August Events

July 30, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Announcements

NEW CLASS: CARDIO KICKBOXING!!!!!!!!!

Mondays-6:30pm

Bring running shoes, water, and a towel..Get ready to work!!

SO much fun, great addition to your current work out!

Lets kick it up!!

 

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****Pre-Natal Yoga Class is CANCELLED on  August 1st

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Back by popular demand BOOTY CAMP is on for AUGUST!!!!

  • Beginning Monday August 2nd

  • 5:45 am for measurements and weigh in on first day only

  • Booty Camp running Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:00 am-7:15 am

Price- $150 for month of August / $20 drop-in rate

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Also: AAA class on Tuesdays is now at 9:30 am

 

 YOU ASKED FOR IT…… YOU GOT IT!!!!

Pilates Mat Class starting on Monday, June 14th at 6:30pm!!!!

 

NEW CLASS BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 AT 10:30AM

JAM – JUICY ATHLETIC MOVEMENT + TONE!!!

 

  

New Class on Wednesday’s at 12:15pm !!!!

We have also added Friday’s at 12:15pm!!!!

30 minute Lunch Time Pilates Reformer Class

$20 single rate – $90: 5 series – $150: 10 series

Reformer experience is required.

 

 

Become our FAN on Facebook and receive access to special promotions and discounts just for being our fan!!!

 

♦For information regarding current promotions and pricing,

please contact the studio at 818-226-0695♦

How To Be A Social Butterfly Without Gaining Weight

July 14, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Articles

You love going out for nights on the town, partying with friends and being a social butterfly with a packed calendar. You are also trying to lose weight, get in shape and improve your health.

Are the two desires mutually exclusive? While your teacher will want you to watch yourself as you dine and even avoid wine, you don’t have to become a shut in as you work on a program. There are simple tips and tricks that can help you stick to your guns and still have the time of your life.

If you want to lose weight and still paint the town red, consider:

  • Seeking support before you go out- Talk to your teacher, your spouse or the friends you intend to go out with and let them know you want to have a great time without suffering a weight loss setback. Your teacher can motivate you before you head out and your spouse or friends can provide you with the support you need to say no in the heat of the moment.
  • Not skipping meals before going out- Many people believe if they skip meals throughout the day, they can eat whatever they want while they are out on the town. While this sounds good in theory, it doesn’t work. Starve yourself until the evening and you’ll be more likely to splurge on anything that is available immediately upon arrival. Plus, you can slow down your metabolism, which is not good for weight loss. Instead of fasting and then binging, eat small, calorie-controlled meals and snacks leading up to a big event so you can enjoy a normal meal and even treat while you are out.
  • Avoid the nibblers- If you’re at a dinner party, try to avoid the appetizers, especially if they are high in calories and fat. It is all too easy to let a bite of this and a bite of that add up to a whole lot of empty calories! Wait for the salad and the main course instead.
  • Order wisely- If you’re eating out in a restaurant, take time to really consider the menu options. Go for an entrée that fits in best with the nutritional program you are following. Most restaurants have very healthy and very tasty alternatives to calorie-laden entrées.
  • Be the designated driver- One of the worst things you can do while trying to lose weight or tone the body is to overdo on alcohol. If this is too much of a temptation, give yourself extra motivation to behave. Volunteer to be the designated driver and you’ll have two very good reasons to say no.

 

Going out on the town can be very difficult when you are trying to drop pounds and get into shape. Restaurants and parties present a lot of temptations. You can stay strong if you plan ahead and formulate a game plan. Ask your teacher for additional advice or staying strong in the face of adversity.
About the Author

Conni Ponturo is the owner of The Absolute Yoga & Pilates Studio in Woodland Hills California.  If you ready to begin your weight loss journey please call 818-226-0695 for your complimentary evaluation.  Get ready to move more and change your life.

Fun Aerobic Ideas

July 14, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Articles

If you think beneficial aerobic activity is limited to hours at a gym working out on a treadmill, think again! Exercises that produce excellent cardiovascular results abound and they don’t all call for equipment or even a trip to the gym.

While regular trips to work with a teacher are always smart, there are some fun things you can work into your routine on off days, when you are away from home or just don’t have time to make the trip. Chances are if you talk to the pros at your fitness center, you’ll even find your club has lots of options to offer that you might not have even considered.

