May 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 May Mom of the Month is: Melanie Jacobs! Congrats Melanie!

Melanie has been a member of Stroller Strides for almost a full year now, and her positive attitude and bright smile bring a great energy to our classes. She is always laughing and smiling, even when working out hard, and no doubt Oliver gets his great smiles and attitude from his mommy. Melanie is a very talented mommy who manages to keep up her work as an Occupational Therapist, teaching yoga, instruction on car seat safety, Stroller Strides, and of course motherhood! And let's not forget her other interesting skills in areas such as belly dancing, cake decorating ;), costume creation (she won first place at our Halloween class for Oliver's frog costume she created!). Recently Melanie participated in our Running Mamas 5k training and completed her first 5k at the end of April, making amazing progress during the program and finishing with a great time. Join us in congratulating Melanie and read on to learn more about her!

Hometown: Uniontown, OH but moved to Charlotte, NC when I was 13

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Holly Springs

Stroller Strides Member since: June 2010

Members of your Family: My husband Jim and my son Oliver

Tell us about your child: Oliver is a passionate 13 month old who is full of love, humor, and independence. He never ceases to amaze me with his abilities and colorful personality.

Current/previous Career: I am a stay at home mom by day and 3 times a week I work as an

Occupational Therapist for 2 hours and teach yoga on Thursdays

What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a marine biologist and here is the funny one – I wanted 6 kids (ha ha!)

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means the world to me. It is the most important, challenging, and rewarding job I will/have ever had.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Cozumel

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides has given me an outlet that empowers me to become not only healthier but also a better mother. I have learned to push my exercise limits a bit and the benefits of being distracted by good conversation or songs for the kids. By exercising with Oliver, I am proud to know that I am setting a good example for him while showing him that exercise is fun.

What is your favorite exercise? I really like sit ups and most leg exercises but I am beginning to appreciate that I really need the upper body work.

What is your proudest moment? My proudest moment would most definitely be the birth of Oliver.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? painting, yoga, and the beach

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I took belly dancing classes for 5 years and I am a car seat technician/inspector.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked my husband and he said: strength, energy, passionate, and caring

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Success begins with a program that easily fits into your schedule, includes other moms as motivation, and includes your child (so you don’t have to worry about child care). Sticking with a wellness program in the long term will allow you to become healthy mentally and physically with weight loss being an added bonus.

April 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 April Mom of the Month is: Monica McBride! Congrats Monica!

Monica moved to the Triangle a few months ago from California. She joined Stroller Strides in December and has been an upbeat, friendly presence at class and in our moms group ever since! Monica has shown dedication to fitness and Stroller Strides through her frequent attendance and hard work at class--she and Brody rarely miss a day, including Saturdays! She also has made her running debut recently as part of our Running Mamas crew, gearing up for their 5k on April 30th, and Monica is one of several moms who also signed up for the 10k plan, culminating May 22nd! Wish Monica luck in her running endeavors and congratulate her on her success, and get to know her a little better through the Q&A below.

Hometown: Sunnyvale, Ca. (Bay Area)

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Currently renting in Morrisville and feeling out different areas to buy :)

Education: BS in Business Administration and Marketing from San Jose State University

Stroller Strides Member since: Dec 2010

Members of your Family: 3

Tell us about your child: Brody Logan McBride was born just before Halloween in 2009 in Santa Cruz, CA. He has been a very easy going "little man" as we like to call him since the moment he arrived! He likes to suck his fingers, play with anything electronic, plug things in, turn things off and on, play on his daddy's boat, dance to any music with a good beat, play in the man/guitar room with his daddy and do stroller strides with his momma!

Current/previous Career: Escrow

What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to be successful in business and also have a family and be a mom.

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood is the hardest and most rewarding thing I have accomplished so far in life. It means true unconditional love.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Russia, St. Petersburg

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Stroller Strides and the Luna Moms Group has helped me develop some sense of "normal" in my new life here in NC. As a new mom in a new place far from family and friends, I was in need of a structured routine that would get me out into my new environment meeting moms, kids and exercising all at the same time! I love to stay fit and be surrounded by peers. Stroller Strides has provided me with all of the elements that I was missing in my new life! I

What is your favorite exercise? I really enjoy doing drills with the tubes and cardio bursts

What is your proudest moment? When I saw my son for the first time

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? I love working out , cooking, mani/pedi, laying in the sun.. :) drinking wine... hanging out with my friends

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I am a twin

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Caring, Sensitive, Good Mommy, dedicated

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? I would have to say my best advice would be to establish a routine and be consistent. Stroller Strides has been helpful with that aspect because it has allowed me to workout on a daily basis with the little one! Gyms and home exercise programs are really challenging for moms especially! Working out with other moms helps keep you going because you also have a social outlet to help motivate you! It is really important to be aware of your space in life and be realistic with your personal goals. Working out with fellow moms is much better for the psyche than going to the gym. LOL

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.

February 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 February Mom of the Month is: Lindsey Sohre! Congratulations Lindsey!

Lindsey was also our Holiday Get Fit Challenge winner. She participated in our 10 week Get Fit Challenge that encouraged participants to stay healthy and fit through the holidays. Competitors were assessed on their cardio performance (through a timed mile), strength (through planks and push-ups), and overall body composition, and we also tracked their weight and measurements. Lindsey more than doubled her plank time and her push-ups, increased her mile speed, lost 8% body fat, plus lost over 14 lbs and several inches during the 10 week Challenge! What an awesome accomplishment, and even more impressive during the holiday season.

