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Here you can find the most current happenings around Your FLEX Appeal as well as all the archived news!
PROTEIN PRICE INCREASE The price of whey protein worldwide has seen some dramatic increases recently. Due to these whey protein price increases, all whey protein products have gone up or are going up in price. If you have not yet heard, the supplement industry is being hit with a significant price increase for whey protein. Prices have soared to record levels within a matter of weeks with the industry-wide price increasing over 42% since last December. This was caused by the ongoing high demand for milk products in China and drought conditions in New Zealand.
What caused this increase?
Similar to the way fuel prices rise when a barrel of crude oil goes up, whey protein pricing is directly related to the supply versus demand of milk. While the actual price is determined by an index posted weekly through the Chicago Board of Trade, it is driven by the worldwide demand for milk. Over the past several months there have been and continues to be a steady rise in demand for milk products in China and, to a lesser degree, other countries. The demand was further increased by the low milk production in New Zealand brought on by the drought conditions and higher animal feed costs. Meeting this demand with US milk market prices increased. With whey protein purchase contracts expiring, most companies are being hit with greater than 40% price increases.
Protein supplement prices at Your FLEX Appeal will increase to reflect this recent industry-wide change. We will continue to do our best to bring you competitive prices on the best nutritional supplements on the market.
November is a time when our thoughts are more consumed with holidays and food than diets and fitness. I challenge you to make this year different. While I'd never consider asking you to forgo the holiday treats and festivities, why not attempt to maintain some type of sensible eating and fitness plan? Even if you choose to eat anything you could possibly get in your mouth on Thanksgiving, why not make good food choices the next day? Yes, go ahead and blow it out on Thanksgiving... just get back on some type of reasonable eating plan as soon as possible, and don't neglect your cardiovascular activity! (Have you considered doing some cardio early Thanksgiving morning? Just a thought...)
December is another challenging month for fitness goals, look forward to a "Fitness Challenge" that we are going to roll out. It just might be an opportunity for us to PAY you for success... Details will be forthcoming SOON!
There are some changes going on at Your FLEX Appeal and they are quite exciting. Kristine Heffelfinger has joined our PT staff, and she is an awesome addition to the club. Along with Amanda Littlefield and Bob Funderburk, our PT staff at Your FLEX Appeal has quite a plethora of knowledge! Remember, if you have questions about your fitness, don't be afraid to ask for help.
As we mentioned last month, Nature's Therapy is still working on expanding their services. Construction should be finished later this month. Their expansion here will now allow them to include a hydrotherapy tub and infra-red sauna, as well as couples massages.
We will be having our annual Holiday dinner at some point in December. As soon as we set a time and place, we will be sure to notify everyone and put a sign-up sheet out at the gym. This is always a fun time for us to get together and spend some quality time together "outside" the gym, and we get to see each other in "regular attire," as opposed to our usual gym outfits!
A special thanks to all the ladies that joined us for the Race for the Cure this year! The weather was a bit cool and wet, but we all had a good time for a great cause!
Your FLEX Appeal is proud to announce the addition of two new peices of strength-training equipment to our facility. We have added a new squat rack as well as a vertical leg raise/ chin/ sit-up/ push-up station! We have also added two more Star Trac treadmills and a Precor eliptical trainer to the cardio room!
The spring season is almost upon us, and that means it is almost time for bathing suits and shorts. If you have been procrastinating on your fitness routine, now is the time to "kick it in to high gear," if you want to look and feel your best for warm weather! It may sound like old news, but make better food choices, train intensely with weights, and do your cardiovascular activity!
Super W.O.W.
The next Super W.O.W. class is Saturday, April 8th. It will begin at 8:00 and last for one hour and a half. There will not be a 9:30 W.O.W. class.
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
Supplement Sale Day
All nutritional supplements in the store will be 20% off on Wednesday, March 22nd. Make plans to stock up on all your favorite supplements and save some money while you are at it!
"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else."
Client Referral Program
For those of you that refer new clients to Your FLEX Appeal in March and April, you will receive 4 free sessions on a 10 session package and 8 free sessions on any 20 package session. Your FLEX Appeal's business is based on referrals, and it is important to us that you be compensated for those!
"Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them."
Contact Information Change
As of Monday, March 13th, please use yourflexappeal@aol.com for any Your FLEX Appeal related issues.
