So This Is the New Year.

Every year we make resolutions; we hope for a better year than the last.

I think we want more for ourselves. I don't think we go into resolutions with the reality that we may or may not follow through. I truly believe that we practice this tradition because we really want to be a better "us" this next time around.

But do we keep our promises to ourselves? Today I was going to post a recipe, with cool pictures, nutrition facts, etc. But I really felt it pressed upon me to really drive home this point before we begin: the new year, or your failed resolutions are no reason to give up on working towards becoming the person you want to be. So what if you ate chips, or haven't started working out yet. You want to quit smoking but you keep failing, or you just wish that guy you like would notice you....we get that here, at Sift Happens.

So please, come along for the ride. We want to share our stories, tips, and tragedies with you. And we want you, to share with us.

Remember this: if no one else believes you can do it, we do!

--Rita

Q & A with Jamie Bryant of HotBox Fitness in Nashville

I had this next guy on my list of people to interview when Rita and I decided to add the interview section on the blog. Most of you have heard me mention HotBox in my entries and it’s the best workout I’ve found in Nashville. It’s close enough to my Muay Thai workout that I’m used to that I’m comfortable, and tough enough that I feel like I’ve worked out. I leave sweaty and gross and that makes me feel like I’ve worked. 

Jamie is one of my favorite people I’ve ever trained with. He’s funny and personable, but makes sure that we work in every class and that we improve technique every time. This interview is a couple weeks in the making, schedule conflicts, the Predators 5K, we were finally able to sit down on Wednesday night and chat for a few minutes before my 6:40 class. 

Amos: What’s the story/philosophy behind Hotbox? How did it get started? 

Jamie: There was something that happened in the Nashville MMA community called, the Divorce. There was a major divide between the two people and the rest of us feel on either side. Afterwards, a bunch of us didn’t have a place to work out so we started Tennessee BJJ Academy in Spring Hill. It’s really easy to run, sign, mats on the floor...good to go. 

I got the idea for HotBox when I was taking my girlfriend, Anastacia, with me to class because she wanted to get in shape for summer. I noticed that she toned up, felt empowered, but there was something missing. Kickboxing to make girls hot, empowered and get them in shape. 

I was talking to a friend, and I was living across the street from where we are now. And I pitched my idea, I told him how much money I needed for it. He came back like later with a 1/3 of what I needed. I came here (we’re at FIT Nashville by the way) rented the front room, came back to my friend and said I needed money for mats and bags. I drew up some contracts got 20 of my friends to sign up. April 1, 2010 at 9am, we had our first class. 

We’ve been growing ever since. Sarah, one of the instructors, has been here since the first day. Never worked out a day in her life, now she’s hooked. We started out upstairs, 8 bags, in three months we were in a new space and at 108 members. In three more months, we had 300 members and into a bigger space. Now we’re getting the smaller room back to run more evening classes. 

Amos: What are some of the biggest struggles that you feel your clients face? How do you hope to help them overcome that?

Jamie: That’s a really interesting question. I think we’re an answer to a question they don’t know how to ask. We’re more than just a workout. We provide a comfortable environment, we don’t do a lot of advertising. We want our clients to feel empowered. We hope that it provides them a chance to prove themselves wrong. This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about work and being determined. 

Amos: Being in resolution season, what are your thoughts on fad diet and quick fixes?

Jamie: I hate them. They aren’t real life. You need consistency to get results. There all of these gimmicks out there to help people “lose weight”, but they’re money making schemes. Spokespeople, celebrities who try it, doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Yes, you’re going to lose weight because you’re only taking in 600-800 calories a day. You look malnourished, there’s nothing sexy or attractive about it. Able is so much sexier than small. Strong is hot. Able is sexy. Be bruised, show them that you’ve worked. That’s more sexy than anything. 

Amos: What’s your advice for people who are just beginning a healthy lifestyle change? 

Jamie: Take it slow and don’t get discouraged. Be consistent and only weigh every 3-4 weeks. You’ll see it before you will see it. Just keep working. 

Amos: Any closing comments, concerns, words of wisdom?

Jamie: Personal/Physical, anything and everything is possible. Your body will tell you know, but your mind can do it. It just all takes time. Also, don’t think yourself sick. Just keep trying and working, eventually you will get there. 

This is the best workout I've found in Nashville. Tons of new classes are opening up soon, especially more of the 2.0 classes. Jamie is all over the place, knowledgeable, helpful and incredibly encouraging. If you're ever in the Nashville area, check them out. You'll be hooked. I'm still recovering from back to back classes last night, but definitely considering doing back to back again tonight. 

Get to sweating. 

Something New

I'm a little late in the game with the resolutions/goals of 2012. I wrote some late in January, and I allowed my busy schedule to get in the way.

Well, that's all about to change. I got a new job and I start next week. The beauty of this new job is my schedule. 7a-3p, M-F, school calendar. Do you know how beautiful that sounds? Glorious, I tell you.

With this change, I'm going to overhaul how I eat, think about food and my fitness. Most of you don't really know my story. I was a heavy teen and turned into a fat adult. In college I started to lose weight and ended up losing 180 pounds by the time I was 25. Then I went to graduate school, moved to Nashville and put on 30. It's been a combination of not paying attention to what I was eating, drinking (not that I was a lush, but I didn't drink very often) and my insane schedule. Even though, I feel like I'm stronger, I'm fatter.

I have completed two mini-marathons. I'm taking this year off. I'm going to get new running shoes (that I've had $$ for since my birthday, but haven't had time to buy) and work on my pace and endurance. I'm going to do a few 5ks and 10ks starting this summer and get back on the marathon train in 2013. I have completely booked myself at Hotbox and doing other YMCA classes after work is over. They are already in my calendar, so I can't back out.

I'm going to overhaul my diet. Look at food as nourishment and not my friend and social event. I'm going back on minimal dairy and lowering my gluten intake. I haven't watched that since Christmas and I can tell by how I feel. I'm not sleeping as well and I am sluggish.

I'm going to be taking you on this adventure with me. Updating you weekly as I weigh in, measure myself and keep you updated on how I feel.

Here goes everything!

-Amos

Soapbox

I don’t know quite what to say about this ad. Yes, I agree that obesity is a growing problem in the USA, however with the speeding descent of female self-image, there is a better way to encourage better lifestyle choices.

I want to know the research group that thought this was a good idea. Being a therapist by day, I read a lot of studies and articles about the dangers of female self-image and the increasing numbers of girls who battle eating disorders. Did these people not see the same article? 

Women are projected in media very differently than men. I will not get on my feminist soapbox, but we all know that the previous is true. There are much better ways to encourage girls (and boys too, but this ad is clearly targeted at girls) to be healthy and active without making them feel less. 

First, I suggest we, as a nation, support and advocate for better school lunches, encourage them to be active, and also let people know that healthy minds equal healthy bodies. 

I was not a heavy kid. I was always “bigger”, but I was tall. Once adolescences hit, I didn’t grow anymore and I started to gain weight. I think what we forget, is that we associate being overweight with an inability to do almost anything. 

This blog was started by girls, like the one in the ad. Just like her, we have a story. Never discount someone because of the body they have, give them a chance and you’ll be surprised.