10 Week Bikini Challenge - GAIL

All this week and next we are featuring participants of our current 10 Week BIKINI Challenge.  We are extremely proud of this entire group and everyone has a different story to share of their success within their respective programs. We just have a week and a half left to the end of the program, and Memorial Day which is the ending day for the 10 weeks. Ten weeks of work and health. Congratulations team!!!

GAIL

Before I went to Malenna, I felt like I had tried everything, and that nothing was going to get rid of these last 20 pounds (lost 14 to date). The first 10 days (cleanse) was the toughest for me. However, I got through with the help of my niece and my sister-in-law who were also going through the program.   I have always prided myself as being a healthy eater and exercised on a regular bases.  Well,  let’s say that this program taught me how to look at food as a source of fueling my mind, body and spirit and I was working out all wrong.





WEIGHT LOSS to DATE 14lbs
TIMEFRAME 9 WKS
STATS
STARTING weight 171                                                                                   WEIGHT to DATE 156

I loved the flexibility of food choices, and the supplements (Advocare - Catalyst) were easy to take.  There is something to be said about clean eating. There are times when I wake up in the morning and say “Wow this clean eating is working”.  My clothes are fitting better, my mind is not as foggy as it used to be and I have a lot more energy.

The exercises are tough at times, however if you put the time in you will see the transformation each day.  I like the workouts because it challenges me and pushes me to next level.  I have not reached my goal weight, however I plan to go through Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the summer program.  I’m actually thinking about possibly competing next year.  The key to success with this program, is prep, prep, and prep, and a great support team and dedication and patience with yourself.  I’m actually looking forward to the next phase of my get healthy journey.

*** Email us for more information on any of our upcoming programs! support@phoenyxfitness.com

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....!

Don't become a holiday FAT-istic....

How is this for a statistic....75% of the weight most Americans gain in a year happens during the holidays. There are 12 months in a year, 365 days, 52 weeks where you could ideally fluctuate in weight gain, or loss. Within a SIX WEEK pocket, you gain MOST of the weight you will gain in a year. Think about that....Don't become a statistic. Keep the weight off instead of putting on an ADDITIONAL 10-20 pounds that you decide you will ADD to your resolutions list for 2015.

No time like the present. Email us for details! support@phoenyxfitness.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

WINTER WONDERCamp Detail!  

Less than 3 weeks. Are you signed up? If not you should be! We ARE indoors so we WILL cap the registration. Get registered now! I cannot guarantee space after we fill the room. 

GET IT in!!! 12 classes, 3 weeks right before CHRISTMAS. The only person that should be round and jolly this time of year is St Nick. ;)

SCHEDULE
Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs beginning Dec 1st!!!
TIME
6PM - 7PM
LOCATION 
PEARL Studios - 500 8th Avenue
PRICING - $99

EMAIL us at SUPPORT@phoenyxfitness.com to get on the list

FAQ
- Are we outside?
NOOO!
What if I cannot make all the classes?
Then make what you can. It averages out to $6.25 a class if you go to each and every one. You have more than paid for the sessions if you even make half.
- 6PM is pushing it to get there on time. What if I am a little late?
This is fine. Get there and get in where you fit in. The time is never good for the group. 6 is too early. 7 is too late. 630 starts on the half hour and we cannot always start at that time at the studio. You know my class. If you can get in 45 minutes within my group, you are NOT going to be disappointed.

Here is an interesting post with suggestions to keep down the weight over the holidays. Look at number 7 and SIGN up for WINTERWONDERCAMP!  3 weeks, 12 days, intensive workout RIGHT before Christmas and right AFTER Thanksgiving. 4 days a week. You won't have TIME to gain weight


http://www.moneycrashers.com/avoid-holiday-weight-gain-statistics/

6. Sign Up for a Holiday Fitness Competition
Most gyms offer fitness competitions for members to help encourage healthy habits during the holiday season. Rather than New Year’s-style weight-loss competitions, holiday competitions generally focus on accumulating total activity.

So if you plan to work out on a regular basis and need a little extra motivation to follow through, sign up to participate in your gym’s competition.

7. Sign Up for a Holiday Fitness Event
Check local event listings to find running, walking, or cycling races in your area. If you sign up for an event, chances are you’ll follow through on the necessary training. If you have children, look for events with a family friendly focus and get the entire gang involved.

