Last Tuesday was my last stroller fit class (previous posts here and here).

I started at 168 lbs. eight weeks ago, and ended at 165 lbs. But don’t let the numbers fool you — I fit into pants now I haven’t been able to since long before I got pregnant with Alice last spring. And how your clothes fit, in my opinion, is the best judge of weight loss.

I’m not sure what I thought the class was going to be like. I mean, aside from running, what could one possibly do exercise-wise with a stroller?

Turns out lots! And you can do any of these on your own, too. I try to remember to incorporate them myself now:

• walk on your tip toes up hills (TRY THIS — it sounds so innocent, but works your calves like you would not believe!)
• lunges behind the stroller (facing forwards, and sideways)
• lifting the back end of the stroller slightly off the ground to work forearms, triceps and shoulders
• squats — my least favourite exercise in the world, but the best for you — holding onto the handle of the stroller
• changing pace: walking slow and light running

The class had yoga woven in, too, which even I — a non-yoga girl — appreciated at the end of the class to unwind and giggle at the babies.

I even bought my own jogging stroller! A Zooper Boogie off Kijiji Oshawa. (Which I will write about soon, because I am in love with a piece of baby equipment. People? You do not know strollers until you have a good stroller.)

But the best part? Meeting local moms, of course. I have a whole new group of friends to meet up with. We already have two dates for this week, a kiddie pool party at my house in early August, and hope to continue to connect weekly for a walk. Taking a class like this gives you an instant connection with people, because you are already have a bond — your babies! I find it very difficult to make friends as an adult (anyone else think this?), so a class with your kid is an excellent way to meet new people.

(And I say “baby” but I mean any child who will sit for an hour in a stroller. Elizabeth in my class came with her toddler, Aiden, who is 2+).

We finished off last week’s class with a great potluck lunch that included my Foster Family Cheeseball, Oreo cheesecake and a kick ass quinoa salad.

Thanks to Balanced Life Yoga and our instructor, Kelly, for letting Alice and I take this class. I absolutely loved it!

If you’re interested, Balanced Life is running more mom n’ baby geared classes this fall! See the details below, and visit their website for more info.

UXBRIDGE
Stroller Fit – Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am (Sept.8-Oct.13)
Mom & Babe Boot Camp – Friday 9:30 – 10:30 am (Sept.11-Oct.16)
Prenatal Yoga – Saturday 11:45-12:45 am (Sept. 19-Nov.21)

AJAX
Mom & Baby Yoga Boot Camp Tuesday 10:45-11:45 am (Sept 15 – Oct 20)
Pre-natal Yoga Wednesday 7:30 – 8:30 pm (Sept 16-Nov 4)

Slightly embarrassingly, we are the only pair in the stroller fit class who do not have a stroller made for, well, fitting — ie: a jogging one.

We were going to borrow one from a neighbour, but that fell through. And so, there we were with our rather clunky Evenflo, Alice strapped in, blanketed and bleating.

One of these things is not like the other

Thankfully the paths were just fine for a regular stroller (it’s not like we were running, anyways) — the most rugged was a rather rough dirt road through the park which, not surprisingly, put Alice to sleep. This child will ONLY sleep not in her crib when the car is moving, or she is being jostled like the inside of a snow globe.

The class was fantastic: brisk walking, lunges, up a not-too-steep hill on tip toes (try this sometime — sounds easy, but man, it burns by the top), skipping (and we thought we looked silly doing the lunges), and two sets of yoga-pilates as a break.

The other moms are friendly, the instructor encouraging and down to earth, and it all took place in my favourite park in the sun. What a fabulous hour on a Tuesday morning. I was warm and energized and rosy-cheeked the rest of the day. And whoo boy did my arse and quads hurt yesterday — the sign of a great workout.

Oh yes we did have matching pink Toronto Blue Jays hats on

Balanced Life Yoga will prorate the cost of the class if you want to join anytime. Email Kelly for more info.

And don’t forget a class in Ajax starts July 8 for all you south Durham Mamas. More details here.

Starting weight: 168 lbs. Stay tuned for week two.

Tomorrow Alice and I start a stroller fit class.

I’ve always wanted to take one, but never knew of one close enough, or with good timing. This one will criss-cross the beautiful trails up here, and include some yoga (not my fave, but maybe outdoors with baby will be better?) and pilates (dying to try). It also starts at 11 a.m. — perfect for us Moms with babies that still nap in the morning.

I can’t think of a better way to enjoy my hometown and the sunshine, expose Alice to nature, and get expedite the shedding of this baby weight all at once. And the class is super cheap: Just $55 for eight weeks, or less than $7/class.

My friend Rachael from high school (hi Rach!) is joining me with her son.

I’m going to write about our adventures, take some photos and document any weight loss.

A similar class is running in Ajax starting July 8, and there’s still room in both locations to register. Visit www.balancedlifeyoga.ca (then select: buy passes/pre-registered classes/8-week stroller fit) for more details.