The History Of Bella Bellies

Today...

I have truly enjoyed working exclusively with the prenatal and postnatal clientele, and happily look forward to each day with them. Although, creating Bella Bellies was by no way "easy" -Bella Bellies is truly a labor of love.  Frequently people ask, 'what inspired me to create Bella Bellies?'...below is the answer.

The Past... 

Seven years ago, I walked away from a successful career in New York City, and thoughts of Physical Therapy School,  to embrace the growing prenatal and postnatal community of Hoboken, NJ. I was pregnant with my daughter at the time, but I had a vision.


Need for Support within the Fitness Community...

A  personal trainer who works exclusively with Mothers was a first for this area. Many and most people were UN-supportive and even confrontational with the business model of a fitness trainer who worked exclusively with Mothers, one person in particular calling it "professional suicide." Not only was the fitness community unsettled with the idea of a trainer such as myself, but so were some health care providers, who de-valued Bella Bellies with statements such as "you do not need that, just do what you did before pregnancy and include some crunches" (statement unsupported by research). -Yep true story, the words of an Ob/Gyn!

This lack of support and criticism  (including from the community I certified with) was absolutely the most difficult aspect of launching Bella Bellies. Furthermore, the research-based principles Bella Bellies supported were unsupported by the greater world of Pilates at this time, especially in the mommy and me context. Adding to this, the greater world of personal training did not honor low impact stroller exercises. Therefore, not only did I have to create my own line of exercises, but I also had to build my own brand, language for creating my own brand, flyers, business cards, brochures, seek out the proper professionals for publicity, the proper attorneys for intellectual property rights, establish new professional contacts and new references and referrals.


It was not easy and I had to do this all while respecting my growing family and providing my daughter with the love and support she deserved. But despite the physical toll I was enduring, I knew there was a need for this type of service. 

Creating a Successful Model...


With a lot of hard work, tears and sleepless nights that required returning emails while rocking a baby back to sleep, Bella Bellies rose above the criticism and was acknowledged by the Rachel Ray Show, Martha Stewart, American Baby, Kiwi Magazine, Tyra Banks Show, Good Morning America and so many more. .


Must not forget those who supported me...

I will always hold a special place in my heart for the few who supported me during this time. Mollie Bollers of Hoboken Women's Wellness and Julie Tupler of Diastasis Rehab, were absolutely my shoulder to lean on and continue to provide me with support. 


Creating a Model for Others...


Standing there drawing the "Blue Prints" for Bella Bellies new space, confirmed my belief that personal training services and the original slogan of exercise for "pregnancy, motherhood and beyond," was needed in this world. But what was further needed, and is the very foundation for creating this model,  is a teacher training who helps well-intentioned trainers, such as myself seven some years ago, create a successful prenatal and postnatal business without the pain and suffering of creating a small business from "scratch." Hence, my need to once again re-invent my business structure and reform Bella Bellies as the teacher training program for prenatal and postnatal exercise.


The Next Step...


Bella Bellies Teacher Training is by far the most comprehensive program which includes maternal care speakers such as well-respected Midwives, Ob/Gyn's, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Maternal Chiropractors, Doulas, Massage Therapists, Nutritionists, etc. and is acknowledged for Continuing Education Credits by the American College of Exercise and Pilates Method Alliance. Also (and this is key) it includes the necessary "ingredients" for creating a small business of your own. This includes a downloadable Bella Bellies book with over 300 pages of exercises, the Prenatal Pilates DVD, 500+ pages of power point notes, personalized templates for business cards, personalized templates for postcards, Bella Bellies logo and more.  The program is instructed by myself (and soon) other trainers who have successfully started their own prenatal and postnatal business.

In conclusion...


I write all this to encourage you! You can do this! You can make a huge difference in the lives of not only the mothers you support and honor, but also their children and families. I want to help you create a legacy of love for generations to come.

