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YMCA Fitness Classes

I absolutely love the YMCA! It is not very expensive for a family membership ($50-$70) monthly, which you can share with all the Des Moines YMCA locations and they have SOOOOOO much to offer.

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Child care

Fitness Classes

Full gym

Swimming pool

Discounted children classes

Discounted kid sports

Indoor running track

Very friendly and helpful staff

AND MUCH MORE!

My favorite, are the fitness classes. They have so many variety of classes to offer and with the multiple locations around Des Moines, you can usually find a time that will suit you. Some classes include:

Zumba

Cycling

Yoga

Pilates

BodyPump

Body Sculpt

Tai Chi

Insanity

Tabata Strength

AND MUCH MORE!

There is an awesome iPhone app to keep track of what classes and what time classes are available. They also will post special events that may be going on at the specific YMCA you belong to, open swim schedules, open gym schedules, etc. You can search by class and instructor. You can also click on a specific class, sync it to your calendar and place an alert, so you do NOT forget to work out. The app ROCKS!

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Since giving birth to baby number two, it has been a lot harder to work off this baby weight! It is also a lot harder to get to the gym with two kids! Luckily, Travis is very supportive and flexible. Each week I compare his work schedule, my schedule, the kids schedule and I plan out what classes I plan to take. Then with the YMCA app I can add it to my calendar!

Right now, I have two favorite classes I have been going to regularly.

1. BodyPump

I love BodyPump! A lot of people feel that they need to have good coordination when taking this class because there is counting, but the instructors are awesome at counting it out and keeping you on track. If you are a beginner or experience, this class is for you. The instructors do an awesome job explaining each lift and also show you an alternative way of doing a lift or exercise, if you are not experienced enough.

BodyPump is NOT about how much weight you lift. It is based on form, how slow, fast and reps you lift. You do it all to music and once you get in the groove, it’s a lot of fun! During one class I have burned between 350-500 calories. They change up the classes every 8 weeks or so, and they just recently switched up the class. With the new routine, I have burnt over 500 calories! I definitely recommend this class!

2. Body Sculpt

Body Sculpt is a mixture of cardio and strength training. Each class I have been to has been different and totally awesome. I always burn between 400-500 calories in a Body Sculpt class. Each instructor creates their own workout which can consist of bands, weights, barbells, running on the track, jumping jacks, crunches, etc. You usually start off with a jog around the track, to get your heart rate up, then you will do some strength training exercises. Through out class you will alternate cardio and strength training, so your heart rate continuously stays increased.

If you are looking to get into shape, I definitely recommend joining your local YMCA. The YMCA makes it very easy to workout, even with busy schedules and kids.

Check out the YMCA Greater of Des Moines website for more information and how to join.

Midwest Mom & Wife Child Care

In my previous post, I mentioned how I started my own business. Midwest Mom & Wife is no longer just a blog, but a business also! I have many hopes and goals for this business, and I have  started offering child care.

I have started accepting part-time and/or drop-in daycare and I am so excited!

  • Cloth diaper friendly
  • Love to plan activities, but also allow free play
  • Enjoy fun trips and activities in the Des Moines area
  • Knowledgable with breast milk and breastfeeding
  • Love to baby wear (it’s a life saver)
  • Natural minded

Everywhere you turn, in our home, we have something kid-friendly and fun to do!

Upstairs, we have our reading and art “nook”. I have an easel set-up, a small rocking chair, and a basket of books. There is no TV in this area, so it’s a nice place to come and focus on reading, writing, drawing, painting, etc.

The kitchen is where all the messiness happens! This little area is where I keep our paints, play dough, markers, glue, etc. Usually, when we have a particularly messy project, we set-up here.

Downstairs is our “living area”. Off this area, is the play room. The play room is LOADED with lots of toys, train table, an enormous amount of books, puzzles, etc.

Outside! I like to spend as much time outside as possible, because once winter sets in, we don’t get out very often. I have been very blessed with a LARGE backyard. There are two fun areas to our yard …

This is the “natural scape”. There are tree stumps to climb on, a large tire full of sand and sand toys, and a plastic pool that I fill up with water for fun activities.

This area is our swing set and plastic slide area. As you can see, the whole thing is not covered with gravel, yet, so it’s easy to ride around on the tons of trucks and 4-wheeler toys we have.

I have so much to offer for your little ones and am very flexible on days and times.

Also, look for the Child Care tab at the top of the page to keep track of what I am accepting and adding!

Please contact me here for questions, more information, and pricing.