Disney on Ice with the Family

Last year, I was offered the opportunity to take my girls to see Disney on Ice for a price that I could not refuse. I had a lot of hesitation taking my youngest - she had just turned 2 and I was not sure she would sit through a whole performance... I was REALLY wrong! As soon as the show started, she clasped her hands, her eyes bugged out and she was hooked! Both of the girls had a great time and they are still talking about it... it has been almost a year now!

They loved it so much that we have decided to take them again this year on Boxing Day! I can not wait to see their faces when they open the envelope on Christmas morning! Of course, I will have print a picture of the show so they know what the tickets are for... but they are going to freak out! Every time a commercial comes on, they both start begging... I think I have hidden my excitement pretty well so far.

This year we will be seeing Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey. It is running from December 25th - January 2nd at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. We thought about going on Christmas Day (how exciting would that be for the girls... open the gift and then get ready and go), but have decided to wait until Boxing Day just to let that excitement build for "1 sleep" and also allow for the Grandparents to visit on Christmas Day.

"Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey takes audiences on a fun-filled tour to four exciting destinations filled with favorite Disney friends. With Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as tour guides, guests will visit the enchanting worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch and Peter Pan.

The arena will be filled with music and magic in every scene including an enchanting undersea kingdom with Ariel and Sebastian, a jungle adventure in the African Pride Lands with Simba and Nala, a Hawaiian luau with Lilo and Stitch and a trip to jolly old London with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell.

“It’s an extraordinary show and a family vacation all rolled into one incredible night,” says Producer Kenneth Feld. “You really get a sense you are traveling right alongside Mickey, Minnie and their friends.”

Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey features an international team of award-winning skaters, exciting choreography and a musical score filled with familiar Disney hits and rock-and-roll classics the whole family will enjoy."

To learn more about Disney On Ice, log onto www.disneyonice.com or visit them on Facebook and YouTube.

I will be back again to tell you more about the show after we have had a chance to see it. If it is anything like the 'Princesses on Ice' that we saw last year though, I am sure it is going to be amazing and leave my girls talking about it for another year!

Christmas Toy Drive Party!

Every year my family has hosted a Christmas Toy Drive. When we lived in Peel, we use to take the toys into the Peel Regional Police station for the Toys for Tots program. We started this tradition for our daughters first Christmas. We are hoping to teach our kids the value of helping others, while at the same time teaching them to appreciate everything that they have. Since moving to Toronto we have donated the toys to the Toronto Fire Fighters, but we may be changing that up again this year. This year we are thinking about keeping it within the community and donating all the toys to Community Centre 55 and their Share a Christmas Program.

Another change I have made this year is that I will be hosting a Kids Christmas Toy Drive Party. It will be held at Bizzy Bee Playcentre in the Beaches on Wednesday, December 15th from 10am - 2pm. Kids of all ages are welcome! Bring a new, unwrapped toy and celebrate with us while we support a great cause! Brenda, the wonderful owner of Bizzy Bee, will be offering a 50% discount to anyone who donates a toy, so it is just $5 to stay and play all day! A light lunch will be provided and some door prizes are in the works... one family may even be sent on a "Magical Journey"... hmmm... stay tuned for more information!

Benefits of Exercise For All Women

The changes that a womens body experiences throughout pregnancy and the first year postpartum are dramatic and have an affect emotionally, physically and mentally.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Exercising on a regular basis will help improve your immune system. You will sleep better at night and notice increased energy during the day. Depression and anxiety can easily be controlled by a regular workout routine. Cravings for sweets and junk food will quickly be replaced by an increased appetite for natural, wholesome and nourishing foods, helping you improve your overall health. Increased flexibility and muscular strength will improve skeletal balance and reduce the strain on your body which can lead to injury and pain from day to day life.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY

One of the most important ways to prepare for pregnancy and childbirth is proper exercise. A regular workout will help with circulation (reducing the middle of the night leg cramps that we all love!), digestion (reducing the heartburn that a lot of pregnant women experience), and constipation (if this was not uncomfortable enough to experience during pregnancy, constipation can also lead to hemorrhoids). Hormones released throughout pregnancy cause muscles and ligaments to loosen, requiring greater muscle tone and proper posture in order to avoid further discomforts. Exercise can help an expectant mother deal with her changing body (and body image) that very often affects her self-esteem. Pregnancy is a time to be proud of your body and show it off to the world... you are carrying a new life in your belly, be proud and let the world know it!

