TODAY IS BASTILLE DAY

We're celebrating the French revolution which did away with monarchy. For a while.
I miss home quite a bit, but my parents are coming to visit for 5 weeks in just a few days. During that time, I fully intend to take advantage of my mom's fantastic cooking skills. Number one on the list: Ratatouille. I am not kidding, it is such a great summer dish.
Hopefully I do not turn into the Michelin man by the time she leaves.

As you know, I have not a very good job keeping this blog updated. So I am going to try to shake things up a bit and get back into it. Every week, I will posting an interview of an inspiring individual (mostly women probably) for your reading pleasure.
How does that sound?

First in line: Lizz Schofield, Founder, Owner and CEO of Studio Soiree In Salt Lake City. Interview coming up soon, don't miss it!



Oh, I almost forgot. The world can also thank us for the guillotine!



You're welcome.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

To all the men out there who love, mentor and care for children, be they their own or not. We need you, we love you. Thank you.

Today is Randy's first Father's day as an actual dad. He adores his baby boy and he also has been an amazing dad to Antonin and Jonny.
This morning, I made him my version of Huevos Rancheros and had Thomas put a hand and foot print on a card for him. Now, the latter undertaking was much arduous than one would think... but it came out very decent on the card. The kitchen table and Tommy's clothes however, not so much.

Randy has been working extra hard to support our new family while counteracting the effects of the economy.
I have been working on my Beachbody business along with teaching Group Exercise classes at USANA, 24 Hour Fitness and yes, Studio Soiree.
I am about to add Zumba to my repertoire and I am super excited about this. Anytime I can dance is fine by me.

We are taking a week vacation next week to go visit his family in New Mexico and spend time on their house boat. On the program: waterskiing, tubing, swimming and hopefully a whole lot of doing nuthin at all. Though you know, we still have 3 kids with us...

LOVE THE WEATHER

The weather is (finally) gorgeous. Get out there and enjoy a little outdoors. Grab the stroller and go on a walk; put on your running shoes and hit a trail; take the kids to the pool; how about a day hike with the whole family? There are so many options, enjoy the long week end!

-- Cheers!

VERTICAL FITNESS

Have you heard of pole dancing?

Maybe you associate it with strip clubs and exotic dancers; or maybe, you have heard it discussed on Oprah, or know that Terri Hatcher uses it to stay fit. You might be aware that pole dancing is becoming more mainstream as it being introduced as a tool to achieve fitness.

I started learning pole dancing a year and a half ago at Studio Soiree. I consider myself fit, and yet, it was surprisingly tough, tougher than I had imagined it would be (I also have a strong ballet background). My upper body was not as strong as I had imagined and I was really afraid of going upside down on the pole, aka "invert".
But I worked on the pole regularly and progressed as time went by. I then took a year hiatus, thanks to gestating Mr Thomas, breaking my right hand and then having said baby.

But after many months of vertical fitness free days, I am happy to report that I am back on the pole. And I love it.

I love my pole.

It challenges my core tremendously along with my upper body. It allows me to explore different planes of movement and to get in touch with my inner sexy. And if I feel the pressing need to wear high heels, I can absolutely do that. What's not to love?

I reached the decision that I wanted to teach pole fitness. Let's face it, I love pole dancing, and I love teaching, so that was the logical conclusion.
This summer, I will taking my Pole Dancing Level I Certification and will start teaching groups and private clients (for some of us, a class format can be intimidating). I will keep you guys posted as to when those classes will be. I am so happy to have an opportunity to teach a format I love so much, happy to be able to bring it to others.
Thanks to all the amazing instructors at Studio Soiree for offering this certification and providing Salt Lake City with this beautiful and classy dance studio.

I am having a Pole Dance Party with my girlfriends and some Turbokick students on Friday the 24th. It's at Studio Soiree and will be very informal. And fun!
If you are interested in having your name on the guest list, let me know!

BREAK A SWEAT YO!

...Thomas at 6 months...

Though we have had snow nearly everyday this past week here in Utah, it is indeed Spring already. As I am sure every other Fitness magazine has let you know, swim suit season is right around the corner and that might throw you into stress induced fits of sweating...
Since we are talking about sweat, take a look at the following article on cardio vascular intensity while exercising.

Too often, we do our cardio completely mindlessly; we hop on the elliptical or the treadmill and mentally check out. While it might make the exercise easier, it also makes a lot less efficient. Shorter bouts of higher intensity will allow you to burn more calories in less time and fire up your metabolism for the rest of the day.

Turn off that TV, put that magazine down and push yourself, this might just be the best thing to help you get over that plateau and back into that tiny bikini...

WANT A CHALLENGE?

How many push-ups can you do? On your toes that is, and with excellent form, looking like a board, bringing your chest all the way to the floor.
Go ahead, try!
Do as many as you can, and when your form starts getting compromised, stop.
How many did you do?
I am willing to bet that you did less than 100... If you did 100, I owe you a cookie... er... protein shake, because I did not believe you could.


I know this link has been going around the blogosphere already, but I would like to bring it up again, welcome to 100 push-ups
On this site you will find the schedule you need to follow to build strength and get to 100 push ups in a row.
It sounds un-doable doesn't it? But with baby steps, I bet we can do it.
Anyone with me on this?

I HURT PEOPLE, IN A GOOD WAY.

I finally got my opening in the Group X industry. I am now teaching 4 classes a week for the employees of a local Vitamins manufacturer. 2 of those classes are Bootcamp and 2 are Turbokick.
Believe you me, I burn as many calories teaching 2 classes in a row as I did running my half marathon, so I come home pretty drained.
It was hard to leave Thomas in a daycare at first; I did it, but not without shedding some tears and having massive anxiety over the whole thing. I still stress over it, but it is getting better.
I love, love, love this new job. Why? How often do you get to work out, act completely spastic, yell at people and get paid for it? Exactly my point. This is a very rewarding occupation, people are grateful for having had a great workout. I also get to brainstorm for new exercises all the time, and I love that part.
Tomorrow, I am getting some beads to throw around to celebrate Mardi gras... That's how I roll guys.

Mommy wise, Tommy is still being happily breastfed, he also has started eating his solids more and more. He actually will start fussing if you eat next t him and open his mouth if a forkful flies to close to his little melon. We have had a couple of instances where he has slept 6 hours in a row, but overall, 4 hours followed by 2 hours blocks is the norm. Tough, tough.

So there, I am loving life right now.

Oh, and I cut my hair.