Don't Wanna Workout? Been There! Here are some tips ...

With an infant and a toddler in tow, it can be a challenge getting motivated enough to bundle them up for the cold weather to get to StrollerFit class at Pinnacle Sports or Summit Mall (though we all LOVE it), and sometimes I really have to talk myself into hopping on the treadmill or doing some strength work at 9p with all the verve I had mid-day while the kiddies were awake!

We all have our reasons why we say "but I don't want to" or "I can do it tomorrow ..."

BUT HERE ARE A FEW OF THE TOP REASONS I USE TO JUST DO IT. Put a few of these in your mind-file next time you start excusing yourself from that planned workout. They help!

1. I know it’ll make me feel better physically and mentally. Maybe lessen the intensity or duration, but just get that workout in. The post workout high is worth it

2. I like to set goals and create a plan. Small goals are great steps, and a plan helps me to stay focused and committed.

3. The dishes in the sink aren't going anywhere, neither are the dustbunnies on the floor. Get the workout in ... I'll feel better when I'm folding laundry and sweeping later.

4. Some days, I'll pass someone using a cane and I just think "Katie, use your body today… because you CAN"

5. If I don’t feel like doing whatever I have scheduled (run, cardio, strength, StrollerFit class, core work, you name it) I tell myself to at least do it for ~10 minutes, then if I feel like quitting I can. And most times I end up doing the whole workout. Sometimes I'm so happy I did it, I add a bit more!

Bootcamps?

So, while I love exercising with my kiddos and wouldn't trade it for the world (after all, StrollerFit Akron/Medina is what allows me to get so much cardio and strength training in), I'm thinking I need a big push in grown-up-world-only for spring to really help me lose these last 8 lbs of babyweight and then focus on the 10 lbs more i wanted to lose BEFORE I got preggo.

I can't run with my little one in the front carrier ;-).

I still am breastfeeding through early March, and am not looking to begin until after that, but am starting some old fashioned R & D now.

Anyone have any ideas or opinions?

Back in the StrollerFit Saddle Again!

It's been one heck of a ride, these past 4 months. Between partial bedrest, the early birth of our beautiful daughter, the holidays, everything postpartum including minimal and intermittent sleep, and still lovingly re-exploring the world with my toddler son, the past few months have been a whirlwind of random memories that I'm still trying to line up.

BUT ... I'm back, baby! Our StrollerFit students are feeling the brunt of my surges of cardio-energy, and I'm participating right along with our StrollerFit Akron/Medina students in the 8-week mommymuscle challenge to build stamina, strength, flexibility, and balance. I love burning calories with our StrollerFit moms.

Wendi had her little boy last week, and everyone is beautiful and healthy. She is already itchin' to come back, and I keep reminding her that she needs to enjoy this time ... and get cleared for exercise by her doc, first!

So get ready for weekly posts, at least, on all kinds of topics from money saving tips to green fitness and more peppered with my daily-family adventures. Feel free to share ideas or bring up some good topics yourselves!

DID YOU KNOW? 4lbs in 2 months? Uugh!

The average American will gain four pounds between Halloween and New Year's Day. Doesn't sound like much? It's just about enough to push you up to the next clothing size!

YOU don't have be average! You can have that extra cookie, you just need to work for it! The bottom line for keeping weight off this holiday is remembering that you have to work off what you put in. Make it fun - something you look forward to - a place and time where you can be social as well as burn calories, have fun, special time with your child ... Think of fitness as the holiday gift you give yourself.

In order to keep us all motivated, StrollerFit is holding a special event Nov 23-Dec 31 called Fitness Takes No Holiday. We're giving away prizes for highest attendance (as if not seeing your waistline grow is not reward enough). Check it out at our site! We're sending weekly emails out with great motivating tips, too. If you haven't already received the first one, email us, and we'll put you on our list.

You and your family will be super-proud. A happy mama makes for a very happy family!

As many of you are aware, I am coming up on my due date (around the holidays) and the wee-one may join us sooner than any of us expect! Let's keep our fingers crossed I'll make it as late in the year as possible ... and Wendi is due to deliver in February. In anticipation of our growing families, and our growing number of students, we have added 2 new members to our Instructing Team!

We are thrilled to welcome Claire Periard as a StrollerFit Instructor in Training. Claire began with StrollerFit, along with her daughter, Mia in early summer and has been an avid StrollerFit mom ever since! Her background in Collegiate Sports and some Coaching experience make her a great fit for our moms! Expect to see her jumping in on Monday and Friday classes in the near future!

We are also thrilled to welcome Erica Graffein, mother of 2 collegiate-age kiddos, who was one of our very first Restore The Core Students. Erica has been a pillar in the Restore The Core classes for over 10 months! She's personally experienced the positively wonderful changes that Restore The Core brings to a woman's body, has months of one-on-one workshop experience, and will soon be leading our some of our RTC classes!

Visit one of our classes! Click HERE for a full StrollerFit and Restore The Core Class Schedule in Fairlawn and Medina. Next time you see either of these talented ladies, share some kudos and welcome them aboard!

Fitness for the Holidays

Whoa! It's been a whirlwind of a month, my apologies for not getting here sooner! We took a short, but very enjoyable trip to FL to visit the family (see pic of my son, hubby and very preggo self), celebrated my son's 2-year birthday, dressed up for Halloween, had an uber-fun month with StrollerFit; welcoming new student, Missy Littlefield ... and lots more!

