Moms Who Rock Around Our Towns: Hastings' Michelle Collins

Each week, we're going to share with you a local mom that we think is awesome. We'll ask her some questions and hear about how she manages life with kids in our area. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know some of our neighbors.

Michelle Collins lives in Hastings-on-Hudson with her husband Matt and their two girls, Jacqueline (10) Michaela (5). She is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and founder and owner of Fit and Happier which features home-based, one-on-one and small group fitness training sessions for women in the Rivertowns.

1. How do you balance being a mom and working?

Before having children, Michelle and her husband had decided "to live within our means on one salary" so she could be home with the children full-time. Because the kids are now in school for a full day, she took advantage of the opportunity to figure out what she wanted to do.  

With her business, she is able to set her schedule, including times that she'll train clients. And she sticks to those times and doesn't compromise so that she can make sure  that she has time for her priorities, including her own exercise and being home and focused on the girls before and after school every day.

2. We think your new business is a great idea and would love to hear more about it.

Michelle has a motto: "There is a fit and happier woman inside all of us." Until her youngest daughter started kindergarten last fall, she was a full-time, stay-at-home mom. For her, fitness has a been a goal since her mother was diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension when she was in college.

Michelle wanted to "teach others how to be more fit and model fitness for their kids. " In November 2010 she  received her certificaton from ACE founded Fit and Happier "to teach women how to exercise safely and effectively without having to join a gym or purchase expensive exercise equipment."

3. When you find time for yourself, what do you enjoy doing locally?

Michelle thinks that "the Rivertowns provide great workouts - because of the natural beauty and the hills - without ever having to step foot in a gym." She enjoys walking and jogging throughout Hastings-on-Hudson and usually some part of the Old Croton Aqueduct. Her "favorite walk every week is the one from my house to Antoinette's Patisserie for a large coffee (hot in the winter, iced in the summer) and then walk home, up hill most of the way."

4. What are some of your top things to do around Westchester with your family?

Michelle and her family "enjoy the hiking trails of Rockefeller State Park and the NY Botanical Gardens." They also can be found eating family friendly spots includingin Dobbs and City Limits Diner in White Plains.  

She adds that "because every balanced diet includes an occasional treat," they also enjoy treats from  in Hastings and Riviera Bakehouse in Ardsley.

5. What is your favorite thing about living in this area?

Michelle and her husband balance their life with monthly date nights and take advantage of  the proximity to the city to enjoy theater and the "great little restaurants all over Westchester."

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