NYC Adventure Boot Camp and Gemini Adventure Fitness, Helps You Get Back on Track!

You’ve been committed to changing your lifestyle for months now by eating better and exercising regularly. Suddenly, an opportunity to forget your diet for a few hours appears. In a moment of weakness, you indulge in a pint of your favorite ice cream (it was on sale!) or an evening of pizza and beer with your friends (but I don’t get to see them very often!). Don’t beat yourself up! You can get past this and move on with the help of Manhattan fitness trainers. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to recover from diet slip-ups: forgive yourself, get back on track, and don’t overcompensate.

Here at NYC Adventure Boot Camp and Gemini Adventure Fitness we are big on the three C’s- COMMITMENT, CONTROL & CONSISTENCY! Make the first step and Commit and we will gladly guide you through the rest. Whatever your health and fitness concerns are, we are confident that we can help you achieve your goals! If you are interested in speaking with a personal trainer, please sign up for a free consultation. We can discuss your goals and see if we are a good match. What are you waiting for?

Forgive yourself
It’s inevitable that all of us are going to meet temptation along the road of reaching our fitness goals. If you give in, it doesn’t mean that the goal is lost forever! The first step in recovering from a diet slip-up is to simply forgive yourself. Acknowledge the fact that what you consumed isn’t going to help you reach your goals, and then write it off. It’s not worth the energy to feel guilty or upset, or in the worst case, purge what you’ve eaten. This is a dangerous road to walk down and can lead to permanent health problems. You ate it, it’s in the past, acknowledge and move on!

Get back on track
The most important part of recovering from a diet slip-up is getting back on track. Just because you’ve eaten a big dinner and desert doesn’t mean that the diet’s over! Many of us use this event to excuse ourselves from continuing on our fitness paths. “Well, that’s it, it’s over, I’ll start again next month.” No! Get right back up on the horse the next day; follow your fitness routine just like the slip-up never happened. This is important no matter where you are on the path to better fitness. If it happens soon after you’ve started your fitness routine, it’s more tempting to quit because you haven’t invested too much time into it. You may want to contact Stacy Papakostas to help keep you motivated and on track!

Never overcompensate
“I had a huge dinner last night, so to make up for it, I’m just going to skip lunch tomorrow.” No! Once again, you need to get back on the right track and continue as if the slip-up never happened. It’s tempting to think that the calories you’ve consumed can be “evened out” by consuming fewer calories the next day, but unfortunately our bodies don’t work like that. The calories that you consumed last night have already been absorbed, and you need a minimum amount of calories everyday so your body will work at its best, so skipping a meal the next day won’t do you any favors.

Just like you shouldn’t overcompensate with your meals, you shouldn't overcompensate in your fitness trainers program, either. If you’re already following a balanced fitness trainers program, adding on to it can only push your body past its limits, which can leave you feeling sore, tired, and even cause injury.

NYC Adventure Boot Camp is a four week fitness program that offers fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training - packed with fun and energizing activities designed to help you reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight to fit into that special dress, shed the extra pounds from a pregnancy or just get fit before that special occasion, this is the program for you!

Stacy Papakostas also presents a two-week fitness boxing program that offers fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training - packed with fun and energizing activities designed to help you reach your fitness goals. Contact Stacy Papakostas 212-426-4871.

Balance in Your Fitness Program

For those that are only at the beginning of their path to better fitness with Gemini Adventure Fitness, the word “exercise” conjures up the image of endless hours running or pumping away on a stationary bike. While these exercises certainly have their merits, they are only a part of a balanced fitness program that incorporates several different disciplines.

Varying your fitness routine with elements of flexibility, cardio training and strength training will not only help you optimize the results but will also help keep you from being bored. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these three important elements and how to get help in making your routine a balanced one.

Here at Gemini Adventure Fitness and NYC Adventure Boot Camp we are big on the three C’s- COMMITMENT, CONTROL & CONSISTENCY! Make the first step and Commit and we will gladly guide you through the rest. Whatever your health and fitness concerns are, we are confident that we can help you achieve your goals! If you are interested in speaking with a personal trainer, please sign up for a free consultation. We can discuss your goals and see if we are a good match. What are you waiting for?

