July Schedule Begins Thursday!

Remember that the Early Start schedule begins this Thursday.

CORP, 8:30 AM
KAP, 8:30 AM
OP, 8:00 AM

No change for Schofield.

Coming Soon, 1 Week To GO!

The Grand Opening for our newest location, The Waterfront at Pu'uloa, is coming in just one week! And as you can see, the word is out in the community.

This class will be held on Tuesday and Thursday at 8:45 AM and is open to all Waterfront residents and preschool moms. We're looking forward to bringing Stroller Strides to the Waterfront!

Member Monday

Hello everyone, my name is Jasmin and I have one child, Hugh (who turned 1 year old this month). I moved here to Hawaii from Philippines 3 years ago to join my husband, Michael, a Clinical Child Psychologist.

I live and attend class in Kapolei. I just joined the class a month ago. I am not really good at exercising, but I would if given a chance. I would usually take my son for a few rounds in the park every day before i joined Strollers Strides. If I would have known about Strollers Strides before, I would have joined right after I gave birth, because I love it and I am hoping to get back in shape.

I am staying home right now taking care of my son. During my spare time, I crochet hats and embellishments to sell on Ebay. And right now I am starting my Stampin' Up business.

Fourth of July Party!

We began the upcoming holiday weekend early with a Fourth of July playgroup following our last Final Friday class at Kapolei.

Shout out to all the moms who represented their location today!

Schofield Liz, Maria and Michaela (times two!)
OP Jessica, Angela, Monica, Rainey and Sharon
CORP Margene, Jenna, Liz, and Patti
Kapolei Tarah, Susan, Stacey, Sharara, and Jen



The kids loved the firework craft. I mean really loved it! I don't think I've seen so much focused attention from two- and three-year-olds in a long time. Sara told me tonight that the best part of her day was "Paint! Paint fireworks!" Mahalo to Beth for pulling together all the supplies and to Sharon for running craft and to her older kids for helping with the glorious painted mess that the toddlers created.



We ended with a parade of sorts that came together nicely for roughly 15 seconds. And that was enough! The kids seemed to love their flags and it was great sport for them to run around and wave like mad for the rest of the morning. We corralled them all for one valiant effort at a group shot -- I'm still waiting to see if anyone captured the one second when everyone looked up and smiled. I'm sure it happened at some point.

Thanks to everyone who came today! I love hanging out with all of you!

Final Friday and Fourth of July Party!

Wear red, white and blue for Friday's Fourth of July fest! I know it doesn't quite feel like the 4th yet but this is Final Friday and we'll be meeting for one last combined Fitness Assessment class at Kapolei.

Kapolei Park
8:45 to 10 AM

4th of July Party
10 to 11 AM
flags, parade, watermelon, and a patriotic craft

Schedule Reminder

Our 6-week "Pilates in the Park" session has ended at Kapolei, so please remember to attend class at CORP only for your Thursday workout.

Just One Week Left!

Just a few days till Eclipse arrives! Come join us for Opening Night at Mililani Stadium 14, to be followed by dessert at Baskin Robbins.

Wednesday, June 30, 7 PM
Mililani 14
95-1249 Meheula Pky

Buy your tickets on Fandango today for the 7 o'clock showing. You can also buy your ticket at the Box Office now and save on the service fee. See you there!

July Start Time

Survey says... we're going to beat the heat in July and start a little earlier at Ocean Pointe, Kapolei and CORP. This is for July Only since school begins in August and several of us (instructors especially) have to run the kids to school before class.





Ocean Pointe
8 to 9:15

Kapolei
8:30 to 9:45

CORP
8:30 to 9:45

No change at Schofield

The summer start schedule runs from Thursday, July 1 to Friday, July 30.

I jest with this tired little guy. Won't it be great to get your workout done before 10 AM? Yes!

Sesame Street Live

For the kids, the highlight of Sesame Street Live would have been the sight of Ernie breakdancing, or the streamers that shot out of cannons at the end. For mom, it was the fact that we had front-row seats for just $10! Love the group rate!


Thanks to all the moms who came since it's always more fun with friends:
Rayna, Patti, Teresa, Betsy, Jennifer, Gia, Sharon, Laurie, Kim, Jen, Sharara, and Margene.

Member Monday

Hi, my name is Maggie, and I just started attending Stroller Strides at CORP with my 14-week-old daughter, Catherine.

I moved to Hawaii a little over a year ago to join my husband, Brandon, who is a medical student here. We live in Pearl City, where he grew up. I work as a statistician part-time from home so I can stay home with my daughter.

I've been wanting to get back into shape after my pregnancy, and find a way to get a good workout while I'm home with my daughter. Being relatively new to the island, and new to staying at home, I've also been wanting to meet other moms with young kids. Stroller Strides is perfect! The workouts are challenging, and the regular schedule keeps me motivated. Even better, I'm learning how to incorporate a regular fitness routine in with having a little one -- something I didn't think I'd be able to do! I'm definitely inspired by working out with all you fit moms to push myself and get into great shape for myself and for Catherine. See you in class!

