Evolution Health & Fitness

Announcement: Evolution Evolves to RealFit Studios

Hello!

Dana here.

I am so excited to share this long-anticipated news with you. It's a revelation I had awhile back and needed to take some necessary steps & put some things into place before I could unleash it to the world. But it is finally here and I am ready to share it with you...

Evolution is evolving to RealFit Studios!

As you may know, Steve & I have been working on RealFit.tv for awhile now (a year & 5 months, but who's counting?) while at the same trying to manage a whole 'nother business.

As stressful as it's been, we kept moving forward (inch by inch) because we ultimately see RealFit.tv to be a much more "fuel" efficient vehicle to deliver my fitness product (a.k.a. me!) to the world beyond little 'ol Haskell, NJ.

By "fuel" efficient, I mean I no longer have to be killing myself teaching a trillion classes a week & running myself ragged because so many people want to take "Dana's classes" - I'm flattered to be in demand, but it's not good for my body (or more importantly, my mind) to be pushing so hard all the time. I certainly don't recommend it for you, why would I do that to myself as your role model?

Simple answer: Because I wanted to give you the most I could give you even if that meant sacrificing my own needs.

I knew eventually, burning my candle at both ends would actually burn me out. I'll be honest. I'm tired of living this way. There is a lifestyle I yearn for that I just don't have right now & it includes more travel, more relaxation, and more time with my family and friends.

So... It is time for me to PLAY BIG!  

I hope you agree that, yes, this makes a lot of sense & I should be playing at a much higher level than I have been playing, but... there is something else I learned along the way that is an important part of my decision.

Although I LOVE owning a fitness studio (& see Evolution as a franchise in the future), managing a fitness studio is holding me back from launching RealFit.tv in full force. Since I haven't figured out how to duplicate myself, I must make a choice. It's one or the other. And since I'm not a fan of black & white thinking...

I merged the two!

As a way to mark the merge, we will be officially evolving Evolution to RealFit Fitness & Video Production Studios just after Independence Day! The new Group Schedule & recording schedule will take effect July 5, 2011 & will be posted for you to see by the end of this month (maybe sooner!)

So what does this mean to you - my loyal, Evolution member?

...I'm glad you asked!

1. All of our members & clients are grandfathered into the rate they've been paying. Rates are going up significantly for new members who join RealFit Studios after July 5th. So, if you have friends or family who have been on the fence about joining, I suggest they get in while the gettin's good. I will not negotiate on price for newcomers. PERIOD.

2. The class schedule will be very similar to what you've been experiencing. However, MY classes will be filmed (other than BodyPump because it's a licensed program). I said it in the past - my dream was to only teach when I'm being filmed & I'm making that happen. :-)

3. Next week you can begin bringing your own towels for your workout & your shower. This is not so much about cutting costs, as it is about managing loads of laundry when I have an online video website to build & launch with the help of my current staff. Towel service for Evolution will end as of Monday, May 9th.

4. Self check in. As you walk into RealFit Studios after July 5th, there will be a computer or a clip board (haven't decided yet) to help you sign yourself into the studio & let us know what class you are taking or if you are here to use the equipment or work with a trainer.

5. Hours of operation will change slightly. This is tentative & has not yet been finalized:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 8am - 1pm & 4pm - 9pm
Tuesday/Thursday: 5:30am - 1pm & 4pm - 9pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8am - 2pm

6. Child care hours remain as is & this service is still included in your membership dues.

7. Personal Training is still available & in fact, you will get to meet new trainers over the coming months as the training department grows.

8. We are bringing in a health & nutrition coach, a massage therapist, a healer & an acupuncturist to provide additional services to you as part of your whole wellness solution.

9. Participating in a fitness video is included in your membership (for now). The schedule will be programmed online in orange as you've seen with some of our "test" videos. There will also be hard copies at the front desk just as you see now, again, the filmed timeslots will be noted in orange boxes. You MUST sign up ahead of time in order to participate in a class that is scheduled to be filmed. 

