Category: Uncategorized

  • IMA-GO POP PILATES!

    IMA-GO POP! 

    Imago Fitness recently just added a new class: IMA-GO POP! We had our debut class recently with Pegah instructing! The ladies did an amazing job with their plank jacks, teasers, criss crosses, plie squats and so much more! 

    WHAT IS POP PILATES? 

    “POP Pilates takes group fitness to a whole new level that’s NEVER been experienced before. If you’ve felt like classical Pilates has gotten stale over the past several years, then this is the innovation and the brand new energy that you and your class are yearning for.

    The combination of total body Pilates exercises with the attitude of choreographed dance and the energy of music, results in an intense workout that is FUN and effective. Students will be challenged to flow from one exercise to the next, developing a rock solid core, while leaving NO muscle untouched. Every exercise can be modified to fit YOUR personal needs. You’ll leave feeling sweaty, strong and ready to take on MORE.

    POP Pilates® was developed by the #1 fitness instructor on YouTube, Cassey Ho of Blogilates. Cassey has changed the way people think about health and fitness by turning it into a movement based on passion and empowerment. Over 3 million fans all over the world have transformed their bodies and their lives simply by following YouTube videos at home. Now, we’re on a journey to take this virtual phenomenon and turn it into a real live group exercise in-gym experience.” (source: https://www.poppilateslife.com/pages/about-us)

    IMA-GO POP will be offered at Imago Fitness Studio on Tuesdays at 5:30pm.

    Visit http://www.imagofit.com/imago-pop/ to sign up now! 



  • WORKING THE NIGHT SHIFT // Guest blog by Jazmin Canoza

    Working night shift can be challenging when trying to implement and practice healthy eating habits.  There is always the temptation to snack, on top of the constant battle between sleeping and eating at the appropriate time, along with finding that extra time to squeeze in exercising.  Going through the 12-week Transformation Program was a life changing experience for me.  As a newcomer to IMAGO, I was hesitant to do the Transformation Program since I work the night shift.  I remember feeling limited because of my odd work hours.  As a result, I always thought I was at a disadvantage to diet or work out.  To my surprise, I found a lot of benefits in my favor with my work schedule.  The meal plan was customized to accommodate my odd work hours.  It was definitely not easy, but with the help of Coach and the IMAGO staff, I was able to achieve nutritional and physical success.

    Here is how it worked for me:

    1. FASTED CARDIO IN THE AFTERNOON:

    For most people, their mornings start between 7am-9pm.  However, my mornings begin anywhere from 1pm-3pm, so getting my fasted cardio done as soon as I woke up and before work was actually a piece of cake!  

    2. MEAL PREP: 

    Like most people in the Transformation Program, I always meal prepped ahead of time.  I cannot stress how much this benefited me as it saved a lot of time especially on my 12-hour work days.  When you plan ahead, all you have to do is heat up your food when you wake up or before you leave for work.  One thing I invested in was a Pressure Cooker!  It gave me the option to cook frozen food when I was really pressed for time or the option to slow cook some of my meals when I got home from work which was nice and ready by the time I woke up! 

    3. MEAL SCHEDULE:

    Sticking to a meal schedule helped tremendously with controlling my hunger.  I’m a snacker… a late night snacker at that!!!  Having my meals prepped at work prevented me from giving into temptation of unhealthy snacking.  I have a work schedule that does not allow me to take breaks at a scheduled time.  So my meal schedule was not always perfect.  One thing that helped was I always made sure to eat a meal before I left for work or right before my shift started. 

    4. FLEXIBILITY:

    The best part of working three 12-hour shifts a week is having four days off.  This meant more time for working out, grocery shopping, meal prepping, and recovery.  

    The way I choose to juggle my schedule may not be the best fit for everyone who works nights.  But I was able to make this work for me.  The most important thing I took away from the Transformation Program was my schedule did not limit me in any way.  All things are possible!  Know that if you can find a way to make it work, you can make that change and be on your way to a healthier life. 

  • Just one of those “days”…

    Just one of those “days”…

    The “Aunt Flow” talk comes up frequently when working with our demographic of women in the fitness studio. The big questions that comes up: “How do I stay on track when I am hormonal?” and “How do I battle THE CRAVINGS?”

    My best advice: give into the emotions and cravings a little.

    My best advice: give into the emotions and cravings a little. Yes, I do mean this in a moderate way. This is not what you would expect coming from a person who absolutely loves to see transformation and change in others, but with this piece of advice comes some major check and balances. For the ladies, this is part of the process of learning about yourself and your physical bodies. A little indulgence and self-love is better than throwing it all out the window.

    Here are some helpful tips to help keep you on track with your fitness goals and tackle roadblocks when the “monthly friend” calls.

    1 | Download a period app.

    Having a period app has been a life saver for me. It reminds me when “Aunt Flow” will strike so I’m better prepared each month. For instance, if I am having crying spells or feel more agitated than usual, I will know why! Also, the app reminds me that when I’m 10-14 days away, to be READY to stock the fridge.

    We recommend P Tracker (for iPhone or Android), but other recommendations can be found here.




    2 | Pay attention to what you are craving and what your body needs. 

    There are specific foods my body craves during this “time of the month.” I generally prefer savory foods over sweets and desserts. I enjoy foods such as cheese, tomatoes, egg yolks, avocado, hot sauce, and herbs and peppers. I guess my body needs extra doses of calcium, iron, good fats, vitamin C, antioxidants, and some yummy, bold flavors when my “monthly friend” comes to visit!

    Others may crave sweets or salty foods. If this is you, go right ahead and enjoy that piece of chocolate or a slice of pizza. A little extra boost of serotonin or fiber is helpful for everybody.

    If your cravings are more regular and outside of your monthly, you may want to check your sleep pattern and stress levels. Also, make sure you are completely hydrated as cravings can be confused with dehydration. 

    3 | Get Moving!

    Lastly, make sure to get moving to release the “happy” endorphins and to make you feel energized. Remember: it’s all about making sure you have the right balance in the long haul for a happy and healthy life!

    In health,

    Coach Huong