I recently went to Whole Foods in South Beach, a place a used to frequent daily, when I lived within walking distance of it, a few years ago. Now I usually stop in on occasion when I am in the Miami area taking care of my few "special" clients that I am willing to keep and make the drive from Fort Lauderdale to help. On this occasion my partner and I were shopping for something healthy for my weekly competition "Yummy" meal. Some call it a "cheat meal", but the negative connotation lives me feeling guilty for something that is supposed to revitalize you. As we were shopping we stopped to speak to a guy handing out samples of a new wine. Of course I couldn't try it, but I happily got a sample for my girlfriend. I vaguely recognized the guy, but couldn't place the memory. After a brief conversation we moved on.
I was finishing my grocery shopping when the guy from the Wine Sample Table came chasing after me, "Are you Melissa?" he said. I looked at him curiously and before I could answer he continued "You used to train at Crunch on Washington Avenue?"
"Yes!" I answered excitedly remembering my stint as a Personal Trainer at the gym before moving on to expand my career.
He went on to make many wonderful exclamations as he reintroduced himself as Seth and explained that I had been his trainer at Crunch and had changed his life. As he began to tell me his story I began to recall the vague memory. He obviously looked completely different now, fifty pounds lighter than the last time I had seen him.
Seth came to me when I was working at Crunch for advice and training after being very sick. Due to his illness the doctors had prescribed steroids to help him get better, but unfortunately the drugs had caused him to gain over 70 pounds in the previous year. He was unhealthy and unhappy and unsure where to begin. I coached him through proper training techniques, gave him nutritional advice, guided his eating habits, and worked with him to maximize his workouts for better, more efficient results. These simple little steps are things many of us take for granted and think are so easily accessible and achievable. But without knowledge most people are lost like Seth was.
I moved from Crunch and soon forgot about Seth. But Seth did not forget about me. He says that he took everything he learned from me from when we worked together and kept applying to his life and training. He said I changed his life. He looks healthy and happy and had lost an additional 50 pounds since the last time I had seen him which had been over a year ago.
His story sent chills down my spine and brought tears to my eyes. This STORY is the reason why I LOVE my career and what I do. I am in the business of saving lives and changing them forever. I am not God, but in many ways we as fitness professionals have the power to touch people and the ripple effect will be felt long after we are gone. I touched one life and that one life will multiply into something greater. I feel blessed to have the ability to help, inspire, and teach. Do ever second guess the little things you do that make huge differences in other peoples lives. I was just doing what I would do for anybody and the reward is amazing!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Small steps to a Successful Fitness Journey
Spring is quickly approaching and with that in mind the beach and unlayering of clothes for those hot summer months quickly comes to the forefront of my mind. You have three months before the Dog Days of Summer so what can you do to shed that winter coat of fat and show off a healthy and fit physique for those hot days. I suggest you stop by Island City Health & Fitness and gear up for a great workout. There are several easy steps that will kick your metabolism into gear and help you get bathing suit clad.
1. Eat Clean: There are many rules to eating clean. DIETING is not one of them. Always eat breakfast. Try to eat 5 to 6 small balanced meals a day. Eliminated refined sugars. Eat lots of green vegetables.
2. Get Moving: Whether you take midnight walks on the beach, hit the Stairmaster, or take Yoga, or a Group Fitness class the more you move the more calories you will burn. So get up and get at it.
3. Drink Water: The human body is made up of about 70 to 75 percent water. It requires water for proper digestion, transport of nutrients, nutrient metabolism, and elimination of toxins. The brain itself is made up of about 85 percent water, which it requires for proper cognitive function and memory. The body also uses water to maintain cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure.
4. Use Resistance: Don’t be a cardio queen! The quickest way to lose body fat is to increase your muscle size. Muscle weighs more than fat and you burn more calories pound for pound when you convert fat to muscle. Step off the machine and hit the rack. Confused about where to start? Ask an Island City Health & Fitness Certified Trainer to get you on the right track.
