Izzy Paskowitz with an autistic child, at Tourmaline State Beach during Surfers Healing Camp

Izzy Paskowitz, a competitive surfer, lives a busy life as an athlete and a father to an autistic child.

The Swell Life, is about  Paskowitz’s, a remarkable family of raising a child with autism.

Unlike the majority of reality television, this show is actually real.

It follows a real family dealing with their very real issues

their teenage daughter moving in with her boyfriend, a husband and

wife struggling to share child-rearing responsibilities, and, of course,

a family struggling to raise a boy with autism.

As you may already know, autism affects roughly 1 in 150 people, worldwide. There are over 2 million people with autism in the United States alone.

Raising a child with autism can be a trying and alienating experience, and this show charts that journey in an honest and un- staged fashion.

The Swell Life will be running this Saturday on the

Oprah Winfrey Network from 12:00 – 5:00 Est

This show has no celebrity faces. I know there are families out there who

want to see their own experiences reflected on television…if they only knew the show was on!

Photo: Courtesy of OWN

Caption:Izzy Paskowitz with an autistic child, at Tourmaline State Beach during Surfers Healing Camp.

Related articles

• How common are seizures among people with autism, and what can help? (autismspeaks.org)
• Autism in the News- 08.04.11 (autismspeaks.org)
• Recognizing the Symptoms of Autism (everydayhealth.com)
• Does a vaccine exist to protect my baby from autism? (zocdoc.com)

Oasis Day Spa offers Valentine Specials to make you and your Valentine look and feel even more special.

Skincare
BE MY VALENTINE SIDE BY SIDE FACIAL – De-stress next to the one you love with this luxurious facial for two. During this total pampering ritual, romantic aromatic oils (your choice of Rose Garden or Chocolate) will fill your senses while you enjoy our customized facial without the irritation of extractions. Paired with scalp massages and foot rubs, your bodies will be left completely relaxed. 60 minutes, $230.
CUPID’S TOUCH FACIAL – Let the soothing touch of our incredibly hydrating organic seaweed mask provide your skin with instant radiance while brightening and toning the skin for a healthy and refreshed complexion. 60 minutes, $130.
RED VELVET SUGAR SCRUB – Indulge on a bed of rose petals while Brown sugar and romantic aromatic oils (your choice of Rose Garden or Chocolate) are combined to gently smooth away dry skin under our European Vichy Showers, leaving your skin velvety soft to touch. 30 minutes, $70.
Waxing
V-DAZZLE YOUR VALENTINE BRAZILIAN – our fabulous Brazilian bikini wax, with a little extra something special…a fabulous Swarovski crystal design application!  Application lasts up to 7 days. $75.  (Swarovski crystal design application is also available when booked with any other service for an additional $10.)
Massage
THE ROMANCE PACKAGE – The ultimate Valentine’s Day treat, this package includes a Side-By-Side Massage and a $120 gift card to Artisanal Bistro (Manhattan) or Red Hat on The River (Westchester) to share a romantic meal with the one you love. $300 (Value $350).
SIDE-BY-SIDE MASSAGE – Enjoy an aromatic Swedish Massage next to the one you love, combining long smooth massage strokes with scented oils (your choice of Rose Garden or Chocolate) to heighten your relaxation and sensory experience. 60 minutes, $230. 90 minutes, $300.
MELTING HEARTS MASSAGE – Melt away aches, pains, stress, and the February chills with this soothing massage.  Heat packs placed on your body will help increase circulation and ease muscle tension increasing the effectiveness of your massage. 60 minutes, $120. 90 minutes, $155
Salon and Nails
PRÊT POUR L’AMOUR PACKAGE – Get ready for love with our great hair styling blow-out and professional French manicure. $65 (Value $88).  (Park Avenue Location only.)
ROSE PEDICURE – Blissfully romantic, this beautiful treatment begins with a bath filled with fresh rose petals and rose fragrance, followed by the ultimate foot scrub with sea salts and botanical nutrients. $65. (Park Avenue and Westchester Locations only.)
Retail
Enjoy a romantic evening at home with selections from our retail boutiques.
Oasis Boca Terry Robe – $50 (Value $60)
Essence of Vali “Passion” Massage and Bath Oil – $16
Aquiesse Soy Candles in Pink Peony and Sandalwood Vanille – $20
GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE IN ANY DENOMINATION.
SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY TREAT – Receive a complimentary glass of Champagne when you have a service on February 14! (Must be 21.)

