Fabulous Friday Fitness Challenge

Friday...happy or not, here we are at the end of another hair on fire week. Looking forward to my Saturday, the busiest day of my week with Moms In Motion, my sons football game, groceries, school projects and whatever else shows up on the calendar. Whoa this mom stuff is busy and I bet your days are similar to mine.

So take 5 and squeeze in a Fabulous Friday Fitness Challenge. This week we're doing planks with lots of variations. We'll start with the traditional and move on.

http://www.fitstudio.com/workouts/the-plank-party

On the floor gals! Place your elbows on the floor directly underneath your shoulders, feel your shoulder blades squeeze together behind you so that your chest is open. Belly button in, curl your toes under and lift your hips. You should have a straight line from top of your head down to your heels. Hold and breath for 60 seconds.

modify:
bend your knees and balance on them instead
do three 20 second holds in lew of the full 60 at once
use the wall or a bench or a chair- just walk your feet back and line up that body

challenge:
from the start position, alternate lifting your legs one at a time
try reaching your hands out one at a time
try twist at your middle so your right hip drops toward the ground, then return to start and do the left

Don't forget to breath, feel strong and happy you are able to do a plank.

READY...SET...GO!!! 

comment when you are done.

Fabulous Friday Fitness Challenge

It's Friday and word is getting out about the Fitness Challenges. I'm hearing mumblings of "did you do the squats last week?" around town. Let's squeeze in another one in today, challenge a friend to do them too.

This one's quick and easy. Jumping Jacks.

Close your office door, find a quiet hallway, get the kids to do them with you or just stand up where you are now and get 'er done.

25 jumping jacks

rest

repeat

***Feeling super duper? do all 50 in a row

*** Afraid of full jumping jacks? Do low impact ones with one foot out at a time, both arms go overhead. Then visit "the truth about the pelvic floor" post.

Comment when you're done.  

READY...SET...GO!!!

Summer teams now forming- Core Team

Moms in Motion Kick Off

Our Summer season starts 8pm Monday June 13th

Train 8 weeks to tone and strengthen the whole body with a focus on the muscles attached to the spine and pelvis.
Join us for a fun workout with a wonderful group of women.

Summer Core Season
June 13- August 3

Mondays and/or Wednesdays 8pm
Two weekly workouts: Pick one or do them both!
meets at Laguna & Franklin

Exercise, meet other moms, feel stronger and fitter! All team workouts include warm up, resistance training, mat work and stretching.


Join us for our First Workout
New members can try one free!
Monday June 13th OR Wednesday June 15th

Women of all fitness levels encouraged
(workouts are not for kiddos, carve out time for mom!)

Cost: Annual MIM membership fee is $65
Local Team fee: $140 - 2 weekly workouts, $70 - 1 weekly workout

*This team does fill up. Register early to guarantee your spot.

Summer Philanthropy: Runnin for Rhett

Your RSVP helps with planning: momsinmotioneg@gmail.com 916-690-762

Run Walk Team begins June 18th
Triathlon Team begins July 16th

sharing

A client, and friend of mine just started a blog called motherhood faulosity. I read her first post feeling inspired and honored to be part of her journey to fitness. I fell behind and haven't checking in for a few weeks, so I jumped back online today to see what else she's been writing about. I'm blown away!

She's got a nack for writing in a way that makes you feel she's talking just to you, another mom struggling to justify "me-time." And I just can't get enough of a few of her lines...here are a few I'll be quoting:

"I have learned from my very wise uncle that muscle may weigh more than fat, but it takes up a lot less real estate!"

"So get going, re-name your workouts to Me Time. Me time isn't selfish, it is necessary. When you make it productive and worthwhile it is easier to make that step to take it."

"The women were awesome, and all in their own stages of their journey. There were women of every fitness level in that class, and we all sweated together, laughed together, and were inspired together."

Check it out and I bet ya feel inspired and ready to get movin' yourself!
Motherhood Fabulosity Link

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?

Spring Kick Off Event

Moms in Motion Kick Off 5K/ 10K Run/Walk training begins April 16 Our Spring season starts 7am this Saturday morning to train 8 weeks for a 5K (3.1 miles) or a 10K (6.2 miles) Join us at Morse Park for a fun workout with a wonderful group of women. Spring Run walk Season Saturdays 7-8:30am April 16- June 5th meets at various Elk Grove parks Training for Roseville Memorial Day 5k/10K May 30 &/or Womens Fitness Festival 5K June 5 Exercise, meet other moms, enjoy the outdoors! All team workouts include warm up, running/walking, resistance training, and stretching. Train to run or walk the distance as a beginner, or do speed work & drills for a personal best. Join us for our First Workout New members can check it out for free! Sat April 16 at 7am Meet in the lot by the playground on Bella Terra & Fire Poppy. Runners and walkers of all fitness levels encouraged (workouts are not for kiddos or strollers, carve out time for mom!) Cost: Annual MIM membership fee is $65 Local Team fee is $80 for the 8 week Spring Season Interested in triathlon or core training? MIM Core Team MIM Sprint Triathlon Team About Team Leader Wendy Hoag: I have been helping women build self confidence, strength and health through fitness for the past 6 years. Specializing in pre & postnatal exercise, childrens fitness, mat based pilates, strength/cardio combination's and run/walk training, I'm always up for something new. Currently, I lead Moms in Motion teams, educate families on nutrition with Juice Plus+ and try to keep up with my two active children and husband. I offer other classes in the area as well: Am workout for mamas (kids welcome!) Mon/ Wed 9:30-10:30 am Various Elk Grove Playgrounds Small group workouts Grab at least 5 friends, a mat and pick a day & time... I can taylor a workout to fit your group! Contact me for pricing and details Wendy Hoag momsinmotioneg@gmail.com 916-690-7624 Your RSVP helps with planning

Something fresh and new at MIM

Spring season is bringing so many new things to Moms in Motion, I just had to blog about it. I don't even know where to start!

