"MOVE"

Life is a constant change, isn't it?

This weekend I moved my eldest son into his first official "on his own" apartment. We have shopped, cleaned, decorated, cleaned again, carried, cleaned again, and finally dragged the clothing and bedding up the very steep 2 flights of stairs.

Thank God I am in good shape...and I was sure to tell him that as I made my 25th trip up and down the ....did I say this already?...very steep flights of stairs.

The place is complete... with pillows on the couch, comforter fluffed up, and hand soap on the kitchen sink. I felt really good when I left there on Saturday. Well, sort of .....

I was realizing how quickly 25 years have flown by. And when I came back to my house and looked in his completely empty bedroom, I had flashbacks of how many times I sat on his bed and talked him through tears, fears, and happiness. Wow....

His room is empty...all that is left is the trophies on the shelves that he didn't want to take with him. Trophies from years of playing sports, awards, scouting activities, creative writing, you name it...they are left on the shelf collecting dust.

So "moving" yourself is not just with your body, it is "moving " forward through life's constant changes, whether it be a "move" to a new home or a "move" to a new place in your life.

Bella-cising

Wow, so much happening as the summer winds down.....

We have a new addition to our family...Bella....a 5 year Sheltie that we rescued. What a joy! She is a dream of a dog. It was the perfect time and even though it was a sudden decision on my part....everything fell into place. I have waited two years since losing Sammy (Sheltie we had for 12 1/2 years).

Now, Bella gets me moving. Every night I feel compelled to take her for a walk. And let me tell you, she can walk...at a very brisk pace! I found myself with my arm extended while she drags me around the neighborhood. By the time we get back, she is sprinting down the block and I am happy I dragged myself out the door to treat her to a nightly walk.

So a partner can be anyone....human being or animal....they keep you committed and accountable. When I get home after a long day, she is so excited and I know I can't disappoint her and not go out.

So...all good things....give a nice pet a "forever" home, take brisk walks, and everyone benefits!

Pole Fitness Helps Women Exercise

Calling All Pole-rinas!

My usual weekend is resting my body so I can jump back into the work week. This weekend was different.....16 hours of Pole Fitness certification! There are muscles screaming in my body that I did not know I had. There is total fatique in my muscles. There is pure exhaustion. But I am so happy....I am thrilled to be officially certified in a form of fitness I would have never dreamed of doing at age 50!

As I have written in previous blog, Pole Fitness is the art of moving your body through the air using the pole as a prop and using your entire body weight to do that. I am challenged by it, practice is necessary, but exhilaration and fun is the end result!

If you want to increase muscle strength, if you want to increase CORE strength, if you want to empower yourself to move your body in a way you never dreamed about....try something new!

I learned how to "ooze" my body, how to wrap my muscles around their bones, and how to be find some courage to step outside my fitness box.

Our pole fitness classes begin September 7th with a week of demos for you the week prior....challenge yourself. Grab a friend to do this one with...it's even more fun!

ARE YOU REFORMED YET?

Reformer Pilates is a unique way to train your core. And that doesn't mean just your abdominal muscles. Your "core" is your support system, your personal support system. It is the center, the powerhouse, the trunk of the tree, the center of the apple, the basis by which you stand, run, bike, golf, sit, cycle, swing a bat, throw a football, etc, etc. That consists of muscles from the neck down to the hips and thighs and everything in between.

Training on the Reformer is unique because of the design of the machine....cables and springs to provide resistance and at the same time, lengthening of the muscles.

Exercises on the Reformer can be done laying down, sitting, kneeling, and standing.

Some of my Reformer clients results consist of dropping dress/pants sizes, trimming of the abdominal/waist area, better balance, ability to perform more functional activities, better sports performances from triathlon races, running, biking, golf, and tennis. They love the change in their muscle strength and endurance and can not believe at what they can do after a few sessions. The guys love it....they absolutely are amazed at what they never knew they had!

I train Couples/ Side by Side classes where wives "convince" their husbands to do this with them...as a date night. They find themselves asking when are we going back again. One of my couples gets a babysitter and they go out after our session.

One member substituted Reformer training for physical therapy on her doctor's advice for her back issues and she feels fabulous!

Wonderful results for arthritic knees, scoliosis of the spine, herniated discs in spine, hamstring issues, Parkinson's disease degeneration are some of the things I have witnessed.

TRY SOMETHING NEW!!! YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED AT THE RESULTS!