Letter from the Editor
At Your FLEX Appeal, we are one month away from our one-year anniversary. It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since we first opened the doors for business. While much has changed since we began, more changes are on the horizon. I am definitely excited about making 2006 a better year for Your FLEX Appeal and all of our clients.
Do you want to look better in your bathing suit next year? I have said it before, but now is the time to get to work on achieving that goal. Get a jump start on that old New Year resolution to get in shape. Make an effort to get ahead BEFORE the holidays and you'll have less work to do come January!
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure '05
Team Your FLEX Appeal had a great time on October 1st at the Race for the Cure. We had a total of ten participants on our team. Some of the team ran the event, while others simply walked at a blazing speed. If you missed it this year, you will have to join us next year to help raise money for a great cause.
Next Super W.O.W.
October's Super W.O.W. (Women on Weights) was intense, probably the hardest one yet. Congratulations to all that came and persevered! November's Super W.O.W. will be on November 5th at 8:30 a.m. For anyone that may not know what Super W.O.W. is, it is an hour and a half long class we have once a month in place of a regular W.O.W. class. It is an advanced class and quite challenging.
"PERFECT" Pre-orders
Your FLEX Appeal is now taking pre-orders for PERFECT, the first novel to be published by Brad Cain. It is a fictional look at the world of bodybuilding and fitness, and is due for release in late October to early November. The book is $14.95 plus tax, and by reserving your copy now you can be sure to get one of the first-run copies.
Supplement Sale
October 19th will be the one day this month that all nutritional supplements in stock will be on sale. They will all be 20% off, so use this day to stock up for the rest of the month!
Special Congratulations
Melissa McDougall, a client at Your FLEX Appeal, is getting married on October 15th. All of us here at Your FLEX Appeal wish her the very best!
Referral Program
At Your FLEX Appeal, we truly appreciate our current clients referring new clients to us. For the month of October and November, our referral program will continue to give you 4 sessions FREE on any package of 10, and 8 sessions FREE on any 20 session package!
New W.O.W. Class
We added a new W.O.W. class last month on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. This month we have decided to add another, starting on Thursdays at 6:00 a.m. The first Thursday morning class will be held on October 20th. That means we now have 7 W.O.W. classes a week at Your FLEX Appeal!
FROM THE EDITOR
September is here and the hot temperatures of the summer are already being replaced by milder weather. I, for one, welcome the change. The cooler air eliminates that common excuse of “It’s too hot outside!” for skipping cardiovascular activity that I so often hear. So get out of the gym and enjoy the nice weather!
Now is also a good time to get a jump-start on your winter workout program. Many people tend to put weight on during the winter months, so why not make this the year you get ahead in the battle of the bulge? Instead of waiting until after the holidays and making your health a part of your New Year’s resolutions (again), get started early this year. Imagine how much further along you could be if you start to fight the winter weight gain before winter even gets here!
“Make today better than yesterday.”
SEPTEMBER SUPER W.O.W.
The positive reaction from last month’s initial SUPER W.O.W. class has given Your FLEX Appeal reason to add it to the monthly schedule. September’s SUPER W.O.W. will be held on the 10th at 8:30. It will once again consist of 90-minutes of both cardio and weight training. If you missed last month’s class, this is the perfect opportunity to see if you have what it takes to make it the full 90 minutes.
For those that have not taken a SUPER W.O.W. class, make sure you eat prior to coming to class. The intensity and duration of this class make it imperative that you “fuel” your body before expecting it to perform optimally.
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” -Robert Frost
GO ACTIVE CLUB
Your FLEX Appeal has recently become a corporate member of a relatively new club here in Charlotte, the Go Active Club. The Go Active Club is an organization with a solid focus on improving the fitness, health and well being of its members by hosting events designed to increase physical and social activity. The club already has well over 900 members and has a rather informative weekly newsletter, and Your FLEX Appeal was featured in their newsletter this week. Any one interested in learning more should go to their web site, www.goactiveclub.com. All people interested in joining through Your FLEX Appeal will also receive a discount on the joining fee!
"Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise." -Sigmund Freud
ANOTHER MASSAGE THERAPIST
Your FLEX Appeal is proud to announce Crystal Cliff as an addition to our facility. Crystal is a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, and also a former student of another of our massage therapists, Joy Naber. Crystal has actually been practicing here for several months, and we apologize for not mentioning her arrival earlier. To book an appointment with Crystal, she can be reached at 704-607-4208.
“My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we win out.” -Ronald Reagan
SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE
In 1983, Nancy Brinker created the first Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure in Dallas, Texas with 800 participants. Today, the Komen Race for the Cure Series is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world.
