StrollerFit merging with Baby Boot Camp and the Florida Road Trip.

I just got back from an amazing road trip with Scott and the kids to FLA to meet my new Nephew Slade Matthew Gershman, to find out StrollerFit is merging with Baby Boot Camp.  I am not sure how I feel about this but all things considering, everything will stay the same thru the summer.  You will see no differences.

As for the fall, I am waiting on the information from Baby Boot Camp before I can say what will happen.  I will tell you that we will continue to have classes and get together into the future.

Now for our trip.  Day one we drove about 8 hrs to DC, where we went to the National Zoo.  the kids loved the Panda's and the birds.  Then we had dinner with brian, Kathy and JC.  Julianna pulled a chair into her face and ended up with a few scratches and a bloody lip.  I have become my father because I took the you'll see approach to it all and she did, no worse for the wear.

We stayed at JC & Bj's that night and left the next morning after a leisurely breakfast for South Carolina where we stayed with Shelly and Michael.  Joey had a blast with michael's remote contral cars.

Day three we headed for FLA.  We stopped in Daytona beach and walked around the race track.  Joey loves the home depot car because it is driven by a tony and he got up close and personal with it.  More on home depot later.  Then we ended the day at my Aunt Ali's on Vero Beach.

We spent Day four at my Aunt's.  She tried to teach Joey how to play tennis, we went to the pool and the private beach, then we snuck into the Vero Beach disney Resort, where Joey did the water slide atleast 20 times.  Then I cooked dinner and the kids went off to see the boats at the marina.

Day five we had breakfast at a small airport where Joey and Julianna watched the planes take off and land.  They both were mesmerized.  Then we spent the Afternoon at My Brother Keith and his wife Melissa's house in the pool, before going to there son's Bris.  Our new nephew is adorabel and the kids had a ball on the play ground and playing in and out of the pool with Papa (my dad).  mthen we headed to Michele, Mike and Zacks's house.

Day six we hung out with my dad at the playground and went out to lunch before he flew home to grandma in Vegas.  (She could not be with us, due to her current treatment).  That night I made a great dinner and we sat cnd chatted into the night with Mike and Michele, Aunt Barb, Marc, Mike and Carole.

Day seven we decided to drive as far as we could.  We went to Steak n Shake for lunch in honor of my Road trip to vegas with Julie and then stopped somewear in Sout Carolina for dinner.  While there we took the kids to Home Depot, Joey wanted to fing Joey and the HD race car.  the Raqce this weekend is in Darlington not far from where we were, and Jeoy Logano was going to sign autographs in that store, the next day, we were a day too early.  The kids drove the HD race car shopping cart, did donuts with it with Scott and ran laps around the store.  The rode tractors and other large equipment for over an hr, they had a ball and it was free, who needs Disney World...ok we do, but free fun with a little imagination is great.  at one point joey told scott the raqce car had a flat tire and they needed a pit crew, so I became the pit crew and repaired it.  We then drove for another 2 hours and stayed in Fayetteville, SC for the night.

Day eight we drove to Richmond to see race cars, since Daytona that is all Joey wanted to do, but the track and shop were closed for lunch, so we headed to the Metro DC area.  we went for a late linch with JC, saw here condo that is being built and her office and then had a fabulous dinner cooked by BJ.  We were going to drive home but decided to stay when we realized they live a few minutes from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

Day Nine we packed the car, took the kids to the Air and Space Museaum where Joey saw the planes, space shuttle and some of the transformer stuff from the movie.  HE loved the shark plane, which is really called a tiger plane.  Scott was in heaven.  Then we drove home and arrived back at about 8 pm

What a great trip.  Loved seeing everyone and meeting my new nephew.

Jamie Oliver's Chicken Finger test

So the StrollerFit moms were all over the premiere and 2nd episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.  We discussed the chicken finger test he did and how the kids were grossed out by the bones, guts and extra skin used to make the frozen chicken nuggets, but in the end they were still willing to eat them.  Scott and I were discgusted and, I now know why I make my own.  They are so easy to do.

Take boneless chicken breasts cut them into nuggets or strips, I usually do stips.

take in a bowl use an egg or egg whites and mix to use as a binder

in a second bowl add bread crumbs (I use seasoned panko-japaneese bread crumbs for added crunch) or crushed corn flakes.

