Styles Group Fitness

Combatting Girl Scout Cookies

Cindy — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:31:47 +0000

Oh no- it’s that time again. Girl Scout cookie time. I’ve done pretty well so far, diet wise, and I NEVER buy processed foods, especially cookies and sweets. But the downfall every year is Girl Scout cookies! We have far too many Girl Scouts in our neighborhood, because every time I turn around, the doorbell is ringing with another batch of cookies!! ARGH!!! Samoas, Do Si Dos, Tagalongs, and of course, the ridiculously addictive Thin Mints. It’s awful!
All the while, though, I’m still working out- thinking that I’m at least balancing out the effects, somewhat.
Come Monday, though, I’m cutting refined sugar out of my diet. Ha! I’m a little afraid, because I really do have a crazy sweet tooth, but that’s why I need to do it.
Since November of 2009, I’ve been pretty religiously working out at least 3, and usually 4 times per week. I have definitely gotten alot of compliments, and people have taken notice. My clothes are definitely fitting looser, and I’ve definitely lost inches. However, it is infuriating how the scale seems to be stuck. It doesn’t really matter how many times my husband tells me I’m “reshaping” my body, I want to see more movement on the scale!!! I have to break through, or just go crazy!
I’m going to keep up the workouts because I know they’re working, but I really need to shake up some other things, I think, so I can get my metabolism boosted. I will get that number to change (down, not up!) And I WILL get through Girl Scout cookie season!

March Membership Madness

whitstyles — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:14:28 +0000

WIN A $500 SHOPPING SPREE!!

Styles Group Fitness Network Presents…

March Membership Madness

Want a new spring wardrobe? How about some new summer garb? If you are like most women, you may have walked into your closet and said “I have nothing to wear!” one too many times. We have all been there! Well, to help you get ready for spring and summer, both in and out of the gym, Styles Group Fitness network will be holding March Membership Madness. No, its not basketball…. it’s better….. its shaping up and shopping!

Here’s how it works:

Members:

Now that you have been through bootcamp, you probably have all kinds of folks asking you how you are getting in such great shape! Well, it’s time to invite them to join you! During the month of March (1st through 31st, 2010) invite your friends to come in and join us for a free workout every Sunday night. Just, bring a buddy (or 10) every Sunday. Those that join any one of our bootcamp programs will be counted as a referral from you. The current member who has the most referrals during the month of March will win a $500 Shopping Spree! Yes, ladies, $500 dollars…. free money… just for you….. to go spoil yourself! Get a massage, buy a new outfit, get a pedicure, go to dinner…. I don’t care! It’s yours, free and clear just to thank you for helping Styles Group Fitness Network build up it’s fitness communities.

All members win:

Did you know we have a referral program? Regardless of the time of year, you can bring a buddy to any workout, free! Just to give them a taste of what you are doing and see if they want to join in. When a friend joins, because you recommended it to them, they count as a referral from you. Each referral earns you 10%off your training as long as they are enrolled!

Take advantage during March Membership Madness and get discounts on your training while racking up referrals to earn you the grand prize of a $500 Shopping Spree! Even if you aren’t our grand prize winner, you will still win discounts!

Just to Clarify…..

Example: You bring ten friends with you the the March 7th workout. You first email whitney at whit@stylesgroupfitness.com with the name, email, and phone number of each of your guests. After our workout, three of your friends join one of the bootcamp communities. Jane joins for three months, Sarah joins for 8months, and Kristen joins for 12months. You now have 3 referrals counted in your total to March Membership madness. Plus, you will get a 10% discount for each referral (even if you don’t win our grand prize) as long as your referral is enrolled. So, in this scenario, your referrals earned you a 30% discount on your training for the first three months, %20 discount for the next five months, and 10% discount for the remaining four months that year.

Non-Members:

Not a woman working out already with Styles Group Fitness Network? Here is your free opportunity to join us! The non-member who refers the most new members to any Styles Group Fitness community (Puma, Mama, and Bride) during the month of March (starting the 1st through the 31st) will win a $500 shopping spree to the mall of your choice in Richmond, VA. PLUS- You will get a free month of bootcamp!