In addition to raising funds, the Komen Race for the Cure Series is committed to educating the public about early detection, the strongest method of surviving this life-threatening disease. The five-year survival rate is 95 percent when the disease is discovered while still confined to the breast.
The Komen Race for the Cure helps raise awareness of the importance of a positive breast health program. It stresses monthly breast self-examinations for all women beginning at age 20, clinical breast exams every three years beginning at age 20 and annually at age 40, and annual mammography beginning by age 40.
Your FLEX Appeal is participating in the Charlotte Race for the Cure on October 1st. You can visit www.komencharlotte.org to register to walk with us. We already have 10 people signed up for our team, and we will walk that morning instead of having our normal W.O.W. classes. If you have any questions about registration, feel free to call or send an e-mail to Your FLEX Appeal to get further assistance.
“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving.”
SUPPLEMENT SALE
Your FLEX Appeal will also be having another nutritional supplement sale again this month. On Wednesday, September 14th, all supplements in the store will be 20% off the regular price. This is a one-day only sale that will apply to what is in stock in the store that day. Make sure you stop by early to save some money on your favorite products for the month!
“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”
FROM THE EDITOR
Every month I think I manage to write something about the importance of regular cardiovascular activity. Every day I think I hear someone else complain about it! I realize some people like it and do not mind it, I also know some people loathe it. For those of you that fall into the latter category, I urge you to get creative.
If you detest walking on the treadmill and abhor riding a stationary bike indoors, why not get outside? Personally, I prefer the air-conditioned climate for my cardiovascular activity, especially during the hot summer months. By getting outside you will be able to see some things you cannot see inside the gym, and enjoy nature around you.
If it is the monotony of cardio that brings you down, why not try to be creative? If you never leave the gym for your cardio activity, opt for tennis or swimming. Take the kids outside for a hike or a game of dodge ball.
You might also want to try combining something you love with your cardio. I recently had a client who enjoys spending time with her horses start taking a horse with her on her evening walk. Now she enjoys her cardio much more than when she was doing it alone. In case you don’t have horses, grab your significant other off the couch and make them join you!
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
SUPER W.O.W.
Saturday, August 14th is rapidly approaching. Your FLEX Appeal’s first Super W.O.W. will be held at 9:00 a.m. Because of the 90-minute Super W.O.W., there will not be another class that day.
A few words of wisdom for Super W.O.W. Please eat something before attending class! While W.O.W. class is almost always “fairly” intense, 90 minutes is a lot longer than the usual class. Your body cannot perform optimally without fuel, so do not forget to eat prior to coming to class! If you would like to bring a snack, you are more than welcome. (You can eat it during “intermission.”)
While it may not be wise to attempt a 90 minute class if you have never attended W.O.W. before, don’t be shy. If you cannot make it through the entire 90 minutes, that will be fine. You are more than welcome to take a break during the class or stop at the halfway point. For W.O.W. regulars, don’t fret if you cannot make through the entire class, because it is going to be hard.
Super W.O.W. is an opportunity. It is a chance for you to push yourself and your limits. It is a chance to see how hard you can work when you set your mind to it. It is a chance for you to challenge yourself. Take this opportunity and make the most of it!
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Sometimes the foods that can be best for your body and muscle building leave something to be desired in the taste department. Bland chicken breasts and egg whites don’t always make you want to jump for joy when it comes to meal time. Grilled fish and steamed vegetables don’t necessarily wake up the taste buds, either.
The best way to combat boredom at mealtime is to become creative. Try different combinations of herbs and spices. Look through some of the popular bodybuilding and fitness magazines for new recipes. There are always tasty twists on some of the nutritious food staples such as chicken, turkey and fish.
Breakfast seems to be a difficult meal for some people to prepare. Possibly due to time constraints or lack of variety, people sometimes skip breakfast altogether. This is not a good habit to get into, as breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. It is imperative that you start your day with good “fuel” so your body can operate efficiently.
One way to liven up a good breakfast choice such as oatmeal is the addition of a protein powder. Simply prepare your oatmeal, as you normally would, then add a little extra water and a few scoops of your favorite protein powder. This can make otherwise boring oatmeal into a delicious sweet treat.
The nutritional supplement company Cytosport has taken this process one step further. Muscle Milk and Oats is their alternative breakfast food. It is oats with the protein already mixed in, you only have to add water and cook the oats. For the remainder of August, anyone who has not tried this fantastic product can receive one free sample. Just come by Your FLEX Appeal and ask for your sample!
