Tell us about your family!

Hi! My name is Shay, I’m 30 years old living with my husband and son in Oak Park. We moved here in August of 2022 from Kansas City MO.

I had my sweet boy in Berywn on December 28,2022 and he has been the light of our life ever since. His name is Maxwell Linux Crewse and his dad, Jack, and I are smitten. We enjoy taking road trips and trying new things, my husband and I are big music...

Many moms struggle to balance family responsibilities and maintain a healthy lifestyle in today's fast-paced world. However, in our Mama Masterclass with registered dietitian and author Sohailla Digsby, we learned valuable insights and practical tips for mastering meal planning and making healthier choices for the whole family.

By...

Just like with every pregnancy, each 4th Trimester is unique. The 4th Trimester is the time between birth and being medically cleared for movement by your doctor. The 4th Trimester can last from six weeks up to three months. It fluctuates not based on how in shape you were before birth but on your ability to heal, rest, and recover.

Additionally, the six weeks after birth is the most intense for moms. Focus on keeping...

By the 3rd Trimester, final adaptations are taking place to prepare your body for delivery, and your exercise possibilities will be further affected. The 3rd Trimester is often a time to alter the fitness program due to weight gain, the growing belly, increased spinal misalignment issues, and the burden of the extra load you are carrying.

Although total blood volume continues to expand, the increased heart rate will plateau by the 3rd...

Fondly referred to as the golden trimester, the 2nd Trimester is usually when a pregnant woman starts to feel her best and has more energy! Morning sickness and fatigue tend to dissipate in weeks 18-20 for most pregnant women (hallelujah!).

If you are in your 2nd Trimester, you should start or continue to move your body regularly. This is particularly important as sleep disturbances can become more prevalent, and regular exercise can...

Welcome to your 1st Trimester, mama.

Did you know that most women do not know they are pregnant until the end of their 1st Trimester? Major ‘construction’ is underway during all stages of pregnancy; while some women barely notice significant body changes, others will be hyper-aware and deeply affected! No matter when they find out about their pregnancy, little must change to a woman's fitness routine during her 1st Trimester. Pretty...

I'm married to Rob, we've been together about 15 years and we have 3 wonderful kids. Zach's 9, Bella's 7 and Max is nearly 4. We moved to Oak Park in the summer and just love everything it has to offer.

I work as Director of Special Projects for a Destination Services Consultancy, we're part of the relocation industry. I'm also an Oak Park Realtor with Baird & Warner.

To me, motherhood is about raising a family, creating...

Embarking on a family adventure? In this blog, we'll list a treasure trove of creative ideas to keep your little kids entertained during travel without relying on electronic devices. Let the voyage begin, screen-free!

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Meet our February Mom of the Month, Pam!

She is a mom of three and an attorney who is always up for a challenge! She found us in 2021 when she was pregnant with her third and hasn't looked back. You can find her in Strides 360, Body Ignite, or Run Club+!

Current career? I am attorney that represents school districts.

What does motherhood mean to you? It means connection and love, story...

1. Bring extra clothes for you and babe in your carry on.

2. Change diaper right before you get on the flight and if you’re lucky you can avoid the airplane bathroom.

3. Bring LOTS of snacks.

4. Bring disposable “toys” that you don’t care about ending up on the floor, new toys can also be helpful!

5. Baby wear at the airport (even through security).

6. Stroller is great for hauling luggage, can plane side...

As women, we often hear phrases like "bikini body" and “tummy tamers” thrown around, diverting our attention from the empowering truth about core strength. It's time to declare this truth boldly—a woman's core is incredible and powerful!

You may be asking: "okay wait, what is the core? Isn't it just your abs?" This is the question we asked Kia Williams, the author of...

Whether you're a seasoned fitness enthusiast or a newbie lacing up your running shoes for the first time, we want you running strong into the new year! Embarking on a running adventure can be both exciting and a tad overwhelming, especially if you're a new mom juggling the demands of motherhood. Fear not, though! We've got your back with a treasure trove of tips, tricks, and motivation to make your running experience enjoyable and...

As we gear up for our upcoming Spring 2024 Run Club+ we want to share a personal story with you about our fantastic coach, Kari.

Kari wasn't always a runner; her journey began in her mid-20s with a goal simply to make it through a 5K. Since then, her love for running has grown, and she's completed numerous races including venturing to marathon distance..."but I will never ever forget that first 5K! I love the FIT4MOM community because...

Meet Lindsey, our FIT4MOM Mom of the Month for January 2024!

Tell us about your family! My family and I moved to Oak Park in June. I have a daughter who is 13 months Eliana, 2 dogs: Cruz a labradoodle (who just turned 12) and Messi an Australian Shepherd (who is 10), my husband Sammy works for the Chicago Fire. We are self proclaimed foodies. We strongly believe good food, good drinks, and good people are all you need...

