PLAYFIT

Launching a prenatal/post-pregnancy fitness enterprise playfitmtl.com

[playfitmtl]

Preggo gets her glutes on 💪💪💪 #befithavefun

[playfitmtl]

sales pitch

PLAYFIT’s mission is to bring fun and playfulness back into working out. Our outdoor group classes use a fusion of the most effective toning, strengthening, and cardio techniques available to date, drawn from a range of methods such as interval training and yoga. Be fit. Have fun.

[playfitmtl]

PLAYFIT launches in 2 weeks!

SO, starting a business is actually really really really hard work. OK, you already knew that. But it’s more than that, it’s all-consuming, keeps you up at night, gives you thrills of excitement and makes you want to pull your hair out all at the same time. I have a million ideas going on in my head at once and getting it all organized is a bigger challenge than I had ever imagined.

I’m learning so much, but so far most important lesson is that even the best idea is useless without a good team to implement it. PLAYFIT went from a prenatal fitness class maybe once a week to an all new revolutionary approach to exercise adaptable to anyone, from your 4 year old kids to your 60 year old mom. Workouts are composed of a fusion of different methods like interval training and yoga.We will be offering classes weekday mornings, evenings and Saturday afternoons. After each session, participants can enjoy fresh tea and a protein ball, on the house. We will have a children’s yoga class, weekend retreats, charity events and an online community to share tips, anecdotes, recipes and lend support. 

These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg and they could never have come only from me. Talk to people. Share your ideas, and listen to theirs, Enthusiasm and passion is contagious. And who knows where a simple conversation could lead? It could be your next customer or your next 100 customers. 

I’m starting to sound like the Entrepreneurship gurus all over Medium but you get my drift. As a slightly introverted person, putting myself out there has been challenging, but the rewards are more than worth leaving my comfort zone. 

Now on to the hard part. Actually getting someone to pay for a class. 

Hmm.

[playfitmtl]

APRIL FitBiz log

So I finally did it. I put Playfit out there for all to see. It’s terrifying, it’s exhilarating, it’s...it’s been 5 days and not one bite, 

What did I expect? That I would launch the facebook page and website and people would register for classes by the dozens? Not quite, I wasn’t that optimistic, but I had hoped that a couple of people might at least sign up for the newsletter (which technically doesn’t exist yet) besides my husband (thanks babe). 

When I returned from Ottawa today I saw that I had received my official registered enterprise information from the government, addressed to the business owner. That felt pretty cool. Yes I own a business, What what.

There’s so much still to do. I’m translating the website into French, setting up a business page on Yelp, creating infographic type flyers to distribute at local hospitals, stores, fitness centers, develop a budget to track my expenses, and the BIG one: create more content for social media purposes. I was speaking to a #beachbody coach at my work today, and he was going on and on about how it’s all about putting your personal life out there on social media, to make ‘real’ connections with people. He has a valid point - I’m more likely to sign up for a class if I can see how taking that class has improved someone else life. I’m just hesitant to put it ALL out there, it’s totally outside my comfort zone (I’m a very private person) and the most important part of my life, my family, is safe haven, I don’t want to share that with anyone. How do people who want to succeed online reconcile the need for privacy with the desire to make genuine connections? Just one of the millions of questions I’ve come up with while launching this side gig. Another is “am I aiming my business at the right target market? Should I be offering other types of classes? How am I going to eventually translate this into a profitable online venture?” It all leaves me baffled and a little overwhelmed. But then I just get back to my to-do list and keep trudging along. 

I’m trying to learn and take-in as much as I can at the same time, so I can apply it to this venture. For example, since I’m in Ottawa 2 nights a week with no kids to take care of, I’m taking a prenatal movement class and a prenatal yoga class. I have already gained so much knowledge - you’d think that this being my third pregnancy that I’d have a better idea of how a woman’s body works but much of it is completely novel to me. The way the pelvic floor supports the entire abdomen, how breath is so vital when working those inner muscles, and specific moves for preventing and helping with certain common #pregnancy ails.

I’ve been burning the candle at both ends so I’m going to stop here and go to sleep. So much more to say, but I would love to hear from others who are going through or have gone through something similar (starting a side business).