“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word--excellence.
To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.”
MASSAGE SPECIAL
Until August 31, anyone can take $10 off any massage package offered at Your FLEX Appeal. This will be our ‘back to school’ special for all you parents who are about to send your children back off to school. Come in and get a massage to help relieve some of that stress. If you don’t have children, take advantage of the discount this month!
LOW CARB CRAZE BUST
With the rumors of an Atkins bankruptcy, the low carb craze that was so in vogue recently seems to be over. Instead of searching for a radical approach to weight loss with an “I want it now” attitude, think moderation, common sense and exercise. Education is your best bet in the battle against fat, the more you learn, the more you know!
“Fail to plan, plan to fail.”
NEW EQUIPMENT
In a continuing effort to give our clients every possible tool to help them attain their fitness goals, we are going to be adding some new equipment in the coming months. If there is any piece of equipment in particular you would like to see us add, please feel free to give us your ideas. We are always open to suggestions!
AUGUST REFERRALS
For any new client you refer to Your FLEX Appeal in August, you will receive FREE training sessions. If the new referral purchases 10 sessions, you will get 4 sessions FREE. If the new referral purchases 20 sessions, you will get 8 sessions FREE. Our business is based on referrals and we are always thankful when you refer clients to Your FLEX Appeal!
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The news update this month was a slight bit off schedule, and for that I apologize. I will blame it on the lazy days of summer and me attempting to put the finishing touches on my first novel. It is a book that delves into the world of bodybuilding and fitness. At this point, there is a slight chance it could be available for purchase within 3 to 4 months. Keep your fingers crossed for me and let me know if I need to reserve you an initial printing, signed copy.
Do not let the ridiculously hot temperatures of the summer keep you from doing your cardiovascular activity! You can always do it here at Your FLEX Appeal either before or after your workout. You can also come in on your days off from training and do it as well. Now, you do not have an excuse.
Again I cannot stress the benefits of regular cardiovascular activity. It is, without a doubt, the one thing you can do everyday to improve your health and your appearance. If you constantly neglect your cardio on a weekly basis, do not expect radical changes in your body! Remember, if it was easy, everybody would do it. Dare to be different, and don't skip your cardio!
"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."
SUPPLEMENT SALE
On Wednesday, July 27th, all supplements in stock that day will be 20% off their normal price! This will be a one-day sale only. There will be no special orders taken in advance or rain checks given for out of inventory items, but everything in the store that day will be discounted a full 20%. This is a chance for you to stock up on your nutritional supplements, but you might want to come early!
"Some people say they haven't yet found themselves. But the self is not
something one finds; it is something one creates."
SUPPLEMENT OF THE MONTH
Wolverines, a high protein turkey supplement, is now available at Your FLEX Appeal. The dried turkey nuggets are quite tasty and, better yet, good for you. They have 39 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat and only 7 grams of carbohydrates. It is a convenient supplement to pack away in your car, briefcase, or gymbag for those times you get in a pinch for a nutritious snack!
SUPER W.O.W. IS COMING!
There have been several requests for a "Super W.O.W." class, a ninety-minute, extra-intense class. We are going to do it on Saturday, August 13th. It will be at 9:00 and will be the only W.O.W. class we have that day. Don't be scared, just come prepared! This may also be the best day for us to take that after class field trip to IHOP!
W.O.W. REFERRALS
At Your FLEX Appeal, we originally allowed you to bring a first-time guest to class and both of your classes were free. Since now most of the W.O.W. class is on a monthly plan, we have a new way to reward you for bringing a guest. You will now receive a $5 store credit anytime you bring a first-time guest with you to W.O.W.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Your FLEX Appeal has now been open six months. In those six months, we have added more space, new equipment, new clients, and a web site. We also now have a wider variety of nutritional supplements available and have added more classes to our W.O.W. schedule than when we first opened the doors for business. So far, I have to say we have been quite successful and blessed here in our early stages of existence.
If you are reading this newsletter, there is a good chance you are a part of our success. While I know this newsletter goes out to some of my family, some friends and acquaintances in the Charlotte area, the bulk of the people reading this have either been clients, customers, or W.O.W. participants. To all of you, I say thanks a million. Your FLEX Appeal could not have made it half this far without your business and support.