Cardio Training
Cardio training is often considered to be the cornerstone of any balanced workout. Any movement that gets our hearts pumping can be considered cardio training, from riding a bicycle to doing aerobics. The benefits of cardio is that they make the heart stronger, help burn fat and raise the metabolism so that you’re better able to burn up calories. Experts vary in their opinions of how often we should have cardio training, but most agree that about thirty minutes most days of the week is excellent, even if it’s cut up in ten minute increments. The most important part is getting the heart beating at your target heart rate for extended periods of time.

Strength Training
Strength training is an equally important part of a balanced fitness routine. Remember how cardio training helps raise the metabolism? Well, strength training can help in this area by keeping your muscle mass at a healthy rate. And if your goal is to lose weight, strength training in conjunction with cardio training is the best way to go, because the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you’ll burn over the course of a day. Not only will you be improving your muscles, but also your bones and joints.

Flexibility Training
Flexibility is also an important part of a balanced fitness in Manhattan program, whether it is simply a stretching routine at the beginning or end of a workout or a fuller experience such as yoga. Tired muscles are usually tight and restricted, and stretching can help to increase their flexibility and relieve tension. The benefits of including flexibility training in your fitness program are many, including better posture, protecting the joints and possibly avoiding injury, and even helping to prevent lower back pain.

How To Achieve Fitness with Stacy Papakostas
Newcomers to exercise might be scratching their heads and saying to themselves, “Okay, I know these things are important, but how do I find the right balance for me?” It’s true, everyone is different and your needs might be drastically different from someone else’s. A great place to start is to consult a professional of fitness in Manhattan. If you are looking for fitness, a personal trainer is ideal for newcomers and experts alike, because they are able to do a full assessment of your needs, medical concerns and goals and help you reach them in a balanced, safe way.

Stacy Papakostas has been an ECITS Certified Personal Trainer for over 8 years in Miami as well as New York City. She worked at the New York Health and Racquet Club in mid-town Manhattan developing a following of personal clients. Stacy currently holds certifications in Functional Body Weight Training, Sport Specific Exercise, Boxing and Kickboxing. She is committed to a lifetime of continuing education in the field of health and wellness. Her unique approach gives women the edge on self-defense techniques in addition to weight loss coaching and nutrition counseling. The foundation of Stacy’s practice as a fitness professional is built on encouraging positive thinking to boost self-esteem and a healthy body image.Contact Stacy Papakostas at (212) 426-4871

Stacy runs a 2-week fitness boxing intensive that proves fast results. And for those who are seeking a well balanced workout, Stacy also holds a 4-week fitness boot camp.

Visit:

http://www.geminiadventurefitness.com/ and http://www.nycadventurebootcamp.com/

The Miracle Cure for Bad Habits: Excercise with NYC Adventure Boot Camp!

Even for those who go to boot camp, bad habits are hard to break and good habits are generally ignored. Fortunately, there is a way to use a good habit—exercise—to replace several old ones.

Trading one life improving good habit for many of your old sounds good, now, doesn't it?

Here at ABC Adventure Boot Camp we are big on the three C’s- COMMITMENT, CONTROL & CONSISTENCY! Make the first step and Commit and we will gladly guide you through the rest. Whatever your health and fitness concerns are, we are confident that we can help you achieve your goals! If you are interested in speaking with a personal trainer, please sign up for a free consultation. We can discuss your goals and see if we are a good match. What are you waiting for?

Balancing Life With Exercise
Experts agree that the most effective way we as humans can change bad habits is to replace or override them with a good habit. In fact, without replacing a bad habit with a good one, a void is left where bad habits tend to creep back in. Exercise with NYC Adventure Boot Camp is the ideal replacement for many bad habits because it not only acts as its own reward system but it also takes the emphasis away from more harmful habits. The time you spend exercising takes time and attention away from bad habits and by default decreases them without consciously trying; let's take a look at a few examples:

By scheduling time for exercise, you are making a priority of you. This gives you time to reflect and de-stress as you improve overall health and ultimately self-image.