In the hustle and bustle of today's fast-paced world, the toll on mental health is undeniable. Anxiety and depression have become increasingly prevalent, affecting individuals across diverse walks of life. Amidst the myriad challenges, it's crucial to recognize the power of proactive steps in nurturing our mental well-being. This blog dives into seven practical and empowering mental health exercises designed to alleviate anxiety and...

There are certain things money can’t buy when it comes to what pregnant women really need, and mamas-to-be need to take care of themselves, their mental health, their bodies, their surroundings, and their lifestyle; those things go well beyond their baby registry.

Below are 10 things women need while they are pregnant:

Whether you are a new mom or a seasoned pro, understanding and caring for your pelvic floor is essential, impacting everything from core strength to postpartum recovery and daily comfort. But there is so much rampant misinformation and confusion about this area of your body.

For moms, the journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood can pose unique challenges to the pelvic floor. During pregnancy, the extra weight and pressure can...

Meet Laura, our FIT4MOM Mom of the Month for December 2023!

Nestled in Oak Park since 2014, she, along with her husband Sean, who owns Smith Painting and Decorating, Inc., has created a cozy haven. Their two high schoolers, Josie (17) and almost-15 Marcie, attend Oak Park River Forest High School, making family life a bustling adventure.

Laura, a Senior Educator at the Museum of Science and Industry, passionately collaborates...

Feeling overwhelmed in motherhood? You're not alone, Mama. The term "balance" often gets thrown around, but let's face it, this "you can have it all" narrative feels more like a trending term than an achievable goal. At FIT4MOM, we believe it's time to shift the narrative. Instead of striving for perfect balance, why not aim for intentionality? Making each day fulfilling doesn’t always mean checking off everything on your...

Tell us about yourself? I am a CPA turned stay-at-home mom with a love for closing my Apple Watch rings daily! Our family is made up of my husband, Tom, and kiddos Vera (6) and Charles (2). We moved to River Forest right before Charles was born and I have been a part of FIT4MOM since he was 7 weeks old. My favorite class is Body Ignite and I’m so excited to be joining the team as an instructor and helping to increase the...

With so many options and just as many ways to wear them, the world of baby wearing including baby carriers and wraps, can seem daunting to new parents. Monica Cecero, Postpartum Doula and Owner of OPRF Doula Services, guides us through the 5 Ws of baby wearing in our new blog. One of Monica's favorite things to help new parents with is baby wearing; she believes that it is an invaluable tool for bonding with your new baby and adjusting to...

Tell us about yourself? Teaching, in some capacity, has almost always been a part of my life. I was an elementary teacher for eight years, and became a certified yoga teacher in 2021. I am excited to now extend my experience into teaching fitness classes with FIT4MOM! I will be teaching FIT4BABY classes beginning in August! I started taking classes with F4M OPRF in the summer of 2019, when my daughter, Alma, was about...

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is right around the corner and like most parents right now, you’re starting to feel nervous about how your little one will transition. Danyale Washington, local Certified Sleep Consultant and owner of UnpackedfulParenting, is here to help you (and your little) navigate the time change!

Slowly Change Sleep Times

Thankfully, most phone calendars let us know when the time change occurs. If you can, I...

The transition to motherhood is challenging and scary. How can you prepare for the postpartum season? How can you take care of yourself? How can others care for you? We spoke with Kelly of Earth Mama Birth Doula and here are her best tips to help you during this time of transition.

The First 40 Days…

The first 40 days is the 6 week period after your baby is born. It is a time for your mind and body to...

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a training technique that alternates bouts of high intensity cardiorespiratory training with periods of recovery. The goal? To increase the overall intensity of your workout and take your fitness to the next level!

Typically, cardiovascular exercise is performed at a moderate, sustainable intensity level. The cardiovascular intensity found in a HIIT workout entails a push to all-out work that...

Ever wonder how to talk to your littles, big and small, about events they may see or hear about? Dr. Lara Jakobsons from the Center for Mind Health suggests talking about any traumatic event openly and honestly. Find out what your child knows and allow them to ask questions in a non-judgmental space.

In situations like this, there are also specific things to consider when talking with your child.

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Like many of us, you might not have thought a lot about your pelvic floor before having kids. Pelvic floor health affects much of our daily lives, and it's hard to know where to go if it's not functioning properly and what to expect with treatment. Mara Hutton PT, DPT and Claire Kelly PT, DPT are local pelvic floor physical therapists here to help.

Q. What is the pelvic floor?

A. (Mara): The pelvic floor is a...

Are you a local mama in the Oak Park area and looking for a great prenatal massage? Check out these 3 options!

1. Serenity Holistic Health

A clinic with a variety of practitioners that can provide complimentary services such as acupuncture and chiropractic care to help expectant mothers feel as comfortable as possible during their pregnancy. Prenatal massage is offered by Kari Aguirre, LMT who has over 13 years of...