10. By staying with us through this transition, you will be rewarded with a sweet deal on a subscription to RealFit.tv - not sure what your rate will be just yet, but I assure you, it'll be a steal! This is an excellent way for you to take your favorite class at home whether your kids are sick, the weather's bad or your schedule didn't allow you to get to the gym - you can still get your "Dose o' Dana!"

You have been such an inspiration to me & since YOU are what has kept me going no matter what, I feel compelled to share more of my story with you.

Here's how I got to where I am today & how I've determined where I want to go.

I feel blessed that I have come to not only acknowledge, but to respect & (finally) come to a place where I can truly honor the gifts that have been given to me in my life.

We all have gifts. You have a gift. Maybe several. Certain talents and qualities that are unique to you, that give you purpose and maybe help you make sense of why you are here on earth experiencing life. Maybe you know what your gift is, maybe not. Sometimes it's quite a journey to find it. I went through a whole other career and college degree before I discovered mine. Maybe you have a similar story.

Once you know your gifts, it's (in my opinion) your divine duty to do something constructive with them. Which means... share them with others! I don't care if you are a financial planner, a mechanic, a massage therapist, a school teacher... whatever it is, you make a difference just by honoring your talent. There is someone out there who is benefiting from what you have to offer, regardless if you choose to make your talent a business, a hobby or share it with the company you work for.

Most likely, the reason I've gotten to know you in the first place is because of my gift of being a fitness coach! It may not necessarily be what brought you to Evolution, but maybe it's what kept you coming back for more.

Over the years you have helped me realize and continually refocus on what my real calling in life is simply because you have shown your excitement to take my classes. You have affected me and evolved my personal perspective! In fact, you make my job easy. Because of you, I just LOVE LOVE LOVE to teach!

When I initially found my purpose, it became my mission to inspire as many lives as I possibly could.

I set out to change the perspective on group fitness (& gyms!) and excite people to the point that they realize they truly can take charge of their health... with the support of other people around them, including myself.

The transition from my corporate career to my fitness career had to do with honoring my gift in life to the point of OWNING it. Claiming it to be mine & doing the very best I can to use it to its full potential.

First, I worked in a few gyms.
Then, I designed, developed & owned up one of my own.
NOW, I'm stepping up to do something really fun & creative with what Ive learned while become even more successful by pursuing my mission & passion in life! How cool does THAT sound?

It's pretty darn to tough take it to the next level without a coach or a mentor. That goes for anything in life, not just fitness. You better believe I have mentors & coaches to bring out my best too, who in fact, coached me to this next level that I am taking as a fitness professional.

Did you see my mentor on the season finale of Secret Millionaire on ABC April 10th? Her name is Ali Brown & I am honored to be a part of her Platinum coaching group. She is quite a woman. From this group, I developed a support network that I talk to on a weekly basis to hold me accountable too.

The time has come for me to help more people who are insecure about leaving their house to work out in public. I want to help those who can barely squeeze in a 20 minute workout in between kids & work & crazy, demanding schedules, and to reach those who have a tight budget and need more than a treadmill for $20 a month to improve their fitness level & their health. Let's face it, that gets old (& boring!) REAL fast. Not to mention there's no bone or strength building on a treadmill.

People who workout at home need more guidance, coaching & inspiration... Dana style!!!

RealFit.tv brings my worlds together in a way that better balances my life. Filming my personally designed fitness classes + leveraging the internet to reach WAY more people = living the life I want to live!

I mean, I can reach WAY WAY more people. WAY WAY WAY more people!! WAY WAY.... Ok, I think you get the potential & the picture. So, here you have it:

Evolution evolving really means that Dana is evolving! I am eatin' my own cookin' as they say.

If you have any questions about this exciting transition that might not have been answered in one of the 10 points above, please direct them to me, Amanda or Steve. The front desk girls, instructors or trainers may not be able to answer your questions as well as we can.

My email: dana@everybodyevolves.com
Steve: steve@everybodyevolves.com
Amanda: amanda@everybodyevolves.com

You may also call the front desk & ask for one of us. 862.248.0880.

