September 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!

September's featured "Mom of the Month" is: Anna Lyden! 

Congrats Anna!

Anna has been a Stroller Strides member since early this year, and has made great strides in fitness this year.  She works hard at every workout she attends and has been one of our most frequently attendees this summer.  She sets a great example of all of us and does so with a smile.  We are glad to have Anna and her son Camden as part of our program! 

Join us in congratulating Anna and read on to get to know her a little better.

Hometown: 
Raleigh, NC 

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: 
Raleigh 

Education:
 BS in Business Management from UNCW

Stroller Strides Member since:

February

Members of your Family:

My husband Cahal and my son Camden (14 months)

Tell us about your children:

My son, Camden, was born in June of 2013.  He is very funny and we are starting to see more and more of his personality every day. 

Current/previous Career:

Before I was a stay at home mom with Cam, I worked as a compliance officer with AXA Advisors.

What was your childhood ambition?

to be a veterinarian

What does motherhood mean to you?

Motherhood is the most wonderful and bittersweet experience of my life.  I didn't realize just how much love I could have for this tiny person who was brand new to my life and that love only grows more and more everyday.  I feel very lucky and proud to be a mom.

What is the furthest you have been from home?

Costa Rica for our honeymoon.

What has Stroller Strides done for you (or meant to you)?

Stroller Strides has been great with getting back in shape.  Even more than that, the class has provided a great way to socialize with other moms and for Camden to get to interact and play with other kids.

What is your favorite exercise?

I don't know if I have a favorite exercise, specifically, but I like anything that helps firm up the buns.

What is your proudest moment?

I feel proud every single day when I see my son growing, learning, and starting to figure things out on his own.  My favorite moment right now, is seeing how sweet of a boy he is when he leans in to give me a kiss.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)?

the beach, my dog, and chocolate

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique.

I am certified in scuba diving, although I haven't gone in quite a while.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say?

I just asked him and he said my sense of humor, that I'm down to earth, responsible, have good morals, and am a nurturing mom.

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape?

I would tell them to be patient, have faith, and just stick with it.  In time you will start to feel stronger and you will start to see your body get back in shape.  It just takes a little bit of time and commitment.

 

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 featured "Mom of the Month" is: Jennifer Frederick! 

Congrats Jennifer!

Jennifer has been participating in our Body Back health & fitness program for moms since early 2013.  She has made amazing strides in her health & fitness and brought a great energy and joy to her workouts and to our group of moms.  She recently beat all local "plank" records accomplishing a 20 (!!!) minute plank at Body Back.  She works hard at every workout, with a smile.  We are glad to have her as part of our program! 

Join us in congratulating Jennifer and read on to get to know her a little better!
  

Hometown: Pink Hill, NC (A small farm town outside Kinston, NC)

Current part of the Triangle that you live in: Apex

Education: BS in Nutrition at East Carolina University

Body Back Member since: I started Body Back in early 2013

Members of your Family: My husband Chris and I have two sweet boys, Owen just turned 5 in July and Nathan is 2 1/2 and will be 3 Valentine's Day!

Tell us about your children: Owen starts kindergarten this year and is such a fun and loving little guy.  He can make friends with anyone and his favorite place to be is at the beach.  Nate is in an early preschool program and loves being the class helper.  He loves his big brother and wants to do everything he does.  Their latest obsession is playing Mario Kart Wii :)

Current/previous Career: Before moving to NC 2 years ago we lived in DC and I worked for a Venture Capital Firm.  I stayed home with the boys for a while then started working part time doing HR/Operations for a Recruiting firm.

What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to be in the medical field but found out early in college that I didn't have the stomach for nursing school...so I choose Nutrition.  

What does motherhood mean to you? Being a mom means the world to me.  It's the hardest and the most rewarding thing I have ever done.  I couldn't imagine my life without my crazy boys.  

 

What is the furthest you have been from home? Probably Hawaii, and for me who does not like flying, it was huge for me to fly that far.

What has Body Back done for you? Gosh, where to begin!  Body Back has changed my life, I couldn't imagine my weeks without seeing these ladies and the awesome workouts.  It has provided me with not only the physical exercise program to reach my goals but also the support of other moms that are trying to reach the same goals as me.  I have not only lost 20lbs since I started but I have muscle and am in better shape than I was before I had kids.  I am not a gym person and get bored with the same workout day in and out and with the body back program, I look forward to class each week and it's exciting to do workouts that I never though I would do...and accomplish goals (like my 20 min plank) that i never though I could do.  I am a stronger mom, healthier mom and most important a better mom!

What is your favorite exercise?  I love planks, may sound strange but it's one of the few exercises that you can do that targets most muscle groups.  Then would be tuck-ups on the ball, v-sit twists and lunges.

What is your proudest moment?  My 20 min plank for sure! I worked so hard to get to my goal and I passed it!


What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Family beach trips, shopping and sushi.


Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. Let's see...maybe that there isn't one vegetable that I don't like! I grew up vegetarian for the first 18 years of my life and grew to love everything...even the weird ones!

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Kindness and consideration of others, and that I am always smiling :) 

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Try Body Back!! No matter what shape you are in, this is the most supportive group of moms you will find.  From the food guidance, great workouts and always having a group of girls that you can talk to through your journey means everything.  And at the end of the session, you will be shocked at the inches lost!