Having said that, it’s a great way to see who’s doing what in Anchorage.

This morning, I did my usual log-in and saw this nonsense:

Weight-Loss Hot Pants!  

Seriously?!?!!

What’s more disturbing is that more than 240 of these ridiculous things have been bought before 9am.

Can you say, “ridiculous?”

I don’t often go on a tirade, and if you are one of the 240, I recommend calling now and getting your money back.

Cellulite happens…yes.

And, it is not necessarily a sign of aging.  I had a friend in college (we were 18-21).  She was (and still is) rail thin and has had cellulite thighs since she was 16.

Here’s the thing.

Regardless of the “hot pants” manufacturer’s claims, nothing actually changes cellulite.

However, in the never-ending quest for beauty, merchants know there is nothing you won’t try.

This “latest technology”  uses “infared rays” to help  you to sweat more and there by, rid the “toxins from your body that cause cellulite.”

Really?!

If you want to sweat more to lose cellulite, how about joining boot camp, building muscle and replacing the “jigglies” with rock-solid muscle?

Not as catchy as losing weight in your sleep by wearing “hot pants,” I know.  But here’s the thing…no matter how good the sales pitch, nothing actually “melts cellulite.”

To change your body, you have to change your life and your lifestyle! 

In study after study, this is the ONLY thing that really truly works.

It’s not easy, but nothing that we value ever comes easy, does it?

Ditch the hot pants!

Get your butt in boot camp and then show off your new butt in real hot pants.  

We can do that for you…

Results Guaranteed!!

Bring a Friend to Boot Camp  on Saturday.

Call 783-1241 or click the link below:

http://anchoragepersonaltrainer.com/client-appreciation-saturday/

I do, however consider this a successful week.  Why?  I maintained my good eating and I still got 2 workouts in.

I also accomplished a HUGE goal!  I successfully moved all of my stuff into Anchorage:)

Not a minute too soon, either.  It was pouring rain in Girdwood on Sunday, and while it wasn’t sunny and beautiful, it was not raining in Anchorage and it was about 10 degrees warmer.

More importantly, I will now have about 12 extra hours added to my week that I won’t be spending on the road.

Just in the 24 hours I’ve been living here, I can already feel a tremendous difference in stress levels and my energy.

Getting up this morning, knowing I didn’t have to high-tail it into town allowed me to sleep in, have a leisurely morning and even have time to do some recreational reading…something I haven’t done in months.

What does all of this mean to you?  A few lessons to be learned.

1.  Being perfect is an illusion.  Yes, I’m in Bridal Boot Camp mode, but I don’t have to get my workout in EVERY day.  Focusing on what I accomplish (maintained healthy eating habits, got in two workouts) is much more motivating and keeps me in a positive state of mind.  This is a high-stress time in my life and I don’t need to add pressure where there’s already plenty.

2.  Don’t wait to make your life more efficient.  And by efficient, I don’t mean boring.  When I think about what I could have done with 12+ hours per week for the last 6 months…well, let’s just say it doesn’t make me happy.  Time is the ONLY thing we can’t buy, manufacture, create or save.  We have it and it’s gone and we never know how much of it we have, so budgeting doesn’t work either.  Simply creating short-cuts for tasks can add minutes, which add up to hours.  Look at your “regular” day and figure out where you can “add” time.  You won’t be sorry you did.

I’ve had a few folks ask me how they can join me for Bridal Boot Camp. The best option right now is to take advantage of our “Sizzlin’ Summer Deal!”  Get 3 months of Boot Camp (that’s all summer long) for $598 (that’s about $199 per month or $100 off each month, all summer long!)  The best way to take advantage, just give us a call at 783-1241 or Click here to find out more and to sign up.  This deal is only available until May 29.  Get yours now!

Happy Monday,
Ginny

P.S.  Got in plenty of sleep last night and made it to 10am Boot Camp today…it’s going to be a good week:)

P.P.S.  Join me for Boot Camp…just $598.  Call 783-1241 now or  Click here

Nothing worked…High Carb, Low Carb, the latest and greatest “2 week diet” in Cosmo.  She had tried them all.  Even gaining weight on plans that were supposed to help her lose weight.

