Archive for December, 2009

Whether it’s exercising, dieting, or simply enjoying living a healthy lifestyle – it’s much easier to do any and all of those with help, support and a community of like-minded individuals…that is why we started a Ning network for Be Fit NOLA.

We decided to start a Ning network because it offers more features than what we currently have on www.befitnola.com.  We want people who are health conscious to have the ability to connect with each other, share information, pointers and ideas.  Once you join the Be Fit NOLA Ning Network, you can create your own profile page, start/join a group to match your health and fitness interest(s) and participate in discussions and post/check-out upcoming events.

Join the network and find other people who share your passions and interests. Connect with people who are going to support your goals.

Although many of us are on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks – it’s still worth considering joining the Be Fit NOLA Ning Network because it can become a specific place where you can solely explore and express your health and fitness needs, knowledge, and questions.  The other advantages of the group, aside for being specifically for Health and Fitness – it’s also specifically for people of the Greater New Orleans area. It doesn’t matter if you are a hardcore bodybuilder, a Pilates fanatic, triathlete, runner or dedicated to yoga…join the network, participate, and share.  Lets build a strong community that is committed to living a healthy lifestyle in New Orleans.

I moved to New Orleans on January 5^th, 2009 from the Northern VA/DC area.  When I moved here I was about 15 pounds heavier than what I wanted to be.  It was a New Year and a new beginning and I was motivated and set on losing the extra weight…so although the city and it’s fabulously enticing foods were trying real hard to tempt me – I was able to resist. I lost 12 pounds in a few short months and by May ’09 – I was quite happy with myself.  Unfortunately, I did not keep the weight off.

A few things happen. First, I started to feel all the hard work that went into losing the weight; my elbows and left foot started to hurt and overtime, they hurt a lot more.  Next, I got engaged to the man of my dreams and he moved to New Orleans. Injuries, Love, New Orleans and living in the French Quarter…turned out to be a solid recipe for putting on some pounds.

Do you know how easy it is to eat out when you live in the French Quarter? One Saturday, not too long ago, we ate out for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The only small saving grace is that we were walking everywhere.  Eating out is the almighty culprit to unhealthy eating – the only thing that gets slimmer eating out that much is your wallet.  We haven’t much cared or worried about how much we’ve been eating out because…well, we’re like two newlyweds on an everlasting honeymoon in the French Quarter.  We’ve been fully embracing and loving our lives in the Quarter. (Thankfully neither of us are drinkers – those extra calories would certainly have done me in much sooner)

Since before adolescence, I’ve been running and working out pretty intensely but with the injuries that I have, the only way to actually heal has been to take 100% time off from all exercising.  Depressing. Not working out has been demoralizing and depressing. I am, like many people (particularly women) an emotional eater. With depression came the chocolate cravings.

I know firsthand that you can both easily lose and gain weight in New Orleans. Like any other place in the world, it boils down to will power, saying “No” and making healthy decisions.  I’ll admit the temptations are much greater and at times the healthy alternatives are more difficult to find but where there’s a will there’s a way.

My goal is to lose 20 pounds in 2010.  I’ll log in my progress, challenges, observations, advice and recommendations as I go about losing the weight.

New Orleans (NOLA) isn’t known to be one of the most fitness-oriented places in the United States.  In fact, New Orleans is one of the unhealthiest places.  NOLA is a spectacular destination spot because of its diverse culture, profound history and legendary foods.  Having said that, NOLA is also branded for being unhealthy and catering to alcoholics through publicizing Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras.  This selective branding, which neglects portraying the health & fitness community, often deters people from wanting to visit or move to the Big Easy.  If you dig a little bit, you’ll find there is a large health & fitness community and you’ll find virtually every sport in an organization of some sort.

The health & fitness aspect of New Orleans isn’t talked about or publicized because there’s a lack of education covering this topic.  Until now, there has been no “central place” for people to go to that will show them what sports organizations are available, where the healthy places to eat are, where the gyms & fitness centers are located, what hotels have fitness facilities, etc…  This has caused health and fitness to continue to hover under the radar; no one knows where to look and everyone prefers convenience.  Be Fit NOLA offers this convenience in what we’ll call a “central fitness bank” concept that is accessible 24/7 and will allow anyone at anytime the ability to research the latest and greatest on everything health & fitness related to the area.

NOLA can rebrand itself in a more positive light quite easily with the right tools and appropriate education.  In turn, this will attract a more diverse and energetic crowd to the area.  As a local or a tourist, you’ll find there are many restaurants that serve healthy meals, plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors and an abundance of tours where you can enjoy seeing New Orleans while burning calories at the same time.  Several gyms are located throughout the Greater New Orleans area; some are your typical gyms, some are geared for specific one-on-one personal training and some are unique in that they are original buildings that have been transformed into social health clubs.

The bottomline is, people can come to visit NOLA, or live here, while enjoying all the great things NOLA has to offer but can also to maintain a healthy lifestyle.