In celebration of the first day of Summer and Dairy Month, I’m telling you about how I got moo-ving with an exercise routine and how I include dairy in my diet.

I joined a training group at our local gym about three months ago, I’m not a “worker-outer” so it was a huge obstacle for me to overcome. I was deathly afraid of the gym. To be honest, I still have major anxiety about doing anything at the gym outside of my training group. Kelly, our trainer is incredible and I really love the group of ladies I get to work out with. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 30 minutes. I’m so happy I pushed myself to make this part of my weekly routine. I feel so much better about myself and my health.

Once I made the commitment to get moo-ving, it was easy to change my diet as well. I didn’t have to make huge changes in my diet based on the way I cook at home. My on-the-go diet was where I had to make the most amount of changes. Along with drinking coke and other high-calorie drinks. It’s human nature that if you take something away from someone, you crave it the most so I function under the rule of MODERATION!

Here’s where DAIRY comes into play!

Whether you prefer an evening walk or are training for a triathlon, dairy is a great way to fuel your body with energy it needs for your routine.  Here are just a few ways milk packs a punch:

·         Fuel for an Active Lifestyle — Milk’s nine essential nutrients play an important role in fueling an active lifestyle. Drinking milk can be an ideal way to help the body refuel, rehydrate and recover after a workout.

·         Chocolate Milk Is Nature’s Sports Drink — Research published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism on young adults showed that chocolate milk is twice as effective as commercial sports drinks to refuel exhausted muscles. Part of this is due to its ideal carbohydrate to protein ratio.

·         Whey Protein Packs Energy — Whey protein is a high-quality protein found naturally in dairy foods, and it provides the protein your body can best use to help promote better health. It helps you get the most out of your workout by speeding muscle recovery after exercise and helping build and maintain lean muscle. If you are always on the go like me, try this protein-packed Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Shake.

We love the Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Shake! Jack can’t have it due to the peanut butter but I know he will love it too one day!

Review and Giveaway Opportunity: Get Moo-ving Pack

Midwest Dairy wants to power up your Summer fitness routine with a Get Moo-ving Pack. This fitness pack (valued at $100) provides you with all the essentials for your favorite outdoor activity, including an iTunes gift card, a Cuisinart hand blender for your post-workout smoothies, and Dairy Makes Sense wicking gear.

To Enter: Leave a comment on this post telling us how you fit dairy into your diet. You have until 6/27/12 to enter. We will notify the winner via email. Thank you for entering.

Three daily servings of nutrient-rich dairy foods — like milk, cheese or yogurt — deliver incomparable nutrition, value and taste. Make sure dairy is part of your spring fitness plan!

You can learn more about how dairy fits your active lifestyle with recipes and helpful nutrition information at www.dairymakesense.com.

WINNER IS #18 Laura, congratulations!