Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Resolutions
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Master Cleanse Challenge Overview
Brandyn's Feedback- The Master Cleanse Challenge did seem extremely long. If I did it again I would do something similar to what Michelle listed above. I would say I lost a total of 8 lbs doing the cleanse. My weight fluctuates a lot but its holding steady at 186......not bad for a 13 day process. I think the cleanse did help to clean my system out which was the point and it did encourage me to move into a more strict nutrition plan and eat small meals at regular intervals throughout the day. It also helped me to drink more water during the day which I have always been bad about. My energy level was actually pretty good throughout the whole process except for with my workouts and that was the one thing that I did not like about the cleanse. I just didn't have the energy for my workouts (cardio or strength). I normally do very intense strength workouts and while on the cleanse I was completely dragging through them. Now that I'm back to "real" food, I am eating fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein. And surprise, surprise, my energy level is back up. My weight loss goals have not changed. I would still like to get down to somewhere between 170-175 lbs and now I am 8 lbs closer to that goal. I hope my metabolism and energy levels will be throughthe roof and I can lose the rest of the weight the old fashion (and healthy) way........ with healthy eating and hard work in the gym! Stay posted for updates on my weight loss journey.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Day 13- Final Day of the Master Cleanse Challenge
So yesterday was the last day of the challenge. I got up and went to the gym. I had a great workout but I think I pushed it a little too hard. I ran for about 20 mins, did an upper body strength workout and then did the stairs for another 12 minutes and I think that is what did me in. I didn't feel that great after my workout. I went to the grocery store and felt somewhat better so I had some of my son's fruit smoothie. Immediately after that I started feeling kind of nauseous and the feeling really didn't subside the rest of the day. I didn't eat anything else and ended up going to bed pretty early. I slept well and woke up feeling better. Early in the day on Saturday my home scale said 182. The scale at home runs a little lower than the one at work....but based on the numbers, my estimated weight after the 13 day cleanse was right at 185. That is a 9 lb weight loss. Starting on Sunday I will move into a nutrition plan of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein when needed for the remainder of the 30 days. On Monday I will write a more detailed blog of my opinion on the Master Cleanse Challenge and will periodically report in about how the rest of the 30 days is going.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Master Cleanse Challenge- Day 12
So I didn't drink orange juice yesterday or lemonade or much of anything for that matter. I didn't feel very hungry and I was pretty busy so I really didn't think much about it. Yesterday when I got home I did have some celery with ranch dressing and a couple nibbles of the food that I fixed for the kids. My weight was at 184 this morning. I planned to do juices and raw fruits today but of course life has a tendency to get in the way. Daycare was closed this morning and I had to bring my youngest to work with me. He was starving so I ended up getting "real" food. We had eggs and a couple slices of bacon. It filled me up fast.....probably won't feel like eating much more today. I am also having to leave work early since I have him with me and most likely will not get my workout in......owell. Tomorrow is the last day of the diet.....def looking forward to it.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Master Cleanse- Day 11
Weighing in at 186 today. I feel pretty good about that being that yesterday was a crazy day and I really didn't have time to work out. Today should be better and am planning a weight routine (and maybe a little cardio if I can fit it in). Today is supposed to be orange juice day but I still don't have any oranges. Both kids are sick so I spent yesterday evening running around and picking up prescriptions for them. So not sure what I'll do today. At work I have: lemons (to make lemonade), 1 grapefruit, carrots and snowpeas so I might just have to make that work. I'm ready to start eating regularly again. I'm ready to have a little more energy so I can up the intensity of my workouts and really see what I can do with this weight loss thing. Check back later for how the rest of the day went.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Brandyn's Feedback:
Is it Day 10 already? Who's counting anymore....lol. Ok so yesterday was an interesting day and I must say I cheated my butt off. As I already stated, I ate 2 hard boiled eggs early in the day. I had a decent weight workout. Last night I didn't keep the kids so I had a "date night". I drank wine (can't tell you how much) and I fixed the most scrumptious dinner in life. Tomato, Basil, Parmesan Salmon with olive oil and basil spinach noodles and mixed broccoli, mushrooms and snow peas. Not trying to toot my own horn but....Toot, Toot! I don't know if the food was just that good or if it was good because I haven't had a real meal in over a week but it was quite tasty. Whew! glad I got that off my chest and don't have to feel guilty anymore.....
