Start spreading the news, we're leaving.....

Fifteen years ago these two sassy sisters moved to New York City.

 

I came to pursue an acting career and my sister came for adventure.  We had lots of both! We hit street fairs, sample sales, plays in the park, bars in the bowery, broadway shows, big white snows, we took advantage of all the city had to offer and loved every minute!  My sister, Andrea got a "real" job and was transferred out of state within two years but I stayed here auditioning, performing and making ends meet in between gigs with every job imaginable to an enthusiastic gal from New Mexico looking to make her mark on stage and screen. I was a nanny, a waitress, foot model, party performer, office temp, asisstant and eventually a fitness instructor, personal trainer and small business owner of Jolynn Baca jewelry designs.  I became a professional actress and toured all over the world, performed in New York City downtown, midtown and just north of town. I did music videos, voice overs, online instructional videos, flash mobs, student films, independent films and webisodes.  Any opportunity to perform was an opportunity...there is nothing like it!!

The Big Apple has been good to me...I met my wonderful husband here.  I had our baby here.  I have formed lifelong friendships.  I have had incredible experiences.  After 15 years, I consider myself a New Yorker....we get to wear a special badge of survival!  This city living is exhilirating, but it's tough too.  I've trudged through several feet of snow at 6am the day after a storm to train clients in their homes, I've traveled through three boroughs on four types of transportation to teach a class, I've carried three types of dance shoes, one music book, a cosmetic bag of make up and three changes of clothes to four different auditions in three parts of town.  This is NOT "Smash" and "Friends" living...this is the REAL New York, the one I always love and sometimes loathe, but will forever be proud of surviving! 

Fast forward to the sassy sisters now...we are new moms with new priorities...me a girl and my sister a boy!

  

 



Without a doubt, motherhood is my all time favorite role!  This little girl has filled me with so much more joy than I ever imagined possible and has really made it clear to me what is important in my life.  I love knowing that Parker will always be a New York baby, but we want her to have grass and space and family nearby.  So, after 15 years, I say goodbye to my dear New York City and hello to a whole new adventure.

Rob, Parker and I are moving to the Washington D.C. area on July 1!!!  What a wonderful time to move to our Nation's Capitol....just in time for July 4!  We will be a quick drive (that's what you do in the burbs) to my other sister, Anna Marie (it's her turn to deal with me full time) and Rob will be working for a global architectural firm in the area.  Yes, he's kind of a superstar and has a FANTASTIC job waiting for him...I am super proud!  I will not immediately be working, so I get to have some unexpected bonus time at home with Parker.  THIS is priceless. 

We leave our friends and New Jersey family with a heavy heart but an open invitation to come visit....it's only four hours away and $1 on a Bolt bus :)  I WILL be back in August to teach intenSati for a Lolë meet up in Hudson Park  so be sure to join me!!  You can still hear me giving fitness tips on the radio every other Tuesday morning on DayBreak USA .  If you want to know what's happening with us, check back here often.  My plan is to post regularly about our new adventures! 

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, "The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and beauty in the world." I remember coming over that bridge my first time with such excitement and hope for the life I was about to live as a single gal living in the big city.  I will savor that view one last time as we drive to D.C. full of excitement and hope for the life we're about to live as a family.

See ya later New York, I'll never say goodbye.

I'm a mom now!

Good morning and may everyone be safe and sound from storm Sandy.  I am happy to report that we never lost power and have no damage.  Much love and support goes out to all who were less fortunate.

 

So, I haven't posted in quite a while because LORDY baby prep is busy work!!  I know, I know, nothing compared to when baby is here.  That's part of my "problem" though, I have all this energy right now....blessed second trimester....and I think I have to do EVERYTHING I ever wanted or needed to do NOW before the baby comes and because the baby is coming.  Well did I get a wake up call a couple of weeks ago!

 

I was simply walking down the street with a friend (thank goodness I wasn't alone) when all of a sudden I stepped on uneven sidewalk and lost my balance.  Instinctively, I twisted my body to the side to protect my belly but fell all the way down to the ground.  I have NEVER been so scared in my life!  In that instant, all of those motherly instincts people tell you about kicked in full force! My ankle was in extreme pain (later to be diagnosed as an extreme sprain) but all I could think about was, "what did I do to my baby?!"  I started to hyperventilate, I knew that wasn't good, but I couldn't catch my breath because I was panicked.  The tears were welling up in my eyes, I was unable to move from the middle of the New York City sidewalk because I was just in shock. Yes, a pedestrian did stop to inquire about my condition (New Yorkers aren't all that bad).  My friend eventually got me to a safe seat where I could elevate my now swelling ankle and try and catch my breath.  I calmed down and called my doctor and my husband and my podiatrist.  I checked in with everyone that needed checking in with, and then just wanted to go home and be still so I could feel my baby move...that was what I needed.  To be sure that he or she was ok.  Nothing else mattered.  I didn't care that I relied on healthy feet for a living, the golf ball sized ankle was of no concern to me, I wanted to feel my baby move!!! 

