Member Monday

Hello, my name is Jessica and I attend classes with my 3-month-old daughter, Peyton Emery, at Schofield and CORP.

My husband Jesse and I arrived on the island last October, for our first and last (yay) duty station with the Army.

We are high school sweethearts, both born and raised in a small town in Northern California.

My husband is currently deployed for 12 months in Afghanistan, we have about 155 days left... but who's counting!

Growing up my family was never a very "healthy" family, we never had a gym membership, ate whatever we wanted, etc. My husband played sports in high school and college and he introduced me to a healthy lifestyle.

In Sonoma, I taught Spin class for 6 years, getting certified right after high school and continuing to teach through college. In the last few years I was introduced to the world of CrossFit by my brother-in-law, who is a die hard, and he owns a CrossFit gym and even competed in the games. I was never a die hard, but I loved the intensity of the workouts and the group feel I enjoyed from Spin.

I was introduced to SS through a friend of mine, who suggested it when I told her I was desperate for a good workout and some adult interaction.

I have to admit I thought umm, Stroller Strides, really?! I am so happy I tried it, not only is it a great workout, it has made such an improvement in my day-to-day life. I have met some amazing mommies and it gives me something to look forward to. For me, the intensity of the workouts and group feel are so satisfying, giving me something I thought I could never get again now that I am a mom.

I am dying to fit into those pre-baby jeans that fit so well before the 36 pounds of baby weight I put on.

I guess it's a good thing we live in Hawaii and it is too hot for jeans anyway!

Halloween Party Tomorrow!

Wear a costume! Get ready for Spooky Circuits!

Class will be held at CORP from 8:45 to 10 AM with
our Halloween party to follow!

Member Monday

Aloha Ladies! My name is Jenny and I attend class at Schofield Barracks. I am an Army wife and SAHM to three kiddos.

I grew up in Texas and met my wonderful hubby in the Lone Star State while he was stationed at Fort Hood.

He quickly swept me off my feet and uprooted me. We are proud to say we have had a child at each stop: Texas, Georgia and Hawaii.

We live in SB and arrived on-island March 2010. My husband is currently deployed and I have realized I need time for me. I was a competitive swimmer a majority of my life and I am diving into working out on land and loving the challenge.

I have realized post three babies that it is important to stay fit to keep up. It is important to keep these joints moving!

My goals are to gain my strength and endurance back. Most importantly, I want to demonstrate a healthy lifestyle to my kids.

Introducing Lyla

Debbie is an instructor at Schofield and currently on maternity leave with the recent arrival of her third baby. A few more weeks and you'll be seeing Debbie back at SS!

***


Lyla Grace was born at 10:35 pm on September 15th weighing 8lb 14 oz and 18 inches long. We were thankful that she, like her siblings, was a bit overdue so Joe could be home for her birth.

This was my third delivery but it was unlike the first two thanks to my current fitness level. During my last two pregnancies I was hesitant to exercise -- by the end of each pregnancy I was so out of shape and I was just unhappy. This time, through the education and support of the Stroller Strides community, I was able to continue exercising with the confidence that I was taking care of my baby and myself.

Many things were the same going into delivery, Joe was there, I was induced, Tripler again, but this time I was able to deliver Lyla naturally without an epidural and my recovery was drastically shorter.

I feel my fitness level throughout the pregnancy greatly benefited me in the delivery of Lyla. Every squat and lunge paid off as I labored in the halls of Tripler. I think being active also helped make this pregnancy so much more enjoyable. Running, racing and working out with the Stroller Stride moms helped me stay positive, confident and happy especially in the end when I did not know if Joe was going to be around for the birth.

I miss all you ladies and can't wait to start working out with you again!

1 Week till our Pumpkin Patch Visit!

Lisa and Summer at last year's visit to Aloun Farms

Let's get into the Halloween and fall season spirit with an educational and fun visit to the pumpkin patch! The tour includes a hayride and each paying adult/child gets to pick out a pumpkin to take home!

Thursday, October 27 @ 11 AM
Aloun Farms
91-1440 Farrington Highway
Kapolei, HI 96707

Admission is $6.50 per person. Children 2 and under are free. There is a 20-person minimum for the tour (this includes children).