Oasis on Park
1 Park Avenue
between 32nd & 33rd Streets
212.254.7722
Affinia Dumont Hotel
150 East 34th Street
between Lexington & 3rd Avenues
212.254.7722
Oasis Westchester
50 Livingstone Ave., Dobbs Ferry, NY
Saw Mill River Parkway Exit 16
914.409.1900

www.oasisdayspanyc.com www.oasiswestchester.com

Related articles

• Top Tips for a Valentine’s Day to Remember (prnewswire.com)

Recently, a lot of attention has been buzzing around about cleansing and detoxification. The topic of juice cleansing (BluePrintCleanse, Clean Program, Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox, etc.) and off-the-shelf detox programs are becoming so popular that you probably know at least one person doing such a program. However, before jumping into a detox program, you may want some more information. If so, here are 5 reasons to consider cleansing and detoxification:
Jump Start Weight Loss
There is no better way to jump start a weight loss program than to start with cleansing. By eating healthier foods and cleaning the body, weight loss naturally happens. Once cleansing begins, we naturally think before we put “less than desirable” foods into our bodies.


Lack of Energy
Lack of energy and fatigue is something we confront on a daily basis. Lack of sleep, poor diet and stress contribute to the constant drain on our energy. Many of the foods and beverages we ingest each day are chock full of chemicals, additives and preservatives. As these substances accumulate in the body, our energy is constantly strained. The body is constantly trying to break these substances down. When we cleanse, we start to remove these toxins and energy naturally begins to return.
Clearer Skin
Commonly we try to remedy acne and other skin problems with medications, creams and visits to the doctor. However, the buildup of toxins in the body manifests themselves as an outbreak in the skin. This may take form as acne, rashes and more serious skin inflammations. A full body cleanse offers reduced skin outbreaks and inflammations.
Clean Up from the SAD (Standard American Diet)
When it comes to choosing what to eat and nourishing our bodies, there is a lot of confusion. When we go shopping or try to decide what to eat, we are confronted with countless options. While most of these foods are considered safe, many contain chemicals and additives which buildup in the body and are difficult to breakdown and remove. Detox is an easy way to cleanse the body of these toxins.
Remove Toxins
Our bodies are constantly bombarded by toxins. Toxins are found everywhere – in the environment, our food, our water, cleaning solutions and even our personal care products. Our bodies are in deep overload. It is difficult to break down these toxins and often they are not fully eliminated by our bodies. As we begin to cleanse, we start to remove these toxins and start fresh.
To learn more about cleansing and detoxification programs, contact Elaine at (914) 409-7760 or visit her website at www.evercleancolonics.com or http://evercleancolonics.blogspot.com/

Related articles

• Detox Diet: Pros and Cons (justslimming.com)
• Detox Diet to Cleanse Your System (justslimming.com)
• 47 Blogs About Self Cleansing and Detoxing at Home (medicalinsurance.org)

Related articles

• Top 3 Pilates Tips for Beginners (teachstreet.com)

This journey will give you plenty of opportunities to try new things.

In most cases, there is not just one correct way, but many! Something might work for you and not for others, and vice-versa.

Make sure you make it a learning experience and see what works for you. Stay with your “winners” (what works for YOU) and adjust your “losers” (what doesn’t work for YOU).

Make sure you learn from YOUR experiences, so you won’t make the same mistake in the future!

