LEAN BODY LIFE ESSENTIAL #8...

Patience!

I have been thinking about this a lot lately,and noticing a great lack of it in people- from waiting in line at Starbucks to getting on and off the subway... to weight loss. As much as would like to use this opportunity to vent and rant about the impatient woman at starbucks or the man who pushed me on the trian, I shall refrain (kind of). What I want to address is our impatience with our bodies. This is something I myself have been struggling with lately. Some of you readers know that I had abdominal surgery in November of last year. Before the surgery I was in the best shape of my life. Now am in good shape by any standard, but I can't help but wanting to rush the process of recovery and restrengthening, and get right back to where I was before. I finally had to remind myself that I didn't get into the best shape of my life overnight in the first place, so why should getting back into it be any different? I have been much happier and able to focus on my body as it is right now. I'm doing my best to take care of it and strengthen it and the rest will fall into place. If you are looking for a way to tone and strengthen your body for life, Pilates is definitely for you. If you are looking for a way to drop 10lbs in 2 days... I believe there is some sort of "cookie diet" you can try...

Riiiight.

I'M BACK...

on the BLOGwagon! I am slightly ashamed of the amount of time that has passed since my last post. Which I suppose added to it, because when I am embarrassed or feel bad about something, I tend to avoid it... not my best quality, I admit.

That being said I have a confession to make... In my quest for a healthy body, mind and overall life there is something that I have been neglecting- my teeth! I brush twice a day and floss- sometimes, but I have been avoiding the dentist like the plague, mostly out of fear and shame that I hadn't been in so long. I know. I know. Ridiculous! Yesterday this neglect came back to bite me in the you know what.

I was in so much pain that I was forced to swallow my shame, and fear and call a dentist (who had been recommended to me about a year ago, by the way). Long story short, he was super- absolutely not to be feared- and I had to have a root canal due to a broken filling. Not the best day of my life, and it could have TOTALLY been avoided had I just gotten routine check ups like a good girl.
It doesn't matter how much you work out or how well you eat, if you are not taking care of your teeth and gums, you can't have a completely healthy body. I recently read a quote from Sarah Silverman: "Death creeps in through your gums." I will remember this next time I am too tired to floss, or avoiding the dentist. A little maintenance goes a long way. It can save you a world of pain and stress, and not to mention, a lot of money. Plus... IT'S YOUR SMILE, why wouldn't you take care of it?

So I am out of my blog funk and done avoiding things. Expect to hear from me again soon...

WELCOME TO THE WORLD...

Violet Ruby Zugel!

One of my best girlfriends gave birth to this amazing little lady on March 15th and I couldn't help but show her off...
Plus this picture is just amazing and will surely make anyone who sees it smile! I love her.

MY NEW FAVORITE TOY...

The Mini Ball!

I recently took a workshop with Linda Farrell on incorporating this little toning gem- a "mini" version of the large inflated balance ball you all may be familiar with- into my classes (and workouts). It looks relatively harmless, but I assure after one hour with the mini ball you'll understand why its my new favorite toy. It's a great way to rev up classic Pilates mat exercises. There are so many ways to use it...

Squeeze it:
- between the inner thighs
- between the shins
- between the palms

OR

Roll it/Balance on it:
- underneath the feet
- underneath the palms
- behind the lower back
- underneath the side waist
- underneath the pelvis/hips

AND WHEN YOU ARE DONE...

Take a nap on it:
- underneath the head and neck ;)

IF THIS IS HEALTH FOOD...

Sign me up!
I have made this amazing Lemon-Walnut Chicken from a recent Fitness Magazine for dinner three times now, and every time it rocks my world. I substituted the brown rice for quinoa (another new obsession) and also made brussels sprouts (surprise, surprise) and most recently asparagus to go with it. Eating healthy has never been so easy and tasted so good! It just goes to show that you do not have to sacrifice flavor to eat well. Try this and more flat-belly recipes here!

image: Fitness

WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME...

And they're always glad you came!
You all know how it goes, but I say: Why does this familiar tune only have to refer to your neighborhood bar? What about your neighborhood Pilates class ( or any class for that matter but I am slightly biased)...


One of the greatest reasons for taking a group fitness class is community. You are surrounded by people who, like yourself, are trying to incorporate fitness into their lives. I have a strong group of "regulars" in all of my classes, and we all delight in seeing each other week to week. Many people shy away from classes because they are afraid for one reason or another:
-everyone will be better than they are
-they are not in good enough shape
-the instructor will judge them
Rubbish! Having other people around you when you exercise can be a very good thing... And it's not just the teachers who may motivate or inspire you, but the other students as well. In fact, I had an experience in a class of mine that was the inspiration for this post...
A connection was made between two women who were new to my class (and Pilates in general). After class one women said to me "I am a woman on a mission... I just quit smoking, and I am trying to lose weight and get healthy." The other woman chimed in "I haven't smoked in 13 months... I promise you it gets easier!" This led them into a deep discussion, and they were still talking when I left the gym. It was so wonderful to see these women form that bond after my class. And I am confident they will be back (and maybe even be regulars), because now they know they are not alone. So don't feel shy or apprehensive about taking a class. You never know who will be on the mat next to you and what they might have to offer.

SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS...

Makes me happy! It is truly a BEAUTIFUL day in the neighborhood! It's amazing what some sunlight, blue sky and about 15 degrees can do... I have been feeling the negative energy-zapping effects of those cold, gray February days. Last week, I cringed at the thought of leaving my house. I wanted to hibernate on my cozy couch. Today I suddenly feel rejuvenated and motivated! Not only was I excited to get out of the house, but I RAN to teach my class... and then I RAN home! It was glorious to breathe in the outside air and sweat with the sun on my face (SO much better than trudging to and from the gym in clunky winter boots, down coat, hat, scarf and gloves, fighting wind and rain or snow). I also noticed that my students were working extra hard today. They must have caught the sunshine bug too! If you are like me and let the winter get you down, take advantage of a day like this, and go out and DO something. Let the sun work its motivational magic and MOVE you!