Exercise naturally helps control blood chemicals and hormones, which results in better mood and appetite control, along with lending numerous health benefits.

The time spent exercising is time that is not spent overindulging in food, sitting and being inactive, or taking part in a harmful bad habit like smoking. (Incidentally, studies have shown that just five minutes of exercise can decrease cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms).
Regular exercise requires self-discipline; self-discipline in anything generalizes and translates into increased self-discipline in another.

Exercise works as a refocusing agent; rather than dwell on your yearning to fall back into that bad habit, you become distracted by your exercise efforts.

Exercise is both its own reward and an effort worth rewarding. Humans thrive on rewards and positive reinforcement, so the rewards of exercise and the subsequent allowable rewards further promote the demise of bad habits.
Exercise with boot camp in Manhattan makes you feel better all around. Very simply, when you feel better you are more prepared to face difficult tasks (like breaking bad habits).

Enlisting Help
As mentioned, bad habits do not break easily; enlisting the support of friends and professionals, and pairing that with regular sessions at a gym can be of great help. The environment at boot camp is social (if you want it to be) and active. The atmosphere of like-minded success, particularly when paired with the attention and support of a personal trainer and/or exercise buddy, increases your chances of keeping the exercise habit and using it as a healthy, effective alternative to the bad habits you've longed to replace. And when it comes to a task as paramount as staying motivated to break bad habits, you can always use all the help you can get.

Stacy Papakostas has been an ECITS Certified Personal Trainer for over 8 years in Miami as well as New York City. She worked at the New York Health and Racquet Club in mid-town Manhattan developing a following of personal clients. Stacy currently holds certifications in Functional Body Weight Training, Sport Specific Exercise, Boxing and Kickboxing. She is committed to a lifetime of continuing education in the field of health and wellness. Her unique approach gives women the edge on self-defense techniques in addition to weight loss coaching and nutrition counseling. The foundation of Stacy’s practice as a fitness professional is built on encouraging positive thinking to boost self-esteem and a healthy body image.

Contact Stacy Papakostas at (212) 426-4871 and for our latest schedule please visit our website: www.NYCAdventureBootCamp.com

Stacy Papakostas presents a two-week fitness boxing program that offers fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training - packed with fun and energizing activities designed to help you reach your fitness goals.

http://www.geminiadventurefitness.com/

FITNESS Grocery Shopping

Did you know that the grocery store is the source for most of your unwanted pounds?

Well, that and the fast food restaurants, but we'll leave that for another day. If you're like most people then your shopping trips aren't exactly organized. In fact, your grocery cart is likely to be more fat than fit.

The good news is that with a few small modifications to your routine you'll be able to turn your grocery shopping trip into an easy opportunity to slim down. I've broken down the process of healthy grocery store navigation with an easy-to-remember acronym - FITNESS.

Come, take a walk with me through your grocery store and we'll improve your shape and the shape of your family members.

F: First Veggies Your mom always told you that you had to eat your veggies before dessert-so this will be an easy one to remember. When you start shopping, first go to the produce section. The bulk of your shopping should take place here. Fresh vegetables, lettuce for salads, and fruits are the best things to eat when you want to look and feel great. Don't skimp on produce-aim to fill most of your cart here.

I: Is it Wheat? When it comes to bread you only need to ask yourself one question. Is it wheat? White bread products have been processed and filled with simple carbohydrates – these will easily stick to your body as fat. Wheat breads, on the other hand, contain more fiber and are much healthier. Make it a policy to never purchase white bread, wheat bread is the right choice even for the little members of your family. Always choose hearty wheat bread products-the more whole grain, the better.

T: Trim the Fat. In the meat section you are faced with a major decision. Do you go with your taste buds or do you go with your health conscious side? I urge you to stick with the latter. These days lean meats are more available than ever, and the benefits to going lean are numerous. When you choose lean meats you avoid extra saturated fat (your heart will thank you for this) and you also avoid the extra calories that come packed into each fat gram. Want to be lean? Then eat lean meats.

