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Rosemarie Ferrara's Blog

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Saturday, August 31, 2013 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

AlamoShape September newsletter

By Rosemarie Ferrara
ALAMOSWING BALLROOM DANCE LESSONS START IN SEPTEMBER!
This great program is starting up again! Choose from 2 separate sessions of dance lessons, the Waltz or the Cha-Cha, each 4-lesson session only $33/person. The Waltz will normally be held on Mondays but the instructor, Carol Ann Clark, will not be in town on Sept 9, so that first Waltz session will be on Wednesday, Sept 11 and then she will continue Waltz lessons on Monday, September 16. Cha-Cha lessons will begin Friday September 13th at 645 pm with the 4 weeks ending on Friday, October 4th. We’re sorry, but due to what’s involved in hosting these classes we cannot allow makeups or split sessions....if you sign up for Mondays it is $33 and if you sign up for Fridays it will be a separate $33 with no buddy special available, sorry. This does include tax already. We have a PayPal link on the website already or you can pay by cash/check at the club. You can pay for one class at a time at a cost of $15 per class. Each class is 1 hour. You do not need a partner, all levels are welcome, and we plan on a monthly dance with refreshments, the first one on Saturday, October 16 from 7 to 9 pm to allow you a chance to use your skills! Please let me know asap if you plan to participate in this great program. We’ll need a HH/Waiver for anyone new to the club. Please let your friends know!
 
SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE
Have fun with a new Step class Sundays at 815 am, Zumba on Mondays at 530 pm and Yoga Wednesdays at 630 pm.
 
FREE NUTRITION WORKSHOP SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH AT NOON
The September nutrition workshop is going to be bigger than ever. We do this once a month for SoftShape and FitGuy, but this time we will open it to all of our members as well as the general public. We will have a special section on supplements, too. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept 8 at 12. We’ll have refreshments and you can invite your friends, too. The first hour will be devoted to understanding nutrition and learning how to eat to lose weight. The second hour will focus on supplements that can help you reach your goals. Its all free and very valuable information for our members
 
(AlamoShape note: I made the following recipe and it is very tasty! I used the microwaveable sweet potatoes to save time (they are fresh, just pre-washed and sealed in plastic so that you just throw them in the microwave for 7 minutes! I then sautéed the entire recipe on the stove top using minimal oil (black walnut oil I had leftover from something); I was wondering about the poultry seasoning but I used it anyway and they were excellent!)
 
Sweet and spicy sweet potatoes
 
 
 
Directions
 
  1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Place the sweet potato chunks into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil, then sprinkle the brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, chili powder, and cayenne pepper overtop. Toss until the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasoning. Spread onto a baking sheet.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then turn the potatoes over with a spatula, and continue baking until the sweet potatoes are golden and tender, 10 to 15 minutes more.
 
TOWER OF MUSCLE FOODS
This was a simple infographic showing serving sizes of foods that will help you get lean and strong. Women should use the smaller serving size listed. http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/foods-muscles?cm_mmc=WeightLossNL-_-1399788-_-08192013-_-Module3
 
 
TED TALK ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Is it a form of abuse if you have allowed your school-aged child to reach a state of morbid obesity? Good info in this TED talk, just give it a few minutes for him to get rolling. We owe it to our children to help them make healthy nutrition choices.
 
http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html
 
Here’s more info on obesity and kids: “
In Colorado, new laws require school districts to provide physical activity or recess during the day to help children burn off calories.”

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2013/08/16/the-good-and-bad-news-about-obesity-f-as-in-fat-obesity-is-no-longer-rising-but-its-more-dangerous-than-ever/#ixzz2crnhpkzb
 
 
YOUR BUSINESS MARKETING MATERIALS IN OUR GOODIE BAGS
Its easy! Just donate a door prize gift worth $25 or more to our Sunset Run race supporting COPE (The Center of Protective Environment.) If your business would like to be one of only 10 sponsors on the back of the t-shirts let us know, too! We need ten $200 sponsors to cover the cost of the race shirts and appreciate your support of this event.
The AMTA is going to be offering massages at the race on Oct 26. All donations will go to COPE. This 5K*10*Half Marathon comes complete with beer garden from Jerry’s, BBQ from East Coast Favorites, and the opportunity for you and your 4-legged friend to run in your favorite Halloween costumes! Registration for this awesome race is now open at http://www.race360.com/running/races/detail.asp?eventid=15113. Be sure to enter COPE in the discount code line for $5 off the event when you register!

Vaccines: Keep your child's shots on track

Childhood vaccines offer protection from serious or potentially fatal diseases. Know which vaccines your child needs now and which vaccines are coming up. By Mayo Clinic staff

The vaccine schedule is designed to ensure that children receive vaccines at the optimal time to protect them from infectious diseases. The schedule is updated every year, and changes range from the addition of a new vaccine to tweaks of current recommendations.

Given the schedule's complexity and frequent updates, it can be challenging for parents to stay on top of which vaccines their children need and when. Use this guide to find out which vaccines your child needs now and which vaccines are coming up based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If your child has health issues, such as HIV or diabetes, or if you're planning to travel outside the U.S., talk to your doctor about whether your child needs to follow a different vaccine schedule.

If your child misses a dose of a vaccine, ask your child's doctor about scheduling a catch-up vaccination. If you're ever unsure about which vaccines your child needs, don't hesitate to ask the doctor. You might also ask about combination vaccines to reduce the number of shots in a single visit.

