Lisa's Likes: Summer Meeting Style

When I’m not working at The Studio (MDR), you will probably find me attending a meeting about the studio somewhere nearby, like Zinque on Abbot Kinney.  And when meetings stack up, I rely on some of my personal, favorite things to get me through the day (and sometimes on through the night!). First thing’s first – the outfit.  Joie is one of my "go-to" brands when I’m not in my Lulu’s or Beyond Yoga wear.  This dress is just as comfortable as a pair of work out pants & a tank, but it looks way better for a stroll down Washington as I head to dinner at Casa Ado on the beach.  I pair it with flat gladiator sandals for day and chic wedges in the evening.

Like many of you, I am addicted to my iPad.  I use it for so many things…to approve expansion & design plans for the studio, to listen to audio books on everything from Feng Shui to Shades of Grey (my students are obsessed with it!!!), to watch our “coming soon” MDR workouts on YouTube, and to check emails and class sign-ups.  It goes with me everywhere and I store it in an adorable Rebecca Minkoff case (my fave).

Accessories make my look complete.  My necklace is a gift from me to myself for my 40^th birthday.  A girl should never have to wait for diamonds and I didn't intend to!

Fendi is making a big comeback on the fashion scene. I love pairing designer bags with my workout clothes. It makes me feel chic even after I break a MDR-induced sweat.  Also, I support local businesses (since I own one), so I love buying my eyewear at my friend Susie's store - Eyes on Main. Not only does her eyewear scream style, but it supports the local economy and helps my baby blues see!

Superfood Saturday--Say Hi to Açaí

It's time for Superfood Saturday's on The Studio (MDR) blog. And today, we want you to say hi to Açaí. Also known as nature’s energy fruit, the Açaí berry is one of the most nutritious foods in the world.

Açaí, harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, is chock full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids, making the tiny berry a weight loss and anti-aging superfood¹!

While it may be difficult to find Açaí berries in your local supermarket, Açaí juice is widely available.  There is also, a new product featuring the unsweetened pulp of Açaí which provides many benefits including²:

• A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.
• A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.
• An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.

So, if you’re feeling a little sluggish, or if you just need an extra boost of energy, this recipe for an Açaí smoothie is a fantastic choice to consume before or after your workout at The Studio (MDR).

Açaí Berry Smoothie 

1 Unsweetened Pure Açaí Berry Smoothie Pack 8 oz Almond Milk 1 Banana 1 Scoop Whey Protein Powder 1 Tablespoon Flax Seed Oil

Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy!

Is there a superfood you'd love to read more about? Let us know, we are looking for future "Superfood Saturday" ideas.

1. http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/Açaí -berries-and-Açaí -berry-juice-what-are-the-health-benefits
2. http://www.oprah.com/health/Açaí -Dr-Perricones-No-1-Superfood

Real People, Real Results: True Stories Of 230lb Weight Loss From The Workout Trenches Of LA

Real people. REAL results. Over 230 lbs lost amongst 6 people  in one year alone (we're still counting and there's more than that)! This is what The Studio (MDR) is all about. Forget fad diets, deprivation and denial and say hello to a healthy lifestyle where people experience a total transformation with a little help from their friends.

Transformation is a powerful word.  For some, it can mean a loss of weight, a change in attitude, the commitment to living a healthy lifestyle, and so much more.  Personal transformation means something different for each person. That's what makes our little fitness enclave so special. Forget a cookie cutter approach, experience individual results!

After opening our doors just one short year ago, the physical transformations amongst our community of MDR loyalists have been astounding and so much so that every 4 weeks, we are honored to feature one of our fabulous clients as a Transformer of The Month.

As of February, six transformers had been featured in our newsletter. Each individual has overcome personal struggle and adversity to achieve life-changing transformation!

Was it easy for our "warriors"?  Absolutely not.

Possible?  Definitely.

Each of these lovely ladies exemplify proof that with commitment and hard work, change is not only possible but inevitable.

For Heather Keopunna, mother of two, transformation has meant losing over 50 pounds and reversing her pre-diabetes diagnosis.

Busy TV production executive, Christine Sanchez, is now in full remission from Lupus and is 35 pounds lighter thanks to her clean, detoxifying vegan diet and consistent weekly MDR workouts.

Lindsay Hallam dropped 50 pounds and 10% body fat in a little over six months, and she believes so strongly in the benefits and effectiveness of this method that she is now training to be an instructor at The Studio (MDR).

After trying everything from gyms and personal trainers to ab rollers and the Santa Monica Stairs, Donna Ohana found success, dropping 25 pounds, when she began taking classes atThe Studio (MDR).

Sone Vaynerman is over 25 pounds lighter after cutting out alcohol, sugar and gluten. She found her support system in the people who were breaking a sweat right next to her at The Studio (MDR) each week, proclaiming:

"It's a community full of wonderful people who are in a perpetual state of supporting one another."