Instead of issuing all of you a new challenge this month, I am going to challenge Your FLEX Appeal and myself to go above and beyond what you have come to expect in the fitness industry. Each of you has goals and aspirations you want to achieve. In order to serve you better, I ask that each of you answer the following question for me. What do you most want to get out of Your FLEX Appeal? Figure out the answer to that question for me and let me know personally what it is. From there, I vow to do my best to help you get whatever it is you truly hope to achieve fitness-wise.
Most of you are probably familiar with the term “under promise and over deliver.” That is just what I intend to do with Your FLEX Appeal from this day forward. As a client, customer, and a friend, you deserve no less. As always, my door, phone, and e-mail are open to suggestions, criticisms and ideas. To steal a line from a new phone company, I do not care about being the biggest, I simply want to be the best.
"What matters most is what you do day by day over the long haul."
NEW SUPPLEMENTS AT Your FLEX Appeal
We have several new products in stock this month at Your FLEX Appeal. Cytosport has released a new flavor of their popular Muscle Milk ready to drink shakes, cookies and cream. The flavor is great and it now comes in the 11-ounce size with 21 grams of protein and only 9 grams of carbohydrates.
Even more exciting, Cytosport has also released its’ new Muscle Milk ‘n Oats. It is a portable, instant bowl of oats with 30 grams of protein and 34 grams of carbohydrates. We have two flavors in stock, breakfast cocoa and maple and brown sugar. For those of you that have a hard time making time for breakfast in the morning, this could be an easy and quick way to get your day to a superior start nutritionally. It can also be used at any other time of the day when you simply do not have a lot of time and need something good to eat while on the run.
ISS has released a new version of its’ Oh Yeah! bar. The new flavor is peanut butter coated and contains peanuts and caramel. It has 27 grams of protein, no trans fat and only 8 grams of sugar. These bars have been one of our better selling products, largely due to the taste being so good.
Many of you are familiar with the book Body for Life, by Bill Phillips. Bill has recently released a new supplement line called Eating for Life Foods. His new meal replacements, one for women and one for men, is called Right! and we now have it at Your FLEX Appeal.
For the month of June, any personal training client or monthly W.O.W. unlimited participant can receive 10% off any purchase in the store of any nutritional products, excluding drinks and bars.
If you have any questions about our supplements or want a product you do not see on the shelves, just ask. We will do our best to answer any and all questions you have, as well as order any product you want!
"Some things you have to do everyday. Eating seven apples on Saturday night instead of one a day just isn't going to get the job done."
FITDAY.COM
The importance of a food diary has been presented here almost every month or so in one form or another. When you are able to closely monitor your foods and daily totals, you can see where changes may need to be made. Fitday.com is a great web site to use to calculate your daily intake of calories and their breakdown. It is very easy to use and has a wide database of foods, as well as a custom food list where you can add any of your favorite foods that may not be already included. Best of all, it is free. If you have not taken time to look at this site, now is as good a time as any!
JUST BELIEVE
Have you heard the quote, “positive things happen to positive people?” “If you do not believe in your ability to succeed, who will?” Richard Bach said, “sooner or later, those who win are those that think they can.”
Such quotations can inspire some people to move mountains, while some people simply dismiss inspirational phrases as only words. Where do you fit in? How about the quote, “those who say it cannot be done are usually interrupted by those doing it?”
Whether or not a book of motivational quotations is the key to your happiness or success, a belief in one’s ability to succeed is a necessity in achieving one’s goals. Believe in yourself and your ability, push yourself to do the very best you can, and you just might surprise everyone around you. What better day than today to make that change? Institute a new workout routine, begin writing that book you always wanted to write, start that new small business you dreamed of. Whatever it may be, just believe in you. Goethe wrote,” whatever you dream, begin it. Boldness has power, genius.”
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
With Daylight Savings already in full swing, the longer days and warmer temperatures are a welcome change, as summer is already looming right around the corner. Trips to the beach, to the lake, and afternoons at the pool will soon be the norm for most people. That also means it is time to don a bathing suit. For some people it is their favorite time of the year, while for others the simple thought of putting on a bathing suit can be horrifying. If you did not exercise adequately and eat very well this past winter, do not fret. While time is of the essence, you still have time to shed some excess winter flab before having to put on that bathing suit. It may require some drastic measures, but there is still time for you to make some changes. While the following three examples should be well known by now, they still bear repeating.