Birth

The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is usually given at birth. A second dose may be given at age 1 month or at 2 months when other vaccinations are typically given.

  • Hepatitis B vaccine, first dose

Age 2 months

At age 2 months, a series of several vaccinations usually begins. Combination vaccines are generally used to reduce the number of shots.

  • Hepatitis B vaccine, second dose if not given at 1 month
  • Rotavirus (RV) vaccine, first dose
  • Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, first dose
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine, first dose
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), first dose
  • Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), first dose

Age 4 months

At age 4 months, follow-up doses of the vaccines administered at 2 months are usually given. Check with your child's doctor about catch-up vaccinations if your child is behind schedule or has missed any doses of vaccines.

  • Rotavirus (RV) vaccine, second dose
  • Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, second dose
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine, second dose
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), second dose
  • Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), second dose

Age 6 months

At age 6 months, a third round of vaccinations is given. A yearly seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine also is recommended beginning at age 6 months and continuing through age 18 years. For children younger than age 2 years, the influenza vaccine is given as a shot. The first time a child receives the vaccine, it's usually divided into two doses. Ask your child's doctor for details.

  • Hepatitis B vaccine, third dose
  • Rotavirus (RV) vaccine, third dose if needed
  • Diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, third dose
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine, third dose
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), third dose
  • Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), third dose
  • Influenza vaccine, once a year

Ages 12 to 18 months

The final doses of both Hib vaccine and PCV13 are usually given between ages 12 and 15 months. The fourth dose of DTaP is usually given between ages 15 and 18 months. However, in some cases, the fourth dose can be given as early as age 12 months — as long as it's been six months since the previous dose.

In addition, the first doses of MMR, varicella and hepatitis A vaccines are usually given at this time. The second dose of the hepatitis A vaccine can be given between ages 12 months and 23 months — as long as it's been six months since the previous dose.

  • Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, fourth dose
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine, fourth dose
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), fourth dose
  • Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, first dose
  • Varicella vaccine, first dose
  • Hepatitis A vaccine, two doses given at least six months apart
  • Influenza vaccine, once a year
go to this link for the remainder of the schedule: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaccines/MY01013/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=housecall&pubDate=08/21/2013
 
 
Trap Bugs
No one wants flying insects buzzing around inside. Keep bugs at bay by hanging long strips of duct tape from the ceiling (like flypaper). If you’re looking to get a cardio workout out of your bug trapping, wrap a tennis racket in duct tape (sticky side out) and wave it around to trap the little critters.
http://greatist.com/fitness/duct-tape-hacks-health-fitness
 
Tuesday, July 30, 2013 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

August training note

By Rosemarie Ferrara
TO GUMMY OR NOT TO GUMMY
Interesting article on the pros/cons of choosing gummy vitamins http://greatist.com/health/gummy-vitamins-for-adults
 
BERRIES!
 
Personally, I like my berries just plain, but every once in a while I throw them in my Greek yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese. There are some good recipes you might want to try:
http://greatist.com/45-best-berry-recipes-summer
 

Exercise and Breast Pain in Women

“Now you may think that the topic of breast pain in women who exercise is unusual, but scientists in England have found that it can be profound enough that it affects training and workouts. It makes sense that the larger the breast, the more complications. Of course, a well-fitting sports bra has been shown to help in as many as 85% of women. However, a large number of women, including the 1300 surveyed who ran the London Marathon, are not wearing the right bra.

Researchers found that the breast tissue can move as much as 8 inches in space when running, not just up and down, but side-to-side, and forward/backward. This can cause enough pain that 25% of these women either reduced their intensity or skipped exercise all together.

The Research Group in Breast Health suggests following these 5 simple steps to a correct bra fit:

1) BAND - The band should fit firmly around the chest. It should not slide around as you move, but it should not be too tight to be uncomfortable, affect breathing or make flesh bulge over the band. The band should be level all the way around the chest.

2) CUP - The breasts should be enclosed within the cups, with no bulging or gaping at the top or sides. If the cup material is puckering then the cup size is probably too big.

3) UNDERWIRE - The underwire should follow the natural crease of the breasts and not rest on any breast tissue (in the center, underneath the bra or under the arms). If the underwire is resting too far down the ribcage (i.e. where the ribcage gets slightly narrower) the band size is probably too small.

4) FRONT - The front of the bra (the lower edge under the breasts and between the cups if a separate piece exists) should sit flat against the body and not gape away from the chest. If the front of the bra is lifting away the cup size may need to be increased.

5) STRAPS - The shoulder straps should be adjusted to comfortably provide breast support without being too tight (i.e. digging into the skin). The main support for the breast should come from a firm band, not tight shoulder straps. “ Brown, N. et al, "The Experience of Breast Pain (mastalgia) in Female Runners of the 2012 London Marathon and its Effect on Exercise Behaviour" Br J Sports Med bjsports-2013-092175Published Online First: 19 April 2013 doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092175

Is the 1RM Really the Best Method?

(AlamoShape note: See this article regarding 1 rep max testing. We don’t usually do this, preferring the 3-rep max as a safer alternative. This article confirms this approach as better.)

“Even though 1RM testing is used to measure strength in a client, it is not always the best method for various reasons. Researchers at Fairmont State University in West Virginia wanted to evaluate the accuracy of 3 repetition loads (3RM, 7RM, and 10RM) for predicting the 1RM for the bench press.

