December Mom of the Month

Our December Mom of the Month is Emily Dew! All though she has been traveling a lot recently, Emily has been an active Mom of Stroller Strides. He daughter Ashlyn is such a cutie and such a pro at keeping her sun glasses on :) Emily always puts all her effort into our workouts and is dedicated to getting that dancer body back, which will be in no time! Emily has a kind heart and Ashlyn I'm sure will take after that. Read more about Emily!

Name: Emily Elaine Dew (maiden name: Hofer)

Hometown: Stockton, Ca

Education: San Joaquin Delta College

Stroller Strides Member since: August 2012

Members of your Family: 2 humans (husband: Andrew, daughter: Ashlyn), 1 munchkin cat

When did you meet your significant other:
August of 2008; he was on my older brother's team (Army) and they came up for a weekend when they were doing some training in Southern Ca; he actually had a girlfriend at the time. But that changed about a month later! Lol

Tell us about your child:
Ashlyn is 13 months and my whole world! She is a very active and adventurous girlie girlie! She loves shoes, bracelets and purses already! She loves to color and play tea and of course watch Mickey Mouse clubhouse! She isgoing non stop and is a complete mommy's girl.

Current/previous Career: I worked in property management and managed several apartment complexes.

What was your childhood ambition? To be a ballerina and a wife and mommy!

What does motherhood mean to you? It's a dream come true!! I couldn't imagine being anything else!

What has Stroller Strides meant to you? It's been such a great help! Just moving to Yuma and not knowing many people; it's been wonderful getting to know other mommies and getting back into shape while doing it! :)

What is your favorite type of exercise (cardio or strength toning)?
I have a love/hate relationship with cardio!

What is your proudest moment?
When I found out I was going to be a mom and heard my sweet babies heart beat for the first time!

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Reading, dancing, shopping.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique.
My right wrist bone is naturally broken. I hated it growing up and was extremely self conscious. My husband never noticed it and I loved that about him!

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked him and He said I'm carrying and my sense of humor and that when I'm near him he feels complete and that everything is ok in the world. (I sure do love that man :)

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape?
It's gonna be tough but don't give up!! You will feel better sticking with it... It will happen!

November Mom of the Month!

Jacqueline is our Mom of the Month for November! She joined us when she moved here to Yuma! All though she hasn't been with us long, I can tell she is a very fun person. She is always prompt to class and ready to workout. And Mason, well he is SO cute!!! I'm so happy Jacqueline joined Stroller Strides and she is making great friends, here is more to learn about her and her family!

Name: Jacqueline Cabrales Soto        

 

Hometown: La Puente, CA

 

Education: Citrus College

 

Stroller Strides Member since: September 2012

 

Members of your Family: 3 humans and 2 dogs

When did you meet your significant other: I meet my husband our senior year of High School. He originally wanted to date one of my friends but she wasn’t in to him. So I got stuck with him instead hehe

 

Tell us about your child: Mason is 2 years old, and is a total boy, but at the same time very cautious. Big time momma’s boy, but what little boy isn’t? Loves super heroes; broke his elbow trying to climb walls like spider-man, and loves to read. He talks a lot and can eat all day!!

 

Current/previous Career: Hair stylist / Make-up artist

 

What was your childhood ambition? To rescue all the stray dogs on the street and to build a home so they can run and eat freely. Now I can barely stand my own two dogs!!  haha

 

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means to be kind, loving and patient. Being a mother is very hard but I am very lucky to have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom and watch him experience all his firsts!!

 

What has Stroller Strides meant to you? SS has helped me keep my energy up and my sanity. I love how if I start my day in a funk or frustrated, once I am done with my work out I am at peace with myself again. 

 

What is your favorite type of exercise (cardio or strength toning)? I can’t just pick one, I really enjoy both of them. Maybe not in the moment when I am doing them but I do enjoy feeling sore the next day.

 

What is your proudest moment? Knowing that I was able to have a family. It was always important for me to have a family and when my doctor told me that I might not be able to have one I was hurt and depressed. But God truly blessed me and my husband the day we found out I was pregnant!!

 

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Shopping, Going shooting and going on dates with my husband (if we are even lucky to do that)!!

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique.

I snort when I laugh and my best friend says, “ I think what makes you unique is your persuasion, because you can make a freaking Eskimo buy ice” lol

 

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Great mother/wife, started working out and I can sex him good!! (his words not mine) haha

 

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? To take it day-by-day. You didn’t gain weight over night so don’t expect to lose weight over night.

Sarah the Great!

