Local Mom Spotlight: Exercise is a way of life
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Mo'nique Talks about Being "Skinny"
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Mo'nique has lost 42 pounds recently (down to 220 pounds-which I would not consider skinny but it is definitely a huge accomplishment). This is what she has had to say about her new "skinny" life:
"...I have so much more energy. I can move around better, and that’s what it’s all about. I want to lose more, so I’ll just keep eating better and exercising, and the weight will come off,” she says. “It took time to put in on, and it will take time to take if off. It’s still okay to be big, but let’s be big and healthy. I had to lose some weight to get healthier because I want to be around for a while. I have twin sons who are 3 and a son who is 19, and I want the opportunity to meet their children.”
It is great to see that she is doing it the right way (so many celebrities take the easy way out) and has realistic expectations. And good motivation. It seems like Mo'nique definitely gets it, and I hope that she passes this message along as much as she did her old message.
Like all of us, she has hit a plateau, but she is not discouraged and will keep working towards her goal.
Congrats, Mo'nique!
I am also glad to see that this is being highlighted in popular black magazines. (I guess Jet is considered a popular magazine. Do people still read that?)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Weight lifting helps cancer survivors
A client shared this with me today so I thought I would share it with you all. Doctors used to tell survivors of heart attacks and breast cancer not to lift weights. Now, studies have shown that breast cancer survivors benefit from exercise and lifting weights. Please feel free to pass this article along to those who will benefit from it.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Dance your way to a healthier body
Cardiovascular exercise comes in all sorts of forms, so there is bound to be something out there that you enjoy. If the idea of spending thirty minutes on the elliptical does not sound appealing to you, or you have never been able to bring yourself to run, why not try dancing your way to a healthier you with America's Best Dance Crew's fourth place team from last summer, The Boogie Bots. The Boogie Bots teach a class at The DC Dance Collective on Thursdays at 6:30 pm.
"It's an hour and a half of straight cardio," says Jean Pyun, a regular participant in the class. Just imagine how many calories you can burn (all while having fun) in 90 minutes!
I truly believe that there is a form of cardio for everyone! Why not boogie your way to a healhier you?
If you already attend a fitness dance class, let us know about it! And definitely give us the scoop if you decide to hang with the Boogie Bots.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
FREE Yoga with Vionna on Sunday
Bring your tree pose outside!
I hope you will join me for Even Keel's Outdoor Yoga Class this Sunday. I will be the instructor this week. This class is perfect for brand new as well as veteran yogis.
Who: Anyone interested in practicing yoga outdoors!
When: Sunday, August 16, 2009 from 10:00-11:00 am.
Where: Rock Creek Park - Connecticut Avenue/Cathedral Exit Off of Calvert Street, NW (across the street from Open City). Take 24th Street, NW into the park. We will be at the bottom of the hill in the grassy field on the right hand side (near the exercise stations). You will have to park your car before entering the park.
By Metro: Take the red line to the Woodley Park Zoo/Adams Morgan stop and walk south on Connecticut Avenue. Make a right on Calvert Street and then a left on 24th Street. Walk down the hill into Rock Creek Park. We will be in the open field on right hand side of road.
Other: Participants are encouraged to bring a mat, towel, and water. All levels of students are welcome, although it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of yoga.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
You are what you eat and drink
Back in June I wrote a post entitled "Good and Good for You Too" where I talked about how one high calorie desert can totally wipe out the calories that you burned during your workout.
Well, the same thing goes for your choice in beverages. Did you know that 12 oz of Coke has 155 calories and 40 grams of sugar? And one serving (8 oz) of Tropicana "100% Juice" orange juice has 110 calories and 22 grams of sugar. It is recommended that most people not exceed 40 grams of sugar in one whole day!
Your sports drink might not be as bad but still contains unnecessary calories and sugar. One 8 oz serving of Fruit Punch Gatorade has 50 calories and 14 grams of sugar.
This shows that you should not only watch the caloric and sugar intake in your favorite foods, you should also monitor the beverages that you drink. Just ask LenDale White, running back for the Tennessee Titans. White, 24, has often been criticized for being overweight and not in good football shape, however, he arrived at training camp this summer 30 pounds lighter.
