Get to know Marissa, an instructor at FIT4MOM Downingtown!
Meet Marissa, mom to Giovanna and Sofia. Marissa has been with FIT4MOM since the summer of 2021 when she was in her third trimester of her pregnancy with her second daughter.
“I found FIT4MOM Downingtown from the Chester County Labor & Delivery Facebook page when someone recommended it. I had heard of FIT4MOM before but always thought it was a military spouse program because I’ve seen them near military bases. I was really excited to see there was a local one here in Downingtown. I was new to the area, had an 18 month old, and was in my third trimester with my second daughter. I was nervous to attend my first class unsure if all the moms would be super fit and I’d feel left out, and I wasn’t sure how my toddler would do in the stroller for the full hour. However, everyone was so nice and welcoming to myself and my daughter and I left feeling included! I loved the concept of getting to workout and socialize with other local moms all with my daughters with me, and it’s a total bonus that they’re getting entertainment and socialization too!”
Marissa grew up in New Jersey and spent several years living in different states with the military. She and her husband most recently lived in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri before they moved here to Downingtown, relocating for her husband’s job after the Army. They are a military family - both Marissa and her husband were in the Army - they love Jesus, and are big coffee lovers!
Q&A
What do you wish you would have known before your first child came to be?
How hard breastfeeding can be and all the mom guilt and emotions surrounding it.
What's your favorite thing about being a mom?
Watching their personalities develop and seeing the world through their eyes.
What's the hardest thing for you about being a mom?
Being relied on 24/7 and the mental load of all the decisions. Also seeing them grow up.
What advice do you have for new moms?
Allow yourself to feel all of the emotions. You may like motherhood more or less than you thought at times and that’s OK. Understand baby wake windows and I highly recommend TakingCaraBabies. Get outside with the baby every day. Motherhood can be very lonely, find other local mom friends. And last but not least, you are the BEST mom for your baby and you’re doing amazing!
What’s your best mom hack?
Toy rotation. Only put a limited number of toys out and put the rest away. They don’t play with a lot at once and when you rotate the toys back out the kids play with it like it’s a new toy. Helps keep the mess down in your house which personally helps my mental sanity!
What's your favorite part of FIT4MOM?
The friendships and bonds I have developed. Truly my closest friends have come from FIT4MOM and I’ve found my village that I know whenever I need something these women are there for me and my family.
Marissa currently teaches Body Boost and soon will be teaching Stroller Strides and Strides 360!