Stay focused

As I type this to myself on Facebook, I'm sure to anyone reading, it could appear to be that I am focused on anything!!!! But, in the midst of receiving bad news almost every day last week, I am reminded that there is no news that I can not handle if my focus is on Christ. That in the realm of things, it is almost comical to get upset when I think of how small any suffering I have to endure might be, compared to what our saviour endured in his lifetime. Worry over a loved one, or the loss of a friendship? Jesus endured far more. Illness or feeling insecure has no comparison to the love Christ Jesus has for me. I know that he is holding on to me and won't let go!! I know that he is holding on to my loved ones, and won't let go. That he is holding on to my friends heart and won't let go!! I have to surrender it to him and not pick it back up!!
My focus is on Jesus Christ my saviour and how can I be used!!

God's green earth

I am asked by many people if I can help them learn to eat healthy. I am more than happy to try to educate. Eating healthy is a way of life, not a diet!! My advice is always the same. Eat as close to God's green earth as possible. Get rid of the junk and processed foods and pile on the colorful veggies!!! Eat clean, healthy protein, drink lots of water and limit sugar, including fruit. Although fruit is GREAT for you and is from God's green earth, it can have a lot of hidden sugar!! Try to use healthy "fats", such as olive oil or flax oil. Avoid butter and heavy creams!
Start with baby steps. Try adding in something new and healthy and getting rid of one bad thing at a time. If you do this process slowly, it WILL become a life long "habit".
I like a tasty treat as much as the next person, everything in moderation!! When I eat good 90% of my day, I can afford that treat!!
Get up and move to Grow Strong!!!!

We are officially in our new space! A true blessing from God! Everything about it says "God". Even the interior design. He planned it all!!! I feel so unworthy, but know it is His plan, so I am soaking it all in and doing the best I can to honor Him every day!! Come see us at 124 Dal Hall Blvd in Lake Placid!!

Learning...

I love my job and I think you all know that by now! I am inspired by the people that I meet and the questions that are asked. Things that seem natural to me aren't to so many and I LOVE answering!!! So, ask away!! I love answering nutrition questions, workout questions, how to get moving questions! It is my passion to help others enjoy a healthy lifestyle and to enjoy working out. Whether that is kickbox, yoga or just walking! What works for one does not work for another. People seem amazed when I say I'm not a runner. It is so funny that I really have to convince some people that I am not kidding!! I've tried so many times and I know I'll run again, but it is not my first love!
Grow Strong will be closed for the last two weeks of July and Lord knows my body can use the rest....but with it will come GOOD NEWS!! I'm busting at the seams to spill the beans, but it must wait! Just KNOW that our closing for two weeks will be well worth it to our faithful Grow Strong friends!!
Have a blessed day and get up and move!!! Walk alone, dance with friends, stretch with your kids....just MOVE!!

Summer blessings

Lately I am overwhelmed by the interest in our little studio! I am in awe of what God is doing! I can't believe how much I love my job and how this was all placed before us and fell into place. Daily we encounter blessings from others! Why am I so amazed? God is huge!!
Usually summers are quiet for me, in fact, I've taken summers off the last 3 years. But, I think this summer is going to be "interesting"! I'm excited! I can't wait to meet new people and encourage and educate people on taking care of their "vessels".
Someone told me I have a "reputation" around town as being a tough instructor. That's cool, I guess...but at the same time. I don't want people to be intimidated! Kickbox might be a little tougher, but the weighted classes and Beth's yoga classes are for EVERYONE! I hope that people understand my PASSION to share my love of taking care of ME! I want everyone to learn that it doesn't have to be a bad experience!! Leave questions!!!

Happy

Yesterday the ladies from "Walk in the Park" class did their first 5k! These are ladies that are pushing strollers! When we first talked about training for a 3.1 mile run, they looked at me like I was crazy. (And I am!). Some of them could not run to the end of the street when we started and now they all have "the bug" to get better and train for ANOTHER 5K! My heart is filled with happiness to see them enjoy taking care of their bodies. They are eating better and I think many were surprised to see waist lines shrinking!
Our philosophy at "Grow Strong" is that you enjoy taking care of YOU, and these ladies have proved that! I am more than a little proud of their hard work and accomplishments! Out of the 7 that raced, 3 brought home medals!
Yeah God!

