May Member of the Month

Meet Lindsay...

Hello Gorgeous Mamas!!

My name is Lindsay Platky and I have been an SSM devotee since the second week Alexa opened the Savannah class. My son, James Michael was 9 weeks old at the time and is now almost 11 months! Little JM is the first child for my husband Jamie and I. Jamie is currently deployed in Afghanistan and should return around Thanksgiving.

As a child growing up in Maryland, I was very physically active and energetic. I played soccer and basketball until sophomore year of high school, and always enjoyed roller blading and gym workouts. I attended the University of Maryland where I studied journalism. At the end of my junior year, Jamie (my high school sweetheart!) and I got engaged with a wedding planned for the following summer. Like many brides, I worked hard to get in tip top shape for my impending nuptials, and walked down the aisle August 1, 2008, sans the ten pounds gained during college and feeling amazing.

The next year brought a move to Texas and our first deployment. Though we had faced distance throughout college, nothing prepares you for the long months of separation that come with deployment. This, coupled with a frustrating job, lack of career direction and being far away from home for the first time, I fell off the fitness wagon - hard. It took seeing a picture of myself at my best friend's wedding at my heaviest to realize how much needed to change. I began taking yoga classes and fell completely in love with the high energy, kinetic practice of Vinyasa. I decided to take the plunge and get my 200 hour teaching certification in February 2011. I also greatly changed my eating habits, cutting out all processed foods and focusing on eating clean.

I was feeling healthy and strong when Jamie and I decided to expand our family in late 2011. We then resettled in Savannah and on July 16, 2012, proudly welcomed James Michael into the world. 

Eager to get back in shape and combat some minor baby blues, I was so thrilled to find Stroller Strong Moms right as Alexa opened doors in Savannah. I attended class 2-3 times a week at first, and met some amazing women and beautiful babies. The New Year's Get Fit challenge really kicked my fitness up a notch. I lost the last couple pounds of baby weight, in addition to 10 more pounds, allowing me to snag 3rd place in the challenge! I can honestly say that I am currently in the best shape of my life. I teach and practice yoga several times a week and attend SSM class 4 days a week. Through class, I have found a passion for running and more specifically RACING!! I recently got a 5k PR of 20:50 while pushing my son in the stroller, and two weeks later broke 6 minutes in the Savannah Mile race. I am excited to begin training with my fellow Stroller Strong Moms to tackle the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon in November. I never in a million years pictured myself falling in love with running and owe so much to Alexa, Kelli and Cassie for awakening and encouraging this passion. Being a Stroller Strong Mom has made this deployment not only bearable, but truly enjoyable as I am surrounded by so much warmth and support in class everyday. I am a part of an amazing community of healthy, strong, kind women and feel so blessed to have SSM in my life. 

SSM April/May News

April/May News

Lot's of amazing things have happened for Stroller Strong Moms in the past few months. First and foremost, let's start with the Get Fit Challenge! 

Get Fit for 2013

At the end of March, we announced the Get Fit For 2013 winners in both Columbus and Savannah! 

The Columbus top ten were as follows:

10- Jennifer Meische

9- Meghan Schroeder

8- Tracey Shepherd

7- Kristina McWilliams

6- Jarah Spooner

5- Donna Giberti

4- Kacie Charlot

3- Gabby Gutridge

2- Tiffanie Monroe

1- Val Logan!!!

Most Classes Attended: Meghan Schroeder

Most Fitness Assessment Improvement: Tracey Shepherd

Most Body Fat Loss: Teresa Jones

Most Weight Loss: Emily Osinski

Here are your top 5! 

From Left to Right: Gabby, Tiffanie, Donna, Val, Kacie

The Savannah top ten were as follows: 

10- Laura Roberts

9- Dana Bynum

8- Kim Cody

7- Holly Moore

6- Mandy Anderson

5- Sofie Morrissey

4- Lindsey Von B

3- Linsday Platky

2- Kim Watson

1- Jessika Haselbauer!!

Most Classes Attended: Lindsey Von B
Most Fitness Assessment Improvement: Holly Moore
Most Body Fat Loss: Dana Bynum
Most Weight Loss: Davida Robinson

Here are your top 3!

From left to right: Lindsey, Jessika, Kim

All these mamas worked their butts off and it showed! Congrats to all you hardworking mamas!!! 

"Light UP Columbus" for Autism Speaks

We are so excited to announce that on April 5th, 2014, we will host a 10K, 5K, 1 Mile Run in downtown Columbus!!! We are looking forward to this event and we need lots of SSMs to volunteer to be a part of our race committees to make this event a great success! Please see one of your instructors if you are interested in helping! Can't wait!!!

