Greetings!
Hiphip Hooray---it's MAY! Hopefully all of
our April showers (snow and rain) will bring us May flowers and
great weather! It's time to get outside to hike, bike, run and
play. But don't worry, if the weather turns nasty, as it
sometimes does, we've got you covered. Try out some new LGF
releases, get inspired by member Sinia Jones and pump some iron, or
get those miles in on the treadmill or stepmill.
May is also "Bike to Work" Month. If
that's not a possibility maybe try biking to the club for a workout!
Save money on gas and get in that extra cardio.
In Good Health!
The Valley
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Relay for Life
How do you turn 1-dollar into 2-dollars, and all
for a good cause? Just make a donation to support The Valley's Relay
for Life Team, which is raising money for The American Cancer
Society. The Valley will match every dollar donated by club members
up to 5000-dollars! Just visit our home page and
click on the Relay for Life link, or contact Trudy at extension 110
for more information. And don't forget to stop by and cheer the team
on at Black Hills High School on June 27th and
28th. |

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Disco Diva & LGF "regular" Mary
Lynne Carson
Mary Lynne Carson didn't start exercising
until she was 48. She wasn't a couch potato - gardened,
walked, skied, but she had young children and was always involved in
their activities. She realized that it was time to take care
of herself. She started doing circuit training because her son
works out in the Olympic room and has always been encouraging to
her. She set a goal for when she turned 50 to be able to bench
press 100 lbs - and she did it! This past year, Mary Lynne
began trying LGF classes.
"BodyPump is my favorite because it
challenges you mentally and physically. I was so intimidated
to try BodyAttack, so I started with two tracks (two songs) and then
three tracks and then I got curious about what the rest of the class
was about so when I got through the whole BodyAttack class, I was
really starting to lose weight, working out six days a week.
My new found love is BodyFlow. After skiing on Wednesdays, I
go to BodyFlow on Thursday and its almost like a treat! Its
relaxing and spiritually uplifting. After doing a class, I
feel like saying "hi!" to every body."

My fondest
memory is of Mary Lynne was when she came
to our latest Les Mills launch for
BodyAttack - we had a disco theme and in struts Mary Lynne,
black high-heeled boots, black/white checked short dress, black wig
and she looked amazing! She is definitely a "regular" in our
studio's. Mary Lynne just turned 60 on March 15 and told me
that one of her fantasies is to teach a chest track with me (40 this
year!) and Sue (50) and Mary Lynne (60) during a BodyPump class - so
don't be surprised if you come upon all three of us on stage during
a chest track - J Tricia Jelcick, Fitness
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Capital City
Marathon!
Lace up those
running shoes and participate in a Capital City Marathon
event! Choose from the marathon, 1/2 marathon, 5 mile or kids
run.All events except for the kids run are on Sunday, May 18th.
Aren't able to participate? Well cheer on
our local athletes! It's a great event, and ever runner will
appreciate the happy faces on the course.
For more info click here.
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New Member Testimonial - Sinia
Jones
Just as in months past you're really
going to enjoy May's New Member of the month. Before she came to us
she was working out in her garage, in the winter Brrr!!After
awhile Sinia and husband Gregg just couldn't handle the
lonely cold barbells anymore.
From the first time they
came in and toured with me it was love at first sight.
Ever
since then they've both become fixtures around the club.

Sinia Jones says "people
are drawn to me" "I must be on the right path."
I can see why she is
truly inspirational! Even though Sinia has always been an athlete;
starting out as a swimmer, an ocean lifeguard in Florida and a
biker, her life ambition for as long as she can remember was to
compete in the Ironman in Hawaii. But due to a problem with her
Achilles tendon that dream just wasn't possible. But that didn't
stop this determined Mom. And leave it to her to pick something that
is completely out of her comfort zone, women's figure, yes that's
posing in front of judges in a bikini!
"At first I thought how scary
being up on stage with everyone looking at you, it sure seemed like
a big mountain to climb but then I said I'm going to just take it
one day at a time. Simply break it down and just take baby steps.
How do you do it you're a
busy Mom? It's about preparing real whole healthy meals every week.
"I cook a lot on Sundays and freeze freeze freeze."
"That way all you have to
do during the rest of the week is pop what you've prepared in the
microwave."
"Also I spread out my
meals and stick to it." "I bring a cooler with me everywhere I go,
that way I don't get stuck out there without healthy food."
"Otherwise when you get hungry all bets are off and you're staring
at the vending machine."
"For all the time I spend
in the gym I spend twice as much time shopping and cooking." "I
believe it's 10% genetic, 10% training and 80% diet.
But with this kind of
enthusiasm how could you not be successful!
"When I come around the
corner down the drive towards the club, I feel like a dog when you
jangle the leash before you go on a walk!"
Thanks for being you,
Sinia your big smile and ever positive energy is what our club is
all about! We'll be watching!
Brian
DiStefano
Membership
Advisor |

