Meet Danielle G., a stuntwoman and mama-bear who wasn’t always the strong superwoman she is today. In college, Danielle weighed well over 200 lbs., wore size 18 pants, and felt uncomfortable in her own skin. Wanting to make a change, she started training at a local gym but a move to a new area brought with it limited access to the gym she was attending. As a result, her training started to slack, there was a decrease in motivation and subsequently, she began regaining the weight she had lost. A friend and mentor of Danielle introduced her to LA Fitness and encouraged her to continue with her training. Danielle credits the wide range of LA Fitness gym locations for making it possible for her to continue training again. With training once again underway, Danielle set a goal for herself to compete in her first ever NPC (National Physique Committee) Figure Competition. When the big day finally arrived, she recalls being in the best shape of her life.
“With the open environment, friendly gym goers (some of which I call friends now), I continued to see improvements in myself and was planning on competing again, but then I was given the blessings of being a mom (well, stunt mom).”
Even once pregnant, that didn’t stop Danielle from continuing her training at LA Fitness. She combines weightlifting and cardio and pulls ideas from the LA Fitness Living Healthy blog on nutrition to help her better balance her diet at the same time. Many of Danielle’s friends at her home gym are impressed with her continued dedication. She plans to stay a healthy mom and to continue her training to become a better and stronger stuntwoman. She is a firm believer that if there is a will there is a way. While she is now a mom, she believes that it is possible to find a balance between family and yourself. Danielle hopes to one day get back on stage for her second NPC figure competition.
“Don’t let excuses get in the way of what you want. Whether single or a mom, make sure to take time to take care of your health because if there is no you then the family will suffer.”
My typical gym routine is basically working to separate muscle groups (i.e., legs and arms, biceps and back, etc.) for about an hour, followed with 30-45 min of cardio, and some days strict cardio only. Always mixing it up to keep the body aware.
In the very beginning (college days), I would eat whatever was in front of me. Originally obtaining my degree in medicine meant a lot of stress dealing with early to late night classes, lab time and exams. So, I did a lot of emotional/stress eating, such as eating fried foods, high carbs, sugars, you name it. When I was prepping for my competition and my career as a stuntwoman, I was on a stricter diet. I was on a high protein low carb diet eating about 1,675 calories per day and drinking a gallon of water per day as well. I focused primarily on making sure I was meeting my macro count per day. Eventually, I was seeing about 0.5-1 lb. of weight loss per week. Occasionally there were times I plateaued, but with encouragement, the weight continued to drop. I had to keep reminding myself it took me time to get to being overweight, so it’s going to take time to get it off.
In all honesty, I wasn’t happy with who I was with the amount of weight I was carrying. I didn’t feel attractive at all. And in complete honesty, it took one guy, when I was in college, who was the first to tell me he loved me. That made me think: how could he love me when I didn’t love myself?! Talk about a wakeup call. I gave myself a hard look at myself, being over 200lbs and asthmatic where the outside world literally was my enemy. I knew I had to make a change. So that initially started me on my journey to redevelop myself into the person I wanted to be. I focused on finding a balance between school and going to the gym with diet, and slowly started to see the changes that I didn’t think could happen for me.
I don’t care if you are an average person or the fittest person in the world – there are always setbacks. And it’s really just finding that push/dedication to overcome it and not make bland excuses. For me, it wasn’t just being overweight; being asthmatic also was a huge setback for me. How did I overcome it? I just listened more to my body and the orders of my doctor. I figured by doing that, it would mean a faster way for me to get back into the gym and continue training.
Fitness plays a huge role for me as a stuntwoman. You must not be just mentally strong, but physically strong and flexible as well. If I was going into my career being overweight as I was, that would have made it difficult, if not impossible. The physical aspects of the job are so demanding that being overweight will not just tire you out faster, but it would also be so much harder on the joints, increasing chances of injury. So, striving to be not skinny but fit is imperative. Fitness is also important especially for stuntwomen in the fact that the clothes and pads we have to wear on set are sometimes minimal compared to our male counterparts. So the added weight, in addition to pads and clothes when you are doubling for the actress can be a big thing.
