Fitmom Toronto

01/10/2022

With the need for community even greater than ever we are launching our Ambassador program.

If you are a mom who is super passionate about community and connecting and trying to find ways to stay healthy apply to be a L.O.V.E. Fitmom Ambassador and help inspire other women .

Being an ambassador involves :

Attending at least 2 classes weekly with your complimentary pass

Sharing your journey on social media . When people join because of you you also get paid! Its like getting paid to workout!

Limit 1 Ambassador per community. Larger cities may include many communities!

https://liveonlinevirtualexercise.com/ambassador-program

01/01/2022

Happy New Year all,

Hope you are doing ok and found a safe way to ring in the New Year. I was at home in Quarantine with Covid . Not much fun but I am still so grateful to be in my new home recovering.

I love New Years and fresh starts. No matter what you think each new day , new week and yes NEW YEAR is an opportunity to set new intentions. I like to bring New Years energy to every new week and new day but the first day of the year can be really special. This year is feeling full of challenges already as we see record number of " The Vid" and parents sit on pins and needles wondering how school will go. These challenges and Covid burn out are no gun for anyone but I reflect and see who is coping better or worse and it is those who have prioritized not giving up and finding a balance of self care even in the worst of times that thrive .

So PLEASE DONT QUIT . Even if the challenges are forcing you to deal with crap you would not be how can you face these challenges with grace and kindness to yourself and others.

These are my top 5 go to's during life challenges

1. Daily movement (I notice even my front line worker clients who are beyond over it who have kept a few workout sessions a week even if the 20 minute ones are doing much better mentally and physically.)

2. Let yourself have sad days and moments. Whatever you may be grieving big or small. Creating space for feeling your crappy feelings releases pent up energy and gives you emotional freedom.

3. Set daily and weekly goals that are realistic within the constrains of current life. So if your life has been readjusted because of forces outside your control it is YES frustrating.. but DONT GIVE UP. Reframe , reconfigure and reset. We have to be flexible and adapt .

4. Laugh at the absurdity of life. (also cry of course if needed ) but do not find yourself taking life to seriously ongoing. I have seen some folks go through some fresh hell over the past couple years above and beyond the state of affairs we are all facing. A sense of humour is your best friend during adversity.

5. Connect with your loved ones ..even if just online. Have an online dance party or do a watch party with family or have a cup of tea with a gf.

Most of all make sure join us in sessions this week (classes start Tuesday ) and we will help you with all of the above. Prices have not gone up yet so hop on over to
www.liveonlinevirtualexercise.com

Finally if you are ready to really put your best health foot forward with accountability and want some one on one coaching check out my 10 private 20 minutes sessions and let us start with a lifestyle overview. In a lifestyle overview we look at all the daily habits and care along with a proper assessment of all the balls you have in the air and we create realistic goals that build off what you are doing well already !

Lets go!

Here is to finding the hope and beauty in the current moment xo

Andrea

Live online virtual exercise is a variety of live group online fitness and personal training, downloaded classes. Programs for the whole family and workplace.

12/16/2021

Public
Our January 2022 schedule is looking great! Make sure you book your 3 month or 6 month live online pass which also includes access to our pre-recorded library!

Book now at
www.liveonlinevirtualexercise.com

12/12/2021

Do you know the because of the baby putting his hand on our mouth while we breastfeed him??

According to Zeljko Loparic (professor of philosophy at Unicamp and Winnicott scholar), in his mother's lap, when everything goes well (there is foster care and exchange of looks), the child learns the notion of ′′ mutuality ". The baby realizes that mom does something for him. Give him something (milk, snuggle, affection, safety, relief,...).
And over time, the baby has the desire to give something to the mother too.

One of the first signs of mutuality is very interesting. Winnicott when he watches the babies that suck, realizes that too soon they start putting their finger inside their mother's mouth.

The baby is getting something from the mother and wants to spontaneously give something to her. Winnicott calls this ′′ cross identification ". The baby identifies with the mother in this ′′ give and receive ". And this, according to Winnicott, is fundamental to the beginning of a healthy social life.

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11/24/2021

Did you grab your free Dec pass yet? and YES if you have a pass this extends you a month! Happy Holidays ..See code and link to register below!

Finding your Community

For more than a decade, we've been offering classes to pregnant people and new mammas and back to work moms, guiding them through their fitness journey during their childbearing years, contributing to their overall feeling of wellbeing and providing them with a space where they can feel welcomed and find their community. Community is incredibly important to us.

I remember when I started FITMOM as a young single mom it was about way more than starting a business. It was about creating community for myself . All these years later, we're still chatting about motherhood and our “babies” (only late nights aren't due to babies waking up, but are because we're waiting for our teens and young adults to return home!). What great memories and friends I have created over the years! While we I did not have a very positive new mom experience because of being alone I wanted to make sure other mothers did . I want every mamma to have the most memorable first months with their babies! That's why, at FITMOM, we work to bring mammas together, not only to stay active and become strong and healthy, but to also help them build their mamma community. Providing a welcoming environment where mammas can meet others who “get it”, is one of the best ways we can facilitate a mamma's self-care.