She joined our Nutrition KickStart Program 6 weeks ago and has had fantastic results!

She has lost 6 pounds of body fat, gained 1.5 pounds of muscle, changed her body fat percentage by 2% points, and lost an amazing 11.5 inches!

For the first time in her life, she understands how to eat, when to eat and what to eat.

Click her video below and let her tell you all about it.

She has some insightful, real-life advice for you at the end of the video, so be sure to watch it all the way through.

Ready for your own transformation?
Get the started with the program DeAnna used by clicking the button below.

P.S.  Our KickStart is included in all of our Boot Camp and Small Group Training Programs.
We give you the only COMPLETE solution to reaching your health and fitness goals!

Last week was a good week for my own personal bridal boot camp.  I ran on Monday (you may remember my sprint to pick up my car after having my tires changed over).  I followed this with Boot Camp classes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

I’ve been keeping up with my snacks, making sure I’ve got my lunch with me every day and keeping up with my Physique post-workout and Cinch in between meals.  Energy levels have been pretty good, although I do have to confess to having afternoon coffee as the week wore on.

It’s amazing what just a little planning and forethought can accomplish!  Marq and I started moving some of my stuff down to his place in Kenai last weekend in anticipation of my move to town.  We have a place we’re moving into in July, and are staying with a friend for the 6-8 weeks before it’s ready.  This will cover the time from now til just after the wedding.

This weekend we made some real progress.  My little home in Girdwood is now lacking in some of the things that gave it my personality, but between now and next weekend, I think I’ll be fully moved into town.

Packing one box per night was a great start.  This week it’s packing and moving stuff as I come into town and sorting through the “thousand and one” little things.  You know…receipts, old paperwork (there’s a bonfire in my future), and other random junk I’ve accumulated in the past two years.

I’ll continue to get my workouts in, either joining my 10-amers or going in mid-day when no one else is around.  We’ll see.

Oh, and in the midst of all of this, I have two fun announcements for AlaskaFit.

1.  We are still taking applications for our Girls Program.  If you haven’t heard about this yet, click here to find out more.  We are holding a FREE Boot Camp for Girls ages 14-16.  We’ll be teaching them how to take care of themselves, how to eat well, how to exercise and live a fit and healthy lifestyle.  We start May 22 and the deadline to apply is May 11.  If you have a daughter or know a 14-16 year old girl, you must read about this program.

2.  We are holding a Summer Sizzler! sale on Boot Camp.  Join before May 29 and get 3 months of Boot Camp for just $598!  You save $300!!  Click here for details.

On Monday, I read a scary article in the Anchorage Daily News.

(The link to the article is at the end of this.)

It was also picked up and was run on the first page of the Anchorage  Daily News on Monday.

And it breaks my heart!

Kids and Diabetes.  It’s becoming epidemic in our society.  A full 30% of our kids are overweight and/or obese.  

“So what?” you say.

“It just means they’re not ‘pretty.” you scoff.

This issue is so much bigger than fitting in, being teased or having low self-esteem.

This is the reason that the next generation won’t live longer than their parents.

This article brings to light a whole host of issues that we, as adults, ignore.

–Type II Diabetes used to be so rare in children that it was called ”adult onset” diabetes.

What this means: The complications from Diabetes include heart disease, stroke, blindness and the eventual loss of fingers, toes, legs and arms.

Children won’t only live shorter lives, they will have smaller lives.  They won’t be able to pursue their dreams becasue their bodies won’t let them!

–Kids don’t do well with drugs.
The findings of the study indicate two things about the drugs doctors are prescribing for Diabetes.

1.  They don’t work on kids as they are on adults.  They are also not approved for use in children.

What this means:  Kids are being used as guinea pigs to test medications that are not approved for them in the undocumented hope that this will “cure” the problem.

Drugs will NEVER cure Diabetes.   Lifestyle change will. There are zero long-term studies done on children and the use of these drugs. There is no telling what the long-term side effects of taking tem will be.

