It’s true.

Since we opened our Willow Glen 6am location, I have been teaching all the classes and haven’t been able to actually get to a Bootcamp class to participate.

Well, while our Willow Glen group is ROCKING IT EVERY MORNING (watch out Gilroy and Los Gatos…there’s a new kid in town!), I have been trying out different health clubs in the neighborhood.

Miguel wants a place to swim, so we’ve gotten all these passes to all these clubs around town.  It’s been a while since I’ve gotten my workout on at an actual club, so I was interested to give it a go.

As some of you might know, I made my entrance into the health and fitness world teaching group exercise at the ripe old age of 19.  So with some club passes in my hand, I just couldn’t help giving some of the free group classes a try.

Tuesday night:

5:30 – cycling

Bootcamp Rulz... Silly Club droolz!

6:30 – sculpting

(Both of which were favorites for me to teach…I loved it!)

Yes, I spent 2 hours at the gym (and if you include drive time, locker time, etc, it was closer to 3 hours).

Here’s what happened:

Okay…I’m not going to sit here and bash the classes.  Because I did have a lot of fun.  The instructors (although both were very very very out of shape),  were funny, engaging, and entertaining to say the least.

But I can’t believe that despite pushing myself in the class, I barely burned 300 calories in an hour and hardly broke a sweat.  I really don’t get it.  When I used to teach, I would be DRENCHED!  I also would feel like I got my world rocked with a great workout.

But not here.

And then we have the traditional group exercise strength class.  The instructor had so many gadgets and props, I think she forgot about the actual exercises!  I can’t believe that spent almost 3 hours total in a completely unproductive environment.  Look people…I’m not trying to sound all important here, but I think we can all agree on this one:  Your time is precious, valuable, and probably your most important assest!  Yes?  Well, that’s how I feel about my time, too.

Here’s what I mean:

If my goal is to lean out, get in shape, change my body and increase my fitness…AND I can do it in less than an hour…why would I waste almost 3 hours in very unproductive formats of exercise?  I just don’t get it!

I don’t know.  I think Bootcamp has spoiled me.

I love Bootcamp!!!

The workouts actually challenge me.  The instructors know your weaknesses and strengths and know how to push you just the right way to get you motivated and moving past your limits.  You actually get results.

I think I’ve moved into a new era of my life.  Goodbye silly club workouts and HELLO Get-my-butt-into-serious-shape-Red-Shift-Bootcamp-Training-Sessions!!!

See you out there.

Audra :  )

P.S.   If you haven’t already signed up for bootcamp, you can do it here!!!

PPS…you know what I’m talking about.  Getting real results faster than anything else out there.  I wasted my time Tuesday night.  Now you don’t have to.  Join Bootcamp Today!

You’ve all been getting excited about it for a few weeks now, so let me go ahead and lay out all the details here:

How the Challenge Works:

1.     It’s FREE! But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s not valuable. This is the fastest way to lose weight, drop dress or pants sizes, transform your body and look and feel better than you have in years…in just 12 short weeks.

2.     Go to www.redshiftfitness.com to download the Your Best Body Challenge 12 Week Transformation Guide ($49 value) absolutely free.  You can also download it from this website, too.  See the Best Body Challenge banner to the right of this page?  Just click on that and you’ll be able to sign-up there!

3.     A one-time, small donation of $10 to the Boys &Girls Club is the only requirement to participate in the Challenge.

Who the Challenge Is For:

All women and  men from 18-80 (and teens aged 15-17 with parental permission) who want to lose weight quickly, safely and permanently, and truly get “Your Best Body” by following a proven 12- week exercise and nutrition supervision and with the support of one of America’s leading body transformation experts, Audra Baker, and her team of certified personal trainers.

(Okay…It feels weird to talk about myself in the 3rd person…and even harder to gloat about myself!  But, check out the winner of our last 12-week challenge that we did this past summer….)

This is a great picture of Susan before the challenge.

This is Susan NOW. She's a Mom of two very young kiddos and after the 12-week challenge and some hard work in Bootcamp...THIS IS SUSAN NOW!!!

BOTTOM LINE…THIS PROGRAM WORKS!!!  IT WORKED FOR HER (AND MANY OTHERS), AND IT CAN WORK FOR YOU!

Susan is but one example of the many who participated last summer and who saw dramatic changes.  Most of my clients saw a minimum of 10 pounds of body fat disappear!  Join this challenge.  Commit to you and your health for the next 12-months, and watch your world change!  Click here to sign-up!

