Smarty Mom: Christy Weaver

By Katie M

On the eve of Mother's Day, it's my pleasure to introduce today's Smarty Mom: Christy Weaver. Christy grew up in Greensboro, and now she and her husband, Brad, and their six-year-old son, Davis, live in High Point. Christy is a former health and physical education teacher who now works part-time as a Group Fitness Director for Sportscenter Athletic Club where she is also an aerobics instructor and personal trainer.

If you haven't guessed, Christy loves doing anything active (tennis, running, hiking, golf, etc) and also has numerous 5k races, a half marathon, a 10k race (which she ran when her son was just two-months-old and placed third!), two duathlons (5k run and 25 mile bike) and the Tour de Tanglewood (95-mile bike ride) under her belt! Christy's other interests include spending time wither her family and friends, scrapbooking, organizing fundraiser events at Sportscenter, and volunteering at Davis' school. "As a former teacher, I understand the lifestyle of a teacher(very hectic and busy), so I do spend some time helping the teachers cut our materials, etc. and even clean the classroom," adds Christy.

Ok, so let's get to know this smarty mom a little better!

Seems like you have the best of both worlds working in exercise (a field you obviously love) while have the flexibility to be with your family. Tell us about your job and how you make it work.
I work part-time as Group Fitness Director, I’m in charge of scheduling, hiring, and training new instructors as well as handle payroll for 50 total instructors for the High Point and Kernersville locations. I currently have 5 clients that I personal train a couple days a week. My job is flexible enough to where I can take and pick my son up from school each day. I love working with people and helping them reach their fitness goals. I enjoy working with great instructors that have the same passion and drive that I maintain.

Do you ever feel like you have too much on your plate?
I enjoy staying busy, so keeping my day packed with activities, work, and family is balance. Nothing planned, I get bored easily. I’m a very organized person that strives to stay busy, but my family is always involved and part of my daily routine. I take time out for myself. . .whether it is reading a magazine, working on exercise plans/routine, working or searching on the computer(all seem very active mentally), but I also enjoy meeting friends for coffee/lunch, pedicures/manicures, massages, all of the girly stuff. So, each day, I find time for a few minutes to myself to refresh and renew.

I also take one day at a time to not get overwhelmed. Plan your day with tasks/work but also plan time for yourself. . .quiet time relaxing, reading, or doing something you enjoy. This will help maintain peace and harmony for you at work and at home.

Your husband just took a job out of town too. How do you manage all that you have to do without him at home?
I’ve pretty much been a single-mom off and on for many months. I must say, it is has been difficult not only because my son misses his daddy, but trying to deal with all of the emotions that develop. Like I said earlier, I take one day at a time and try to maintain a routine with my son on a daily basis. This helps us enjoy each other company and recognize the importance of family!

I know there are moms reading this profile who are amazed that you were able to run a 10k race (6.2 miles) just a few months after Davis was born. What tips to you have for other moms who are trying to "up" their work-out routine or just get one off the ground?
I would suggest seek a Personal Trainer or someone in the fitness field to access your goals, measurements, basic medical history to determine which path to take. He/She will help motivate and help reach your fitness goals. It may help for some to take aerobics classes, let the instructor know you are new to class or exercise, so he/she will show modifications and guide you in the right direction. It is also helpful to find someone to workout with, this will help you stay motivated and encouraged with the push of a friend. To stay fit, I encourage people to keep a journal each day to keep tract of physical goals and help to see progress of each workout. This will help understand areas they need to work; goals they have accomplished, while it motivates them to go back the next day to achieve more.

As a former health/physical education teacher, talk to us about the importance of exercise for children. What are some things moms can do at home to promote exercise with their children?
Make exercise fun! For some kids, they may shy away from the word-exercise. You can easily find fun games online or make up your own game with cones, jump ropes, balls, or other equipment you may find at home. If it isn’t a game, get outside and enjoy a walk or bike ride together. It is very important that we get our children up and moving with the obesity rate rising. . .we wonder why? We find more and more kids in front of tv, computers, and video games these days. Many kids do not get enough PE time at school. Don’t force the issue of exercise, but find something they enjoy doing and encourage them to keep doing it. I feel it is very important to keep moving because it’s not only to maintain a good healthy weight, but helps improve balance, strength, flexibility, speed, better sleep, better attention and self-esteem.

I’ve also started a Group Fitness class at my son’s school for any parent, teacher, staff member to participate once a week. I offer several different classes: Zumba, Abs, Bootcamp, Yoga, and Cardio mix. I love watching their faces accomplish a move or exercise they haven’t done before.

Great advice and tips all moms can use. Now let's focus on some lighter topics!

Favorite place to get a good deal on kids clothes?
Gymboree

Favorite place to splurge on kids clothes?
Kelly’s Kids

What is your favorite family activity?
We always get season tickets to the UNC-football games, so we go to every home game and cheer on the HEELS together!

Favorite “mommy-time” activity?
I love spending a day at the spa, relaxing, reading a magazine, and getting pampered.

Best place to eat lunch and/or dinner with the kids?
Chick-Fil-A for lunch and Mellow Mushroom for dinner

Favorite date place?
1618 Seafood Grill for dinner, and enjoy going to concerts together or chillin’ at a wine bar.

Favorite park in the Triad?
Triad Park

Mini-van or SUV?
Actually, a mid-size sedan

Best thing about raising a family in the Triad?
Although the area has grown, knowing my way around and having a background in this area helps me educate my son on the history.

Best mom secret YOUR mom has shared with you?
As a new mom many years ago, my mom suggested. . .don’t conform to your son’s schedule, allow him to conform to yours. This has helped me maintain a routine for myself, but allow my son to adjust to my schedule that has made us work together.

Best birthday party you have attended?
I enjoyed my son’s 6th birthday at From Art to Zebras with an Americal Idol theme. It was so cute to see him and friends perform Karoke on stage after painting pottery.

Best book you’ve ever read?
A Million Little Pieces

What’s your favorite blog on Triad Smarty Pants?
I’m starting to prepare for my son’s 7th birthday, so the Birthday Directory is very helpful with creative ideas and happening spots for a party.

I could not live without my... cell phone, I’m constantly texting, calling or emailing instructors OR my family and friends.

Thanks so much, Christy! You certainly are a Smarty Mom and I enjoyed getting to know you through this interview!
Don't forget to register for our fabulous Mother's Day giveaway! Simply click here to read about our fabulous businesses participating and to register! This giveaway will continue until noon on Friday, May 14th. We will then choose our four lucky winners at random and will contact them to claim their prize. Good luck!

Posted by Triad Smarty Pants at 5:00 AM