Touching testimonial from a Pure Austin member: Life changing results!

Here is something I was inspired to write this early morning:

I am 8 days away from giving birth to our first child and have been reflecting on the changes in my life over the past 2 years. I came to Chelsea about 2 years ago and have been training with her on an average of 3 times a week since. Before this, I had never exercised regularly or had good nutrition. Quite the opposite. We enjoyed going out to eat and drink most days of the week. Finally this poor lifestyle it caught up with me; not only as an additional 5 pounds a year since high school but mentally too. Since the age of 15, I have struggled with anxiety and depression. I had been on an ever changing rotation of anti-anxiety drugs for years with no sustainable solution. At the age of 26, something had to change. I was depressed, anxious, overweight, tired, out of shape, and feeling terrible. With the encouragement of my husband, I decided to give physical training a try. I had some initial fears: the hard work, the time commitment, and what seemed like a frivolous, self-indulgent expense. Considering the thousands of dollars a month that I was spending on eating and drinking to keep my self unhealthy, this was a step in the right direction.

I started to see Chelsea 3 times a week. It was hard work and I didn't feel like working most days. I knew this was just what I needed if I ever wanted to be healthy. I began seeing results physically but more importantly I began to feel better in every way. After about 6 months there was a switch that happened. My self-esteem had grown, I looked better, and I felt like I was able to do anything. Today, I have control of my life for the first time ever. I finally look forward to going to the gym. I like the feeling of lifting heavy weights and working hard; it makes me feel strong and in control. I have broken the cycle of bad health. I am proud to be able to teach my children the lessons I have learned through this experience. Physical training has been transformative. It has been a full lifestyle change and has changed the person that am. Choosing to get the help of a physical trainer was the best decision I have ever made for myself and I will continue to train with Chelsea because it keeps me healthy and happy.

Today I am proud to say that after 9 months of pregnancy with a full sized baby in my belly, I weigh the same as I did when I first came to Chelsea. I have continued to go to the gym 3 times a week throughout my pregnancy and feel great. I am excited to go into labor because I am trained for it. I didn't expect this many changes to happen to me but I am encouraged to know there are many more in store for me.

Molly

Yummy Pizza Recipe via Laura CaJacob

Laura CaJacob sent us a recipe one of her clients LOVES!

I just get an Ezekial pita

-I put 1-2 table spoons of goat cheese depending on the calories I am watching. I spread it on top of the pita

-One roma tomato or two....I take the seeds out to keep out the moisture ...and bread from getting soggy
-Ground pepper and oregano on top to taste
-drizzle olive oil

Optional:
-a little garlic
-a little parmesan on top to add some salt
-some basil
- a small amount on mozzarella on top of the goat....its very wet so don't over do it

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 mins. You want the bottom to be slightly browned. Then turn on the broiler and brown the top for 1-2 mins!
its so good I love it :)

Congratulations to #pureres winner Patty!!!

Congratulations Patty!! Great job on following through with your resolutions - it totally shows! We love your positive energy! Here's Patty's story:

I’ve been a member at Pure Austin for several years, but a work assignment in Russia last fall interrupted my routine. As soon as I returned, I couldn’t wait to get back to Pure! I genuinely look forward to each visit here. I love the variety of the classes and equipment, the jogging trail, the skilled and enthusiastic instructors – there is always something fun to try. The Town Lake location is close to my home and Quarry Lake is close to my office, so it's very easy for me to fit in a morning, lunchtime or evening workout nearly every day. I am not particularly athletic, but I never feel out of place here. I especially enjoy the Pump Raw and Triple X classes; they are a great balance to my running workouts. I perform in local theater and for the past few months, I’ve been training to build stamina for my role in a musical production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” in Georgetown. Added bonus: I can wear the “revealing” costumes with confidence. Thank you, Pure Austin!

Meet our members! Henry Harless!

A native Austinite, Henry has been beaming his happy smile around Pure Austin since 2003! Henry comes into Pure Austin to do creative leg workouts that enhance his admirable running speed, and keep him injury free! And he really likes to toss the medicine balls around, to strengthen his core. If you ever see him messing around the gym, you should definitely pick his brain for a new exercise or just flat out copy his moves :)! Henry has his own Austin-flavored real estate business, and he does business just like he does his workouts - with attention to detail and a focus on moving things fast!

