Did someone say GYMNASTICS??

We came, we jumped, we played!  Last night was the first Power Fitness PDX Fun Night Out and that it was!  We headed to Bay Island Gymnastics and jumped, balanced, laughed, sommersaulted, and bonded. We had an incredible friend, Coach Ian, helping us through and he was a blast. If anything, we know why he is the Teacher of the Month for Bay Island!

It was a first for many of us, and I know it won't be the last. While Dory and I couldn't wait to jump on the trampoline, there was some hesitancy about doing it right by the others. Within 15 minutes, the hesitancy went away and the "routines" began!  At one point all of us were on the balance beams at once trying to jump, plie, point, lunge and most of all....laugh while we were doing it!

Cheers to the first night of fun and cheers to many more!  Next month, ballet awaits us.  Point shoes is what Hannah was asking for, I don't know if we're quite there yet!

 Perfect 10 Team Photo

Camaraderie....

Camaraderie- it is a word that we know to mean coming together, support, teamwork, unifying each other to pull through. According to Merriam-Webster camaraderie means:

A feeling of good friendship among the people in a group. There is great camaraderie among the teammates. [singular]. They have developed a real camaraderie after working together for so long.[plural]

When teaching class, I am not only looking for perfect form amongst you. I am watching your ability to physically do things, your level of support for one another, your dedication to motivate your team while I am working to modify a teammates needs.  I have noticed already, in the last 9 days since the Challenge began, the friendships and camaraderie forming.  It is obvious to anyone who runs by how you truly are pushing each other as you are pushing yourselves! This is true, as I have had quite a few runners I know who have stopped me in the community to say, "Those women look like they are having so much fun. Is it always like that?". Of course I laugh thinking you should listen closer to the joking and cursing that happens sometimes...but not at each other towards me while they are being pushed!  And yes, I am OK with that because it means you are getting out of your comfort zone and pushing yourselves.

Do you realize that there is a huge strength in teamwork and exercising with a partner?  Did you know that the influx of small group training has the big women's brands participating too?  Lucy, Lululemon, Title 9, and Athleta to name a few, have online communities to help solidify the support and team element.  They are all active clothing companies whose goal is to sell workout and training clothes, but know that targeting the group element  and highlighting "exercising and training with friends" is what women need. It isn't just one-on-one training all the time, but it is also  training alongside peers who are all like minded active individuals.  Each store does special group demos, encouraging you to register with friends and meet new "active friends" too.  Great marketing, but as we know the reason behind it is very true.  Finding the support and camaraderie amongst women who motivate you, in addition to your Coach, is a healthy and incredible group to be part of.

You have already found some people you connect with in the PFPDX Challenge, and each class you will connect even further with someone else.  That is part of what I strive to help you with- building the foundation of community and camaraderie amongst the TEAM, because we are all in this together.  We are all pulling through with various backgrounds and obstacles, but with the same focus.  That focus of making ourselves count and taking ownership of our own health and fitness.  I am proud of you and your efforts thus far.  Now, be proud of yourself and of each other.  You are doing incredible!  

Power Fitness PDX-

Together.Empower.Achieve. Motivate. TM

----Erin Kreitz Shirey

Owner & Lead Trainer of

Power Fitness PDX LLC

Power Fitness PDX Power of YOU NEW YEAR-NEW YOU Fitness Challenge- Week 1!

Week 1 is past, we are now in WEEK 2! How do you feel? Are you energized, invigorated, motivated, nervous, excited? One of those feelings or all of them?  I know I personally am feeling all of them, and so excited to share them with you.  You have done incredible with the Challenge already, and I look forward to seeing what the next 11 weeks bring. When touching base with some of you this is what you shared:
Annie- I feel as if I am not as tired or sore anymore, and I have energy ALL day long!
Andrea- I took my kids to the Zoo and turned it into a workout they enjoyed. I did step ups on the benches, push ups, ran up and down the hills a lot, and had a great time playing with them as I was working out.
Catrina-I am feeling better about moving and making the time for myself.  That is key for what I do every day with taking care of my son.
Tammy- This is just the kick I need and can feel my muscles moving already. I may not like the feeling when they move, but know it will be good after. The combination combined with checking in with myself is making me think about how much water I am drinking, what I am eating and how I stand or sit when working throughout the day. 

Dory, Veronica and Estie are now running to the Tue & Thu Cardio & Core class- way to go!  Kate is now carrying her water with her and USING her water bottle all the time. She even did hula hoop exercises upstairs on the busy Saturday at Tucker's.  Karen worked hard at her swimming and getting her butterfly kick going.  To hear about all of these accomplishments is incredible! Only more will come each day, I guarantee it!

I look forward to seeing you in class, and make sure to get your 45 minutes of cardio exercise in today.

Cheers-Coach Erin

have you given yourself time?

Time is what every Mom craves... extra time in the day. But if you had extra time, would you use it to cram in more work or more play? Would you allow yourself to sit back and relax or would you hop online and finish another project? Imagine if the day was 25 hours instead of 24... an extra 60 minutes... sounds like bliss to me but it also sounds like a potential waterfall of wasted time. How you ask? Because often when we are given something that we crave and it becomes part of our routine, we don't embrace it with the same energy anymore. Example:

- A friend who is used to managing and controlling her families daily life down to the minute shares that her husband was doing more cooking to help out, so she could have more "play time" with her kids that didn't involve errands. At first she was excited beyond belief and then it started to ware on her. She shared she got agitated with the meals not being healthy enough, or couldn't completely relax when playing with her kids since she felt she should be cleaning/writing a brief/helping with homework. All she wanted was more "easy time", yet she couldn't handle not being in control. We talked about it a bit, and what steps she could take to relish the time verses complain about what is/isn't being done. What would you suggest?

My suggestions were:
*Create a project just your kids and you are involved in. It could be creating a train set, making handmade
valentines, writing a short book together...or a myriad of other activities that involve letting go.
*Take a bike ride with your kids to the park and play tag. Then play wallball or hopscotch.
*Walk to the library to find some chapter books you can read with your kids. Often when you start reading you get lost in time.... and can relax. Take the book to the park and read it laying on grass.

I am actually finding time in little pockets throughout the day. When I find that time, I feel a sense of excitement and joy bubbling through. I realized that if you have at least 15 minutes you can really get "lost to relax". I am now almost done with a book started a few days ago, have gone to bed earlier, played endless games of Polly Pocket, and enjoyed tea while Makenzie was reading Harry Potter to me.

Mind you, do I feel that I need more time in the days? You bet; sometimes I do, but I have learned to switch around my time and make it the most quality time possible. My phone is turned off and computer not checked for these pockets and the feeling of relaxing and relishing in the current moments overflows.

Now step back. evaluate your day. Are you checking/playing/fiddling on your phone all day long?? Put it down for at least an hour. Even when working, if able to focus on your task at hand verses hearing a vibrate and ring you will be more productive and efficient.

Try it, see how it goes. And when you find the extra 15 minutes here or there, embrace it since you don't get it back...

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