Mission statement

You know how businesses, organizations and college teachers like business statements? Maybe as people, we should also have a mission statement for our lives. I was at a moms time out get together yesterday, and the suggestion was to go back to our roots, our lord, or our parents to remember what we are all about before saying something or making a decision.

The topic reminded me again that we must always remember who we are when we make decisions. As small as how we answer our 9 year olds' question about a pocket knife, to how we decide to accept a job offer. Each of these makes a huge impression on how we show ourselves to the world, and how we feel about ourselves each day.

My reaction to this was to think for a minute about what I do and why I do it. Just to be sure I'm thinking of my roots and what my parents taught me. This of course resulted in a blog...for you to read. =)

6 years ago, I was an at home mom of 2, teaching childbirth education for the local hospital. I truly enjoyed the work, not so much working for someone else, and reality was telling me that my family needed more income. When I decided to buy a fitness franchise, and convinced my husband it was worth the significant financial investment, I had no idea the impact it would have on my family.

Ever since, I’ve been teaching fitness, leading teams, and helping the mamas of Elk Grove to be stronger, fitter, healthier, more confident and great role models for their families. There is no “J-O-B” in the world I’d rather have. Showing up to a workout knowing exactly what each other woman there went through, arranged, negotiated, promised or set up to be there is huge motivation to offer the best fitness program possible. AND the accomplishment and pride I feel when a mom shares her successes with me and with others is priceless.

As the owner of Moms in Motion Elk Grove, I lead the Run/Walk Team and the Core Strength Team, and assist triathlon coach, Rachelle Hightower, with the Triathlon team. What makes Moms in Motion unique is the combination of Fitness, Fun and Philanthropy we bring to ALL levels, ages and abilities of local moms.

This dedication to health and wellness made me stop and pay attention when I heard about a product called Juice Plus+. It simply made perfect sense to me as the perfect addition to my tireless efforts to keep my family active, feed them real food and help them thrive. We add the 17 fruits, veggies and whole grains in Juice Plus+ to our diets each day, and I can't help tell others about it as well. This lead me to become a distributor and open the door to sharing this discovery with more families.

When it comes down to the basics of who I am, this is it folks. Every job I have ever had, from customer service, print sales person, mom, wife, tire delivery person (great story!),project manager, to fitness professional, has been about helping others to succeed. That's what I love, that's what I hope to do for the rest of my days.

What do you do?

more than exercise

There is something really special about making exercise a social activity. This morning was our first Winter run walk team workout and wow was it fun!

This group of women has become so much more than a fitness group. It's just an excitement getting ready for a workout, then it slowly builds as cars pull into the parking lot, moms get out with smiles (even though they are bundled up against the cold!), greet me and THEN the magic begins.

Women begin to greet each other, with smiles, hugs, HEY THERE!, glad you're back and ask about each others families, jobs, activities, new hair cut,etc. Its awesome and heart warming.

We begin with a greeting to each other reminding each person how awesome they are and what an important part of the group they are. Then head out for a brisk warm up walk, where the chatter begins to take on a whole new level.

During the run walk women offer each other gloves, tissues, the time and cheers.
I'm so glad to be part of this group!

We all did get in a great workout, filled with a timed mile (or two!) and a partner strength workout. There is no doubt about that. But the secret, the difference that keeps people coming back is the team camaraderie, the excitement, the friendship, the support when you need it and how much fun it is to carve out time for yourself to meet women who were once strangers, and now wonderful friends.

Keep movin mamas!

Moms in Motion getting Fit to Give

Moms in Motion Getting Fit to Give

Wendy Hoag

Moms looking for a place to focus on fitness, make new friends and give back to their communities are flocking to a new fitness trend called Moms In Motion. Founded by teacher, triathlete and mom Jamie Allison in 1999, the company was designed to bring women together in a constructive, meaningful way. “Women—especially moms—often find themselves overwhelmed with multiple roles, and limited time for themselves,” Allison explains. “As a new mom myself, I wanted a place where I could connect with other women in a positive way and who could understand what it meant to be a mom and still get to practice.” With over 8,000 members, and teams in 26 states and 8 countries, Jamie has tapped into a much needed, unique niche.

With that goal in mind, Moms In Motion was born. Each group trains for a specific event (“We’re all about the carrot,” says Allison) and chooses a charity to support. Leaders take members through a “season”, building towards a culminating event. At the same time the team selects a charity to support, deepening the overall experience.

Moms In Motion draws women of all ages and abilities, women who have recovered from life-threatening illness, women who have never been active before, past athletes, women looking for a new challenge, women who want to address weight issues, and women who just want to make new friends. “For thousands of women, Moms In Motion is the highlight of their week,” says Allison.

Here in Elk Grove,Ca, Moms In Motion has been inspiring moms to get moving for two years. Lead by Wendy Hoag, local director, group fitness instructor, marathon racewalker, triathlete and mom of two, a run/walk team and a strength/core team run year-round. Triathlon coach, personal trainer and mom of two, Rachelle Hightower, leads triathlon teams in the Spring and Summer. “Seeing the community of Elk Grove embrace the fun, fitness and philanthropy of Moms in Motion is very fulfilling.” says Hoag. “Giving back to many local charities in so many ways makes me proud to be part of it all.”

