Our February Mom of the Month

Our Mom of the Month program honors one of our Stroller Strides moms for her efforts to live a healthy lifestyle while giving us the chance to get to know her better at the same time. This month we honor Brooke Acas, aka Roman's mom!

Acas Family

Brooke joined our program early in the summer with her son, Roman, and the little boy she nannies for, Warren. She and the boys have faithfully attended classes 3-5 times per week ever since and Brooke can attest to the results of her efforts (see below)! Now expecting a little girl, Brooke is working towards a new goal- a healthy pregnancy! We're so proud of you, Brooke, and delighted to have you and the boys in our classes. Keep up the good work!

We asked Brooke a few questions to get to know her better and this is what she told us...

Hometown - Wilson, NC

Education- Where didn't I go to college? ...a total of 3, I finally graduated from Coastal Carolina University
Stroller Strides Member since - June 2012
Members of your Family - Roland, Roman, Olive (baby girl on the way) and Tiki, our dog!
Current/previous Career - I was the regional marketing director for 3 chiropractic offices.
What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a ballet instructor and own my own studio.
What does motherhood mean to you? I knew for as long as I can remember that I wanted to be a Mom.  The day I had Roman, I felt like I had accomplished everything I had ever wanted, that my life was complete!  I am so thankful everyday for my sweet little boy and for our new one on the way.  Motherhood to me, is the most wonderful blessing in the world!
What is the furthest you have been from home? Lithuania, my husbands homeland.
What has Stroller Strides done for you? During my pregnancy with Roman, I gained 61 pounds.  I was out of shape and looking for something to do... that I could stick with and that was fun!  I saw you ladies one day at North Hills, decided that's it!  I joined and from June to October I lost 22 lbs!  I love going everyday not only for my fitness but also for my sanity :)  I am hoping to gain a lot less this go around!
What is your favorite exercise? I like doing arms, Stroller Barre and the wall.
What is your proudest moment? Becoming a Mommy!
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Music: I love researching new music from around the world, mostly heavy metal.  The Ballet and traveling!
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I was awarded a scholarship to the NC School of the Arts when I was 13.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? "You are a great Mother, the best wife ever, you have a big heart and you make great dinners!"

Special thanks to our friends at Omega Sports at North Hills for further honoring our Moms of the Month with store gift certificates!

Our December Mom of the Month

Our Mom of the Month program honors one of our local Stroller Strides moms for her efforts to live and role model a healthy lifestyle while giving us the chance to get to know her better at the same time. December's mom of the month is Kris Montgomery (aka Ashley's mom)!

 

The Montgomery Family

Kris is a dedicated class Member- faithfully attending Stroller Strides classes 3-4 times a week and always giving 110% of her efforts! She is a kind and patient mom and a sweet thoughtful friend to all. Kris also writes for a local blog that reviews area parks (http://raleighparks.org/), is a big-time Hokie fan and a dedicated volunteer with the Raleigh Jaycees.

We asked Kris a few questions to get to know her better and this is what she told us....

 

Hometown: Stafford, VA

Education: B.S. in Business Information Technology and Minor in Math from Virginia Tech

Stroller Strides Member since: April 2012

Members of your Family: Husband, Bill; Ashley - 20 months, and Ripken the Boston Terrier - 6 years

Current/previous Career: I worked as a Business Analyst at NC Farm Bureau for 8 years before having Ashley.

What was your childhood ambition? To be the founder of the Women's NBA (knowing my amazing height might be a disadvantage, I at least realized I should work behind the scenes)

What does motherhood mean to you? To me it means being a positive role model and providing opportunities for them to have fun, be healthy, learn new things and feel safe.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Italy

What has Stroller Strides done for you? It's given me a great outlet to introduce Ashley to exercise (she's already obsessed with the exercise tubing). It's also been a great way to stay in shape while meeting amazing friends for both of us...this group is full of such fun, intelligent moms and neat kids, I don't know what we'd do without it!

What is your favorite exercise? It's gotta be the leg lifts or anything that works the booty and legs.

What is your proudest moment? When Ashley was born.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? My MacBook, cheese, the beach

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I got married on the most inconvenient day ever for our guests - it was a Monday, two days before Christmas in Blacksburg, VA (almost 10 yrs ago!).

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? After an inappropriate first response, he mentioned my generous, giving and dedicated nature.

Special thanks to Omega Sports (North Hills) for further honoring our 2012 Moms of the Month with $10 gift cards to the store!