What You Get FREE:

►    Your Best Body Orientation with our Team.  You’ll meet with us on January 23rd for the kick-off!

►    10 Group Fitness Training Sessions, You’ll be able to have access to our Red Shift Fitness SATURDAY Bootcamp training session for 10 weeks.

►    Complete 12-Week Transformation System including step-by-step exercise and nutrition programs for you to follow on your own or with our help (your choice).

►    Your Best Body in just 12 short weeks!

(A $10 charitable donation is required at Orientation)

Yes…I know….my accountant thinks I’m crazy.  But I really want a way to get out into the community and help people reach their goals.  If you are reading this and you know people in your life you could use this kind of support, then PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send them our way.  Direct them to this site and get them to sign up with you!

What You Can WIN:

►    One Grand Champion will be chosen based on the criteria described in the Your Best Body Guide. He or she will win gifts and prizes valued at $750. (Sign up and Download the Guide Here)

►    Two Runners Up will be chosen based on the criteria described in the Guide. They will each win gifts and prizes valued at $350. (Sign up and Download the Guide Here)

►    Let’s get real here…you’re going to get a smokin’ hot body just in time for summer.  If that’s not motivation enough….I don’t know what is! Think about it…Finally dropping that extra weight, toning up through your thighs and glutes, and sporting those tank-top arms all summer long!  You CAN DO THIS!!!  Click on the “Best Body Challenge” Button right now to sign up!!!

We would love to help you achieve your goals and win this contest!

Look, one Saturday workout a week is great motivation, but will not likely get you to your goals.  I encourage you to give our full program a go and watch what happens to your body when you attend our Bootcamp Training Sessions regularly!  Give me a call at the office to see if the program is right for you.  408-356-5716  Below are ways that we can help you achieve your goals:

We have a blast at Boot Camp!

1.  Sign up for our Full Bootcamp Program for the next 12-weeks. Your instructors are motivating and amazing and will be with you every step of the way to help you reach your goals!

2.  Most you may not realize it, but your amazing trainers are also amazing Personal Trainers! If you’re craving some individual attention to get you to reach your goals (and win this contest!), then make sure to call our office to learn more about our personal training services.

3.  The 12-week program that you will download as part of Your Best Body Challenge is a $49 value and packed with great information on exercise and nutrition.  But if you are anything like me…then you probably already know a little about basic nutrition and what to eat.  It never the “knowing” part that stumps me along the road to weight loss and healthy physique.  I always KNOW what to do…I JUST DON’T DO IT!  If this describes you, then you really need to check out my 12-week fully comprehensive Program: Coaching Healthy Eating and Weight loss.  (CHEW).  In this program, we get deep into the real issues of why you’re not losing weight.  From Self-sabotage, to emotional eating, to real reasons for weight loss resistance.  When you finally tap into these issues, you truly become free. Click here to find out more.

When?

The Challenge starts Saturday, January 23rd and ends Saturday April 17th.

More details to come soon!

What else?

Hydrostatic Underwater Weighing is the GOLD STAR in Body Fat Testing and is over 98% accurate!

Well there is one more thing that you really need to know about.  I have partnered up with Fitness Wave to offer you the opportunity to get your body composition tested for only $25 per test!!!  If you’ve never had an accurate body composition test, then this is not only your opportunity, but it’s your opportunity to do it for next to nothing! (Just to give you a comparison, they usually charge more than $60 per test.  We are getting two tests or less than the price of one!)

Aaron and Peg Dietz are the owners of Fitness Wave and they totally rock.  Not only are they giving us an amazing deal, but they do an amazing job and everyone has had nothing but great things to say about their experience.

Please note: This testing is NOT necessary to participate in the challenge, but I highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to see your true beginning body composition and watch how it changes over the course of 12 weeks.  Everyone that does it is so glad they did.  Everyone that doesn’t ALWAYS comes up to me afterward and regrets it.  Don’t be one of those people! Call the office today to sign up!

A FINAL WORD:

If you’ve read this far down…you are obviously very interested in doing this challenge.  Any why wouldn’t you be.  We’ve literally made it as easy as possible for you join and finally get the body you deserve.  Imagine where you could be in 90 short days.  Imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to slip those jeans on with ease, to feel lean and strong, and finally take control of your health and your weight.  This IS YOUR YEAR!  You CAN do this!  Sign up right now and start taking charge of your health!

Transform Their Bodies In 12 Weeks…FREE

Los Gatos, CA - Audra Baker, the owner of RedShift Fitness is on a mission to change the shape of people everywhere.  Her “Your Best Body Challenge” could help hundreds of people transform their bodies in 12 weeks, free of charge.

