Member Monday

Aloha! My name is Leslie and I am a first-time mom to a daughter, Claire Lily, who is 19 weeks old and a 4-year old German shepherd, CoCo. My husband, Randy, is in the Army and that is how we made it to Hawaii. We’ve been here for 5 years (July 7th) and it’s been an amazing experience. We couldn’t have been luckier than to be here for our first duty station.

I attend class in Kapolei, and live in Ewa Beach. I started class at the end of February, not really enjoying working out, but 3 months later, I LOVE IT! I am hoping to get into better shape, so when it's time to chase Claire around, I can keep up. We can’t wait for Randy to get back from his current deployment so we can be a ‘complete’ family.

Mom's Night Out!

Standing, left to right: Tarah, Susan, Maria, Rachael, Joni, Lauren, Idanies, Teresa, Rayna, Margene (aka Sandra Bullock), Stacy, Kim, Michaela, Heather. Seated, left to right: Liz, Bobbie, Jessica, Stephanie

We had a FABULOUS night out at Wai 'olu restaurant at the Trump Tower in Honolulu. We had a lovely view of the city and the restaurant was perfect for a large group. We were able to mingle at the couches on the lanai and felt as if we had the whole place to ourselves. Kudos to Liz and Margene for such a great choice! Highly recommended if you're looking for somewhere special to eat and relax in Honolulu.

Teresa, Stephanie, Heather

Jessica, Stacy, Idanies, and Rayna


Kim, Margene, Susan

Maria, Bobbie, Rachael

We were all pleasantly surprised to have a perfect view of Honolulu's Friday night fireworks show!

But was the night over? Oh no! After 3 hours at Wai 'olu, we headed to Ward Center for the 10:15 showing of Sex and the City 2. Not many of us have seen that side of 10 o'clock lately and when the movie ended at 12:45, there were lots of comments such as "Abby has soccer in 7 hours!" and "the baby wakes up at 6 AM." Definitely a late night, even for me, a well-established night owl!

Thanks to everyone for being part of a great night out!

Sesame Street Live

Come with Stroller Strides to Sesame Street Live on Thursday, June 17! We'll be purchasing tickets as a group and receiving the Group Rate of $10/ticket.

Update: The deadline to order tickets has passed, but please let Joni know if you are interested in attending as a ticket may become available due to last-minute cancellations.

Double Jogger for Sale

My neighbor Olivia is selling her double jogger for $350. She writes that it is in mint condition. If you're interested, you can contact her at ggrigaitis[at]hawaii.rr.com or call her cell at 702-466-8829.







CITY SERIES CLASSIC FEATURES:

* Multi-position, 3-panel sun canopies
* 1-step, quick-release recline system
* Locking storage strap
* Front suspension helps absorb bumps and keep wheels even on uneven terrain
* Quick-Fold technology
* Swivel front wheels with locking mechanism for fixed straight position
* Multi-position adjustable handle
* Quick-release rear wheels
* Adjustable, 5-point safety harnesses
* Deep padded reclining seat for extra comfort
* Rear parking brake
* Under-seat and seat-back storage basket
* 100-lb weight capacity
* 29-3/4-in width allows passage through standard-size doors
* Meets or exceeds ASTM, TUV, and Health Canada safety certification standards

Picnic in the Park

Our Playgroup for Final Friday class this week at Kapolei (Friday May 28) is a Picnic in the Park event.

Sharon, Joni and Beth will be distributing a sign-up sheet to all of the locations this week. Please sign up for one item to bring to class on Friday and then stick around after the workout for a potluck luncheon.

Beyond our traditional timed mile, timed plank, and 1 minute of push-ups, we will be playing the "Cup Game" at class. Big kids are VERY welcome. Let's see if they can beat the mommies!

Summer Special

If you are a member with big kids home for the next two months, or a teacher looking to work out during the summer holiday, we have a new Membership option for you!

June and July only
16 classes
$80

This pass cannot be credited to future months or put on hold, but it allows you to attend Stroller Strides at a better per-class rate than the 10 Block Class Pass (10 classes for $100, good for 6 months).

Membership is still the best value (think of it as buying classes at Costco) but attending class "in bulk" is not always possible during the summertime. Big kids are always welcome to come to class with you on their scooters or bikes, as long as they follow our policy to stay at the back of the line while walking or running.

