In This Issue
Dearest Titans!
I admit it … generally, I am a little behind on some things. (For instance, I was supposed to have my section of the newsletter completed by the 9th of February, and here it is, already a week late.) I owe you an apology for being late on some things, but I promise that there are good reasons for it and it's all in the best interest of all the Titans out there.
In Mentor, the ladies' locker room is coming along at a little slower pace than I would like, but by the time you read this everything will be up and running and (hopefully) beautiful. The aerobics room is also moving along, and we should have flooring down very soon. We're also planning a couple other projects to better use our space and make the flow of traffic a little more clean in the Mentor facility.
The Cleveland Titans is growing at leaps and bounds. Our foremost Cleveland project is to add more group classes. As we've grown, so has the demand for weekend/morning classes, and we've had ever increasing demand for a Spinning program. Let us know what classes you'd like to see added, and we'll see what we can do. Send your feedback to Steve at Steve@titansgym.com.
We've also just revamped our website and have added tons of content. Check out the profiles for our new personal trainers, Jason Bickel and Jolene Ball … and check out our Best Business Buds to see who Titans Gym recommends for almost anything. Please email me thru the website if you are a gym member and want to be added to our Best Business Buds list!
Also, if you're looking for a little fun during the week, drop in on our friends at the Corner Alley (corner of East 4th and Euclid) — besides life in the "fast lane" (twelve of them, actually) they have some great deals for ALL Titans members from $2.00 bowling Monday through Thursday to huge discounts on food. Or if you're in an Irish mood, check out Flannery's Pub, our neighbors at 323 East Prospect — the lads there are offering you their own food and beverage deals. Click here for more information about these special offers. To see what the Corner Alley is all about, click here. And you'll learn more about Flannery's Pub here.
Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Geoff DelGrosso, CSCS
President, Titans Gym
Jolene Ball
 | Jolene at her heaviest,
January 2008 |
"Are you training for a show?"
Jolene Ball is getting used to this question. Although she doesn't have competition in her sights right now, the 33-year-old single mom certainly enjoys being asked — it's one indication of how far she's come. She recognized another benchmark when, a year ago, her seven-year-old put his arms completely around her and said, "mommy, you're skinny!" Major milestones on an eight-year journey!
In February 2003, Jolene was preparing for her best friend's wedding. As she was being fitted for her bridesmaid's dress, the bridal shop handed her a severe reality check: they would need to order a plus size.
After several good cries and emotional melt-downs, Jolene joined Titans Gym. Seven months and 35 pounds later, in her dramatically altered dress, she looked great!
 | Jolene, the "fat picture,"
August 2009 |
She continued her fitness program, but in October 2006 she found that she was pregnant with twins. The resulting weight gain left Jolene with poor self-esteem and a damaged body image. After the babies were born, she returned to Titans. But her workouts were sporadic, and she wasn't losing weight. By January 2009, Jolene had reached her highest weight ever, 206 pounds.
That spring she decided to combat her depression and exercise funk. Research led her to the Couch to 5K program, designed to get participants off the couch and, in gradual increments over nine weeks, running 5 kilometers or 30 minutes nonstop. (Click here for information about Couch to 5K.)
By August 2009, Jolene had dropped 18 pounds. She joined an adult recreational soccer team and, after playing through the fall and winter seasons, was feeling good and getting back into decent shape — although, looking back, she realizes that a photograph taken at that time is now her "fat picture."
 | The new Jolene,
January 2011 |
About then, Titans trainer James Boykin contacted her: how were things going? Jolene leveled with him: not so great. A few days later, she was back in the gym, pursuing a regular workout and cardio routine. With James's coaching, she got her head back into the game and started working through her physical and emotional struggles.
With that, Jolene began the journey that would change her life for good. She now performs full bodyweight chin-ups and dips with high reps, bench-presses 135 pounds , and easily fits into her size 4 clothing.
With her passion for fitness, Jolene also realized that she could help other people make their health and fitness goals a reality. So she took, and passed, the exam to become an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer.
To learn how she accomplished all this, and how she manages the day-to-day demands of a frantic schedule, read the rest of Jolene's story here on the Titan Up Times web site.
Team Titans Competing Saturday, April 2
in NPC Natural Ohio
Dave Liberman's April 2011 NPC Natural Ohio Drug-Tested Bodybuilding, Physique, Figure, and Bikini Championships will showcase our very own "Team Titans"!
Eleven Titans Gym members will be competing at the Saturday, April 2 event:
- Alex Russo, Teenage Men's
- Andy Stevenson, Teenage Men's
- Ike Jacklin, Teenage Men's
- Anthony Mazzarella, Teenage and Bantamweight
- Josh Snyder, Welterweight
- Larry Farley, Master's Men 50 & Over and Lightweight
- Josh Costa, Physique
- Jamison Bays, Figure
- Dan Moorhead, Bantamweight
- Brandy Golden, Bikini
- J. P. Terranova, Lightweight
It's not too late to get tickets — talk to Dave Liberman (440.942.5634), or order through his website. Tickets will also be available at the door (cash only).
Prejudging 10:00 am: $15.00 (general admission)
Finals 6:00 pm: $25.00 (all seats assigned, reserved)
The event will be at Lakewood Civic Auditorium (in Lakewood High School), 14100 Franklin Boulevard in Lakewood, 10 minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Click here for map and directions.
