How can you get even MORE out of your workouts?

Your Stroller Strides® Instructors are trained to deliver new, effective and unique workouts at each class, and while that is an important part of your fitness journey, there is more! The piece that will make a HUGE difference in the results you see comes from YOU. The intensity with which you give every repetition, at every station, at every class is what will take your fitness to the next level. If any of you have been coming regularly and have seen great progress in your strength and endurance, but are now hitting a plateau, YOU can make the difference and up the intensity and challenge at class. Some examples of how to do this are:

• Increase the resistance that you’re using in class: Grab a red tube if you have always used green. Challenge yourself a little more each time. Or consider using 2 reds (or a red and a green) at the same time!


• Add depth and height to your movements: Make your squats and lunges deeper, and then come up higher in the extension of the movements.


• Add greater intensity/energy to your movements: If it feels good for your joints and pelvic floor, add in some higher impact movements (running, jumping…leaving the ground a little more). If high impact isn’t in the cards for you, make your movements bigger and put more energy behind them.


• Keep MOVING throughout the entire class; even if you stop for water or to help your child, etc, keep marching with your feet and/or pumping your arms to keep those calories burning.


• Add an extra day or two per week to your workout routine! For best results (in weight loss, toning, and mental well-being), aim to attend Stroller Strides (and/or get in another equivalent workout) at least 3-5 days per week.

It is very easy to go into “auto-pilot” in your workouts, especially when you have a fabulously interesting mom next to you and the conversation is riveting! However, if you aren’t seeing the changes you have wanted to see in your fitness level or your body, it’s time to add some add some extra intensity as suggested above. Be reassured that even if your body has adapted to your workout and class doesn't feel quite as hard as it used to, you ARE still burning calories and maintaining muscle at each workout; but if you want to push yourself even more, let's see what you can do at your next class!

(Adapted from Farel Hruska's article, National Fitness Director, Stroller Strides LLC)

Stroller Strides of Raleigh's Spring Schedule is in effect starting this week!

Starting Monday 3/14 (with our Free Class & Anniversary Picnic), we go to our official OUTDOOR spring schedule, which is as follows:

• Mon & Wed, 10am, Crowder District Park (4709 Ten Ten Rd, meet at Park Pavilion)
• Tues & Thurs, 10am, Lake Johnson Park (4601 Avent Ferry Rd, meet near boathouse)
• Saturdays, 9:30am, Apex Community Park (aka Lake Pine), 2200 Laura Duncan Rd (drive all the way in to the end of the road/parking lot, meet at shelters near path to lake)
  

(Note: additional Cary locations likely to be added later this spring)

When we are OUTDOORS-- if it rains or is colder than 45 degrees, we will move class to Cary Towne Center mall, in which case class will be at 9:30am (not 10), since that is what the mall requires.

For class changes due to weather, please check our facebook page (www.facebook.com/strollerstridesraleigh) or call 888-389-0701, option 3, for class change updates the morning of class.

This is a great time to come out and try a Stroller Strides class if you haven't yet! Your first class is free-- come join us for a chance to get outdoors and active, meet other moms, and have fun with your little one/s.

For more info about our programs:
www.strollerstrides.net/raleigh
888-389-0701
jen.kedrowski@strollerstrides.net

March Mom of the Month

Our mom of the month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles, and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our March Mom of the Month is: Beth Breeden!! Congrats Beth!

Beth joined Stroller Strides in January, and has been a frequent attendee and upbeat, extremely friendly member of the group. She is an inspiration to all moms with all that she juggles-- motherhood, her own photography business (http://www.aewileyphotography.com/), Stroller Strides and other activities. Amidst all that being an entreprenuer entails, she still manages to drive out from Clayton to Stroller Strides workouts several times each week to stay in shape, and her husband Jonathan has also been a frequent Saturday attendee, sticking it out in the mall with us! We are glad to have Beth and her adorable son David as part of the group.

Join us in wishing her the best, and check out her answers below to get to know Beth a little better!


Hometown: Norrisville, Maryland

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Clayton

Education: B. A. in politics and sociology from Washington and Lee University; M. A. T. in social studies/history from Duke University

Stroller Strides Member since: January 2011

Members of your Family: Jonathan, David, and Beth

Tell us about your child/children: David is almost a year and a half old. He is an on-the-go toddler, to put it mildly. I am enjoying watching his vocabulary and his skills grow to keep pace with his opinions. He really does change daily right now, which is fascinating and fun.

Current/previous Career: Current = Photographer (since 2005); Former = High School U. S. History and Law and Justice Teacher

What was your childhood ambition? To be a lawyer or a teacher

What does motherhood mean to you? It's a wonderful combination of spiritual, intellectual, and practical exercise all aimed at helping one little 2 1/2 foot redhead become a good person. Basically, I get a chance to try to help a little person develop his values, abilities, and personality so that he will be a good man.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Spain

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Where to start? It has given me a way to meet other moms with young children, to introduce David to children his own age, and to get exercise that I actually look forward to, in a social setting.

What is your favorite exercise? I really like the power walking. The wall sit and the leg kick-out activities are other ones that I enjoy.

What is your proudest moment? The moment that David was born.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Coffee, the mountains, and my camera

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I grew up on a family beef and grain farm.

What advice would you give to others who are juggling motherhood and their own business or career?
I would say be patient with yourself as you learn to balance both, get good help whom you trust to care for your children for at least a few hours a week so that you have some working time during the day (as opposed to trying to carve all of your work time out of what should be your sleep), and set aside some regular time to spend with your spouse, away from email/phone/computer.