I am pleased to introduce Sarah Nelson, our new Saturday Instructor! Sarah has been with Stroller Strides since the opening day in April 2012 she is the motivated mom with a triple stroller, yes that is right a TRIPLE! Sarah met her husband, Marshall in Spanish class her sophomore year in high school. They now have three children Charlotte, 4 who is a fashion-easta and has a wild imagination. Shannon who is almost 3 and a total punk rocker and is always giving mommy a run for her money. And last, is sweet little Connor who is 1, Connor is a little cuddle bug and is always a little flirt with all the ladies in class! Sarah's life before Mommy hood and Stroller Strides was ruled by Coffee, yes Starbucks! She was a store Manager here in Yuma, but yet she dreamed of being a teacher when she grew up. I think now, she has reached her childhood dream and now teaches fitness and is changing lives one stride at a time!
Sarah is excited to be on our team, Stroller Strides has literally changed her life. She now looks at "Healthy" as strong and fit, not skinny. And she is pleased to teach her daughters that, she loves working out with her kids instead of around them like we all try to do at home. Sarah loves cardio, so consider yourselves warned!
Sarah loves rain, pedicures, wine, shooting with her husband and coffee! Her spunkiness is always welcomed by me in class because it always puts a smile on my face to see how excited she gets to be in class and enjoying working out! She is going to be a great teacher with fun motivating workouts sure to keep you having fun and loving that cardio! Sarah's motivation tip: Take it one day at a time & be nice to yourself! It's like Pinterest always says, "no matter how slow you go, you're lapping everyone on the couch!"

Make sure you join Sarah on Saturday's at Gateway park, go check out her high enthusiasm and love for fitness!

October Mom of the Month!

 

October Mom of the Month!

 

Lynette is our October Mom! I learned so much about her from this, and I can't wait to see her break out in a dance (see below). Lynette is always someone you can count on to have a beautiful smile on her face every morning in class and she has the sweetest personality to go along with it, not only to the children in class but to every mom. She rocks at our mountain climber cardio bursts every time so I knew she would answer cardio! Thank you Lynette for being our October Mom of the Month! I hope you all learn something new about her, you may even have more in common now....

 

 

 

Name: Lynette Heacock

 

Hometown: Montebello, CA

Education: BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human and Child Development

Stroller Strides Member since: August 2012

Members of your Family: Michael, Lynette, David (10), Elijah (1)

 
When did you meet your significant other: We met in 6th grade, but after 8th grade, we lost touch and re-connected in 2007, via MySpace.

Tell us about your child: David is my 10 year old step-son. He is in 5th grade. He is outgoing and fun-loving. He loves reading and building legos. Elijah is my first child. He is a year old and has just started walking! He has always been a very happy baby, and he has made my life complete.

Current/previous Career: I was a 4th grade teacher for 5 years at a small Christian school in California, then I was a Kindergarten teacher for a year when I lived in North Carolina. I took a break from teaching and decided to work retail at Sears in NC for 2 years. Now I stay at home!

What was your childhood ambition? To become a teacher. Most girls played house when they were kids. I played school. I would ask my aunt (who was a teacher) to bring home extra copies of her worksheets and I would be the "teacher" to my younger siblings and their friends. They would cooperate until they got old enough to realize that Saturday was not a school day. hahaha

 What does motherhood mean to you? To me Motherhood means caring more about your children than yourself. Wanting the best for your children in whatever they do, and loving them unconditionally. Elijah's milestones, though different in comparison with David's, are celebrated and rejoiced over! Motherhood means wanting more for my children that I want for myself.

What has Stroller Strides meant to you? Stroller Strides has been more that a workout, it's been a time of adult interaction and conversation during the day! But more that that, it gives me the opportunity to work out in front of (and sometimes with) my baby. I am SO not motivated to work out at home, but Stroller Strides has given me the motivation needed to keep my family fit. We cook lighter now and go on walks in the evenings. I've also made some good friends.

 What is your favorite type of exercise (cardio or strength toning)? As much as I fight it, I love cardio workouts. I like to see the results of the toning, but I love the cardio.

 

What is your proudest moment? I have three: One was graduating from college and becoming a teacher, the second was marrying my husband, and the third is becoming a mom to Elijah and all the little milestones he's meeting!

 What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? I love my house in North Carolina, I LOVE to coupon and bargain shop, and I am addicted to the Ellen DeGeneres show and rerun episodes of the original Beverly Hills 90210 and Friends.

 Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I randomly bust out in a 10 second dance....even when there is no music, and I have a hideously ugly Tye-dye shirt that I've had for years and years, and I still wear it to bed (I think my husband secretly wishes it would spontaneously combust).

