"You are Too Fat to be a Stripper"

I bet that got your attention!  Cara was brave enough to share her story of SuCceSs with us.  Read below and see if you can relate.  I know that I can!

I wasn't going to do this but here goes............... sorry if it's long! You know I am wordy!

I’ve always struggled with the proper motivation for exercise. It’s something I have always done, and have always gone through the motions, with various periods of life laziness and (in my eyes, morbid obesity!).

During a period of unemployment in 2008, I knew things had gotten out of control when I made the joke of “Maybe I will just be a stripper,” and my father responded very seriously, “You are too fat to be a stripper.”

So I found the gym again. And the ever entertaining land of treadmills. And weight loss. And knee pain. And plantar fasciitis. And physical therapists. And boredom.

Group fitness had always bored me to tears, so I never considered it an option. One day on another 7 mile excursion on the treadmill I heard a party emanating from the Cycling room at my gym. It sounded like way too much fun to be exercise! So I worked up the courage to join them.

Clearly encouraged by loud pop music and an ability to sing aloud while working out and an ever-changing variation on a single apparatus was my ticket out of Dullsville and into a land of healthy addiction.

My body changed, my abs got flatter, the world was asking me “what do you do??” And the response was always “Indoor cycling!”

I made friends there, I had fun there. I rarely dreaded a trip to the gym.

And then they closed on me. It sounds strange, but after that, I felt kind of lost as far as my physical fitness. I couldn’t find a “home” at the Y, and stopped going. I tried to start running again. 

And then I busted my hamstring. So much for my only form of exercise.

And then I broke up with my boyfriend. And so I spent my summer partying away the sadness. 

And drinking. And eating. And slowly my favorite clothes were too tight. I was depressed, I was bored and I was getting fat again. I kept telling myself “You need to go to Angela’s place.”

I finally came in – terrified! I’d taken cycling classes millions of times in my life, but this was new people. New bikes. What if I shouted, or sung?

SCS welcomed me with open arms. Quickly I made friends and slowly started to gain my self-esteem back. I started to gain a purpose beyond rushing home from work to go to Happy Hour or binge on my latest Netflix addiction (this is reserved for after class!)

Friday night’s aren’t spent out on the town all night, because I actually have something to do on Saturday morning. I’m drinking less, eating healthier. It’s been a long struggle through the fall and the winter, but my clothes are fitting better. My energy is up. I look forward to seeing my SCS friends each day.

I feel inspired to do more, and would maybe even consider certification.

SCS helped me find my physical and mental health again. I couldn’t imagine exercise without the 

SCS Team and the beautiful inspiration you inspire each day. I couldn’t imagine any other studio putting up with me the way you all do!!! And THAT makes you unique in itself.

~Cara~

You can't have SuCceSs without SCS!

I am running a contest at the studio and asking everyone to submit their own stories of SuCceSs.  I will pick some winners on 1/31.  I won't necessarily chose the person that lost the most weight because success comes in all different forms.  Here is a great story that may inspire you to enter the contest:

In the 3 short months that I have been religiously going to spin class I have already noticed a TON of changes.  Although I do not have a huge weight loss number to give you. I still can show how much success I have had.  

When I first stated this journey I promised myself that I would not become a scale worshiper and everyday be concerned with a number on the scale.  And i'm glad that I have been able to stick to that, because I think that the real changes have been much more than a number on a scale.  

I first and foremost made it through the Holiday season without getting sick or having a major melt down which hasn't happened in MANY MANY years.  I made it all the way through the new year with a healthy smile on my face(my staff, customers and boss all thank you for this). Success- CHECK

I wake up every morning with energy, I don't carry the past days baggage with me, mostly because I have spinned out all the bad energy! and made room for only positive energy to stay. Success-CHECK

My skin! OMG! It hasn't looked this good since I was in collage! It's smooth and has glow again! My checks for along time have been blemish heaven! Not anymore! Clear as can be! Success-CHECK

When I first started spinning my goal for every class was to just make it through and to follow the instructor.  I will never forget the first class that I didn't touch the resistance unless the instructor said to! The next few classes I pushed a little harder.  Then came the class when I made it through all the position 2 runs without straightening my knees! Then a very exciting class when I "pushed it" at 2 and 3 and actually did get my legs to go faster! Success-CHECK

I feel my body (especially my legs) changing everyday and I love it! Every class I take one step towards being better and stronger!  And it feels AWESOME! Success-CHECK

I have stopped taking all my migraine medication (of course with consent of my dr's), About a year ago at Christmas time I started getting Migraines on a daily bases that were crippling! I haven't had one in over a month and have been off all medications for 2 1/2 weeks! This is HUGE!! Just another step towards being healthier. Success-CHECK  

I want to eat better.  I have always been a "clean" eater but my sweet tooth sometimes( most times) gets the best of me.  And towards the end of last year, my eating habit really started to get out of control.   I have recently been very conscious of what I put in my body, because of how it effects my rides.  If I eat pizza and ice cream or have an entire bottle of wine instead of a glass or two..or maybe three the next ride is 10000000x's harder than if I was smart about what I consumed.  That's not to say that I still don't splurge or indulge,  I just am more conscious about it with out feeling deprived.  I have also been drinking a TON more water, although this has probably been the hardest thing to change I can proudly say I am doing it and yes I do feel better know that I am hydrated! Success-CHECK

This whole big long story of my over all Success would not be complete if I didn't give you my measurements.  It may not be a number on the scale but it is still qualitative and DAMN it makes me feel good to say it! 