Some more Weight Loss Tips;

1)      To calculate your daily caloric needs, take your current weight in lbs. and multiply it by 13 (if sedentary), 14 (if active), or 15 (gym regular/exercising every day). The resulting number is the amount of calories it takes, on average, to sustain your current weight. To find your daily caloric need for weight loss, subtract 500 calories from this number. Because a pound of fat equals approximately 3,500 calories, subtracting 500 calories a day for a week will result in a loss of one pound a week.

2)      Aim to burn a minimum of 300 calories per cardio session, five times a week and do whatever you can to maximize your caloric expenditure (turn the parking situation at the club to your advantage and deliberately park by the Holiday Inn). The extra calories you burn add up!

3)      Keep your blood sugar stable with regular “doses” of food. Eat breakfast within one hour of getting up in the morning. Don’t go more than four hours without eating.

4)      Eat protein with every meal and snack. It will help keep you fuller, longer.

5)      Stay away from refined carbs (white flour, sugar, etc.). Whole grains are not only better for your health, they’re also less likely to spike your blood sugar. How to tell if that “whole grain” bread or cereal is really whole grain? Check the nutrition facts panel. You should see at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.

6)      Drink eight, 8-oz. glasses of water every day. A bit of good news: Any liquid counts as water (example: clear soup), unless it’s caffeinated or contains alcohol.

7)      Beware of fats—no matter how healthy. A tablespoon of olive oil has 120 calories and it won’t fill you up.

8)      Although the phrase “fruits and vegetables” rolls of the tongue, the two are not nutritional equivalents. While fruit is good, veggies are better. Non-starchy veggies deliver the fiber and nutrients without the sugar and extra calories of fruit.

9)      Always look for “high volume” food choices. For example, whole oranges instead of orange juice, olives instead of olive oil. You’ll get more food for your calories.

10)    A good diet is one you can stick to for life. If you’re obsessing about food, denying yourself pleasure, or cutting out entire groups of food, you’re setting yourself up for a major fall. Life is too short to give up chocolate : ) Portion control is the answer!

“IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE……….YOU”

For more information about personal training, please contact;

Mervyn Tugendhaft

Assistant Fitness director

Saw Mill Club

Phone: (914) 733-4092

Fax: (914) 241-0683

e-mail: mtugendhaft@sawmillclub.com

Related articles

• Guilty feelings about food not a part of healthy body weight: NetWellness (cleveland.com)
• Getting Fat on Healthy Food? Count Calories to Control Weight (nutrition.suite101.com)
• 1 reviews of Why You Have To Lose Abdominal Fat?? (rateitall.com)

Join Our Sex for Life Web Event Oct. 18th at 8 PM EST/ 5 PM PST

Here is a chance to get the answers you have been looking for! Join  the conversation. 
I’m looking forward to genConnect’s Sex for Life event. Stacyknows a thing or two about sex and relationships so I’m curious to see what will be said that I didn’t know. I will be in live in the audience — where a panel of relationship doctors are addressing the latest studies and questions about sex, hormones, dating, sexual satisfaction and more.
The event will be live-streamed, so you can watch and participate from home. Tune in at 8 pm EST October 18th. Click here to be brought to where the live-streaming will be taking place. Ask questions, share stories and mingle. Submit your questions in the video box or via Twitter (#Sex4Life), genConnect’s Facebook Fan Page, or if you’re shy, you can also email questions to me
  

The University of Texas reported that women ages 27 through 45 not only have more sexual fantasies than women ages 18 through 26 – but more sex!
The study found that as we hit our 30s and 40s, we’re more willing to engage in adventuresome bedroom behaviors to capitalize on our biological clocks while they’re still ticking.
Can sex get better with age? Join our conversation and find out! On Monday, October 18th at 8 pm EST, 5 pm PST, watch our panel of relationship doctors  in a streamed, online video event to ask your questions and get answers on life’s most intimate subject. Click here to enter your email address and be sent a reminder with special offers from genConnect Experts.
One more reason to tune in.  5 chances to win  Core Fusion® DVDs .

