August 2001

Total Fitness Welcomes ACE Trainer Joel North

Every company needs an Ace—and Total Fitness is pleased to welcome our very own. Joel North was nicknamed ”Ace” when he began training with our late friend and colleague George Hyder of Steel Ballet. Joel and George ran boot camps at the crack of dawn, three days per week. No matter the weather, their attitude was indomitable as they ran up Kennesaw Mountain or around Red Top, all the while singing songs and carrying five pound metal poles for calisthenics. It was a complete program of fitness training—physically rigorous, and yet mentally and emotionally inspiring, giving all participants a great feeling of personal accomplishment.

When George Hyder died of an unexpected stroke in January, I urged Joel to consider coming to work with me, hoping Joel would bring the self confidence and leadership skills he learned with Steel Ballet to Total Fitness. 

After lifting weights for 20 years, 40-year-old Joel, a civil engineer, made his dedication to fitness official this month. He became a certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) Now the Ace is truly an ACE! 

"I am highly enthusiastic about joining Total Fitness,” says Joel. 

"The most important thing as a trainer is to meet the client’s needs. I believe that in order for exercise to be successful, it must be satisfying and enjoyable. I am also a strong believer in variety and in flexibility.”

Joel is well known for his conscientious, considerate, caring and intelligent approach not only to fitness but also to his fellow man.

If you would like to work with Joel, please call 770-578-1572, or leave a message with the Total Fitness office at 404-350-8581 so we can set up your appointment.

Henry Edmunds Leads Fun Bike Ride Sept. 8

Join certified spinning instructor Henry Edmunds for a free, fun bike ride in Buckhead on Saturday, Sept. 8. Meet Henry at Huey’s restaurant on Peachtree Street for breakfast—dutch treat—and then join him on a safe route he has planned through the Buckhead area. This July, Henry Edmunds became a certified spinning instructor. He brings 30 years of cycling experience and expertise in road biking, mountain biking, bike touring as well as indoor cycling. To join the ride, call Henry at 770-793-1311 or leave a message at 404-350-8581.

The Total Truth About Weight Loss:
Sept. 4, Highlands, N.C.

Wanting to lose weight? Discouraged about your lack of previous success?

Join Catherine Carrigan Sept. 4 in Highlands, N.C., for a one-day workshop, “The Total Truth about Weight Loss.” 

Participants will receive a new 150-page manual culled from years of experience helping our clients lose literally hundreds of excess pounds.

The seminar will be held at the Highlands Country Club. Call manager Greg Crawford, 828-526-2181, to register, or the Total Fitness office at 404-350-8581 for more information. 

This seminar has been a success at churches in Atlanta, Holy Spirit Catholic Church and St. John’s United Methodist, as well as at the Learning and Achievement Center when I’ve taught it for my mentor, Sue Maes, in London, Ontario, Canada. 

You’ll learn how to design a diet and exercise program that works for you, helps you overcome cravings, keeps you feeling full and satisfied, and gets results. Many clients come to me feeling hopeless—until we begin working together and they see results. Many overlooked factors—seemingly small details—can add up to big results.

The Yogic Method of Eating

No, it’s not a new diet. Yes, yogis do focus on vegetarian foods. But most important of all, it’s an attitude—mindfulness when eating. Many of us turn to food when we are stressed, stuff our feelings when we are upset, celebrate by overfeeding or generally make a habit of ignoring how much, how often or in what circumstances our feeding, digestion and assimilation are taking place. 

The chief thing we can learn from yoga about eating is “how.” Ideally, we want to savor every mouthful. The point isn’t to stop enjoying food—it’s to make every bite count, to satisfy the mind, body and spirit when we eat by paying full attention. That means not engaging in other activities , such as reading, watching TV or driving. 

The point of developing mindfulness in the practice of yoga postures is to learn to master the mind so we can carry these habits into the rest of our every day lives. Eat mindfully.

Go to Catherine Carrigan's home page .