N: Never enter the Junk Food Aisle. Have a simple policy that has saved me from thousands of unnecessary calories. I don't walk down the junk food aisle. You and I both know that it is nearly impossible to walk past rows of chips, candies and cookies without putting something into the cart. The bright package is stamped with mouthwatering images will give your will power a run for its money. My two cents? Avoid that row altogether and save yourself from the whole ordeal. Nothing good ever came from walking down the junk food aisle-just say no.

E: Edge around the store. Here's a really easy trick for healthy shopping. Edge around the store, as in shop the perimeter and avoid the inner aisles. Think about it-the healthiest products are kept around the perimeter of the store: produce, meat, dairy. The inner aisles are where you run into trouble: processed food, baked goods, and sweets. Don't get me wrong, there are healthy products kept in the inner aisles too, but a majority of the items are waist-expander's.
Shop in a circle-stick to the perimeter of the store, do less shopping in the aisles.

S: Skinny Cow. The dairy section is filled with many healthy items; it is also filled with extremely high fat items. Your job is to pick out all those calcium-rich foods that you love in the low fat and non fat versions. I realize that many people have a prejudice against low milk or yogurt, simply because they've always eaten the full fat version. Making the switch to low fat is such a simple way to cut unnecessary fat and calories from your diet, while still getting all the benefits of dairy. Fat free dairy products are the way to go-you'll only lose unwanted pounds.

S: Stick with Water. Warning: mini lecture to follow. I'll make it short and sweet. Drink more water-period. Sodas, sugary juices and calorie-laden alcoholic beverages are responsible for a large number of unnecessary calories in your diet. Don't fill your cart with these sneaky calories. Keep them out of your kitchen and out of your life. Looking for a tasty beverage? Look no farther than crystal clear water.

There you have it-your FITNESS shopping plan that will take your cart from fat to fit. I suggest that you write down the FITNESS steps on a note card and take it to the store with you. Are you ready to take your body from fat to fit? I've got what it takes to get you there! No guess work, no fad diets, and no super long workouts.

Call 917-822-3440 or visit NYC Adventure Boot Camp today to learn more about my fitness and fat loss programs that will quickly change your life. Want to upgrade your FITNESS shopping trips? Here are 3 additional tips:

Don't go to the grocery store with an empty stomach. Your cart will mysteriously fill with extra, unnecessary foods that will end up crashing your good intentions.

Make a list before you go to the store. You'll be able to think rationally at home before you're surrounded by tasty, FITNESS destroying foods.

Plan out your meals for the week ahead of time, then shop specifically for those items. This will cut out the junk, and save you calories and money.

NYC ADVENTURE BOOT CAMP, not the typical fitness boot camp.

When you ask what NYC Adventure Boot Camp has to offer, the answer is we offer just about everything in terms of exercises. The fitness programs focus on total body conditioning and not just on specific body sections. You may find yourself jumping, running, dashing, walking, hiking or pushing for fitness. In other words, a typical fitness boot camp is not typical at all.

Here at NYC Adventure Fitness we are big on the three C’s- COMMITMENT, CONTROL & CONSISTENCY! Make the first step and Commit and we will gladly guide you through the rest. Whatever your health and fitness concerns are, we are confident that we can help you achieve your goals! If you are interested in speaking with a personal trainer, please sign up for a free consultation. We can discuss your goals and see if we are a good match. What are you waiting for?


The unique quality of NYC Adventure Boot Camp is best defined by the expansive variety of exercises you'll complete during your 4 week boot camp. Each time you attend a session you'll find two things. First, you'll find a certified personal instructor who's qualified to teach intensive exercise programs.


Second, you'll find plenty of surprises at boot camps NYC Adventure Boot Camp. Participants love the fact they don't know exactly what they'll be doing from one session to the next. You may find yourself jumping rope one day and completing an obstacle course the next. Each session will involve a set of exercises that make your body work hard as you seek a higher level of fitness.
There's absolutely no time to get bored at boot camps NYC Adventure Boot Camp. If you've struggled to stay interested through a set of repetitions on fitness center equipment, you know that boredom is anathema to a good conditioning program. You have to stay mentally focused on your body in order to achieve the maximum results.


