Never Give You Up

Hi All,
That's the name of one of our newest songs, featuring Stevie Wonder! It's a great routine but it's also a great mantra to remember this time of year...
With over 50 people in my Saturday classes in January, I look out and I am so thrilled to see folks really getting excited about fitness and enjoying class. But, I always wonder...HOW MANY will still be here in April?
Never Give YOU Up means that, when you give up on staying fit, you give up on YOU...and we don't want you to do that!
We here at the Big J know that our program isn't for everyone-but, if it's not, we want you to find something that IS for you and stick with it. Working out regularly lengthens your life and gives you more time with those you love.
We've all lost someone close to us in our lives-a grandparent, parent, friend...beloved pet...and I know if that person (or pet) could have done something to lengthen their time with you, they surely would have. I lost my Dad when I was 16 and I know that if he had all the health/wellness info that is out today, he would have done EVERYTHING possible to keep himself healthy to stay with us.
But, when you decide to do EVERYTHING possible to get and stay healthy, don't do it all at once! Making little changes, step by step, is the way to go. If you make too many big changes, they won't stick.
For instance, I was listening to Mel Robbins on a local radio station today (she is fab) and she was saying that we all say, "I'll never eat chocolate again." (or something like that) It's an unattainable goal...instead, say "I'll eat less chocolate today than I did yesterday" and go from there. Instead of coming to class EVERY day for a month and then dropping out for 5 years-come 3x a week to start...then add a class here and there if you need/want to. Walk at lunch with your friends, bike ride with your kids (once the weather warms up). Instead of drinking a 6 pack of Diet Coke a day, drink 3 sodas, then 2...then drink water!
The old saying goes-'slow and steady wins the race' and it's the ONLY way to become fit-slow and steady.
It's so great to have you all in class and I hope to look out in April and have you ALL there then too. Slow and steady...remember, Fitness is a journey, not a destination.
Stay warm!

TGIF

HI All,
Hope you are enjoying this Friday-milder temps, some sun and the hope of the winter actually ending at some point in the future!

As some of you know, I have had the same hairstylist since I was about 22 years old...I watched her get married (she watched me get divorced and get re-married); I watched her have 2 kids (she watched me become an "Auntie" to 2 kids); I watched her grow and she has watched me grow. And, it only took her almost 20 years to get me to straighten the curly hair...and she DID try many times!
Many folks comment on how well she does my hair (I take ZERO credit, except for growing it...) and many have asked if she can do their hair. I am thankful that after she left full time hairdressing, she kept me as a client. I honestly do not know how I would deal with someone else touching me hair-I'd be too nervous! Beyond that, she is a huge part of my life.
This past week, she lost her Dad and my heart goes out to her. She is truly a wonderful person, Mother and friend and I know she is missing him.
In the past 3 weeks I've had 3 folks close to me lose someone they love-a Mom, a Dad and a Grandma. It breaks my heart for each of these wonderful folks.
But, I can tell you that those who have passed on are still with you. How do I know? I just do. I lost my own Dad when I was 16 and it was/is the hardest thing I've been through. (Along with losing Ally.) It never goes away-there will always be a missing space in your heart. You can keep those folks you are missing close, by including them in your life-talk about them, laugh about the fun times and it's ok to cry when you remember the hard times or the loss. Day by day a new normal takes over and if you keep those you love close at heart and mind, they will never truly be gone.
So, here's to H's Dad-I never knew you but I know one thing...your daughter sure is awesome!

New Year's Resolutions...."How YOU doing?"

Hi All,
(Think Joey from friends when you read the title...)

We're more than half past January and folks are already letting their New Year's resolutions go. *SIGH*
As fitness professionals we ask ourselves...WHY??? We bring the WOW to every class, we offer tons of classes a week and lots of fun and friendship...Really, only you can make the decision to keep going and meet your fitness goals. We are here to help! So, let's go over some simple ways to keep yourself motivated (or re-motivate yourself):
-Write your workout time on your calendar. You write all your important meetings and appointments, kids' activities and husband's stuff too-make sure YOU are on your to do list too!
-Set weekly goals for yourself with rewards. For instance, if you make it to class 2x this week you'll indulge in a pedicure to keep those hard working toes looking good. Or, buy yourself a new workout top...or even get ONE full fat latte instead of no fat since you got your workouts in!
-Clean out your kitchen. Not only will you feel organized but you can clean out that pantry (donate to the local food pantry if you have extras and you know you do) and you can clean out all those snack foods and processed foods you're tempted to snack on. Fill your pantry with healthy pastas, less processed foods and put your fruit in a nice bowl either on the counter or in the fridge. I know that putting my apples in the fridge IN A BOWL has helped me grab one every day instead of forgetting they're in the drawer!
-Feeling like you're hitting a wall? BUST THROUGH! Add a body sculpt or Circuit class to your work and power through that plateau. We all hit plateaus but you cannot give up on yourself. I think folks forget that letting go of your fitness routine means you're giving up on YOU.
-Make sure you email us for your insurance rebate letter. Your health insurance plan may well give you an incentive (in the form of a rebate) for working out. So, check with your health plan and, if they do offer this, email us and we'll get your letter ready. You'll REALLY feel good getting a check in the mail (from your insurance carrier) for getting to class!

We hope to see you all this week in class and if you have any tips for staying on track, leave us a comment to share with all!