Many people moved classes online during this pandemic, but I myself was already working in that space since 2010. As my kids got older and life became even more chaotic my time was /is at a premium and I knew most moms feel this way and it is one of the reasons self care gets put on the back burner.

During our Fitmom classes, we chat about all sorts of topics including: sleep struggles, our favourite baby things, what we're having for dinner, which local shops we support and loads of other relevant subjects.

During Fitwoman and Restorative classes we draw on the experience of older moms and focus on how to make it all work and keep our bodies working long term.

Questions are encouraged, participation is welcomed!

The online chat box is sometimes quite busy during our classes. While our classes are only 30 minutes of workout time, we often don't find ourselves logging out until much later as we catch up with any of our members that hang around to chat. We already knew that connecting with each other was important, but it's become even more essential for our mental well being during this pandemic. So, we'd love to hear from you… What are the ways you've found to stay connected?

FREE December Classes

Our December class Schedule is up on the website! And the best news is that all of our December Express classes are FREE!
This pandemic has been a LONG haul for all of us so we wanted to make it just a little bit better and honour our clients while welcoming new folks:)

Classes run from December 1st - 21st
There are 12 classes on the schedule
All classes are 30 minute Express classes
We'll stay at class for an extra 10-15 min to give everyone an opportunity to chat and connect

Here's the schedule:
Mondays @ 7 pm: Restore Fit
Wednedsays @ 12 pm: FITMOM Express
Thursdays @ 7:45 pm: FITWOMAN Express
Fridays @ 10 am: FITMOM Express**

When you reserve your space in any of our December Express classes, you'll know what type of class it is (for instance, “Core and Cardio” or “Lower Body Burn”) and we'll let you know if there's any special equipment you need for the class (for instance, loop bands or stability/exercise ball or a chair) so that you can feel prepared. During almost all of our classes, you will want to have your mat and a set of weights. If you don't have a piece of equipment don't sweat it, just let us know and we'll give you a different option!

You'll need to “buy” a pass for these classes and then use Promo Code "dec2021 "gift to get your free pass! If you have an existing pass this will then extend you a month!!

Reserve a space in the class you'd like to attend to gain access online.

www.liveonlinevirtualexercise.com


Moving Forward into 2022
While some things seem to have stabilized this fall, there's still loads of uncertainty around the winter months and what people are willing/able/happy to do in an indoor space, especially when it involves heavy breathing and sweating! So, we've made the decision to continue virtually this winter.

What does this mean for our members?
💟 We won't need to cancel classes for bad weather
💟 We won't need to cancel classes because we're sick
💟 You get to attend any classes you want, even if you have a cold or cough
💟 You're able to still attend a class, even if your littles are home with you waiting for test results
💟 You don't need to worry about older kids' classroom shutdowns - instead they can work out with you!
💟 It's so much easier to be consistent with your workouts when you take away unpredictability
💟 There's no commute in snowstorms and no challenges to find parking
💟 There's no wrangling of snow gear, boots, hats, mitts or babies into car seats
💟 There's no lugging your baby's car seat down the road and into the classroom! and the best part is….
💟 You get tons of variety and exposure to Andrea, Jen and I (who combined have over 40 years of experience teaching women in their childbearing years!)
💟 We'll be offering a kicka$$ deal for you to join us this winter:)

Library of Pre-recorded Workouts

Our library of pre-recorded workouts have been a great addition to our offerings since the pandemic began. Our members love the flexibility of doing a workout on their own time and have found them to be really helpful for when they can't make it to a scheduled class or when they have some free time. The variety of class types and time commitments is something that our members are enjoying! Here are a few highlights we wanted to share with you about our pre-recorded workouts:
🏋🏾‍♀️ Our pre-recorded workouts are categorized for you to select the type of workout you want.
⏰ The time commitment for most workouts varies from 10 to 30 minutes
📺 There are over 80 videos currently uploaded to our content library and it's growing every week
💕 Some of our favourites are a 10 minute advanced abdominal sequence, which is a burner for those who have progressed to more advanced core work, or a 30 minute isometric movement workout.
🤰🏽We have a selection of Prenatal workouts for our FITMOM2B members! We want to help keep you active and moving this month. In addition to our free classes in December, you can snag VIP access to our Content Library. Work out at your convenience, stay on track with any health related goals you have set for yourself and have some fun with us! Grab your pass now and get full access to our content library:
Pass is valid from December 1, 2021 to January 2, 2022On sale at $20 + HST (regular price is $25 for 4 weeks access)A low cost investment to help you stay active over our holiday break!
Content library passes can also be found at www.liveonlinevirtualexercises.com

See you online soon,

Andrea

11/15/2021

Need to get moving again but are not sure how to get started or are not sure about how live online classes work?

Join us between and now and Nov 30 as a first time customer and get access to promotional free 4 day free trial to try our LIVE ONLINE VIRTUAL COACHED CLASSES.

You will see that our classes are personal and connected and you support and motivation all while saving time!


You can register at www.liveonlinevirtualexercise.com or PM me and I will get you set up!!!