That's why instructors will say, "concentrate on your biceps", while doing curls with hand weights. Now think about focusing on pushing your body's muscles to do a varying round of exercises that include cardio and strength training. Your program will involve a varying class schedule that builds core stability, improves body functioning, enhances endurance, improves form, and expands cardio capacity.


Boot camp also incorporates a variety of exercise programs within the overall plan. For example, you will do some aerobic training, pilates exercises, a PAR course and short distance running. The glory of such a program is that no muscle in your body is left untouched so to speak. That's how such stunning results can be seen in just a few weeks.


Your fitness instructor is an expert who knows how to inspire people to reach for their fitness goals. The program is an adventure in exercise that produces outstanding results in a relatively short period of time. Your instructor makes sure you never remain on a plateau, because if you do, a new round of exercises will propel you to the next level of productivity.


Fitness boot camps have proven to be a good idea whose time has come. Many of the programs are offered in the early morning too so you can attend before going to work. Research has shown exercise to be a major factor in improving mental acuity, so you get both physical and mental benefits when you participate in an accelerated exercise program.


If you've had a hard time starting an exercise program, or are just plain bored with the one you are doing, then boot camps NYC offer alternatives perfect for your situation. You'll find yourself jumping for fitness and then jumping for joy.

West Side Location Opening Up Soon, Ladies.

NYC Adventure Boot Camp Opens New Central Park West Location
Due to popular demand in New York City, NYC Adventure Boot Camp has opened a new location on the West Side of Central Park.

Stacy Papakostas, owner of New York City Adventure Boot Camp, an authorized Adventure Boot Camp, opens a new location on the West Side of Central Park to accommodate the needs of her enthusiastic campers.

The members and friends of NYC Adventure Boot Camp have been requesting
the new location for months and now the first camp will start on
February 9 through March 13, 2009.

The first camp in February will be at an Indoor location to accommodate for the cold weather.

Campers are already signing up and filling up the available spots for this new camp location. New campers are encouraged to sign up now before the class is full.

Camp costs are still as low as $309 for a month of Boot Camp classes. Campers may choose from 3 Day and 5 Day a Week options, as their schedule may permit.

The new West Side camps will start at 5:30 am and end at 6:30 am. A full hour of workout. Don't be surprised if you see a 3-5% reduction in your body fat over the four weeks!

NYC Adventure Boot Camp is a four week outdoor fitness program that offers fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training - packed with fun and energizing activities designed to help you reach your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight to fit into that special dress, shed the extra pounds from a pregnancy or just get fit before that special occasion, this is the program for you!

Stacy has been an ECITS Certified Personal Trainer for over 8 years in Miami as well as New York City. She currently works at the New York Health and Racquet Club in mid-town Manhattan developing a following of personal clients. Stacy currently holds certifications in Functional Body Weight Training, Sport Specific Exercise, Boxing and Kickboxing. She is committed to a lifetime of continuing education in the field of health and wellness. Her unique approach gives women the edge on self-defense techniques in addition to weight loss coaching and nutrition counseling. Her program is designed for each woman to effectively maximize time and effort, ie- less time, more results! The foundation of Stacy’s practice as a fitness professional is built on encouraging positive thinking to boost self-esteem and a healthy body image.

Contact
Stacy Papakostas
(212) 426-4871

Got Muscle Confusion?

A question that I am often asked by frustrated fitness enthusiasts is "Why have my results stopped? I am doing the same routine as before - what happened?"

This is a common place to end up, usually a few months after starting a new exercise routine. At first your body responds to your routine in lost pounds and gained muscle tone, then one day your results screech to a stop.

What happened? And, more importantly, what can you do about it?

You may have heard the saying, "When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best idea is to get off." This is the perfect analogy for your stale workout routine.
·The problem: Your body has adapted to your routine. Let's face it, when you can do your workout routine in your sleep it's time for something new.
·The Solution: It's time to shake things up, and to apply the concept of muscle confusion. Muscle confusion means that you keep your body guessing by changing your routine.

The following are great ways to do just that:

1.Exercises: When you know that your routine has lost its effectiveness the first obvious thing to change are the actual exercises. It is important to include every major muscle group in your routine, so be sure to exchange each exercise for one that works the same muscle group.

