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July is one of my favorite times of the year. Summer is in full swing, clients are working hard to attain their goals, our youth summer camps are going strong, and I am prepping my NFL guys for their upcoming seasons.
Each summer, when we take our professional guys to the field, we invite many of our high school and college athlete clients out on the field with us. At the end of each session, we have our pro guys share any lessons or "words of wisdom" for the young kids. Well, just a couple days ago, we had a very large group out there, and the quarterbacks that were present shared a very interesting message that was pertinent for anyone that is looking to improve in any aspect of their life.
Create a great day and I thank you for being a loyal subscriber to the TD Times. I hope you and your family have a wonderful, blessed rest of the summer.
Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS, NCTMB
Owner, Fitness Quest 10
Head, Under Armour Performance Training Council
| Feature Article
"That's Incredible!"
By Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS, NCTMB, Founder of Fitness Quest 10
When I was a kid, I watched a television show called, "That's Incredible." It was one of my favorite shows because it highlighted awesome feats of strength, incredible human tricks and other amazing things that people can do. Just recently, I've again had the opportunity to witness several "incredible" feats. At Fitness Quest 10, we had a 6-week weight-loss contest called the "Biggest Winner-Ultimate Thinner." Our 150 contest participants lost over 1,590 lbs. (!) and many have great stories of their experiences. However, there are three very special people whose stories have valuable lessons for each of us.
Connie Joy lost 51.8 lbs (19.0% of bodyweight) in 6 weeks and is an inspiration to all who witnessed her commitment and inexhaustible determination. At one point before the contest, she weighed over 300 lbs, had blood pressure often in excess of 150/98, a resting pulse in the 80s and was borderline diabetic. Connie made a personal commitment to great nutrition and daily exercise, and lost a remarkable amount of weight in the 6-week time frame of the contest (You can read more about her story in the Spotlight section of this month's edition of the TD Times).
Robert Koszes and Leigh Wagner signed up for the contest after Leigh saw our advertisement in the paper while sitting on the couch eating ice cream. Not only did they lose 44.2 lbs and 37.7 lbs respectively (22.9 % and 19.3 % of bodyweight), they were our individual Male & Female Overall Greatest Percent Winners. Their shared story "couples" the hard science of weight loss (numbers don't lie) with the power of partnerships, as demonstrated in their commitment to personal achievement and to each other's success. Robert, an engineer, developed to-the-calorie calculations for daily food allowances and calorie burn requirements (**based on personal metabolic statistics) to achieve such great results. They held each other accountable, supported one another through days of low motivation and stayed true to the numbers that kept them both honest. For Robert and Leigh, who are engaged to be married, their formula for success worked and they were both BIG winners in our contest (Read more about Robert and Leigh in the Spotlight section of this month's edition of the TD Times).
Connie, Robert and Leigh - three people with amazing stories. Wish it were you? Then get started NOW! Whether your challenge is your weight, nutrition habits, fitness or overall health and well being, I am here to say that you can do anything you set your mind to do. Follow these not-so-secret secrets to success and get started TODAY on your own incredible story.
- Know Why! Call it a goal, a mantra, your personal bottom line, do or die, now or never - just name it and OWN IT. Write it down and be specific. Put a timeline on it and take your first step forward. Post reminders in conspicuous places. Sign up for a contest, get an accountability partner or find something that will motivate you to achieve your goal. Is today your day of reckoning?
- Expect Hard Work. There is nothing that replaces hard work. Our Biggest Winner contestant, Connie Joy, summed it up well, "One day at a time. Push yourself. You don't really know what you are capable of until you push outside your comfort zone. Be willing to do whatever it takes to reach your goal."
- Surround Yourself Only With Supportive People. It is absolutely imperative that you have maximum support around you. I don't think it's a coincidence that when it came to our contest, the individual winners were a couple who were 100% committed to their goals and who completely supported each other in all aspects. Robert and Leigh told us, "A support system is the biggest key to weight loss. If you are both motivated to reach a goal, it is unlikely that both will be weak at the same time."
- Persist And Then Some. As the late great basketball coach Jim Valvano said, "Never, ever give up!" With anything you want to achieve, you will undoubtedly have roadblocks. I always love the story of Abraham Lincoln and how he failed about 35 times before he was finally elected President of the United States in 1860. His setbacks were devastating and included failed businesses, failed political campaigns, a fiancé who died, a nervous breakdown and multiple other challenges. He persisted and eventually made history. When you truly own your goal, giving up is not an option.
