This week's NYC Classhole is Melissa (Missy) Engel, the lady behind Missymaintains.com. We asked her about how she found fitness, what she does in the city, and what she would take if she were stranded on a desert island.
On Melissa Engel.
Missy's blog is about fitness, food, and life in NYC. From the site:
"I started this blog in 2007 as a tool to track my daily meals, share my eating struggles, and hold myself accountable to my readers in order to maintain my weight. In a nutshell, I’ve been overweight in the past, lost too much weight, and then struggled to maintain my weight mainly because of binge eating. I recently decided that I wanted to take the focus of this blog off of my weight since there are more important things in life that determine my happiness. I will continue writing about fitness and health related topics but don’t be surprised when I share a boy story or NYC subway adventure!"
Check out Missy's feature in Shape Magazine.
What's your profession?
I'm a model Coordinator for the Bb.U Model Project at Bumble and Bumble, Holistic Health Coach, the founder of MissyMaintains.com, and a group fitness instructor.
What’s a Model Coordinator?
A model coordinator books all of the hair models for Bb.University (where stylists that work at Bumble and bumble Network salons come and take our classes to advance their education).
Favorite healthy snack?
My most creative healthy snack is plain Greek yogurt (I love Chobani) with carob chips and grapes mixed it. It satisfies my sweet tooth and has a lot of protein, and much less sugar than a cup of ice cream.
3 items on a desert island?
A friend, peanut butter, and music!
Quick & dirty fitness bio:
I used to be a couch potato - until college, when I discovered the elliptical. I dreaded the gym and felt guilty when I missed my boring hour of cardio on a machine. When I discovered intenSati two years ago, I became a true fitness lover - now I count down the hours to my sweaty, inspiring workout each day!
You’re now an intenSati instructor. How did you get involved? Where do you teach?
I tried my first class at Equinox and immediately fell in love. The cardio aspect was super intense and the positive affirmations made me feel empowered and uplifted. I decided to take the leader training last year because I wanted to spread this amazing workout to others and strengthen my knowledge of the practice. I now teach for Shape Up NYC, a program that offers free fitness classes around the city.
Favorite quote:
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
Favorite YouTube video right now:
I don’t spend too much time on Youtube but this video brings back memories of my favorite event of the summer: Electric Zoo. I love techno and house music and get extra motivated and energized at the gym when I hear my favorite dance song come on.
What’s your own fitness routine? Who are your favorite instructors in the city?
I usually take at least two rest days but if I do go to the gym on any of the days above, those are the classes you will find me in!
I love every instructor I mentioned but I do have to give a special shout-out to Patricia Moreno, creator of intenSati, who inspires me each and every day. She trained me, and has helped make me a more positive person. Her classes are always so amazing, intense, and leave me feeling like a new person!
Class you’ve been meaning to try:
Figure 4 and Barry’s Bootcamp.
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Check out Melissa's website at www.MissyMaintains.com
Find MissyMaintains on facebook
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