Farewell to Jill :( 

It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to Jill and family as they PCS to Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the middle of June. Jill was such an awesome instructor and motivator and she will be missed. We had a super fun class for Jill at Callaway Gardens on Friday and a fabulous potluck at Miss Joanie's house (Reba's awesome mom) to celebrate Jill and all she has done for Stroller Strong Moms. We will miss you Jill and Teagan!!!

Jill's Tribute Class at Callaway Gardens 

They Ran Across Georgia

Over Memorial Day Weekend, eight of our Columbus SSMs ran across Georgia from Savannah to Columbus to raise money for the House of Heroes. They relayed for 260 miles over 40 hours, wow!!! They were welcomed in Columbus by a large crowd including tons of fellow Stroller Strong Moms. What an amazing accomplishment and such an inspiration! Congrats mamas!!!

From Left to Right: Rosa, Brooke W, Camille, Val, Reba, Jill, Stephanie, Ashley

Memorial Day Class in Savannah

In Savannah, we had a great Memorial Day class that included tons of patriotic stations to honor the fallen on a very special day. Great job everyone and thanks for participating!!! We had record breaking numbers!!! 

SSM Savannah wore red, white and blue for a special Memorial Day class on Monday

Keep SLAMing mamas!!!

April Member of the Month

Meet Rosa!!!

Hey everyone!

My name is Rosa Eshoo and I have been a member of Stroller Strong Moms of Columbus, GA since February 2013.

I was born in Ft. Dix, NJ and lived there for 10 years, before moving to Columbus, GA. Shortly after moving here I started to get involved with sports. I played soccer, basketball and softball as a kid and even ran cross country in middle school. In high school I played basketball and was on a traveling softball team for 2 years. I received an athletic scholarship to a school in Virginia for softball and basketball, but decided to leave after my first year because it was not a good fit for me.

September 2003 I decided to join the Army and it was in training in San Antonio, TX  I met my husband, Tony. I came back home to Columbus to finish nursing school while in the army reserves and Tony's first duty station was Ft. Stewart, GA. We kept in touch, started dating and before we knew it he was stationed at Ft.  Benning and we were married. While in college I played a few intramural sports and started to run again! I ran my first half marathon in 2008 and a few months after was pregnant with boy #1.

After Roman was born we moved to Monterey, CA for 15 months, while my husband learned Arabic. I eventually started running again and ran a few 5Ks while we were there.  We had our second son, Jalen, a few months after moving back to Columbus in January 2012. After that pregnancy I really wanted to get back in shape! I started with Insanity and that summer began running in 5K races again. My husband deployed that summer so if I wanted to run the boys had to come with me. The three of us ran a series of 5ks and that is when I first saw the stroller strong moms. I didn't think to join the group because I thought my running routine was working just fine for me and I really did not think my boys would behave during class. I was doing fine until the holidays when I just lost my motivation to run, so in February I went to my first class at Britt David and regret not joining sooner! By the end of the first week I was telling my husband how sore I was and I was so excited about it because it had been a while since I had that great of a workout. Although I have not been a member for long I have already noticed a huge improvements in my running. I have already cut down my pace by almost 40 seconds and even PR'd by almost 3 minutes pushing my double jogger!  SSM has become a part of our daily routine, and the boys and I love coming to class and working out with such an amazing group of women!!

March Member of the Month

Meet Jessika! 

Hi Everyone!

My name is Jessika Haselbauer and I have been a proud member of Stroller Strong Moms here in Savannah, Georgia since the grand opening in August.  I am so thankful that my friend, Marie Kelley (who was a part of the Columbus SSM family) gave me a heads up that Alexa was coming my way! After reviewing the website and watching the videos I was pumped, I knew this was the kick in the butt I needed to lose the extra weight I was carrying and overall to just be fit and healthy once again. SSM has not only lived up to all my expectations but has exceeded them!

I grew up all over the world as an “army brat”, from Vilseck, Germany to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Growing up my dad always tried to keep us active whether we were taking a family hike, bike ride, swimming, or just kicking the soccer ball around the back yard. Along with those activities I took tap, jazz, and ballet for 6 years and played 2 years of soft ball for my church league.  Looking back I believe the shift from a healthy lifestyle happened gradually and due to many reasons. Life threw me several curve balls and within a matter of two years I had went through losing a child, divorce, and then became a working single mother.  Food quickly became a comfort for me and working out took a back burner.  After putting myself through nursing school and achieving my RN I finally was ready for a change and my focus shifted back to health and fitness. I started taking spin classes, running after work, and enrolled in a 12 week boot camp.  I dropped 15 pounds in 6 months and felt strong and determined to stay fit. 

