Pure Austin Fitness

Touching testimonial from a Pure Austin member: Life changing results!

2011-05-25T20:08:00.002-05:00

Here is something I was inspired to write this early morning:

I am 8 days away from giving birth to our first child and have been reflecting on the changes in my life over the past 2 years. I came to Chelsea about 2 years ago and have been training with her on an average of 3 times a week since. Before this, I had never exercised regularly or had good nutrition. Quite the opposite. We enjoyed going out to eat and drink most days of the week. Finally this poor lifestyle it caught up with me; not only as an additional 5 pounds a year since high school but mentally too. Since the age of 15, I have struggled with anxiety and depression. I had been on an ever changing rotation of anti-anxiety drugs for years with no sustainable solution. At the age of 26, something had to change. I was depressed, anxious, overweight, tired, out of shape, and feeling terrible. With the encouragement of my husband, I decided to give physical training a try. I had some initial fears: the hard work, the time commitment, and what seemed like a frivolous, self-indulgent expense. Considering the thousands of dollars a month that I was spending on eating and drinking to keep my self unhealthy, this was a step in the right direction.

I started to see Chelsea 3 times a week. It was hard work and I didn't feel like working most days. I knew this was just what I needed if I ever wanted to be healthy. I began seeing results physically but more importantly I began to feel better in every way. After about 6 months there was a switch that happened. My self-esteem had grown, I looked better, and I felt like I was able to do anything. Today, I have control of my life for the first time ever. I finally look forward to going to the gym. I like the feeling of lifting heavy weights and working hard; it makes me feel strong and in control. I have broken the cycle of bad health. I am proud to be able to teach my children the lessons I have learned through this experience. Physical training has been transformative. It has been a full lifestyle change and has changed the person that am. Choosing to get the help of a physical trainer was the best decision I have ever made for myself and I will continue to train with Chelsea because it keeps me healthy and happy.

Today I am proud to say that after 9 months of pregnancy with a full sized baby in my belly, I weigh the same as I did when I first came to Chelsea. I have continued to go to the gym 3 times a week throughout my pregnancy and feel great. I am excited to go into labor because I am trained for it. I didn't expect this many changes to happen to me but I am encouraged to know there are many more in store for me.

Molly

Yummy Pizza Recipe via Laura CaJacob

2011-05-14T14:21:00.003-05:00

Laura CaJacob sent us a recipe one of her clients LOVES!

I just get an Ezekial pita

-I put 1-2 table spoons of goat cheese depending on the calories I am watching. I spread it on top of the pita

-One roma tomato or two....I take the seeds out to keep out the moisture ...and bread from getting soggy
-Ground pepper and oregano on top to taste
-drizzle olive oil

Optional:
-a little garlic
-a little parmesan on top to add some salt
-some basil
- a small amount on mozzarella on top of the goat....its very wet so don't over do it

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 mins. You want the bottom to be slightly browned. Then turn on the broiler and brown the top for 1-2 mins!
its so good I love it :)

Congratulations to #pureres winner Patty!!!

2011-04-25T15:48:00.003-05:00

Congratulations Patty!! Great job on following through with your resolutions - it totally shows! We love your positive energy! Here's Patty's story:

I’ve been a member at Pure Austin for several years, but a work assignment in Russia last fall interrupted my routine. As soon as I returned, I couldn’t wait to get back to Pure! I genuinely look forward to each visit here. I love the variety of the classes and equipment, the jogging trail, the skilled and enthusiastic instructors – there is always something fun to try. The Town Lake location is close to my home and Quarry Lake is close to my office, so it's very easy for me to fit in a morning, lunchtime or evening workout nearly every day. I am not particularly athletic, but I never feel out of place here. I especially enjoy the Pump Raw and Triple X classes; they are a great balance to my running workouts. I perform in local theater and for the past few months, I’ve been training to build stamina for my role in a musical production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” in Georgetown. Added bonus: I can wear the “revealing” costumes with confidence. Thank you, Pure Austin!

Meet our members! Henry Harless!

2011-04-20T10:51:00.009-05:00

A native Austinite, Henry has been beaming his happy smile around Pure Austin since 2003! Henry comes into Pure Austin to do creative leg workouts that enhance his admirable running speed, and keep him injury free! And he really likes to toss the medicine balls around, to strengthen his core. If you ever see him messing around the gym, you should definitely pick his brain for a new exercise or just flat out copy his moves :)! Henry has his own Austin-flavored real estate business, and he does business just like he does his workouts - with attention to detail and a focus on moving things fast!

Our friendly Pure Austin community is what keeps us motivated to pursue our goals inside and outside of the gym. We all love to know more about our members. Shoot us a line so we can feature you, too!

Another reason why Urban Adventure Camp with Chelsea rules!

2011-04-11T22:59:00.005-05:00

Just got this testimonial in!

Urban Adventure Bootcamp rules!

Late in 2008, I found out I was BRCA Positive. That is the technical term for having the "breast & ovarian cancer gene." In the first 3 months of 2009, I had a hysterectomy and complete mastectomy and reconstruction. After those surgeries, I had lost a lot of strength as well as confidence that I could get it back. I kept exercising, but never dreamed that I could keep up in a fitness class or much less a bootcamp! I started attending Chelsea's Cardio Core and Pure Pump classes, then found the confidence to sign up for Urban Adventure Bootcamp. Before those, I could not jump. No, seriously...I didn't have the strength to jump up onto a bench, nor did I think I could do it! I could not hold a plank for more than 30 seconds at a time, and I never thought I could bearcrawl up a hill! Now I can do all of those things and more, and I am stronger than ever. Chelsea's approach is "What can your body do?," and she has helped me reach far beyond what I thought mine could. I am stronger, leaner and more confident in just 4 weeks, and I have signed up for two adventure races already!

You can sign up for Urban Adventure Bootcamp NOW

AND he's a super nice guy

2011-02-15T22:02:00.004-06:00

Check out what Craig has to say about Pure Austin Coaching Director and Coach Shawn Bostad:

At 40 years-old and with numerous triathlons, duathlons and mountain biking and running races under my belt, I consider myself an active and competitive recreational athlete. I have the privilege of training with Shawn in Austin,TX and can honestly say that he is the best athletic trainer that I've ever been associated with. The characteristics of a successful trainer are, without a doubt, many. However, I believe some of the most fundamental include: knowledge, charisma, leadership skills, creativity, caring, and
enthusiasm, the ability to create an inclusive environment and, maybe themost important, results-oriented. These are just a few of the areas in which Shawn excels. When he trains he speaks from the practical perspective that only personal experience can provide. He combines his wealth of experience with a solid understanding of the science of fitness. This knowledge
combined with his creativity, enthusiasm and love for what he does enables him to create very popular and very successful workout programs for all levels of athletes from the professional racer to the person who might be entering the gym for the first time. People gravitate to him because of his contagiousenthusiasm and because they know they'll be better off if they follow his
instruction.

PAC Rules. Want to be part of this?

2011-02-01T18:29:00.002-06:00

I had seen the Pure Austin Coaching fliers and pamphlets around Pure Austin for months but was too intimidated to try it. I wish I had not waited so long! Shawn and the coaching group are very approachable, friendly and inspirational. My swimming has improved tremendously, I can really relax and pull in the water now. I was not a runner at all and now can run a 10:30 mile on a good day -- I even have anterior tibialis muscles now!! I would not have accomplished those milestones without Shawn's coaching and the support of the athletes around me. I would wholeheartedly recommend PAC to anyone who wants to revel in a healthy and supportive but also challenging approach to health and fitness." Vivian Potterf

Contact Shawn at shawn@pureaustin.com or learn more and sign up now.

Train with Chelsea: What can your body do?

2011-01-31T23:03:00.003-06:00

Train with Chelsea: What can your body do?

Fitness to me is not just what we look like but more about what our bodies can do. How much weight can you squat? How many pushups can you do? Can you do a pull up unassisted? How far can you run? How fast can you run? Do you desire to complete a triathlon? Or run a half marathon? Or maybe it's just about fitting your workouts in your busy schedule? If you believe you can't then you are right. It is my purpose to provide a comfortable training environment to enable you to push pass what you think you can do and show you how far you can truly push your body to achieve the goals you set.

Training openings:

Town Lake:
Monday: 6am, 9am, 2pm
Tuesday: 7am, 11am, 12pm
Wednesday: 6am, 10am, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm
Thursday: 8am - 1pm
Friday:8am, 12pm
Saturday: 11am, 12pm

Quarry Lake:
Tuesday: 4pm, 5pm
Thursday: 4pm, 6pm

Classes that I teach:
Monday: Pump Raw - 12 noon, Cardio Core - 4:30pm
Friday: Cardio Core - 6:30am, Pump Raw - 5:15pm

Upcoming Clinic: Urban Adventure Training: March 7th - March 30th, April 4th - 28th, May 2nd - 25th
M and W 6:15pm - 7:15pm

"TAKE IT TO THE STREETS & FIND YOUR STRENGTH!" Urban Adventure Training is a fast-paced, dynamic total body workout that uses the streets as our exercise playground. Burn fat, gain strength & increase endurance with this progressive workout that integrates a variety of calisthenics, plyometrics, core exercises, sprinting, hill running, and urban obstacle courses. Cardiovascular and strength assessments will be measured at the beginning & end of each month. Homework given each week. Opportunities to compete in upcoming adventure races i.e. MUDDY BUDDY, TEXAS QUEST, SPREAD YOUR WINGS.

Chelsea's blog: http://chelsea-paul.blogspot.com

Delicious dip + 14 lbs lighter!

2011-01-20T23:10:00.001-06:00

Check out this great, healthy dip recipe given to our dietitian Laura CaJacob by one of our new members, Julie. She is kicking butt at Pure Austin, and has lost over 14 pounds since joining!

2 cloves garlic
2 (15-oz) cans cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
1 T fresh parsley leaves, chopped
¼ C fresh lemon juice*
¼ C olive oil
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. In a food processor, pulse the garlic cloves until finely chopped.
2. Add beans, parsley, lemon juice, & olive oil; process until smooth.
3. Add salt & pepper adjusting to taste.

*You might need to add a little more than ¼ C of lemon juice; taste & add more if needed.

NOTE: Dip can be made up to one day ahead and chilled.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with baby carrots, sliced red bell pepper, pita chips

YIELD: 2 cups

Take home Message: Get some SLEEP to LOSE FAT

2011-01-18T15:41:00.002-06:00

Our owner, Beto Boggiano, likes to send us peer-reviewed journal article studies that will keep us abreast of the latest research. This came through today:

We know that thin people sleep more and overweight people sleep less
(strong correlation) but here, two groups of people were put on a
restricted-cal diet to lose weight, both ate the same amt and lost
the same amount of weight but the ones that got more sleep (8.5 hrs)
lost FAT weight; the ones limited to less sleep (5.5 hrs) lost muscle
weight.

If you're trying to reduce fat mass, get your sleep.

MMB

Brook's January Jams for Monday 5:30 pm Core Cycling at Quarry!

2011-01-07T00:09:00.005-06:00

January jams! Check out these specialty themed rides for the 5:30-6:30pm Core Cycling classes at Pure Austin Quarry Lake!
Mon, Jan 3, 5:30pm: 90s Ride: Coolio, Beck, Metallica, “Hamma Time,” etc!
Mon, Jan 10, 5:30pm: Rap/Rock: Eminem (clean), Snoop, Eve 6, Kevin Rudolf, etc!
Mon, Jan 17, 5:30pm: Positive Vibes: “Feel Good,” upbeat songs across genres!
Mon, Jan 24, 5:30pm: Country: Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, Robert Earl Keen, etc!
All rides will be instructed by Brook Benten. You'll experience 50-minutes riding hard on the bike through intervals of fast flats, heavy hills, and everything in-between. The last 10-minutes of class will be devoted to core strengthening exercises on the mat.

Tanning Special

2011-01-04T23:55:00.000-06:00

Eli's New Years Resolution Tip!

2011-01-04T22:28:00.004-06:00

We all want to keep our fitness resolutions, but sometimes it's hard with our busy schedules. On days when you can't make it to the gym, don't call it a loss. Use this workout tip from Eli and get more done at home!

Eli says:
When you have too much to do around the house, do a little something to keep yourself active. Try this:

Set a timer between 5 to 10 Minutes. When it goes off, set aside what you are doing and do an exercise to your personal max. For example: the timer goes off and you knock out 20 push ups or 25 jump squats. Then, reset the timer, keep going with your task until the next set.

If you do this often enough, your max will build and you'll improve your true workout at the gym.

Don't rely on this as a substitute to your full workout, but it will help you multitask and shake a bit of that holiday guilt! :)

Shoot Pure Austin Fitness Specialist Eli an email if you want to get hooked up with one of the best and brightest trainers around! Eli@PureAustin.com

Love to Shirley from one of the "Dynamic Slash" winners

2010-12-16T23:44:00.002-06:00

I can't say enough great things about the classes at Pure and the instructors. I have to admit there have been a number of times when I've walked into the gym on a Monday evening after a long day at work and I think to myself "there is no way I have enough energy to get through class." However, as soon as I see your smiling face and feed off the energy of the class, its as if I've been revived. The value I get from slash is two-fold; both on a mental level and physical level. On a mental level, I feel so proud of myself when I know I've started the week off right with what I feel is the most challenging class of the week. Its set the bar for the remainder of the week and forces me to push myself that much more. On a physical level, Slash requires you to use every muscle in your body which inevitably turns into me climbing out of bed Tuesday mornings with either sore hamstrings, bum, or back :)

As a side note, (and I know I've mentioned this before) but I'm always impressed by how you not only push us but yourself as well. The energy and positive attitude you exude are infectious. Thank you for being such a great mentor!

Weekend before Christmas from Pure Austin Coaching - Join us for the fun!

2010-12-15T14:10:00.002-06:00

Twas the weekend before Christmas when all through the town,
Triathletes were stirring, no rest to be found.
The festivity calendar was nearing full,
Ensuring this weekend would have no lull.
Friday night we will dress our best - all in red,
With twelve bars to hit up, all before bed.
The Red Dress/12 Bars of Christmas run
Will no doubt provide all sorts of fun.
Lace up those shoes and don your best dress;
Awards await for those that impress.

Friday night will provide little rest for the weary,
As Saturday morning will come mighty early.
Team PAC has a deal with the Rogue Training Crew,
$15 a month for Saturday long runs, just for you.
All speeds and paces are available;
Make this long run a weekend staple.
Want in on this steal of a deal?
Shoot us an email (pureaustincoaching@gmail.com) - we mean it, for real.

Be sure to refuel after that long run,
Because there is still lots more fun to come.
Visions of victory can dance in your head
As you watch Kona on TV (maybe even from your bed).
Saturday afternoon from 3-5pm
Tune to NBC to see some incredible athleticism.
The Ironman Kona World Championships are set to air
As the Ironmen set out to go where few will even dare.

Once you finish watching the race,
Get out that bike and give it a new face.
Why? you ask - What does she mean?
Its time to decorate your bike with a holiday theme!
Sunday morning is Jack and Adam's monthly Steiner Ranch Ride.
This time around there is one stipulation to which you must abide:
A holiday festive spirit is a must.
Dress up your bike and yourself - make it a fuss!
Two ride distances will be offered,
16 or 32 miles, whichever is preferred.
The best part of this awesome adventure
Is the half price brunch once your ride is through.

We at PAC hope you can come play.
Bring out your friends and show them our fun ways.
Our message to you, our training partners, our friends:
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good weekend!"

Lettuce Wraps, yum!

2010-12-02T22:36:00.002-06:00

A message from our Dietician Laura CaJacob:
This is a great recipe! I had it for lunch today, and I saw Formby and Nathan drooling over it in the trainer's room. It was easy to make and awesome to eat.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. instant brown rice

2 t. sesame oil
1 pound ground turkey breast
2 t. ground ginger

1 red bell pepper
1 8oz. can water chestnuts
1/2 c. reduced sodium chicken broth
2 T. hoison sauce (I found this in the asian section at HEB)

1/2 t. salt
2 heads boston lettuce
1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro and green onions

Preparation:
1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice; reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add turkey and ginger; cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is cooked through, about 6 minutes.

3. Prep other ingredients while meat and rice are cooking.

4. Stir in the cooked rice, bell pepper, water chestnuts, broth, hoisin sauce, and salt; cook until heated through, about 1 minute.

