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September Challenge 2017

Fluid’s 2017 Challenge begins on Monday September 11th. I hope you can join us!

  • Who: You! And your Fluid family
  • What: Month long self care program, with simple assignments you can do in less than ten minutes per day.
  • When: September 11th – October 8th
  • Where: Anywhere! Meet with me for your initial one on one in person, over the phone or via skype. The remainder of the challenge is conducted via email.
  • Why: Learn easy stress reduction techniques, and establish a self care routine so you head into winter and feeling your best!

The details:

Meet with me via skype or in person prior to September 8th to go over your goals, and craft your personalized movement, nutrition, and mindfulness plan. You receive weekly emails from me reminding you of that week’s goals. You are welcome to send feedback about how you did that week, and let me know how I can help you be successful. Mark your calendar for your brunch/ wrap party Saturday October 14th. Payment is due by September 8th. $75 covers your phone call, skype, or in person meeting with me, your weekly emails, and wrap party.

Contact me to sign up or with questions (503) 705-4762

 

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

With Portland’s record breaking heat how are you staying cool? I’m avoiding turning on the stove. I was looking for a light salad for this month’s recipe and found these delicious tomatoes, and fresh basil at the Moreland Farmer’s Market. I mixed them with a little buffalo mozzarella, and a simple dressing of balsamic and olive oil. Try this and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad Recipe

 

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

 

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium tomatoes (or 12 bite sized tomatoes) sliced
  • ½ lb fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced into bite sized pieces
  • ¼ cup basil leaves
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. In your favorite serving dish, layer tomato slices, cheese slices, and basil.
  2. In a small jar combine oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Shake jar to combine dressing.
  3. Sprinkle dressing over tomato and cheese slices, and serve.

Twin Lakes Hike Sunday July 30th

It’s Laurie’s birthday weekend! Help her celebrate with a hike on Mount Hood Sunday July 30th. This 7 mile hike starts at Frog Lake sno-park, and goes out and back, with loops around two lakes (upper and lower twin lakes). We leave Sellwood at 8 am, contact me if you’d like to carpool, or if you have questions. (503) 705-4762

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland, Oregon based personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. She organizes seasonal hikes, outdoor classes and other fun activities to take advantage of our beautiful summer weather. Please read the details of this hike carefully (see above link) and consider your hiking experience, and your fitness level to decide if this hike is for you.

Learning Proper Pull Up Form From Rastafarians In The Park

If you have spent any time with me in the past six months you have probably heard me talk about my pull up goal. I am working on doing a proper pull-up (from hanging with straight arms, not jumping, overhand grip, shoulders down, pulling my face up higher than the bar, then all the way back down to straight arms in one smooth motion). My goal was to do one of these by my 43rd birthday (which was June 28 – mark your calendars for next year). It is now mid July and I am this close! I can jump, grab the bar and pull up, and I can do a chin up (underhand grip) from hanging, so I know that soon I will have it.

 

One of my clients recently brought me this New York Times article the author talks about his struggle with pull-ups, and how after running into some men at the park (not personal trainers by the way, just regular dudes) he realized he was doing pull-ups all wrong. What I love about his story is the way the men offered him corrections on his form. They seemed so sweet, as if they were genuinely trying to help him, not make him feel bad, or show him up.

The author realizes that in addition to correcting his form, he needs to strengthen all of his muscles, not just arms to effectively pull himself up. He writes:

“Novices rely too much on their biceps. A proper pull up is a yogic feat of concentration and grace. It’s possible only when multiple muscle groups are working in tandem: the biceps, the lats, legs, abs, and lower back”

What are your summer fitness goals and how can I help you achieve them?

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland, Oregon based licensed massage therapist and personal trainer. She works with her clients one on one and in small groups to aid in pain relief, build strength and reduce stress.