 If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I'm trustworthy, kind, patient, and randomly weird.

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape? Make the time. Just as you schedule your doctor appointments, and you children's doctor's appointments, and meetings with your children's teachers, schedule time for your workout! Although it may not seem like there are enough hours in the day, there is. There will always be laundry, dishes, dusting, vacuuming, you will always have to drive the kids here and there, but if you don't make time for YOU, you will go bonkers. I did. And I am SO glad I found Stroller Strides!

September Mom of the Month!

Mom of the Month!

Every month we will be focusing on a mom of the month to learn more about her and her little one/one's, I choose Monica for our first Mom of the month, because once I became friends with her on FB I relized there is A LOT more to her than just a stay at home mom! Enjoy learning more about Monica and her family!

 

 

 

Name:

   Monica Figueroa

Hometown:

   Yuma, AZ

Education:

   Bachelors Degree in Business Management 

Stroller Strides Member since:

   August 2012

Members of your Family:

    #3

When did you meet your significant other:

   Yr. 2003

Tell us about your child:

   Charlize is a fun, happy baby. She is always on the go and keeps mommy on her toes. She is outgoing, smart and mom is very proud because she is 16 months and repeats over 20 words.

Current/previous Career:

   I'm currently a stay at home mom but before I had Charlize I worked for Bank of America for 6 years. I was a supervisor there for 5 years and the last year I became teller because I knew I didn't want to work as much when I had a baby.

What was your childhood ambition?

    I wanted to work in law enforcement and become a professional soccer player.

What does motherhood mean to you?

     Being able to fully understand my parents on how they raised me and knowing what unconditional love really is.

What has Stroller Strides meant to you?

      I love Stroller Strides, not only is it fun for Charlize and I to get out of the house and meet other moms with their babies but I love to get a  great workout and at the same time having my baby right next to me.

What is your favorite type of exercise (cardio or strength toning)?

       Strength toning

What is your proudest moment?

       I have two: 1st: is giving birth to my daughter (I'm a first time mom)

                           2nd: is finishing school while having a newborn.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)?

       1: Muay Thai/working out

       2: Shopping online for great deals

       3: Supporting my husband in his mix martial arts venture.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique.

      For the past five years I train Muay Thai which is kickboxing that comes from Thailand. Before I had Charlize I fought a couple of times here in Yuma, AZ and another in Las Vegas,NV. Right now I'm trying to get back into shape to see if I can fight before the year ends. I'm also trained in mix martial arts.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say?

      Determined, loving person, and dedicated..... I asked him too!!

What advice would you give to moms looking to get back into shape?

        Be patient on results because they don't happen right away and never give up because it's the best gift you can give your child by teaching them a healthy life style.

About the Instructor

I am Kristina Clarkson, owner and certified Instructor for Stroller Strides which specializes in pre and postnatal fitness. I have always loved fitness. I was a cheerleader for 6 years and woke up early to hit the gym before school. I love to make you sweat and get a great workout, because I know that after your workout you will be grateful you came and have more energy for the day! Fitness is a lifestyle that I think is very important, you can make anything a workout. From loading your dishwasher to cleaning up the toys throughout your home. I am a firm believer in fun fitness so you put your heart into it and love it. I'm loving teaching moms and seeing all the kids everyday.

Fitness for Mom and playgroup for baby!

As a new mom to Yuma, AZ I was excited to meet friends for myself and my two young children. After a long month of being here and meeting no friends I decided to take action for my new life here. I had in the back of my mind prior to moving here to open up a Stroller Strides, I finally decided to do it. I was scared, I thought I would fail my business and my family. After months of hard work and lack of sleep I opened up! I was so happy to see moms come and be excited about Stroller Strides. After a couple months and word has spread in Yuma about this great group of moms and young kids and the nice sweaty workouts we have every time I have made some wonderful friends, spread the lifestyle of fitness and fun and have changed lives! I couldn't be more proud of the moms of Yuma showing up every day to class and excited to sweat. Love hearing stories about kids excited to come to Stroller Strides and playing Stroller Strides at home with their baby dolls. For woman who haven't tried Stroller Strides, YES it is that powerful! We all know motherhood can be hard, exhausting, scary and of course fun. Stroller Strides is an amazing way to meet moms, make friends for your children, get out of the house, find support for motherhood and have fun with your baby all while staying fit! I encourage you all to look into it wherever you are and join this amazing group, I know you will love it!  

www.strollerstrides.com