Monday, June 04, 2007

my curtsy lunge

I just read this article in Forbes online about David Kirsch and his "reverse crossover lunge" -- and screamed (to myself) "that's my curtsy lunge!" I have a love-hate relationship with celebrity trainers; they are so inspiring and yet I feel like the are cheating.
Cheating because they steal my moves? Of course not. A good idea is a good idea, and the "great minds" cliche applies here.
David Kirsch wrote a decent book, The Ultimate New York Diet, but is best known for getting Heidi Klum in runway shape just weeks (like three months) after giving birth. Ok, I'll be fair, kudos to David. His diet book and his exercises are based on solid fitness principles.
But... before you go trying to Google & hire this $400-per-hour guy, take a good look at Heidi Klum. And her 30 inch torso. As my Mr. Right says, "How can you screw that body up?"
Seriously, I think as long as you didn't sit there and feed her donuts for an hour, you're a shoe-in success. Being Heidi Klum's personal trainer is about the best gig around.
On a less serious (more serious?) note, a couple brief yoga thoughts...
At the end of meditation sessions in a good yoga class, you'll hear some inspirational, warm fuzzy messages. Recently I took a very good class and the instructor offered empowerment to "let go of what is no longer serving you." Wow. Think about that one. It actually encouraged me to move my EQ2 group to a different location (read on).
I took a training class yesterday from Paula Tortolano and didn't know I could get so excited about Trikonasana (triangle pose). Can't wait to show you all I learned. Going back tomorrow to learn more on backbends.
Cool Things Going On:
New sessions of "Equilibrium: Balanced Fitness for Women" start this week at the community center. More times, including a 9:00am for you teachers who want to go to school feeling super fit in the fall.
You long-time Eq clients need a boost. The energy was beginning to lull in our last few classes (yes, you worked hard, but you're falling into a "routine") and I am going to "kick it up a notch" as Emeril would say. Email me for details (times, locations, etc).
Create a healthy day,
Angela

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

this is your brain on yoga

One more hello from Alaska.
A reminder of the Memorial Day workshops:
I will be doing a Yoga Masterclass on Saturday morning and a workshop on Monday morning.
If you're intrigued by the above steps, plan to attend the workshop on Monday and learn all eight, as well as more about chakras and the basics of meditation. This workshop is like a mini-retreat, and runs from 9:00 to 11:00 am. It includes a learning session (hopefully outdoors if weather is nice) and a mini-class; email me at AngelaBroderick@aol.com for info.
Create a Phit day, and remember, there are 24 hours in each day, take one for you.
Angela
http://www.phitchicks.com
http://www.angelabroderick.com

Thursday, May 10, 2007

"what's age got to do with it?"

This week the Phit Chick news is inspired by Gail Sheehy, author of the famed Passages and her latest, >>> and the Seasoned Woman. In a recent interview Ms Sheehy talks about recharging passion, and, yes, dear readers, once again you can guess the magic answers...
"When I start losing interest, it's usually because I feel fat and unhappy. I go on a salmon-and-salad regimen and become a gym rat until I feel attractive to myself again, and my husband's interest follows."
Hmmmm. Is it just me or is every author and expert (from skin care to parenting to business success to s. e. x.) advising healthy nutrition and exercise?
Not into books? Let's go to Hollywood...Helen Mirren was everywhere this past awards season. Click here (it takes a second, but it's impressive) and take a look at the beautiful back on this 61 year old actress -- I bet she can do 100 pounds on the lat pull down machine.
Our days of exercising less because we're older are GONE! Too busy? Too tired? That just means you need it more.
Take a cue from 76-year old Oscar winner Clint Eastwood:
"I do something every day—from walking or running to really hitting it hard in the gym, doing cardio or lifting weights. I've always been interested in fitness; it's never been a fad thing with me. These days, I just make sure that I'm more consistent, more dedicated.
As you get older, you have to keep at it more diligently."
So there's your motivation. This man is winning Academy Awards in his late 70's, supposedly in talks to direct Angelina Jolie in an upcoming film, and he works out every day.
So do something every day, including Saturday. This Saturday the walking club will meet on the Liberty Square, in front of Quotations dress shop at 7am. Quotations owner, the very well-dressed Phit Chick Vicky, will be our host.
Regardless fo your age, AARP's "Power Foods" have some great suggestions. And I've put the notes from EQ2's supermarket tour on the website, click here at http://www.phitchicks.com/ and find it on the home page under "Workouts & Handouts."
If you're going to be in town Memorial Day weekend, I'll be teaching a yoga master class Saturday morning, and a workshop on Monday morning -- more details in next week's newsletter.
Create a healthy weekend [member_name_first], and remember, there are 24 hours in each day, take one for you.
Angela
http://www.phitchicks.com/
http://www.angelabroderick.com

Saturday, May 05, 2007

race season

Almost forgot: several races coming up, including the Mother's Day Run/Walk. Get yourself signed up so you'll get yourself moving!

