FLMORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Mothers and their babies were in an aerobics class together at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. In the foreground, Cheryl Kim and her daughter, Serenity Kim.

Lookin’ good, babe

Moms want to lose weight
after giving birth, and they can
work out with their tots

Healthy programs for mom, baby

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By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.com

The average woman gains approximately 30 pounds during pregnancy and carries the extra weight for nine months afterward. Naturally, most new mothers are anxious to return to their pre-pregnancy shape as soon as possible.

Like any weight loss goal, this can be achieved through exercise, but new mothers have trouble leaving their new bundles of joy behind when they head off to the gym or simply don't know how to get started on a fitness program.

Gabriel Solis offers a solution to the problem. He conducts interactive exercise classes that allow moms to not only bring their tots along, but to incorporate the toddlers in routines.

The class begins with stretching. "We stretch over the baby and massage the infant at the same time. The big one is kid push-ups, where the ladies come down and kiss the baby on the cheek and forehead. The babies really like this one," said Solis.

"We try to use the babies as a weight, holding them during many of the exercises." Solis uses his long-haired Chihuahua, Armani, as an example, since he doesn't have a child.

DeAnn Acosta attends classes with her 3-month-old son, Nolan. "I have a place where I can bring him and not worry about getting a baby sitter.

"I've really enjoyed meeting other new moms. I'm new to the community, so this was a way for me to connect with others. And it's really helped me get back into action again."

FLMORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Gabriel Solis, instructor, holds a doll to demonstrate an exercise for the moms.

Elisabeth Iwata brings her 2-month-old daughter, Anna, to class. "I like to see her reaction as she enjoys the other babies. She's always looking around and curious. We also get to do something different together," she said.

Karen Okawaki and 4-month-old Tanner also exercise together. "We change them, feed them. ... Half of the class is breast-feeding. It's so good that we have the freedom to do whatever we want," she said.

Midway through the class, the moms put the babies down on a blanket to focus on their own workout. Once kiddies start crawling, they are supposed to be booted out of the class, but Solis hasn't kicked anyone out yet.

"Gabe doesn't have the heart to do it," said Okawaki. "A woman instructor may not be so sympathetic."

"Once the babies start crawling around, they get in everyone's way," Solis said. "They get kinda crazy sometimes. They may pull at my shoelaces or even hit another baby."

Classes get even more challenging when there's a mix of walking and crawling babies, he said. "We have to be more careful. (The walkers) are bigger and stronger and most of the time are trying to get away. We have just learned to adjust the routines."

SOLIS got his start as a general fitness instructor. "I grew up around boxing and started taking dance classes as I got older," he said, eventually working with TV fitness guru Billy Banks to become a certified taebo instructor.

After acting as a substitute for the mommy-baby class one day, Solis found his new calling. "These women are at an exciting point in their lives. They are getting excited about exercise, and some of them have never exercised before. They now have an excuse to find a passion for a healthy lifestyle," said Solis.

"It's the best environment to work in. ... I don't know if anything is stronger than the relationship between a mother and her baby. I just melt to think that is the way my mom was with me," said Solis.

Solis is sure that the babies recognize his voice. "Sometimes they stare at me with their mouths open, zoning in on what I'm saying."

FLMORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Mothers and babies set for exercise from left, Cheryl Kim holding Serenity Kim, DeAnn Acosta holding Nolan Acosta, Karen Okawaki holding Tanner Kawamura and Shevaun Low holding Mia Lettau.

The babies start getting hungry toward the end of the class. But, even in the middle of the class, the moms are comfortable enough to stop and nurse, he said.

The women in the class agreed that the session also works as a support group. Carol Macdonald started going to class seven months ago when her daughter Mia was 5 months old.

"I wanted to get her out and socialize more," Macdonald said. "You start to feel isolated, and it helps to be around others with babies who are the same age. Most of my family members and friends don't have children or they are older."

Rene Kanezawa attends class with her 9-month-old daughter, Kimie. "We went on a weekend excursion with the group to the zoo," she said. "Every weekend, we get together at a park or somewhere. We put the babies in strollers and go on a big walk."

Normally, Solis puts Armani in a stroller. "I use him as a baby, and he comes on all the stroller walks. It helps me to better relate with the women. We also do exercises while pushing the strollers.

"That makes my weekend. I always look forward to the Saturday morning walk or hike. I want to continue organizing outings so we can all keep in touch."

CLASS INFORMATION Mommy/Baby Aerobic classes are held from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Mommy/Crawling Baby classes are held 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. on Thursdays. OB Aerobic classes are held 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Fees for a six-week session: $30 for once a week, $55 for twice a week. Drop-in rate is $10 per class. Classes are at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children at 1907 S. Beretania St. Call 535-7000 to register.

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