I place mine on a wire rack sprayed with pam on a lined cookie sheet for added crunch on both sides, but you can bake on a parchment paper lined or sprayed cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrrees for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

I make a large batch at once and freeze them in bags with 4 or 5 in a bag, just enough for a serving for both kids.

So last week I said I would keep track of the kids food, and I did but it was a crazy week and I did not get it on the blog.  Joey and Julianna ate a lot of yokids squeeze yogurt.  I use to buy the stoney field squeeze yogurt but can not find them lately and he likes the squeezies as he calls them.  I happened to read the package and I am sure I read it before, but some of the flavors have High Fructose Corn Syrup, some do not.  So I am going to try to locate the stoney fields again, and be careful if I by the yoplait to look at the flavors and only buy the ones without the HFC.  they still have coloring and preservatives, but this is still a better option then some of the other stuff they couls eat.

Joey at fruit leather, all natural, no additives or preservatives, can find in walmart, but better selection and cheaper at trader joes.  They both ate dried fruit and nuts, cherrios, pb&j (homemade jelly from our fruit picking last summer, it freezes well) on  sandwich thins, grill cheese on whole wheat bread, chicken, apples, carrots, celery with pb, wild rice, shrimp, potatos, salad with dip (a little low fat dressing that I made), pancakes with real maple syrup, and lots of milk and water with a little juice.  They had low fat fudgcicles a few nights, joey had a few lollipops and some of the candy from easter egg hunting, but over all they eat healthy.  He did snack on rice crispy treats that we made from scratch and had a few special k bars, but I think we are on the right track here.  Lunch & dinner for Joey was usually cereal, yogurt or what we were eating with some fruit and/or veggies.  I am glad me kids are not too pickie when it comes to food.

It is raining again and StrollerFit is back inside.  Tomorrow is a big day, Joey's First Day of scholl, YEAH!  Will try to remember to post pictures.

Jamie Oliver's New Show "Food Revolution"

I watched the first episode of Jmie Oliver's Food Revolution and was disgusted by some of the things I saw and heard.  First ws pizza for breakfast at a elementary school.  Now I can not say I have never ha pizza or pasta for breakfast, but that was in college not kindergarten.  Then Jamie was told that each meal must have2 breads, this was a government guideline and mashed potatos met the guideline for a vegetable, last time I checked it was a starch and potato buds with oil and other additives sem to me to be more of a proceesed connconction then a food at all.

When the kids were given the choose of frozen pizza or healthy chicken and salad, what do you think they choose.  the pizza of course.  It will be interesting to see how Jamie faires in the school with the ladies that work in the cafeteria and the town as a whole.   The town he is in has been classified as the most unhealthy in the Us and the US as a country is the most unhealthy in the world, making them the most unhealhy town in the world. 

So I think about some of my favorite food issues:  High Frustose corn syrum and processed foods in general.  I havbe no problems with addititives or preservatives to a point, but too much processed foods is not good for any of us and I am happy to report both my children like fruits and vegetables and eat a pretty healthy diet.

I am vowing to my blog readers and my StrollerFit moms out there that I am going to continue to teach my kids to be healthy and to continue to read labels and try to feed my children the best food I can, which is not always easy, especially when we are on the run.

I have decided to journal for a week what my kids eat and see what changes I can make. 

So far today they have had yoplait squeeze yogurts, not the best yogurt with the food coloring and additivies but not the worst choose either.  they had dry heerios, no milk (have to o to the store) they drank the milk when they got up, and 1/2 a banana each.  Not abad start for the day.

Lets see what they eat the rest of the day.

Some benefits of StrollerFit

We all want to get rid of that post-pregnancy pudge and tone up those toddler-lifting arms, but if you're like most modern, multitasking parents, you don't have a ton of time for long, involved workouts.   I know I don't, Which is why StrollerFit is great for moms that have busy schedules, from classes with kids to working to dr's visits to you name it.

StrollerFit gives moms and dads a place to bond with your baby, meet other active parents and get a good workout — all at the same time.