Thursday, May 03, 2007

sharin' sharon's story

Yet another amazing Phit Chick tells her story....
My name is Sharon Muir. I am 35 years old, the wife of Rob and mother of 3 year old, Ethan. I have rheumatoid arthritis. I was diagnosed with this chronic illness 10 years ago. I take many medications to control my disease and take pain medication 3 times a day. My goal more than weight loss is to live a healthy life in a more healthy body. I am acheiving that goal by eating healthy including adding more veggies to my daily diet and eating smaller portions. In January 2007, I began taking the Women's Equilibrium Class. I have taken the class for 4 months now and have lost 10 lbs. Since 2005, I have slowly lost a total of 30 lbs. The most current 10 lbs. just melted off due to reshaping my body and reshaping my daily diet.

Do something amazing for yourself in May [member_name_first] -- from our very own Phit Chicks here are a couple ideas:
The Hillcrest Run/Walk on May 19, click here if you want more details, or email Phit Chick Denise, she has put a team together.
The Mother's Day run in Corporate Woods -- a 5K at 8:00am -- click this website for more info.
And of course, put Equilibrium on that list -- we start our May sessions next week, May 7th.
The walking club will meet at William Jewell College this week, in front of the Mabee Center. Saturday at 7am -- be there!
Have a good weekend, and remember, there are 24 hours in each day, take one for you.
Create a healthy day~
Angela
http://www.phitchicks.com/
http://www.angelabroderick.com/
Thanks to our walking club sponsors:
Quotation’s is a lovely women’s boutique located at 17 N. Water St. on the historic Liberty Square. Quotation’s carries unique fashions, accessories and small gifts. You’ll find service and a friendly shopping atmosphere when you visit.” Or “Quotation’s is a women’s boutique located at 17 N. Water St. on the historic Liberty Square. Shopping for mother of the bride, graduation, casual and office wear? Quotations can meet your needs, and there are new arrivals daily!”
http://www.phitchicks.com/

Sunday, April 29, 2007

pieces of April

Happy Spring Phit Chicks!
Hopefullly you are making plans for your own "blooming" along with nature.
Use spring's built-in inspiration -- take in some sunshine and pump up your circulation tomorrow morning -- walking club will meet at the front doors of the Liberty Community Center at 7:00am. Live with intention. Make a decision now to be there, and show up. It'll be a perfect kickoff to a beautiful day.
April has been such a month of learning. This past week alone, I have heard from four women excited about losing weight, gaining spirits and feeling all-round good after taking some me-first steps. One in particular was telling me about her experience with Equilibrium being one of slow but amazing life changes. Exercise is fun; but I once again celebrate being in the business of inspiration not perspiration.
I was happy to discover that NetFlix also carries exercise videos, and ordered Shiva Rea's Creative Core Abs -- it is quite possibly the most beautiful exercise video (dvd) ever made. It's set in the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. It's like belly dancing on the mat. The first section is almost a modern dance performance. The third section is bit wild, and you won't see it in my classes, but the whole thing is just beautiful. See the talented Shiva in action here.
Phit Chicks are eco-friendly chicks, and I think you'll like www.GreenwithGlamour.com for cool gifts and fun stuff.
I want these messages to be a bright spot in your day, but I must pay a brief tribute to another working gal/yoga teacher, a talented journalist and remarkable soul, Miss Julie Campbell -- with only two weeks left in her Peace Corps tour, tragedy came upon her. I took Julie's class years ago during a free evening of a business trip. Reflecting on this, and the horrific event in Virginia this week, I think about my ache-y knees, dirty laundry, looming work deadlines and take delight in my blessed life.
Create a healthy day~
Angela
www.PhitChicks.com
www.AngelaBroderick.com

pieces of April, part two

Hello from the windy city Phit Chicks. Though it's more of the rainy city today. Yesterday I returned from Washington DC, where I got to visit Tranquil Space, named one of the 10 most beautiful yoga studios by Conde Naste Traveler magazine. The owner Kimberlie has some fun podcasts on her website if you want to listen to some cool, interesting women interviewed.
Speaking of cool, interesting women, a big thank you to Phit Chick Vicki for being one of our three walking club sponsors. Vicki owns "Quotations" a dress shop on the square in Liberty. Yummy clothes! And constantly new stuff. A visit to Quotations is a must for any hip-dressed Phit Chick. Read more about Quotations below.
Tomorrow morning the walking club will meet at the front doors of the Liberty Community Center again at 7:00am.
Yesterday I landed in KC, hurried home, repacked the bag and ran back to the airport to head to Chicago. After working a few hours advocating for access to quality health care, I'm excited to tour some funky fitness clubs and yoga spaces.
Have a good weekend and remember, there are 24 hours in each day, take one for you.
Create a healthy day~
Angela

Monday, March 19, 2007

Phit Stuff for Spring

Got a list of phit (as in hip, cool, and "fit" for a terrific gal like you) stuff for you to check out.

