I was just looking at a picture from twenty years ago and I was remembering where I was at that time in my life.  I was a dancer and this particular picture was from a music video shoot.  I was probably in the best shape of my life (from the outside) and yet when I look back, I see such a sad, insecure, vulnerable, young girl.  It was some of the darkest periods in my life.  Physically, I was struggling with eating disorders.  I would starve myself or work out all day to make sure I was skinny.  My diet consisted of coffee and cigarettes.  Everything I valued was about how I looked and what people thought of me.  I remember being at this video shoot and feeling like I was the fattest, ugliest person there amongst all the beautiful, talented individuals I was working with.

So here I am, twenty years later.  I am finally content with my body.  I don’t have an un-realistic view of what I think I should look like.  It is what it is!  I have three amazing, beautiful, healthy children that I adore and I have the stretch marks to prove it!  My beauty doesn’t come from the outside appearance but out of a content, pure, secure relationship with God and having positive influences in my life.  I definitely still struggle with body dysmorphia, but I try to take captive every thought.  I now have the tools not to fall in to the trap of self- centeredness and anxiety.  I am very grateful!  It’s not always easy but I try my darndest!!!

One of the items on my bucket list was to be able to teach a health and fitness class.  I wanted to do it by age forty. Health and fitness had always been a passion of mine and after practicing yoga for the last few years, it really helped me to develop awareness and surrender to my body and I really wanted to share that.  I was sick of the fad diets, the quick fix empty promises of the latest trend, the plastic surgery, and the focus on the external instead of really dealing with what’s inside.

So, I started a Bootcamp class for some of my girlfriends who recently had babies and I figured, I would be working out anyway, I’d just include them.  I thought I would have three or four people maximum come out to join.  My first class I had twelve women show up!  The next class, sixteen women showed up!!!  I was so encouraged and scared at the same time!  Right now, I have the honor of having classes at four locations and have been able to meet amazing women who blow me away everyday by their courage and love.   I am having a blast working with these amazing, strong, beautiful, spiritual women.  It’s truly a privilege to be friends with a lot of them.  What I do resonates with these women because I think we’re all sick of being bombarded by size zero models and celebrity moms who fit in their jeans as soon as they give birth!  We are normal women just trying to make it happen and squeeze in a workout when we can.  The message is important.  We are beautiful creatures.  Wonderfully and fearfully made!  We need to be reminded!  As women, we need to encourage each other instead of sizing each other up.  We’re on the same team here.  It’s not a competition.

I always wanted to be pretty and skinny.  It seemed like that was my goal in life as a young woman.  Now, that I’m over forty I feel pretty good about my body, my strength, and my curves.  I’m grateful I can still have the energy to take dance and fitness classes and on a good day, stand on my head!!

My classes are not about just losing weight but about dealing with what’s inside.  We’re also going to re-train our minds about our love affair with food and develop discipline for fitness!  Here are my before and after pictures.  Even though I have never been over twenty pounds overweight, it was still a huge challenge to overcome the mental game.  It all starts with a decision and a willingness to try.  Then it’s taking action everyday and not make excuses!  I help empower women re-invent themselves.  I train women to learn how to love the skin they’re in.  I love what I do and I’m honored to be in this journey with you.

Day 10

I was hoping my day would be a little more productive today.  Instead, I was distracted by every shiny object and was pulled in many different directions.  I struggle with being a procrastinator.  It’s really something I hate about myself.  Nothing makes me more productive than the last minute!  LOL!  Arghhhh…..I am really trying to overcome this.  Somehow, I do get things done and will make it happen!  I just wish I was more of the tortoise than the hare.  Slow and steady wins the race, right!?  I will overcome this weakness!  This is something I really want to go after in my character.  I’ll start tomorrow;))) LOL!!!  How do you overcome procrastination????

1) Yoga- Another chance to find your center.  Take some time to meditate today.  Make it part of your daily practice to find some quiet time and clear your hard drive:)  The real work starts within. Breathe in and breathe out:))))

Meditate on this.  This is powerful and beautifully said….

2) Mantra- Perseverance!

