Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Yoga retreat in Santa Barbara

Good evening, hope you all are doing well. I have had a busy week, but want to talk about my fabulous weekend. I have been practicing yoga for 5 years, and love, love, love it!!!! I belong to a few different studios, but Exhale, in Venice, is my favorite. My yoga teacher there is Jo Tatsula, she is hands down the best!!!

Jo teaches vinyassa flow and her class is not only physically a challenge, but it is also spiritual and meditational. She held a yoga retreat this weekend where one of my best friends and I attended. I have never experienced a yoga retreat.....it was utterly amazing.

We started off each day with a yoga practice, followed by and in depth workshop. Sat. we also had a guided meditation that left me feeling clear and grounded. On the ranch there were so much to do, or you could do nothing. I went on a long hike, went swimming, swung on a swing, read a magazine in a hammock, jumped like a child on a trampoline, and even canoed in a pond. I had so much fun.

The meals were all healthy and organic prepared with food grown or raised on the ranch. Dining with such a diverse group of people, whom most of all, had no judgements what so ever, was really special. I enjoyed every person I talked with. I left the weekend feeling at complete peace.

There are many different kinds of retreats. I encourage you to seek inside your heart and soul, find one that interests you, that will make you feel healthy all around. When you return you will feel re-charged, and ready to face all of life's little challenges.

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
Drop your vitamin in a glass of water. If it does not fully dissolve in an hour, pick another.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Visualize your fitness goals

Good morning! I've been up awhile training clients, doing well. I love when my clients listen to me and start seeing results, it makes my day. Last night while I was watching The Biggest Loser, I started thinking about my personal goals, and how many I've hit.

I live in LA and I listen to Tony Robbins frequently. I was listening to him daily, but now, with my schedule, it's just not possible. I am, "new age", and yes, I have a vision and goal board hidden behind a door in my home that I look at daily.

As I was watching the transformations of the final four contestants on, The Biggest Loser, it made me think of my goals. I took a look at my boards, and realized that I have hit 2 out of the 3 major goals for 2011. I don't want to share with you what they are, but come July you will see.

I know it sounds corny, but today start visualizing reaching your fitness goals. Take 5 minutes and see yourself on the scale at whatever weight you desire, envision passing through the finish line of a marathon, etc. I swear paired with hard work and determination, this stuff works!!!! I'm so excited to hit major goal number 3, and let me tell you, I'm working on it.

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
We all know that blueberries, spinach, and acai berries are packed with antioxidants, but did you know that prunes, cloves, and peanuts are also. Start adding these to your weekly diet today, just be sure to control your portions.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Go out and buy a bosu

Hi, before I start typing about the fabulous bosu, I need to let you all know about my delicious, healthy, dinner I ate last night. I was taken to, Sauce On Hampton, in Venice Beach. OMG this is now one of my new favorite restaurants. The food is super healthy and organic. My favorite part of my meal was the fabulous sweet potatoes.......they are cubed and roasted, and out of this world.....did I mention the meal was completely healthy!!!!!! If you live in the LA area please go and try my new find, you will not be sorry.

For all of you stay at home mom's, work-aholics, or non gym members: GO OUT AND INVEST IN A BOSU!!!! If you have been a regular reader, you know that I bought one in Dec., and love, love ,love it.

For my routine yesterday I used my bosu, and trained my full body. I hit every major muscle group.....all with one piece of equipment, that is relatively small. I am hardcore and I make EVERY session difficult. My body was hurting by nigh time and I was super soar this morning.

A complimentary CD is provided when you purchase a bosu, so there is no excuse not to use it. Just remember to run in place, jump rope, or perform jumping jacks for at least ten minutes beforehand. Cardio is essential in every routine to strenghten your heart and burn calories.

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
Add produce to every single meal. Every meal must contain a fruit or vegetable. They are full of disease-fighting vitamins and antioxidants that your body needs.




Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Evaluate your lifestyle

I apologize for the delay in posting. I was under a big amount of stress and had many things on my mid regarding many different facets of my life. My whole life revolves around health and fitness, it is my true passion in life. I can't explain the happiness I feel when I receive an email, text, phone call, etc. from a client or a friend that I've been helping or training thanking me for improving their health. It's the best feeling in the world and it always reminds why I do what I do............it's what I am meant to do.

If you know me personally you know I am incredibly honest. I hate being lied to and I can't comprehend a person that lies. I ALAWAYS tell the truth and if I say I'm going to do something, I do it. I am a person of my word. I realized last week that I had been saying I was going to do something for some time, and I had not yet done it out of fear, it was also effecting my health.

I've been a bartender in nightclubs for over a decade. When I became a fitness professional I scaled back and only worked part time. As a bartender the fast cash is just sometimes a little to good to pass up. The hours and the mental abuse however, are physically, at times, unbearable.

Every few months I evaluate my over-all health. I see my physician, get my blood tested, overview my exercise regimen, and feel myself out mentally and emotionally. I do this for a self check, and see where there is room for improvement (there's always room for improvement). I realized bartending was killing me, so I took a risk, leap of faith, and Friday night was my last night as a bartender. Money is not worth my health suffering.

Today I'd like you to evaluate your health. Are there things that need improvement? What needs to change? No matter how scary or hard I challenge you to make the change. When one door shuts another door opens, and nothing is more improtant than your health.

Thank you for reading and no matter what shape and size you are, always love yourself!!!

xoxo
Michelle

TIP OF THE DAY:
When ordering sandwiches, tacos, etc. swap out the cheese in place of avacado. Avacado's are loaded with good fat your body needs, just don't overdue it.