Resolutions?

This time of year most people are thinking about their New Year's Resolutions. The sad thing is, for most, they are the same every year and typically revolve around fitness and diet. If you are going to make any resolutions this year, don't be vague - no "I'm going to start exercising and eating right." resolutions. Make them SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. If you have a specific goal that is not too crazy, one that you can measure and record in a specified period of time, you are much more likely to reach it.

Happy Holidays to Your Health!

Don't let the hustle & bustle of Christmas and New Year's end your workouts. You can fit them in if you make it a priority. To help you along, click here for some holiday homework to do while Stroller Strides is on a break!

Thank you Sarah Jessica Parker!

This Sunday's Parade had an interview with Sarah Jessica Parker. When asked about balancing motherhood (she has a 7 year old and 6 month old twins), Parker said, "I hear a lot of actresses pretend they don't have help, and that can't be true. It's really unfair to working women in this country who read [celebrity news] and think, Why can't I lose weight when I've had a baby? Well, everyone you're reading about has money for a trainer and a chef. That doesn't make it realistic."
Thank you, thank you, thank you, SJP!!!!! While she references working women, it really is true of all of us "normal" moms that don't have a staff to take care of everything so we can take care of ourselves. Heidi Klum walking the Victoria Secret's runway within weeks of giving birth is NOT normal! Most women are still trying to adjust to the fact that there is a new little person in their house and trying to figure out how to just get their teeth brushed and hair in a ponytail - we don't have someone to tend to the baby at night so we can get a good night's sleep, someone to take care of the baby during the day so we can workout, shower, and get ready, someone to plan and cook our meals, and someone else to take care of the daily errands - grocery shopping, bill paying, etc.
Moms, remember, it took 40 weeks for your body to change into that post-pregnancy body, give yourself at least that long to get it back. This isn't saying that you shouldn't be exercising and eating well as soon as you can, but don't get down on yourself for not looking like the latest celebrity who just had a baby 8 weeks ago. Focus on healthy choices and doing the best for you and your baby.

And the winner is...

Comment number 8! Congratulations, Candice!

You get what you put in

I was talking to a friend yesterday about how we determine so much of what we get in life, whether we accept that responsibility or not. In most cases, how much you are going to get out of something is directly related to what you put into it. Exercise is no different. If you are not seeing the results that you want, take a moment to examine how hard you are working at your routine. If you are working out at home, are you completing your entire workout or are you stopping to answer the phone, take the laundry out of the dryer, etc.? If you are exercising at the gym, do you too often find yourself at the smoothie bar instead because the machines are just too crowded? Maybe you are following your program, but have never stepped it up in intensity - you are still doing the same pace on the treadmill as you were 9 months ago because that is how you always set the machine. Evaluate how much your are putting into your exercise this week and determine to challenge yourself!

Our First Giveaway!

I am so excited to introduce the first giveaway for the Ozarks Fit Mommies blog! The prize is a Stroller Strides gift pack!

The gift pack includes:

• An autographed copy of LEAN Mommy by Lisa Druxman
• Reusable Stroller Strides grocery tote
• Stroller Strides stainless steel keychain
• Punch card for 3 classes

To Enter: Post a comment telling me what your favorite thing is about Stroller Strides.

* You’ll get one extra entry each if you:
1. Become a follower of this blog (2 entries)
2. Tweet about this giveaway, make sure to use @OzarksStrides in tweet (2 entries)
3. Blog about this giveaway, leave link in comment (5 entries)
4. Become a Fan on Stroller Strides of Springfield's new Facebook page (2 entries)
5. Post a link to this blog on your Facebook page (2 entries)


* Make sure to use a separate comment for each "entry"
* The deadline for entries is November 23rd, 2009, 11:59pm CST.
* The winner will be notified on November 24th, 2009

Double Jogger Giveaway

Are you looking for a double jogging stroller? Would getting one for $0 fit into your budget?
If yes, then head over to Barefoot Mommies Gift Guide and enter the giveaway for a Tike Tech Double X3 Sport.

As always when I talk about strollers, I must add my disclaimer. I have not used a Tike Tech stroller. I dearly love my BOB Revolution Stroller Strides model strollers - both the single and the duallie! The Tike Tech seems to have some similar features that I love on my BOB, though. For example, the individual canopies on the double. Those are great when you have one sleeping child and one awake. However, if you're looking to win a double jogger, get your entries in soon!

Maclaren Recall

All Maclaren single and double strollers manufactured from 1999 through November 2009 have been recalled due to the danger of laceration and amputation in the hinge mechanism.

If you have one of these strollers, please stop using it until you can get the repair part from Maclaren. Request your recall fix at www.maclaren.us/recall

Flu Season Tips

With the numbers of people infected with both the seasonal flu and H1N1, lets take time to review some preventative measures from the CDC. The majority of these items are common sense and you probably do them everyday.

• Cover coughs & sneezes with a tissue - dispose of the tissue.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. If soap & water are not available, use a waterless hand sanitizer.
• Stay away from sick people!
• Avoid close contact (I like this one because I am a big proponent of personal space!)
• Follow the 24 hour rule for being around others after a fever has broken.
• Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth as little as possible.