 

Here's the kicker, my placenta is low which provides a pillow between the baby & me...whew! extra padding, but I generally don't feel a lot of movement because of it's position.  So, waiting was agony.  But that's what I did, waited.  I went home & put ice on my elevated foot, layed back on the couch giving my belly optimal space and waited with my hands on my belly.  I was sooooo happy when I felt movement!!  I finally felt like I could breathe.  It hit me, I'm a mom now and my baby comes first.  Someone else's needs trump mine.  I will do everything in my power to protect my child. 

 

I now understand why my parents agonized every time we got hurt playing soccer, were out later than expected or worried when we traveled without them for the first time.  Last year, last YEAR, not when I was a kid, my mom and I were sharing a dessert and she let me have the last bite.  I thought to myself, "How does she do that?  This is delicious!  I don't know that I would do that, maybe I shouldn't be a mom."  Guess what?  I now get it, I'd give my child the last bite of cake too.   

 

So now, I'm taking a new approach.  I DON'T have to do everything NOW!  I am almost seven months pregnant and I SHOULD slow down a bit.  THAT is part of protecting my child...making sure mom is rested, safe and healthy.   I am writing to you now with my still healing ankle elevated and relaxing on this second day of unexpected storm vacation and am quite content to be doing nothing more than that!

 

Below are belly pics!!!  I took them one week apart from each other because when it came time for the six month pic, the baby hid!  It's now almost time for the seven month pic so stay tuned....

 

24 weeks (camera shy baby)                                                      25 weeks (there you are!)



This week's class is a benefit!

Every week in class we set an intention, we ask for what we want and we build the strength to go for it.  This week our intention is to honor a young man whose strength and spirit is inspiring!!  His name is Noah and at age five, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. 

This life altering diagnosis has drastically changed Noah's life and the lives of his family, but according to his mom, it has not changed Noah's positive attitude, ""..Our day-to-day life has been so greatly altered in the last eighteen months and we have experienced many milestones. We must constantly monitor his blood glucose level as there can be grave complications if it is out of the target range. Noah, for his part, is handling this new normal with amazing resilience. He was still in the ICU after diagnosis when he decided he was going to do his own fingerpokes. We transitioned to the insulin pump last summer and it has allowed us to achieve much tighter control of his blood glucose. Noah just finished kindergarten and had an extremely happy, sucessful year. For the most part, Noah takes it all in stride and often has everyone around him laughing. He amazes those close to him with his positive, "can-do" attitude. When I look at him, my heart swells with pride and love. I feel so blessed to have such a strong, bright little boy call me Mommy."

Pretty great right?  I heard about Noah from his aunt Sarah, who also teaches intenSati.  She is helping Noah and his family raise money to purchase a life saving, but very expensive D.A.D., Diabetic Alert Dog, so that he and his family may have a little peace and security.  Sarah is teaching a benefit class in New Jersey this weekend.  I immediately thought a class like ours, that focuses on family should step up and help too! 

SO, this week ALL of the net proceeds from class will go to Noah's D.A.D. fund!  Because we want to raise as much money as possible for Noah, no special offers or passes** will be honored...you can use them next week.  Makes sense right?  We WANT him to get his D.A.D.!!  This is a Mommy Talk week so class is $20, but guess what we're talking about?  DESSERT!!!!  Mercedes Vargas, one of the pastry chefs at the Ritz-Carlton, Central Park, mom of two girls and locavore (eats locally grown food) will be treating us to with cake make with olive oil and greek yogurt and brownies made with zucchini!  She'll help us find ways to incorporate healthier ingredients in our recipes. Let us eat cake!

**if you've purchased a multiple class pack, you're all set, you don't need to pay extra...unless you want to give more to Noah :)

I hope you'll join me this Wednesday morning at 9:30 for class followed by dessert at 10:30!!  Please tell your friends to join us too.....Noah needs our help! 

Let me know ASAP if you need childcare so we have enough sitters!!

With love and gratitude,
Jolynn

Body Local Deal for September!

Hi Body Local Community,

I'm so excited to offer you a special deal for my Fun Fitness for Mommies class!!

Join us for four, one hour intenSati workouts on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 at Ripley Grier 72 Studios, 131 West 72nd St.

