It's Summertime!

Summer doesn't have to mean the end of your fitness goals.  Though you may be busy playing at the beach, vacationing, standing in line at Busch Gardens, or desperately trying to entertain your children, you can still manage to maintain a fit lifestyle without too much effort and maybe even win something!

Our summer schedule is posted on the class page.  Sadly we will have to say goodbye to the Zoo Mommy Fit class for now.  10am is too hot and too crowded!  But we will return in September.  We're adding an indoor Mommy Fit bootcamp style class to the schedule, and we have a new location and  time for Play-lates.  We'll also have track workouts with Moms RUN This Town.

Most exciting of all is our Hot Momma Summer Passport!  This rewards program will encourage you and your families to stay active and try new things this summer.  It will be super easy to earn rewards and prizes from some great local businesses including 1BF (of course), The Little Gym of Virginia Beach, Center Stage Dance Company, Fleet Feet Sports, The Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon and more!  Full details will be released on June 12th so be sure to check back then.  In the meantime, soak in the summer and enjoy.

Motivation!

I'm not sure where mine went! I have a goal for this winter season - I'm running my first marathon in March at the Shamrock Marathon.  So I have a training plan set up.  And with classes taking off this winter (thanks to all of you who have been coming to class!), I have a pretty set workout schedule.  But I'm finding some days that I do not WANT to work out!  Part of it is just the weather.  Seriously it's COLD outside!  Sometimes damp, sometimes blustery, but always COLD.  I've always scoffed at the idea of Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D).  However, this year, even with being outside a lot for run training, the dark skies and sub freezing temperatures have affected my psyche.  But I also haven't tried anything new in a while - stepped outside of my comfort zone.  I thrive on challenges.  So I've stocked my next few weeks with new experiences:

• Bikram Hot Yoga
• First out of state race at the Flying Pirate Half Marathon in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
• Promoting my business at my first expo -  Birth and Beyond Baby Expo
• Planning my first race event - details coming soon!

I want to encourage you to try some new things as well.  Coming this March, I will host a 60 day Passport to Fitness.  During this time you will have the opportunity to try many classes, lectures and events from some of my favorite business.  AND you'll have the opportunity to win prizes!

In the meantime, we have plenty of "new" to keep you motivated.  We've returned to The Virginia Zoo on Tuesdays and the First Saturday of each month, we've got lots of run events planned with our running club Moms RUN This Town.  And there are always new exercises at Barre and Play-lates classes.  Hang in there; spring is just around the corner!
Lei

Here we go!

So it's January!  The time for resolutions and, well, regret. We review last year, think about what we didn't accomplish and aim to do better this year.  I wish you all success; however, if you find you need a little help there is plenty out there!

Moms have always worked best with a social network.  Creating  a fitness lifestyle is no different.  You can rely on 1 Body Fitness to be with you through many facets of your tranistion, or continued success, as a fit mother.  In addition to a classes that will accomodate any schedule and interest we have many new offerings this year.

Lactation Counseling:  certified counseling for for new and expereinced mothers
Training Courses:  CPR/First Aid Certification, nursing CERP hours, lacation counseling certification
Nutrition seminars:  from certified nutritionist and dieticians as well as pediatiricians
Running and Fitness Festivals:  fitness and running evets with moms and families in mind

We'll also have great giveaways, discounts to local businesses and group events.  I am so glad that you are part of the 1 Body Fitness social network, and I can't wait to spend the year with you!  L

All of these services can be found under our SCHEDULE and OTHER SERVICES pages.

Ready, set, go!

What is this "Barre" thing anyway?

Ballet dancers are graceful, their movements effortless. Their muscles perform impressive maneuvers while looking sleek, lean and almost fragile. Their cardiovascular stamina is akin to marathoners, and, dare I say it, they barely even sweat! Now yes, of course, some of their physical attributes are the result of genetics. We can't all have mile long legs, narrow hips and body parts that seem to defy gravity. But any ballerina will tell you that there is one aspect of their training that is integral to their strength and stamina - the barre.

This staple of any dance school and every budding ballerina is not a crutch. It's not used to lean on, but rather to adjust - to give you a visual and physical reference of where your body should be in space. At the barre, you can work every muscle in your body, including your heart. Dancers take the training and fundamentals they learn at the barre onto the stage.

We don't have a stage. Or do we? We perform every day to a 3ft tall, demanding audience. We bend, lift, reach, hold and stretch from sunrise to sunset and often long after. The demands of our family, jobs and even exercise regimen take their toll on our bodies. If we run exclusively our back and arms are neglected. Bikers get hunched upper backs and shortened abdominal muscles. Cross-fit enthusiasts can power through dead lifts and seem the most well-rounded, but can often lack the control of smaller muscles. Even yoga practice, which is often seen as a compliment to any exercise program, can lack cardiovascular benefits and have certain aspects that may be intimidating to some.

But at the barre you can receive balance. No heavy weights, hours of practice, complicated exercise names, or expensive equipment. We will incorporate exercises from many different genres using the barre as our home base and also small weighted balls, hand weights and resistance bands. Class is an intensive 57 minutes (random time I know, but it works); you'll feel it for days.

I'm excited to bring this class to you! Two chances to experience the program firsthand.

Information session and mini-demo class

Monday, December 17th, 8:00pm

The Little Gym of Virginia Beach at Landstown Commons

Bring a mat if you have one; RSVP by December 14th on the Facebook event so that I can be sure to bring enough equipment.

Full Demonstration Class (Yay, my barres will be in!)

 

Monday, January 7th, 8:00pm

The Little Gym of Virginia Beach at Landstown Commons

Class is limited to 8 participants; be sure to RSVP on the Facebook event to reserve your space.

See you at the barre!

 



A lifestyle change doesn't take a holiday!

Did you know that the average Thanksgiving meal has over 3,000 calories; yikes.  Now I'm not saying skip the candied sweet potatoes or macaroni and cheese (because I KNOW I won't be!), but eating your favorites in moderation while stacking your plate with veggies will help you to enjoy the beginning of the Holiday Season and not feel regret on Friday.

You also need to remember to MOVE!  So for that reason, I've rearranged the schedule this week to accommodate visitors, kids being out of school, crazy shopping trips and family time, while still allowing you to get in a great workout!

Here's our Thanksgiving Week schedule
Monday:  Mommy Fit Class, 4:00pm at Providence Park
Tuesday:  NO ZOO CLASS
Wednesday:  NO FIELD HOUSE CLASS
Thursday:  Join our Moms RUN This Town Running Club at the 35th Annual Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot
Proceeds benefit the Striders scholarship fund; you can choose 10k or 1 mile distance.
Friday:  Play-lates class 10:30am at The Little Gym of Virginia Beach (this is a temporary change from our usual location at TeaParTea)
Saturday:  Mommy Fit Class, 10:00am at The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk (Remember a Zoo membership or paid entry is required to attend this class; I have a very limited number of free entries on a first come first serve basis; email me at 1bodyfitness@cox.net if you would like to be on the list).

So join us for a class or two this week!  Click on Class Descriptions to purchase your single class pass or 10 block pass.  Oh and check back on Wednesday for a great Small Business Saturday special.  Happy Thanksgiving!