To Eat, Or Not To Eat?

To eat or not to eat…that is the question! Or rather, that’s the question Heather asked ActivewearUSA Magazine readers this month in her featured article, "Am I Really Hungry?"

We’ve* been lucky to have Heather on-hand to dish out fitness advice on the regular---how many members took advantage of the complimentary fitness consultations she's offered in the past, or heard her speak on panels at the various charity events she’s hosted?

(*Everyone at Pilates Platinum, including all of our members from all 4 studios!)

If you’ve been missing out, fear not!! 

Thanks to the growing popularity of fitness and wellness websites and blogs, (Yay pilatesplatinum.blogspot.com!!) trainer tips and tricks, and health and wellness advice from Heather and fitness ambassadors all over the country, are available for everyone at just a click of a button.

Click on over to Activewear USA and enjoy their latest and greatest article called, “Am I Really Hungry?”

Heather shares, “Knowing about how our body works will help up make the right decision when it comes to what and how much to eat before and after workouts.”

Everyone is unique. Every body is different.

Learn what your “magic number” is, and stay on track!

Strength in Twos! #friendilates #pilatesplatinum #activewearusa

Double the pleasure, double the fun.

How about doubling up for your next at-home Pilates-inspired workout!

Pilates Platinum’s very own Heather Dorak knows how to double-up and fit her friend-time in while breaking a sweat. (And look good doing it!) 

Grab a friend and follow 3 of Heather’s fun and challenging partner moves to break a sweat, together.

These moves can be done anywhere, 

but a beach background like hers sure doesn’t hurt!

Heather says,

Check out Activewear USA's website for Heather’s article on #friendilates! Follow @pilatesplatinum and @activewearusa to and share your own photos of the moves by hastagging #pilatesplatinum #activewearusa #friendilates and you could be featured on the Pilates Platinum page!

http://mag.activewearusa.com/3-friend-ilates-poses-strength-twos/

Heather's HARDCORE workout for FabFitFun!

It’s definitely another hot one out there, Los Angeles!

Make sure you keep it safe and stay hydrated in the heat, especially if you’re taking your workout outside. 

Speaking of outdoor workouts…did you see Pilates Platinum owner Heather Dorak’s latest fitness post as ambassador for FabFitFun? Check out today’s post and as Heather says…

“Get to the Beach and Try These Hardcore Workouts!”

Make sure you have a towel, a timer, and plenty of water! Hit the sand and maybe go for a refreshing swim after this calorie-blasting, fat-torching, total-body workout. 

Check it out HERE.

www.fabfitfun.com

Pilates Platinum Summer Bucket List

Today we’re talking about Bucket Lists! No, not the 2007 movie staring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman…we’re talking about inspiring, healthy, fun, and exciting new goals we’ve created to make the most out of Summer!  We’ve been inspired by the sun and are ready to have the best season yet.

 

PP Owner, Heather, crossing Tennis off her Bucket List!

Here’s a compiled list of some fun summer goals our amazing instructors and staff have come up with to form the Pilates Platinum Summer 2014 Bucket List.

Join in on our fun and get inspired to make your own Summer Bucket List! These next few months are the perfect time to do everything you’ve wanted to do this summer, see all the places you’ve been waiting to check out, and experience everything that just screams SUMMER! 

Summer Bucket List

-Watch the sunset from the beach

-Tie-Dye

-Go to a baseball game (Go Dodgers!)

-Take a paddle-board lesson

-Pick wild flowers

-Tandem skydive (for the 2^nd time!)

-Go swimming at night

-Play tennis

-Shop at a flea market with friends

-Learn to surf!

-Grow a gardenàcook a meal from it

-Start a compost

-Try parasailing

-Hike ALL well-known trails in the greater Los Angeles area

-Watch Cinespia movies! (Take advantage of all of the outdoor movie screenings around LA!)

-Paddle down the LA river

-Go to at least ONE Hollywood Bowl concert!

-Lead a street art tour of DTLA

-Bike from Ventura to Ojai, and back!

-Friday night wine tasting at the Barnsdall

-Go Kayaking

-Cook something new and challenging

-Go on a hike in Big Sur

-Take a nutrition class (or an online course)

-More Pilates!

Some of you have probably already enjoyed some of our ideas, so please leave feedback below. And feel free to share any of your own lists!

Kick Sugar to the Curb

There have been so many articles recently about the dangers of consuming too much sugar. Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, it’s been proven that the more sugar your body intakes, the more sugar you crave. The good news is-- you can learn to control sugar cravings! The less sugar you eat, the less sugar you’ll want. Bonus: the less sweets you eat, the sweeter healthy foods start to taste. (Perfect example: baby carrots! Who knew they are as sweet as they look.) Check out these little tricks below to help break your sweet habit.

Don’t quit sugar cold turkey.


Don’t set yourself up for failure, or make unrealistic goals. Instead try to cut back the amount you eat daily, even if just by a teaspoon. Or cut out certain items with high sugar until you no longer want them everyday.



Swap ingredients to trick your taste buds.


If you like vanilla, try stirring in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract into plain greek yogurt, or a smoothie, and top with strawberries and toasted coconut. Sweetness without added sugar! If you like chocolate, try using a tablespoon of cacao powder instead of vanilla extract. There are so many delicious recipes for desserts and smoothies that use alternative ingredients to give you a sweet treat. You'll see how easy it is to satisfy cravings with healthy ingredients. 
 


Step up your water game.


Use water to beat those sugar dreams. Fill up on fruit-infused H2O and you'll stay hydrated (and fuller) longer, without a high calorie drink. Cucumbers, oranges, berries, and lemons are all easy ways to add flavor to your water without adding sugar! Drinking sparkling water with a slice of fruit is another sweet and healthy way to step up your water game. (A favorite of ours is the Mixed Berry Bubbly Water from Trader Joes!)

These tricks don’t sound too hard to us! Let us know if you’ve had any success with cutting back on sugar, and if so, please share your success stories and hints with us below!