Thank you to all who made nominations and then assisted in the final vote to our first annual Member’s Choice Awards.  This was an opportunity for you, the members, to tell our team how well we are doing in meeting your needs and making your experiences enjoyable and to honor those who are the very BEST at getting the job done.  We had an large amount of participation and appreciate your interest in helping us to recognize and honor our staff.

The awards were presented at a Team outing and awards ceremony on Sunday, July 25th.  Your 2010 Member’s Choice Winners are as follows:

Which Kidz Zone team member is the most friendly and welcoming to you and your children when you drop them off each day?

• 2nd Runner Up – Vickie Patton (Huntsville Kidz Zone)
• 1st Runner Up – Lacey Lones (Huntsville Kidz Zone)
• WINNER:  SALLY “TONI” HAMM (Harvest Kidz Zone)

Which Kidz Zone team member does the best job of playing and interacting with your children?

• 2nd Runner Up – Jane West (Harvest Kidz Zone)
• 1st Runner Up - Sally “Toni” Hamm
• WINNER:  Vickie Patton (Huntsville Kidz Zone)

Which Thin & Healthy team member is the most welcoming and provides the most encouragement andmotivation?

• 2nd Runner Up – Mallory Fallin Schrock (MRT/Coach – both locations)
• 1st Runner Up – CJ Butler (T&H Manager – both locations)
• WINNER: Ashley Murar (Coach – Harvest)

Which Thin & Healthy team member is the most friendly and wlcoming to you and your children when you drop them off each day?

• 2nd Runner Up – Emily Wilbanks (MRT – Harvest)
• 1st Runner Up – CJ Butler (T&H Manager – both locations)
• WINNER:  Ashley Murar (Coach – Harvest)

Which Front Office team member always smiles and makes a point of speaking to you and is the most welcoming when you visit each day?

• 2nd Runner Up – Bree Gransky (Huntsville Office)
• 1st Runner Up – Christy Baker (Huntsville Office)
• WINNER: – Donna Henshaw (Harvest Office)

Which Front Office team member is the most efficient in solving your problems?

• 2nd Runner Up: – Donna Henshaw (Harvest Office)
• 1st Runner Up: – Christy Baker (Huntsille Office)
• WINNER: – April Reis (Manager – Harvest)

Which Personal Trainer goes the extra mile to answer questions for all members (not just training clients) and to make new members feel welcome?

• 2nd Runner Up: – Terri Oberhausen (Huntsville Location)
• 1st Runner Up: – Jeffry Robinson (Huntsville Location)
• WINNER: – Carlos Burwell (Harvest Location)

Which Personal Trainer gets the best results which his/her clients?

• 2nd Runner Up: Terri Oberhausen (Huntsville Location)
• 1st Runner Up:  Phil Johnson (Harvest Location)
• WINNER: – Jeffry Robinson (Huntsville Location)

Which Group Fitness Instructor is the most enthusiastic about inviting people to class?

• 2nd Runner Up: – Jonny Dulaney (Group Fitness Manager)
• 1st Runner Up: – Jeffry Robinson (Huntsville Instructor)
• WINNER: – Cecilia Uselton (Harvest Instructor)

Which Group Fitness Instructor is the most professional and gives the best workout?

• 2nd Runner Up: – Jeffry Robinson (Huntsville Instructor)
• 1st Runner Up: - Jonny Dulany (Group Fitness Manager)
• WINNER: - Cecilia Uselton (Harvest Instructor)

- We handed out a few “Special Awards” that day, too -

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite are the bumps under your skin which causes the surface of your body to look dimpled. For many this is a reason to cover up on the beach and at work, or not even go at all! Cellulite is caused by little overfilled fat pockets right under your skin. These are fat cells that have become enlarged causing these cells now to take up more space between the skin’s connective tissues than normal, the fat then expands these spaces resulting in the overlying skin dimpling in. Cellulite causes many image problems and many women don’t dare to wear short skirts or shorts because of it. Thin&Healthy’s Total Solution’s Cellulite Cream will not make you lose weight, but it will smooth your skin to reduce the appearance of dimples. Take action and reduce the appearance of cellulite now!

