Welcome to Power Fitness PDX


YOU have the power, strength and courage to make your life the best yet. Without even realizing it, you possess incredible determination and dedication to be your most active self possible...you just need a little nudge, education, and support. Through working with Power Fitness PDX your goals will not only be reached, but surpassed. What you thought was physically impossible for you to achieve will seem like a walk in the park when done training with Power Fitness PDX. You will not only feel and look better externally, but internally too. To improve one's strength on the outside has to come from improving their strength on the inside. It is time to Challenge the POWER of YOU! TM



Thursday, August 30, 2012

ONE thing is the same---- a healthy Mom is a Happy Mom

Oy vey. It happened. I got a news feed that has me so frustrated with a celebrity trainer's comments I can't think straight.  What celebrity trainer's don't realize is how far reaching their words are, and how many people take them to heart.  The celeb trainer influences women regarding bodyweight more than we(the health and fitness industry) want to realize...especially when sharing thoughts and opinions on all things health and fitness.

Tracy Anderson has been all over the map the last couple years for training Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez and Courtney Cox.  Her methods have helped get the ladies "stronger than ever", thus giving her more cred as a trainer.  That means more visibility and opportunities to help women feel better about their bodies by getting strong and healthy. Unfortunately, she went to far and threw this opportunity out the window.  Tracy Anderson was quoted in a New York Times Magazine article saying, 

"A lot of women use pregnancy as an excuse to let their bodies go, and that's the worst thing," Anderson told the magazine. "I've seen so many women who come to me right after [having children] with disaster bodies that have gone through hell, or they come to me years later and say, ‘Oh, my body is like this because I had three kids.'"  


Following Min's Aug. 17 article in the New York TimesMore magazine editor-in-chief Lesley Jane Seymour told "Good Morning America" that women need to remember celebrity moms might drop weight instantly, but they have resources that most people don't.
“[Celebrities] have $40,000 exercising gurus. You’re not being paid for that. That is not your job. They have to get in shape in two weeks because they’ve got to go on the set. That is not the normal human being," she explained.   
(Read entire article here

Having worked throughout my 15 years in the health and fitness industry, emphasizing Pre and Postnatal fitness specifically for 7 years, the pressure on new Moms to get back into their skinny jeans and pre-pregnancy weight is unfair and intolerable. Often it comes from the magazines such as US Weekly, People, and many others.  Magazines that give celebs incredible amounts of money for the first photos of the babies, which display the new Moms in their skinny jeans and stilettos pushing a pram.  It is unfair to highlight these unrealistic expectations.  What Tracy Anderson did was encourage them, and sadly share words directed at a group of women who are already trying to figure out how their "new body" is supposed to work.  
According to the ACOG guidelines, most women can't start strenuous exercise until 4- 6 weeks post delivery.  Some may require less time, and for some, add more time if there were delivery complications and/or a C-Section.  Women should gain an average of 25-35 pounds and make sure they are keeping active and fit throughout their pregnancy, to help for an easier delivery and recovery.  RECOVERY! Not RUSHCOVERY!!! 
I do understand the need to remind women that it is 9 months on and 9 months off.  Some of my goals for my clients during the first year postnatal are:
1. Buy yourself a new pair of jeans that make you feel GOOD about yourself. Cut out the size, because it will be different than your prenatal jeans, but wear jeans that make you feel good. DO NOT maternity jeans when postnatal after the first two -three weeks. They affect your mind and self esteem.
2. Walk, walk and walk some more with your baby.  Get outside, feel the wind on your cheeks, and find some hills.  Try to add a bit more distance each week. 
3. Be proactive and productive with your training time, since your time is limited when a Mom.  However, take it step by step each week. ie:  Don't start training where you left off at Cross Fit before you had a baby, since your body performed one of life's biggest marathons and needs time to heal. The first workouts can be gentler and go a long way.
4. Make sure to enjoy where you are at, and breath along the way.  Try not to emphasize a certain goal size or dress you want to wear, but enjoy each step embracing your body as it gets stronger.  Often, when training efficiently and effectively, you are stronger and faster post natal.  One of the reasons...you KNOW your workout time is yours alone and a special commodity. Use it wisely, and while getting stronger, pat your back after each workout that you accomplished something for you. 
5. Remember, you now have a little one who looks and follows every move you make.  You want them to always have the highest self esteem and embrace their sweet little body. Embrace yours too, each step along the way. 
Real life as a trainer: I have trained hundreds of women throughout the years, myself included.  Each pregnancy is different, and each experience post natal is different.  Sometimes the weight comes off easier than others.  Some times Moms watch their diet to closely, and they lower their breastmilk supply which affects their kids. Sometimes, unexpected events pop up hindering you from being active.  


One thing is the same --- a healthy mom is a HAPPY mom.  


If you are stressing so much on what you weigh and fitting into a pair of Seven jeans, rather than focusing on getting strong and active, you will never be happy.  Before you know it, your kids will be 5 years old and you might not like those favorite skinny jeans anymore.  AND you might not remember your time with them as much because you were stressing about your weight instead of about being in the moment.  Be active with them, teach them to love their bodies, nurture your soul and theirs by PLAYING!  Before you know it, you will be stronger both physically and mentally than you were prenatal... since you have retrained your body how to work...and how to live healthy and happily. Live is to short not to, it truly is.  

Enjoy each moment since the only thing in life we don't get back is time.  So please, don't waste time stressing about not being a size 0 when you are 6 weeks postnatal. It truly is not worth it!  

Much love to you- Coach Erin Kreitz Shirey
Mama to Makenzie age 8, Emerson age 4.5 years



Wednesday, August 29, 2012

12 minute Workout Wednesday!

Blast these out and you will be dripping with sweat before you know it. All you need is 12 minutes, a medicine ball, jump rope, your body, a sweat towel and water.

1. Medicine Ball Push Ups- 1 Minute
Start in upright push up position with one hand on the medicine ball, and the other hand on the floor.  Lower yourself to a push up remembering your form- abs engaged, chest and back strong and flexing while lowering, extending while lifting. Upon raising to starting position, roll the medicine ball to the other hand. Repeat for 1 minute.
Starting position

One hand is on the ball (my right hand in this photo), lower to push up position

Upon extension, roll the medicine ball across to the other hand (my left)

Lower to push up position.
Repeat.


2. Plank Hold on Medicine Ball - 1 Minute
In upright plank position, place both hands on the medicine ball.  Make sure your shoulders are rolled back, there is no crunching at your shoulders, and that your core is engaged.  If you get tired, don't "pooch" your abs towards the ground, engage them and push down towards your toes.
Hold the plank position, smile, think of your strong core


3. Jump Rope - FAST - 1 Minute

Repeat 4 times

It may seem like an easy workout, but honestly, if is super challenging and allows you to reach outside your comfort zone in a short amount of time.  Your arms, chest, back, glutes, abs, legs and heart will all thank you!!

Challenge the Power of YOU! 
copyright 2012- Erin Kreitz Shirey - www.powerfitnesspdx.com