5. To serve, spoon portions of the turkey mixture into lettuce leaves, top with herbs and roll into wraps.

Need more easy, healthy recipe ideas? Set up an appointment with Laura! laurac@pureaustin.com

Exercise Buddies Rule!

2010-11-28T21:32:00.003-06:00

This just in from Mallory!

My client totally took advantage of the BUDDY MONTH!!! It's a mother and her son, who is her buddy. He is learning to love spending an active hour with his mom everyday - bringing them even closer!!
Check it out!
Mallory
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kathleen
Date: Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 2:59 PM
To: Mallory

Dear Mallory,
My exercise buddy is my son Arthur who is 25 years old. I love having an eb. We get to work out and visit. I would never go everyday without him. Yes, we have been every day this month. My only regret is he will be out of town Friday and we only get
to exercise 28 days this month instead of 29.

We usually start upstairs and ride the exercise bike, walk the treadmill at a slant, and step to it on the elliptical exercise machine.

Then we throw a medicine ball around and use the free weights. Maybe a couple of other machines upstairs.

Then we go downstairs and do a number of machines. We use the slanted walk. I like to walk up it backwards three times.

A few times Arthur has swum laps in the pool. Several times we have walked/jogged around the quarry. It is so pretty out there.

It has been great for us at Pure Austin at the Quarry.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,
Kathleen

Whoa, Josie!! Qualified for Boston Marathon, with some help from the full body core power a la Shirley + Pure Austin :)

2010-11-14T09:01:00.005-06:00

Transforming mind & body through Exercise
By: Josie D
11/13/10

Over 100,000 people applied, 45,350 runners started, and 44,829 finishers pushed through 26.2 miles in the New York City Marathon last Sunday. Ambitious athletes come from all around the world for the thrill of competing and the opportunity for distinction. I was lucky to be one of them.

This year’s New York marathon was my sixth full marathon, but the first time I’ve ever properly trained. I owe much of my preparation to Shirley Domicoli at Pure Austin Fitness. Shirley is bursting with positive energy and instantly likeable. She is exactly the influence I needed, exuding both inner and outer strength.

Since starting Shirley’s classes, I’m stronger than ever before in my arms, back, shoulders, stomach, and leg muscles. Her Monday, Wednesday and Sunday classes at Pure Austin’s Town Lake location focused on full body power. Before previous marathons I was essentially logging miles to check the box. Over the past year my running has significantly improved since Shirley introduced weight training, dynamic exercises, and core workouts into my routine.

Exercise has long been transformative to my mind and my body, but proved particularly helpful during my 2009 transition from Washington D.C. to Austin. You name it - career, friends, boyfriends, school – life was messy. I had to defer entry in the New York City Marathon last year because I felt drained, weak, and overwhelmed.

Hemingway’s quote fits, “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” A year later, the hurdles and heartbreaks of life became constant motivation to rebuild. I decided to enter the race to reaffirm my resilience and test my limits.

I will never win marathons but like most runners last weekend, I was there for a personal victory. You don’t travel to New York, fight expo crowds, wake up at 3 am, sit in the cold for 4 hours and then run 26.2 miles without inherent passion.

Marathons help me feel fulfilled in my own skin. That woman complaining about the cold, that woman grimacing with cramps, that woman hobbling from blisters – that is me. Running exposes your real self. You become vulnerable to the course and your strength is scrutinized right there along the crowded streets of New York City.
The fans in New York feed into this raw emotion. I wore my name across my vest and fans were not timid. “Kick it harder Josie.” “Come on Josie, you go girl.” “Make ‘em eat your dust.” Their support entirely carried me at the darkest times of the race.

The last six miles of a marathon separates runners from marathon runners. When you push beyond mile 20 you enter a primitive zone. Pain becomes ubiquitous and you force yourself to plow through complete exhaustion. This is where you need to dig deep and remember why you came.

Every runner has a story. I guess some people start running with the intention of marathoning someday but I sure didn’t. I started running around my neighborhood just so I’d have a chance at being captain of my grade school cheerleading squad. I was 13, short, chubby, and fired up.

I started running more seriously at Penn State. College was the first time I was actually self-aware and humiliated about my weight. I was almost 180 pounds when exercise started to transform my life. I was determined to change my circumstances and stop feeling sorry for myself. I did daily runs through a course of personally significant places at Penn State, calling me to appreciate the highs and lows of my life. I lost weight and I gained gumption.

Over the next 8-year chapter in Washington D.C., running remained a priority. I spent most of my career traveling in jobs at The White House, the State Department and the Peace Corps. I visited close to 70 countries and packed running shoes on every trip.

Even lifelong runners need fresh inspiration and solid training to improve performance. Shirley’s workouts proved invaluable to me. I felt sturdy at the finish line and recovered faster than ever before.

And how did it end?

I broke my personal record for marathons with a 3:34:15. I qualified for the Boston Marathon for the first time and I returned to Austin smiling ear-to-ear.

###

Getting rid of that 4 o'clock energy crash = feeling great

2010-10-27T23:30:00.002-05:00

One of our members, Eric W, has seen incredible success in the past 2 months due to help from our Registered Dietitian, Laura CaJacob. Eric came to Laura due to the major energy crashes he was experiencing at 4:00pm every day. By making a few changes in his diet, Eric no longer has severe energy crashes and has even lost weight. Not only did Eric's motivation and discipline play a major roll, but his trainer Christi Corbitt gives him quite the workout twice a week. Eric is 49 years old and has had more than 5 knee surgeries, yet is in the 125th percentile for lean body mass for his frame size. Congratulations Eric, and keep up the great work!

5 lbs in a week!!? Nice work! And, a yummy recipe..

2010-10-25T21:25:00.005-05:00

Our Registered Dietitian, Laura CaJacob, has helped one of our members drop 5 pounds in 1 week! Maggie has made a few small changes that have resulted in BIG changes. Maggie says, "It seems easy... and I am not tempted to go off the plan! I can't believe a "diet" could be so easy. I don't feel like I am restricted...just eating healthy. I can tell a difference in yoga, too. Eating healthy isn't expensive. I really enjoy eating this way."

Maggie made this delicious dish recently and was kind enough to share her recipe:

Pinto Bean Enchilada Casserole
Ingredients:

Pinto beans (any kind of bean will do - black beans would be great)
If you want home made beans....Rinse and soak 2-3 cups of dry organic pinto beans overnight. Rinse again and cook with water 1 inch above beans. After one hour, add 1 chopped onion and 2-3 garlic cloves. When beans are soft, add about 1 tablespoon of fresh chili powder and salt and pepper to taste.
If you don't want to do the above steps, use 3-4 cans of beans... rinse those beans before using in enchiladas.
Sprouted corn tortillas... I found them in the refrigerated section near where they grind coffee at Whole Foods on Lamar. These turned out to be a nice surprise in the enchiladas... cooked up like they were cornbread. Regular corn tortillas will work if you can't find the sprouted.
Spinach... about 4 handfuls, washed.
Hatch green chili enchilada sauce... or any green sauce. Canned sauce may not be gluten free.
Soy cheese for the topping - grated or sliced.

1) Spread a thin layer of beans on the bottom of a 8x12 baking dish, just to keep the tortillas from sticking.
2) Add 1 layer of corn tortillas... tearing them to fit... easier than rolling enchiladas.
3) Spread a layer of beans.
4) Cover with 1/2 the spinach.
5) Add another layer of corn tortillas, beans and spinach.
6) Top with a third layer of tortillas. Cover with soy cheese.

I baked in 350 degree oven, covered, for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for another 20, until the cheese melted and had a nice color. Gluten free, dairy free, meat free. They were great the first night and even better the second!

Cookies... mmm.

2010-10-18T21:14:00.001-05:00

Need cookies in a hurry? These take 20 minutes in total and are fairly healthy for being legitimate cookies. Plus, they taste great and can be served to anyone with dairy or gluten sensitivity since they don't have butter or flour.

Interested in learning other recipe substitutions? E-mail our Registered Dietitian, Laura CaJacob: laurac@pureaustin.com.

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. unsalted almond butter, stirred well
3/4 c. sugar in the raw (can use less than this if you want to decrease sweetness)
1 large egg
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
3 oz dark chocolate, 70% or greater, broken into small pieces

1) Preheat oven to 350.
2) In a medium bowl, stir together first 5 ingredients. Stir in chocolate after well blended.
3) Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets and back for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
4) Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then cool on wire racks.

Makes 24 cookies.

*Recipe modified from Clean Eating Magazine March/April 2010.

Chelsea writes about Georgian, who turned the "Big 20" into a game changer

2010-10-11T21:46:00.003-05:00

Georgian has never been a gym girl. No, not her! She is so good at counting her calories and portioning out her food for the day, but lifting weights and doing cardio are two things she never did. But then her special someone convinced her to join Pure Austin. At first, she walked the treadmill and did some Yoga classes, but I could never get her to come to Cardio Core or Pump. And then the Big 20 happened! She was so cute. I remember a few days before the contest began she was telling me about her game plan and how pumped she was to workout 20 days in a row and how excited she would be if she won the raffle.

Georgian is a superstar. During the contest, she made it to Ande's Zumba class, she took Pump with me and Shirley, she took Kathy's and Beto's spin, and she showed up with a smile to my Cardio Core class rocking the plank, 3 risers, and pushing so hard she inspired me! She didn't win the raffle, but she fit into her skinny jeans and the other day I told her she could never where a certain pair of pants again because they didn't show how fit she has become!!!!

This is what she had to say, " I am really impressed with the challenge and what it's done for me personally. It's really been good for me to get out of my comfort zone and rock out the different classes. And while I don't plan to keep up a daily gym regimen, I do plan to maintain 4 classes a week. (Quite an improvement over the one a week I was doing prior to the Big 20!)"

Georgian is a great example of commitment and motivation. She's not your typical gym gal, but she became one!!!!! She even showed up for Cardio Core and Pump this week and the contest was over. She is an example of knowing what's she working for and doing the work necessary to achieve her goals.

This is why I love fitness. Good Job Georgian.

Chelsea's twin sister stays fit while in Iraq. Misty rules!!

2010-10-11T13:43:00.004-05:00

Chelsea sent this over about her twin sister staying fit while being deployed in Iraq. How awesome is this?!?

"I have a twin sister. Her name is Misty. She's always been into fitness. We use to step videos in our living room when we were teenagers. She had a gym membership in high school and would wake up at 5:30am to make it to a class then come home, kick me out of the bathroom, and get ready for school. She has been an athlete all of here life. The joke is I was such a fast runner because I knew she could kick my booty if she wanted to!!! Misty was deployed 4 months ago to Iraq. Just like her she turned it into a gigantic positive. This is what she had to say. "Fitness has changed because I have more time to do it. There is nothing else really keeping me from going to the gym. I don't have a monitor to listen to, dinners to prepare, house to clean. I just have me to worry about. So really there is no reason to miss the gym. I wake up at 0230, skype the family and am at the gym by 0310. I work out for 60 to 80 minutes. I do it in the morning because I know by the end of the day it is 120 degrees and the last thing I feel like doing is running on the treadmill in a 98 degree tent where the gym is. I know that I've accomplished something. That feels good. 3xs per week I am in the weight room doing a total body workout. 3xs per week I'm on the treadmill doing a running workout. My workouts are geared to what is going to get me through the heat and stress of Iraq. It is about being able to survive the elements. I lift heavy and run faster. To be perfectly honest...I'm working out so hard in order to wear my gear on the plane ride home and not feel like I have a gorilla on my back. It is just about being stronger....not thinner...but stronger. I wish my stomach was smaller....yada, yada, yada. But I really want to be able to carry all of my bags and not have anyone to help me. I want to be able to wear my vest without feeling weighted down. I want to be able to stand in a C-130 and hold on to the railing while up in the air without worrying about falling. Fitness is all about being functional now." Misty told me about a Push up contest they had on the base. How many push ups can you do in 1 minute? Both men and woman competed in this contest. 1st place: Girl - 83 push ups. 2nd place - MY SISTER 73 push ups. 3rd place and on......MEN! ROCK ON MISTY! Misty is now home safely. She is in the best shape of her life. Her shoulders have made me very jealous! She is one of my inspirations. Like she said, she would wake up at 2:30am after going to bed at 9pm just so she can Skype her little boy and then make it to the gym. Commitment and motivation. I am just so proud of her! "

Misty, you are an inspiration!!!! Much love, Pure Austin Fitness.

Healthy diet changes + 6 weeks = 6 lbs off. Yay Caroline!

2010-10-07T22:24:00.004-05:00

Congratulations Caroline Vander Ark! In just six weeks, Caroline has completely transformed her diet with the help of our dietitian, Laura CaJacob. She has not only lost 6 pounds, but she has virtually solved her digestion problems that she was having all the time. The best part about Caroline's changes is that she has formed long-term habits to make her healthier overall. Make sure to check out her awesome food blog to get some great, healthy recipe ideas: http://cookingwithcareblog.blogspot.com/. Keep it up Caroline.

Chelsea's client makes great progress - accountability is key!

2010-09-30T08:08:00.003-05:00

Chelsea sent this over today. Great news!!
Chelsea wrote:
I began working with this wonderful client consistently back in July. (She would like to remain nameless) She first struggled with consistency, frequency, and nutrition. We met for a session on July 2nd and talked about:

1. Resistance training at least 4xs a week along with 5 cardio sessions a week
2. Increasing her calories but making them more nutritious and dense in energy
3. Limiting weekend splurges if she wanted to see more results
4. Increasing the intensity of her workouts and choosing exercises that would create results
5. Took her measurements: weight, body fat, and circumference
6. Increase self-confidence

She purchased a 10 pack and uses each session to formulate a new routine she can do in between our meetings that vary but are usually every 3 weeks. She is determined to do this on her own, but with my guidance.

We met Sept 17th and look at this: ( mind you, we have only met 3xs since July and she had a really bad bike accident in between this time that took her out for 3 weeks)

1. Total inches loss = 7.5
2. Total pounds loss = 6lbs
3. Total body fat loss = 2%
4. Dress size = down 1 whole size and her clothes are so baggy on her right now
5. Nutrition = completely overhauled and now "eats to fuel, fuels to move, moves to lose" rather than avoiding calories so she can lose weight
6. Self confidence: Well she just glows when she's in the gym now!!!!!

Just wanted to share this with you......accountability is all she needed. She doesn't meet every week but she spent the $700 and has made appointments with me to hold herself accountable to her exercise game plan!!! Awesome!!!!!

Meet our Members! Hi Jackie!!

2010-09-27T18:46:00.007-05:00

Jackie is a relatively new member at Pure Austin (about 3 months) but she has already seen great results. She is positive, motivated, and very complimentary of us :):) We love Jackie!!

We sent Jackie a couple of questions, and she sent us some great responses!
Jackie told us:

-I chose PA after researching all the gyms in Austin, because PA is downtown and close to me, because it is trendy and has so many things to do--particularly the boxing and heavy bags (I do taekwondo and boxing training), and people there look like serious athletes and /or in good shape.

-My workouts are hitting the boxing balls, doing spin hook kicks using the heavy bags as targets (not hitting them due to my injuries), doing pilates by myself, and doing upper body free weights and a few machines for biceps and triceps.

-I am training for strength and definition in upper body, doing spin hook kicks as it trims your hips and raises your buttocks and trims legs, pilates to elongate muscles

-I feel awesome from my workouts (very tired) and the results I have gotten in two months (dropped two pant sizes)

-I am motivated by having injured areas in my body feeling tighter and having less chronic pain, and the body changes cited above.

-I love PA because it has everything and more that I would ever need, it is trendy, staff are very kind and professional, it is close to my home, watching other athletes is motivating (I have been an athlete my whole life and a former UT athlete.)

-What I do for a living : I am an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) with an MA in Clinical Psychology and have been so since 1997.

-I keep workouts a priority because since I was severely assaulted 4 years ago--this has been the first time I have felt my athleticism and felt like I am in control of my body and chronic pain.

I love Pure Austin and tell everyone I know to join. Thanks for all that you do!

6 weeks and 9 lbs lighter!

2010-09-22T22:35:00.003-05:00

A note from Pure Austin's Registered Dietitian Laura CaJacob:

Congratulations Heather!

My first client to make it through 6 weeks has seen awesome results! I saw Heather Hull for our final session today, and she was looking and feeling great. In just 6 weeks, Heather has lost 9 pounds and dropped her body fat percentage by 3%. This can be attributed to her hard work in the gym with trainer Michael Formby and a complete transformation of her diet. She has learned how to choose healthy foods that she enjoys, plan out her meals in the beginning of the week and make smart choices while eating out.