One of your first priorities should be focusing on your cardiovascular activity. You must get your body moving if you want to burn some of that stubborn excess body fat. With warmer temperatures here, it is a great time to get out of the gym. Take advantage of the additional hours of sunlight and get outside and enjoy the nice weather. Go for a walk, take a hike, ride your bike, just do something! Invite a friend to go with you, take the kids, or your significant other. The monotonous nature of some cardiovascular training can be avoided when done in the presence of another.
Your resistance training has to be another priority. The more lean body mass you have, the more efficient your body will be at burning fat. So do not skip your weight training this spring! If anything, increase your intensity in the gym and push yourself harder than normal. If you are lacking motivation, picture yourself at the beach and how you want to look.
The third and final thing you can do to change your body is to change your diet. What works best for you? Maybe the Atkin’s diet, or the South Beach diet, or maybe the… Hold on, there are a million diets out there. Educate yourself by reading and doing a little research. Keep a food diary and keep track of what you are consuming. Cut back on foods that you know are bad for you, like sweets, candy, alcohol, and foods that are fried and full of fat.
With some hard work and discipline, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. If getting into a bathing suit and feeling good about the way you look and feel is a priority, make the effort it takes to get there a priority. Drop the excuses like “not having time to do cardio” and “I’ll eat better next week.” Today is as good a day as any to get started to a new body. Like the old Nike ad says, “Just do it.”
RECYCLING AT Your FLEX Appeal
In an effort to be more environmentally conscious, we are now recycling at Your FLEX Appeal. When you finish that bottle of water during your workout, please do not throw it into the trashcan. We have added a container for plastic bottles to be recycled in the cardio room.
SUMMER EQUALS GRILLING!
Undoubtedly one of the summer’s greatest pleasures is cooking outside on the grill. Grilling outside is an easy, wonderfully healthy alternative to frying food or eating heavily processed fast food junk. It can also be a chance to gather your family, friends, or neighbors together and share a tasty and muscle building meal.
There are a couple of easy tips to remember when picking what meats to throw on the grill. If you are going to pick a red meat, pick the leaner cuts. The more “marbled” with fat a piece of meat looks, the higher the fat content. Sirloin steaks, flank steaks, and top and bottom round can be better choices than rib eye steaks and porterhouses. If you want to eat hamburgers instead of steaks, look through your grocery’s sirloin section and pick out the leanest looking cut. Then simply hand it to the butcher on duty and ask him to grind it up for you. The resulting “ground beef” will be even leaner than most of the leanest choices of ground beef on display for purchase.
If your goal is to eat the leanest cuts of grilled meat, it is difficult, if not impossible, to go wrong with boneless chicken or turkey breast. Both of these birds pack an entire 7 – 8 grams of protein per ounce with only a negligible amount of fat. Finally, if you are a grill master and fish is your cup of tea, you can cut the fat even more while still getting a great serving of protein if you choose to put fish on your grill.
Do not forget that you can also grill vegetables to go along with your choices of meat. Get creative and think “KABOBS!” Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to add new flavors to your food. (Make sure your sauces are not sugar laden!) So go ahead, enjoy the summer ritual of grilling food outside. Just make sure you make healthy choices along the way!
“Work hard and your body will pay you back.”
W.O.W CLASS CHANGES IN MAY
Starting in May, Your FLEX Appeal is offering unlimited monthly W.O.W. classes for $30. Hopefully this will eliminate the need to constantly bring money to class, and will save you some money as well. The daily drop in fee will also now be $5.
The Monday morning 6:00 a.m. class will be moving to Tuesday morning at 6:00 a.m. starting May 10th. All other class times will remain the same, and we will possibly be adding some mid-morning classes on Tuesday and Thursdays.
As always at Your FLEX Appeal, your input is greatly appreciated. Any comments, concerns, wishes or complaints can be e-mailed to info@yourflexappeal.com or call us at 704-542-1316.
“Winners must have two things: definite goals and a burning desire to achieve them.”
 With the recent addition of a new leg press and hack squat, we did some rearranging at Your FLEX Appeal so that all of our leg equipment is now in one room. At least now if your legs are fatigued while training, you do not have far to go to get to your next machine!
Guest Editorial from Dax Joyner, retired bodybuilder
I started bodybuilding sixteen years ago to gain attention of others cause my parents wouldn't let me play football. I knew I had to do something, so I thought, why not weights? I can remember going into the gym for the first time, my mother took me and sat and watched while I worked-out (the first of many).