Medical experts have said that by making health habits a priority in your life, you in turn make them a priority for your children, a sentiment echoed in recent months by first lady Michelle Obama.  “Our children are on track to be less healthy than we are,” Obama said in January when she kicked off the Let's Move campaign against childhood obesity. “And truly, if we're really honest with ourselves, it's not hard to understand how this happens.”

StrollerFit is a workout that encourages you to bring your baby along, so Checkout one of the many strollerFit classes in the US that offer a total body workout — running, jogging, core work, strength training, etc. — all done with a stroller.

In my classes in Northbridge and Milford, MA my son and the other kids lunge with the moms, they cando squats ad one even does planks.  It is amazing to see them follow our lead and workout without it being called a workout.  One of the moms tells the story at hom, her daughter pushes her baby stroller while lunging and says "look mommy, I amdoing StrollerFit like you!"  My son loves to tell me to run faster and lets go up the hill o we can come down really fast.

StrollerFit encourages an interactive environment for kids, incorporating activities such as singing kids songs, talking about colors and vegetables, saying the ABCs and counting in different languages into workouts.   YM one year old has learned row row row your boat and the wheels on the bus from  us singing them in StrollerFit. 

We are building strong, confident moms and strong, confident kids!

Go out and try a class because both you and baby will benefit and the benefits are amazing all around!

Eating After a Workout

I was thinking about my post StrollerFit activites.  One of themsmaking Joey andmyelf lunch, Julianna is usually naping and has lunch later.  We do not eat on a schedule, but since we get up early, we usually eat within the hour after arriving home from StrollerFit.  I usually have a piece of fruit when I get home because I am hungry and want a healthy snack.

I just read an article that reminded me "What you eat after you work out may be the most important meal of your day. That's because muscles that have been exercised are thirsty, hungry, and stressed. Making the right food choices may make all the difference in avoiding muscle soreness and fatigue. They may also power up your next workout."

Remember that your body demands water, carbohydrates, and protein after a workout. Its primary goals during the post-workout (two hours after exercise) are rehydration, muscle recovery and repair, and blood sugar/electrolyte stabilization. If you don't feed it, your body will feed itself by dipping into valuable glycogen, protein, and electrolyte stores.




Some people make the mistake of avoiding eating after exercise because they think they'll burn fat and lose more weight this way. That's not how it works. Fat is one of the last nutrient resources your body will turn to for its immediate needs. That's why it's important to give it a healthy meal within two hours of exercise. Proper nutrition helps your muscles heal from the stress of exercise and metabolize energy more efficiently. Figuring out what to eat after a workout is simple science.
What should you eat? Carbs and protein. As its main energy source, your body burns glycogen (sugar) derived from carbohydrates. Glycogen is stored in the muscles. By replacing carbs soon after exercise, you replenish your glycogen stores and avoid muscle breakdown. If you don't replace those carbs, your body will break down muscle cells to help itself to the sugar. The result? Fatigue and muscle loss.
Protein is the building block for muscle fiber. While it won't release the instant energy your body needs immediately, it will help provide the nutrients needed to help tired muscles recover and rebuild the tiny tears that come with exercise. Protein helps you build the stronger muscles that will metabolize energy and help you lose weight. It also helps you avoid sugar highs and lows from burning carbs quickly.

So with this energy I will stick with piece of fruit and add some protein, one good choose is an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

So after strollerFit or any exercise remember that you need to eat and replinsh your water.  Also if it is hot outside remember you need to drink more fluids.

NO More Diapers for Joey!!

Joey has decided he is a big boy.  He has been in Underwear since Mid-February.  He loves being a big boy.  He hads been sleeping in pull ups or the left over diapers but wakes up in the morning dry, so we decided to give it a shot and try underwear.  Knock on wood he has been dry.  We have had a few poop accidents and a peeing accident when he was a sleep on a long car ride but other than that, he does nto even tell me, he just goes.

I also bought new toilet seats that have a smaller seat inside the lid and he loves that he can sit on the big potty without falling in.   He also loves announcing to anyone who will listen that he is a big boo because he pees in the potty so I guess he no longer needs batteries (For anyone that did not hear, in January he told me he could not be, his pecker was broken, it needed batteries....I wondered where do you put the batteries?)

