Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

On February 6th I became a runner. Which sounds funny because rarely does a person become a runner in one day, but I specifically remember that was the first day I made it through 2 miles.  It was BIG for me as I had never ran before in my entire life and I did it!   One of my runner friends had told me, “if you can do 2, you can do 3.  If you can do 3, you can do 4.”    She was right, and after adding mile after mile, I ended up at 13.1 on May 2nd in the OC Half Marathon. Seriously one of the greatest experiences & accomplishments of my life. I wrote about it here and here and here.

I had never bought nice (translation more expensive) workout gear before.  I figured they would just get sweaty and I was not at the gym to pick up guys (HA!)  So who cares?  But with all this running, my cheaper stuff was not very comfortable AT ALL, and my sister and friends swore by all things “Lulu” so I decided to treat myself a good pair of running shorts.

I went to Lululemon Athletica in Fashion Island to see what all the buzz was about. I was skeptical. $54 for a pair of shorts seemed expensive.    But after one run in my new Lululemon Tracker Short, I was hooked. Then I had to go back and buy another pair.  And another.   However, when wearing them 4 times a week, it is easier to justify the expense! And I will scream, they are WORTH IT! Important note: some colors are sold out online, but I called Fashion Island today and they said they had them.

What I love so very, very much about the Lululemon Tracker Short…

* There is a big, comfy waistband that is soft and rides low = no tight elastic to dig in to my post baby muffin top

* There are no seams so after running a gazillion miles in these I never had any chafing issues or any part of the short that rubbed me in the wrong way.

* They have built in panties.

* There is a mini side pocket for a car key or kleenex or energy gel like “Gu”

* They have been washed a lot and have not worn or faded at all.

My girlfriend and I just signed up to do the Long Beach Half Marathon in October so these shorts are going to be putting in even more and more miles with me in the months to come.  And yes, now I am also now goo-goo for Lulu!

StressBusters Lifestyle Day Spa is having a special event this Saturday for pregnant and new moms! There will be complimentary 20 minute pre & post-natal massages, food & beverages, goodie bags, drawings for gift baskets & discounts offered on products and services.

I had a 20 minute pregnancy massage at a Milkalicous event last year and it was A-MAZING!  Nothing better to a pregnant mama than a little back rub to soothe those aching muscles.  My parents also treated my sister (who happened to be pregnant at the same time!) to an at-home StressBusters pregnancy massage when she was on bedrest at the end.  Isn’t that a great idea for a mom-to-be on bedrest who might need a little pick-me-up?

Here is the information!

Pregnancy & Post-Partum Event
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 from 10am – 1pm
26548 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(at the corner of Moulton & La Paz, next to Chuck E. Cheese’s)
949.831.1988

For more information, contact Jen at jhood@stressbustersspa.com.

ABC Pilates in Laguna Niguel is challenging you to make a healthy commitment this year and take the first step towards your new body with their “First Step” package. This package includes: 3 private one hour sessions + 5 group classes for only $255! *

If you are new to Pilates, starting with some private sessions is a great way to learn the proper technique through one-on-one instruction.   Then you can practice your new skills in their great group classes!

If you are in the market for some new workout gear, head on over to ABC Pilates this Thursday, Jan. 14th, 2010 from 6:45am – 11:30am for a trunk show of DISCOUNT lulu gear!

Hooray! It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

10 people will be chosen at random to receive ONE free private session!

To enter, email me at giveaways@tinyoranges.com and tell me the answer to this question:  Name one benefit of Pilates in pregnancy OR postpartum.  Click HERE for the answers!   You can email all week, just have them in before 12pm on Sunday, 1/17/10.

* First Step offer can’t be combined with any other promotions

{ABC Pilates is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor}

I am sure there are many moms out there like myself, who have made the resolution to get in shape this year!  I am also sure there are many moms (like me) who find it near impossible to get to the gym with a baby.

I have heard about Stroller Strides for a long time and always wanted to try it out.  For those of you that don’t know about it, Stroller Strides is an outdoor, all over body workout that you can do WITH your baby!

Join Stroller Strides founder, Lisa Druxman, as she hosts a special Grand Opening event – the return of Stroller Strides to Newport Beach!

