North Bay Woman

lifestyle workout f o r SUMMER 2016 Photos across top: Holistic health coach Angela Martin of Marin Healthy Living benefits from outdoor workouts. – Photos by Stuart Lirette. Photos left and bottom: Women train with LOLA, Living Our Lives Actively. – Photos courtesy of LOLA T Pairing up with the right trainer will increase the success of your slim-down By Judith M. Wilson he longer days of spring are often a wake-up call for women. The pros- pect of warm weather and lighter, more revealing clothing can create a powerful urge to get into tip-top shape for sum- mer, so some start counting calories, and others ramp up their workout. Today's wisdom, though, suggests that a balance of the two produces the best results. ■ Kim Juarez, of LOLA — Living Our Lives Actively (teamlola.com) — in Mill Valley, said dieting alone doesn't work because the results don't last, and it's not possible to exercise away a bad diet. A triathlete and fitness profession- al, she founded her company in 2006, because she was working with women on physical fitness and wanted to talk to them about healthy eating as well. She explained that 10 years ago, most people focused either on dieting or working out in the belief that one or the other was enough, but her vision was to integrate diet and exercise. Juarez works with women — either as individuals or in groups — outdoors in parks and on the paths and mountain trails of southern and central Marin, and watches over them to make sure they are exercising correctly to prevent injuries. She sees a variety of clients: women who are just starting, those who never run but enjoy walking and hiking, and some who want to take their running to the next level. Women in groups motivate one another, share stories and discuss issues important to them, and, "It's like group therapy on the cheap," she said. Another bonus: "It's nice to be part of a group working toward a goal," she added. She finds that the biggest obstacle women face is time. Nobody has enough. She said, however, "You have to make the time. It's important for health and longevity." Getting out to exercise brings an immediate overall good feeling, and combining nutrition and exercise should bring positive results in four to six weeks,

• Cover