I have a feeling Julianna will follow suit being that she has been trying to keep up.  She walked at 10 months and climbed the stairs safely up at 9 months and now at 12 months safely can come down the stairs.  She is fasinated with sitting on Joey; little potty so I think once she can tell us she needs to pee she will be trained too.  They grow up so fast.  I was just pregnant with him and he is going to be 3 and she is almost 13 months ols.  The moms at StrollerFit talk about when you are a teenage life is moving so slow.  You can not wait to drive, have your first kiss, go to college, get married etc.  When you have kids it seems like life speeds up, you get pregnant and in a blink of an eye they are already off to school. 

So Remember to cherish every moment with your children

The 10 secrets of StrollerFit

I must give credit, where credit is due to Wendy in California for this list.  It is all true and they are just some of the reasons if you have not tried a class you should.

 

1. It's been documented in several articles and studies. When you push a stroller, you are burning more calories than walking alone. Us moms are always looking for a way to multi task and StrollerFit does this.

One article claims walking at a brisk pace can burn 100 calories, a brisk walk with a stroller bumps that up to 180 calories! Not only will you be able to squeeze in that exercise, but you'll also be more efficient while doing it. ediets Diet & Fitness blog

2. Walking with a stroller is not the only secret weapon of StrollerFit. Many of our exercises use resistance bands and tubes. The principle behind these is strengthening the muscle on the lengthening phase, much like pilates. This creates long, lean sexy muscles.

3. The weighted mommymuscle bar combines strength and resistance into one exercise. Using the muscle in both directions, increasing muscle strength. Muscle burns more calories than fat..so more muscle is good.

4. Your body burns calories while you are doing a cardiovascular exercise, like a brisk stroller walk. Do a StrollerFit class adding resistance training to that cardio and you'll keep burning calories for up to 48 hours after you're done.

5. No one has ever asked me why we sing in StrollerFit, or why I'm always encouraging moms to sing louder. Seems obvious right? Nice loud singing entertains our kiddos, what baby doesn't enjoy Ring around the Rosy, or what toddler doesn't like picking the farm animal for Old McDonald? True, but there is a bonus reason. When you sing, your uptake of oxygen increases. Making the effort of singing while exercising even more challenging AND building cardiovascular fitness. AHHH HAAA!

6. Adding imbalance to our exercises with the mommymuscle ball, or by doing them on one foot engages the core muscles, improves the proprioception sense and challenges the body even more. Balance is also a sense that will decrease overtime if we don't continue to challenge it. Weight bearing, gravity based activities increase our sense of balance and keep it from diminishing as we age.

7. Combining weight, resistance and imbalance really bumps up the calorie burn and effectiveness of the workout as a whole. Making the most of the short time moms have to exercise each day.

8. Above all, I believe the greatest part of the mommymuscle theory used in StrollerFit is that it allows a new mom who is also new to exercise to work at her own level, while working out right next to a mom who has exercised her whole life and is also being challenged. Now that is an all levels class.

9. The social advantages of working out with other moms are obvious. We love being in the company of others who understand we may need to stop to explain to our toddler why she can't hit her sister, or stop to nurse a baby who woke up late and is off schedule. It's also just fun to be around other moms in general.

10. Last but not least, I bribe the kids. Stickers, fun songs, tickling feet...it's all to get them to ask you "mom, are we going to StrollerFit today?" No not really, I just adore kiddos, but it's an advantage for sure.

So, the secrets have now been revealed. You now know why you were able to go from 34 squats to 48 in an 8 week time period, why your pants fit and why you're now able to unload the dishwasher while balancing your toddler on your hip without falling over.

See YOU in class mamas!

Adding Nutrients to Kids Meals

SO my Blogging has been slacking as I have gotten busier with the kids and life ingeneral.  I recently have been talking with Sara Eberle, Producer & Host of the MommaJam Podcast and she sent out an email after her interview with Denielle Finkelstein regarding kids and shuning vegetables.

This made me think of the things I have read recently and the conversations we have in StrollerFit about food.  First off does anyone know what the statistic is of kids who eat french fries, mash potatoes and other forms of potato as a vegetable - over 60%.  Potato is not a vegetable it is a starch.  The StrollerFit moms talk about the veggies and fruits there kids do and do not eat.  Mine eat a lot and I am amazed at how many eat few or non at all and how many moms sneak in veggies. 