Midwife Vicki Hedley and Ob/Gyn Michelle Aristizabal Presenting a Q & A Session at Upcoming Teacher Training

Bella Bellies® Prenatal and Postnatal
Teacher Training Workshop 

This is a comprehensive workshop reviewing pre/postnatal exercise, health and well-being! Do not miss out! Our last workshop sold out! Sign-up today!

Midwife Vicki Hedley:

Photo of Midwife Vicki Hedley

Photo from / courtesy of www.seventhmoonhomebirth.com

-"Vicki is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and a Certified Midwife (CM) through the American Midwifery Certification Board. She is licensed by the state of New Jersey to attend women and families at home, and by the state of New York to attend women in all birth locations. 

I (Vicki) graduated from the National College of Midwifery in Taos, New Mexico and have had training through an apprenticeship model as well as in various clinical settings. I started my midwifery journey as a birth and postpartum doula, doula trainer, and childbirth educator, and so bring to my clients the unique ability to support them in all aspects of pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. I have a great deal of personal experience with breastfeeding and parenting, having had five children of my own, all of whom were normally birthed and breastfed. The birth of a child is an amazing mixture of physical happenings, emotional ups and downs and spiritual and personal growth. It brings with it the realization that we are powerful and powerless at the same time; that we can be in control while surrendering; and that nothing else at that moment, hour, day or even days matters, only the intensity of the work we have to do to bring this precious life from us, to us. It is a true blessing and an honor to be present, and I feel privileged to be a part of the journey." -http://www.seventhmoonhomebirth.com 

Ob/Gyn, Michelle Aristizabal M.D. :

Photo of Dr. Aritizabal  from / courtesy of www.essexwomens.com

- "Michelle Aristizabal, M.D. received her medical degree from the University of Arizona,  College of Medicine. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. Dr. Aristizabal is well trained in all areas of general Obstetrics and Gynecology including minimally invasive surgical procedures and adolescent gynecology. She also has special training in natural birth techniques and childbirth education. She believes in a natural birthing process and works with her patients to achieve the birthing experience they desire. She is also committed to improving the health of women worldwide and has provided care to women in Eastern Africa as part of medical mission trips. When not delivering babies, she is busy with her own two beautiful young children." -www.essexwomens.com

Is Interval Training for You? The effective basis of Bella Bellies'® Stroller Moves® Class

I stumbled upon interval training when I was competing in high school track and cross country competitions. It is not a surprise to me that interval training has shifted from the running / athletic realm to the current fitness industry. Interval training is a  fun, dynamic and effective fitness method to combine resistance training and cardiovascular training. There are so many benefits to interval training including (but not limited to):

• improves absorption of protein
• improves skeletal muscle health
• improve our bodies ability to utilize (or "burn") carbohydrates and fat (which is critical to losing "visceral fat" over the abdomen)
• increases our  metabolism and our ability to burn calories at rest
• reduces lactic acid waste in our blood stream, but still yields the positive health results
• improves cardiovascular functioning with the ability of the heart to pump blood and oxygen to the entire skeletal muscular body
• improves our cognitive ability
• and so much more!

When I designed and created the class "Stroller Moves" I knew interval training was beneficial when creating and implementing a program that sculpted a svelte body with a bella belly. And it worked! Stroller Moves classes are now being instructed through out the world including China, Switzerland and Australia and in the near future the Cleveland Clinic (one of the top ten labor and delivery hospitals in the United States). Woo hoo!

Stroller Moves Classes are designed based off of medical research. Stroller Moves includes 30 seconds-2 minutes of cardiovascular exercise alternated with 4.5 minutes of resistance training. The pace and offered variations are important to a  Mother's recovering cardiovascular system (recovering from hormonal changes and the blood volume decrease from pregnancy).  Furthermore, Stroller Moves approach to interval training is less impact on a mother's healing pelvic floor, resulting in less incidence of urinary incontinence, pelvic pain and pressure and so much more!

To see proper results from any interval training program you must incorporate it into your schedule at least 3 times per week. So get out there and find a Stroller Moves Class or find a Bella Bellies Instructor at: http://www.bellabellies.com/find-instructor

Bella Bellies® Prenatal & Postnatal
Teacher Training Workshop 

  

Our last workshop sold out! Sign-up today, limited space available!