Lindsey has been with Stroller Strides since November, and she and her daughter Emery have been wonderful to have in class. Lindsey has set a great example for other moms through her dedication and frequent Stroller Strides attendance, as well as really pushing herself during her workouts. Join us in wishing her the best, and check out her answers below to get to know Lindsey a little better!


Hometown: Midlothian, VA (just south of Richmond)

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Fuquay Varina

Education: BS James Madison University, MBA James Madison University

Stroller Strides Member since: November 2010

Members of your Family: husband- Andreas, daughter- Emery 11 mos, dog- Fritz, horse- Pfinny

Tell us about your child: Emery is an energetic, fun, observant little girl. She loves to dance and throw her hands in the air- we call her a woo girl :). Her favorite pastime is people watching.

Current/previous Career: I started out as a business analyst in Washington, DC. However, when we moved to the Raleigh area for my husband’s job I fell into my dream job. I ran/managed Pepperwood Farm, a 52 stall equestrian boarding, breeding, and sales facility. I could walk to work, bring my dog and work with horses and people who love horses! Since I had Emery I have scaled back my responsibilities at the farm and now just manage the office.

What was your childhood ambition? To have my own horse farm.

What does motherhood mean to you? Extra laughs, smiles, hugs and kisses every day. My mom told me she had never seen me laugh as much as I do with Emery.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Germany (my husband’s parents live in Munich)

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Connected me with other moms and babies in the area. It is nice that Emery gets to see other children and I get to workout at the same time. SS has helped me make and reach some fitness goals, lose weight, and tone my body. I had reached my pre-baby weight before starting with SS. I am now smaller than I was before I had Emery!

What is your favorite exercise? Riding and working on the farm but I am learning to enjoy jogging

What is your proudest moment? Giving birth to Emery.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? horses/ riding (jumping and dressage), reading, German language and cooking

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I can drive a tractor and a Bob Cat Skid Steer (even while I was pregnant!- although the lap belt was a little snug!)

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked my husband and copied his whole answer because it made me chuckle : ) “Lindsey's best qualities are: She is very caring, loves animals and is very beautiful. She is very dedicated, determined and enduring in things she cares about. She also actively does things rather than talk about them endlessly without action. She has a good sense of humor, and more importantly, appreciates mine!!! She is very eager to learn and open-minded. Notice how I didn't mention patient...”

What advice would you give to other moms who are struggling to get active and back into shape? Get into a routine. Join Stroller Strides! It is nice to have someone else tell you what your workout is for the day and to know that you have to make class at a specific time. Also, pick something to work towards. I find it easier to stay motivated with a goal.

(Get Fit Challenge Award day)

Did you make a New Year's Resolution this year?

Whatever your Resolution is, Stroller Strides has you covered!

7 Resolutions Stroller Strides will help you keep
(adapted from Stroller Strides Chicago)

Resolution: To Get Fit!
Stroller Strides is a total body workout, specially designed to work the areas that moms need the most. Intervals of cardio and strength training as well as targeted core exercises make it an extremely effective workout- you will burn calories and increase your strength and endurance with regular attendance. Stroller Strides classes are taught at various levels for all different levels of fitness- from first time exercisers, to marathon-runners: you will get a great workout. Classes meet 5 days a week, get it on your calendar.

Resolution: Have more ME time!
Stroller Strides is a perfect way to get some ME time in to your day. It's an hour for YOU, but you can sneak it in without having to leave your little one in the gym daycare. You will spend quality time interacting with your little one during class, and get your workout in at the same time. Mommy guilt not allowed here!

Resolution: Have an adult conversation!
Stroller Strides combines the great workout with the social network that so many new moms need. Being a new mom can be very isolating. Maybe your friends don't have babies yet or maybe you are nervous to bundle up your little one and head out of the house. Whatever your hesitation, know that you are not alone. Stroller Strides gives you a great reason to get up and get out of the house. You will meet other moms who feel the exact same way you do!

Resolution: Set a good example for my kids!
Come to Stroller Strides regularly and you will show your children that exercise is fun and a part of your daily life. In an age where childhood obesity is an epidemic, the sooner that your children see the importance of a healthy lifestyle, the better! You are their role model- are you living the lifestyle you want your child to live?

Resolution: Stay Active During My Pregnancy
Did you know that regular activity in a healthy pregnancy can help ease maternal aches and pains, increase energy and may even help speed the labor, delivery and recovery process? We welcome pregnant mommies (with your doctor's ok) to Stroller Strides class-- our instructors are trained in pre- and post-natal fitness, and we offer specific modifications for pregnancy where needed.

Resolution: Be INSPIRED!
At Stroller Strides class you will have the opportunity to be inspired on a daily basis. You will find inspiration from our instructors, other moms in class and the children. We've seen first push-ups for moms and first steps for babies. Will 2011 be the year you are INSPIRED?

Resolution: Have fewer regrets!
You will often regret NOT working out, but you will never regret actually DOING it. Spend 2011 having fewer regrets, come to Stroller Strides today!

Happy New Year! We hope to see you at Stroller Strides soon!