Author Archives: blakelyfit

At last!!!

It’s finally here my beautiful readers! The first day of Spring has arrived! It’s still chilly our there but let’s plan for brighter, warmer, lighter clothed days ahead. Here are some of my favorites.
Forward to a friend and put it on the calendar now.
Get ready for the big bloom: Chicago Botanic Garden

 

 

Can’t wait, need it now: Garfield and Lincoln Park Conservatory

 

 

Free and easy: Walk by the lake front…

 

Lake front

 

Walkin’ on sunshine (and OK with falling in the water): SUP Yoga…
Michelle Blakely SUP Yoga headstand
Have fun and let me know if you enjoyed it!
Send me a picture on facebook or via email.

I Am a Hypocrite #4 

MBlakelyOverheadpressBlakelyFIT2014The past few weeks, every time I demonstrate an exercise involving a pressing or pushing motion with my right shoulder, I lower the weight. During my own workouts I adjust the program to accommodate the pain. Sometimes simply placing bags into my car or carrying my kids is a challenge. The point? I am a hypocrite. If I client came in with this problem I would be pleasantly relentless in encouraging her to get help. Myself? I keep it on the back burner and let other priorities win out.

My message beautiful readers is this:

1. Make the time to care for pressing health issues before they get too bad. (I just left messages at my internist and PT offices – hypocrisy squashed.)

2. I think it’s important that you know I struggle with all of this healthy living work, too. It’s challenging. When you come in to see me, in some way, I probably know how you feel and am eager to help you fix it.

Take good care of yourselves today and make that appointment for care/support/training you’ve been postponing.

The Full Monty

Blakely FIT’s Polar Plunge 2015 for
Special OlympicsTHE FULL MONTY

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or share our FB post! Thanks!!!

21 degrees when I leave home for the plunge.

My brother Matt and his Motorola colleagues, Matt, Nick and I enjoy the warmth of the first responders tent (sponsored my Motorola Solutions Foundation) as we discuss strategy for plunging all the way. (“Launch yourself into the lake with out hesitation” is the winner.) Safety crews (in dry suits because they, are not insane) search and remove for sharp objects that could impale plungers.

There it is. Icey Lake Michigan.
They had to dig the ice out with a back hoe.
This is nuts. Waiting our turn. You can tell by my face, I’m not so sure this was a good idea anymore. My Blakely FIT beach towel is the only thing keeping me warm at this point (Thank you, Kristin!)
Bagpipes lead that charge by walking into the water first.


Celebrities, Lady Gaga (on video), Vince Vaughn and Taylor Kinney make us all proud by plunging all the way.
The gates are open. This is happening.
I spot a hole in the ice and run for it.
(You’ll notice on the video another plunger and I collide – he was trying to get out I was trying to get in – ridiculous!)
Motorola’s commitment to helping those that help so many of us. Slogan is beautifully caught by Special Olympics photographers as Matt exits the water.
Adrenaline is a wonderful thing!!! It was awesome! (I truly thought more people would be wearing swimsuits!)
You can see the ice on Matt’s head and the snow falling from the sky.  See. Adrenaline. You’d think we just won the gold.
Jumping in the lake was definitely a rush but none of it would have been possible with out the incredible volunteers!!!

DSC06712I am thrilled to cross that off my bucket list and honored so many of you have opened your wallets and posted such encouraging words! It would not have been possible with out your remarkable generosity and support. My very heartfelt thanks!

Here’s the video!

Freezin’ for a Reason

I’ll be doing the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics
this Sunday, March 1st!

As a former special recreation instructor, I am honored to support such an admiral group of athletes and outstanding organization!

To bring some buzz to my efforts, I’m willing to go as deep as your pockets! Any size donation is welcome – every dollar counts!! And if your purse strings are a little tight right now, please consider sharing our Polar Plunge Facebook Post with your friends.

How deep will I go into Chicago’s freezing Lake Michigan?
It’s up to you, my beautiful reader! Visual aids below…

BlakelyFITSpecialOlympicsKneesKnees $175 – GOAL ATTAINED!

BlakelyFITSpecialOlympicsThighsThighs $350
(This one’s going to take some will power)BlakelyFITSpecialOlympicsWaist

Waist $700
(Quick dunk – “I think I can, I think I can”)BlakelyFITSpecialOlympics Chest

Chest $1400
(Will definitely be recruiting fellow plungers encouragement. Might encounter some screaming at this point.)

BlakelyFITSpecialOlympicsShouldersShoulders $2800
(Heaven help me)

BlakelyFITSpecialOlympicsAll the way underFull Monty $5600
(Will insist on holding someone’s hand to ensure I come back up- darling brother, get ready! I’m also guessing this will be the fastest I ever move in my life!)

Celebrate the Uncelebrated

Many people have brought the video of Moscow based dancer Sergei Polunin performance of Irish singer-songwriter Hozier ballad, “Take Me to Church” directed by artist David LaChapelle to my attention. Compelling, gorgeous and gravity defying – thank you each for the notice. As a former dancer I have some understanding of what it took to create this stunning piece: the sacrifice, work, the commitment and resilience.

It got me thinking. In life, there is no seamless choreography, no musical score and no four minute transformation. Life is not a crafted video and healthy living even more so. It is an infinite series of small choices sending us on different trajectories.