Are you searching for “kickboxing near me”? Stop the search party because you’ve struck fitness gold with Kickbox Cardio classes at LA Fitness. These classes aren’t just a workout, but an experience. With classes designed to kick, punch, bob, and weave your way to...
Incorporating cardio exercises between sets, also known as ‘cardio-acceleration’, is a revolutionary way to maximize your workout efficiency. This technique involves performing short bursts of cardio exercises, usually lasting 30-60 seconds, in between your...
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each...
Welcome to the 13th episode of the Living Healthy Podcast, presented by LA Fitness.
On this episode of Living Healthy, we bring back to the show LA Fitness Master Trainer, and pun-master, Geoff Fox who shares his knowledge on high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
How Are We Doing?
This podcast should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Warning: Puns Ahead
Begins at 0:01
Master Trainer, Geoff Fox joins the show
Begins at 2:08
Are HIIT Workouts Done with PT Clients?
2:22
Is There a Difference Between Strength vs. Cardio HIIT?
2:59
Do You Want to Follow HIIT Up with Additional Cardio?
4:38
Is HIIT for Everyone? What About Those with Heart Conditions?
5:33
Can HIIT Build a Healthier Heart?
6:50
On Tracking Heartrate
7:22
Solo HIIT vs. Group HIIT
9:04
Do You Have to Consume More Calories to Participate in HIIT?
10:50
Understand What Your Calorie Needs Are Prior
14:21
Has HIIT Been Around for Long?
15:37
HIIT – Not Just for Athletes
17:41
Actionable Advice – The Top 3 Benefits of HIIT
19:30
Outro
20:50
Are you searching for “kickboxing near me”? Stop the search party because you’ve struck fitness gold with Kickbox Cardio classes at LA Fitness. These classes aren’t just a workout, but an experience. With classes designed to kick, punch, bob, and weave your way to...
Incorporating cardio exercises between sets, also known as ‘cardio-acceleration’, is a revolutionary way to maximize your workout efficiency. This technique involves performing short bursts of cardio exercises, usually lasting 30-60 seconds, in between your...
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each...
On this episode of ‘Ask A Trainer’ we speak with LA Fitness Pro Results® trainer Morgan C., and get her expert advice on how to lose body fat for those afflicted with cerebral palsy.
Do you have a fitness question? Ask one of our certified Pro Results® trainers here! Your question may be featured in an upcoming Ask Our Trainer video.**
**Selected submissions will be featured on the LA Fitness blog and possibly other LA Fitness digital media entities & websites. By making a submission, you hereby grant LA Fitness a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable license to use and make copies of the contents of such submission for any purpose and in any medium whatsoever, and you hereby waive and relinquish any copyright or other intellectual property right you may have in the contents of such submission and your right to pursue any claim for LA Fitness’s violation of those intellectual property rights.
Are you searching for “kickboxing near me”? Stop the search party because you’ve struck fitness gold with Kickbox Cardio classes at LA Fitness. These classes aren’t just a workout, but an experience. With classes designed to kick, punch, bob, and weave your way to...
Incorporating cardio exercises between sets, also known as ‘cardio-acceleration’, is a revolutionary way to maximize your workout efficiency. This technique involves performing short bursts of cardio exercises, usually lasting 30-60 seconds, in between your...
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each...
Welcome to the 12th episode of the Living Healthy Podcast, presented by LA Fitness.
On this episode of Living Healthy, we speak with Matt Harrison, LA Fitness member and elite athlete, who shares how you too can become an elite athlete with just a few changes made to your lifestyle.
Hey there! Is there something you’re interested in hearing about? Do you have a fitness topic of interest? How about nutrition? Or maybe you have a fitness success story (or know someone else who does) and want to share it with us? Tweet, message or email us your thoughts and opinions. We love hearing from our listeners and thank you for being a member of the Living Healthy Podcast community!