Mitochondria are the key sources of youthful vitality and are highly concentrated in the brain, heart and muscles. As we age,the number and efficiency of our mitochondria decline. We can now target and re set these youth gene clusters to promote a more youthful expression pattern.
Vitality will increase your physical stamina, sexual desire and mental sharpness.
******  Vitality will be on sale, Wednesday,October 13th, at The Saw Mill Club.  Tell them Stacyknows sent you.*******
Don’t miss this opportunity.Vitality will not be available to the public until January .
Can’t get to the Sawmill Club. Get in touch with me . I will order Vitality for you . I must have the order by midnight Tuesday  October 12th.

Related articles

• The Libido Diet: Eat Your Way to the Lifetime of Great Sex, Trim Body, and Bountiful Energy (prweb.com)

Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless tragedy)

Hello my girl,
I  wanted to say hi and tell you how much I miss you and that I hope your classes are going well and that you are having fun too.
But I also have to have a mommy moment-  bear with me here.  I won’t take long, and I won’t be saying anything I haven’t already said in one form or another,  but it is important.
You may or may not have heard about the NJ college student who killed himself last week because his room-mate had posted videotape of him having sex with another guy.  A terrible, senseless tragedy.
My mommy job requires that I remind you of two essential things:
One:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.
Two:
Nothing ruins your life forever. NOTHING.
If that young man had only waited a couple of weeks nobody would have cared- he’d have gotten past it.  People have short memories- life would have gotten better, much better.  His parents and friends? They loved him prior to the tape- they would have loved him afterward too.  A few awkward moments and then life goes on.
But when you are young you don’t know that even the awkward moments are fleeting.  On this,  you just have to trust the old people.  Remember when you were really small and cried and cried over something?  Well,  it didn’t last.  That’s kind of what it’s like- awful things happen, you feel like there’s a rock in the pit of your stomach, somehow time goes by and it gets better.  I promise you, it ALWAYS gets better.
The students, a girl and boy, who were involved in the taping and posting– they are being charged with bias crime, invasion of privacy and possibly other things.  Their college life is over.  They will have to live with this death the rest of their lives– and their families are devastated.  What they did was so wrong- but also so kid-stupid.  Not to mention mean. And so their lives will be different forever- but even so- their families will love them and they will have time enough to hopefully live in such a way as to make meaning from their mistake.
So, my beautiful girl,  never, ever think something is unfixable.  NOTHING you do will ever keep us from loving you.  NOTHING you do could be so awful you can’t get past it.
And if someone is mean to you, and it isn’t something you can ignore– seek out people to talk to about it.  Surround yourself with people who are supportive.  If you ever need help and don’t know how to ask- try writing a letter instead.  And right now- before you might need such help- think about who you would talk to if needed.  In the midst of turmoil sometimes we don’t always think as clearly- having a plan makes it easier to find help in crisis.  And remember there are always alternatives. Always.
Finally, don’t be mean.  Don’t let other people be mean.
Stand up for the underdog, protect those who aren’t as smart or confident or easygoing as yourself.
Treat people’s feelings like fragile little puppies- if you play with them- be gentle.
I love you so much and I know you really don’t need me to tell you this stuff…. but it’s my job.
Love and hugs,
Mommy

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tyler Clementi: Bullying Leads to a Tragic Waste (blogcritics.org)
• After two tragic deaths of promising N.J. students, two very different public responses (nj.com)
• Tyler Clementi: empty seat at suicide student’s orchestra debut (telegraph.co.uk)
• Invasion of Privacy or College Prank Gone Wrong (or Both)? What to Do With Tyler Clementi’s Roommate (abovethelaw.com)

AN EPIC EVENING OF ZUMBA FITNESS® MASQUERADE S.T.Y.L.E! WAIT…SO organized group dancing in masks? Can we say “scene straight out of a music video?!” OKAYYYYYY??? FEATHERS, SEQUINS, GLITTER…WE WANT IT ALL!

WEAR YOUR MASK BACKWARDS!!!