“There’s no cost to participate in the challenge,” says Audra “all we ask is that each person make a small, one-time $10 donation to The Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley.  That’s it.”

Click here for more information and to sign up!

Audra’s “Your Best Body Challenge” is part of the fitness and weight loss contest phenomenon started by the hit TV show, The Biggest Loser.  “That show really focused the nation’s attention on the benefits of participating in a contest, guided by certified personal trainers, in terms of the motivation and accountability necessary for success,” explains Audra “It’s difficult to lose weight on your own. Anyone who’s tried and struggled knows that – and unfortunately, that’s the majority.”

At www.redshiftfitness.com Audra gives the details of the challenge and provides a complete guide that can be downloaded instantly, containing instructions, questions and answers, rules and regulations, prizes awarded to winners and even a complete 12-week exercise and nutrition program.

“Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to participate,” Audra says.  “We want to help as many people as we can, and this is the best way to do that.”

Many local business  have agreed to sponsor the challenge by helping spread the word and provide many of the prizes awarded to the Your Best Body Grand Champion and two runners up.  “It’s definitely a town effort,” says Audra, “we couldn’t do this without a lot of help.  We’re all very grateful for the way this challenge is being received and look forward to helping a lot of folks lose the weight and get into great shape.”

• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 teaspoon minced, peeled fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

set aside to chill.

Combine in a large bowl:

• 4 cups warm cooked brown rice
• 1.5 cups cooked black beans
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 cup chopped bell peppers (your choice of color)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

Remove dressing from refrigerator, shake well, and pour dressing over rice mixture to coat.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional.

Can serve on lettuce leaves or choice of greens. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Cook time: 30-40 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 pounds ground turkey or chicken
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2.5 cups low sodium fat-free chicken broth
• 1 cup dark beer
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 can (15.8 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (15.8 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 can (16 oz) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
• 1 cup colored bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash, sliced into half rounds
• 1 cup kale, stemmed and chopped or torn into bite sze pieces
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1/4 cup cashews, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (optional)

In a 4-6 quart saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the turkey and cook until browned, for 5-6 minutes. Add the oregano, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and sale, saute for 2 minutes. Pour in the broth and beer. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the kidney beans, balck beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, zucchini or squash, kale and carrot. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add the cashews and cook for 5-7minutes. Add the cilantro and lime juice, if using.

YIELD: about 8 servings (12 cups plus extra broth)

If you’ve never exercised outdoors in the cold, it can be a little nerve racking.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a “hard-core crazy athlete” to workout in these colder conditions.  (of course I think you are all super hard-core athletes…I’m just saying that you don’t have to shy away from the cold).

Once you learn that it’s all about proper gear and layering that gear, it can be so exhilarating.

Here’s all that matters:

1. STAY WARM
2. STAY DRY
3. Numbers 1 & 2 happen when you layer moisture-wicking clothes.

Don't wear this to bootcamp

You can easily stay warm by wearing a huge down coat and layers of cotton shirts, but when you start sweating, you’ll have a hard time wicking the moisture from your body.

So start with a moisture wicking base layer, like a thin, long sleeved shirt (no cotton!).  Then add maybe a vest, and then  maybe a  light, wind-proof jacket or pull-over over that.   Fleece is also another option.  Try different layers this week and see how it goes.

But the most important pieces of staying warm might be your gloves (I wear mittens), your hat, and maybe even a scarf.  You almost could wear shorts and a t-shirt if you have your head and hands protected (…almost).

OOOO....I can't WAIT for 6am Bootcamp!!!

I also think it takes practice.  The more you get out there and try different types of layers, the better you’ll get at staying warm, staying dry, and getting an awesome workout!

It’s a little chilly out there especially at the beginning, but 5 minutes in you’ll start to feel warmed-up and ready to kick some bootcamp booty!  Oh yeah…I forgot to tell you maybe the most important reason why you want to keep kickin’ booty at bootcamp:

YOU BURN 20-30% MORE CALORIES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS!

It’s true. While your body is already working hard to get you through a vigorous workout, it’s doing double-duty to keep your temperature regulated!  I guarantee you that if you did the same workout indoors, you would be burning less calories than you do when you workout outside.  Keep that in mind tomorrow morning!

Here’s a link to a blog I found about layering your clothes, and below are a few more pics I found to help you decipher your outdoor workout wardrobe!

Wind-stopper vests

This is a great outer layer.

