anything you want is possible…take care of yourself!

ARE YOU A DIFFERENT ANIMAL AND THE SAME BEAST? KOBE

I AM A DIFFERENT ANIMAL AND ALL BEAST, THANK YOU NIKE!”

ARY NUNEZ VIA KOBE TO KANYE WEST

Sacha Brooks

Capital FM Birmingham/Capital Network

ARY NUNEZ'S GOTHAM ARTS WORKOUT FOR NIKE TRAINING CLUB

Nike Training Club

With 85 custom workouts, Nike Training Club is a personal trainer in your pocket. The app is even gamified, letting you unlock extra workouts from celebrities like Lea Michele, professional athletes like Shawn Johnson, and Rihanna’s personal trainer, Ary Nuñez (pictured below). ”This is indisputably the coolest personal training app out there. The production value is so high, polished, and cool. Anyone who wants to lose weight, get toned and stay in shape can use this app and be successful if used regularly,” says Capik. Nike Training Club for iPhone (free)

The world belongs to those with the most energy. 

 -Alexis de Tocqueville

There’s no denying that everyone, at one time or another, gets hungry when they are on the go. Who hasn’t had a snack attack, while travelling or running from appointment to appointment? When we are removed from our home environment, unable to prepare our own meals, eating nutritious, satisfying food, can be a challenge. As busy Americans, we often find ourselves reaching for fast foods that are highly processed and nutrient poor.

To alleviate snack confusion and guilt, try to deconstruct why you are having a craving. Perhaps you have the munchies because your daily diet is missing nutrition, or because you are eating too little at meals. You might be eating to soothe jangled nerves when you are emotional, or to entertain yourself when you are bored. Whatever your reason, acknowledge it and start thinking about how to find “go to” items that are truly satisfying.

Many convenient fast food chains offer foods that are highly processed and full of chemicals, additives, damaging fats and refined sugars. When you’re on the go all day, try to plan ahead and pack small meals and snack foods in your handbag or backpack that are filling and enjoyable, but also nutritious. Here are some suggestions.

- For a crunchy texture pack raw carrots, Terra chips, or homemade popcorn.

- To fulfill a sweet sensation try fruit, dates stuffed with almond butter, or organic dark chocolate.

- Get after a hankering for salt with mixed nuts or salted edamame.

If packing is not an option, look for healthy food kiosks near your office, gym, or house. Do some pre-work and investigate what options are available to you, in nearby malls or shopping districts, so that you can plan on where to stop for a snack, or grab a meal to go.

- Have a smoothie from Jamba Juice.

- Grab a cup of the “Perfect Oatmeal” at Starbucks.

- Order up a meatless “Burrito Bowl” at Chipotle.

- Snag a serving of veggie sushi from your local Whole Foods Market

- Try a “Crunchy Humous Bloomer” sandwich at Pret A Manger

When you upgrade the quality of food and snacks you eat, you give yourself a greater sense of satiety and satisfaction; you won’t feel physically or psychologically deprived, and you’ll have plenty of energy to sustain your activities for hours.

Eating is enjoyable and there is a wide variety of healthful goodies for whatever you’re craving, be it sweet, crunchy, salty, creamy or spicy. Dive in, be creative and enjoy your snack attack. 

It’s funny how we all have a soundtrack for our lives. Our first slow dance, our first kiss, our moments of triumph and defeat are all associated with songs we will never forget. And no matter how time passes us by, all it takes is the first few bars of one of those songs, to transport us heart first to that precise moment in time. Beyond our sense and reason, musical memories sear through us, reminding us of our vulnerability to our emotions.

On an otherwise uneventful evening about eight years ago, I was wandering aimlessly past a downtown NYC gym studio when I heard the soaring sound of Evanescence’s ‘Bring Me to Life’. I wandered into the room, drawn by Amy Lee’s haunting voice, and there I saw a fitness instructor, dressed in black head to toe, creating martial art and dance movements of dynamism and grace. I was mesmerised by the synchronicity of sound and motion that I later found out was the hallmark of that  fitness instructor – Ary Nunez. As Delerium’s ‘Silence’ blasted over the speakers, I was unconsciously attempting to mirror the panther-like movements of the instructor and as the sweat began trickling on our collective bodies we were all transported and uplifted by the perfect union of our senses. The more I saw her cut through the air and spin on her heels, the more I wanted to train and learn such controlled motion and fluidity.