Please pay by check, payable to Aloun Farms, by the 24th. You can give your check to any instructor at class, but they all end up with Joni or Trish, so find us first if you can:=) Checks may be mailed to Joni at 92-1178 Olani St. #2 Kapolei HI 96707.

Some things to note: It is hot and dirty. Water and sunscreen are HIGHLY recommended, as are closed toed shoes for the kids.

1 Week till our Halloween Party!

Wednesday, October 26
Central Oahu Regional Park
No class at Kapolei or Schofield. Come to CORP!

Class, 8:45 to 10 AM
Party, 10 to 11 AM





Wear your costumes! Bragging rights to the winners of the following categories: Best Couple, Scariest, Funniest, and Most Creative.

Class will be a variety of fun stations taught by the instructor team. Get ready to keep moving throughout CORP and see what sort of spooky fun we have in store for you!

We'll have a variety of activities for the kids after class, including cupcake decorating, Halloween cards, and a fun twist on trick-or-treating.

Cheesecake Factory!

Moms Night Out at the Cheesecake Factory!

Thank you to Tammy (BB) for being our hostess and helping all of us to have a wonderful night out. We were all miraculously there by 6:30 and we fit into our tables perfectly. A fantastic MNO!

Nikki, Julia, and Tammy -- Body Back All-Stars!
They've been with me from the beginning:=)

Tammy, Trish, and Stacey

Tarah, Ashley, and Nikki
Thanks to Tarah and Trish for making sure we took pictures!

Joni and Amy

Veronica, Amy's friend (sorry, I forgot your name!!),
Ashley, Tarah, and Mika

Let me just add here that this table (me included) ordered 16 slices of cheesecake! Maybe that's why it took 90 minutes for us to get our dessert:=) The only hiccup of the night! Of course we were taking ALL of that cheesecake home, right?

Sheryl and Veronica

Margene and Tarah -- SS old-timers!

Rayna, Heather, and Anna
(don't move, Anna!)

Maria, Melinda, and Sara

Member Monday

Aloha Moms! I'm Meghan, or often go by Meg.

I grew up in Iowa, but after meeting my husband in Minnesota after college, we have ventured to several states thanks to the Coast Guard and Army.

I have been attending Stroller Strides class at Schofield, I'm the one with the growing belly! I have two daughters -- Leah, who is 3 1/2 years old, and Livia, who is 17 months old. They are super excited about the arrival of their baby brother due January 3rd.

We live on Schofield and have been on the island since June 2010. I've been a stay-at-home mom since last October, I figured it was the perfect time and place to do so! Though, we do not do a lot of staying at home! We definitely like to keep busy, do new things and meet new people.

With my husband deployed, I had to figure out a new workout routine, having no idea I would find myself pregnant again too! But still Stroller Strides has been a perfect fit and exceeded my expectations.

I love getting a great workout, not having to worry about childcare and meeting other moms too! I am so glad I'll have Stroller Strides to motivate and help me post-baby!!

I also look forward to getting to know everyone better! Mahalo!

Welcome Baby Ozzie!

Aloha Stroller Strides Mommies!!!

I finally got around to sending out a "Birth Announcement" of our sweet Ozzie Kauahioniupono (the ocean breeze through the righteous coconut palms). He was born a week and a half late, 2" shorter and 1 lbs lighter than my first (Surfia, years old).

My dear Husband drove from Waianae to town in 15 minutes (normally a 40 min. drive). He figured this was the BEST excuse to speed! It helped that it was in the middle of the night too!

We again decided to do this birth drug free (same as Surfia), and it was amazing how much I could feel the baby moving down the birth canal. If any prego Mommies are debating if they can do it. Just think . . . "if I can handle a HARD SS workout . . . I can do anything for at the most 40 hours." You CAN do it!

Labor was almost exactly 4 hours and only pushed for about 8 minutes, I was literally yelling at the nurses to get a doctor in the room as I was pushing him out. He is just perfect and his big sister Surfia is completely in love with him.

