Get inspired. Be inspired. Inspire others.
Pin it. Share it.
Pin it. Share it.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Fit Mama of the Week: Harmony
Patience and perseverance got our newest Fit Mama of the Week from being a couch potato to running marathons and being a fitness instructor. She is definitely an inspiration to all women as she has managed to get out of the rut of being inactive and has made being healthy and fit her lifestyle. All it took was finding a way to workout AND have fun at the same time. She found her spark in a dance fitness class which led to bigger fitness goals and the rest is history. She has since gone down nine dress sizes and is now actually teaching fitness classes as a certified instructor!
Name/Age/Marital Status/Occupation
Harmony. I'm 32 years old. I'm currently single, waiting to find "Mr. Right". I work for an acute care psychiatric hospital doing creative and recreational therapy with patients. I also teach group exercise classes for 24 Hour Fitness.
Have you always been into fitness?
I haven't always been into fitness, in fact there were MANY YEARS where I was a hopeless couch potato and VERY overweight. I wasn't happy at all living like that, but try as I might to lose weight I never got very far.
Pictures from the past:
It took finally pushing past my fears & going to my very first group exercise dance class to see a difference. During that class I unexpectedly fell in love. Don't get me wrong, I felt like I was DYING after the first 2 minutes! However, I was having a blast. I knew this was something I NEEDED, and, most importantly, something I could stick with. Who knew gyms had anything so FUN?!! It was then that things began to click into place for me and FINALLY change for the better. Since that first class, I have lost over 100lbs and 9 dress sizes.
Present:
What motivated you initially, to start getting fit?
I was so damn tired of being overweight! I was uncomfortable in my own skin for so long. I tried the gym and machines, but wasn't getting results. Then I tried personal training and that started to make a difference but I couldn't afford to keep up with it, plus it just wasn't very fun, so I'd end up often "rescheduling." I had always loved to dance, however. One of my friends said she'd tried a Zumba class and had fun. She invited me to go and the rest is history!
It sounds like it took finding something you really loved to do to really get you motivated to work out. Did you try a lot of different activities before you took this class?
I had previously spent my "workout" time toiling away on treadmills, bikes, stair masters, and ellipticals, and HATED every minute of it. I made every excuse in the book why I couldn't go work out. Now, however, I found myself doing the complete opposite, making "excuses" to actually MAKE IT to the gym! I was having so much fun.
That class was one of the reasons why I decided to become a group exercise instructor. I felt like I would enjoy teaching and enjoy sharing this wonderful group x experience with others. I was ready for another challenge, and ready to take the next step in my fitness journey so I started my first instructor training in Nov. 2010 then became certified in Dec. 2010. I taught my first class on Dec. 20, 2010.
Evenutally, I began FEELING the difference in my body, in my stamina and my overall health; this highly motivated me to continue on. I didn't want to go back to feeling like a couch potatoe with no hope that the future would be different. I began SEEING the difference in not only pounds lost, but major inches as well. The changes I was experiencing made me realize that I really was not in a good place before and I didn't want to go back there. This motivates me to keep going.
I still remember being overweight and incredibly unhappy with my appearance. For years I avoided mirrors and my reflection like the plague. I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE IT. Now however, as my body was changing, there was a point where that began to change. I actually found myself looking forward to seeing my reflection and even at times doing a double-take! I was so used to the old reflection, the new one took some getting used to!
Did nutrition play a part in your road to getting fit and healthy?
Now that I was working hard to change my body, it helped reinforce the need to eat right as well. I changed my diet. I removed most simple sugars (candy, cakes, cookies, soda, etc) from my diet. This made a HUGE difference.
I also ate more low fat and fat free foods, more whole fruits and grains (though limited my grains to smaller portions), and more salads (low fat, low calorie dressings too. There ARE great tasting ones out there, so you don't have to sacrifice taste!).
I also focused on high protein, lean foods. I found myself to be far more satisfied, with less and for a longer period of time with the higher protein diet. Also tried to eliminate as much processed foods as possible. When you're limiting caloric intake, whatever you do eat HAS to be high in nutrients and value to make up for all that you're no longer eating that your body was used to. This meant for me some meal replacement shakes (high protein, low carb & calorie, but also high in vitamins and minerals) as well as the addition of good vitamin nutrition supplements. I am a distributor for a fantastic company with the best and highest quality products. If people are interested in information on products they're welcome to contact me, either through Facebook or email (hquinn@gmail.com).
