Fitness Newsletter | July 2014 | VBgov.com/Parks
Coming Soon: BODYCOMBAT™

 

BODYCOMBAT™ is a fiercely energetic program inspired by mixed martial arts. During this ultimate warrior workout, you'll strike, punch, kick and kata your way through calories to superior cardio fitness. Each one-hour class can help you burn over 700 calories while improving heart and lung function, developing coordination and agility, toning and strengthening muscles, and building self-confidence.

 

Check out this video to see what the class is all about and look for an announcement of class offerings coming soon!

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Putting an End to Overeating

You've decided it's time to get in shape and lose some weight, once and for all. You swear off fast food and dedicate yourself to going to the rec center several times a week. After a great workout, you leave feeling more resolved than ever to reach your goals. Then you drive past Chick-Fil-A and start to think about how good it would taste. And so begins the internal struggle that eventually allows you to think of nothing else. You get anxious and uncomfortable, knowing that if you pull in, you can quiet that discomfort momentarily. But, caving now will only reinforce that habit and make it harder to avoid stopping the next time. Does this sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. 
 
A term coined "conditioned hypereating" refers to cues, priming, and emotions that "amplify the beckoning power of highly palatable food and make it difficult for many people to turn away." You might want to eat more fatty, sugary, and salty foods even when you aren't hungry. You might not be able to stop even after you're full. Just thinking about or seeing an image of a food high in fat, sugar, or salt can cause you to want to eat it. 
 
Fortunately, you can work on reversing these habits to regain control over your behavior by: 
  1. Becoming aware of the situations that lead you to eat
  2. Engaging in competing behaviors - planning how to respond differently when the urge occurs
  3. Changing your thought process to quiet old habits - reminding yourself of your goals at each encounter and making yourself aware of the long-term impact a food could have
  4. Having support - a way of sustaining and reinforcing your motivation not to engage in old habits 
For more information on conditioned hypereating and what you can do to break free, check out The End of Overeating by David Kessler, MD at your local library.
Meet the Team's Newest Member: Erin Konrad

We're excited to welcome Erin Konrad as the newest addition to the fitness unit. She comes to us from Richmond where she worked in Fitness Management. She holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Longwood University and is certified as an ACSM Personal Trainer with a specialty in pre-natal and post-partum exercise design. Erin is an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and teaches a wide variety of group fitness classes including Boot Camp, TRX�, Aqua, Barre and Pilates. She has a passion for motivating and challenging her clients to work hard to achieve an active and healthy lifestyle. 
 
Erin's fitness philosophy is, "A lifestyle of wellness means having a healthy mind and a healthy body. Create this by having fun and working hard at getting better every day!" 
 
In her free time, Erin enjoys being outdoors and is always on the go either running, paddle boarding, fishing, riding her horse, or spending time with her dogs. 
 
Look for Erin at Bayside Recreation Center, or drop her a line at [email protected]
Fitness Tip Video Clip: TRX� Rear Suspended Lunge


Take your workout outdoors using TRX� Suspension Training! The unique design of the TRX� straps builds muscular and core strength by using your own body weight for resistance. TRX� Cardio Circuit is a one-hour class offered at Bayville Farms Park that alternates between TRX� Suspension Training and basic athletic cardio drills. It is an easy to follow class for all fitness levels because you can work at your own pace. Class is offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7-8 am. The next session begins August 19 and runs through September 4. Register online via EZreg or in person at any recreation center. 

 

For a sample TRX exercise, check out this video of the TRX� Rear Suspended Lunge. 

Have You Ever Tried...?

 

Giant Marconi Peppers have a sweet-smoky taste and are one of the biggest Italian-type sweet peppers around, easily growing 8-12 inches long. They prefer full-sun exposure and are tolerant of humidity, so they grow easily in Virginia Beach summer weather. As long as peppers are picked as they ripen, plants will continue producing until the first frost. 

 

This variety of pepper is great roasted, grilled, stuffed, in salads and salsas, as well as fresh off the bush. Even if you lack a green thumb, keep an eye out for Marconi peppers at local grocery and farmers markets.

Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

 

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project.
  
All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers, Owl Creek Tennis Center, and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 1 for Labor Day. Parks will be open! 

Bayside Recreation Center will be closed September 8-14 for fall maintenance. The pool will remain closed through September 21.

 

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].
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Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.