Perseverance is the complete antithesis of procrastination.  Quitting is easy, perseverance takes blood, sweat, and tears!  I know that in order for me to overcome my procrastination I have to take ACTION.  It doesn’t have to be a HUGE step but I must take baby steps and make progress.  Make a decision to take action everyday towards your goal.  Do not quit!!!

Please “like” us if you haven’t already:)))  I will host my next challenge group in June.  In the next couple of months, I will be moving and healing.  Thanks for your support, loyalty, and encouragement.  It means a lot!!!

Love you guys and I’m rooting for you:)))) XOXO!!!

Well, life is a whirlwind right now.  It’s going at lightning speed and I’m working hard to intentionally stay in the moment.  There are a lot of great things happening and there are also lots of great challenges that we didn’t see coming.  Life is like that right!?  We always want to get all our ducks in a row and for some reason, it just never lines up.  I used to get really anxious and worried about plans not working out my way.  Today, I will remember to breathe and count my blessings.  No one ever said things were going to work out perfectly.  All I know is that some how, some way, it will work out:)))

1) Upper Body Day- Are you ready to get those arms strong for the task!?  Don’t be afraid of weights.  Don’t worry, you won’t bulk up. It’s time for tank top arms and bikini weather is right around the corner.  What are you waiting for!?  If you have an exercise ball, use it!:))))

2) Mantra- You are Stronger than you Think!

Strength comes in many forms.  Sometimes you don’t realize how strong you are until you overcome some great hurdle.  Sometimes, you wonder if you could make it through a tough season of life, then when you do you’re stronger for it.  Don’t underestimate your strength, your determination, your perseverance, and your willingness to push through.  Initially, you won’t feel so strong.  You might even feel totally weak and useless.  Unbeknownst to you, people are watching you and are looking at your example.  It’s a high calling but it’s true.  You are strong and you will continue to get stronger as long as you don’t give up!

Please “like” us if you haven’t already:)))  I will host my next challenge group in June.  In the next couple of months, I will be moving and healing.  Thanks for your support, loyalty, and encouragement.  It means a lot!!!

Love you guys and I’m rooting for you:)))) XOXO!!!

It’s been a few days since I’ve written.  I’m giving myself permission to chill and listen to my body. Right now I should be sleeping but I couldn’t sleep.  I had a rough day today. In case you didn’t hear the news, we miscarried a while back.  I’m doing OK.  I was resolved with the outcome and pretty much just went on with life.  Business as usual. I’ve had spurts of sadness but I’ve been too busy to feel. Today I went to Target and walked by all the baby clothes and toys.  I watched the excited, expectant moms shopping with anticipation.  It seems like everywhere I go, everyone is pregnant.  It’s just a constant reminder that I am not.  It’s easy for me to just not think about it and go about my busy life.  My life is super busy right now. We’re in the middle of a HUGE move out of state and I have a lot on my plate.  I had to give myself permission to grieve and to be OK with being sad.  It’s actually easier to check out, numb out, and not deal.  In my fitness classes, I teach my clients to be in the moment.  I teach them not to be afraid of emotions, hard challenging moves, and to be open to the challenge. Just like in life, we are sometimes thrown a curve ball.  Sometimes, we don’t know why things happen.  I know for me, I can intellectualize it and just give myself a pep talk.  “It’s OK, everything happens for a reason.”  “God is in control.”  “It’s just not meant to be.”  Even though it may be true, it can divert my true feelings and make it harder for me to be in touch.  It’s OK to be sad.  It’s OK to be sorrowful.  It’s OK to be human.

