Staying fit is not easy for a fitness spokesperson, 3 Part Series
I have been traveling for the last 4 weeks with less than 4 nights on my own pillow. Although I am a fitness and healthy lifestyle expert, I too, find it tough to stay on track with traveling day after day. It’s not that I can’t make good choices at dinner or even at the airport, it’s that I don't’ feel like it sometimes. I’m tired, drained and crashing from the adrenaline rushes of meeting such incredible people and seeing such amazing events. Since December 31st and Mike Burton’s incredible weight loss of 100 pounds in 90 days, I have been in Cincinnati, New York, San Diego, Tampa, Orlando, Park City, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York City, Boston, Chicago and now Tecate Mexico. So let me take you on the journey, city by city. What does a healthy lifestyle expert do?
Cincinnati
This was my final date with Mike Burton until Feb. 12th! I worked with him in developing a meal strategy and exercise regimen to help him lose 100 pounds in 90 days--and he did it! I was in Cincinnati for 3 days and worked out 2 times with Mike. Although eating was an easy choice because of his program, I missed the first day of the new year with a workout... I had a little stomach flu from celebrating. (3 days, exercised 2x, ate well)
Tampa
I did do a quick stop in Chicago, but flying into Tampa with my daughter, we only had time for a quick 8 minute abs on YouTube. She and her college girlfriends do this in the dorms at Mizzou, so we at least did something. Hotel food for dinner and fast food for lunch--no it wasn’t a salad either. We taped with “Daytime” a syndicated lifestyle show on behalf of Shape Ups. (1 day, 8 minute abs, diet so-so)
Orlando
Driving from city to city, I taped a segment with WKMG for a 11pm news segment and the next day taped with “The Daily Buzz” on the CW on behalf of my client, Shape ups. My daughter and I did manage a walk on the treadmill ( or should I say dance) for about 30 minutes while there. We made some good choices on food so we were enticed for a little chocolate lava cake for dessert. Even healthy lifestyles can afford a few treats now and then. (2 days, 3o minutes, ate well but had dessert)
New York City
This trip to NYC was for BETTER tv. I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing both Jackie Warner, from Bravo’s “Workout” show and Denise Austin, fitness celebrity and potato spokesperson. Jackie is forty something and leaner than most forty year old athletes I know. She eats three raw eggs everyday she boosts and rarely misses a workout to have the body she does. She has new DVD, book, and new TV show coming out this year. So she is extremely busy and dedicated to her figure. Her power burn method is a superset of three moves in a row to fatigue muscles. In our interview she demonstrated “sissy squats”, “WCF down ups” and alternate lunges. In her version of “Sissy squats” she uses weights under your heels to put more pressure in the thighs. Her next move “WCF down ups” starts in a low squat and then down to your knees one at a time and back to the squat position. The last movement is a basic alternating lunge.
Denise Austin is also on an exciting career path. She also has a new book, two new DVD’s to add to her variety on the market and sporting Shape Ups by Skechers as a regular spokesperson for the brand.
My next segment lead me to the New York School of Trapeze. I learned with a few other “newbies” how to swing in the air on the flying trapeze. My videos on YouTube give you a sense of how quickly one can learn to swing new heights. My trusted partner was able to catch and release me on the first try. If you are interested in trying trapeze, they have schools in LA, Boston, and Washington DC as well as NYC. (4 days, exercised twice, one trapeze class left me with sore abs for 2 days, ate well)
San Diego
My next stop was San Diego for a short stop on KUSI’s morning show with Mike Castelluci. He is extremely personable and fun! We met in Whole Foods in San Diego at the crack of dawn for a segment on The Power of 5! Five ways to get healthy for the new year. 1) Walk 5,000 steps everyday with Skechers Shape up shoes. 2) Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday. 3) Try for a 5 meals everyday ranging from 500-200-500-200-500 calories. 4) Engage 5 friends or family members to do it with you and get support. 5) Opt for 5 days a week-- if you do it all 7 even better. (3 days, hiked 1x, ate well)
Minneapolis
I landed in Chicago from the west coast and then hit the air once again to Minneapolis for a segment with Shop NBC. I helped people understand the benefits of G2Lifestyles Yoga mat and Stability ball. These products are unique in that they have printed visuals of how to use them directly on the products. There’s no need for a video or instructions manual. Simple look at the pictures and go! They have many products in this line, including my favorite: a mat with stretching for low back pain! In and out in the same day, I made it back to Chicago by early evening to have dinner with my 17 year old son on his birthday! Happy Birthday Charlie! (1 day, exercise before flight, ate healthy)
Chicago
I spent about 3 days in Chicago with one full day taping with NBC’s show First Look airing on weekends. I did a segment with Bessie Tsionis helping her learn what to shop for in the grocery store and how to make a great one pan meal in ten minutes. Recipe:
one jar salsa, half bag of frozen corn, one can rinsed black beans. Mix these ingredients and add to a non-stick or lightly oiled pan. Next pile on a bag of spinach and two filets of tilapia or white fish. Sprinkle with paprika and cover the pot. Cook on medium heat for ten minutes and open the pan. It’s an amazing healthy, easy to make lunch or dinner under 400 calories per serving! The segment aired January 30th and it had great reviews. (3 days, 2 workouts, ate well)
Salt Lake City