Are you interested in seeing similar results in just 6 weeks? What are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment with me today! laurac@pureaustin.com

Another great recipe idea from our dietician Laura CaJacob

2010-09-21T21:43:00.003-05:00

While stir-frys are very easy and healthy, most people can only take so much brown rice and vegetables. I made this variation for dinner last night, and it was awesome! I modified the recipe from Clean Eating Magazine. It served 3 of us and took less than 45 minutes.

Need more ideas for easy, healthy recipes? That's my specialty! laurac@pureaustin.com.

Zesty Orange Beef & Broccoli

8 oz package of soba noodles (this would be good without noodles too!)
cooking spray
1# lean round steak (chicken breast is another solid option), pounded to 1/4 in. thickness and sliced into strips
1/2 c. white onion, diced
2 1/2 c. fresh broccoli florets, separated into bite-size pieces
1 red bell pepper, julienne cut
3 T. low-sodium soy sauce
juice from 1 medium orange
1 T. orange zest
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t. agave nectar (honey is fine too)
2 t. whole wheat flour

1) Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cool water and set aside.
2) Heat large non-stick skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-high, mist pan with cooking spray and cook steak for about 5 minutes. Leave the juices in the pan, but remove steak and set aside.
3)Add onion, broccoli and pepper and saute over medium-high heat until cooked through (about 6 minutes).
4) In a medium bowl, whisk soy sauce, orange juice, zest, garlic and honey.
5) Add steak back to vegetables and pour in soy sauce mixture. Cook over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes.
6) Add flour to juices to thicken, and cook for about 3 minutes.
7) Add the noodles to the dish, and cook until warm, about 3 more minutes.
8) Remove from heat and serve.

Congratulations Cindy Henges for completing her second Leadville 100 Trail Run!

2010-09-01T22:16:00.004-05:00

Woot! Pure Austin Member Cindy Henges is a bona fide rock star. 100 Miles on the Leadville Trails for the second year in a row?? it hurts just to think about....

We caught up with Cindy and asked her to answer some of our more burning questions....

(BTW, did any of our other members do the Leadville Run or Mt Bike this year? We would love to hear about it - drop us a line!!)

How soon after finishing last year did you decide you wanted to tackle the 100 again this year?

Last year in the days following the race I told many of my crew members that the only way I would attempt this race again was if I could live at high altitude prior to the race.

It was about 4 months after the race that plans for my summer started to solidify & I actually registered for the race.

What were the most key components to your race preparations?

Training at elevation in Breckenridge, CO, hill work & back to back long run days. I took one day off a week to rest\recover.

What "gym" based components stayed important in your training?

I lifted weights\physical therapy\core work 2-3 days\wk, yoga 1-2 days\wk with occasional swimming.

What miles were the hardest? How did you get through them?

Mile 40-50 were the hardest this year emotionally & physically. I started to have some GI issues around mile 30-40 & was dying a slow death. It was apparent at the 50 mile point that my goal of breaking 25 hrs was out the window due to my GI issues & inability to get in enough calories. I cried with my crew, switching my nutrition plan & I got a pacer to cover the next 50 miles. I decided that there was no more crying allowed in the race & that we were going to have fun even if I didn't feel like it.

How long after the 100 until you feel like running again? What do you to get your physical fix in the meantime?

It is usually 7-10 days after the race that I feel like running again. Yesterday was my first run back. Until that time I swim, lift weights, walk my dog & do yoga. I usually sleep alot the week following the race & don't feel back to 100% for another 4-6 weeks.

Pure Austin Nutritionist Laura CaJacob hits us up with some healthy snack ideas to keep handy!

2010-08-28T21:33:00.003-05:00

10 Easy, Healthy Snack Ideas

from Pure Austin Nutritionist Laura CaJacob, RD, laurac@pureaustin.com

1. Nuts - Try a variety of nuts raw, roasted or salted. Walnuts, pecans, peanuts and almonds are all great choices.

2. Veggies & Dressing – Sample all different vegetables in a wide selection of dressings. Sick of carrots and ranch? Try roasted zucchini in Asian Sesame dressing.

3. Fruit – Snack on berries, bananas, apples, melons, kiwis, mangos or any combination you can dream up. Also try the dried variety for a change.

4. Avocado – Cut one in half, sprinkle it with salt, and wah-lah! Although high in fat, it’s good fat that can actually decrease your bad cholesterol.

5. Hummus – Healthy and convenient, hummus can be used as a dip for anything. Try celery for a perfect crunch.

6. Snack Bars – There are a bazillion brands to try, and they are so convenient! Lara Bar is my favorite since it’s au-natural.

7. Seeds – Don’t want to be spitting sunflower seeds at the office? Try the ones without a shell for a more polite alternative. Pumpkin seeds are another delicious option.

8. Popcorn – As long as it’s all-natural, chomp away on this easy to make whole grain. Sprinkle on some cinnamon or a little parmesan cheese for added flair.

9. Yogurt – Choose the non-fat option to make it the most nutrient dense. Add cereal, like Grape Nuts, to alter the texture.

10. Beef jerky – A yummy, high protein snack that will leave you satisfied. Look for all-natural brands to make it super healthy.

Lauran Janes hearts SLASH with Shirley!!

2010-08-23T16:07:00.004-05:00

Our venerable yoga goddess Lauran Janes doesn't miss a SLASH class! Lauran says....

"do not miss this class!! i have literally canceled dinner plans with my own boyfriend to attend shirley's challenging, fierce and totally refreshing 60 minute slash class. shirley, herself, is a positive force of nature. she engages the class at the highest level of intensity with contagious enthusiasm. she reminds us all that how we engage the movements and challenges in class is how we will meet the world after class. she takes us to the edge, using powerful military self defense moves for the upper body and core and then adds her unique lower body kickboxing moves so the whole body meets its maker. she elevates the group energy, encouraging class members to cheer for each others success. like i said, do not miss this class! sweat, be fierce, meet your edge and rally others to do the same. see you there!"

Dinner! A healthy Eggplant Parm recipe from our Nutritionist Laura

2010-08-18T22:38:00.004-05:00

Our Nutritionist Laura CaJacob sent us this fab recipe from one of her favorite websites for finding recipes: www.eatingwell.com.

Laura says:

Eggplant Parmesan - yum! The fat is reduced by coating the eggplant with egg whites instead of whole eggs and baking, rather than frying. Plus, it only takes about 25 minutes to make with 1 hour and 10 minutes in the oven. It serves 6, so there may be enough for leftovers.

Ingredients:
2 eggplants, (about 2 pounds total)
3 egg whites
3 tablespoons water
1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, (1 ounce), divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
3/4 cup grated part-skim mozzarella cheese, (3 ounces)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat two baking sheets and an 8-by-11 1/2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Cut eggplants crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Whisk egg whites and water in a shallow dish until frothy. Combine breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, salt and pepper in another shallow dish. Dip the eggplant slices into the egg-white mixture, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. (Discard any leftover breadcrumbs and egg white.) Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, turn the eggplant slices over, and bake until crisp and golden, about 15 minutes longer.
Stir basil into tomato sauce. Spread about 1/2 cup of the sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange half of the eggplant slices over the sauce, overlapping slightly. Spoon 1 cup of the remaining sauce over the eggplant and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. Add a layer of the remaining eggplant slices and top with the remaining sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until the sauce bubbles and the top is golden, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition:

Per serving: 203 calories; 6 g fat (3 g sat, 2 g mono); 13 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrates; 12 g protein; 8 g fiber; 563 mg sodium; 777 mg potassium.

If you need more healthy dinner ideas, contact Laura at laurac@pureaustin.com!

Yum! Our new nutritionist Laura CaJacob sent us a yummers super-healthy recipe! LOVE this

2010-08-13T21:36:00.005-05:00

****
4 oz salmon fillet
1 T. wasabi paste
1/2 t. soy sauce, low-sodium

Mix wasabi paste and soy sauce. Spread over uncooked salmon. Bake in a greased pan at 425 for 14 minutes.

1/2 c. millet
1 1/4 c. water

Combine in small pot. Once boiling, cover and simmer until water absorbs (~20 minutes).

2 t. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 white onion, chopped
3 gloves garlic, minced
1 head bok choy, chopped
2 c. broccoli florets
2 T. soy sauce, low-sodium

Heat oil in large saute pan. Add onion and garlic and cook until tender. Add chopped stems of bok choy, broccoli and soy sauce. When vegetables are tender, yet still crisp, add chopped bok choy leaves. Cook on low heat until greens are wilted and vegetables are tender.

Serve the veggies on top of the millet and next to the salmon. A nutrition power house meal! Need more easy, healthy, delicious dinner suggestions? E-mail Laura to schedule a meeting: laurac@pureaustin.com.
****

Mallory reminds us why the Farmer's Market totally ruleeezz!!

2010-07-24T17:19:00.008-05:00

Seriously, don't you think about this too... even if I am paying $$$ for organic produce at Whole Foods - how many trucks, crates, warehouses, hands, miles on the road, pollution has this unsuspecting head of broccoli seen?? The Farmer's Market totally rules and Mal knows it, cause she sent this to me today!

Shake the Hand that Feeds You

We live in an area lucky enough to have fruitful farmer's markets,
where you can find anything from the best tomato you'll ever eat to a
series of breakfast meals that will blow your taste buds away. You'll
find fishermen selling fresh fish caught that same weekend - never
frozen, farm raised, or 'colorfully enhanced'. Aside from how much
your insides will praise you for eating this way, you should eat what
the farmer's market provides simply because it tastes better. So, go
support the local, hard working farmers and buy some of the brightest
veggies you've ever seen. Make yourself a bowl of granola, salsa, or
tabouli, and know that you got to shake the hands of everyone feeding
you. That is what sustainable living is all about.

Here is what we bought at the farmer's market this morning: yum!!

Wow, Mercedes! You go girl!!! Love our members...

2010-07-11T09:01:00.007-05:00

Pure Yoga Coordinator Zoe turned us on to Mercedes, an avid yogini and member she said we had to get to know better. Right on!!!

How long have you been a member?

I have been a member since October 2006, I believe. So almost 4 years!

Why did you choose Pure Austin?

I choose Pure Austin because it was clean, fun, and had great yoga classes and instructors. I stay because it just keeps getting better! Quarry Lake was a plus, too. It is paradise to swim out there!

How often do you come to yoga?

I try to come to yoga at least two times a week. With triathlon training, full time job and my part-time coaching job, it can be hard to fit it all in but I never regret it when I come to yoga at Pure Austin. The instructors are simply amazing and always make it a rewarding experience.

Do you do any other classes?

I love spin class! The high energy and compact workout is great to fit in during a lunch break or if I can’t ride outside. The spin instructors at Pure Austin are so motivating. I will often hear Kevin’s booming voice in my head when I’m riding out on the roads, telling me to “suck it up!” and “work harder!”

What other sports do you do?

I am a marathon coach and a 3:41 marathoner. I’ve done three marathons and many half marathons. My favorite road race is 3M where I recently broke 1:40! I am also an Ironman triathlete. I recently completed Ironman St. George on May 1, 2010. I just signed up for another one – Ironman Texas. So by this time next year I will be a 2-time Ironman! Not only do I dig triathlon and running, but I’m also a big fan of trying new sports. I recently tried surfing on the Texas coast, stand up paddle-boarding at Quarry Lake, and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. I love all that all of these “new-to-me” water sports are at my fingertips living in the great city of Austin, TX!

What do you do for work?
As I mentioned earlier I am a marathon coach and that is my passion. I am currently working to become a personal trainer! I also work as a Multimedia Coordinator at the Austin American-Statesman.

How do you manage to keep your workouts a priority?

I make my workouts a priority by changing them constantly and making them social and fun. I am a big social exerciser. I will plan to meet a friend or my partner at a yoga or spin class at the gym, and just because I know that they will be there, I will be there, too! It helps to work out with friends because not only can you gab and catch up on life but they keep you accountable and on track!
How does yoga influence your workouts, your life?
Yoga is a very powerful journey inwards for me. Yogic principles help me find compassion and forgiveness in my daily interactions, in my relationships, in my job, and even in my pursuit of Ironman. Yoga empowers me to be my strong, powerful self and to be comfortable in my own body. When the going got tough during the bike ride of the Ironman, I found myself chanting “Ram” over and over again and that chant helped me keep pushing and go on to the finish line!

What do you love most about Pure Austin :)!?

I love so many things about Pure Austin. It is the cleanest, most high energy and fun gym in Austin. Pure Austin not only supports and sponsors the sports that I love (like triathlon, running, and cycling), but they also provide a sweet workout environment and are always changing stuff up to keep me interested. The fitness related parties and fun, free fitness events they provide are spot-on and keep me coming back. Thanks Pure Austin for rocking and making Austin just that much greater!

Yoga on the beach photo by Rebecca Caufield

Meet our Members! Hi Joan!!

2010-07-09T17:00:00.005-05:00

Fitness Specialist Christi sent in this story about her client Joan. What an inspiration!!
Christi says:

Joan and I have been training together since late 2008. From the get go she was positive, and open to anything that I put her up to doing. We began with some lower level functional training to increase her overall strength and cardiovascular fitness. Through her continuous motivation and eagerness to become leaner and more athletic she's able to do some high level yet fun challenges that I set fourth. The sky's the limit!

This January, she and I discussed how we could take her another step further physically, mentally etc.... I mentioned doing the Danskin triathlon in June. Initially she was apprehensive but through some pep talk, specific triathlon training, taking cycling classes together, and running and cycling outdoors together, she finally reached a whole new confidence level. In June of 2010, she completed her first Danskin. For that matter, her first race ever. I watched and cheered her on with so much pride in her accomplishment. She's eager to do another triathlon soon and compete next year in the Danskin with an even faster time. She's truly an inspiration!

New guest post! The esteemed Dr. Luepnitz talks about Post-Exercise Immune Health

2010-06-14T16:51:00.005-05:00

You want to suck up this information! Every athlete wants to know what Dr. Luepnitz has to say on all matters nutrition, supplementation, and overall health. We are so fortunate to have him contributing to our Pure Austin!

Dr. Luepnitz says:

POST EXERCISE IMMUNE HEALTH

Multiple components of the immune system in athletes exhibit transient dysfunction after prolonged, heavy exertion. During this "open window" of impaired immunity, pathogens may gain a foothold, increasing infection risk. This phenomenon, known as the "J-Curve of Immunity", can knock you out of the gym or your next competition.

Nutritional supplements have been studied as countermeasures to exercise-induced immune changes and infection risk. Recent exercise-based studies with macro- and micronutrient supplements, and "advanced" immunonutrition supplements including b-glucan, curcumin, and quercitin indicate that immunonutrition supplements have the potential to lessen the magnitude of exercise-induced immune dysfunction and to reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.

Empowered athlete:

Consume high-antioxidants fruits post-exercise
Be aware of your exposure to other who may be sick
Utilize supplements to give you a powerful advantage: medicinal mushrooms for the beta-glucan, natural Vitamin C, and advanced Curcumin (BCM-95 or Curcu-Gel).

Smoothie of the month - Mamma Jamma Special!

2010-06-09T18:54:00.002-05:00

Congratulations Taylor Riche our Resolve your Resolution Winner!

2010-05-29T17:13:00.004-05:00

Taylor won a year free membership! Way to go Taylor, you deserve it in spades.
Second and Third place results to be posted soon!!

Here is Taylor's final submission before the judging -

The last month of the RyR contest didn't quite go as planned. We had a family health emergency that has kind of turned things upside down. That being said, real life never goes by a script, and we all have to learn to take life's challenges and deal with them day by day and in the most positive way possible.

While I had to spend an extra week away, I am glad to be back and to be back on the plan that Drew and I have worked out. I really feel like I have turned a corner with my fitness. As I said a few weeks ago, I really and truly believe that I am in the best shape of my life.

For the first time now when I think about upgrading from Cat 4 to Cat 3 on the bike I really believe it is possible. That has never been the case before.

This may be really silly, but I tuck my shirt in all the time now. My stomach doesn't poke out when I tuck in the shirt, so I figured I should rock it tucked. In fact, I've gone from my belt being a little snug on the 2nd hole with a shirt in to being able to put it on the 4th hole and still be totally comfortable. I don't have a tummy bump, and that is a great, great feeling.