YOGA
This weekend I am headed for another continuing education workshop to learn more yoga. I am anxious to share with you all the wisdom of Aadil Palkhivala, including new stuff on twists, backbends, inversions and joints.

BOOKS
Between all the reading and research and class design, I sometimes think I'm going to meet myself coming and going in fitness. But it's all about BALANCE, and since I'm a firm believer in walking the talk, I've also commited several hours to nuturing the creative Angela, and I learned a great deal from Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women. It's on my nightstand right on top of Fearless Living and about a dozen others. Gotta get caught up on that reading (not that that is a dreaded task).

JEANS
Need new jeans for spring? Well, it only takes a few minutes in most dressing rooms for me to believe that I have one woman's waist and another woman's thighs. Save some self-esteem bashing in the dressing room; check out www.ZAFU.com -- thank you phit chick sister Karen for this link -- answer a few quick questions about whether the waist is usually too big, etc, and find a list of jeans that fit you (of all prices).

Everybody loves a new t-shirt. And what is more fun than your very own Phit Chicks t-shirt. The designers unveiled their spring collections weeks ago, but the Phit Couture t-shirt for spring 2007 will be a fun one you don't want to miss. All you have to do is show up for at least two workouts during our Spring Fling.

Since women follow through commitments made to others, but not always on commitments made to themselves, here's your chance to assure you show up for a Spring Fling Workout. Click here and RSVP for the workouts you'll attend. In the comments section, indicate your t-shirt size: M, L, XL or XXL.
You don't want to leave a chick out several bucks for a t-shirt, so you'll show up. Get the workouts on your calendar, go online and RSVP, and we'll see you there.
I know there's lots going on. Make a little time in Spring Break for you. Go to www.Phitchicks.com and click on "Spring Fling" to save your spot.

Spring Fling Workouts planned

Here is the correct handout for our Spring Fling workouts!

Sorry about yesterday's error. A lesson with cyber mail -- clicking 1/8 inch from where you shold and you've just sent 300 women the wrong handout!

So, another try: Get that calendar out -- it's time to plan for the Phit Chick's Spring Fling.
Liberty school’s are closed April 2—6, but no BREAK for you, Phit Chick! Get tone and trim and enjoy some sweat & laughter at these special workouts…

Outdoor Circuit
Join our soccer-coach, Phit Chicks trainer and all-round cool gal Laura Sorens for a 45-minute circuit of strength & your choice of jogging or power walking. Tuesday, April 3rd @ 9:00am

Retro Sweat Circuit
Get ready for shorts & no-sleeves in this circuit workout to 60’s,70’s and 80’s tunes.
Calories-B-Gone! Wednesday, April 4th @ 8:00—9:00am

Man Camp (Bring him!)
Golfer? Couch Potato? Main Squeeze?
All men welcome in this manly class featuring testosterone-friendly yoga poses & core strength exercises. (NOTE: We've moved this from the original Saturday date so childcare will be available at the community center.)
Thursday, April 5th 5:30—6:25pm

Cardio Salsa~
Muy Phit, Cliente Chicas will sweat our way through simple steps to hot Latin tunes. Bring your teenagers, bring your girlfriends, bring anybody who can say “cha, cha, cha.”
Thursday, April 5th, 6:30—7:10 pm

Pilates Circuit
My trainer friend Tina says this workout “gets your body hummin’” — gotta give it a try.
Thursday, April 5th, 7:10—7:45pm

All Phit Chicks are welcome. Use the "send to a friend" link at the very top of this newsletter.
Spring break will never leave you in such good shape. Go to www.PhitChicks.com and rsvp for a class today!
Or, email me here and let me know what you will attend.
Create a healthy day~
Angela
www.PhitChicks.com
www.AngelaBroderick.com

Thursday, March 08, 2007

fashionable fitness

One of my secret past-times is reading fashion magazines. No, I'll never own a $5k dress, but the fabrics and colors and sparkly accessories are just girl fun for me. In this month's Bazaar, it was fun to read the suprising mind-set of jet-setting, successful fashion designer John Galliano. Here's an excerpt for you....
Though he used to be the poster boy for all-night partying, Galliano now keeps to a 13-hour-a-week keep-fit habit, with different trainers for weights, boxing and aerobics. (He even runs on Christmas day.) His eating patterns have acquired a scientific reference: slow-burning carbs leading up to a show when he's doing as many as 40 fittings a day. "I'm responsible for 800 people's mortgages and 15 collections a year," he retorts. "You bet I train like an athlete."

I think that's intriguing because we are so accustomed to hearing how our priorities and pressures of life keep us to busy to exercise. Obviously using it as a reason to keep exercise as a priority works better.

