Get social on the road to health

Social media, on the rise everywhere, has also invaded the fitness industry, and with pleasant results. Researchers are finding that the popularity of fitness-related social media and games are helping participants connect with others and improve their health.

An article from US News talks about some of the popular options for friendly virtual competition, including OptumizeMe and Keas. Read the full article here.

Watch out for text neck

We've known for awhile that technology, while giving us a variety of conveniences, also brings with it a variety of problems. The website Mental Floss highlights some of these latest problems including:

• Text Neck--looking down at a mobile device for long periods of time can result in alignment issues, pain and numbness.
• Ear Bud Oblivion--pedestrian accidents have tripled since 2006 according to a University of Maryland Medical School study. One of the culprits might be ear buds. These little headphones prevent pedestrians from hearing oncoming cars.
• iPad Shoulder--similar to text neck, hunching over an iPad or other tablet to watch television and movies or read a book, can result in pain and numbness.

For the full list, view the Mental Floss article.

BC finalist in Parent Map Golden Teddy Awards

The Bellevue Club is honored to be among the finalists for a "Gym with Child Care" in Parent Map's Golden Teddy Awards, which are chosen from a survey of more than 6,000 ParentMap readers and users.

Check out all the finalists, and winners, here.

MIHS at the Rose Bowl

Mercer Island High School made the trip to Pasadena, Calif., earlier this month to march in the Rose Bowl Parade. In case you missed it, video is below. Congrats to MIHS for a job well done!

Cabin fever? Come to the Club!

Today:
Complimentary Story Time
Ages 3-5, siblings are also welcome
Starts at 2 p.m.
Join Jill Clark, Youth Programs Coordinator, for a complimentary story time! Kids, bring your parents and come ready to have fun. Parent or caregiver must attend with children and are encouraged to participate.

Complimentary Open Climb
Ages 4 and up
1-4 p.m.
Bring your children to explore our traverse wall in the Kids' Camp Room. This is unsupervised, so parents or caregivers must accompany their children, making sure all posted rules are followed.

Kids' Night Out: Chinese New Year
Ages 3-10
6-9 p.m.
Children ages 3 (if potty-trained) to 10 will enjoy themed games, art projects, music and dinner in the Kids' Camp Room, ending the evening with swimming in the indoor pool. Please pack a swimsuit for your child. Parents receive a certificate valid for $25 off dinner for two in Polaris with reservations the night of the event!
$33/member, register online or call 425-688-3177. Polaris reservations can be made at 425-637-4608.

Saturday:
Basketball Level 1
Average player age is 5-6 years
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday is a free basketball class demo day! Try it out for free! The first 10 to email recreation@bellevueclub.com may try out this class for free.

Basketball Level 2

Average player age is 7-8 years

10:30-11:30 a.m.

Saturday is a free basketball class demo day! Try it out for free! The first 10 to email recreation@bellevueclub.com may try out this class for free.

Kids' Camp

Ages 3-6

9:30-11 a.m., until noon with open swim

Have fun with arts and crafts, activities, story time and more. Bring a swimsuit for open swim. If you'd like a shorter stay without swimming, choose Kids' Camp Express. All snacks are provided. Registrants must be able to use the toilet and change in and out of their swimsuits independently. 

Kids' Camp Express (no swimming) ends at 11 a.m. and is $11.75/member.

Kids' Camp (with swimming) ends at noon and is $14.75/member.

Register online or call 425-688-3177.

Keeping pets safe

During these past few chilly, snowy days you make sure to bundle kids and yourself, but what about your pets? ASPCA lists cold weather tips for companion animals on their website. Among their tips:

• Keep cats inside. If you do have outdoor cats in your neighborhood, bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting it--cats will often climb under hoods to stay warm and can be injured or killed when the car is started.
• Let your dog's fur be a bit longer in the winter to keep him warm. If you have a short-haired breed, consider buying a sweater or jacket to keep the dog warm.
• Things like anifreeze and coolant are poisonous to pets. Keep them away from these products, clean up any spills, and make sure to clean paws, stomachs and legs after coming in from walks.
• Don't leave your pet alone in the car during cold weather.

