Obsidian Fitness: My Newest Workout

A couple months ago, with the support of my husband, I took the plunge and invested in a new, total body workout called Obsidian Fitness. I had been feeling desperate for something better for a while, even though I had a couple regular workouts I was already doing at home. After my third baby, the extra weight just hadn't melted away like it did the first two times, and for about three years I have been dealing with frequent hip pain.

About the time I despaired of ever finding a workout to address these problems that wouldn't involve a gym membership or terribly expensive equipment, I saw a post on Facebook by the mom of a family I grew up with. Her daughter, Lacey (red shirt), is one of the co-owners of Obsidian Fitness, which had just been launched worldwide as an at-home workout program. After perusing their entire website, I felt hope again and was super excited to try it out. For us (on a teacher's salary of a one-income family) it was an investment, but with the monthly installment plan--which we had never done before--it's reasonable. And, surprisingly, knowing I'm still paying for it pushes me even harder to make sure to get my workout in. I want the money to be worth it, and so far it has been. I love how in 35-50 minutes (depending on the workout) I work all my muscle groups, do strength training, cardio, and stretching, and feel fabulous by the end!

I've been so impressed with this new approach to fitness (particularly the unique side-to-side movements), that I asked Lacey if she would agree to an online interview, which I would post here. She graciously accepted and I thank her for her time and efforts, and for sharing this exercise program with everyone.

Here are my questions and Lacey's responses:


1. What started the idea of Obsidian?

The idea came about because I was a personal trainer and group fitness instructor with my colleague, and friend, Erin Wathen. We taught a program that utilized 4 modules and our groups were closer to 10-15 participants so we had to come up with a way to keep all participants involved. We used the slideboard. Only this slideboard was just a piece of plastic. It quickly became the favorite rotation in the circuit. So much so that it had to be removed because it was taking away from the program I was teaching. Erin and I saw the opportunity, and that is when Obsidian began in a basement with our first ever fabricated boards. Friends and family that joined us absolutely loved the workout, but more importantly, they saw phenomenal results... That is when we knew we were really onto something.

2. How did you get the idea of a workout that includes side-to-side sliding?

We loved Obsidian because clients can work in the frontal plane (side to side) where most all other workouts available are in the sagittal plane (front to back). Learning to be efficient in the frontal plane is great for stabilizing the lumbopelvic hip complex by strengthening the glutes, and it makes you much less likely to sustain an injury. It is also a great compliment to other forms of exercise people love (like running, cycling etc).


3. Have you always enjoyed working out?

Yes. I was an athlete and played basketball and soccer. Working out is my drug of choice.


4. What would you say to someone who exercises regularly but isn't seeing a change in his/her body size/shape?

Working out regularly but not being diligent with nutrition is like flossing without brushing. Nutrition has been said to be 80% of how we look, so it is key in getting the results you want. If you feel you are on point with your nutrition, then [your lack of results] is because your body needs variety and muscle confusion. Without those components it will get bored and hit a plateau. This is another reason to love Obsidian...100's of exercises to give your body a shock every time.

5. What would you say to someone who wants to be healthier but has a hard time fitting exercise into his/her life?

Eating healthy and exercising is never easy. This is true for anything that is going to challenge us and make us better. We like to remind our clients that pain is temporary. The endorphins you get from a great workout will carry you through the hardest day! You will be a better mother/father, friend, employee, you name it! You have to make time for it in your schedule. I see so many clients that use the "it's too expensive" excuse and yet they are traveling and have their kids in all kinds of athletics and other activities. Women have the hardest time telling themselves that they are worth the money and the time and that the better they are to themselves, the better they are to everyone else. What better way to treat yourself everyday than to a fabulous workout. The key is finding something you love to do so it's more of a hobby versus a mundane chore!


6. What is your end goal or hope for Obsidian?

Our goal for Obsidian was to take it to the world... We started with one studio here in Salt Lake. Our classes are full, many with a wait-list. Our testimonials speak volumes. We are now enjoying the opportunity to share it outside of our studio, Dash Fitness, by offering it to clients in the comfort of their own home via our t.v. and web offer. We have had huge international interest as well, and clients at home are also seeing amazing results. We knew we had a great product and it felt selfish not to share it with everyone!

Dinnertime and Balance

"The consideration of family mealtime is important because it is such a great measuring stick to help us determine whether or not we are maintaining balance in our homes.  If parents are spending too much time at work, there is no family meal. If children are overscheduled and parents are spending too much time traveling between other commitments, there is no family meal. If we are too sedentary and watch too much television, or spend too much time on the computer, there is no family meal. In short, when our lives get out of balance, the family meal is usually the first thing to go."

-Lynnae W. Allred
in Piggyback Rides and Slippery Slides: How to Have Fun Raising First-Rate Children

Pumpkin Muffins

I found this recipe on Very Best Baking, and with the modification of whole wheat flour and honey (instead of refined flour and sugar), my family loved these muffins! Yet another tasty dish to make with pumpkin.

Pumpkin Muffins

3 c. whole wheat flour
1 Tb. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. honey
1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin--or use your own homegrown pumpkin puree
4 large eggs
1/2 c. canola oil
1/2 c. water or orange juice (I didn't have orange juice this time, but would love to try it next time)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Paper-line or grease about 24 muffin cups.

Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt in large bowl.

Combine honey, pumpkin, eggs, oil and juice in large mixer bowl; beat until just blended. 

Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture; stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.

BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Store muffins in covered container or resealable plastic bags. These also freeze well.

Safe(r) Cosmetics

Long ago I realized I would eventually need to change something about the cosmetics I use, but it wasn't until recently that I was forced to make the first step. Though I don't use a lot of it, I do use makeup daily, and a couple weeks ago I narrowed down the cause of my aching, irritated eyes to my mascara. I admire those who have given up cosmetics altogether, but I guess I'm not brave enough to do that. (Though if every other woman did, I would give them up in a heartbeat! :)) So I asked a couple friends about it, whom I knew used safer cosmetics, and started doing the research. I knew it would cost me quite a bit more money to make this change, but my eyes were begging for something better.

For years I have preferred Cover Girl's washable waterproof mascara because I loved how easy it was to remove (without adding more chemicals to my daily regimen) yet didn't run if it got wet during the day. However, I wasn't surprised to discover that it has a high toxicity rating. EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database has a really handy search where you can type in your favorite brands of cosmetics (and lotions and other products) and find out what their rating is, from zero (non toxic) on up. My CG mascara receives a 6. No wonder I developed problems with it!

I decided to start my change with Honeybee Gardens' Truly Natural Mascara and just see what I thought. It arrived in the mail a few days ago and so far I am impressed! It really does feel weightless, which I love. And while it's not waterproof, it is paraben free, water-resistant, and work-out proof.

Thus far I am glad I took the plunge and started this effort to lower the toxins in my life. I would love to get your comments on how you made (or are making) this change, and other non- or lower-toxic products you use.

Ham Fried Rice

I first posted this recipe almost three years ago and re-post it now as a family favorite (and with a much-improved picture). My kids love this dish and I love that I can include so many vegetables in it, without them complaining.  It's also another of those delicious, wonderfully versatile recipes that's great on a small budget because you can use whatever you have. And if that doesn't include meat, it's still yummy.

Ham (or Shrimp) Fried Rice

4 c. cooked brown rice
2 large eggs
1 Tb. sesame oil (or canola, but sesame is best)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. canola oil
1 tsp. fresh garlic, minced
2 c. or less diced ham or 3/4 lb. pre-cooked shrimp (I like it diced)
1 c. fresh bean sprouts or other vegetable
1/2 c. frozen peas or other vegetable
1/2 c. green onion, sliced (or other type of onion--which should be cooked with garlic at beginning)
soy sauce, to taste

• Prepare rice.

• Beat eggs with sesame (or other) oil and salt and set aside. (Note, I've tried a couple different oils and sesame oil is far and away the best kind to use for this recipe. It's an investment to buy a bottle, but since so little is used each time, the bottle lasts quite a while.)

• Heat large fry pan or wok over high heat. Add canola oil and garlic (and white onion, if using) and stir-fry 10 seconds.

• Add ham or shrimp (or other meat) and cook 5 min. or until warmed through.

• Add rice and stir-fry 5 min.

• Make a well in center of rice and pour in egg mixture. Cook without stirring for 1 min. Stir eggs into rice mixture.

• Add bean sprouts, peas, and green onions, and stir-fry 5 minutes.

• Drizzle soy sauce over top and stir in until tastes like you want. Serve.

Pumpkin Squares (with honey)

I still have homemade, homegrown pumpkin puree in my freezer from our fall harvest. So when I needed to make a dessert the other day, I opted for something with pumpkin. After searching and comparing online recipes, I opted to most closely follow the recipe at MarthaStewart.com. It called for chocolate chips, which I didn't have, so I used white chocolate chips instead. Modifications are in italics.

Pumpkin Squares

2 c. whole wheat flour

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
5/8 c. honey
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. pumpkin puree
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (I put half this amount of white chocolate chips and it could have used a little more)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13" pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

With an electric mixer, cream butter and honey on medium-high speed until smooth; beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may appear curdled). 

Reduce speed to low, and mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate (or white chocolate) chips.

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake at 350 until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan.

Potato Salad

Since potato salad is one of those more time-intensive salads, I don't make it often. But this time of year, right after Easter, when we've colored lots of hard-boiled eggs, it's a nice addition to dinner. (Source: my Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book, p. 462--modified according to my family's taste.)

Potato Salad
Yield: 12 side-dish servings

6 medium potatoes (2 pounds)
1 1/4 c. mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/2 tsp. salt (preferably Real Salt)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/3 c. chopped onion (1 small)--or diced green onion (adds great color, as well as flavor)
1/2 c. chopped dill pickles
6 hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped

Boil potatoes in skins. Hard boil eggs. Allow both to cool (I like to cook them a day ahead of time when I can).

Peel and cube potatoes. Peel and coarsely chop eggs.

For dressing, in large bowl combine mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper. Stir in onion and pickles. Add potatoes and eggs. Toss lightly to coat. Cover and chill for 6 to 24 hours (not required, but chilling does allow dressing to soak in better and enhance flavors).