While the contest may be wrapping up, I am not stopping. The bike gives me a way to relieve stress and to decompress. The healthy eating has helped my somewhat sensitive stomach stay happy. The new strength and slimmer figure makes me feel more confident. While I have reached my original goals of the program, new ones have cropped up. I want to actually get that Cat 3 upgrade. I want to lose a little more fat and continue to gain muscle strength. But mainly, I want to live a healthy fulfilling life. That's a goal that you work to meet every day.

I would be remiss if I did not thank my wife. Her constant support has been fantastic.

So all in all I have gone from getting dropped on the 2nd lap of the The Driveway races to being able to stay in and actually *race*. I have lost 25 pounds (still, even after a week on a cruise and a week of high-stress and hanging out in a hospital). I am stronger, lighter, thinner, and more confident. While the past four months have been crazy, this contest gave me an opportunity that I am immensely thankful to have. But the most importantly, it woke something up inside of me that I don't plan on ever letting go of.

Hilary's RyR feedback - reminders for us all!!

2010-05-08T19:39:00.003-05:00

Hilary tells us some of the things that have led to her success with the RyR challenge. These short "take-home" messages are truly the essence of this experience, and are the paving stones to long-term success. Go Hilary!!

I can’t believe we’re in the final month of the RyR Challenge! It’s really been an incredible journey & I’m so thankful to have been a part of this program. I’ve been thinking about a few things that have made an impact on me during this challenge & things I’ll take with me after the challenge. (I’m type A, so forgive my need to number things.)

1. Try something new.

I’ve been reading a lot of the feedback from the other RyRer’s and this is a consistent theme! I love the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt – “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” It’s all about pushing through your fears & tackling something new. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering or totally outrageous like climbing Everest. Try something small- take a new class, run further, swim longer, set a goal for something that makes you a little scared.

2. You’ve got to have support.

If you’re committed to changing your health, I’m convinced you can’t do it alone. You have to have a support system of family, friends, and trainer to encourage you. My husband and I have been working to lose weight together & we cheer each other on. We’re proud of each other’s successes (he’s lost 60 pounds!) and we motivate each other on bad days.

3. Changing habits takes time.

I read somewhere that it takes 21 days to develop a new habit (& even more to break a bad one!). Waking up at 5am to work out a few days a week definitely didn’t come easy. But over the weeks & months it’s become a habit and actually something I really enjoy! Same thing goes with changing food habits. Don’t expect to give up chocolate & never have a craving…it takes time!

4. Don’t beat yourself up.

I’m human; I’m going to have bad days; days where I don’t want to go to the gym & definitely days where I’d rather have pizza instead of a salad. The key for me has been not to dwell on the bad days. I know there will be bumps in the road. Don’t get derailed from one bad meal or a missed workout, just push forward & try harder next time.

5. Clean up your diet.

This is the hardest one for me! In the middle of the challenge I did a cleanse diet for 2 weeks. Essentially eating clean, organic, nothing processed & no caffeine. After I got over my bitterness about no more cheese & chocolate, I was completely shocked with how great I felt. Good food = Feel good. It’s as simple as that! I have more energy, I’m leaner, my allergies don’t even bother me as much and my body recovers faster.

Thanks!!
Hil

Valerie's update - check out how far she's come with some strength + flex added to her cardio base

2010-05-05T12:14:00.009-05:00

Valerie has been so amazing and inspiring to me the past couple months. With all she's been through, you might have found me in a corner crying. She is so positive and resilient, and despite all these setbacks has come out stronger (and fitter) than ever.
Since I didn't have a picture of Val, I threw in the logo of her super-cool company, ModGreenPod, an organic upholstery fabric and vinyl-free wallpaper company. Talk about progressive! I love it!!!!

Val's update:

I'm both excited and sad that we are nearing the end of the program. It's mind-boggling how the timing has corresponded with so many hiccups in my life (pinched nerve, shoulder injury, setback to my small business, mother's heart procedure, father's diagnosis with prostate cancer, car accident, etc.) that I am particularly grateful for how my stepped-up focus on total fitness has given me so much more resilience to deal with life's challenges. My reaction to stress has become "get to the gym and you'll feel better" rather than lying around worrying.

A few specific things I'm excited to share:

1) I am officially off my knees for push-ups! This is huge for me and makes me feel so much stronger and more "legit." Knocked out at least 30 in kickbox last week.
2) My pull-ups are getting better every time! I can do 10 per set, and I've moved up another level on the machine (making it harder). This is a goal I've been working on for some 10 YEARS, and I'm finally doing it. Pull ups, people!
3) I've added at least 10 pounds to all of the strength machines for upper body, 20+ pounds for lower. I'm no longer afraid of getting too pumped looking.
4) My legs and arms are definitely smaller and much more toned. Core is way stronger, too. (Still working on that annoying waist of mine.)

For the past few years I've been under the impression that my triathlon training -- swim, bike, run, swim, bike, run -- was all I needed for total fitness. It's been a huge learning lesson for me to see how much an increased focus on strength training and flexibility have ramped up my fitness levels. Doing these sessions several times a week also has paid off in unexpected ways:

*I'm throwing around 50-yard bolts of fabric at work like I used to with 25 yarders. Used to need help carrying those -- no more!
*My hip flexors are holding up much better during my long runs. This has been a chronic issue for me in recent years. I'm still vigilant about trigger point and foam roller work, but my strength and flexibility gains have me feeling so much more comfortable out there! Cutting back a bit on my running in favor of strength training has improved my running, not hurt it.
*I had to adjust my bowling because I'm stronger, and it changed my release. Good problem to have. My average is up 10 pins!
*I spent this week pretending that the program was over and so I was only accountable to myself again. I passed that test with flying colors, feeling blue and antsy if I missed a scheduled gym session and making sure I did something active (neighborhood run, etc.) to get that "good" feeling. 5 days a week has become my new minimum standard, as opposed to a maximum goal. Achieving this as a habit was one of my primary goals for the program. It feels great.
*Saturday I decided to attempt a goal that I was saving for the last week of the program. In February, either PUMP or Kickbox would wipe me out pretty completely. Today I did both BACK TO BACK (I have my own gloves now!). Roar! The high five Stephanie gave me afterward felt like winning the contest already.

A continued challenge for me remains eating for maximum high metabolism. I take several chronic medications that slow my body down, and no matter how clean I seem to eat, I'm only down 6 pounds from all this effort. (I'm also down a size, which is great, but I'd really like to get down another 10 pounds to improve my running and overall feeling of fitness.) Laura gives me a lot of great advice, and I keep trying new things to stay positive. But this is hard. I'm saving up for a trip to a specialized nutritionist to see if that can help, too.

This challenge program has been so positive for me, no matter if I win or not (but don't get me wrong -- I want to win! My small-business-running self doesn't always take a paycheck, so every dollar counts) But seeing my monthly gym charge no longer gives me the guilts -- I know I've made the most of my membership, and the investment in myself is worth it. I'm really happy, too, when I see such great updates from the other contestants and their great efforts and results. We definitely belong to the best gym in town. Such a positive, spotlessly clean, supportive, inspiring, and happy place!

Lost 25 lbs and flipped the switch - Taylor's RyR success story! YAH!!

2010-05-02T22:56:00.005-05:00

The Resolve Your Resolution program is really proving to be a fantastic life change for me.

My main goal was to feel competitive in bike races for the first time in my life. No more getting dropped in 5 or 10 minutes, I really wanted to race. My secondary goals were to lose weight and develop overall and core strength.

Tonight marked the second bicycle race this year where I really stayed in it. Instead of feeling dead from the start and focusing solely on survival, I was thinking of tactics. Should I follow that guy to move up in the pack? Should I move over a little here to get a better line on that turn?

In previous years the only question I really ever asked myself was, "Oh goodness, how long is this again and are they going to slow down?"

So while I'm not challenging for the win in the races just yet, I feel that I am actually racing. And it feels great.

Drew talked about one day a switch was going to flip. In the past few weeks I've really felt that. When I'm out training, I feel strong. Going up hills, it just seems, well easier. All of a sudden, everything just started to come together.

As for the secondary goals, I've lost over 25 pounds since the program started and I feel much stronger in my strength workouts at the gym. I take both of these as big positives.

Drew has laid out the steps, I just had to follow them. Small changes to the diet, becoming truly mindful of everything I put in my mouth, and a workout plan. Having structure was what I needed for me to finally wake up and get it done.

I want to thank Pure Austin again for picking me for this program. I have gone from the worst shape I was in in years to the best shape I have ever been in in my life. Even when the competition ends, this newfound passion in me will not.

Thanks,
Taylor

Yoga, Core Strength, Perserverence, Progress. I love this RyR update from Eric

2010-04-28T22:12:00.002-05:00

In the last few weeks I've been attacking several problems.

First and foremost, I'm starting to see some very positive results from my yoga practice as far as loosening up the shoulder where I had extensive cancer surgery. (I had a radical axillary
lymphadectomy performed in 2002, and that shoulder -- which already had a blown rotator cuff -- has been pretty much a mess ever since.) With enough downward dogs and a little bit of work warming up to inversions, much of the scar tissue there is finally starting to release and break up. Pincha mayurasana ("feathered peacock inversion") is finally starting to come to me as a shape that actually exists in my current body. A lot of that has to do with building core strength, but there's no question that I wouldn't be where I am with it were it not for the fact that my shoulder is loosening considerably. In light of the fact that the surgeons who dug into that shoulder weren't sure I'd ever be able to raise my arm above shoulder level when they got done, I'm sorely tempted to get somebody to snap a photo of me in the full inversion so I can send it to them.

Speaking of core strength, it seems that every coach I have is in cahoots at the moment to hammer me on that very subject. I run regularly with "Gilbert's Gazelles," and with warmer weather approaching and the number of marathons dropping to a seasonal low,
he's been backing off some of the requirements to log lots of long mileage but cranking up "core conditioning" in their place. At the same time, Greg Galindo has passed along a few tasty exercises with a stability ball that also dig deep into core. And the two yoga instructors with whom I train the most -- Logynn and Sanieh -- are both pretty merciless in their driving home of the whole "core conditioning" concept. Also, since I've been with them both long
enough, niether seems to be at all bashful about singling me out for "special attention" during class. Other people get a bye on a lot of poses where I don't. But this is probably all to the good. As Sanieh says, "It's my job to make you uncomfortable, and I'm okay with that."

Meanwhile, I'm going after two giant problems that have always plagued my workouts. First, I like to eat. A lot. And second, I like to stay up way past my bedtime. So I'm continuing to
do more intelligent "portion control" of my intake as well as putting myself to bed earlier. Actually, if I'm rested, I'm also generally a lot less hungry, since I'm not trying to compensate for lack of energy by shoveling more food into myself. The key there is just to stay disciplined. Not always easy when you have a startup business and clients who'd like you to work all day and night on their stuff. Or when you're networking your way through another restaurant
meal. But as best I can, I'm trying not to let the realities of having to earn a living interfere with the real goal of leaning out.

Wish me luck...

Jessy gets faster with speed workouts + gains upper body muscle tone, too!? Sweet.

2010-04-24T23:34:00.003-05:00

From Jodi's client, Jessy:

The last time I had any upper body muscle tone was when I worked in a
restaurant in high school, which was a good mumblity years ago. I've
knocked about 15 seconds off my mile and am sticking to my
Tuesday/Thursday speed workouts, but the muscle tone is the one huge
measurable difference. That is, three months ago: nothing; and today:
something. I don't weigh myself or measure in inches, so those are
all guess based on how I'm feeling, but the upper arm tone is back.
I'm actually amazed as I'd resigned myself to weak arms years ago.
I've got about a month until the Congress Avenue Mile, so we can see
if all this training comes to fruition. I'm not looking forward to
having to design my own workout schedule after the RyR is over, but
now I have a handful of resistance exercises I know work, so that's
one less thing to stress about.

Laura's Update: Five things my RyR'er client is doing right! Take notes!

2010-04-23T23:57:00.009-05:00

Valerie, my Resolution Resolve participant, has outlined a solid plan to reach her goals, and is sticking with it. I wanted to touch on five things that have her on the fast track:

1. POSITIVE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE. When she has to skip the gym for a day, and gets back in there the next day, she always reports that it "FELT GREAT TO BE BACK". Even if it means she works out a few initial tears on the treadmill. To me, a positive response to exercise is such a predictor of whether or not someone is going to stick with it, as well as a status update on their underlying general health.

2. OUTLINING WORKOUTS FOR THE WEEK - and then modifying as needed. If for some reason she gets blindsided at work and can't make the spin/pump/workout she had scheduled for the evening - she does something else instead - but she does SOMETHING. Small changes over time yield big results.

3. PRE-PLANNING MEALS - Valerie already ate pretty healthy - her diet primarily focused around REAL foods, balanced meals, with healthy ingredients and nutritious recipes. But, like all of us, she sometimes made choices that were perhaps not "optimal" - especially in the midst of a hectic day at work, when searching for lunch. This could in turn throw off her energy for her evening workout. So, Val started focusing on bringing her lunch and healthy snacks to work. This helped, as she did not get so hungry that she made less than optimal decisions. And, she began to regularly incorporate some more vegetables in to her meals. Vegetables are not only super-healthy but they are really filling. She also cleaned out some of those foods that were not a regular part of her diet, but could add up over time. For now, she is eating extra-clean, so she can hit her personal goals.

4. TRYING NEW CLASSES. Valerie has been GREAT when it comes to trying new classes. Among others, she has tried Mallory's Ballet Class, Stephanie's Pure Pump and Kickboxing (sometimes back to back!), Cardio Circuit, and a bunch of new Pure Cycling Classes. She reported back to me the ones that she liked the best, and made them a regular part of her schedule. This is SO GREAT! Making a class a regular part of your workout schedule gives you a scheduled "appointment", and also the motivation from someone who can push your harder than you might push yourself. And, because she has a shoulder injury, she will inform the instructor ahead of time and/or modifies herself to make sure she keeps that shoulder on the road to healing.

5. BEING OPEN TO CHANGE. Valerie really inspires me with her positive attitude and her progress, despite all the setbacks that inevitably show up in our lives - and she has had more than a few these past couple months. In her last update, she told me is feeling VERY FIT - oh yah!!! And that is pretty impressive since she already has quite the fitness and running background. So, her initiative, focus, and raw talent, (coupled with a few practical changes to her diet and modifications to her workout routines) are totally spelling success. Take note, other contestants! Val is in it to win it!

Chelsea's updates. RyR'ers: Making Fitness a Lifestyle

2010-04-23T12:30:00.002-05:00

Jeanel and Mary are rockstars! Each are making progress. Small steps are paying off and consistency is the name of the game.

Jeanel improved her Splash and Dash times from the last time she participated. In 2008 she finished in 43:29 and yesterday she finished in 39:19. Wow! How cool. Master swim and practice payed off. She is also wearing pants from 2006 that she hasn't been able to fit into. And even when work or motivation gets in the way, she is hopping right back on the wagon when life knocks her off.

Mary is still getting to the gym in the week when sometimes she'd rather stay in bed. She knows what she is working for and she keeps putting one foot in front of the other. She use to have immense tightness in her hips and lower back. With a consistent workout plan and attention to flexibility, our workouts have sky rocketed! She is doing things she couldn't do due to tightness. And this gives her confidence and motivation. She is also wearing clothes that use to sit in the closet and taunt her.
My girls rock, for they keep chugging along. Life gets in the way and it only takes them a few to get right back on track. That's the important part of this contest! Making fitness a lifestyle............

Chelsea Paul

Meet our Members! Hi Christy!

2010-04-19T23:20:00.003-05:00

We love to learn more about our members! This week, we got to know Christy!! Christy's brother David also works out at Pure Austin!

Hi, Christy!! Tell us, what kind of workouts do you do?
-I do a mix of workouts, because I get bored easily and have to change it up. Classes work well for this reason, and when I get tired of those, I do a mix of cardio/strength training and random stuff I see in fitness magazines. I also like to run outside with my precious puppy Tucker, who has surprisingly strong endurance for being a Yorkie.

Are you training for anything specific? What are your workout goals right now?
- I'm not training for anything specific, and my goals are only to minimize stress and maximize confidence. When I work out, I feel better about myself, I am less stressed, and both of these things make me a happier person. When I look good, I feel great and Pure helps me do both.

What keeps you coming back to Pure?
- I keep coming back to Pure because they keep me interested with new classes, changing schedules, great people and good atmosphere.

