Get Fit Moms to Be!

I haven't been able to find a lot of exercise groups in the area for pregnant women so I decided to start my own. I am going to start the group out slow and then see where it takes us. Right now the group is very informal and is for pregnant moms that want to get some extra activity. It is also a nice way to meet other pregnant moms in the area. We will meet at Greenlake at 5:30pm on Monday nights. I will get more creative with the meetings as we move forward.
Check it out and join the group at http://www.meetup.com/Fit-Pregnancy-Northwest-Influence.

If all goes well, I will organize the opportunity for us to meet post baby and I will run exercise classes and/or 1:1 trainings with new moms!

Exercise Mom Groups

I have been getting prepared for life with a baby and found a great group in the area called Stroller Strides. It looks like an excellent way to stay or get back in shape with your baby. It also looks like a great way to meet moms in the area. Group exercise classes are held at Greenlake every weekday at 9:30am. Stroller Strides is associated with Luna Moms Club which is a group that meets regularly for play dates and other mom focused activities.

I am looking forward to getting involved and letting you all know more about it when I have my little one.

Pregnancy Running Belt

I am 5 months pregnant and haven't been running as much as I did before I found out I was pregnant. For those of you who are not aware, pregnancy is NOT comfortable making running more difficult and unenjoyable. I started to miss running and decided to do something about it.

First, I purchased a maternity support belt http://www.maternitysupport.com/maternty.htm. I found this one at Village Maternity at University Village. I also decided to wear an additional support tank top over my sports bra and under my workout shirt. I loaded my ipod up with my favorite songs and hit the Burke Gilman trail. I couldn't believe it. I felt great and comfortable! My tummy felt secure, my chest didn't hurt and I felt like I had been running regularly for the last few months. I ran for about 20 minutes which is not as long as I used to run, but it felt great and safe! I feel it is best to go for a walk/jog during pregnancy. My favorite is to do 10 minutes of running, 10 minutes of walking and then repeat.

Get Ready for the Rock 'N' Roll Seattle Inaugural Marathon and 1/2 Marathon

The famous Rock 'N' Roll running event is coming to Seattle on June 27, 2009. I will be doing the 1/2 marathon with my husband. The course is very scenic and runs along the shores of Lake Washington (my favorite place to run). There is live music every mile, cheer squads, finish line festival and a post-race concert!

A 1/2 marathon is a wonderful accomplishment and a great way to get motivated to get in shape! You should start training about 12 weeks out from race day. Here is an excellent training program for beginners:

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

Hope to see you out there!

Registration info: http://www.rnrseattle.com/registration.html

Top 10 Things Parents can do to Raise Healthy Kids

1.) Play together as a family. Kids like to chase their parents and also win in sprint contests!
2.) Make exercise fun by listening to music. Kids love to dance!
3.) Reward effort, not with food "treats". Try rewarding them with a book from Barnes & Noble instead.
4.) Give them water as a drink option. Kids love it and are just used to juice being offered.
5.) Eat meals as a family. Plan out meals and include a variety of foods.
6.) Sign your child up to participate in a variety of activities.
7.) Incorporate activity into daily routines. For example, walk to local stores, ride your bike to the park, take the stairs (try the stairs at Gap in U-Village for a burner!)
8.) Be a positive role model and live a healthier lifestyle yourself.
9.) Kids should be physically active for at least one hour per day; create an activity schedule and tracker poster together as a family.
10.) You are the boss. You decide what, when, where and serving size and the child decides whether to eat and how much to eat.

Calling all Seattle Kids

This Saturday Nike is putting on a 5k for kids in Seattle. I will be volunteering at the race so I hope to see you there!

Here are all of the details...

Date: Saturday, May 10th , 2008

Start Time: 5K: 8:00 am; Let Me Play 1 Mile: 9:00 am

Location: NIKETOWN Seattle (located at at 1500 6th Avenue (at Pike))

Average Weather Conditions: Avg. High: 64; Avg. Low: 47.

Distance: All entrants may choose between a certified 5K (3.1 miles) or Let Me Play 1 Mile distance. The 5K is timed using ChampionChip timing chips distributed on race day. The Let Me Play 1 Mile is not timed and is encouraged for kids 12 and under and their parents, however both events are open to runners and walkers of all ability levels. Parents are encouraged to participate in the same event as their children.

Fees & Deadlines:

• Entry is $20 total until April 30th (postmarked), or May 2nd online at active.com. Regular Entry includes $15 Entry Fee and $5 T-shirt Fee.
• You may register in person at NIKETOWN, at Sixth and Pike, if space is available, until May 9th .

Cause: 100% of the Entry Fee will be donated to local school Physical Education, play and athletic programs. Each runner may designate which school receives their $15 (Regular) Entry Fee. All Greater Seattle Area Schools that are 501 (c)(3) are eligible to receive donations.

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run is an amazing nationally run program. The mission of Girls on the Run is to strengthen girls (ages 8-11) physically, emotionally and socially in preparation for adolescence. I am excited that there is a chapter in Seattle, Girls on the Run Puget Sound.

Girls on the Run is a 12 week program that uses the physical activity of running to empower girls and increase their confidence levels at an early age. The programs include running training to build up to run a 5k and other self-esteem boosting lessons.

You can check out the curriculum and a typical day here.

I am a big fan of this program and would highly recommend that you check it out if you have girls ages 8-11.