New Year's Resolution: Join a Gym...But which one?

Every January, fitness professionals gear up for an explosion of new participants in their classes. All of the New Year Resolution-ers will be out and ready to make 2014 their healthiest year ever and some just want to burn off those extra winter pounds that Santa and Pillsbury left behind. I LOVE teaching specialty group fitness classes. I've said it before, Zumba feeds my passion and Yoga feeds my soul. But, sometimes, I miss the gym.

We live in an area where outside physical activities are mainly done 8 months out of the year. Once the winter coats come on, we tend to go into hibernation. Zumba classes get smaller, bodies get weaker and the tummies...need I say more? Membership to a gym can be an awesome investment in your health and provide you the support you need (and pay for) to achieve your health goals year round. Options, Options, Options, there are PLENTY of options, but which option is right for you? Like schools and churches, shopping around for the right gym can be the key to your success. It can turn that new year's resolution a blast or a bust.

The Mega-Gym
Machines Machines Machines! Wall to wall cardio machines and strength equipment. These types of gyms are a fantastic place to start. Most of them have very affordable rates. If you take a group exercise class here and there and would like to add a few days of elliptical or treadmill work, Mega-gyms are the perfect place. They are also ideal if you are rehabilitating from an injury and need a place that is designed around your own pace. Everyone has had those days where you just can't make it to class, or it was cancelled and you had every intention of doing something active but it just didn't happen. Mega-gyms are the perfect place to put in 30 minutes of SOMETHING. If you have never been to a Mega-Gym, you might be a little overwhelmed with the variety and look of the equipment. I assure you, the staff at these places WANT to show you how to use the equipment. They are most likely people who have some type of personal training background or fitness degree. Many chain mega-gyms only hire people who have some type of certification or license through a recognized national organization like ACE or AFAA. You probably won't find many group fitness classes or child care at mega-gyms. Unless you and your girlfriends all have memberships and plan to meet up there, you probably won't find much socializing either. It's pretty much take care of business at a mega gym. With the new year just a few days away, you WILL however find some great deals going on designed to attract all the resolution-ers. Be sure to take a tour and ask about getting a free day pass before you commit to anything. Also, ask about their policy on bringing in non-members as your guest and above all, if you can discontinue your membership at any time without penalty.

The Lifestyle Gym
The lifestyle gym specializes in exactly that: your lifestyle! They want you there several times a week. They want your family there. They want you to meet up with friends for coffee right after Pilates in their very own cafe. You will find childcare at most of these places and you will probably find various fitness activities and programs for your children. Adding to that, these places probably have classes geared toward active seniors as well. See where the LIFE in lifestyle comes into play? Group fitness is the name of the game and plenty of it! Sure there are some machines and strengthening equipment, but you are more likely to wait in line to use it here than at a mega-gym. Pick up a schedule and check out what's available. Spinning, Pilates, Yoga, BodyCombat, Barre, BodyPump, Zumba...and that's just Monday! What's awesome about the variety is that if you enjoy group fitness classes and camaraderie, you have a very high chance of finding a class at a lifestyle gym that you will love. If it's ever cancelled for some reason, or it's full, hit the machines. It's never a wasted trip to a lifestyle gym. Your staff will be a mix or fitness professionals and specialty teachers. I am one of those specialty teachers does not have a nationally recognize general fitness certification after my name (yet). But, while working at a lifestyle gym, I could easily send you to the nutritionist they probably have on staff to assist you. I belonged to a lifestyle gym in the area that had a salon in it. How awesome is that! Even if I was a little under the weather, I could bring my kids to the childcare, walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes and read alone for about 40 in the cafe. There are a few things I'd strongly encourage people to think about before they join a lifestyle gym. Consider the investment. All of the conveniences listed above cost. You will probably pay anywhere from $30-$75 a month for a basic membership to a lifestyle gym. Is childcare really important to you? Will you be at the gym several times a week to make it worth your while? Again, take a tour, ask about membership changes or cancellations, and guest policies.

