fithiphealthy

HAPPY NEWS! 9 May 2013

We're happy to announce that Lithe Instructor Elizabeth Tomkins is expecting!  Elizabeth is about 16 weeks along, and we're so excited to watch her belly grow.  Congratulations Elizabeth!

Image of Elizabeth Tomkins in Tight End via Lauren   

LITHE IN PHILLY MAG! 7 May 2013

Check out The Cult of Lithe Queen of Hearts feature by Richard Rys in Philadelphia Magazine's May issue.  Kudos to Richard for having the guts to enter our culture (and experience the workout!).  Thank you to our Lithe Instructors Jaime Powers, Kim Sauer, Meg Grauzlis and Tirsa Rivas for enduring an arduous 14 hour shoot and body painting session.  And, thank you to all the Lithers of Philadelphia for shaping Lithe's history, and loving this workout and lifestyle; I'm so honored! 

Images via Philadelphia Magazine and Jonathan Pushnick

SARAH, LISA & KAYLA! 26 Apr 2013

A few of your favorite NYC Instructors will be teaching in Philly this May!  Look out for Sarah, Lisa and Kayla's amazing, high-energy classes on the May schedules (debuting this week).

Images of Kayla, Sarah & Lisa at Lithe Old City via Lauren

25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 24 Apr 2013

If you've been reading my column on Fit Hip Healthy long enough, you're familiar with the term Lithe Stalling--the act of finding any reason to take a quick breather during class. Whether it's taking a sip of water or adjusting your ponytail, it's an art many of us have perfected. If you've ever taken a class with Cheri, however, you won't get the chance! She doesn't mess around, and there is not a moment wasted during her 60 minutes with you. Challenging yourself to work through the transitions without taking a break? She's your gal, and here's a little more about her outside of Lithe:

1. I am about to go back to work full time as a lawyer after being home with my kids for three years - I am incredibly nervous but super excited to get back into the working world.
2. I have a younger sister who is several inches taller than me and blonde.  She is the complete opposite of me in many other ways, too, though we're probably more alike than I think.
3. My favorite movie (and probably the only movie I have watched more than once, I can't stand watching movies I've already seen) is Love Actually.  
4. I majored in psychology at Duke, and never painted my face blue at basketball games (though I did camp out to see games). 
5. I always have at least 2-3 medicated Chapstick lip balms on me and cannot go more than an hour without putting one on. 
6. I have slept with earplugs since my sophomore year in college when my dorm room was across the hall from the girls' bathroom which had a broken door that slammed shut every time someone opened it. Now, I cannot sleep without them; whenever I try, I hear every creak and noise in my house and it completely spooks me. 
7. I am dying to go on an African safari and see Victoria Falls, though I would probably spend most of the trip freaking out and terrified of the animals.
8. I have never had a pet. 
9. I have a serious sweet tooth - my favorites are Runts, Sweettarts, chewy Sweettarts, Nerds and Fundip (but not the stick, just the sugar!)
10. I have to have some form of chocolate at least once a day - usually its a Dove Promises milk chocolate bar or Hershey's Bliss chocolates. 
11. I have so many favorite foods - pizza (my local favorites are Joe's on 16th in Center City and In Riva in East Falls), sushi, lasagna, chicken parm, bolognese sauce, french fries, avocado, cheese, cherries and dried apples. To name just my top 10.  
12. I was a cheerleader in middle school and part of high school and have danced since I was 7.  
13. I am a voracious reader - I can read anything. 
14. I met my boyfriend on JDate! I always forget that he is 11 years older than I am, except when we are talking about some movie/television/or music reference and then we remember we grew up in different decades. 
15. I have two very strange recurring dreams - one,  that I find myself at the end of the college semester about to go into finals and realize that I haven't been to a single class and never even bought any of the textbooks.  In the other, I am driving to my parents' house on Long Island and end up taking an alternate route on a road that is essentially a roller coaster with loops (though my car is obviously not tied down to a track!) and there are breaks in the Verrazano Bridge that my car has to leap over. I find both dreams equally terrifying! 
16. I never exercised until I started Lithing.  Now, I am completely addicted to the endorphins and the rush and love nothing more than working myself physically and mentally as hard as I can for 60 minutes, ending up looking like I took a shower. 
17. I used to be so impatient (think "foot tapper" while waiting in line), but I have completely mellowed in the past several years and love living life this way. 
18. It is incredibly difficult for me to sit still.  Unless I am reading - and then I can completely tune out the world, for better or worse.
19. I was an extraordinarily picky eater for most of my life - think plain spaghetti, white rice, parmesan cheese. Now I have a pretty adventurous palate and love insanely spicy foods, the spicier the better!
20. I was a vegetarian for 7 years, largely motivated by the crush I had on my 9th grade biology teacher. 
21. I am a complete and total spaz - I am always bruised from constantly bumping into walls and poles (even in my own house where I should be familiar with their location!), dropping and breaking glasses, etc.  I know many of you have caught me almost falling off the instructor platform many times. 
22. I love to laugh and am easily amused - it doesn't take much,  and I love corny jokes, the cornier the better.  You know I am laughing really hard if you can't hear it - I have a silent laugh when I really get going. 
23. I hate reality television.  Except for So You Think You Can Dance.  In fact, I pretty much dislike television in general, with the exception of a few shows.  The television is rarely on in my house unless the kids are watching! I'd much rather be reading.
24. I hate talking on the phone and avoid it at all costs. 
25. My kids (Ava, 8.5 and Ben, almost 5) are my world. Ava is so imaginative and creative (she definitely doesn't get that from me) and would do anything in the world for her little brother, despite the fact that he tortures her on a daily basis.  Ben is a crazy little boy, fearless, and such a ham, but so sweet and loving (except when he is torturing his sister!)