This is going to be a laughter-filled, calorie burning evening and if you don’t know the Ansari Entourage you are in for a treat…no tricks;-) Join ZJ Shahidah Ansari, mother Helen and sister Tarajee as they (booty) shake the burbs. DJ S.T.K. (Shaka the King) will be spinning for the duration dropping only the hottest beats to Zumba to and slipping in a few vintage goodies!

ZJ FRIENDS/SPECIAL GUESTS: Colleen Zieser and Sarah Rozek

Saw Mill Club is a BEAUTIFUL facility and NON-MEMBERS are welcome for this event – BE SURE TO “DROP-IN” October 23rd!!!

Commuting in from NYC? Take the Metro-North Southeast train from Grand Central to Mount Kisco, NY.

4:00PM Doors Open, 4:30PM-6:00PM Master Class

Max capacity is 100. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. To purchase visit this link  http://bit.ly/cFuOzJ

Related articles by Zemanta

• Water May Be Secret Weapon in Weight Loss (webmd.com)
• Does Water Help with Losing Weight Finally (losethattyre.co.uk)
• Water Before Meals Boosts Weight Loss (diet-blog.com)

A kiss isn’t always just a kiss when it comes to social protocol. Claire Howorth on the many ways to peck properly.
As summer draws to a close, a certain set is packing up their canvas totes, straw bags, and Louis Vuitton steamers, departing their summer homes, and preparing for September. Now begins the social season: fundraisers, fashion week, red carpet premieres and literary parties. In other words, a lot of meeting and greeting that beg the complicated question of pecking protocol: To kiss or not to kiss? And then, is it to kiss-kiss, or to kiss-kiss-kiss?
The Daily Beast sought out Lizzie Post and a handful of other social pros for authoritative answers.

