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                                                                     

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!!!

Are ALL Your Friends in Shape?....

I used to get this question a lot. People would see me hanging out with people from the team or people from the places I worked out at or maybe see my sister or mother, who are both in great shape and ask if everyone around me was in shape. 

The answer to that...is NO. Your friends can be the WORST people to convert. They may approach you for advice but then question whether you know what you are saying. It's a struggle. lol

A good friend of mine approached me last fall about a program

Vic and I are really good friends. I have known him for over 10 years and when we first met, we used to get together and play racquetball, football, workout, etc. When I moved to NY we still kept in touch but I think his activity changed up some : o

He would tell me about different programs he was doing and would ask me about things before and I would tell make suggestions but it would never stick. He did the usual, P90x, Insanity, blah blah blah....until finally last November, he said he would stick to whatever I gave him.  FAST FORWARD to now...

Weight Loss 215lbs - 182.5lbs

Fat Loss 34% - 17.2%

I am so proud of him! When we started his program in Nov, I had to introduce him to the Vitamin Shoppe, Quest Bars (which he doesn't like btw -_- ) and a shaker bottle. Now this guy is giving other people advice and taking selfies in the gym. lol. 

Now you KNOW where I'm taking this guy next...hmmmmm?

Congrats Vic!!

What I love about these stories is much more than the body changes. Those can come and go, and some of you have been there. There are two main things I'm passionate about, which are my faith and people's well being. WELL BEING..not just being skinny or fitting into a dress. When you are able to take care of yourself, you take care of others. 

LIFE is short. LIVE your life!

To find out more about our programs or just drop us a note..email us! support@phoenyxfitness.com

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....!

Monday Updates!!!!

Competition Prep WORKSHOP

WHEN: SATURDAY , July 19th, 2014
TIME:  11-2
PLACE:  RSVP for LOCATION
info@jointheheat.com

If you are competing in the WBFF NYC show on the 26th and need last minute help...If you are competing in a show in the future and want guidance....if you have never competed but have thought about competing,  this workshop is for you.  Pro athletes, make up artists, photographers, coaches and trainers will be on hand to provide information on everything you need to know to be 'stage ready'.  Email us today to find out the details and register!!!

info@jointheheat.com

BOOTCAMP this week!!  

                                                                                                                      LOCATION : 59th and Columbus Circle - Meet at the statue


WEATHER PENDING - Be on the lookout for updates just in case the thunderstorms change our plans!!
TIME: 7PM

SUSAN G Komen Race for the CURE

They have already started early registration for the race! We have a team established and we will be planning a few fun runs! Check out the site and email us, support@phoenyxfitness.com. if you are interested in joining the team!

https://race.komennyc.org/

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.

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!

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!!!