Physical Funness for the Motion Starved

Fit more fun into your fitness while exploring the outdoors.

Monthly Archives: March 2012


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“Fitness Bread?”

Yummy brick of bread

Yummy brick of bread

Yep, there’s some stuff called Fitness Bread. A German company named Mestemacher makes it. I’ve been eating fitness bread for years but only recently thought to share it with you. Guess that makes me selfish. Sorry.

Basically, Fitness Bread is a pre-sliced, vacuum packaged, super dense brick of bread made from all natural/whole grains and packs a slew of healthy (and filling) ingredients including rye, oat kernels and wheat germ.  Wheat germ, for those of you that aren’t familiar, is very high in protein and contains more potassium and iron than any other food source.  Great for maintaining energy levels, Fitness Bread is also a source for vitamins A, B1 and B3.  All very good stuff.

The dirt: While Fitness Bread, is yummy it’s not the kind of bread you can make a sandwich with (in my experience). Since it’s made entirely of whole grains it’s very crumbly and strangely chewy. The best way to enjoy this bread is; toasted, slathered with nut butter, jam, honey, apple and/or banana slices is my recco. It’s also  good spread with a soft/mild cheese and pear slices.

Each slice of Mestemacher Fitness Bread contains: 120-calories/1g fat/24g carb/6g fiber/1g sugar/4g protein.

If you haven’t already done so, check this bread out. Let me know what you think.

P.s. You can buy this product by the case on amazon.com, which I find amusing but unnecessary as it’s sold in most grocery stores here in CA. You can also buy the same bread under different names. Trader Joes even has a similar version.


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We Ran for the Seals!

During my second workout with Paige I asked her to run down the beach about 200 yards, turn around and come back. Immediately she moaned but forced herself to trundle off behind her workout partner Cindy. When Page arrived back, I asked her if she was okay, she said, “ I just really hate running.”

A couple of weeks later I heard Paige say, “I think I might like to try a 5k some day” I don’t think she realized what she had said until she heard me say,  “Great! Lets find one and start training.”

To Paige’s great distress, I found a “fun run” for her, and I invited my other clients to join in. The event could not have been more perfect. It was a 4-mile relatively (although the organizer description said it was “hilly”) flat fundraiser for the Marine Mammal Center, in Sausalito CA.  It’s called Run for the Seals.

For about two months everyone trained, adding a little distance at a time, working on their form, rhythm, breathing and the general psychology of how to get through an endurance event.

Our Run for the Seals event was this past Saturday. I am very proud to announce that Paige, Mike, Lindsay, Bessie, Rich, Cindy, Diana and Kazumi all finished strong and had a great experience. Bessie and Lindsay were there to stretch their legs for longer events scheduled in the spring. For the rest of the crew, this was their first event and longest run ever. For Mike, the best part was realizing that his asthma doesn’t have to slow him down.

As for Paige, while ascending the final “climb” she looked up and saw the hill choking down on her, panicked, and said “can I walk, just for a second?” I asked, “why?” “Because we’re on a hill.” “No, not a good reason, look straight ahead and keep running.” With about 100 yards to go I asked Paige if she had anything left, could she sprint over the line? Her reply was simply, “yea.” And so, as we approached the line we gradually sped up putting the hammer down completely over the last few yards.  Paige sprinted over the finish line looking strong to the delight of her cheering family.

In the end, I could not be more proud of each and every one you who represented Motion Starved on this day. For some, this was just the beginning. For others it was practice for bigger events. For each of us it was a celebration of our personal strength, our fitness, our friendships and the wonderful place we live.

XOXO, Kelley


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What in tarnation is a Fitness Court?

Fitness Court in action!

Fitness Court in action!

Well, if you Google “fitness court” you’ll see that a fitness court is simply a place set aside specifically to work your body out. Could even be a basketball court by another name. In this case I’m referring to the Nation Fitness Campaigns’ Fitness Courts.

I bring this up because a couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a nice fellow named Alex with the NFC (National Fitness Campaign). Alex emailed to let me know about the new Fitness Court his organization is putting in on the Marina Green and invited me to Treasure Island for a sneak peek.  A chance to have my way with the court before it launches. After reading about the NFC and seeing photos of the court I figured I’d be a fool not to check it out.

So, on Saturday right after our Stair Climbing Workout, I gassed up the car and headed for Treasure Island…

When I walked into the massive airplane hangar that temporarily houses the Fitness Court I had flash backs of walking into a school dance without a date.  Panic set in as I shyly strolled in and realized I didn’t know any of the 30 beautiful people rhythmically jumping, lunging and bounding around the court. There was a cameraman and orchestrated workout session with music going on. It looked to me like serious business and that everyone knew exactly what they were doing. As I stood on the sidelines in awe, a tall, fit Alex magically appeared and began to explain the court. As I stood there wondering if I had the nerve to jump up and have a pass around, another really nice, fit looking fellow asked me if I’d like to have a go. Again, I flashed back to school dances, it was kinda like being asked to dance by a stranger. Finally I managed to gather the words “yeeea, okay, thanks” and off I went for my romp around the Fitness Court with my partner giving me detailed FC 101.

Here’s what I learned; The Fitness Court is a free outdoor body weight training system designed with adults of all fitness levels in mind. The court features seven exercise stations: Core, squat, push, lunge, pull, agility and bend. These 7 stations are meant to build strength, balance and flexibility. The idea is that you go through the entire court a number of times, with one minute at each station recommended. After a full circuit, rest for 3 minutes and then around again and again if you like.

On this day I managed just 2 circuits but only because they were starting to do a serious photo shoot and I figured I’d stay out of that business.  I do wish I’d had longer to play around on my own. I was so busy trying to do the right thing at the right time, and follow the circuit that I didn’t have time to think about all the different exercises one can actually perform at each station.

So… with that, I highly recommend that each and every one of you make the effort to go check out the Fitness Court once it’s planted on The Marina Green. I’m not certain how long it will be there but I do know that this is a trial and if it’s a hit it may get to say and we may get to see more of them pop up in other parts of the city and the country for the matter.  If you are worried about knowing what to do once you get to the FC, don’t be. There are directions and there will be trainers there to help you during peak hours. Or, you can go with me. If you’re a current client, be sure we’ll be visiting the court as soon as it sprouts at the end of this month.

Lastly, I’d like to say THANK YOU to: Alex for finding me and inviting me to check out the FC! To my workout partner whose name has escaped me (I’m really sorry about that because you were very nice to take me around. I’m just super bad with names!) To Chelsea for chatting me up, and to the National Fitness Campaign for doing what they do and for bringing this super cool contraption to my hood. I hope to see you all again soon…

P.s. The National Fitness Campaign is an organization works to build fit communities by providing public outdoor fitness courts in schools and parks across the country.