A little blog post about ALCOHOL.

Now, I love to have a glass of wine in the evening, but I thought I'd post some interesting facts about alcohol, so that we all can make better choices.

For many of us, who are trying to watch our waist lines, counting calories is pretty commonplace, but, it's not just our food calories that matter. What we drink, when we drink it, and how we like to drink it matter too. Knowing the caloric content of all the fluids you consume is important to weight loss, but knowing how alcohol affects your body may help you to lose those last 5 ponds.

Here are a few interesting facts on alcohol:

Alcohol is a sugar, but unlike other sugars that cost 4 calories per gram alcohol costs 7.

• A 5 ounce glass of wine, red or white, will cost you 110-120 calories.

• Beer is different than wine in that the caloric cost will depend on the amount of alcohol per volume. Ultra Light beers can cost 55 calories per serving, where as the higher alcohol beers can cost between 190 and 300 calories per serving.

• Liquor is similar to beer in that the amount of calories will depend on the proof. A 70 proof shot can cost you 55 calories, where as a 90 proof shot can cost 75 calories.

• Mixed drinks can have the highest caloric content of all, depending on the mixer.

A small portion of alcohol is stored as fat. The rest is converted to acetate and released into the bloodstream where it replaces fat as a source of fuel.

People tend to consume more overall calories when they drink alcohol with a meal vs an non alcoholic drink.

Remember to start your evening with a well balanced meal, and always follow your glass of wine or beer with plenty of water.

Have a healthy day!

Jennie

You know spring is just around the corner when...

...you hear the sound of Richmond Balance Boot Camp participants sprinting up the Libby Hill Park stairs at the crack of dawn.

Yes, March 5th begins our new Boot Camp season. Join us in our 3rd year of melting off winter weight and toning up butts for bikini season. And this year we're going to make sure you don't get left out in the cold!

Can't make it up to Libby Hill Park? No problem. Join our participants at our new Bryan Park location on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at 6pm for shedding pounds Northside style.

Just can't get enough of the sun rising and setting over the James River while you grunt and sweat? Then stick with our tried and true Libby Hill Park boot camp Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6am AND 6pm.

Give us a call at 804-343-1234 for more details.

Don't let your diet get intercepted by fatty Super Bowl snacks

Here's a great idea for a hearty but healthy chili for your Super Sunday.

1lb lean ground turkey breast

1 pkg chili seasoning (McCormick's Tex-Mex chili seasoning is gluten free)

Water as needed

4 large tomatoes or one 16oz can of diced tomatoes

1 can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained

3/4 cups each of yellow squash and zucchini chopped

1/2 cup onion chopped

2 cloves garlic chopped

2 tsp fresh ginger minced

1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste

1 Tbsp EVOO or olive oil cooking spray

2 stalks of celery coarsely chopped

Gorgonzola cheese, optional

Spray your chill pot with cooking spray or add EVOO. Sautee onions until translucent. Add garlic and ginger and sautee another minute. Add turkey and sautee until browned (because the turkey is lean breast meat, you shouldn't have to drain any fat from it). Add chilli seasonings, cayenne, salt and pepper, water beans and tomatoes. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 20 minutes. Before serving, add celery for a healthy crunch. Top with gorgonzola and enjoy your Super Bowl!!!

Purchase our deal on Living Social and LIKE us on Facebook and you'll be entered to win a FREE 4 Week Platinum Barre Package (Unlimited barre classes for 4 weeks!!!)

Richmond Balance
Don’t miss our deal on Living Social!

... 8 Barre classes for ONLY $40.00!

The deal ends on Monday, January 30th so don’t miss out! You have until May 31st to use your classes so even if you are a current Barre participant, you can still use this deal! Purchase your deal thru the link below and then contact Richmond Balance to redeem your voucher and schedule your classes. Be sure to forward... this to everyone you know!

Living Social Link: http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/77/deals/141629-eight-barre-classes

Richmond Balance Phone #: 804-343-1234

Visit http://www.richmondbalance.com/ and click on the Special Programs tabe to view the current Barre schedule.

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Richmond Balance - Eight Barre Classes
http://www.livingsocial.com/

Richmond Balance - Eight Barre Classes

http://www.livingsocial.com/

Grab this deal for yourself and you could help your friend get it for free. Win-Win.

Living Social Deal- 8 Barre Classes- ONLY $40

Don’t miss our deal on Living Social! 

8 Barre classes for ONLY $40.00!

The deal ends on Monday, January 30^th so don’t miss out!  You have until May 31^st to use your classes so even if you are a current Barre participant, you can still use this deal!  Purchase your deal thru the link below and then contact Richmond Balance to redeem your voucher and schedule your classes.  Be sure to forward this to everyone you know!

Living Social Link:  http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/77/deals/141629-eight-barre-classes

Richmond Balance Phone #:  804-343-1234

Email bwebster@richmondbalance.com for more information

Visit http://www.richmondbalance.com/ and click on the Special Programs tabe to view the current Barre schedule.  

RB Barre- for the busy person you are!!!

We know you have a busy schedule.  We know your budget is tight.  We know sometimes your plans have to change at the last minute. 

We also know that despite all of that, you are still committed to your health and fitness goals!!!

Richmond Balance is now offering 4 week Barre packages to fit everyone's schedule, budget and....well, life's little suprises.

The next session of Barre starts next week on Monday, January 30th.  There are still spots available so be sure to check out the new packages below and register today!  For a complete schedule of classes visit http://www.richmondbalance.com/ and click on the Special Programs tab.

For more info or to register email bwebster@richmondbalance.com

Bronze Package- 4 weeks / 2 classes per week- $80 
Silver Package- 4 weeks / 2 classes per week- $80 PLUS add extra classes for just $8 per class
Gold Package- 4 weeks / UNLIMITED Classes- $119
Platinum Package- 4 weeks / UNLIMITED Classes PLUS Gym Membership- $149

The Dark Side of Yoga.

Recently I've had several clients, who know about my yoga practice, email the link to the recent New York Times article entitled How Yoga can Wreck Your Body. I appreciate their concern and, to be honest, I have in the past hurt myself doing yoga.

Those of you who know me may know that: 1)this new year I have resolved to do some kind of yoga, at least once a day, for 365 days, and 2) I hate that yoga has become a fitness trend.

The New York Times article brings up some really valid points, chief among them; 'the number of Americans doing yoga has risen from about 4 million in 2001 to what some estimate to be as many as 20 million in 2011 — means that there is now an abundance of studios where many teachers lack the deeper training necessary to recognize when students are headed toward injury.'

So, why the huge increase in yoga participation? I think people are attracted to the novelty, the flexibility, the challenge, the overwhelming desire for stillness in their minds, so they push themselves into positions that their bodies may not be ready for...that's what I did.

When I learned about yoga, I first learned about breathing. The stillness of mind, unity of body and breath, the unity of body and the Universe. Somewhere over the past couple of decades (almost) I'd gotten away from that and, instead of coming back to my breath, I pushed...and got hurt.

If you are contemplating starting a yoga program, the New York Times article is worth reading, but don't let it frighten you away from practice. Instead, find someone who cherishes the practice itself to learn from, and then find the stillness in breath and in your own heart.

Yoga, if done responsibly can be a beautiful and enriching addition to your life, but please don't treat it as a fitness trend.

Peace and happiness,

Jennie