Why workout with your kids?

Bonding through baby wearing

At FITMOM we are big supporters of exercising with kids in tow.  

Our FITMOM+Baby classes incorporate baby wearing giving mom and baby the opportunity to connect and bond through movement and touch.  Through these activities baby's learn about the world around them.  

Physical contact allows a baby to explore the world around them, communicate their needs and wants, enhances attachment and improves their emotional well being.

Babies and older children are naturally active and we want to do everything we can to encourage this!  This is why I am so excited to introduce  our FITMOM+Toddler fitness classes.  These classes are a spin off from our popular FITMOM+Baby classes, but tailored to meet the needs of growing tots!

The FITMOM+Toddler classes will foster a toddlers natural desire for movement while mimicking mommy and using fun analogies of animals and familiar objects to

Just like Mom!

entertain them.

Benefits of regular exercise for young children include:

• an increase in self-esteem & confidence
• a lifelong commitment to regular exercise because it was introduced at a young age
• reducing the instances of obesity and decreasing the risk of serious illnesses

FITMOM+Toddler classes start Tuesday October 13th in Oshawa.  Register at www.fitmomfitness.com/durham. Perfect class for moms + tots with baby siblings :)

  





 

Calling all moms!
Join our CORE RESTORE series.

Our exclusive 8 week fitness series is specifically designed to rehabilitate your core, boost your metabolism & lift your booty!

• Each class incorporates safe & effective Core moves (no more crunches!)
• Safe for women with abdominal separation
• Special emphasis on functional movement
• Interval training to boost metabolism & blast fat
• Creative programming to engage and entertain baby
• Experience our Signature FITMOM style
• Meet other new moms in your community

Register by Tuesday March 10th, 2015

$120/8 weeks (taxes included)

The Benefits of Baby Wearing

Ben was 4 years old when Jakob was born and he was a busy, climbing, jumping kind of a boy (is there any other kind of kid? Certainly not in our house!).  Babywearing made it possible for me to keep up with him and be hands free.  It also allowed me to stay connected to Jakob and enjoy the close cuddly feeling that a new baby brings you. I continued to enjoy the benefits of babywearing well beyond the infant stage.  For those of you who were around for the first year of FITMOM in Durham Region, you may recall me lunging, squatting and sweating alongside of you with a 12mnth old toddler strapped to my back! 

Here is some great information that may have you increasing the amount of time your baby spends in a carrier/wrap vs a car seat, swing or bouncy chair!

1. Baby's are happier when you wear them.  In fact, one study found that babies cried 43% less overall and 54%less in the evening hours when they were in a carrier, compared to babies that were not. (1)

2. Baby's are healthier when you wear them.  The sound of your heartbeat , the rhythm of your breathing and your own bodies movement is familiar to your little one.  This stimulation helps regulate his own physcial responses.  Wearing your baby can also help stimulate their development by exposing them to the five senses (touching, hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting), which has a positive impact on your infants brain development.

3. Builds confidence and communication Wearing your baby close to your body allows you to respond to his needs quickly.  Learning to read your baby's gestures, facial expressions and natural movements increases your confidence and deepens the mutual attachement between baby and parent.

4.Comfortable & convenient Investing in a good carrier will allow you to get through your daily activities (cleaning, shopping, travelling) without having the anxiety or stress of experiencing the frequent interruptions of an infant. 

5.Can be done anytime, anywhere by anyone
Babywearing allows other family members or friends the opportunity to connect and bond with the new baby in your life. I always love seeing dad's with a baby strapped to their body.as they walk the dog or during family outings.  Babywearing allows all loving caregivers the oppotunity to connect and bond.

For more information on the benefits of babywearing visit
 

Babywearing International
Ask Dr. Sears
Attachment Parenting International

 

1 - Hunziker UA, Garr RG. (1986) Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A random-ized controlled trial. Pediatrics 77:641-648
 

Open House with Fitmom Durham

This week I am really excited to be hosting an open house for all of our classes at FITMOM Durham.

 

If you have not yet had a chance to try our classes out, then I invite you to come over and have some fun getting fit with your baby or toddler during the week of January 14-18, 2013

Let's make 2013 the most health focused year of your life!

FITMOM2Be/PreYoga

This class is perfectly suited for all moms2be! It is is the perfect balance of muscle conditioning to develop strong, stable muscles to support your changing body and Yoga postures that stretch and strengthen your body for birth.

FITMOM+Baby:

The most popular FITMOM indoor class. Shape and sculpt your body using your baby as added weight resistance. Each class is a full body workout designed to improve your core strength, burn fat and build muscle. You can expect to see longer, leaner arms, toned and shapely legs and smaller waistlines. Exercise without the guilt, meet other women in your community and have fun.

FITMOM+Baby Bootcamp

This high energy class will give you the energy you need to get through any day! A combination of intervals, circuits, plyometrics, strength training and great music delivered in signature FITMOM style. Babies are incorporated throughout the class. Suitable for all fitness levels.

SNAP Pickering captured us in action this morning at the FITMOM+Baby Bootcamp Monday's at10:30am
Mommy's lunged, squated and did push ups all using their baby's as motivation & resistance.

