Lara Zielin

Eighty percent of people who are paying for gym members aren’t using them. Eighty! Percent! For a long time, I was one of those peeps, and believe me, I’ve tried out just about every gym you can imagine. Bally’s, the YMCA, Curves, Lifetime Fitness, and a smattering of others.

I always am more productive, especially writing-wise, when I work out. But darn if, historically, it hasn’t been a horrific challenge just to get 20 minutes in here or there. But—breakthrough! I finally found a gym that fit. And, let me tell you, this place is like no other gym—it’s better.

Ypsi Studio in Ypsilanti, Michigan, (http://www.ypsistudio.com/) is a transformative place for three reasons, which I’ll get to momentarily. But first I want to tell you that I went shopping yesterday and fit into a size I haven’t seen in a while. I went on vacation recently and had the energy to bike and walk and run nearly every day. I have certainly weighed less in my life than I do now, but I feel better than I ever have. Ypsi Studio is a big reason why, and here are three reasons I think I’ve been able to achieve goals here that have eluded me elsewhere:

1.) Community—So, you know that part in Cheers where Norm walks in and everyone calls his name? That’s how Ypsi Studio feels to me most days. People know who I am. The owner, Julia, takes an interest in everyone and creates a culture that invites socialization and community. You don’t work out in a vacuum. You actually get to know people. And that’s key because these same peeps encourage you, challenge you, and keep you accountable in the best way possible. You can run with people who are faster than you, and they’ll cheerlead you to a faster time; you can do a class for the first time with people who will help you through it; you can spin and have your butt ache and your classmates will say, “it’s okay, it goes away after a while, don’t worry.” The end result is that all this community makes working out fun. I can’t wait to get to the studio—and I go more often because I know there will be awesome folks there when I walk through the door.

2.) Personalization—No matter how big Ypsi Studio gets, I know it will always feel small because the trainers and Julia make themselves available and accessible. Just this morning, I was doing a few exercises after a run, and Julia showed me how to do an “Arnold press.” I wasn’t paying her for a lesson—she was just there, and she wanted me to learn something new. There is access to a level of information and expertise that I’ve never had before, and it’s made a huge difference in my workouts. Whereas before I might just show up and participate in the back of an aerobics class, then leave, I’m doing way more exercises and classes that challenge me in new ways. All because there are people there who want to share their wealth of knowledge one-on-one.

3.) Variety—For a smallish place, Ypsi Studio offers a wealth of classes. There is running, spinning, yoga, zumba, personalized training, once-a-week specialty classes—you name it. But the class that really gets people jazzed up, that has created a bit of a cult following and might be a great introduction to the studio and Julia, is called Willpower and Grace. You do the class barefoot, and you get the workout of your life. I’m not kidding. The first time I did it, I was so sore—but my body was all like, hey, I’d forgotten about that muscle! The class is like yoga in that you focus and concentrate on every move, but it also blends elements of Pilates, martial arts, and dance.

This Sunday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m., there is a really cool intro to Willpower and Grace at Savoy on Washington Street in Ypsilanti. Julia will be explaining the philosophy behind the class, and will be making it loads of fun with door prizes, some shopping, and snacks. It’s only $15 ($10 if you register with a friend) and it’s a total bargain for the education and workout you’ll get. There is more information available on this Facebook page:

http://bit.ly/9KwvQK

You can also call the Studio directly at 734.845.0542.

Try the class. Try the Studio. Try to hate it—and I guarantee you won’t be able to, because it’s one of the most transformative places you’ll ever set foot in.

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: There is a lot about this AT&T commercial that’s magical and makes for jaw-dropping video work. Not necessarily the best commercial (what are they selling here, exactly?) but it’s eye candy in spades.

I can’t believe it. The awesome, amazing, and totally talented Lauren Myracle will be blurbing Promgate! You may know Lauren from such books as:

TTYL

Kissing Kate

L8r, G8r

Peace, Love and Baby Ducks

Luv Ya Bunches

…and so many more! Lauren and I met at the Midwest Bookseller’s Association and were instantly BFFs. Or, at least that’s how it is when I replay it in my head. Which happens a lot, I’m not gonna lie.

Lauren is my total author crush and I’m so honored she’ll be part of Promgate.

Oh, did I mention Promgate has a release date? It does! March 3, 2011. Mark you calendars, peeps! Squee!

FAVE LINKEY-POO RIGHT THIS SECOND: Want to see what I’m doing when I’m not writing YA novels? Check out the webpage for the magazine I edit. It’s an alumni publication for the University of Michigan and, can I just say, it’s the greatest gig evah.

You guys! The softcover for DONUT DAYS is coming out this September! And here’s what it’s going to look like!

Squee! I totally love it! I want to frame it and take it with me everywhere and pet it and call it George.

That’s not at all weird, right?

I love this cover!!

My husband Rob and I are on the Gulf coast right now, vacationing. I have to tell you: It’s super conflicting to be here enjoying drinks and sun and sand, meanwhile in a matter of days the whole place could change thanks to the BP oil spill.

I looked for the story on CNN.com and it was buried on the left side of the page — but it’s all anyone talks about down here. And rightfully so. There are fishermen who may not be able to work, restaurants that might not be able to serve their famous dishes, hotels that might sit empty, and of course there is the fragile wildlife that just might not recover from all this.

When we went out the other day, some of the beaches and inlets were prepping for the oil with big orange boons (I guess they’re oil-absorbing) and an influx of sand.

This is all occurring near a protected marsh.

It looks pretty industrial, but it’s all done with an eye toward saving what can be saved at this point.

Later on that afternoon, we went up to Fort Morgan, which is a protected space with about a thousand million birds, dolphins, and other wildlife, but nothing was being done up there. Well, there *was* a beach clean-up effort (removing trash and such), which, while valuable, just seemed like a way to keep volunteers busy.

I’m not bummed that we’re here, at this time, vacationing at a place that needs help so badly. I’m glad because it’s opened my eyes to see the huge need for clean energy on this planet. I don’t know how best to lend my voice to the few who are willing to fight this fight, but I aim to try. I’ll scream until I’m hoarse if I have to. This should never, ever have happened — but the goal now is that it never happens again.