Bath Community Day!

A great time was had by all at the
Bath Community Day Parade and Celebration.

The wee ones, moms, and even the dads enjoyed marching in the parade, waving, passing out and collecting goodies (the dads got the hang of it when they figured out they shouldn't throw a bag of Kellogg's fruit treats at kids ... but instead hand them, it hurts less).

The event was much bigger than we imagined, so many people, and really cool demonstrations (I had no idea there were so many people in Bath familiar with the Martial Arts and capable of breaking boards with their fists, it gave me a whole new perspective). There were lots of families and smiles on every one's faces! Love it, love it, love it!

We've already welcomed Joy, a new student, as a result of the Community Day, along with her two youngest, Tess and Madison. Her two older boys are at summer camp, but we hope to meet them again at the picnic this Sunday!

Enjoy some of the pics from the parade, stay healthy, and keep a positive attitude!

Katie

Pregnancy: Ice Cream & Exercise

Mmmm, I just finished a scoop of lite vanilla ice cream that I made yummier by adding a bit of homemade brownie (largely removing all the "lite" I suppose, but making it all that much better). I firmly believe that indulging in something a little sweet occasionally will only make me sweeter!

There's nothing wrong with moderation, and I have to keep that in mind while pregnant, too. Whether it be towards sweets, or what makes them occasionally acceptable (at least to my dupa) exercise. Exercise during pregnancy is wonderful! It boosts your mood, improves you sleep, and can help alleviate aches and pains.

I've recently received the questions "should I continue exercising?" and "should I start exercising?" when I'm pregnant, so I thought I'd share some of my thoughts and experiences. Keep in mind, people, that I am not a doctor, just a mom on her 2nd time around who is working hard, like so many of us, to take good care of herself and her family. My comments are just observations, gained from personal pre-natal experiences, and guidance from other fitness professionals.

First and Foremost, let me say that there is a 2-part golden rule: Follow the individual guidelines set by your doctor, and follow the signals your body sends you!

Once you have the above rule memorized (write it 100 times around your Friday morning decaf-skim-latte if you need to), then you're ready to move on. Ready? Really? OK.

So, I'm preggo ... Should I change my fitness routine?
If you have been exercising regularly prior to pregnancy, then in most cases, if you're healthy and your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can continue working out with some sensible modifications to accommodate your growing belly. What to do: Stick to a moderate level of exercise and avoid bouncing and jarring motions, sudden changes of position, and beginning in your 2nd trimester, lying on your back.

So now that I'm carrying another little human around with me, I'm ready to take on more! I've been pretty sedentary, but I'd like to start getting some exercise. How should I start?

Sometimes, we start new ventures at the most perplexing times, but everything happens for a reason, and being responsible for another life couldn't be a better time to focus on good health.

First, check in with your doctor/midwife/caregiver about your plans. Then, you'll need to start with gentle exercise (check out some great suggestions from baby.com) for short periods of time (about 15 minutes a few times per week) and gradually work up to a longer and more intense daily routine (about half an hour a day).

Good Activities: Walking is the easiest way to get started on a regular fitness routine and it doesn't require any special equipment other than a good pair of walking shoes! Swimming is another great option during pregnancy because the water helps hold up our extra weight.

Personally, I swear by Restore The Core, the Pilate's-based mat class we offer to stretch and strengthen your core muscles as well as relieve aches and pains. The movements can be modified as you progress through pregnancy, and incorporating it at least 2 times a week will result in stronger core muscles which will help immensely during birth! You can learn more about Restore The Core classes at our website.

In any case, being active is a good thing, but use common sense. Some of the warning signals to take a time out include shortness of breath, dizziness, and cramping (legs are common, but rest at the onset any cramping). Use some common sense, and keep in mind that you're exercising to be healthy and to gain stamina for the wonderful yet exhausting tasks ahead of you ... not to lose weight. That'll come soon enough.

Now go enjoy some of that required dairy you should have each day, in the form of ice cream with whatever yummy topping you'd like.

Good 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

My 20-month old plays the harmonica better than I do!

OK - I've known all along my son had some mad skills just waiting to blossom ... but when I greeted him at Grannies yesterday evening, he was standing in his diaper playing the harmonica wiggling his bootie, expecting me to do the same!

While he plays better than I do, it would still be a stretch to refer to it as music, but as his mom, I just couldn't be prouder of the little guy for figuring this out (at least until he gets one at home and proceeds to make me crazy). So, for the mean time, I'll bask in the glory of his first and early dive into musical culture.

I'd love to hear of any party tricks your babies have (human or pets - after all, our babies are our babies!).

-Kate

We've never had so much fun at a parade!

As many of you know, StrollerFit Akron/Medina participated in the Fairlawn Independence Day Parade. AND WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! Thanks to our StrollerFriends moms who joined us, too!!

First let me say Kudos to the organizers, it was well put together and a much larger event than I thought!

Second let me tell you what an experience is was for Lohen, and I think all the kiddos there. He was mesmerized by the practicing drum cores prior to the kickoff, he loved the fire trucks and the choo choos, and saying hi to all the characters in costume - way more than you get from just watching on the sidelines. The free lollipops the people at the train kept giving him were a bonus, too (although not my favorite part).

All the kids LOVED being the center of attention and waving at all the folks from the community out to watch the parade go by, and I was happily surprised with all the applause we received from other moms, and families in general, for being active, healthy moms! It's so great to feel all that support. SO MOMS ... COME AND JOIN US! I've posted some fun shots from the event.

We're hoping to participate in the Bath Community Days parade, and perhaps in Barberton, too ... I'll keep you posted. If you'd like to join us, let me know! It's so much fun for the kids (and for us, too). Have a healthy and fabulous day! I hope it's as sunshiny where you are as it is out my window too.

Toddlers & Toothbrushes

OK - have you ever met anyone obsessed with brushing their teeth? No? Then let me introduce you to my son. At 20 months, he can't get enough of it, and this morning he made it clear that he feels the need to use a grown up brush, no longer his toddler size one. A 20 minute tantrum ensured when I would not give him what he wanted ... ah, the joys of setting boundaries.

Anyone else run into this?

We're still all smiles as we head off to class this morning, clean teeth and all! Even though it's raining, strollerfit, here we come!

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.