Important Announcement!

It was just under two years ago that I sat down to write a blog post about how Stroller Strides changed my life. I was pushed beyond measure by some of Stroller Strides' finest instructors, I gained a confidence that I thought had been lost forever, I gained self esteem and body I was proud of. My life transformed literally Stroller Strides class after Stroller Strides class. I took it a step further, and became an instructor - and then eventually bought the Leeward franchise because I knew it was something I needed to do - I needed to give back what I was so freely given. In January 2012, I took the reigns of the greatest business a person could ever hope to be a part of. I met AMAZING women. I have worked beside some of the greatest instructors with a passion for Stroller Strides that is just indescribable. I have watched handfuls of women, with stories just like mine, transform and become marathon runners. The experience has been incredible and a true blessing.
So, with all of that said - it's easy to imagine that this is probably one of the hardest posts I have had to write in a while. My time on this beautiful island is coming to an end and I will be moving in just a few short weeks. And since I can't take Stroller Strides and all of you with my on my new journey - the time has come to leave it in the hands of someone who has a great passion for Stroller Strides and fitness. It is my great pleasure to announce to you all that Jessica Buxton will be taking over for me as the franchisee of Stroller Strides Leeward Oahu, beginning on November 1st.
Jessica and I have already been working together to ensure the transition is smooth and seamless. I am confident that her love of fitness and passion for Stroller Strides will reflect in the work she does as your new franchisee. I am excited to pass on the torch - but I am SO sad to leave behind what has truly been an experience of a lifetime. And even more than that - I am SO sad to leave the many amazing women, moms, and friends that I have grown to know and love. I will carry my love of Stroller Strides and my Stroller Strides ohana in my heart forever....

And with that - I leave you with one of my most favorite quotes of all time (that I will need to carry me through the moments of missing a wonderful bunch of women).

"Don't cry because it's over, SMILE because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

Very Truly Yours,
Trish 

A few words from your new owner-to-be, Jessica:

 As you have all just read, I will be the proud, new  owner of Fit4Mom Central Leeward Oahu.  Over a year ago, I joined Stroller Strides through the advisement of a dear friend of mine.  For the next few months I sweat, complained, sweat some more, and sometimes even laughed my way through 20 pounds of left over baby weight.  I also gained a whole new prospective on fitness & friendship, and how both are SO important in our roles as mothers!  Last spring I began my journey towards becoming an instructor; a job I have so thoroughly enjoyed and find completely fulfilling.  The opportunity to see you ladies reach remarkable fitness goals continues to be nothing but inspiring.
      When the opportunity arose to take over our fabulous Fit4Mom franchise, I simply couldn't pass it up!  I am beyond excited for this opportunity and thank Trish for believing in me enough to leave the franchise in my hands.  I know the success of our Stroller Strides could not have been possible if it weren't for Trish’s passion, and I can only imagine this decision for her comes with a heavy heart!   I will give my all to make sure those shoes are filled and this transition goes smoothly for each of you.  I have met nearly everyone while instructing at our locations and I am looking forward to us building a stronger relationship as I work to ensure your experience with Stroller Strides is a resounding success.  You are a beautiful group of motivated and determined women.  I am so honored to lead this community of mothers who understand the importance of health and fitness in our everyday roles.  Whatever your reason for joining Stroller Strides, big or small, I promise, together we can make it happen – and together we will continue to “make strides in fitness, motherhood, and life!”

Fondly,
Jessica Buxton

Barbara's Success Story!

3 years ago

Aloha my name is Barbara and I’m a 32 year-old full-time mommy of two adorable and rambunctious little boys, Landon (3 years) and Kaleb (18 months). If we would have met at some point in the last 12 years, you would have never believed that I used to weigh 125 lbs. and that I use to do some running in high school.  My amazing husband Lucas and I got married about a year out of high school 12 years ago, which is also about how long I’ve been struggling with weight issues. When we got married I weighed about 140 lbs. and I moved from our home in The Sunshine State to join Lucas in Texas. He has been in the Army for 13 years now and I believe a great deal of my weight problems are from constantly trying to adjust to all the military required moves and deployments. He has been deployed 3 times to the Middle East: 12 months, 15 months and then again for 12 months. During each deployment, I lived in a new environment with my close family and friends sometimes as far as half way across the world. My outlet became food and eating all the wrong food was my method of coping with the stress.  After having my first son, I topped the scale at 250lbs. Some of the “after baby weight” came off with little effort, but when it stopped, I was still significantly overweight when I got pregnant with my second son. 