This second baby really put my body through some major changes and MAJOR weight gain (60 lbs + the extra 10 lbs left over from Surfia!), so I am looking forward to attending classes, pushing my limits, and getting that "baby fat" off! Stroller Strides is the best - great friends and a great workout! Ozzie is 9 weeks old and so far I have lost 30 lbs since giving birth . . . oh wait does the actual baby (8 lbs 7 oz) still count as weight loss? =)

Many people ask why the name Ozzie . . . my Dear Husband's Mom's favorite name was Ozzie because she loved the show Ozzie and Harriet. She passed away about 17 years ago due to breast cancer, so in honor of her, we named him such. Plus we like the name . . . AND we found out that my Husband's Great Uncle wrote the theme song to Ozzie and Harriet! Some coincidence!

Looking forward to seeing our Mommy and Keiki friends at class!

Aloha,

Summer, Daniel, Surfia, and Baby Ozzie

Meet our OTHER Newest Instructor!

Stacey is also coming on board to teach at SS and fingers crossed, she'll be instructing at Hickam soon!

Hi! My name is Stacey and I have lived here in beautiful Hawaii for 2 years. I am married to the love of my life, David, and we have a son Jack, who will be 3 at the end of October.

I was born and raised in Connecticut and lived in Virginia when I was in the U.S. Navy. I thank the Navy for pretty much everything that has happened to me since I joined.

I was a machinist mate stationed on the USS Enterprise. I have traveled to more places than I ever imagined I would in my life, including here is Hawaii where we are currently stationed.

I met my husband while stationed on the Enterprise and I became pregnant with our son Jack. Three months before we got to Hawaii I said good-bye to my active duty lifestyle and hello to being a stay-at-home mom and a full-time student and I wouldn’t change it for a thing.

All my life I have been very active. I started dancing when I was three and didn’t stop until I was 21. Dancing is the one thing that I have ALWAYS been pretty good at but there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think about dancing on stage. I also ran track in high school and played softball.

The day Jack was born, I almost passed out when I stepped on the scale. Oh my gosh I seriously thought I would never in my life break 200 pounds... but that’s what not working out while pregnant can do to you I guess. So when we moved here Jack was almost 1 and since we live in a place where it is summer all the time...I knew I needed my bikini body back.

Stroller Strides was exactly what I needed when we moved here. I have met some of the most amazing and inspiring women while I have been at SS. Also my son has made what he calls his “bestest friends” and it is all because of SS that has made me not so homesick, get out of my house, and made me a healthier woman.

I can also give credit to SS for my running capabilities these past 2 years. Since I started I have done three 5k’s, one 10k, and the Great Aloha Run... and I plan to keep running more! I have been a member for almost 2 years and now have a great opportunity to be a Stroller Strides Instructor. I can’t wait help women achieve their goals not just in fitness but in life as well.

Meet our Newest Instructor!

Tarah is the newest instructor at Leeward! She likes to travel so you'll be seeing her at Kapolei, Schofield, and as instructor for the Ewa Beach franchise. I asked her to instruct over a year ago, so it's great to finally nab her!

My name is Tarah and I joined Stroller Strides shortly after moving to Oahu a little over 18 months ago. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Geoffrey for 15 years and we have two kiddos, Aleksey (5) and Anastasia (2).

As a young person, I was not exposed to fitness or good nutrition. As a result, I have spent much of my adult life trying to figure out a formula that would work for me. Once I became a mom, it was evident to me more than ever that I must instill an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits to my children.

Prior to our move, my career in the radio industry had been a major priority and I became accustomed to juggling my career and family life. Being a stay-at-home mom wasn’t anything I had ever considered and to be honest, I felt ill-equipped to do it. I realized very quickly if I was going to maintain any level of sanity, I had better figure out a way to do a little something for myself each day.

I knew my top goal needed to be fitness and I wanted to accomplish it during the workday. After all, with 10 hours to fill each day, it shouldn’t be that tough to get some sort of workout in. Right? Thank God I was introduced to Stroller Strides! It was truly what I had been looking for.

My first several classes were so hard! How on earth could all these ladies do push-up after push-up on their toes and I can’t even crank out one? Despite my initial insecurities of being the slowest and the weakest, I reminded myself that if change is what I’m looking for, I have to be committed and stay the course.

