A sports blog by and for Midwest Sports Fans
On the second episode of Healthy Habits, Kimberly and I interview Susan Armijo, the Owner and Artistic Director of Centre for Dance in Dallas, Texas. The discussion centers on how dancing can lead to weight loss and healthy ways to lose baby weight for our female listeners — clearly two subjects I am an expert in.
Whenever I am selecting my featured workout for this column, I always look for the most intense feat. It’s all about speed, sweat and pain…the good kind of pain of course!
However, I was bopping around the gym recently and I spied a flyer for a “spine class.” Even though the flyer did not suggest speed and sweat, I was intrigued. I am always fixated on toning my core or tightening my glutes, but I never offer any tender loving care to my spine.
So I took the encounter with the flyer as a little wake up call and jotted down the information for the “Spines in Motion” class.
Go where no workout has taken you before.
It’s been a while since I have let out my inner sultriness. In fact, the last time was almost a year ago when I attempted a swing around a shiny pole during a pole dancing class at Move Studio in Dallas, TX. And let me tell you, I felt like the exact opposite of a sexpot. In fact, I felt like an uncoordinated, graceless sloth trying to get my feet off the ground during a swing.
With 2011 rolling on, I realized I was slouching into my fitness comfort zone and it was time to truly step outside the walls of the aerobics studio and shake what my mama gave me – which is quite a lot. So I thought “what better way to shake it up” than to throw on some heels and hit up Centre for Dance in Dallas!
A young couple keeps their marriage fresh by rock climbing and staying active together.
I am always proud to say that fitness is my first love; however, fitness can also play quite well into a relationship. In an effort to keep things fresh and interesting, I believe it’s important for couples to encourage one another to be active and try new challenges.
They do it on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, don’t they?
I am just teasing – I am not suggesting that show is a positive model for a sustainable relationship. But, I do believe couples can become closer when they try new adventures together. Not to mention, get those endorphins flowing and no one will be cranky, right?
I looked to one of my favorite young, married couple at work as inspiration for this article. Morgan and Derek are these edgy, kind-hearted souls who are always on a quest for that next adventure. Whether it is getting hitched in Vegas to rock climbing and belaying each other, they know how to keep the relationship exciting.
The beast of all classes left me shattered and in pain, but strangely wanting more.
Yesterday I took a beating.
A major beating that left me a broken woman.
I ventured home this weekend to visit my family and my mom has been talking up this new workout called Body Design. She takes it several times a week and drones on about how it’s the ultimate challenge.
She asked me if I would go with her and I was like, “Heck yes – let me show you how it’s done!” I thought to myself, no offense Mom, but I teach five classes a week and this is going to be a piece of cake.
So I went.
And oh my gosh – stop me in my tracks. I was far from a pro and I am in amazement that my mom voluntarily endures this abuse on a weekly basis.
Summer time is around the corner and a sunny vacation might be in order. As the sun is getting hotter, this will naturally require a little less clothing.
Eek! This thought might suddenly cause you to panic.
Fear not. We’ve still got some time to shape up before you ship out on your sizzling vacation.
If you have read my articles before, you know how I like to switch things up a bunch when I am working out. Although I have my favorite stand-bys and weekly routine for working out, I definitely crave a shock to the system time and time again.
The worst thing that could happen when you are dedicated to an active lifestyle is losing sight of that inspiration.
To me, it’s like a relationship: when your traditional workout routine is losing its luster, kick it up a notch and step out of your comfort zone. You could potentially find a new love or it could make you appreciate your current workout even more. Either way, you have nothing to lose and it’s a sure way to get your workout in for the day.
Recently, I personally was feeling like my routine was getting a little blasé so I thought, what better way to spice it up than dancing it out!
Several Hollywood stars head up a new fitness program geared towards children and teens.
Ever since I was a tiny tot, I was always on the chubby side.
In fact, my pediatrician one time put me to tears when he said I was obese and needed to see a dietician. Instead of thinking “screw you, don’t call my baby fat,” my mom took his advice and encouraged healthy eating choices and some much needed cardio.
We called on the expressive chap Richard Simmons to help get my rear in gear. Although I loved “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” I never felt that I connected with it. It was more of a task than an enjoyable way to spend my time. There were other weight loss methods we tried but I always got frustrated and just accepted the fact that I would always shop in the “Pretty Plus” section at Sears.
