10 Week Bikini Challenge - RITA

I have seen fitness trends come and go: from Jane Fonda’s “feel the burn” cardio workout in the 80’s to the power yoga and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) classes of today. At 52 I know what works for me to maintain a healthy diet and exercise program. I like a diverse workout practice and a food diet that is nutritious without much fuss.

So I was quick to sign up for the Summer Bikini challenge. Some of the exercises were like old friends; while others I will have to win over to make my buddies. The pace was intense, but I got stronger as the weeks went by. I know my body would adjust if I kept coming to classes.

                     BEFORE                                 AFTER

                           TOTAL loss to date 15lbs

             Patience and persistence is key. I’ve lost 15 lbs. I went from 190 to 175 lbs. I’ve also gained more flexibility and stamina in my other workouts, outside the program, in yoga and pilates classes.

             Of course working out is not enough. The second component of the bikini challenge has been equally essential: the clean eating food program. I never felt hungry. Food prep is a challenge given my busy schedule, but planning my meals a week in advance and determining which ingredients are interchangeable among my recipes sped up the prep work. Yes, egg whites and oatmeal can be tasty and nutritious without being slathered in oil or weighed down by sugar. Goggle is your friend! There are tons of tips and recipes online that fall well within the confines of the good foods list and that also compliment the meals suggestions.

Everyone has to define what success means to them by completing the bikini challenge. For me it’s incorporating the HIIT workout in my overall exercise regiment and implementing, and building on, the clean foods diet. My goal is to craft a fitness and wellness practice that is doable, attainable and sustainable for the rest of my life. I know that sometimes life gets in the way. But I always find my way back. I’m so glad I found Phoenyx Fitness. Thanks Melenna for helping me attain my goals! Looking forward to the Summer program. Cheers                                                                     

Transformation Tuesday - Trishanna

When this client approached me and I asked her what she wanted to accomplish from her program, she responded ' To be comfortable in my own skin again' .  How many of you have gained so much weight, that you don't even know who you are?  You don't feel like yourself and you don't remember who that previous person was.

Trishanna began with me at a little over 220lbs. Standing at 5'6" and 36.9% bodyfat, she was determined to make a change this time.

Before starting college

Graduating College

" I weighed in at around 260lbs at my heaviest. It was quite depressing for me, as I had never dealt with weight issues growing up. I had an athletic build and participated in sports in high school.  I remember saying to my aunt one day that I can eat whatever I want and I won't gain weight. The freshman 15 proved me wrong."

We got started right away and our first milestone would be getting below 200lbs, which hadn't been a reality for Trishanna in 3 years.  She would diligently send me her updates and was amazed with each passing week as she continued to drop weight.  There were weeks where her updates felt defeated. Juggling a full time job, a child AND school, she had a lot on her plate and getting in the added workouts and sticking to the regiment sometimes proved to be a task. The KEY is not maintaining a perfect regiment. The key is consistency. If you fall off, it's ok. Get back on the horse and back on track. So many people give up right before their breakthrough.




At the check in where she finally broke 200lbs, her first reaction was ' I should have lost more this week..I'll do better next time' LOL. I had to remind her of our original discussions and how ALL victories are VICTORIES. We have reached our first milestone!

What's the ultimate goal?!?!? DECEMBER! Birthday month and JAMAICA. Will she do it? It's been just 2 months and we are down from 217lbs to 196lbs SO FAR. Over 20lbs in 8 weeks and we still have 8 weeks to go. We'll keep you posted. Two weeks from now, we'll post the MORE than comfortable Trishanna hanging out on the beach in Jamaica.

SO proud of you!!! Keep up the good work!!!

Transformation Tuesday - Amanda

I Want to Compete.....

I hear this alot, being a coach of a fitness team, and exposed to many people in the gym, and in the fitness industry. Actually, what I get a lot is ' I would like to LOOK like I compete'. Sure, wouldn't we all, but a competitors body is not a suit you put on before you walk out each day. BUT, I digres...another blog for anothe day.

I met Amanda about a year ago. We had a meet and greet at Club Metro, in Jersey City. I train at this gym, had seen her there and spoken with her and seen her work out. I thought she was a prime candidate for the team. This is when she mentioned that she had thought about competing before.  My next question is always, what's stopping you?  Fortunately, this time, for Amanda, it was nothing.

We began training around September of 2014, not focused on a particular show, but thinking the spring if we decided to step on the stage. We decided and her 'want' becomes a reality in a little less than 3 weeks. 

Amanda has lost almost 15 pounds and come down almost 10% in body fat. 

I am a firm believer going after any dream, big or small, impossible ,etc. There are no guarantees in life, so why would you why would you assume something won't happen, and never try?

Amanda will compete in her first bikini show April 4th in Teaneck.  We are so proud of her and cannot wait to see what comes next!!!   Two and a half weeks out to showtime....!