Your Words & Thoughts Have Power

Sounds like something you would tell your children, doesn't it? Well, I have an assignment for you; Pay attention to the words you use about your body and the thoughts you have throughout the day. You may be surprised at the amount of times you create negativity about your body and/or your abilities. “My butt is big”, “I can’t do this”, “This hill is too steep. I can’t do it”, “I’m fat”…any of these sound familiar? A famous quote by Henry Ford always comes to mind when thinking about the power of thought, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right”. There is a negative spiral that happens when our thoughts are focused on the negative, we become limited by them.

The second part of this assignment is to start a negativity boycott. Stay conscious of those times you tend be negative and turn yourself around. You will see it make a big difference in the way you feel and the way you instill new challenges on yourself. You are strong, beautiful and ever-changing, don’t be the one who limits your own possibilities!

(originally posted by Stroller Strides National Fitness Director, Farel Hruska 8/2011)

Straight From the Heart

I met this sweet mom, Holly Kryter, at my Stroller Strides Instructor training course in Washington, DC in 2010. She owns the Knoxville, TN Stroller Strides franchise and stars in this video (part of a series from their local TV station called "Straight From the Heart"). Its always fun to see what other classes are up to across the country and to hear moms talk about what it means to them to be a part of the program! Enjoy...

A milestone: Cause for thanks-giving!

A very important milestone in the life of Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh and the Luna Moms Club occurred just last month. And as with so many milestones in our children's lives we are too busy to truly celebrate and the moment passes us by with little fanfare. What was this milestone? Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh and the Luna Moms Club turned 6 months old on October 23rd! Of course, that was a month ago, so now we are 7 months old! So I'd like to take today to reflect on all that has transpired in 7 months and all that I am thankful for as a Stroller Strides franchisee and instructor!

In 7 months we have had:

• 95 Stroller Strides classes at the North Hills Mall
• 30 Playgroups at the North Hills Mall
• 7 Moms Nights Out
• ...and countless parties and outings to local attractions!

But Stroller Strides and the Luna Moms Club is not about the numbers! It is about the people... and they are the ones that I am truly thankful for today!

Our group is fortunate to have:

• 1 Friendly and fun-loving (and very organized) Playgroup Captain, Nora Bray
• 1 Creative and tireless Marketing Mom, Emily McIntyre
• An average attendance of 5 moms to 15 moms per class with new moms joining us daily!
• Each other! I truly count all of you as my friends and I hope you feel the same way. It is my joy to power-walk this motherhood journey with you.
• Sweet, energetic infants & toddlers who keep us on our toes and who are growing up in a healthy community of class & playgroup friends.
• New babies on the way... 6 pregnant moms are staying fit and healthy during their pregnancies with us right now!
  

I'm also thankful for incredible support and encouragement from the Stroller Strides corporate offices and the other 300+ franchisees across the country. Owning a Stroller Strides franchise has challenged me professionally and personally and blessed me more times than I can count. I truly feel that God created this business to serve this community of moms and I'm grateful to be useful to Him in this way. Send me an email if you're interested in learning more about becoming a franchisee yourself! missy.currin@strollerstrides.net

And to top it all off, I'm grateful for the support of my family and friends, the cooperation of my toddler, and the North Hills Mall, the NC Museum of Art, and the many businesses that have hosted or sponsored our activities in one way or another. Thank you all- have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
~Missy

The Butterfly Effect

If the small wings of a butterfly can affect the weather on the other side of the world, then your actions today will most certainly have an effect on those around you.

YOU are a great mom!

We moms can be so hard on ourselves. As a community of moms, we need to remind each other to focus on the good and healthy things that we do for our child(ren), and be proud of them! So in that spirit:

What do you do for your child(ren) that you're proud of?
Go ahead- make a list! And please share what you come up with!

Here are a few that came from our Stroller Strides class warm-up question today:

1. I read to my son every day
2. I make sure my son eats vegetables at every meal
   
3. I continue to nurse my daughter despite the fact that it's hard and I'm often tempted to stop
   
4. I gave up buying nice clothes and things for myself so I could afford to stay home with my daughter
5. I dress my daughter in cute outfits- even when I don't have time and energy to do the same for myself
6. I role-model a healthy, active lifestyle to my child by exercising with him
7. I put my daughter's needs above my own and adapt my schedule around what works for her
8. I make my own baby food
9. I snuggle, hug, and kiss my little on every day and tell them I love them
   

And the list could go on and on! You are a GREAT mom!

Warm fuzzies... and I'm not talking about the humidity!

We always do a warm-up get-to-know-you question in Stroller Strides class. Today’s question was, “What positive change have you seen in yourself or your child since you started coming to class?” And the responses were so uplifting and encouraging I just had to share!

I always go first to give everyone an extra second to think about their answer and mine was this- my son has started to imitate some of our exercises at home which makes me feel like a super role model for an active healthy lifestyle. Next, one mom reported that her daughter had become more interactive and social with other children and adults through class and Luna Moms Club playgroup activities. Another said she has more energy and her arms were sore from class last Friday- what a compliment! The next mom reported that coming to class had helped her son to get on a schedule! Yet another mom proudly declared that she had lost a few pounds- keep it up girl! And it went on and on like that all around our warm-up circle and put a smile on everyone’s face! What a great way to start the week! (Please excuse the obscene amount of exclamation points- I’m just that excited!!!)

Fitness for mom, fun for baby (and more) is what we’re about at Stroller Strides! Come join us anytime for a free class and see what positive healthy life changes await you and your little ones!