Does the sun s*ck fat off your body?

Yeah...no, it does not.
This is our mantra every year-"Just because you are outside does *not* mean you're working out." Now, you know we're going to 'give it to you straight'...
Yes, we know you are 'out in the yard' and 'playing with the kids' and while those things are AWESOME and you should do them, daily, you still cannot skip your workouts! You need to get your heart rate up, in your zone, at least 20 minutes per day and at least 3x per week (if not 5x). This will keep your cardiovascularly fit as well as keep that muscle! (Which, remember, you start losing after age 25!)
In New England, we know how hard it is to *not* be outside when the weather is nice. After all, we're stuck inside most of the winter (if not all) and we want to GET OUT once we can! We totally support that and understand but, you'll notice K and A are teaching and getting in our own workouts beside that all summer long! And, we've got the A/C on so you'll be cool and comfortable and happy working out with us!
So many people come to us, in the Fall, and say "I don't understand why I'm not fit anymore." Well, it's because you've not been in class since MAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fitness is not a finite thing. In other words, you don't workout for a time and then...you're done. You're never 'done'. Working out every week is crucial to longevity and living the life you want to live every day. We all want to be there for our kids, grand kids and just to enjoy our entire lives. We want to be able to *do* all the fun things in life-vacations, activities...whatever you enjoy!
And, on top of all that, we all want to indulge in the bbq foods, ice cream, seafood and all those yummy things Summertime brings. Getting in your workouts allows you to indulge a bit without seeing it on your body and feeling it inside.
So, here's to a summer filled with fun, great food AND fitness!

Whew!

First, I'd like to take a moment and remember all those who have served on this Memorial Day-my Dad having been one of them. And, to any of our clients who have family in military service, our hearts are with you always. Thank you.
Second...whew-the painting is D O N E! Check out our website for details on who helped us (thank you to ALL) and the exhaustion that followed!
Needless to say, the place looks fab and you'll see things starting to re-emerge on the walls. Things are moved, streamlined and we think it's shaping up quite nicely! (Pics will be posted soon on the website)
Remember, 90% of the pictures will be turned into a scrapbook (TIA Jessica!) and that will be done by the Fall. It will have a place of honor in our Center and be for all to look at anytime!
Our new logos for behind the stage will appear within a week or so, for now-there's a banner up so we don't get 'lost' while teaching!
So, enjoy this Memorial Day and come by this week to check out YOUR updated, fresh Center!
See you in class!

Spring Challenge isn't over-you can do it!

Ladies,
This weekend promises to be a taste of summer so don't give up on yourself and the Spring Challenge yet! We've still got a couple weeks to go (week and a half to be exact) before our last measurements. And, as we finish up this 'Biggest Loser' challenge-we'll begin our Summer attendance game. This should help keep us all on track throughout the busy Summer months! And, as a reward, everyone who fulfills this Summer challenge gets an 'enviro-friendly' waterbottle (And, NO, there are no harmful chemicals in this bottle. You may have seen news reports about those chemicals and J, Inc. has checked with the manufacturer and these bottles are safe!)
Check out the board-folks are losing MAJOR inches and I know you're all keeping your food journals (it's harder than you think, right? I know!) and making it to class at least 3x per week.
You are all doing AWESOME-don't give up now! I've SEEN the changes in many of you and many have come to us and let us know how well this Challenge has helped them SEE the results they are getting from our program!
Remember that success is a journey-not a destination. Health/fitness success means many things to many people but the true measure of success is living a healthy, long life and being able to do all the things YOU want to in life!
See you all in class this weekend!

There's no place like home

I'm back...I clicked my red shoes together and here we are!
Vacation was great but it is nice to be home...although SoCal is also home-weird, I know. Going back to SB always reminds me of how nice it is to live there-outside every day, no winter coat needed, eating outside, the beach every day-and while that's all great stuff, a few key things were missing.
I was missing my dog, K and the kids, DD coffee and, last but certainly NOT least-all of you!
Now, if I could just get all of you and all the people, coffee and dog I love out there-life would be perfect!
Seriously though-I hope you all had fun with KT, K and Jess and are enjoying the new music!
I'll upload our pics and put a link here later, if you'd like to check them out!
Now it's time for me to get back to work-putting together a great set for you all tonight and buying all the paint and supplies we need to update our Center this weekend! (hope to see you all there)
Can't wait to see all of you in class! (Oh and get a decent iced coffee!)

Is the grass really always greener?

Ah, a perfect day out today-no humidity (and therefore less hair products to use!) and it's sunny, warm and lovely.
As I was looking at our ever greener grass (and enjoying watching the cardinals who have moved in near our porch sit on their 3 little eggs...), I thought-is the grass 'on the other side' always greener?
I mean, Mother's Day is upon us. I'm not a Mom because, well, I can't be. 99.99% of the time, it's ok. I mean, I lead a very blessed life and I certainly feel like my "mothering" skills get used quite a bit, between kids in my life that I love (children of my closest friends) and, well, being the default "Mom" at the Center. I love all that stuff but sometimes I think, "Wouldn't it be nice to have kids of my own?" And then I talk with my close friends about their weekend versus my weekend.
Theirs is full of running 1 or more children to soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, playdates or birthday parties. (and sometimes the doctor) They are exhausted, feel they have zero time to themselves and have to go back to work on Monday, just like me.
My weekend consists of teaching both mornings (classes I truly love) and then...whatever I want. Sometimes, I go straight home, shower quietly (while my friends say if one more kid comes in and asks for something while they're showing, they'll scream) and hang out with Mr. P&P and the dog. Sometimes, Mr. P&P is skiing with friends (winter season only) or biking with friends (summer season) and it's Ally and me watching afternoon long marathons of Little People Big World or Whose Wedding is it Anyway. Ridiculous TV, but the dog seems to love it! HA.
Sometimes we have friends for supper on weekends, or we go out or...whatever. We are invited places and we do go...but it's really our choice.
When I talk to my FWK (Friends with kids) I know how much their love their children but I also hear in their voices that they sometimes wish they were in my shoes. Funny...because sometimes I wish I were in their shoes!
But I figure, it's like this...
There's a path for all of us, whether you believe in a being greater than you or not. And, the best thing you can do with your life is make your path as beautiful, fun and happy as possible. Oh, that's not to say we all don't have our 'days' when we'd like to hop off OUR path and jump onto that person's next to us, but life is a journey so don't forget to notice all the truly wonderful things on your OWN path!
See you all in class and Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms I know!