For the rest of the ASPCA's suggestions, click here.

Today only: Spa specials!

Get out of the cold and relax at the Club's Spa! Today (Jan. 19) only, take advantage of these specials:

Massage:

50 Minute Massage $59.00 ($11 savings)

Skin Care:

Vitamin C Facial: $99.00 ($36 savings)

Nails:

Essential Manicure: $25.00 ($5 savings)

Express Pedicure: $30.00 ($5 savings)

Call the Spa at 425-688-3114 to make your appointment.

Snow day!

Bellevue Club employees share photos snapped around the property on this snowy day.

There is plenty of space to play in the gym today! 

Stop by for a visit--we are open! Want to know if your favorite activity is happening? Visit bellevueclub.com/weatherinfo for the latest announcements. We look forward to seeing you!

New trend for the New Year: Zumba

Been dancing for awhile? You're ahead of the trend.

Zumba, a cardio-dance class, has been named as one of the predicted fitness trends for 2012. The trends were selected through a survey of 2,620 fitness professionals by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Coming in ninth on the list, this class has been at the Bellevue Club for awhile. If you haven't taken it before, stop by for Zumba on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. \or Zumba Gold Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Both classes are held in the gym and taught by our wonderful, high-energy instructor, Lynelle.

For more on the top fitness trends of 2012, click here.

Wellness speaker series continues with Dr. John Tudela

Tomorrow night at 7 p.m. the Wellness at the Bellevue Club speaker series continues with Dr. John Tudela giving an update on the obesity epidemic.

Dr. Tudela is an internal medicine physician with an interest in preventative and aerospace medicine. He is originally from the island of Saipan, and enjoys traveling, the beach, the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He also serves as a reserve flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force.

The talk is $10 per person. To register, call 425-688-3172 or email wellness@bellevueclub.com.

Adverse Weather Policies

Snow has arrived on the Eastside. Please be aware of the Bellevue Club's adverse weather policies:

During inclement weather, the Club strives to honor normal operating hours. However, in adverse weather conditions we are sometimes obliged to make adjustments to those hours and to previously scheduled programs. Please note the following:
• In the event that Bellevue Schools are closed or delayed, all Group Exercise Classes, child care, recreation and athletic programs scheduled before 9:30 a.m. will be cancelled.
• Programs scheduled for conference and event spaces will be subject to the discretion of the organizers and may have modified menus.
• The Athletic and Hotel entrances will remain open for regular hours (and the Hotel will continue to operate 24/7).
• Athletic, recreation and locker room areas of the Club will remain open. For athletic facilities updates please call Athletic Services at 425-688-3177.
• Polaris, Cosmos, Splash and Luna will (usually) remain open for regular operating hours, but may have limited menu options.
• The public areas of the Club--library, atrium, lobbies, etc.--will remain open for regular operating hours. For information about the restaurants or for general Club information please call the Club Operator at 425-455-1616.

To repeat, the Club will make every effort to adhere to regular hours, however, operations may ultimately be limited by prevailing circumstances. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Little changes for a healthier life

It's been almost two weeks since the start of those resolutions for the new year. Many people set the goal of being healthier, which can seem like an overwhelming challenge. However, a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to be a drastic change. Here are some little adjustments to make you fitter, healthier and happier.

• Make a rainbow on your plate. Make sure every meal you eat contains a vegetable or fruit. These healthy foods have been shown to reduce the risk of digestive-tract cancers. 
• Dry-brush your teeth. Doing this before you brush with toothpaste and water will cut tartar by 60 percent and help keep your gums from bleeding.
• Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. When you want to lose weight and keep it off this early morning meal is very beneficial. 
• Drink water. Consuming 17 to 34 ounces each day can reduce your risk of diabetes. 
• Order thin-crust pizza. You can be healthier and enjoy the comfort of warm, cheesy pizza. Thin crust has a third fewer calories than thick-crust. Also, blotting the cheese with a napkin will help cut some fat. 
• Exercise. Exercising for 40 minutes can reduce stress and working out on a regular basis also helps depression. 
• Eat two bananas a day. The potassium they contain lowers blood pressure because it neutralizes sodium. 