I initially attended 3 classes per week but then bumped up to 5. For me it’s all about the routine. It’s what we do. If I give myself an option whether or not to go, I may choose the latter. So, I just don’t give myself the option. It’s fun to location hop! I love trying out all locations and instructors. It mixes things up and keeps it fresh!

During class I always try to push myself. I’m not a natural runner but I always run. If Anastasia is fussy, I’ll let her fuss (within reason). I am selfish with this hour. It’s my hour. The kids get the other 12 of my day. I need just this one.

Three months after beginning Stroller Strides, I really began seeing weight loss results. I’ve lost over 35 pounds and feel strong! I definitely have a new “pep in my step” and am excited for what the future brings!

I want my children to understand the importance of fitness and nutrition. I hope my example will set them up for success in their own lives.

I am thrilled to begin instructing. I hope my passion for Stroller Strides and fitness will be an encouragement and inspiration to you!

Mom's Night Out!

Join us for MNO at The Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki!

Thursday, October 13
Meet at 6 PM
they will not seat our party until all of us have arrived

RSVP is required so please let me know by email or via Evite if you plan on attending.

It promises to be a fun evening, with all of us getting wild and crazy on cheesecake after dinner!

Member Monday

Hey, ladies! I'm Sara, and I recently started attending class at CORP. We actually live in Bethesda, Maryland, but we are currently staying at the hotel at Tripler while my husband Eamon does a six-week OB/GYN rotation at the hospital there.

Eamon is a 3rd year med student at the Uniformed Services University, and rotation site selection is based on a lottery system. Clearly, we lucked out with six weeks in Hawaii!

Eamon and I met 8.5 years ago in a bar on Amelia Island just north of Jacksonville, FL, and we got married in 2006. In January 2009, we welcomed our first daughter Carrigan (now 2.5 years) in Pensacola, FL... and I "retired" from working as a pediatric speech-language pathologist to become a stay-at-home mom (though we rarely stay home!).Our second daughter Saoirse (now 9 months) was born in December 2010 in Bethesda.

In my "free time" (who am I kidding?!), I enjoy reading, running, swimming, and sewing. I am also slightly embarrassed to admit that my guilty pleasures include reality TV (specifically The Bachelor) and US Weekly.

When Carrigan was 6 weeks old, I started StrollerFit in Pensacola (sorry! no SS there!). Fitness has always been an important part of my life, but I knew I needed some accountability to get back on track post-pregnancy. The combination of exercise, meeting other moms, and just getting out of the house was a lifesaver for me. It really helped me figure out my new role as mommy... and helped me work through some of my postpartum/post-cesarean emotions. So, when we moved to Bethesda, joining Stroller Strides was a no-brainer. I knew it would give me an instant group of mommy friends who enjoy exercising... and an instant playgroup for Carrigan!

Then, one of my first classes back after Saoirse was born, the franchise owner said she was looking for new instructors. I couldn't contain my excitement! I called Eamon on my way home from class to share the news! I went to the two-day training and instructed my first solo class in April. When we found out we would be on Oahu for six weeks, I was psyched to find out I could still get my SS workouts while we were here!

My current fitness goals are pretty simple: to regain some of my core/ab strength and to rebuild my running base (I got off-track with a recent foot injury). Oh, and fitting into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes would be nice, too! Of course, pushing my double BOB up the hills at CORP is definitely helping! Thanks to all the moms at CORP who have been so welcoming! I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks of workouts with you all!

GFC 2011 Begins Tomorrow!

Fitness assessments and body fat analysis will be held this week at class.

We will hold 3 Fitness Assessments at the beginning and end of the Get Fit Challenge.

Your goal is to improve in each category over the next 10 weeks. The top 7 finishers in October and December in each category will earn 1 extra point.

