Fitness Header
Fitness Newsletter | May 2014 | VBgov.com/Parks
New Boxing Classes at Great Neck

 

Boxing Video Preview Beginning in June, Fitness Boxing classes will be expanded to Great Neck Recreation Center! These small, group fitness classes will be led by Connie Bechtel, who has been in the health and fitness field for over 15 years and holds numerous personal training and group exercise certifications. She competed as an amateur and professional boxer and currently trains U.S. Marine Corps troops. We're excited to welcome her to our team!

 

Check out this video for a sneak peek of the classes that will offer a mix of conditioning, drills, mitt and bag work. Eager to get started?

 

Fitness Boxing | 3-Week Course

Mondays & Wednesdays | 6 - 7:30 pm | $58 | View class dates 

Quick Links
  
June schedules available early next week.
  
Connect with Us!

Like us on Facebook    View our photos on flickr    View our videos on YouTube
Do Saturated Fats Really Cause Heart Disease?

butter For decades, we've considered it a no-brainer that saturated fats, such as those found in red meat and dairy, contribute to clogging arteries and
heart disease. Despite this, it has been suggested that there has never been an experiment that has provided solid evidence of this relationship. In fact, a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests there is no such relationship.

In the 1950s, the largest nutritional study to date concluded that saturated fats raise cholesterol levels and cause heart attacks. Today, the results of this study are being questioned due to poor design and a persuasive scientist.

Despite the study's guidelines, much of the U.S. population has remained overweight and unhealthy. And while nearly $1 billion has been spent trying to prove the benefits of a diet low in saturated fats, none have produced significant evidence.

In a nutshell, this fear of saturated fats has led to an American diet rich in vegetable oils and carbohydrates, and with it, a whole host of potential health problems such as higher rates of cancer, and ironically heart disease.

 

So what does this mean? You can likely enjoy a well-rounded diet that includes moderate amounts of red meat, eggs, and whole-fat dairy. Balance is key.

Read more on this viewpoint in the Wall Street Journal.

Fitness Tip Video Clip: Push-ups & Sit-ups

 

Fitness Video Tip In honor of Military Appreciation Month, May's video tip challenges you to do as many push-ups and sit-ups as you can in a minute. Watch the video for proper form and then leave your results in the video comments.

Learn about our special offers for members of the military and their families at VBgov.com/parks

Have You Ever Tried...?

 

Spaghetti Squash is an aptly named squash variety, as when cooked, the insides fall away from the skin in spaghetti-like strands. The oblong yellow fruit can easily be baked, broiled, steamed, or microwaved and used in lieu of traditional pasta in any dish for a low calorie and carbohydrate option. (42 calories/10g of carbohydrates vs 221 calories/43g of carbohydrates in 1 cup)

Meet Our New Fitness Team Member: Lisa Yancey

 

Lisa Yancey The Fitness Team is excited to welcome Lisa Yancey as our newest member. Lisa has more than 20 years of experience teaching group fitness classes and personal training clients. She also has experience managing group fitness programs with over 100 instructors at multiple locations. She has taught and trained in many group fitness formats with a focus on incorporating Les Mills programs into the Hampton Roads area over the last 14 years.

 

Lisa is passionate about helping others achieve their goals. This passion was fueled even more so after the birth of her son, William, who wakes up every day challenging Cerebral Palsy. He serves as a reminder that the joy of life is in the journey. Lisa's personal fitness philosophy: "Fitness and nutrition is a choice."

 

Look for Lisa at Bayside Recreation Center or drop her a line at [email protected]

View our Latest Classes in the Summer Catalog
 
Get ready for summer with our outdoor bootcamps, Pilates classes, personal training and summer slim-down challenges. Find these and more in the latest edition of our Programs & Activities Catalog - now available online.
Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

 

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project
  
The gym at Great Neck Recreation Center will be closed through May 26 while the divider walls are repainted. 
  
All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers, Owl Creek Tennis Center, and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day. Parks will be open! 
 

Don't forget that your membership is good at all Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed for maintenance, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If you or your child requires additional support, we can help. Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.
We welcome your comments and questions. Feel free to email us at [email protected].
Fitness Footer 
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.