With the month of November here and Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's the perfect time to talk about the spirit of giving. 

On October 18th, Gigi, Rob, Mike & myself (the State of the Heart staff) had the joy of walking the Los Angeles AIDS walk along with 30,000 other walkers!  It was the walk's 25th anniversary as well as the 50th birthday of its founder, Craig Miller, who just happens to be our longest standing client!  It was an amazing (and emotionally moving) day to see so many people - of all walks of life - coming out to support a cause (like many of the causes out there).  To think that one person - Craig Miller - had a vision back in 1985 for the first AIDS walk - which originally had 4500 walkers - and today it has 30,000!  Wow! The walk has raised not only millions of dollars but also awareness and it demonstrates how one person can contribute and give to so many lives.  As Craig even said, "giving and doing good for others only makes you feel good about yourself." Giving is receiving!

I just want to thank all who donated and sponsored our team.  We raised over $2000 for the cause!  Thank YOU & have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Lisa Brisse & the State of the Heart Staff
For more thoughts, please read lisa's blog at:  www.stateoftheheartfitness.com/blog

Maybe you've heard about it on Oprah.  Maybe you've heard about the book.  Maybe you've heard about the town of Albert Lea in Minnesota who is doing a community project modeled on the 5 Blue Zones of the planet, in hopes of adding quality years to their lives!

What are the Blue Zones?  They are the longest living cultures in the world - people living well beyond 100 years old and who experience much lower incidences of diseases than the average rate.  A National Geographic writer, Dan Buettner - author of the book, "Blue Zones" - has led a team of scientists to study these cultures and identify what are the common factors that allow their citizens to live so long. 

The 5 Blue Zones are:

1. Sardinia, Italy
2. Okinawa, Japan
3. Loma Linda, California (the Seventh-Day Adventists)
4. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
5. Icaria, Greece

The 9 "Power" Factors that contribute to longer, healthier lives experienced in these cultures:

1. Move!  Every day in every way possible!  Movement is life!
2. Plan De Vida - Know your purpose in life!  If you don't have one, create one!  Find a way to give and serve others!
3. Downshift - Work less, slow down, rest, take a vacation!
4. 80% Rule - STOP eating when you feel 80% full
5. Plant Power - More veggies, less protein & processed foods
6. Red Wine - Consistency & moderation
7. Belong - Create a healthy social network
8. Beliefs - Spiritual or Religious participation
9. Your Tribe - Make family a priority

As we can see, it's not about just going on a diet (in fact it's not about going on a diet at all).  It's not just about exercise either.  Those are just a couple of factors that play a role, but the truth is, living a long, healthy life is a culmination of several factors that contribute to all aspects of our being.  The greatest fulfillment, joy and happiness come in our life when we nurture all six dimensions of wellness:  physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental.  

To learn more about the Blue Zones as well as to learn about where you "rank" on the overall "vitality compass" based on your current lifestyle, check out:  www.bluezones.com or www.vitalitycompass.com

Do you ever feel that your life is out of control or out of balance?  Do you know you need take better care of yourself - eating healthier, exercising, getting enough sleep - but for some reason you just don't do it?  Do you ever feel that sometimes you just need someone there to completely support you?  

When we think of a coach, we often think of sports and a person who's there to guide, teach, support and bring out the very best in an athlete to help them achieve their optimal performance.  Rarely can an athlete do this on their own, as there are so many factors that are necessary to make it happen.  The same applies to all of us in our lives in general.  So often we know what we desire from our life - whether it be better health, more balance in our life, greater success in our career or in our family life, etc. - but sometimes it just feels like too much on the plate to do any one thing very well.  That's why we could all use a coach... a lifestyle coach! 

Lifestyle coaching helps you to make everything in your life better!  Your health... your family... your career... all of it!  Having a lifestyle coach, you automatically have someone who is completely on your side, there to support you, but also to provide you with the guidance, the tools, the strategies and the accountability to help you achieve all that you desire.  As your personal trainers and lifestyle coaches, our mission is to keep you on track and committed to yourself and all of the things that are important to you, your health included!  You deserve the best that life has to offer, but sometimes we just need some help! 