Transformation TUESDAY!!!

​Today's feature is a private client and member of  The Elite Heat. How is she a member of the Heat and not competing? She has competed, but decided, for now, not to continue on within the world of fitness competitions. She is, however, a 'lifer' for her body and taking it to the next level does not always mean on a stage. She is now preparing for a trip, yes a trip, in February and wants to look even better than she does now. Read more about Sharilyn and her fitness journey as we introduce her for the Phoenyx

TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY

I moved to Latin America in September 2012,  and was excited at what I believed would be a “new start” post-graduate school. I had put on more than a few pounds since gym and yoga sessions were replaced with late night paper writing and thesis research. 

During my first few weeks in Argentina, I religiously worked out using my Shaun T ‘Insanity’ workout DVD’s. I noticed some changes in my body but I still wasn’t happy, and I definitely wasn’t eating well.  Trying to manage being a vegetarian in a country heralded for its' beef was NOT easy.   Around Halloween, I befriended a boot camp instructor who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and attend a class.   I can distinctly remember that first session because I sincerely wondered if “death by burpee” was an actual thing.   Although I hated that first session, I decided to return a few days later. Two days per week quickly turned into three and before I knew it, I was there every single day.

By the time I got into the swing of it, I relocated to Peru and it was there that the magic happened – I was introduced to weightlifting by way of Cross fit. Power cleans, split jerks and dead lifts were insanely difficult at first but I quickly realized how AMAZING it  felt when I completed a heavy lift with proper form.

I continued to Cross fit when I returned to the US in May 2013 and began to “eat clean” after joining a Paleo challenge with others at my box. It was then that I realized I wanted, no, needed, a change. I didn’t want to simply lose a few pounds and get into shape.  I wanted to push myself further and harder than I’d ever done in the past. It was then that an old friend from college introduced me to The Elite Heat after I came across her fitness competition pictures on Facebook.

Malenna saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. Almost every single day I doubted that I could actually compete in a fitness competition but Malenna and my teammates were there every step of the way, providing support even when my family and friends didn’t understand what I was training for or why. In October 2013, I stepped on that stage and it was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I learned that being fit could be sexy and that that could be ME. Throughout this journey, I've gone from 173lbs and 35% body fat to 147lbs and 23% body fat and this is only the beginning. I am proud to be strong, “thick fit” and most importantly, healthy! 

Photo credit Omega Imagery . www.omegaimagery.com

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!!!

MONDAY Bulletins!!!!

​THIS WEEK'S BOOTCAMP!!!!

​A

nother fun filled bootcamp day!

We will be out at Chelsea Park. So, NOT the playground we usually go to. I know 

​I​

 reference that as Chelsea Park but it has a different name officially.  Chelsea Park is between 9th and 10th avenues at 28th Street.   There is a park with a field and track. We will meet there on the side closest to 28th street.  

Monday and Wednesday 7pm

Chelsea Park on 28th between 9th and 10th avenues

Meet at the track on the side closest to 28th street

MANIC MONDAY - Your MONDAY Bulletins!

We have had  busy few weeks but nothing short of amazing as get into the summer season!

BOOTCAMP

We are meeting back at Columbus Circle this week just to reset everyone and make things easy. Same spot in front of the circle. Another great day for bootcamp. The weather is perfect! Hope to see you out there!

LOCATION 59th and Columbus Circle
TIME 7PM

SAVE THE DATE Sept 7th!!!

SUSAN G KOMEN RACE

The Susan G Komen registration has opened up for Sept. I know September seems a ways off but we usually get a team together and want to have enough time to register everyone, and get everyone prepared if they would like to train for the race. We always have a good showing for the race and this year will not be any different so mark your calendars!

http://www.komennyc.org/

Monday Bulletins!!!!

It's week three of our outdoor season and DAY #5 is this evening!!!
We are changing up the location

We have a few special guests heading up class today so be ready for something different!! It will be an intense 60 minutes!

BOOTCAMP

LOCATION 72nd and Riverside at the entrance of the park!
DATE Monday and Wednesday the 19th and 21st
TIME 7-8PM

ZUMBA 

LOCATION Pearl Studios, 500 8th Avenue, PENTHOUSE 1, 4th Floor
DATE Thursday the 22nd
TIME 7-8PM

Check out our latest posts and don't forget to join us on Facebook, Twitter and IG

@phoenyxfitness
www.facebook.com/phoenyxfitness

FOODIE Friday!!!