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Snack Attack! What members
and employees are eating to fuel their workouts!
Sinia Jones (Member) suggested for
breakfast:
Fat-free Yogurt with a teaspoon of ground-up flax seeds- (Quick
& Easy)
***Flax seed is high in most of the B vitamins,
magnesium, and manganese, it's also rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a major force against inflammation in our
bodies. Flax seed is also high in fiber. and phytochemicals
(including many antioxidants).

Trica Jelcick (Land Group Fitness
Instructor): Wasa
rye crackers- (60 calories, 6 grams of carbs per slice,2
grams of protein, 1 gram of fiber) with turkey, avocado and
tomato.
***Avocado is
high in fat, but most of the fat is the heart-healthy
monounsaturated kind. You'll also get protein, a good dose of
vitamins A and E, some B vitamins, and lots of
potassium).
***Tomatoes are a
rich source of vital antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C and
lycopene, which has been attributed to preventing cancer and other
diseases. Tomatoes are one of the richest sources of lycopene (a
powerful antioxidant similar to beta
carotene).
Brian DiStefano (Membership Advisor): Wasabi rice
cakes with roasted
garlic hummus.
Familiar to
all you dieters and health-food nuts out there, once bland rice
cakes now have added flavor and zest. New flavors include
teriyaki, sesame seed and Wasabi, among others. Most plain rice
cakes provide 35 calories, zero fat and a trace of
sodium.
***Hummus is
all about good fat, again Omega 3's. It also contains many
nutrients, most of which come from Tahini. Hummus
has important minerals like Manganese, Copper and Sodium; some
Calcium, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc. It is relatively rich in vitamin
C and B6 and also contains vitamin E, K, Folate and Thiamin.
Here's my recipe if you want to make it
fresh:
In a food processor, process beans- 1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
(15 oz.) garlic- 2
tablespoons roasted garlic
(It's easy to roast,
simply peal a couple of cloves and sprinkle with a little
olive oil, bake at 350 until golden brown and soft) extra virgin
olive oil- 1
tablespoon, lemon
juice- ˝ cup
Tahini, ˝ tablespoon and fresh or dried oregano- ˝ tablespoon
until desired consistency. If hummus is too thick, simply add olive oil in small
increments (1/2 teaspoon) until desired consistency.
Of course you can buy it at your local store in
the refrigerated section, if you don't have the time. But, as with
everything, there is nothing like preparing your food yourself using
fresh whole ingredients.
Brian
DiStefano
Membership Advisor (and hummus
maker)
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Les Mills Launch
Week!
Wow! What a fantastic Les Mills Launch Week! Hope you all
had as much fun as we did!
We would like to mention a big "THANK YOU" to Elyse's
Catering for being a part of our Launch week! The food was fabulous.
Everyone had a wonderful time.


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USTA Junior Winter League
The VAC/Leimback team won both their playoff matches to make
the final against the OPW/Campbell team. Team Leimback lost both
singles and the mixed doubles and won girls and boys doubles. The
final result was a
26-16 game loss to OPW. VAC Team Ryckman won the consolation
round.

The Leimback playoff roster:
- Rachel Kelson
- Bailey Kilmer
- Hannah Adams
- Sidney Smith
- Jake and Zach Blakeslee
- Jack Swanson
- Taylor Howe
- Mathias
Burlingame
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Making a Difference! Sue and Ken
Lisk
Sue and Ken joined the Valley three years
ago. Sue's mom had just passed and her daughter was fighting a brain
tumor. Things were a bit stressed at home. Challenged by lower
back problems, aging and other health issues Ken found relief in
water aerobics, yoga, spinning and personal training.
Regular
class attendance (5 days a week) and training have aided Ken in
standing straighter, walking better and longer, added flexibility,
considerably less pain, better balance and more stamina.

Sue has
enjoyed yoga and spinning and has been extremely pleased with the
class schedule offered, the instructors, the motivation and
challenge presented in all the classes and the great number of
amenities that are always offered.

