Happy New Year To You And Your Families!
Coach Cassandra & AMC’s Mascots
The beginning of a new year encourages us to reflect upon what has been, and what will be. What successes did you have in 2012? What are you hoping to achieve in 2013?
2012 REFLECTION
Active Moms’ Club celebrated its four-year anniversary in October 2012. We launched a new, freshly designed website and blog in June. Our mascots, Apple & Blueberry turned one year old in August. And in December, YOU nominated and voted AMC as the “Most Totally Awesome Moms Fitness Program” in Chicago through the Red Tricycle’s Awards. I am honored.
I am grateful to you, our participants, for making the Club your primary fitness resource. This year, over 575 women participated in one of our fitness classes, or attended one of our special events.
I hope everyone made a connection with at least one other mom through these events. If you have experienced AMC’s community of moms, then you’ve likely been touched by the compassionate and genuine women who make up our community. Every pre- and postnatal class provides a setting for women to bond, and our events provide an opportunity for us to share what we’ve learned. More than 45 of you referred another mom to us this year. I am humbled that you think so highly of AMC!
A giant thank you goes to our amazing coaches, Megan and Raegan who play an integral part in AMC’s programming. Coach Raegan and her daughter Kelly were regulars teaching and participating in Biceps, Babies & Buggies last summer. Coach Megan has been with AMC for over two years, and is now a certified personal trainer in addition to her numerous specialty certifications. You may find Megan at i.d. gym helping out with prenatal or postnatal training.
I am thankful for the many businesses that support us, the moms who participate, and the community we created. In particular, I’d like to thank i.d. gym, Kolcraft, Athleta, and Neighborhood Parent Network (NPN) for hosting or sponsoring many of our events.
2012 HIGHLIGHTS
Some highlights for me include the launch of our newest program, Fit & Fab Small Group Postnatal Training. This program hit the ground running in November with over a dozen participants. It offers moms an affordable solution for personal training. It’s also our first program for working moms – the sessions are offered on weeknights and weekends.
Small Group Prenatal Fitness had its best year since it launched in 2010 and we are now seeing repeat clients! It’s incredibly rewarding to have alumni moms return to our programming. In 2012 we received over 35 birth announcements.
Prenatal women maintaining their core strength
From the Core: Postnatal Recovery is my favorite format to teach because it’s an intimate class, and I can get acquainted with many moms and their babies. A physician and her 6-week old son participated in this class in February. She was so impressed by our approach with new moms and thorough programming, she returned to work and persuaded her group to get involved with AMC. From the Core is supported by the Women’s Group at Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago. During our fall sessions Dr. Casey and a colleague returned to AMC to speak with our moms about physical postpartum changes, and provide biofeedback for abdominal recruitment through ultrasound. Our moms appreciated the added benefit of having access to RIC’s specialists. RIC is working on a grant for their research with AMC moms in post-partum recovery of core abdominal muscles. With our coordinated research efforts, they hope to provide more evidence-based, physical fitness programming to women during and after pregnancy. This will be a unique opportunity for everyone involved.
RIC providing biofeedback during FTC class
If you are a new mom, join us for the next session 6-week session of From the Core: Postnatal Recovery on January 8 or February 25, 2013.
My greatest highlight of 2012 is more personal. I was thrilled to include my two sons in our Biceps, Babies & Buggies classes this summer in Oz Park. When I started the Club (pre-babies), I always envisioned I would be the ‘mom/trainer’ participating and teaching classes with my child. This summer my boys were old enough to be in the jogging stroller, and they loved it. We would run to the park for class. They would sit contently (most of the time), in the stroller noshing on snacks while the moms worked up a sweat. At the end of class, we would enjoy a picnic and mingled with other moms and kids. I am experiencing the Club in its entirety: community, support, and friendships. It’s incredibly rewarding for my boys to be a part of my passion, and they inspire even more passion.
AMC mascots enjoying BBB class with mom
Learning from my own experiences as a mother will make AMC stronger and more successful in 2013. I will strive to ensure you all feel the same way. Our goal is to help you and your family lead a healthy lifestyle and, most importantly, continue to provide a reason for moms to come together and build a network of support.
UPCOMING IN 2013
AMC will continue to be your fitness resource year-round. Fit & Fab Small Group Postnatal Training at i.d. gym offers three sessions a week. Share the cost of having your own personal trainer and reach your goals in a motivating, supportive small group environment. For the first time, we are offering a 12-Week Weight Loss Challenge to kick off 2013! We are really excited about the Challenge – it’s designed to motivate and hold you accountable for your weight goals.
Are you looking forward to warm weather – so am I! Spring and summer promises to be another outstanding season for Biceps, Babies & Buggies. We’ll continue to host classes in Oz Park and will have more great events like our free summer picnics.
BBB summer picnic sponsored by Kolcraft
Special Events
AMC has a handful of fun, fitness and social related events planned for 2013, including:
- 3rd Annual Biceps, Babies & Buggies class kick-off event in April
- Free Quarterly “Rock Your Core” classes for pre- and postnatal moms at Athleta
- Free summer picnics in Oz Park
Free “Rock Your Core” class hosted at Athleta
The event schedule is updated often, and you can find current events, such as the 12-Week Weight Loss Challenge on Active Moms’ Club Facebook Fan page. If you are not a fan, like us so you are the first to hear about our happenings.
In conclusion, 2012 was a great year professionally and personally (and it all required a giant juggling act). I know 2013 is going to be phenomenal. What will it take to make 2013 your best year yet? I encourage you to take a moment to reflect. Write down a couple of goals and make a plan. A goal without a plan is only a wish. One thing I know for sure – moms need a daily recharge. The better you feel about yourself, the better parent you can be. Make sure you put yourself at the top of your priority list!
Wishing you much happiness and good health,
Coach Cassandra