In The News
Click here to view the latest Mommy & Me Fitness "In The News," courtesy of the Nashua Telegraph newspaper. The article and online video are from Sunday, September 24, 2006.
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Click here to read about Mommy & Me Fitness in the Union Leader newspaper.
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Click here to view the ABC of Fitness article.
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The article's format below, was modified to fit in the space allotted.
lifestyles - The Manchester Mirror / June 1, 2006 / page 7
Mommy and Me Fitness
Make time for yourself and your baby
Article courtesy of The Manchester Mirror.
Elizabeth Lopez Harlow, left, of Manchester, has always made time in her busy schedule to work out. When she gave birth to her daughter, Kianna, below, she found ways to incorporate her baby into her fitness program.
Mirror/Heather Matthews
BY HEATHER MATTHEWS
Staff Writer
Fitness is an important part of Elizabeth Lopez Harlow's life. A physical education teacher, personal trainer, group exercise teacher, coach and ex-Patriot's cheerleader, Harlow has always made time in her busy schedule to make sure she was taking care of her body by eating healthily and working out on a daily basis.
"I am a little bit of an overachiever with my extracurricular activities," the Manchester resident said.
But when Harlow retired from her activities to give birth to her daughter, Kianna, she barely had enough time to breathe, let alone work out.
"It's like working double full time," she said.
It wasn't long before Harlow had the perfect solution. While working out to an exercise video, Harlow hooked Kianna into her infant carrier and started to spin, jump and stretch along with the instructor on the television. Kianna giggled the whole time.
"She loves it when I jump and turn around," she said. "She thinks it's so funny."
Incorporating her baby into her workouts has given Harlow the chance to take some time for herself, while helping strengthen the bond between them. Plus, keeping fitness a part of her daily routine has helped her daughter get used to having a set time for working out letting Harlow have some time for herself.
"She knows what to expect," she said. "She knows it's time for mom."
In April, Harlow decided to take what she has discovered to other local parents who need help finding time to take care of themselves when trying to take care of a little one.
In her spare time and late at night, Harlow put together a fitness program that focuses on getting moms back in shape. "I have a strong fitness background," she said. "I want to take that knowledge and help involve mommies and babies."
Stroller classes have become increasingly popular across the nation, but Harlow discovered there really weren't enough fitness programs in the area that focused on moms and their babies.This summer, Harlow will offer Mommy and Me Fitness classes three times a week in Livingston Park. The classes, which include Power Stroller & Sculpt, Stroller Circuit, Sculpting with Baby, Cardio Baby and Mom & Baby Yogilates, will be led by Harlow and her 10-month-old daughter.
While moms reshape their bodies, babies will be entertained through-songs, rhymes and silly faces. Harlow also said the classes will help babies learn the importance of fitness at an early age.
"Kids are like sponges," she said. "It's amazing the things Kianna has learned. They take in whatever you give them."
Mommy and Me's first class will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 5, at Livingston Park on Daniel Webster Highway North. Harlow recommends that babies are at least 6 weeks old to participate in the class.