The tips below are things that you might not be doing already, but they will boost your preventive measures. They are from an August 2009 lecture by Dr. Vinay Goyal.

• Gargle twice daily with warm salt water.
• Clean nostrils at least once daily with warm salt water.
• Increase Vitamin C (either through foods or tablets) coupled with Zinc for absorption.
• Drink plenty of warm liquids.
  

Heading outdoors before the holidays!

The holiday season is fast approaching and while the holidays mean friends and family, they also bring food... and, for many people, weight gain. Let's battle the bulge BEFORE it gets here!

From now until the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we will have late morning outdoor Stroller Strides classes. They will be held on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:10am at the walking trail at Champion Park, 2609 S Grant Avenue. The classes, which begin tomorrow - November 5, will step up the cardio and have more focus on abs.

Classes will be held as the weather permits. As long as the temperature is above 50 degrees and there is no rain, we will have class. The website will be updated by 9am if class is canceled due to weather. Bundle up those babies in their strollers and come on out! If you have a wind shield for your stroller, you might want to put that on, too, to keep the kiddos more comfortable. Remember that in just a few months, in the dead of winter, we will think that 50 degrees is a heat wave! Keep that perspective and come out and enjoy the fall weather.

Breaking A Sweat Reduces Breast Cancer Risk, Says Stroller Strides

"It's well-known that it's good for your waistline, but did you know that exercise can also lower your overall risk for developing cancer? That's the message Lisa Druxman - founder of Stroller Strides, a program that helps new moms get back in shape after having a baby - wants to convey to area residents during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is taking place this October."

Druxman offers further tips from the Mayo Clinic to help reduce your risk of breast cancer. They include limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and regulating fat intake.

Read the entire article by clicking here

Costume Party

We had a costume party on Friday and it was so much fun! Some mommies and all the kiddos dressed up.





The best mommy costume award goes to....
...Ashley for coming as laundry!

Who needs a stroller?

As most of you know, I have an obsession with keeping up on strollers. I absolutely adore my BOB, but I make it my business to know about lots of others so that I can help my Stroller Strides mommies choose what stroller will work best for them.
Bumbleride makes a great stroller and you can win one! Go to The Mommy Files blog and follow the instructions to get your entries! The contest closes on November 25.
Good luck!

Absolute Fitness

I am so stoked about the app. I just purchased for my Pre. It is called Absolute Fitness and it is a nutrition and exercise counter! Yea! Keeping tabs on what I consume and how much I burn is now at my fingertips! I know that is weird that I'm so excited about this program, but as a busy mom running a business, I do not have the time to sit down and calculate these things myself. So, being able to enter it in a matter of seconds on my phone, which is always with me, is going to be great.
I just downloaded it, so I will start tracking tomorrow and will keep you updated as to how I like the app.

Brains & Brawn?

I've been seeing news segments and articles lately touting the current research that exercise makes you smarter. We all know that exercise improves cardiovascular health and can help you to look absolutely fabulous in that little black dress, but now scientists are proving that it can also increase brain power. Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign published a study in April that supports the conclusion that aerobic exercise improves working memory capacity. So, if you have an exam coming up, take a brisk walk or jog about 30 minutes prior to boost your memory.

To mothers of daughters

I was watching my oldest play Stroller Strides the other day and thinking how wonderful it is that he is getting to see how important and fun exercise is at such a young age. Upon further thought, I realized how wonderful and vital it is for mothers of daughters to participate in a program like Stroller Strides. The statistical odds of my boys growing up to have body image problems are quite low when compared to the issues girls face. These little girls who attend Stroller Strides now are learning that fitness is fun, that it is about being healthy and having a good time, not about looking like the air-brushed model on the cover of Vogue. So, to all moms who do Stroller Strides, you are wonderful examples to your children - but specifically mothers of girls, well done for giving them the base to build a healthy lifestyle and body image on as they grow!

Stroller Strides Moms Rock!!

I just wanted to give a HUGE shout out to my awesome Stroller Strides mommies! The other day at the mall, the maintenance staff had the ramp blocked and without even a moment's hesitation, the moms started grabbing strollers and carrying them up the steps so we could continue our workout. In fact, I was lagging behind and they had already started this by the time I saw the ramp was closed.

(Note: All lifting was carried out in a very safe manner. There are only 3-4 steps to go up and there were 2-4 moms for each stroller. No children (or mom's backs) were in harm's way!)

Long time, no blogging

Wow! I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted. I had some computer problems - the diagnostic guy called me and said, "We don't see this very often at all... or ever, really." You know that is not going to be a good conversation. We now have a new notebook - yea! And I'm trying to get caught up. That being said, I will be posting regularly from now on!

March for Babies

The local March of Dimes March for Babies is being held on May 9. I am so excited to be part of it - I'll be leading the warm-up and sponsoring a stroller decorating booth!! I can't wait!
In the meantime, I am trying to raise funds in support of March of Dimes. Almost everyone in the US has benefited from March of Dimes research in some way - whether you have had a premature baby or not.
Did you know that you have benefited from the March of Dimes if you...