Our friendly Pure Austin community is what keeps us motivated to pursue our goals inside and outside of the gym. We all love to know more about our members. Shoot us a line so we can feature you, too!

Another reason why Urban Adventure Camp with Chelsea rules!

Just got this testimonial in!

Urban Adventure Bootcamp rules!

Late in 2008, I found out I was BRCA Positive. That is the technical term for having the "breast & ovarian cancer gene." In the first 3 months of 2009, I had a hysterectomy and complete mastectomy and reconstruction. After those surgeries, I had lost a lot of strength as well as confidence that I could get it back. I kept exercising, but never dreamed that I could keep up in a fitness class or much less a bootcamp! I started attending Chelsea's Cardio Core and Pure Pump classes, then found the confidence to sign up for Urban Adventure Bootcamp. Before those, I could not jump. No, seriously...I didn't have the strength to jump up onto a bench, nor did I think I could do it! I could not hold a plank for more than 30 seconds at a time, and I never thought I could bearcrawl up a hill! Now I can do all of those things and more, and I am stronger than ever. Chelsea's approach is "What can your body do?," and she has helped me reach far beyond what I thought mine could. I am stronger, leaner and more confident in just 4 weeks, and I have signed up for two adventure races already!


You can sign up for Urban Adventure Bootcamp NOW

AND he's a super nice guy

Check out what Craig has to say about Pure Austin Coaching Director and Coach Shawn Bostad:

At 40 years-old and with numerous triathlons, duathlons and mountain biking and running races under my belt, I consider myself an active and competitive recreational athlete. I have the privilege of training with Shawn in Austin,TX and can honestly say that he is the best athletic trainer that I've ever been associated with. The characteristics of a successful trainer are, without a doubt, many.  However, I believe some of the most fundamental include: knowledge, charisma, leadership skills, creativity, caring, and
enthusiasm, the ability to create an inclusive environment and, maybe themost important, results-oriented. These are just a few of the areas in which Shawn excels. When he trains he speaks from the practical perspective that only personal experience can provide. He combines his wealth of experience with a solid understanding of the science of fitness. This knowledge
combined with his creativity, enthusiasm and love for what he does enables him to create very popular and very successful workout programs for all levels of athletes from the professional racer to the person who might be entering the gym for the first time. People gravitate to him because of his contagiousenthusiasm and because they know they'll be better off if they follow his
instruction.

PAC Rules. Want to be part of this?

I had seen the Pure Austin Coaching fliers and pamphlets around Pure Austin for months but was too intimidated to try it.  I wish I had not waited so long!  Shawn and the coaching group are very approachable, friendly and inspirational.  My swimming has improved tremendously, I can really relax and pull in the water now.  I was not a runner at all and now can run a 10:30 mile on a good day -- I even have anterior tibialis muscles now!!  I would not have accomplished those milestones without Shawn's coaching and the support of the athletes around me.  I would wholeheartedly recommend PAC to anyone who wants to revel in a healthy and supportive but also challenging approach to health and fitness."  Vivian Potterf


Contact Shawn at shawn@pureaustin.com or learn more and sign up now.

Train with Chelsea: What can your body do?

Train with Chelsea: What can your body do?

Fitness to me is not just what we look like but more about what our bodies can do. How much weight can you squat? How many pushups can you do? Can you do a pull up unassisted? How far can you run? How fast can you run? Do you desire to complete a triathlon? Or run a half marathon? Or maybe it's just about fitting your workouts in your busy schedule? If you believe you can't then you are right. It is my purpose to provide a comfortable training environment to enable you to push pass what you think you can do and show you how far you can truly push your body to achieve the goals you set.