Don't know how to get started???

Have you always wanted to start a fitness routine and didn't know how? Did it seem like a huge task and you feel defeated? Here is the simplest way I know and it is guaranteed to give you that jump start of confidence you need.
1/ Yes...just get up and move!! See..you've started.
2/ M,W & F--Do 10 pushups ("girly" pushups acceptable), 20 crunches, 10 squats and walk for 20 minutes.
3/ Push all "white stuff" out of your diet! Even if it says fat free or low fat or "whatever it might say". Don't be fooled! Eat from God's green earth!! Veggies, Fruit, whole grains!

There you go, you're on your way...Let me know how it goes!

Grow Strong!!

To my six followers...Thank you:). I'm a blogger slacker for sure!!! I have been super busy with Grow Strong and super blessed! I am amazed all the time that God worked this all out so that Beth and I could do what we love so freely!! The encouragement from our community has been amazing!!!
It has taught me to be accountable in so many ways and I love that God is the one leading me!
I hope I can help just one more person ....... Just get up and move and GROW STRONG!!

What an awesome journey God is taking me on! When Beth and I opened Grow Strong, we had no idea what to expect. Every day amazes me! Then I question myself and say, "why am I amazed?". I guess I put limits on what I think God can or will do for us. We are meeting new people every day that bring encouragement from all walks of life! Never would I have guessed this. Does that mean I have little faith? All I know is that I am recognizing the 'awesomeness' of God and if we give EVERYTHING to him, what he will do with it! I went in this because I wanted to encourage others, but I believe that I am the one getting encouraged every single day! I never leave a class without a smile on and I know that's a GOD THING!
I hope that you are reaching your goals to get up and move. If not, why aren't you? How can I help?
As I sign off today, I am praying for each of you that read this blog. I pray your day is blessed beyond measure and that God gives you unbelievable rest, peace and joy on this day! Grow Strong!

Nutrition Class

This Friday, Pull up a yoga mat for a Nutrition class at 6:30 in the Grow Strong Studio. Royal Palm Ave behind Foster's Paint. (3.00 a class)

Nutrition

I am so excited! As I was blow drying my hair this week, I was thinking about how far God has brought me in a year. (Yes, I reflect in many strange times,lol). I asked God to show me how He could use me to help inspire others to enjoy taking care of the vessel that He entrusted each of us with. Beth Plank and I are so blessed to have this studio to use, courtesy of the Foster Family. Our stereo was donated by Keith Campbell and FBCLP, even our door mat was purchased by one of our loving patrons! I have come to realize that many people don't even understand basic, healthy nutrition. So, God is using me again! Yesterday I began working on a basic nutrition class that I will be teaching at our fabulous studio, (can you tell I'm in love with it?). I am so excited when I reflect on how God set the time line for all of this to happen! In completing my CEU's (continuing education) for my Personal Trainer certification, I took my courses in Obesity and Nutrition, and Diet and Exercise! I had no idea that God would be using this to build towards this goal!
I can not wait to see where God leads me next in this endeavour! Just Get up and Move!
I will post the date of this class for anyone interested. It is open to everyone, just as the doors to our studio are.

While teaching my early morning kickbox class today, we were all singing along to Black Eyed Peas, but I changed the words to ...today's gonna be a great, great day! I believe it's up to us as individuals to make a great day and stop relying on others to do that for us. Written on the chalk board, (that a fab friend made for me), is "smile, it's contagious".
How can you change someone's day for the better today? I pray that in class, I made someone smile.
Grow Strong and move!!

