Archive for July, 2012

3 Easy Exercises You Can Do From Home

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

Hello Zobha Community-

As a fitness expert, I know how important it is to stay in shape. I also know how a busy schedule can sometimes get in the way of a desired workout schedule. Instead of skipping the workout, there are some great exercises you can do from home that can have the same effect.

 Here are three easy fitness moves that you can do right from home:

  1.  The Burpee: This is a full body exercise performed in four steps. Begin in a standing position. Begin to squat position your body with your hands on the ground. Extend your feet back in one quick motion to assume the plank position. Return to the squat position in one quick motion return to an upright standing position.
  2. Tree Sit: Stand with back flat against a wall (or tree) and lower until knees are bent at a right angle. Extend arms straight overhead and left leg forward so it’s parallel to ground. Hold for 15 seconds; switch legs. Do three sets.
  3. Roll-Up: Sit with legs extended, feet flexed, back straight; wrap band around soles of feet, holding each end next to knees. Keeping arms and legs straight, slowly lower torso, one vertebra at a time, to ground. When top of shoulder blades touch ground, slowly roll up. Do three sets of 12 reps.

All of these exercises can be done in minimum space. If done often, these easy moves show great results.

-Michelle Lovitt, celebrity trainer + Zobha Ambassador

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Julia, My Other Heart…

Monday, July 16th, 2012

They say that when you are about to die, your life flashes before your eyes.  I say that the first time you put your child on an airplane alone, her life flashes before your eyes.

I recently dropped my daughter off at SFO to go to sleep away camp for the first time in her 12-year old life.  While I pride myself on being cool as a cucumber when it comes to parenting, I was overcome with emotion when my daughter left my sight, walking down that jet way alone.  I didn’t feel happy or sad, just FULL of emotion.  As I returned to my car for the drive home, I was filled with memories of our lives together since she was born, and yes, I cried.

(Photo credit: Elise Donoghue Photography)

 Here are some of the defining moments of my life with my beautiful daughter, Julia:

  • The first time I heard her heart beat in utero and promised to always take care of that heart, so fragile and resilient, for the rest of my life
  • The day she was born—nothing compares to that moment when a woman becomes a mother for the first time.  She gave me that.
  • Dancing with her for hours with her in the baby bjorn to Barry White, Andrea Bocelli and Bob Marley
  • The first time she vomited all over me on a flight from Boston to San Francisco and the flight attendants treated us as if she had spewed e-coli
  • The second time she vomited all over me and we ended up spending the night in the Mass General pediatric ER—what a nice doctor we had
  • When she learned to walk in Italy—she had a perm-abrasion that trip!
  • Her screaming “I want my daddy!” in the weeks after her younger brother was born every time things didn’t go her way
  • The vacation that she insisted she wear a snorkel mask on the beach to keep the bugs and sand out of her face                                                                  
  • Her combination sneeze-cough that came to be known as the “Hakoocha”
  • Walking with her hand-in-hand along Tiger Leaping Gorge in China
  • When she lost her first tooth—I kid my kids that I will make them each necklaces out of all of the baby teeth I have saved over the years
  • The time I was explaining that working hard was important and she said “I don’t want to work hard, I want to work loose”—I think she was about 3 at the time
  • Her first day of school
  • Blueberry picking and muffin making at our home in Maine
  • The first time she fell riding a bike—boy, will she remember that from the scar she has on her left knee
  • Endless hours watching American Idol together
  • When we paid the $1100 to fly her hamster on our move from Hong Kong to San Francisco.  She did a good job of convincing us that you can’t put a price on life and a hamster’s life is just as precious as a dog’s life.
  • The time we talked about leadership and how qualities that she possesses such as adaptability to change and embracing new experiences are keys to leadership.  My girl has lived in 4 global geographies and attended 6 different schools in her 12 years.
  • The first time she sat in the front seat of the car.
  • The first time we left her home alone.
  • When she got her i-phone.
  • Hearing her sing Adele’s “Someone Like You” solo in front of an audience at her singing recital in May
  • The first time I had a conversation with her via text—very effective, I’m becoming very tech-savvy to keep up with her
  • Going to see Snow White and the Huntsman on the eve before she left for camp—finally we are able to watch films that we can both enjoy!
  • Thanking God that I am here for her as she begins the journey through adolescence and all of the milestones that come with it

Children teach us our capacity to love.  My daughter Julia has made my heart grow at least 2 sizes.  Named for her maternal grandmother, Julia has my father’s artistic talent and my mother’s eye for fashion. She is so like me, yet remains such a mystery to me at the same time.  I always tell her she is my other heart, just like my mother always told me.  Now I know what she means.

Who is your other heart?

-Jamie Hanna, Zobha Founder & CEO

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Stay Motivated

Friday, July 6th, 2012

Hello Zobha Community-

If any of you are like me, it seems like there is never enough time to fit in a workout. As a mother of teen twin girls, it’s quite the challenge to balance a career, motherhood, and getting time to work out. Even if there is a small window of time – it’s hard to get excited about going  to the gym.

                                                    (Photo credit: Photosteve101)

Here are some helpful tips that work for me to find the motivation and most importantly, keep it:

  1.  Commit to a goal. The hardest part I have found is actually starting a workout regimen. Set a goal for yourself and work towards it! Whether it’s walking every day for 30 minutes, getting up an hour earlier to have time to run before work, or if you live in a city like me and commute to work, get off one or two stops earlier and walk to work.
  2. Get a workout buddy. I have teamed up with my sisters and we work together to create and achieve our workout goals. We support each other in our respective efforts and push each other to the next level and at times provide comedic relief.
  3. Don’t break the habit. When I take a day off from my work out plan, it tends to turn into a week off and then becomes my New Year’s Resolution for the following year. The more you make it a “must,” the more likely you are to stick with it. I put my workout schedule in my calendar and even set a “do you have your gym bag” reminder for myself for the mornings I’m scheduled for the gym in my calendar on my phone.
  4. Make it fun. Try a new workout or check if your local gym has fun classes that will keep you interested such as a dance class or an upbeat spin class. Also, working out seems to be easier for me with music that motivates me. Grab your iPod and make a playlist specifically for your workouts.
  5. Be patient. Many people just like to jump into exercising without any limits, which may result in tons of pain and lack of motivation to workout. Work towards your goal by increasing the intensity day by day.
  6. Change your mindset. Many people look at exercising as a burden but it can be seen in a positive way. Next time you are stressed, go exercise – even if it’s just a walk. Exercise releases endorphins which improve your mood.
  7. Implement an exercise log. I have found it useful to track my progress throughout my workout plan. If you see results, it will motivate you to keep going and keeping a log holds you to your goals and schedule.
  8. Make it “you” time. As mothers, we tend to put ourselves last. Make your workout into “you” time. This way you will surprisingly look forward to exercising instead of dreading it. 
  9.  Find a trainer. Almost every gym has trainers that can formulate a workout personally that will cater to your needs. Also, the trainer is a great source of forced motivation.
  10. Lastly, reward yourself. After all of the hard work, it is important to give yourself a little reward whether it be frozen yogurt or treating yourself to some new workout gear ;) . Even though this seems like taking a step backwards, it may actually motivate you to want to be rewarded again.

 Here’s to hoping I can take my own advice and stick with this plan! What are some of the ways you stay motivated?

- Tonie

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