I push myself to the limit when I have a fitness instructor who inspires me to be my best. I welcome the corrections to my form, and being used as an example of (hopefully in a good way). I like being the teacher’s pet. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I embrace it. I yoga, spinning, or core fusion were offered as part of my college curriculum, I have no doubt I would have been a Rhodes Scholar.
I read all I can about fitness and am always searching for the hot new workout. In fact, I live for the challenge of a new workout. Sometimes the new workouts are something I created. But last week, I had the surprise of my life when I was invited to workout with one of the most well-known celebrity trainers. The challenge was the perfect recipe for one of my best days ever.
On Thursday August 11th, Adam Bornstein and I had the pleasure of working out with Bob Harper of NBC’s The Biggest Loser. This was an event sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross promoting healthy living. Bob has partnered with Anthem to help teach America how our health connects us all. After all, studies show that our healthy choices can affect those around us – and that those closest to us can have an effect on our health as well. We at LIVESTRONG.COM agree with this thinking 100 percent. We know that having positive, motivated, healthy individuals around will increase the probability of a healthy future for you and for those close to you.
We met with Bob and a handful of other health and fitness professionals on the beach in Santa Monica. Bob created an exclusive workout for those who attended the event. We also had the opportunity to prepare and cook a healthy and nutritious lunch, which was delicious and needed after the kick – butt workout.
Bob took us through a 45 minute beach workout designed specifically for working out with a buddy.We did squats, jumps, push-ups, plank, and a series of upper body exercises that had me feeling really sore for the next two days. In case my muscles were lying, my heart rate monitor showed that I burned 400 calories!
The cooking portion of the day was a blast. Adam and I shared a cooking station, which was stocked with fresh vegetables, chicken breast and quinoa. We used Bragg’s Amino Acids, to season the chicken and added red pepper flakes, and jalapeno to give our stir fry a kick. Quite simply the final product was delicious. Bob spoke to the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. The broccoli, spinach, and kale that composed our lunch are all high in fiber, and these foods keep you full longer, not only that they are low in calories.
Here are a few pictures of the workout and also a shot of the three of us.
Here, Bob was doing chest press with me as the weight. The further back my feet were, increased the amount of weight …then he had me do pseudo push-ups in the same position…it was a challenge.
Bob is adding extra weight to my plank pose. This worked my core, glutes and shoulders…when Bob had Adam switch places with me; I stood on Adam’s back!
Great way to spend a Thursday. As I said to my friends, it’s pretty amazing working at LIVESTRONG.COM.
-Susy
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