* 150 step-ups, for time
* front plank, for time
* push-ups (on your toes)

Fitness Assessments will be held on:

* Wednesday, October 12 at KAP
* Thursday, October 13 at CORP
* Friday, October 14 at SCH


For body fat analysis, the calipers are more accurate when you are not dehydrated from working out, so these must happen before class. I am available by appointment if you are willing to come to my home in Ko Olina. Assessments will also take place before class on:

* Wednesday, October 12 at KAP (starts at 8 AM)
* Friday, October 14 at SCH (starts at 8:15 AM)
* Saturday, October 15 at CORP (starts at 7:45 AM)


Participants will earn points through:

* Class Attendance (valid for SS, BB, and boxing class, not to exceed 6 points in a week)
* MVP of the Day (instructor will select 1 outstanding mom at each SS class, and 2 moms if there are 12+ at class)
* Improvement in the Fitness Assessment
* Improvement in Body Composition


Registration for the GFC ends on Saturday, October 15 and all assessments and measurements must be completed by then. The mom with the most points wins a $250 gift card to the Ala Moana mall!

Register Here Today

Special Announcement

As most of you know, my time on Oahu is coming to a close since our family will be moving back to the mainland next spring.

Stroller Strides has been my baby for the past two-plus years. (Truly, I would probably have another real baby right now if not for SS!) It has given me something to nurture and fret over, literally kept me up at night (and then woken me up far too early!), and offered me so many opportunities for personal growth. I have been changed forever because of my time as a franchisee. I feel incredibly blessed to have had this time with Stroller Strides. It is the perfect job for a mom who loves fitness and also wants to be at home with her children.

I always felt that I had a successful start to my SS career because of the long transition that took place between me and the former owner, Sarah. With that in mind, while I knew I wouldn't be moving until the spring, the transition to new ownership needed to happen earlier.

Starting January 1, Trish Holzman will be the new owner of Stroller Strides Leeward Oahu. She embodies what Stroller Strides can do for a mom -- Trish has literally transformed before our eyes! While she has always enjoyed fitness, the demands of pregnancy and then motherhood left her with a body she didn't recognize. Stroller Strides was the answer, and she has dropped several dress sizes since joining the program last November.

Trish and I are excited to work together to make the transition between owners as smooth as possible. I will be staying on as an instructor until my move, so while my name will no longer be attached to all the emails you get, I'll still be around. I am very excited to see what Trish will bring to Leeward -- because no matter who owns it, I will always feel like SS Leeward is my baby:=)

Joni, July 2008-December 2010
Trish, January 2011-???

From Trish:

For the longest time, I've asked myself "what am I going to do when I grow up?".... Well, with a degree in history, the answer was always a big, fat question mark. I never really felt "inspired" to do any one thing in particular. Not until recently, that is...

When I first joined SS, just under a year ago, I couldn't even run a full lap around the park. I was still squeezing into my maternity clothes (almost a year after having a baby). I was a frazzled mom who needed a purpose. I needed a push. I needed to be inspired. At this point, I only wanted to fit into my skinny jeans. Little did I know that first day I showed up with my beat-up double jogger, and sweatpants, that it would all unfold into so much more. My plan was to just get in a work out.

My two-day-a-week routine became a three-day-a-week routine, which turned into a five-day-a-week routine. The first time I made it the entire way around the park running, I almost jumped for joy. In fact, I'm sure it was a burpee. I was pushed to the limit at every class. I met amazing women. I didn't have to leave my kids behind... I was fitting into my skinny jeans. I gained confidence. I shopped for work out clothes at Lululemon (once, a fantasy, now a reality!!!). I was challenged to go beyond my comfort zone and keep pushing the limits until I gained much more than "just a work out." This is when I knew that I wanted to become an instructor. I wanted to take all of those great feelings I was having about myself and my achievements and help other women do the same.

Now that I'm an instructor, I get to teach others what I have grown to love. I get to be a part of the very thing that has helped to change my life in more ways than are imaginable. The passion I have for SS runs SO deep. Now, once again, SS is going to change my life. It changes my life again, because it's given me a very clear answer to the question I've been asking myself for so long. After all the growth and change, and blood, sweat and tears (and cash deposits at Lululemon), I feel inspired. I feel my purpose has reached right out from under my BOB, wrapped its arms around my neck and presented itself to me in the form of a Stroller Strides franchise. Excellent, I can finally put the call in to my middle school guidance counselor... "I want to be a SS franchisee!!!!"