I sometimes find it's just hard to fit in enough cardio, and I'm really excited about a new exercise product. Jumping rope is probably the best cardio you can get -- it doesn't take much space and it gets your body into incredible shape. The new Jump Snap is genius -- you won't trip on the rope! I set us up for a Phit Chicks group discount, so if you consider buying it jot down discount code 20JSINSTR because that'll get you 20% off.

I was recently introduced to a terrific networking tool -- it's like an online version of six degrees a la Kevin Bacon, but even better. Check out http://www.linkedin.com/ -- you can easily and quickly register yourself, introduce friends and connect to all kinds of people. Connect to me when you get on there and then email your friends. It's really fun to watch your contacts increase.

What does make-up guru Bobbi Brown say is the best thing for your skin? Hint: it's not a beauty product. Find out by clicking here.

We launched our March Equilibrium's this week, and with our week of spring break workouts (more on that soon) it's still a really good deal to sign up for March -- email me for details. The spring break workouts will include:Phit Chicks "Man Camp" -- bring him!
"Yoga at Home" workshop
Salsa Sweat, a latin cardio class followed by some ab work that'll give "sharing a six-pack with a friend" new meaning,
and several new circuit workouts.

More on the "fashion" front...my all-time favorite workut wear is still Athleta, but I recently got a great deal (under $20!) on a sports bra I love at One Hanes Place. I'm also in love with the organic clothing from Blue Canoe soft & yummy yoga pants.

One more thing: runners & walkers mark your calendar for April 14th, the JayDoc Fun Run organized by KU Medical Students benefits their free clinic.
Make it a healthy day~
angela
Angela Broderick, MA
http://www.phitchicks.com/
angelabroderick@aol.com

Friday, January 26, 2007

winter soul-stice

from Dec 21st Phit Chicks newsletter....

Happy Winter Solstice [member_name_first]!

Today (if you're reading this Thursday) is the shortest day(light) of the year.

On a day of shortened light, ponder a few seconds on this ahppy thought...

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." ---- attributed to the Buddha.

And, if you're reading this on Friday, happy first day of winter.

I -- along with Mandy, Mendy, Maureen, Laura and Laurel -- would like to take a moment to send a special thank you for a wonderful year in this relationship of business, fitness and friendship.

All my December travels have allowed me mucho magazine reading time; there's literally nothing in the news stand that I haven't at least skimmed the December issue. My favorite: a quote from
Cameron Diaz in Self: "You're responsible for your body. People seem to take better care of their cars." Speaking of Miss Diaz, she shows us how sexy a woman's back can be on the cover of W magazine. For heaven's sake, I wanted to start doing pull-ups right there in the airport. Visual proof of what a well-defined shoulder and back can do for your entire physique. On with the strength training!

And Women's Health (which I think is new) featured a two-page spread of some very effective core exercises, including the tried-and-true plank. Those of you who are career gals will love this new magazine Pink -- it's a combination of Oprah's magazine and Fortune.

And I promise this is the last time you'll hear this from me....the average woman gains 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years. Keep moving.
For your calendar: the "Santa Buster," an aerobics class, will be at 8:00am on Dec 26th at the Liberty Community Center. And the next session of Equilbrium classes begin the second week of January, email me if you have any questions.
Enjoy the season, and we hope to see you in many new classes beginning January 7th! One last thing: put on your best Dr Suess voice and click here to read a special holiday message.
Have a wonderful holiday,
angela

a week of amazing chicks

The week started with some dissappointment as the ice forced me to cancel my Sunday morning favorite yoga. But the forced "day off" was the beginning of a pretty wonderful week. I have a new elliptical and it sits right in the living room and I'm happy to report that I"ve been on it six of the past seven days for at least 30 minutes. It's not a real expensive model, and tends to rock side-to-side if you aren't careful. I look at it as encouragement to keep my core stable. :)

I've been lucky to see firsthand how cool it is to watch women on different paths and in different phases support each other. One amazing chick who always makes me laugh out loud is columnist Lisa Kogan. She tries to point out the commonalities we have as women in an article on expanded families for children of working mothers:

But I don't want to fight with you, Miss Nebraska. I've had enough of red state/blue state, your god or mine, tastes great versus less filling. The planet is divided enough at this point, so I'm officially calling for a cease-fire, a moratorium on snarkiness, or at the very least a modicum of tolerance. We are better than this—we are women. We crave potato products, we read witty novels, we notice shoes, we follow our gut, we try to keep men from becoming violent, and believe it or not, Miss Nebraska—there's one more thing we have in common: When all is said and done, we both want the best for our families.
Very good points...click here to read the whole thing, which is quite funny.

Friday night, another amazing chick, photographer Annie Liebovitz. At a Rainy Day Books event, I watched a slide show of her photos and got her to sign my book. Annie has a amazing and enviable career, starting at age 19 being a photographer for Rolling Stone magazine and currently shooting covers for Vanity Fair and Vogue. I admire the guts this woman has. One of the photos in her book is her, pregnant at age 51. Yes, I said 51. That baby is now five years old, and she also has baby twins. And she's signing 1,000 books on Friday night. The Q&A surrounded photography, but I so wanted to raise my hand and ask her what she did to keep her energy up.