Our November Mom of the Month

Our Mom of the Month program honors one of our local Stroller Strides moms for her efforts to live and role model a healthy lifestyle while giving us the chance to get to know her better at the same time. November's mom of the month is Mary Beth King (aka Caroline's mom)!

The King Family

Mary Beth has a big heart for community service locally and abroad and has served for the past year as our Plum Moms Club "Moms with a Mission" Coordinator. Under her leadership we've collected toiletries for local teens in foster care, cut shoes and collected funds for Sole Hope and we're just about to start our holiday season "Moms with a Mission" activity- a Pajama/Book drive!

But as much as we love participating in the community service projects that Mary Beth coordinates, the real reason we've chosen to honor Mary Beth this month is because of her most recent fitness accomplishment- completing the Triangle Autism Run Walk 5K on October 13th! This was Mary Beth's first completed 5K- the fulfillment of a long-time goal of hers- and we couldn't be prouder!

We've asked Mary Beth some questions to get to know her better and this is what she said...

Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Education: Master's in Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University
Stroller Strides Member since: April 2010
Members of your Family: husband: Brandon, and daughter: Caroline

Current/previous Career: Kenya program coordinator for an international adoption agency; before beginning in the agency's Kenya program, I coordinated adoptions in Vietnam, Haiti and Nepal
What was your childhood ambition? To be a bagger at a grocery store (no aspirations of cashier... I liked the organization of the baggers!)
What does motherhood mean to you? It is the hardest and most rewarding job I've ever had. I always wanted to be a mom (and I used to think I wanted ten kids!) and it has definitely lived up to all I thought it would be!

What is the furthest you have been from home? I made several work-related trips to Vietnam and absolutely loved it there! I can't wait to go back one day!
What has Stroller Strides done for you? So, so much... not only is the work out great, Caroline and I have both made such great friends. It has given me an outlet for adult conversation, a sound board for all the 'should my kid really be doing this' concerns, and it's fun!
What is your favorite exercise? Anything that works the upper arms!
What is your proudest moment? In 2006, after finishing school and stalling on getting 'real jobs' my roommate and I did a Google search for 'volunteering in Africa', signed on with a UK-based group and spent 6 weeks in Nakuru, Kenya. We had an amazing time and fell in love with the country and the people we met. We came home and formed a non-profit organization (www.melonafrica.org) that continues to work to support a children's center in Nakuru. In 2007, my mom and I made a second trip to Nakuru... and I cannot wait to one day go back and take Caroline to meet her "Kenyan family". 

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Target, travel and Diet Coke (I don't know what it says about me that those were the first 3 things that popped into my head!)
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. As much as I love to see other places, I'm a terrible traveler! I usually spend the pre-flight hours in the bar and immediately pop a few Tylenol PM once I'm in my seat... this means, however, that I generally arrive well-rested and excited to be there!
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? After first responding with "No, not touching that question," Brandon said, "Willingness to see the good in everyone, your sense of compassion and empathy, and watching you with Caroline. You're great at finding ways to make the day-to-day fun."

Thank you, Omega Sports (NH) for further honoring our Moms of the Month with $10 store gift cards!

October's Mom of the Month

Our Mom of the Month program honors one of our local Stroller Strides moms for her efforts to live a healthy lifestyle while giving us a chance to get to know her better at the same time. Without further ado, our October Mom of the Month is Jenny Solomon (aka Natan's mom)! Jenny was unanimously nominated by all of our Stroller Strides Instructors for this honor and her efforts and results are further evidence of how deserving she is!

The Solomon Family

 Despite juggling a work-from-home/stay-at-home-mom schedule and getting 2 older children off to school or camp each morning Jenny has been consistently meeting her fitness and weight loss goals by making healthy dietary choices and faithfully attending Stroller Strides classes, group 5K training runs and even running on her own. She's signed up for the City of Oaks 1/2 Marathon coming up later this fall and we have no doubt that she'll take this race in stride as well!

Jenny is always brimming with positivity and can often be overheard encouraging a fellow mom in their motherhood and fitness journey. And on top of that, she has a beautiful singing voice... a welcome accompaniment to our usual loud-but-less-than-harmonious vocal efforts in class!

We've asked Jenny a few questions to get to know her even better and this is what she said...

Hometown:

Dallas, Texas

Education:

B.A. Brown University, Providence, R.I.

Rabbinic Ordination, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Jerusalem/New York

Doctorate in Counseling, Post-Graduate Center for Mental Health, New York

Stroller Strides Member since:

April, 2012

Members of your Family:

Eric (husband), Meirav (9 1/2), Adi (7 1/2), Natan (7 mo.)

