Venice Nutrition – How to Build Your Body Confidence!

Perhaps you have been hearing about the new nutrition program that we are introducing here at BLASAT900. This is not your typical diet or lose weight scheme. This is a Balanced Nutrition Program that will teach you how to eat properly for the rest of your life! This article will share some more information about the program and answer some quick questions regarding how to "stabilize your blood sugar!"

Best Self Blogging: Barbara concludes her Best Self experience

I am sad to say that this is my last blog of the summer. I can't believe it's already been 8 weeks! I have enjoyed every minute of spending my summer at BLAST, working towards my health goals. I'll try to sum up my BLAST experience this summer for you. When I walk through the front doors of BLAST, I'm immediately greeted by Kim or Christie. They seem to know everyone! After talking with them for a moment, I head towards the workout room, where the awesome BLAST assistants run up to me and give me water and a towel. I take a few minutes to think about my goals for the workout and before I know it, one of the many enthusiastic, motivating instructors is walking through the door ready for an awesome hour. During my workout, despite feeling like I might die sometimes, I feel like I'm part of a family. The instructors know most of our names, the assistants know that when I walk through the door and start my first block, I'm probably going to need a new towel in no time. I finish the workout after an amazing stretch and cool-down and I feel like I can accomplish anything. I wouldn't change anything about BLAST other than the occasional "Glee" techno-remix song that happens to play during my sprint block! Haha!

Best Self Blogging: Lauren to continue at BLAST 900

Our Best Self Blogging is coming to a close. Our entrants will be submitting their last blogs for the campaign. Up first is Lauren, who will continue to visit BLAST as often as possible even though she is no longer part of the Best Self Blogging Series. Read about her incredible journey below.

Best Self Blogging: Barbara thanks the BLAST instructors for a great summer

Throughout my experience this summer, I think that the BLAST instructors have been the biggest influence on me; I really believe that the instructors make the experience at BLAST! When you go to a BLAST class, it feels like you have a personal trainer in the room with you - watching your movements and form on the floor, and watching your speed on the treadmill. I remember a time when I first got back into BLAST where I was supposed to be "jogging" at 5.0 mph, and I really wanted to jog at 4.5 mph (because I just didn't feel like pushing myself any further!).

Best Self Blogging: Elizabeth shares some of her favorite BLASTing moments from the summer

I have to say my favorite thing about this experience has been…..well everything!

The workouts have been amazing!!! From the cool blasting music that helps underplay the challenging workout routines, to the topnotch and caring instructors that push us every session to step (more like run) outside our comfort zone…instead of just making it through the workouts. I can’t even pinpoint a favorite instructor because each has an element of “craziness” (good crazy) in them. I must confess to consciously skipping one of Richard’s classes because I was having a bad day and didn’t feel like being “beaten down” that morning (you can't attend that guy's class and remain the same afterwards). I ended up with a worse beat down in the class I signed up for that morning. Was sore for days! No matter what Blast session you attend, you get the same level of attention and insane workout. Now THAT is hard to come by!

Best Self Blogging: Lauren talks about her biggest BLAST influence

I'm having a really hard time coming up with 1 person who I could describe as THE biggest influence on me during this experience. My schedule is such that I tend to gravitate toward Rich and Bri's classes (I only wish I could get to more of Paige's) so they have been instrumental in helping me get this far. I'm fascinated by the fact that I can drip with sweat and reach new max heart rates with both of them, yet I find their classes to be very different.

The incredible education I received from Rich during my profile has been priceless. None of this would have been possible without Kim's help and Missi's outrageous generosity to put this program together!!

I've had help from my husband in working out our household schedule so I could make the 5:45 class several times this summer since I can't do that during the school year. And getting into the 5:45 class has given me a chance to reconnect with a friend I had lost touch with a few years ago and to somewhat regularly see (and I mean just see, because once the warm up starts, there is no conversation to be had for at least 60 minutes) a sweet friend I hardly get a chance to see even though we live 6 houses away from each other and our kids are at the same preschool. So not only have I been able to jump-start my fitness and put some much-needed emphasis on my physical health, this experience has also given me the chance to make personal connections. And for me, that's hugely energizing too!!

As for my progress....this week was not a good one for me. I didn't exercise as much as I would have liked to and my nutrition took a hit so this week coming up is going to be so important for me to get myself back on track. I want to finish strong so I can take another year or 2 off my body age since I get to add another year to my actual age next month!!