Another day, another snowstorm

Dear Mother Nature,
We're over it so could you cut the crap with the snow? Huh? Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?
I swore off the tanning booth last year but you are seriously pushing me, Mother Nature. I simply cannot continue to look up at the cold, grey sky and see white bits falling down. I'm done-and many folks are with me!
You do not have to send us 80 degree beach weather but a day with sunshine, albeit cold, is ok. Anything around 30-40 degrees will be acceptable.
Are you going through the change or something because this really stinks!
Our clients are troopers and have been flocking to class but we need to get those newbies started on their New Year's resolutions and you are not helping the cause! While we've had a good number of newbies, your sleet, snow and freezing rain are keeping many away-so stop it!
If we promise not to complain when it gets hot and humid here can you cut us some slack?
Please?
Thanks...
XOXO
P&P

Seriously...

Another snowstorm? Really?
My favorite is the added sleet/freezing rain!

Hope you are all safe and can get yourselves out to come tonight to 6:30pm Circuit!

Take it easy on the shoveling, this stuff is really heavy and shoveling snow is the hardest thing on your cardiovascular system...so take breaks and if you have ANY heart concerns DO NOT SHOVEL...it's not worth it!

Take care everyone!

Today I saw this haircut in REAL life...

Yes, that's right...I actually saw a real, live person with Kate's former do. (For those following the 'hair drama', Kate now has long, layered hair thanks to extensions. See People magazine)

Hey, it's Friday, what else do you want to talk about??!!

National De-Lurker day

HI All,

Yes, that's right (I found out from a friend's blog) it's a National Day in the Blog world so if you're lurking (aka reading but not commenting) feel free to comment and 'de-lurk'...

Hope to see you ALL in class!

To help the Haitian people...

If you are interested in donating $10 to the Red Cross for assistance to the Haitian people who are suffering from the affects of yesterday's earthquake you can:

Text "Haiti" to 90999 from your cell phone and $10 to the Red Cross will show up on your cell phone bill. (Other charges may apply per your cell phone carrier for text messages.)

This is an easy way to give and if we all do a little, we can help these folks through this disaster. Thousands are reportedly deceased and many more are injured. Folks are living in the streets and the hospital has been demolished.

Please consider helping. Thank you.

Kinda Freaked out, but maybe it's just me...

Hi Everyone,
Monday. Freezing cold. I do NOT 'heart' winter.

Ok, so I called my home vmail messages just now and there was a message there from BC/BS, our health insurer. It said, " A nurse case manager would like to speak to A about her health. Please call us at...blah blah number."
Uh, WTF? I've had a few tests this year, including a follow up mammo so, frankly, I got a little freaked out. I mean, did they see something the doctor missed in my tests? Were they NOT going to pay for something now?
I called the number immediately and got a nice girl who told me a nurse case manager just wanted to go over some additional benefits of my plan and did I have about 20 minutes to chat? Uh, no.
I told her the message kind of freaked me out and she said she could understand that. I asked if I could call back when I had more time and she said sure...it really is just a service they provide to get us info on additional benefits of our plan by Mr. P&P's employer. That's cool and all but, again, the initial message gave me pause.
She was really nice and I'll call them back tomorrow, when I have some downtime. I will laugh my a** off if they want to tell me about a fitness benefit!!!
Anyway, good lesson on NOT reading things into vmail messages!
See you all in class!

Attitude adjustment

HI All,
We hope your week is going well-it's great to see everyone back in class!

Most days, I'm at the Center working/getting my set together and generally being here in case folks stop in (which they do often) for info. I usually pull Lilly into the babyroom when someone wants to come in, but most folks will chat with me outside the door no problem. Today-was a problem.
This lady pulled up and I noticed her walking up to the door so I got up from behind the desk and opened the door and snuck out (so Lilly wouldn't get out) and asked if she needed help. She said, "I'm surprised you're still open." I said, "Excuse me?"
She went on to tell me (in a very snarky tone) that she was by here a few months back and we had had an ad in the newspaper (featuring that girl from DWTS) and there was SUPPOSED to be an Open House but no one was here.
Uh, no.
We have not advertised (nor done any news releases or ANYthing) in the Lowell Sun for YEARS.
I told her I was a bit confused that, as the Owner, I hadn't put any ads in the paper and we had, in fact, had an Open House the end of September and we WERE, in fact, HERE and that I was sorry about that. I told her about the free week...
Then, she said, "What do you even do here?"
So, I did the spiel.
Then she said, "Well I don't like your attitude."
Ditto.
UPDATE: One of our fab instructors just went over to a nearby fitness place that just opened and low and behold there was the offending person behind THEIR desk. HMMMM? Feeling insecure about your business much.
Word.

Oh and...

Many have asked about the Big Buddha handbag I got for Xmas-we got it at Michael's Shoe in Acton, MA. It's located on Rte. 2A (Great Road) and is a TERRIFIC shoe store with lots of Uggs, wonderful shoes and bags. (If you got Uggs for Xmas and need the water proof spray, they have that too.)

So, hop over there and check them out!

Groupon...

Hi Everyone,
Hope you are enjoying the week so far. It's been GREAT to see you ALL back in class-and you know I love giving you holiday 'slackers' a hard time-but I love you all the same! ;) For real, everyone needs to make exercise a priority ALL year long-we know the holidays are busy but if you get to class even once a week, it's better then skipping from Thanksgiving to New Year's with NO classes! Just think about it for this year and give it a shot! (just saying...)

In an ongoing effort to help us all save money, I try and give you products and services that will help that effort! Today it's www.groupon.com!
Check it out-they have daily deals and if enough folks want it, you get the special deal. (Thus the 'group' part of the name.) You should soon be seeing "J" on there-as our DM is working with them to get our Company listed with a deal. We did 'Boston's Best Deals' (which is another great site, BTW) and this one looks good too.
So, go sign up and let's get some discounts people!
Enjoy...and see you in class!