 In The Beginning
I knew from the first time I picked up a dumbbell and started curling it I was hooked. It didn't take me very long to start developing and I knew I had the genetics for it, due to the fact that I was stronger and developed faster than many of my friends. It wasn't until after about a year of training when I saw my first competitive bodybuilder in person, Keith Sigmon, a former Mr. North Carolina. I can remember having my picture taken with him and saying to myself, "I want to look just like that".
Three years later I entered my first competition, "Clash of the Carolina" in Gastonia, NC. I was sixteen years old and had been training under the guidance of close friend and drug free champion bodybuilder, Gene Howell. When I was filling out the entry form I remember telling the judges I was there to win! I had only dieted approximately three weeks, and was ripped to the bone for a sixteen-year-old.
My metabolism was so fast, I ate an ice-cream cone between pre-judging and the night show. The end result was a win, unanimous. The judges where crazy about me and wanted me to do the State championships in two weeks. My trainer, Gene, told me to take a year off and wait. But me, being new at this and so hungry to win, I went against his word, and competed to finish 2nd.
Competing
Throughout the years I competed and won everything I entered. I had graduated high school and moved to Tampa, Fla. with hopes of turning pro drug free. I was training at Gold's gym in and met a former Mr. America, Rick Poston, who gave me much guidance about what the sport was really like. I entered the teen Nationals to place a disappointing sixth place and only to realize that you can't do it drug free. I was crushed, and knew right then and there I was through with Bodybuilding.
Life went on and I went to college and tried it again, only this time with some pharmaceutical help. I competed through college in some regional shows and placed fairly high.
After college I got a job working with the best supplement distributing in the country, Europa Sports Products. I had figured with my eight years of retail experience and degree in Exercise Science I would be a huge asset to the company. After working there a year, I decided to compete again in the NC State championships, which I won unanimously. I knew right then that I had to make a decision to get on with my career or be a bodybuilder.
Moving Up
A year later Europa opened their second location in Fresno, Ca and offered me a position there. I took it and thought, what a chance to make my career take off both in bodybuilding and with Europa! I had set my sights on the next step in bodybuilding the Jr. Nationals. Having to work extremely long hours to get the new location off and running and keep up intense training became extremely difficult. I was trying to do both which helped me end up with a tenth place finish at the juniors.
It wasn't until three months ago I had to decide, to continue competing or be successful with my career, I couldn't do both. I had gone through life and sacrificed many experiences for bodybuilding and wish to this day that I hadn't had done them. However, I must thank the sport of bodybuilding otherwise I wouldn't be where I am today.
Present Day
Now at present, I'm very happy with my decision. Just because I gave up competing doesn't mean that I have to give up my passion for it. I live it everyday, it's my true love. I will always train hard and eat well, and supplement my diet with the proper things it needs to stay healthy and strong.
So, for those of you that are at my stage in life, think about where you are going in life and what the outcome may bring. I know we can't always tell what the future holds but we can make a difference by choosing the right direction through rational thinking. Please, stay tuned for more on "making the change."
Train hard,
DaxJoyner@EuropaSports.com
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
As 2005 continues to roll on, I want to start this news update with a bang. I have not found the fountain of youth and I have yet to discover a miracle pill that will make us all look and feel, exactly the way we would like to in a perfect world. If and when I do, I will publish it here immediately and share it with everyone. Since I do not foresee that happening in the near future, I have another idea.
I think that it is sometimes difficult to set goals, and in the absence of those goals, hard to get or stay motivated. For many adults, creating a goal that is measurable and specific falls far down on the list behind work, children, cleaning the house, or a multitude of other activities.
What I have for you is a challenge to motivate you. I want to challenge you to be your very best ever. I want to challenge you to work harder than you ever have before. I want you to take eight entire weeks and dedicate yourself to achieving a personal health and fitness goal. I want you to take the 2005 Your FLEX Appeal Fitness Challenge.
What is the YFA Fitness Challenge? The Challenge is an eight-week span for you to make the biggest change in your body.
Who can enter the YFA Fitness Challenge? It is a contest that is open to anyone, including all clients, former and current and anyone that has participated in a W.O.W. class. It is also open to their family and friends and anyone that lives in the Charlotte area. Anyone can enter!
What does the winner receive? The winner will receive a $100 cash prize, a 5 session training package, and a bevy of free supplements. There will also be prizes for the second and third place finisher.
What do you have to do to enter? Come by Your FLEX Appeal and register. We will take the before and after pictures and do an initial and final body composition analysis to determine your body fat percentage.