The Safe way to reduce the appearance of cellulite

Our Cellulite Cream Cellulite Cream is a topical product you apply straight to the problem zones. Because cellulite is actually little pockets of fat under your skin, your blood circulation does not easily reach these areas. Our Cellulite Cream  is 100% safe, it contains only natural ingredients and will be easily absorbed by your skin.  When combined with the complete Anti-Cellulite Program, the cream will ensure these unsightly areas will be a thing of thing of the past, restoring your confidence in the summer you!

Why would you put up with cellulite? You are a dynamic beautiful person, so don’t let the cellulite hold you back! In a few weeks you could be wearing those sexy dresses and skirts, without feeling self conscious!

If you are ready to get your self-confidence back and to be and feel beautiful, call or come in today to ask about our Anti-Cellulite Program.  

Contact 24/7 Health Club                           To Get Directions

Fun Informercial created for a Total Solutions Corporate Contest

Follow Instructions to Take Test

Take a brown paper bag,

Cut two holes out of it for eyes 

Put the bag over your head

Stand in front of a full length mirror STARK NAKED!

If you like what you see, GR-R-R-EAT!

If not…

Contact Thin & Healthy’s TOTAL SOLUTIONS

WE CAN HELP!

Huntsville:  (256) 859-8815                   

Harvest:  (256) 325-0024                   

Email: 2bThin@GetFit24-7.net

Request a FREE Metabolism Evaluation Today!

The Benefits Of Stretching

If you’re working with a trainer or other fitness pro at your health club, chances are you’ve been told to stretch and warm up before diving into cardio or weight training exercises. It’s also likely that you’ve heard this so many times you’re tired of being told. After all, your workout would go a whole lot faster if you didn’t have to waste precious time on the preliminaries, right?

Wrong! Like it or not, those preliminaries are important. Stretching is vital for helping prevent injuries during workouts. Fail to warm up and you can pull or tear muscles, sprain ankles and cause yourself a wide range of other problems you don’t want to face. The fact is this is a necessary step to help you keep your weight and fitness goals on track.

While it might not be as fun as jumping right into an aerobics class or challenging yourself with weights, stretching does offer a number of benefits that go beyond prepping yourself to exercise. In addition to preventing injury and sparing yourself admonishment from your trainer, stretching can benefit you by:

• Lessening muscle tension – Stretching any time can help you lessen the tension in your muscles and help you relax. Learning how to stretch properly can prevent injuries and reduce your stress any time of the day. Stretching exercises do not have to be limited to the gym alone!
• Increasing your range of motion – This is important for helping prevent injuries during workouts, but it can also boost your overall flexibility all of the time.
• Boosting coordination – The more limber you are from stretching, the more likely it is your coordination will be spot on. Tight muscles can lead to rather awkward movements.
• Increasing circulation – Basic stretching exercises not only loosen the muscles, but they also get the blood flowing. This is important for laying the foundation for a good workout and it’s just good for the body in a general sense.
• Boosting energy – When the blood starts flowing and the heart starts pumping, energy levels increase. Stretching can give you the energy you need to complete a workout routine. It can also be a great pick-me-up in the middle of a long day at work.

While you might not want to admit your trainer is right, stretching and warming up right before workouts is essential for a number of reasons. When you prime your body for a workout, you prevent injuries and better prepare yourself for going the distance in your routine. Plus, learning how to stretch safely can provide you a needed lift out of the gym, too.

How To Overcome Setbacks In Your Weight Loss Journey

You’ve been working hard, eating right and have even been exercising at home on your off days from the gym. The pounds have finally started to melt off and you’re seeing results. Unfortunately, you slipped up over the weekend and ate like the world was going to end tomorrow. Your guilt level couldn’t be higher.