-Lauren

Best Self Blogging: Barbara checks in at Week 6

Aside from my obvious devotion to BLAST this summer, I have really been trying hard to focus on my diet. I'm trying to eat more frequently, keeping my blood sugar stable throughout the day. I really did not realize how crucial diet is in your performance at BLAST. If I have a bad dinner the night before (which I'm trying hard not to have!), my BLAST class is painful! However, if I fuel myself with proper nutrition and lots of water, I feel good and I feel like I can conquer those glider push-ups! I find that each day I get a little bit stronger and pass on the junk food, knowing I have to face a BLAST class tomorrow. Ultimately, I just don't feel as good as I used to eating that sort of food, which is a big improvement for me.

Another thing I have been doing to help reach my BLAST goals is to look for ways to exercise on my "off days." Even though I'm not at BLAST, I will call a friend and go for a walk around Chastain Park or I will motivate myself to go for a run early in the morning, or late at night, when it's not too hot. I enjoy balancing out those tough BLAST classes with a long, slow jog where my heart rate pretty much stays in zone 3 (if you have a watch you know what I'm talking about!). My body never knows what it's going to get that day - BLAST or some other sort of fitness on my own. Keep it guessing, right?

Everywhere I go, I have my heart rate monitor with me. My heart rate monitor has really been instrumental in helping me reach my fitness goals. I am spending a weekend at the beach with my family, and yesterday we went for a nice bike ride. After everyone else had finished, I looked at my watch and realized that I needed to burn an additional 100 calories to meet my goal for the day. Had I not been wearing my watch, I would have gone inside with everyone else and called it a day. Instead, I headed back out on my own and enjoyed an extended bike ride. This calorie information is so necessary to have when you are trying to reach a weight loss goal. It is accountability. Even if I don't feel like working out, I know I have to because Rich will be checking my stats at my next check-in - and I fear the wrath of Rich. I also get a huge motivational boost from the watch. I went for a run last week and wanted to sprint the last portion. As I started to get moving, I noticed that my heart rate spiked and it was fun watching how high I could get it to go. I can't convince you enough that it's a great investment for your health. Do it!

Additionally, I am so blessed to have a great support system of friends, family, and the trainers at BLAST to help me reach my BLAST goals. I'll give you more about that in my next blog entry! Until then, adios and see you at BLAST! I can't wait to move into the new studio! Less than 2 weeks to go!

-Barbara

Best Self Blogging: Lauren shares her summer experience

BLASTing 3 days a week this summer has been nothing less than a fabulous treat (though starting on an 12% incline at 8.0 last night and running down to 0 wasn't exactly my idea of fun). Through this experience, I have learned that BLAST really is 1/3rd of the equation when it comes to getting results. Without good nutrition (and I don't mean a diet) and doing some other type of exercise on the nonBLAST days, the results are much harder to come by...in fact, it may actually be impossible?!!? Rich will do the very simple math with you when you sit down with him for the PROFILE.

I'm back to being able to run again after an annoying bout of tendonitis that slowed me down for 2 1/2 weeks. During that time I couldn't run but I rediscovered a found a long lost fr-enemy....the elliptical! When my doctor told me to that the only way to "treat" my overuse injury was to rest, I proudly told him that wasn't an option for me right now and truly meant it. Before this experience, I would have probably considered that a permission slip to not only stop exercising but to head straight to the Chick Fil A drive through for waffle fries! But the responsible patient in me did want to heed his advice so as not to do further damage. Dr. Kercher suggested cross training until the pain went away. So on my last business trip, I hopped on the elliptical in the hotel gym. Without my heart rate monitor, I would have probably been bored to tears (which is why I dislike that piece of equpiment to begin with) and done after 20 minutes. Using the monitor, I was able to piece together a workout for myself on the elliptical and with weights that ended up burning my targeted 500+ calories in just over an hour.

So my totally unsolicted advice to those who are looking to keep moving on non-BLAST days but yawn at the thought of a piece of cardio equpipment or can't bear the thought of exercising outside in this heat, GET A HEART RATE MONITOR! It will totally change the game for you! Yes, I'm in sales but I promise I don't work for Polar or any other heart rate monitor company.

I better hit the sack early tonight....5:00am will be here before I know it and I need to be on top of my game for Cathy's 5:45 class!

-Lauren

Best Self Blogging: What does Barbara love best about BLAST?