The Boutique Gym
You might know boutique gyms as studios. I love the name boutique because special attention is paid to decor and ambiance as well as the services they provide. Specialty group fitness classes as well as private instruction are the bread and butter to these places. You will probably find the owner checking people in, teaching the classes and cleaning up after. It's a second home for the people that work there and they want you to feel comfortable so you will keep coming back. If mega gyms and lifestyle gyms are family practice, boutique gyms are the surgeons. You want long and lean muscles, there's a Barre studio nearby. You want to ease that back pain with some core workouts, a new Pilates studio is opening in January. Ready to focus on that Yoga journey, or dance your way to fitness? You get the idea. Boutique Gyms can provide a very individual experience. You generally see the same people in various classes and you get to observe them becoming stronger. The staff will most likely remember that you couldn't touch the floor with your hands when you first started and be genuinely excited when you finally do! It is not uncommon to find an instructor talking to a class participant they just met for 30 minutes after class.You won't see machines here, but you will see props. Weights, resistance bands, core exercise balls etc... Keep in mind however, that most of these boutiques have mats and towels for participants to use, but that could be an additional rental cost. There isn't a washing machine in the back room with a custodian on staff. The owner is probably taking these items home and cleaning them herself, and that costs. Some of the specialty classes might not be included in the general membership and could cost extra as well. It is also very rare to find a boutique gym that offers childcare. As far as membership goes, we are talking anywhere from $50 to over $100 per month. Dropping in just for a class here and there will almost always run you over $10 per class, but it's easy to do so at a boutique gym and you aren't locked into a membership. They probably offer class punch cards which are a great way to save a few dollars. Yes, this might be a bit of a pricey option for some, however, these are specialists in their field and they are investing in you.

So wherever your health journey takes you, I assure you that you are not alone. There are hundreds of instructors and fitness professionals who picked their job to serve you and help you become the best person you can be! There are MANY quality fitness facilities and instructors in our area. Below are a few places I'd like to particularly mention because of my personal experience with their facility or staff.  They are all on Facebook and have wonderful people working there waiting for you!

Tu Sei Bella Dance Fitness Studio

B Present Studio

Michiana YMCA

ICE Gym

Solace Yoga Studio

Spice Street Studio

DVD Review - Brooke Burke's Sexy Abs

Winter is coming and you all know what that means. You just want to stay in, eat and hibernate until you see the sun again in March. The days being shorter and the weather can play a big part in getting the motivation to make it to a group fitness class. It's because of this that I decided to review three DVD fitness programs that can be done at home and will add the strength and toning element to our workouts. Zumba is AWESOME cardio. It can help with shedding pounds and get's us moving which is what our bodies are designed to do! Every week someone tells me how Zumba has impacted their life albeit emotionally or physically. But, in my opinion, it's not enough. Strength and flexibility round out any fitness program with positive results. My goal was to find programs that ANYONE could do, no matter where we are in our fitness journey. Adding more exercise may seem daunting and you might not know where to start. Money and Time are two of the biggest factors I hear most often. You don't HAVE to join a gym or belong to a studio. I LOVE group exercise and find it helps me to stay accountable. Plus, if I know I paid for something, the more likely I am to use it. But my friends, you just have to be committed to yourself. No more excuses. You CAN find a way. Even if it's popping in a DVD that costs less than $20. No matter what your circumstance, you can find a way to lead a healthier lifestyle. The only question is how committed are you?

Brooke Burke Body Sexy Abs

How the DVD is set up: This program is divided into 3 workouts, each about 20 minutes long. The first workout is Cardio based. The second is designed around classic core Pilates styled exercises. The third is 16 of Brooke's favorite ab exercises.

Equipment needed: 2 small weights and a mat. She doesn't specify how many pounds. I used 3 pounds and personally wouldn't go over that.

Why I Picked it up: I have a very weak core and I think Brooke Burke is pretty. She has 4 children and I saw a special about her on E! once. She seemed relatable and not annoying.

What I liked: Each moment in each of the workouts is only 30 seconds long. Brooke uses time instead of reps to keep track. I really liked this. To hear an instructors say "8 more" sometimes was discouraging when I could only do 2 more of a certain move. But to hear "10 more seconds" made me feel more successful. It didn't matter how many I did, I just had to keep trying until the time was up. Brooke also demonstrates the move in front of her cast members before the 30 seconds start. I liked this because I could watch her, like they were, and then begin and not feel like I missed 5 seconds trying to figure out what she was doing. I also liked that she collapsed at the end of some of the workouts. It seemed hard for her too. Again, she was relatable because I also collapsed a few times in the core series. The third exercise was really tough for me. But, her encouraging words motivated me and it became a challenge I actually wanted to continue to work on.

What I wasn't too fond of: Little modifications. The entire 60 minutes of programming, she had one cast member modify only one move. There was no mention of "if you have knee trouble..." Or "it's okay if you drop your weights." She'd say "Do what you can do" a few times, but because of some slight lower back issues I have, I modified some moves and just didn't do some others. Again, as an instructor, I knew how to modify. She changes outfits for each workout. The first outfit in the cardio section was my favorite because it wasn't distracting and she had her hair in a ponytail. The following two exercises, she had her hair flowing down and more form fitting clothes. I like the form fitting clothes in the core workouts because you can really see placement of hips etc, but I don't need to see long camera shots of her perfectly lifted breasts. That was distracting. She also kept flipping her hair form side to side and I found my thoughts wondering why she didn't put it in a bun for this. It's a workout video. Average Jane doesn't look like this when she works out! Lastly, none of the cast members looked over a size 4. Sometimes, having different shapes in a DVD is visually appealing to someone just starting a fitness program. It makes them think "if she can do it than I can too." I would have liked at least one of them to always do some modified moves.

