I love starting my day off with a hard core workout. It’s not easy to get up and do it first thing but it’s so worth it even when I first start working out. I love being up early and seeing the sunrise. Mornings are definitely the most content part of my day. Another part of enjoying life is eating delicious food. Usually, that’s something healthy because it’s what makes me feel good. I don’t skimp on healthy fats – love me some avocados and almonds that’s for sure. But, I just want food that tastes good and also love being genuinely hungry when I sit down for a good meal. Enjoying life also means being outside in the sunshine, breathing fresh air and laughing as much as possible.

4. What is your regular fitness routine?

I usually work out 5-6 days a week in some form. These days, I do 45-1 hour of Crossfit 3 mornings a week. Two days are devoted to running 5-7 miles and if I work out another day, I usually do a combo of the elliptical, treadmill and light strength training. One at least one day of Crossfit, I add an extra 20-30 minutes of cardio. I don’t stress too much if I have to miss a day and on weekends, sometimes I substitute a long walk for any of these activities.

5. What advice do you have for someone at the beginning of their fitness journey?

Just get started! Don’t be intimidated by routines or gyms or bloggers or other people. The first step can just be walking. While fitness can look like it has a lot of bells and whistles, all you really need is a pair of running shoes to get started. When I’m not feeling like working out, a short jog (even 1/4^th of a mile) usually gets my heart rate up and encourages me. The hardest part is forming a habit so form the habit of walking on the treadmill or elliptical. Once you have that down say three mornings a week, start thinking about other activities you can add. Since I have added Crossfit to my routine, I am much more fulfilled in my fitness journey but it took me years to figure out that I liked someone else. Don’t wait – and don’t be scared. There is a HUGE community of encouraging people out there that want to help you. I think joining a group and finding community is the absolute best way to stay on track.

My Most Popular Posts for Newbies:

7 Rituals For Running When You’re Unmotivated

Crosstraining: 12 Ideas for Runners

Crossfit: Race Endorphins Every Time

Bonus Question:

When did you start enjoying exercise instead of it being a chore? 

I have been “working out” for years but always have a love/hate (more hate) relationship with it. After battling an eating disorder for 10 years – exercise being a huge, negative part of the battle – I thought I would never find peace. It was only in the past three years or so that I came to enjoy and appreciate exercise for how it gave me sanity, balance and strength. Instead of dreading it, I set goals and accomplished them. I began to make friends who valued fitness too and becoming a blogger introduced me to a whole world of people who lived and loved a fitness lifestyle. It was then that embraced fitness for what it could be in my life – a true joy that gave me so much inspiration and community. I love running marathons and meeting new people. This is part of who I am and others have told me how I inspire them – something that is so valuable to me. Change your mindset, change your life. Embrace fitfluential!