Remember Your Why

September 1st, 2018

Ana Barron and Blaine Ochoa

By Blaine Ochoa

What are your dreams and goals? Why?

The “why” to these answers is by far more important. “Why” is what drives and motivates you. The dreams and goals you have would mean nothing if you didn’t know why you wanted to pursue them. Every decision you will ever make is fueled by a “why.”

Life is a journey. During your pursuits and adventures in life, you sometimes tend to forget why you started something in the first place. The journey can be exhausting, heartbreaking and confusing when you loose sight of “why.” I have experienced this firsthand and had to pause, refocus and refresh, and really concentrate on my “why” along the road to following my dreams.

On a side note, I believe sometimes God allows you to break, in order to build you back up stronger than before. Personally, in these moments when I have been so weak, I have seen His power and grace revealed. When I let go and look towards Him, He picks me up right where I am and brings me to a better place. Afterwards I am stronger, wiser, more refined, and have a clearer meaning of my purpose and my “why.”

“Do everything with passion and authenticity,” says Ana Barron, co-owner of Sweat 1000 Houston. Sweat is the 1st studio in the United States of its kind. The gym is based on a concept originated from Cape Town, South Africa. Husband and wife, Jordan Strouse and Ana Barron are the proud owners of Sweat 1000 Houston.

Jordan Strouse and Ana Barron, proud owners of Sweat 1000 Houston.

Ana fell in love with fitness while living in South Africa. “It was a way for me to improve myself, and it helped me develop a healthy lifestyle. It has now become more than that. I enjoy inspiring others to live a better and healthy lifestyle and create a healthy environment.”

In 2015, Jordan and Ana meet the founders of Sweat 1000 in South Africa, Paul and Andrew Rothschild. Jordan and Ana decided to partner with them and bring the concept to Houston. “Sweat is a high intensity interval training workout session using treadmills as the base workout, and integrating components of functional training, core stability, and athletic training.” Sweat is a fun and healthy place to work out and achieve goals, and you can burn up to 1,000 calories in one workout class. It is very high energy, and Jordan and Ana typically play EDM, hip hop, and Latin music; Ana loves to incorporate her Hispanic culture into her workout classes. In the future the couple plan to grow and expand to new locations in Houston and beyond.

Fitness and working out reminds me a lot about life. It you want to see results, you have to stay positive, motivated, and consistent. When it gets hard, you have to remember why you started, tell yourself to keep going and push through. You may be sore the next day, but eventually the soreness leaves and you become stronger.

Ana’s advice is to, “believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams. Whatever goal it may be, there is no magic pill, you have to work really hard and stay very consistent.”

When life gets tough, pick yourself up and keep going. It may not get easier, but you will get stronger. You have to remember your passion and your purpose everyday, and never forget your “why.”

You can contact me at [email protected] or visit www.BeautywithBlaine.com

New Beginnings

June 1st, 2018

Blaine Ochoa

By Blaine Ochoa

Summer is almost here. That means time for the beach, tropical getaways, and summer parties. That also means getting in shape in order to have that “fire hot” summer body that most women dream of having. Achieving and maintaining a rock’n summer bod can be difficult, but absolutely possible. Start where you are and take daily action steps to achieve your goals. It is never too late to achieve your fitness goals, chase your dreams, or live the life you want to live.

For the record, there are beauty treatments that can help contribute to losing weight and maintaining a fabulous body; however, eating healthy and working out is the ultimate, factual and best way to achieve your best body — inside and out. My fitness journey has not been easy, but with sacrifices, dedication and perseverance, I have seen my body transform into a mold that I am very proud of. I have documented my health and fitness secrets to reaching my goals and getting in shape, along with my friend and certified personal trainer, Sandy
Lankford, who shares her knowledge and helpful tips regarding diet and exercise.

One thing I have learned over the years, especially concerning my fitness journey, is to “do it now.” When it comes to health and fitness, work and achieving goals; this motto has made me successful. It was a lesson I had to learn the hard way, but better to learn now than later, or never.

Overcoming the “illness” of procrastination is tough, but doable. Being on a fitness journey is not easy, and it takes courage to step out and start where you are. When speaking with Sandy I learned that her motto is, “new beginnings.” These are words to live by — in the gym, when you wake up in the morning, when you make a mistake, and every day for the rest of your life. Every day is a new beginning and a fresh start. You have the power and tools necessary to create the life you want. So, this idea of new beginnings can also be seen in icecasino. For many, it becomes a place where they take risks, hoping for new opportunities. There, at the moment of the game, you can feel the same tension that you feel when starting a new stage of your life. And just like in fitness, in the casino, every round can be a new beginning, where you have the opportunity to discover something new, whether in winning or in the game itself.

Eating healthy is step No.1. “Eating healthy is a way of life, it is how you keep your body in check, and how you remain energetic and feel good about yourself.” Take each day one day at a time and make better decisions daily.

Changing your meals and incorporating healthy proteins, vegetables and non fat carbohydrates will help you loose weight and create definition and muscle tone.

Eating less unhealthy carbohydrates, sugars, and fats, will result in weight loss, and your body will feel more energized and refreshed. Also, eating six small meals a day will increase your metabolism. Eat lean chicken, turkey breast, brown rice, sweet potatoes and lots of vegetables, for example, and you will start seeing a difference in the way you look.

Working out is step No. 2. Exercising will improve your overall health, physical physique, and build muscle, which burns calories. Decide to commit to exercising at least 20-40 minutes a day, whether that is taking a walk around the block, going for a run, or trying out a fun workout class. A few of my favorite workouts are Pilates, Zumba, Kickboxing, and Yoga. Invite a friend to join you, “you are more likely to excel if you find a friend who can be apart of your fitness journey — someone to hold you accountable.” Also, I have found that working out in the mornings has helped me stay on track with eating healthier throughout the day, and be more productive. Doing cardio in the mornings gets your blood pumping, boosts your metabolism, and gives you energy for the rest of the day.

Try these tips out and in four weeks track your progress and see how far you’ve come. “Find someone in the fitness industry who can strengthen you, lift you up, and help motivate you, there is power in numbers and power in friendship.” Never forget that strength comes from above and from within. You have power with in that is able to conquer and achieve all things.

Now for the fun part! After you start seeing results from eating healthy and working out, complete your summer body with a radiant spray tan. My personal favorite place to get a spray tan is Throwing Copper, located in the Houston Museum District. Throwing Copper offers an all natural and organic airbrush spray tanning solution sure to give you the perfect summer glow.

Change does not happen overnight, it takes time. Do not stress or feel discouraged if you do not see the results you want fast enough. Stay focused, be consistent, and never give up. If you get off track, get back on it. It’s all about having a positive, proactive mindset! I encourage you to incorporate healthy eating and working out into your lifestyle. You will see a drastic change in your overall health, appearance, and the way you feel.

Bay Area Houston Magazine