Here is the info Sara sent from her podcast, I hope it makes you think about whaty your kids eat:

Some moms resort to sneaking fruits and vegetables into family meals to add nutrients to basic, everyday dishes that kids love, like mac ‘n cheese and pizza. Who says these standard fares need to be fattening and junky. When you infuse the recipes with naturally healthy and fresh ingredients, you boost the nutrients and flavor, making mom and kids happy.


This week’s podcast is with fellow mom Denielle Finkelstein, who talks about her successful techniques for adding fruits and vegetables to her son’s meals. Check out this podcast for great ideas on making mealtime molto bene with ingredients such as apples, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, cinnamon, vanilla, carrots, and more.

We also talk about two notorious cookbooks on the subject, “The Sneaky Chef” by Missy Chase Lapine, and “Deceptively Delicious” by Jessica Seinfeld. To sneak or not to sneak is a controversial topic discussed frequently online. Some moms and experts believe sneaking food leads children to have eating disorders. Others find that adding fruits and vegetables on the sly is an easy way to ensure healthy eating is a priority.

So Tune in to Sara's MommaJam Podcast to hear our solution for creating balance so kids get the vitamins and minerals they need to grow and look at what you are feeding your family, I am reevaluating what I am feeding mine.

Stay tuned for my StrollerFit PodCast on Momma Jam in the next few weeks.

What a Week!!!!

What a week!!!  Last week ended with us putting our dog Raven to sleep and Joey does not understand Heaven, he keeps telling us Evan stole his dog.  then to this week...

It started with Joey getting a stomach bug, so I cancelled class on monday and felt yucky without a workout, and on a day that was warm and beautiful.  I ended up taking the kids for a long walk later in the day when Joey seemed better.

Tuesday was my birthday.  What a birthday, joey gave me his stomach bug, i was sick from noon til midnight and to top it off Scott forgot my birthday.  He tried to make it up by buying me flowers but I was too sick to care.

Wed was a better day and I got tulips delivered to me from Scott.  They make up his forgetfulness a bit, but he still needs to work  bit more....

Today is is starting to get cold after 5 warms days so we are inside for StrollerFit and preparing for the rain and the crazy weekend.  I am teaching a LGT Review friday, starting a WSI class saturday and then Sunday is the Blackstone Valley Baby Expo and then sunday night is the a benefit for a little girl with a tumor.  It will be a busy few days but all great activities so today I plan to teach Strollerfit, clean the house, have a playdate with a new baby friend of Julianna's and then have dinner with a good friend.  

I wanted to remind everyone that monday is the StrollerFit Open House at Milford Sports Center at 9:30 AM, with lots of fun prizes and I have a great workout planned!!  Come and bring friends..

My crazy children..

So today strollerFit was held at a new location, The Milford Sports Center at 132 Central St, Milford, MA.  Joey was so excited to be at anew place where he could play ball.  He also was excited about peeing on there big boy potty and told everyone he saw thta he did it twice.  This was almost as good as him telling the girls at the supermarket bakery that he needed 2 cookies please, because he peed on the potty at the supermarket.  He knows many of the emplyees at the supermarket because he sees them every week, so he told eveyone who said hi to him that he was a big boy who was wearing lightning mcqueen big boy underware and that he peed on the potty at the supermarket and that  Erin in the Bakery gave him 2 cookies because he is now a big boy.  It was very funny.

Julianna had fun walking and crawling on the turf at the end of class today.  But I think she had the most fun climbing on me while we did planks.  she only weighs 17 pounds but a climbing little girl makes planks very difficult.

The kids at class today seemed to like the new location as did the moms so hopefully StrollerFit Monday's and Wednesday's at 9:30 will get lots of new moms.

Now I am watching Joey sleep, he ran a lot and was tired and Julianna is climbing.  She is going to be a handful.  She climbed on a small chair, it fell over, she cried, I picked her up, she stopped crying and then went back to climbing the chair.  God help me.

