Enjoy The Journey!

Today was my 36th birthday and was lucky enough to have it on a Friday this year. That means I get to stay up a little later than usual AND I got to workout with my clients! Being at work today was actually a great gift. I had a ball kicking butts and kicking my own along with them in one of my classes. I just kept telling them that when they worked hard it was an extra birthday gift to me! Here is the workout we did in class. It was fun and went quicker than expected. Took about 38 minutes for us to do it as a class. Enjoy and have a great day! I am looking forward to creme brulee or something else that is lovely and yummy tonight for dessert!

Why we do it the way we do… We trainers all have our own way of doing things. We are nothing if not passionate about what we do. Most of us believe that the way we do things is the best way. We have seen it work in our own bodies and the bodies of our clients and have learned what works and what doesn’t work. And there are some definite reasons why I do things the way I do. Today I got some good feedback because my class was hard. People liked it and they worked their butts off. When I sat down to build the workout my plan was “make it hard”…. It got the job done. But there is a reason why not every workout I do is so hard. It doesn’t always have to be hard to be effective. There are many exercises out there that have a purpose besides inducing your gag reflex and making you sore for the entire weekend. There are many days that I sit down and plan a workout with a plan to “improve their coordination” or “increase their core awareness” or “improve their cardio endurance”. So...

Did you know that the average American can consume 5,000 or more calories on Thanksgiving Day?   Turkey, stuffing, gravy, pie: it all adds up to a food coma in front of the TV all afternoon.  It’s great to indulge, but if you have a plan you can avoid completely overdoing it and setting yourself back from all of the work you have done to achieve your goals up until the big day. ~ Start the morning right! Get in a solid workout before you hit the kitchen. Attend The Turkey Trot, get to the gym and try our posted Workout of the Week, or get in some calisthenics in your home to get your blood pumping and feeling good about the day ahead. A post-meal walk outside with family will also keep you feeling great and energized all day. ~ Follow your normal eating schedule. It is easy to get engrossed in the cooking and prepping. Make sure you get your normal breakfast and at least a light lunch (depending on Thanksgiving meal time). If you are starving when you sit dow...

1.          I am having trouble making a meal for 1; I freeze leftovers which I will eat if I remember I froze them. I find myself eating popcorn or fast food or I don’t eat because I have over eaten at lunch. If the hospital has something I like I will bring it home.  I am stuck with food choices, portions? Single serving fish, chicken, or even steaks are great. If you want to do something with leftovers soups are great options. Casseroles and pasta dishes can get you in trouble quickly! If you like salads make sure they are made with enough ingredients to really be a meal. Add a protein like meat, tofu or beans and add fat to keep you satisfied. Cheese can add a lot of flavor and lower fat options like feta or goat cheeses are also full of protein. Eggs are also great! You can make a frittata or omelette for one. 2.          How do you eat healthier with a busy schedule and kids? What are yo...

Celebrating the gift of LIFE the best way I can imagine in 12 more days. My first Half Ironman is near. I can't wait to see how the day will go and feel. I hope I enjoy every single minute of it!I feel like a million bucks this morning and am proud of the shape I am in right now. All those days of feeling like I would drop from tiredness while eating dinner each night have been worth it. I hope to build on this after the race and continue to stay fit an strong, fitter and stronger, through winter this year. Everyday of life is a blessing, make the most of it!

I didn’t start where I am today. I hope I continue to progress as I age and enjoy a great quality of life. I got 2 nd place in a race this weekend. The amazing gal who beat me was 50 years old. She completely worked me on the bike, passed me at the halfway point and I couldn’t catch up. Her butt just got smaller and smaller in the distance. When we discussed our ages after the race she told me that she usually gets beat by the 35 year olds. I guess that means I still have a lot of work to do. Some people don’t buy the fact that there was a time I had trouble getting out of bed before 11 and Papa Johns was a food group for me and smoking Marlboro Mediums while walking to class counted as exercise for the day. I guess that is a good thing. So I find myself feeling the need to write a letter to my old self in hopes that someone can relate. Here goes…. Dear old self, Quit hating yourself. Quit telling yourself you will be better if you were skinnier. Quit missing out on ...

“ There are really only two requirements when it comes to exercise. One is that you do it. The other is that you continue to do it.”   ~ The New Glucose Revolution for Diabetes A Fitness Professional leads an interesting life. We do research and continuing education on the same subjects that most people read about in magazines in the grocery check-out aisle.  We are the life of every dinner party as discussions of weight loss and workouts intermingle over appetizers and alcoholic beverages. Our passion often circles around what the latest food, diet and exercise crazes are and sometimes it’s hard not to sigh and roll our eyes as a new trend hits our community. The truth of the matter is that information is conflicting and confusing in the quest to be healthy. People looking to improve their bodies and their lives are challenged with headlines and studies on a daily basis….   “Drink milk. Dairy is toxic.” “Grains are good.  Grains are bad.” “Gluten is...