1. ONCE IS OK, BUT TWICE IS NICE.
Post, who heads her great-grandmother’s Emily Post Institute, said Americans do it less. “A kiss on the cheek just once and it’s done,” she said, but added that some, influenced by Europeans, have begun to bring two into popular use.
Power publicist Lorenzo Martone, (and former boyfriend of designer Marc Jacobs), said it’s a judgment call. “I try to read the person’s energy—in a split second—before making that decision.” He, too, believes that geography matters. “I was born in Brazil so I always have the excuse for going ahead and kissing the other person—clichés of a culture. And always twice—the chic and sexy people I know always kiss twice.”
For some, only thrice will suffice. “I’ve always found that the European triple-cheek kiss is my preferred method for everyone, but very close friends and lovers,” said Brooke Geahan, a Manhattan girl-about-town who founded the Accompanied Library Society. The “warmth” and “sustained contact” of three kisses “gives one a chance to remember the person’s name as well as recollect where you saw them last.”
Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker exchange kisses after Brezhnev was honored with the title “Hero of the German Democratic Republik” and the “Karl Marx Medal”. Credit: Helmuth Lohmann / AP Photo2. SPACE ON THE FACE? CHEEK NEVER MOUTH.
A brush of lips to cheek is an acceptable greeting around the world—even among Communist leaders.
“The right place to kiss is a little ways off the corner of the mouth, to where the face begins to round out,” said Post.
“Never mouth-kiss—no way,” warned Lisa Eisner, the Los Angeles photographer and socialite. She prefers the single kiss. “But I used to live in France so sometimes I forget, and then it gets messy.”
The “lip-slip” is certainly confusing.
Neel Shah, a writer on NBC’s upcoming sitcom,Friends With Benefits, said that, on several occasions recently, he has been on the receiving end of “a closed-mouth, lip-to-lip kiss.” As he said: “It’s thrown me every time it’s happened.”
“L.A. seems to me to have a much more lax greeting-kiss-culture than does New York,” said Neel Shah, who spent five years doing “the ‘double kiss hello’” at NYC cocktail parties.
3. STAY TO THE RIGHT
In New York, greeting and kissing has lately become very perplexing. “It’s become sort of Euro with two kisses – right cheek first, then left,” said Marjorie Gubelmann, founder of Vie Luxe, and a Manhattan social fixture. “Sometimes people do left then right…so you have this awkward moment where you almost kiss on the lips.”
The way to go? Right side first—just remember, it’s the same side as a handshake.
4. HUGS ARE JUST FOR FRIENDS.
Hugging, on the other hand, should be saved for friends only.
“A hug is more intimate because you’re inviting someone completely into your personal space,” said Post.
“I only hug people I really feel like hugging,” agreed Martone. “For acquaintances, a handshake will do.”
5. TURN THE OTHER CHEEK
And then there are moments that call for no touching or smooching.
“Refrain from kissing and hugging in more serious business situations, or if it’s your first time meeting someone,” said Post. A handshake does the trick, She added.
6. WHEN IN ROME…
…do as Martone does. The publicist doesn’t change his style according to location. “I carry my protocol with me everywhere I go,” he said. “Unless I’m meeting the queen, I won’t change my kissing.”
Shah, for his part, has been thrown by how differently people greet on the coasts. “L.A. seems to me to have a much more lax greeting-kiss-culture than does New York,” said Shah, who spent five years doing “the ‘double kiss hello’” at NYC cocktail parties. But when he attempted to do the same out west, he encountered “awkward nose bumping.”
And then there are the contrarians.
“I do the double-cheek to girls, especially square American ones who act a little shocked,” said John Taki Theodoracopolus, a Brooklyn-based artist. “If you’re in a room full of Euros, and even the dudes are kissing each other, it can also be fun to go shake the prettiest girl’s hand.”
7. THE KISS-OFF
Do make sure there’s physical contact. Kissing thin air is not comme il faut, especially among Europeans.
“Air kisses look and feel disingenuous,” said Post.
8. UNLESS YOU’RE SICK
That rule, however, carries a health warning. If you’re in the throes of swine flu, or you’ve got a cold, by all means kiss just the air.
Eisner, who lives in a city obsessed with health, has noticed that people have gotten quite germ-phobic. “Now [they] don’t kiss or hug, but do a knuckle-clunk.”
9. PREEMPTING PECKING
There may be times when you don’t want to greet others as intimately as they’d like to greet you. “Quickly extend [your] hand to start the process immediately, before the other person has a chance to kiss,” advised Post.
“Social kissing is the bane of my existence,” complained Taki Theodoracopolus, the Greek shipping heir, gossip columnist and father of John Taki. “Old women with pulled faces seem to indulge in social kissing to the extreme. The only time it’s acceptable is when it takes place among the young. Otherwise the halitosis of the old, their extreme make up and the heavy jewels they wear on their tired ears, get in the way. Old people should bow to each other and keep physical contact to a minimum.”
Eisner has had her share of uncomfortable moments. “It’s always weird when women have bad boob jobs and they like to kiss and hug, and their boobs are hard,” she said, adding that encounters with men can be equally bad, like when “you feel a little penis action.”
10. AND BE PREPARED TO FAIL
It’s awkward but just remember, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last.
Claire Howorth is the Arts editor at The Daily Beast.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tips on How to be a Good Kisser (socyberty.com)

BALLET CELEBS LAUNCH CaleCo BALLET STUDIO IN WESTCHESTER FOR KIDS AGES 3 to TEEN
Maria Calegari and Bart Cook, World-Famous Dancers & Instructors, Offer Aspiring Dancers Classical Training with a Competitive Edge  Maria Calegari and Bart Cook, legendary former principal dancers of the NYC Ballet, are announcing that they are bringing their high caliber training methods, enthusiasm and experience to a new venture, CaleCo Ballet Studio, opening Tuesday, September 14, at Union Hall, 2 Keeler Lane, North Salem, NY.
“We understand what our older students and pre-professionals need because we have taught in so many companies and schools,” Maria said. “We adapt to teaching younger students by breaking down what we have learned, with creativity and imagination, with story, play and performance.  We hope to create a unique and personalized environment.”
Maria and Bart continue to coach professional companies in the U.S. and internationally in the works of famous choreographers George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.
In-house demonstrations open to students’ families and friends will be scheduled throughout the year, as well as a spring 2011 performance.  Details will be posted on Caleco’s website: www.CaleCoballetstudio.com along with a full schedule of classes.
Please contact Amy Gagnon, CaleCo Program Coordinator, for additional information, 845-519-8858.