- Celebrate Success. When you accomplish a goal, it's great to celebrate, but celebrations don't always have to be around food. Some of us like the promise of big rewards, but most of us need small rewards on the path to achievement. How great to reward yourself with a new iPod (because your old one has worn out from so much use), a new pair of sneakers (because you've been running so much), new clothes (because everything in the closet is too big), or a day off and a trip to the beach because you've gone to battle with your personal demons and YOU ARE WINNING!
I believe that we have the power to do amazing things and that there is an incredible story in each of us. The recipe for success is pretty simple: a goal + hard work + support + persistence = an incredible story (Plus, you get to have all those celebrations!). But I know, and Connie, Robert and Leigh are great reminders to us that simple isn't easy. The difference that set our winners apart from the competition was their unwavering commitment and dedication to the task. If you set your mind to achieving something, and you are willing to commit and take action on that one thing, you can achieve it. As Rocky Balboa said, "If you can believe it, you can achieve it!"
Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS, is a personal trainer and massage therapist who motivates, educates, and inspires people world-wide. He is the owner of Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, CA, where his wonderful team focuses on personal training, massage therapy, Pilates, yoga, sports performance training, and nutrition to help transform people's bodies, minds, and spirits. Todd trains dozens of NFL & MLB baseball athletes and provides motivational talks and programs to companies and conferences world-wide. Additionally, Todd is the Head of the Under Armour Performance Training Council. He has appeared in 60 Minutes, on ESPN, the NFL Network, and been featured in Sports Illustrated, Business Week, Prevention, ESPN the Magazine, Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Men's Journal, Stack Magazine, Self, Shape, Fitness, and the NY Times and Washington Post. Todd is the author of 27 DVD's on strength & conditioning, functional fitness, massage/bodywork, and business/personal growth. You can sign up for his FREE award-winning Ezine newsletter, the "TD TIMES", at www.FitnessQuest10.com or www.ToddDurkin.com.
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Fitness Professionals Section
Todd Durkin's 3 Day Mentorship
August 21-23, 2009!!!
3 SPOTS LEFT
If you would like to:
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Create, grow, and master your personal training or fitness business?
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Learn the "behind the scenes" operations of the highly successful fitness performance studio, Fitness Quest 10?
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Learn, observe, and personally experience "world-class" training sessions by Todd Durkin and his team of experts?
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Receive over 10 hours of coaching personally from Todd Durkin on all aspects of business?
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Discover new methods to drive revenues, create passive revenue, and start improving profitability?
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Surround yourself with other successful entrepreneurs who are also forward-thinking, positive, and ready to catapult results in their business?
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Have a mentor that can help you accelerate your results?
 Come join us for our 3 Day Mentorship Program at Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, CA. This program is packed with information on how you can grow your business to record levels. For more information and to apply, please CLICK HERE!
This program is open to all trainers. You do not need to be part of the TD Mastermind Group to attend. You do need to apply and must be accepted into the program.
Apply today to ensure that you can be one of the lucky ones that experience this special bi-annual event.
We are currently seeking CEC approval for this event through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA).
IDEA Conference, August 12-16th, 2009 (Anaheim, CA)
I will be presenting on:
- Growing Your Business in Spite of a Challenging Economy (Pre-Con)
- Strategies to Achieve More in Less Time
- Buddy Up (co-presented with FQ10 standout trainer Brett Klika)
- Train the Joes like the Pros 2009
- Boot Camp 2009
- Optimal Performance Bodywork & Flexibility: Secret Techniques to Improved Performance
Register soon as early bird (advance) registration for this event expires today, July 10, 2009. You could also take advantage of my presenter discount and receive 10% off of the full event price by inserting the coupon code: CA09PRES when registering for the event online.
For additional information or to register for this event, please go to www.ideafit.com/conference/idea-world-fitness-convention-2009 or call (800) 999-4332, ext. 7
Hope to see you there!