Paleo Jerk Chicken Recipe

We are dedicating Fridays to one of our favorite pastimes. FOOD!

Paleo. Have you heard of it? We'll blog on what it means and benefits and disadvantages of the paleo diet. In the meantime, we have a paleo based recipe that is delicious. Borrowed from emeals.com, they have their own blog and many recipes you can receive online catered to your needs. Check them out!

Paleo Jerk Chicken Lettuce Wraps


Ingredients
2 tablespoons coconut oil
½ large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4½ cups chopped cooked chicken
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Jerk seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 heads Bibb lettuce
Instructions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add onion and garlic; cook 6 minutes or until onion is browned.
Stir in chicken, lime juice and Jerk seasoning; cook 3 minutes.
Stir in thyme.
Separate lettuce leaves, and fill leaves evenly with chicken mixture.
Roll up, if desired.

THROWBACK Thursday!!!!

How's this for a throwback.....

#firstbootcamp #fall2010 #brooklynbridge #riversidepark #centralpark #solongago

Transformation Tuesday!!!

 One step at a time....

Weight has been a struggle for me throughout my entire life. As I've grown older I have come to understand how important a routine is for my personal success and how important it is to adjust your routine for many reasons. Though I've flip flopped a bit, I am far off from where I was 10 years ago (and about 90 lbs ago). Since starting with the 6 week boot camp in Jan I have lost just over 30 lbs and have found that aspect of my fitness routine to be a staple that keeps me challenged and excited.

Those of you who have seen me at class know that it still kicks my butt and I have to do modifications from time to time, but it's a lot easier +today than it was back in January and I have come to love the challenge of pushing myself rather than be worried about if I can make it through class without stopping. 

People hear routine and they think BORING, but if you mix up the foods you eat and exercise you do, it helps to keep your body and mind engaged and excited on a regular basis. It's also important not to be terrified of straying from that routine. For years and through multiple weight loss attempts I had brief success followed by back sliding. The problem was I was very rigid in my daily routine and was terrified and disappointed when I fell out of it. I felt that even a slight diversion was a total failure which was not sustainable. Over the last year I have tried to focus on a healthy balance of enjoying the process and realizing that, to keep things fun, I have to keep things fresh. I don't count calories but have utilized the fit book to log everything I eat which keeps me conscious of everything I eat but not tied to calories, points or anything like that. 

I've realized that small victories are important to recognize and be proud of. If your goal is to lose 15 lbs, you should be just as excited about each individual 1 lb or .5 lb you lose as you are at the thought of reaching your ultimate goal. Celebrate the moments that get you where you ultimately want to be.

I hope that my "after" pics +today will one day become my "before" pics at some point down the road. I know hard work and focus will be necessary if that is to happen but I try not to let the idea scare me for now and I am focusing on what i am able to control each day.

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY!!

We don't give a SQUAT

CLICK here for a quick demo!

Wednesdays are dedicated to workouts and exercises. We started the bootcamp season and thought it would be appropriate to go to the basics. The squat is one of  the foundational moves for most leg exercises.  The video above gives you a front and side view. I listed a few cues below for your reference. We will have different exercises every week so if you have anything you have questions on or want to see, please leave us a comment below.

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

- Feet are about shoulder width apart
- Keep your weight in your heels
- Keep your toes behind your knees
- Keep you head up, and shoulders back
- Push through your heels on the way up
- Squeeze your hips at the top of the move and tighten your legs

Transformation Tuesday

Here at Phoenyx Fitness, we are starting daily posts to keep our fans and clients updated on the latest with Phoenyx!!!  Mondays are dedicated to announcements and we are excited for the new addition of TRANSFORMATION TUESDAYS!

You've seen before and after pictures on television and advertisements and I'm sure you wondered if these people were real or what they did to lose the weight. So we are featuring REAL people making REAL changes, while maintaining a REAL and normal life.

Our first feature is Tanisha. She's been with Phoenyx since January and started with us on a New Year's 6 week challenge.  This challenge featured a program designed to trigger maximum fat loss in a short amount of time.  In just 6 short weeks, Tanisha lost over 10 pounds and brought her body fat down from over 5%.  This was done implementing our program and making some changes to her diet, while attending our classes, mostly high intensity, throughout the week.