1 year ago

When I joined the Schofield Barracks Stroller Strides group just over a year ago, I was 4 month after having my second son, weighed 196 lbs., and could barely run around the track one time. Just like every other unsuccessful attempt at losing weight I have had in the past, when I joined the group my weight loss goal was to reach 155 lbs.  I have a very clear memory of my very first day and how hard it was for me, but seeing all of those women zip and around the track with strollers it tow and knock out burpees like it was nothing truly inspired me. From that day forward I was determined to be a strong mom like them and as each month passed, I got stronger and stronger. I can honestly say that it has not been an easy journey and that I have had to physically push myself harder than I’ve ever had to in my life. However, it was SO much easier because I ALWAYS had the support of the most amazing group of women who I am proud to say are my friends.  With their support, I was not only able to lose the weight, but I was able to get back in my running shoes and enjoy running like I did in high school. I have since completed many runs to include: 5ks, 10ks and I just recently completed my first half marathon. I’m looking forward to the future and I’m excited to say that I have been training extremely hard to prepare for the Honolulu Marathon in December.

NOW!

While I have surpassed my initial weight loss goal of reaching 155 lbs., I’ve come to realize that the number 155 no longer matters because I have gained so much more from the experience.  The word “gain” used to have such a negative connotation in my life because I only thought of it in the “gaining weight” context, but I have truly gained so much positivity in my life emotionally, physically, and mentally from this journey. Stroller Strides and all of the women I have met have greatly contributed to this positivity and have helped me realize that I’m stronger than I ever imagined I could be. Do you want my secrets to weight loss success? It’s found through supportive friendships/family, hard work, eating right and having fun.

Rachel's Success Story

I have wanted to write this blog post for a long time, but I have been struggling to find the words and the courage to put it together.  My transformation story isn’t one that involves losing a whole bunch of pounds or dropping several pants sizes.  My transformation story is about what Stroller Strides did for me emotionally.
I started attending Stroller Strides classes in February, when my son, Charlie, was about 10 weeks old.  At the time I was struggling with the idea of being a mother to this tiny human.  I was struggling with the new look and limitations of my body.  I was struggling with the adjustment of going from working full-time in a career that I loved, to being a stay at home mom, which felt very isolating at that time.  What I did not realize (or at least I was unwilling to admit) was that while I was struggling with those things, I was also struggling with post partum depression.  It was never extreme.  I never wanted to hurt my son or myself.  I just was not enjoying my everyday life.  And it was never how I imagined post partum depression would be when I would read about it in those pregnancy books.  I was not sad and crying everyday.  I was simply not happy with my life.  And I was filled with constant anxiety that I could not shake. 
 I was coping with things all right during those first few weeks of Stroller Strides.  I enjoyed being around other moms and starting down the path of fitness, though I knew I had a long way to go.  Then my world got turned even more upside down when my father was very unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  He died 16 days after his diagnosis.  I disappeared from class for most of March while I went home to Indiana to be with my family.  I came back to Stroller Strides and did not tell anyone at class what had been going on, only that I had been at home. 
 My mind was all over the place.  My undiagnosed mild PPD quickly got much, much worse.  I felt like I had no control over anything happening in my life.  I was overwhelmed with the loss of my father, with my child who constantly demanded my attention, and with my daily life that looked nothing like any life I had ever lived.  I kept coming to class though, and at some point I realized that there was one thing I could control- my body. 
 I started attending class as often as I could.  I started to really push myself during the workouts.  I started joining the runners as often as I could.  And slowly but surely, I started to feel better.  The workouts became easier over time.  I felt myself burning fat and building muscle.  I could see the results in the way my clothes fit and the way I looked in the mirror.  And almost without realizing it, bettering myself physically translated into bettering myself mentally and emotionally.  I fully credit my involvement with Stroller Strides with my recovery from post partum depression.  Exercise makes us happy.  We all know that.  But for me, exercise and the support of all of you amazing women, did not just make me happy, it made me better.  I gained confidence.  I let go of my anxiety.  I learned to control the things I can control and to stop worrying so damn much about the things that I cannot.  I still have super stressful days and times when I doubt myself, but because of Stroller Strides and the incredible group of women in the classes, I am now stronger, physically and emotionally, than I have ever been.  Thank you all so much for all that you do, even when you don’t know that you are doing it. 
 And on a serious final note, if you ever feel like you are dealing with depression, post partum or otherwise, talk to someone.  It took me a long time to confide in my husband and my close friends how I was feeling.  And it took me even longer to go talk to my doctor about it.  But keeping it inside will NEVER make it better.  So take that incredibly difficult first step of making yourself better.  You will never regret doing so.

Meet our newest instructor....