2.Resistance: Do you find yourself always reaching for the same dumbbells or placing the pin in the same notch of the weight stack? Change your weight as well as the number of repetitions performed. If you normally do 12-15 repetitions then increase the weight and do 6-8. The key is to challenge your muscles in a new way.

3.Equipment: There are so many different pieces of exercise equipment out there—don't limit your routine to just one type. If you love working with dumbbells but your routine has fallen flat, put them aside and try something new. A little creativity can really jump start your progress.

4.Style: So often the training style that we are first taught sticks with us forever. For you this may be the style of doing one set, taking a rest period, and then doing another set. Or maybe you have caught on to the circuit training style that keeps your heart rate elevated throughout the routine. Whatever your chosen style, be sure to change it once your routine ceases to produce results.
Now, don't worry, this doesn't mean that you need a brand new workout every day of the week. In fact, your body will take some time to adjust to each new workout, so it should be done for the appropriate amount of time before results start to slack off.

What is that ‘sweet spot' of time that each new routine should be used before moving on to the next? Well, the answer to that question is as unique as each person reading this.

For some this will mean a new routine every 3 weeks, and for others it will mean a new routine every 8 weeks. Typically the fitter you are the quicker your body will adapt to each new routine.

Muscle confusion plays a big part of the programs that I provide for my clients and it's one of the little secrets I use to deliver fast results.

Want to know more? Contact me today to get started on your own program aimed at weight loss success.

5 Signs That You're Doing it Right

Ever wonder just how effective your workout routine really is?

Maybe you saw great results when you first started to exercise, but now those results have come to a screeching halt.

Want to know why?

If the following 5 statements accurately describe your exercise routine, then fear not-you're doing it right. However, if the following 5 statements don't describe your exercise routine then listen up-there's no better time than now to rev up your routine.

1. You Make the Most of Each Move: Gone are the days when workouts lasted more than an hour and you had time to single out each muscle individually. These days time is of the essence, and compound movements deliver excellent results in less time than ever before.

Not sure if your routine includes compound movements? Any exercise that uses two or more joints is considered to be a compound movement. Squats and lunges are great examples. If you want to pack even more benefit into each move then try adding a shoulder press with your squats and a bicep curl with your lunges.

2. You Keep it Intense: Let's be honest, at one time or another you've spent time in the gym 'exercising' without ever breaking a sweat. Maybe you drifted from one machine to the next or joined an aerobics class for a few minutes, but the bottom line was that your heart wasn't into it.

Workouts that lack intensity are practically a waste of time. Your body craves a challenge, and you see the most results when you keep your intensity high. Keep your workouts concise and push yourself with each exercise.

3. You're Consistent: Anyone can have one great workout, but one workout won't translate into killer results-only consistency will do that for you. Exercise must be a part of your daily routine, plain and simple.

One of the best ways to stay consistent with your routine is to do your workout at the same time everyday. We are creatures of habit, so once your exercise schedule has been firmly set you'll find the process to be automatic, rather than an occasional afterthought.

4. You Seek a Challenge: Just like hairstyles, exercise routines quickly become outdated. That is why the best routines are dynamic, and the worst routines never change. How do you know when your routine needs to be updated?

You'll know how effective your routine is by the results, or lack there of, that you experience. If you feel that you are simply going through the motions then stop wondering about the effectiveness of your routine and start doing something new.

5. You're Having a Blast: Do you dread the very thought of going for a jog, but force yourself to do it simply because you've no other ideas for exercise? Stop right there. Exercise is an enjoyable activity, especially when you find the form that is best suited for your personal preferences.

If you don't like exercise there is a good chance that your technique needs help. I pride myself in showing my clients the fun side of exercise-yes, exercise is fun!

If your routine includes all of the above then congratulations – you are doing it right. You're consistent, you challenge yourself and you're seeing results. However, if your routine doesn't include the above, you now have the blueprints to do it right.

Want a routine that incorporates everything you need to reach your fitness goals? Call or email today to set up a consultation and I'll show you how to get amazing results in less time than you think.

Visit http://www.nycadventurebootcamp.com or call 212-426-4871.