2.  Kids don’t take their drugs regularly.  Kids are kids.  Routine and discipline do not come naturally to them.  (How many times have you asked your son/ daughter to take out the  rash or put their dishes in the sink or dishwasher?)

Even adults don’t take their meds when they should.  They forgot this morning, ran out and didn’t refill a script.

How can we possibly expect a kid to take their pills every day when the adults don’t do it?

What this means: Drugs are not the answer.  There is no way to “enforce” compliance with a medication regimen. And, I am not in any way advocating for a way to make this happen.

What I am advocating for is education, movement and fun.

Education:  Teach kids about their bodies.  How do they function?  What’s a calorie?  Why does it matter if you’re eating too much sugar?  What’s the difference between processed food and natural food?

The overwhelming majority of kids have no idea what they’re eating or why.  This means they are incapable of making healthy choices for themselves.

Movement: Not every kid is an athlete.  But every kid can feel good by making their body move.

Maybe they like to walk, maybe it’s running, or Zumba, or playing tag.  Maybe it’s just playing.
Let them run around. Get them outside to play. Teach them how they can get movement into their day all day long and then let them choose what they like to do best.

Fun:  Kids can play together and learn together and have fun.

Let’s face it.  After a certain age, kids go from thinking mom & dad are the coolest people in the world to thinking, “Mom and Dad don’t know anything.”

This is where we can help!

AlaskaFit is holding a “For Girls Only” (ages 14-16) Boot Camp.  (We are planning a for Boys only camp later this summer).

It’s FREE and it addresses all of the issues in this article.

This article is also why it’s FREE!  Too many kids are suffering and will be dying waaaaaay too young.  If I can help just one girl to make healthier lifestyle choices…it’s all worth it!

We are only taking 10 girls into the program and we’ve already filled 4 spaces.

To find out more or to apply, call us at 783-1241.

Deadline to apply is Friday (that’s the day after tomorrow!)

Help us to save a child from disaster!

Cheers,
Ginny

P.S.  To read the article, click here.

P.P.S.  Call 783-1241 to enroll your daughter, niece, friend. They can have a better life and you can be the one to give it to them!

This morning, I dropped my car off at Continental Volvo for the semi-annual tire change and less frequent than recommended oil change.  They very kindly dropped me off at my office via the shuttle and I realized that they are only about 2 miles from AlaskaFit.

They called this afternoon to let me know the car was done and I did what any good trainer would do.  I ran to pick up my car.

True, it wasn’t a long run (proud to say I got there in 16 minutes), but it sure felt good to get out in the sunshine in the late afternoon (car exhaust notwithstanding) and stretch my legs and lungs.

You can make any day and any mundane chore into a workout…just think about what you would do if you had no transportation.  How would you get from point A to point B?

Or, if there were no elevators or escalators…the extra two minutes you take to climb the stairs could, in the long run, save your life.

More great stuff tomorrow.  Tune in!

So, as of Monday, I’m experimenting with a 60-day Bridal Boot Camp.  It will include some better eating…kick-butt workouts that either I will design, or I’ll let my own trainers torture me with.  I don’t have a lot of weight to lose in 60 days, so for me, that’s not my goal.  Yes, I’d like to drop 7-10 pounds, but if I don’t, it’s not big deal.

The most important part of a Boot Camp though is knowing what you want to achieve.  What are your goals?

My goals are to:

1. Regain control of my time and regain my work/life balance
2. Eat more regularly
3. Get better definition in my arms and increase core strength.
4. Give up coffee…this will probably be the most difficult of all of it all.  I’m not sure when, exactly I’ll start this, but trust me, you will all know.
5. Get my workouts in EVERY day…yes, it’s true, even us fitness pros sometimes miss a workout.

Oh, and finish planning the wedding, move to Anchorage, sell our property on the Kenai and launch a few new programs at AlaskaFit.  Can I do it?  I have no idea.

Tune in…I’ll keep you posted.

P.S.  If you want to join me in my quest and you’re already a client, I’ll probably be mostly attending the 10am workouts (don’t tell Emilio…it’s a surprise and I don’t want him thinking up new ways to torture me).    If you’re not a client, you can join AlaskaFit and come to our Boot Camp classes with me. Our regular programs are longer than 60 days, so once you get through my wedding, you’ll have plenty of time to continue on your own journey towards your own goals.

