No Disrespect Intended, But …

… this may be true for Zumba; not Jam! We look goooooooood.

A special thanks to Lisa and a special set of 12-year-olds who spend way too much time on a computer on a Friday night. Thanks for the laugh, ladies!

Relax and Enjoy!

We at Kamate Fitness hope you’re well into February-vacation mode by now! Please relax and enjoy your family, your friends, and your time “off”.

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Normally, we close up shop entirely this week, but because of your enthusiasm and commitment to BodyPump and BodyJam, we WILL be holding the following classes:

Feb. 23 (Thursday) 6:30 pm BODYPUMP

Feb. 25 (Saturday) 9:00 am  BODYPUMP (No 8 am option for this Saturday only)

Feb. 25 (Saturday) 10:15 am BODYJAM

All other classes during the week of February vacation (Feb. 20-25) will NOT run as per the Recreation Department Winter Brochure.

Help A Girl Out!

Our lovely friend and fellow BodyJammer, Magda, will be going back home soon, but before

she says goodbye,

she’s hoping to complete her collection of State Quarters {you know, the ones with the fun pictures on the opposite side of President Washington?}

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Please help a girl out! Check your

• wallets
• between your sofa cushions
• and in the car-ashtray-turned-coin-purse

and if you have any of the following, would you consider donating? Just bring them to your next Kamate Fitness Class, and pass them along to your instructor. They’ll be sure to get them to Magda before her departure.

Many thanks, friends: here’s the updated listing!

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Thyme-Toasted Almonds

Got the munchies?

Thyme-toasted almonds are a delicious and healthy alternative to chips, dip, and Double Stuf. Really. And because I love ya, I’m sharing the recipe {courtesy of my girl, Jane}:

• 1 tablespoon fresh or dried thyme, leaves only
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces whole almonds

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1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a large, shallow bowl, combine thyme, salt, and oil and set aside.

2. Place the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and toast until the nuts are lightly browned, fragrant, and making crackling sounds, about 8 minutes.

3. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Immediately add the hot nuts to the thyme mixture. Stir for at least 1 minute to coat the almonds evenly. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Serve warm or at room temperature.

The almonds can be stored, well-sealed, for up to two weeks.

Enjoy!

“Wicked Local’s” Readers’ Choice Awards!

Calling all Kamate Fitness fans!

Don’t forget to head over to http://wickedlocalfavorites.com to vote for

Kamate Fitness

as the best Health Club in Bedford!

You know it IS, so let your voice be heard!

The “Phoebe” Run

So for those of you who feel a little self-conscious about that “running” move we do toward the end of the latest Jam routine, I thought this might help you a bit.

Check it out.

I think the moral of the story is: if you feel ridiculous, you’re doing it right!

Yahoooooooo!

A big and hearty congratulations to

Jen, Anne-Mari, Lisa, and Kim!

All four of these hard-workin’, feet-stompin’ gals have sent in their BodyJam instructor tapings to Les Mills, and all four were front-and-center with Nancy last night, leading the way and keeping us motivated through one tough {but oh-so-fun} workout!

It was like watching the coolest chick band ever. Except they didn’t sing.

But the moves: they got ’em!

Well done, girlies! Well done!

Nancy-isms

You’ve heard them, right?

Those sassy little things that Nancy says to keep you going, correct your form, or salvage your innocence {some of those lyrics can be a little … well, you know!}?

She’s got ’em, Carolyn’s got ’em, and Barb and Ayla have ’em, too!

What are YOUR favorite catch-phrases from this fabulous quartet?

Rise and Shine!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend all!

For those of you who’d like to start your day off early and well, please join our newest Kamate Fitness team member: the wonderful {and, ah, jacked!}

Ray Marsh

at the latest addition to our class roster: the 8 am BodyPump at Callahan’s!

Ray is the Group Fitness Director at WOW! Work Out World in Boston, has many years experience in group fitness settings, and can also kick out a mean “shuffle” if you ask him.

Welcome aboard, Ray!

And as always, Barb will be leading the 9 am BodyPump and Nancy will be at the helm of the 10:15 am BodyJam class!

And, yes, BodyPump is still on for Monday at 9:20 am (thank you, Carolyn!): it’s a holiday weekend but we don’t take time off from well-being!

See you there!

Interview with a Jammer : Raelene Houck

Thanks to the wonderful Raelene for being Kamate Fitness’s second interviewee!

1. How long have you been taking Kamate Fitness classes?

I have been taking classes since Lisa Smith talked me into trying it last July.

2. Did you have reservations before signing up?

Yes, coordination isn’t my forte.  Nancy had done a class for my daughter’s Girl Scout troop a few years before and I had been terrible when I tried that with the girls.  Sure enough, I was terrible at the first class, as expected.  But there is such an air about Nancy and the class that it doesn’t matter if you are awful, as long as you have fun, so I tried it again.

Two Kamate lovelies: Raelene (l) and Lisa!

3. What is your favorite aspect of BodyJam?

The fun and the people.  I was able to come out of the closet and dance.  I’ve always been a fan of musical theatre and big dance numbers and after seeing a show, I always want to have been one of the ones up there dancing on stage.  I was the geek mom trying to learn the dance moves with my kids from the High School Musical DVDs.  I’m not saying that Nancy’s classes are like a musical, but it is everyone dancing together in coordinated dance moves and having fun.  The people are so encouraging too.  I know I am one of several people who have trouble with some of Nancy’s sexy hip moves and there is still a little part of me that worries that I look really lame trying to do them, but everyone is laughing and having so much fun trying to do these crazy moves that Nancy makes look so good that it doesn’t matter.   On the occasions that I am stuck in front of a mirror, I realize that I am not doing nearly as well as I feel like I am, but that is ok.  I have no Latin blood in me, no hip-hop blood in me, and not really any graceful aspects at all, but the more classes I do, I realize that is OK!  If you are having fun, it is OK, there is no one judging you.  Oh, and I am getting a workout!! 