How do you fit in your workouts?
- The time of day I work out differs, because I fit workouts in whenever I can. I work out most frequently at the end of the day, probably between 4 and 7, but if I can squeeze in a lunchtime or early morning workout on a day when I have evening activities planned, I'll do it.

Tell us more about you! How do you fit your workouts in with a busy schedule?
- I am in technology sales, and am also a freelance makeup artist. I make workouts a priority by fitting them in no matter what, as often as possible. Even if I only have 30 minutes to get in and out, I'll do it, because in that amount of time I'll do something good for myself and will feel better for it.

Chelsea works with Mary to successfully create habits to combat 40+ metabolism changes

2010-04-17T22:56:00.005-05:00

Many people I talk to about their health and fitness goals want to improve.
They want to lose weight and look more fit. People have told me that their
weight has been a struggle for them all their lives and they have been on
various diets most of their lives.

This is not my story. I was a thin child and adult for most of my life. I
could eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight. But then I reached 40,
my metabolism began to slow down. I started gaining weight even though my
eating habits were the same as they had been. I started to work out for the
first time in my life and started paying attention to what I was eating, but
didn’t really diet. I kept my weight mostly under control although at times
it would fluctuate up or down by 5 to 10 pounds. I really thought my
metabolism had come to a halt and couldn’t slow down anymore and as long as
I cut down on my food intake and worked out I would keep control of my
weight. Then I hit my mid-fifties and found out my metabolism could slow
down even more and doing what I was doing wasn’t enough any more.

This brings me to the present. I have seen some results over the course of
this challenge so far. I try to be at one of the Pure Austin locations at 6
am Monday through Friday to work out for an hour. It has helped. I have
lost body fat and can get into my size 6 pants again. I do see a change in
my body although I have not lost any weight. I have to admit I haven’t
been as careful about my eating as I should. My struggle has been planning
my meals ahead of time and having the right foods on hand. I tell myself
every weekend that I am going to find the time to plan out meals and prepare
the right food. The weekends go rushing by without a moment to sit down and
the planning doesn’t happen. This is my struggle. I like going to the gym.
I work out with Chelsea twice a week. I love my sessions with her. I work
out on my own or take a class three days a week. I feel like I need to get
to the point where I can plan out my meals ahead of time with the foods that
are going to allow me to lose weight. I plan to keep trying to accomplish
this and make it a habit like I have made exercising a habit.

10 lbs lost, cleaning up diet, goals constantly evolving.. Hil's on to something!

2010-04-15T18:25:00.002-05:00

When I started the RyR Challenge, I had just completed the biggest athletic goal thus far in my life- I completed my first Half Marathon!

I know, you’re thinking huh? Why start a resolution challenge if you’ve already met such a big goal? I spent months training for the half marathon & felt such a great sense of pride & accomplishment after I finished. But that’s just the thing…it was finished. So, what next? I’ve come to realize with my RyR challenge- my goals have to be constantly evolving. Improving your health and fitness is never finished.
Mallory is an excellent trainer, especially at helping me keep my goals fresh & relevant. She’s always encouraged me to set goals that were measurable & within sight. She also leads an incredibly active lifestyle, so you can’t help but feel motivated around her. I have a short attention span, so she does a great job at varying our workouts & muscle groups. I think it’s her goal to make every muscle in my body sore!
During the challenge I’ve tried to set several BIG goals & lots of small ones. Every week I try to come up with one small goal: run 10 miles during the week, drink 8 glasses of water, try that Blackout class I’m afraid of, etc. Some weeks are definitely better than others, but I’m teaching myself not to get discouraged. No excuses on the bad weeks… just move on & gear up for the next.

My big goal other than weight loss is to complete my first triathlon! I grew up swimming competitively & I’ve tried to keep up a consistent running schedule, so I feel good about those legs. I also bought my first bike a few weeks ago- the first one I’ve had since I was 12. For a naturally clumsy person the bike has been a challenge! Within the first five minutes I’d already fallen over trying to snap in my cleats. I’m staying positive & I’ve been trying to ride my bike 2-3 times a week. I’m really excited about this goal!

While my workouts have been solid during the challenge, my big struggle during the last few months has been food. Mallory created a great plan to clean out my diet- eliminating processed foods, caffeine, and all the good stuff (ha). So far within the last two weeks I’ve lost 5 pounds, for a total weight loss of 10 pounds thus far. Modifying my food has made a huge change- my body feels better, stronger. Hoping for another 10 pounds before we’re finished!
Loving the challenge so far-
Hil

After losing 13 lbs already, Jeanel breaks through her plateau with PAC

2010-04-14T13:51:00.003-05:00

I seem to have hit a plateau in the last few weeks. I've been letting the rest of my life (two jobs, buying my first home, and planning a trip to Peru) push my resolutions to the back burner.

But I know myself and what works to keep me on track, and I think Pure Austin Coaching is just the thing to get me going again. I do best when I have a firmly scheduled workout time, preferably first thing in the morning, and with other people expecting to see me at the workout. I think Pure Austin coaching can give me all that and then some. My schedule doesn't allow me to attend all 11 weekly workouts, but I can get to 3-7 workouts per week. And one of those workouts is open water swimming in the quarry, which is perfect for helping me prepare for the Splash and Dashes and the Red Licorice open water swim on May 2nd. I'm planning to do the 2.4 mile swim, which is twice as long as my previous open water swims. Opportunities for such long open water swims don't come along very often, so I can't wait to see what it's like to swim such a long distance.

Wish me luck and I'll be seeing you in the quarry!

More success - with Shawn's guidance, Michelle motors towards personal victory!

2010-04-14T08:42:00.003-05:00

I've never felt so strong! I started this program with some yucky knee pain/tendonitis after my 2nd week! Shawn has been incredible, giving me the advice on how to treat the knee and my gait and I have not slowed down! I ran the Cap10K this morning and felt so strong, the knees were happy and finished with tons of energy left over while maintaining a great heartrate range as well! This program has given me SO much confidence too! I'm back on my bike which was a real hesitation for me, but Shawn encouraged me and now I'm cycling with confidence! I've entered my first Triathlon and have momentum to get this accomplished successfully. Now, to master the swim and the pull ups, will be such a personal victory and I'll be super happy!

More great news - this time from Kim. Makes us so happy!

2010-04-12T22:27:00.004-05:00

Besides my overall weight loss goal, one of my main goals this year is to participate—sounds silly, right? Not really. Very often I would watch my family being active and taking part in silly activities while I sat on the sideline usually because of my weight. I have resolved this year to join in the fun. I really did this over our spring break vacation to New Mexico. I jumped into the middle of a snowball fight, I led the building of a fantastic snowman and tested myself by trying to do some pull-ups on the monkey bars in the playground. This made the vacation so much more enjoyable and memorable for me.

In addition, I have discovered another resolve in me. Pure Austin really brings this out, I believe. I have resolved to try different things—classes, activities, multiple work-outs in one day… this weekend included my first ever Spin class on Friday, an awesome, kick-butt Kickboxing class on Saturday and my first ever 10k that I walked on Sunday—walked this year, maybe run next year. This is so out of character for me. But it sure feels good!!

This is all accomplished with Ricci’s encouraging words egging me on. Thanks Pure Austin for this great opportunity and thanks for being such an open, inclusive, encouraging, comfortable, challenging environment.

Taylor's Resolution Resolve Progress - Sweet!

2010-04-10T22:19:00.005-05:00

So far the Resolve Your Resolution program has been fantastic for me. I was paired with Drew Hill, and it has been great training with him. We really seem to get where each other are coming from.

My main goal in the program was to finally cross the line with bicycle racing. I had raced in the past, but was never able to push through and really compete. When I started the program, I was probably in some of the worst shape I had been in for four years.

Drew got me back on my bike. I started with several weeks of base mileage. Consistently getting out on the bike was great. I really remembered why I had been so excited about cycling in the first place. Now I have started into doing more intervals during the week to start building leg strength and power. All the cycling has strength workouts in the gym mixed in to increase overall and core strength. And of course, the racing has started.

We decided that the weekly Driveway race series would be my benchmark. Every Thursday I get to see how I'm doing in a real race environment. So far... well, not so great. But, I really feel great on the bike, so I know I am making progress. I feel stronger, I feel faster. And considering how out of shape I was when we started, I'm pretty happy with how things have progressed.

But I haven't used this opportunity just to put more bike hours in my week. I have finally made a consistent effort (with the help of my wonderful wife) to get my diet in order. We cook a lot, we are eating quality food, trying to limit meat, we have eliminated dairy, and eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables. Eating delicious, healthy food really makes a difference in how you feel.

The RyR program is a great opportunity, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it. I have made a lot of progress, but there is still a long road to go. Oh, and by the way... I finally feel like a cyclist again, so my legs are now definitely shaved. ;)

Take it easy,
Taylor

Mallory checks in with her Resolution Resolve clients' update

2010-04-07T23:51:00.002-05:00

Both of my girls are doing great. They hit the ground running when the competition started. It was difficult during the second month to keep the motivated. So, we have decided to clean out their diet. We are focusing on raw and unprocessed foods for the most part. Alcohol and caffeine is extremely limited. Breakfast is consisting of oatmeal, berries, and nuts. Lunch is mostly made up of veggies and fruit. Dinner is focused on lean protein. This seems to be helping out the girls! Their first month, they both dropped approx 5 lbs. The second month, they each lost only around 1 pound. With their weight starting to plateau off, we need to start getting down to the details of what they are eating. They are on a roll now!!

Ricci checks in with Kim's 11 lbs weight loss since starting Resolve your Resolution!

2010-04-05T18:47:00.003-05:00

Participation was a huge deal for Kim. Starting this endeavor as overweight, she felt like she couldn't and didn't want to get involved in social events or even family events.

Since the start of this competition with a few nudges and motivational emails, I am pleased to say that Kim has kicked some ass in the physical and mental side of things. She has lost 11 pounds and has completely gotten involved in all aspects of her life including family and social events.

Everyday has been a challenge, but with the right attitude and determination she has stayed consistent and has done this all on her own with the support of her loving family.

Kim knows that this is just the beginning but I have complete faith in her that her goals will be met. She is blessed with the fortitude and patience to keep making this happen. Kim, keep up the great work!!

Emily checks in with great news on her Resolution Resolving..

2010-04-02T22:32:00.002-05:00

I am excited to say that I conquered one of my goals this past Saturday! One of my goals for the resolve your resolution challenge was to complete a 10K in the four month time frame. Well, for once I went above and beyond. I’m happy to report that I finished the Zooma Austin Half-Marathon this past Saturday and let me tell you I loved it! No doubt I’ll be doing more of those! Attached is a picture of me right after the race - hydrating of course!

Good nutrition is hard for me. That’s the next big thing for me to work on over the next two months. I love big meals so adjusting my diet to small meals many times a day has been difficult. I’m still working on it but I’m getting better. I’ve also lost 7 lbs which is encouraging!

This challenge is definitely causing me some positive lifestyle changes and I consider myself privileged to get to do it! Thank you Pure Austin! And thank you Shirley for all your help, you’ve still got two more months of me. Get excited!

Yay!!!!! Congratulatons Ryon and Christi!!!

2010-03-30T20:20:00.001-05:00

From Ryon:

My finest day today... I'm engaged to my best friend. I've spent my whole life waiting for my chance to be with someone who accepts me for all my faults and loves me for just simply being Ryon...
The morning started with me trying to negotiate with James Bales and Jamie Cleveland to "sandbag" todays 5 mi run/18 mi bike/2 mi run race up to the top of Enchanted Rock State Park so I could look even more like a "hero". They weren't buying me or my story....
It was a hard fight for 5th place overall as I transitioned from the bike to that second run. The hardest part of the race was to get up to the finish line way on top of Enchanted Rock after making a quick change into a "replacement jersey", running shoes, and death-gripping the precious ring box in one hand...
I wasn't the overall winner of the race like I negotiated or hoped for but I feel like a winner regardless once I got to the finish line! Christi, you make this my finest day by loving me and of course saying "yes". This is a day I'll always remember...

Resolve Resolution-er Val heads toward her goals and gives tips how you can, too...

2010-03-28T08:43:00.003-05:00

Val is focused on her goals. And, she has not allowed the "unforeseen circumstances" to derail her progress. That is what RESOLVE your resolution is all about!!!

Val says:

All my life I've been an athlete, gifted in that I can get by at most things but exceptional at nothing. You know the type -- coaches describe me, then and now, with terms like "hard-working," "dedicated," and having "a good attitude" as opposed to words like "fast," "unstoppable," or "possessing freakish strength." But that's okay: I have a liberal arts body, whose jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none status makes me open to new activities. During the past 5 years, I've been working to manage a mostly benign but persistent condition of my central nervous system that makes me prone to low blood pressure and fainting, and whose treatment sometimes makes me feel worse than the condition. After getting things under control during 2006-7 (a year in which I was largely unable to drive, exercise, or do a lot of things), I turned back to group sports and training in a move to focus again on what my body COULD do, while also gaining the security of having people around while I trained. During those 4 years of half marathon and triathlon training, I made great friends and marveled at crossing off many events from my lifetime achievement wish list. I also got more comfortable knowing when I was pushing myself too far, and coming to accept that my body just won't let me push itself on some days.

While racking up participation medals and race shirts felt great, I was frustrated with the results I was NOT getting, namely my body fat ratio and frequent lack of energy. I decided to take a break from triathlon training and try to figure this out. Enter the Pure Austin Resolve Your Resolution Challenge!

I feel extremely fortunate to be in this program. Working with Laura, I established several items to cross off my lifetime achievement wish list (just in time for my 40th birthday!):

1) Comfortably complete 10 pull-ups and 20 "real" pushups
2) Reduce body fat by at least 5% (ideally with corresponding weight loss)
3) Consistent schedule of at least 5 quality workouts a week, with a focus on developing a solid strength program
4) Significantly increase 5K speed

Six weeks in, I'm definitely feeling the challenge of my goals but am also having a lot of fun. Laura helps keep me motivated and has challenged me with some killer treadmill interval workouts. I ran a 5K earlier this month and secured a PR (I'm basing this on the years I've been on chronic medication) by some 2 minutes, which felt great. While I'm only down 4 pounds, I'm eager to get my body fat percentage retested. It's pretty easy for me to choose healthy, whole foods -- I run an organic cotton textile company, Mod Green Pod, so I'm quite educated about the effects of pesticides and other chemical nasty --- but it's still a challenge to maximize my energy and metabolism for my workouts by what I eat, when. This is an unexpected challenge within this program that I'm really appreciating. I'm also paying extra attention to portions and to slow down when I eat. (I'm a notorious fast eater, which I still blame on my Catholic school experience where we had 18 minutes for lunch -- NO JOKE). I'm also slowly starting to be able to kick out a few push-ups, and I'm up to level 16 on the assisted pull-up machine. (I had to start at the very easiest 18 level, but at least I've progressed to 16).

Along the way, I've already learned several things from which I think all Pure Austin members could benefit:

1) Try new classes! I've had a blast doing everything from Ballet Booty, Hatha Yoga Flow, Spin, PUMP, Dymamic Strength, etc. Next up, I can't wait to try some Kayaking
2) Let the instructors help you modify I pinched a nerve in my shoulder during my first week of this program, and it was completely my fault! I decided to forget that I'm pushing 40, have a chronic medical condition, and haven't really done structured weightlifting. I jumped into a PUMP class and wanted to keep up with everybody else in the class. Big mistake, for me. I'm better now, but it taught me to push myself within MY limits, and to introduce myself before starting a new class -- the instructors are great at providing modifications. And just yesterday, Ryon helped me adjust the Keiser bike to make sure I'm getting the most out of spin class.
3) Learn from other members One of the things I love about our gym is that so many members are educated and fit. I've picked up lots of good exercises by watching other members, and even getting up the guts to ask them what they are doing. I'm now getting a lot more great stuff out of the cable cross machine and medicine balls.
4) Conversely, be inspired by, don't compare yourself to, other members I can't do pull-ups right now, but I'm working on it. Last weekend, I was taking turns on the assisted pull-up machine with a young woman almost half my age and size. She was whipping through her reps the way I hope to. Before I was part of this program, I probably would have just skipped that machine. Instead, we alternated happily between my level 16 and her level 4, exchanging a smile while setting up the machine for each other's next set. I changed my mantra from "You'll never do that" to "Keep working at it."

Resolution Resolver Jeanel has lost 13 lbs already!!

2010-03-23T22:18:00.002-05:00

Resolution Resolver Jeanel gives us an update -- her progress is thrilling!!!