This couple
claims that we have indeed made a huge difference in the quality of
their lives! What an amazing testimony!
Kari Murphy
Membership Advisor and Fitness
Director
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Valley Staff Bio - Tim
Smolen
I'll never
forget my first swim teacher. I guess you could say we were on a
first name basis. He introduced himself as "Sarge" and that's what
we all called him. Sarge was a retired Marine drill instructor. When
we arrived for class we'd find him finishing his laps. His crew cut
blond hair would sail by and he'd blow like a whale when he rolled
over to breath. He'd hop from the pool and bounce his head to one
side and tap it to shake water from his ears and then we'd start.
All of us lined up on the wall like willing recruits.
Here
is what I love about teaching swim lessons: to the kids, every class
is a grand adventure. It's epic. They are just sure that magical
things can happen - and it's my job and my privilege to prove them
right. My goal is to help each young boy or girl to be safe and find
a love of being in the water, to learn to swim, of course, and to
grow more confident and secure in the process.
It's
been 8 years since I took my Water Safety Instructor (WSI) training
at the Valley and I've been teaching here ever since. The
Valley is a great place to work and it's a great place for the kids
to learn and grow. >From the staff at the front desk to the
lifeguards to the crew in the snack bar, the kids are surrounded by
people who make them feel welcome, important and respected. I work
full-time in State government in a job that I'm good at and that I
enjoy. But I can't wait for Saturday morning to be in the pool with
the kids.
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May is Bike to Work Month!
Get some
exercise, save money and help keep the air clean. Biking is a
healthy alternative to driving. If you live within 5 to 7 miles of
work or school, bicycle commuting may be appealing. Click the image
below for the complete "Bicycle Commute Guide." Happy
Pedaling!!
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Petaled Powered Urban
Adventure
In celebration of National Bike to Work Month
reward yourself with a crazy bike adventure!!! Beer and Bikes are
the theme of the Urban Assault Ride. For more information, click here.
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The Valley will be
bringing on two more Les Mills Programs this year!
BodyCombat and BodyJam will join our already stellar
line-up of BodyPump, BodyStep, BodyFlow, BodyAttack and
BodyVive.
BODYCOMBAT™ is a non-combat, martial
arts-based fitness program with moves drawn from Karate, Tae Kwan
Do, Kung Fu, kickboxing, Muay Thai and Tai Chi. Each 55-minute
BODYCOMBAT™ class is choreographed to 10 tracks of the latest music,
providing an exhilarating exercise experience that delivers
ultra-fast fitness results.
BODYJAM™ is a 55 minute workout set to the
latest music and greatest dance moves. It's cardio fun at it's best
for those with a passion for movement. You will be burn calories,
increase your fitness levels - and learn to dance
better.
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LGF Schedule
Changes
Seasonal
changes are continually occurring- be sure to pick up a current copy
of the schedule
today!
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| May Events
Detailed event info can be found at
On The Run Events.
5-3 YMCA Spring Run/Walk (5k &
2mi) - Olympia
5-4 Bloomsday - Spokane
5-10 Mother's Day 10k, 5k, 1 mi, Tri
and Duathlon - Elma
5-10 Parker Paint Tacoma Marathon -
Tacoma
5-10 Nike 5k for Kids -
Seattle
5-10 North Face Endurance Challenge
- Bellingham
5-11 Kirkland 1/2 Marathon -
Kirkland
5-17 Fort Lewis Down & Dirty 5k Mud
Run - Fort Lewis
5-18 Capital City Marathon -
Olympia
5-24 Paws in the Park (5k & 1mi)
- Tacoma
5-26 Memorial Day 10k, 5k, 1 mi Tri
and Duathlon - Elma
5-31 4th Annual Pacific NW Trail Mtn Bike
Duathlon - Lakewood
5-31 Forest Festival Goldsborough Creek
Run - Shelton |

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Birthday Bash!
Planning a birthday party for your special little
person? The Valley is the perfect place, but don't take our word for
it, just ask Jeanette and Jeff Killip
"Candace and Laurel- A note of thanks for the
fantastic job you did with Cory's birthday party! Candace-I
really appreciated your help in customizing the party and Laurel-
you had every detail covered! All the kids had a great time
and you did an amazing job corralling 4 year old energy! Thanks
again, we loved it. "
Contact Candace at ext.
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I Lost It at the
Club!
We have
about 80 members who weighed in at the initial weigh-in on
April 15th.
6 Circuit Teams are competing.
Stay tuned for an update on weekly winners!
Good luck participants!
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