I can't believe it's taken me this long to blog about this!! After all -- fitness, diet & being skinny have all been (borderline unhealthy) obsessions of mine since I decided to go into the theatre / film world... and getting back into shape became my biggest concern the first day I suspected I was pregnant. And I gotta tell you - this is the hardest weight I've ever had to lose in my life! I WAS going to blog about Weight Gain & how to deal with it Pre & Postnatal... but I figured I'd combine it with a plug for the amazing organization that is "Fit 4 Two".
(I hope the ladies don't mind that I scooped this pic off the Fit 4 Two website!!)
Sooo you can just picture it, right? You're sitting with your hubby & 2 dogs, having some brekkie & your morning coffee on the 'Bo Jangles' patio in Marinaside / Yaletown when all of a sudden-- they appear around the corner. An ENTOURAGE of Moms, pushing their strollers along the seawall. They're laughing and talking about men & babies & other random mom stuff, and even though some of their babies are screaming bloody murder, they're doing LUNGES. Yup. That's what I said. LUNGES. Squats. Push ups. You name it, they're doing it. Right there in the middle of the seawall.
So you giggle. And you make fun a little bit. And you may even try to snap a photo because it's just so surreal to see! And you vow, that if you were ever to be a Yaletown mom, you would NEVER be so Yuppy as to join them.
UNTIL... you have a 12-week-old. And you're sitting on the patio by yourself now (because you're on maternity leave and your husband is not) with your sleeping newborn baby & 2 puppies. And a group of Stroller Moms come in for coffee after their class -- laughing & talking about the class & other random mom stuff that you now suddenly 'get'-- and you realize something you didn't think about before... they're all getting fit. AND they have friends! Or at least someone to talk to.
At least, that was my turning point! Once Veronica was 12-weeks-old and Brad was back at work full time, I started to crave some 'adult interaction'. I'm the first out of many of my friends to have a baby-- definitely the only one living downtown... so I started to feel a bit alone during the day and I was going STIR CRAZY!! I would go to the dog park 4x/day, the coffee shop every morning & the 'Hurricane Grill' in the afternoon JUST so that I could talk to the waitresses!! (Anyone who has ever had a baby knows that at the beginning they sleep a lot.) I was having a LOT of 'alone time'. And yet, I couldn't go to the gym! The second I'd get down there Veronica would fuss & I wasn't going to be 'that person'. I would sit & mope at all my local hangouts about the fact that I couldn't get rid of my baby weight-- (and breast feeding alone wasn't doing it for me folks). Something needed to change.
And so I found it. The organization is called 'Fit 4 Two' and my first class was 'Stroller Fitness'. (Who'd have thought there was such a thing??) I had been 'flyered' in 'Bo Jangles' by one of the Stroller Moms when V was about 10 days old & the nice girl who gave me the flyer was like "Oh... well, maybe you'll want to wait a few more weeks" and inside my head I was like "Uh, yeah-- never." But I smiled politely & took the flyer. BUT- I kept it by my computer, and on that life changing Friday-- I emailed the instructor (Melanie) and committed to going to class that following Monday.
And I haven't looked back! Now, 15 lbs lighter, and more sane than ever, Veronica and I take "Mom & Baby Fitness" at the Roundhouse Community Center Mon/Wed and have graduated from "Stroller Fit" to "Stroller Bootcamp" Tues, Thurs. Fri! I still have some trimming to do but I'm well on my way. AND I have a group of like-minded people who are all going through the same thing as me. I couldn't be more grateful.
Link to Fit 4 Two below in case you're interested!
http://www.fit4two.ca/
The weight loss is amazing but most of all, the sanity is what seems good! :) I am definitely interested in seeing what Edmonton has to offer! It sucks to be just me and Adelaide all the time. This post has me itching to go out and do something...