4. What advice would you give to new Jammers?

Everyone tells you that when you start you need to do 3 classes before you really get it and it is soooooo true.  When Nancy teaches a new routine, I always leave feeling like I have 2 left feet and zero coordination – sometimes I am surprised I haven’t injured someone or myself.  But after the 3^rd time through, there are major parts where I think “I got this one down!”  Sometimes it takes a little longer.  The last class in December, one of the moves for the previous month or so had been a head wrap with one hand while your other hand moves the opposite direction in front of you.  Every time I had tried this move, it felt like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time, but finally the last class, I GOT IT RIGHT!!  I was so pleased with myself!  So, I guess my advice would be “don’t give up, you may surprise yourself.”

5. What do you like most about BodyPump and its instructors?

Body Pump is great!  I tried that once over the summer as a make-up class for a Jam class I missed.  OMG, I was sore for like 4 days – trying to sit down was awful.  After the next class it was better.  Over the course of the fall, I have added more weight and pushed it a little more.  Now, there is a part of me that is ok with being sore, especially in the places I want to improve because then I know it is working!  Jam feels like fun, Pump feels like a workout and I mean that in a good way.  Jam is going to get the cardio going for you, but if you want to really work specific muscles (legs, butt, stomach, arms), Pump is the way to go.  I am usually unable to go during the day during the week, so I have only been to Carolyn’s and Ayla's classes once – they were both great.  I usually go to Barbara’s class on Thursday nights and she is awesome!  She is a machine up there, but she is so encouraging that she makes you want to do well.  The class is hard, but totally worth it!  I feel great when I leave.

6. Have any fun “get-fit” tips you’d be willing to share?

Taking these classes makes me want to eat better and take better care of myself.  I try to drink lots of water and eat lots of fruit & vegetables, but the food we eat at home is very much kid friendly-fare (lots of pasta at my house), so I try to keep my portion size down and eat out of smaller bowls.

7. What part of your fitness journey are you most proud of?

I am proud that I usually get out to exercise 3 times a week.  Honestly, I’ve only lost a few pounds, but I have dropped a size in my pants which makes me very happy.  Since I had kids, I haven’t been very comfortable wearing tight clothes.  A couple of months ago, I wore a shirt tucked in with a belt!  It may not sound like much, but it was a big deal to me since it was the first time in 13 years.  Funny thing was that women’s pants have changed in the last 13 years and the belt goes a lot lower than it used to, so none of the ones I dusted off fit and I had to wear one of my husband’s on the smallest notch.  I have bought a couple of new belts, but now I need some new sweaters.  Everything I have is big and baggy, and Nancy and her classes make me more comfortable about my body and more willing to show a little more of it.  I have 2 New Year’s Resolutions (fitness-wise): 1) I don’t think I’ll ever want to wear a bikini again, but my goal is to be comfortable wearing a cool new tankini this summer and 2) my husband and I take a trip in May with our college friends and I want to show up and have someone say “ooooooh, you look GOOOOOD!!!”  Resolutions don’t always pan out, but with Nancy, Barbara and their classes, I have high hopes that I’ll be able to check these 2 off my list!

Come hang out with Raelene at the next Kamate Fitness class. If you ask very nicely, I bet she’d show you that “head wrap” she’s now mastered!

Reason No. 745 Why You Don’t Let Your Son Play With Your Cell Phone While You’re Exercising

Because later in the week, when you’re looking for the gorgeous picture you took of two Jammin’ lovelies for a post, you find, oh, about 35 4-second videos like this:

Not kidding.

WHO taught him how to work the video?!

{Aren’t you all glad you had killer moves?! Lookin’ good, ladies!}

Dedication To …

… last night’s Jammers! For bringing all that fantastic energy to class. This should inspire you for your next BodyJam workout.

Warning: while I LOVE this tune and its old-school vibe, the video and some of the lyrics are not family-friendly, so go make the kiddos take out the recycling before clicking “play.”

A free latte goes out to the gal who

a. shows up to the next class in that crazy shorts outfit the “Ex” is prancing around in {go on, I dare ya} or

b. can repeat the “cat” solo verbatim.

Really, my treat!

Finally, a special

yeehaw!

to the lovely Kim, who was front and center for the first time co-teaching with Nancy last night.

Kim, you made it look SO easy! Hats off to you, girl.

Battle In The Bronx, Baby!

It’s here!

The latest BodyJam release—Battle in The Bronx—debuts at Kamate Fitness at the first class of the new session:

Tuesday night, 7 pm, at the High School Gym.

We’ll all be seeing these moves for the first time so if you haven’t already, now’s your chance to enroll. Come join us for a class that’s so much fun—with a group so welcoming you’ll quickly call them friends—it hardly feels like a workout.

Personally, I’ve got a Gingerbread Trifle, Toffee-Mocha mousse, and a box of Goobers that I need to work off, so I’m counting down the hours.

Want a little sneak peak at the moves? Here you go!

Psyched yet?!

If you’re a little nervous, I invite you to come and stand by me Tuesday night {Michelle = short chick, brown hair, blue eyes, rad purple shoelaces}.

I’ll be your workout buddy for the evening

and you’ll quickly see that it’s all about the enjoyment you get from getting your body moving, not necessarily immediate dance-accuracy, ladies. And you’ll laugh, trust me.

If you embrace only one other resolution in 2012—beyond finally putting yourself and your health as a top priority—let it be the belief that the journey itself is part of the reward … not just the finish line.

Start your journey now.