August 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!

August's Mom of the Month is: Melissa Nafke! Congrats Melissa!

Melissa joined Stroller Strides in January with her adorable daughters Emma & Sara. She had been participating in Weight Watchers since this past fall, and has made amazing strides in health and fitness over the past year! She has lost an impressive 45 lbs since beginning her health and fitness journey last October. In addition to Stroller Strides workouts, Melissa joined our spring "Running Mamas" 5k training program, and went from having never really run before, to completing her first full 5k (the Run for our Heroes race) on April 30th! She has kept up the running, completing an 8k (Running of the Bulls) on June 18th, and she has challenged herself this fall to completing a half marathon, the Ramblin Rose, on October 16th.

Melissa and her girls have been frequent Stroller Strides attendees this summer, showing amazing dedication to fitness, inspiring our moms to keep up the hard work, and having a great time participating at many of our playgroup activities--- as a mom of two darling girls less than 18 months apart, Melissa is one impressive mama! Join us in congratulating her and read on to get to know Melissa a little bit better.


Hometown: Liverpool, NY

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Apex

Education: MA in Organization Development

Stroller Strides Member since: January

Members of your Family: My husband, Adam, and my daughters Sara and Emma

Tell us about your children: Emma turned two in March and she loves to be outside - swimming or riding her bike are her favorite outdoor activities, besides Stroller Strides, of course (she asks to go now :)). Sara turns one August 3rd, and is already walking and climbing up on things and loves to follow her big sister around.

Current/previous Career: I'm currently a SAHM, and I was a Human Resource Generalist before the girls were born.

What was your childhood ambition? To be a veterinarian.

What does motherhood mean to you? Raising Emma and Sara to be strong, healthy and independent women. Nurturing them and giving the best I possibly can to them everyday, and loving them for who they are.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Singapore

What has Stroller Strides done for you? It's help me become stronger and healthier than I've been in my life. I am toned and have much more endurance than ever, and I really need it now :) - helps me keep up with Emma and Sara. With the Running Mamas program, I started at running three minutes at a time, and worked my way up to regularly running miles at a time.

What is your favorite exercise? Crunches

What is your proudest moment? I have had many, especially since Emma and Sara were born. It's hard to narrow it down to one :)

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Friends, my BOB stroller, my iPad

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. Unique, or probably just plain weird - I eat snack foods (like popcorn) with chopsticks so I don't get my fingers dirty.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I'm organized, thoughtful and a good listener

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Make small goals, be kind to yourself and don't give up and ask for help and support when you need it. Getting in shape is important for not only your physical well being, but your emotional well being. Taking the time to do this not only sets a great example for our children, but at least for me, I feel like I am a better mother because of it.