Now, about last week's challenge of creating micro-goals, well, Phit Chicks, you were so impressive!

Of all the amazing women I encountered this week, you are at the top of the heap. I heard from so many of you, and you all had several goals -- good ones! Way to many to list here, but in case you haven't written your micro-goals yet (the best ideas are stolen), here's a few really good ones:
Lori is going to get a Sam's membership and check out a food sealer so she can prepare meals for her family and eat out less often. She decided she's going to know what's for dinner before 5:00. (Do you know what's for dinner tonight?)
Jan is going to order Grande's instead of Venti's at the coffee shop, and walk her dog around the track twice instead of once.
Karen is going to do push-ups and sit-ups during commercials on TV night.
Debby is going to read food labels and look for info about sugar & flour and learn more about the Glycemic Index.
Trisha is going to keep a food journal and include info on how she feels when she's eating. Susan is going to walk on her lunch hour and put air in her stability ball. (You're not alone Susan, I talked to five people this week who haven't aired-up their ball.)
Laura is going to drink water when she's hungry, and noted that 2 out of 3 times, water is what her body really wants (smart, smart, smart!).
If you want to truly make a healthier change this year, write three micro-goals. Email me yours by clicking here. There's still time to get in on that yoga CD.

Speaking of which, I stayed away from the chocolate this week. And I made a really yummy cabbage dish for dinner. Phit Chick Trish told me about a recipe that used cabbage and frozen peas. I didn't remember all of it, so I made up this one...
Get a bag of pre-sliced cole slaw in the bagged salad area of the grocery store
Go to the salad bar and get a small container and fill it with purple cabbage, green onions and red onions
Get a very small bag of sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
Then, warm a bit of olive oil in a deep pan. I minced up a couple cloves of garlic first, we always have that in our kitchen. Then add the red onions (from salad bar mix). Then the bag of cole slaw for a couple minutes. Then the purple cabbage and green onions (scallions). It takes no time to cook. Top with sunflower seeds and enjoy!
Nice and colorful, chock full of nutrients, and I bet your kids, hubby, or S.O. will love it -- the tiny bit of olive oil and the sunflower seeds make it more flavorful than they are used to leavey veggies being.
Well, here it is midnight and it's looking like Mother Nature is going to force me to cancel class again tomorrow which makes me really nuts -- we're going to be making up January classes until August. While I'm getting over that, here's a few upper body strength exercises you can do with one simple set of dumbbells. Stay warm & safe.
Be amazing this week~
Angela

Friday, September 01, 2006

Downsizing led to Expansion!

I'm so very proud to introduce the new Phit Chicks trainers. Top row from left: Laura Sorens, Laurel Brooks, Maureen Anderson. Front row from left: Mendy Shriver, yours truly and Mandy Froehlich.
Thanks to clients weight loss (well, more often new friendships and fun than weight loss), we have an overwhelming need for more Equilibrium classes. What an exciting fall we are going to have!

Lose the WAIT -- plan a healthy fall

I have loads of good info to share this week, especially in the "feel good about your life" arena (my favorite!)

The learning-junkie that I am, I just returned from a conference in Boston. I heard Jim Collins of business book fame talk about differences between Good and Great. Jim is from the social sciences world, but has published bestsellers on how businesses and non-profits can apply social science research results to move their organization from Good to Great.
Funny how many of his principles also apply to moving our personal lives from Good to Great. Here are my favorites:
1. "Who's on the bus is more important than where the bus is going"
2. The "Don't Do" list
3. The signature of mediocrity is inconsistency.

First, "Who's on the bus." In this world of goal setting, strategic planning, forecasting, and Outlook-ing our progress, it's interesting to me that WHO we work with, WHO we hang out with, and WHO we collaborate with will make more of a difference in our success than what we plan.

Think about how many people you are around on a daily basis that are a positive influence on your health. As I've told most of you "You live in one of the fattest cities in America. You're going to have to be unique in your habits and decisions or you're going to be fat too."
Still believe that. More than ever. Make a list of your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors. How many of them have you shared fattening meals, Bunko binges or happy hours with? How many of them have you taken a walk or exercised or played a game of tennis with? There's your proof. It's simply not in our Midwestern culture to socialize in a healthy way.

Which leads to another Angela-ism about exercise class: you simply have to surround yourself with healthy people if you want to be healthy. And realistically, we will always have a number of people we love who choose unhealthy lifestyles, so it becomes critical to spend time with people with healthier mindsets.
So here's my plug: fall sessions of Equilibrium start soon, have you registered? The walking club this Saturday -- is it on your calendar? Who's on the bus that shapes your personal life? Put some inspirational, happy-to-be-healthy riders in a few of those seats.

