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!

May's featured Mom of the Month is our newest Instructor, Ann Hallgren! 

Ann joined our Stroller Strides of Raleigh team as an instructor this past January, and we are so glad to have her on board!  Ann was our dedicated coach of our first-ever Half Marathon Training for Moms this year, and helped kick off our amazing Body Back workout program in January as well.  She recently completed her training to teach our Stroller Strides workouts as well, and will continue to help our mamas get their Bodies Back through all of our various upcoming workout programs!  Ann also has her own Personal Training business, if anyone is interested in one-on-one help, Fitting in Fitness, http://www.fittinginfitness.org/index.html.  Ann is a nationally certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, a former national level college cross country runner, and former high school cross country and track coach.  

Our moms who have had her as a coach in Running Mamas and Body Back have nothing but great things to say about Ann, her inspiration as a coach, and her awesome workouts!  Join us in congratulating Ann, welcoming her to the Stroller Strides community, and get to know her a little better below. 

Hometown: Okemos, Michigan

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Cary, near Bond Park.

Education: BA in Education from Wheaton College and ISSA certification in personal training

Members of your Family: David, husband, Ryan,5 year old son

Tell us about your child: He is a kindergartener at Laurel Park Elementary.  He is a perfectionist with a huge silly side. He loves art, Mario games, reading, running with Mommy and wrestling with Daddy.

Current/previous Career: I run a personal training business and am an instructor for Body Back, Running Mamas and Stroller Strides.

What was your childhood ambition? When I was 3 I wanted to be a Chimney Sweep, so I could be like Santa. A few years later I wanted to be a jockey in the Kentucky Derby.

What does motherhood mean to you? Being a mother changes everything. I thought I knew what love and sacrifice meant before he was born, but you don't really understand until you see the trust they have in you. My son is all the best parts of me and he inspires me to be my best more often, because I know I am his example of what it means to grow up. I also love how he makes me see the world with childlike enthusiasm again. A plane flight is not an annoyance to get through, but a chance to fly through the sky! A trail is not just to walk for exercise, but a magical world to explore.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Australia. It was amazing and I would love to go back again for longer.

What have you enjoyed the most about instructing for the Body Back program? Sharing the way exercise makes us feel strong and empowered in all areas of our lives. When you see that you can set goals, work hard and stick to what is important to you, it reminds you that you are rarely as stuck in one place as you feel and makes you believe again in all you are capable of.

What is your favorite exercise? Running outside.

What is your proudest moment? Besides the day I married the most amazing man and the day I became a mom to my little guy, I would have to say running at the NCAA Nationals in College.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Being in nature (especially around the ocean or the mountains), running and reading a great book.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I can play ping pong well enough with my left hand to beat most people. If I can't win left handed, I get to use the line from Princess Bride, "There is something you should know, I am not really left handed." =)

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked him and he said that I was dedicated, detail orientated and perseverant.

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? First, do not feel guilty for taking time for yourself. Exercising and eating healthy will make you a more energetic, healthy, confident and well-rounded mom and wife, and that will benefit your family in so many ways. Second, commit to sticking with the healthy changes you want to make, completely for the first week, even though it may feel impossible, and before you know it you will start develop the habits that will help you and to feel the amazing benefits, and you will not want to go backward and give those up.