Turbo Kick at the Bobcats Arena

SAVE THE DATE Nov 20th, Turbo Kick at 12:30 and game at 7pm! Bring your friends and family, PLUS the first few that buy tix to the game, get in the HIGH 5 Tunnel! How cool! Purchase tix at: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=bobcats&o=620096&g=923 PASSCODE TURBO

So you want to lose weight...

In college, after my freshman year, I realized not only did I gain the "Freshman 15", but the Freshman 30! I wasn't that concerned because it came on little by little and I didn't really notice until I wasn't fitting into anything I used to own. I just didn't feel good in it.

I had never been "fat" before, but I did stop wearing jeans, because I felt that my thighs were just disproportionate and my waist was so much smaller, that they never fit right. I really got lazy in college... I'd dress up to go out, but my class room attire suddenly became sweatpants every day. On Christmas Break, I got a picture with my friend Lindsay, and when I saw it I was DISGUSTED with how I looked. 

How could I let myself go? How could I be okay with a wardrobe of sweatpants? I had to do something PRONTO.

When I went back to the dorm, I decided I was going to exercise- even if it was VERY minimal. My roommates and I started to walk around the track. At that point, I was like, I don't even KNOW how to RUN properly. I felt like I looked ridiculous. Soon I ventured into that place called the GYM. I was so nervous to go and be surrounded by skinny-minis and buff meat-heads that everyone would stare at me. I headed straight upstairs to the most deserted place and got on the elliptical machine. I'd pick up a magazine and do that forever...

Then the gym became a social thing, an activity, and an escape. Then I got into diet supplements and protein shakes, always researching my way to something that gave me a little more energy and make me a little less hungry.

For a whole summer in Florida with no car and no tv and no beach, I went to the gym religiously and it felt amazing! The gym in Celebration Hospital's Fitness Center had the coolest classes, the toughest instructors, and tons of new machines. It was like I breathed new life! I was first introduced to a sauna and steam room there. I became a new ME. I felt happy, healthy, and I lost all of the weight I had gained.

It wasn't until I changed my lifestyle though, that I changed my look completely. After college, I tested every fitness class the YMCA had to offer and found my favs. I searched the internet and shelves for healthy cookbooks. I started shopping at the Fresh Market and introduced a lot of whole foods into my diet. I recognized that what society says is an acceptable portion is NOT. I realized that MOST Americans are OVERWEIGHT (thank you wii fit- haha). I stopped comparing myself to the people next to me, and made a NEW STANDARD.  I gave myself rewards that were gym-related (heart rate-monitor that measures calories burned, new workout clothes, bootcamps, new tennis shoes, boxing gloves, weighted hand gloves, etc) that made me EXCITED to work out.

FINALLY I found a pair of SKINNY jeans that I felt GOOD in! It was like a whole new wardrobe! Suddenly I could wear so many shirts, too! It feels awesome going into a store and liking most of what you try on! (Granted I know how to dress for my body type, too)

Today I exercise at least 5-6 times a week. I LOVE Turbo Kick, Spinning (indoor cycle), and the squat machine. I also run and ride my bike. I think it's key to find something you love, that draws you in like an addiction- to where you're counting down the hours until you can do it again!

If you're wondering where to start, TRY THIS:
- Join a gym that offers fitness classes you'd like to try or pay the day rate just to check it out!

- Get a motivation partner or a workout buddy. Get ENCOURAGED!

- Make Goals, but don't race to get there... make simple lifestyle changes little by little. (ie start drinking water instead of soda, order less carb loaded foods, buy a fast and healthy cookbook, etc)

- Prepare your meals before hand- don't wait until your starving to make something... have something healthy ready to grab.

- Drink more WATER

- Journal your eating or record it online using this CALORIE COUNTER

- Make a playlist with upbeat music or download PANDORA on your phone!

If you've conquered a weightloss goal or have advice on how YOU stay fit, LEAVE A COMMENT! :)

Equipment: FREE online weight tracker

I just stumbled across a website while I was searching for how many calories my startbucks drink had in it, called Calorie Counter. It is a FREE website that allows you to enter your weight, log your food, log your exercise and calories burned, and it's all in one database. It's sort of like the program that comes with the Body Bugg I mentioned earlier... but it's all the basics. You can keep track of how many calories you've eaten and see how many calories you need to burn at the gym later!