Check out this article from Men's Health for more healthy suggestions. 

Savory Soups

Warm up from these cold winter days with a comforting bowl of soup. From the classic chicken noodle or tomato to seasonal favorites such as butternut bisque or harvest pumpkin, there is a flavor for everyone.

Chicken Noodle 
Whether your child is home sick or you just feel like a satisfying bowl of soup, you can never go wrong with this classic.

Pureed Butternut Squash 
Butternut squashes are at their best from early fall through winter, so take advantage of this seasonal ingredient this winter.

Green-Pea
This vibrant-hued soup is perfect for ushering in spring. Pair it with a cheddar-scallion panini for a touch of seasonal greenery.

Creamy Clam Chowder
When purchasing clams, check to see that the shells are tightly closed. It's also important to scrub them with a vegetable brush before cooking. When ready to be served, don't forget the oyster crackers!


Chunky Turkey-Vegetable 
Every spoonful of this colorful soup is full of turkey, sweet potato, escarole and tomato.

Click here for the recipes and more winter soups.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

It's every youngster's dream: A SNOW DAY! Here are some ideas for keeping your children busy on these days off from school or anytime during the chilly winter months.

Edible snowflakes
Instead of using paper for these intricate creations, try using a flour tortilla. After you cut out the design, brush it with melted butter, sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar and bake at 350 degrees until crispy.

PJ and popcorn movie day
Let the kids stay in their pajamas all day and snack on popcorn while watching their favorite movies. Some good snow day movies are Jack Frost, Snow Dogs and Snow Day.

Snow painting 
Fill some spray bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring then let your children create a master piece right on your front lawn.

Freeze Dance 
It may be freezing outside, but you can stay warm indoors by putting on some music and dancing the day away! Have the children freeze in place when the music stops. If they move while frozen, they are out. The winner is the last dancer standing.

Sweet treats
Baking snowman cookies will keep children busy because they can help you make them and then decorate them. Vanilla frosting is perfect for the snowman and chocolate chips make great eyes, buttons and smile. Don't forget something orange for the nose!

Click here for more ideas!

Time to hit the slopes!

Whether you ski or snowboard, it's important to get in good shape before your first run of the season. Here is some advice from Men's Fitness for building a solid base and avoiding first time back faceplants or that day-after pain.

Build strength. To become a better skier or snowboarder, you need to be a strong, fit, powerful athlete.

Improve your balance. Try a dumbbell rear-foot elevated split squat: Hold a dumbbell in each hand and place your back foot up on a bench or short plyo box. Stand tall, then bend your front knee and drop straight down. Keep your front foot flat and press hard to stand back up. Try three or four sets of five to eight reps for each leg.

Boost agility. To boost agility try both forward/backward and lateral single-leg hops. Stand on one leg and hop back and forth over a line on the floor.

Maximize your endurance. Because typical runs down the hill are pretty quick and then you get a break on the chairlift, high-intensity intervals are a great way to get in shape. Try a cardio workout such as a spinning session, treadmill run or hill run. Sprint, recover and repeat!

First day back. Make sure your skis or snowboard are tuned and waxed so that they are primed for their best performance. After you hit the mountain, it is important to stretch. Using a foam roller will also help relax your muscles and return them to their resting length.

Twitter Contest - Enter to win a free weekend night's stay at Hotel Bellevue

We've reached 2500 fans on Twitter! As a thank you to all our fans, we're launching a contest - one lucky winner will receive a free weekend night's stay at Hotel Bellevue!

Here's how to enter (you can enter once a day!)

• Be sure you're following @Hotel_Bellevue on Twitter 
• Tweet the following: "I want to win a weekend night's stay at @hotel_bellevue #hbcontest http://on.fb.me/uLlVYc"

You can enter once a day! Please note, both @Hotel_Bellevue and #hbcontest must be in the body of the tweet to enter. One entry per person, per day, must be following @hotel_bellevue. Winner will be picked randomly from all valid tweets. Contest ends 11:59pm PST, Friday, January 6th.

More Hotel Bellevue information:  http://www.thehotelbellevue.com/

All guests of Hotel Bellevue receive full access to Bellevue Club during their stay!

