BALANCE NOW AVAILABLE TO GENERAL PUBLIC

Hey folks, Dr. Ashry is back in town next week and we are doing the mid-trial publicity. Here is the story on my blog today, which says that the trial is going so well, that BALANCE is now available (for a fee) to the general public!

http://hartkeisonline.com/2009/07/02/fitness-first-clubs-join-the-wellness-revolution/

Pictured: Rick Thoesen and his Personal Trainer, Sandra.

Sharon W. Progress Report

Sharon W. Balance participant has been kicking it on the cardio 5 days a week, in addition to her two hours with personal trainer, Juan. She reports that she is down one pant size! I see Sharon all the time at the gym. She is really working it, and we are very proud of her accomplishments.

The important thing is, you can do it too!

Hey, check out my blog, I did an article today, with a hilarious video that Chalid showed Alana and I. See it by following the link, below.

http://hartkeisonline.com/2009/03/19/exercise-at-your-own-risk/

Farm Fresh Food Can Spur Weight Loss

Hey BALANCE folks! There is a new farmers market in Oakton, at the Unitarian Church on Hunters Mill Road.

It is Saturdays, from 10-2pm. They have organic coffee, the best Amish pasture raised chicken (melts in your mouth!) and our favorite, Piedmontese beef.

A Piedmontese breed of cow is the leanest steer in the world, they are imported from Italy. The guy that sells it, his company is called Angelic Beef. And it is out of this world. Every cut was as tender as a filet mignon. I had a skirt steak the other night and with nothing but a little salt and pepper, it was delicious. Because of the humane way these cows are raised, you can cook the beef rare or medium rare with no fear of pathogens. In fact, lean meats are better served that way. And weight loss? I know of one woman who lost 70 lbs by switching to grass-fed meats! Definitely do try it!

Get to know these farmers, they are using organic and traditional farming methods and the quality of their food is superior nutritionally to anything you can buy at the store.

This is also a fun way to live, getting to know our local farmers, supporting them with buying power, helping them to build a strong local farm economy. Wouldn't you rather see farms dotting the countryside than more urban sprawl?

Smartmarkets.org runs this market, and they have others all over, many of them open in the spring, but check out their website for more of their locations!

PHOTO: Kimberly and author of REAL FOOD, Nina Planck at the Oakton Farmers Market

Noah is Her Hero!

Ronesshia Moore is doing great in the BALANCE program. She credits her trainer Noah.

Please send in your photos or post them on the blog to encourage others!

Recipes from Alana

Breakfast:

1 or 2 boiled eggs
1 slice cheese
1 slice whole wheat toast with olive oil butter spread (below)
¼ cup (a handful) of berries or ½ green apple


Lunch:
1 whole-wheat pita bread stuffed with shrimp or chicken or tuna salad made with Canola or Safflower Mayonnaise and chopped vegetables

A side of prepared salad (leafy greens, celery, tomato, cucumber, baby spinach, carrots, etc) with an olive oil dressing


Dinner:

Baked, broiled, or grilled salmon steak
2 or 3 new potatoes, or 1 small sweet potato with cinnamon and butter spread (below)
Steamed broccoli and/or green beans and/or zucchini with extra virgin olive oil



After dinner snack:

Handful of roasted cashews and almonds
1 square of dark chocolate
1 cup of mint or herbal tea with lemon



If you need to snack:

Hummus with cut up vegetables
A small handful of nuts
1 or 2 whole rye crackers with natural peanut or almond butter
½ green apple with a slice of string cheese

Recipes from Alana

Breakfast:

1 or 2 boiled eggs
1 slice cheese
1 slice whole wheat toast with olive oil butter spread (below)
¼ cup (a handful) of berries or ½ green apple


Lunch:
1 whole-wheat pita bread stuffed with shrimp or chicken or tuna salad made with Canola or Safflower Mayonnaise and chopped vegetables

A side of prepared salad (leafy greens, celery, tomato, cucumber, baby spinach, carrots, etc) with an olive oil dressing


Dinner:

Baked, broiled, or grilled salmon steak
2 or 3 new potatoes, or 1 small sweet potato with cinnamon and butter spread (below)
Steamed broccoli and/or green beans and/or zucchini with extra virgin olive oil



After dinner snack:

Handful of roasted cashews and almonds
1 square of dark chocolate
1 cup of mint or herbal tea with lemon



If you need to snack:

Hummus with cut up vegetables
A small handful of nuts
1 or 2 whole rye crackers with natural peanut or almond butter
½ green apple with a slice of string cheese

Something Fun with your Fitness

Hi all!

Not long after the Balance program launched two months ago, there were some inquiries about setting up a kind of 'buddy system' for those participants who were interested in sharing their experiences with one another. Of course, this didn't have to be only about meeting at Fitness First to have an exercise partner; maybe it could be something a little more personal that didn't just focus on the body, but the mind and spirit as well, while possibly building friendships along the way.

I wanted to let everyone know that I have created a meetup group, partly inspired being a part of the Balance program. It's called: "The Reston Active & Balanced Being Group" and can be viewed at http://www.meetup.com/TheRABB/. The main page will give you a little more insight as to what the group's focus is about (mainly making and maintaining connections with other fellow human beings). This is both a scary yet exciting adventure for me as I have spent 2008 meeting a lot of great people in the NoVa area through meetup groups. I'm hoping that will continue throughout this year, having more good times with good people.

REMEMBER: there is absolutely no requirement to join the meetup group! I just wanted to present it as a possible option for those who may feel somewhat isolated, or have a need to get out and be a little more active in their lives, aside from going to the gym. Personally, I'm a creature of habit (if it ain't broke, don't fix it!), so routine and monotony is commonplace for me, something I can count on. However, I know most people like variety, so why not add some fun activities to your agenda in addition to your personal training? Something to think about.

It's a new year, full of possibilities. I'm looking forward to what it will bring!
Happy Joy to you all!

Janet