Transformation Tuesday!!!!!

(Wo)Man in the Mirror....

Toyosi has been with Phoenyx Fitness since December of last year. Her story is actually funny, because she joined our class in ERROR. She had signed up for a class that was in our building, but wasn't our class. She showed up for the class and I thought it was strange that she wasn't on our roster, but I was going to ask her about it the next time she was there. When I saw her in class, I asked her for her confirmation and she showed it to me. It was for a different class, but she loved ours! She reached out to the original arrangement and was allowed her money back, and OFFICIALLY signed up with us. :)  There are NO accidents! Read Toyosi's story!

I got really concerned about my weight in November of 2013,  when I saw a video of myself in a gold dress at the Children of Chernobyl gala.  I had interviewed the organizer of the gala (for my school project) but couldn't use it in the final editing because my tummy would have been a distraction to any one watching. As journalism students we've been taught to make sure nothing distracts our viewers from the story. This was my wakeup call.....I weighed about 157 pounds then.

I changed my diet completely and started this bootcamp a few weeks after that. Got a nutritionist as well to make me a meal plan. I figured the more money I spent, the more serious I'd be and ..it worked! :)

I lost 9lbs in 3 weeks.

Right now I weigh 141lbs, and at my lowest I weighed 136lbs.

 I'm not the most disciplined or organized person but losing weight has made me realize that I can accomplish any and everything I set my mind to.

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

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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

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

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.

Monday Bulletins!!!!!

It's week two of our outdoor season and DAY #3 is this evening!!! We will be in the same spot as last week this week, at the entrance of Columbus Circle and 59th Street.

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 59th Street and COLUMBUS Circle
DATE Monday and Wednesday the 12th and 14th
TIME 7-8PM BE on time or you will be left!

ZUMBA 

LOCATION Pearl Studios, 500 8th Avenue
DATE Thursday the 15th
TIME 7-8PM

We are doing another special drop in rate for Zumba! Join us this week!

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