Relax! You’ve just proven that you’re human. You can get right back on track and will likely not even notice your discretion on the scale.

Losing weight and sticking with a program calls for lots of hard work. It is not uncommon for people to slip up from time to time. In fact, some programs even call for allowed slip ups in moderation. Even if yours doesn’t, you don’t need to beat yourself up and think all efforts have been in vain.

Instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, consider taking these steps to overcome the setback you have faced:

• Own your error – Admit to yourself that skipping routine exercise or binge eating was not in your best interest. While an occasional blooper is not uncommon, you want to get yourself in the right mindset to avoid making cheating a habit.
• Tell your trainer – If you’re working with a trainer, tell them about the setback. No, your trainer is not going to yell at you or make you drop and give him 20 – at least it’s not likely! Instead, your trainer will probably give you constructive advice for getting back with the program and avoiding temptation in the future.
• Consider the trigger that set you off – Try to figure out what made you do what you did. Perhaps you were craving sweets? Maybe you were just too busy to get down to the gym? It could be that friends dropped by with your favorite take-out food in hand? Whatever the case, try to recognize the trigger so you can avoid it in the future. Do let your trainer know about possible triggers. He or she can help you come up with alternative behaviors that can help you down the road.
• Forgive yourself – Slipping up is perfectly human. The mistake is not really a problem. It’s the steps you take now that matter. Let the error go and resolve to stick with the program and refocus yourself on the goals you have set. One or two setbacks doesn’t mean those goals are not attainable.

As much as most people would like it to be, weight loss is not an overnight adventure. To realize healthy, safe and lasting changes in weight, time is often required. How long the process will last depends a lot on starting weight, goals and personal persistence to stick with a program. Occasional detours are often a part of the road to weight loss. Just make sure to clear your mind and get back on the right path when they happen.

If you would like help with your weight loss effort contact the Thin & Healthy team.  For more information on the program, visit the Weight Loss Page of our website.

Would YOU like to be a

Calendar Model?

We are excited to announce our first ever

24/7 Health Club

Calendar Model Contest

If you would like to be considered for one of the twelve calendar spots, you  will need to meet the following requirements:

• Achieve an impressive weight loss and/or fitness goal after joining 24/7 Health Club
• Be able to provide BEFORE pictures illustrating how you looked prior to beginning your fitness / weight loss program
• Write your “success story” for us to put on our website to inspire other members.
• Turn all of this in to us BEFORE SEPT 30, 2010.

————————————————————————————————————————————-

Members who meet the above pre-requisites will be considered for a photo shoot with Suzi McGehee at Love It Out Photography before or during the month of October, 2010. 

All photos from the photo shoots will be presented to the 24/7 Health Club members and the members will be asked to vote for their favorite 12 photos to be displayed on our New Year Calendar. 

The calendars will be sold during the months of November – January to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at Calendar Contest Inquiry.

Congratulations to the

“New Year ~ New You” Weight Loss Challenge Winners

The 24/7 staff and instructors celebrated with the contest winners on Thursday, April 15th as the 8-week contest winners were announced and a slew of great prizes were given out. 

We would like to praise the members who participated in the challenge, attended all of the required classes and made it all the way to the finish line.  The combined Fat Loss of those who finished the contest came to a whopping 203.66 pounds!!!  We are SO PROUD of your effort and your results and we hope that you learned things that will make it easier for you to continue on your fitness journey and continue your results into the future. 

The amazing members who earned Honorable Mention by completing all of the requirements and seeing their commitment all the way to the end were:

                            Jane West                           Linda Glaze                           Erin Lohse

                          Janie Jernigan                    Mary Jones                           Sally Hamm

                          Tracy Baughman                Shelly German                     Christy Carlile

                          Sharon Wales                     John Cramer

 The Top NINE Finalists are…..