You’ll have to join before Monday, May 1 to get the full 60 days in.  And, if you join before Monday, I’ll give you two bonus gifts…a copy of my Amazon #1 Best-Selling Book 3 Steps to Your Best Body in Record Time and  copy of my Max Burn Report that tells you exactly what to eat before and after your workouts for maximum results.  It’s the way I’ll be eating for the next 60 days.  Just call 783-1241 and ask for Jesse or Bobbi Jo and they’ll get you set up for my Bridal Boot Camp and Beyond.

And, here’s a pic of the last bride I had in Boot Camp…at the time, I didn’t call it Boot Camp, but I figure if I can make her look fabulous, I can make me look fabulous, too.

Marq and I registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond (BBB) on Saturday.  It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be thanks to Megan, our bridal shopper.  She was wonderful and very helpful, but I didn’t envy her taking us through the store.

The conversation went something like this, “Do you need a pasta pot?”

“We have 2 of those.”

“What about a roasting pan?”

” Just bought one here last year.”

“Set of pots?”

“We have 3.”

We found plenty of other fun stuff to register for, but if she was used to dealing with 20-somethings, we were a challenge.

Our shopping trip is not the point of this blog.  It’s about commitment and time management.

One of the things that BBB does is give you a logon so you can update your registry at any time.  I logged into BBB last night and was greeted with a giant banner that read “66 days til your wedding!”  What?!  I had calculated 68 days!

Either way, there’s no escaping that time is tick, tick, ticking.  Every time I log in I’ll be greeted with the countdown.

Life has been pretty chaotic since opening our new space.  I’m loving the adventure of it all, but I’ve been feeling less and less in control of my life.  Time is flying (as I’ll now be reminded) and my work/life balance is definitely askew.  As a Libra, this imbalance makes me mighty unhappy.

In the midst of the wedding and the new business, I am also moving from Girdwood to Anchorage.  This means I’m currently looking for an apartment for Marq and me to live in until we decide where we want to live and where we can buy a home.

Seeing the handwriting on the wall (or the timer on the laptop screen), I have decided that it’s time to regain control of my life and my time.

Last night I made a long list of “all” of the things I need to do.  I’m now working on my calendar…blocking time, committing to a schedule of events, protecting my work time and scheduling in free time.

Then, I did it. I took my first baby step towards control.

I packed one box.

I was getting ready to go to bed and realized that I was about to renege on the brand new commitment I made to myself to pack at least one box each day.

My move to town is going to happen pretty quickly once I find a place and I want to be prepared.  So, just before turning in, I turned away from the comfort of my bed and packed my first box.  It was easy…I started with the mountains of books that I have.  Books are the easiest, fastest thing to pack.  Five minutes later, I was taking out my sharpie, labeling the box and calling it a day.

The moral of the story is that we can all do it.  And it’s especially important when time and life are overwhelming us.  Small steps we can take to control our environment can make a tremendous difference in our stress levels and in how we relate to each other and ourselves.

What are you doing today to change your life and take control? It can be as simple as taking 1 minute to close your eyes and breathe.

Find your control and please feel free to share.

If you need help gaining control of your health and your fitness, we would love to see you.  Stop in for a free class, call us at 783-1241 or just complete the info above for a free consultation.  You and I will sit down and figure out what the best plan is for you.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my plea:)

I’ve got leads on cakes and got some fantastic suggestions for how to feed 60 people on a budget.  You are fantastic!

The apartment search is a little daunting, but doable.  I looked at a place on Friday and another yesterday…I’ve got a third viewing this morning.  The market is tight, but not as bad as I originally thought.  It just takes a little time to sort through everything on Criagslist.

Today brings another big step forward…I’m going to start packing…Yikes!  I have a TON of books in my little home in Girdwood.  Some fiction, but mostly books on marketing and how to run my business better.  There are stacks and stacks of them.  And, they are the easiest thing to pack, so today I am dedicating an hour to getting them into boxes.  I figure if I spend just one hour per day on packing, I’ll be very ready to move when the time comes.

