Aerial Fitness -An Alternative Work-Out

Everyday millions of men and women go into a gym.  But not all of them are going to an aerobics class or to run on the treadmill.  Some of them are going to take a new type of exercise class called Aerial Fitness, where you get to swing from the ceiling on silks.  Aerial Fitness incorporates each of the aspects of the aerial arts; this includes trapeze, aerial silks, aerial hammock.  It is also referred to as "aerial dance".  Aerial fitness classes are nothing like anything you will ever experience anywhere else.  You are suspended high above the group on curtain-like fabric which you wrap around yourself to support your body weight and you climb, and then hang and/or spin as you travel up and down the silk.  

Aerial fitness uses upper body strength, lower body strength, core strength and mind strength to combine a full body work-out.  Your arms are your main area of assistance to help you climb up the silks, while your legs are usually your main form of grip while using the trapeze bars.  The silks are a really fun way of working out, but they are usually associated with the circus.  They are known as the "flying silks" there.  

Aerial arts are both fun to do and fun to watch.  If there is an aerial arts studio near your house, take some time to go over and just watch.  You will see how much fun people are having doing this alternative to a general work-out.  It is an art of its own.  The aerial fitness classes are filled with people with big smiles on their faces, unlike most aerobic classes where everyone is cringing or struggling to push through those last reps.  The silks make you feel weightless and almost like a bird.  The fabric that the silks are made out of are very soft and supple. 

Aerial Fitness is a very good work out.  It is fun, and a way to relieve stress and have fun with friends.  You can have aerial fitness parties with friends, or go to an aerial arts performance to see how you like the show and then find aerial fitness classes in your area.   

Working Out at Home-the Alternative for a Busy Lifestyle

A great way to feel good, be healthy, and stay balanced is to work out at home! Sometimes busy people don't have time to get to the gym! Either you work late, or you work early, and going on the weekend involves leaving your family for longer than you want to.  So, I am a big believer in home workouts.  You can't use the same equipment, but you can make your own!

Spring Break....Time to Get Back on Balance and Avoid Falling Off

It is Spring Break here! And I am SO excited! I can't wait to see my dad and my puppy at home.  I can't wait to sleep in and lay around all day and have free time to do whatever I want.  Oh...and want to know what else I can't wait to do...I can't wait to EAT! I love going home to Southern California because I get to eat at my favorite restaurants.  I get to eat steak at Flemings, the best Veal Milanese at Il Barone, and garlic parmesan fries that would make your mouth water from a mile away at The Counter! None of this sounds healthy though does it?

They aren't leafy salads and cucumber soup, but they do have nutritional value.  Lean beef is an anti-inflammatory, did you know that? It is also filled with iron, omega 3, and Vitamin B12.  The nutrients in red meat help your body create healthy skin, bones and eyes.  Veal is one of the leanest meats, and is usually the most tender. Both veal and beef are stated to be "part of a well balanced diet".  And well....parmesan garlic fries are just really tasty.

A Fresh Outlook-Taking Some Time For Yourself.

This is a photo of the sunset on my drive today.  So serene.  

Taking some personal time is an imperative aspect of living a balanced lifestyle.  The past few weeks have been very long and very busy for me, so I decided that since this weekend was a 3-day weekend, I was going to take some "me" time.  I had a work "on-site retreat" Saturday and Sunday, so that ruled out going anywhere too far, or going home, so I decided that Monday I would treat myself.

Kicking Off Love Your Body Week In Style

This week at my college campus is Love Your Body Week.  This is one of my favorite times of the year! This week is all about promoting healthy living and balanced lifestyles.  Today (Monday) kicks off the week with "Chalk the Walk" where students can write inspirational messages on the walkway in front of the Student Center as well as the departments putting on Love Your Body Week are handing out t-shirts to promote the week! I am going to get one in a few minutes.


Tomorrow (Tuesday) Chris Blackburn, a former contestant from the popular TV show, the Biggest Loser is coming to campus to speak.
On Wednesday they are showing the HBO documentary "Thin" which follows patients at Renfrew Center in Coconut Creek, Florida, a rehabilitation facility for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.  They are also bringing a panel of experts to speak about the subject of fad diets, eating disorders and the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders.
On Thursday, different local vendors are coming to campus to promote their products.  All the vendors are from companies that promote healthy living and pampering yourself.  So they include spas, hair salons, Bath and Body Works, massages, gyms, etc
On Friday, it is Treat Yourself Day to finish off the week. There will be snacks, non-food treats, and the smoothie bike will be on the lawn as an interactive way to make your own smoothie or milkshake.

I had the opportunity to help plan some of the events and I get to meet the speakers both on Tuesday and Wednesday and I can't wait to hear what they have to say.


Hopefully I will be able to post some photos later this week of me at some of the events this week! But Let me tell you, I am so excited to be a part of this important week on campus and all the advocacy that follows with it.

Top 10 Ways to Make Working Out So Much Fun!

Working out is an integral part of living a balanced life.  BUT....the basic idea of working out can be really boring and a turn off for most people.  Not everyone wants to walk on a treadmill endlessly, and others would rather do that then go outside and run on actual hard pavement.  Some people work out better in groups, like an exercise class or a walking group, while others excel with private workouts.  I fall into the latter category.  I hate working out in a group.  I feel like I always have to stay on a specific pace and only do what the group is doing, so I get bored or frustrated, and then loose interest and motivation.