1) YOGA DAY- How fitting that today is Yoga day.  Yoga really helps me to see the parallels of real life and my practice on the mat.  Yoga helps me to hear the chatter in my mind and as I hold poses, I can slowly calm the chatter and focus on the NOW.   If I’m all over the place in my mind, I’m all over the place on my mat.  It’s a great challenge mentally and of course physically.  I have to surrender to where I’m at physically.  I can’t fake it or force it.  I have to just BE.  That’s the beauty of Yoga.  You are forced to be your authentic self even if you’re falling all over the mat.  You can’t have ego in yoga.  LOL!  Another beautiful thing in Yoga is there is no judgment.  You accept where you’re at with no judgment.  Some days you feel stronger than others.  It’s OK.  I need to take some yoga today to learn some lessons on being present and being in the moment.  I hope you can join me.  Peace:)))

2) Mantra- Love is Patient

My mantra is simple today.  I need to be patient with myself.  To be honest, the day after my miscarriage, I taught a high intensity fitness class.  My doctor was not happy with me.  She told me I needed to rest and let my body heal.  In my mind, I was ready to go after my normal fitness regimen and go full out.  I felt good, I had energy.  I was in a hurry to get back in to tip top shape.  Why?  What’s the hurry?  I had to ask myself these question.  I think for me, it gave me some kind of comfort to get back on a schedule and take my mind off of the loss.  I listened to my doctor and took it easy for the next couple of weeks.  I have to constantly remind myself that I’m not in a race, I’m not in a hurry, and it’s OK to take some time to recuperate.  If I’m not patient with myself, how can I be patient with others.  In 1 Corinthians 13:4 It says, “Love is patient”….that’s all I have to remember.

So I ask for your patience as I’m going through this time in my life.  I may not blog daily but I’m always available on Facebook.  Please “like” us if you haven’t already:)))  I will host my next challenge group in June.  In the next couple of months, I will be moving and healing.  Thanks for your support, loyalty, and encouragement.  It means a lot!!!

Love you guys and I’m rooting for you:)))) XOXO!!!

I hope you guys had a great weekend and if you had way too many peeps or chocolate eggs, well shake it off and make today a new day!  One of our sayings at Bootcamp Barre is, “Champions have a short memory!”  Don’t dwell on what you cannot control.  Let’s move on shall we!?!?

1) Monday- Stretch, Cardio and Leg Day!
Check out Carrie Underwood’s leg exercises.  She has some great tips!!!
Read article here:)))

2) Binge Recovery!  If you had a rough weekend eating way too much of mom’s home cooking then follow this great advice!

3) Mantra for the Day!- I CAN!
During this challenge we’ve learned that we must love ourselves unconditionally, be grateful, not be jealous, not be greedy, not whine, and really work hard on purification not just our diets but most importantly, our hearts.  So today we’re going to talk about a word that you MUST ban from your vocabulary if you are going to be successful.  This word is, “I can’t!”  If you think you can’t, then you’ve already lost.  Success is a mental game.  If you believe that you can, you will!!!  We don’t allow this word in our home.  It’s considered a bad word.  Our speech determines what we will do. If you start off with saying “you can’t” then you’ve already lost the battle.  You can definitely do it and I believe in you. Don’t listen to the negative people in your life that will tell you, “you can’t!”  Surround yourself with people that will support you and encourage you.  Stick around and you will find that there truly are people who genuinely want you to succeed.

Love you guys and I’m rooting for you!!! XOXO:)

Hello guys!  I hope you’re doing well.  I am feeling great and getting stronger.  Sorry I missed the blog yesterday.  I am giving myself permission to be OK with letting things go. Please forgive me:)  Our bodies are amazing. Our bodies remind us that there is so much to learn.  I hope you are challenging yourself and trying new things.  You will amaze yourself by how strong you really are.  Sometimes strength means to be present and do nothing.  Sometimes, it takes more strength to do that:))))

1) Friday- Friday’s are our CORE day! We will be meeting at the park since it’s Spring Break!  I love that my clients don’t make excuses.  They want to work out and figured out a way to do it without having to get a sitter:)))  Meet us at Balboa Park 9:30-10:30am
We’ll start off at the bleachers:))))

We have a treat for you this weekend!!!  Karen from Fitness With Karen will be here to take care of our Zumba addiction:)  So dance with us and do your core exercises too!!!
Saturday at Pulse Fitness LA in Sherman Oaks!!!  11-12pm

SUNDAY- Is relax and unwind day.  Take a day to recover.  Quiet your mind, body and soul.  Whether or not you celebrate Easter Sunday, take some time to reflect on what the day represents.  A new day, a new beginning, a fresh start, redemption, hope, glory, and love.  Enjoy:))))

2) Food- Water!!!
I will keep reminding you guys to drink your water!!!  Be intentional about getting it all in.  Drink half of your weight in ounces.  For example, if you weigh 150 pounds you will drink 75 ounces of water daily.  Just make it a habit.  Carry your water bottle everywhere.  Do it!