I am SO excited to have the opportunity to own the Leeward franchise of Stroller Strides. I get to continue to take what I have learned and what I have achieved and put it right back into Stroller Strides and help you AMAZING mommies reach your fitness goals. I also feel absolutely and EXTREMELY fortunate to be taking this over from someone who has poured her heart and soul into making Stroller Strides Leeward Oahu such an awesome, successful and truly top-notch franchise. I swear on Tabata that I am fully committed to giving 110% to this franchise every.single.day.

I feel so fortunate to have earned this opportunity. I can't wait to continue this journey with you all running along by my side, as the new owner of Stroller Strides Leeward Oahu.

Get Fit Challenge 2011!

The Get Fit Challenge is back and it's bigger and better than ever!

There is no better time to really focus on your health and fitness than during the holidays. Don't resolve to be better on January 1 after giving in to all those holiday indulgences. Start NOW!


The Get Fit Challenge will run for 10 weeks, from October 10 to December 16. Participation is optional and not part of your Stroller Strides membership.

Participants will earn points through:

• Class Attendance (valid for SS, BB, and boxing class, not to exceed 6 points in a week)
• MVP of the Day (instructor will select 1 outstanding mom at each SS class)
  
• Improvement in the Fitness Assessment
• Improvement in Body Composition

Improvement in your body composition will be assessed via body fat calipers. Calipers are more accurate than a measuring tape and you will learn your before-and-after body fat percentage. This is a change from last year's GFC and a big part of the expense of the contest since body fat analysis is so time-intensive.

We will hold 3 Fitness Assessments at the beginning and end of the Get Fit Challenge. Your goal is to improve in each category over the next 10 weeks. The top 7 finishers in October and December in each category will also earn 1 extra point.

• 150 step-ups, for time
• front plank, for time
• push-ups (on your toes)

Fitness Assessments will be held on:

• Wednesday, October 12 at KAP
• Thursday, October 13 at CORP
• Friday, October 14 at SCH
  

For body fat analysis, the calipers are more accurate when you are not dehydrated from working out, so these must happen before class. I am available by appointment if you are willing to come to my home in Ko Olina. Assessments will also take place before class on:

• Wednesday, October 12 at KAP (starts at 8 AM)
  
• Friday, October 14 at SCH (starts at 8:15 AM)
• Saturday, October 15 at CORP (starts at 7:45 AM)

Winning the GFC will take a combination of great attendance, hard work at class, fat loss through better nutrition, and improved speed and strength. My goal is to have the contest truly representative of what it takes to GET FIT and that anyone, with dedication, can win! It doesn't matter if you're 10 weeks postpartum or one of the fittest women in the group.

Grand prize is a $250 Gift Card to the Ala Moana shopping mall!

Second prize wins a $100 Gift Card to Lululemon. Third place receives free membership to Stroller Strides in the month of January, and 4th and 5th place win a free shirt from the SS Retail Store.

The GFC costs $15/month in October, November, and December. If you would like to pre-pay the entire amount in October, you will receive a $5 discount.

The GFC begins in 6 days, so Register HERE today!

Please email me with any questions. There are plenty of specifics that I haven't covered in this post, just to keep it simple. But if you have a question, I have an answer!

Member Monday

Hola ladies! I’m Veronica, one of the newest members to Stroller Strides, and I attend the Kapolei classes.

I live up the hill in Makakilo. Originally I’m from sunny Southern California. My husband is a JAG in the Army, and we’ve been assigned to this beautiful Island since January 2010. This October we are celebrating our 8th anniversary.

I have three kids, and Stroller Strides has been the toughest workout that I have found since having my youngest son last June.

I love to run, swim, cook, bargain shop, snorkel, hang out with friends, try new foods, go on dates with my husband, and just relax on the incredible beaches all over the island with my family.

My fitness goals are pretty simple: I just want to be healthy and keep up with my kids. I thought that Stroller Strides was going to be a walk in the park — literally! I have been pleasantly surprised (and exhausted) by the intensity of the workouts.

I have also really enjoyed all the nice people that attend the classes and look forward to getting to know everyone better. Who knows, this could be the first holiday season since high school that doesn’t make me fear my scale!