The Sunnyvale Sun

Community

'Moms in Motion' learn to make some time for fitness

By Erin Hussey

Life as a mom is never easy.

Between working, carpooling, homework help and countless other family duties, there is little time for working out.

That's why there's Moms in Motion--an international women's health and fitness organization that was founded in 1999. Its founder, Jamie Allison, a working mom and triathlete from Santa Barbara, wanted to create a supportive, fun, all-female environment that would help mothers incorporate exercise into their busy schedules.

Today Moms in Motion has chapters in 50 cities, 18 states and four countries.

"All of us have the same goals, which are to carve out some time for ourselves, enjoy each other's company and try to improve our fitness," says Amy McFarland, a Sunnyvale resident.

"It's about being on a team," says Christine Curtis, a working mother of two and team leader of the San Jose chapter.

The chapter was created in January 2006 and has completed three training seasons. Its members are from, but not limited to, Santa Clara, Los Altos, San Jose, Sunnyvale and Milpitas.

"If I were to set a goal of doing a half-marathon, I really don't have the self-discipline to train on my own," says Curtis, who adds that before joining Moms in Motion, she had never completed an endurance event.

"But when other people are there cheering you on, expecting you to show up, giving you advice and being understanding of how hard it is to be a mom trying to work, juggle family life and also take care of yourself, it's really helpful."

During the last weekend in April, the 25 women who made up the winter season completed a duathlon. "There are definitely different degrees of fitness backgrounds," says McFarland.

Before she became a working mother of two, McFarland was a devoted member of the Silicon Valley Triathlon Club.

"I was really into it," she says. McFarland even met her husband while biking.

"But now seven years have gone by, and my priority is just to do something again that I really enjoyed in the past, but at a more moderate level."

As members of the San Jose chapter of Moms in Motion, the women pay a $65 yearly fee, which includes coaching from a variety of professional trainers, guest lectures on fitness and nutrition, tailored practices and a Moms in Motion dry-fit T-shirt.

"It's great to workout just to get exercise, but it's also nice to know that you are working up toward something," says Curtis.

While the team has scheduled workouts twice a week, they are also given specific training plans for the days they do not meet.

"Of course I didn't stick to the plan, and probably no one did," McFarland laughs. "You do what you can and what you find time for, but knowing that you are going to be meeting others on Wednesdays and Saturdays helps and keeps you focused and accountable."

In comparison to some of the other training programs available such as Team in Training, Moms in Motion does not fundraise to benefit a specific cause.

However, there is a philanthropic aspect to the organization. "We try to do things that are meaningful but can be done in one day," says Curtis.

Last season the women cooked dinner for the Family House at the Children's Hospital in Oakland. The house has 16 bedrooms available for qualifying families living 70 miles or more from the hospital.

"We all go together and made lasagnas, salads and dessert," says Curtis. "I'm not sure how the families usually eat, but for that night we took care of it."

The San Jose chapter's next season is set to begin in late June and all interested women of varying fitness levels are encouraged to sign up.

"We don't discriminate against non-moms," explains Curtis, who noted that in past seasons a few aunts were members.

"We welcome all women. I think with the name 'Moms in Motion,' people automatically assume you have to be a mom, but you don't necessarily have to, but so far that's the way it's worked out."

The end event for the upcoming season has yet to be determined. Curtis says the team will have the opportunity to vote on what it would like to do, whether it is a half-marathon, triathlon or duathlon.

"As a mom, I know time is a huge factor," says Curtis.

"Everybody else is coming first except for yourself. This program really tries to remind moms that you have to take care of yourself. Even though physical fitness is hard to fit in, it should be at the top of your list and this program helps you do that."

For more information on Moms in Motion, visit www.momsinmotion.com.