Doesn't have to be this hard.....

Reminder.....laughing is a phenomenal core workout!!!!

Breakthrough....Emotional Fitness

If you need a little inspiration, a little lift in your life, or maybe a reason to take control of your life....in a relationship, with your fitness level, your weight, your career...then you need to take an hour next week and get inspired!

www.tonyrobbins.com/breakthrough

I was not planning on doing reviews, but I suggest you turn on Channel 10 next Tuesday at 8:00pm and check out this exceptional "reality" show. THIS is the stuff you should be watching if you want to get "EMOTIONALLY FIT" as Tony Robbins suggests. It is the most impressive TV program I have seen in a very long time.

Last night's story was about a couple, who on the night of their wedding, the groom became a quadraplegic. He jumped into the pool at their wedding reception and instantly their life was changed. Tony Robbins took them by the hand and gave them control of their life back again. By the end of the hour, I was moved, inspired and crying.......can not wait till next Tuesday!

Shopaholics Beware....Exershopping new craze

So Saturday I was doing a little shopping around the mall....staying cool since it was recording 100 degrees. Thought about how much exercise you could get just walking around some of the malls we have these days and we can call it .............EXERSHOPPING!

If you go at a brisk pace....add some purchases in each hand....a purse on your shoulder...you could definitely do some damage ( in more ways than one). In addition, you get to window shop, check out the new season fashions, see who is having a sale, and reward yourself with a fruit smoothie at the end of it all! (Sorry, Starbucks is gone).

Saw some people doing just this...at least I think they were. All geared up in jogging suits, workout sneakers and no purses or attachments on their bodies.....just walking. I passed them several times as I was making my rounds and was impressed with how we can turn any experience into a "workout" experience.

Shopping is my hobby..... and passion.

Exercising is my lifestyle...... and passion.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.............

Vertical Fitness

What is this, you may ask???

This is an inversion from a Pole Fitness class!

Pole Fitness is the art of using a pole as a tool in creative dance/fitness routines. It is empowering and probably the most fun work out I have ever done! It will challenge you yet make you proud. It will make you laugh, yet make you cry with emotion when you accomplish the spins and transitions. There are a host of reasons to "vertically" challenge yourself....one is the incredible friendships you build while cheering each other on...another is the upper, lower and core body strength achieved from performing the unique skills. You might have to try this to believe it! We are so fortunate to offer this new form of fitness in our club. Members are so excited and have found a new passionate for "working out"!! Comments are welcome.................

To Be Young Again!

SO IF THEY CAN DO IT.....WHY CAN'T YOU???

Oh, and by the way....laughing is an excellent way to train your abdominal muscles!! :)

A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

The key...and I really mean, the key to successfully "move " in your life is to find a friend.....someone else who is interested in performing some form of activity in their day. Discuss what you both like to do...what makes each of you happy! If you both like the same thing, awesome...plan to meet at a designated place anda time to get started. Maybe the park if it's walking, maybe it's the gym if it's Zumba class....
Something happened today that made this all come to light. A client of mine, who struggles with a degenerative disease, forces herself to come to the health club twice a week to "move" in some way, shape or form. It is a struggle for her to get there and a struggle for her to do what she does when she gets there. Sometimes I have to put her socks on for her, sometimes I have to help her with her clothing or her earrings because she is so committed to coming she often can't get everything together. Her goal has been to be able to enjoy her first grandchild, if and when it should ever happen. She had a "meeting" with me today. She called to cancel.......I didn't mind....she reached her goal! Today her first grandchild was born! And she was able to be there in the delivery room, hold that baby, and love life! I can't wait to see her....next week!

New to Blogging...

Yes, I am new to the Blogging world, so forgive my inexperience. My goal to bring a little insight to finding a place for fitness in your life. In 30 plus years, I have come in contact with every shape and size, and every range of ability from people with degenerative diseases to competitive triathlon trainees. Inside each person is a personal reason....to get up in the morning and get going. I say...do it....because you can!!
There may come a day when you can't and then you will wonder why you didn't and wish you had. Yes, I am talking about moving your body. Yes, move it the way you want to...dance, swim, walk, jump, crawl, swing, run, etc, etc. At the end of the day, say "YES" I did it MY WAY....just like the song! What makes you happy???? Find it and then move your body that way! Let me know what you do Because you can!
Next time.....what can help you stick to your Because you can goal!