Melissa Peretz, Butterfly's Resident Fitness Expert
as told by Bradi Nathan
In a recent conversation with my mother, I expressed that I was tired -- tired from my two kids, nothing more. She snapped, “You’re young,” you should have energy, “I did.” My mom was 22 when she had her first child. I was not. It is a fact that women are choosing to have children later in life. Halle Berry was age 42!
Melissa Peretz, mother and part-time personal trainer/all around health guru, helps today’s generation of women gain energy. In an exclusive interview with Butterfly, Melissa shares her secrets on how to find the oomph for our children and for our selves.
BN: At what point did you feel the need to scale back from full to part-time work?
MP: As soon as I went back to work (six weeks after my daughter was born), it was on a slightly scaled-back schedule. However, after a few weeks of that routine, it became apparent, for my family, that I needed to scale back even more. Having no help at that time (which was our choice), made it necessary for me to be at home more. Now that we are all on more of a schedule, I am back to work full-time.
BN: How do you arrange your day so you are there for your baby?
MP: Our family day is unusual in that it starts very early, so by the time I have finished work, my husband is getting ready to start his work. This means we have been able to “switch off” with one another. I usually get home in time to give my daughter her lunch and then spend the rest of the day with her. She is benefiting by having quality time with daddy in the morning and then with me later in the day. We each have special parts of the day, and then get to share them on weekends.
BN: How difficult was it to find the right childcare to maintain client sessions?
MP: I rely on my husband to be with my daughter for most of the time when I’m working. However, when our schedules do conflict we have a wonderful woman in our neighborhood that watches a few children. She was recommended to me from one of my neighbors who sent all five of her children to her. It can be difficult for families to find the right childcare situation, and the more recommendations you get, the better you can feel about it. That said, it doesn’t matter if you have 20 recommendations if it doesn’t feel right. At the end of the day, the situation must work for ALL of you.
BN: When is the best time to exercise?
MP:This is a difficult question to answer for someone else. Generally if you can find a time that works and that you can be consistent with, there is a greater likelihood of it becoming a routine. However, flexibility may need to be a factor. The reality is whenever you can make it work for you. Make a commitment to getting up a little earlier than normal to squeeze in a workout to jump-start your day. You may find lunchtime works to give you a “pick-me-up” for the afternoon. Or, an evening workout once the kids are in bed might be a great way to unwind before ending the day. Again, try a few options to see which feels the best, but don’t limit your workouts to one option only.
BN: How can exercise help with emotional stress?
MP:One of the great things about exercise is that when you work at an elevated heart rate, you will release endorphins (the feel-good chemicals) into the blood stream. These chemicals help to block pain, naturally release stress and work as a non-addictive sedative. There have been many studies that show how exercise is helpful in mild to moderate depression, but is under-prescribed.
The other reason exercise can help release emotional stress is that we are only capable of thinking about one thing at a time. If your focus is on deep, even breathing or concentrating on correct body alignment, then you will not be thinking about your problems or “to-do” list. There is a reason people believe that exercise is an escape – it is!
If you want to find out more about how Melissa is helping her clients stay in shape, visit her website at: www.bodhifitness.com or email her at Melissa@bodhifitness.com
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Melissa was a trainer and then GM of Casa at the Regency for almost 6 years before starting her own business (Bodhi Fitness). Melissa has over 15 years of experience in the body care and wellness field, she has created many successful programs for clients of varying levels of health and fitness, including the 5 minute arm routine mentioned in the August 2005 issue of Vogue Magazine. Melissa continues to seek out new techniques and modalities to enhance the experience for her clientele and create the most efficient and effective program possible. |
In a recent conversation with my mother, I expressed that I was tired -- tired from my two kids, nothing more. She snapped, “You’re young,” you should have energy, “I did.” My mom was 22 when she had her first child. I was not. It is a fact that women are choosing to have children later in life. Halle Berry was age 42!
Melissa Peretz, mother and part-time personal trainer/all around health guru, helps today’s generation of women gain energy. In an exclusive interview with Butterfly, Melissa shares her secrets on how to find the oomph for our children and for our selves.
BN: At what point did you feel the need to scale back from full to part-time work?
MP: As soon as I went back to work (six weeks after my daughter was born), it was on a slightly scaled-back schedule. However, after a few weeks of that routine, it became apparent, for my family, that I needed to scale back even more. Having no help at that time (which was our choice), made it necessary for me to be at home more. Now that we are all on more of a schedule, I am back to work full-time.
BN: How do you arrange your day so you are there for your baby?
MP: Our family day is unusual in that it starts very early, so by the time I have finished work, my husband is getting ready to start his work. This means we have been able to “switch off” with one another. I usually get home in time to give my daughter her lunch and then spend the rest of the day with her. She is benefiting by having quality time with daddy in the morning and then with me later in the day. We each have special parts of the day, and then get to share them on weekends.
BN: How difficult was it to find the right childcare to maintain client sessions?
MP: I rely on my husband to be with my daughter for most of the time when I’m working. However, when our schedules do conflict we have a wonderful woman in our neighborhood that watches a few children. She was recommended to me from one of my neighbors who sent all five of her children to her. It can be difficult for families to find the right childcare situation, and the more recommendations you get, the better you can feel about it. That said, it doesn’t matter if you have 20 recommendations if it doesn’t feel right. At the end of the day, the situation must work for ALL of you.
BN: When is the best time to exercise?
MP:This is a difficult question to answer for someone else. Generally if you can find a time that works and that you can be consistent with, there is a greater likelihood of it becoming a routine. However, flexibility may need to be a factor. The reality is whenever you can make it work for you. Make a commitment to getting up a little earlier than normal to squeeze in a workout to jump-start your day. You may find lunchtime works to give you a “pick-me-up” for the afternoon. Or, an evening workout once the kids are in bed might be a great way to unwind before ending the day. Again, try a few options to see which feels the best, but don’t limit your workouts to one option only.
BN: How can exercise help with emotional stress?
MP:One of the great things about exercise is that when you work at an elevated heart rate, you will release endorphins (the feel-good chemicals) into the blood stream. These chemicals help to block pain, naturally release stress and work as a non-addictive sedative. There have been many studies that show how exercise is helpful in mild to moderate depression, but is under-prescribed.
The other reason exercise can help release emotional stress is that we are only capable of thinking about one thing at a time. If your focus is on deep, even breathing or concentrating on correct body alignment, then you will not be thinking about your problems or “to-do” list. There is a reason people believe that exercise is an escape – it is!
If you want to find out more about how Melissa is helping her clients stay in shape, visit her website at: www.bodhifitness.com or email her at Melissa@bodhifitness.com
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