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 @ 9:00am
lululemon at Fashion Island

Together with lululemon athletica at Fashion Island, Stroller Strides is hosting an extravaganza for mom and baby. The launch event will kick off with a FREE class taught by Lisa, followed by a postpartum sports bra fitting by lululemon experts and a fun filled reception at the Fashion Island store. Just bring your baby and a stroller.

Activities will include: Yoga tips for pre and postnatal women, free frozen yogurt offered by Red Mango and the opportunity to have ceramic impressions made of your little one’s hand or footprints. There will be product samples and gift bags as well as registration discounts and specials, including no registration fees for the first 10 moms who sign up and the chance to win 3 months of free unlimited classes.

Hooray!  It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive one free month of classes which would include the one time $75 registration fee as well as the $55 monthly fee (a $130 value!) Classes are scheduled to meet 4 times per week at 9:00 AM (Monday/Wednesday at Newport Ridge Community Park and Tuesday/Thursday at Fashion Island).

In addition, the winner will receive the new member gift bag, which includes product samples from sponsors like California Baby, Happy Baby and Golden Path Alchemy Skincare, as well as 2 resistance bands to use during class and some other goodies.

To enter, simply leave a comment below!  You can comment as many times as you would like.  Entries must be in before 12pm on 1/12/10.  I will post the winner on Wednesday morning.  Good luck!   I am for sure going to this event – I hope to see some Tiny Oranges readers there!

Contact Tania Berger with any questions
323.595.0001 or tberger@strollerstrides.net
Click HERE to visit the Newport Beach Stroller Strides website for more information.

{Newport Beach Stroller Strides is a partner of Tiny Oranges}

I recently had an invigorating post-pregnancy wake up call at ABC Pilates for my muscles.  They had been sleeping for um, the past year, and Amy Cady, owner and instructor extraordinaire, poured them one strong pot of coffee.  Figuratively of course!    WOW.   I felt muscles I forgot I had! And although it made walking slightly painful the next day, I have to say it felt really good!  It had been one long year.

If you are a first-timer to Pilates or an old (and by old I mean “experienced”) pro, ABC Pilates has something for everyone.   Located conveniently right off the 5 freeway in Laguna Niguel, this serene, zen-like studio is the type of place you walk in and feel like you can exhale and leave your crazy day at the door.    I forgot what it was like to take one whole hour to focus on myself.   That in itself is priceless.

Specializing in pre and post natal fitness, they are accustomed to working with woman in all stages of pregnancy and postpartum.   Amy, a mommy of two herself, has worked for the past 4 years to develop a series of exercises specifically designed for the pre and post-natal woman.

She wanted to know about my pregnancy and delivery and was incredibly knowledgeable.   One thing I learned:  when we carry those precious little babies in our belly, it causes the muscles to completely split in our abdomen,  called “diastisis recti,” or separation of the abdominis muscle.    When she pointed this out, I could actually see the divide in my tummy.   They are there to help bridge the divide and bring those muscles back together, one exercise at a time.

During our workout she had great ways to explain how to properly do the exercise in a way I could visualize.  She also had great tips on things to do at home and important tips on posture.   I had been walking around with that post pregnancy slump.  You know the one? Shoulders hunched, hips sort of swayed forward, and the belly hanging out in a “not so pretty” sort of way.   Since working out with her, she has made me think about my posture  every day since.

We did some floor exercises and then moved on to the  ”exo chair” with me.  It was pretty amazing.  It combines upper and lower body exercises.  Talk about “feeling the burn!”  That little chair was one powerful piece of equipment!        

They offer a great schedule of private and group classes.   If you are in any stage of pregnancy or beyond, or just looking for a great way to get in shape, I can’t more highly recommend ABC Pilates!

Special Tiny Oranges Offers!

* Mention Tiny Oranges and receive 3 private sessions for only $125 (normally $210!)

* Sign up for a privates package or 5-or-10-class group packages and get 10% off the package price

Hooray! It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

Email me at giveaways@tinyoranges.com and tell me:   Where did Amy get her certified training?  Hint: CLICK HERE to find out!  10 lucky winners will receive a FREE private session with one of their fabulous instructors.    I learned so much from doing a one-on-one workout, I guarantee you will too!

You can email all week, just have them in by next Friday, 11/20/09 at 3pm PST.

Happy Friday everyone!  Have a fabulous weekend!