Northwest Flower & Garden Show

Opening night for the Northwest Flower and Garden Show will be Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 5 - 9:30 p.m. at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle.

Presented by the Arboretum Foundation, Opening Night will benefit Washington Park Arboretum.

The Arboretum Foundation will kick off the show with its annual Opening Night Preview Gala on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The evening will include, food, wines, live music, silent auctions and the chance to view the display gardens before it opens to the public.

This year, the Foundation is partnering with the Seattle Audubon Society on its Flower Show display garden, "Birdsong." This display will highlight the diverse bird habitat found in the Washington Park Arboretum. Audubon members will also receive special member pricing for opening night.

Price:
Foundation and Audubon members: $65 before Jan. 20 and $75 after.
General admission for non-members: $100, dinner is not included.
Patron tickets: $250, which includes a dinner buffet and an exclusive preview of the display garden.
Benefactor tickets: $500, which includes a dinner buffet and an exclusive of the display garden.

For reservations, please call 206-325-4510 or visit www.arboretumfoundation.org.

Big Strides, Better Health

Many Americans are taking strides to improve their health in 2012

A New Year’s quote from Raymond Fabius, M.D.

“As the country re-evaluates ways to reduce runaway healthcare spending, it is time for all Americans to be resolved to take better care of themselves and others.  Data demonstrates that the majority of medical costs can be traced back to poor lifestyle issues such as obesity and tobacco use.  While we know it often takes several attempts to lose weight and quit smoking, it is encouraging that many survey participants* are taking strides to improve their health in 2012.  Let’s celebrate and support those who have resolutions to lose weight, stop smoking, eat better and exercise.  If they can meet these New Year goals they will be healthier and wealthier for it, as well as helping to solve America’s healthcare crisis!”

*Thomson Reuters and NPR conduct a monthly poll to gauge attitudes and opinions on a wide range of health issues.  Doctor Raymond Fabius, is the chief medical officer at the healthcare business of Thomas Reuters.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga

Sunday, Jan. 8

Law 3: Karma or Cause and Effect 

Lin Lungata, an experienced meditator, educator and counselor, will be teaching The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga at the Bellevue Club. Each session will explore one spiritual law, meditation, readings, mantras and suggested practices to implement each law into daily life- a rich opportunity to go more deeply into self exploration and stillness.

All classes are 4-5:30 p.m.

$200 for all seven workshops or $40 each for a single workshop.

To register, email fitness@bellevueclub.com or call 425-688-3172.

New Years Day To Do List:

The hectic holiday season is now behind us and there is a new year ahead full of possibilities! Here are some ideas to kick of your year on a good note: 

1. Watch Football: New Year's Day is huge for games. Check out the NFL schedule to watch your favorite team. The Seahawks will be playing at Arizona. 
2. Take a hot yoga class: get a fresh start to the new year with a hot yoga class, which is great for its cleansing and renewal effects. Get the toxins out of your body (maybe from the champagne the night before?) to feel energized and refreshed for all the opportunities ahead of you this year.
3. Set goals: think about what you want to accomplish in the next 12 months and design a way to reach those goals so that you don't give up 2 weeks into the year. Some popular New Year's resolutions are to lose weight, stop smoking, spend more time with family, save money and volunteer to help others. 
4. Reconnect with friends, family and colleagues: reach out to people you haven't spoken to in a while. Sending an email, updating your Facebook page and using the old fashioned telephone are great ways to stay in touch. 
5. Expiration date cleaning: go through your fridge, freezer and cupboards to get rid of any expired items, such as old salad dressings, expired medications or makeup and any frozen items with freezer burn. 
6. Put away holiday decorations: get a clean start to the new year! Putting holiday items in storage will help you move past the holidays and begin with a clean, organized home. 
7. Hit up the sales: many stores have New Year's Day sales and post-Christmas sales. If the crowds at the mall seem too intimidating, try shopping online! 
8. Relax and do nothing: after traveling, visiting friends and family, wrapping presents and cooking, enjoy a day of doing nothing. Lounge in sweats on the couch, order some pizza or watch a movie to rest up for the upcoming year.