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Announcements
---4th of July Parade Recap
Fitness Quest 10 had a great showing at the annual 4th of July Scripps Ranch Parade last weekend. We lunged, sang some "special" 4th of July Boot Camp chants, and did a ton of pushups in the streets. Wait until you see the young kids sticking 1-arm pushups in the parade. Click here to watch now.
---Wall Street Journal Photo Shoot with Drew Brees
Drew Brees, New Orleans' Saints QB, will be featured in the September edition of the Wall Street Journal magazine. The photo shoot was the other day at Fitness Quest 10 and we had a blast. Check out Drew & Todd having some fun at the shoot. Click Here Now!
---Fitness Quest 10 Blog
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Looking for more entertaining and education information on health and fitness?
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Have any wellness questions you need help answering?
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Wish you could interact with Fitness Quest 10 staff?
 If you answered yes to any of these questions then its time that you check out Fitness Quest 10's NEW Blog. Written by Fitness Quest 10 staff and affiliates, this new blog will provide fresh posts that will help you Transform YOUR Life! Take advantage of this new interactive medium; comment and ask questions on the different array of health and fitness topics covered. Fitness Quest 10 exists to motivate, educate, and inspire you to reach optimal levels of performance and balance in life, and we need your help to do it. CLICK HERE to view the FQ10 Blog!
---Are you on Facebook? Want to follow FQ10 on Twitter?
If so, we would love to have you in our network so become of Fan of or follow Fitness Quest 10 today! Go to www.facebook.com or www.twitter.com and search "Todd Durkin." We look forward to hearing from you!
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Todd Durkin Recommends
Recommended Reading:
"Master Your Metabolism" By Jillian Michaels
 Does it feel as if you're fighting your body to lose even one pound-or just to maintain your current weight? Respected health and wellness expert and bestselling author Jillian Michaels has been there, too. So she consulted top experts in the field of metabolism and discovered that she'd inadvertently been abusing her endocrine system for years. After "fixing" her own metabolism, she decided to share what she learned by devising this simple, 3-phase plan that engages all the weight-loss hormones (including the friendly HGH, testosterone, DHEA; and the not-so-friendly: insulin, cortisol, and excess estrogen).
In Master Your Metabolism, discover how to:
- REMOVE "anti-nutrients" from your diet
- RESTORE foods that speak directly to fat-burning genes
- REBALANCE energy and your hormones for effortless weight loss
Michaels offers a wealth of information throughout, including: shopping lists and online shopping resources, hormone-trigger food charts, how to eat "power nutrient" foods on a budget, smart strategies for eating out, quick and easy recipes, as well as mini-programs for addressing PMS, andropause, metabolic syndrome, PCOS, and menopause.
Gravity DVD Personal Training with Todd Durkin
GRAVITY DVD Personal Training: Synthesis "Team Training"
Team Training with Todd Durkin. Multiply your time and productivity with this results-driven and creative approach to team training.
CLICK HERE to purchase.
GRAVITY DVD Personal Training: Synthesis "Partner Training"
Partner Training with Todd Durkin
Double the intensity of your partner training sessions with 'Synthesis', a powerful blend of equipment and scientific exercise concepts performed in a high-energy circuit format. CLICK HERE to purchase.
COOK FOR YOUR HEALTH! with Optimal Nutrition (ONI) in San Diego, CA
Sign Up for the ONI Newsletter to learn about upcoming Cooking Classes!
 Learn how to cook healthy for you and your family with Optimal Nutrition. Cooking classes are taught at the Optimal Nutrition Inc. kitchen in San Diego. Each class is approximately one hour. Cooking classes are taught by Executive Chef, Theresa Martinez and her team of experts. Cooking is interactive and hands-on for all participants that want to be very involved. After each class everyone will take home a special recipe to show off their new found healthy and delicious culinary creation!
Gather your friends and family and learn how to prepare healthy and delicious dishes that you and your loves one will eat at home or maybe take to your next party! Optimal Nutrition wants to give you the knowledge and skills to cook for your health.
Optimal Nutrition Inc.
Optimal Nutrition is a custom, organic meal delivery service dedicated to creating and promoting healthy eating through gourmet meal plans that are delivered to your door. Our meals and bars are freshly prepared using the best ingredients and your portions are tailored to meet your health and weight management goals.
To sign up or to get more information visit www.optimalnutritioninc.com or email
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or call 858.202.0445.
