Project Workout Exercise Options around Southern Maine

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1 Project Workout Exercise Options around Southern Maine By Anne Brochu Why work out? When we exercise, we feel better, sleep more regularly, increase our energy, think more clearly and live a longer and healthier life, with less medical complications. So why is it so hard to get into a routine? Sometimes you just need to make a small change that inspires you to get into a habit, benefitting both your physical and mental health. This column hopes to inspire and give you incentive to try a new place, a different type of yoga, dance lessons or a self-defense class. The important thing is that you do something to get you moving, putting you on the path to a healthier life. Pure Movement is located at 1 Marginal Way in Portland, around the corner from the Forest Avenue branch. You may not have noticed it because it s tucked up above Enterprise Rental Car. I talked to Jamie Colpoys, who teaches many classes here. It s important for people who sit at a desk all day to work their core strength. When you re at a desk, you tend to develop a rounded posture. Pilates and core training moves your spine and strengthens your back and abdominal muscles, avoiding future hip and back pain. Pure Movement is a gym alternative, according to their website. They offer group classes, one on one personal training and workshops, based on Pilates. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in Germany early in the 20 th century. He lived a colorful life as a gymnast, body builder, boxer, and circus performer. He eventually started to teach a system of exercise that elongates muscles, builds strength and increases flexibility, based around spinal and pelvic alignment. This is where the notion of core training comes from. Owner Leslie Hamm has developed Bar Sculpt classes that are unique to Pure Movement. Bar Sculpt classes are an amalgamation of yoga, Pilates and sports conditioning that focus on increased flexibility, ease of movement and coordination. It is described as Pilates Evolved. She now trains instructors and Bar Sculpt is taught around the country. November Page 1

2 Pure Movement has a variety of mat classes and also special Pilates Reformer classes that utilize a piece of equipment with springs and ropes. The Reformer builds strength and increases your agility through working your core. Their website promises flat abdominals, slender thighs and a strong back. Where do I sign up? There are many ways to get started. As a Maine resident, you can try out your first class for free. You can set up a 3 private lesson package for $150 where they will teach you how to use the equipment and design a workout tailored to your body and health needs. There s a special one month membership for $50, with no limits on the amount of classes you can take. They also sell class cards for 10, 20 and 40 classes, so you can choose the right class for your schedule. (10 class card $130; 20 class card $240; 40 class card $400) The general idea is that you take the classes over the course of one year, but the punch cards don t expire. You can also get together a group of people and Pure Movement will create a class just for you. Get four people (family, friends, co-workers) together that agree on a set time or two each week, and they ll design a class for your needs. Some ideas are Pilates for new moms, Pilates for Gardeners, Pilates for Game (where they craft a class that ll benefit the sport you play from golf to running to disc golf.) Jamie mentioned The more like-bodied the people, the easier it is to have a class that s the right speed for everyone. Who takes classes here? Jamie enthused, We have a wide range of ages...from people in their 20s to ones in their 70s. And what makes Pure Movement so different, such an alternative to the gym? The instructors here give a LOT of direction, Jamie explained, When they teach class, they aren t just demonstrating and narrating the exercises. They are walking around, adjusting postures. It s very different from taking a class at a big gym. I immediately thought of a class I once took where the instructor was sort of yelling out commands over a PA system. I didn t quite know how to do the moves she was describing, but the last thing I wanted was her correcting me over the loudspeakers. Jamie added, Our instructors aren t just leading you, they re teaching you to correctly build your body with strength and flexibility. PURE MOVEMENT 1 Marginal Way, 2 nd Floor Portland, ME PURE puremovementportland.com A few comments the clientele have shared, from their website: Challenging, engaging Classes are smaller, more personable Less pretentious, less gymy Different membership options [that] are flexible and affordable My posture is so improved. My clothes fit so much better. My back is never sore anymore. I feel younger. November Page 2

3 Tracy s { Tips } By Tracy Treubig A pound is equivalent to 3,500 calories. To lose a pound, you have two choices: {Eat 500 fewer calories a day} OR {Burn 500 more calories a day} Do both and the combination will result in a weight loss of two pounds per week! Here are some fun fall activates to help you get burning; Organize a game of Flag Football with your friends and family {520 calories* per hour} Rake the leaves and build a Scarecrow {260 calories* per hour} View the foliage from a Maine State Park hiking trail {400 calories* per hour} Walk/Run in a Breast Cancer Fundraiser { calories* per hour} * All calorie estimates are from SparkPeople.com and are based on a 150-pound woman; people who weigh more will burn more calories. Brain Benders Z B X Z U E O A T S L I W C L M J O Y O W G E S I D K Z E R U C S P W D B G T H Q Z X I H O P E I L K M S S E N E R A W A R W N A U H S E Q B E G R T A I M G H W U S X Q Y E S T P M S U R V I V O R S G L S O T R N E V H I R E N X K G Q H C F U N D R A I S E R O T G A R P C B R K O Y A G H Q I K W S O C A C M M W M W C F T T B H M N M U Awareness Mammogram Research Pink Hope Cure Fight Fundraiser Survivor Making Strides November Page 3

4 Eat This Not That By Nicole Blossom Thanksgiving When it comes to Thanksgiving, turkey is the least of your worries. It s those savory, sweet, and delicious sides that are going to pack on the calories along with the pounds. Here are some helpful hints to keep your taste buds and waistline satisfied! Dinner Roll w/ Butter Green Bean Casserole Pumpkin Pie w/ LF whipped cream Mashed Pot. w/ gravy Turkey Breast w/ Homemade Cranberry sauce TOTAL Eat This 130 calories; 5g fat 100 calories; 6g fat 335 calories; 15g fat; 38g sugars 140 calories; 7g fat 195 calories; 4g fat; 265 mg sodium 900 calories; 37g fat Cornbread w/ butter Stuffing Pecan Pie with no whipped cream Sweet Potatoes w/ marshmallow Dark Turkey Meat w/ Jellied Cranberry TOTAL Not That 190 calories; 9g fat 175 calories; 14g fat 450 calories; 21g fat; 70g sugars 250 calories; 8 g fat 410 calories; 10g fat; 320 mg sodium 1475 calories; 62g fat It is important to remember that although it only takes one day to fill up our plates, mouths and stomachs, it will take quite a bit longer to burn that holiday appetite satisfaction off. All of the above listed comparisons are based on specific portions and if you must have some of everything, remember to have just a little bit of everything. Portion control is a helpful tool when it comes to enjoying the holidays and all they have to offer while keeping the additional pounds at bay. Remember, there are always leftovers and as everyone should know.leftovers make a delicious lunch the next day! November Page 4

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6 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk October 14, 2012 Portland cport staff and family participated in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising walk on October 14th in Portland. We raised over $800.00! November Page 6

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