Level of Difficulty: The first two workouts were by far my favorite and doable for anyone just starting out. But, there has to be some knowledge of what and how to modify if you have knee trouble or back issues. It is doable and I would recommend it especially for people wanting to tone their core and stomach area. I will probably purchase this because of the classic core moves and it's only $9 on Amazon.com. If it were more, I'd just keep checking it out from the library.

What's holding YOU back?

I went to a fitness training a few weeks ago that lasted an entire weekend. It was for a class format I was interested in possibly teaching. Having gone through several fitness trainings before, I really didn't think this would be much different in terms of the schedule and activities. I knew there would a manual that we would go through, I knew there would be time for lunch, I knew there would be some large and small group activities. I was not counting on however an exercise at the end of the weekend that involved sitting in the center of a circle and listening to everyone take turns telling me wonderful things about myself. It was probably one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my life. The assignment was to come up with 3 positive and descriptive things about every person at the training. There were about 13 people there and I had known them for only 8 hours. On top of that, how could they possibly know anything about me other than what they saw on the outside? For someone who suffers from anxiety, this touchy feely exercise was feeling anything but touchy feely.

It's no surprise that the negative stuff is easier to believe but it's so hard to take a complement. I could sit there all day and listen to constructive criticism, take notes, stew over it, learn from it, and only try to do whatever task better next time. We are taught from an early age that when we do something wrong, points are taken away, we drop a letter grade, we take a step back from whatever goal we were trying to reach. But, when we get that test back that says 100% with a smiley face and a "GOOD JOB" in red ink, in those moments we are so proud. We need the pat on the back; from someone else.

If we encounter someone who is confident in themselves and aware of a strength that they possess, we think they are conceited or full of themselves, or high and mighty, or all-that and a bag of chips.

We long for people to tell us how great we are, but if we believe it ourselves that's a problem? We don't like it when people point out our faults, but we want them to, so we can be better?

Well, what if, we take the good things people have said about us and actually BELIEVE it?

This world is made up of over 7 billion DIFFERENT individuals. We were designed to be different! We already stand out! There is no one else out there exactly like you. You were custom made and to think of yourself as anything less is simply wrong. That is not conceit, or egotistical or full of it. It's science.

I encounter women often who are reluctant to try group fitness classes because of the judgement they feel they will receive based on how they look or what they feel they can or can't do. I am fortunate enough to teach in an environment where not only does everyone look different, but there are so many different fitness levels. There is no competition! It really didn't take hard work to foster this environment nor do I feel I did it alone. I just know how good it feels to be on the receiving end of that smiley face person who goes out of her way to say "Good Job."

The complementary exercise from the fitness training was mind blowing. I heard things about myself that I certainly hoped were true and was shocked that we all could list so many positive and unique things about each other after such a short time. It taught me that we all have gifts that should not only be shared, but also celebrated!

You are the captain of your own cheerleading squad! Surround yourself with people who will always lift you to the top!

What's Trending...

I get approached by people often about quick ways to lose fat. By the time January rolls around, it seems like everyone is talking about getting spring break ready. Then in April, people are talking about getting bikini ready for summer. It seems like there is a lot of talk about prep work for looking a certain way for a certain time of year. I challenge you to change your thinking. How about taking your approach to health day by day.

I came across this awesome food philosophy from celebrity chef and author Bethenny Frankel a few months ago. She says:
"Your diet is your bank account." What that means: go ahead and indulge, but don't go overboard. "So if you are in the mood for chocolate cake one day, if you really, really want it, you should have it," she says. "If you have something in the morning that is not ideal then have something at lunch that is more ideal. It’s a better investment, and you balance it throughout the day so you end up having everything you want — just not all at once." 

I thought this is a WONDERFUL way to think about food! I'm not a fan of strict diets because I believe in making changes for the rest of our lives. Changing our lifestyle, I believe, is a better way of looking at it. Little changes, one step at a time, can have make a huge impact. Park your car further. Switch to low-fat or nonfat milk. Don't go to the super market hungry. Seriously folks. These are tips we know and have all heard of and they work!

Extra weight takes time and work to come off. It didn't get there over night did it? Quick fixes may work for a short time, but are those "fixes" something you can sustain for a lifetime? 

I know a lot of wonderful people who sell products that aim at people looking to shed excess weight, boost energy, etc. What I like about this trend of healthy product selling is you don't really see the "I lost 50 pounds in 2 weeks!" claim. There does seem to be a focus on health using a lot of natural ingredients. What I would be cautious of are meal replacement items. Your body needs the right kind of food for fuel. Some of these items are great "snacks" but remember; your body was designed to eat. When you don't eat, your body thinks it's starving and will hold on to (with a firm grip) whatever you give it because it thinks you are going to deprive it again.   