A short time later I met a wonderful man who renewed my faith in love and happiness.  We were married April 2009 and we have journeyed together from Kansas to Alabama, and then onto our present home here in Savannah.  We have a 9 year old daughter, Jayla and a 9 month old, Tristin.  After having Tristin I again found myself overweight and out of shape!! The road back to being fit has not been easy but SSM has made it possible.  All the support and encouragement from everyone has made me push harder when I wanted to quit and reach goals I never thought possible.  I could not even run a half mile when I started class back in August without feeling like I was going to die. Two weeks ago I ran a 5K at a 10 minute/mile pace and felt amazing doing it!! I could barely crank out 2 to 3 push-ups in August and now I can do 25! I have lost a total of 26 pounds over the past 6 months and have toned and trimmed up in so many areas. Both of my children enjoy attending SSM class with me especially because of all the playgroups and activities we get to be a part of.  It is so great to come to class and see everyone’s smiling faces and know we were all there for a common goal to be fit and healthy!!

I am proof that it is never too late to reengage in a fit and healthy life.   If you truly put in the effort and time SSM will change your life!

SSM February/March News

February/March News

Hey Stroller Strong Moms!

February and March have been filled with lots of awesome SSM events and happenings. We have welcomed tons of new SSMs in Columbus and in Savannah! In Columbus, we had an awesome group Valentine's Day Class and a really fun performance of the Harlem Shake thanks to Joe Paull, our SSM videographer/CPG. Savannah had a really fun Valentine themed class and Dr. Suess themed class and playgroup! Speaking of playgroup...playgroups have been going awesome thanks to Carly, our playgroup leader in Columbus, and Kim W, our playgroup leader in Savannah. Please see these ladies if you are interested in hosting a future playgroup!

Columbus SSM Valentine's Day Circuit Class!

SSM Savannah Dr. Seuss theme class and playgroup

SSM Savannah completed at big group 5k last weekend with their GLLAM shirts at the Shamrock Run in downtown Savannah. Tons of PRs happened on Friday night! SSM Columbus gets ready with their GLLAM shirts for a big group showing at the SMA 5K tomorrow morning and the St. Paddy's Day 5k as well. 

We have welcomed new instructors at both SSM Columbus and Savannah! Huge welcome to Brooke Whitis in Columbus! Her bio will be up on the website shortly! She has been an awesome Stroller Strong Moms for some time now and she fell perfectly into the role of being an instructor in the end of February. We also welcome both Kelli Berger and Cassie Cercy to the instructor team in Savannah (both are pictured above as Thing 1 and Thing 2). Kelli and Cassie have been doing an awesome job and they are ready to step right in and keep SSM going strong when Smith baby #3 decides to make an appearance! 

Farewell to Julie...

With the welcoming of new instructors often comes having to say goodbye to someone. Our awesome and loyal SSM Columbus instructor, Julie, will be PCSing to Colorado at the end of March. It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Julie and family and we wish them the best of luck on their next adventure in Colorado. Please join us in celebrating Julie on Saturday, March 23rd at 5pm at the Clubhouse at Greystone at Columbus Parks Apartments with Potluck food and fun. We will also have a fun tribute class to Julie on Friday, March 22nd at Britt David Park. There will only be one class that day, so please head over to Britt David to honor Julie and all the time, commitment, fun, motivation and friendship she has given to each and every Stroller Strong Mom!!! 

Get Fit for 2013 Challenge...

ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL THE END OF GET FIT FOR 2013!!!!! THERE ARE AWESOME PRIZES FOR BOTH COLUMBUS AND SAVANNAH. KEEP WORKING HARD TO REACH THOSE GOALS AND BLOW YOUR NUMBERS OUT OF THE WATER! 

COLUMBUS PRIZES ARE AS FOLLOWS: 

Prizes will be gift cards to Big Dog Running Company!!!!

First Place: $150

Second Place: $100

Third Place: $75

Fourth Place: $50

Fifth Place: $25

$20 Prizes for most classes attended, most body fat loss, most weight loss, most fitness assessment improvement will be given out as well!!

SAVANNAH PRIZES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Prizes will be gift cards to Georgia Game Changers Running Co!!!!

First Place: $100

Second Place: $50

Third Place: $25

$15 Prizes for most classes attended, most body fat loss, most weight loss, most fitness assessment improvement will be given out as well!!

More News...

Stroller Strong Moms has recently added some new days and locations to the schedule! In Columbus, we are now Monday through Friday at both Lake Bottom and Britt David!!!! In Savannah, we have added J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill on Tuesdays and Thursdays! We are still at Forsyth Park on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

We are also pleased to announce that we have added automatic draft for month unlimited members! No need to remember to pay every month anymore, it will be done for you! 

I leave you with this cute little photo to remind you that you are strong and powerful and you should hold your head high. You have achieved so much through  pushing yourself in and out of class, day in and day out to become a faster runner, a more fit mom who is able to take on daily tasks with ease, a stronger mom, a better you! Have confidence in that and believe in yourself because you are awesome! 

Keep SLAMing ladies!!!! 

~Alexa