The "Don't Do" List
I'm a child of the late eighties & nineties, of goal-setting and day planners and To Do Lists. And several lightbulbs went on this week when I realized that I need a different list. A "Don't Do" list. Things I need to learn to automatically say "NO" to.
We know women aren't good at saying no. And if we were to be really honest, the real confession is, we think we are more loving and more caring if we are one of those women who can't say no. I mean really, what kind of heartless witch can tell the PTA "no?" It's just pat on our own back to say that we can't say no.

Here's the kicker: the person you really need to say NO to is yourself. Yes, you.
Yikes. Discipline. Reality.
But it's true. Say no to ice cream at 9:00pm. Say no to that urge to turn on the TV and veg for a couple hours. Say no to a Saturday of retail therapy. Go for a long walk instead and feel better financially and physically. What you don't do is as critical as what you do.

Inconsistency
The signature of mediocrity is inconsistency.
You just have to show up. And keep showing up. Over and over again. And it might be that you drop 20 pounds in three months, but it will probably be that two years later you'll be eight pounds lighter. But that's eight pounds lighter, instead of the five pounds you had been putting on each year. And the alternative? The alternative is to keep getting more tired, more depressed and yes, more fat.
And be careful not to take this idea out of context -- you're going to miss exercise. Maybe for a couple days, maybe for a couple months. The key is to start again. That's how you create consistency. Just show up.

The other important thing I learned at this Boston conference was how procrastination can kill our best intentions. Do you know the basis of procrastination? Procrastination has it's roots in one of four things:
Fear of not knowing what to do.
Fear of success.
Fear of failure.
Fear of being uncomfortable in the short term.
See a pattern here?

Put fear in it's place: make a plan, make a choice, follow through. Action is the perfect antidote to fear.
Remember the title of this email and Lose the WAIT.

A couple announcements:
1) There is a complete list of Equilibrium class times & locations available on the website. (Note to new readers: anything underlined or in color can be clicked on and you'll be linked to more information.) The popular Equlibrium times fill up first, so please check them out and get registered.
2) Next Wednesday, August 30th, I will be doing a workshop "Lean Legs & Core." This is a strength training workshop from 6:30 - 8:00pm and includes a CD of all the 100 exercises we will learn. If you need some variety, this is a great place to get it. Contact me for more information.
3) To better accomodate those involved in Liberty's Fall Festival, we are changing our faux half-marathon to Saturday, Sept 30th at 6:00am. Still could use some water volunteers!
Create a healthy day~
Angela
Angela Broderick, MA

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Cool stuff again

from June 26th enewsletter:
Cool Stuff Going On:

Walking Club meets at Liberty Hospital this Saturday morning at 7:00am. There is a second-floor walkway (over a drive) that connects the hospital to Medical Plaza East. We will meet there. Anyone who is training for the Nike Women's Marathon or just wants to burn a few extra calories will meet at 6:30am. We will swing back by the starting point at 7:00am to pick up the others.

Speaking of Liberty Hospital, a great big thank you to Phit Chick Erin Parde, their CFO, who hooked up us with a sponsor for our fall t-shirts. Thanks Erin! (HINT: Show up to walking club -- the women you'll meet are not only great fun, they're well-connected too!)

It is a holiday weekend, so think colors to keep your nutrition on track. Red wine is full of anti-oxidants, but one glass will supply plenty. White, well, there's a great dip you can make from plain yogurt OR strained, low-fat cottage cheese. Just put either in the blender with your favorite seasonings or dressing mix. The cottage cheese version is ALL protien -- can't beat it.

Green is a much better color than Bleu, especially if you're thinking bleu cheese, or any cheese. A nibble or two won't hurt, but be careful -- those creamy little cubes -- they add up to alot of saturated fat. Try some green, orange, red and yellow veggies.

A big CONGRATS to Phit Chick Laura Mazi, who's getting hitched this weekend! (Click here and scroll clear down to see her photo.)

Cool Stuff to Share:

I was really intrigued by this information on the immune system and keeping it strong.

Group workouts Rock!
Even Oprah says so. Her exact words? "Listen. I've worked out by myself, with a trainer and with a group, and it's definately most fun with a group."

It IS the most fun with a group. I know I've carried on quite enough about our group workouts, Equilibrium: Balanced Fitness for Women. But hear me out one more time gals, as we have some cool plans for fall.

In September we'll debut "Equilibrium: Balanced Fitness for Young Women," which will feature exercise programs for Phit Chicks age 23 - 30. This program will be designed primarily by yours truly, but instructed by a Phit Chick Trainer who is actually young, Mandy Froehlich. With a Master's degree in Exercise Science and many other qualifications, Mandy will lead these gals in sweaty, fun-filled workouts. She'll do a beginners and an intermediate group.