Aloha, I'm Jessica - proud Air Force wife and mother of two. Originally from Pennsylvania, I traveled to sunny Florida for an internship and met my incredible husband, Jeremy. We were married, blessed with our first precious son, Carter Jacob (3 y.o.), and on our way to Hawaii all in one year! Once we settled down in paradise we grew our family by one more adorable son, Lucas Kai (1 1/2 y.o). Although I have my degree in Tourism & Hospitality, with the unpredictability of military life and our family not yet complete, I've decided to enjoy motherhood while my children are young and plan to focus on a career in the future.
A little about me: I enjoy baking, interior design, playing tennis with my hubby, and entertaining our friends & family (I love any excuse to throw a party!) When in doubt, you can find me at the beach with my two little boys or out shopping!
Physical activity and sports, such as soccer and competitive horseback riding, were always a part of my youth, but my transition into amotherhood meant more time at home and less time working out! I discovered Stroller Strides in August of 2012 and since then, my sanity and waistline have been saved!! Through dedication, sweat, and motivation from the other fabulous moms & instructors I have experienced some amazing results. I accredit this to the empowering and supportive atmosphere SS provides. I have learned you can, indeed, "get your body back" after children AND feel great! I also love the positive example we are providing for our children; I believe seeing a parent physically lead a healthy lifestyle of exercise is PRICELESS (and what is cuter than seeing your toddler try to do a burpee?!)
That being said, I am excited for a new journey in the fitness profession as a Stroller Strides instructor! I look forward to making even more great friends while motivating & inspiring mothers to make their own health and well-being a priority!

Lindsey's Success Story

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

Hi, my name is Lindsey, you may know me from Hickam, CORP, or even Schofield from way back when I first started (almost 2 years ago,
wow!). I have a deep love for Stroller Strides and everything that
comes with it. In the past few months I began slowing down, missing
classes, and skipping my morning runs. It was just so easy to roll
over and sleep a couple extra hours. At the end of each week I was hit
a great feeling of guilt that I wasn’t pushing myself to my full
potential.
My clothes were gradually beginning to fit tighter again. I was back
up to a size 10 on the higher end, I could wear them, but not as
comfortably as I used to be able to. My heart sank when I went to the
closet everyday and knew that I couldn’t wear my jeans because the
awful muffin top would spill over. I was uninspired and full of self
loathing.

Fast forward to June, CJ (one of our lovely instructors) began talking
about Stroller Barre and how it could lift your butt in four classes.
I told her I was in, I wanted to sign up and start as soon as
possible. This was my opportunity to give my workout that big push.
All or nothing! I fell in love when we did the big demo class and
signed up for the Barre Challenge as soon as I was able. I began
attending classes 4-5 times a week, even staying for regular Stroller
Strides after Barre.  It made me feel like superwoman! I decided that
my eating habits needed an overhaul too, so I began to add more
healthy habits into my diet.

Fast forward to today, week 4 of the Stroller Barre challenge. I
thought about skipping because of the rain, but I had been in a funk
for two whole days and loathing myself over eating fast food and pizza
all weekend. I sucked it up and went to my workouts. As the rain
poured down at the end and we pushed through some plank jacks my mood
lightened. I took a deep breath and let go of all of the ick from the
weekend. When I came home today I hopped out of the shower and dug
through my dresser drawer of jeans. I pulled out one of my size 8
pairs of jeans and fully expected to struggle and jump to put them on.
They slid on and zipped! What’s more, the “muffin top” that I expected
to see spilling over the sides was not spilling at all. Milestone
reached! Now I can’t wait to see what the measurements at the end of
the Stroller Barre challenge reveal!

Shantea's Success Story

Aloha!!! My name is Shantea Pierce I am the mother of 5 awesome kids four girls to include 6year old twins, an 8 year old and 11year old with one 3year old baby boy. Not to mention the wife to a rocking man. Before I had kids and even after the first two I never really had weight issues I always breastfed and ate moderately healthy and the weight would just come off I usually weighed 145-150lbs. Well after the twins I was stuck at 179-180lbs. Soon after having Isaiah we moved to Hawaii and I was referred to stroller strides while on a walk in the neighborhood.  I started out on the South side of the island in October of 2011, while my husband was deployed. I weighed about 169-170lbs. Soon after he got back my attendance started slipping, followed by my own health issues I quickly found myself overwhelmed by life changes. One would be the move from Ewa Beach to Schofield. Great move financially but I hated leaving the friends I had made. During the move of 2012 and the holidays of that year I soon realized on December 27, 2012 the day after my husband deployed yet again, that I looked the way I felt…heavy…I weighed 196lbs. So at the beginning of the new year as cliché as it may sound I told myself that if I’m not happy with the way I look the only one who could change it would be me. I decided to push myself and set no limits. So I showed up to my first class at Schofield in the rain and worked out. I haven’t stopped going since after my first two weeks the GFC was offered and I looked at it as an opportunity to do just what I said I would push myself. At the beginning I still weighed 196lbs my Chest 37.5 my waist 35, and my hips 43 inches. After running all those races and working out almost 6 times a week for 8 weeks my results were: chest 35.5 waist 31. Hips, 40.5. And I weighed 168lbs. Since then I have done my first half marathon with a time of 2:19. I now weigh 150lbs and I wear a size 3 pants I haven’t done that since before all 5 kids!!!! I have made awesome friends and have gained phenomenal confidence. The change in me can be felt by anyone closest to me, my beautiful children, an even my husband, he can feel the change through every phone call, and FaceTime, and that means the world to me. My SS ohana from the South side to the North side have made all the difference in my life and I will forever be grateful to these powerful, encouraging, women I mean that from the bottom of my heart. These Fit Moms truly ROCK!!!