Website: www.CaleCoballetstudio.com

Complete Nutrition has opened in the center of Bedford Hills, across from the train station.  The store offers the latest nutritional supplements, hand picked by owners Fred Bartasek and Douglas Sedlmair.  They offer Major Brands such as New Chapter, Solgar, Country Life and Natures Purest just to name a few all at discounted prices. They have a protein smoothie bar featuring City Blends smoothies as well as some of the best tasting bars out there not to mention they are also good for you. They are always adding items to the store such as last month they brought in the line of Dr Hauschka skin care. The store is always updating. Fred and Doug have a combined 20 years experience in the health and fitness field not to mention they are both master level personal trainers. Bonnie LaRaus rounds out the team as a certified holistic couselor. The staff members at Complete Nutrition offer a high level of knowledge and service. The combination of nutritonal counseling incorporating supplements and training can make you feel better, look better, and perform better. Complete Nutrition for you and your family.

***Mention Stacyknows and Save 10%*********

Now, if you’ve read any of my blog over at www.DaveSoucy.com, you know I don’t believe in quick fixes, fad diets, gimmicks, pills, etc.  So if you’re looking for that, well, sorry to disappoint.  But, I will give you some tips that will not only get you started on the road to long term fitness, but also give you the best jumpstart possible on bikini season.

So, if you want to make the most of your bikini unveiling, here’s what you need to do, starting today.

1- Stop eating crap.  That is always #1.  If you want a bikini body, and aren’t one of those genetically-gifted bitches who can eat anything and never gain a pound, then you need to clean up your diet.  That means your calories should come from fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, etc.).  You want to be in a bikini? Stop eating overly processed junk food today.  That includes bagels, cookies, candy, cake, cereal, most bread, soda, pasta, frozen meals, pizza, etc.

You get the idea.  No more processed junk.  If the first ingredient is enriched flour (bleached flour, unbleached flour, wheat flour, any sort of enriched flour) throw it away.

Stop eating foods that are filled with added sugar (sugar, cane sugar, beet sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, molasses, brown sugar, etc.).   Read the ingredients on your foods.  You’ll be surprised how much sugar there is in foods you might think are healthy.  Want a good example? Check out just about any of the commercial fruit flavored yogurts out there.  You may as well eat a candy bar if you’re going to eat that junk.

Bottom line: buy fewer foods that contain dozens of ingredients, and buy more foods that ARE ingredients.

2- Stop drinking your calories.  Those Frankenchinomochalattes everyone loves pack more calories and fat than a Big Mac.  If you want a Big Ass, just keep drinking those things.  Also cut out soda, juice drinks, beer, etc.

You should be drinking water, water, and more water.  If you need a cup of coffee in the morning (I have two, thank you very much), go for it.  Want a glass of red wine on Saturday night? Have at it.  But do your best to stick with water or green tea the rest of the time.

3- You do need to create a calorie deficit, or burn more calories than you take in.  That doesn’t mean starve yourself.  You should aim to eat three meals a day along with a couple of small, healthy snacks.  See #1 for what you should be eating, and help create that caloric deficit with a good exercise program.  Keep reading…

4- Make the most of your exercise program.  Going for a walk on the treadmill while reading People or watching Dr. Oz is never, I repeat NEVER, going to give you a bikini body.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s better for you than laying around on the couch, but if you want a flat stomach and an ass and legs you can be proud of, low intensity cardio sessions simply won’t get it done.

You’ll be much better off following a program that incorporates resistance training (metabolic circuits, supersets, etc.) using compound movements to achieve a full body workout, along with cardio intervals.  Try for three days of resistance training along with two days of cardio intervals per week.