3) Mantra of the Day! – Champions are not Born, They’re Made!!!
Everyday you have an opportunity to be a champion.  The only thing that separates the average people from the champions are the time and effort champions are willing to put in. It’s not automatic or genetic.  It’s not going to happen by osmosis.  It’s a CHOICE to take action towards your goals and not give in to laziness and excuses. Another thing about champions is that they have a short memory.  Shake it off and move on!  You decide!!!  It’s up to you:)))

Stop talking and just keep doing.  You ARE a CHAMPION!!!  Act like it!

Love you guys and I’m rooting for you:))) XOXO!!!

Beautiful people don’t just happen.  I’m not talking about six packs and long legs!  I’m talking about women who are strong, who are compassionate, who are daring, who have a purpose, who are willing to put themselves out there.  I’m talking about women who are not afraid to fail.  Women who get back up after defeat and won’t go down without a fight.  Beauty is only skin deep.  Let’s really work and value what’s inside!!! The superficial stuff only lasts a short time.  Leave a legacy and be a role model for women to come!!!

1) Workout of the Day- Upper Body Work!

2) Food- Great Ideas!
3) Mantra for the Day:  Stop Being A Perfectionist!
Anyone else struggle with perfectionism!?  Sometimes perfectionism shows up in me by trying to do too much and getting totally overwhelmed.  Sometimes, it shows up in me by being so overwhelmed that I just don’t do anything at all!  It’s important to know what the root of perfectionism is.  I’m sure it’s different for everyone.  For me, it goes back to control.  I want it done a certain way.  I have a certain expectation.  I feel like I have to do it all.  I also end up comparing my progress with other people.  This does not create peace in my soul.  So, I have to learn to let things go.  I have to be OK with slow progress.  I have to be patient and learn to delegate.  This is all a work in progress and I’m learning all this as I type this:)  I am learning to enjoy the baby steps and not be in such a hurry.  Relax!  Chill!  This is my goal:)))  If you have tips on overcoming this, please share!!!

I felt the need to share this because we can all relate to this in one way or another.  Please take some time to give yourself encouragement, kindness and love today. You are worth it.  You really are:)

I love you guys and I’m rooting for you!!!

Well, I went to the Doctor and sadly I had a miscarriage over the weekend.  We were not very far along.  Initially, we thought we were already at 12 weeks but the ultrasound only showed 6 weeks.  I’m grateful that I didn’t experience a lot of pain.  I’m doing well and getting my energy back.  Thank you for all the well wishes and enthusiasm for my pregnancy.  Unfortunately, it’s not meant to be right now.  I have never had a miscarriage and it definitely helps me to have more compassion on others.  I’m thankful to be surrounded by such amazing friends and family.  I feel very blessed.

1.  Tuesday- Cardio day.  Go for a walk, run, hike, bike ride, swim, dance class, etc….
Whatever you end up doing, just move that booty!!!:))))

2.  Food- Clean Eating List!
I’m happy to report that kangaroo is on the list! LOL:)))  This list must be from Australia:)