So here is the interesting part. Several hours after I ate the eggs yesterday I was down 2 pounds. And this morning, after eating real food last night, my weight is down to 185 lbs. That does say something about metabolism and how not eating can cause your body to hoard calories (and fat). But I really do feel like I'm back at my old weight. My stomach looks flatter and my clothes are fitting better. I am really anxious to see what happens when I move into a healthy diet and am eating at regular intervals throughout the day. My metabolism should be nice and speedy and I'll have more energy to put into my workouts.
Back to the lemonade today. I will try very hard to have a perfect day with no cheating since it is the last day of just lemonade. Wish me luck!!! Tomorrow is orange juice and I need some oranges.....
Free enrollment
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Master Cleanse- Day 9
Monday, December 13, 2010
Master Cleanse- Day 8
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Day 7- Brandyn's Feedback
Day 7- I felt a little dehydrated this morning when I woke up even though I drank extra water to counter the wine. My weight was way down this morning at 182....it must have been a fluke so I'll wait until later and weigh again and then re-post.
Other than that, feeling good.....not really hungry at all throughout the day now.....around dinner time I start to feel it a little bit. Had my salt water and first lemonade drink this morning and just trying to drink plenty of water. I won't work out today....resting and taking the kids to see Santa!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Day 6- Brandyn's Feedback
And now its Day 6. I just fixed my first lemonade drink of the day. I will hold off on the salt water drink until later this afternoon since I just did it last night. I am getting ready to go to the gym in about 30 mins....I'll probably do a more intense leg workout today. My weight is back down but still hovering around 189....hoping for some better weight results by tomorrow morning. Check back later for feedback from the rest of Day 6.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Last night went well. I didn't wake up in the middle of the night starving to death so that was good. Drank my salt water this morning.....ughhhh....it was harder today and I'm not even sure it worked so I might have to try again later. I used less salt today so that was probably the reason. I brought my lemonade to work minus the cayenne pepper. I had so much cayenne pepper yesterday that I made myself sick of it. Maybe I'll save that to put in my lemonade tonight (as a special treat...ha ha ha). I also brought two grapefruits today....just in case I start becoming delirious and maniacal (look it up people.....these are symptoms of starvation). I don't think turning into a Maniac at work will fare well with the employees and members....lol. I feel really good today though. Again its early but I feel like I have a lot of energy and a good attitude. I think I'm glad its the weekend but not sure. There is something "safe" about being at work during this cleansing process....not as many temptations. Today's workout is cardio. I'll report back later with updates about the day and how the workout goes. Until then.....lemonade cheers!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Day 4 Already
The lemonade is good. This is probably the biggest surprise so far.
I woke up with a little bit of a headache this morning but I am not hungry. I haven't mustered up enough courage for the salt water cleanse yet but the lemonade is going down just fine. My work out was interrupted by a screaming baby but I think that was a blessing, my run was very slow this morning. I felt pretty good just weaker than usual. As far as my weight goes, I have settled on 130.0. It will be nice to see a 12...something tomorrow. I haven't seen 12...anything since circa 2006 pre-children. I know you are thinking it is only 1lb but that is a big 1lb for me. 2 Christmas parties tonight and tomorrow. I'll let you know how I do.
Day 4 Starts
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Day 3 is almost over
I've been kind of hungry off and on today. I drank the orange juice all day and and did have a cup of black coffee that I put some Maple Syrup in for extra calories.....though I accidentally got the "sugar free" kind so it probably didn't help much.
My workout was pretty tough today. I felt very low on energy. I ran 20 mins, walked sprinted about 5 minutes and walked 5 minutes. No weights today, though I probably could have pulled it off since I felt like my cardio was so slack.
I am down 5 pounds since the weigh-in on Monday morning so that is the one thing keeping me motivated to do this.
Start the lemonade tomorrow......
Brandyn's Feedback from Day 2
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Day 2
Master Cleanse Challenge- Day 1 Feedback
Michelle's Feedback
Ha...well I'd say...Day 1 went pretty well. Watermelon for breakfast and a salad for lunch...I'm pretty nervous about dinner. I did have a diet coke but I'm hoping to phase that out by Day 2. I do feel good having not stuffed myself with a sandwich for lunch...run is tonight and boot camp in the morning.