"Total Performance Volleyball Strength & Conditioning" DVD by Ryan Rogers
Are you a volleyball player or coach looking to take your game to the next level?
 Total Performance Volleyball Strength and Conditioning is a total training package for the volleyball player. It combines a warm-up, joint integrity and core work, plyometrics, strength work, and recovery and flexibility work in one package. Each DVD contains two complete workouts and a 9-week plan that shows you how to enhance your strength and power for on-the-court performance.
Ryan Rogers, MS, CSCS, USWF I, has used his extensive background working with collegiate and high school volleyball players to design a complete training package for the volleyball athlete. For more information about this DVD, he can be reached at:
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| Spot Light On....
Connie Joy
"I had to be willing to do "whatever it took" to get the weight off."
Quick Stats and Facts
Weight Loss - 51.8 pounds in 6 weeks or 19% of bodyweight
Goal - to be able to climb the "Temple in the Sky" overlooking Machu Picchu, Peru
Nutrition - mostly organic foods; very little red meat; no alcohol; no white pasta, bread, potatoes or rice and NO processed foods
Fluids - only water and lots and lots of it, no coffee, tea, soda, etc.
Restaurant Dining - only twice in the 6-week contest
Calorie Burn - minimum of 1,000 calories daily through aerobic exercise (typically averaged 1,000 to 1,500 daily) plus Pilates twice a week, strength training twice a week and yoga once a week
Accountability Partners - husband and daughter workout partners
Health Measures - decline in blood pressure from 150/98 to 120/62 and a decline in resting pulse rate from the 80s to 58
Helpful Hints
- Purchase one of the watches at FQ10 that track your heart rate/calorie count... The only calorie burn number I pay attention to is on my watch.
- Remove TV and Internet (non-work related use) to make time for workouts.
- I never missed a workout - If a workout time had to be moved, then it had to be moved to another time during that day...no exceptions.
- EVERYTHING I ate was entered and tracked using Fitday.com (www.fitday.com) and compared to the amount of calories I burned each day.
- Read Jillian Michaels' book, Master Your Metabolism, to understand HOW to lose weight.
- Go through your refrigerator and pantry and throw or give away food made with high fructose corn syrup, glutamates such as MSG, highly processed diet foods and all artificial sweeteners. I now eat almost twice the calories that I did before, and I am still losing weight because of the QUALITY of the food.
- The money saved by not eating out more than covers the extra cost of organic food.
In Connie's Words
Question: How do you feel now compared to when you got started?
Great! I sleep well, and even with all of the exercise, I still have a high energy level. Once a week, we climb Iron Mountain in Poway. It is a 6-mile hike that is pretty challenging. When I started, I had to stop many times to catch my breath. Now I don't stop at all.
When I first got on the elliptical machine, I could barely do 3 minutes at Level 1. I couldn't go backwards at all. Now, I really can go on indefinitely at levels 8-12 and backwards easily for 45 min. I got there by coaxing out of me "just one more song," or "just 5 more minutes," then to the hour, then 1½ hours... just a little more each day. Now I stop because I have run out of time, not because I have run out of energy.
Question: What recommendations do you have for others who want to lose weight?
One day at a time. Push yourself. You don't really know what you are capable of until you really push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Commit totally and completely to the process and be willing to do whatever it takes to reach your goal. Surround yourself only with supportive people and get expert help when you have questions. Don't waste another day; start right this second. [When you hit a bump in the road], learn from it and then get over it. Be tough... but always be kind to yourself. It is normal to hit... plateaus where you are working really hard but [can't see] results as quickly as you would like. Trust the process and hold firm to your commitment to yourself.
Question: Now that the contest is over, what are your physical goals?
Nothing has changed. I will keep training for Machu Picchu until the day we leave. When I get back, I'll start again right away and keep going until I am within the optimal weight range for my height. I hope to be close to it by my birthday in November, with my overall goal deadline being New Years Eve [2009]. I will not waste another year of my life being dragged down and limited on what I can do because of my weight... I am still willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
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| Spot Light On....
Leigh Wagner & Robert Koszes
"We would be successful if we did it together."
