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!!

I was introduced to Malenna by my girlfriend’s cousin and Elite Heat member Sharilyn who sang great praises of her.  Having been an athlete in the past I said to myself there isn’t much that she can do to me that I don’t know or haven’t done, but man was I wrong. I initially started off thinking I would just lose some of the ‘corporate weight’ gained . As we went through the initial assessment and subsequent workouts I found myself not only changing the way I worked out but also the way I ate and catered to my body.

We started off with a 10 day herbal cleanse in addition to my workouts and cleaner eating habits I lost approximately 15lbs. Fifteen pounds may not be a huge number but it was more than just the scale changing. It was also seeing noticeable changes in my body that you could not tell just by stepping on a scale. Normally things get easier as you do them more but my workouts and intensity levels did NOT . I am a working professional with a schedule that did not allow meeting with her multiple times per week but instead had to do it independently with her guidance and shepherding.




My improved physical appearance to me is a result of a new and improved lifestyle and not just results of a workout routine. I find myself feeling guilty even on my ‘cheat’ days or even not pushing myself to the max every time. I continue to improve what has already been accomplished and maintain the great boost that was received.

Transformation Tuesday

I remember when Anny first came to me to train. She had expressed how much weight she wanted to lose, and her current condition. How active she used to be and her ideal body. We did an initial assessment and a small workout.  During the workout, I thought she was going to pass out. lol. She had to stop and lie down. LIE DOWN. Then, she asked about bootcamp, to which I replied, (thinking about Susy's class) 'I don't think that's a good idea.' We signed her up for class, and I called my trainers to make sure they would keep an eye on her, but this was the start of a very healthy beginning.

She started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge, which begins with a cleanse and is structured for 24 days. She was very serious, and did very well losing over 15 pounds in the first month. To date, she has lost over 20 pounds and over 10% body fat, but she is not done yet!

" My journey has been rewarding both mentally and physically. By doing the 24 day challenge, learning how to eat healthy and following the proper workout regiments, I have been able to lose weight and live a healthier life. I learned it is not about how many pounds I lose but about a different lifestyle. My health has improved dramatically and since then I am just a much happier person. "

Anny has become a key player within Phoenyx Fitness helping others out within the classes and others on the challenges. 

"My ultimate goal is to continue to learn, share my knowledge and guide others to do the same and of course obtaining my 100%"

What is that 100%? We will keep you posted on Anny's progress! Congratulations Anny!!!

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY

Not your typical PUSHUp...

It's workout Wednesday again at Phoenyx and today we are giving you a typical exercise with variety. But why? Below are the different changes that are demonstrated in the video and what those changes do to your exercise.  OH and all these exercises are demonstrated by our lovely Esther Lopez, Elite Heat member, WBFF Bikini Pro and one of our instructors with Phoenyx. You got a taste of her lower body work last bootcamp. Watch as she gives a demo on some chest and arm work.

GENERAL proper form
- Back straight
- Core tight
- Hands underneath the shoulders
- Bring the body down as a unit neither dipping nor overextending the back
- Chest should almost touch the floor on a push done with proper extension

Below is a breakdown of the different transitions she makes in the video with an explanation of what it hits. ENJOY!

Regular Push ups - Regular pushups hits your main pectoral area with your hands right below the shoulders
Wide Stance- Hands are out a little wider than shoulder width to bring the focus more in the outer part of the pec
Close Stance or Tricep Push up - You see how her elbows shoot back. This is important. The chest work on this is secondary. We are hitting the triceps or the back of the arms
Staggered - Makes the move more of a core exercise by removing stability in the positioning. Keep your body straight during this exercise
FEET - Wide - just an option to change up your feet. Makes the exercise a little easier but providing balance
Star Push ups - DIFFICULT hands and feet are wide and hands are above your head and out. The only thing supporting the move as you move up and down is that core. Great core strength
VARIATION for starters - Hands on the bench. Maintain your posture
VARIATION more difficult - Feet on the bench. All the weight is on those shoulders. A great way to challenge your 'regular' pushup strength