May 2001

Total Fitness Welcomes Jeannette Kirkland’s Massage

Total Fitness is pleased to welcome Jeannette Kirkland, massage therapist and graduate of the Barbara Ann Brennan School of Healing.

Jeannette, 46, has been practicing massage for 10 years. She is a graduate of the Atlanta School of Massage with three professional certifications, including neuromuscular, sports massage and myofascial release.

In 1998, Jeannette graduated from the Barbara Ann Brennan School, a four-year, $40,000 program in advanced energy healing.

I first met Jeannette when she was still studying with Barbara Ann, one of the most successful hands-on healers in the world.

"I am thrilled and delighted to be part of the Total Fitness team,” Jeannette says.

Most recently, Jeannette has been practicing with Massage Therapy Professionals in Roswell.

Jeannette plans to charge $65 per hour, or $60 per hour for those who preschedule and prepay by the month.

To reach Jeannette, please schedule your sessions by calling her directly at 770-501-1106. She will be available on Wednesdays only beginning at 11 a.m.

Tom Conroy, Weight Loss Champion

I am proud to announce the winner of the Total Fitness weight loss efforts for 2001 — Tom Conroy, investment banker.

Too often, I hear excuses. Here’s how Tom has overcome what others might have seen as insurmountable challenges to lose more than 30 pounds since January:

Injury. Tom sprained his ankle after just the first two weeks of our working together. No bother — we kept working his upper body, improved his core muscles and flexibility and eventually rehabilitated his ankle. He wasn’t about to use injury as an excuse to sideline his goals.

Too busy to eat right? Take it from Tom, who works 11-12 hours a day — no one is too busy to plan ahead. He started a blender club at work and brings his own protein shakes and healthy snacks to eat throughout the day. 

Family support. Tom wanted his wife, Mariah, to share his enthusiasm. Even though she has chronic fatigue, we began with kinesiology, life coaching, nutrition and yoga. “Her energy level and eating habits improved, and she’s taking better care of herself,” he says.

Stress. On days when he had a tremendous load at work, I encouraged Tom to go easy. “I’ve learned to listen to my body more. Not every day has to be a really hard workout,” he advises.

Tom Conroy’s Weight Loss Secrets

You want to lose 30 lbs. — or more? Follow Tom Conroy’s example.

Last year, he actually gained weight trying to work out on his own. His big mistakes — skipping breakfast, focusing exclusively on cardiovascular exercise, not wearing a heart rate monitor and eating late dinners. He chose Total Fitness because he liked our holistic approach — working with mind, body and spirit.

Exercise: Tom works out 5 to 6 days each week. Two to three times a week, he comes to Total Fitness to lift weights at 6 a.m. The other days, he does an elliptical machine at home or walks in the park. He stays in his optimum heart rate zone on cardio days, and takes it easy when stress at work gets out of hand.

Eating: Breakfast is now his most important meal, and dinner is usually before 6 pm. “I’ve gone on an elk diet — I graze all day,” he says.

Water: Tom drinks about 2 gallons of water per day. This is a very important secret! He fills up a jug four times before lunch, and again four times after lunch. “I like the fact that working out with Catherine is a surprise — I like variety,” Tom says. “I do not think of her as a trainer, but more of a life or success coach.”

Yoga Classes Lower Blood Pressure in Avid Exerciser

Real estate agent Mary Ann Ellis has been an avid exerciser since a severe back injury at the age of 22.

But for the past 10 years, despite dieting, weightlifting, racewalking and even daily medication, this 66-year-old had not been able to lower her blood pressure below 140-150 over 95.

Recently, after attending the Total Fitness weight loss seminars at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, she began attending our yoga classes.

Mary Ann tried a few classes and decided to join by the month— Atlanta’s best deal in yoga classes, at $65 per calendar month unlimited. After less than two months, she went to the doctor and her blood pressure was 102 over 67. Her doctor was amazed. Given these results, she has now convinced her son to join yoga.

Scientific Research Proves Old Fashioned Ab Exercises Are Best

A scientific study by the American Council on Exercise has proben that old-fashioned core stabilization exercises are best for getting ripped abdominal muscles.

Tops? A yoga exercise, of course—what’s known popularly as the bicycle maneuver. Just lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. Place your hands behind the head. Bring your knees to about a 45 degree angle and slowly go through a bicycle motion. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then repeat on the opposite side.

Before you spend $150 on an ab rocker, know that these exercises requiring a space-hogging gadget were 80 percent less effective. The ab roller was no more effective than a traditional crunch. The consensus: to work your abs, stabilize the core—a familiar theme you’ll hear at Total Fitness!

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