BabyFit: Healthy Babies Start With Healthy Moms

BabyFit Experts

Catherine Cram, MS

- Advising Exercise Physiologist

Credentials: Masters of Exercise Physiology, author of Fit Pregnancy for Dummies

Areas of expertise: prenatal and postpartum fitness

Background: Catherine received her master's degree in exercise physiology from San Diego State University, and specializes in prenatal and postpartum fitness. She was the director and instructor of a hospital-based maternal exercise program for seven years prior to starting her consulting company, Comprehensive Fitness Consulting, LLC. Her company provides prenatal and postpartum fitness certification training and information for maternal healthcare providers, fitness professionals and military medical staff. Cram is the author of Fit Pregnancy for Dummies and has contributed to several books and videos on prenatal and postpartum fitness. She has been featured in articles in The American Journal of Medicine and Sports, Glamour, Pregnancy, Baby Years, Babytalk, Women's Health and Fitness, Fit Pregnancy and Parenting as well as in the Everything Total Fitness Book. She also on the board of Expert Advisors and is a writer for BabyFit.

Tanya Jolliffe

- Advising Nutritionist & Community Leader

Credentials: Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics and nutrition.

Areas of expertise: General and therapeutic nutrition for individuals and families.

Background: Tanya earned her dietetics degree from the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio and served as a clinical dietitian in several Cincinnati area hospitals specializing in general nutrition and organ disease. She has over 15 years of nutrition counseling and education experience areas such as prenatal nutrition, general family nutrition, and therapeutic nutrition in end-stage organ disease. Tanya participated in high school athletics and was a four time Ohio High School state track meet competitor as a high jumper. Additionally, she participated in collegiate level volleyball while at The Mount and her team enjoyed district and national recognition. Tanya stays in shape playing volleyball, running half marathons, walking and strength training.

Sara Hambidge, P.T.

- Advising Physical Therapist

Credentials: Physical Therapist, certified pre/postnatal exercise instructor

Areas of expertise: prenatal fitness, postpartum recovery, injury prevention and recovery, exercise programming, sport specific training.

Background: Sara has been in physical therapy since 1996. Currently employed with Trihealth Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Clinic in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sara has traveled to Sarasota, Fla. with the Cincinnati Reds for spring training for the past eight seasons. The Saint Louis University graduate has been an avid volleyball player since high school, continuing her career as a Billikin. Participating in basketball and track while in high school, Sara remains active in volleyball, playing in a sand league weekly. She also enjoys yoga and Pilates, and is a certified Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise instructor.

Jen Mueller, M.Ed., CPT, C.H.E.S

- Advising Personal Trainer

Credentials: Masters of Health Promotion and Education; Certified Personal Trainer; Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise Certification

Areas of expertise: motivation, weight loss, running (marathon training), exercise programming, exercise for older adults.

Background:Jen earned a Master’s in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Cincinnati and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She holds certifications in Personal Training and Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise. At SparkPeople, BabyFit’s parent company, Jen serves as a mentor and coach to both the online community and the SparkPeople staff, while contributing to the fitness resources on both websites. Before working at SparkPeople, Jen spent two years working for the YMCA in Memphis, Tennessee. She is also an avid runner and has completed three marathons.

Becky Hand, R.D, L.D, M.Ed

- Lead Advising Dietitian

Credentials: Bachelor's in food, nutrition and dietetics, master's in community health education

Areas of expertise: prenatal and infant nutrition, weight loss, general nutrition, healthy cooking, food safety and sanitation, kids in the kitchen.

Background: Becky is the lead dietician for both SparkPeople and BabyFit. A Licensed and Registered Dietician, she has taught nutrition classes for almost 20 years and has worked with the Childbirth Education Association, Bestfoods, Ohio Department of Education, YMCA, and the Dairy and Nutrition Council. She is also a member of the American Dietetic Association. Hand was instrumental in the creation of SparkPeople.com and was responsible for providing the foundation for the nutrition recommendations found on the site. She stays very active answering member questions in both online communities, and is committed to continuous product improvement.

