Feature

Instructor_Susannah
2012-05-07 16:35

Although I spend a fair amount of time sitting at my computer, writing fitness blogs and scanning Facebook, I actually spend the bulk of my day standing up teaching Pilates. After a long day standing on my feet I find the muscles in my legs tighten up and start to ache. The best way I have found to combat fatigue and pain is to stretch during the day while I am standing up doing my job. Because these stretches are done while standing there is a balancing element incorporated into the movement— giving your core a challenge and a lift. Give these simple standing stretches a try and hopefully you will feel some relief and get a little boost in your legs and center too!

Team Articles and Blogs

Add MORE Food to Your Plate

For many people the idea of adopting a healthier or weight-loss diet means removing food from their plate. But this doesn't have to be the case. When I counsel apprehensive/hesitant clients (in other words, those who are not excited about changing their diet), I steer clear of ever mentioning what they shouldn't be eating. Instead I focus on what they should be eating. This tactic has proven to be very helpful when working with older people who are set in their ways, and also younger folk who don't yet value the idea of good health.

Consider Planting an Herb Garden - It's Not as Hard as You Might Think!

In past years I've written a lot about my vegetable garden, which brings me great joy. However, with that joy comes a certain amount of stress that I am sure to feel about mid-May when I know I should be getting my tomato and cucumber seeds in the ground. Then two years ago my tomato patch got sick with an illness called "blight" which rendered my tomatoes tasteless and virtually inedible. I was so incredibly sad over this that the next year I opted to skip my vegetable garden altogether (a somewhat immature act, but it's the truth).

So instead of planting vegetables in the ground, I decided to focus on herb plants in pots, and I had a ball! The process of tending to herbs in pots is a much easier task than tending to those in the ground. Given the portability of pots, you can shield your herbs from the rain if it's a soggy season, or easily water them with a watering can in just one or two trips. And the best part is that these fresh herbs can influence your summer cuisine in ways you may have never known were possible!

Meatless Mondays

The Meatless Monday movement is gaining momentum nationwide (check out www.meatlessmonday.com). I noticed this last month when my children's elementary school followed meatless Monday guidelines in observation of Earth Day. Going meat-free reduces our carbon footprint and it does our bodies a lot of good!! It reduces intake of saturated fats and will most likely add a healthy dose of vegetables into your diet. Many studies show that Mediterranean diets, which are very low in animal based proteins, reduce disease rates and lead to longer life expectancy.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

A flavorful (and healthy) Mexican feast

It's Cinco de Mayo time! This date (Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for May 5) signifies when the Mexican army defeated the French. And while it's not a big holiday in Mexico (it's not even a federal holiday), Cinco de Mayo gives us an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture.

This year wow your family and friends with this delicious Mexican feast - full of flavor, sure to satisfy, and minus the ultra-high calories and fat in typical restaurant fare.

Community Blogs

JodyH
2012-05-03 20:43
JodyH's picture

That’s right, I can!  I did the Super Fast Body Blast yesterday and when it came time for the Rollover, I was able to lift my hips and legs up and over, then my feet coope

JodyH
2012-04-25 17:06
JodyH's picture

I admit to being bummed out by the lack of noticeable change in my weight and measurements after one month.

JodyH
2012-04-24 21:53
JodyH's picture

I had been avoiding the Absession video for a couple of weeks and finally got brave and went for it tonight.

JodyH
2012-04-19 23:09
JodyH's picture

I did the Superfast Body Blast tonight and I gotta say...I am seeing an improvement in my strength!