Image of Lithe Instructor Cheri Tolin via Dom

BIANCA PALLOTTO! 16 Apr 2013

From: Chicago, IL Favorite City: San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy (it's where her mom's family is from) Favorite Lithe Workout: Spirit Favorite Lithe Exercise: Toe touches on the rebounder & swivel kicks How'd she land a spot on the Lithe team?: Bianca started teaching at Lithe in Fall 2012. She was a college cheerleader, so Lithe was a natural fit for her. Bianca brings a special energy and sunny personality to her classes that makes Lithing that much more fun! Other Job: Remote accounting and bookkeeping for an office in Chicago and helping out a very special family in Chestnut Hill Enjoys: cooking seasonal vegetables, coffee, traveling, red nail polish, green apples, Lithing, handbags, anything leather What you wouldn't know just by looking at her?: She has naturally very curly hair, but straightens it often. She is gluten intolerant. She hasn't had cable in over a year and hardly ever watches TV. She was a D1 college cheerleader at Marquette University, and her favorite coed stunt was a toss up (pardon the pun) between a Bow and Arrow and a Cupie. She doesn't crave sweets, but she loves salty foods, especially cheese! Image of Lithe Instructor Bianca Pallotto wearing Lithe's Performance Bra & "Leather" Leggings via Dom

LITHE INSTRUCTOR AUDITIONS! 10 Apr 2013

Lithe is searching for Philadelphia & Main Line Instructors!  Become part of a unique, innovative workout and a growing team leading the industry in health and fitness.  We're looking for spirited, outgoing women with proficient dance, cheerleading and/or fitness background. 

Bring it: Saturday, May 11th, 2013 1:30-3:30PM at Lithe Old City.  Please email your head-shot (any picture will do) and current work resume to Melissa@lithemethod.com to receive audition info.  

Images of Lauren Boggi Goldenberg, Lithers, Lithe Instructors, Lithe Foods & Lithe Wear via Dominic Episcopo, Vogue Magazine, Lucky Magazine,  Nic D'Amico, Stuart Goldenberg & Philadelphia Magazine.

CAT KIERNAN! 8 Apr 2013

From: Teaneck, NJ

Favorite City: New York, NY

Favorite Lithe Workout: Tight End

Favorite Lithe Exercise: Barre Combo Sequences in Action Figure

How'd she land a spot on the Lithe team?: Cat has superior strength, killer form, and a cool, calm grace about her; she is really so lovely to watch. We don't do this much anymore, but we approached her about teaching and are so glad that she decided to audition!

Other Job: Law student at Rutgers University

Enjoys: hanging out with her boyfriend (Matt) and new border collie/lab puppy (Hercules), Lithing, eating out, morning coffee, the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

What you wouldn't know just by looking at her: Cat grew up 5 minutes from NYC and was always taking the bus over after school and in the summers for ballet and modern dance classes.  She continued dancing in college and always dreamed of doing it professionally.  When she decided to head to law school, she thought she was going to have to get used to the gym and lose that great combination of creativity and working out…but she was fortunate enough to move to Philly and find Lithe! Cat majored in political science in college (although she was only a few classes short of a neuroscience second major) and minored in dance. She is currently in her second year of law school.  Cat became EMT certified at 16 years old and found out quickly that (luckily) gory stuff doesn’t bother her.

Image of Lithe Instructor Cat Kiernan wearing Lithe's Ultra Support Performance Bra & Attitude Pants via Dom

LITHE INSTRUCTOR LATERGRAM! 4 Apr 2013

I found this picture on Facebook and I just had to post it.  Did you know that Lithe Instructor Bianca Pallotto was a college cheerleader at Marquette University in Wisconsin?  Check her out in a Toss Up Liberty, which is now illegal (and stay tuned for her bio!)!

2009 Image of Bianca Pallotto & her partner Pat via Facebook

INSTAGRAM ♥... 14 Mar 2013

Lithe Instructor Rachel Dore #beautiful

INSTAGRAM ♥... 13 Mar 2013

I spot Spring inspiration!  Lithe Instructor Meghan Grauzlis #legs #shortshorts