Monday Musing

Roxy (my dog) was kicked by a horse! We were out for a hike, she was off leash and yapped at this beautiful big horse while standing underneath it’s tail and she was walloped, flew in the air like a rag doll and landed, looked lifeless. Then, she “came to” and, today, is fine – didn’t lose any teeth but I’m sure she had a horrible headache for a day or two. My point of saying this is this: this dog knows how to really live. Of course she pays the price (a.k.a, a bruised jaw) but she’s the stuff of legends. She had been sprayed by a skunk. She’s been stuck in muck and I needed to wade into knee deep mud and rescue her. (This summer, Roxy excited a wasp’s nest and you can imagine what happened there!) None of this stops her from going out into the world again, for this she is a great teacher. We all get figuratively kicked by a horse every now and again, but let’s not let it stop us from going out into the world again.

On another note, I received an adorable email with the subject header: OHMYGOSH “I just received Fusion Flow today and I loved it. It is, absolutely, workout perfection! Just when I thought Barefoot Cardio was pure joy and bliss…I have found this workout! I love all the dvd’s in the Studio series but I really, really love this one! Thank you sooo much for creating this dvd. It really is perfect for all levels! Happy Holidays!”

We appreciate when you take time to write us (you can always contact us at studio@ellenbarrett.com).

SKINNY SCULPT, the next DVD, will be available in late January 2010. We will keep you updated here on the FIT+FAB blog.

Barefoot Cardio Instructor Training

Modernize Your Cardio Classes!
BAREFOOT CARDIO Instructor Training with Ellen

Learn the philosophy and technique of feel-good fat burning direct from creator, Ellen Barrett

Saturday, November 7th 1-3pm
Gold’s Gym Enfield, Connecticut

contact Julie at jmiller01 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net

* Open to those already teaching mind/body group exercise
* Space is very limited, pre-registration is mandatory
* CEC/CEU’s will not be awarded

Funny and TRUE

A MUST READ article about how dieting (and talking about it) is boring.

Can’t Get Any Cuter!

My friend Kim in San Diego just sent me these pics of her three kids doing the FAT BURNING FUSION DVD. She said that they were really “into it” and 2 out of the 3 kids finished the whole workout (45minutes worth of moving!). They’ve got good form too.

The big take away with this for me is point of view. From a child’s perspective, popping in this exercise dvd is a fun activity, not an “oh, I’ve gotta workout now” chore.  

Thus, I hope you workout like a child today EB

Thigh Slimming Exercises

I’m quite fond of this thigh toning routine. I created it for Lifetime TV’s website. What’s especially great is you are never standing up – all floor work. You’ll get the feeling that you are creating length as you tone. Click Here to check it out. (As you perform the exercises, be sure to have energy in your feet by either pointing strongly or flexing strongly – it’ll make the quality of each repetition that much more potent. You want to feel the muscles “hug” the bones!) 

Hope!

I’m really thrilled that Obama/Biden won the election for many reasons. We need an overhaul, no doubt and this Democratic ticket, I think, has what it takes to turn things around. Polls show that the economy is the #1 priority for most Americans, but US healthcare in the last decade has left our most valuable resource – people – uncared for and unwell, so for me, it’s my top issue. Here are some of my ideas about healthcare reform: 

• First, I think exercise should get tax breaks. Obama – don’t tax fitness classes, gym memberships and services. And when corporations spend money on fitness centers, give them MORE tax breaks as incentive. 
• Second, fitness programs should get partial/full insurance coverage! Preventive medicine is where it’s at!
• Third, we need to assess prescription medications and be less quick to dispense them. On the flip side,  herbal remedies (which are cheaper and have fewer, if any, side effects) need to be considered by the main stream. 
• Fourth, school kids need to up their activity levels. We’ve put this on the shoulders of “gym teachers” but all teachers can get their students moving and budget has little to do with it. Put on some music and dance! In my neighborhood, the kids walk to school – a great way to start the day. 
• Lastly, the FDA needs to be CLOSELY MONITORED. I ask you, why won’t the FDA put a “stamp of approval” on Ginger tea being good for digestion (which it is!), but it will allow HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP to make it’s way into ketchup, peanut butter, pretzels and other random things, no problem.  I think it contributes to diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity in this country. We don’t realize how much corn-based sweetener we consume (it’s everywhere ladies!). 

Do you have any ideas? I’d love to get a working list going and bring it to congress. All suggestions that could lead to a healthier America! Let’s be proactive and think outside the box!

EB

Happy Knees

 

You may or may not know that I write a weekly fitness column on Lifetime Television, at mylifetime.com.  It’s true – my approach to fitness is “kinder, gentler” – I don’t want anyone to abuse or torture themselves in the name of exercise – so, I’ve gotten a lot of questions over the years regarding knee pain/knee rehab/knee recovery (especially from all you ex-dancers!!) Click HERE to get the scoop.

Loving Push-ups?

When I taught BUFF GIRLS, a special class for teenage girls, I learned a lot. I learned that teenagers laugh more than adults. I learned that “Abercrombie &Fitch” was a “cool” place to shop. And I learned that teenage girls (in general) dislike push-ups! And I suspect that this dislike continues into adulthood. That doesn’t have to be the case, thanks to Body+Soul mag – take a moment and click here.