Member Monday

Hello! My name is Alison and I am part of the CORP group! My workout buddy is my daughter, Sydney who is 7 months old. I have been married to my husband, Mitchell, who is in the U.S. Navy for 7 years. We moved here from Washington, D.C. two years ago. We are due to rotate to our next duty station (still undecided) in January 2011.

I love being a part of the Stroller Strides group. It is a welcome change from my regular gym routine. The wide variety of exercises during each class keeps me on my toes and there is always someone there to encourage me to push harder. When I am not at Stroller Strides, I enjoy Starbucks, shopping, and playing soccer.

Beach Class at the North Shore

Thanks to Tarah for taking these pictures at Friday's Beach Class! Tarah writes, "Today was so fun! Starting out pouring but we powered through. By end of class the clouds parted and we were able to enjoy the beach."

I hear that they also gave Kim a taste of her own tough love:) For 2 minutes Kim had to do whatever the group asked. Do I hear BURPEES?!

Email Down

UPDATE: My email address at joni[at]strollerstrides.net is now back up but I know that there have been some difficulties sending email to me at that address for the past few days. If you sent me an email and I have not responded by Tuesday, please send again. This upgrade has been complicated and emails may have been lost.

***

My email address at strollerstrides.net is not accessible due to an upgrade and I have not been able to check email for 2 days (prompting some major withdrawal!).

If you need to get in touch with any pressing matters, please give me a call at 258-0402 or email me at joni.stimpson[at]gmail.com. Thanks!

1 Week Till May Mom's Night Out

Friday, May 28 @ 6:30 PM

Tickets are available for the 10:15 showing of Sex and the City 2 so be sure to purchase yours today if you plan on attending next week.

We'll meet at Wai 'Olu for heavy pupus at 6:30 and then head over to Ward Center for the movie. Be sure to RSVP via evite!

Pilates in the Park Begins This Thursday!

Beginning Thursday, May 20, Rosy will be teaching "Pilates in the Park" at Kapolei Regional Park.

This class will be focused on recovery, stretching, and developing your stabilizer muscles. Pilates/yoga/spongeball training is highly complementary to our regular Stroller Strides classes. You won't be burning tons of calories in this class, but you will be developing better core strength and lengthening your muscles.

We will be offering Pilates in the Park for 5 weeks, May 20 through June 17. If there is enough demand, it will remain on the schedule. Please note, Thursday class at Kapolei will be 1 hour only, not 75 minutes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Joni or Rosy. Recovery is an essential component of a balanced exercise program so I hope you will be ready and eager to take advantage of this Specialty class! There is no extra charge -- Pilates in the Park is part of your unlimited membership.

And I hope you'll join us at Wet 'n Wild following class, Thursday May 20. The park opens at 10:30 even though we're "officially" beginning at 11 AM.

Announcements

The June schedule is UP! Click on the calendar to the right and scroll forward to see June. A few general announcements:

*"Pilates in the Park" with Rosy will be held on a trial basis starting this Thursday, May 20 through June 17 at Kapolei. Class runs 8:45 to 9:45 AM.

*Monday May 24 will be the final Monday class at Central Oahu Regional Park. Since most CORP members live closer to Schofield and have been attending that location on Mondays, CORP will be returning to its original Tu/Th/Sat schedule.

*Saturdays at CORP are now a regular addition to the schedule since the trial 10-week session has been well attended. If you are at work during our regular weekday classes, come be part of the Mom tribe on Saturday mornings!

*I'd like to welcome our newest instructor, Stephanie. A full announcement is forthcoming, but you will see her name on the schedule at CORP and Schofield beginning in June.

Member Monday

Aloha, my name is Bobbie and I attend the Schofield location. I am the mother of 2 children: Hailey, 6 years, and Isaac, 10 months

I am originally from San Antonio, Texas and have been an Army spouse for 12 years now. I have been living on Schofield Barracks for almost 2 years. My husband's job as a Career Counselor in the US Army brought us to the island.

I am hoping to gain friendships, any helpful mom advice, and a more active lifestyle from Stroller Strides. I am 10 pounds away from my goal weight and hope to achieve that before the Fall. I am hoping to be able to participate in the 2011 Aloha Run.

In my spare time I like to do online bargain hunting. I don't ever miss an episode of American Idol. I am always willing to try a new cooking recipe as long as it is fast and easy.