And Pre-Natal Equilibrium will make an encore, taught by mother of three and former parent-child educator Mendy Shriver.
And I"m sooooo excited about Equilibrim Plus, a class exclusively for women a size 18 or larger. The Plus-size group will meet at Modern Physical Therapy, a gorgeous setting with lots of windows and well stocked with the latest in exercise equipment. The plus size group will have NO ONE in the room except other plus-size women and their trainer.

We'll also be offering Equilibrium workouts at Slim & Tone at 10201 North Oak Trafficway, and at Anytime Fitness, at Hwy 291 & I-35. Email me if you want more info on any of these new classes. More instructors and more locations coming too, details next week.

Would still love to share our news, so if you have friends interested in fitness, please use the "send to a friend" feature at the top. Appreciate your help. As always, email me if you have ideas or questions.
Looking forward to seeing you all Saturday morning at Liberty Hospital. Have a safe & happy Fourth of July~
Angela

More cool stuff to share

Cool Stuff to Share:
I think most of you saw the article in the KC Star last Saturday; wanted to share it here just in case.

How many calories are you burning? This calculator is pretty nifty -- it tells you exactly how many calories you burn in a given activity based on your weight -- very personalized.

Father's Day is this weekend, and Dads and families are on our brains. A recent study shows that obesity rates are rising in men and children. Kudos Phit Chicks, but we gotta help out the guys and kids. I've witnessed alot of crazy training going on with youth -- because of their natural resiliency they don't get injured quite as easily, leading parents to think that any trainer who "kicks their butt" is a good trainer. And while ANY exercise is better than none for children, I'd recommend you go to this website and take a look at the "Checklist for Hiring Trainers for Kids and Teens."

Would still love to share our news, so if you have friends interested in fitness, please use the "send to a friend" feature at the top. Appreciate your help. As always, email me if you have ideas or questions.
Looking forward to seeing you all Saturday morning a the community center.
Create a healthy day~
Angela

Cool resources on the web.

Cool Stuff to Share:

I get this cool enewsletter called "Daily Candy" that sends me trends and fun stuff, mostly things you can buy on websites. (Don't click if you tend to overindulge in retail therapy -- easy to spend money on stuff on Daily Candy.) After reading it today, I decided to share a few of my favorite links with you.

Calorie Counter has virtually every food on it.

Laura's Wholesome Junk Food is great for those of you with gluten or wheat allergies, or just wanting a little less guilt in your indulgences.

Nifty insoles for dress shoes -- you gotta take care of your feet! I've recommended Rusty at Metro Walk and Run for your workout shoes, (he gives a 10% discount to Phit Chicks) but you gotta take care of your feet in every outfit.

Yoga Journal still has the best yoga site; and I love the "pose finder."

And my favorite fitness books are on this list at Amazon.

Finally, a couple of requests: I'm working on an article for a small business newspaper, and am seeking information on any small business who actively encourages their employees to lead a healthy lifestyle.
AND...I am quietly seeking sponsors for Walking Club t-shirts in the fall. One of the things I need to do is boost the audience of this newsletter. So if you have friends interested in fitness, please use the "send to a friend" feature at the top. Appreciate your help. As always, email me if you have ideas or questions.

Looking forward to seeing you all Saturday morning a the community center -- hope you can join us to walk!
Create a healthy day~
Angela

Summer Slimdown -- Mission Possible!

Hey there -- feeling up to a slimmer summer? I thought so.

Your mission, should you blah-blah-blah, is to hit the walking club, the community pilates class, a Phit Chicks Weight Training workshop, or the summer Equilibrium sessions.

The new Phit Chicks Weight Training workshops are an information-packed two hours, complete with handouts of over 100 exercises. If you need some variety in your weight lifting routine, check the details below.

Plenty of choices Agent! No excuse for a flabby summer.

And no sighing at the mention of exercise. Getting fit is like a good relationship (or a dangerous mission) -- it's gonna require commitment, prioritization and occasionally, sacrifice.

Like, well, pretty much anything worthwhile.

Here's a couple of ideas to keep your slimmer summer in the front of your brain:
1. Make a brain movie.
I was motivated for a full six months after Mission Impossible II. The image of Tom Cruise's back muscles as agent Ethan Hunt scaled that sky-high cliff made me want to move and sweat. (Darn him for the couch jumping. Live interviews always kill any temporary motivation that you get from a celebrity.)
Hollywood and pro sports are ruining alot of the old reliable brain movies, so you'll have to make your own. A good one for me: when I'm tempted to spend wrecklessly, I watch my "movie" of myself on the porch swing of my ocean-front house. Some people call these dreams. The difference is you have to play out the steps in your brain movie. So when I'm trying to save money, I imagine myself putting those designer jeans I love back on the rack, walking out of the store, and making a larger deposit into my savings account. Then the movie ends with me purchasing that villa on beach front property. The next time I"m faced with what I justify as a need for retail therapy, it's a llittle easier to stay on track to my goals. So, take your health and fitness dreams, add a few specific action steps, and you've got yourself a brain movie. Make sure it has a happy ending, and play it when you're feeling lazy.