Tanisha was preparing for a trip to and not only looked better but felt better and confident enough to sport her bikini on the beach as a celebration on a successful 6 weeks. But when she returned, she was high on loss from her first challenge and was ready for the next!

This next challenge was a 10 week BIKINI challenge with a photo shoot opportunity on the line. What would make this challenge more of a struggle hinges on the length of time. A month and a half?....pretty doable. 2 and a half months? Sounds a bit more intimidating, but we were excited to give it a go. Over 20 ladies signed up for this challenge and the week after Valentine's Day, committed to 10 weeks of clean eating, exercise, and a healthier lifestyle.

Tanisha knew she had to take this to the next level and opted in on the 10 day cleanse provided by Advocare, one of our sponsored products.














With her exercise regiment, she left nothing to chance, and joined any class she could be a part of, from the 2 day a week high intensity bootcamp style classes to the strength training classes we provided once a week at one of our private training gyms.

Tanisha began the second part of this journey at 152 pounds and 27.9% body fat. She didn't drop as many pounds this time but brought her body fat down again another 5%.  It's so important to measure your body fat in addition to your weight. Changes in composition can happen in many areas as you can see from Tanisha's pictures.


  This in roughly 4 months time. What's next? She has already signed up for our summer bootcamp, AND is interested in our fitness team. Could we see Tanisha on the fitness competition stage? : ) With these results, ANYTHING is possible! Congratulations Tanisha!!!!

Do you want more information on how to obtain your own success story? We have people on hand to answer questions for you and get you started. Email us at support@phoenyxfitness.com for more info!

Monday Bulletins!

BOOTCAMP

First day of bootcamp is TODAY, May 5th!!! Everyone is stoked for the summer. Hopefully the weather holds up but we are in the clear for tomorrow with 67 for the high and 0% chance of precipitation.

We are meeting at 59th Street and Columbus Circle, and with over 50 people registered, you shouldn't miss us. But, for your reference, we are meeting in front of the fountain pictured below at the entrance of the park.

 We promised a treat for the first 10 to like our post on face book and that's long gone, but please visit our site and like our page if you are not already a fan!

www.facebook.com/phoenyxfitness

If you want to join in on the fun, but didn't purchase a package for the summer, send us an email, support@phoenyxfitness.com for details!!

We are ready to get this summer thing going. Looking forward to class this evening!! Let's rock!

 

The WORLD of PHOENYX

We have been off the map for a while on our blog and we're back to provide information, tidbits and more through yet another social media site. YAY!

SUMMER is approaching. Although, if you are on the east coast, this is not so evident. BUT it will get here eventually. We are gearing up for our summer programs and at Phoenyx, we are not the exception. We have our outdoor bootcamps starting up on the 5th of MAY, and we have a special going on RIGHT NOW that expires tomorrow.

So, IF you sign up by the 30th of April,  you can sign up for $99 for the entire summer.

The entire summer!!! Let's think about this...TWICE A week, 16 weeks, 32 sessions for the entire summer. You are paying less than $5 a class! Even if you were to miss a month of classes you are STILL not paying more than $5 a class. We have the best bootcamps in the city, hands down. SECURE your summer activity!!! We are capping the registration at this rate. Once we meet our quota the price will go up to $60 a month and $15 a class.

SUMMER SCHEDULE Mondays and Wednesdays 7PM
LOCATION CENTRAL PARK!! We will advise specifics one week out

FIRST day of CAMP is May 5th!

Click on the link below to register or email us at support@phoenyxfitness.com for more details.

Register HERE

 SELECT Warrior workouts and UNLIMITED SUMMER Bootcamp!

And pass this along. This is open to anyone interested in joining our ranks!

IT'S GO TIME PEOPLE!!!

FINALLY MAKING OUR DEBUT!

We are so excited to finally have a few 'new' items for the new year! We exposed the new logo, shown above, earlier this week! We also finished up a new site 

CHECK OUT THE SITE!

It is a work in progress but should be easier to read, provide clearer information and up to date with the events and scheduling. Please check it out and give us your feedback!!! We would love to hear from you while we are in the infancy stages of renovation.

We will start up our blog posts again so send us suggestions or questions that you would like to see within your feed from Phoenyx. Great things happening for the new year! Stay tuned and HAPPY NEW YEAR!