The Fit Moms Challenge- Fall 2009

Whew! I am right in the middle of the Stroller Strides of Longmont Fit Moms Challenge and the ladies are kicking my butt. In the challenge, teams of 2 moms accumulate points in the areas of Mind, Body and Spirit according to their daily activities. You can get points for attending Stroller Strides classes, exercising on your own, taking time for yourself, spending time meditating/praying, keeping a personal journal, eating fruits and vegetables, and more. The team to collect the most points wins PRIZES!! The prizes are awesome and I am determined to win! (Well everyone actually wins a prize, but higher points mean you get an earlier pick).

Since I run Stroller Strides in Longmont you would think that I am a shoo-in to win. Well, to be fair, I made my SS class time not count for me. And because of it I have to find a way to squeeze a workout in other than Stroller Strides and it is so hard to find the time! Stroller Strides really is a blessing for moms trying to find time to work out without having to get a babysitter, or having to worry if their little one is freaking out in the gym daycare.

Anyway, more about the challenge...

For me the challenge is not about working out until I fall over, it isn't about eating only carrots, it isn't even about getting the most points. For me, the challenge is about awareness. When I sit down nightly and count up my points it gives me time to reflect on how much or how little I cared about my own total body/mind/spirit fitness. Did I make a healthy breakfast for everyone and then run out of the door with butter toast to eat in the car? Did I slow down for 15 minutes to be thankful for my blessings? Did I enrich my mind with a good book instead of watching mindless TV?

The challenge reminds me of what my goals are and whether or not that day I chose to make decisions that got me closer or whether I need to try better tomorrow.

But the last reason I love the challenge is that it is FUN!!!

So thanks ladies for being a part of the challenge and part of a community that supports healthy moms creating happy families!

(and if you are a Fit Mom, let me know what your favorite part of the challenge has been so far!)

Post Pregnancy- Small Changes Equal Big Success

As a Stroller Strides franchise owner I know many moms that struggle with post pregnancy weight. I was one of them! After my first child I tried all the fad diets out there. For a few months I only ate raw foods, then I was vegan, then a zone dieter, then gluten free, then dairy free and the list goes on! I knew all the things I needed to do to lose weight and be healthier, but somehow I couldn't commit to doing them. And after 2 years I still had the baby weight.

After Ethan I made the commitment to health. I now exercise daily, eat healthy (with sweets in moderation) and my yo-yo dieting habits are gone. I have lost the baby weight, gained a lot of muscle and feel energized through the whole day. But I did not do it overnight- there was no quick fix diet or solution. I did it through little changes and a lot of help from my food and fitness diary.

According to Stroller Strides's founder Lisa Druxman's book, Lean Mommy, small changes add up to make a big difference. Many people dive into weight loss by focusing on a strict diet or intense workouts. But because they have not changed their mental patterns, they drop the program soon after they start. In Lean Mommy, Lisa suggests that you start with monitoring your eating habits, identifying and controlling the stimuli that trigger you to crave and eat food, modifying how and when you eat, rethinking self-defeating attitudes and learning more about exercise and good nutrition. In short, paying attention to your daily habits and tweaking them in small ways towards health.

Lean Mommy even comes with a Food and Fitness Diary to get you started in tracking your daily eating and exercise habits. The diary's purpose is not to turn you into a crazy calorie counting machine, it is more to help you notice your patterns of choice... It kind of acts like a 3 year old inside your head- always asking you "why?". For example, why did you eat the whole box of donuts? Was it because you were stressed, was it because you didn't have breakfast and were overly hungry, was it because you were with a certain person, or it was at 3pm when you just need something sweet... Knowing the answers to these questions can help you prepare with healthy options when you need them most.

I did the Food and Fitness Diary for a week and found out some pretty interesting things. Like I eat an insane amount of calories while preparing dinner- then I sit down and eat (another) dinner with the family! My small change- I don't nibble pre-dinner and only eat once we sit down. So much easier than a fad diet!