Quick Stats & Facts
Weight Loss - 47 pounds in 6 weeks or 22.3% of bodyweight (Robert) and 33 pounds or 19.3% of bodyweight (Leigh)
Goals - to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and to WIN the contest
Nutrition - low sodium, low carbohydrate, low calorie per gram foods such as strawberries, watermelon, celery and radishes; NO processed foods - stayed focus on fresh foods
Workout Regime - first four weeks of the contest: five times per week; last two weeks of the contest: twice a day, everyday. Typical morning workouts were 30 minutes of cardio plus 30 minutes of strength training
Evening Workout Bonus - swimming, biking or jogging every evening
Accountability Partners - each other
Life Lessons - learned how to cope with difficult situations without food
Helpful Hints
- Rob developed a "Plateau Buster" workout that helped us get past that dreaded weight plateau. This was an intense workout of intervals up a steep, quarter-mile hill - it really got our hearts pumping and weight loss followed.
- We know we are very motivated by contests.
- Having an individual contest [in addition to the group contest] was a nice bonus and pushed us even harder in the final two weeks.
- Have fun! We had a blast doing this together and challenging our bodies to the max!
Straight from Robert and Leigh
Question: What was the key to your amazing success?
Working as a team was the biggest key to our success; without the other person, it would not have been possible to lose this much weight. Also, we used an engineering process to determine how many calories per day we could eat to reach each of our goal weights. We calculated... [calories in, basal metabolic rate, calories burned working out and the factor of 3500 or the amount of calories in a pound of fat]. Each day we planned our meals not to exceed the number of calories permitted each day.
Question: What were the biggest challenges you faced during the contest?
For Rob, it was his business travel and having to entertain clients. The middle two-week period Rob actually gained weight because he had clients in town the week of the weigh-in. He did not give up and became extremely determined to come back and make the final two-week period his best.
For me [Leigh], it was the long 18-hour days that included long hours at work plus all the working out, planning and packing our food for the day. There were many days where I wanted to skip it or give in and have some comfort food. But I couldn't lose sight of the goal and Rob was there to get me motivated again.
Question: Describe your support system throughout the contest and how you stayed on track?
We motivated each other; whenever one wanted to eat something bad or skip a workout, the other person was there to keep them on track. We weighed ourselves on a daily basis and charted it. We had a line that we had to stay under for each day; both of us were above that line at times but overall we stayed under it in order to achieve our goal weights.
Question: How has the Biggest Winner Contest changed your lifestyle? What was it like before and how have the results enhanced your life today?
Our goal was to get down to a healthy weight and maintain it; and this contest was a catalyst for us to start the process. We know we had some bad eating habits that we needed to break, such as eating excessive amounts of ice cream and comfort foods. The competition has enabled us to take control of this.
Question: What is the most important advice you could give for couples trying to lose weight?
... A support system is the biggest key to weight loss. If you are both motivated to reach a goal, it is unlikely that both will be weak at the same time. Set up a plan with goals and targets to meet and check-in with the other person to make sure they are meeting their goals. Post a chart so you can see each other's progress.
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| Athlete Corner
"Do As I Say, And As I Do"
By
Brett Klika, CSCS, Fitness Quest 10, Director of Athletics
ATTENTION PARENTS, COACHES, TRAINERS, and anyone else in a mentorship role. I'm officially calling you out. I'm going rogue. I'm dismantling the credo that has united so many when dealing with children, players, and clients. It's going to be harder from here on. No room for the weak. As of today and every day forward, I proclaim "Do as I say, not as I do" a complete, unabashed, cop-out. The previous notions of authority tied to this saying are now associated with laziness and hypocrisy. Using this saying will now associate you with slackers, sloths, and other "nor' do wells". You may need to put down your fork, drive by the drive thru and get on a treadmill. Like I said, it's going to be harder from here on out.
 When working with youngsters, everything we say and do has an effect on shaping their behaviors for the rest of their life. I frequently consult with parents, coaches and teams in regards to how to get the most out of their athletes. A common problem I see across the board is authority figures expecting actions that they themselves never demonstrate. The classic example is when I sit across the table from a parent telling me about how "lazy" their child is and how badly they eat. Mind you, the parent is 60 pounds overweight. "They only eat fast food and junk food, they never exercise, they just play their video games all day." Their child is 10. A ten year old has no independent transportation other than a bike, they have no formal income, and their eating and recreational activities are limited to what is immediately available at home. An adult must facilitate every faction of what they deem to be "wrong" with their child. Furthermore, when the parent is 60 pounds overweight, I'm willing to bet their daily behavior has a lot to do with sitting on their butt, eating fast food and junk food. Where would their child learn to do anything else?