2. Stop whining.
When your mind starts playing "Im tired" messages, turn the channel. Go to a station telling you that you're darn lucky to have a healthy body and with a tiny bit of effort you'll be a health diva.

3. Nourish, don't nosh.
If food is going into your mouth, it needs to have one of two distinct purposes: nutrition or pleasure. Eat the lean protien to build your muscles. Eat the colorful vegetables for antioxidants and yummy crunch. Eat the ripe peach for the juicy sweetness (ok, that's both). But be tuned into every bite, and don't let yourself start the hand-to-mouth mindless munching that packs on pounds. If you occassionally indulge in those empty calories (keyword: occassionally!) make sure it's something you love every bite of!

4. Move.
Like I said above, check out a new summer exercise program. The accountability of peers, the scheduled meeting time, and someone else making you move from exercise to exercise will work wonders in your results-to-effort ratio.

Bring your neighbor, your Mom, your hubby, your daughter, your son, your secretary, the checkout clerk at your grocery store to our walking club this Saturday. A buddy to gossip & laugh with only burns more calories!
Time flies when I'm doing all the talking -- make your plan now for a slim summer '06! Good luck, agent.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

From St Pat's Day eNewsletter:

Top o' the mornin' to ya....How about celebrating this St. Patrick's Day with some green foods? What are your favorites? On every list of "Power Foods" or "Must-Eat-Often Foods" appear green stuff: spinach, asparagus, broccoli, kale, and all the leafy greens for folic acid. My favorite green food is sugar snap peas. Yum. If you're indulging in green beer, be smart, be safe and drink alot of water too so you stay hydrated.Remember to join us Saturday to walk!

The Phit Chicks walking club will walk from 7:00 to 8:00am, at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. We will walk outside if possible, but the forecast right now is for rain Saturday.
I will be there to get everybody started, but then I have to take off for St. Louis -- have to be there by noon for a yoga workshop, a refresher course in Sanskrit.

I"ve been asked lately about Foam Rollers. And stability balls. And dumbbells for home.

Here are a few vendors who can provide you with workout equipment:Fitness First -- local, they're in Shawnee and you get your stuff fast!Power Systems-- they sell the VersaBall, which is the best VALUE for home workout equipment available.Resist-a-Ball -- the absolute best of stability balls.Sport Block dumbbells -- win the award for "most space efficient strength training mechanism"Some of you have already registered for the Nike Women's Marathon. The race is Oct 22nd in San Francisco, and there are now over 20 Phit Chicks registered! We are walking the half-marathon, and if you want in our group, we chose 3:30 - 3:45 as our finish time. If you are going to do this event, or are very interested in this event, please email me here. I will start a separate email list so I don't bore the rest of the Phit Chicks with marathon info.

The Candy Woman Can!

From last week's eNewsletter:

I love my job as a fitness instructor, and every now and then I am insanely happy & excited about it. Yesterday was one of those days.

Candy Kerr has been taking my classes since I first moved to Liberty and taught step classes on that hard gym floor. She's been in Equilibrium: Balanced Fitness for Women for over a year now. In January 2005, Candy did 21 push-ups in one minute as part of a fitness test. (Which isn't bad, as the average person her age can only do 10*.) Yesterday she did 29!

That's an increase of almost 50% in the past year! She blew away the "Excellent" category on the fitness charts. And oh yeah, one small detail -- during 2005 when Candy made this amazing progress with her upper body strength, she was diagnosed, treated for and survived Breast Cancer.
Candy's workout buddies knew she left class for a few months, and returned from chemo with very little hair and one hell of an attitude. Everyone was proud of her inner strength. But we had no idea of her real, physical, "I am the queen of push-ups" strength.Incredible.
Give Candy major high-fives in cyberspace, in your thoughts or next time you see her. What an amazing accomplishment. And the coolness didn't end there.
Ms. Laura Shadid, who's weight loss you've heard me mention, oh -- only a million times now, made quite an amazing leap as well. In January 2005 she did three push-ups. Three, that she says with a smile, probably shouldn't have even counted. Yesterday she did over 30. Go Laura!
A reminder that you can click on any text in this blog that's in color/underline and get a link to a website or handout. A couple resources for you today:Some basics on Nutrition and Women's Health, and a host of medical articlesAn interesting tool to calculate your risk for Breast Cancer A handout on the basics of meditation A handout on increasing your sleep savvyJoin us to walk tomorrow at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church -- 7:00am!
Make it a healthy day,
Angela
Angela Broderick, MA
www.PhitChicks.com
*I mention above that the average person Candy's age can do 10 push-ups. I want to point out that is referencing "average' of people who take the test -- not every person. So, once again, Go Candy! You are awesome!