Unleash the Power of Group Fitness

I am really hard to impress.  At least, when it comes to buying stuff.  I have what my grandma calls the blood of a “Scotch-Irish Indian” which accounts for all or most of my penny-pinching, value-searching, non-impulse-buying characteristics.  I’m a tough sell, and for good reason — I worked hard for this money and I’m not a fool to be soon parted with it!

That said, when I find a product that I find particularly valuable or that is money well-spent, I enjoy sharing it with the friends I think can benefit from it.   That’s why I want to tell you about a program I joined just before Christmas 2007, called iTRAIN.  iTRAIN is an excellent place to download workouts to your iPod/mp3 Player for use on traditional cardio equipment or in the weight room.  At first, I was skeptical of the concept.  I mean, I am a Fitness Instructor for goodness’ sake.  I can do this stuff on my own, right?  However, I went for it and have gotten several benefits from using the program.
Continue reading Why I Think You’ll Love iTrain…

Who doesn’t love free stuf?  Here, I have amassed a collection of music freebies, from streaming music, to free mp3 downloads, to other cool tools you can use.  Happy surfing!

Continue reading Freebies!…

I know it’s quite en vogue these days to be “Anti-Valentine’s Day” and that trashing one of the most benign holidays left in our culture is the way to go.  However, I offer you a challenge.  Whether you have someone special to honor with a romantic sentiment, or you accuse Hallmark of hijacking the day, I challenge you all to find a way to share the love with someone who doesn’t have it as good as you do. 

Last night I had the privilege of getting on board with a fundraiser that will raise money for Pattison’s Academy.  The kids at Pattison’s Academy have multiple disabilities that make it nearly impossible for them to have a quality of life you and I would find bearable.  Their families struggle daily with their care needs, and schools (namely here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina where I live) do not have adequate facilities or staff to provide the therapy and learning opportunities they need.  I have pledged my time and money to support a 4-hr Spinning Marathon to benefit this very deserving group of kids and the people who care enough to give them a better life. 

 Today, on the day dedicated to showing others how much you love them, I encourage you to find someone who needs your love and share it with them.  Even if you are anti-Valentine, there is someone out there who could use your hug, your smile, or your presence today.  You could make a donation to a cause that improves the lives of others, or take some time to be with the infirmed, the elderly or the lonely.  It doesn’t have to be grandiose — every small act of kindness has larger effects than we realize.  Don’t hold back on sharing the love!

 Happy Valentine’s Day!