Susan Benjaminsen's journey at The Studio (MDR) advanced from weight loss and physical fitness to creating new pathways of mind-body awareness and connection. She learned it's one thing to make a physical transformation and yet another to "own" it psychologically.  This year, Susan turned 50 -- and dropped from 169 pounds and a size 14 to 137 pounds and a size 4.

So wherever you are in your journey of transformation for 2012, let these encouraging stories of success inspire you to reach your goals.  Better yet, implement a workout at The Studio (MDR) three to four times per week, check out the healthy recipes featured on our blog and make a commitment to your health.  Look It + Feel It + Live It. Because you deserve it!

The Studio (MDR) Superfood Saturday's: Flaxseeds

For this week's Superfood Saturday on The Studio (MDR) blog, we're favoring the flaxseed.  Similar to the chia seed we posted about last week, we love the health benefits and versatility of the flaxseed. Wellness experts and media alike are calling this the new wonder food for its ability to help fight everything from heart disease and diabetes to breast cancer.  WebMD also reports that, although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, it owes its healthy reputation primarily to three ingredients:

Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.

Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75-800 times more lignans than other plant foods.

Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types.

Tips for Incorporating Flaxseed's Into Your Diet:

• Drink plenty of water. There is so much soluble fiber in flax that it is important to drink plenty of water when eating flax products, otherwise constipation may result.
• Remember to start slowly if you aren’t used to a high-fiber diet.
• If you purchase the whole seeds, you need to grind them up to get the benefit.
• Flax is often used as an egg substitute in baked goods for people who can’t or choose not to eat eggs. This is because of the soluble fiber, which adds structure to the food.
• About 2/3 to 3/4 cup of flax seed yields 1 cup of flax meal. With my grinder, it’s 3/4 cup, and my recipes reflect this.

Flax Recipes and Serving Suggestions:

• Raw or toasted: Sprinkle over cottage cheese, ricotta, yogurt, breakfast cereal; put in shakes (thickens them somewhat)
• Cooked in a hot cereal: For example, try Hot Flax Peanut Butter Cereal or Hot Pumpkin Cereal

• Cooked into other foods: For example, meatloaf, meatballs, or casseroles.

Have you ever tried flaxseeds? Want to share your own recipe? Leave a comment here or chime in via our community on Facebook--http://www.facebook.com/thestuidomdr Also, we'd love to get your input. Which superfood should we feature for next Saturday? Let us know.

Weight Loss Success Stories From The Studio (MDR): Meet Transformer Lindsay Hallam

If you are feeling a little discouraged about your New Years resolution, you may want to read this story.

When Lindsay Hallam started working out at The Studio (MDR) she had a very big goal: To reduce her body fat by 10 percent and drop 50 pounds. Difficult to accomplish? Sure. But impossible, NO. Not with an exercise routine inclusive of yoga and classes at one of LA's most popular and highly respected fitness studios in Marina Del Rey. Lindsay knew it was time to get busy sweating and start SPX-ing.

"Before discovering SPX, I was really unhappy, insecure, and uncomfortable in my own skin," she says. "I started at 172 pounds and I set milestone goals to lose 10 pounds at a time. Over the course of eight months, I reduced my body fat from 33 percent to 23 percent and have lost 48 pounds."

Were there challenges? Of course. "I struggle with patience," Lindsay said. "When I set my mind to do something, I want to get it done immediately." But she knew that in order to lose her weight and body fat the healthy way, she had to do it slowly.

"I just showed up. Jessi, and Mary gave me what I needed to do the rest." Lindsay also incorporated some pretty big lifestyle changes that helped her transform.

# 1 -- Alcohol. "I decided I wanted to trade the six-pack in my hand for one on my stomach," says Lindsay. "I used to have several drinks a night throughout the week; now I just have one or two drinks every now and then.

# 2 -- Cooking. "I used to skip breakfast and eat out for lunch and dinner. Now, I make just about every meal I consume. I eat fresh and organic as much as possible and while I don't count calories, carbs, sugar, etc., I make an effort to keep them low. I also think it's important not to deprive myself. So, if I have a craving for something, I get it. I just don't do it all the time."

#3 -- Consistency. "The major pitfall I encountered through all of my failed attempts at losing weight in the past is that when I skipped a workout or ate something unhealthy, I would beat myself up and just sink back to my old ways. It became much easier to reach my goals once fitness and healthy foods became a part of my daily lifestyle, instead of a diet-of-the-moment."

If you are second guessing that New Years resolution and your commitment to achieving it, let Lindsay be an example of the rewards that commitment and patience will yield. And if that's not enough, you can use The Studio (MDR)'s mantra for extra encouragement: "Look It+Feel It+Live It."