I encourage all mommies to check out Lean Mommy (your can purchase it on Amazon.com or on the Stroller Strides website) and especially the Food and Fitness Diary. It is very eye opening and a great way to begin your journey to health and wellness!

Get your Strength For Motherhood...

Stroller Strides- what have you done for me lately?

A quick list of why I love Stroller Strides...
1. I have biceps, not just bumps where my biceps should be
2. I can run without getting winded!
3. I am back in my pre-baby jeans after only 8 months- actually I am in better shape than before having baby!
4. I have friends that love sharing about their kids and love to hear me share.
5. I have friends that gripe about their kids and allow me to gripe.
6. I have friends that talk about other things than their kids. We are people too, not just moms!
7. Owning a franchise has allowed me to offer this to others. This makes me feel so great about myself and not in a scary narcissistic way, but in a caring, generous and all over glowing way.
8. I have the great feeling of being my own boss!
9. I can be creative in my job but still get support from Stroller Strides when I need it.
10. I can combine the satisfaction of being a Stay at home mom with the satisfaction of being a business owner.
11. My kids see that I make fitness fun and a priority in my life. They will be less likely to be couch potatoes as they grow older.
12. I have had the blessing of surrounding myself with wonderful women that value health, their children, the world and themselves.

Stroller Strides is a great company and each franchise is owned by a woman, and more specifically, each is owned by a mother. Most moms start their franchise with no business experience, just the love of fitness and their children. There is a contest on line for the top businesses created by women and Stroller Strides is in the running! Your vote is very important and you can VOTE EVERYDAY! Click here and vote!

Thanks for checking it out and I hope to see you in class soon!
E

Self Discipline is the precursor to success.

Just remember this phrase as you start receiving your girl scout cookies this week. You do not have to eat the whole box at once. Although I know from experience that you really, really want to...

Fit Moms Challenge- Moms get ready, get set, get fit!

The New Year always brings resolutions. This is the year to keep them!

Pre Baby Jeans and Stroller Strides of Longmont is hoping that you will look at your total health – mind, body and spirit. Although a certain weight on the scale might be your desire, it is your strength and vitality that make you beautiful. For 2009 not only do we want you to commit to be active at some point EACH day, but we also want you to commit to strengthening your inner beauty and spirit.

If you are ready to make a commitment to your health than join The Fit Moms Challenge! This challenge is a way for moms to get in the best shape of their lives. It is being offered nationwide in conjunction with Stroller Strides.

Each week, you will get tips on nutrition, fitness, motivation and more! You will also be able to test your fitness throughout the challenge to see your progress. The best part is that you participate in the challenge as a team. This means you have a built in support network! And the support does not stop there! There is also a facebook page with participants nationwide sharing their stories, successes and challenges.

If you are really ready to take it to the next level and get in the best shape of your life, join the Fit Moms Challenge!

Fit moms here is a great new local company!

I just wanted to let you all know about a great new family business that recently opened in Louisville.

Solepepper Sports is owned by local U.S. Olympians Alan and Shayne Culpepper (and their three young sons:). It is a great place to get shoes, apparel, and accessories for your family's healthy, outdoor lifestyle. They have a great selection for adults and several great lines of kids shoes (over size 13). They offer a video gait analysis to ensure you get the right shoe for your foot type, structure, and history. They will be offering free injury assessments with Alta Physical Therapies starting the first and third Thursdays of every month, and they are doing Group Runs every Saturday a.m. at 8:00--all ability levels, with giveaways to participants. Check our their website www.solepepper. com for details...

This Saturday, Nov. 15th is their Grand Opening celebration- -there will be giveaways, athlete appearances, etc. Should be a fun, family event!!

They are located on the NW corner of McCaslin and Cherry--right next to Qdoba!

Solepepper Sports
459 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 2
Louisville
www.solepepper. com
303-926-SOLE