Training openings:

Town Lake:
Monday: 6am, 9am, 2pm
Tuesday: 7am, 11am, 12pm
Wednesday: 6am, 10am, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm
Thursday: 8am - 1pm
Friday:8am, 12pm
Saturday: 11am, 12pm

Quarry Lake:
Tuesday: 4pm, 5pm
Thursday: 4pm, 6pm

Classes that I teach:
Monday: Pump Raw - 12 noon, Cardio Core - 4:30pm
Friday: Cardio Core - 6:30am, Pump Raw - 5:15pm

Upcoming Clinic: Urban Adventure Training: March 7th - March 30th, April 4th - 28th, May 2nd - 25th
M and W 6:15pm - 7:15pm

"TAKE IT TO THE STREETS & FIND YOUR STRENGTH!" Urban Adventure Training is a fast-paced, dynamic total body workout that uses the streets as our exercise playground. Burn fat, gain strength & increase endurance with this progressive workout that integrates a variety of calisthenics, plyometrics, core exercises, sprinting, hill running, and urban obstacle courses. Cardiovascular and strength assessments will be measured at the beginning & end of each month. Homework given each week. Opportunities to compete in upcoming adventure races i.e. MUDDY BUDDY, TEXAS QUEST, SPREAD YOUR WINGS.

Chelsea's blog: http://chelsea-paul.blogspot.com

Delicious dip + 14 lbs lighter!

Check out this great, healthy dip recipe given to our dietitian Laura CaJacob by one of our new members, Julie. She is kicking butt at Pure Austin, and has lost over 14 pounds since joining!

2 cloves garlic
2 (15-oz) cans cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
1 T fresh parsley leaves, chopped
¼ C fresh lemon juice*
¼ C olive oil
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. In a food processor, pulse the garlic cloves until finely chopped.
2. Add beans, parsley, lemon juice, & olive oil; process until smooth.
3. Add salt & pepper adjusting to taste.

*You might need to add a little more than ¼ C of lemon juice; taste & add more if needed.

NOTE: Dip can be made up to one day ahead and chilled.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with baby carrots, sliced red bell pepper, pita chips

YIELD: 2 cups

Take home Message: Get some SLEEP to LOSE FAT

Our owner, Beto Boggiano, likes to send us peer-reviewed journal article studies that will keep us abreast of the latest research. This came through today:

We know that thin people sleep more and overweight people sleep less
(strong correlation) but here, two groups of people were put on a
restricted-cal diet to lose weight, both ate the same amt and lost
the same amount of weight but the ones that got more sleep (8.5 hrs)
lost FAT weight; the ones limited to less sleep (5.5 hrs) lost muscle
weight.

If you're trying to reduce fat mass, get your sleep.

MMB

Brook's January Jams for Monday 5:30 pm Core Cycling at Quarry!

January jams! Check out these specialty themed rides for the 5:30-6:30pm Core Cycling classes at Pure Austin Quarry Lake!
Mon, Jan 3, 5:30pm: 90s Ride: Coolio, Beck, Metallica, “Hamma Time,” etc!
Mon, Jan 10, 5:30pm: Rap/Rock: Eminem (clean), Snoop, Eve 6, Kevin Rudolf, etc!
Mon, Jan 17, 5:30pm: Positive Vibes: “Feel Good,” upbeat songs across genres!
Mon, Jan 24, 5:30pm: Country: Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks, Robert Earl Keen, etc!
All rides will be instructed by Brook Benten. You'll experience 50-minutes riding hard on the bike through intervals of fast flats, heavy hills, and everything in-between. The last 10-minutes of class will be devoted to core strengthening exercises on the mat.

Tanning Special

Eli's New Years Resolution Tip!

We all want to keep our fitness resolutions, but sometimes it's hard with our busy schedules. On days when you can't make it to the gym, don't call it a loss. Use this workout tip from Eli and get more done at home!

Eli says:
When you have too much to do around the house, do a little something to keep yourself active. Try this:

Set a timer between 5 to 10 Minutes. When it goes off, set aside what you are doing and do an exercise to your personal max. For example: the timer goes off and you knock out 20 push ups or 25 jump squats. Then, reset the timer, keep going with your task until the next set.

If you do this often enough, your max will build and you'll improve your true workout at the gym.

Don't rely on this as a substitute to your full workout, but it will help you multitask and shake a bit of that holiday guilt! :)

Shoot Pure Austin Fitness Specialist Eli an email if you want to get hooked up with one of the best and brightest trainers around! Eli@PureAustin.com