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Business owner starts walking club for Turlock moms
turlock walking club
Local business owner Mariela Vasquez, pictured with her daughters Camila and Sofia, has started a Turlock walking club for local moms (JOE CORTEZ/The Journal).

Mariela Vasquez knows the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. 

The native of San Jose, who has spent most of her life in Turlock, noticed she was making unhealthy choices and decided to make a change. 

"I got into fitness about seven years ago," said Vasquez, who, in 2019, opened Nutrition Vibes, a healthy nutrition cafe that offers meal-replacement shakes, energizing teas, and high-protein takes on such treats as waffles and donuts. "My eating habits were not good. And I realized I needed to make a change." 

Vasquez is also in the progress of becoming a certified personal trainer and a certified nutrition coach. 

Now, she wants to her fitness mission a step further. About 2,000 steps further, actually. 

"I've been wanting to start a walking club for moms for about six months now," said Vasquez, the mother of a 2-year-old and a 7-month-old. "A group where moms can bring their littles and just get out the house, get some fresh air and build relationships with other moms." 

Vasquez has a designed a one-mile course that starts at Nutrition Vibes, 334 N. Center Street, progresses south on Center Street then proceeds west on Main Street toward  Broadway. Once the group reaches Broadway, they turn around and return to Nutrition Vibes. 

One mile, about 2,000 steps, roughly 30 minutes ... and absolutely free. 

The first walk will be held this morning at 9, and walkers can pick up a pre-walk energy drink at Nutrition Vibes. Vasquez has about 10 women committed to participating and hopes to make the walks a monthly occurrence. 

"Sometimes it's hectic with little ones to get out of the house," Vasquez  said. "I just want to go for a walk, get some fresh air and talk to other women we can all relate to."

For more information about the walk, call Nutrition Vibes at 209-620-8339 or email nutritionvibesturlock@gmail.com. 

Follow Vasq on Instagram at @marielavfit or @turlockwalks or @nutritionvibesturlock, and on Facebook at facebook.com/nutritionvibesturlockcafe.