Beach Class Next Friday, May 21

Class at Schofield has been moved to the beach next Friday, May 21. We will still have regularly scheduled Friday class at Ocean Pointe and Kapolei, but for all of you hankering to work out at the beach, head on up to the North Shore to take class with Kim!

We'll be at Pupukea Beach Park, between Three Tables and Sharks Cove (across Kamehameha Hwy from Foodland). Class will begin at 8:45 AM. There is a small parking area and ample parking on the other side of the fire station beside Pupukea and restrooms. We'll gather near the parking area and use the bike path, stopping along the path for resistance band work, cardio and other fun beach workout activities. Plan for sand! Plan to end at Three Tables and let your kids play in the cool lagoon there! Plan for fun! See you there!

If you stick closer to home on Friday, we'll be holding Bike Day playgroup at Kapolei (complete with obstacle course! details to come) and Music Day playgroup at Ocean Pointe. It's going to be a great Friday!

Schofield CANCELLED Friday 5/14

I have just been told that there is no parking at Stoneman Stadium today due to two Family Fun Days. According to our "eyes on the ground" (Catherine's husband), all the parking is already gone at 7:30 AM and people are parking on the grass.

Please head over to Kapolei for your workout. Class begins at 8:45 AM.

I apologize for the late cancellation. We can work around anything when it comes to the exercise, but parking is an entirely different sort of problem!

Waterpark Playdate

We will be meeting at Wet 'n Wild on Thursday, May 20, at 11 AM.

Come meet us at the Keiki Lagoon!

Thursday Reminder

Class will be at CORP only this Thursday, May 13. Our Pilates in the Park class will begin next week (May 20) at Kapolei Park.

Cookbook!

It's time to pull out some of your favorite recipes so we can compile our first Stroller Strides cookbook!

With a number of us watching Food, Inc. and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, timing couldn't be better. Let's try to keep the recipes relatively easy, family-friendly and as healthy as possible. I will be taking submissions at alyssasidio[at]gmail.com until the end of May.

Submit as many recipes as you like and if you have any helpful hints for making dinnertime an easier experience, getting your kids to eat their veggies, time savers, kitchen tools you can't live without, etc., please send those too!

I will try to have the books available in print and electronically by July, though I'm not certain of how everything will pan out so no promises! I am open to suggestions so if anyone has any ideas feel free to send them my way!

Can't wait to see what everyone's been cooking!

Alyssa
Kapolei, mom of Kara and Reid

A Request from Tania

"I'm interested in getting the Your Baby Can Read set for Aubrey (and it is supposed to help Jonathan with his needs as well). I would like to know if anyone in class has a set that they would like to sell to me -- or let me borrow for about a month. If you don't want to part with your set, I would love to let my kids try it out for a month -- and I will return it before we move at the end of June."

I can forward email on to Tania or you can speak to her at Kapolei class if you'd be able to help her out.

Date Change for May "Mom's Night Out"

Tickets are finally available on Fandango and the movie only plays at 6 and 10 PM. Since we are still eager to do dinner at Wai'Olu, MNO has been moved to Friday, May 28.

We will still meet at 6:30 for dinner and then head over to Ward Center for the 10:15 showing of Sex and the City 2.

Please be sure to get your ticket for the movie ASAP since this is the opening weekend. Update your RSVP at evite too!

Member Monday

Hi, I'm Jamie and a first-time mom to Samantha, 6 months old. We attend Stroller Strides at Kapolei and live in Ko Olina. My husband and I moved to Hawaii four years ago from Germany because we thought it would be a nice place to live for a few years before we settle down and after both getting out of the Army.

I play volleyball, ultimate frisbee, golf, snowboard and ski. Fitness is important to me not only to be able to continue to play sports at a high level, but also to keep me young for my daughter. I'm thrilled to be getting back into shape after pregnancy and to finally start playing some sports after taking about a year off!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom My Ride from Wade Campbell on Vimeo.

BananaMan 5K!

The Jamba BananaMan 5K Chase gave several Stroller Strides moms a chance to chase life-size bananas around the beautiful Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island this morning.

You go girls!
Kim G., Kim M., Stephanie C. (OP), Debbie, Jen N., Teresa, and Catherine. Special shout-out to Kim G. who was 50 seconds away from receiving free Jamba Juice for a year! Stephanie C. was 8th in her age group (out of 144) and earned a new 5K PR!

The kids also ran in a keiki fun run. Congratulations to the next generation of runners! Abby (Kim), Jenny (Stephanie), James (Debbie), and Lauren (Teresa).