Philanthropy is a big one, lets talk about that. Few women these days do not have a personal connection to breast cancer. Mine? My mom is a 6 year survivor, it barely gets more personal than that. Here are a few things we'll be doing to help spread awareness and funds for breast cancer.

- 1. Start today, schedule a mammogram annually as soon as allowed, do monthly exams yourself and encourage others to do so as well

- 2. Register for Race for a Cure- our team website will serve as our fund-raising hub. Event May 7, register, “sleep in” or donate on our team site. (untimed slow walk & timed run Options)

- 3. GNO clothing EVENT! Bring a few items, stay to eat, drink & chat….AND shop! Fri. May 20^th Sylvan. Friends, family, etc encouraged to attend

4. Speaker on breast cancer detection, prevention and education 5/21 sat 8:30am

That's exciting stuff, what else is new you say? Our Core team will add a new spin on the tried and true plank challenge. Whew, this one will challenge our new members and returning members alike!

Run Walk Team is adding more to the program as well. In addition to our gradual increase in milage for those new to the 5K & 10K distances, we'll challenge runners and walkers with more experience as well. Y'all will be doing some exciting repeats, hills, reverses and more to get your speed and endurance up to achieve your personal best this season. Each and every all team workout will also include strength training sessions. By combining cardio with resistance training, we give our metabolism a boost AND keep that fire burning up to 48 hours! So be ready to mix it up.

That's the "whats up" about Fitness and Philanthropy...I guarantee we won't leave out the Fun. This season will round out with a combination of our favorite team breakfast and end or season party. June 5th, mark out your calendar all morning so you can meet the MIMS for breakfast downtown at Capitol Garage. Yummmmmmmy!!!

Not to be missed, we have a "bonus" event this season and great opportunity to help out some young girls reach their fitness goals. Girls on the Run is a local program geared to helping girls in grade school train for a 5K and learn some valuable life lessons along the way. Each season many girls do not have a family member to do the 5K event with them.
THAT's where MIM steps in. We have the opportunity to be running buddies for these girls, or to volunteer to make the event go smoothly. Very exciting stuff.

Can't wait to get movin;...now tell a friend. Spring teams begin this week, the more the merrier in MIM!

Wendy

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!

The Warrior...What?!?!?

This past weekend was a personal victory, and I must share with you why. Ted and I completed an event called the Warrior Dash...together!
It is a 3.5 mile run with at least 7 obstacles along the way. Before MIM, I would never have even considered participating in an event like this with my husband.
3.5 miles seemed like such a FAR way to run, my husband didn't run at all and worked out irregularly and I couldn't have imagined having the strength to climb up cargo nets, jump over walls or complete the other challenges.
I kid you not, the first one was a row of 4 beat up old cars we had to climb, jump, crawl or somehow get over!
MIM and my fitness career has truly changed all of that for me. I transitioned from a walker to a runner, corrected an injury with help from MIM sponsors & members, added more strength and core training and am motivated each day by the women around me doing the same things.
About the same time as I ran my 2nd 5K with MIM in '08 ( yup, running the whole thing!) and improving my time, my husband starting going to the gym more often....and started running. He'd not done this partly due to some foot issues, work and life style. His career in pharmaceutical had also "enlightened" him on the advantages of avoiding the high blood pressure issues running in his family. One morning, he even told a mutual friend that he was going to the gym because he had to keep up with me.
Since then, we have a friendly rivalry going, keep tabs on each others workouts, have run together with the kids on bikes, lift together at the gym and really make an effort to make our family trips and weekends include active activities. I also have to try and keep up with him!
So doing this crazy warrior dash with Ted was more than just a weekend event, I really felt it was another chapter in our lives together, and for me as a mom, wife and woman.
I share this with you because I want you to know that others have the same struggles with fitness as you do, that you are an Excellent role model to your whole family and that the support you give and receive with MIM can make the difference.

Please share your own story on this blog, the MIM facebook page, meetup page or any outlet you are comfortable with. It will give you strength and inspire others.

Let's keep movin together mamas!
Wendy

P.S. There was ALOT of mud involved too...

times are a changing

This has been one of the stranger months of my life. Just in an unsettled, change brewing, new schedule kind of way. I recently sold my StrollerFit business of 5 years off to two wonderful local women. Although I'm excited about the prospect of what they will be able to do for local moms with little ones it's left me adjusting to a totally new schedule. No morning classes to teach, I've actually been able to take a few at the gym.
That has lead me to discover that I'm a horrible participant in fitness classes now. Always critiquing the instructor, she didn't warm us up much, or hey lady why aren't you walking around cueing and correcting form, and my pet peeve, 2 stretches...really an hour of strength exercise and we only need 2 stretches?!
The wonderful part about the change is that I really do feel I'm able to put my full effort, focus and best into one fitness avenue rather than balancing two businesses. I now have time to add speed workouts the more experienced members need to get to the next level, I'm able to offer strength/core classes that are so important in preventing injury for runners and walkers and I'm able to start thinking of some fun ways to connect the families of this wonderful group of women.
I have also discovered that my Juice Plus+ business is much more than I originally expected. It turns out, I love teaching people about nutrition too! since May, I have learned so much from others at wellness presentations, listening to the great line of Juice Plus+ educational DVD's and great conference calls. I've discovered that this is another avenue that allows me to directly help others, but simply sharing what I've learned and have a passion for.
It truly doesn't get much better than that....so I guess I better get back to work before the kids get our of school. =)

I look forward to talking to YOU soon about Juice Plus+, Moms in Motion or all the crazy things our kids do.

In health,
Wendy Hoag