Thirty males between the ages of 18-24 performed an initial 1RM bench press following standard procedures. They were then randomly assigned to perform the 3RM, 7RM, and 10RM on subsequent days. Following a proper warm-up, the subjects would perform the appropriate reps to complete the test. At the end of the study, researchers found that the 3RM test was able to predict 1RM the best. However, the 7RM test was within 2-3% accuracy of the 1RM.

What does this possibly mean? Some clients cannot or should not perform a 1RM test maybe due to high blood pressure, injury, etc. But now fitness professionals can feel confident that if the client puts forth the appropriate effort, a less strenuous test can be performed with good accuracy.” Watts, R., et al. "Comparison of One Rep Max Bench Press to a Rep to Max Equation of Ten, Seven and Three Reps." American College of Sports Medicine conference, May 2013. Poster presentation.

 
Friday, March 01, 2013 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

Facebook and AlamoShape and Alamo Shape!

By Rosemarie Ferrara
Recall I have 2 FB accounts, a personal one spelled two separate words, Alamo Shape, and our business Facebook page, facebook.com/AlamoShape. I feel strongly about issues that ensure liberty and equality in our great country. I do not mean to offend our members but I’m not going to compromise my values or integrity by remaining quiet on subjects that trample the freedoms expressed in our incredible Constitution. Please feel free to drop from my personal page and access our business page to stay abreast of the schedule. For those of you not fond of FB you don’t have to sign up for it to see the business pages. You can also get free nutrition tips from Dena and Charlotte at facebook.com/AlamoCafeatAlamoShape. Facebook is where we will note any last-minute cancellations due to power outages, road conditions, etc. Please join Megan Wade our running coach for weekly group walk/runs, a free service for AlamoShape members;check it out on Facebook at facebook.com/RunLikeAGirlatAlamoShape. If you are on my personal FB page and want to receive only Super or Soft messages ask to be included in the “group” page for those programs, that way you can just look to the left column and find the messages that are pertinent to your group and you can pass over any messages that are not. 
Monday, December 31, 2012 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

By Rosemarie Ferrara

NEW BLACK LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRTS

The 4th Annual Zach Trak t-shirts will be black long sleeve with a full-color logo on the front. Late registration ends January 4th at midnight. Don’t forget to sign up your kids for The Fastest Kid in Town Race that same morning, right before the Zach Trak starts. Ages 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 and 10-11 for the 1K, ages 12-13, 14-15, and 16-17 for the 2K. FKTR participants get a white t-shirt and winners get a great blue and white hat saying “I’m the Fastest Kid in Town!” SATURDAY JANUARY 5TH AT 9 AM Go to www.Race360.com to register.

You’ll enjoy great food from Stella Vita, fantastic music, and thousands of dollars worth of door prizes and finisher prizes for all age categories.

 

10 lbs lost via text

Sounds crazy, huh? Well, even if you move away from AlamoShape we can still help you with exercise suggestions and more importantly, nutrition help through our AlamoCafe. Please read below for Amanda Dobler’s results. Amanda is the SuperShape member who recently had a baby. Just a few weeks after her baby was born her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. Things happened very quickly and they moved back to Baton Rouge to be closer to family but we really felt Amanda needed the support of her AlamoShape family back here, too. She agreed to try the 8-pound challenge from afar and was able to lose 10 pounds with Dena as her coach. It was a really stressful time for her but knowing that she was still part of things back here helped. Mike has since undergone chemotherapy by the way and they are waiting on test results this week. Please consider sending positive thoughts to this wonderful family.

NOVEMBER 8-POUND CHALLENGE CHARLOTTE’S TEAM

MARY B: Total weight lost for the challenge: 7.4lbs; Weight lost for the week 2lbs. Average daily Cardio calories burned 645 ; Average daily Calories eaten 1090; Average daily grams of Protein 79, Average daily grams of Fat 26, Average daily grams of Fiber 37. After completing 2 months of the 8lb. challenge I have lost 19lbs. It has been a good change in lifestyle. I have learned to watch what I eat, eat in moderation and efficiently burn the calories that I eat through proper exercise. I plan on continuing this lifestyle. It is a great program and I challenge everyone to try it. Thank you Charlotte for your encouragement and help.

KENDRA E: Total weight lost for the challenge: 15.8 lbs. Weight lost for the week: 3.6 lbs. Average daily Cardio calories burned: 433 Average daily Calories eaten: 1372, Average daily grams of Protein: 97, Average daily grams of Fat: 41, Average daily grams of Fiber: 27 Reflection: This week was good. Had a day where I had too much fat in my foods. But it was much better than I did during the week of Thanksgiving. Ready for another month of the 8 lb. challenge!

DENA’S TEAM

AMANDA: 10 lbs lost, 3 inches in waist, 2.5 inches at navel, 2 inches at hips. Thank you so much for allowing me to do this, this month. Dena is amazing and such a great coach. I know that had I had more access to a gym, I'd have much bigger results, but I feel great in what I was able to do in just 4 weeks. It's given me the confidence to know that I can do this. You're amazing and I really appreciate this opportunity. Thank you so much for everything.