Brandyn's Feedback
Day 1 went well. I didn't really have a breakfast/lunch/dinner.....I just kind of ate all day long which is a huge change for me. I had a mix of apples, grapes, bananas, cranberries, snow peas, mushrooms and avacados (all raw of course). I drank a lot of water and was running to the bathroom every 5 seconds. For my workout I ran 3 miles.....felt pretty good. The evening was tough especially when the kids were eating their dinners and I was still eating snow peas. I slept well considering. We'll see what Day 2 brings.....all juice.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Master Cleanse Weigh-in and Goals
Start Weight: 132.6 lbs
Goals:
1) Lose 2.6 lbs to get down to ideal weight of 130 lbs
2) Refocus overall nutrition plan and consume more vegetables
Brandyn
Start Weight: 194 lbs
Goals:
1) Short term- Get back down to 185 lbs (what I've weighed for the past year)
2) Long term- Get down to an ideal weight between 170-175 lbs
3) Increase energy level
4) Refocus workout regimen
Master Cleanse Challenge starts today!
Ease In (3 days)
Day 1: only consume fresh vegetables and fruit (60/40 balance)
Day 2: Break down all food into juice, soup, or broths
Day 3: Juice enough oranges to make 2 liters of orange juice (mixed with water to taste). Add maple syrup to increase caloric intake.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Less than 2 days until we start the master cleanse challenge!!!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Count down to the Master Cleanse Challenge- 3 days
See below for details and check back for updates on our progress!!! We will be posting our starting weights and goals over the weekend....
The Master Cleanse Diet
Ease In Diet- (3 days)
Day 1: only consume fresh vegetables and fruit (60/40 balance)
Day 2: Break down all food into juice, soup, or broths
Day 3: Juice enough oranges to make 2 liters of orange juice (mixed with water to taste). Add maple syrup to increase caloric intake.
Lemonade Diet (7 days)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons rich maple syrup
1/10 teaspoons cayenne powder
8 ounces of pure water
- drink at least 6-12 glasses a day
- refrain from pre-mixing the juice in large batches. It kills the enzymes
from the lemon juice.
- drink pure water throughout the day
Salt Water Flush (optional)
2 teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt
1 liter of pure water
- drink on an empty stomach in the morning
Herbal Laxative
3-5 tablets taken at night
Ease Out Diet (3 days)
Day 1: Orange Juice mixture from Day 3 of Ease In
Day 2: Break down all food into juice, soup, or broths
Day 3: only consume fresh vegetables and fruit (60/40 balance)
General Workout
Day 1: Cardio (3-5 mile run)
Day 2: Weights plus (15-20 min interval sprints)
Day 3: Interval sprints (3 miles/run 60 sec/walk 60 sec)
Day 4: Weights plus (15-20 min interval hill climbs)
Day 5: Cardio (3-5 mile run)
Day 6: Weights plus (15-20 min interval stair climb)
Day 7: 30-45 minute cross training
- cycle back to day 1 once day 7 has been completed
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Master Cleanse Challenge- Starts December 6th
The Master Cleanse Diet
Ease In Diet- (3 days)
Day 1: only consume fresh vegetables and fruit (60/40 balance)
Day 2: Break down all food into juice, soup, or broths
Day 3: Juice enough oranges to make 2 liters of orange juice (mixed with water to taste). Add maple syrup to increase caloric intake.
Lemonade Diet (7 days)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons rich maple syrup
1/10 teaspoons cayenne powder
8 ounces of pure water
- drink at least 6-12 glasses a day
- refrain from pre-mixing the juice in large batches. It kills the enzymes
from the lemon juice.
- drink pure water throughout the day
Salt Water Flush (optional)
2 teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt
1 liter of pure water
- drink on an empty stomach in the morning
Herbal Laxative
3-5 tablets taken at night
Ease Out Diet (3 days)
Day 1: Orange Juice mixture from Day 3 of Ease In
Day 2: Break down all food into juice, soup, or broths
Day 3: only consume fresh vegetables and fruit (60/40 balance)
General Workout
Day 1: Cardio (3-5 mile run)
Day 2: Weights plus (15-20 min interval sprints)
Day 3: Interval sprints (3 miles/run 60 sec/walk 60 sec)
Day 4: Weights plus (15-20 min interval hill climbs)
Day 5: Cardio (3-5 mile run)
Day 6: Weights plus (15-20 min interval stair climb)
Day 7: 30-45 minute cross training
- cycle back to day 1 once day 7 has been completed
Saturday, November 27, 2010
STAY TUNED
ENROLL NOW
and enrollment is FREE! What better time than the holidays
to start burning extra calories and get in shape?
And remember, with your enrollment you will receive a
FREE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION
Come in today and ask us how to get started!