After the taping, I left early on Friday morning to Salt Lake City, Utah for the Outdoor Retailers show. This is a vast showcase of the Outdoor sporting goods world featuring boots, jackets, fishing poles, outwear, casual wear, sport shoes, walking poles, hunting gear and more. I was overwhelmed by the size and new technologies. Columbia jackets have new space blanket like reflection panels in the inside of their coats to reflect infra-red waves to self heat the jackets while Mountain Hardware jackets now have heaters built in to the pockets and panels that can even charge your cell phone! A few hours at the show left me exhausted so I headed up the mountain for dinner. ( 3 days, no workouts, no-no diet)
Park City Sundance
Once I got settled in at the Canyons, I found myself among the Sundance Film Festival attendees. Busy traffic, lots of shearling coats, winter boots and happy faces graced the Main street of town. I viewed a few movies, listened to music and attended some great parties. After a few days of smoozing, I headed to the Summit house in the Canyons where I was invited for a few days of Winter-house. Winter-house brings together editors, journalists, producers and other people of influence to interact with new upcoming lifestyle products. The days are planned minute to minute and although interesting and fun, my head welcomes the pillow each night. I experienced the new GMC Terrain with On Star features, an array of healthy living products including my favorite, Tribe Hummus and Cabot cheeses as well as Oakley Polarized sunglasses and Dr Hauscha’s facial kits. I did mange to jump on a Nordic Track treadmill a few times and try out a new shoe under wraps from New Balance, but must admit the highlight of the trip was meeting and skiing with two Olympians, Fuzz Fettersen and JP Auclair. Both were aerial freestyle skiers with amazing form and grace as well a great sense of humor. (3 days, 1 treadmill, 1 ski day, ate very well and lots of it)
Boston
Next stop was Chicago for less than twelve hours and a quick flight to Boston. I was so excited for this next last minute trip. While in Sundance, BETTER tv called to see if I was available on Friday to tape a segment with Olympian, Michelle Kwan--who could say no? So I found myself wandering off a plane at midnight and up early on Friday morning for makeup and breakfast ( not in that order ) to skate with Michelle Kwan. I did manage an early (5:15am-7am) workout beforehand. Michelle was telling the virtues of healthy eating, sleeping and regular exercise. Her grace an energy is endless and her attitude positive and bubbly. You can see me on ice side by side with the Champion on YouTube. I have great upper body control and lack speed in comparison to Michelle-but she did give me a few pointers! ( 2 days, 2 hrs workout, ate well)
Chicago
An evening arrival to Chicago gave me time to do laundry, repack and regroup for my final trip of the month, Rancho La Puerta Spa--an invitation I couldn’t pass up. My morning started with an hour bootcamp class I taught at mbc Fitness then packed up headed into the city. In Chicago, I met with my NBC New You Naked Fitness group. The group of 30 participants has been meeting every weekend this past month and following my guidelines from my January 2011 book, Naked Fitness. The program takes into consideration not only diet and regular walking as a means to living better, but also spinal alignment. Looking in the mirror and seeing what your body looks like is key to starting any movement program. Collectively, they have lost over 250 pounds in three weeks--One lucky participant will win a Sears Nordic Track Treadmill in early February. Although my 16 hours in Chicago didn’t go as smoothly as expected ( my laptop crashed, bought a new one, forgot my passport at the airport and almost missed my 4pm flight ) I finally made it on the plane finding myself on a course for self assessment, daily exercise, healthy vegan eating and rejuvenating spa treatments. (1 day, 1 workout, ate well)
Tecate, Mexico
I arrived late in the evening at this sprawling spa destination, Rancho La Puerta. Celebrating it’s 70th year anniversary, the spa has amazing hiking programs, gourmet vegetarian cuisine, over ten gyms, and a catering, friendly staff. I participated in a few classes and group mountain hikes, but mainly took time for myself. I caught up on my work, danced on the treadmills daily, lifted weights and even won a few games of BINOG with Barry! The most extraordinary part of the trip was the wonderful new friendships I acquired and knowledge these women possessed. I was invited to the ranch as part of a sixteen panel of women bloggers ranging in blogs from www.inspiremetoday.com, www.steamykitchen.com, www.bakespace.com as well as twitter queen from Vanity Fair’s magazine, Sarah Evans. My astounding media girlfriend, Beth Rosen and woman of the world, Julie Gallagher put together this group as a way to bring twitter, blogger and the ranch together to embrace, spark and influence healthy lifestyles to the world. A truly global group that after this trip, will be making an impact on our lives. (5 days, 8 workouts, ate well- had too!)
New York City
Straight from Mexico to NYC, I find myself on a plane, at my computer and thinking about the awakening I’ve had this year to this point. I am heading there on behalf of Merck and the American Heart Association to promote heart healthy habits and awareness for women and AHA’s Go Red movement. (1-1/2 days, 1 workout, ate healthy except for half chocolate muffin)
“2010” is a new decade.
A time for each of us to start thinking of ourselves as a worthy 10 and finding at least ten minutes each day to move, to reflect, to nuture our bodies and lift our spirits so that we can all be better for our families and loved ones. In all my travels and journeys, I am grateful for the experience and hope to help you find ways, in your busiest times, to be healthy and be moved. (lifetime, trying to move everyday, eating to feel good)
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