We are so pleased to present our FIRST PLACE

                 “New Year ~ New You” CHALLENGE WINNER…..

Amor celebrates with Jeffry Robinson (instructor)

*    AMOR ABRAMS    *

____________________

Lost 31.2 lbs of Body Fat

Gained 22 lbs of muscle

Increased Metabolism by  29.85%

Way to Go, AMOR!!!  You Did It!

     The prize list included the following:

          * 36″, 27″ and 19″ Flat Screen HDTVs

          * Bistro Patio Set

          * George Foreman Grill

          * $360 24/7 Gift Certificate

          * and much more….

Click to Enlarge

Regardless of where you stand in the Health Care Debate, I think it is fair to say that health care is on the forefront of most American adults minds these days.  The need to make a change of some sort becomes blatantly obvious when one considers many Americans are faced with one or more of the following situations: 

• Yearly increases in insurance premiums
• Inability to obtain coverage for some
• The ever rising obesity rates and the associated illnesses
• The insolvency of the Medicare system just as the largest population of  U.S. adults ever (the Boomers) hit their senior years

 Amazingly, most Americans don’t stop to consider the fact that if they made an effort to change their lifesytles, to address their poor eating habits and made time for a moderate amount of exercise, many illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer, depression, and many muscle/joint problems would go away or significantly improve. 

Then again, many do “consider” it but are not willing to make the effort to do anything differently.  Despite the fact that study after study confirms the truth that many illnesses are preventable or easily corrected through fitness and food, as a culture, the typical American prefers to take a pill and treat the symptom rather than addresses the source of the problem through preventative meansures.  We have become a lazy generation that wants “instant fixes” and is constantly in search of the next “miracle cure.”

At 24/7, many of our members have experienced amazing health improvements as a result of the fitness and eating programs they have been involved in since joining our health club.  We would love to know how making an effort to pursue fitness has impacted YOUR health and made your life better.  Please take a moment to share your story in the comments section below and perhaps it will inspire someone else to do the same.  One person at a time, we can make a difference!

Wishing you much joy, health, and happiness!

If it’s your goal to increase muscle tone and strength, but not necessarily bulk up like a bodybuilder, there are tons of options at your disposal that do not call for barbells and dumbbells. When you work with a trainer or other professionals at your health club, chances are you will find it is easy to work some variety into your strength training routine.

When it’s time to set aside the weights for a while, you might want to consider such things as:

• Pilates – Take a class or get a video that shows you the ins and outs of a pilates program. This type of exercise routine involves gentle resistance training that focuses on building flexibility and core strength. While it might not result in pumped biceps, it can help you tone muscles and boost overall strength. Plus, it’s a fun alternative to sitting on the bench!  Olga would love for you to join her class!
• Swimming – Just plain old swimming can help with strength training courtesy of that resistance just mentioned. Mix in a few laps a week to help with toning and strengthening. This activity does tend to impact most major muscle groups, so it provides a fun and refreshing change of pace away from those standard weights.
• Yoga – Take a yoga class if you want to add an interesting twist to your strength training routine. This ancient art does involve muscle toning movements along with intense flexibility training. It’s a unique and fun way to address health through mind, body and spirit.  Check the Group Exercise Schedule for yoga classes at 24/7 Health Club.
• Boxing or kickboxing – This particular sport strikes a nice balance between endurance and strength training. Kickboxing classes can be particularly fun if you are tired of typical routines. The BodyCombat would nicely fit the bill in this departent.
• Kettlebells – Although similar to weights, this type of training can mix things up while also helping to improve endurance and flexibility. Kettlebells are fairly cheap to buy and they can offer adjustable weights so they grow with you as your body strengthens.

Strength training doesn’t have to call for chaining yourself to a weight bench. There are a variety of ways to mix things up and still realize some incredible results. If you’re ready to add fun to your routine, talk to your trainer about incorporating unusual and enjoyable activities into your routine.