Turkey Trot
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Fall Series #2 -- work on your arms!
- Sit in armless chair. Keep feet flat and even with shoulders.
· Hold hand weights at sides, arms straight, palms facing toward your body.
· Slowly bend one elbow, lifting weight toward chest. Be sure to rotate palm to face shoulder while lifting weight.
· Hold position for 1 second. Slowly lower arm to starting position.
· Repeat with other arm. Alternate until you have repeated the exercise 8 to 15 times on each side.
· Rest. Then do another set of 8 to 15 alternating repetitions.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie Ingredients
- 2 9-inch unbaked pie shells
- 2 standard (398 ml) cans pumpkin
- 6 large eggs (equivalent to 7 medium eggs or 8 small)
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 cup raw organic cane sugar or natural, unrefined Demerara sugar
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Pumpkin Pie Directions
Preheat oven to 425 Fahrenheit (218 Celsius). If pie shells have just come out of the freezer, warm them in the oven for a couple of minutes, just until warm to the touch.
Beat eggs lightly with a whisk. Add all other ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into pie shells.
Bake 15 minutes and then reduce temperature to 350 Fahrenheit (176 Celsius) and bake for another 45-60 minutes. Test for doneness with toothpick starting at approximately 45 minutes after lowering the oven temperature, and every 5 minutes thereafter. The toothpick should come out clean or nearly clean when the pies are done
Pumpkin Pie Health Benefits
Pumpkin isn’t just tasty, it also provides a number of health benefits. Pumpkin contains dietary fiber, antioxidant vitamins including C and A, Omega-3 fatty acids, folate, potassium, and manganese, all at just 79 calories per cup. As such, pumpkin is a great choice for healthy cooking and baking.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Interesting story about Exercise and Pets
Check out this interesting story about some perks to exercising with you pet!
One up-and-coming trend combines man and beast for a program that helps people and their pets get fit together. There's even a medical study to show it can work.
In a 12-month study, experts at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago demonstrated that both people and pets were more successful in staying with a weight loss program when they did it together. (Besides, you know how Fido hates to go to the gym alone!)
Both the people and their pets were placed on a balanced, low-calorie diet and given a 30-minute moderate activity plan to do together, three times a week. When compared to dogs only and people only, the combined people-pet group lost the most weight -- the people, an average of about 11 pounds, the dogs, about 12 pounds.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Fall Boot Camp!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wine tasting with Richmond Balance

Join Richmond Balance members and staff at the James River Cellars as we enjoy wine samples and live acoustic music!
When: This coming Sunday, July 18th from 11am - 5pm, Music from 1-4
(Richmond Balance staff will plan to arrive around noon)
Where: James River Cellars
“SUNDAYS IN THE SHADE”
Join us for some relaxing live acoustic music on the patio featuring Josh Walker. Bring a snack, sample some wine and relax with us at James River Cellars.
Cost: $5.00 per person
Address and Directions:
11008 Washington Highway (Route 1)
Glen Allen, VA 23059
(804) 550-7516
From I-95 take exit 86B (Elmont). At the second stoplight turn right onto Route 1 North (Washington Highway).
Winery entrance is less then one mile on right immediately after the driving range.
We hope to see you there!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Bridal Bootcamp!

Option 1. Group Bootcamp
- We know that wedding planning can get very expensive, which is why we are now offering an even more affordable bootcamp option. The group bootcamp is an 8 week program. You will meet with your trainer and a small group of other brides-to-be 3 days per week, to work towards and reach your fitness goals leading up to your wedding day. A full access gym membership is also included.
The 8 week Group Bootcamp runs:
April 1st - May 31st
July 1st - August 31st
October 1st - November 31st
24 Training Sessions
Full access Gym Membership
Measurements and AssessmentsCost:$299 per person / 8 weeks
Option 2:Bridal Bootcamp (Full Package)
- This package is designed specifically for your individual needs. You will meet with your personal trainer 2 times per week for 12 weeks. This package is sure to get you the results you desire by your wedding day! A full access gym membership is also included so you can work out and attend classes when you're not with your trainer.
24 Personal Training Sessions
Full access Gym Membership
Measurements and Assessments
Individualized Workouts Each Week
Nutrition ConsultationsCost: Single: $1200Partner: $1680
Option 3:Bridal Bootcamp (Half Package)
Cost: Single: $660 Partner: $900
Come in today and sign up!
(804) 343-12341806 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Ukrop's Monument Ave. 10K!