Current/previous Career:

Rabbi

What was your childhood ambition?

Rabbi, OB/GYN, or a News Anchor 

What does motherhood mean to you?

Being a mom is the greatest privilege of my life.  The gift of bringing three beautiful souls into this world and giving them roots and wings is my deepest joy. I believe my role as their mother is to create the space for them to grow into the best people they can be— to nurture their strengths and help support them in facing their challenges. My job is to give them unconditional love as well as sufficient boundaries so that they can  function successfully in the world and contribute their unique gifts. I hope and pray they will leave the world better than they found it and find ways to be of service as instruments of peace and justice.

What is the furthest you have been from home?

I have been fortunate to travel all over the world from Brazil to China to Australia, but my most special experience abroad was living in Jerusalem for three years.

What has Stroller Strides done for you?

We waited a very long time for Natan to arrive and I consider it an incredibly precious gift to be his primary caregiver. Being able to exercise and care for Natan at the same time is a privilege I never take for granted. I also love exercising outside— regardless of the weather. Being outside is good for my soul and Natan loves it (most of the time).

What is your favorite exercise?

Running (by myself) and Stroller Strides!

What is your proudest moment?

The experience of giving birth to each of my children are by far my proudest moments. Each birth was totally unique, but I remember the distinct feeling after each of them were born that there was nothing I couldn't do if put my heart and soul into it.

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

I treasure my relationship with my sister-friends (all of whom live outside of Raleigh), yoga and meditation, and leading meaningful prayer services.

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

In addition to concentrating in Judaic Studies, I spent a good part of my high school and college years devoted to education and taught in Girls Clubs in South Dallas, public schools in Harlem and Washington Heights (in NYC), and ran a drop-in day camp for two summers in the South Bronx.

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

My husband is my biggest fan (next to my kids and parents), so when  I asked him this question and he described me as:  "Beautiful. Spiritual. Intellectual. Loving. Devoted Ema (mother). Beloved friend."

Special thanks to our friends at Omega Sports for further honoring our Mom of the Month with a $10 store gift card!

5 Reasons to Train for a 5K with Stroller Strides

Running is a great workout! It burns calories, improves heart health, and relieves stress- all while toning and shaping up! It is do-able! A 5K is 3.1 miles= a very realistic goal. Even the busiest moms can fit in the training which is often 3-4 days/week for 20-40 minutes at a time.  Motivation to persevere! Having a training schedule and the accountability of a coach and fellow runners will get you out the door and running even on your lowest-energy day. Start a habit. Spend 8 weeks training with group runs and on your own and you’ll find that before you know it- you are a runner! Once you make running and exercising a habit you won’t want to stop. The Stroller Strides running programs are the only race training programs in the Raleigh area designed specifically for moms and they are about helping moms achieve their running goals! For more info on a training near you: Southwest Raleigh/Apex Training: http://tinyurl.com/raleighrunmamasfall2012-2-0 jen.kedrowski@strollerstrides.net, 888-389-0701 Midtown/North Raleigh Training: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1406276.11084109778/rid:a3e22480f321b5e29615b8620687e5fc missycurrin@strollerstrides.net, 888-760-0142

My 5K Training Experience- Fall 2011

Our Midtown Moms on the Run 5K training program is gearing up to start again on August 20th! This will be our 3rd time offering the program and we can't wait to see some of you cross the finish line for the very first time!

In honor of this exciting program I (Missy) am going to share my experience as a participant (yes- that's right, the teacher became the student!) in the Midtown Moms on the Run 5K program last fall (2011). There are a few things you need to know about me. The first is that I love to exercise- but I strongly dislike distance running. I used to joke that the only time I ran was if something big and scary was chasing me and I was generally referencing an opponent on my high school field hockey and lacrosse teams. The second thing you need to know is that in mid-August of 2011 I had arthroscopic knee surgery for a torn meniscus. I was bound and determined to be back teaching Stroller Strides by the 4 week post-op mark and I did it! But boy- did my cardio suffer while I rehabbed that knee. And in truth it had been suffering all summer as I limped through class getting ready for my surgery. So with the goal of increasing my stamina, speed, and overall desire to go for a run- I decided to participate in our inaugural 5K training program and this is my story...

