Thankful..

Thanksgiving is behind us and as we look ahead to the upcoming holidays, I’m filled with a love of the season. This IS and for as long as I can remember been my favorite time of year. As the weather gets cooler, the trees change colors and the air outside just smells different, I feel the warmth of the holiday’s approaching. I’m a fan of the traditions, the holiday music (yes, I love it), the cozy feeling of sitting in front of the fire place and the feeling of togetherness with family and friends. For all of these things I’m thankful…

As much as I love the holiday season, I know that for many of us, this is the most dreaded time of year. This year StrollerFit Frisco/Plano has decided to do a toy drive, Gifts of Grace, to benefit children from birth to age 17, in providing them toys/gifts for Christmas. This week, from Mon. Dec. 1st – Sat. Dec. 6th, we will be collecting toys at all of our StrollerFit locations to donate to underprivileged families in East Plano. A special thank you to Joana S. who provided the information to make this service project possible.

I am really excited about the opportunity to make MANY babies, children, and teens smile Christmas morning when they wake up to find Santa stopped at their home!

StrollerFit Attendance Challenge Week #3

Week #3 Results

1. Niki J.

Tied for 2nd place

Danielle H.

Caroline B.

Miranda O.

Erin B.

Overall Scoreboard

1. Niki J.

2. Danielle H.

3. Erin B.

4. Jennifer H.

If YOU don't use it, YOU lose it!!

When it comes to muscular strength, there is great truth to the saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it!” Within just a few days on inactivity, our muscles begin to atrophy. And, with the upcoming holidays, many of us will be traveling out of town and won’t be able to attend our regular StrollerFit and Restore the Core classes. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep those mommy muscles strong! Bring your tube, mommymuscle bar and exercise band from your StrollerFit/Restore the Core kit with you! Keep these exercises in mind, and in just a few minutes a day, in the privacy of your hotel room or home, you can keep your muscles strong and toned!

1. Do a plank, but not just one… Do three! One side plank on each side and one center planks. Hold each for 30 seconds. Don’t forget to keep your navel pulled to your spine! Feeling strong and have the time? Complete two in each position for a total of six!

2. Push-up your age.

3. Complete 2-3 sets of 12 bicep curls with your tube or mommymuscle bar. Change them up (hammer curls, super slow, etc.) and add a couple additional sets for added challenge.

4. Ski squat (feet together) your age.

5. Regular squat (feet hip distance) your age. Power moms can add a plyometric jump for added intensity!

6. Tie your band around your ankles and do wide walks. Eight to the left, then to the right, then 4 each direction, then 2 each direction, then tap it wide for 30 seconds. Don’t have room to travel? Just tap it wide for 1 minute instead. Remember to step wide and keep the feet wide, keeping resistance on your band!

7. Climb the rope. Lie on your back and extend your feet in the air with your feet flexed. If you brought your mommymuscle balls, put one between your feet and squeeze. Reach opposite hand to opposite ankle. Twelve on each side for a total of 24.

8. Don’t forget to stretch!

Add a 20 minute walk (or longer) for even greater benefit! It’s a great chance to burn extra calories and catch up with family members and friends. And, just a reminder that if you’re pregnant, have recently had a baby, are nursing or have any other health conditions, make modifications, like those offered in class, to stay safe and prevent injury. All StrollerFit instructors can help you if you have any questions!

Don’t wait until 2009 to get into shape! Let’s start 2009 in great shape!

Written by featured StrollerFit blogger: Rachel Dossman

Friday - Free for All!!

Hopefully everyone had a healthy and successful week in regards to exercise and eating habits. I find myself most often being "good" on my diet in the earlier parts of the week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and sometimes Thursday go by before I start to feel the "let down" of the weekend approaching and slip up. If I have managed to survive Thursday then it is almost guaranteed that by Friday evening I have lost all control! Why is this?

In most households Friday marks the beginning of all the fun things the weekend brings. Daddy's will be home from work for a few days and we can all relax a little. So we should all just eat,drink and celebrate! Right? Not exactly! We have mentioned several times the importance of choosing which events are most important to you and celebrate them. If it's your birthday or other special event don't deprive yourself. A good example of this is a day like Saturday where we have two birthday parties and a baby shower to attend. It would be really easy for me to eat cake and other various junk food items 3 times in one day. I am making my mind up before I go that I will only eat at one party and try to make healthy choices when I do eat. I want to make it through the weekend without totally blowing all my hard work from the week.

My goal is simple...I want to do better then last weekend. I want to start Monday one step closer to my goal rather then starting all over again from scratch. Think about simple ways that you can improve your health habits over the weekends and strive to sneak them in while still having fun.

Written by StrollerFit Featured Blogger: Becky Thomas

Why I love StrollerFit...

My daughter and I have attended StrollerFit since she was 4 months old. It has been beneficial in so many ways for both of us. We have both made so many good friends and get together with them outside of class to play and share new mom stories! It has been an excellent way for me to get my physical endurance back. Plus I love setting an example for my daughter, showing her that fitness must be a part of our existence. She has learned that and so much more from class- she knows the songs we sing in class and has even started counting recently- all which I attribute to the repetition in StrollerFit. We love coming to StrollerFit- it provides a routine which kick starts our day in a positive way!