Another moisture-wicking option to layer with

I’ve been getting a lot of emails lately asking if we have a fast solution to help with shrinking the waist, hips and buns area…

… while there is no quick fix (and I don’t care what the infomercials claim!) I did go to the drawing board and crafted a new 21-day Rapid Fat Loss Program that might be right up your alley – if you want fast results to jump-start your success.

You probably know that our Los Gatos and Gilroy boot camps are pretty much full, but we do have room for another small group so I thought I’d let you know that the NEW 21-Day Rapid Fat Loss Program starts Monday, November 2

And the best part is that the 21-day program is discounted to only $147 and INCLUDES a 21-day meal plan program. (Regular price for 1 month of Bootcamp is $247, so you’re getting $100 off of Camp PLUS a fully designed 21-day Fat Loss Program.

The only catch is that the camp is almost full and we can only take on a limited amount of participates….somewhere in the ball park or 9-13.  So if you’re ready to fit into your cute jeans again, and want to firm and tone your body all while dropping inches and pounds then make sure to register for our 21-Day Fat Loss Bootcamp.

Here’s how to register…

Just call the office at 408.356.5716 and let us know that you want in on the 21-Day Rapid Fat Loss Bootcamp and I’ll get you all dialed in and ready for Monday. Or, you could just go to our Special 21-Day registration page.

When?

Gilroy: Monday – Thursday at 6:00 AM, 8:30AM, or 6:00pm, Saturday at 8:30AM, at Sunrise Park in Gilroy.

Los Gatos: Monday-Friday at 6AM & 8:45AM or Saturday at 8:30am, at the dam at Vasona Park.

Campbell: Monday and Wednesday night at 6pm at the Campbell Community Center

What’s included?

• Weight and measurements taken on Day 1 and Day 21.
• Fully planned 21-day meal program that is specifically designed to get you back on track, jump-start your weight loss, and lose pounds and inches.
• If followed exactly, you should expect to drop anywhere from 7-10+ pounds
• Motivation and accountability
• Tips on detoxing and cleansing the body
• **A full month of Bootcamp Training Sessions designed to Drive your Metabolism through the roof, blast calories, and get you seeing results fast!

The 21-day rapid fat loss boot camp is an outdoor fitness bootcamp that will last three weeks and starts Monday November 2nd. The best results will come if you attend 3-5 days per week.

Since it’s a group class everyone will participate at their own level so it doesn’t matter what shape you’re in… you’re going to get amazing results during these 21-days.

Register online right now by clicking here.

Once registered, I will be sending you a welcome letter with all pertinent information, including directions to where we meet.

Remember, there are only a few spots available so it’s all about first come first serve.

Committed to your success,

Audra Baker
408.356.5716

Plus it’s delicious. Most of the sugar comes from the cup of frozen blueberries (or frozen mixed berries), but as most of us already know, blueberries are an incredible SUPERFOOD POWERHOUSE, and in my opinion, should be eaten routinely for its health-protecting properties.

First I’ll list the ingredients, and then I will go into detail about some of them.

• 1 ½ – 2 cups of Trader Joes Essential Greens Veggie Juice (read labels!  This is the one that only has veggies!  No fruit here.  This is not like the Odwalla superfood, or the Naked green juice.  This juice is just veggie juice.
• 1 Big heaping tsp of powdered greens.  I use Amazing Grass.  You can find it at Whole Foods.  Of all the green powders I’ve tried, this one surpasses them all in nutrition (read:  no fillers), and taste.  I would have never thought a green powder could taste this good!
• 1 Big heaping Tbl of ground flax (did not use in the video)
• ½ cup to 1 cup of frozen blueberries (or mixed berries)
• 1 or 2 scoops of Whey Protein Powder (right now I’m using WholeFoods brand, Natural Vanilla Flavor)
• ½ cup yogurt, or one container of Bio-K, or Keifer (Did not use in the video)
• Sweeten with stevia if needed

Blend it all up and enjoy! It can be big, so sometimes I divide it into two glasses, and give one to my sweetheart for his afternoon snack.

Depending on how much of each of the ingredients you use, you’re looking at appx:
Calories:  300-400
Fiber: 8-12 grams
Sugar:  13-19 grams
Protein:  30-45 grams
Fat:  5-8 grams

It can be split into two snacks, or eaten as one meal.

By: K Kane BS MS CSCS

As more and more science has been applied to sport, the age old notion of run a few laps and perform static stretches (reach and hold ideology) as part of a warm-up, to any sport, has become obsolete. That’s not to say that running and static stretching do not have their place. They do. Just not in the warm-up prior to performance. In fact, a great way to cool the body down, reduce muscle soreness and slow the nervous system activity back to normal levels following an intense performance is through static stretching. Furthermore, scientific research in the field of exercise science has repeatedly demonstrated that static stretching decreases the force production capabilities of a muscle.