Thank you so much for your support & personal commitment to your own evolution. You helped me get to where I wanted to go, so I am excited to have you along for the journey ahead!

Believe me, this is only the beginning!!


Dedicated to your Health & Success,

"Watch me evolve!"

 

Evolution Re-Opening Wednesday Evening 2/2/2011 (We Think)

With The Ice Storm Warning In Effect For Wednesday Morning We're Going To Play It Safe.

We Are Canceling The Morning Classes While We See What The Weather Brings.

 

We Are Planning To Be Open At 4:00pm With The Regularly Scheduled Evening Classes.

 
Keep An Eye Out For An Update Or Call Ahead If The Weather Seems Questionable.

~ Happy Shoveling & Stay Safe ~

 

What's in a Name?

Recently the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) filed a petition with the FDA to change the name of High Fructose Corn Syrup. After the New York Times published an article in the Health section followed by an endorsement editorial, Steve felt the need, once again, to write a letter to the editor. 

 

You see, the foundation of the CRA's argument is misinformation. They claim the public is mis-informed and clearly confused about what the sweetener is. Because of this apparent confusion consumers are avoiding the ingredient causing the price to fall to a twenty year low. The reality is that the public knows enough about it to make a decision. Wisely, the public is choosing to avoid this food additive and because of this food producers are avoiding it as well. The bottom line is this is the last ditch effort by the CRA to revive HFCS sales by tricking consumers by using a different name. 

 

The following is the letter Steve sent to the New York Times:

Re: An –Ose is an –Ose

A letter to the editor of the New York Times. 

I’m writing to address an editorial published in your paper on September 16, 2010, on page A32 of the New York edition.  The editorial titled An –Ose is an –Ose brings awareness to the public that the Corn Refiners Association is petitioning the FDA to change the name of High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) to Corn Sugar claiming the inclusion of “High-Fructose” is misleading. I believe publishing an editorial regarding this petition is beneficial in creating dialog of the issue, however the benefit you provide ends there.

The remaining information in this editorial is as misleading as the information and marketing efforts provided by the Corn Refiners Association (CRA). The term “high-fructose” was added when this new substance was formulated in the 1960’s to distinguish the difference between it and regular corn syrup. Corn syrup is 100% glucose derived from corn. By processing corn syrup using enzymes and other methods a new substance is created that has a higher sweetness taste factor than ordinary corn syrup with the same number of calories. This is achieved by converting some of the glucose in corn syrup into fructose, a sweeter but calorically equal type of sugar. This new substance was appropriately named “High-Fructose Corn Syrup” because that is exactly what it is, high fructose content corn syrup. It is accurate to say that it has the same amount of calories as any other sugar just like the commercials point out, however the calories are not the issue. In fact neither is the fructose. The issue is that sucrose, what you see labeled as simply sugar is one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule bound together. HFCS is glucose-fructose syrup comprised of both glucose and fructose molecules that are not bound together. The fact that they are not bound together is the root cause of the very clear, and paramount difference.

The health issue related to HFCS stems from the way the product is composed, not if it comes from corn or fruit, not if it has more calories than sugar, and not if it’s sweeter. The issue is related to how your body processes this product. Once metabolized, HFCS is very similar to sucrose (not the same as the editorial states), but they are not metabolized the same way. There are more processes and systems involved with metabolizing sucrose. These are very important processes and systems that are bypassed when HFCS is consumed. These processes exist because of thousands of years of evolutionary adaptation to food sources. These processes exist in order to keep the body performing optimally and efficiently. Some of these systems regulate insulin production and leptin production. Without these processes we run the risk of hyperglycemia or overeating because our body is no longer producing the signal to tell us to stop. Our body becomes out of balance.

To a food producer turning off the system that tells the body to stop eating is a good thing. Actually it’s a great thing. But to us, the food consumer, it contributes to obesity, the leading cause of diabetes.