For further details about the event, click here.
Get Ready for Spring With Our Healthy Specials
Spring is on its way (honest!) — those blue skies and sunshine and warm(er) temperatures will soon have us out getting fit and shaking off the winter blahs. Make sure your body is ready to greet the new season by fueling up with this month's specials. Except where noted, special prices are good through April 30, 2011.
Take-out Special Promotion for March and April: Nutty Celery Chicken
Tasty morsels of skinless chicken breast and slivers of crisp-tender celery, sauced with a blend of soy, tahini, ginger, and garlic and topped with rich, buttery-tasting chopped cashews. All this can be yours for the special price of $6.99/pound. Take some
home to share for dinner … if you don't eat it all yourself!
Eat-In Special Promotion for March and April: The Titan Up Meal Bundle
Add a side salad and small shake to any pizza, omelet, or wrap for just $3.50. Indulge yourself!
Breakfast of the Month: Egg Bake
One slice of Niki's own combination of egg white, apple slices, cinnamon, and oatmeal will show you what the Titan Up Café is all about: tasty, satisfying food that's good for your body. Warm or cold … for breakfast, lunch, or dinner … pre- or post-workout: it's a perfectly rounded meal. Special price $4.00 (normally $4.95).
Entrée of the Month: Asian Pizza
It's the café's newest offering: a whole-wheat pita topped with our own soy-marinated Asian chicken, toasted sesame sauce, green onion, mushrooms, spinach, and a wasabi kick. And you can try it now for the very special price of just $6.00 (regular price will be $7.95).
Soup of the Month: 50˘ off our Heart-Healthy Lentil Soup.
Lentils, those tiny little nuggets of nutrition … diced carrot, sliced peppers, tomatoes … a savory tomato-based broth … and a touch of garlic and cumin to make things interesting: this is sure to keep you warm while you watch the snow melt.
Side Dish of the Month: Deviled Eggs
These aren't the kind the Easter Bunny brings! Our No-Yolk Deviled Eggs are just as tasty as the ones your grandma used to make, but without the saturated fat and cholesterol. Only $1.25.
Snack of the Month: Cholesterol-Lowering Rice Crispy Treats
Looking for a break from your apple-a-day? These sweet things contain plant stanols and sterols that help lower cholesterol. Eat one when you've thrown caution to the winds and had that high-cholesterol meal, and it will keep your body from absorbing the bad stuff. Regular price $1.00, special price 2/$1.50.
Shake of the Month (March): Chocolate Thinny Mint
Chocolate and mint — what a seductive combination! (Those Girl Scout Cookie people know what they're doing.) Treat yourself to this lucious blend of organic chocolate soy milk, rich Ghirardelli chocolate, and mint extract — with 30g of chocolate protein and our Burn Fat Burn to keep you healthy and meeting your goals.
(Available now through March 31, 2011)
Shake of the Month (April): Peanut Butter and Jelly
Your favorite childhood flavor combo is all grown up: a scrumptious low-fat blend of strawberry puree, vanilla whey, and peanut butter. And look at all it can do for you: improve cognitive function, provide cancer-fighting compounds, promote anti-aging, help with digestion, regulate blood sugar — and it won't stick to the roof of your mouth!
(Available April 1–April 30, 2011)
Does Moisturizing Do Any Good?
The short answer to that question is "yes!"
According to the American Tanning Institute, the first requirement for a successful tan is healthy skin. And you'll get more out of your tan if you use an indoor tanning lotion to prepare your skin for tanning.
First things first:
- Before you moisturize, use a mild soap or body wash and a scrub or an exfoliating bath sponge (like a Body Pouf) to give your tan a smooth foundation.
- Next, apply a light, unscented moisturizer such as Lubriderm or Eucerin.
- Now, take the final step: apply an indoor tanning lotion to give your skin the deep, constant moisture it needs and vitamins that help your tan last longer.
Why is all this so important? Tanning tends to dry the skin, and once that dry skin starts to flake, you've started losing your tan. So protect your investment by giving your tan a good start — and then let it set in by staying out of the shower for three to four hours after each tanning session.
New Bulbs The Mentor salon now has new bulbs for the Level III beds — be sure to adjust your exposure time accordingly!
Promotion of the Month (good through April 30, 2011): purchase a yearly EFT tanning contract (sign up for a year's contract and have the charge paid monthly through your credit card or withdrawn from your checking account), and you'll receive a free sample of tanning lotion and a coupon worth 25% off a future tanning lotion purchase.
Special Deals for Titans Members
Dannielle LaFaye, stylist at Pierre's Hair Salon (7663 Mentor Avenue, Mentor), offers Titans Gym members 10% off the price of her services — cuts, color, styles, clamp fusion hair extensions. To schedule an appointment, call 440.269.1773.
Free Whey Protein Sample
It's about time you tried About Time Whey Protein — 100% all natural whey protein isolate. Sweetened with stevia,
it's carb-, gluten-, and fat-free and contains 25 grams of whey protein isolate in every scoop.
Print your coupon and stop in today!
For a complete list of Titans Gym, Titan Up Café, and TG Tanning business hours and contact information, please click here.
Newsletter design/production by Emily Oldiges of CulurCreative Design Studio
Newsletter copy by Lenore Collins, the Compulsive Editor
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