What is intenSati? An empowering and powerful workout that combines interval training, martial arts, dance & yoga with positive affirmations. This innovative workout srengthens your body, mind and spirit. Effective and safe for ALL fitness levels.

The goal of intenSati is to help you live a life you love in a body you LOVE!!! At Fun Fitness for Mommies we are building a community of expectant, hopeful and current moms. Once a month, after class, we offer a "Mommy Talk" on topics relevant to motherhood including acupuncture for fertility, prenatal massage, healthy nutrition and so much more!

Need a sitter? We've got on-site childcare from the professionals at Lucky Lil' Darlings available for a small additional fee and a 24-hour advance reservation. (Based on sitter availability.)

Come burn up to 800 calories in one class, HAVE FUN, and FEEL GREAT!

Grab this $40 four-pack deal for the Body Local community by clicking on the PayPal "Buy Now" button below and email me at funfitnessformommies@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

**four classes must be redeemed within six week period of first class taken
**classes purchased through Body Local expire on 11/30/12
**additional fees for childcare

I'll see you in class!

Body Local Deal ~ Four classes for $50!!

Hi Body Local Community,

I'm so excited to offer you a special deal for my Fun Fitness for Mommies class!!

Join us for four, one hour intenSati workouts on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 at Ripley Grier 72 Studios, 131 West 72nd St. 

What is intenSati?  An empowering and powerful workout that combines interval training, martial arts, dance & yoga with positive affirmations.  This innovative workout srengthens your body, mind and spirit.  Effective and safe for ALL fitness levels.

The goal of intenSati is to help you live a life you love in a body you LOVE!!!  At Fun Fitness for Mommies we are building a community of expectant, hopeful and current moms.  Once a month, after class, we offer a "Mommy Talk" on topics relevant to motherhood including acupuncture for fertility, prenatal massage, healthy nutrition and so much more! 

Need a sitter?  We've got on-site childcare from the professionals at Lucky Lil' Darlings available for a small additional fee and a 24-hour advance reservation.

Come burn up to 800 calories in one class, HAVE FUN, and FEEL GREAT!

Grab this $50 four-pack deal for the Body Local community by clicking on the PayPal "Buy Now" button below and email me at funfitnessformommies@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

**four classes must be redeemed within six week period of first class taken
**classes purchased through Body Local expire on 10/1/12
**additional fees for childcare

I'll see you in class!

Jolynn

NO class tomorrow, Wednesay, May 9, but FUN stuff ahead!

image from http://chibird.tumblr.com/

 

It's a BIG May full of changes & celebrations!!!  Please read carefully because there is A LOT going on and I don't want you to miss a bit of it!

First, a friendly reminder that we're giving moms the day off from class tomorrow, Wednesday, May 9, BUT we'll be back to class the following Wednesday, May 16! 

THEN, on Wednesday, May 23, we are having our MOMMY TALK one week early!!! 

I am thrilled to announce that the lovely and talented Erin Williams, owner of  Erin's Faces will make a repeat performance at our monthly talk.  This time she's talking summer skincare for you and your family.  She will have samples of her amazing and natural skincare and makeup line!



WAIT!  It gets better...on May 23, Erin will be giving away a FREE product from her amazing line and I will be giving away a FREE class to one lucky winner!!  How do you win?  Easy...

Step 1: sign up to receive Erin's blog
Step 2: if you're not already subscribed to mine....hop on the list here on this page! 
Step 3: come to class on Wednesday, May 23 and be entered into the drawing for the fabulous prizes....it's ALL going to ONE LUCKY WINNER!!!

Finally, because of the Memorial Day Holiday, we will NOT have class on Wednesday, May 30. 

We'll resume classes on Wednesday, June 6.

Whew!  That's it!  Come join the intenSati fun!!  Invite your friends!!  We're building a community and getting some sweaty inspiration (almost) every Wednesday at Ripley Grier 72 @ 131 W. 72nd St!

See you in class,
Jolynn

Happy Mother's Day....a little early!!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 2, if you are a mom who is NEW to this class, you may take it for FREE!!! That's right, free, nothing, nada, no money.....free free free class!!! 

Foto search Stock Illustration RF Royalty Free

We are NOT having class next Wednesday, May 9, so we are celebrating moms a little early this year.

All you have to do, is post a comment below saying you would like to experience a GREAT workout with AMAZING women in a SUPPORTIVE, FANTASTIC environment!!!  (Just post that YES you wanna come work out with us.)

**This is for class only, childcare is NOT available tomorrow....sorry.

See you tomorrow mamasitas!!!