Night tumblrs

[playfitmtl]

FitBiz March log

Been MIA as of late because I just started work again. I work in Ottawa and live in Montreal, which makes life complicated. I love my job (Policy Analyst for Indigenous Affairs), I just hate being away from my family 3 days per week. But hey, I can’t complain. Life is good - hectic- but good. I miss the kids, their tiny voices and grubby hands; and I miss my husband, especially when I go to bed alone. But a couple of nights per week is really nothing compared to what some families go through, 

One upside is that I get some free time to myself. I don’t have to cook or clean for anyone but myself, It’s pretty sweet. Tonight for example, I worked until 5:30, came to my friends place (where I am squatting every week, thanks Pat!) to change quickly, took a prenatal yoga and visualization class, got some Thai takeout (coconut Thai soup, so yum), ate it while watching Fresh Prince (can’t remember the last time I watch actual cable TV) posted a workout video I made on instagram, watched a documentary on young people from immigrant families in France and the impacts of recent terrorist attacks, showered and now blogging over tea. At home with the kids, this night could NEVER have happened. I’m usually so spent from taking care of the minions that I’m fast asleep by now. 

Tonight’s yoga class gave me some insight into what I could incorporate into the Prenatal fitness program I’m launching this summer. The instructor did some moves to strengthen the pelvic floor and transverse abdominal muscles that I have not come across in my research and have never done before in a class. I will make a video to demonstrate. 

And the visualization was also something I had never experienced before. The instructor took us through the whole birthing process, describing a natural birth, claiming that having a positive vision of an even can help you get through the difficulties of said event. Don’t know if I buy it, but it couldn’t hurt. Now I will lie down and visualize my side business becoming a huge success... Sweet dreams!

[playfitmtl]

#soretothecore #pelvicfloor #transverseabdominis

[playfitmtl]

11week #belfie #snowstorm today #waitingforspring

[playfitmtl]

It's going to fly by!

[playfitmtl]

FitBiz + baby en route

My body is no longer mine - it belongs to an alien life force which sucks all the energy out of me and makes me want to barf 24\7. 

Despite forcing me to bed at 8pm every night, and then subsequently keeping me awake between 1am and 4am, this foreign dweller in my uterus has also been a creative driving force for my side biz.

Going through the physical, metal and emotional rollercoaster that is pregnancy is helping me gain perspective into my potential clients needs and desires. For example, I NEED to eat, but I DESIRE to not puke. Or I NEED to wear proper pants, but I DESIRE living in a moo-moo for the next 7 months.

When I can barely rip myself off the couch due to pure exhaustion and nausea, exercise is the last thing I want to do. Paradoxically, it is the only thing that relieves the morning sickness and gives me an energy boost. If it seems way too daunting, I start with some good old Keegels.

And then a snack.

[playfitmtl]

Even though I feel like barfing 24/7 😦😵😛😍 #fit #fitfam #fitness #getfit #fintessmotivation #workout #prenatal #pregnancy #pregnant #preggo #fitpreggo #preggers #bump #maternity #fitmom  #maternitystyle #babybump #pilates #barre #yoga #yogalates

[playfitmtl]

March 8th Fitness log

The worst reason not to write is not knowing what to write about. It’s easy, just start writing anything: a list, a letter, a song, a journal entry… What is harder is having something to write but not being able to because it’s confidential. For weeks now, while I’ve been preparing to launch my side business, I have been holding in news that makes it SO much more meaningful (and difficult): I’m pregnant!

Yes, baby number 3 is on the way, there’s no turning back now. This means I must return to work in 2 weeks, in order to get paid for another year of maternity leave. Canadians are spoiled with such a long leave, but I’m even more spoiled since I work for the federal government, which tops off my parental payments to 93% of my salary, as long as I’ve worked 6 months previous to taking leave. So I’m preparing to return to work for the next 6 months, which means: finding a place to stay - I work in Ottawa but live in Montreal; setting up my home office - for when I work from home 2 days per week; finding childcare - 2 kids under 4 who will be needing fulltime care; and getting my side business off the ground - prenatal and post-pregnancy fitness classes available to attend or stream off my website. All this, while trying not to puke every 10 seconds and feeling so exhausted that I’m in bed by 8:30pm every night. You know that feeling when you are hungover (headache, tired, nauseous) and you aren’t sure if eating something is the right move because you are terrified it might just come back up? When you know you should drink water because you are dehydrated but just the thought of it makes you gag? When you just lie around watching movies because your brain is fuzzy and simply walking to the bathroom is a huge effort? I feel varying degrees of this EVERY SINGLE DAY. Except I just have to deal with it because I’m taking care of two toddlers at home. I know, I know, I made my bed, I chose this, but I honestly did not expect it to be so brutal. It was not like this with the first two- not even close. The only time I feel less sick is when I’m working out (but try to get the energy!) or lying down.

