FIT4BABY is our prenatal program for expecting mamas. Hear from LaRena about her FIT4BABY experience with FIT4MOM Sunnyvale-Mountain View.

Tell us about yourself! – who are you, family, job, hobbies, etc.

I'm a California native (born & raised in San Diego), but my husband and I moved quite a bit in the last 10 years -- San Jose, Boston, Hong Kong, Seattle, and now Mountain View. I'm mom to three boys Jackson (4 years old), Damian (2 years old), and Cameron (almost 3 months). After teaching for several years, I now work for a foundation that supports schools and districts and provides professional development for school leaders. In my spare time I like to bake, travel and explore new places, and drink lots of boba.

How did you find FIT4MOM?

I think I first heard about FIT4MOM from another new mom after my first son was born 4 years ago and went to a few classes.

Tell us about your FIT4BABY experience? Do you feel like it helped you during pregnancy and postpartum? If so, how?

With two 2 young kids already at home it was hard to find time for myself during my pregnancy. Also, my second kid was born mid-pandemic so it was really hard to build community with other new moms. FIT4BABY was great because it gave me an opportunity to carve out space for myself and also connect with other pregnant moms and start building some of the community that I felt like I was missing. Also, the FIT4BABY workouts helped me stay active in my third trimester (basically even up to the week my baby was born), which was good for me both physically and emotionally. I think I went into my labor a lot stronger than my previous ones, and as a result my postpartum recovery seemed to be a lot easier.

How are you involved with FIT4MOM now?

It was nice to already have a community to jump back into after my son was born. I've been going to Stroller Strides and Strides 360 classes. I also have been to some of the MNOs and Mommy & Me lunches.

Why did you choose to come back to FIT4MOM?

It's been great to reconnect with some of the moms I met in FIT4BABY and meet new mamas in the FIT4MOM classes. Having classes I can bring the baby to while also getting a good workout are great! I also really love the Our Village events.