Guest Blogger: Niki J.

StrollerFit Attendance Challenge Week #2

Way to GO!

Highest Attendance for week #2

1. Niki J.

2. Charisma C. and Danielle H.

Kim B., Kelly S., Erin B., Christy G.

Saturday Highest Attendance

1. Monique C.

2. Cindy D.

OVERALL STANDINGS

1. Niki J.

2. Charisma C

2. Danielle H.

2. Jennifer H.

Monday Monday

How many of you spend the weekend thinking that on Monday I will get back on track with my diet?

If you eat sensible and reasonable every weekend..good for you! However if you are like me you probably don't. It seems that SO many fun food events occur on the weekend. Football, birthdays, date night, parties, etc...there are so many chances to blow all our hard work from the week.

I heard some great advice once (thanks Victoria) that if the celebration was in honor of you then go ahead....eat, drink and be merry! For me this past weekend was my birthday so I had some cake, a few cocktails and a meal that was less then stellar. I celebrated me and now I can start fresh on Monday. Great!! Problem is I find myself starting fresh every Monday and obviously I am not celebrating me every weekend. So this week I am challenging myself and you to stick to your healthy habits not only all week but also throughout the weekend. Can you do it?

Check back on Friday for an update and some motivation to help survive the weekend! Have a great and healthy week!

Written by featured StrollerFit blogger: Becky Thomas

Goals

No Day Like TODAY to Get Started

Hopefully everyone has made the decision NOT to wait until January to get on the "GET HEALTHY" bandwagon. If your still thinking of waiting until the New Year consider how much better you will feel if you maintain some control during the Holidays?

To get started NOW it is a great idea to set some goals for yourself. When you think about your goals start by thinking short term. Ask yourself what can I do in the next week or two to improve my health and feel better about myself? Make sure that whatever you choose is realistic so as not to set yourself up for failure. Some good examples would be challenging yourself to attend at least 4 Strollerfit classes per week or cutting out pop, alcohol, candy or fast food (insert your own vice:)!!

As you move along working towards the goal start to think about a long term goal. Where do you want to be in 6 months or 1 year? Make sure that you choose something that is measurable and keep track of your progress along the way. A very simple way is to monitor how well your pants fit...are they tight? OUCH!!

For many of us these goals are related to losing weight or exercising more, while others just want to be healthier, live longer and feel great. The greatest benefit of Strollerfit is that it offers the opportunity to achieve all of these things. This month the Strollerfit attendance challenge is already underway and similar contests will be going on in the upcoming months. Make the commitment to compete in these challenges, not only will they help you reach your goals but you could win some great prizes as well!

Written by featured StrollerFit blogger: Becky Thomas

StrollerFit Attendance Challenge Scoreboard

The StrollerFit attendance challenge is well underway! Here is what the scoreboard looks like after week one!

SCOREBOARD

#1 Niki J.

#2 Jennifer H.

#3 Erin S.

#4 Becca K.

Susan O, Regina A., Heather B.,Danielle W., Danielle H., Charisma C., Amy J.

Saturday Only Scoreboard

#1 Monique C.

#2 Cindy D.

Can those on the top of the scoreboard maintain their excellent on-time attendance? If your name was not on the list this week, make it your goal to see it on the list for

Week 2!!

See you in CLASS!!

Here come the Holidays!

A woman is like a tea bag...you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water" ~Eleanor Roosevelt

With Halloween behind us we are now headed into the busiest, stressful and most fattening time of year....THE HOLIDAYS! As usual with the new year quickly approaching we start to tell ourselves that in January I will lose weight, exercise more, save money, live healthier..etc. Whatever your goals for the upcoming year I challenge you to START NOW! Ask yourself what can I do NOW to look and feel better. Think about how you feel after attending a Strollerfit class where you not only got a good workout but had the opportunity to catch up with a friend while spending time with your kiddo. Take a good look at which dessert, candy, cocktail or holiday celebration is most important to you and by all means ENJOY IT! All the others make a conscious effort to "celebrate" smart and still feel good about reaching your goals. So as we enter into this busy season, I challenge you to make a choice now for a healthier YOU! Put yourself and your goals first. Strive to make one more class or cut out one less "fattening" event per week.

Stay tuned for smart tips for staying healthy and surviving the holidays.

By featured StrollerFit Blogger: Becky Thomas

StrollerFit Attendance Challenge

How about a little competition??

The StrollerFit attendance challenge started on Saturday, Nov. 1st and will run through Wednesday, Nov. 26th!

Earn 1 point when you attend classes.
Earn 2 points when you are on-time!

So far so good! You guys are doing GREAT!

What does the winner earn? A free month of StrollerFit classes in December! Better than that, your joints and muscles will thank you for getting a great warm-up!! Your body will thank you because with CONSISTENT exercise you will not only feel better, but your body will be more fit and stronger to take you through the craziness of the holiday season!!

Come and check us out at www.strollerfit.com/frisco and www.strollerfit.com/plano!