Ronette "Ronnie" Kolotkin, Ph.D

- Advising Clinical Psychologist and Behavioral Specialist

Credentials: Ph.D in Clinical Psycology, former Director of the Behavioral Program at Duke University's Diet and Fitness Center, co-author of a book entitled Duke University Medical Center Book of Diet and Fitness

Areas of expertise: Specializes in the treatment of obesity and the study of quality of life in obesity

Background: Ronnie received a PhD in Clinical Psychology in 1978 from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and served as the Director of the Behavioral Program at Duke University's Diet and Fitness Center from 1984 to 1999. Since 1999, she has continued her work in the field of obesity through her consulting company, Obesity and Quality of Life Consulting, PLLC§. Dr. Kolotkin has an adjunct clinical faculty appointment in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at Duke University Health Systems, Durham, North Carolina and is a North American Association for the Study of Obesity Fellow. Dr. Kolotkin has over 30 professional publications and is the co-author of a book entitled Duke University Medical Center Book of Diet and Fitness.

Dr. William Baker, M.D., FACC

- Advising Medical Doctor

Credentials: Medical doctor, board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases and nuclear cardiology, Fellow: American College of Cardiology.

Areas of expertise: Cardiology

Background: William is the Director of Cardiovascular Diagnostics at the Ohio Heart Health Center. A graduate of the University of Texas Medical School, where he focused on cardiovascular disease, Dr. Baker has a sub-specialty interest in cardiovascular imaging in addition to practicing clinical cardiology and caring for patients on a daily basis. Board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases and nuclear cardiology, he has also been designated Fellow by the American College of Cardiology. In addition to his general advisement, Dr. Baker is very active with the online community where he answers detailed questions from members in his area of specialization.

Childbirth Education Association

- Advising R.N and R.D Organization

Credentials: All members are registered nurses or registered dieticians
Areas of expertise: childbirth education and preparation

Background: The C.E.A. is an organization of Registered Nurses and Registered Dieticians specializing in comprehensive, in-depth childbirth preparation classes. Along with general consulting, the Board contributes articles and reviews content and tools. The Childbirth Education Association of Cincinnati was established in 1950 as a non-profit organization dedicated to preparing couples for the birth of their babies.

Dr. Jon Divine, M.D./M.S.

- Advising Medical Doctor

Credentials: Medical doctor, master's in clinical exercise physiology, certified exercise specialist, Fellow: American College of Sports Medicine.

Areas of expertise: exercise physiology, sports medicine, marathon training, hyponatremia, sport specific training

Background: Jon is the Medical Director for the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Sports Medicine and Biodynamics Center. Also a graduate of the University of Texas Medical School, Dr. Divine completed his residency in family medicine at Baylor College in Houston. He also earned a Master's degree in clinical exercise physiology from UT. Board Certified in Family Practice with a CAQ in Sports Medicine, Dr. Divine is a certified exercise specialist and a designated Fellow by the American College of Sports Medicine. In April 2005 he was named the Medical director of Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon. In addition to his general advisement, Dr. Divine is very active with the online community where he answers detailed questions from members in his area of specialization.

Dr. Sarah Pritts, MD

- Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine, UC College of Medicine

Credentials: Medical doctor, yoga instructor

Areas of expertise: primary and family care, healthy lifestyles, yoga

Background: Sarah received her undergraduate (BS in education and social policy) and medical degrees from Northwestern University. After completing a residency in Family Medicine and serving as Chief Resident, she joined University Family Physicians in 1999. She is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at the University of Cincinnati, where she is active in teaching resident physicians and medical students of all levels. As a primary care physician, Pritts encourages patients to lead a healthy lifestyle. She thoroughly believes that encouraging prevention, good nutrition, and fitness are important ways to help her patients. In addition to medical practice, she continues to enhance her knowledge of exercise and nutrition, and recently started teaching yoga.

Lisa Druxman

- Advising postpartum fitness expert

Credentials: Masters of Psychology with an emphasis in Exercise Adherence and Weight Control, Chief Founding Mother of Stroller Strides

Areas of expertise: postpartum fitness

Background: Lisa Druxman, M.A., the creator of Stroller Strides has been in the fitness industry since 1990. Lisa Druxman received her Master's degree at San Diego State University in Psychology with an emphasis in Exercise Adherence and Weight Control.

While there, she worked with their weight control clinic and has since published and certified as an educator in this field. She created a weight management program called L.E.A.N. (Learn Eating Awareness and Nutrition) which has been offered at exclusive health clubs such as The Sporting Club at Aventine in La Jolla.

She has worked as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and club manager at some of the country's finest health clubs. She has lectured and taught at renowned spas such as The Golden Door and Rancho La Puerta. But it wasn't until she became a mom herself that she realized the need for specialty "mom" fitness. As soon as Lisa's son was born, she got outside with her stroller. Not having the time to get back to the gym, she created a series of exercises to get her back in shape. Before you knew it, a new workout was born! Now, moms all over the country are getting a chance to Stroller Stride!

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