The Hypothermic Half Marathon: Kick Your New Year's Resolution in the Butt

I cannot think of a better way to start off the year by running in, or volunteering at The Hypothermic Half Marathon in Calgary February 11th. If you can get through 21.1 km of running in a Calgary winter- you can do ANYTHING. 2012 is about going above and beyond your new year's resolutions- so DO IT NOW! If you don't feel like you have enough time to prepare now- volunteer! I volunteered three years in a row for races, and on the 4th year I ran an 8km race and the 5th year I ran a half marathon. Being around inspirational runners and seeing their faces when they cross the finish line is the push a lot of people need- including me, to see how amazing it feels to accomplish something so great. So... GO!! Go and cheer, go and help, just go and give support to these amazing athletes- these TRUE Canadians!
Currently, they need 2:00 pace bunny's, marshals, water station personal, start/finish line personal and lead/sweep cyclists. You can contact Bruce Cevraini for more information about how to help out at BCevraini@runningroom.com
We are a community Calgary- let's show our neighbors some support!! I can promise you if you put in even a few hours of volunteer, you will be so inspired for the rest of the day and not be able to wipe the smile of your face. :)

http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=4169

Happy Birthday to Yoga Mandala- but instead of Cake, FREE YOGA!

This weekend, Yoga Mandala has kindly extended a welcoming invite to the community for FREE or by donation yoga for their 5th birthday! Not only that but they will have refreshments, sales on their passes and yoga products and some great door prizes- word on the street is some great ones from Lululemon Athletica! 

All levels are welcome!!! Try someone new, you have no excuse when it's free. Miracles happen when you least expect them! Yoga mandala is at Plaza 34- 3522A 19th street SW and here is the class schedule for the weekend!

Friday: 5:30 to 7pm

Saturday: 9- 1030 am, 11am-12:30pm, 1:30- 3pm, Meditation 12:34 to 1:30 AND DANCE PARTY 8:30 pm TO MIDNIGHT!

Sunday: 9:30-11am, 11:30- 1pm, 2-330pm, Meditation 1:15-2pm, Yin/Yang Yoga 5:30-7pm

See you all there! http://www.yogamandala.ca/

Love your practice; Love your mat

I came across these two websites recently that are great ideas for what to do with your old yoga mat!!! They are really creative and useful!! Unless you have a Manduka that is, with a life time warranty!!

http://www.hellobrit.com/living/20-creative-ways-to-repurpose-old-yoga-mats/

http://life.gaiam.com/article/50-ways-reuse-your-yoga-or-fitness-mat

"Elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness"

I can't think of a more inspirational group of individuals gathering in Calgary for a 'sweat date' (as Lululemon calls it), than those that did at 2110 Fitness last week: an elite of managers, assistant managers and great leaders from Calgary's Lululemons and last but not least founder of Lululemon, Chip Wilson and Lululemon's franchisee, Russ Parker. With their vision of 'elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness", these leaders bring all that they can to their business, people they interact with as well as their personal lives. Chip Wilson's standards for his company has created an amazing environment for employees and guests to the store through the company's promotion of a positive life style including goal setting, community involvement, integrity and greatness to name a few.

2110 Fitness made a befitting environment for such a gathering of greatness. Their instructors are extensively knowledgeable and not only willing to help as much as they can, but eager and passionate to teach and aid others in building strong, able bodies for themselves. The circuit-type plan they came up with for our group challenged each of us to push ourselves beyond what we thought possible. By the end, I was in disbelief about what I had accomplished- I didn't think I was physically- or mentally capable of completing such a grueling and intense workout. 2110 offers numerous classes and also a drop-in gym to use. They are located very close to Chinook Mall- perfect for shoppers or anyone working at the mall!

http://www.2110fitness.com/

Get ripped in Heaven... surrounded by angels

Need a little extra motivation to get going with your workout? Finding that you can't get going on your own? Try out Phillip's Martial Art Fitness and he will kick your ass with motivation. A have never laughed and smiled so much during such a grueling workout in my life. Everyone in the class was having a great time as well! The workout was INTENSE but the hour felt like 10 minutes because I was concentrating hard on what I was doing, while having fun! Phillip is amazing at pumping up the class and getting everyone involved. He made sure no one was left out and was constantly correcting people or pushing them one on one to push it harder when he knew they had it in them. Make sure you grab a low enough hand weights before class for you to use all class (I'm talking 2 pounds). Also, there is a few things to set up before class, so get there a few minutes before and ask someone else or just follow the crowd on what you need. It's intense and non-stop for 1 hour- so be ready!!