A big key though was first increasing my water intake. I found that often when I thought I was hungry, I was actually THIRSTY! This amazed me. Also I decreased my portions and increased the frequency with which I ate. This means I would eat small meals (approx 200-300 calories, depending on my total daily calorie goal) every 2-3 hours so that I had 6 "meals" a day. This kept my metabolism burning by giving my body constant fuel, But never more than it was going to burn, In fact, I had to make sure there was a deficit. There HAS to be less coming in than going out, or else you won't see changes! So yes, I FINALLY caved to actually using calorie counting, despite having avoided it for years. It REALLY DOES WORK. It's a pain at first, but then you train yourself and get to know what you can and shouldn't eat, what to buy and what NOT to buy, so that it becomes much easier later and you don't have to be as strict. But being very strict at first makes an immense difference. Those calories sure add up fast if you're not paying attention!!
What are your future fitness goals?
This coming weekend, in fact, I'm attending a training for a different format so I can begin teaching that. The following weekend I'll be filming my video for another format that I hope to start teaching soon. Besides adding formats, I also am continually working to improve and become a better instructor, which includes continually working toward being stronger and more fit (though being understanding when life gets in the way and I backslide...but being sure always to keep that goal in mind, to get back up and to keep going). My other big goal now is to someday complete a triathlon.
I have Tough Mudder at the end of September, which I'm looking forward to running, as well as a 5k, which is exciting and means a lot because I'll be running it with my dad. He's recently been inspired to get in better shape and has taken up running among other things. This will will be his first ever race! I'm super excited for him and that we get to do this together!
 |
| Harmony with her dad |
You can catch Harmony and take one of her classes at 24 Hour Fitness Laguna during the following times: Sundays @ 9am, Mondays & Wednesdays at 5:30pm. Email hquinn@gmail.com for more information!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Get It Girl Wednesday: Mission Peak Hike
If you have been following us on Facebook (Fitness Mama FB page), then you know that Christelyn had organized our very first Fitness Mama event! Our first gathering was a hike up Mission Peak in Fremont, CA. After weeks of preparation and lots of questions back and forth on our FB event page, the day had finally arrived.
When we first decided to make this our first event, there was not a lot of information online about the Mission Peak Hike. A lot of the info we had to go by were second hand accounts from friends who had previously hiked it before. We gathered a TON of information in order to make this event successful. I wanted to put all this information below out there so that if you guys decide to make this hike yourselves on your own, you have a little bit more information than what we initially had.
Bottom line is that it is a FUN hike to do with friends! I personally had a great time while getting an awesome workout in. Lots of laughs and good memories were had by all and by the accounts of it, we all were sore the next day.
But why were we so sore you ask?
The Mission Peak hike is no easy task, that's why!
There are several trails to take to get up to the summit of Mission Peak. The two most popular trails are the Hidden Valley/Peak Meadow Trails (better known as the Stanford Ave. Trail) and the Peak Trail (better known as the Ohlone College Trail). In our research, we learned that there are major differences in the trails that can be viewed as pros or cons depending on your mood or the kind of workout you want to have that day:
Stanford Ave. Trail:
-beautiful sweeping views of the Bay for almost the entire hike as this trail goes along the side of the peak that faces the Bay
-trail is steep and difficult BUT...
-this trail is shorter than the Ohlone Collage trail (5.5 miles roundtrip)
-can get crowded on the weekends/holidays
-very minimal parking (we were told that there were only a handful of designated parking spots and then you have to park in the surrounding neighborhoods if those were taken)
-little to no shade depending on time of day
Ohlone Collage Trail:
-this trail goes along the the side of the peak that faces Sunol Valley. Although beautiful, you will not see the Bay for most of the trail...mainly not until the last mile before the summit. This trail is very scenic with lots of green, rolling hills meeting the crisp blue skies.
-trail is longer than the Stanford Ave. trail (about a 10k roundtrip) BUT...
-this trail is not as steep the ENTIRE time. Do not be fooled though...there are some VERY steep parts.
-less crowded
-parking will never be a problem because you have the whole Ohlone college parking lot available to you. Parking is $2; day permits are available at the yellow boxes.
Weighing the pros and cons, it was decided that for this event, we would take the Ohlone College trail mainly because we didn't want to put our big group of people in a bad mood, looking for parking at the crack of dawn. We also wanted to make meeting up and finding everyone in our big group easy and we felt that a designated parking lot at the college would help do this. Our hike was planned on a Saturday during Labor Day weekend so we also did not want to compete with crowds on the trails for parking.
We all met up at 7am and completed introductions. This part was so exciting to me because I finally got to meet some of you guys in person! I finally got to meet one of our past Fit Mamas of the Week, Anne Marie. Putting faces to names and hearing real live voices that go with the faces was fun. I already knew I liked y'all but now I like y'all even MORE in person.