My name is Jeanel and the fact that I call myself Nella Wafer tells you that cookies are my biggest challenge. I loves my cookies. Grandma's oatmeal raisin cookies from the vending machine make such a lovely break from work. A little treat from the bakery is such a good reward at the end of a stressful day. And the girl scouts with their Thin Mints. You get the picture.

Eventually, one day I looked in the mirror and saw some 40-year-old woman with a rather matronly figure looking back. When did I go from being a fan of Grandma's cookies to looking a little like Grandma herself?

And could I please reverse this trend at least somewhat in time for my trip to Peru in May? I don't want my vacation pictures to show me hiding in a muu-muu. I want to have pictures that show me happily hiking me up Macchu Pichu with fit muscular legs, and a strong core helping me learn to surf.

So I jumped at the chance to participate in the Resolve Your Resolution contest, and set a bunch of goals for myself, both weight-related and sport-related. Chelsea was the voice of reason telling me to keep my goals modest, and that's certainly a good thing, because it's been a challenge, especially the first couple of weeks.

I'm definitely making progress, and I'm really pleased with how it's going. I'm spinning, swimming, strength training and Pilates-ifying my way to my goals. I've lost 13 pounds so far and my body fat has gone from 33.9% to 32.1%. And the lost inches! A couple inches here, a couple inches there, and pretty soon, there's a lot less of me all around! My swim times are getting better too. I've always wanted to swim 100 yards in 1 minute 30 seconds, and now I've gone from 1 minute 50 to 1 minute 35. So close! I can't wait to see how my Splash and Dash and 1.2 mile open water swim times this year compare to my old times!

It's tough sticking with a plan consistently for such a long time. As I work through this, these are some of the things I've learned:

* My problem is not really willpower, but time management. Cookies won't tempt me if I've had a full breakfast and lunch. But those meals don't make themselves, I have to get it all organized the night before.

* Also in the realm of time management, 6 AM workouts are a real pain, but they get done. 6 PM workouts, not always.

* Co-workers who don't even know that I'm watching my diet or in a contest are just naturally supportive! Without me saying a word, a weird little pattern has evolved that goes like this: "We got kolaches, but didn't think you'd want any so we thought you might like these strawberries." Or, "I brought breakfast tacos, but I know you're too healthy for that so I brought you a grapefruit." What the heck? Did I win the sensitive co-worker lottery or what?

* Every single day will bring a challenge or three, so I just try to observe them when they come along, and remind myself that I knew it would happen. Then when I am faced with a challenge, like an open bowl of M&Ms at work, I can just observe it and say to myself, "Oh look, there it is, today's challenge: M&Ms. That's not so bad, I can resist that. Check it out! I'm overcoming today's challenge!"

* Masters swimming with Alex has only been going on a few weeks, but it's really helping me stay on track and swim better. Alex offers just the right kind of gentle push to challenge myself without actually making me feel stressed.

* Ramsey will talk about "playing" in Pilates, but don't be fooled, it's work. Sweaty, sweaty work that will leave your abs aching the next day.

* A spinning class with Ryon Talbot is guaranteed to make you laugh or smile. If for no other reason, because he will smack his own behind at least a dozen times in one 45-minute class.

Are you curious about our new Keiser bikes? cause they are pretty awesome....

2010-03-23T12:23:00.003-05:00

Our new Keiser bikes in the Pure Cycling area are really sweet! Come check them out - they have all the new bells and whistles plus they are comfy.

Here's some info about the computers (!!) and what they are telling you.

NEW KEISER BIKE INFORMATION

Line 1 RPM (Cadence) - The RPM display counts the cyclists revolutions per minute on one crank arm. RPM is known in the cycling world as Cadence and roughly is the speed at which the cyclist is pedaling. At above 140 RPM the word STOP will appear to indicate that the cyclist is pedaling faster than he or she needs to be.

Line 2 Power - The power output is displayed in Watts (currently generating) and Kilocalories (total value for the ride). The computer toggles back and forth between Watts (displayed for eight seconds) and Kilocalories (displayed for two seconds).

Line 3 Heart Rate - If there is no heart rate signal, a steady heart symbol and a zero will be displayed. If a participant is wearing a heart rate strap, and once the computer locks onto the signal, the heart symbol will blink and display the heart rate. Please note that the heart rate strap must be Polar™ compatible and coded.

Line 4 Pedaling or Elapsed Time - The number shown reports the total time spent cycling and will reset to zero after 60 seconds of inactivity or if the computer is reset using the gear lever.

Line 5 Odometer/Trip Distance and Gear - For the first eight seconds when the computer is first activated, the odometer will display the total distance the cycle has been ridden. This feature is for service and maintenance purposes only. After eight seconds, the odometer will display trip distance and gears from 1 - 24.

Average Calculations

To view averages: RPM (cadence), power, and heart rate at any point in the ride, stop pedaling for three seconds your averages will flash until you start pedalling again or until the computer goes to sleep after 60 seconds.

Resetting Ride Averages, Elapsed Time and Distance

To reset your averages during the ride, stop pedalling for three seconds and the averages will start to flash, while they are flashing move the gear lever from bottom to top two times quickly. This will reset your ride information back to zero.

Eric makes some really intelligent decisions in his Resolution Resolve quest

2010-03-22T22:37:00.003-05:00

Eric's focus is great. He has really taken an intelligent, concerted look at the best ways he can reach his goals in the New Year. We are impressed. Eric writes:

By way of a quick synopsis, basically the last month has
been less about workouts and more about diet and rest, which are the
two big problems with my health/fitness regimen overall. A lot of
the decision to focus on that is actually in the wake of the marathon
for two reasons: First, in practical terms, I'm still in a recovery
period, and I've wrecked myself before by coming back too quickly, so
I've learned. And second, I managed to shave ~9:00 off my finish
time from last year simply by getting more rest in the three weeks
before the event. Based on these observations, I'm reasonably
convinced that if anything I've had trouble making progress in the
past because I'm constantly tearing myself down and overfeeding
myself trying to get short term energy that'd be a whole lot better
coming from a good night's sleep.

What I've been doing pretty steadily through the last few
weeks has been yoga, since it's non-impact, offers opportunities to
turn intensity up and down as is appropriate, and concentrates
heavily on "core strength," which is something I'm finding pays good
dividends. And I'm only now starting to get back more seriously into
running. (I'm restarting at 6-10 miles for "long" runs, and starting
to do a bit more speed work for the first time since the marathon.)

On the food side, basically I'm eating smaller meals and
being draconian about eliminating processed food. Except for having
to make that stop in West on my way back from Dallas on business (and
pick up a few kolaches at the Czech Stop), pretty much everything
that's come into this house in the last month has been high in
nutritional content in comparison to its calorie count. And it's
been identifiable as food. (No high fructose corn syrup, etc.) So
I'm being satisfied by smaller meals.

I haven't checked my weight at all. At this point I'm
judging my overall progress simply by energy levels, which seem to be
pretty good.

Ginger and Cherylyn, mother and daughter, regularly enjoy Pure Austin yoga!

2010-03-18T20:50:00.003-05:00

Ginger and Cherylyn, mother and daughter, have been members since 2006. These dedicated yoginis have great things to say about Pure Austin yoga.... we love that we can provide them a great place to practice!!

Ginger:

I joined Pure Austin in 2006. I chose it because of the variety of classes that are offered & the quality of the facilities.
My mom, my sister Gertie & I attend Zoe's Pure Prana most every Sunday. I also attend Lauran's classes on wednesdays at noon, and I try to attend Sanieh's and Paula's classes whenever possible!

Yoga is an absolute necessity in my life! It helps keep me sane. Practicing yoga has had a tremendous effect on my mental health, and the fact that it helps keep me in shape is an added bonus!! Zoe's classes are a great workout. I would challenge the most muscular, fit people at Pure Austin to give it a try for a very different type of workout!

I work at the Capitol for a state senator.

Cherylyn:

i have also been a member since 2006.

i was impressed by the fact that pure austin had so many options for yoga. i thought that was very unusual for a gym setting. the pure austin yoga instructors are just awesome. i always learn something new from each and every one of them. so to paula, sineah, zoe and lauran i have to say a very sincere thank you for all that they bring to their classes. they have all influenced my yoga journey in such a profound way.

yoga is important to me. my soul needs yoga. and practicing with my daughters is a very special treat that i'm really happy to get to experience. we are able to practice yoga together on sundays. because of our work schedules we don't often get to practice together during the week. we also try to attend the yoga workshops that are offered, which is an added bonus at pure austin!

i am a registered nurse working at the UT health center in their urgent care department.

Chelsea's updates us on the her Resolution Resolve client's AWESOME PROGRESS

2010-03-16T20:23:00.003-05:00

My girls rock! Yes, they do. What I love most about this contest is that it has ignited a fire right underneath my girl's feet, and they are pushing hard and moving forward and seeing results.

Miss Mary began the contest at 26.8% body fat. She has been training with me for 1 1/2 years and though she is consistent with her exercise, it has been her nutrtition that has needed some overhauling. Her work requires long hours, it's fast paced, and she finds herself at the desk for the majority of the time. Planning her meals and snacks has been the difficult aspect of the nutrition process. Since she was successful at creating consistency with her workouts - 2 weights with yours truly and 3xs on her own - nutrition was the missing link she began to tackle. What great results she's been seeing. Now she is 25.2% body fat, a 1.6% loss in six weeks! She is still the same weight, but her body fat has changed. Yipee! Her clothes are fitting differently. She purchased several blouses the other day and did not fear the dressing room. She's also beginning to see her waist again. Her goals were simple - exercise consistency and improve her nutrition. Miss Mary is creating momentum and progressing forward.

Miss Jeanel has lost 11lbs in six weeks. How awesome! What I love most about Jeanel's progress is that she truly is making fitness a lifestyle. Even when work can be long and arduous and the stress of purchasing a new home can really interrupt a routine, she has remained committed to her fitness goals. Jeanel had distinct goals. She wanted to improve her nutrition and get rid of her sweet tooth, lose 22lbs by mid May, and improve her times in the water. When she began this contest a 500 yard swim would take her 9:45. Now she's swimming it in 9:06. Quarry Lake Master Swim Clinic with Alex has been helping her get in shape and improve her confidence in the water. Jeanel's 100 yard was at 1:55 and now, 6 weeks later, is at 1:35. Her goal is 1:30. Not too far fetch now! Look out you Splash and Dash competitors for my girl!

Both girls, Mary and Jeanel, are committed. And it shows in their workouts, in the tracking of their progress, and in their self-confidence. Mary powers through our workouts. She's on a mission.That size of pants that you desire is so close. And Jeanel is leaping forward at great distances, on her own, committed to looking great for her May trip to Chile. Each have made fitess a part of their busy lives and know exactly what they are working for.

What fun it is to be a part of this.

Resolving her Resolution... Lisa is getting after it.

2010-03-13T21:31:00.002-06:00

Lisa sent us some feedback of how it's going! So, so proud of her... She is ON IT!

Well, its been an interesting ride, in terms of watching how stress and life events can have such an impact on derailing even the best of intentions. If it weren't for this program I would have definitely, definitely already caved on my resolutions. But some of us work better when we have a little authority, and apparently I'm one of those people. ;-)

My goals are to be more consistent, lose 10 lbs, and become stronger in my upper body and core (I have never in my life worked out my upper body. Major weak!!) Fitness really just wasn't a steady tone in my life, and being in film production, my schedule can make it really difficult to fit in healthy eating and consistent exercise. For years I have had a pattern of one step forward, two steps back (and of course, since I hit 40 its more like one step forward, three steps back). While my progress is slower than I'd like it to be, I do feel I'm making longer term changes. I'm really not interested in "winning" for the sake of winning - my win will be when I am able to see these new habits follow me through the rest of my life. I do feel these kinds of institutional changes are much harder - I know I could probably rush to the finish line and starve myself and work really hard for four months, but what is the point of that if I'm burnt out at the end of that process?

So, I was paired with Cyndy Reid. Cyndy asked me to:

- eat 100% organic (I eat A LOT of organic, but its pretty difficult to do 100%. I'd say I'm at about 80% and holding).

- my work outs started at 4 hours of cardio per week plus 2 hours of strength training. I started with what I have been doing for a long time (ellipticals and stairclimbers, etc) but kicked it up from 3 days a week (total, if I made it in that often) and 1/2 hour on the machines to 6 days a week and an hour on the machines. I also started taking yoga classes, and those were my 2 strength training classes.

- I have long been in the habit of ending a long day at the bar, having a few drinks and maybe a cigarette with friends. Done. I now only have a drink or two on the weekends.

- After a few weeks, Cyndy asked me to ratchet up the workouts to 1.5 hours on two of those workout days, and 15 minutes of some kind of burst of energy every morning. I found the morning thing to be really, really difficult. For one thing, I stay up pretty late (read: bar time. special time with friends!) and what was happening was that, by the time I woke up (around 9:00), it just seemed like I really needed to get to work quickly which was leaving me no time for either a good breakfast or 15 minutes of work out, AND, often my schedule would make it too difficult to get to the gym later in the day.

SO, I decided something really had to change. I now wake at 6:00 a.m. 3 days a week and attend the 6:30 cardio pump classes. I tried to go for another .5 hours after the initial hour, but my stamina is just not there yet. Those are difficult classes to get through, and I personally think Kathy Redden is going to hit a new record for the number of people who puke during or immediately after her class. (Okay, seriously, this is NOT my mother's aerobics class).

The other two days I still do the Prana yoga with Sanieh. I won't be able to do her classes indefinitely, as my schedule will change, but at least now I'm used to waking up early and prioritizing fitness.

I still haven't reached a single 1.5 hour workout. I'm hoping to do that soon. And while my clothes fit better, I haven't lost a pound. Which is a real bummer. It's hard to work this hard and not see any results. But, I feel so much better, have tons of time in the mornings and feel I am accomplishing a lifelong goal of getting up in the morning and starting my day with a good workout.

Thanks for the structure! So far, this is making a real difference for me and its only been one month! I look forward to solidifying these habits and really feeling strong one of these days.

The End.

Jessy RESOLVES to get faster...with Jodi's help

2010-03-09T22:32:00.004-06:00

I have abused my relationship with amateur running for too long. I have been running as a sport, hobby or conditioning since 1990. I like logging miles, wandering my neighborhood, listening to music, and not having to answer the phone for an hour every night. I can get through 10k's and half marathons with decent, but not great, times. What if I actually took running seriously? I have no false aspiration to join some competitive old person team, nor any bucket list of items to check off before I die, but I do have an overwhelming desire to get one of those Congress Avenue Mile shirts without embarrassing myself.

My interest in running came from my first timed mile, which was 7:50, in the fifth grade. It was the fastest girl's time at my elementary school. I told my mother, who had posted decent times in summer track a generation before, and she said: well that's not so fast. And it isn't. The time is lower now, but not notably.

My hands off self coaching approach to running had hit a wall. I
decided to sign up for this contest to investigate if it was my lazy
coaching style or my physical makeup holding me back from a decent
mile time with the hope improving one mile would also benefit my
distance runs. After one month of evidence gathering, it appears my
inner self coach is too laid back; doing what feels good, while
leaving me high on oxygen, is (unfortunately) not as effective as
revisiting all the things I know build strength: core exercises,
resistance training and track workouts. On average, Jodi's workouts
take about the same amount of time as my mile logging, but are far
more effective at increasing my speed.

I have no idea what my chances are at beating the rest of the
participants. I'm confident I'll make my goal, though, which is far
more important. Plus, I already shave my legs without feeling like a
poser, so I have two legs up on Drew's bike guy already.

the Cronometro! just how fast are you??

2010-03-01T14:14:00.001-06:00

this just in from our friends putting on TheCRONOMETRO.. we can't wait!!!

We’re super excited about TheCronometro and want to let everyone know what to expect! The course will be a challenging mix of false flats, rollers, one decent climb, and a few fast descents.

Think of it as the perfect excuse to get tuned-up on your Time Trial Bike/equipment before the season gets underway!

We’ll have a super cool start house (think Tour de France!!!), and in order to ensure the best possible results, we’ll have chip timing (RunFar) too!

Afterwards, we’re having an awards ceremony with live music and a raffle for over $2,000 in merchandise and gift certificates!

There’ll be a masseuse on-site to provide massage as well.

The J. Lorraine Ghost Town (www.GhostTownAustin.com ) is a really cool venue with plenty of parking, restrooms, and a licensed kitchen serving beer, wine and food. In fact, we’re giving away free Ghost Burgers to the first 100 registered.

