Dara-spired

That's Fit gals are all talking about her -- Dara Torres -- the Olympic swimmer and middle-aged mom. Jacki recently shared an informative overview of Torres and Kristen provided specifics on her fitness routine. Consider us Dara-spired. Hint to Kellogg's marketing squad, 35-and-over women will pounce on boxes of Special K if Torres is on it.

Dara-spiration exudes through her beautiful smile, her ability to tackle motherhood and develop into an even more powerful Olympic-level swimmer with a fitness regimen that works for her age. Accepting and creatively making accommodations for our aging or injured bodies is key to lifelong fitness. Torres recognized her body needs more recovery time between workouts than when she was younger, so she works out differently. Not only that, Torres raised her hand to become one of a dozen athletes openly submitting to a new, comprehensive drug-testing program by the United States Anti-Doping Agency -- she's clean.

I'm 41-years-old, just like Torres. I have a four-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. I love competition, whether it's a golf tournament or "who can run around the house the fastest." I want to exit my 40s -- typically the decade of getting soft -- Dara-lean and taut. Witnessing Torres anchor the relay team to a silver medal at the 2008 Games delivered a jolt of spine-tingling Dara-spiration and pride. After that performance, I wouldn't be surprised if middle-aged moms everywhere ate right the next morning and headed outdoors for a bike, jog or a few laps in the pool. Anyone else Dara-spired? Check out these new pics of Torres in the gallery!

Dara-spired(click thumbnails to view gallery)