Other big things going on:

• The Heart Run is Saturday!  Our AlaskaFit Fanatics team is assembled (there’s still time to join us, just visit HeartRun.com to sign up) and we’ve raised almost $1,000!  To be fair, the overwhelming majority of that comes from one of our runners...Sherri Normand has raised $750!!  If she can do it, we all can do it.  She’s a rock star boot camper and she’s going to do fantastic on Saturday.  She just changed her status to “timed.”  Can’t wait to see how she does!!There has been some confusion about when/where to pick up our bibs.  I’m in touch with the Heart Association and they’re trying to figure it all out.  They think I have our team’s bibs…I think they have our bibs.  I should have a definite answer today.
• Your Best Body Contest is in Week 4!  We have 3 workouts left.  Remember, you can either come to Boot Camp this Saturday or join us for the Heart Run.  And, for our Challengers, remember to complete your “mid-way” essay!  You’ll need it complete to compete for prizes in a few weeks!
• Girls Only Summer Program.  We are thrilled to announce a summer program for girls only.  ”It’s MY Life!”™ Boot Camp for Girls ages 14-16.  We are taking just 10 girls into the program.  It begins on Tuesday, May 22.  Girls will meet at AlaskaFit on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for 4 weeks at 2pm.

  They will learn skills to make good, healthy decisions about their lifestyle.  We will focus on fitness and nutrition, answer questions like, “What’s a calorie?”  ”How do I read a food label?” “How do I exercise and stay fit as an adult?” “How do I shop for food in the supermarket?”

  This program is FREE because I think this information is critical for girls to know.  Learning how to make healthy decisions at a time when they are starting to make real-life decisions for themselves can change the course of their entire life!

  If you know a girls who might be interested, please call (or have her call) our office at 783-1241 between 6am – 2pm and ask for Bobbi Jo or Jade.

Off and running for the day:)

P.S.  Our 1-acre lot on the Kenai is still for sale.  Click here to view the info.

As many of you know, I’m getting married on June 30, to the most wonderful man in the world, Marq Grabowski:)  Well, June 30 is only 74 days away.  For the most part, we’re both pretty calm about the wedding (we don’t expect it to be perfect, we just want it to be fun:).

Much as I try not to, I have some things in common with the “Bridezillas” out there.

1.  I want to look great in my wedding dress.  Don’t worry, I won’t be sporting a feeding tube any time soon, but I will be joining you all in workouts much more regularly than I have since we moved into the new space.  I’ll leave the teaching to my trainers, so I’ll be in there sweating it out with you, too.  I will also be looking for running/hiking partners randomly, so please keep an eye on FaceBook (click here to like us) because that’s where I’ll post that I’m looking for someone to join me on a hike/run.

2.  I’m moving.  As Marq and I get ready to build our lives together, we are making the big move from Girdwood to Anchorage.  Initially, our plan is to rent a small place until we figure out which part of town is our favorites.  If you know of a quiet, 1 or 2 bedroom with a 6-month lease, please e-mail me or call the office at 783-1241.  I will be forever grateful.  I may also give away some AlaskaFit gear as a thank you for helping me to find a place.

3.  We need a caterer or ideas for how to feed 60 wedding guests on a budget.  And, since we’re getting married in Cooper Landing, it’s even trickier. All thoughts and ideas are welcome.  Please e-mail me at Ginny @AlaskaFit.com if you have suggestions.

4.  This is a biggie and probably not something I have in common with other Brides, but it’s on my “wish list” so I thought I’d add it, too.  We have a phenomenal, 1-acre piece of property on the Kenai River that we want to sell.  Click here to view the listing we have on Craigslist.com   If you know someone who may be interested, please call me at 783-1241.

I’ll be updating this blog for the 74-day countdown to the wedding.  Look forward to things like family arriving, friends crashing on the couch, oh yeah…and packing up my home in Girdwood, moving into Anchorage, and on and on and on.

I would love to hear from you as I make my way through the next couple of months.  Feel free to comment on the blog or send me an e-mail with advice, comments, whatever:)

Cheers,

Ginny