Stroller Strides has allowed me to get down to BELOW pre-baby weight. Before getting pregnant with Connor, I was 133 pounds and wore a size 6 (although probably should have been in a size 8 looking back at the pictures). When I had Connor, I was 165 pounds wearing the most wonderful invention ever-maternity clothes! I began stroller strides at about 138 pounds trying to squeeze myself into my prematernity clothes. I ran my first 5K with the SS moms at the March of Dimes, where I walked most of the way, and ran maybe a mile with my friend Ashlee. It took awhile, but we did it! I had a goal to fit into my bridesmaids dress for my sister's wedding in May, and was supported by the moms to reach that goal (tube top and all, so I wouldn't have tan lines!) During the summer, when financial times got a little tough, we sold my car. I was worried I wouldn't have our weekly outings to SS, but these amazing moms jumped at the opportunity to pick us up so we could go. This is where Jill, one of instructors, convinced me that I was capable of training for my first half marathon! I began training in August, running with Connor in the BOB and going to SS. This is where I saw the weight fall off! Katie H. told me one day while running how skinny I looked, which is something I hadn't been told by someone other than my mom in quite some time! More motivation! By November, I had only run 7 miles, and had to get ready to run 13.1! Ah!! I certainly didn't train as hard as I would have liked, but on the day of the half, I ran 9 miles straight, ran/walked until 12, until I saw Katie and Jamie with their "See Mom Run" sign! I started to run again, and had my sister meet me near the end to run to the finish line, with Ryan, Connor and my mom cheering me on when I thought I couldn't go any further. I will NEVER forget that day and the feeling of accomplishment when I crossed that line a year and three days after giving birth to Connor. On that day, I weighed 121 pounds, the lowest since high school, and I have Stroller Strides (Kelly, Katie and Jill) to thank for that.
But Stroller Strides is more than just a fitness program. They have a slogan of "Sisterhood in Motherhood", and boy does that hit home! Confession-I have never gotten along with other women. I've been stabbed in the back by supposed friends, so now I feel like I have PTSD when it comes to relationships with women. I am awkward when put in the position to talk one on one with someone, and never know what to say to keep a conversation going. Being with this group of women has helped with that tremendously! We all have something in common, motherhood, and that common ground has restored my faith that it is possible to find other women out there who are not out to "one up" you or make you feel less than you are worth. These women build you up and support you in your goals, and for that, I am so incredibly thankful.
I know this was a long one, but a year's journey as a mother, athlete, and women are hard to sum up in just a few short sentences.
Thank you, Stroller Strides, for Kelly and her leadership, motivation, patience and genuine love of teaching mothers healthy habits. Thank you for the endless opportunities for friendship and growth this past year. And thank you for helping me to feel and look the best I ever have!