A season of blessings

As this year comes to a close and we are all busy with Shopping, cooking and cleaning. (Just to name a few distractions). I am trying to remember to thank God for all of the blessings that are around me. As we watch dear friends struggle with serious illnesses, I can not take for granted that God continues to take care of me and the health of my family. I know that could all change at any moment, so I thank God for every minute that I am able to take care of this vessel!
I have felt so much love and encouragement as we began "Grow Strong" and was reminded last week that I don't do it for the money (though, that in itself a blessing), I do it because I have a passion for this! I pray that I am able to encourage others to take care of this vessel God has entrusted us with. I pray that I offer some "fun" to working out. I pray that I can help educate just one person to take care of their health and bodies. I feel extremely blessed that God keeps putting people in my path to encourage me on this endeavor.
As 2009 comes to a close, I am excited for what God will put before me in 2010. I vow to continue to motivate and encourage those around me. We are all beautiful creations and we owe it to God to take care of what is HIS! Grow strong....

It's been awhile!!

Hi everyone---It's been awhile since I've posted anything...not sure who even follows this blog,ha ha.
As many of you know, Beth Plank and I have opened a fitness studio. we are more than a little excited and I find myself in "happy tears" so many days!
I am amazed that God has blessed us with this amazing opportunity to help people learn to enjoy taking care of themselves! I have so many ideas for the future and how to help others find the passion I have about keeping fit and healthy!
If you haven't been by to see us, please stop in. I know so many are saying, "I'll see you in January, after the holiday's". That completely baffles me!!! Why would you give up all of those weeks of taking care of you, when you need it the most?
With the stress of shopping, cooking and "pleasing" everyone around us. Doesn't it only make sense to "give back" to YOU, one or two hours a week.
Beth's yoga has such a calming effect. There seems to be a big misconception that this is a stretching class. Yes, Yoga will help you become more flexible, but it is much more than that! It teaches proper breathing and will help you take care of your spine, internal organs and most importantly, your MIND!
Email me with any questions and even if we don't see you at GROW STRONG Group Fitness, take time for you!!!!
Grow Strong and just get up and move!!

What an unbelievable first week at Grow Strong. I have never felt so loved and encouraged as this first week of classes. It is awesome to work out with amazing people that are there simply to "work out"! Yoga with Beth has been a mind releasing time. I love it! It renews me for the rest of the day! I am so excited to see what God has planned for the next several weeks (and beyond). The limits are endless.

First day of Grow Strong is tomorrow!

Well, tomorrow is our first day of working out at "Grow Strong". I couldn't feel more love or encouraged as I have by the outpouring of support from this town! God is good, no...God is GREAT! I will hopefully get back to regular encouragement and nutrition on this blog. Be patient with me! I hope to see you all there and I hope you're MOVING!!

Grow Strong Schedule:
Monday: 8:30-9:15 Heavy Zen/Renee'
10-10:45 Momm&Me Sculpt/Renee'
Tuesday: 8:30-9:30 Yoga/Beth
10-11 Yoga/Beth
wednesday: 5:15-6 Yoga/Beth
8:30-9:15 KickBox/Renee'
10-11 Yoga/Beth
Thursday: 5:15-6 Heavy Zen/Renee'
8:30-9:30 Yoga/Beth
10-10:45 mommy&me Sculpt/Renee
Friday: 8:30-9:15 Heavy Zen/Renee'
10-11 Yoga/Beth

Grow Strong

I am so excited. Beth Plank and I have been hard at work on getting "Grow Strong" Fitness up and running! We will be having early registration on Mon. Aug 24 and Tues. Aug 25, from 8-10 a.m. Classes will officially start on Wednesday. Drop by and see what we're all about!
We are in the karate building across from Foster paint on Royal Palm Ave!

Getting ready for Daytona

Well, about 100 of us will pull out of LP on Monday morning for Student Life@ the Beach/Daytona. This will be my third year and I can barely contain my excitement, knowing what is in store!
I will be off of this blog for a week, but don't think I won't be thinking of everyone.
I will be "moving" so much with 90-something teenagers that I will count that as my exercise for the week!
Please keep us in your prayers. I just know God is going to do some amazing things!

Try something new!

OK--So many of you are out and moving! Now try adding something new to that workout! If you're walking--try adding some lunges or even a jog. If you're jogging--try some sprinting or ab workout when you get home. If you're swimming--work on a new stroke and hopping out of the pool in between laps, not using the stairs. That is cheating. Hoist your whole body out using your arms! (Trust me,it's harder than it sounds). If you're lifting weights--add a drop set. (Ask me, I'll explain).
Let me know how things are going!!