What’s That? – Page 2 – Weight Loss Thailand

June 19, 2013April 21, 2017

Whos That? An Interview With Customer Service Manager Joey Angeles

Originally hired to handle Phuket Fit’s guest relations, Joey was promoted to Customer Service Manager in April of this year. Born in the Philippines to a Thai mother, Joey moved to Thailand almost six years ago. Having previously worked in public relations and the arts, Joey’s knowledge base is wide. She describes her main job duty as making sure that there are way more smiles at camp, then there are frowns. Joey’s favorite exercise is doing pad work with the Muay Thai trainers and her least favorite exercises are pull-ups and running.

How do you spend the average workday at Phuket Fit?

All of us in the office do a little bit of everything. We have specific roles to fill but we all help each other out to ensure a positive guest experience. I spend my mornings responding to Phuket Fit email, fan page questions and forum queries. I send out photographs, testimonials and updates from the camp to our Director of Communication. I also do a bit of graphic design work and help our Front Desk Officers in providing information and assisting them in case of guest grievances. That’s just a few of my duties. You might also recognize my voice on the intercom system announcing upcoming events, fights and fun trips around Phuket.

What did you do prior to working at Phuket Fit?

I used to work for this PR firm in Bangkok and also worked as an Assistant Art Teacher at Ruamrudee International School of Thailand.

How did you first find out about Phuket Fit?

I had just received my degree and was looking to travel before hunting for a job. A good friend of mine suggested going to a Muay Thai Camp. I searched online for camps and saw Phuket Fit’s website. I thought it was the best one since it not only offered Muay Thai but also Fitness Classes. I can honestly say that it was a life changing experience. I’ve attained a great level of fitness and have made lifelong friends.

What kind of questions do you frequently get from guests?

“Will I really lose weight here?” and the answer is definitely yes! I have seen it happen so many times and that’s what makes the job so gratifying. I love seeing our guests reach their goals whether it is losing weight or learning a new sport. I’ve seen guest start with almost nothing and transform to something really great. They become more optimistic and confident.

What do you think surprises guests the most once they get to Phuket Fit?

How big the camp is, but also how supportive everyone is of each other. First time guests also get a bit intimidated by the number of fit and “ripped” individuals in camp, but they all had to start somewhere. It shouldn’t intimidate you, because it should inspire you!

What advice would you give someone whos preparing to train at Phuket Fit?

You have to really want it… the positive change. A proper mental attitude is more important than just having the physical capacity to do things.

Have any weight loss tips that youd like to share for people struggling with weight loss?

There’s a reason why a cheat day is not in the plural form “cheat days”. Eat right and get good food in you. Diet plays a key role in weight loss.

Whats one mistake you see people make when trying to lose weight while at Phuket Fit?

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Some people will over-train and then eat high-calorie meals. Calories are the basic unit of energy and it is essential to maintain the bodys vital functions by getting nutrition from the right sources. It’s not hard to figure out the difference between a cheat meal and a healthy meal.

Do you have any other advice for someone who might be looking at TMT for fitness or weight loss?

You have to take the leap. Help yourself and we will help you. Invest your time at Phuket Fit and we will give you the best return on your investment. A healthier you and a whole lot of fun!

May 29, 2013April 25, 2017

Whats That? Big Buddha Run At Phuket Fit

Phuket Fit offers the Big Buddha run every Tuesday, as part of its daily body fit classes. Guests meet in front of Phuket Fit’s office at 8:30 AM and are transported to the base of Big Buddha to begin the hike. The only equipment you need for the Big Buddha hike is a sturdy pair of trainers and a bottle of water. Phuket Fit’s body fit instructor, Ocean Bloom, explains the Big Buddha run below.

What is Big Buddha?

Big Buddha is one of Phuket’s most important and revered landmarks. It’s a large Buddha marble statue that sits on the highest point in Phuket. It’s a steep 4KM hike from the base of the hill, where we begin our Buddha run. The workout is about an hour long and we use the hike to do intervals, power walks, and exercises along the way. It’s an all-levels class, so it can be done as a race for time or it can be used as an hour of cardio introduction.

It takes most people about an hour?

Walking at a steady pace takes about one hour. If you are an elite athlete, you could do it in as short as 21 minutes. That’s the record for the fastest time and that is running the entire distance uphill.

Is it challenging?

Yes. Life is challenging and so are our workouts. However, it’s all about the approach you take to it. Because we go as a large group, there’s safety in numbers and a tremendous amount of supportiveness. People are hiking at all different fitness levels. There are elite athletes that can train together during the workout, and there are a lot of guests who come in with a very limited fitness background. We try to team up similar experience levels to go through it together.

Is it the same workout every week?

We change the workout slightly each week. Often we will combine interval training or strength exercises during the hike. Some weeks we drag tires up with us. Some weeks we just get to the top as quickly as possible and then do a circuit. It’s slightly different each week.

Do you have to drag a tire by yourself?

Some experienced athletes choose to drag a tire by themselves, but most guests are placed into groups of three, so they can share dragging the tire up the hill. It’s a great teambuilding exercise and can be a great tool to motivate yourself, when you have teammates rooting you on. It’s great to train with a tire, because then when you come back without a tire, you’ll find that you’ve increased your speed up the hill.

Will someone be there if I get tired or injured?

We always team up and stay together. We have an assistant on a scooter constantly monitoring the group and checking in with people to make sure they’re hydrated and that they’re not pushing themselves past their ability. We get everyone up the hill.

What can you see on your way up to Big Buddha?