Rules to play:

All referred friends who come in for a free workout must come in on a Sunday at the: 5:00Puma, 6:00Mama, 7:00Bride
All referred friends, who are not yet members, must register all their information with SGFN
The contest runs March 1st 12:00am -31st 5:00pm, 2010
The winner will be announced March 31st after 5pm
All referred friends must have enrolled in a program by the end of the contest to be counted to your total
The grand prize will be awarded the person who refers the most women, who join a fitness community, but must have referred at least three women or more. If the minimum of three people referred into Styles Group Fitness Network is not attained by the leading referrer, the grand prize will not be awarded.
There is NO LIMIT to the number of guests who join you on Sunday. However- you MUST email me at whit@stylesgroupfitness.com with the full name, phone number, and email of your guest(s) at least 24 hours before your workout on Sunday

We All Have Bad Days, or Why I Love Twitter

Cindy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:47:44 +0000

Well, I’ve got to say, tonight was not one of my best workouts. Not even close. The other gals in the group didn’t look like they were having an easy time, or a blast- no doubt it was tough. But whatever they brought, I left “it” at home.
It’s been a while since I’ve had one of “those” workouts, and it’s really kind of bummed me out. I have to say, though. Both the other girls and Whit were supportive, but sometimes there’s just no feeling better about doing badly.
I still feel a little bummed about it- I just couldn’t hack it. I started feeling queasy and dizzy, and just couldn’t push myself through it.
It occurred to me that I had eaten a bowl of cereal this morning around 9, but nothing since, and that probably accounted for much of it. Not very smart.
It was a crazy day, with my son home from school, trying to work, etc., and by the time I thought, “I’m hungry,” it was too late to eat- too close to my workout. I totally forgot about it until I was midway through my bicep curls.
Anyway, I was really bummed when I got home, still a little shaky and feeling like I failed. But, after posting my thoughts on Twitter, I got some terrific encouraging messages from lots of people. I’ll be back tomorrow (making sure I’ve eaten), and sometimes that’s the important thing. Showing up, pushing through, sticking around when you feel like you missed your target, and coming back.
Having support is definitely a big help too.

Even if you’re not on a “diet”, read your labels!

Cindy — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:54:20 +0000

I think I’ve written before about the BodyMedia system I’ve been using since Christmas to track my exercise, sleep efficiency, food, etc. It’s really fantastic, especially if you have wonky sleep like I do, AND really want to see how active I am, etc. Part of this system requires that you log your food when you sync the device. (Even if you don’t use this, it is really an invaluable tool if you’re trying to lose weight or eat more healthily, to just log your food- amazing what a little self monitoring will do!)- A great tool (that’s also free) is www.dailyplate.com. You can just plug things in and it has listings for over a half million foods. So easy, fast, and again- free!
At any rate, sorry, I digress. I’ve been doing the usual- multi tasking, selling real estate, along with manning my vendor table at the Kids Layne consignment sale, which spans pretty much all day. Really, without planning (which I always encourage, but don’t always manage) it’s hard to prepare for a 10 hour day out of the house/ office, etc. I ended up grabbing something from QDoba when someone was going out for lunch. I really do try to eat well, and not eat junk. I confess that I really did think QDoba was somewhat healthy. Not HEALTHY, healthy, but better than most (which it may still be, horrifyingly).
In the grilled chicken tacos that I had, there were (in a serving of 3) 1080 calories, 2280 mg of sodium, and FIFTY ONE Grams of FAT! WHAT????
If that’s not proof to read your labels, I don’t know what is. That is definitely something that is somewhat touted as healthy, so you can only imagine what the things that are not “healthy”!
On much brighter news for this week, Jamie Oliver won the TED Prize this week- “Wishes big enough to change the world”
His wish?
“I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.” Get more info about Jamie’s plans and dreams here:
http://www.tedprize.org/jamie-oliver/
It’s important enought for us as grownups (alarming news that Time reports the life span in the US is below that of virtually every other developed country- hmmm…anything to do with our lifestyle and diet here?)
The moral of this rambling really is to just simply say, there are way too many things out there touting health benefits. Way too many. Unfortunately, you have to be ever vigilant about what you’re putting in your body. It’s not just calories, but everything, and just because someone says it’s healthy, doesn’t mean it is, and certainly doesn’t mean it’s healthy for your child!!

So tired of the snow!