A month into my spinning journey on 12/19/2013 I took 3 measurements

Thighs- 29"

Hips- 48"

Waist- 38"

A Month Later on 1/19/2014

Thighs- 27"(who said spinning makes your thighs bigger?)

Hips- 44"

Waist- 36"

My Muffin top is slowly disappearing, my back fat is slowly disappearing, my legs are becoming leaner, I can actually feel muscles instead of fat! I have more energy! I'm happier! I'm getting some flexibility back! My Clothes and underwear fit so much better! Success-CHECK

I could go on for days as to how much success I have had in such a short amount of time, and how much fun I have had doing it.  

I am so excited to see what the rest of 2014 brings, it is already off to an amazing start and I'm ready to achieve great things in my fitness.  And continue this amazing journey! 

A HUGE thank you to everyone at SCS! you are all amazing role models and individuals! I look forward to each and every class and always leave with an even bigger smile on my face than when I walk in! Thank you for taking me out of my comfort zone, pushing me further than I ever imagined and doing this all with Amazing attitudes and Great Music!!! 

CHEERS!

~Christine~

Wine, Clothes, and FUN all for a great cause!

Join me at Piper Boutique at 441 Broadway in Saratoga Springs for a super fun event on 2/13 at 4pm.  We will shop, sip, and have some laughs all to benefit our Tour de Cure team that raises money for the American Diabetes Association.  100% of the profit from the sales at Piper will go towards our fundraising goal of $15,000!

Want to join our team?  We ride indoors at SCS on 5/18, or outside on June 1st.  Click this link:  Team SCS

It is the day before Valentine's Day and you can buy yourself something pretty to celebrate your single life, or get a new fancy somethin' to celebrate a day of love!

We can't wait to shop with you!

Staying on Track While You Travel

I landed in sunny Florida yesterday and am enjoying a belated holiday visit with my mom and brother.  When packing my bags, a few things were obvious essentials like a toothbrush, flip-flops, and my beloved eyebrow pencil.  But, some things you might be surprised to see in my bags are essential for staying healthy and on track while traveling.  Below are my favorite things while traveling to stay healthy.

Let's start with our carry-on bag:

Once you get through security (if flying) grab a big bottle of water.

100 calorie packs of natural almonds and walnuts.

Dried apricots (no sugar added).

Kind bars (I love the dark chocolate and sea salt).

Oranges cut into handy-dandy wedges.

Single serving hummus with a bunch of dippers like pretzel thins, pita chips, cucumber slices, etc.

Baby wipes.  You are going to want clean hands, trust me.

In my HUGE bag that I check:

Sneakers.

Workout tops and bottoms. Yes, I had to tell you to pack bottoms because for some unknown reason, I am notorious for forgetting bottoms...all of them.

Socks.

Headbands and hair ties.

A light jacket if the weather permits it.

A resistance band (these can be shoved into your sneaker to save even more precious bag space.).

Bender/small ball.  Deflate it and blow it up when you are ready to use it.

Water bottle. I forgot my SCS bottle :( sad face.

If your destination has a gym, then you are one lucky duck! If not, try googling ideas on what to do with the band and ball.  Instagram (follow Spinsaratoga!) and YouTube also have some great 

workouts that you can use.

Happy travels!

Fun Facts About SCS!

Happy New Year everyone!  We know you have plenty of options when it comes to fitness and health and we would like to thank you for your loyalty to SCS.  If you are new to the Saratoga Cycling Studio, here is a little more about us!

Founded, owned, and operated by Jerry and Angela Amedio.  We are family owned and operated small business.  No investors, no big corporate backing, just good, old - fashioned, hard work and dedication to making our clients happy.

We opened in May of 2012 and have been growing and growing thanks to your support.

"Spinning" is a registered trademark and not everyone is legally able to use this.  Only licensed facilities like the Saratoga Cycling Studio are allowed to use this phrase or word in regards to indoor cycling classes.  Just like not all tissue is "Kleenex", it is a commonly used term to describe this product.  As a licensed facility, our instructors must keep their Spinning certification up to date, must attend continuing education workshops, and have to hold a current CPR certification as well.  Don't be fooled by imitators, if you are going to do this, do it at a licensed facility that will keep you safe and injury free, get you results, and keeps it real.

We have 23 bikes in the studio that are spaced far enough apart to give you your personal space, but it is cozy enough to feel like you are home.

Our classes range from 5:30am all the way up to 6:45pm weekdays.  We offer up to 5 classes on the weekends.

No, you do not need any experience to ride!  We have a free begin to spin class once a month to welcome new clients.

We have 11 instructors each with their own, unique style!  You will instantly click with us from the moment we greet you at the door by name.

Stay tuned for more fun facts!