Translation: the muscles will be incapable of generating the contraction required to command your body during heart pumping fit camp workouts!

A great recipe for injury! Go to any sporting event and you will see teams and athletes alike, lined up in neat rows performing exercises on the move during their warm-up. This moving warm-up has become known as a dynamic warm-up. So, get ready to run, jump-squat, and burpee by preparing your body for optimal performance!

So, what exactly is a dynamic warm-up and why should you do it?

First, allow me to say, get over your fear of looking foolish! As the science of sport systematically penetrates diverse exercise modalities, it will become common to people preparing to run, swim or train, dynamically warming up 15-20 minutes prior to kicking it into gear. But why wait until it catches on? Why not step out of the box and purposefully prepare your body for the workout ahead? If you could reduce overuse, muscular and joint injuries from being ill prepared, if you could reduce muscle soreness and prolong your ability to exercise to your maximum capacity (barring no performance ending injuries) using 15-20 minutes of your pre-exercise time, why wouldn’t you?

Red Shift BootCamp is an intense, heart pounding, adrenaline churning, DYNAMIC (ever changing and moving) exercise program that requires the individual to be ready to exercise and immediately meet the mental, physical and physiological demands at maximum intensity right out of the gate. So bring on the dynamic warm-up and properly prepare your body to meet those demands head on!

A dynamic warm-up is a structural warm-up that will heat up and stretch the muscles utilizing a movement pattern. While it uses movement to create greater blood flow and hence oxygen delivery to the muscles as well as increase the range of motion about the joint structure, it should not be confused with ballistic or “bouncing” type stretching. Bouncing is bad! Think of your muscles as taffy. Cool taffy snaps. Warm taffy stretches. So through the dynamic warm-up the individual is taken through a controlled warm-up that progresses in a step-wise fashion in which the tempo, intensity and speed of the movement drills are gradually increased.

The benefits of this stepwise pattern go beyond just warming up the body. Think of your body position during various exercise patterns. Up, down, squat, stand, forward, back. This is your body’s movement in space. The more you exercise the less aware of the pattern you are cognitively and the more second nature it becomes. You no longer have to think about it, you just do it! The dynamic warm-up aids in this process by allowing you to develop the appropriate sport-specific neuromuscular patterns as well as to fine tune your awareness of your body position in space (known as proprioceptive awareness) and the forces being applied to it. And boy is there force being applied to these structures when you run, jump, and burpee!  The dynamic warm-up also stretches and warms-up the body’s components in all three planes of motion better preparing it for the runs, jumps and landings that lie ahead.  It strengthens stabilizing muscles, synergistic muscles and the joints both concentrically (shortening) and eccentrically (lengthening). It is this eccentric phase where most injuries occur or better explained: when you land from a jump squat you are eccentrically loading your body’s structures, SO PREPARE IT and reduce the likelihood of injury.
In order for individual performance to be successful the body must go through various ranges of motion in all three planes all while reacting and responding to the exercise prescription. Through the dynamic warm up and further training, we can prepare the body for its optimal response to these various aspects just by using 10-20 minutes of the individuals wait time before each Fit Camp.

The dynamic warm up should be between 10-20 minutes in length: 10 minutes for a beginner, 20 minutes for a more advanced athlete; it should include 10-20 exercises performing one set of 10-12 repetitions for each exercise or 20-25yds using each side of the movement pattern. The exercise selection should be based on the demands of the exercise selection. Fundamental, linear, multi-directional movement and deceleration (eccentric loads) should all be a part of the dynamic warm up.

An example of a beginning dynamic warm up would be as follows:

•    25yd easy jog up and back
•    Jumping jacks (to begin heating up the core temperature)
•    Trunk rotation
•    Trunk circles
•    Arm hugs
•    Walking straight leg march
•    Walking quad stretch
•    Walking piriformis
•    Walking knee hug
•    Lying leg kick
•    Lying scorpion
•    Lateral shuffle
•    Lung with rotation
•    Squat hops
•    Lunge drops

The dynamic warm up is the perfect time to prepare the body for the exercise ahead, to refine movement skills and patterns and to fine tune the mechanics needed for success. However, appropriate exercise execution is imperative for success. Do not mimic something you see on YouTube. Get appropriate instruction on each exercise and fine tune your skills accordingly.