Not only was the class exhilarating, but the club is stunning and the staff were complete angels. I had a secret urge to set up a sleeping bag and spend the night because the club gave me such great vibes!!  Your first class is completely free so you have NO EXCUSES not to try it out! Just to a name a few of the other great things Heaven's offers: child care, an array of group fitness classes, yoga, personal training, steam room, massages, nutritional counseling, life coaching, clothing store, and a snack bar!
Over the next few weeks I will be doing some reviews of the different classes at Heaven's, so stay tuned and in the mean time- try some out for yourself!!


http://heavensfitness.com/

Shay Dodds with AthLEAN-X Update after Week 4

The meal plan for this week is roughly the same as the others with a lot of similar main ingredients (chicken, turkey, protein shakes, whole wheat pasta, white fish, salads, etc.) but with new minor twists.  For example you could have chicken for dinner the previosu night but then reuse leftovers for lunch the next day in a cajun chicken wrap with salsa.  Also, instead of always having turkey in the form of a deli meat in a wrap or sandwich you can make turkey burgers or sausage.  The one downside to this diet is it does get pretty repetitive so don't be afraid to experiment and mix things up.  Try different things out in your homemade trail mixes, or different low fat sauces or dressings for salds, burgers, stir frys, etc.  Also, protein shakes can be fun and really try out different fruits or even throw some veggies in there to change it up.  Same goes for stir frys and steak, if the meal plan calls for steak for dinner don't be afraid to look up recipes online or in cook books and make "healthy' (low fat) versions of those.  You can do alot with rice or whole wheat noodle stir frys and the given recipes should in no way limit you.

As for exercises, resistance band training comes in around the one month mark of the program once certain muscle groups have been built up.  I have accumulated different strengths of bands but you can buy groups of bands at any Sport Chek or similar store.  Start with what's comfortable because pushing yourself with the bands can be dangerous if the resistance of the band prevents you from performing the proper motion.  Coming from a running background I really enjoy using bands and I find it adds a new, exciting element to core strengthening.  For example, side plank lifts are alternated with side plank rows where you hold a side plank and pull a band inwards.  The one difficulty with these exercises is finding a proper place to "mount" your band.  Stair railings work really well, as well as the legs of heavy tables.  There are some fun burst speed twisting style exercises that come into the mix here too and bring some excitement to the program.  The balance between the band, plyo ball and stability is great and provides a challenge compared to some of the previous work outs.  The best part of this program is I can now really notice a change in my core and I feel better too!  5-7 minutes 5 times a week can really make a difference. 

Toned and Tight- A KILLER workout from your home

Two years ago I realized that I wasn't young enough any more for my body to just stay fit on its own- I actually had to work at it to keep my legs toned and arms flab-free. For 1 month I researched as much as I possibly could on how to get my thighs and butt in tight shape and came across a video that 2 years later is still in my exercise regime. The video is called "Love your Legs" by Kim Overton. It specifically focuses on cellulite reduction- also meaning super tight and jiggle-free lower bodies!  AND you can buy it for less than 40$! It comes with a nutrition plan and interviews on the DVD about how to best get into and stay in shape. The actually video is amazing. It only takes about 30 minutes and kicks your butt. The first time I ever did it, I literally could not walk for 3 days. You can feel it working every single inch of your lower body and even helps your abs out! It is high intensity and the exercises it teaches you, you can implement into your regular gym routine! Kim's amazing body is also incentive to keep going so you can look like her someday!!

http://www.kimberleyjane.com/about.html

Inspirational Health and Fitness Enthusiast