Today, our Best Self Blogger, Barbara answered a simple question for us, "What do you love best about this BLAST experience?"

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As you know, I am head over heels in love with the BLAST workout (shhh don't tell my husband). Therefore, when asked what my "favorite part" of this summer experience has been, I have many answers. One thing I love about this experience is the feeling I get when I finish a workout. It's such an accomplishment and, as I told someone the other day, I feel like I don't have any more to "give;" I have worked myself out to the maximum. I like leaving the class, enjoying a protein shake, and feeling the endorphins pumping through my body. As dorky as it sounds, I feel empowered and I feel strong - like I can do anything. I also love the part in the workout, when you feel like you can't go a second longer on the treadmill, and out of no where Bri (for example - as this happened to me this week) is behind you, giving you the most honest, genuine and supportive motivation that you need to get through it. The instructors are quality, trained professionals - they know their stuff - and I really believe that they care about each and every one of us. I love the part in the workout when you're dragging (maybe that's just me) and you hear your favorite song. Or Cathy makes you do the 80's "fist-roll" between your legs at the end of your workout. Or when Richard makes you hug yourself at the end of the workout. These are all parts of the BLAST experience that make me smile, and make me want to keep coming back and working my hardest.

My favorite part about my lifestyle change thus far - aside from eating six times a day (thanks, Rich!) - is the "toning" feeling that I'm starting to get. As I mentioned last week, I've noticed little beginnings of muscles in my arms and my quadriceps are slowing gaining some definition. I went to REI the other day with my mother, and she needed help getting a big mountain bike down. Without hesitation, I lifted up this huge bike and put it down in front of her with ease. She was so impressed and I had done it without thinking! Before beginning my journey with BLAST, I probably would have been unable to get it down as flawlessly as I did (and I'm sure I would have been out of breath!). This is just a small example of the many ways in which BLAST has changed my lifestyle, as Missi says, "from the inside out!" I also really enjoy blogging about my experience. It gives me time to reflect on the week, my workouts, and my progress so far. I've never devoted this much attention to diet and fitness in my life, so I'm appreciative of this opportunity to share this experience with everyone. I know when I read some of my favorite personal blogs, I'll say to myself "oh, I definitely get what she's saying" and really feel connected with the author. I hope you feel the same way about my blog!

Lastly - my absolute favorite part about my BLAST experience has been the results. Plain and simple BLAST gets results. When I went in to my half-way check up with Richard, my BMI had dropped, my VO2 max had increased (more oxygen), and I could do more sit-ups and push-ups (though I'm still working on my form). In one month, I can say that BLAST has given me these results. I'm a "BLAST Believer!" (new t-shirt idea perhaps?). Does it get any better than the actual proof of your workouts actually "working???" Now, admittedly, I have a long way to go on my fitness journey (baby steps, baby steps...), but seeing improvement along the way certainly gives me inspiration to keep working at it! I can't wait to see what the next four weeks have in store!

Best Self Blogging: Lauren shares her favorite things about the BLAST experience

This week, Lauren shares with us some of her favorite things that she has experienced thus far during this BLAST Best Self Blogging experience! What are some of your favorite things about BLAST?

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There are so many things that I adore about BLAST and this Best Self experience....there are the obvious things like the incredible workout, the top-notch and totally engaged instructors, and the loud music that helps me muster the energy to add .3 or .5 onto my sprint speed when I don't think I have it in me. And then there is that feeling of incredible accomplishment that comes after class as my legs are shaking while I try to make it down the stairs without falling.

Most of all, I love that this experience has 100% delivered on it's promise. It has truly helped me to start down the road to being my BEST SELF. The workouts and change in diet are helping make sure I am giving my best and full energy to my life. During an incredibly hectic time in life, I feel energized and ready to take on new challenges.

I'm developing habits that I can use beyond this experience to make sure I don't revert back to old patterns. Maybe some of you are familiar with some of them...those old rushing around in the morning and not eating breakfast, grabbing simple carbs (Goldfish, anyone) when I find myself beyond hungry, not making time for exercise, and getting way to little sleep. I have seen what a huge difference changes like eating breakfast, keeping my blood sugar stable, using a heart rate monitor to give my workouts more purpose, and getting more sleep can have.

And like I said in my first post, I love the example I am setting for my girls. Just last week, my 3 year old put my earbuds in and started to run around the house telling me she was jogging!!