What does your body need? My body needs more fiber. I know I don't eat enough vegetables. I try to drink my veggies when I am on the go with a V8 and I would consider buying fiber powder from a friend who has it in her inventory of supplemental products, but nothing is better to the body than eating a big bowl of dark green lettuce and spinach.

Tackling lifestyle style changes in one swoop can be a challenge. Try not to obsess over a goal that seems like a daunting task. Instead of "I need to lose 20 pounds by August" try, "I will go for a power walk today." Then tomorrow morning plan another healthy activity for the day. Before you know it, your body will miss not working out. And it will tell you. 

There are no small goals. Just the question of how hard are you will to work. 

Every BODY, not everybody

Finding the right fitness instructor for you is like church shopping. You are pretty sure in what you believe, you have an idea of where you want to go and you are looking for the right fit to help you get there. I love living in an area where there are MANY instructors to choose from who can help you on your fitness journey. Judgement is a dirty little word that we need to get out of our vocabulary. I see women who come to class and march in place for the entire hour. I see women who go full out and walk out drenched in sweat. One is not working harder than the other. They are both different and on different journeys and are both warriors. Just getting to class sometimes is a battle when you have families, work, and other stresses in life. Getting there and honoring what your body can do for that day is a celebration! I don't know about you, but it's hard sometimes tuning out those messages of what people "think" being fit looks like. The constant stream of Facebook pictures that are supposed to be motivating, but only make me annoyed. The "body after baby" magazine articles...not motivating and not real folks! I worked up the nerve to take a "sultry dance class" once  and I was soooooo self conscious because I had this idea of what I thought I was supposed to look like. I carefully stood in a place where I couldn't see myself in the mirror and watched the instructor teach us about letting go and enjoying the movement. I looked at the women around me and saw the joy in their faces, not caring what they looked like. You can tell can't you? When someone is comfortable in their own skin? It's empowering! Going into that class was traumatic enough, but having an encouraging guide who was there for me, not for herself, was what made me want to come back. And for a moment, I stopped judging, forgot about what I looked like and just kept moving. That was the victory. I may have even worked up a sweat.

Don't let someone else define what success is for you. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and help you define it for yourself.

I have a crush...

So if you know me, you know that I have a few girl crushes in my life. We all have them, or have had them at some time. It's that person we think is just so amazing and perhaps we have never even met them. There's just something about them that speaks to us and we might even want to emulate that person is some way. I have two girl crushes, one on Kate Middleton and the other on a Zumba Education Specialist named Gina Grant. I believe (maybe I hope) that this is completely normal! I think it's healthy to look and admire personality traits about certain people and want that for ourselves. Here's the tricky part. A girl crush can turn ugly fast. It can turn into jealousy or even into self hate because we will never be that person and then sadly, the next question it "Is myself good enough."

The answer is YES! My A-ha moment was that voice sharing something with me and I'm now going to share it with you! There is NO ONE like you! Did you know that? You are so special that no one else in the world is you. You are unique and custom made. No one else has what you have and can do what you do. There is NO COMPETITION. Why don't we identify the trait that we love or admire about someone and adopt it into our own personalities.

We can't be something we are not, but we can strive to be our best selves!

The Journey

Although I have been teaching fitness classes for almost 4 years, my fitness journey has evolved so much. It started with needing some me time and I joined a gym with childcare. It wasn't about getting healthy, it was more about getting away! I had no idea how much I could enjoy exercise when I discovered Zumba. It went from once a week, to twice to three times and then poof; I became an instructor. Well, of course it was a bit more than that but you get the idea. There is always a reason we are pulled in a certain direction and what may have been our initial intention may evolve into something completely different. I call this a journey because I believe that there are no quick fixes to whatever issues or problems we are facing. I may have wanted childcare to get away, but I still had to pick the kids up right? Exercise gave me the skills to deal with whatever stress that led me to believe I needed to get away. It made me see the kids weren't the problem. I was! It didn't solve the problem, it made me identify what I wanted. I wanted to be more pleasant around my children. I wanted to not be so tired and crabby. I wanted to feel good about myself. Exercise, fitness, health...walking in that class changed my life and brought me into an industry I never thought I'd have a career in. You truly have no idea what lies on the other side of a door that you have yet to walk through. 

It's okay to have expectations, but don't be surprised when something extraordinary to happens.

Welcome Welcome Welcome!

Welcome and hugs to you for visiting my new fitness and lifestyle website! I'm so excited to be on this fitness journey with you. I have the honor of being an instructor and being a witness to the positive transformations people are making in their lives! And here YOU are! Whatever brought you to my page, I hope that you will take something positive from what I share and that it will bless your life in some way as you have blessed mine by simply visiting!