CLICK HERE to read the rest of "Do As I Say, And As I Do"
 Coach Brett Klika is the Director of Athletic Performance at Todd Durkin's Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, CA. He specializes in youth fitness and athletic performance, overseeing a staff of 8 strength coaches developing programs for over 300 youth per week, both athletes and non-athletes. He presents around the world to both trainers and corporations with Todd Durkin Enterprises on a variety of health, wellness, and athletic performance topics. Brett contributes monthly to the award-winning "TD Times" newsletter. If you would like to sign up, you can do so by visiting www.FitnessQuest10.com or www.ToddDurkin.com.
Want to use the article above? As long as you include the blurb at the bottom of the article, you are welcome to use the article in your own publication.
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"Miss Fit" Women's Boot Camp
Next Cycle Starts August 3rd-28th Preassessment July 26 @ 1pm
at Fitness Quest 10
· Are you looking to lose weight and feel great?
· Are you stuck in a rut and want a new routine for your fitness?
· Would you like to start and finish your exercise routine before your crazy day even gets started?
GREAT ENERGY
CHALLENGING WORKOUTS
NOTICEABLE RESULTS
READY... to accelerate your results and have some fun while doing it.
ENLIST NOW... and we can do it together!
The Package Value of "Miss Fit" Boot Camp offers YOU:
4-Week Program (3 days/week) of fun, challenging, calorie-burning workouts! Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 5:30-6:30 AM we meet for a great workout at the Scripps Ranch Community Park. Get the metabolic boost first thing in the morning and keep it burning faster throughout the day! Working out in the morning is a great way to burn calories all day long.
Nutritional Guidelines: Each person will receive nutritional education, tips on healthy eating, and sample menu's to encourage a clean and healthy diet. The nutritional guidelines will help boost your metabolism and lose those extra pounds during the 4-week training program.
Coaching emails and support from Anna: You will receive emails to help turn your goals into a reality. Anna will continue to send you important information on nutrition, exercise, recovery strategies, and injury prevention. Any questions you may have will be quickly answered.
Pre and Post Assessments: Take your body measurements; assess your overall strength and cardio endurance before and after the 4-week program. This is a great way to see results and learn about your fitness level.
Price: $250.00 for the 4 week total program. This includes all Boot Camp workouts, the nutritional guideline manual, email support & coaching from Anna, your pre & post assessments, many surprises along the way, and lots of fun & good times!!!!
*Preassessment for the camp will be Sunday July 26 @ 1pm
CLICK HERE to watch A Day in the Life of A Miss Fit
Reserve your spot today!
Call Fitness Quest 10 @ 858-271-1171
Email Anna at:
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Guest Article
What's your favorite piece of fitness equipment? Over the years I've been asked that question many times and over the years my answer has changed many times. Give me a bar and a couple plates and we've got the best, foundational movements available with deadlifts, squats, presses, and pulls. Give me a medicine ball and a wall and we are set for an explosive and challenging hour. Give me a TRX and I'm good to go for a demanding full-body workout that incorporates strength, endurance, balance, stability, and flexibility. These are all great tools; tools that I definitely use every week with all of my athletes and clients.
Today I'd like to update my answer - My favorite "piece" of equipment is my own body.
 I'm definitely one who loves to utilize the latest and greatest equipment out there today. I love attending tradeshows to see what the new hot pieces are. I think it's important to continue to challenge and improve our bodies in new ways. I think it is more important to make sure we are healthy and efficient moving in an unloaded environment first. We all have enough weight on our bodies to stimulate our muscles and our mind to work harder and get stronger.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of "My Favorite Piece"
 Doug Balzarini is a Massachusetts native, earned his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Business Management from Westfield State College. Since moving to San Diego he has completed some graduate work in Biomechanics at SDSU, obtained an ACE Personal Trainer certification, the NSCA-CSCS certification, a Spinning certification, TRX instructor training, EFI Gravity instructor training, FMS training, and received CPR/AED instructor status.