SHARON: Total weight lost for the challenge to date 4.8lbs; Average daily Cardio calories burned 153; Calories eaten 965; Protein 73; Fat 25; Fiber 20. Well, I am sick and have been for over a week, working out was difficult to say the least and did not help me end the challenge with a better result than what I wanted but I am still very happy. My eating habits were most excellent this week, but my workouts are very slim due to the sickness and not going to workouts at all. Besides being on numerous medicines this week my diet was lite because appetite was difficult to keep up when you can't breathe. :-) My overall reflection for the past month is that I didn't lose 8lbs, but I did lose 3.8lbs of fat and 3 3/4 inches; meaning I can fit into my skinny jeans, but my baggies are still more comfortable. I am very happy with my results since being laid up with a bum foot the beginning of the month and sick this last week. As well as losing fat I have gained some muscle. I still have goals to meet, more weight to lose, and more muscles to tone. Thank you to Dena for helping me with my diet; it makes a huge difference on being successful with workouts as well as losing the unwanted weight. I will continue into December with the same frame of mind on eating right and my workouts to get to where I want to be which is at least another 8lbs. See you all at the gym and definitely take advantage of the Alamo Shape Cafe ladies as Dena truly did help me with my goals.

15 Holiday Treats from Food & Wine

(AlamoShape note: Sometimes a little bit of something decadent is much more satisfying, and fewer calories, than a lot of something low-fat.)

Bittersweet-Chocolate Bark with Candied Orange Peels From Food & Wine

http://www.delish.com/entertaining-ideas/holidays/christmas/holiday-treats

In this smart recipe, Grace Parisi boils orange peels in water, simmers them in sugar syrup, and coats them in sugar. Then she tosses them with pistachios and spreads them over chocolate for a divine bark.

Yields: 1 1/2 pounds

Total Time: 2 hr

Ingredients: Peels from 2 navel oranges, washed

3 1/2 cup(s) sugar

1/4 cup(s) light corn syrup

1 pound(s) bittersweet chocolate (preferably 66%), chopped

1/2 cup(s) unsalted roasted pistachios (2 1/2 ounces)

Directions Using a sharp knife, remove the bitter white pith from the orange peels so they are about 1/8-inch thick; cut the peels into 1/4-inch-wide strips. Transfer the peels to a saucepan filled with cold water; bring to a boil and boil the peels for 7 minutes. Drain. Repeat with fresh water, until the orange peels are tender, 15 minutes total. Drain. Rinse out the saucepan. Add 2 1/2 cups of the sugar, the corn syrup and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Add the orange peels and simmer over low heat until slightly translucent, about 30 minutes. Spread the remaining 1 cup of sugar in a pie plate. Using a slotted spoon, lift the candied peels from the syrup, letting the syrup drip back into the saucepan; transfer the peels to the pie plate. Toss the warm peels in the sugar to coat thoroughly. Let the peels cool completely in the sugar, tossing occasionally, about 30 minutes. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a double boiler set over a pot of simmering water, heat the bittersweet chocolate until two-thirds melted. Remove from the heat. Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula until it is completely melted and registers about 90 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Spread the warm chocolate on the parchment paper to a rough 9-by-13-inch rectangle. Working quickly, so the chocolate doesn't set, pick out the orange peels, reserving the sugar for another use. Scatter the orange peels and pistachios evenly over the melted chocolate; gently tap the cookie sheet on the work surface to flatten the chocolate and allow the toppings to sink in slightly. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, just until firm. Cut or break the bark into 2-inch pieces and serve.

11 Best Mobile Apps to Run Faster and Smarter http://greatist.com/fitness/best-running-apps-faster-smarter/ (AlamoShape note: Here’s one example of the app selection from this article) Gone are the days of just lacing up sneakers and running the road. With today’s mobile apps, anyone can get a challenge each time they hit the pavement. Whether it’s a built-in GPS tracker, getting encouragement from friends, or running away from a horde of zombies, these 11 running apps have it all. Running has never been this easy — or this fun. Ghost Race Looking for an extra push to help reach a specific running goal? Pick a distance or pace you’d like to beat and then start training against your own worst enemy — yourself. This app lets users compare day-to-day performances and get audio cues alerting them of their (relative) progress. It’s a not-so-spooky way to break a tough PR.

Saturday, August 18, 2012 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

They don’t look like that....

By Rosemarie Ferrara

 

...all the time.
If you have seen our training clients during competition/pageant time whether in person or in photos online, you have seen some incredible physiques. They work hard for the trophies they win, but they don’t look like that all the time. They can’t. There is a “bulking” season in body building where competitors work hard and eat more to build the muscle size they need, then there is a dieting period that comes prior to competition. Both training phases take incredible focus and one cannot maintain that 24/7.
 
When you are trying to reach your fitness/physique goals keep in mind why you are doing what you are doing. Unless you are competing on stage the work that has to be done may be more of a sacrifice than you are willing to pay in the long run. If you are a mother of small children and are trying to lose your baby weight give yourself a break, there are probably more important priorities in our life. Make exercise and healthy eating part of your day but on the way to your goals of a rocking swimsuit body don’t lose sight of what is really important in your life and that of your family. Remember the saying, “To a child love is spelled TIME.”
 
If you are not competing give yourself permission to look good enough. You may never have the desire to stop eating fabulous desserts or fried foods, never want to spend 7 days a week in the gym. You can’t get to a great butt without encountering stretch marks along the way. Almost every woman has some cellulite and the fabulous curves that come with that are the price we pay. They are one of the things that make us different from the male of the species. I guarantee you that your husband cares more about you feeling confident in your curves and finding time for him than he does about those last 10 pounds.
 