5. Sleep: You need sleep and rest. Your body can not repair without the proper amount of sleep. Simply getting a couple extra hours of sleep a night will help you lose weight and also give you more energy. With your new found energy you can have a better workout!
6. Nutritional Cleansing: Nutritional Cleansing increases the health benefits you’ll receive from the ancient health practice of cleansing. The herbs, vitamins, and minerals that aid cleansing accelerate the removal of impurities from the body and nourish the body with vital nutrients to rapidly revive health. A cleansed and revitalized body is stronger and resists illness better. It is more efficient and performs at a higher level than one that is filled with impurities. Many people notice an ability to reach and maintain their ideal weight.
Island City Health and Fitness offers a wide range of services and a full gym with sauna and steam room. Island City Health and Fitness is located in the heart of Wilton Manors on Wilton Drive.
For more information contact the author Melissa Binkley at 954-318-3900 to schedule a consultation or session with a Certified Fitness Trainer or visit http://www.islandcityfitness.com/
1. Eat Clean: There are many rules to eating clean. DIETING is not one of them. Always eat breakfast. Try to eat 5 to 6 small balanced meals a day. Eliminated refined sugars. Eat lots of green vegetables.
2. Get Moving: Whether you take midnight walks on the beach, hit the Stairmaster, or take Yoga, or a Group Fitness class the more you move the more calories you will burn. So get up and get at it.
3. Drink Water: The human body is made up of about 70 to 75 percent water. It requires water for proper digestion, transport of nutrients, nutrient metabolism, and elimination of toxins. The brain itself is made up of about 85 percent water, which it requires for proper cognitive function and memory. The body also uses water to maintain cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure.
4. Use Resistance: Don’t be a cardio queen! The quickest way to lose body fat is to increase your muscle size. Muscle weighs more than fat and you burn more calories pound for pound when you convert fat to muscle. Step off the machine and hit the rack. Confused about where to start? Ask an Island City Health & Fitness Certified Trainer to get you on the right track.
5. Sleep: You need sleep and rest. Your body can not repair without the proper amount of sleep. Simply getting a couple extra hours of sleep a night will help you lose weight and also give you more energy. With your new found energy you can have a better workout!
6. Nutritional Cleansing: Nutritional Cleansing increases the health benefits you’ll receive from the ancient health practice of cleansing. The herbs, vitamins, and minerals that aid cleansing accelerate the removal of impurities from the body and nourish the body with vital nutrients to rapidly revive health. A cleansed and revitalized body is stronger and resists illness better. It is more efficient and performs at a higher level than one that is filled with impurities. Many people notice an ability to reach and maintain their ideal weight.
Island City Health and Fitness offers a wide range of services and a full gym with sauna and steam room. Island City Health and Fitness is located in the heart of Wilton Manors on Wilton Drive.
For more information contact the author Melissa Binkley at 954-318-3900 to schedule a consultation or session with a Certified Fitness Trainer or visit http://www.islandcityfitness.com/
Monday, February 14, 2011
Healthy Valentine
After racking my brain for the best way to enjoy this Lover's Holiday without Chocolate, Champagne, or the usual edible goodies that occupany this day I came up with a fun solution. Instead of a box of chocolates, I am creating a box of memories and a scrapbook. I have all the fun makings to start an "Our Journey" book that can be added to as the years go on. So tonight when I get home I am looking forward to sitting down with my amazing partner and creating a display while eating my normal clean eating competition food. I am five weeks from my first competition of the year and finding creative ways to do normal things is always a fun challenge.
Healthy and Happy in 2011
I have taken a hiatus in blogging, but have decided as part of my journey this year, both competively, personally, and professionally that I need to start again. And make a valant effort to continue it this time. I have started on a new career path with an amazing gym, Island City Health and Fitness. I have come on board as their Director of Fitness. This job has many new facets and takes on many new avenues for me and is my dream emerging. I am blessed this Valentine's Day with love from an amazing partner, health, and passion. Visit here often for fitness tips and to learn about exciting events at my gym, and about my competition journey. Visit Island City Health and Fitness
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