Prior to working with Todd Durkin Enterprises (TDE) and Fitness Quest 10, Doug worked for the American Council on Exercise as the Continuing Education Coordinator where he was responsible for managing over 400 continuing education providers.
As Director of Operations for TDE, Doug is responsible for assisting current and potential clients determine what fitness and wellness programs would best suit their event's needs.
Want to use the article above? As long as you include the blurb at the bottom of the article, you are welcome to use the article in your own publication.
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How Old are You?
Detox & Renew with your Breath
 Do you instantly find identify with the number that celebrates how many times we've rotated around the sun? 30-something? 40-something? 50-something? Younger, older? Well guess what? How about a statistic that blows all that away? What if you learned you were at the most just 4 months old? That's right.......somewhere between brand new and 120 days old. Because 99.999% of all the cells and tissues of our body have completely restored themselves over the course of 120 days, we can truthfully say that we're never older than 4 months. However, because it's an on-going process that occurs in every part of every minute of every day of every year, we only notice wounds or injuries healing and aren't aware of all the internal processes at work. It's almost as if we're in a continual cloning process.
This is such fantastic information to move forward with in life........the implications are remarkable! Here we are halfway through 2009 and we're not even the same as when the new year began in January.........or are we? Here's the catch.......the .001% of our brain cells that age with our calendar years hold our memories, beliefs and feelings associated with the past. Whether we experienced happiness and success or stress and worries.......these cells continually implant us with perceptions about the world around us. The more balanced our lives, the more our cellular tissue restores balance to our body. Because breath is the most powerful and ever-present tool we have to energize and detoxify our bodies, here's one of the most effective breathing techniques we can incorporate into our daily routines:
Breath: Sit comfortably in a chair or meditation posture. Alternate nostril breathing cleanses the nostrils one side at a time. Place your right thumb on your right nostril. Inhale through the left side only, then close off the left nostril with your ring finger and release the thumb to exhale on the right side. Inhale right nostril, again close it off with your thumb, release the breath out the left side. Inhale left, close it off, release breath out the right nostril. Inhale right, close it off, release breath out left only. Continue for several more breaths, alternating sides after the inhalation. Repeat 10-20 times.
Mantra: Choose a clear intention in a word or short phrase and repeat silently with each breath. Be creative!
It's up to each one of us to take responsibility for our health.......our regeneration process can quickly become degeneration with laziness. We're as young as we feel so what better time than now, July, halfway through the year to renew our resolutions and create that healthier body/mind. You're only 4 months old.....live life invigorated!
 Marilous Ramos is a licensed and nationally certified Holistic Health Practitioner & Massage Therapist through NCBTMB. Additionally, she is a Yoga Instructor and 2nd Degree Reiki Practitioner in the Usui System of Natural Healing. Her practice embraces whole body wellness with theory and expertise in techniques not only for the physical body, but for mental clarity and focus, emotional stability and spiritual connection as well. Her credentials include a BS degree in Business from San Diego State University, graduation from the 1000-hr Holistic Health Practitioner program at the School of Healing Arts in San Diego, completion of YogaFit's 200-hr teacher training program and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) certification. As a Fitness Quest 10 employee for over five years, Marilou has spent another 500+ hrs to advance her education on a regular basis in various energy therapy workshops, hypnotherapy techniques & yoga practicum. |
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Cooking Corner
 4 servings
- 1 lb med size shrimp, peeled and cleaned (you can use mix of calamari, scallops, shrimp or clams)
- 8 ounces crusty multi grain bread, cubed and baked until crisp, about 5-10 minutes at 350 (spray with olive spray and season with garlic salt)
- 2 large peppers (yellow, orange or red), seeded & sliced in thin strips
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 medium cucumber, seeded & sliced thin
- 1 pound cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 cup chopped fresh basil, oregano or thyme (I use all)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- Zest & juice of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
Preheat grill to high heat
Place shellfish in a grill basket, season with salt, pepper and fennel seeds. Grill on medium high to high heat for about 4-6 minute until just cooked through. Set aside to rest.
In a large shallow bowl place arugula, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, bread cubes, and herbs. Toss well.
Mix lemon juice, balsamic, honey, dijon and olive oil, shake well and pour over salad, toss. Add seafood and lemon zest. Enjoy!
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