I still distinctly remember that first hour long journey into the realm of Gotham Global Fitness classes; I remember the elation of finding a teacher that I knew would push and inspire me for years to come, I remember hearing Massive Attack’s ‘Unfinished Symphony’ at the finale of that first class and thinking how appropriate it was as I recognised that for me, these classes would be a voyage of expression and development without a foreseeable finish.

My hand is raised too, because while I can very easily (finger snapping) “WERQ It Out” I am petrified of working out.  I blame my reluctance on the fact that I feel like the world of fitness is for those people who are members of fancy shmancy fitness centers and have couture workout wear from Proenza Schouler that they carry in their Chloe gym bags.  In my effort to be a healthier, happier me, I’m readjusting my attitude on this.  Between you, me, and the lamppost, my desire to leave my “Non-Worker Outer” tendencies in the past (along with the muffin top that is sprouting out my jeans) started with a shameful secret that was exposed on a frosty November night.

Despite the chill in the air, I found myself sweating and nervously biting my already broken UV gel tip as I walked along Union Square West in NYC.  I was on my way to cover a Gotham Arts Class hosted by Nike that Ary and other members of the GGF team were about to perform.  I stood in front of the Union Square Ballroom like a child in front of her new school.  While my demeanor was cool, inside I was panicking. So many things were running through my head, but the loudest question resonating in my brain was “Is tonight the night Ary and the GGF team find out that I’m a (gulp)… NON WORKER OUTER!

Even though I had been part of the Gotham Global Fitness team for a while already, and I had been able to dodge taking any of Ary’s classes. I honestly thought that night would be my first and last work out with the team.  I imagined Ary would be humiliated as she saw her “Korrespondent” clumsily stumble in a disgraceful attempt to keep up with the moves.  I pictured Kyle, who helped choreograph the whole routine giggle like a piglet as he saw me flushed and frustrated, trying to keep up.

Much like a bolt of lightening, Ary and company came out and commanded the attention of the hundred or so women in attendance.  They went into a sizzling hot (dance routine) to Rihanna’s “Only Girl In The World”  While I watched them swivel their hips in perfectly choreographed harmony, I thought to myself “Wow, how awesome that they decided to entertain us with their moves before our group fitness class.”  Guess what America….I was wrong!  As they all took a bow to our roaring applause, Ary informed us that we would all be doing the same intricate routine.

Sequence of events of Karin’s reaction: GULP, eye roll, immediate perspiration, desperate attempt to locate the nearest exit, resigned… Eh, What the hell I thought to myself, I already shlepped into the city, over paid for parking, plus, I had just gotten a BITCHING pair of the new Nike Free XT’s.  Honestly, I had nothing to lose.

Ary started to break the routine down, step by glittery step.  As she did, I was following along!

Me? ME!”

Throughout the class, I was flash-backing to the recounts from so many on Ary being so amazing at doing what she does best, motivating anyone in her presence to move.  It was funny, because for the first time EVER I wasn’t looking over my shoulder as I worked out to see if someone was laughing at me or looking to the person on my right in “Hater Mode” because they were doing better than me.  I didn’t care.  Ary really helped me focus on what I was doing well and I was really trying.

After successfully completing the whole routine I was pumped and felt what can only be described as “Amazing Balls” I did however kinda bad for the rest of the women in attendance, because Ary really only focused on helping me throughout the ordeal. Or so I thought.

While the media descended on Ary, I swooned in on the women to ask them about their experience.  To my surprise, they all mirrored my feelings.  Ary truly made us all feel “Like The Only Girl” in her class.

That night, as I tucked myself into bed, I realized my fear was subsiding.  I figured I can’t be the only girl in the world that feels this way.  I concluded I won’t be the only girl in the world that gets over her fear.  And finally, I know the only girl that can make me fit, is me.  But, it doesn’t hurt to have your girl help you realize your own power.  Thanks Ary!