3. Mantra for the day:  Surrender
Surrender and faith go hand in hand.  Being a Christian, it’s a given that I want God’s will for my life.  I’ve been living my life by faith.  The kind of faith that makes my knees shake and puts knots in my belly.  I love to conquer my fears and do crazy things that I would never do.  Now, my prayers have been, “God let me walk through every door you want me to walk through and close every door that I’m not supposed to walk through.”  Walking indicates ACTION!  I will keep moving until the door shuts.  Then I will move again in another direction until it’s clear that I need to go another way.  It has been such an amazing ride.  It gives me such security and I don’t have to second guess myself because I truly trust that God is leading my life.  So, even with going through a devastating miscarriage, I truly feel surrendered to God’s will and I feel a lot of peace.  I think it’s a blessing to be able to relate and comfort another person who has gone through the same experience.  I know I’ve been comforted by people who have wished me well and have been through it too.  Surrender is a beautiful thing.  It totally takes the pressure off of trying to be in control of everything.  I did that for a long time and believe me, I do not want to go back to that!  Thanks for letting me vent.  I think it helps to just get it out.  I’m feeling good physically.  Maybe it will hit me later but I’m not sad.  I’m resolved that this is how it’s supposed to be.  I will focus on what I do have and that’s a loving, amazing, encouraging, supportive, husband and three healthy, vibrant, funny, smart, loving kids.  I am surrounded by people who love me.  I am truly blessed.  I am humbled and amazed by the blessings.  Thank you:))))

Love you guys and I’m rooting for you!!!  XOXO:)))

It’s Monday and I hope you are ready to go after it this week!!!  We are going to work hard and be determined to finish strong.  This next week will be the turning point for you.  This week will determine if you’re serious and ready to make lasting changes or if this is just going to be a fad for you.  How disappointing to go through all this hard work and come this far only to quit and go back to the way you were before.  You have to choose to endure the pain of change and not want to go backwards.  I believe in you guys!!!  You can do this:)

1.  Monday- Cardio for 30 minutes and lower body exercises for 30 minutes.  I want you to be huffin’ and puffin’ during this workout!  If you still look pretty after your workout, you didn’t work out hard enough!!! LOL!

2.  Food- Lets not make food our master.  You be in control of what goes in your body.  Stay connected, mindful, engaged and present.  Really make the effort to be in the moment and not let excuses get the best of you.  Plan, plan, plan!!!  If you do blow it, shake it off and move on:)))

3. Mantra for the day:  Make the Investment!!!

We are all given the same 24 hours in the day.  How are you using it.  Just like we need to be fully present to live in the moment and intentional about our food choices, we need to do the same with our time management.  You will be busy!  We’re all busy!  Make your health and fitness a priority.  Its non-negotiable.  If you wait for perfect conditions, it will never happen.  It’s going to be inconvenient.  It will be too cold or too hot.  It will be too early or too late.  Whatever the excuses are, it’s time to STOP IT and make a decision!  Learn to multi-task.  Take your babies in the stroller and go for a walk, go for a walk with your spouse or friends.  Whatever it is, figure out what works for you and do it.  Remember EXCUSES don’t produce results..only ACTION produces results!!!  This is our week ladies!!!  Train hard and be disciplined this week!

Have a beautiful day! I love you guys and I’m rooting for you:)

Today, I officially told Facebook that we are moving to Austin, Texas.  So once it’s on Facebook, it’s officially, official!!!  It’s so bittersweet because we LOVE Los Angeles and of course, all our family and friends.  It really made me grateful for the amazing people God has put in our lives over the years.  Erik and I have lived here forever.  I moved here when I was seven from the Philippines and Erik moved to LA from Boston when he was two.  You never know where life will take you.  It’s so important not to take people or time for granted.  LA will always be home to us but we are looking forward to our new adventure!
Thank you for being such great friends to us and our family.

1.  Friday- Stretch, Cardio and CORE!!!

I love planks!  We do variations of planks in my classes.  Please click here and ‘like’ us:)))
Time your planks and let us know how long you can stay up!!!

2.  Food- Super food of the Day! -AVOCADOS!!!

3. Mantra for the day:  Being Vulnerable is not a Weakness.

To be vulnerable is to be exposed.  To be stripped to our core is a humbling experience because we must deal with what’s left.  Food can be a great mask.  Extra weight or being underweight takes the focus off of what’s really going on inside.  When we start to deal and peel off layers then we have to come face to face with who we really are.  Take a moment to embrace that person.  Your authentic, vulnerable, amazing self is dying to come out.  Give her a chance to prove to you that she is strong and capable of dealing with what life has to offer.  You are stronger than you think you are.  Openness and honesty gives others the courage to do the same.  Share your heart and share your strength!!!

Have a beautiful day! I love you guys and I’m rooting for you:)