This week we shine the spotlight on all round superstar Becca and her lovely tribe. Becca inspirationally set up This Mum Can Fitness following redundancy – and it is growing in popularity every week.
This Mum most definitely CAN!
What’s your name and where do you come from?
Becca – from Surrey originally but totally an honory Manc now as I’ve lived in Sale since 2006
Tell us a bit about This Mum Can Fitness!
It’s a fitness business run by me aiming to get Mums back into fitness. I started it 18 months ago after being made redundant on maternity leave after having Harry, my 2nd child. I retrained and started it rather than getting a “proper job”. It’s been a whirlwind of 18 months and I love it – best thing I ever did. I do loads of different bits – I run Mum and Baby classes in the parks as well as ladies only fitness sessions, I do Personal or small group training and I also run a running club. We’re based in Trafford – in Urmston, Sale and Altrincham
What is your top tip for new Mums?
Give yourself a break! It’s the hardest, most mind-blowing thing in the world becoming a Mum and we’re our own worst enemies. It’s easier said than done but try and take a step back and reaslie you’re doing an amazing job (even if you don’t feel like that everyday) Exercise helps but you’ve got to make sure you’re ready physically so don’t do too much too soon.
What about Mums who maybe aren’t new to motherhoodbut have been out of exercise for a while?
Pretty much the same but once you’ve got your head round the idea of making a change, then go for it with all guns blazing. Its not easy getting fit but the benefits of it are enormous – you sleep better as your physically tired, you feel better as you’re doing something for you (not for the kids), you eat better as hopefully you don’t want to eat rubbish if you’ve done a workout. Its like the best most un-vicious (if that’s even a word) cycle . Find a group with likeminded people in it at a level right for you and you’ll love it
Which three words best describe you and why?
Loyal – once your my friend that’s kind of it, you can’t get rid of me
Friendly – I can literally can talk to anyone about anything
Happy – I try to find he positive in most stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good rant but I don’t hold onto it for long, life’s too short!!
Tell us about your classes – what can Mums expect?
We do an hours workout together – I try to do a different class every week so you don’t get bored doing the same things every time. All exercises can be modified to anyone’s ability so please don’t be worried about coming down. It’s suitable from 6 weeks post baby after natural delivery or 10-12 weeks post c-section. The whole ethos is about coming out, meeting new friends and getting active and although it is a great workout, it’s not a full-on bootcamp or anything like that!
We workout, have a chat, an hopefully have a laugh at the same time – I’m not a “shouty” trainer – the hardest bit is getting your “activewear” on and getting to my class so once you’re there, for the first few weeks at least, that’s all that matters, you can kind of do what you want and make it as easy or as hard as you’d prefer. I know loads of the mums that come are working out on about 4 hours sleep so I’m never going to push you to your limits.
What is on the kitchen disco play-list in your house?
We’ve a very eclectic mix at our house. Me and the hubby are massively into our music and primarily I’d say we’re indie kids (oh to be a kid again!!)
Courteeners are always high on the list along with stuff like Oasis, Razorlight, Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys. Then its so eclectic – I love reliving my youth with old school RnB and garage (south London garage girl in the house – cringe!!) and my Mum and Dad are the biggest U2 fans so Bono’s on a lot too. Like I said, we love a bit of everything – except drum and bass or jungle – jungle was never wicked or massive – ha ha
Where are your favourite places for a knees up without the nippers?
Without the kids for us is 90% of the time at a gig here or there. We love live music and try to go as much as we can to see our favourite artists. If it’s not a gig then just a good old night out. I’m not really into “glamming it up” but I like going out for nice food and then to some bars and probably having one too many glasses of prosecco
What was the first album / single you bought and what format did you buy it on?
One of my first albums was a NOW album – I think it was Now 26 or a number close to there and it was on CD – I was the transfer generation from tapes to CD!! After that I think the Bluetones was one of my first good albums – along with Five! and a bit of Phil Collins – I love Phil Collins…another one to blame on my parents good taste!!
Geekily because Mum and Dad were in Asia, I was one of the first of my friends to get an iPod when I went back to Uni – it was huge! I’ve still got it – 3rd generation – no colour, 4 buttons on the top, no click wheel – totally retro now!
What would be your band T-shirt of choice?
Courteeners
What is a favourite family meal at your house and do you have a great recipe to share?
My spaghetti bolognaise is pretty good (if I do say so myself) Pretty straight forward recipe –
Mince, Onion, Garlic, Mushroom, Peppers, WorstershireSauce, Tomato Ketchup, Tinned Tomatoes
Fry onion, garlic, add in the mince and break it up. When mince is fully cooked, throw in mushrooms & Peppers, tinned tomato, decent squeeze of ketchup and about 5-6 dashes of worstershire sauce. Leave uncovered to simmer and reduce down. Cook pasta/spaghetti and serve
Apart from OKS (obviously) what would you recommend for family fun in the North West?
We love Oxygen trampolining park in Trafford Park – firm family fave for a rainy Saturday morning. The Little O sessions from 10-11 every morning are fab as theres no chance of the little kids getting bashed by any older ones
Parks are always a great day out for us if the weather allows – we’re round the corner from Worthington Park so that’s our go to but we also love Bruntwood Park in Cheadle, Walton Park in Sale and Abbotsfield Park in Urmston – both the latter two have steam trains which is fab.
What are you looking forward to most at future OKS events?
I just love the variety of the events – I need to make a supper night at Rocket and Orange as I’ve not been free for any of the dates there yet but I just love them. There’s so much to do at them and I really like the fact that there’s always something for all ages – my fave was the Neon on you did at Z-arts – Chloe and Harry loved drawing on the tshirts and the signing/dancing music demo in the main room but the best bit was the circus disco – fabulous!
Are there any other local small businesses you want to shout out?
Pelvic Physio Manchester – Felicity Nicholson. She’s a specialist pelvic floor Physiotherapist and performs Mummy MOT’s. She helps mums with stomach or pelvic floor issues get strong and ready for “normal” life again post birth – fabulous lady and business.
Tumble Tots – fab classes that I take Harry to every Thursday – all about getting kids active and confident to explore new things. They climb and balance over a range of “stations” – Harry loves it and it’s great to see him improve week on week.
Amphora Café – in Sale – the best avocado and eggs I’ve ever had!! Chloe adores the macaroons and states this café as her “favourite place to go”!! Cute café with a great selection of food on the menu and ridiculously good cakes – heard the coffee is amazing too. Run by a lovely couple who have made a huge success out of a relatively new business.
Find out more about Becca and her fantastic classes here and FB here
Find out more about Our Kids Social and their fantastic events here
ourkidssocial.blog 