Editor’s note: The #BWPSelfie of the Week is our way to give a virtual high-five to Be Wellers who are sweating up a storm, making deliciously healthy meals, trying new adventures, and having all kinds of fun in and around Philly. So we want you to send us your healthiest, happiest selfies—tag ‘em #BWPSelfie on Instagram and Twitter, or email them—and we could feature you in an upcoming edition. To see our previous selfies, go here. Like what you’re reading? Stay in touch with Be Well Philly—here’s how:
#BWPSelfie of the Week: “I’m Ready to Crush the Philly Marathon”
Our #BWPSelfie-taker of the week, Amanda!
Welcome to the #BWPSelfie of the Week! Read all about why we’re celebrating selfies—and the sweaty Philadelphians who take them—below.
Name: Amanda Piccirilli
Day job: Communications coordinator at the Merion Cricket Club
Where she snapped this: Wildwood, N.J.
What she was doing: This picture was taken during a 5:30 a.m. sunrise run in Wildwood while I was on vacation with my family. This was my Week 5 “long run” as I am training for the Philadelphia Marathon in November. It was so beautiful, I knew I HAD to snap a photo!
Her favorite running app: Nike+. Every workout I use my Nike+ SportWatch GPS and it syncs with the Nike+ running app after you upload your workout into the computer. With the GPS features, I love seeing my route and my mile splits, and who doesn’t love seeing how many calories you burned off?!
What your hashtag #irun4liam means: I am a member of the group I Run 4, in which workout enthusiasts from around the world are paired with an adult or child with special needs or disability. I was blessed to be paired with Liam who lives ALL the way in IRELAND!! Liam is three years old and was diagnosed with Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 (also known as GA1), an inherited disorder in which the body is unable to process certain proteins properly. GA1 has affected Liam’s motor skills, putting him in a wheelchair, so while I run each and every mile and race for Liam and GA1 awareness, he works hard at PT for me and keeps me accountable for our team. We interact weekly through Facebook and FaceTime where his mom shares pictures with me and I post our workouts for him. We’re a support system to each other each and every day. We call ourselves the #DiamondDuo because we both have diamond as our birthstone and like diamonds, we’re both TOUGH as nails!
Her other favorite ways to work out in Philly: While running/training for races takes up much of my cardio time, I love doing kettlebell circuit training and Tabata classes at the gym. There is nothing greater than a high intensity workout for 45 minutes to an hour where you leave dripping in sweat.
How she stays motivated to sweat: In September of 2013, I made the choice that I needed a lifestyle change. I was a former Division 1 athlete and I fell off the wagon, gaining weight which ultimately made me an unfit, unhealthy and sad person on the inside, while I looked happy on the outside to friends and family. I knew I needed help, so I reached out to a health and wellness coach—Emily Benton at Nextdoor Wellness—who taught me how I should be fueling my body properly. From there, I was having more intense workouts and ultimately shedding 30+ pounds and cutting 30+ minutes on my running PRs. This September marked one year down and a lifetime to go! For the first time in my life I feel amazing and I’m ready to crush the Philly Marathon. I stay motivated to better myself, to better my friends and family, and most importantly—to keep running for those who can’t like my buddy, Liam.