First Class at the Milford Sports Center

Today was the first Class at the Milford Sports Center.  It was a small class but a great class and a great workout.  We are trying out this location to see if the new of the art, high-performance, indoor synthetic turf fields will be a greta place to hold classes indoors during the winter and during bad weather in the spring, summer and fall.

We had a great workout and you all should come check it out.

New StrollerFit Classes

A brand new facility has opened in Milford, MA ad we are goign to try out StrollerFit classes there 2 days a week for the next fw weeks to see how it works.  Come Check out the Milford Sports Center at 132 Central St, Milford, MA.

We will be holding StrollerFit Monday and Friday at 9:30 AM and Mommymusclesculpt at 9 AM on Wednesday.  Come try a class or two for free and if you join at the first class you will receive 20% off the joinikng fee and a free gift.

We are also planning for the summer and classes at Southwick Zoo and Louisa lake.  We hope you will come and join us and see what e are all about.

www.StrollerFit.com/BlacksoneValley

http://www.milfordsportscenter.com/


Don't forget we are still offering Restore the Core at the Village Congregational Church in Whitinsville Thursday's at 8 PM and Saturday's at 8:30 AM

what a whirlwing the last few weeks have been...

I hav not posted in a few weeks.  Between the kids and I being sick and al the crazy things we have been doing, life has been busy.

Where to start.  We wet to NY for Scott's Birthday the weekend of Janaury 30.  It was very cold when we went into NYC on sunday so we stayed inside the hotle my cousins were at, but had a great time anywa.  It was fun to watch Joey with my cousin shimon playing on the bed.  Julianna got an early b-day gift, an american girl baby doll and Joey got a plane which he loves and continues to tewll me it is going to fly to Californ (which is whre all planes go in his world).

We have been working on potty training with Joey.  He uses the potty when he gts up in the morning and at bed time, the rest of the day is hit or miss, no pun intended.  In the past few weeks he has been hysterical, one day he told me he could not pee on the potty, his peckie was broken and needed batteries, I proceeded to call Scott and Ask where do you put thebatteries in that, and we had a good laugh.  He is very literal sometimes, last week, we were home and he was in his big boy underwear and I reminded him, he was not to p in his underwaer and remember to keep them dry.  So he says, mommy the floor is wet, I peed on the floor, but my underwear is dry.  I forgot to say you need to pee in the potty, so he did what i said and kept the underwear dry.  I love potty training..

As for Julianna, she is going to be one on thursday.  She is walking a few steps on her own, she is a climber, she is climbing up the stair and if i forget to close the bottom kitchen drawer all the way she climbs in and sits in it.  She loves to draw or maybe i should say she loves to eat the crayons. 

I love having the two kids, they are so different and it is amazing to watch the grow and change.

We are into the 4th week on the StrollerFit Mommymuscle Challenge and I think the moms that are participating are getting a lot out of it.  It has been great fun.  We have gotten some new moms that are joining us and I am lookign forward to taking class outdoors.

I hae lots of pictures to post, I will try to do that tonight.

Motivation fortoday..

Flat tire motivator? I'll say it again...if you have a flat tire, do you get out of your car, pop the other 3 and sit on the side of the road and cry? NO OF COURSE NOT!!!! You fix the tire and continue on your journey. So don't pop your other three tires, fix the one flat one and move on..."

This is for al of you out there tha did not get all your workouts in this week or ate something that you thought you shouldn't have or the scale went up instead of down.  I hope this helps you get through this small heartbreaks and makes today better than yesterday.

Injury Proof Your Body!!

Wendy a StrollerFit owner in California reminded me today with her blog, how important it is to strengthen and recondition your Core especailly after pregnancy.

Here is what she wrote:

