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I often marvel at the approaches people use when trying to find a gym. The typical phone call is something like this…”How much do you charge for a gym membership?” Seriously, if you’re price shopping and that is your only concern then you’re missing out on much more. It’s no wonder that most gyms won’t give a response to that question when called and that is the only question asked. Is that really the only thing that is important to you when shopping for a gym? If so, then you need to stay home, pull a couple of cans of fruit out of the pantry and start jogging around your house doing arm curls with the cans in your hands. It’s free and you apparently aren’t looking for anything else out of your gym. If that solution doesn’t interest you then here’s a list of questions you should be asking yourself first:

1. What is my fitness goal?
2. Do I know how to achieve that fitness goal by myself?
3. Am I self motivated to stay focused on that goal?
4. Do I have the time to research fitness techniques?
5. Where will I gain support and who will be there to support me when times get tough?
6. Am I self conscious about my body and will I put myself out there in public with my vulnerabilities?
7. Do I have time restrictions?
8. What are my typical roadblocks I put up when it comes to exercise?

Now that you have done a little self discovery, here are a few questions that you should be asking the gym for a better understanding and opportunity to learn about the programs available.

1. What programs do you offer?  Give the gym a chance to create an open dialog about what they can offer YOU!
2. What kind of educational and group programs are available?  Make sure they are there to support you when you need advice and support.
3. What kind of equipment do you have?  Do they have a variety of equipment to ensure you’re able to progress in your program?
4. Do you have trainers available?  Make sure there are experts available for Q&A or support when you need the extra input into your fitness program.
5. If I have questions, how would I receive assistance or help?  Is the gym staff there for you?
6. What methods are used for accountability and progress?  Does the gym offer anything to help you stay focused?
7. What are the hours of the gym? 
8. Is the gym co-ed? 
9. Tailor questions around things that are barriers for you.  Bottom line is you have to make the committment to fitness but the gym should be a resource that helps you stay focused. 
10. Finally, how much does a membership cost and are there any other charges for services at the gym? 
11. Does the gym offer trial memberships?  Try it before you buy it!   You have to feel comfortable if you’re going to expose yourself in your most vulnerable state…sweating!

Weigh out all the important factors to you against all the gym has to offer.  If price is still the only concern and you’re confident in your fitness plan/program, then why are you looking for a gym at all?  There are so many free opportunities to get and stay fit.  Run outside, buy your own treadmill or favorite cardio equipment for your home,  buy a resistance band and adapt to your surroundings and what’s available.  If you have barriers, need assistance, need focus, need a regimine that is outside the home, then the gym is the right place for you.  Let the experts help you with your fitness program.  Fitness isn’t a short term committment….it’s a lifestyle!  The need doesn’t ever go away and hopefully, a gym can offer the diversity needed to keep it interesting!

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You are invited to do your part to keep Omaha’s local independent business economy thriving by joining in our celebration of 2010 Independents Days, June 28 to July 12. What can you do to celebrate?

• Vote on your favorite Local Independent Business and win prizes!
• Enjoy special discounts and savings June 28 – July 12, 2010.
• Visit www.oliba.org often for special information on what’s going on in the community!

Omaha Local Independent Business Alliance is working for you!  Show your support TODAY!

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4 red snapper fillets (5 oz each)
1/2 cup orange juice
2 Tbls. orange juice
2 nectarines, cut into small pieces
1 banana, cut up
1/2 small red onion, minced
1 serrano or jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 Tbls. chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbls. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. salt

Coat a grill rack or broiler pan with cooking spray and preheat.
Place the snapper in a shallow dish. Pour 1/2 cup of the orange juice over the fillets and turn. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
In medium bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and 2 tbls. orange juice.  Toss gently to mix.
Remove the snapper from the orange juice.  Discard the juice.  Place the fillets on the prepared rack.  Grill or broil for 4-5 minutes per side or until the fish flakes easily.  Serve topped with the fruit salsa.

Serves 4. Cal 220; fat 2.3 g, Sat fat .5g; chol 52.5mg; sod 165.3 mg; carbs 19.4g; sugars 13.9g; fiber 2.2g; pro 30.4g

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1strip lemon zest, cut into thin slivers
2T. Olive Oil
1 lg. red onion, chopped
8 oz. zucchini, cut in 1/2″ chunks
8 oz. yellow squash, cut into 1/2″ chunks
1 clove galic, minced
4 strips bass or other fish fillets, 4-6 oz. each, 1″ thick
1 T red wine vinegar
1T. Water
2 T. finely chopped fresh mint leaves

Preheat oven to 4oo. In 13×9 baking pan, combine lemon zest, 1 T. of oil and onion, reserving 1 T. Spread in even layer. Roast until onion is tender, stirring occsasionally, about 15 min.
Remove from oven. Stir in zucchini, squash, and garlic. Return to oven, roast 10 min. Remove from oven.
Increase oven temp to 450. Push veggies to one side, add fish. Spoon veggies over fish. Return to oven, roast until fish is done. 8-10 min for thin fillets, 12-15 for thicker. Meanwhile combine remaining oil with vinegar, water, mint leaves, and remaining onion. Spoon over bass fillets and serve.

