Five Myths about Stroller Strides

Myth 1: I can't go because it is during my baby's naptime. 
The Truth:  I fell prey to this when my first was a baby. I'd feed him breakfast, he'd nap, he'd wake and then it was lunch time, after I got lunch cleaned up, he'd nap again, then it was time to start dinner. I was a prisoner in my own home! Mommies need interaction. Trust me, your baby will adapt, he/she might even surprise you and take a nap in the stroller during class. Mine did!

Myth 2: I can't get a good workout at the mall. 
The Truth:  Trust me, you can! Talk to Stroller Strides moms or, better yet, come check it out yourself. Your legs and arms will burn and you'll break a sweat.

Myth 3: I'd be too embarrassed to workout at the mall. 
The Truth:  Here's the good thing - the only other people there are mall walking, so they are getting their exercise, too! We meet before the stores open. 

Myth 4: I don't know anyone there and would feel awkward. 
The Truth:  Again, the best way to see that this is not true is to come try it! It is a very welcoming group of women and I would bet you will form a special bond with them. It's not like your average fitness class, where you just come in, get your sweat on, and take off. It also provides a support group for you and an instant playgroup for your little one.

Myth 5: It's too expensive. 

The Truth:  I would venture to guess that many of you have your children in gymnastics, swimming, or something similar. The typical monthly rate for those activities in this area is about $45/month. That monthly rate is usually for a 30 minute to 1 hour class one time per week. For just $40/month you get at least 3 hours of exercise (more coming soon!), a few hours of scheduled playgroup (plus the playtime after class), and fun take-home preschool activities each week! Plus, a healthy mom modeling a healthy lifestyle to her child is priceless.

  

Mommy & Me

If you’re looking for an educational fitness program for your 2 - 5 year old that makes exercise fun, teaches sound nutrition, and incorporates rest and relaxation, you’ve found the perfect blend.

A variety of supplemental activities are also provided such as recipes, coloring and activity pages, classroom projects, and more.

The best part? Parents are encouraged to
participate WITH their child!  

Six Week Session begins April 1
Thursdays @ 10am
Wacky World Kidz—4234 South Reed Avenue

Register online at
www.mommyandmefitness.us
Space is limited! Register early!

Classes taught by certified and specially trained instructors.

Snow and cold go away!

It is currently -19 with the wind chill and snow is falling. So, going out to exercise is out of the question! You can still get a good workout in, though!

Here is your snow day workout for today:

• Begin with a march
• Speed up to a slow jog
• High Knees for 30 sec.
• Fanny Kickers for 30 sec.
• 50 Jumping Jacks
• 10 Squat-thrusts (Click here for a video example of both beginner & advanced versions)
• Grab that band and anchor under both feet. Do 30 squats with resistance.
• Add a military press to the squat for 20 reps.
• Side step-outs with band. Start with one each side, then two each side, continue up to 10 on each side. Then work your way back down from 10 to 1.
• Bicep curls with band anchored under both feet (only one foot anchor for less resistance). 25 regular curls - 25 upper cuts (each side) - 25 hammer curls - 25 lateral curls
• Overhead tricep extensions - anchor band under foot and keep those elbows close to your head. 25 on each arm
  
• Repeat above sequence, if desired
• ABS: 25 regular crunches, 25 frog crunches, 25 crunches to the right knee, 25 to the left knee
• Stretch

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!)

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.

My first post!

This is my first post on the blog for Stroller Strides of Springfield! I guess I will tell you about myself and why I absolutely love Stroller Strides!
As an undergrad, I thought I wanted to go into corporate wellness. So, I have a B.S. in Business Administration with a Health & Exercise Science minor. I had also gotten my national group fitness instructor certification while an undergrad. However, before my senior year, I decided that I wanted to go into public administration instead. So, I let my fitness certification expire and went and got a Masters in Public Administration. After graduating, I worked three years in public finance and then we had our first baby! I couldn't leave him with someone else, so I quit my job and stayed home.
I had gained quite a bit of weight with my pregnancy and wanted to get back in shape. Up until my mid-twenties I had never had to work very hard to stay at a healthy size. I was always pretty active in dance and aerobics, though. After the baby, I found myself at home and out of shape. I bought the post-natal workout DVD's and thought that would surely be the way to go. I soon found out that making myself workout at home was not going to work for me. The baby needed me or there were dishes to wash or laundry to be done.
I started looking into mommy and me fitness programs and found there were none in the Springfield area. I was disappointed, but then I started getting excited! I could bring a program to Springfield! I looked at different options, but Stroller Strides stood out high above any others. I signed on and started training and studying for my national certification. I took and passed my American Council on Exercise Group Fitness Instructor exam in mid-November. Things were looking good for a January start. Then, in late November, we got a huge surprise...we found out we were expecting again! My morning (noon and night) sickness set the opening back until late March/early April.
Stroller Strides has been running classes in Springfield since then! I am amazed at all of the benefits it offers to me as a mom. The best part is that my son comes with me and I get to interact with him while working out. Also, he's meeting other children and learning about physical activity. After just a week or two of class, we were at home and he started doing push-ups against the wall and counting! One of the best things for me as a stay at home mom is the interaction with other moms - adult conversation, yea!!
Another great part about Stroller Strides is the Luna Moms Club, powered by Stroller Strides. I'm meeting some great moms and Brighton is getting to know their wonderful children. The kiddos get to play and the moms get to chat a bit.

Stroller Strides classes are offered MWF at 9am at Battlefield Mall. Click the link at the right to get more information.

Luna Moms Club is free to join and offers Friday playgroups, a monthly Moms Night Out, and a quarterly Mommies with a Mission event. Check out our meetup.com site for details.