We are so excited to announce our MOM (Motivating Mom of the Month) for May! 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....Kathryn Attridge!
Kathryn is such a sweet and nice mama. Dedicated , strong , fun and always happy. I’m glad I got to know her when I started to teach classes in Kentlands.~ Instructor Ewa
Oh I love when Kathryn and Kailyn are in 360 with me! I miss them so much! Kathryn has the biggest heart, such positive energy, and her smile is contagious. She works hard in class, and she makes every mom feel welcome and valued. ~ Instructor/Franchise Owner Heather
Kathryn has been a friend in class and outside of it, too! Her positivity and warmth are evident from the moment you meet her. She is the kind of person who makes you feel like you’ve known her for ages, even when you are new friends. I got the opportunity to have Kathryn as a Fit4Baby client during this pregnancy. She is as much of a joy in class when I'm teaching, as she is being my talking buddy side by side in stroller classes. She has shown how amazingly STRONG she is as she powers through challenging workouts, even early in pregnancy and does it with such positivity. Kathryn has been a part of a group we attend one evening a week, and her faith, insight and beautiful perspective inspire and move me. I’m so grateful for her! ~ Instructor Stephanie
We asked Kathryn 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?
Christopher and I will celebrate our 8-year anniversary on May 5th! our spunky daughter Kailyn is 2.5, and little baby boy is due the end of July.
What is/was your career?
My main gig is SAHM and Travel Planner exclusive to all Disney Destinations (WDW, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, etc). My pre-marriage vocation was Director of Student Ministry in Myrtle Beach, SC.
When was your first class, and what do you remember about it?
The first F4M class I ever took was in VA at Tysons Corner Mall on Valentine’s Day ’18. I recall being embarrassed by my daughter’s crying, ashamed of how poorly my body performed, being in awe of other mamas managing their lives, inept and out of place, and absolutely needing MORE by the time playgroup ended. Haha.
We were in the midst of moving to MD, I was exiting the fog of what I came to know as Post-Partum Depression and still surviving through the months of colic… I remember knowing I had to find a way to keep this “me” time once we were in MoCo.
I do recall being so surprised in my first class with this community that we actually run between stations and super impressed with how welcoming the classes felt to a newcomer.
Where can we find you? What is your FIT4MOM routine these days?
Pre-quarantine it was Strides/360 @ Rio M/W/F, Barre @ Kentlands T/Tr, and Fit4Baby W/Tr (The goal was 4-5 classes a week, in some combination of the above…never all at once :-X ) During this digital phase, I’m making about one Live morning workout a week and enjoying doing others on-demand at nap times or after bed time. Barre classes and Lunchtime Crunch Time sessions have been my favorite!
What is your favorite strides exercise?
Squat rounds with a resistance tube/weights for upper body variations.
What has being a mom taught you?
Oh geesh, this one could be a novel. Being a mom has taught me the power of a gentle response, the need to be critically aware of my own self-talk, and how my blessed burden as momma sets the tone for our home… that perspective and choosing (to try) not to sweat the small stuff makes playing, learning, and laughter easier. That bitterness is a choice I don’t have to make. Mostly though, it has taught me to view my own strengths and weaknesses just as they are, and how community and asking for help or input is a way of valuing myself. That I can do harder things than I thought, but surviving through them alone should never be one of them.
List 3 of your favorite things.
Burgers & fries
Comedy
Traveling
Give us a giggle- What is your funniest or most embarrassing mommy moment so far?
My mom and MiL were in the hospital room with me shortly after my daughter was born. A nurse who was helping me get settled/acclimated was about to leave. She turned and said “Can I get mom anything?” I turned and looked from my mom to MiL waiting for them to respond… to then shockingly realize that the nurse was talking to ME! I was now, for the first time and officially, a Mom.
Any advice for other moms out there?
Just love them.
Love them enough to train them when it’s difficult. Love them enough to pour grace when they’re acting their age. Smile at them, hug them, stroke their hair, be playful, look in their eyes, give them a “do over”, remind them how special they are to you (especially in the hardest moments)…because time, lessons, milestones, tantrums, late nights, expectations, school work…they all change and pass; but intentionally enjoying them and being able to instill in another human being that they are worthy of love…that, I think, is our greatest Mama superpower.
That nothing they can do can make us love them more.
That nothing they can do can make us love them less.
What would you tell someone who is considering attending their first #fit4mommoco class?
Girl, where you been?! Let’s pick a class to visit right now. And, that while classes may be physically difficult at the beginning (or, kinda always), that the community, outlet, and purpose of Fit4Mom is a reward and support system every mom should have the chance to experience and be empowered by. You deserve to give yourself a try.
Thank you, Kathryn 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 June!