• have had the polio vaccine
• have had an ultrasound when pregnant
• knew to take folic acid before and during your pregnancy

That's just a few of the more common ways you might have come in contact with March of Dimes research.

Please consider donating to this important cause by clicking below.

Looking for good shoes?

I got my first pair of Ryka shoes about a month ago and I must say I am impressed. On Stroller Strides days, I put them on first thing in the morning and often realize in the evening that I still have them on. They are really comfortable, especially since I laced them up with my Yankz!.
One of the things I like about Ryka is that the shoes are designed for women by women. They are not a men's shoe just cut down in size for a woman. I got mine at Zappos.com - check it out if you are in the market for new shoes.

Hidden ingredients

I was buying Italian diced tomatoes the other day and decided to look at the ingredients. I was shocked! All but one brand included high fructose corn syrup! I must admit that diced tomatoes are an item I had never thought to read the ingredient list for, I guess I just assumed that they would just contain tomatoes.
I realize that they are not really "hidden" as they are listed right on the label. However, there are items that I am not in the habit of reading the ingredients - items that are considered "one ingredient" items. I also found that certain variety of beans have high fructose corn syrup. Ugh!
So, if you are like me and don't always read every label because you think you know what is in it - be warned and start reading each and every label. Know what you are feeding your family!

My new favorite thing

I just got some Yankz! from Ridge Runner Sports and I love them! They are a lacing system for your shoes where you don't have to tie them. I know, I know, it sounds lazy. However, I am often rushing out the door trying to get myself and two kiddos to Stroller Strides on time and tie my shoes quickly. I grew weary of them either coming untied or staying tied, but not pulled tight enough to keep my foot from slipping.
Yankz! solved all of that. You fit them to your foot once & set it and from then on, you just slip your foot in & out. They are wonderful! If you haven't tried these, I would highly recommend it!

Boogie Wipes Giveaway & Coupons

Stroller Strides and Boogie Wipes are teaming up to give you a great way to wipe your kiddos' noses. Boogie Wipes are a wonderful way to get those yuckies and leave their little noses soft. Visit the Stroller Strides blog to get a coupon code and a chance to win a gift package. In the meantime, visit your local Wal-Mart and pick up a pack of Boogie Wipes.

Food Cures

I subscribe to Fitness Magazine's daily fit tips and I was so excited to read this morning's tip. The tip was about 10 Food Cures for Common Illnesses. Much to my husband's chagrin, I prefer treating ailments via natural methods then with chemically produced medicines...well, except during childbirth, then I welcome the epidural and praise the scientists that came up with it! Sorry, back to the food cures! Here is the quick list:

1. Migraine headaches - Fatty fish such as trout, sardines, and herring
2. Menstrual cramps - Flaxseed
3. Fatigue - Quinoa
4. Irritability - Chocolate
5. Bad breath - Tea
6. Stress/Anxiety - Low-fat popcorn, honey, graham crackers, whole wheat pretzels
7. Joint pain - Berries
8. Heartburn - Ginger
9. Gas - Peppermint tea, fennel seeds
10. Constipation - Apples, pears

Click here to get the entire article.

What a bargain!!

My husband & I have been discussing putting our toddler in gymnastics, so I have been researching programs. It seems that the standard rate in this area is $40 per month for one 30 minute class per week. The more I thought about it, the more it made me appreciate Stroller Strides. Don't get me wrong, I have always known how great Stroller Strides is and the great value it is. I love that I get to interact with my children, that they are learning about the importance of exercise and how it is fun, and all the benefits for me! However, I really realized what a bargain it is - $45 per month gives you unlimited classes - which currently is 3 hours per week, with more to come in spring. So, for $5 more a month, a mom gets a great workout and much needed social interaction with other moms PLUS the kiddos get exposed to healthy lifestyles, learning opportunities (right now each Monday Stroller Strides focuses on a letter through song, flashcards, activities, and sign), music (we might not be the best singers, but my toddler knows so many children's songs that he's learned at Stroller Strides), and social interaction with other children about the same age. Not only do you get all of those benefits, it is also 6x's more time for only $5 more monthly. WOW! It really makes me appreciate it more.

Healthy Momma Challenge

January is the time for fresh starts and goal setting! To help you achieve your fitness and lifestyle goals for the New Year, Stroller Strides is hosting the 2009 Healthy Momma Challenge. The Healthy Momma Challenge is a 6-week program for a healthier and happier YOU!!!!

The Healthy Momma Challenge supports participants while they make strides in three very important areas: mind, body, and spirit. This includes personal "Mom only" time, healthy eating, and fitness. After the close of registration, I will publish a list of participants and from that list, you will form teams of 3 people. If you are interested in participating, but need help with getting a team together - no problem! I will match unmatched participants. Teams of three people count points for making healthy choices for your mind, body, and spirit and points are submitted weekly. The three teams with the most points at the end of the six weeks will win prizes!

This is open to EVERYONE - you do not have to be a Stroller Strides member to participate. Registration is $10 and includes a t-shirt. Registrations are due Thursday, January 15 and the challenge runs from January 26 through March 8.

Get the registration by clicking here.