Toxins Be Gone!

posted by Front Desk Wonder @ 4:04 PM

There is something I am eating that my body just doesn't like. I have come to this conclusion after spending the last month complaining about stomach cramping, little sleep, series of inconclusive tests and excessive co-payments, dizziness, misdiagnosis and essentially feeling like total garbage.

For the sake of my tummy (and the ears of my co-workers) I am hoping to at last put all this GI distress to rest. To do so, I've called upon our resident naturopathic genius, Dr. Lauren Oktay, N.D and her magical detox program. After detailing my symptoms and concerns, Dr. Lauren passed along some powder, pills and a plan to pinpoint what it is exactly that's causing so many problems. Tomorrow marks Day 1 of a three-week regimen that includes taking the prescribed supplements, taking certain foods out of my diet, and taking it easy. I feel optimistic about the detox, not only because it will hopefully lead to health and sanity, but also because it will be a new challenge. I'm not fearful of the food restrictions - I've upheld some pretty strict diets in the past - but I am a bit nervous about the total elimination of caffeine and alcohol, as the former has become a daily habit and the latter, well... it's summer and nothing goes better with sunshine than a strawberry margarita. I suppose twenty-one days of prohibition isn't so bad, considering at one point in my life I went twenty-one years without the special sauce. Or, at least I did as far as the authorities are concerned.

So, as I sit here enjoying one last latte before Day 1 officially begins, I say bring it on - toxins be gone! I'll let you know how it goes...

Who Knew Word Play Could Lead to Such a Great Workout?

posted by Front Desk Wonder @ 3:31 PM

Jes somehow convinced me to get up yesterday at a pinch to five to make it to Tony's 5:30am Weigh Crazy class. Not only did it incite a series of playful text messages ("Let's dress weigh crazy for class" and "I am weigh tired") but it also kicked my butt in a fun weigh. Despite feeling slightly under the weather, Tony brought his jammin' playlist and insta-charm to deliver a fantastic sixty-minute stretch of engaging exercises. Attentive to each participant's body alignment, he called out overextended arms and uneven glute recruitment, along with other observations essential for injury-prone folks with no propioception such as myself. He doled out challenging moves that focused on strengthening with bursts of cardio. It felt like a great all-body workout, which I'm sure I'll be able to confirm as delayed onset soreness sets in entirely and it becomes increasingly more difficult to get up out of this chair...

I Want to Feel the Burn...Really, I Do

posted by Front Desk Wonder @ 10:30 AM

I consider myself a fairly driven individual; however, there are some days when 6:30pm rolls around and the last thing I want to do is strap on my tennies and take it out on the treadmill. Not when there are boxes of granola or marathons of America's Next Top Model to be consumed. Even the inspiration that comes from watching sweaty hands grab towels after a killer workout wanes in comparison to the lure of happy hour margaritas or my uber-comfy bed. So, my question is, what keeps you motivated? At the end (or start) of a long day, what helps you move from punching time cards to punching heavy bags? Please share your tips and insight; your words of wisdom may just prompt my heart rate to rise above 70 bpm. If nothing else, perhaps I'll be stirred to watch Tyra throw herself into the spotlight while I knock out a cool three miles.

The Highlight of My Week

posted by Front Desk Wonder @ 3:08 PM

Sitting at the desk, I get to do a lot of conversing. I also get to do a lot of eavesdropping. In this case, I was actually invited to participate in the dialogue as one of our members exclaimed that she had to buy a new belt to keep up her now too-loose pants. Yay! All the hard work she's put forth with her beloved trainer and during independent workouts has paid off and she is in the market for a celebratory accessory. I suggested she go bigger for her smaller waist by skipping the belt and getting a new pair of pants; shopping for a lower numbered tag seemed more gratifying and this is a feat not to go ignored! In fact, I say get two pairs. Why not? It's the season of summer sales and this is one mighty success!

ZUM's Unsolved Mysteries

posted by Front Desk Wonder @ 3:15 PM

Much like the inexplicable sightings of flying objects and the baffling stories of the Bermuda Triangle, ZUM has its own unsolved mysteries. It may take 40 weekly hours of sitting at the desk to notice such minute differences in detail, but perhaps you too have witnessed the random trail of small water puddles that appear to have no source or the enigmatic aroma of burning when no fire is to be seen. Over time several of these questionable instances have caused my eyebrow to raise, but one in particular reigns in perplexity: What happens to all the sweat towels? You know, those 16x19 white cloths folded neatly into perfect rectangles and placed upon the rocks and ledges for your perspiration needs. The ones I order with more regularity than UFOs are spotted, but that seem to disappear faster than Amelia Earhart. I have my theories (most involve JFK and the mob) but I'd like to hear yours. The person that comes up with the most interesting explanation (feasability is not a factor) wins one dollar of my cold hard cash.

One Example of Why Our Members Rule

posted by Front Desk Wonder @ 12:06 PM

As a self-proclaimed gym rat, I have spent my fair share of time in various health club facilities. I've observed the meatheads checking themselves out in the mirror while simultaneously gazing at the heavily eyeshadowed ladies on the Stairclimber. My lack of coordination has been made a public display of disgrace in myriad classes involving steps, balls, bands and other equipment that appear well-suited for a child's toy chest or a demonic torture chamber. I've heard choruses of grunting and sighted more mesh than one should ever have to witness. (*If at this moment you're wondering why I don't look like I've spent so much time in the gym world, it is a point well made. Please note the use of the past perfect tense.) (**If at this moment you're wondering just what the, well, point is of this post, that is another point well made. As the title suggests, this is an homage of sorts to our members, which brings me back to my initial rambling...the experience I've had at several gyms that has made me realize how extremely unique and enjoyable our members are.) Outside my parenthetical comfort zone, I digress.

The best part about working the front desk is getting to know the clientele because to be frank, you rule. Diverse, funny, smart, determined, modest, inspiring, delightful, ass-kicking...these are all words I'd use to describe ZUM's members. To illustrate further, I turn to a note written by one of our veterans that will regrettably be leaving us for the summer.

"A quick note for the ZUM staff from a long-time fan...Hey everyone! I'm taking off for the summer, maybe longer, and don't know when I'll see you next so just wanted to let you all know how much I've enjoyed working with you, getting to know you, or just admiring you from across the floor, in the most innocent way of course. I consider you all of exceptional character and spirit. This will be my last week. I'm taking some time off to help Lance with his comeback, vacation in France, and accept my Nobel Prize in medicine. Then maybe I'll see you in the fall (seriously) or at Mama's during happy hour." --Casey Lafran

Not often in life do you see such a kind and laudatory letter from someone on the way out (even if only temporarily). It's extremely rewarding to see that our members are just as committed to us as we are them. Thanks for being so awesome, you are what makes ZUM the special little health haven it is.

(And I'd also like to send out a personal thank you to members and staff alike for keeping my mesh sightings a thing of the past.)

Are we in Phoenix?

posted by Chip @ 11:03 AM

The recent warm spell has me wondering if have not been traded to a sunbelt town. Make sure as we get out and enjoy the sunshine we stay hydrated. I ran in the West Seattle 5k this past Sunday and I definitely have room for improvement, and the heat was impressive. If anyone runs in an event let us know. Take some pictures and we will get you up on our website.