Now that's it's getting closer to my BIG day... I'm cracking down.. well, right after this starbucks! :)

Event: Bootcamp

If you have ever seen FOX News Rising.. Then you know Anna Kooiman. I met her at the Y when she started teaching Turbo Kick and she was such as inspiration. She now puts on these bootcamps every couple of weeks and there is one coming up on Saturday, June 26th, at Freedom Park from 8:30-10pm for $15! What a deal! 

My fiance and I attended her last one, and both had great workouts! From push-ups, to running, to mountain-climbers, to a little turbo-kick.. we burned sooo many calories and had a lot of fun! It was a PERFECT way to start our Saturday! check out getfitcharlotte.com and email her to reserve a spot! (getfitcharlotte@gmail.com)

Recipes: Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie

I just got a new cook book recently from Hungry Girl, called Hungry Girl 1-2-3... the recipes are quick, easy, HEALTHY and the cool part is they make enough for 1 or 2... but you can multiply the portions if you want to feed a family. 

This recipe was so delicious on a hot day. In the book, it's a Cherry-Lemonade drink.. but I made it by using: 8oz water, a Crystal Lite Lemonade pack, and 1/2 c of frozen strawberries. 

I have a knock-off of the "Magic Bullet" blender... the one- serving size blender from Target. So I just fill up my cup with the ingredients above.. and blend away. It's PERFECT on these tremendously hot days... without the guilt!

Become a FAN on their facebook page and get FREE recipe updates ... they also have some on their website as well!

Equipment: Body Bugg

I JUST heard about this awesome new device... seen on the Biggest Loser. Since, I don't have tv in my home, I may just be catching on to the newest craze.. BUT I definitely want IN!

Have you ever wanted to know EXACTLY how many calories you burn? Have you ever wondered why you work out, but you don't see results? Well, this could be the answer to helping you FINALLY reach your weightloss goals.

The Body Bugg records a personalized evaluation of how many calories you burn, your heart rate, and how many calories you consume. It works with your computer and allows you to track your individual progress. You may think you can count your calories burned on the Treadmill or Eliptical... but that number is most likely false... or a guess-timate of what your actually burning. For instance, if you are a great runner, it may be easy for you to run at 6.0 for 30 minutes, where the rest of us would die... our heart rates would be 80-90% or greater (burning more calories) than the runner who may be at 40-50% of their max (burning less). You can't go by the machine's calculator.

I have a heart rate monitoring watch, which is helpful, but I don't wear it all day long. I also have to keep pressing my thumb on the monitor to get an accurate reading. However, the Body Bugg, can be worn all day ( on your arm or wrist) and it calculates automatically. You can go online and enter the calories you've eaten and see what you still need to burn!

They also have an i-phone app!

They run about $175+ for the Body Bugg, plus the web based program fee which incurs after the first 6 months. I have SEEN how these work, and I CANNOT WAIT to get one for myself!

Check out more on the Body Bugg here:
http://www.24hourfitness.com/training/bodybugg/

The bodybugg® personal calorie management system

WorkOuts: Turbo Kick

On Saturday, I stepped-up to accomplish a goal of mine-- becoming a Turbo Kick instructor! What is Turbo Kick? Well, it's basically a dance party... but since I'm not really a "dancer," I focus on the choreographed routine with moves that accelerate your heart rate causing you to burn over 800 calories an hour!! Say GOODBYE to love handles.. and hello hip flexor muscles, abs, and no more flabby arms!

Turbo Kick can be whatever YOU make it! If you feel like having a "lighter" work out, or you just want to have some fun... or if you miss Cheerleading and learning routines, you can find your niche without even realizing how many calories you're burning! 

On Saturday, we had 8 hours of hard core training. I burned a whopping 4232 calories! That's more than a POUND! 

My goal is to start getting some groups together to practice my teaching and to get everyone turbo-kicking their butts into a healthier lifestyle. 

KEEP POSTED for upcoming Turbo Classes!

Turbo Kick Round 40