Meet the Trainers: Stephanie

Stephanie has the distinction of being one of our most "northern" moms. She lives near Dole Plantation and used to drive regularly for class at Kapolei until we opened Schofield! She is mom to Logan, 1, and we are thrilled to have her coming on board as our newest instructor. Stephanie will teach primarily at Schofield and CORP.

From Stephanie:

I was in the Army for 7 years and during that time I became a Master Fitness Trainer. I deployed twice, once to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. After my commitment was completed I decided to exit the Army to go to college. I planned on going to a school in Hawaii but found out that I was pregnant before that could actually happen. I am currently taking online college classes and my ultimate goal is to become a Registered Dietician in the future.

Logan was born in March 2009 and we have been going to Stroller Strides ever since he was about 5 months. I ran my first marathon, the Honolulu Marathon, in December of 2009 and I believe that Stroller Strides (along with the crazy running schedule) helped me get into the best shape of my life after my pregnancy.

I love all aspects of fitness and try to be a positive role model, not only for my son, but for other mommies who want to get and stay fit. I absolutely love Stroller Strides and everything that it stands for and that is why I have decided to become an instructor. I look forward to being in class with all of you wonderful ladies who attend Stroller Strides!

4th of July Holiday Weekend

Classes will be consolidated on Monday, July 5 due to the 4th of July holiday weekend.

We will have a combined class at Central Oahu Regional Park only and class runs from 8:30 to 9:45 AM.

Class is cancelled on Saturday, July 3.

Thursday Class UPDATE

A reminder that class at CORP this Thursday begins at 8:15 due to our group outing to Sesame Street Live.

Class at Kapolei will begin at 8:45 as normal.

This will also be the final Thursday Recovery class offered at Kapolei with Rosy.

Eclipse Movie Night UPDATE

Just a few days till Eclipse arrives! We've decided to skip the drive into Honolulu and attend Opening Night at Mililani Stadium 14 instead. (I like this theater because of the stadium seating and close proximity to Menchie's and Baskin Robbins!)

Wednesday, June 30, 7 PM
Mililani 14
95-1249 Meheula Pky

Buy your tickets on Fandango today for the 7 o'clock showing. See you there!

Member Monday

Aloha, my name is Jennifer and I live in Ocean Pointe and attend the OP class. I have two boys, Nickolas (3) and Tyler (1). I have lived in Hawaii for 7 years. I met my husband in Southern California 8 years ago. Prior to living in Southern California my husband had lived in Hawaii (but is from Wisconsin) and always talked about how much he missed the Islands. I had never been to Hawaii but always wanted to visit. For my birthday he surprised me with a trip to Oahu. After spending a week here I knew this is somewhere I would love to live. We went home to California, sold all of our belongings and moved here 4 months later.

My goal when I started Stroller Strides was to get off the rest of my baby weight and improve my running time. I have met the goal of taking of the baby weight but am always working on the running. I would like to participate in more races this year and try to improve my time.

I love going to the beach, running, reading and spending time with my husband and boys.

Retail Order

I will be placing a group order on Monday, June 14 for Stroller Strides tees, tanks, hats, accessories, etc.

New Arrivals
Chocolate brown skinny tank
Bamboo tagline tee
"Body Back" bamboo tank and tee

And the perennial favorite (all sizes available, berry only), Fit Moms Rock bamboo tank.

Add $1 for shipping. I can charge the card you have on file, or pay by cash or check at class.

Schedule Update

Due to Kamehameha Day this Friday, the Beach Class has been postponed. We will have class at Kapolei, OP and Schofield on Friday the 11th.

Cloth Diapers, anyone?

Baby Awearness in Manoa is having cloth diapering classes on Schofield this month, and Rachael (SCH) is helping spread the information around to local mommies.


They will have a Q&A table at the PX this Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Click here for more information!

A Farewell Note from Kim

When we moved to Hawaii, I did not imagine that leaving the island would be more difficult that any other place we've left in the past. The reality is actually quite different. Hawaii, and the wonderful people who call this place home, has truly touched our lives and we leave here with the aloha spirit a part of our soul.

As a member of Stroller Strides, I became part of a group of amazing and accepting mothers, women who encouraged one another and found awesome ways to make a better life for themselves and their families. Exercise was fun, again, and the competitive spirit was engulfed in friendship and love, not maliciousness or menace.

Stroller Strides is truly a unique part of our lives and, dare I say, I've found that even the most difficult workouts leave us wanting more. I became an instructor because I knew I wanted to be more a part of each of your lives. There is not a class that I don't look forward to, not a day that I leave without a smile, not a moment when I could not be more proud of each of you. I've watched so many of your babies turn into toddlers, your toddlers weeble-wobble into a few big-kid moves and, yes, beautiful bellies turn into even more beautiful babies.