What does it cost to enter? It is FREE to enter.
Who will determine the winner? Everyone that enters the contest will get to vote at the end of the contest for the winner, along with YFA’s staff.
When is the contest? The contest will officially end July 11, 2005. This means the latest you can start will be May 16, 2005. You can choose any eight-week span between now and then to do the challenge.
I am extremely excited about the YFA Fitness Challenge. I think it will be an excellent opportunity for some of you to push yourselves toward a goal and be successful. I would love for everyone to do their best, work their hardest, and be proud of the end results. If you have any questions, feel free to call 704-542-1316 or contact my by e-mail at Brad@yourflexappeal.com. Remember that you always pass failure on the way to success.
MASSAGE AWAY YOUR PAIN
You know how hard you have been working out. You have been eating right and making sure you get your cardiovascular activity in. You feel good about yourself, but are you rewarding yourself for all your hard work? Is there something else you could be doing to not only feel better, but promote an even greater sense of well being?
When your muscles are tight from working out, it can cause less blood to be circulated to your muscles. In turn, your muscles are not capable of receiving all the oxygen and nutrients they may need. A massage can help ease your muscle soreness and tightness. It can also help flush the muscles with the extra oxygen and nutrients they may have been missing and need to stay healthy.
You keep telling yourself you are going to try massage therapy. Why wait any longer? For the entire month of March, Your FLEX Appeal is going to make it even more affordable to try your first massage. All clients will receive $10 off any massage package you purchase. Call 704-542-7306 to set up your appointment today!
W.O.W. CLASS EXPANDED AGAIN!
Your FLEX Appeal has now added a third W.O.W. (Women On Weights) class to the schedule. (For anyone unfamiliar with our W.O.W. class, it is a 45-minute, women only weight training and cardiovascular class.) The new class is being held on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. The Saturday class is at 8:30 a.m. and the Tuesday morning class is at 6:00 a.m. As the class sizes continue to grow, more classes will be added to the schedule.
There has also been an ongoing discussion with several male clients at Your FLEX Appeal for the need to create a M.O.W. class (Men On Weights). As interest for this class grows, expect it to be added to the schedule before the end of March. For all of you men out there that might be interested, let us know. After all, if it is good for the women, the men should not be left out.
VITAMINS at Your FLEX Appeal
Don’t forget that you can get all your vitamins at Your FLEX Appeal. Whether you are looking for a good brand of daily multiple vitamins, or an assortment of individual vitamins, let us know. Twinlab manufactures our best selling vitamins. If we do not presently stock your particular favorite, we can usually get it to you in less than 24 hours.
Your FLEX Appeal has EXPANDED!
On Friday, January 23rd, Your FLEX Appeal added approximately 1,000 more square feet to the facility. We also have added a large, private changing room as well. While Your FLEX Appeal only opened in November, we saw the need for more space already. We hope to continue to grow and offer our clients all that they need when it comes to fitness and health.
NEW W.O.W. CLASS ADDED!
Your FLEX Appeal is proud to announce the addition of a new W.O.W. class on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. W.O.W. is a women’s only, group exercise weightlifting class. The class consists of light weights and higher reps, combined with cardiovascular activity, which will definitely keep your heart rate up in fat burning zone. The cost of each class is only $5! Your initial class is always FREE at Your FLEX Appeal.
NEW SUPPLEMENTS TASTE GREAT!
Cytosport's Muscle Milk has always been a great tasting protein shake. Now they have come out with the RTD (ready to drink) single servings that are fabulous. We have chocolate milk and banana creme in stock, and they are now one of our best selling drinks.
(The following section is old news, but it bears repeating)
EVERYONE WANTS A 6 PACK?
This is not about beer, but about your abdominal region. Everybody wants to have a leaner mid-section, but so many times people go about it the wrong way. Endless hours of crunches and leg raises, along with purchasing every conceivable abdominal device on late night television, will not get you a "6 pack" tomorrow. More often than not, this area could be improved with a better diet and more cardiovascular activity. You must do abdominal exercises to strengthen the muscles, but remember the exercises DO NOT burn the stubborn body fat that covers the muscle. So do yourself a favor. Before spending more money on gadgets or countless hours crunching, GET MOVING! Pick up that cardio activity and stop making excuses. Remember, if it were easy… everyone would do it.
6311 Carmel Road Suite B Charlotte NC 28226 (704) 542-1316
For more information, contact info@yourflexappeal.com
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