And, if you have no idea what the hell I just said in the last paragraph, check out www.BodyTransformationCourse.com.

5- And finally, realize that these changes aren’t something you can give up on once Labor Day rolls around.  Stop exercising and go back to the Frankenchinomochalattes, and you’ll lose all the progress you’ve made and will never fit in that little black dress you’ll want to wear on New Year’s Eve.

Like I said, I’m not about quick fixes.  I believe most diets out there suck, and we all just need to learn to eat better and exercise regularly, and do it for the rest of our lives.  If people would focus on being healthy, instead of focusing on being thin, we’d all be better off.  And you know what? If you focus on being healthy, I bet thin will come.

Have a great summer!

~Dave

Dave Soucy is a body transformation coach, instructor, author, head fitness guy and owner of Perfect Fit Fitness Bootcamps, former corporate desk jockey and former fat guy. He’s certified as a Personal Trainer through both the American Council on Exercise and the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and as a Food Psychology Coach through the Spencer Institute. That and about $7 can get him a coffee at Starbucks. Get all the dirt on Dave by visiting his blog at http://www.DaveSoucy.com

Main Beach

Cyril’s is what it is. If you want to keep the party going after the beach in a chill out door setting  between 4 and 7 its an awesome option.  Cyril’s is a great, fun place to swing into while in Amagansett.     You can’t have a more perfect drink while there than the Bailey’s Banana Colada (BBC) or a Mudslide.    The crowd is a fun one too, not pretentious and usually good spirited.  I’ve never really had a problem with meeting new and interesting people while there.  Hey, one more thing, they don’t accept credit cards, so pack accordingly.

 Round Swamp Farm

The best farm stand in “The Hamptons” .  Family owned.  The best shrimp, berries and baked goods I have ever tasted.
The fruit is fresh, juicy and not to mention local. The baked good are baked on the premises. There is a slew of ready to eat food such as roasted chicken, barbecued ribs, a wide variety of roasted vegetables, to name a few. The guacamole will knock your socks off.Don’t forget to visit Round Swamp Farm on Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton. They have delicious baked goods as well as fresh fish and fruit. Its a country market filled with delicacies fresh from the farm.

The Palm 
Memorial Day Weekend wouldn’t be complete without  a Martini made by Doug,a kiss from Tomas , a  NY Strip cooked rare, creamed spinach, and a slice of creamy cheese cake.

Why am I excited to get back to exhale spa? 1. I need a dose of positive energy. 2. I feel better when I take care of my body + soul. 3. I always feel + look my best when I go to class on a regularly. 4. With all of my stress in life, exhale balances me + shifts my energy.

Navy Beach
16 Navy Road, Montauk
From four fabulous Italians comes a chic new Montauk spot—trust me. Live music and fresh seafood in a beach-house atmosphere every Saturday night at Montauk’s newest family restaurant. And the best part about Montauk? You can eat on the beach.

East Hampton Point
There’s a time for eggs Benedict and there’s a time for magnums of prosecco with sparklers raining down on Belgian waffles. When the afternoon calls for the latter, this is your spot. Some call it a pre-party. Others call it recovery from the night before.  Saturdays, 2pm, Day & Night, East Hampton Point, 295 Three Mile Harbor Rd, East Hampton 631-329-2800

FREE INTRO TO CYCLE CLASSES, PILATES, UNIQUE GROUP FITNESS CLASSES, BOOTCAMPS, ALL LEVELS OF TRX CLASSES

OK, here’s the deal: You’ll need to budget an entire day to play this course, as it is located at the furthest point east on Long Island and takes an eternity to get to. If you drive into the Atlantic Ocean, you’ve gone to far, but not by much.Your reward for the lengthy jaunt along Route 27 is one of the most scenic and fun, not to mention challenging, courses imaginable.
The course is tucked on piece of land between the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, meaning wind. Lots of it, all the time.Montauk Downs is annually rated in Golf Digest as one of the top 50 public golf courses in the country. The signature hole? Just about all of them