“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote”} }”>
Get access to everything we publish when you
>”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>sign up for Outside+.
Meet the Oxygen Challenge 7’s fittest mom, Kerry Bronson!
Age: 41
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
Occupation: Physical Therapy Assistant
Team: Both
The Oxygen Challenge 7 is Bronson’s third challenge. She completed OC5 and participated in OC6 right up until she gave birth to her third child, Ellie. By the time OC7 rolled around, she was breastfeeding an infant (Ellie, 1), potty training a toddler (Jacoby, 3) and helping her oldest (Nate, 15) adjust to teen life. But Bronson’s mantra of “where there’s a will, there’s a way” took form as she committed to 90 days of strength and transformation.
Bronson was Team Both, utilizing Tara Laferrara’s daily program while incorporating parts of Venus Lau’s flow work into her warm-ups and cool-downs. Thanks to some help from her hubby, Bronson has a home gym set up in a small corner of their living room where she can squat, crunch and burpee with no obstacles. By the end of the 90-day challenge, Bronson lost 6 pounds and four and a half total inches, and felt like a better athlete.
While the coaches’ guidance, training tips and nutrition expertise are great, Bronson says the best part of Oxygen Challenges is the community.
“Women lifting other women up and supporting them along their journey… it’s fantastic,” she said. Because she was breastfeeding an infant, Kerry had many sleepless nights and low-energy days. But, she says, “I could hop on the Facebook group and post how I was feeling and everyone would help pick me up.” She even helped organize themed days, where OC7 challengers wore tie-dye, neon and army print, for example, to their individual workouts.
Bronson’s athleticism has rubbed off on her two sons. The eldest would join her for an occasional workout, and her toddler “works out” too from time to time – “meaning he plays with my gym equipment or jumps on me when I’m working out,” Bronson said. Though dedicated and hard-working, Bronson warns that lifting and fatigue aren’t a good combination. “I take care of me… If I’m beyond tired, I will most certainly take a rest day,” she said. “It’s all a balance.”
Advice for New Moms
“Your postpartum journey isn’t about getting back to the old you, but rediscovering your new you and new strengths.”
Biggest Challenge
“Having a young baby and a toddler can be super challenging, especially as a nursing mom. I’m up a number of times at night to feed the baby, and the toddler was potty training during the challenge. I was often exhausted, but my workout is my ‘me’ time, so even when I had every reason to not do a workout I still got it done.”
3-Song Workout Playlist
- “Beast (Southpaw Remix)” by Rob Bailey and The Hustle Standard
- “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” by Todrick Hall
- “This Is Me” by Keala Settle and The Greatest Showman Cast
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @tinytrainer_fitspiration
Facebook: cookingkerry