Bonnie Guzman's Rant On Successful Weight Loss

My sister-in-law Bonnie is a machine! She runs like crazy and is fit and healthy. Over the past five years she has been successful at losing weight and keeping it off. Here are some tips she shared.

"Exercise is excellent and do keep that up, but 90% of losing weight is all about what you eat. That's so hard, to change how you think about food. Our society offers temptations everywhere we look. If you eat NOTHING but lean meat ...( chicken, fish, pork or beef) that is NOT fried or battered, eat as many GREEN vegetables as possible ( forget peas or corn) stay away from salad dressings unless it is a simple oil and vinaigrette, and have small/reasonable portions of cheese or dairy, the pounds will MELT AWAY. I PROMISE YOU. No salt, no gravy, no dessert, no pasta ( actually you could have a bit of pasta or grains but people really underestimate how fattening they are) MINIMAL bread, olive oil instead of butter, NOTHING PROCESSED AT ALL. NOTHING out of a box. Skip ALL fast food restaurants unless you are ASSURED of what you eat is something that will help get you where you want to go. For example, some fast food restaurants provide salads and top them off with batter covered chopped chicken, ranch dressing, bacon bits, etc. FORGET ABOUT IT."

 

This is it folks, there is no mystery. Bonnie took a few years to lose the weight, which is the best way to do and she has kept it off. It may sound brutal but if you really want to succeed, this is some great advice. You can't be good for a week or two and expect lasting results.

Center Strength Studio

I purchased a month of Pilates for Center Strength studio and loved it so much I have purchased another month. This is a great little studio in Wash Park on South Gaylord Street. I love all of the instructors there and have made a few friends in some of the classes.

Center Strength offers, Tai Chi, Mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates, Yoga and massage. I have been to several mat Pilates classes on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. I have had three different instructors. Wednesday Sara teaches Mat Pilates at noon. She was my first instructor so I am partial to her. She tends to focus on working the glutes, feet and lat muscles (the muscles below your armpits) she calls these your New York Times muscle. If you pretend you are holding a paper under your arm you automatically pull your shoulder down.

I know you just tried it. lol, It works huh?

I have also trained with Nicole who likes to work the core and Liz who also really likes to work the core. These three instructors all usually do a full body workout in the class and you will feel the burn if you haven't been training in a while.

Center strength is clean and they supply all of the equipment including mats and mat pads. The studio is a good temperature and I have never had a problem parking. The mat classes are equitable and tons of fun. Even if you are newby, you will feel comfortable and welcomed.

Check the studio out. You still have time to vote on Channel Seven's A-List to receive a free class.

http://www.centerstrengthpilates.com/Center_Strength_Denver_Pilates/Welcome.html

One day left to vote on Channel Seven

http://kmgh.cityvoter.com/center-strength/biz/53799

Jazzercise

I know what you are thinking; neon, belted, thong leotards bouncing around to Let's Get Physical by Olivia Newton John. Older women clapping and yelping with spiral perms and leg warmers. This is what I was expecting when I joined Jazzercise over the summer. This vision was farthest from the truth, except maybe the clapping and yelping.

Jazzercise classes consist of step cardio, pilates, yoga, light lifting and stretching. We used weights, the step-up and the balance ball. The first 30-40 minutes was spent on the steps, 10 minutes of warm-up 20 minutes of high intensity and ten minutes of cool down. The last 20 minutes was light lifting and floor work.

What I liked about this class was that I spent so much time trying to get the moves down, that time just flew by. Everyone was really nice and helpful and everyone worked at different skill levels. My fellow jazzercisers ranged in age from teenagers all the way into their 80s but I found they were all woman.

Jazzercise is a great cardio workout. You can work at your own skill level and it's up to you to push yourself. There are studios all over town and classes will run you about $40 a month for unlimited access. There are usually specials going on and currently you can get Sept-Nov for $75 with joining fee.

I need more heavy lifting in my program so I have retired my Jazzercise badge but I definitely had fun. I may even go back to it someday. Oh and even though I did hear an Olivia Newton John song, most of the music is fairly current and definitely will get you moving.


http://jazzercise.com/

Free Workout

Take the stairs! Whether you are climbing one floor or ten, take the stairs. If you are in the middle of your work day, in work clothes, slow down and you shouldn't get too sweaty. Ditch the elevator and start climbing.

Hello Denver

Hello and welcome to The Denver Fitness Story. To give you a little background, I consider myself moderately athletic. My workout experience includes gyms, yoga studios, Pilate's studios, personal trainers, home work-out tapes, Comcast On Demand work-out videos and Jazzercise. I have been on a few hikes in Colorado and I have ran my fair share of circles around Washington Park, City Park, Sloans Lake and Harvard Gulch. I am intermittently active but I am always trying to find something to hold my attention. My plan is to try many different athletic activities in and near Denver and to share my experience with you.