Family Fitness Fest Recap!

January’s Family Fitness Fest event was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so fun. Seeing so many happy, healthy mommies with their smiling kiddos in tow lining the sidewalks and grassy areas at Jessamyn West Park made me feel incredibly fortunate. I am honored to be a part of such a positive program and to spend my time working with my children and my friends each day.

Our recipe for success included 46 participants, 3 new members, 1 Cinderella (with many little Prince Charmings following her around), 18 painted faces, 22 fruit loop necklaces, too many smiles to count, and lots of muffins!

Below is a listed of companies whose generous support helped to make our event possible:

Albertson’s
Andrea Gene Photography
ASICS America
Before the Stork 4D Ultrasound
Close to my Heart Scrapbooking
Coach’s Oats
First 5 California
Corner Bakery Café
Freckled Frog Learning Center
Imperial Smile Dentistry
Lauren Howard (Cinderella)
Little Peanut Boutique - Jessica Merrell
Luna
Mary Kay Cosmetics
My Gym of Yorba Linda
Rainbow Kids Hairstyling
Seeking Sitters - Linda Burnette
Northwester Mutual - Brian Forth

Baby Steps Towards New Year's Resolution Success!

Thousands of new moms anxiously awaited the ball drop as they counted down the last 10 seconds of 2009, acknowledging aspirations for a speedy return to their skinny jeans or keeping daily stress at bay. To ensure we don’t drop the ball when it comes to these New Year’s resolutions, here are the "Top 10 Tips for a Healthier, Happier You" – a list of key lifestyle habits new moms can easily adopt to support the success of postnatal health goals.

A successful New Year’s resolution for a new mom is one that’s in reach. When you create simple-to-adopt, attainable targets, the transition to a healthier lifestyle becomes more seamless and you’re less inclined to slip up or give up on your goals.

To stay on the road to resolution success, stay consistent with the following countdown:

10. Adopt a daily exercise philosophy. No matter if it’s a brisk stroller walk or a few sets of crunches and stretches during baby’s nap time, find some time each day to move your body.

9. Take time for yourself. Moms are consistently trying to take care of everyone else, but this role is impossible if you don’t take care of yourself. Whether it’s meditation or a quick read before bed, make sure "me time" is set aside daily.

8. Must eats. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Try to eat whole foods (unprocessed and unrefined).

7. Don’t eats. Anything processed. Stay away from fried foods and those high in sugar and salt.

6. Must drink. Water! Every system in the body depends on water, but most people don’t even realize when they’re dehydrated. Make sure you’re filling up your water bottle throughout the day and consuming around two or more liters.

5. Seek out a supportive social network. There are actually physical and psychological benefits for women when they socialize - especially with other women. Join an exercise group like Stroller Strides, a moms’ club or use the internet as a resource to reach out to other moms.

4. Fill up on fiber. Virtually all diets recommend a high-fiber intake. Add flax to your cereal or morning smoothie and make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits, veggies and legumes.

3. Take on a self-esteem mantra. Your words influence your world. Find three words to repeat to yourself each day that will help you find well-being, such as ’peace,’ ’health’ and ’harmony.’

2. Breathe. You of course breathe every moment of the day, but find a few minutes to breathe with purpose. Breathe in for three counts; hold for three counts; and release for three counts. Your body will benefit from the oxygen and stress will slowly melt away.

1. Advertise to yourself. Most New Year’s resolutions are soon forgotten. Just like advertisers send subliminal messages to remind you to buy their product, you should put up notes throughout your home to remind yourself what you’re trying to accomplish and why.

Mom of the Month! - Lauren Humphreys

Our Stroller Strides group is filled with interesting, funny, savvy, caring, downright amazing women. Each month I hope to highlight one of our outstanding moms as a way of getting to know each other better and sharing our skills, interests and ideas. This month's honoree is Lauren Humphreys. Lauren attends classes at our Fullerton location, and she was kind enough to answer some questions I sent out. Below is more about our Mom of the Month, Lauren!

1. Who are the members of your family?
Chris (husband), Jordan (2 1/2), James (6 months)

2. What is or was your career?
I was a sales rep for a commercial printing company in Anaheim.

3. How long have you been a member of Stroller Strides and what has it done for you?
I've been a SS member since Jordan was 9 or 10 months old, so almost 2 years. I love the workout I get and I've also made some really good friends. It is so nice to visit with the other moms after class to talk about what we go through on a daily basis.

4. What is something that has surprised you about motherhood?
How good the feeling is when you see your kids smile because they're happy.

5. Favorite website(s)?
Probably Facebook. I love seeing what my family and friends are up to.

6. List three current obsessions.
Mochas from McDonald's, I have to stop!
Love shopping at a new Styles for Less by my house.
Reading anything fiction when I have the time.

7. What is your child's favorite thing about you or favorite thing that you do?
For Jordan it is turning music on loud and dancing with him. For James it is singing to him.

8. Any tips for other moms out there?
Have fun and play with your kids everyday, the housework can wait!