Some people have a difficult time dealing with change and have a tendency to relate to change negatively, but I am not one of those folks. I thrive on it. I love change, and this Fall I have experienced it in almost every aspect of my life- Personally and professionally.

 

My trainers and I just returned to South Bend after attending the Art of Strength workshop/certification weekend in Seekonk, Ma. Wow! Since February 2008 when I first attended, everything about this certification weekend has changed! We were blown away by all that we learned and were exposed to. We learned that kettlebell training is about so much more than just the kettlebell. That it’s just another tool in our tool box that we use to implement the AOS training philosophies. We learned all about AOS corrective strategies and learned that by simply watching our clients move while performing the Turkish Get Up we can recognize muscular imbalances, limited flexibility, and strengths and weaknesses in our clients. We can then train them through a series of exercises- the TGU corrective strategies circuit, and over time, the weaknesses that our clients display are eventually self corrected. AMAZING. 

 

…kettlebell training is about so much more than just the kettlebell.

 

We also learned several Vintage Movements and progressions to kettlebell training. Did you know that the kettlebell exercises we perform today all originated with strongman barbells and dumbbells? Swings, Snatches, all of it, was performed using Barbells and dumbbells. We learned that mastering these vintage movements with the strongman barbell and dumbbell is essential for us and our clients to be successful when using the kettlebell. Here at Punch Gym South Bend, the kettlebell has been our main training tool for a year, and this is something that is going to change. We are fired up about implementing these new tools and new training methods! So many things here at Punch South Bend are going to change.

 

…the kettlebell has been our main training tool for a year, and this is something that is going to change.

 

On a personal note, I’ve had tremendous challenges and change happening in my life outside of the gym. (I hope you can read on with understanding) I’m beginning to discover what I really want out of life. I’m a person who has always embraced challenges and change professionally. I’m always looking for new ways to be a better trainer, athlete, and business owner. I’m driven to succeed and I truly want to be the best. I’m ashamed to admit (I can’t believe I’m telling you this!) that for the past several years, I have not had the same drive and commitment to success as it relates to my personal life and personal relationships. I have been “going through the motions” in many personal relationships and have lost touch with what I want and need out of my life. Lost touch with who I am, in a way, and put my own happiness on the back burner.  Why do we, as women, have such a tendency to do this? Why do we put everyone else’s needs and wants ahead of our own? So much so, that eventually, we lose touch with who we are and what makes us amazing and beautiful women?

 

Why do we put everyone else’s needs and wants ahead of our own? …we lose touch with who we are and what makes us amazing and beautiful women?

 

As women, we give so much of ourselves to others that sometimes it’s hard to take that step back and realize that we need happiness, too. We have unmet needs for fulfillment, for happiness, and for love that we so easily put on ice so that we can attend to everything and everyone else. AND, when we finally wake up and realize that years have passed and we have lost ourselves in the giving to everyone else, we then struggle with feelings of selfishness as if our own happiness is undeserved.  

 

Let me ask you this ladies: If you don’t stand up for yourself and demand happiness and love, who will do that for you? A close friend recently said to me: “Lori, you deserve to be happy”…another close friend said “If you want something more or different out of life, you have to ‘GO OUT AND GET IT’” This is where I am at right now. I am the woman described above, and i am going to “GO OUT AND GET IT”. 

 

The AOS Women’s page is a place devoted to support and to sharing. We share stories, recipes, workouts, and fit tips. We support one another and motivate one another here. I spilled my guts to you today because I also believe it’s a place to safely share matters of the heart- without judgment, without ridicule, and with this support network of strong women out there. I LOVE change! And I’m thankful I do because I am committed to changing my life. I’m going to be happy and I’m going to love and be loved, and I’m not going to allow myself or anyone else to make me feel selfish for wanting a beautiful and fulfilling life for myself and my family.  

 

You shouldn’t either. Girls, let’s talk. If you can relate at all to this article, shoot me an email. I’d love to help…or maybe I could use some. Lol!

 

I’m going to be happy and I’m going to love and be loved, and I’m not going to allow myself or anyone else to make me feel selfish for wanting a beautiful and fulfilling life for myself and my family.  

 

 

 

 

GO OUT AND GET IT, THEN REPEAT!  

 

DO THIS 

 

 

 

Regan Arreola, from Punch Gym Janesville, wrote in to share one of her biggest fitness secrets.  It just so happened that it corrosponded with this week’s Pick of the Week so we’ve decided to include it with this week’s issue. Thanks Regan!  And check out the link after the article to head to Staci’s pick.

 

I Cut It Out 

 

I cut it out.  The underwire in my newest sports bra!  I can’t tell you how much time and money I have spent searching for a comfortable supportive sports bra and one without underwire.  I am not a fan of underwire, is it really necessary?  Some may disagree but it just doesn’t do it for me. 

 

Tired of wasting  my  time and money on another sports bra that would possibly be just as uncomfortable as the others I decided to cut out the underwire.  I made a tiny incision where the wire was bound and pulled those wires out!  Guess what?  It worked!!!!  Just as supportive without the wires digging into my skin.

 

If your bras work for you with the underwire, great.  But if you’re like me, and you have any that drive you crazy and you won’t wear them, why don’t you try cutting out the underwire, you may just be glad you did!

 

 

Staci, ever the shopper and expert on fitness gear, believes she has finally found the most comfortable sports bra available.  The “No Poke Wire Bra” from Champion Sport, available through Sports Authority, is not only her top pick for training but it’s the only one she recommends. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Unfold parchment and coat lightly with cooking spray. Leave one tow-inch edge ungreased.  Place fillet on one side so it touches the fold but not the ungreased edge. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto over fillet and top with 1/4 cup each, carrot, cabbage and zucchini. Sprinkle with one-fourth of the salt and pepper and one minced clove of garlic. Drizzle fillet with 1 teaspoon oil and 1 teaspoon chicken stock.  Fold paper and seal edges with narrow folds. Repeat with the remaining parchment paper, fish, and vegetables. Place packets on baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned. To serve, open packets and transfer the fillets with their vegetable topping to plates.  Pour juices over top. Or serve right in packets: carefully transfer to plates and pierce each to allow steam to escape.

 

328 calories; 39g protein; 16g fat; 6g carbohydrates