I had to wait a few painful years until the baby weight melted away and I discovered my passion for running and fitness. It sure would have been nice to have Alyson Stoner as my dance coach to help rid me of those extra LB’s.
Kevin Schmidt, actor and co-creator of the Alyson Stoner Project (ASP), drew from his own weight loss success story to inspire others.
Bursting with pride, two best buds rock the D.C. National Marathon
I had been dreading this day, just as much as I had been looking forward to it. I didn’t even realize it was possible to feel two polar opposite emotions simultaneously. I guess that’s what happens when you have your first marathon lurking around your thoughts for eight months.
Two years ago I decided to run a half marathon. Considering the farthest I’d ever run in my life was four miles at once, this was a daunting task. I roped my college roomie, Jackie, into the deal and we dedicatedly began training. Two years and two half marathons later, we decided to put our big girl running shoes on and conquer a full-fledged, 26.2-mile marathon.
Conquer we did. Well, kind of. In our words, we “rocked it.”
Flying trapeze provides stellar workout for the upper body and core strength.
All eyes on me in the center of the ring, just like a circus…
Well all eyes were certainly on me, but that could be due to the slur of profanities escaping my screaming lips.
My stomach felt as if it had leaped from the trunk of my body to the summit of the arched ceiling at the Trapeze School of New York.
…And the Yoga was hot, hot, hot
I have made my workout preferences clear, stating that I need a major sweat-drenching routine and that I like it bouncy.
However, I might be changing my tune a bit.
Recently, I have felt my flexibility might be dwindling a bit so I decided to focus some of my attention on Yoga and Pilates. Over the past two weeks, I made it a goal to add in some Yoga and Pilates classes as a supplement to my traditional routine.
Over this short amount of time, I have come to see how people get hooked on this relaxing, but challenging, form of exercise.
Spice up your fit life!
Zumba is taking the fitness world by storm – get in on the action!
There is a lot of buzz going around about Latin-influenced dance workouts. I first heard of such classes when I was a student at the University of Kansas. One of the classes was called Zumba.
The name Zumba is sassy and a bit mysterious. I didn’t really know what to expect; I was just hoping I would get my heart pumpin’ and burn it up.
What I actually got was so much more.
[Editor's note: make sure you check out the end of Kimberly's article, where we announce a special Jay Johnson Boot Camp Fitness giveaway for MSF readers.]
Flab and drab are getting the boot in 2010. So heat up your workouts in 2010 by trying something new: Boot Camp Fitness.
The holiday season is over. Our pocketbooks may be a bit lighter, but how ‘bout the bod? It is common and quite often expected to have a chub-tastic holiday and treat ourselves a little too much to the cookies and delectable delights that come with the territory. However, it’s time to whip into shape and take it off; I am talking about the lb’s of course.
Now, let’s not focus just on how we want to look. Instead, let’s focus on how we want to feel: endorphins flowing and energy levels rising.
You don’t need to hear me harp on and on my love for group fitness; however, I just experienced the ultimate group fitness program that seriously left me gasping for air. By my measure, it has proven to be the ultimate workout that I’ve encountered in the last few years.
I am sure a lot of you are searching for that one golden fitness routine that will be the real deal, the one that is going to help you become more inspired, fit, and energized. And I may have encountered exactly what you are searching for.
Whenever you are looking to shake things up and transform your physique, you literally need a change-up. Otherwise, your body will simply maintain and your shape will not change. Looking for my own “shock to the system” I called upon the team from Jay Johnson’s Boot Camp.
Here is a video diary of my first ever Boot Camp Fitness experience:
Burn up those quads and try a spinning class.
I like to think of myself as an open-minded fitness enthusiast. If there is some kind of activity that will potentially tighten up those thighs and trim the tummy, I am game!
Moving past the fear of making a fool of myself (that ship sailed long ago) I decided to conquer a new fitness genre.
Pole dancing is no longer just for the professionals.
A once scandalous hobby is now perceived as a challenging form of fitness.
Could pole dancing be the next Olympic sport? That’s a question you don’t hear raised every day. This may sound absurd and far-fetched but it’s a possibility.
Pole sports are being rallied to serve as an addition to the 2026 Olympics. So there’s your cue to hit up the dance studio and swing your way around the pole.
Now if only it were that simple.