Along the way to your goals play to your strengths. If you have great legs rock a short skirt with a waistline-diminishing ruched top. If you have a full thighs choose pants that skim over the hip and emphasize your smaller waist. We will help you win a trophy when you get on the stage, but as the star of your real life choose to keep things in perspective.
 
Monday, February 20, 2012 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

ALAMOSHAPE IS MOVING!

By Rosemarie Ferrara
We have been making big changes behind the scenes at our new location just around the corner! Come see us at Suite 765 in the Granada Center, facing the side of Samons.  With 7500 square feet and 2 dance studios there will be separate rooms so that sound will not travel between the various classes.  This means Yoga and Pi-Yo will finally get the respect they deserve and the quiet they need for these fantastic classes to really be enjoyed to the fullest.  We’ll have a separate 1250 sq ft Yoga studio, a 2500 sq ft ballroom/aerobics studio, a separate 2500 sq ft ShapeTraining area, and central to it all, a new 1250 sq ft entrance into the AlamoCafe where you can enjoy some coffee or a protein drink along with free Wi-Fi for our members and a comfortable place to wait for your next class.  We will be starting classes at the new location by March 1st and really wanted to make this a “gift” to our members.  Our prices won’t go up and our schedule will be even better (and there won’t be any leaks, yay!!), so we ask you to keep encouraging your friends (20 new members this month alone!) to join us and stick by us as we enter our 19th year of aerobics and training in Alamogordo.  In all that time we have only been closed 3 days and we have always strived to do right by you----our customers, our friends, our family!
 
SMOOTHIES
Since AlamoCafe will be offering smoothies and protein shakes I thought it would be good for you to have a little information about the pitfalls in consuming what could potentially be a fat-gainer instead of burner.  We will be carefully choosing our products to ensure you get the most nutritious bang for your buck without padding our wallet or your butt! We will carry the popular, great-tasting Visalus Body By Vi shake and the high-fiber, high-protein, low-cal (170 calories) Quest bar.  In keeping with our “no salesman” approach, we will never push any products on our members and will only offer shakes and bars as a convenient, portable way to get nutrition, not a magic bullet in the weight-loss war.  The support the certified nutritionists at the AlamoCafe will be giving you is really what will help you to make lasting changes in your health and weight loss profile.
 

Smoothie Bars: Deception and Misconceptions

 
 
By carolyn_r on Jan 21, 2012 10:00 AM in Healthy Eating
http://caloriecount.about.com/smoothie-bars-deception-misconceptions-b550417?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_20120121&utm_term=continue1
 

The first time I’d experienced a gym with a smoothie bar, I really did think I was in heaven. You mean I can workout, shower, and get this healthy drink on my way out so I don’t feel hungry or have to rush home to cook a meal? Sign me up! According to Global Industry Analysts, Inc, juice and smoothie bars are estimated to become a $10 billion industry by 2015. The problem is the misconception that smoothies are healthy is leading many people to overindulgence. Some of them are cups with more sugar and calories than milkshakes from a drive-thru restaurant. While all smoothies are not created equal, be sure you know what you’re ordering before you waltz into one of these seemingly healthy eating establishments. 

Sweetening Fruit?

Most smoothies start with the fruit. Fruit is sweet. But is it sweet enough? A quick glance at Smoothie King’s website reveals a not-so-healthy admission: “Many of our nutritional smoothies are sweetened with turbinado and honey. By making it skinny and leaving out the turbinado, you’ll save calories and carbs.” Really – there are 100 empty calories in almost every smoothie and I’m supposed to ask it be taken out to “make it skinny”? Okay, but what about
calorie counts? A quick glance of their menu of 20 oz. offerings doesn’t include one smoothie that’s less than 200 calories – not even in the kid-size 12 oz serving. Wait, I lied, there’s one called The Gladiator, but its 180-calorie listing doesn’t factor in the two servings of fruit or juice you add to the drink to make it a smoothie. Getting the amount of a day’s worth of sugar in a 20 oz.
cup is one thing, but the fact that they have even larger sizes of 32 oz. and 40 oz. is a bit sour.

Two Servings of What?

Hop on over to Jamba Juice and along with your smoothie, you get the option of a “boost.” Nice touch for those looking for protein or more vitamins and minerals than the fruit in the smoothie itself; which brings me to my next point. Other than fruit, what exactly is in the ingredient list of their “Classic” Smoothies? Sherbet or sorbet, like the kind you find in the ice cream aisle. Yes, juice and sherbet or sorbet is in every one of their “Classic” line of smoothies. So you know, sorbet and sherbet is typically fruit, sugar, and water or milk. Opt for the “All Fruit” Smoothies and the sorbet and sherbet are gone, but you’re still looking at “peach juice blend” or “pineapple juice blend” in the ingredients. While I do not know if these "blends" are fresh-squeezed, it’s safe to say that juice is not 'all fruit.'

Make Your Own

Both Jamba Juice and Smoothie King dub one or more of their smoothies as meal substitutes or replacements. So if you think of a smoothie as a snack, not a meal, make your own. Even at home, the calorie count of a smoothie can add up quickly with multiple servings of fruit, so use a measuring cup to control portion size. Half a banana offers the sweetness of sugar and adds that much desired softness. If you add yogurt, go for plain, not flavored, yogurt. Typically, flavored yogurt has added sugar. Adding extract instead, be it vanilla, almond, chocolate, or even coconut, adds flavor without empty calories. Be sure frozen fruit isn’t sweetened to save calories and keep ice cubes on hand if you’re blending fresh fruit to make it chilled. Adding a serving of protein powder is also an option, just be aware of the usual addition of 100+ calories from one serving. If you must add a liquid, and low-fat milk or water isn't desirable, think of unsweetened almond or hazelnut milk or even coconut water as an option.