Guest Speakers Include:

OB/GYN, Midwife, Maternal Physical Therapist, Maternal Chiropractor, Doula, Maternal Massage Therapist, Infant Massage Therapist and More! 

This is a comprehensive workshop reviewing pre/postnatal exercise, health and well-being.  

Description:  

The workshop is divided into 2 parts to
separately discuss prenatal and postnatal topics.

The Prenatal Workshop will review trademarked techniques for exercising throughout pregnancy to promote well-being, as well as exercises to prepare for labor and motherhood.  Participants will receive a DVD and downloadable book.  

The Postnatal Workshop will review Trademarked Topics relative to exercising in the years following childbirth. Topics include, but are not limited to techniques for managing during the postpartum healing phase, exercises to reduce the postpartum belly bulge, step-by-step instructions on how to exercise with the stroller, step-by-step instructions on how to include your baby with pilates mat exercises, exercise and massage techniques for the baby, songs and verses for the baby to promote learning.

For those participating, the 400 page "Bella Bellies Book" written by Bella Bellies®  owner Annie Martens and Registered Nurse Lorraine Wellington is provided. This book is downloadable.

When:  

Prenatal-October 1-2nd 9:00-3:00  

Postnatal-October 3-5th, 9:00-3:00

If participants are not able to attend the workshop in it's entirety, they may collaborate with Bella Bellies on-line or via phone to make-up hours missed.

Where:
Movement Space Studios, 720 Monroe St. Studio 514 C, Hoboken, NJ. Free parking in back of building and accessible to light rail

Website:
www.bellabellies.com

Continuing Education Credits for:   American College of Exercise 1.6 CEC and 30 Pilates Method Alliance  Hours

Also included: 

Business coaching and growth opportunity within the Bella Bellies® expanding company  

Sign-up online by clicking here!

Free Bella Bellies® Classes the First Week of October!

What:

Bella Bellies Prenatal Pilates & Stretch
Momilates; Pilates for Mommies
Stroller Moves Classes 

When: 

Prenatal October 1-2nd, Postnatal 3rd-5th

Time: 

9:15 AM 

Where: 

Movement Space at Monroe Center, 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken, NJ, 07030 

 
To Sign-Up: 
Email info@bellabellies.com

Lunch Box Ideas!

True story: Once while passing through my daughter's cafeteria, I noticed a group of silent children intensely huddled around a kindergarten boy who accepted a "triple dog dare" to eat the green beans (which clearly had been moved from a can to his tray). His face contorted with disgust as he finished his last bite, but with great relief raised his arms in victory. His audience applauded and simultaneously shared comments such as "that's disgusting," "how did he do it?," "ugh", and more along those lines. I watched in dismay, but shared a smile with a teacher observing the situation. I clearly wasn't going to make my daughter eat the green beans, but it was frustrating. A child's mood is greatly shaped by what she eats, and if children do not receive nutritious food, they won't be ready to learn.

This is a tricky matter. My daughter is at the age where it is common to trade healthy food for some combination of sugar and fat.

After some research, and trial and error, I developed some options that have worked well for my children. Peanut ingredients are excluded, given the risk of allergies in a large school environment.

Main Course Options:

Sweet Protein Sandwich: Almond butter (finely ground) or sunflower butter, honey and banana on your choice of bread. Use a cookie cutter to cut the sandwich into shapes.

Healthy Fat and Sweet Sandwich: Thinly sliced pear, avocado (mushed and spread like butter) on your choice of bread.

Sicilian Pizza: Toast an english muffin and top with a thickened paste of tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, sweet potatoes (baby food) and any other yummy ingredient -you may consider melting the cheese. Fold the two halves of english muffins together to make a sandwich, cut into fourths or smaller.