ReplyDeleteIan use to call it my Hen walk... LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteErika
I should also mention that I had been referred to 'Fit 4 Two' by my awesome BF above, Erika... but still scoffed at the idea ;p I remember her meeting up with me after her classes before I got pregnant and inside my head I was like "Erika... Really??" But now I thank you Erika for your referral!! I hope to share my skepticism with the rest of the city!!
ReplyDeleteEmme: The founder of FitMom now lives in Edmonton and I beleive she runs classes there www.fitmommagazine.com She gets rave reviews.
ReplyDeleteNadia - let me or Mel know if you need any free passes to hand out or email Mel at Fit4Two to request a free trial.
ReplyDeleteSometimes people are hesitant to try it for various reasons... here are some of the "yes, buts"/questions I've encountered and some answers (this is not official from Fit4Two... I'm just a participant):
1. Q: What if my baby cries the whole time or I need to feed/change them. A: Your baby's needs come first and nobody minds if your baby is crying (except that the instructor is often willing to hold the baby for part of it so you can get a workout in)... so just do what you need to do to care for your baby and don't worry about annoying others or being judged. People are all there for the same reasons (working out and/or meeting moms and/or to have an outting) and everyone faces similar challenges.
2. Q: What if I haven't worked out in group fitness before or in a long time or had a rough labour/c-section. A: Not to worry. People are at all different levels of fitness and that's ok. The instructor can provide different options so that you can go at a pace that is comfortable for you. There is a form that needs to be filled out by your Physician, but as long as they give you the thumbs up, then go for it.
3. Q: When is the right time to join? A: Check the website, but I believe it says 4-6 weeks postpartum (or anytime during pregnancy)... as long as your doctor has given you the go ahead (and you bring a ParMedX signed by them to the first class).
4. Q: "I tried a class but didn't end up meeting anybody". A: The instructors usually include partner activities in each class. When doing these activities be sure to introduce yourself to your partner and ask them some ice breaker questions (how far along are they / when are they due / how old is their baby / baby's name / etc.). Also, don't be afraid to invite other Moms to coffee or organize a Movies for Mommies or other group outting. After class most of the time Moms go to the Roundhouse for coffee (or on nice days sit outside). Just assume you are included, because you are. Just start chatting with other Moms because people are there to meet people and many are not necessarily sure how to break the ice. Be an icebreaker. People appreciate it.
What other questions or hesitations do people have?
Personally, I LOVE Fit4Two. I have been doing it since I was 3 or 4 months pregnant and saw immediate results while pregnant. I had more energy, was gaining weight at a more healthy rate, and started up again about 8 weeks post-partum (thought of starting at 4 or 6 but Xmas was in there so started in the new year) and have met so many wonderful moms and have become very close friends with lots of them. I cannot thank Mel enough for starting this program! She is really on top of her game, and knows all about pregnancy/post partum fitness and is happy to share her knowledge if you have questions.
I hope to see you all at class!
It is so much fun and I can tell you that 1 year post partum I am back to my pre-baby weight and planning to be in even better shape than ever!
- B
Thanks for that B. You have motivated me to update our FAQs on the website :-) About the PARmed X for pregnancy form and your healthcare provider signing it - that is just for prenatal. We do not require a form from your doc for postpartum classes. If you have had a vaginal birth, your lochia should be finished. Let fatigue be your guide.If you had a cesarean birth, you should wait 6 weeks and get the verbal green light from your doc.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! I've never heard babies cry for long in any of the classes though. The instructor usually runs over or the mom goes over and tends to the baby or nurses right in the middle of the seawall.
ReplyDeleteOh for SURE the instructors & moms do EVERYTHING in their power to soothe their crying babes... I know that NOW! But as a non-baby lover / woman witnessing this who is sans baby? The smallest cry is ridiculously overwhelming! (It's amazing how that changes once you've had one of your own huh??...) ;p
ReplyDeleteGlad to see all the moms getting together and having fun while exercising. We do the same down here in Florida and many other locations throughout the US. It is called Stroller Strides and they also have a program for expecting mommies. Good Luck with your fitness endeavors!!! :)
ReplyDeleteIvie