Whether from a juice bar or a grocery store, your idea of a nutritious smoothie may only be a mirage. If you’re not making them yourself, or really controlling what the employees are putting in them at your favorite smoothie place, think of them as more of a treat rather than a daily nutritious meal. The fact that most won’t have a variety of whole fruit, vegetables, healthy fat and a lean protein is proof that it shouldn’t be replacing too many of your meals.

Here is the best vanilla shake you will ever experience. The basics of my smoothy shake are:

  • Frozen pre-peeled* banana chunks (approx. 1 banana)
  • Frozen plain nonfat yogurt (1 single serving container)
  • Non-fat milk (1-1/2 cup)
  • Vanilla extract to taste (1/4 tsp)

Place all ingredients into a strong blender, let sit for 15 min to slightly thaw, then blend to the consistency of a shake.

Add other frozen fruits and blend as desired or enjoy as is.

* I peel ripe bananas and cut them into chunks then freeze in a plastic container. You cannot peel bananas that have been frozen in the skin. Ripe bananas are infinitely sweeter and you don't have to add sugar or honey to the shake.

Enjoy!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sunday, October 30, 2011 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

Run Like a Girl, now 7 days a week!

By Rosemarie Ferrara
A free service of AlamoShape, join our gals on a scheduled walk and/or run every day in the Run Like A Girl Club. We have revived this excellent service and have brand new walkers and runners every time so there will be someone to travel with you no matter your speed/experience.  For women serious about improving their running you can participate in a mile long time trial at the beginning of each month. Go to the Run Like a Girl Facebook page for weekly education tips to prepare you for the scheduled runs.
 
Here is the schedule of daily running events: MWF at 530 am, TTH at 6 pm, Saturday at 730 am and even 2 Sunday runs---a morning run at 915 am and an afternoon run at 4 pm so that you can run when it is still daylight during winter months. The MWF 530 am run will be only 30-45 min so that you can get to work on time. This is usually about 3 miles for an experienced runner or just a few miles for those who will walk. The route will be set and the starting location for the MWF runs will be Bethel Baptist Church on Scenic drive, the church with the blue roof. The TTh 6 pm run will start at the German School will also be about 3 miles, excellent for those wanting to graduate from “wogging” to running and any beginning runners. On Saturdays at 730 am the run will start at AlamoShape and will usually be from 6 to 13 miles for those who want to train for a half marathon but again, there will be walkers and everyone will be on the same route. Sunday’s 915 am and 4 pm runs will also start at AlamoShape.

There are loads of races from El Paso to Albuquerque between November and September of next year. These are anything from 1 mile family fun run/walks to full marathons. Many of them take team entries and these races can help you achieve your goals be it distance, pace, or just to collect that t-shirt that comes in the registration packet! Of course one of the first big runs you can enter is our annual Zach Trak on January 7, 2012, supporting the disabled children of Zia Therapy. Look for Stella Vita and Daniel Park at this great event!

 
Eat This to Maintain Your Muscles http://www.realage.com/health-tips/preserve-muscle-mass-with-protein?eid=1010648442&memberid=28696365
(AlamoShape note: Why do you want to maintain muscle?  Because it helps increase your BMR (basal metabolic rate) which determines how many calories you burn every day.  With diet and/or cardio alone most people lose muscle mass...they get smaller, but flabbier)

Worried about losing muscle mass as you shed weight? The solution may be to add more protein to your diet.

Women naturally lose muscle and strength as they age, more so than men. For older women who are on a diet, consuming more protein may help preserve muscle mass and foster a better muscle-to-fat body composition.

Protein Pick-Me-Up
In a recent study, 31 postmenopausal women were divided into two groups, with each group on a 1,400-calorie diet. One group consumed a powdered whey protein supplement twice a day, while the other group received a placebo containing carbohydrates. Everyone in the study was encouraged to do light exercise, such as walking and stretching. (Related: Use our handy tracker to get started on your own walking plan.)

Researchers assessed the women’s strength, balance, and ability to do physical tasks, such as getting up from a chair and lifting a book above shoulder height, before and after the study. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to gauge the muscle volume of each woman’s right thigh and to measure the amount of fat around the thigh and within the thigh muscle.

Thigh Masters
After 6 months, both groups had lost weight -- and strength. But the women consuming additional protein lost 3.9 percent more weight than the placebo group and gained 5.8 percent more thigh muscle. This led to better balance and improved task performance. (Related: Find out why it’s smart to have a little protein with every meal or snack.) 
How much protein should you eat? Calculate what you need.

Benefit; Strength training can make your RealAge 1 year younger. Take the RealAge Test!

 

References
The effects of a higher protein intake during energy restriction on changes in body composition and physical function in older women. Mojtahedi, Mina C. et al., Journal of Gerontology Medical Sciences, 2011 July 27. [Epub ahead of print]

 
100-calorie snacks
(AlamoShape note: Thanks, Flora for the link to this article that had some quick 100-calorie snacks! http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/the-best-snacks-under-100-calories-2581899/)

Nuts
When you don’t have a lot of time and need to grab something quick on the go, a handful of nuts is a great option. Depending on the type of nut, you can actually have a good-sized snack, with appetite-curbing protein to boot! Like what? Try 14 almonds, 17 peanuts, or 25 pistachios. But skip macadamia nuts, each of which packs nearly 20 calories.