Serves 4. Cal 208; fat 9.9 g, Sat fat 1.6g; chol 90mg; sod 89 mg; carbs 8.1g; sugars 3.9g; fiber 2.2g; pro 22g

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Are you doing the same thing over and over again at the gym and getting bored or hitting that dreaded platau?  Time to change your routine and we can help.    This summer we’re bringing a new series called “Change My Routine” geared towards providing general information and helping you learn new techniques to make you perform the most effecient and effective routines for your health and fitness.  These will be scheduled all summer long and are free and open to members of the gym or open to the public for a small fee.  Classes are limited to 4 people to ensure each participant gets the most out of the instruction and we must have your reservation by Friday at noon prior to the Saturday morning program.  Follow the program schedule on the gym calendar on our website or go directly to the calendar from here.  Each session will be covering a different topic so follow the schedule closely and give us a shout if you’d like to join in at 933-6031.   Looking forward to a fantastic summer!

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2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
1 tsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbls. chopped fresh basil or 3/4 tsp. dried
1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano, or 1/4 tsp dried
1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/4 tsp dried
1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme, or 1/8 tsp dried
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
Optional: sliced zucchini or smoked salmon tossed in.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray a shallow roasting pan or jelly-roll pan with nonstick spray.
2. Combine the tomatoes and oil in a large bowl: toss well.  Spray lightly with nonstick spray and toss to coat.  Add the garlic, sugar, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.  Transfer to the roasting pan.
3. Roast until the tomatoes just begin to soften and crack, 8-10 minutes.

Per serving (3/4 cup):  56 calories

2g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 453 mg sodium, 10g total carbohydrate, 2g dietary fiber, 2g protein, 16mg calcium.

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For those of you who hadn’t heard, Deanna Wagner is RWG 2010 Biggest Winner. Deanna has been a long standing member of the gym and a workout enthusiast. She really put her mind into action during the competition and the key elements were “focus” and “dedication”. She very maticulously logged her food intake each and every day and hopefully the helpful suggestions received from the gym staff provided her the guidance to dig a little deeper into changing some of her habits. Deanna was carb heavy in her diet and being a vegetarian makes the challenge to find protein that much harder. She found low carb solutions to some of her food intake, reduced her sugar intake, and reduced the “go-to” foods and beverages that seemed to have a choke hold on her during the program. With these small changes and the continuous food log, she was able to lose almost 30 pounds. She kept her exercise routines up and tried to incorporate more strength training along with her aerobic routines and through these common sense methods she made this huge difference in just 8 short weeks. Congratulations to Deanna for a job well done. And congratulations to all the other participants who made extremely high progress as well!

Logging your food intake, balancing your diet between proper protein, carbs, and fat, and exercise is all it takes. If you need assistance getting started, let me know and we’ll figure out a strategy for you too! The ball is in your court so don’t drop it! It’s all up to you to make the first step!

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1/4 C. orange juice
1-1/2 T. olive oil
2 tsp. minced garlic
1-1/2 tsp. herbes des Provence
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. gr. black pepper
1 lb. talapia fillets
12 oz. asparagus, trimmed
orange slices

Preheat oven to 375F. Coat 13×9 pan with cooking spray. In pan, mix together orange juice, oil, garlic, hebes de Provence, salt and pepper. Place fish in pan. Cut asparagus into 1-1/2″ pieces, place around fish. Flip fish a couple times and stir around asparagus to thoroughly coat with orange mixture. Bake, stirring the asparagus once or twice for 15-20 min or until fish flakes easily with fork. Serve garnished with orange slices and drizzled with the pan juices.

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Happy Mother’s Day to all you mother’s out there.  A job that is never done with little appreciation.   Set aside some time for your self on this glorious mothers day and do something special for yourself.  You deserve it!  Enjoy this mother’s day orchid and remember…you’re special!

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Check out the Bodies Exhibit downtown for an interesting view into the human body.  http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/omaha/index.html  Let me know what you think!