Perhaps I should have waited to have a third child, especially since the other 2 are still young (1.5 yrs and 3.5yrs). But I had this weird notion that I didn’t want to get pregnant after the age of 35. I’ll be 35 in November. I guess I’m just scared that the older I get, the less stamina I’ll have, and I never imagined that raising tiny humans would be so physically and emotionally draining. So, I’m doing what I can. Back up at the lake now with the in-laws, which gives me a nice break from the kids for part of the day. I’ve been continuing my Surfset class every Tuesday, although concealing my bump is getting increasingly challenging, and I’m scared they’ll kick me out if they find out (wiggly surfboard doesn’t seems the safest for a preggo). I’ve started the Tracy Anderson Pregnancy Project, which I did during my last pregnancy. Month 2 was fine, but the month 3 disc is kicking my ass. Is a good 45 minutes of legwork, which feels like an eternity when you are used to 30 minutes. And you are pregnant. But I’m doing it every other day. In the spring I’ll do my own prenatal course on Mondays, prenatal yoga Wednesdays and Saturdays, and aquafit Thursdays. I’ll keep you updated on it all! You can also follow my adventures on Instagram and Twitter. My younger, social-media savvy brother is helping me build my online presence and brand. He’s big into Instagram, so he came over and we created a stockpile of images to load onto my PlayfitMTL insta account every day for about a month. It’s taught me a few things: Being a model is hard. Taking nice pictures of someone who isn’t a model is hard. Taking VIDEOS is even harder. We managed to get some decent footage however, and I will be better prepared for the next round of Instagram posts and for when we actually start shooting entire fitness segments for my website. This whole starting your own business thing is a real mind trip. Every day I question whether I’m wasting my time, I’m sure I’m going to fail, I tell myself I have no idea what I’m doing. But then I remember that every successful entrepreneur has felt this way at some point. And even if I fail, at least I know I gave it my best shot. Maybe I’m not cut out for the fitness industry. That doesn’t take anything away from my end-goal, which is to run my own business, a business that helps people in some way, shape or form. Oh, and not totally fuck up raising 3 kids while I’m at it. What’s your end-goal?

[playfitmtl]

That post booty workout feeling 😏😏🙌💪💪💪#cheeky

[playfitmtl]

Fitness log : Feb 17-23

Just got back from Surfset and had a full-on marital. Boo to that.

When it comes to how do deal with unruly kids, everyone has their own way right? But as parents, we are supposed to have a united front, and I totally disregarded that golden rule this evening. Which is why my husband and I are now on separate floors ignoring each other instead of our usual cuddling/typing next to each other. 

As soon as I walked in the door I heard my eldest (3 year old) hollering from upstairs. Assuming my husband didn’t hear her from the basement, and knowing that she might wake up her younger brother at ay moment, I rush up to calm her. Midway, I hear my husband telling me to stop. Turns out he is letting her cry because she didn’t listen. Which to me, sounds like a crazy ridiculous idea, as with every shriek we run the risk of waking the 1 year old who is sick with croup and horrible to deal with when he hasn’t slept well. So I suggest I go up for two minutes to shut her up. Hubby says No, she’s been at it for 40 minutes and needs to be punished. Deep down I know he’s right, but I can’t help myself, the urge to stop the noise is too strong. So, against his wishes, I go up and promptly handle the situation, All it took was a sip of water and a threat to take away her Megablocks.

All this to say that there are no hard fast rules to parenting, or to marriage relations for that matter. You just do your best and hope that you are not ruining your kids (and maybe spouse) along the way. It’s a lot of pressure, raising children. You feel like every decision, every word, every handled situation could have an impact on whether the kid becomes a doctor or a serial killer. I’m obviously exaggerating but the truth of it is that our children’s behavior often feels like it’s a reflection on us as parents.

This tangent brings me to the realization that I love fitness because it’s the only thing in my life that is totally controlled by me and impacts only me. If I skip a workout today? Oh well, only my body will feel the repercussions, but if I skip disciplining the kids today… well you get the drift.