 

The FITMOM difference

Have you tried a FITMOM Class lately? 

Are you looking for a great, effective work out that will allow you to bond with your baby, meet other new moms in your community, and get information and support on a variety of baby related topics? Then look no further!  FITMOM offers effective prenatal and postpartum fitness classes in Durham Region (Oshawa, Pickering, Ajax), Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga/Hamilton and across Canada!

See some of our current & former FITMOM Durham members in this great little slide show below :)

For more information or to find a class near you visit www.fitmomfitness.com





Try our slideshow maker at Animoto.

Unlimited Fitness Classes For the Summer & Setting Goals!

I hope you have been enjoying this beautiful spring weather, I know I have!

Our outdoor programs are in full swing and so far, we have been blessed by Mother Nature with lots of sunshine! It's great to have an alternative to offer moms and babies where we can exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. However, we still have our indoor FITMOM&Baby classes on the schedule too, so I hope to see you and your baby in a FITMOM Class over the summer!  Classes will take place in Ajax, Pickering & Oshawa all summer long!

In fact, I hope you take advatage of our Summer Package which is unlimited FITMOM classes from June-August for only $200+tax. Register before Friday June 1st and use the Code UNLIMITED in the comments section.

Click here to be redirected to our Website

Calling all Runners & Wannabe Runners

I have made a decision & have set a new personal goal and I wonder if you would join me too?
I have never run a 10k race before, but after speaking with some of the women in my classes who completed the Sporting Life 10k run on Mother's Day, I was inspired to knock this one off my bucket list.
Last year a good friend of mine invited me to run in the Oasis 10k zoo run. I declined at the time, but am read to do it this year.
It takes commitment, training, support and community to achieve your goals. I am committed to training and supporting you if you would like to join me.
The race is scheduled for Saturday September 22nd 2012.
There is a 10k race at 8:15am and a 5k race at 10am and the race is held at the Toronto Zoo. Registration is open, but space is limited. Register before July 1st for only $60+tax and support our lovely zoo and join other women in who are interested in learning to run a 5k or 10k race.
If you are interested in joining me on this journey then email me at fitmomdurham@hotmail.com. No running experience is necessary.
Until Next Time,
Jennifer

Fitmom Durham's Video Blog

Wow!





What a busy few weeks here at FITMOM Durham!





Finally, here is the latest Video Blog for all of the FITMOM's out there!





3 exercises just for you & your baby!





You can do this circuit two ways: complete 15-20 repititions of each move .OR do each exercise for 1 minute and repeat for 2-3sets.

Let us know what you think!

Yours in health,

Jennifer!

Celebrate Family Day with FITMOM Durham!

Experience Family Day with FITMOM Durham!

Join us for a free event on Family Day Monday February 20th, 2012

10:30am in Pickering

1:00pm in Oshawa

Current, Past and Future FITMOM Durham Members are invited to participate in our FREE FITMOM+Baby/Bootcamp Class. Moms, Dads, Babies and Toddlers will all have so much fun getting fit together!

You must pre-register for this free event by emailing Jennifer at fitmomdurham@hotmail.com Space is Limited

Light Refreshments Served Post-Workout!!!

New Guidelines and Benefits of Babywearing

The benefits of baby wearing are well known. In the immediate postpartum period, wearing your baby facilitates and supports breastfeeding because you are ready and available to nurse your baby at the earlierst signs of hunger. Mothers who wear their babies, expecially skin to skin, experience a natural rise in oxytocin levels. This hormone is often called the "love hormone" and it is an important factor in establishing the infant-mother bond. Baby wearing supports the natural desire of mom and baby to be together and is known to reduce both the instances and severity of post partum depression. When babies are placed in a wrap, sling or carrier there is a significant decrease in infant crying, colic and infant acid reflux disease. Baby wearing also promotes the healthy physical development of the spine, nervous system, vision and brain. Babies who are placed in a soft carrier spend more time in the quiet alert state, which is optimal for learning.

Recently, the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance released a position paper with new guidelines for ensuring the safety and well being of babies in soft carriers and to promote and encourage baby wearing. The BCIA now recommends that soft carriers mimic the natural hold of an in arms carry so that the mother's and baby's bodies are in close contact together and the infant is inward facing. There are several positive benefits when your baby is inward facing: the spine is better supported, reducing the risk of spinal curvatures and hip dysplasia; there is greater protection from environmental overstimulation which promotes sleep.

The baby should be cuddled directly against the caregiver’s body, with the baby’s head ABOVE the caregiver’s chest, near the caregiver’s collarbone. Ideally, physical obstacles between parent and child should be eliminated, allowing for proper skin to skin contact.

For more information on baby carrier safety visit the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance.

It's hard work being a new mom

Really, it is!

Check out Canadian Families Magazine for a few tips on doing with style, grace and flair!

My colleague and friend Steafanie Antunes, founder of Discover Birth, also shares some insight into your newborns emotional and physical development as it relates to the 4th trimester. Do you know what she is referring to? You will after you watch this video!


Enjoy!