Our 5K program started in early October with a great 1 mile run/walk at Shelley Lake with kiddos along for the ride in their strollers. Even though it was a short run it gave me the confidence I needed to make it through the rest of the program as we gradually increased the duration and distance of our running over the following 8 weeks. As the program progressed I found myself reading about and trying out new running form. I downloaded the RunKeeper App on my new iPhone and became a distance and speed tracking nerd! I even braved the treadmills at the YMCA (which I had always found to be ultra boring) and loved switching my usual stroller-pushing outdoor run with an easy, flat, cushioned, solo run every once in a while. I had just one physical set-back during the program when in a moment of stupidity, I attempted to retrieve my fallen iPhone while still running on the treadmill and was launched off the back. Despite a bruised and scraped up shin (on my post-op leg no less) I soldiered on and decided that next time I would turn the treadmill off before trying to retrieve anything that fell.

As the weeks went by and the weather turned chillier I found myself enjoying our Saturday runs on the Capital Greenway the most. I loved to layer up and slip out of the house by myself for a group training run. Amazingly, running felt like such an indulgence! The pavement seemed to pass under my feet as I ran alongside other chatty moms like myself. My speed increased as I learned how to be a more efficient runner. My stamina increased and I was able to run for 4+ miles- and enjoy it! My confidence increased and I approached our goal race, The Jingle Bell Run, with the goal of finishing in under 30 minutes.

Team Stroller Strides at the Jingle Bell Run 2011

I'm happy to say that I achieved my goal that chilly December morning- wearing a ridiculous snowman hat, knee-high red snowflake socks and a jingle bell of course! I loved being a part of the program and I don't think I would have made such a speedy and fun recovery from my surgery if I had attempted a 5K training program on my own.

No matter what your motivation is or what your goals are- if you're thinking about signing up for our 5K program YOU SHOULD DO IT! Here is a link to the program details for THIS fall's program- feel free to share with friends, spouses, neighbors, and other family members: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1406276.11083530079/rid:998b12cb5f3c2a2cd7200d86ab75f67b

Our August Mom of the Month

Our Mom of the Month program honors one our of Stroller Strides moms for her efforts to live a healthy lifestyle. Our August Mom of the Month is Joanne Cross, aka Hartley and Reagan's mom (pictured below with her whole family)!

Joanne first started Stroller Strides class with us when she was a mom of one beautiful little girl. She stuck with us (as her health allowed) through her 2nd pregnancy, took a brief maternity leave, and has been back in class for months pushing both girls in a double jogger!

Lots of obstacles stand in the way of new moms and moms of multiple children getting to class but Joanne doesn't let late sleepers, feedings, diaper blow-outs, tantrums or anything else keep her from class- even if it means arriving a few minutes late! Many of our Stroller Strides moms recently delivered or are expecting baby #2 this fall and we hope they'll find Joanne's efforts and results inspiring! Thanks, Joanne, for being such a great role model to your family and to our Stroller Strides community!

We asked Joanne a few questions to get to know her better and this is what she said: 

Hometown: Oakland, NJ
Education: BA at UNC Wilmington
Stroller Strides Member since: Feb 2011
Members of your Family: husBrennan, Hartley (23 months), Reagan (6 months), Vegas (lab/great dane mix) and Bella (westie)

Previous Career: Attorney Recruiter
What was your childhood ambition? I wanted to be a vet for only healthy animals or a stay at home mom.
What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means doing everything I can to raise smart, happy, healthy & kind individuals. Being a mother is my absolute dream come true and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
What is the furthest you have been from home? The Greek Islands
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Just getting out the door in the mornings is a challenge but I realized that even if I arrive late, 45 minutes of exercise is better than none! Stroller Strides not only gives me a great workout but I really enjoy spending time with all of the other wonderful moms and love that my girls get to socialize with their kids after class too. Stroller Strides really gets our day started off right & I feel so much stronger both physically and mentally because of it.
What is your favorite exercise? I like 5 Little Monkeys or any of the strength/toning exercises with the bands.
What is your proudest moment? Giving birth to my 2 beautiful girls without drugs. This was not by choice! I arrived at the hospital an hour and a half before delivering Hartley & only half an hour before delivering Reagan.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Traveling, going to the spa, reading People magazine on the beach.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I met my husband playing blackjack in Las Vegas. A year and a half later, my husband proposed to me playing blackjack in Vegas!
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Brennan said that my best quality was being a very good mommy:) That is the best compliment I could ever ask for!

We owe a special thanks to our North Hills Omega Sports store for further honoring our Moms of the Month with a $10 store gift card!