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE IN PREPERATION OF CHILDBIRTH

The demands of labour and delivery differ for every women, but one thing remains the same – you must be prepared mentally and physically. The abdominal muscles must be strong and you must be able to focus on how you are using them. Learning how to “feel” the correct muscles in your core is an integral part of the prenatal fitness training. Strengthening exercises for the pelvic floor, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility training are key components to an effective prenatal fitness routine. All of these components will aid you through the delivery process as well as the postpartum recovery and leading into the years of taking care of your new baby. Returning to your pre-pregnancy fitness level is much easier to achieve if you remain active throughout the 9 months.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISE IN POSTPARTUM PERIOD

So, now you have had your baby and you feel like you are stuck at home. This is the most important time to get out of the house, stay healthy and interact with other mothers. Emotionally, this time can be a roller-coaster ride for most women. Most women are exhausted due to lack of sleep, are sore from the recovery process and carrying a new baby around all day, worried about regaining their pre-baby body and feel isolated from being home alone with a baby all day. Exercise can help with all the above concerns. Emotionally new mothers need the support of other mothers that understand what they are experiencing. They also need to take some time to take care of themselves in order to be better prepared and able to take care of their babies, who are completely dependent on them for nourishment, comfort and most importantly – love.

Finding Time for Mom

So, any women (ok, most women) that have had a baby, knows what it is like to battle with your body image after birth. Most of us go through the same battles... how to feel good about yourself when you are not happy with your body, you are overtired and have circles under your eyes, you are at the beck and call of your new baby (so how can you possibly take care of yourself), you question if you are doing the right things for your child and if you are a good mother... you pretty much question your entire life!

I went through the same issues after having my children. I did not want to even leave the house I was so depressed about my body and my overall appearance! I tried to workout at home when ever I could, but I never seemed to have time to complete a workout... if I even had the energy and motivation to start one! I tried to find a place that I could take my kids with me to workout, but there did not seem to be any options. The child care rooms in the big gyms were all so cold and closterphobic... even my oldest daughter would not stay in there without crying most of the time (and she would go to anyone, anywhere)!

Once I moved back to Toronto, I decided to create a personal training studio that was mom-friendly. There was a gap in the fitness world and I felt the need to fill it. I turned a basement appartment into a personal training studio (still constantly being improved, but it is a great space for now) and made the bedroom into my office and a playroom for the kids. It has worked out so well! Moms can come in with their kids and know that they are safe and happy while they work out. The kids are more than welcome to come into the studio to check on mom and tell them a quick story, but of needed, the gate can be closed and mom knows she can have some time to take care of herself... for once! I kept my playpen and baby rocking chair, along with a bin of baby toys, so even the younger infants can be amused while we whip mom into shape. I have always allowed for a flexible schedule... I mean, I am working with a lot a moms, I know life does not always go as planned with young kids around... plus, my commute to work is pretty good... down a whole flight of stairs, not so bad, so I can always change my schedule to suit my clients needs.

I love the women that I have met. We get the moms back into shape, discuss various challenges as a mother and wife (yes, we talk about you boys), give each other advice on potty training, sleep (or lack of), discipline... anything moms need to talk about. I have been able to help some wonderful women with their overall health, fitness and confidence - if only I could have found someone to do this for me! I am so happy with my decision to open a private studio! I have thought about expanding into a larger studio space, but for now I love the cozy atmosphere that only a home run studio can offer.

Welcome to Beaches Fitness

I have never done a blog before, but I have always thought it would be great to have one on my website in order to write about important subjects that always come up with my various clients. I thought this would be a great way to share information with everyone as well as get feedback from others.

I am the owner of Beaches Fitness - a personal training studio in Toronto, ON... in the Beaches, of course! I offer personal training, group training, group fitness class and most importantly, a place for moms to workout while their kids are safe and close by. Since the studio is in my basement, my schedule is extremely flexible and I am able to keep my rates low.

I have 2 young daughters - 18 months and 3 1/2. I started my studio after maternity leave with my 2nd daughter. The cost of daycare made returning to work seem impractical and I wanted to find a way to keep working while having my kids close by. I am so happy with my decision! I am able to offer a mom-friendly environment and a fun atmosphere for all the kids. I really enjoy what I do and I feel so lucky that it has been able to work for everyone involved. Not only have I had great success with all my clients, but I have also made new friendships along the way (for myself and for my daughters).

I do specialize in pre and post natal fitness as well as weight loss, but I also work with a great variety of clients. Although this started out as a studio for new moms, it has blossomed into a womens health studio. I love all the women I work with and all the new challenges that I have been faced with over the past 8 months! I can not wait to see where this leads me!

If you have any health and fitness related questions, feel free to contact me anytime.

Thanks!
Sandra
Beaches Fitness
www.beachesfitness.ca
info@beachesfitness.ca