DumBell Favorites: Christina-isms!

Due to Spring Break, most DumBell Fitness Boot Camps took two weeks off from class to spend time with their families. However, we know that many of our Boot Campers are missing their interaction with owner and lead trainer Christina Landry, so we’ve complied a list of our favorite “Christina-isms. “ Please feel free to share your favorite quotes in the comments section! Enjoy! 

1. Pain is weakness leaving the body!
2. I'm ready! Why aren't you?
3. Stay with MY count! 
4. It's not my fault that your boobies are at your waist! Blame your kids! 
5. Don't blame me! Blame your baby! 
6. It's mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter! 
7. Just paying me money is not going to make you any better. YOU have to work for it! Move your ass! 
8. If you are going to fall [during agility course] please let me know, because I want to see it! 
9. [During arm circles] Do not stop unless you arms are quite literally falling off! And by falling off, I mean having to pick them up off the ground and go to the emergency room! 
10. Fight the good fight, ladies! 
11. Know how you get better at running? You run! 
12. Chins up, boobies out...be proud of what you're doing! 
13. You would never complain about tricep dips, because it's YOUR own monster you're lifting! Don't give your monster a snack! 
14. Pick your wedgies during breaks, not in-between exercises! 
15. I'm sick of seeing your muffin tops!
16. Someday you, too, can name your biceps. Well, when they are as pretty as mine! This here is Daisy and this is Petunia!  

Petunia misses you...but Daisy doesn't! 

Fitness Tips: Why I Love Spinning

Most of our classes are taking two weeks off this month, and many of our Boot Campers may be wondering what to do with all their free time. The answer is simple: CARDIO, CARDIO, CARDIO!  Many people will count on their old standbys of walking or running to burn their calories, but why not try something new?

Group exercise classes are a great way to rev up your cardiovascular endurance while breaking up the monotony of an hour on the treadmill or elliptical machine. Today I’m going to discuss one of my favorite cardio classes: Spin. I have been teaching Spin since 2006 and to this day still find the class entertaining and challenging. The great thing about the class is that it offers a low-impact, high-intensity workout. You’re giving your joints a break, but still burning as many calories a 5-mile run or walk.

Many people who are new to Spin are intimidated their first time, but please don’t be! Show up to class 15 minutes early and introduce yourself to the instructor. They will assist you with setting up your bike for the first time. (The bikes can be positioned differently according to your height.) Another advantage to Spin is that you can determine your own intensity level. Every bike has its own resistance knob that you turn to make the pedaling either harder or easier. If you start to feel too fatigued in the beginning of class, just remove some of the resistance; if you’re not feeling challenged enough, simply add more resistance.

For class, you’ll need to bring plenty of water and a sweat towel. Regular workout clothes are just fine. Some of the regulars wear special Spin shoes, but these are not necessary for beginners. What makes Spin classes even more fun is that they’re set to music. Each instructor has their favorite style of music they like to play, so you may need to shop around until you find a leader that shares your taste. I love current music and tend to play songs from the top 40 charts. I also love Michael Jackson and usually play one of his songs in every class. However, other instructors may like 80’s music and play a lot of older tunes. If you like the playlist, it’s more than okay to ask the instructor for a copy. (I always bring a few extra to hand out after class.) 

Hickam Air Force Base offers several Spin classes. (View the schedule here.) I teach the Saturday 8:30 am class and am always there early to help out beginners!

I hope you’ll try out a Spin class this month. Remember, changing up your cardio routine brings more balance to your body and usually a higher calorie burn. If you always do the same cardio routine your body will become accustomed to the repetitive motions and actually expend less energy, giving you subpar results. So change it up and do something new. You’ll never regret burning more calories!  

Working out, rain or shine!

Although usually a scene of temperate and sunny weather, Hawaii has been hit by a deluge of rain the past several days. Heavy rains and winds have hit the island and parts are even experiencing flash flooding. But that didn't stop some of our most dedicated DumBell Fitness Boot Campers from getting their workout in yesterday! They slogged through wet and soggy conditions and seriously maxed out their chests and biceps. Kudos to all that chose the motto, "no excuses!" 

Torrential downpours didn't phase the Ford Island 7:15 recruits! 

No excuses here! Great job, ladies! 

The Halsey Crew after a wet workout! 

Luckily this Boot Camper had her snorkel handy! :-) 

DumBell Success Stories: Lori Stoffers

DumBell Fitness would like to highlight the amazing Boot Camp success story of Lori Stoffers. She's truly been an inspiration and we couldn't be more proud of her transformation. She is soon leaving us for the great state of Washington, and although she will be greatly missed, we cannot wait to see the impact she has on her new community. We wish you all the best, Lori! 

*Article courtesy of Janet Youtt

In the words of Lori Stoffers, “Boot Camp quite literally saved my life.” As the mother of two young children, Lori had resigned herself to the status of an overweight, out-of-shape mom just making it through each day feeling like a slug. She was complacent about any extra physical activity and decided to wear her fat like a badge of honor.

Her thought process started to shift when a friend challenged her to a 10K race. Although not a runner, she figured she could walk fast and make it through the race. That led to the suggestion that they start Boot Camp together. She immediately tried to talk herself out of it because she didn’t think she could hack it even though the two had been exercising on a regular basis. She reluctantly signed up for the class. The first class was brutal. She sobbed all the way home. But a light bulb went off during that first workout. She was angry with herself for letting her weight and lack of physical activity get out of control. She questioned why she stopped doing things for herself and let other people take control from her.

From that point on, her life has become a different story. “I started to believe what Christina was always saying which is to put yourself at the top of your to-do list.” Since beginning Boot Camp she has lost 45 pounds, run a 10K, a half-marathon, and even a full marathon--goals she never dreamed of reaching before the class. When she started Boot Camp she wore a size 18 and she’s now nearing a size 6. “I used to get stuck on the slide because my hips were too big. Now I slide down and play with my kids on the playground. I no longer sit on the sidelines of life. I’m an active participant in my family’s life.”

Lori has such high praise for Christina and the work she does with military spouses through Boot Camp. “Christina has planted so many seeds and her work has had such a ripple effect throughout the spouse community. She has touched so many lives, and I’m so thankful to have been a part of her Boot Camp.” And Lori’s husband, Eric, felt so strongly about his wife’s transformation that he showed up at the end of one class with flowers for Christina. He said, “Thank you for giving me my wife back.”

As often happens with military families, the Stoffer’s tour in Hawaii is nearing the end. They will soon be moving to Whidbey Island, WA, where Lori plans to become a certified personal trainer and share her knowledge with other people in their new duty station. “I can’t keep all that I’ve learned to myself. I have the tools and I want to share them.”  

You can read more about Lori's journey on her blog, Lori's Life and Other Stuff.