How did that happen? Did he hire a personal chef? NO. Did he go on the South Beach Diet? NO. So what did he do?
"I really got to be honest," White said. "It wasn't a lot of major diet changes. (It was) watching what I drink. I was a big Patron consumer. ... That's what it was. I was drinking a lot, drank a lot of alcohol. I cut that out of my diet all the way. I don't drink at all. I cut the drinking, I stopped drinking for six months. It started falling off," White told Fox Sports.
All he did was stop drinking. In case you are wondering, one serving (1.5 fluid ounces) of Parton (that's tequila for those that are not familiar with it) contains 104 calories, according to The Daily Plate. And that's if you drink it straight. Your mixer will have calories and sugar too.
What was his motivation? The Titan's play off loss to The Baltimore Ravens back in January. According to the article, Titan's coaches and management have definitely taken notice.
How many calories are in your favorite drinks? What would happen if you just cut out high calorie beverages?
And what will motivate you to finally make a change?
It's time for a revolution!
Check out the calories in your favorite drinks and tell us what you find.
Great Places to Swim in DC
I have been enjoying my swim lessons and practicing on my own. And I have learned that DC has some really nice places to swim.
My favorite is the pool at Banneker High School located on Georgia Avenue-right across the street from Howard University. This high school has great (and well maintained) outdoor athletic facilities including tennis courts, a track and a swimming pool. There are actually two swimming pools. One is for small children and the other is for adults and older children. There are lanes for swimming laps in the deeper water but there is also an open area in the shallow water where I swim my laps. They have kickboards that you can borrow and diving boards that they actually let you use. The good thing is that the locker rooms are actually relatively clean. And when you are done, you can hang around because they have chairs around the pool. (You have to get there early to claim one though.)
I love swimming outside under the sun. I have decided that I am only going to swim inside when it is cold or raining.
Well, it rained on Sunday, my designated swim day. So I went to the pool at Takoma Park (in DC not MD), which my clients have been raving about. This place is nice! No wonder they like it so much. The locker rooms are very nice-and big. The pool area itself is huge. There were a lot of people at the pool but it didn't seem like it because it was so big. I had a lane to myself the whole time. There are plenty of props (kickboards, noodles, water weights) available to use. They don't let you use the diving boards though. Small children get a pool all to themselves.
The Takoma Park Pool is located at 300 Van Buren Street, N.W.
DC residents swim for free at these pools. Remember to bring your ID to get in free.
I am getting better at swimming. I just really have to get used to the breathing.
Where do you like to go to swim? In DC or otherwise?
My favorite is the pool at Banneker High School located on Georgia Avenue-right across the street from Howard University. This high school has great (and well maintained) outdoor athletic facilities including tennis courts, a track and a swimming pool. There are actually two swimming pools. One is for small children and the other is for adults and older children. There are lanes for swimming laps in the deeper water but there is also an open area in the shallow water where I swim my laps. They have kickboards that you can borrow and diving boards that they actually let you use. The good thing is that the locker rooms are actually relatively clean. And when you are done, you can hang around because they have chairs around the pool. (You have to get there early to claim one though.)
I love swimming outside under the sun. I have decided that I am only going to swim inside when it is cold or raining.
Well, it rained on Sunday, my designated swim day. So I went to the pool at Takoma Park (in DC not MD), which my clients have been raving about. This place is nice! No wonder they like it so much. The locker rooms are very nice-and big. The pool area itself is huge. There were a lot of people at the pool but it didn't seem like it because it was so big. I had a lane to myself the whole time. There are plenty of props (kickboards, noodles, water weights) available to use. They don't let you use the diving boards though. Small children get a pool all to themselves.
The Takoma Park Pool is located at 300 Van Buren Street, N.W.
DC residents swim for free at these pools. Remember to bring your ID to get in free.
I am getting better at swimming. I just really have to get used to the breathing.
Where do you like to go to swim? In DC or otherwise?
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