After hearing about yet another friend with a back injury from doing a normal, every day task I felt compelled to say something. One of the perks of bearing our children is alot of stretching, loosening and sagging in many parts of the body...including the abdomen and core. Vaginal delivery or cesarean..same result in this department ladies. I know, I know, this is not something any of us need to be told. We know it! We feel it! We live it!
So the news is this, you CAN do something about it. I quote, "Retraining the core muscles will allow a mom to move through her life with lower risk of injury to her back, less muscular fatigue, less energy loss and greater self esteem." Straight from the restore the core instructor manual. Every single week, someone tells me or emails me about their personal experiences as they build core strength. It doesn't always sound like the quote, but it always is a version of it. "I find myself sitting up taller in the car." "My low back doesn't ache anymore after 30 minutes or MORE of rocking the baby in the middle of the night." " I bought a new pair of pants yesterday... a size smaller than I wore before having my child." "I can run without fear of peeing my pants." Don't be alarmed, these are actual quotes from actual moms. How could I make this stuff up if I wanted to?
What is my core? you might ask. Well, your core consists of all the muscles that attach to your spine and pelvis. These include abs, back, legs, hips and more. By training or retraining all of these muscles to balance each other out and work together you build a strong core. A woman with a strong core will actually engage her core muscles before moving her arms and legs. For example, if you have to reach across your body to quickly catch a bouncing ball (or sprinting 2 year old) while twisting you are much less likely to injure yourself if you have engaged all the core muscles first. Ha ha! Saved from days of ibuprofen, ice, walking slowly and explaining to a child why you can't roller skate with her today.
The restore the core format does just this. A hundred sit ups a day will train your rectus abdominus (the "six pack" muscles down the front of your body) but it will not strengthen your back, obliques or hip flexors that can save you from injury. In each class, we strengthen the core muscles one by one and increase the challenge over time. And there is hope for those of us who have "babies" who are not babies anymore. No matter how long ago you had your children, you'll benefit from this class.

Come try it! Your first class is free. http://www.strollerfit.com/
 
If you live in Central Massachusetts 2 new Restore the Core Classes will begin next week contact cari at Cari.Fisher@StrollerFit.com or StrollerFitblackstonevalley@gmail.com

New Members and new classes

I recently had two new members join my StrollerFit lcass, Jackie, mom of Mason  and a pediatric resident and Karen, mom to Landon and Kaia na d the Editor of the Daily Northbridge Times (an online local news site)  Both are participating in the 8 Week Mommymuscle Challenege with many of my other StrollerFit moms.  I want to welcome them all to the group and let moms know that they can come try class for free anytime.  All are welcome.

Karen is doing a blog about the challenge.  If you want to follow along with KAren about her progress check out the blog at http://www.northbridgetimes.com/SiteBlog-482.113122_Northbridge_Nation.html

On other news, 2 New Restore the Core Classes will begin next week at the Village Congregational Church in Northbridge.  They will be 6 week sessions, Thursday Evenings 7:30-8:30 PM or Sat from 8:30 AM -9:30 AM.  Come try one or both classes.  You do not have to be a mom to participate and husbands are welcome too.  Hope to see you in class!

how to overcome exercise boredom..

The Mommymuscle challenege is on at StrollerFit Blackstone Valley and across the country at a StrollerFit location near you.

I believe the new moves, the new music (if I remember the radio) and the new drills/activities I am doing in class will help to keep my StrollerFit moms from having exercise boredom.  I try to do different workouts, different warmups, different core eexercises and different songs for the kids so as not to face exercise boredom. But sometimes it maybe unavoidabloe depending on what you are doing.  There are many reasons not to exercise, lets make sure boredom is not one of them! 

Here are 5 steps to help you get over exercise boredom...

1. What's your problem? Evaluate your fitness routine and determine what's causing exercise boredom. Then, make a choice:

            a) Eliminate it. Quit running on the treadmill if it's driving you crazy. There are countless ways to
                work out.
            b) Change it. Add something new to make it fun again.  Try a StrollerFit, Restore the Core or
                Mommymusclesculpt class
           c) Do it anyway. Accept that it's good for you, and work through it.
2. Multitask. Keep your mind busy while you're working out. Watch TV, read a magazine, or listen to music to stave off exercise boredom.

3. Make it a combo. Try exercises that combine cardio, strength, and flexibility training. Fast-paced yoga like Vinyasa and Bikram gets your heart rate up while simultaneously providing cardio and flexibility benefits. Jumping rope provides a two-for-one cardio/strength training workout.  Or try a Mom N Tot Yoga class where you workout with your child.  Get the benefits of Yoga while bonding with your child.