The holiday season is coming!  Keep yourself on track and feel good about yourself with a coach. If you're interested in learning more about lifestyle coaching and how it can help you, call us today at 310.842.5657!

Save $50 a month when you sign for
2 months of coaching today!

Liz DeAngelis is an amazing person to be around.  She always has a smile and her energy is contagious.   She became a member of the Loews Ocean Spa & Fitness Center in January of 2009 and started taking the early morning Spinning classes soon thereafter.  She claims it has totally transformed her life.  Since Liz has joined the gym, she has been a part of many State of the Heart Fitness activities... her favorites being the Full Moon hikes in the summer. 

Liz recently hiked to Half Dome in Yosemite with Lisa, Gigi & other friends. Here's a picture of Liz & Mathew (Lisa's nephew) with Half Dome in the backround.

She also is the first one to sign up for our upcoming trip to Peru to hike the Inca Trail in August, 2010!  We love having Liz around as this lovely gal from England always brings a ray of sunshine to everyone!  Here is her story... in her words:   

Growing up in England I was a chubby child. Phys Ed at school was mandatory. I was useless at running and no one ever wanted me on their team. I also hated being outside in the frosty wet weather.  The only swimming pool we had was outdoors and opened for approximately 4 months out of the year recording a nippy average temperature of about 68 degrees. Needless to say I could never stay in long enough to be able to learn to swim. Physical activity to me was helping my mum hang the washing out on the line.

Then one day in 1964 someone built an indoor swimming pool in my home town with heated water, heated changing rooms and a cafe with the best hot chocolate. So I taught myself to swim... and dive ...and my chubby body morphed into a powerful, big shouldered breast stroker.  I found something I was good at and I joined a team and swam competition. I came to America in 1976 to Santa Monica.  I loved the weather and I loved being outside swimming, biking, and walking by the beach. Since it was shorts and bikini climate it was much easier to stay aware of any extra body weight creeping up on me unlike in England where one could hide a multitude of sins under a few over sized woollies and a raincoat.

Over the years I joined a few gyms, didn't stick with any of them - always felt out of place. Then one day a friend brought me to the Loews; I was in awe. I loved the pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the staff was so friendly and warm. The spa and the locker rooms smelt like eucalyptus and the little touches like cucumber and lemon in the water - along with the apples to munch on post work outs - just won me over.  I decided I was worth it and so I joined the Loews in January 2009.

My first class was Spin with Gigi; I was shattered, but... the beat of the music, the reinforcement from Gigi to honor my body, listen to my needs and to be in the moment had me come back for more. Consistency and commitment to my new gym brought results which showed up in stronger legs (great for hiking), a smaller bottom (perfect for those new jeans) and an overall feeling of accomplishment (great for self confidence). This connection of mind, body and spirit was what I had been missing. This was my turning point, realizing that I do have a strong body which can be trained even in my mid years.

I feel nourished in my body and soul as the Loews is my sanctuary. When I ride (in Spin), I let the rhythm of the music flow through me, it is like being in a Gospel Church and being hit up by Spirit. In the pool during my solitary early morning swims, I am in a meditative state... watching the sun rise and the sea gulls overhead; I feel so grateful for my life. I stand at the edge of the pool afterwards looking out over the Santa Monica bay knowing that this journey with State of the Heart Fitness is just the beginning of many adventures ahead...hikes, bike rides, and runs.

The one song I love to spin to epitomizes my journey:  "I'm taking it step by step, bit by bit, stone by stone, brick by brick, keep on moving day by day..."  -Whitney Houston

Keep up the great work & attitude, Liz! You're the best!

These fat-free muffins are delicious, spicy,
and really easy to make.

2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup sugar or substitute sweetener
1 15-oz. can solid-pack pumpkin
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup raisins

Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly oil a muffin pan. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda,  salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar. Add the pumpkin, water, and raisins and stir until just mixed. 

Spoon into the muffin pan, filling each cup to the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops bounce back when lightly pressed.

Remove from the oven and let stand for 1 to 2 minutes, then  remove from the pan. When cool, store in an airtight container. 

Makes 1 dozen muffins