Stroller Strides isn't necessarily about fitting into those fab jeans (though, I could not help but see how wowza you all looked at the last MNO!), it's about health and wellness, physical and emotional. I know there are days when it's hard to gather your children, tie those shoes, choke down some breakfast and use the little bit of energy you have left to push that stroller up a hill...but you do. You may not know it, but as instructors, we see you. We are encouraged by you. Your energy and enthusiasm pushes us to give you a better class each time.

Moms helping moms...that's what it's all about....I can't wait to hear all about where life takes each of you. Thank you for being a part of my life, for allowing me to be a part of your life and for being my friends. My love to each and every one of you.

Aloha,
Kim

Kim's Final Class

All together now! Yes, we're feeling the love (and those obliques!).

Kim has been on a farewell tour the last 3 classes (CORP, Kapolei, Schofield), and her final class was at Schofield on Monday. We had a great turnout and a fun picnic afterwards with bubbles on the side for the kids. Bobbie put together the potluck and everyone brought something to share. Thank you!

A group photo, as taken by Leah. Apologies to everyone on the right-hand side who got cut off!

Instructor photo: Joni, Michaela, Kim, Jill, and incoming instructors, Stephanie and Lauren

What will I do without Kim? She has been such a good friend to me and we began this journey together, first as friends at class and then later as instructors. She is a huge part of the reason we ever got Schofield launched ("the pitbull of Mililani"). We will miss you, bigtime, and best of luck in Virginia, Kim!

Member Monday

My name is Idanies and I attend the classes at Kapolei Regional Park. I am a first time mom and my baby's name is Ethan. Ethan is currently seven months old. On December 2008, my husband was reassigned to the NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) Hawaii Field Office. We moved from Bahrain and now we are living in the Makakilo area. I enjoy watching movies, listening to music, traveling, meeting people and talking about the things I love.

I am a stay at home mom seeking a fitness routine I can maintain regardless of my location, medical condition and age. Shortly after I had Ethan, I enrolled in mom and baby yoga classes in addition to working out at a gym facility. While at the gym, I tried group exercises, circuit classes and aquaerobics. I could never settle into a consistent routine because it was difficult at times to secure space for Ethan at the gym's child watch or the gym schedule conflicted with what I had planned for Ethan.



I heard about Stroller Strides at a Hawaii Momslikeme.com outing. I have been attending classes at Kapolei Regional Park for a month now and I love it! It is exactly the type of workout I have been searching for. It is challenging, I can work out at a lower level and, what I love the most, is that I can bring Ethan and we both have a great time. I am also enrolled in the L.E.A.N. program where I am learning how to reduce and control stress and make better eating choices to achieve a long-lasting healthy lifestyle.

I am thrilled to be part of your exercise group, you ladies are a true inspiration! I hope to get to know you all better and I look forward to see you all in class.

Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star

Oprah is holding open auditions for a new show at the OWN network, and you can help Lisa Druxman, the founder of Stroller Strides, reach the final 5!

Click here to watch Lisa's audition tape and to vote.

I was able to spend some time with Lisa and her family at Conference last year and she was so much fun, energetic, and the total embodiment of Stroller Strides (not surprising since she built the company!). Help vote her into the Top 5 today!

New Location Coming July 6!

I am thrilled to announce that we are opening a new location at the Waterfront at Pu'uloa (formerly Iroquois Pointe). Class will begin on Tuesday, July 6.

This will be a Tuesday/Thursday class and it will run from 8:45 to 10 AM. As the Waterfront is located beyond a guarded gate, class participants must be Waterfront residents or part of the Co-op preschool with a car decal from the Waterfront in order to attend.

Questions? Please get in touch with Joni at joni@strollerstrides.net.

Biceps with Baby!

We had a good time at Wednesday's class! What to do when baby is fussy during 28s? Just curl baby, as shown by Alyssa! (You should have seen what she came up with for triceps!)

Thanks to Summer for capturing the moment:)

Final Friday at Kapolei

Final Friday class last week was also Jessica's last day. That always warrants a photo! Jessica has been with Stroller Strides for two years and her time with stroller-age kiddos has come to an end. She's been such a good friend and a great addition to the program. We'll miss you!

Kailua Beach Park

You may have noticed in the June newsletter that Leeward members now have membership privileges at Kailua Beach Park. As of June 1, I have partnered with Usanee Forrest, an instructor at Kailua, to serve as co-owners of the Windward franchise. Usanee will teach all classes while I handle admin.

If you have friends on the Windward side, please let them know that Stroller Strides at Kailua is undertaking a fresh start and that we'd love to have them try out a class at Kailua. It's a beautiful location and probably one of the most attractive places in the country to take a Stroller Strides class!

And if you're headed to Kailua for the day or just interested in a day at the beach, then I hope you'll make your way to Kailua to meet Usanee and all the other moms on the Windward side.

June Newsletter

The June Newsletter is UP!

Correction: The dolphin trip is Wednesday, July 21.