Cindy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:23:11 +0000

I have never been so ready for spring, I think, in all my life! With nearly 14 inches of snow over the course of the weekend (VERY unusual for Richmond!) I have been holed up for far too long! Though I did finally get out for the first time yesterday evening, and today was relatively normal, minus the 2 hour late arrival at school. At any rate, once you’re used to working out 3-4 hard hours a week (still crazy to think that), you start to feel like a caged animal when you’re stuck in the house.
I’ve heard from so many people on Facebook and Twitter who have been eating all sorts of junk while they’re stuck at home, and it’s definitely easy to fall into that. Have I done that? NO. Because I don’t buy it. I do hold to Michael Pollan’s quote from “Food Rules” saying, “Eat whatever junk food you want, as long as you make it.” So, if you want cookies, bake them. From scratch. You’ll probably eat them less. The same holds true with pretty much any junk food. So we don’t have it in the house. I’ve also used my Wii Fit to get quite a few good workouts in- another thing I’ve tried to do is use alot of the things we’ve done in Boot Camp (that don’t require equipment) and use those.
Not only have these things managed to keep me from totally turning Jabba the Hut, but they’ve done wonders to keep me sane! With a ridiculous amount of snow, and the forecast looking somewhat grim for the weekend, these are some good things to remember.
If you find yourself stuck inside, Whit’s going to post some of the things you can do (especially if you’re thinking of snacking!) – hopefully they’ll help keep you a little more fit, a little more sane, and maybe even a little more ready for the spring/ summer when they finally do roll around!

Making Progress

Cindy — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:48:58 +0000

Down 11 pounds! Still QUITE a few more to go, but I’m feeling terrific, and really do miss it when I don’t work out. I NEVER thought I would say that!
As far as my diet, just in case you’re wondering, I’m not on a “diet” per se.
As you read if you saw my last post, I’ve just finished Jillian Michaels’ “Master Your Metabolism”, hot on the heels of Michael Pollan’s “Omnivore’s Dilemma” , “Food Rules” (the newest- HIGHLY RECOMMEND!), and I have really, truly eradicated processed food from my and my family’s diet, and we are really quite focused on WHOLE foods (not the store- at least completely! ) Whole grains, greens, more vegetables, really focusing on where the meat we eat comes from and how it’s processed, and trying to eliminate as many refined flours, sugars, etc. from our diet. The more I do this, the more yucky I feel when I do eat the stuff that I know is bad. Your body does really tell you what it wants and needs- once you tune out all the “fast food/ frozen food/ processed food” noise. You just have to listen. I’m listening now, and feeling better.

Back in the Saddle, on the Turf, whatever…

Cindy — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:39:45 +0000

New Year, and I’m ready to roll. I’m so glad to get back in the gym and back in the swing of things (thankfully, with my knee – fingers crossed- not giving me any problems) so I’m back to running and keeping up with everyone else. I don’t think I endeared myself to anyone, but more importantly, I felt like a real slacker “power walking” like an old woman while all the other moms were running. Even worse, was when I worked out with the younger gals, and they were really busting it up while I did my “mall style powerwalk!”

I do confess that while I feel great to really be back at it, and not only relying on the few times I can use the Wii Fit without my 6 year old decided he’d like to “play” too, I am a bit sore today. But…back at it tomorrow- the only way to get rid of the sore is to drink lots and lots of water, and keep working out.

I may have mentioned in my previous post something about the book I’m reading, “Master Your Metabolism” by Jillian Michaels, and once again, I can’t recommend it enough, just from the whole foods perspective and really eating things that are whole, close to their natural state. I was talking to a friend today, and she was asking what I thought about a particular diet, and my response was that everyone has something different that works for them, but that I really do not want to spend my life counting, or having to eat special food (most of which is FrankenFood- all chemicals and sodium). I am not just doing all this working out for weight loss, or to look good, but really for health, and longevity- so that I don’t end up at 60 needing new knees, or feeling like my life and choices are limited because of my health or weight. I certainly don’t want that to influence my son at all- I want him to know how to make healthy choices and not succumb to the constant barrage of garbage that is out there, ready for the taking, and completely marketed to children.

So, that’s my little New Year’s Story- what’s yours? Do you have any resolutions that relate to getting in shape, health and/ or wellness? Is this the year you’re going to quit smoking? Is it the year you’re going to lose twenty pounds? Forty? Just tone up? Just feel better? Have more energy? Eat better?

There’s tons of pressure with the new year- and it is so hard to have these “resolutions” bearing down on you. I think that the best thing to do is pick one or two things that are really your priorities and tackle those. And don’t say you’re going to “try.” Just do it, and don’t give yourselves excuses and reasons NOT to do it- give yourself as many excuses TO do it, and just make it happen! Because trust me, if I can run laps around a soccer field, you CAN do it too!