In addition, we’re also giving away free t-shirts to the first 150 registered!

We’ve put together a great list of sponsors: Pure Austin, Jack & Adams Bicycles, Holland Racing, Run Far, Arundel, 3Cosas Massage, FITT Solution, and The Law Offices of Bradley Houston.

Finally, riders can enter multiple categories at no additional cost (i.e., Age Group and then Single Speed, Road Bike, etc.)

We look forward to seeing everyone!

www.TheCronometro.com

Chelsea's Resolution Resolve participants have those goals in sight

2010-02-28T22:27:00.002-06:00

Okay my friends, what's the best is that all of our participants are really making fitness a lifestyle. So this is why this contest is awesome. So I give you all props!

But my girls are fantastic as well. And what I love the most about Jeanel and Mary is that each of them are learning to make their fitness long term and their results progressive and life long.

Jeanel and Mary are both learning to look at their schedules for the week and see how they can fit their workouts in. Jeanel is logging her calories and also noticing how certain choices make her yearn for "not so good choices" the rest of the day. She is also understanding that getting in shape takes a great amount of work and effort and heart. And it will never stop and knowing what she is working for is what keeps her motivated. So she has set a goal to improve her times for the Splash and Dash and each day she strokes away in the pool to see the seconds disapear.

Each have set goals that are realistic and meaningful to them and understand that what's important is the entire process of getting in shape. Since Mary has set goals and has begun revamping her nutrition, she is seeing her mid-section widdle away! Woohoo! She is training with me 2 days a week and now is taking classes at Quarry Lake and making stretching a priority.

So all of you fellow resolutioners, good job..................and keep watching your backs for my girls. And in the spirit of competition, may each of our participants become more heathy and fit every day of this competition and for sure in the future!

Meet our Members!! Carol and Mike Woodward

2010-02-24T21:41:00.004-06:00

Meet our Members! Introducing Carol and Mike Woodward. We are so proud they are members -- and so proud of their success!!

How long have you been a member?
My wife and I have been members since September of 2006. We retired from teaching at the Texas School for the Blind in July of 2005

Why did you choose Pure Austin?
We chose Pure Austin because it is where felt that it had the kind of atmosphere that we were most comfortable. The facilities have a large selection of equipment to meet our needs. The staff is always friendly at the desk when you sign-in. The people who are members are also friendly and seem to be goal motivated to improve their overall health. The members vary in age from the young to the elderly, I turn 66 on February the 20 and feel great. We love the location, we are about 15 minutes from Pure Austin, and no one under the age of 18 was also a selling factor.

What kind of workouts do you do? How regularly?
We try to do a total body workout using a variety of equipment three times a week. We try to use different equipment each time we come in so that our routines won’t get boring.

Who do you do them with?
My wife and I come in together in the morning on MWF and start with the aerobic equipment upstairs and then move downstairs to use the weight equipment during our routines. Our goal was to loose weight when we started and to improve our overall wellness. My wife has lost over 40 lbs. and I have lost over 30 lbs. We both feel better since we have lost the weight, our health has never been better.

Our goal is to maintain our good health and enjoy life. This is our motivation. We are very happy with our results and plan to continue our membership and workouts even when we are on trips.

oh yah, Drew?? Well wait to you meet my ResolveResolution Participant..

2010-02-23T14:39:00.003-06:00

Here's the email I just got from Drew! (PS, Drew is a new Fitness Specialist with Pure Austin. He is awesome. Check him out!)

Hey,

I just wanted to give you a heads up that my guy for the resolution resolve contest is going to win... seriously. This guy is way committed and is doing awesome with communication and sticking to his guns with workouts, and he's keeping great meal logs and workout logs!!

Just to give you a taste here are some of the measurable criteria we're going off of...

- Being able to compete in the lower cat races at the driveway race series.

- Having a measured improvement in LT tests over the four months (we've already done initial test).

- Being able to..."Shave my legs and not feel like a poser." (Best one by far).

- Measurable decrease in weight from current 210 lbs.

You can use this for media if you want but I just wanted to shoot it your way and let you know it's goin' great. Thanks!

-Drew

Meet our Members!! Tyson

2010-02-16T19:28:00.002-06:00

We are excited to feature our members!
Meet Tyson!

Hi Tyson!
How long have you been a member?

3 years.

Why did you choose Pure Austin?

I originally chose Pure Austin because it was close to home and it was clean and well maintained. But more importantly, I continue to choose Pure because over time I discovered that there is a sense of community that makes it truly unique from any other gym. For me the gym is not just a place to exercise, it has become a place for me to grow as a person, always working towards new goals. It is clear that the staff take a genuine interest in helping me push beyond my own expectations to achieve both a healthy body and spirit. And I’ve met some great friends in the process who also share similar goals and interests.

What kind of workouts do you do?

When I work out alone, I like to focus on a few muscle groups at a time and mix in some high energy bursts on the treadmill or rowing machine between reps to get that extra calorie burn. I also love to take morning clinics (“boot camps”), because working out in a group setting motivates me to get out of bed early and push myself a little harder while I work out. I love to take classes that incorporate plyometrics, such as kickboxing.

How regularly?

My goal is to be in the gym 4 times a week and do something outdoors on the other 3 days. In the summers, I prefer to workout outdoors as much as possible.

How do you feel?

I feel great. I spent too many years as a younger adult not taking care of my body. Not only have I noticed a difference over the last three years, but so have my friends and family. I have more energy, more confidence, and telling myself “You can’t do that,” is no longer an option.

Do you have workout goals for the next year?

My goal for this year is to maintain a more consistent workout routine and do a better job of planning my workouts in advance.

What keeps you motivated?

It’s never a scale or a measuring tape. It’s always how I feel. I can tell when I’ve slipped up; I start to feel sluggish and down. I know hitting the gym or running or biking the trails will help me maintain balance and energy.

What time of day do you workout?

I try to work out first thing in the morning. I like the energy and confidence that it gives me throughout the day, and it frees up my evening for all those unexpected plans or late nights at the office. Plus, I get the most benefit out of a high-protein breakfast right after working out.

What do you do for work?

I own a lighting showroom, Legend Lighting Inc. We sell traditional and contemporary lighting, ceiling fans, and custom lighting designs.

How do you manage to keep your workouts a priority?

The more I am stressed at work, the more I need to exercise to maintain balance in my life. And these are stressful times for all of us! Oddly enough, I think being busier makes it easier for me to make my workouts a priority because I know that if I don’t consciously plan for them, they won’t happen. I feel more energetic and more focused throughout my day if I started it in the gym.

Fire up your metabolism and stay lean!!

2010-01-11T21:36:00.001-06:00

Fire Up Your Metabolism and Stay Lean by following this daily, 6 step eating plan:

1) Eat when you wake. This revs up your metabolism. Fill your plate with a quality protein such as eggs, and a slow digesting carbohydrate such as oatmeal or fruit
2) Eat every three hours after breakfast to keep your blood sugar level from crashing leaving you weak, tired and irritable. Eat such things as low fat yogurt, small handful of nuts, apples or berries

3) Eat a high protein, complex carbohydrate lunch such as a turkey sandwich (no mayo or cheese) on wheat, a vegetable of choice and a pear
4) Eat slow digesting carbohydrates before your workout such as apples, brown rice, beans, oatmeal, green vegetables
5) After your workout eat a fast digesting carbohydrate. Ideally a liquid meal such as low fat chocolate milk, or a whole wheat bagel
6) Eat a high protein, slow and fast digesting carbohydrate dinner such as turkey sausage with whole wheat pasta and spinach salad

If you want to know more about how I can help you plug this plan into your everyday life and/or if you’re interested in increasing your metabolism rate through strength training contact Master Fitness Specialist, Christi Corbitt at christi@pureaustin.com.

Tri-it in Spanish....Andale, Andale...Arriba!

2009-07-19T10:04:00.006-05:00

My name is Claudia Martin-de-Nicolas and I have been a member of Pure Austin for 1.5 years. I am a mother of three, a bilingual kindergarten teacher with AISD, and a happy triathlete. Yes, I enjoy swimming, biking, and running. I train for my sanity! ;-)

Someday I would like to move up to 1/2 Ironman but for now Sprint and Olympic distance are my forte.

I love Pure Austin. My 2 favorite things to do at Pure are:
~Swim in the Quarry(the opposite direction, against traffic...typical of me)
~Sexy Spin Saturday with Ryon(well, any spin class with Ryon)

Like mother(and father)-like daughter...
My 12 year old daughter, Paulina, was part of Fast Fickers(Desiree Ficker's Triathlon Training) this past Spring...She and her girlfriends loved it! We both participated in our first triathlon together on June 13, 2009 in San Marcos...Tri-it in Spanish

We both did great! I was thrilled to place 2nd in my age group alongside by buddies, Betty Davis(1st) and Ryon Talbot(1st).

Fast Fickers took the kids division. Emily Zientek, Cali Davis, Emma Thomas, Paulina Martin-de-Nicolas

It was a special race AND day...three mothers and their daughters, one father and his daughter
Claudia Martin-de-Nicolas(member) and Paulina
Betty Davis(member) and Cali
Cissy Thomas(member) and Emma
David Zientek and Emily

Stand-Up Paddleboards - a great core workout

2009-07-09T12:20:00.003-05:00

Yet another way to stay on top of your core strengthening - stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) - now, at Quarry Lake. Stand-up paddleboarding has obviously been going on for a long time, but has recently hit it "big" in the mainland US as a fun core workout, good for all levels. You can come use them at Quarry Lake - just check in at the Front Desk. You can learn more about Standup Paddleboarding here , where some triathletes talk about it's use for alternative core strengthening. Also, Pure Austin is a dealer of Surftech paddleboards, email pureaustin@pureaustin.com if you want more info.

Texas Fitness Assessment of Public School Students - Shocking Results.

2009-03-18T22:37:00.003-05:00

2 million public school students were tested for physical fitness. The cliff notes? Physically fit students outperform their less-fit counterparts in scholastic testing. Part two - and this is the shocker - approximately 30% of the 3rd graders were in the "healthy fitness zone", and by 12th grade approximately 8.5% made the cut. Wow.

The Statesman ran an article about this.

Pure Austin Member Dave Campbell rocked the Mas O Menos 100k Mt Bike

2009-02-19T14:39:00.006-06:00

In his own words....

Dedication @ Pure Austin = Results

I’ve been taking spin classes at Pure Austin for a little over a year now. I can definitely say that these classes have helped me to dramatically increase my level of fitness. The instructors are great and one in particular, Ryon Talbot, is a great source of inspiration and motivation.

I noticed that Pure Austin offered VO2 testing, so I signed up and asked if Ryon could give me the test. These tests are not easy, as you are pretty much pushed to your absolute physical limits. The results taught me about my VO2 max, my lactate threshold, and with Ryon’s help, I learned how to craft my exercise routines to reach my personal fitness goals.

I’ve also combined my exercise routine with better nutritional habits. I’ve always eaten well, but I decided to cut certain things out of my diet and I’ve increased my fruit and vegetable intake substantially.

The results of my efforts have definitely started to show…

I’m an endurance focused mountain biker. Strange breed I guess... I mean, who likes to suffer on a mountain bike for hour upon hour? Well, I do – and I was happy to see that there is a local group (TMBRA) that organizes a series of mountain bike races that are focused on endurance. It’s called the Hill Country Bicycle Works Mountain Bike Marathon Championship Series.

There are five races in total, and you earn points depending on how you place in each race. The groups are categorized by age.

The fourth race took place last weekend in Terlingua, TX, which is essentially in Big Bend. It’s called “Mas O Menos” and the marathon is 100K (62.5 miles) in the open Chihuahuan Desert. The race consisted of two laps around a pre-determined course of desert single track and jeep roads. The course includes one particularly grueling climb called “Tres Cuevas” which is just over 3600ft.

I felt particularly strong during this race, and was happy to finish in 10th place in my age group out of 60 starters. My time was 5hr18min56sec…and I finished less than ½ hour behind the fastest riders in my group who happen to be seasoned veterans with over twenty years of racing experience. I’m also currently tied for 3rd place in the overall point series.

Thanks again Pure Austin Fitness!

Dave Campbell

Financial Rewards Successful in Promoting Weight Loss

2008-12-11T15:09:00.004-06:00

The reputable Journal of American Medicine Association just published a study showing that participants who stood to gain (or lose) money in order to hit weight-loss targets were 7.7-9.4 times more successful than others who did not have this motivating factor.

I wish this incentive could be actualized / translated for everyone so that they had the same odds of success. Maybe if you want to encourage someone you love to lose weight - you could offer them a dollar a pound. Or conversely, they owe you a dollar a pound they don't lose. Whatever motivates them to make healthy life choices. I am not talking about that stubborn "last five" - - I am referring to unhealthy weight that prevents someone you love and care about from living their life to the fullest.

Please if you have a friend or loved one who would benefit from an introduction to our gym, we encourage you to bring them in or contact us at pureaustin@pureaustin.com so we can help orient them and get them involved in a healthy fitness program that can enhance their life. Unlike most gyms, our ulterior motives are not getting as many people as we can to sign up but not show up. We want our members to be some of the healthiest, happiest, fittest people we know.

If you see this guy....Tell him he ROCKS!!

2008-11-24T13:35:00.004-06:00

What to consider when joining a gym.

2008-11-20T22:51:00.005-06:00

I read a nice, succinct post today discussing things to look for in a gym when considering joining one. Hopefully you already are happily ensconced in the Pure Austin family.. but if not, please take a look and consider if we fit the bill!

Pure Austin instructor and member Jason Brooks takes 2nd at Palo Duro Canyon 50k

2008-10-28T14:09:00.003-05:00

On October 18, 2008, Pure Austin's own Jason Brooks took second place in the 50 kilometer trail race. The ultramarathon took place in Texas's largest canyon, Palo Duro Canyon. Jason came in just minutes behind the leader with a time of 4 hours, 1 minute, and 48 seconds. This broke the previous course record! That ROCKS! nice job Jason.

Pure Austin Members Rockin' the Rocky Hill 24 Hour Race

2008-10-21T22:19:00.008-05:00

Going the distance…
Pure Cycling Instructor Joshua Crixell, who teaches an endurance-focused cycling class on Tuesdays 12:00 – 12:45pm at Quarry Lake, put together a team to compete in the “24 Hours of Dirt” at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, TX on October 18th & 19th.

“Rapido y Facile” consisted of Joshua, Pure Austin members Dave Campbell and James Bryan, and Brandon Barber, a UT graduate student. They entered in the 4-Person Senior Sport category and won first place! Yah!! They logged 23 laps on the course in 24hrs 31min 32sec.

Way to go guys!!

Competitor TX features Kathy Redden and her client Ryan Battle

2008-10-11T12:25:00.009-05:00

This month, Competitor Texas magazine featured Kathy Redden and her client, Ryan Battle. The two won the Muddy Buddy co-ed Division last May - and even more importantly, Ryan won the "battle of the bulge". Article excerpts below. An inspiring story.

"The moment of truth arrived on a Saturday night. Getting dressed to take his wife out for a date, Ryan Battle bent over to tie his shoes. All that excess around his waist compressed against his chest, and as he recalls, "I found myself having difficulty breathing." His wife, Kim, had been gently nagging him to beat the Battle of the Bulge, even tugging at his sensitivities as a husband and father of two daughters. "If you're not caring for yourself, do you care about us?" she asked.....

For Battle, a 41-year old software engineer who lives in Austin - a guy who played college soccer at 165 lbs, but had since ballooned to 240 - that epiphany arrived when he mentally slapped himself in the face after tying his shoes. "Internally," says Battle, who is six feet tall, "I said enough's enough" The shoe moment arrived in August 2006. Six months later Battle was down to 190 lbs, where his weight has settled; though in the heat of the baking Texas summer he dropped to as low as 186. "

The article details his lifestyle changes, workouts, and how meeting Kathy Redden, Fitness Specialist as Pure Austin, helped him turn his health around. In his own words, "I just need someone to kick my ass", and Kathy did just that. Battle says, "She's the person most responsible for my weight loss." Kathy and Ryan meet three times a week, with weight resistance and core exercises. She also changes his routine almost daily.

More about Kathy and Ryan (and their Muddy Buddy victory) in this month's Competitor Texas, available for free throughout town and also at Pure Austin.