What make this training session so exciting and different is the amount of wildlife and nature that you see along the way. It truly is a journey. Each time you do it you will see new things. Elephants, monkeys, butterflies, birds, lizards, and more. Even the weather can be exciting. Along the way there are also spectacular viewpoints overlooking Phuket.

Would you recommend the Big Buddha run for someone trying to lose weight?

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Because it’s an hour-long cardio session, it’s a great way to burn fat. It’s also great because of the varying terrain. It goes from totally flat to very steep. There are places to walk, jog and run. You’ll be working all the muscle groups of the body. It’s one of the best ways to strip off unwanted fat. Plus, because we go up in a large group, you are definitely motivated to push yourself harder than you ordinarily might. People are often surprised by just how fast they make it up the hill.

May 10, 2013April 21, 2017

Whats That? Yoga Classes At Phuket Fit

Phuket Fit offers daily yoga classes Monday-Friday from 7:00AM-8:00AM. As an added bonus, evening yoga classes are available every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00PM to 7:00PM. A private sunset yoga class is also available on Friday evenings. Additional details and information on signing up for that special offering can be found in the TMT office. Students are not required to provide any equipment, but useful equipment to bring includes a yoga strap, a personal yoga mat, a bottle of water and a hand towel. Phuket Fit’s yoga instructor, Ocean Bloom, explains her classes and philosophy below.

What kind of yoga do you teach?

It’s a mix of styles. Its foundation is Ashtanga Yoga, so power flow. Because we have such a variety of guests, from beginners who have never done yoga to some really experienced yogis, we have many options from basic postures to advanced. But it’s definitely a power flow class.

How do classes begin?

Monday through Friday, our classes start at 7 A.M. I like to keep the space quiet in the morning. Create an opportunity for the guests to slow down, enjoy being at the camp while there isn’t screaming and punching. Chaos can be good for high energy, but it’s hard for the nervous system to be in that state of fight or flight all the time. It’s helpful to start the day off with yoga in a quiet peaceful space.

And once the class starts?

We begin in savasana, dead body pose, for a few minutes practicing some breathing exercises and short meditation periods. It’s the foundation for the beginning of the class. Then often I’ll ask what the guests need and how they’re feeling. If guests have particularly tight hips that day or stiff necks, then I’ll adjust the class to address it. Even though I come in with a plan and a sequence I’m going to teach, I’m open to changing the class. Many of the students are training anywhere from three to six hours a day and it’s important to take that into account.

Where does class go from there?

We move from practicing breathing exercises (pranayama) to sun salutations that heat up the body and connect to the breath. Then we move into balancing poses, arm balances, deep hip openings, and other movements that challenge the body. These are all movements that need to be performed once the body is warm. Really, I have no expectations of the guests. I’m happy if people come and lay on the mats for half the class, just being able to slow down. Some people never really take time to just relax and be still, so I’m happy to provide that space. I’ve had many guests write me and tell me this was the only hour in the day where their mind wasn’t going crazy.

What is the difference between the morning and evening classes?

It’s a different vibe doing yoga outside first thing in the morning. It’s a good way to start the day, to set an intention and goals for the day and to work out any stiffness to warm yourself up for what you’re about to do. The evening classes are inside Phuket Fit’s MMA room and it’s quite hot. I turn off the lights and the AC, so it’s a littler darker and you sweat a little more. It’s at the end of the day so it can be a really beautiful way to come down and relax yourself for a good sleep.

What about your private Friday sunset yoga class?

This class is about getting out into the elements. We refer to a lot of different elements when were practicing yoga, like sun salutations and moving like the flow of the ocean. I found a really beautiful place on the mountain up to Big Buddha where there’s a lookout point. We practice outside on the earth. You can see the sunset over the ocean. I really feel like it offers all of the elements there. Your feet are literally in the dirt and the sun really fills your soul.

Do you get a lot of students without a prior background in yoga?

I would say the classes are ninety percent beginners. It surprises and excites me every day when I ask how many new students have never done yoga before and three to sometimes five people put up their hand. It’s exciting because there’s a whole other connection to the body that these people can now experience. I think that’s what makes Phuket Fit such a unique and special place. It may seem like an intimidating place at first, but it’s an environment where almost everyone is a beginner in yoga. The goal is just to make yourself feel better in every way. Just showing up, that’s what takes courage. If you arrive in class and stick through it, then you’ve done the hardest part.

Would you recommend yoga for someone trying to lose weight?

One hundred percent! You can’t train hardcore every day, but you can do yoga every day. Even if it’s an intense practice, you can make it gentle for yourself. It’s also highly beneficial for recovery, considering the amount of pressure you put on your body when you’re trying to lose weight. Most people want to see big results in a short period of time. If you’re going to be pushing your body that hard then you also need to take care of it. Slow the nervous system down and find ways to breathe, so you can sleep at night

Best tip for someone just starting yoga?

Breathe. Breathe! I would rather someone come to class, just lay on their mat, breathe and listen to what’s being said rather than to push and struggle through the movements. The breath is everything.

Yoga At Phuket Fit

What would you say to someone reluctant to try yoga?

I think often people say they don’t like yoga, because they try it one time and they don’t feel that they’re good at it. That’s not a good reason to never go back. If it’s a challenge, that should inspire you to get better at it. And it is something you can get better at each session. Learn how to breathe properly. Learn the significance of the cues, why you’re doing what you’re doing. It’s not just to stretch your muscles, but also to make you a happier person both physically and emotionally.