4. Involve your loved ones. Friends and family and make your workout a social occasion. Commit to a workout buddy so that you'll show up, even when you don't feel like it. You know it will be fun once you start.   At StrollerFit you have two or more people to help make your workout a special occassion, your child(ren) and the moms that you have formed a bond with.  If your children are out of the Stroller you can still come to any of the classes offered by StrollerFit. 

Contact your local SrollerFit Franchise owner and begin working out and overcoming any fitness bordom you may have.



5. Go retro. Nothing beats exercise boredom better than a workout that's fun and funny. Check out old videos like Jane Fonda's complete workout (yes, she's wearing a thong unitard and has a spiral perm) or Richard Simmon's Party Off the Pounds DVD and rock out 80's style. You'll burn extra calories laughing your socks off.

10 ways to make Exercise a Habit

Your best bet for health is to start a lifelong fitness habit. But you may find yourself breaking that habit unless you find ways to keep it fun, fresh, and energizing. So, what gets in the way of lifelong fitness? Most people cite boredom, lack of time, and no motivation as reasons why they stop working out. Here, we've got ten great tips for making exercise a habit you'll never want to break.

Make it fun. You're more likely to exercise if it's enjoyable. Choose sports you love or want to learn. Work out with friends. Blast your favorite music.

Put your health first. Take yourself off the bottom of your to-do list and give your health the #1 position it deserves. Making exercise a habit means you'll be around longer for all the people who depend on you.  This is important when you are a mom, we put everyone before ourselves and then our health suffers.

Save the date. Make a daily appointment with yourself for fitness. Treating exercise like you would a business meeting, dinner date, or medical appointment will help you take it seriously.  (My StrollerFit workouts are in the calendar and I try not to make appointments during them, so as not to miss a workout or the other moms!!!)
Mix it up. Nobody wants to do the same old thing every day. Cross train or engage in multiple sports or exercises to keep your mind and body interested.  (which we do everyday in StrollerFit)
Keep a diary. Write down what you did, or didn't do for fitness each day, and review it weekly. If you find you're skipping certain days or taking shortcuts, evaluate what might be standing in your way. Were you too busy, tired, or bored? Consider more convenient times of day or locations for exercise.

Pick the right time. Most people who successfully make exercise a habit work out out either first thing in the morning or on their way home from work before other commitments and responsibilities take over their schedule.

I thought these were great tips for my StrollerFit moms as we begin the Mommymuscle challenge

Eat This not that - Breakfast

The Authors of Eat this not that says "Skip the cold cereal: Eating eggs and bacon in the morning can help you control your hunger later in the day"

they reference a study from Indiana University scientists that determined that dieters who consumed their biggest dose of daily protein at breakfast felt full longer than those who ate more of the nutrient at lunch or dinner. The upshot: “They were less likely to overeat the rest of the day,” says study author Heather Leidy, Ph.D. To fend off hunger, shoot for at least 20 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast.

so in 2010 lets try to get some protein in our diets before the Mommymuscle challenge workouts!

January - Mommymuscle 8 week Challenege and other news...

We have just done two amazing challeneges this past fall, first was our "Hot Mamas Challenege" and then we did the "Fitness takes No Holiday's Challenege"  Congrats Tracy for winning both.

Ladies are you ready fro a new a challenege in 2010 that will be held across the country.  The 8 week Mommymuscle challenge starts Monday, January 18, 2010.  Like the Hot Mamas Challenge you will be assessed before the challenge at at the end.

Are you ready to take your fitness to the next level? It's very important that you sign up for one of the "pre-screening" slots during the first two weeks of January...during this time I will administer a few short fitness assessments (results are kept between you and me)...then in March I'll administer them again...and you'll be amazed at the results.

Fitness assessments will take place before StrollerFit classes Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri from 8:30-9:30 AM or in the afternoon before 3 PM.  Ideally two moms will sign up for each slot, so one can keep an eye on the kids while the other focuses on the "tests."   I have a sign up book, so email me or talk to me at class to set up your assessment.

Coming at the end of the month will be another moms night out for Japanese, date is still being determined and a new Restore the Core Saturday session and a weeknight Restore the Core Power session, details will be available in the next few days, so keep checking the blog for information.

January is Bring a Friend to StrollerFit Month.  Bring a friend and get a prize.  They will recieve 20% off the joining fee.!!!