Mom's Night Out

One of the perks of participating in Strollerfit is Mom's Night Out (or MNO). Last Thursday, Leah hosted an evening of fun at Sogo in Denville, NJ. We all met at 7:00 at the bar area while we waited for our table to be ready. Then we got the sign that we were all set.

We went to the back where the hibachi tables were set up (did I mention that we went out for Hibachi?) We all settled into our seats and began unwinding after a long day.

MNO are an opportunity to get out WITHOUT our cherubs. It gives us a chance to be people rather than moms who are always watching what the little ones are getting into. It seems like as they get bigger, so does their desire to "explore".

These once-a-month rituals are a time to get dolled up and show everyone that "Yes, I do own clothes other than tee shirts and sweat pants."

As our food was prepared to a culinary delight, we sat around making new friends and remincing about old ones. We talked about our kids and ourselves, but mainly about our kids. Its funny how the conversations always seem to gravitate back to the children. But that's okay, isn't that what we all signed on for?

After dinner was done (and Leah got her birthday cake), we decided to keep the night going by going to South City Grill for another round.

MNO gives you a chance to remember what life was like before the children came. But then you get to go home and see your baby's face and know that by taking a little time for yourself, its makes you a better mom!

Strollerfit is powered by Mommymuscle.

What does Strollerfit Mean to Melissa?

What does Strollerfit mean to you? To me, it is a part of my daily routine and has helped me recover from having my daughter. I love it as a social outlet for myself and my daughter. My name is Melissa and I’ve been attending Strollerfit since the middle of May when my daughter, Taylor, turned 6 weeks. I heard about Strollerfit from a fellow member who encouraged me to try a class.

I had my daughter on April Fool’s Day (no joke!) and she is the light of my life. However, in the beginning it was quite an adjustment. I wasn’t prepared for quite the amount of change this little girl was making in my life. I planned on being a stay-at-home mom so she became my “job” and I pictured baking cookies, going on walks, and happy days. I wasn’t expecting this little 7 pound cherub to just want to eat and sleep! Between the hormones and sleep deprivation, by the third week I realized I had the “baby blues”.

Before having Taylor, I was constantly around people working in Human Resources and a very active person, being in gymnastics since age 3, so the lack of social communication and not being able to do much exercise since having her was getting to me. My friend, Linda recommended that I look into Strollerfit knowing what I was going through and needing some sort of outlet. To be honest, I thought Strollerfit was a bunch of moms walking with their strollers. I mean how tough could it be? At 6 weeks post-partum, I was ready and cleared to start exercising and hit a Strollerfit class the next day.

Within the 5 minute warm-up, I was sweating and rethinking my view of “walking with their strollers”. It was an intense workout and despite the lack of sleep my daughter gave me, Strollerfit rejuvenated me. It’s hard to explain, but even if Taylor has me up half the night, I’ll walk into class a little tired, but leave feeling fit, strong, tired but energized. Exercise gives you natural energy and the class is so upbeat and positive you can’t help but smile. To prove how hard these workouts are, I wear a heart rate monitor and found that with each class I burn an average of 500 calories! That combined with the wonderful women that participate make it something I look forward to every day.

The moms are amazing and have become people I can definitely consider friends. They have been supportive, great listeners, and provided valuable, honest advice. After my first couple weeks of Strollerfit, I noticed a tremendous difference overall. The first 6 weeks of Taylor’s life was a struggle, but after starting Strollerfit I started a routine and feel better about myself. I’ve lost most of my baby weight, love bonding with my daughter and enjoy talking to the amazing moms in class. Even Taylor loves Strollerfit!

Each time we walk into the gym she gets a big smile and kicks her legs throughout class. I strongly believe she sat up early because she sees the other kids crawling, walking, playing in class and wants to be with them. She even has her own “friends” in class and I believe has grown socially as well! Strollerfit helped me get out of my “baby blues” and is something both Taylor and I look forward to going to every morning – no matter how many sprint runs Stephanie or Tammy make us do!

Melissa

Winter already?

What happened to fall? Many towns in northern NJ had snow and rain. What did you do with your little one? Well, Strollerfit is a great alternative to going stir-crazy.