Once you connect with us and see how supportive and accessible our workouts are you will wish you had done it sooner!!

www.liveonlinevirtualexercise.com

11/04/2021

M.A.M.A. Fact:
Did you know that perinatal depression, which includes major and minor depressive episodes that occur during pregnancy, or in the first 12 months after delivery, is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the post-partum period?
It affects 1 in 7 women.
Anxiety and insomnia during pregnancy & post-partum is a prominent feature of perinatal mood disorders.
If you are having intrusive thoughts, feel an increase in your anxiety levels and are suffering from sleep disturbances take note and talk to your family Doctor, Midwife, Nurse or other health professional. There are lots of treatment options available to you. You don't need to do this alone.

Canada’s leading women’s health information website. The latest information, news, resources and research from Women\'s College Hospital experts.

11/01/2021

Welcome M.A.MA month . We lead off this month with the M.A.M.A. code.

The M.A.M.A. CODE
At FITMOM we believe in moms. In our 21 year history Andrea Page’s Original Fitmom programs has served and supported over 50,000 women and their families. Through our own personal experiences as mothers and countless hours spent listening, supporting and getting to know our clients, we have learned a thing or two, so this weeks blog post is about sharing some of what we know with you.
In past Novembers, during our M.A.M.A. month we introduced you to our Mama CODE. It stands for Connect with Community, Opportunities for Self Care, Diet & Nutrition and Exercise. The MAMA CODE are FITMOM’s Best Practices. We know that these 4 pillars help to create a strong foundation to build a happier, more confident mother. Some of these objectives are easier to attain than others. We also recognize that this can be even more challenging if a woman is dealing with any emotional issues in the postpartum period, including postpartum depression and anxiety.
Over the next few weeks we hope you consider adding the CODE to your mothering experience. Spend a few minutes thinking about each of these categories and think about the steps you can take to ensure that each one has presence in your own life.
Connect with Community. What does that look like for you? For many motherhood can often be an overwhelming and isolating experience. More of us are separated by distance from our immediate families. Grandparents may not be able (by choice or circumstance) to offer hands on support.
Getting out of the house with your baby can be a challenge, but meeting other mothers and exploring the services that your community has to offer can help make your maternity leave experience more enjoyable. Public Health, Libraries and the Ontario Early Years Centres all offer free programs & support groups to mothers. Find a local group or class that you would like to attend and book it into your calendar.
Finding activities that you enjoy will help to make this a habit and give you something to look forward to, especially in the colder months. If there is a program that interests you BOOK IT today!
Opportunities for self-care. This one is a doozy! However, we can’t stress enough how important it is for you to be kind to yourself, often! The job of mothering is 24/7 and if you don’t take a few moments to fill your cup, you will be left feeling depleted.
Why not get started right now! Grab a notepad and write down 2-3 things that you like to do just for you. Is it enjoying a cup of tea curled up with a magazine or Netflix? Perhaps it’s meeting a good friend for coffee or practicing meditation. Once you identify what you like to do, then pull out your calendar and book it.
Next tell your partner ‘This is what I need”. Often we anticipate that our partners will just encourage us to take the time to reboot, but if you don't tell them this is what you need, they don’t think there is a problem, or they just assume that you take that time during the day with baby (yeah-right!). If you do not have a partner see if a friend will commit to something weekly or bi-weekly to support you.

Mother’s need consistent and regular breaks from the responsibility of motherhood.

Diet & Nutrition can be a beast of its own, and there is an element of planning or preparation that is often involved to make eating well a reality. So how can we make this better?
Andrea, the founder of FITMOM, spent a few years living in Alberta. In her community most of the spouses worked at the oil rigs and would spend much of their time away. As a result the women were often left on their own, but how they handled this inspired Andrea greatly. She observed women mothering in community and a return to that philosophy of “it takes a village”. These women supported, cared and loved one another in a way that our modern society has drifted from. They often gathered together weekly to prepare meals. One woman would host, the children would be contained, entertained by older siblings or held by those with free hands as the group prepared healthy meals for the week. We think this is a fun way to make healthy meals, reduce workload and provide an opportunity to support and care for each other. Is this something you can make happen?
Finally, how can Exercise be a part of your daily (or weekly) experience? All of the research shows that when women engage in regular exercise (3-5 times/week) they have an improved mental state, can tolerate stress better, see an improvement in sleep patterns and have more energy to complete daily tasks.
Making exercise happen can take a little planning, but it is definitely doable! The first step is to book it into your calendar. Exercise has to be a priority, and you should treat it like any appointment you have. Find a class you like, register and pay for it, and then go. If group classes aren’t your thing than make the commitment to get out for daily walks.
We often wait for motivation to inspire us to get out there, but that’s not how motivation works. When it comes to exercise sometimes you often have to drag yourself to do it. Often putting on your running shoes is the hardest part. But once they’re on, you are halfway there, just continue out of the house. As you continue to make regular exercise a part of your daily or weekly routine the habit becomes established and then you will see an increase in motivation.
As the month of November continues, we want to hear from you! Please share your stories on how you apply the CODE to your life. You can also make recommendations or offer suggestions on how others can integrate the CODE into their lives.
With love

Andrea, Jen and Sue