Updated Guidelines

According to the Updated Guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and American Heart Association (AHA), pregnant women should exercise on at least 3 (and preferably all) days of the week, at an intensity of 40%-60% HRR (click here to calculate yours), for at least 15-30 minutes per day for a total of 150 minutes a week.

That's 2 Stroller Strides classes a week ...

So, to all you expecting mothers at class, keep it up! I hear so many stories of women who did not exercise during their first pregnancy but started during their second, and they can all vouch for what a difference exercise made to their labor, delivery, and recovery.

Pineapple Run 10K

From left to right: Catherine, Liz, Kim, Heather. Thanks to Heather for the picture!

Double Jogger for Sale

Kim Merriman is selling her Baby Jogger Twinner, 100 lb capacity, 17" wheels, back tires and tubes recently replaced. Front brake, fixed front wheel (non-swivel) for maximum stability. Folds flat for travel. Sun shade with plastic "peak" window, mesh pockets behind both seats with larger storage area under stroller. 3-point seat belts with 3 size options. Asking $100 OBO. kamerriman[at]yahoo.com.

Pregnancy Awareness Month

Member Monday

Hi! My name is Laurie and I have one daughter named Ainsley Ann who is 16 months. We attend the Ocean Pointe Stroller Strides and also live in OP. My husband is an Infantryman in the US Army and Hawaii is our first duty station! We moved here in May of 2008 and have loved every minute of it. I am an avid tennis player and am always looking for someone to play with! I also love to cook, shop, and workout.

I joined Stroller Strides in January 2010 to finally lose the last of my baby weight. As a child, I played every sport imaginable and considered myself an athlete. When I became pregnant, I completely stopped working out and gained 37 lbs. Two weeks after my daughter’s birth I had only 12 pounds to go, but with newly acquired poor eating habits and my lack of motivation to work out, I gained 14 pounds within the next couple months. I found myself in an unfamiliar situation- I had always been active and naturally thin and now I was lugging lots of unwanted weight! With my husband’s impeding return from Iraq, I made the commitment to myself to lose weight. That was the motivating factor that jumpstarted my renewed love of fitness!


Stroller Strides has taken me to a whole new level and not only have I lost 16 pounds in the last 4 months, but I LOVE working out now. A year ago I wouldn’t have thought it possible that I would be out the door at 8 am 4 days a week to work out. Now, I look forward to each opportunity Stroller Strides provides to get an excellent workout and hang out with friends to boot! My future goals include losing that last 5 pounds and knocking down my previous month’s accomplishments at our Final Fridays. I credit Stroller Strides with giving me a new perspective on fitness, a healthier disposition, and an improved quality of life here in Hawaii.

Pineapple 10K

From Kim:

VERY PROUD of our Stroller Strides Pineapple 10K finishers - Heather, Liz W, Danielle and Catherine, and honorary "Strider" Josh T, were able to make it out to Wahiawa on a surprisingly beautiful May morning and earn that 6.2 mile Pineapple! Well done!!!

Final Friday Class

Our Final Friday Fitness Assessment Class was a great day! It was good to see some new faces at CORP and get a taste of this location.



Central Oahu Regional Park has so many great features and as you all know after walking or running the timed mile -- HILLS! That's how all our CORP members get so fast, so soon.

Kim G., Stephanie Cunningham, Heather, and Angela S. have been at all 4 Final Friday classes this year. Way to go!

Liz W. held a plank for 6 and a 1/2 minutes, on her toes! That is a definite franchise record. Maybe it was Kim's "planking to the 80s" music?

Dwayne from Bike Factory came at the end of class to share stroller-maintenance tips and to check our strollers for any potential repairs. I had an overinflated wheel that was at risk of popping and Dwayne fixed it right away. According to Dwayne, the most important things to keep in mind are: 1) tire pressure (maintain at 30 psi), and 2) keep the hinging parts of your stroller well-oiled.

Bike Factory is located down the road from Costco in Waipahu and has a little farmer's market just around the corner, so it's well worth a trip to check out Bike Factory's shop for stroller accessories and to keep your stroller in top shape. We all know that BOB strollers are an investment and we're lucky to have such a conveniently located shop in the neighborhood to help us keep them running well. If you purchase a BOB at Bike Factory, not only will you save on shipping and take home a fully assembled, fully vetted stroller, you will also receive a $20 gift card to Bike Factory.