Working out is a paradox for me, because while I use it as an escape, I also use it as an anchor that makes all the other parts of my life easier to handle. Its the only part of my day that’s reserved only for me, yet it has positive trickle down effects on all the people in my entourage.  

Another golden rule to live by? Never go to bed angry. Ugh. I better go apologize.

[playfitmtl]

Fitness log : Feb 13-16

I spent Valentine’s weekend in Toronto, and it was glorious. Was far from a romantic getaway: my husband stayed home with the kids. Thank God for him. A weekend of pure “me” time does wonders for my sanity. Just the train ride there and back was amazing, I got so much work done for my startup.

I stayed with a very good, dear friend. Spending time with her is food for the soul. It’s somewhat rare to make close friends in adulthood, but sometimes you hit the jackpot, and you have to treasure it! She’s been there for the most important transitions and trying times in my life, and she’s basically my career guru. Not to mention, she’s a badass career woman, MBA grad and a hottie to boot. 

I had scheduled to take some yoga style classes to get some ideas for the classes I want to offer. I used the MindBody app, which I love. The studio wasn’t as close as I’d hoped, and seeing as it was the coldest weekend of life, we Ubered it there and back both days. The first class was Yogabarre, and the second was Yogacore. I like the idea of incorporating trendy fitness elements into a yoga routine, using props, and having fun music. Monday morning we exercised in my friends condo gym, where I realized why I hate weight machines (takes too long, targets too little muscles) and how much I need cardio (10 minutes on the elliptical killed me).

Yesterday I was back at surfset, and this morning I jogged around the block a couple of times with the kids in tow on a sled. I might do a Tracy Anderson dvd if I can muster up the energy. What I really want to do is get started on building my own, unique fitness routine for pregnant women, I just have to start, one exercise at a time. 

[playfitmtl]

I love these leggings so much I had to #latergram (at Montreal, Quebec)

[playfitmtl]

Research on the train! #befithavefun (at Toronto, Ontario)

[playfitmtl]

Fitness Log Feb 2-9

Missing my Surfset class tonight beacuse I took the kids up to the lake house while my husband is away this week. I did this on purpose - the mere thought of having to take care of the minions entirely on my own is enough to send me into a panic attack, and I knew my in-laws would be here and would help me. For example, I was able to get a workout in this morning as Granpa and Granma (or as we call them, Babcia and Dzadza) took them outside to play on the frozen lake. It's so peaceful here. Imagine LIVING at a lake house full time? ahhhh. Well, I guess I'd miss my wi-fi pretty fast. And Wal-Mart. But the Nature! and the Silence! It's glorious. In the summer, I love doing yoga on the docks, right on the water- getting tanned and toned at the same time, what what! In other news, my website, PlayfitMtl.com is up and running! It still needs some major tweaking, but it's a start. From there, clients can take a look at course descriptions, book a class or a series of classes, and pay directly online. Isn't the interwebs wonderful? Now all I need to find is the right intructors, the right location, and an interested clientele.  Pfffft, childsplay. (I have no clue how I'm going to do any of this). I attended a fitness congress on Sunday, just to get a feel for what's out there. It was a bit discouraging, as 90% of the people there were personal trainers or fitness instuctors, (which I am NOT) and 85% are also trying to launch their own business. If these seasoned and trained professionals are being held back, what chance to I have of making it? I read an article that helped to stop this self-doubt from creeping in, and the line that truck me was "What worse than fear of failure? Fear of not trying. Let that fear drive you". Following the congress, I participated in a 3 hour Yoga "back to the basics" workshop. I had no prior knowlege of the philosophy behind yoga, even though I've been practicing it for years. Did you know that "Namaste" means "The God in me honors the God in you"? So neat. The physical aspect of yoga is meant only to be a passageway to enter true mental stillness, or pure bliss. But the the most important lesson I learned was about Bandhas, which means to bind your attention, focus on tigtenning an area and lock it in. Like in Pilates, when they say bellybutton to spine? same thing. Belly button to spine is a main one in yoga too, in addition to mula bahdha, or a keegle. A man in the class didn't understand what a keegle was, so the intructor explained that it was activating your pelvic floor, or the "stop to pee" muscle. When he still looked perplexed, she simply said "squeeze your butthole". FINALLY the TRUTH! It was an "AHA!" moment for me too. My new fitness mission is to tell every postpartum woman to squeeze her butthole as much as possible. Yes.