Peanut Butter and Celery Sticks
An oldie but goodie, this super delicious treat is actually pretty darn healthy too! A cup of celery only has 19 calories and two teaspoons of peanut butter has 64—plus it includes protein, which keeps you filling full longer. And don’t bother reaching for the low-fat stuff; it only has two less calories that regular peanut butter.

Carrots and Hummus
What do you get when you dip a cup’s worth of baby carrots (50 calories) into a couple tablespoons of hummus (50 calories)? A quick, satisfying, and absolutely wholesome treat. Since hummus is low in sugar and cholesterol-free, it’s a wonderful alternative to cheese or dip.

Fruit Salad
Whether you make your own or grab a ready-made fruit salad from the local grocer, you can’t go wrong with a snack straight from nature.  To make your own fruit salad and stay under the 100 calorie mark, slice half a medium banana into round disks, cut half an apple into little wedges, grab five to six grapes, put them in a sealable container, and sprinkle with a little cinnamon. 

Sunday, July 31, 2011 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

MOST PEOPLE EAT MORE THAN THEY THINK THEY DO

By Rosemarie Ferrara
I am sorry, but it is a fact.  We eat too much. If you are carrying 20 pounds more than your ideal weight you do not have an allergy to cheese and you do not have toxins that are stored in your fat that are keeping you from losing weight and you are not just not exercising enough...you are eating too much for your body’s needs.  The sooner you come to terms with that the sooner you will be on the way to a healthy weight.  Every day I see health history/waiver forms where a person who is 50 pounds overweight says “no” to the question “Have you gained weight because you eat too much?”  They always think they are just not eating the right foods.  There can be some truth to this, but too much of the right foods will still cause weight gain.
 
Please do not pay someone to tell you what to eat!  Ask me any question on email, I always take the time to answer.  If you want someone to give you a magic diet I can do that as easy as anyone else, its just not ethical.  If weight loss pills, shakes, supplements worked I would be selling them and more importantly, I would be TAKING them!
 
All you really need to do is read your SuperShape Food Diary, a huge key to success.  Take a look at it again and see if it doesn’t tell you everything you already see on the internet, everything nutrition gurus already tell you.  Another option is www.sparkpeople.com Join the AlamoShape team at that website and start getting the support you need to understand your nutritional needs.  I can also send you an EXCEL food diary if you are proficient with that program. Weight Watchers is a great way to have the support of others to help you in your nutritional journey.  Many people start personal training programs thinking they will magically lose weight.  You will get stronger, faster, leaner, and you will lose fat as you send more calories out of your body, but you will not lose weight if you do not manage the amount of calories coming in.
 
JOIN OUR RUN LIKE A GIRL WALK/RUN CLUB
Increase your calorie burn during your walking by just moving a little bit faster or longer every day.  We have a great walk/run club led by Laura Saturday at 645am. Everyone walks or runs at their own pace.  Join the group in the AlamoShape parking lot, usually rain or shine. Let us know if you want to be included in that newsletter.
 
EMAIL ME WITH QUESTIONS AND OWIES
I need to know if you are having a problem with a joint/muscle, etc so send me a quick e-mail and I will answer you personally asap.   If you can do this right away I can think about what we did that day and try to have a modification for you the next time. 
Saturday, April 30, 2011 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

Liquefying Fat Cells

By Rosemarie Ferrara
 
"...because if it melted your fat cells, I see no particular reason to think that it wouldn’t also liquefy the cells in your skin, heart, eyes, and testicles."
 
 
So I could not stop laughing every time I read that sentence. Here's the rest of that blog from the great guys at Obesity Panacea:
http://blogs.plos.org/obesitypanacea/2011/02/11/can-a-far-infrared-sauna-liquify-your-fat-cells/    
Please, if you are thinking of trying this ridiculous weight loss fad ask me to send you the actual science behind it so you don't have to be embarrassed at the next dinner party.   A little blurb from Wikipedia explains some of it for you here:

Energy expenditure and weight loss

Some infrared sauna proponents claim that the sauna is an effective method for considerably raising the rate of energy expenditure in the body. Proponents typically quote the Journal of the American Medical Association stating: "A moderately conditioned person can easily sweat off 500 grams in a sauna, consuming nearly 300 kcal, which is equivalent to running 2–3 miles. A heat-conditioned person can easily sweat off 600–800 kcal with no adverse effects. While the weight of the water loss can be regained by drinking water, the calories consumed will not be." This statement is based on the amount of energy absorbed by sweat evaporating from the skin. It is equivalent to the latent heat of vaporization of water, which is 539 kcal/kg (2260 kJ/kg). The source of this energy is then confused to be body energy stores, while the source is in fact the excessive heat absorbed from the sauna. The body reacts to the excess heat flux by increasing perspiration. This does not increase body heat generation and calorie burn.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_sauna

 

RUN, THEN WALK FOR 2 GREAT CAUSES!  

