We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for March! Each month we will take a moment to honor one of our local FIT4MOM Montgomery County Moms for her efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle and for her dedication to the program. This month we honor....Jen Bienstock!

Jen is amazing and so dedicated to Fit4Mom workouts and our village! She balances a career outside of the home while also still managing to be an awesome mom and on top of it make her health and workouts a priority. I feel so fortunate to know her and have her positive energy in my classes. ~ Instructor Courtland

Jen is amazing! She balances so much, all the while still finding time to be an amazing member of our village. She is so warm and kind to other moms in class, seeking others out to check in with them; and she makes the time to support our mamas with a meal or encouragement when they've had their little ones (me, included)! ~ Instructor Stephanie

Jen is dedicated to her children and her health. She always shows up to class, early, with a smile on her face ready to sweat. Jen always seeks out a new mom in class to chat with. Before she had Matthew, on the days Harper was in daycare she would still come to squeeze in that workout before heading to the office. She is a wonderful mom to this village and encompasses all that is #fit4mommoco. I am proud to call her a friend! ~ Instructor Maya

We asked Jen a few questions so we can all get to know her better, and here is what she had to say:

Who are the members of your family?

Our crew consists of me, my awesome husband Josh, Harper (2.5 years) and Matthew (2 months)

What is/was your career?

I’m a psychologist specializing in treating OCD and anxiety disorders (and a lot of stuff in between!). I work with children, adults and families both individually and in group formats. I’ll be starting at a new practice in April when I go back to work and am super excited about it!

When was your first class, and what do you remember about it?

So before I ever took a class, I used to go on a walk every morning with Harper in the Kentlands while I was on maternity leave (summer 2017). I saw this group of moms with a fleet of strollers and was so intrigued. That’s when I basically started stalking this group which I later learned was F4M. I approached Maya one day after barre and was taking my first class shortly thereafter. My first class was with Dana at Rio. She told us to go on a freedom run down and back to Target and being the new mom that I was, I took the stroller with me. How times have changed knowing how glorious a short freedom run can be! I was also sore for days afterwards but was hooked.

Where can we find you? What is your FIT4MOM routine these days?

My “home base” is Rio/Kentlands/Hardshells but I like to make appearances at the Pike and Rose/MM/JCC locations as well as Clarksburg. Right now, I try to come as often as I can but that will change when I go back to work. I will definitely still be there with or without kids.

What is your favorite strides exercise?

I’m a sucker for all things barre. I don’t know if they are my favorite but I love the challenge of upper body exercises.

What has being a mom taught you?

So many things, it’s hard to even narrow it down. But if I had to pick, I’d say patience, with both myself and my kids. Easier said than done but it’s something I work on every day.

List 3 of your favorite things.

Ice cream, seeing and hearing my kids smiling and laughing and going on family “adventures”.

Give us a giggle- What is your funniest or most embarrassing mommy moment so far?

The first real outing I went on with Harper was when she was only a few weeks old. I was so proud of myself for getting out and about. In the car on the way home, I noticed the neon streak of poop running down my tank top. Thank goodness I wearing a wrap so it wasn’t super obvious.

Any advice for other moms out there?

Momming is the toughest but most rewarding job out there. It doesn’t matter if you work outside the home, are a SAHM or work from home mom, we are all in this together and we need to give ourselves a little grace. Some days are definitely harder than others and we just have to remember that we are doing the best we can. The tiny humans we are raising love us no matter what. And also, always pack snacks. You can never have too many snacks.

What would you tell someone who is considering attending their first #fit4mommoco class?

Just do it. Don’t let the BOB strollers intimidate you, do your best for THAT day which might just mean showing up and chatting with a mama and having fun. In the end it’s all about taking care of ourselves and setting the example we want for our kiddos to see, a strong and happy mama.

Thank you, Jen for being such a valuable part of Our Village here at FIT4MOM Montgomery County! We truly appreciate you & the positive energy you bring to class and Our Village!

Check back to see who our MOM will be in April!