How Are We Doing?
This podcast should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.
Intro
Begins at 0:01
Elite Athlete, Matt Harrison, joins the show
Begins at 0:23
What Does Elite Athlete Even Mean?
0:28
Have You Always Been an Athlete?
0:56
What is the Foundation Someone Needs Before Becoming an Elite Athlete?
1:18
What Changed Your Mindset?
2:18
What Sparked the Change?
3:09
How Do You Find the Time to Train and Balance Life?
4:40
The 3 Personal Commitments
5:50
On Living More in the Moment
6:53
What Are the Causalities of Having Laser Focus?
8:36
On His First Ever Spartan Race
9:34
Nutritional Component of an Elite Athlete
12:11
On Getting Cravings
14:20
Snapshot of Daily Nutrition
15:50
On His Workout Regiment
17:45
What Does a Rest Day for You Look Like? And Cutting-Edge Technology
19:36
What Was the Hardest Adjustment to Make?
21:15
On Setting Goals
22:08
Actionable Advice
24:07
Are you searching for “kickboxing near me”? Stop the search party because you’ve struck fitness gold with Kickbox Cardio classes at LA Fitness. These classes aren’t just a workout, but an experience. With classes designed to kick, punch, bob, and weave your way to...
Incorporating cardio exercises between sets, also known as ‘cardio-acceleration’, is a revolutionary way to maximize your workout efficiency. This technique involves performing short bursts of cardio exercises, usually lasting 30-60 seconds, in between your...
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each...
On Saturday, September 29th, 2018, LA Fitness participated with NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and attended their walk at Angel Stadium in recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). What started off as a small idea turned in to a larger campaign which hoped to bring focus and attention to an often-unspoken topic: mental illness.
The fitness industry does an outstanding job of promoting the benefits of physical activity for a healthier body, but exercise provides many additional benefits for a healthier mind.
Health and wellness can be thought of as the trifecta of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. A balanced life of healthy eating, sleeping, exercise and time spent doing the things you love with those you love can all lead to a happier self – and who doesn’t want to be happy?
On the day of the event, thousands of people showed up from various organizations to show their support for a great cause. The air was filled with an electric sense of positivity and hope that absolutely radiated in smiles and kind words of fellow walkers.
And for animal lovers out there, there was also a pet costume contest that took place before the walk, meaning there was no shortage of cute dogs to pet and ogle at during the event.
Participants held up signs with various sayings such as “Don’t be ashamed of your story, it will inspire others!” and “We walk, so people will talk”, promoting NAMI’s campaign slogan #CureStigma.
In honor of MIAW, the LA Fitness Living Healthy Podcast published a special episode which featured Neel Doshi, DO, a psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente Orange County. He helped us better understand the impact exercise can have when added to a treatment plan. If you’re one of the many who deal with anxiety or depression symptoms, you may want to give the episode a listen.
(Listen to it, here!)
Whatever you may be going through may feel overwhelming, but with the proper support group, your journey can feel a lot less lonely.
It’s been such a positive experience to hear from many different people about their relatable struggles with mental illness. It really means a lot to talk about it and remove some of the stigma.
I really enjoyed sharing the walk with my wife and son. It was a great event and the turn out proved that we are chipping away at the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
To see so many people come out to fight the stigma surrounding mental illness was both touching and inspiring. I was so proud to rally behind such a strong force and share such empowerment with my son.
Are you searching for “kickboxing near me”? Stop the search party because you’ve struck fitness gold with Kickbox Cardio classes at LA Fitness. These classes aren’t just a workout, but an experience. With classes designed to kick, punch, bob, and weave your way to...
Incorporating cardio exercises between sets, also known as ‘cardio-acceleration’, is a revolutionary way to maximize your workout efficiency. This technique involves performing short bursts of cardio exercises, usually lasting 30-60 seconds, in between your...
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each...