Small businesses explore the (cost) benefits of Fitness

2008-10-03T14:33:00.005-05:00

From the New York Times, a group of small business owners in an economically-depressed area of Michigan are finding that it pays to invest in their the employee's health via fitness and wellness programs and benefits. Interesting, because this informal consortium of small business owners find it worth their time to get together personally and brainstorm ways to help their employees.

Interesting also - the article notes that several states (Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island) have recently required health insurance companies to offer wellness benefits to small business employees.

In a competitive job climate, with nimble small and medium-sized businesses looking to keep their employees healthy, committed, and happy, providing health and wellness benefits on top of "insurance" is the way to go. Personally, I make sure I schedule myself so that I get a good workout in - I am so much more productive and happier that way.

Jack LaLanne says...

2008-10-01T21:20:00.002-05:00

What does Jack LaLanne know about fitness? At 94, he has accumulated quite a bit of knowledge that he can back up. He looks great, and also is still "with it". In some snippets from his interviews in Outside Magazine and on Shareguide, he gives some of his philosophy for a long, healthy happy life. Among his suggestions --uh, exercise! Every day! Read more of Jack LaLanne interview here.

What is it about those headstands that is sooo good for you?

2008-09-16T17:23:00.008-05:00

In the 70's my dad had this "inversion board". It kind of freaked me out, but my not-especially-new-agey father seemed to think it was worth a upside-down hang every couple of days. Apparently he was onto something, despite himself.

I find headstands really "change my perspective". Haha, get it? But they do. If I am in a solid funk that is caused by some repetitive thought that is not serving me any good, and I just can't seem to shake it, a few minutes on my head can really loosen some neurons (in a good way).

Do you know how many benefits headstands have?? A LOT! Natural News gave a laundry list of them. Among them, these five:

1) Natural 'face-lift'! Reverses gravity, brings fresh oxygen to the face, fresh blood helps eliminate toxins.
2) Thicker hair, fewer greys due to increase in blood supply to follicles and scalp. Nutrients to the noggin!
3) Hormone (and hence mood) regulation via blood flow to the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands. These master glands help regulate many of the other "glands" in the body. Happy glands = happier mood, better sex, healthier outlook.
4) Lymphatic circulation and drainage. Get that stuff moving, cleansed, circulating on out!
5) Let that blood that has been pooling in your feet and legs all day turn around and go back through your heart and get some fresh oxygen to it. Personally, I think this helps combat varicose veins as well!

There are a bunch of other benefits listed with our friends at Natural News.

Gotta go, time to stand on my head!

Try Virtual Biking with the Expresso Bike

2008-09-05T23:09:00.006-05:00

The Expresso Bikes are located in the "main" cardio area at Town Lake. These new bikes are pretty darn cool. You can pick a "course" and enjoy the visual "virtual" biking video while you sweat. You interact with the riders on the screen, you can set a pace rider, select music tracks, and ride with or compete against other riders on a network. The handlebars even move!? Check out this review and video. Or just come in and check them out. We would love your feedback. Email infoTL@pureaustin.com and let us know what you think!

Support Mountain Biking Singletrack at Big Bend!

2008-09-05T22:43:00.003-05:00

Did you know that 95% of land in Texas privately held? This makes us the state with the lowest percentage of public lands in the US. But we do have some beautiful public land, like the treasure of Big Bend National Park. What an amazing place to visit! Right now, there is open public comment about the creation of a mixed-use singletrack trail for mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians in Big Bend. Are you interested in commenting? The International Mountain Bike Association supports the creation of this trail, which is proposed to be constructed using best-practices techniques, in conjunction with National Park Service and with what seems to be great cognizance of environmental impacts. Read for yourself, and if you are interested, please comment. The addition of well-designed, minimal impact singletrack to Big Bend sounds like one more great place to enjoy the fall in Texas.

Salut! to the Pure Athlete

2008-09-01T20:30:00.011-05:00

This weekend was quite the weekend for events in Austin; most noteworthy were the Nike+Human 10k run and the Austin Triathlon. Congratulations to all those who took part in these significant events! You rock! Salut!

Myself, I did not get a chance to participate in these events. Having just had a baby, time seems short, and circumstances did not coordinate just right to get me there, let alone train. I got the local race reports second-hand, not necessarily the easiest to swallow for an often competitive person missing the game. While driving to my favorite run spot Sunday morning, I had to make great effort to not swipe the car next to me while I rubber-necked by the race course, then had 5 hot miles to reflect on the nature of the athletic beast.

So, I want to also offer a "yah!" to every other athlete out there with me this morning. "What's up!" to all the other moms, dads, grandmoms and dads, singles, doubles, and every others (plus dogs) who I saw out running, walking, strolling, skipping or jumping out there in the heat, just because. It might not have been sexy or our PR but we were out there, and that is a billion times better than not being out there, every time.

"All right!!!" to the person driving the car pulling out of the blind corner that took the time to look both ways, then back again one more time, and thus paused when a cyclist came screaming down the road. I could only imagine that you too have been on a bike in that situation, and so you knew to look that extra time. Phew. Thank you.

"Rockin!" to the man I saw circling for a parking spot at Whole Foods and then found one farthest away from the store, but emerged from your car unflustered and fine, knowing that the extra 100 feet wasn't only going to not kill you, it might actually be better that way.

"Right on, man" to the guy who I passed running up a hill, who nodded and smiled, rather than speeding up and looking annoyed. We both know it was probably your long run, in a series of long runs, and I was just banging out 5 miles at a faster pace. We were both doing great, we were both out there. We rock!

"Wow, I had no idea" to every parent, person who works long tough hours, or anyone else with numerous obligations who still makes it out to do something for your physical health every day. Small steps over time create big results. Every time makes a difference, even if it's a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood after work, or taking the stroller for a second or third loop that day (even if it's the same, becoming mind-numbing, loop). You can always download some interesting podcasts and learn something new.

"Hey, Austin, right on!" The Free Day of Yoga in Austin on Labor Day is such a great Austin-phenomena. I went to a class that had 52 people in it! I love the Austin yoga culture. Namaste, brothers and sisters!

"Thanks, dude" to every boss (like my own) who understands when you are going to be late because the baby was upset or that you need to take some extra time at lunch so you can go for a run. Thanks because I can pass that vibe on, I get to tell my husband it's not a big deal when he wants to add an hour on to his ride, or I can make sure my nanny gets out in time to make yoga class. It's really cool to be able to pass it on.

Hey, so, salut to all the athletes out there. Everybody who made the time to honor their body and health and life, and everyone else who honors that commitment by supporting it. That's the backbone of what I consider a Pure Athlete.

Can I get "awwwwYaaaa!"

2008-08-31T17:19:00.009-05:00

A Pure Austin big congratulatory shout-out to member Rick Wells and Don Roach, who completed Ironman Coeur D'Alene in July. A truly remarkable feat!

Sugar alternatives - some sugar 101

2008-08-30T08:27:00.007-05:00

Give me some sugar, baby! I like to get my sweetness the super-all-natural way -by someone I love, showing me some love. Added and especially fake "sugars" give me the creeps. I was just reading a (rather lengthy ) blogpost discussing fructose, glucose, high-fructose, etc. etc. I am going to distill it down to a over-simplified sentence of two. Too much fructose seems to raise triglyceride levels, and can cause symptoms like (or actual) fatty liver disease, among other things. Or as this author on The Modern Forager put it, "The body works very hard to keep blood glucose in a narrow range, through careful administration of insulin. Too high and all kinds of damage can be done, too low and all kinds of death can occur." My body works hard enough as it is, I don't need to stress it out any more than necessary.

The post shows a nice comparison of fructose levels in fruits (though high by percentage, not by actual numbers) versus your added "fructose". Even you healthy fair-trade all-natural organic cookies with evaporated cane syrup are probably going to realistically get a "thumbs-down" on this one. Is it worth it?

A healthy liver (and a healthy body) will operate more efficiently with the right fuels. Avoid processed foods and especially high fructose corn-syrup. Please. Find your sweetness from natural fruits or give someone you love a hug, or your dog, or a (willing) stranger if you are the type of person who can get away with that sort of thing. Other "sweetener" alternatives that are worth considering are stevia and xylitol, both of which are in the Whole Foods supplement section, and are becoming more commonly added to your "all-natural" food products and protein supplements.

Take care!

The "Human-Powered" Gym

2008-08-25T22:25:00.002-05:00

How cool is this? A "human-powered" gym in Portland, Oregon (of course!) One of our members, Ashley, sent this link to us at infoTL@pureaustin.com. We enjoyed it so much. How does the saying go -- imitation is the highest form of flattery? Well, we hope to flatter this Portland gym more and more in the future. Thanks for the info, Ashley!!

"Blue Zones"- what are the habits of cultures where people live the longest

2008-08-13T13:05:00.002-05:00

I thought this was an interesting article, it is an interview with the author of "Blue Zones". He visited areas throughout the world where small populations are living very long, healthy lives, and discusses some of the commonalities between them.

The "You-Staying Young" Quiz

2008-08-12T21:13:00.002-05:00

I thought this was pretty cool. During a recent bout of insomnia, I happened upon the Oprah.com website, where they have a very elucidating quiz about how you are aging - according to your lifestyle habits, diet, exercise, etc. I tend to think of myself as having very healthy habits, but even I did not get in the top percentile! I learned that I need to have some more humor in my life/ take things less seriously, and that my husband needs to air his dry-cleaning out outside of the house, or preferably go to the Eco-Mat we are so lucky to have in Austin.
Try it out!

Fitness Specialist = Workout Harder, Better Results

2008-08-06T10:15:00.003-05:00

Fitness Specialists can help you bring your game to the next level. Check out what Susan has to say about training with Nathan!

Training with Nathan has completely changed the way I feel about exercise and my health. I've always been pretty active, but I never really pushed myself to see what I was capable of. And there's no way I would lift weights on my own: no *WAY*. But now Nathan is the boss of me, and he is the best. He has helped me become stronger and healthier than I ever thought I could be. Plus, he's hilarious...I look forward to seeing him every week. The workouts are always different, they're fun, and they work. I've lost weight, I feel better about life, and now I spend a lot more time in a bathing suit. I'm going to Barton Springs! Thanks Nathan!

Interesting Article on CNN.com about the financial returns on investing in "wellness" in the workplace

2008-07-25T15:07:00.004-05:00

This story caught my eye today, a happy line amongst the otherwise discouraging news that seems to frequent CNN.com. A 565-employee blue-collar plant in Lincoln, Nebraska has invested in a wellness program (for the past 16 years!) with 3 full-time employees dedicated to worker-wellness, offers on-site massages and pre-shift stretching to employees, as well as regular body fat tests, and a rewards programs for employees that meet certain health-standards, etc. Most noteworthy of all, the company saves about $2 million a year in health-care costs, despite investing $4000 in each employee.

Wow. That is pretty amazing. And it's at a factory in Lincoln, Nebraska. Seems like an unlikely setting for such progressive thinking. Imagine what we could do here in Austin!!

Yoga Birthday Musings from Zoe!

2008-07-17T10:28:00.003-05:00

This week marked my birthday on July 16th. I was subbing a yoga class at 8am at TL that day and decided it had to be a celebration yoga class. It's not often you get to do handstands, splits, and backbends all in an hour before you sip your morning coffee! Although I have to admit to sneaking a slice of birthday cake at 7am before I left the house! ~Zoe

Ryon's Ironman Switzerland - Ironman's Hurt

2008-07-16T22:15:00.003-05:00

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... Beginning to sound like a broken record? I went to Zurich Switzerland to attempt to get that much elusive Hawaii age group spot. Was I close? Not even...

I wanted knock out this race report in one swoop and let you all know that I gave it everything that I had. I don’t think that anyone wanted it more than I did. The marathon particularly the last half of the marathon has been an issue in every Ironman that I have ever done. I did what I thought was all the preliminary training requirements necessary to finally overcome the grulling distance.

Race morning it rained, rained and rained and continued to rain all through transition set up. I hate rain and I certainly hate being cold. For the first time ever I was happy to put my tri suit on and get in the water (water was warmer) with 2500 + people. Actually it was more around 2000 people because some people woke up at 4:30 a.m. and decided that doing an Ironman in the rain and 50 degree weather didn’t seem like such a good idea. Believe me, the thought of staying in a warm, dry, bed crossed my mind....

The swim went surprisingly well (for me). I don’t fancy myself a particularly strong swimmer but I came out feeling good. Got beat up a little bit because it was a two loop swim (1.2 miles each) and I never really could separate myself from pods of 20 or more swimmers. Despite that I was real happy with my time as I looked at my watch while running up the beach.

The wet tri suit came off, the wet cycling shoes went on. Did I mention that it was raining? The game plan changed a bit. I do fancy myself a cyclist but right off the bat the fact that I had to pedal a bit conservatively because of the wet conditions on the down hills and the corners. It was frustrating that one of my only weapons (the bike portion) was compromised. What a beautiful course! The mountains that remind me of the Rockies of the Northwest, hills and countryside that reminded me of the Palouse of North Idaho and Eastern Washington. If it wasn’t raining I thought that at any moment "Heidi" might appear coming off a hill top hearding a bunch of goats... :)

It was back to the transition after clawing my way back into the race after the bike. It was back to wet running shoes but confidence that the marathon was going to go well after all the work I had done since January. The first 10K loop (four loops total) things were going well. No residual fatigue from the climbing and rolling hills of the bike portion! I had a pretty good stride and a slight spring in the ol’ legs. Could it be that I was finally going to do it? The second 10K I began to feel the first wave of quad pain. I played it off as mind simply trying to get me to stop after being 8+ hours in to exercise. Mind over body right? By the third loop the pain was only bearable if I slowed my pace down a bit. On the 4th loop (last 10K) my legs were screaming. I could have been anywhere else but in downtown Zurich running a marathon. Perhaps getting a tattoo on my face, a root canal, or maybe passing gall stones...

I finished and as always I finish with a new respect for the that distance. I also have a newfound respect for those who do it and do it well! It is a distance that I’ve done a few times but now as I travel around Switzerland and Germany and have time to reflect; Why make qualifying for Hawaii be one of the definitive moments in my life? I’m pretty sure I know but don’t really want to share. I love triathlon and will continue to race but I'm thinking that Ironman Switzerland may be my last at that particular distance. Time makes us forget details, serious details. I'm not trying to say the two are similar (Ironman and giving birth) but if a person could truly "remember" how painful giving birth was there would be a lot of mothers who would stop at one child. If people who know it hurts but could really "remember" how painful Ironman is they would stop at one as well. After seven Ironmans I'm done giving birth...

Ryon Talbot
Pure Austin Fitness
Master Fitness Specialist/Triathlon Coach

"The Body Becomes Its Function"....

Welcome new Fitness Specialists!

2008-06-22T16:54:00.005-05:00

We are delighted to add four Fitness Specialists to our team. Chelsea has an extensive fitness background, and just relocated to Austin from Key West, Florida. We are so excited she made the jump! Daniel has been a manager at the gym for a while, and he just moved into the fitness specialist position so that he could work hands-on helping others improve their health and general well-being. Tiziana is a familiar face at the gym, as this jill-of-all-trades has been teaching a number of group fitness and pure cycling classes, getting everyone in great shape and teaching them the tricks that keep in her such great condition! Adam has been working the smoothie bar at the Quarry location, and one glance at him and you know that he knows his stuff. We are so excited to add these new friendly faces to our already phenomenally talented fitness specialist team. If you are interested in meeting them for a consultation or session, email them at firstname@pureaustin.com, i.e. daniel@pureaustin.com, chelsea@pureaustin.com, etc.

ATT Downtown Criterium Race Recap

2008-06-22T15:42:00.002-05:00

The 5th year of the ATT Downtown Criterium was a huge success, wowing spectators who got to watch the super high-speed action take place through the loop that ran through the 2nd and 4th street districts of downtown. This was the first year the race was put on the National Racing Calendar, so the action was made even faster by all the pros that came to town. Rock Racing, Toyota United, Colavita Sutter Home, Team Advil-Chapstick (featuring Pure Austin's own Jen McRae), Team Hotel San Jose/Texas Tough (with Pure Austin's Will Ross), and many, many more were in town for this crazy event. The race day started off with thundershowers, making the course slippery and even more precarious for the first races. If you did not get a chance to make it out for this event, you can catch some of the action every Thursday night at the "Driveway" in East Austin for the spectator friendly Driveway Crit Series. Read the event coverage and see pictures from the Cycling News coverage. Even VeloNews was in town covering the event.