Protein Veggie Wrap: Ground up veggie burgers with a dollop of hummus, dash of brown sugar, smidgen of ketchup and pinch of salt to taste. Spread mixture onto a roll-up (let your child taste and choose the roll-up; there are so many options!). Next roll the sandwich-up, cut into small portions and fasten with a fun tooth pick!
 
Yummy Bagel: Spread cream cheese and cut-up strawberries onto a bagel. Cut-up in small bit-sized pieces (fun toothpick optional)

Grilled Cheese: The jury is in, grilled cheese (provolone, low-fat cheese) is indeed still yummy when cold. I would recommend to make it tea-sandwich-like by cutting off the crusts; or try a grilled quesadilla.

Avocado and Cheese Roll-Up: I cannot take credit for this one! I found this recipe in Real Simple Magazine. Spread a small amount of pesto onto wrap bread, chop-up carrots, avocado and  cheddar cheese. I would recommend cutting this sandwich-up into small pieces and securing with a toothpick.

Dinner Left Overs: Use a Thermos (especially in fall and winter)! Our home made family favorites include mac 'n cheese, chicken soup, alphabet soup and baked ziti.

Cold Pasta Salad: Every child is different, go with your family favorite!

Sides:

Fruit kabobs

Zucchini and grapes (cut grape in half or fourths to help reduce a choking hazard) on a tooth pick (go figure!)

Zucchini bread, carrot raisin bread or pumpkin bread, with/without butter and cream cheese

Oatmeal cookies

Carrots and dipping such as hummus or ranch dressing.  Kids are a little-bit more receptive to slightly steamed carrots.

A personal favorite: Pro Bugs Smoothie by Lifeway Organic. There's a surprising amount of information in the scientific literature on the benefits of probiotics.  If you are curious, search for "Benefits of Probiotics" on scholar.google.com

Other Tips:

Tip 1: Paint the inside of your child's lunch box with chalk paint and write a message!

Tip 2: To prevent their lunch box from becoming too heavy, give them money to purchase a healthy beverage at school, or provide them with an empty canister to fill-up with water.

Tip 3: Provide your little-one with a wet paper towel of water and hand soap (stored in a zip bag) and dry napkin to wipe their hands down before eating, or alternatively throw in a pre-packaged wet wipe.

Tip 4: Bento boxes are a great idea to organize food, try out store.goodbyn.com

Tip 5: For organizing the food in lunch boxes you may also consider individual, silicon cupcake molds. These molds come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes.

Tip 6: We adults tend to eat what are kids eat, so include portions for yourself and the adults in your family.

Tip 7: Remember to taste your food as you are creating it and add what you need for flavor. 

This is an ongoing effort for me and my family, if anyone has any advice, comments or tips to share than please email me at info@bellabellies.com!

Bella Bellies

Bella Bellies Fall 2012 Workshop

What:

Bella Bellies Prenatal & Postnatal Teacher Training 

When: 

Prenatal October 1-2nd, Postnatal 3rd-5th 

Where: 

Movement Space at Monroe Center, 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken, NJ, 07030 

Approval From: 

Pilates Method Alliance for 22 Continuing Education Credits 

American College of Exercise for 1.6 Continuing Education Credits 

To Sign-Up: Go to http://www.bellabellies.com/schedule 

Description:

This 2-part course includes a thorough outline of prenatal and postnatal physiology and anatomy that can be applied in one-on-one training, group exercise, or in a fitness assessment.  Instructors will also learn how to teach Bella Bellies Prenatal Pilates & Stretch®, Stroller Moves® (postnatal cardiovascular and strength-training exercises) and Momilates® (postnatal Pilates-based exercises).  Trademarked techniques for abdominal strengthening and incorporating baby found nowhere else are included.  Instructors are provided with the Bella Bellies Book®, covering over 300 pages of Momilates® and Stroller Moves® exercises, as well as a DVD.  At the conclusion of the workshop, instructors will earn Bella Bellies® Prenatal Certification, Postnatal, Stroller Moves®, and Momilates® certifications.  Q & A presentations will include a Midwife, a Physical Therapist, and Medical Doctor.  Those participating with children are welcome to bring their child/baby.