The docs and midwives have put on hold with many of my activities due to the unchanging previa with this pregnancy, but each week I'm able to carry this little one is one week closer to a healthy and happy new addition to our family, and I'm so very grateful for that. This "down time" that everyone keeps telling me I should be enjoying has forced me to reflect on how marvelous it truly is to be able to be an active, healthy person.

I say, to all the admirable women who can, want and/or have been staying active:
DON'T LET ALL YOUR HARD WORK GO FOR NAUGHT THIS HOLIDAY ... OR IF YOU KEEP SAYING "I NEED TO START GETTING ACTIVE", DO IT NOW!

Don't create a bigger challenge for yourself by saying "Oh, I'll get serious after the new year". I say Bah Humbug to that train of thought!

Why make it harder for yourself to feel great and be confident?

There may be a flurry of activities filling up your calendar, but make time for yourself and your health this season. Your family will appreciate it!

A Happy, healthy and well-balanced mom is the best gift you can offer to your family.

Check out our schedule for Stroller Classes, or if you need an hour to unwind, relax, and build some core strength, check out our Restore The Core Class on Mon & Wed nights from 7p- 8p at Pinnacle Sports. Moms are raving about how much better they feel, how they are sleeping better at night, and how much their hubbies are loving it all!

In Good Health,

Katie

StrollerFit Convention!

Wendi is at the StrollerFit Annual convention this week in Cincinnati! We are both very excited to learn and share all kinds of new moves, great ideas, and new creative ways to use our fitness equipment in StrollerFit and Restore The Core classes!

We'll keep you posted, and check out the new moves in classes soon!

The Month of Motivation!

OK! Fall is coming up on us,and it's been way too long since my last post. My sincerest apologies, it won't happen again. As we move forward into this sweet smelling season, it encourages me tor reflect on the year so far ... happenings, events, milestones, and more. I've loved watching my family grow, and know that with each new step my son takes, I'm growing too!

After all, I never imagined myself doing the all-limbs-flailing potty dance in the kitchen for all my neighbors to see with more confidence than a Solid Gold Dancer (dating myself here) to encourage pee-pee in the potty. Now, that takes confidence!

This month we're all about motivation and goals as we move into the last quarter of 2009 and begin looking forward to 2010. What motivates us as moms? As women? What goals did we have for ourselves this year (formally or informally set ... lose weight, build strength, save just a few more dinero each month, explore some new cooking styles, paint the trim on the house, build resistance to brownies, whatever!)? Have we worked towards achieving them? Note - I did not ask "have we met them", this is not a time to beat ourselves up if "life" has taken over and we haven't quite reached the precipice to plant the flag of goal-reaching-success. My question is have we taken at least a few small steps in the right direction. If so, fabulous!

Now is a time to regroup and re-evaluate what we can do to find success personally (physically and mentally) and as moms, professionals, or in whatever other capacity our desire lies. Little things like "I WILL work out at least 4 days a week" or "I WILL try a new dinner once every two weeks" or "I WILL go on a date with my husband this month!" or "I WILL try Restore the Core (yes - blatant advertising) class this month" are great ways to start! Be realistic, and you'll find success. Find success and you'll feel fabulous and want to set more!

So, I now commission all of my readers to chime in! Set a goal, find some motivation, and share it with us! Tapping the sentence out on the keyboard may make it a bit more real ... and let's see how we do!

I'll start: I WILL organize my office this month AND incorporate5 new moves into our StrollerFit classes.

Now it's your turn - let's hear it! We can inspire and motivate each other.

Remember that strong, confident KIDS are raised by strong, confident MOMS!

Health and Happiness,

Katie

Picnic, Parade & Pilates

Hi All! It's a rainy morning in Ohioland!

We had the annual Family Picnic on Sunday, what a blast. I officially discovered that it takes 20+ family members to wear my son out for the afternoon, but he sure did have fun! I've put some pics up of him swimming & going down a waterslide all by himself, and one of my Great Aunt Jerry eating a grilled jalapeno popper! Gotta love that spunk! Hopefully you have someone just like her in your family, too.

We're looking forward to the Bath Community Day Parade this Saturday (Aug 1 - can you believe it's almost August?)! Looking for something fun to do this Saturday? Come to the Community Day parade and festival! Looking for something even MORE fun to do? March in the parade with StrollerFit & StrollerFriends! Our kids love it ... I think Lohen has the parade wave down. It'll be so much fun! Post-parade the fire department will be putting on water shows, there will be a dunking booth, home made goodies, fresh roasted corn, free inflatable rides, and all kinds of traditional, summer, small town fun. Call me at 330.903.1317 with questions, if you'd like.

Oh, and I must say great job last night ladies! We had a fabulous Restore The Core mat workout, hope you are all feeling it this morning! Way to widdle the middle!

Have a happy and healthy day!

Katie

LOVE YOUR NEW MOM BODY!

Check out these moves from our president, Mary Beth Knight! StrollerFit has partnered with BabyTalk and Parenting, the early years magazines, to bring some fitness inspiration to new moms!

10 Minute Mommy Workout

We're thrilled to be a part of such an awesome program. Anyone who is curious about even the idea of feeling great about your post-baby body, getting more energy, and instilling the importance of activity in your baby at an early age totally should visit a StrollerFit class.

It's free to explore, so you have nothing to lose except those pounds .. and there's lots to gain in friendship, confidence, and bonding with your baby.