Oh, by the way, if I haven’t implored you enough- Whit’s got a number of groups, not just the Mamas (though we’re the most fun! but I’m biased!) But if you contact her now, you can get a free week to try, and I really think if you commit to that week you WILL be back! Tell her I sent you!

Happy New Year, New You? Definitely New Me!

Cindy — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Well, if you’re anything like me, you probably start every year with a nice, unnervingly long list of things you want to stop doing or stop doing, do better or more often, or do less. This year, I decided to go a different route.
Rather than giving myself a list a mile long that is almost scary to start, I’ve already started with my working out, so just have to continue. Check! One thing off the list already, and 2009 isn’t even over yet!

Another thing on my list: continue eating more healthfully (and try harder to keep my husband and son doing the same!!). Have you checked out this month’s (well, January) Richmond Magazine? There’s a great piece on the Fit Menus that Whit has worked with local restaurants to create, so it’s just that much easier to go out now (to cool places) and eat without feeling like you can’t touch anything for fear of gaining five pounds! Check them out at 3 Monkeys, Europa, Starlite, and more, and click here for a demo: Whit\’s Fit Menu at 3 Monkeys.

I’ve also just started reading Jillian Michaels’ new book, “Master Your Metabolism” and so far, I’m just blown away by it- I know that’s going to have more of an impact on me this year. The great thing about this book is that it talks not just about the perils of eating frankenfoods, and crazy sugar/ fat/ carb free things, but also about the endocrine disrupters with which our bodies are bombarded. I’m pretty well versed on both of these things, and have read loads on each- to have the information all put in one place, and to have someone show how to use the information is even better, though!

So what are you doing? Do you want to get fit? Eat better? Get healthy? Just look better, or more importantly, feel better? The most important thing about making any resolution is definitely the follow through (just take a look at the inside of any gym anytime in January, compared to February or any other time of the year!). You’ve got to just make it happen. No one is going to do it for you. But you can do it. Just watch me!

Tracking Food and Progress So Far

Cindy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:00:05 +0000

So, I got measured the other night, and weighed, of course. I must say that the weighing part was quite disappointing. Only 3.5 pounds?? Are you kidding?? I’ve been working my butt off! (or so I thought!) However, after the measuring, it appears that I have actually lost nearly 5 inches from my waist. Now that, I can get on board with. I know I just need to keep working, and I certainly need to get back to physical therapy and work on my knee. The brace, the tape, the pain. I’m TIRED of it!! I know I would feel better, and lose more, if I was able to walk without a limp. BUT, I definitely generally feel better, and that’s HUGE. I’m tracking my food daily on the LiveStrong Daily Plate application (totally free, by the way, and a bargain at twice the price!)

Christmas is Coming…

Cindy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:59:44 +0000

Like a freight train. A festive freight train, perhaps, but a freight train all the same. With only 2 more bootcamps this week, before the awesome Whit takes a well deserved (but still a bit envy inducing) vacation, I’m trying to figure out what things I can do to not only combat the Christmas excess, but also fill the gap so that I don’t feel like I’m starting all over. Any ideas?

I have a few so far- many of which are the detritus of discarded workout routines that just never took. First, I’m going to try to use some of these free tools on Exercise TV- as I mentioned on Twitter the other day, I had every intention of trying out the “Hip Hop Body Shop” which is all hip hop style aerobics, but ended up (in the rarely empty house thanks to the snow!) addressing Christmas cards and watching Fa La La La Lifetime. Not much physical or mental exercising there!

Walking is sort of out of the question, given the ice, though hopefully my ortho doc will clear me today to run. (Though I somehow doubt it, since I still have pain). Any other ideas? I’m definitely going to try not to go crazy with cookies, etc.- sticking more to reindeer food like carrots than Santa cookies, but I still want to keep moving.

Also, while I know this is a crazy time, I’m going to entreat you once again to start the new year right and get moving! The same deal applies as before, so if you want to just come out and give it a try- you get a free week FREE! There are a number of available times, so no excuses about timing! The only thing I want for the new year is a 9 or 9:30 am group! If this would work for you, because of preschool dropoff, school schedules, etc., please email info@stylesgroupfitness.com or check out http://www.stylesgroupfitness.com/schedule/special-projects/ and say you’re interested. If we can get a few moms (or just very interested parties) to agree that this is a good time, we’re golden! Come on and start the new year right!!