To vary your routine and increase your enjoyment level, consider mixing up your aerobic exercise lineup with such things as:

  • Cycling- Get a bicycle, a helmet and hit the open road. Stationary bikes do produce results, but the scenery can get boring fast! If you want to work cycling into your routine, it’s a great exercise that can even benefit your entire family. On off weather days, by all means, use the gym equipment. When the sun is shining, hit the open road for more enjoyment.
  • Swimming- This is one of the best holistic cardiovascular activities going. Swimming works the heart and lungs while also toning the muscles. If you don’t have access to a pool at home or in your neighborhood, take advantage of your health club’s if one is available.
  • Skiing- This is a great cardiovascular activity that can be a ton of fun, too. Cross country is the way to go to build up endurance and boost muscle tone and calorie-burning efforts. If it’s not possible to take the activity outdoors, cross country training machines are fun to mix into an overall cardio program. Check with your trainer for advice on getting started.
  • Sports- There are many sports that can serve very well in place of more structured cardiovascular exercises. Tennis, basketball, football, boxing and even baseball are fun to play and they can most certainly add diversity to your workout routine.
  • Dancing- Just get up and dance if you want to work your cardiovascular system and have some serious fun, too. Thirty or so minutes of moving to the beats of your favorite songs can really get your heart pumping and assist in cardiovascular conditioning.
  • Taking a class- Boot camp classes, dance classes, Zumba and other organized activities can increase the fun of cardio exercise and even add to the camaraderie level.

While exercise machines will get the job done, a successful exercise program is one that offers room for flexibility for fun. If you want to increase the variety in your program, talk to your trainer for other fun ideas to mix things up a bit.

About the Author

Conni Ponturo is the owner of The Absolute Yoga & Pilates Studio in Woodland Hills California.  The premier Yoga and Pilates studio in Woodland Hills.  She has been teaching Pilates for over 11 years and in the fitness business for over 20 years.  Come in for your free evaluation to discuss your fitness goals.

Zucchini Tagliatelle with Mint, Cucumber, and Lemon

July 12, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Recipes

Long, crunchy ribbons of zucchini make a low-calorie stand in for tagliatelle pasta in this light, refreshing vegetarian side dish. Serve alongside fish or toss in grilled tofu cubes for a quick tasty meal!

Ingredients

  • 6 small to medium zucchini (about 1 1/2 pounds total), trimmed
  • 1 large cucumber (about 13 ounces), peeled, seeded, diced
  • 1 cup finely chopped Vidalia or Maui onion
  • 1 1/2 cups (loosely packed) fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped, divided
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons pistachio oil

Directions

Using mandoline or V-slicer and working with 1 zucchini at a time, thinly slice lengthwise, discarding first strip. Slice up to seeded core; turn zucchini and continue to slice until only rectangle of seeded core remains; discard core. Place slices in medium bowl.

Add cucumber, onion, 1/2 of chopped mint, and lemon peel. Whisk lemon juice and pistachio oil in small bowl, then pour over zucchini mixture; toss to coat. Season with salt and generously with pepper. Cover zucchini mixture and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.

Sprinkle remaining chopped mint over salad and toss to coat.

Nutrition Info

Calories 83; Total Fat 5 g; (Sat Fat 0g) ; Protein 2 g; Carb 9 g; Fiber 3 g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 15 mg

Excellent source of: Vitamin C

Good source of: Fiber

 

The Absolute Photo Gallery

January 17, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Photo Gallery

 

Vanilla Spice Oatmeal

January 10, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Recipes

Vanilla Spice Oatmeal

Vanilla Spice Oatmeal

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, optional
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, plus more, to taste
  • 1 cup lowfat milk, divided
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Stir in the oats and raisins, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

In the meantime, place nuts, if using, in a dry skillet over a medium-high flame, and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

When the oats are cooked remove pan from the flame and stir in the vanilla and nutmeg. Swirl in the brown sugar and place the oatmeal in serving bowls. Pour 1/4 cup of milk on top of each bowl, and top with toasted nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Note: For a quicker version using quick cooking or plain instant oatmeal: Cook the oatmeal according to the directions on the package. Stir raisins, brown sugar, and nutmeg into the cooked oatmeal. Top with milk, nuts (toasted or un-toasted) and cinnamon

vanilla-spice-oatmeal-nutritional-info

Copyright Ellie Krieger, All rights reserved.

What Favorite Post-Workout Meal?

January 10, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Blog

We all know it’s best to have a healthy snack after working out. Studies have shown that eating a small meal of protein and healthy carbs helps increase the benefits of your workout and speeds up the fat loss process. So what’s your favorite post workout meal?

You Can Do This – Let Us Help!

January 10, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Featured Photos

You Can Do This - Let Us Help!

We Can Help You Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals!

January 10, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Featured Photos

It's Time for a New You!

January 10, 2010 by Conni Ponturo  
Filed under Featured Photos

It's Time for a New You!

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