The AlamoShape Sunset Run 5K*10K*Half Marathon will be on one of the longest days of the year, Saturday, June 18th, a great evening to help save the lives of animals in Otero County and then go celebrate the lives of cancer victims in our town as well.  Our race event will raise funds for several non-profit, no-kill animal adoption centers in the area including:
Animal Village, SouthWest Collie Rescue, One Dog At A Time, Kitty City, and Tularosa K-9 & Feline Rescue. After beating your best time at 3.3, 6.6, or 13.2 miles (approximate distance!) why not go over to Griggs Field and help beat cancer, too, at the Relay for Life, by joining one of our great Zumba instructors as they do demos through the night at this wonderful event.

 

MORE ZUMBA AND NOW 515 A.M. CLASSES ON THE WAY!

Beginning THIS TUESDAY WE WILL HAVE ZUMBA AT 530 pm with ANGEL & 630 pm TURBOKICK w/JANINE (Pi-YO remains at 530 w/TAMIE in the PiYO room.) We will start early morning TUES/THURS 515 am ZUMBA ON TUES MAY 31 w/ANGEL and Tues/Thurs 430 pm ZUMABTOMIC for the kids w/Norma May 31. With enough kids we can start the Zumbatomic sooner. Please give us your feedback on these great schedule changes!

"I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all."  - Leo Rosten

Sunday, February 27, 2011 • Alamogordo, NM 88310-5236

Up Until Now

By Rosemarie Ferrara

Every time you hear yourself making some blanket statement like, "I'm very insecure“I need a lot of attention and reassurance," I'd suggest that you add these three words, "up until now." Every time you do that, you're making a break with the past. You're giving yourself permission to change. ~Anita Goldstein

What a great way to take charge of any aspect of your life....“up until now” can be the first words of the rest of your life.  Stay positive about your nutrition and exercise efforts.  One slip up doesn’t make for failure.  It is just a chance to start again more intelligently.  Try the tip below to drop 5 pounds in 8 weeks.  Drop 50 lbs of junk off at our club anytime and we'll use it in our next fundraising yard sale.  The last one netted $660 for future Mrs. NM Sarah Eldridge with 1/2 of that going to the Zumba for Zia Fundraiser!

Drop 5 Pounds in 8 Weeks by Sipping This  From RealAge.com

Lose 5 pounds without even breaking a sweat? Research suggests that it may be possible -- if you drink green tea.  In a small study of obese people who had metabolic syndrome, the participants lost over 5 pounds in just 8 weeks when they began drinking green tea daily. And they didn't even have to change their diets or exercise habits.

Easy on the Body

All it took was 4 cups of tea daily -- 2 in the morning and 2 later in the day -- to produce the modest weight loss benefit. And the tea drinkers not only dropped a few pounds, but also their bodies showed less evidence of oxidative stress. That's good news for people with weight issues, whose bodies tend to experience elevated levels of oxidative stress -- a fancy way of describing when the body is struggling to deal with more body-damaging free radicals than it can effectively manage. (Here's another way you can drink a hot beverage and minimize oxidative stress.)It's the Catechins

So what's the key to green tea's weight loss magic? It may be the catechins in the brew that elevate fat-fighting in the body -- particularly a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is the most abundant in green tea. Makes green tea seem like a real body bargain when you consider that you can pick up a box of teabags at the grocery store and enjoy this brew for just pennies a serving. Here are a few more cheap and easy ways to do your body right:

  • Eat more beans. Bean eaters tend to weigh almost 7 pounds less than people who skip legumes.
  • Drink more water. Adding just 4 more cups of water to your day could boost weight loss.
  • Choose the funny flick. A happy movie will cause you to snack less than if you watched the latest thriller instead.
  • Skip the commercials. Commercials make people want to eat junk food -- because most commercials are about junk food.

SLOW METABOLISM, WHAT TO DO?

Here’s a link to an article by Jillian Michaels that talks about the reasons for slow metabolism.  I’m not sure they are all legit with regard to metabolism, but they are all factual with regard to your better health in general.  The very first one---get off your sofa!---is probably the most important of all, and secondly, the huge amount of processed foods we eat (your body doesn’t have to work hard to break down and store as fat a food that chemicals and food industry machines have already partially digested for you!)  http://www.jillianmichaels.com/fitness-and-diet-tips/lagging-metabolism  If the link doesn’t work just type in the address or copy and paste it into your browser bar.

ANOTHER NEW ZUMBA CLASS!!

Join Michelle this week for our new Thursday 1130 am Zumba class in the ballroom. In support of the Adult Services DayHab program at Zia Therapy Center AlamoShape will be offering this fantastic 30-minute Zumba session beginning Thursday, March 3rd.  Stay for her 1205 Thursday class and more than double your calorie burn!

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Rosemarie Ferrara

"Every breath is a second chance." Don't waste another one of yours. There is a reason your friends are working out with us. We get results. If you are 30 or 40 or more and you still aren't in the shape you want to be in, then stop complaining and come see us. If you were going to do it on your own you would have done it already. We know that....we're the same way...that's why we're HERE doing it together instead of THERE doing it alone. You won't find a phone number on our contact info page and you won't find a salesperson at our club. When we are training clients we give them our full attention and we'll do the same for you, too! Please contact us via e-mail through our contact link or website www.alamoshape.com and we'll be happy to answer any and all questions within 24 hours! When you want to join us for classes bring your payment and your health history forms from the website (or pick some up at the club). Just put your payment and forms in the green folder and start your first class...nothing fancy, no contracts, just a lot of fun and great results!
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