PP Spin Instructor Feature

MEET LIZY BEFORE

MEET LIZY NOW 

after losing 65lbs

 What inspired you to become a Pilates/spin instructor or what inspired you to want to be a part of platinum? I used to weigh about 65 pounds more than I do now but was able to transform my body and, more importantly my respect for it, when I committed to healthy eating and discovered spin. I would love to help motivate people to find a similar self-acceptance, which is why I became a spin instructor! Since Pilates Platinum is all about self-transformation, motivation and developing and maintaining healthy habits, I knew it was the place where I wanted to train. 

What is your favorite exercise to put your class through? I love a good hill--sometimes they can be cathartic! 

Which exercise do you think is the most challenging or most effective? I find intervals particularly challenging since they require mental endurance in addition to physical.

What is your favorite way to exercise? The 30/30 spin and pilates class is my absolute favorite exercise. 

What is your favorite healthy food and what is your favorite unhealthy food? I'm pretty obsessed with spaghetti squash and chocolate chip banana bread. Maybe not together, although that's sounding pretty delicious. 

What is your most unique quality? I always try to find the silver lining in any situation and to see struggles as opportunities.

Where is your favorite place in LA and why? The tea room at the Huntington Gardens. Who doesn't love wearing florals and eating finger sandwiches?

In one sentence...why should someone take class at platinum or why spx Pilates?
Where do you find inspiration? I'm an energetic guide who's going to push you, but not force you, to work hard and outside of your comfort zone. 

Describe the energy and type of music you like to play for class. I'll play anything with a strong beat but love top 40s and strong female pop. 

What is one piece of advice you'd like to share with the platinum blog reader. Once you stop judging yourself that's when the changes happen!

And last but not least. If you we're to have a cocktail named after you what would the ingredients be. If you can think of its name share that as well :-) The Hermia--a shot of blanco tequila and cayenne--like Shakespeare says, though she be but little, she is fierce!

Each instructor can be found on our schedule, here, see if the time they teach works for you and stop on into one of their classes! 

Morning Shot

Ever think about adding wheat grass into your life...

 

Afraid that is might taste as gross as it looks? (you might be true-however, think about how many shots of alcohol you have consumed in your life and I bet that didn't taste too great either!?)

Would some health facts about wheatgrass help to get over the taste excuse and add it into your life?!

Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. 

Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. 

Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

Restores alkalinity to the blood. 

Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. 

The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. 

Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. 

The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

Contains beneficial enzymes. 

Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds...enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. 

Don't cook it.

(source)

Beneficial for animals as well.

Convinced yet?  Will you take a shot with me tomorrow?

Pick up those magazines

I know for some people it seems as though there is an over saturated amount of information when it comes to health and fitness.  Especially in magazines.  Everything seems so summarized which each magazine touching base on the same topics over and over.  Like how many times are we going to see a biceps curl exercise featured to understand how to do one and understand the importance of exercising the biceps...I think you get the picture.  As over done as it may seem, there are some great topics and research in the magazines.  Typically they are found in the fine print and not next to the fitness model showing off her beautiful physique.

Flipping through the latest Women's Health Magazine I found a certain study to be particularly interesting, primarily due to the fact that each of us have contemplated this very question...Is it more beneficial to exercise in the morning or evening.

Some people prefer to get their exercise out of the way in the morning, so that it doesn't become a debat in the evening hours when one is more likely to be tired.  The article focuses on the results of an evening exercise. 

A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that women who walked four times a week lost more fat mass when they hoofed it at 6PM compared with those who walked at 8AM. (Evening exercisers also ended up consuming more protein and eating fewer of their daily calories in the evening.) And multiple studies have found that early evening may be the best time to improve your performance and build muscle, whether you’re doing cardio or strength training. One possible reason: The body releases higher levels of muscle-building growth hormone in the early evening than in the morning, and exercise also boots levels of that hormone, so timing the two events to coincide may yield the best results.

Now does this mean everyone needs to immediately change their whole life around to workout in the evening...absolutely not.  Bottom line is do what is best for you.  If you like this evidence enough to switch your workout to the evening, then do it!  If you have a cleared mind in the morning and feel more powerful during the day after a great workout then the morning is for you.  Whatever your choice may be, the important part is staying consistent and keeping a positive attitude!