So then we played some music and did some stretches. Sunscreen was applied to all and we were off.
Btw, there was one port-o-potty here that was not on the parking lot but sort of near by, away from the trail. I recommend just going before you leave the house. I didn't see any water fountains. Bring water!
The Ohlone college trail is just a few steps from the parking lot. If you start early enough, the first mile or so is mostly shaded. The incline starts immediately and you will start sweating...immediately. :)
 |
| This was in front of the cave that everyone talks about. I thought it'd be bigger but it I can't even get into it standing up. You can find this on going up the Ohlone college trail on your left side within the first half mile. See what I mean by everything being fully shaded early on? On our way back down there was zero shade at this part=SUPER HOT. |
I'm looking at these above picture now and find it funny how we're all looking fresh and clean with tons of energy to take pictures with silly poses. It was a different story further along the trail. ;)
Even though we started off early in the day, it got HOT real QUICK. I wore a tank top which was good but I wish I had worn shorts instead of capri's so that I could stay cooler. There is about .75 mile area of the trail where it was shaded because of tree growth so that part of the trail was a chance to cool down, especially later on in the day going back down.
The above picture shows the shaded part of the trail. We are still going uphill but its sooo nice to have this shade on a hot day.
Most of the trail looked like this with no shade...
This above picture was taken at a point in the trail where our Ohlone college trail meets up with the Stanford Ave. trail. Both trails will go up the last part of the trail to the summit on the same road. There is also a bathroom here at this intersection. Not the cleanest bathroom with no plumbing so just be aware. I also did not see a water fountain either. There was one picnic table nearby too.
 |
| Ran into some friends from middle school/high school. #chipmanmiddleschool #cougarpride #westsidealameda #encinaljets |
 |
| So if this picture panned out to the right a bit more, you'd see the intersection of the trails and the little bathroom |
 |
| It's funny all the things you learn about one another on a three hour hike. These ladies started out as strangers to me but I feel like I found friends for life by the end of the hike. <3 |
 |
| Christelyn is the type of person who makes friends EVERYWHERE she goes and of course today was no different. We met Suzy along the trail and learned that she was training for half dome! She had done the Mission Peak hike every weekend (sometimes twice in one weekend) since like June! She'll be doing Half Dome in the Fall. Now I want to do Half Dome. So inspiring. |
The last quarter mile was ROUGH. I was tired. I was hot. I was hungry. And the trail got steeper and steeper. But before I knew it I was there. That famous Mission Peak monument pole was right in front of us. We were so excited we took maybe 2 or 3 pictures. Ok maybe a couple hundred pictures but who's counting?
 |
| Remember how I said it could get crowded on the weekends? Along the trail, we ran into maybe a handful of people. But when we reached the summit there were a TON of people (which leads me to believe that everyone took the Stanford ave Trail). The girls are actually in line to take pictures by the monument pole behind them. There were so many people that there was a line! |
After a few snacks and a water break we headed back down after not too long because we were nearing midday and wanted to get off the trail before it got way too hot. We were warned of rattle snakes and mountain lions but the only animals we saw were cows. They were every where including ON the trail. There was one point where a mama cow had two little (like little little!) calves following her and anytime we took a step forward mama cow would holler and scream because she thought her babies were in danger. :( So beware of angry cows! We took a slight detour off the trail to move forward and to make mama cow feel at ease.
Going back down was almost as hard as going up because a declining trail and gravel are not a good mix. It was difficult to get secure footing at times. We took turns slipping and catching ourselves. Real hiking boots probably would've solved this problem.
Other tips and tricks:
-Bring water. It's a pain carrying water or carrying a backpack with water but it'll be a bigger pain if you pass out from dehydration. Don't underestimate this hike.
-Apply sunscreen before your hike then bring it with you to re-apply.
-Bring sunglasses and a visor or hat for extra sun protection.
-Pack some snacks to eat while you're enjoying the view from the top.
-If the sun is out, wear shorts and a tank top. Even if the sun is out and you're feeling chilly at the start...trust me...shorts and tank top is the way to go.
-Start early.
-Leave some baby wipes in the car. As I've mentioned, I didn't see any plumbing/running water/water fountains. Baby wipes were so useful to get cleaned up before driving home. You will be covered in dust from the trail.
Like I said, it took us a little less than three hours to complete this trail. This is with stopping to take pictures, using the bathroom, enjoying views periodically, and having a snack at the top. Oh and our little detour for the anxious mama cow probably added to our time too.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)