With that thought in mind, I’d like to take a moment to applaud my clients and women out there in general daring to make a change. They do so with out much notice or fanfare or recognition even. They do it to better their lives, value their health and energize their life for the betterment of those around them.

A few thoughts to celebrate the uncelebrated:
Here’s to the woman that refuses to hit snooze so that she makes it to the gym on time.
Here’s to the client that puts it all on the table and risks trying a new strategy for healthy living.
Here’s to the gal that was hit with a medical condition and refuses to relinquish her health with out a fight.
Here’s to the young adult that saw healthy living sabotage from others and walked away for self-preservation.
Here’s to the mother that insisted on being as healthy as she could for her children and one on the way.
Here’s to every woman out there doing their best, quietly, habitually and with out any fanfare – to improve their health for the benefit of herself and all those that need her.

Here’s to celebrating our small moments and the little victories of the women around us!

Why women?

I love men. Truly. My fantastic husband, my incomparable brothers and brothers-in-law and memories of my late father are some of the best relationships of my life. But, as a trainer and business owner,
women are my passion.

BlakelyFITwithclients2014

My first eight years of training exposed me to the truth that women’s needs were largely ignored, especially in the area of strength training. Unfortunately, cookie cutter training programs and bodybuilding workout plans are still being presented as solutions today.

I now know it is one of the best decisions I have ever made but five years ago, I was initially terrified to walk away from such a large portion of my client base (men.) As I look back, choosing to tailor to women exclusively has facilitated creating a beautiful community seeking strength, balance and health in the most effecient and enjoyable way possible. They are a very inspiring group and a gift I didn’t anticipate.

Committing to women has also grown my knowledge base for their specific needs and age/lifestyle related differences. This focus and research facilitates providing relentlessly better solutions as well as being able to anticipate necessary program design changes and resources.

I am honored to have the trust and patronage of my female clients. I truly believe that strengthening women physically and as people has exponential benefits to our relationships, families, children and communities.

If you’d like to learn more about what we offer and how we are different. Reach out anytime. We’d be honored to help you, too.
Email us at: train@blakelyfit.com or share this with friends here Facebook.

#strength #women #Chicago #Frankfort #training #best #personaltraining #smallgrouptraining #specializinginwomen #totalcontrol #pelvicfloorhealth #perinatalfintess #prenatalfitness #osteopenia #osteoporosis #Rhuemetoidartritis #moms #busywomen

Why Strength?

Strength Training Exclusively for Women

You’ve seen our tag line, Strength Training Exclusively for Women. Here’s our response to “why strength?”

BlakelyFITSINMedBall

 

We cannot control what life throws our way, our strength can be a constant. It will help us handle, enjoy and overcome.

Improving our strength can be complicated, finding a guide is essential to our success.

Like money, strength doesn’t necessarily make everything better but it does make everything easier.


Energy and time are our greatest commodities, strength facilitates both.

We are just scratching the surface of the benefits and role of the musculoskeletal system with in a healthy body. Researchers are discovering it is far more than a means to move from A to B.

Improved strength raises your metabolism at rest. Consider that for a moment, at rest!?

We can positively change your brain by improving your strength. (To quote my daughter “Seriously.”)

In an increasingly virtual world, physical, tangible accomplishments are highly satisfying and empowering.

Using strength to look good is great.

Using strength to feel good is awesome.

#strength #women #training #healthy #why #blakelyfit #bfit #Chicago #Frankfort #companymission #ilovemyjob

Next week, “why women?”

What I learned in Maui…

What I Learned in Maui…

It’s tough for anyone to successfully pull off a wetsuit.
Great products make a huge difference…GoPro is awesome, Coolibar makes life easier and self tanner keeps me out of trouble with my dermatologist. As with many things in life, don’t over think it. Leaping off the zip line platform is a lot easier when you don’t hesitate. Don’t think about that you are about to leap into the abyss, clip on your safety gear and go…
When I grow up, I want to be Hawaiian – the people, the nature, the water, the sounds, I was born on the wrong island…

No matter how cold you feel on the boat, get in the water. Swimming with a sea turtle makes “I’m too cold” seem like a joke…
1% of people regret zip lining the last run. 100% regret NOT zip lining the last run. Fearful? Trust your guides and move forward. You’ll be glad you did.

Hawaiian palm tree leaves gently tapping one another is one of the most beautiful sounds on Earth.
Hearing humpback whales with my own ears – worth the very long trip to get there.
Hawaiians do vacation. They go to Vegas. Vegas, baby, Vegas.

I can take a nap in the middle of the day after doing nothing if I have a cold beer. I’m an idiot that it took me this long to figure that out.

Listen to your friends: “Don’t work on vacation.”

I am grateful for the fine farmers, fishermen and chefs on Maui – the food and service were INCREDIBLE.
Rent a convertible at least once in your life.

Less is more.

Take advice from those that have been there before – exploit their knowledge. (Mahalo – Shayna, Laura, Steve and Paula!) It took exactly 8 hours to decide I’m going back to Hawaii.

Seven years is too long to postpone a grown up vacation.

Life is short but rich.

Vacationing with out your children is a tough proposition at first but ultimately a very good thing for everyone. Sit on the beach and watch surfers. They know something we don’t.

Maui cures bronchitis.

Time to do nothing is precious and important.

Need help with that resolution? 

We are energized and ready to help!