The reason the FDA should deny this change is the same reason the CRA is asking for it to begin with. It’s confusing. In our language referring to the food ingredient sugar is a reference to sucrose and only sucrose. In chemistry and biology there are many different types of sugar, but in terms of food labeling, the topic at hand here, the ingredient sugar only means one thing, sucrose. Cane sugar and beet sugar can be labeled specifically or generally as sugar because they are both sucrose. To re-label HFCS as corn sugar is misleading solely because it is not sucrose, even if it is equal parts glucose and fructose. If HFCS was sucrose, a disaccharide of glucose and fructose, it wouldn’t have to be labeled as corn sugar, it would simply be sugar.

All other chemical compositions of sugar are depicted accurately on food labels so they won’t be confused with what we recognize as sugar. These include fructose, lactose, maltose, dextrose, galactose, and many more. It is not common to see sucrose listed as an ingredient, because for generations it has simply been labeled as sugar.

Your endorsement of the proposed name change makes no sense at all. Whether it is called HFCS or corn sugar, consumers know that sugar has been added to their food. Calling it corn sugar is misleading the public into thinking the ingredient is sucrose, something it is not.

The CRA is splitting hairs in an effort to get the FDA to make a ruling that will cause more confusion in food labeling. If HFCS was the sugar instead of a sugar we would call it sugar, but it isn’t, so we don’t. The FDA should recognize this difference between science and language because all sugars are not the same, and every –ose is most certainly NOT the same as every other –ose. 

 

Our equipment is the exclusive provider to The Biggest Loser Families!

We are proud to announce 

that "Star Trac" has joined 

The Biggest Loser Families 

as their exclusive fitness product provider!

Evolution Health & Fitness carries a large line of both 

cardiovascular equipment & strength equipment from Star Trac.

Come see for yourself why BOTH 

NBC and Evolution chose this top quality line 

of fitness equipment!

© 2008 Star Trac. All rights reserved. Star Trac and the Star Trac logo are registered trademarks of Unisen, Inc. SPIN®, Spinning®, Spinner®, Spin Fitness™ and the Spinning logo are registered trademarks of Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc.

FALL Group Schedules now available!

Check out our new Group Fitness & Group Cycling Schedules effective Monday, September 8th. We have some new formats, some old ones & some instructors who have moved around to add a fresh perspective!

More Chloe Pics!

She sleeps...

Noah's beginning to realize how awesome it's going to be to have a little sister to blame stuff on!!!

The proud men of the family...

Do they get any cuter than this?????????? omg.

Amanda had a baby girl!

"Chloe Dana Wells"
was born on Saturday morning,
August 9, 2008 at 4:52am.

She's a healthy 7lbs, 11oz & 20 inches long!

Mommy & baby are doing great & will be home from the hospital by monday, the 11th.

Let's Welcome Evolution Health & Fitness to Wanaque's New Haskell Towne Center!

At last – a coed fitness center is opening in the Wanaque-Haskell area, and I think you're going to love what I have to offer!

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Dana Chapman, the owner of Evolution Health & Fitness. Welcome to my blog! If you want to learn more about my exciting new "boutique" gym (boutique?), on or around October 15th our web site will be up and running, so in a couple weeks just take a moment to visit us at www.everybodyevolves.com. In the meantime, if you want to learn a little about me and my fitness philosophy - and more importantly, if you have any comments, questions or suggestions - please use my blog, tell your friends, and let's get a dialogue going!

Evolution Health & Fitness (let's try EH&F for short) is slated to open its doors February 2008. It'll be conveniently located on the third floor of the new and bustling Haskell Towne Center, on the corner of Ringwood Avenue and Doty Road. I'm really excited about the location, 'cuz I think people are going to really enjoy access to not only my gym, but the other great establishments sharing the building - there's gonna be sushi in there, and a dance studio - how perfect for gym-goers! Oh, and not to mention a doctor's office. Also good for gym-goers, but I'm not going to go there right now...

Anyway, I'm psyched to be part of the new Haskell Towne Center and I'm looking forward to meeting you, as well as working with the community!

Feel free to send me an email to my personal address, at dana@everybodyevolves.com, or post your questions to this blog.

My blog's new, so the more people begin to use it, the better!