To find out more about Moms In Motion, please visit www.momsinmotion.com

Moms in Motion Fall team

WOW! These ladies are amazing! We've been training together on Saturdays, cheering each other on during the week, donating to the Elk Grove Clothes closet and are now just 9 days away from the Davis Turkey Trot. These mamas will be wearing thier flower power November 21st in Davis, watch for the pink if you're in the area!

Our next teams will begin in January, we'd love to have you join us! www.momsinmotion.com

Exercise is medicine

"Exercise is medicine" according to the Kaiser commercial on the radio this morning. I don't always take stock in commercials, but this one has a point. Exercise reduces occurrences of the most common diseases. It reduces stress, increases our endorphins and our feel good hormones.

I had to take a break from running for a few weeks, and although I teach fitness, running is the only exercise I do just for me (evenly on both sides and without stopping to cue, correct form, time someones run, hold a baby or help make sure another mom is getting her best workout ever.) Don't take me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do...but running is just for me. (except when I'm leading the moms in motion teams on the weekends. ha!) I digress.

The point is during that break waiting so "patiently" for my foot injury to heel, I really missed it. The actual running is interesting, the first mile hurts, then I'm good for a bit, then I try to convince myself to keep running, then I sprint to the finish so I can be done....but after I'm done. I FEEL GREAT!!!! Really, I feel like I am strong, I'm in shape, I can conquer the world. I really think there is something to that Happy seritonin hormone thing. Something happens in our bodies when we exercise that fine tunes it, gets our blood pumping and mind cleared.

And the truth is I get that same great, positive feeling when I teach a fitness class, running group or restore the core class. It's a high, a top of the world feeling that makes me feel so lucky to be healthy and strong. And I sooo want to share that with YOU!

What's your story?

Wendy Hoag
916-690-7624
www.strollerfit.com/elkgrove
www.momsinmotion.com

Motivation

Many of us moms struggle with the motivation to get out there and just get moving. It's a struggle between the reality that there is so much on our plates already, that we would somehow be taking away from time with our family, deciding that we are worth the effort it takes to exercise and what the result will be. The truth is, those moms that do make it a priority ARE feeling the benefits and so are thier families!

I just got the following note from on of the moms on our current Moms In Motion team, Stacie Morganstern. "Now that you have me motivated I want to try to do runs all year long and see if I can keep this up. I love how it makes me feel now that I have done it and know that I can."

Hearing that makes all the work behind the scenes to teach and lead worthwhile. Moms, you rock...just keep moving!

Biggest loser and the Fitness & Nutrition challenge

In my nearly four years teaching fitness for moms, if there is one thing I've learned it's that the word "challenge" really gets those mama moving! It's really close to giving my brother a double dog dare when we were kids. A 3 minute cardio challenge (watch those ladies move), hot mama fitness challenge ( we're signing up!), Try this move to make those squats a little more challenging (whew, at least half the group will give it a whirl)....so with that being said here comes the Fitness & Nutrition Challenge for Spring!

Accept the 6 week Fitness & Nutrition challenge!

Set a weight loss & nutrition goal
Journal fitness & nutrition efforts in your own log book
Attend any mommymuscle classes
Receive helpful nutrition tips
Participate in fitness challenges in class
Receive a BabyTalk magazine & goodie bag
Consult w/a personal nutritionist ($40 per session)
Try new BabyTalk moves in classes
Log onto BabyTalk website for even more!

Participation is FREE when you enroll by April 4th!

Current members pay just $5 (or it's free when you upgrade equipment, buy product or schedule a nutrition consultation)

BIGGEST LOSER
· TRACK YOUR WEIGHT LOSS DURING OUR ‘POUND FOR POUND’ CHALLENGE
· ENTER YOUR RESULTS IN THE ‘BIGGEST LOSER’ CONTEST
· RAISE FUNDS FOR Feeding America™
· (10¢ donated for every pound lost to local food banks)

www.strollerfit.com/elkgrove 690-7624

Can't wait to see the results from this CHALLENGE!!!

Let's do this thing again!

Moms in motion Elk Grove, much to my delight, has been a tremendous success. We are just two weeks out from our second culminating event with a very spirited, dedicated and really FUN group of teammates. I must admit, I really look forward to Saturday mornings when I can get out and run or walk with these inspiring women. Hearing the stories, challenges and incredible ideas for our philanthropy makes me want to do it again...soon!



So here goes....announcement for the Spring run/walk team with a much in demand longer distance option!



Calling all Women!!!


We want you on our team! Moms In Motion is an international women’s health and fitness community based on Fun, Fitness and Philanthropy. Women of all ages and abilities join a fitness team that meets their current needs. Led by qualified leaders, members follow a fitness program that ends with a culminating event to help support a charity in their local community.


5K & 8K RUN/WALK TEAM

FREE ORIENTATION
April 7th 7pm
Running Zone

PHILANTHROPY
Shriners Hospital
for children

RSVP today: 916-690-7624 http://www.momsinmotion.com/