That's a great thing about Strollerfit. During the spring and summer its easy to find ways to get outside and burn off some energy, but when fall and winter set in, now what? Strollerfit gives moms a great workout to keep (or get) fit, AND it gives the little ones a chance to run around and burn off some excess energy that they may have.

Now that Amelia is walking (and getting into EVERYTHING), Strollerfit is a great place for her to go and run around. I can remember last year thinking, will I go during the cold months. I think that's when I went the most!!!

So, what do you actually do?

For those of you who are contemplating joining, I want to tell you a little bit about what we actually do.

Your first class is free. Strollerfit offers you a FREE first time trial class; bring a mat, water and things for your baby. The instructor will provide exercise equipment for you. The class starts at 9:30, but many people get there a little earlier to relax and socialize and just to give the little ones a some time to run around. Then at 9:30 we line up in a row to begin our warm-up. After that we run in "choo-choo" fashion, which is we start walking single file. Then when the instructor (more about them later), blows the train whistle the last person will run to become the first person, and then the new last person runs to be the new first person, and we do that until everyone has run. Sometimes we do it twice depending on the size of the class that day. (BUT!!!!! The great thing is, if you don't run, can't run, choose not to run, you don't have to and the next person will go and you continue to walk).

If I say it once, I'll say it again, there is no pressure here. There is no one standing over you saying you have to run, go faster, be stronger. You do what you can. There are some days (after having gone to the class for a year) I don't run. There is NO pressure.

After all the running (and it really isn't that much, contrary to MY personal complaining :-) we then do different highly effetive exercises targeting your mommymuscles. You will get results with the mommymuscle bar, combining weights plus resistance tubing. (Again equipment will be provided to you).

After about 45 minutes of alternating strength training and cardio exercises we do a cool down walk and begin doing some mat work. The babies get a chance to break free from the confines of their stroller (up until this time they are in the stroller). We do some ab work and more strength training to really target all those mommymuscles.

At the end of the hour you have completed THE premier Stroller Fitness class. Building strong confident kids by building strong confident moms.

Strollerfit is powered by mommymuslce.

Getting Started

When starting something new -- anything -- the hardest part is getting started. Where do you begin? What are your goals? How do you stay committed?

That's what I asked myself as I started this blog. Where do I begin? What are my goals? And how do I stay committed? And as I sat and thought about the answers to these questions, I realized that everyone asks themselves these same questions whenever they start anything.

My name is Sandy and I've been asked to keep a blog for our "division" of Strollerfit. I guess I should start by telling you a little bit about myself and what we do.

My daughter, Amelia, is 17 months and she is the light of my life. (I had to do a little baby plug) I am currently a stay-at-home-mom and loving it, though in my former life (you know, before baby) I was a music teacher. I guess I still am a music teacher. I will always be a music teacher, but more about that later.

I started Strollerfit last October (has it been a year already???), when I decided that not getting dressed until 1:00 in the afternoon was probably not the best way I could spend my day. I had seen a program on the Today show about a Mommy and Me exercise program and decided to do a search on them. I found Strollerfit.

As with anything new, I pondered the three main questions. Where do I begin? What are my goals? And how do I stay committed? I figured I would email the instructor. I am an email maniac. So, that part was easy. Stephanie emailed me back and began convincing me that I needed to join. So, the first question was answered. Then there was question 2. What were my goals? A major part was loosing the baby weight. I think most of us struggle with that, as well as just trying to get our bodies too resemble what they used to look like. And well, I guess for me, it was also important to kick-start my day. Strollerfit is at 9:30 am, so I get up and get dressed, get Amelia dressed. We eat and then pretty much are on the way out the door to the Parsippany PAL on Baldwin Road. Then what we do the rest of the day is open, but at least I've gotten the day started.

That brings me to the last question. How do I stay committed? Strollerfit is so much more than just exercise. (though that is HUUUGGEEE). S/F has given me some great friends, (more about THEM later), its given me a sounding board to reassure me that my kid IS normal. But most importantly its given me a community where everyone is in the same situation. Trying to be the best mom they can be!!

Well, I guess I just answered the "Where do I begin" question. So, what are my goals for this blog? In the coming months we'll explore different topics and experiences. We'll talk about new things that are going on with Strollerfit and how S/F can benefit you and your little one.

As for the staying committed part -- I hope you come back and visit me.

Sandy C.