Kim Kabar

What leads you to the refrigerator?

Hunger? Habit? Cravings? Emotions?

Hungry for Less in Long Beach isn’t your mama’s weight loss program. Founded by a former yo-yo dieter, Hungry for Less provides transformational tools that allow women to lose weight without deprivation, without product dependency and without calorie counting, diet pills or pre-packaged meals.

Read the rest of Hungry for Less Offers Free Class to Women Ready to Lose Weight Permanently

Read the rest of Grand Re-Opening Celebration of Orizaba Park Set For Jan. 21, Residents Invited to Attend

It is the first-ever LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, designation given to a building at the university.

Read the rest of CSULB Student Recreation and Wellness Center Awarded University’s First-Ever LEED Designation

Councilman Dee Andrews

Councilmember Dee Andrews, 6th District, The Long Beach Housing Development Company (LBHDC) and Jamboree Housing Corporation (Jamboree) are proud to announce the start of the rehabilitation of Pinecrest Apartments located at 1893 – 1911 Pine Avenue. Three severely blighted buildings will be rehabilitated to provide affordable housing for local families. The public is invited to a “Wallbreaking” Ceremony at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 5, at 1893 Pine Ave.

Read the rest of Councilmember Andrews And Others Announce the Start of Pinecrest Apartments Rehabilitation

Kim Kabar of Hungry For Less leads a unique program for losing weight.

Were you able to eat guilt-free during holiday season? One way to ease the guilt over holiday (over) eating, is to have a concrete weight loss plan for the New Year. Start your weight loss plan for the New Year by attending a free introductory class to Hungry for Less this Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.

Hungry for Less in Long Beach is the nation’s first low-cost weight loss program that addresses the #1 reason why women overeat.

“If you’re eating when you aren’t hungry then more than likely you’re heading to the refrigerator or snack cabinet because of some emotion,” said Kim Kabar, founder of Hungry for Less and a long-time resident of Long Beach.

Read the rest of Drop the Guilt and Jumpstart Your Resolution to Lose Weight

Photo by Adam Jackson

In response to recent hate crimes targeting the LGBT community, The Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach and Fitness Mecca will be hosting free self defense seminars on Saturday December 3rd and December 10th from 4:30pm-6:00pm at Fitness Mecca’s state of the art facilities located at 3289 Industry Drive in Signal Hill. “Each and every member of our community is entitled to feel safe and secure simply walking down the street” states Porter Gilberg, Administrative Director at The Center. “Fitness Mecca reached out as soon as they became aware of the need in our community. We are incredibly grateful for such strong community partners.”

Read the rest of The Center and Fitness Mecca Team to Offer Free Self Defense Seminars

Long Beach has participated in Pioneering Healthier Communities (PHC) – part of the YMCA’s Healthier Communities Initiatives – since September 2009. The Y’s Healthier Communities Initiatives focus on making policy and environmental changes that support healthy lifestyles and are built on the concept that local communities can work together to provide all community members with healthy choice options. This latest grant, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allows a total of 23 communities, including Long Beach, to expand their current work to advance high-impact policies. High impact policies reach and impact large groups of people. For the purpose of PHC Initiatives, they are defined as any chronic disease health policy that can be implemented across an area.

Read the rest of YMCA of Greater Long Beach Receives $20,000 Grant To Expand Healthier Communities Programs

Read the rest of Great Fall Classes Available for Everyone From Parks, Recreation and Marine

Read the rest of Police and Fire Employees Represent Long Beach in World Police & Fire Games

“Job training programs are key to rebuilding our economy,” Mayor Bob Foster said. “This free program provides job-seekers with important skills that are valued in the workforce.”

Read the rest of Free Construction Jobs Training Program Available

Read the rest of 5th Annual “Long Beach Losers” Weight-Loss Contest Begins Saturday

Photo by Matt Pascarella

Eastman/Fairfield Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach will host a backpack giveaway on August 17, 2011. The giveaway is being sponsored by Fluor Corporation as a community service project. Fluor employees will be distributing backpacks to youth who attend the Clubs. 500 back packs are expected to be delivered and will be filled with school supplies that will give each youth a great start to the new school year.

Read the rest of Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach Giveaway Backpacks Tomorrow

Read the rest of LB NAACP Fit and Focus Program Offers Free Golf, Tennis, and Sailing Camps

The new summer Long Beach Recreation Connection class guide with classes and programs is out now and on our website for viewing and downloading at www.LBParks.org. Copies of the guide are available at park community centers and city libraries. 

Read the rest of Parks, Recreation and Marine Summer Classes are here!

The participants will include: child obesity prevention, finger printing, immunization, lead testing, asthma education, low cost insurance, dental screening, HIV screening/AIDS awareness, drug and alcohol prevention, and mentoring programs.

Read the rest of Councilmember Steven Neal Presents “Healthy Kids and Teens Day” Health Fair

Over the past four decades, obesity rates have soared among children of all age groups, and today, nearly 25 million children are overweight or obese.  The goal of the Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen initiative, which is supported by The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. and its member Leagues, is to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues.

Read the rest of JLLB Sixth Annual Kids in the Kitchen Fair-Sunday, March 13th

The new spring Long Beach Recreation Class Guide with new and ongoing classes and programs is on our website for viewing and downloading at www.LBParks.org. Copies of the Guide are available at park community centers and city libraries.

Call the Department’s Reservations – Registration Office at (562) 570-3111 for information about classes and programs and try one of these five easy registration options:

Read the rest of Spring Courses About to Begin from LB Parks and Rec

Eligible participants can develop skills and knowledge by preparing for career opportunities in the Environmental Science and Green Industries. Program includes certifications for Hazardous Waste Worker Protection and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER 40); 30 Hours of Occupational Health and Safety Administration Training (OSHA 30); CPR/First Aid; Asbestos Abatement; Lead Abatement; and Mold and Moisture Control. Individuals will also enhance their industry skills, knowledge and certifications; to assist in the job search effort, participate in life skills, resume writing and interview techniques workshops, and receive physical fitness and nutrition instruction. Successful candidates will receive job placement assistance.

Read the rest of Environmental Safety and Remediation Training Program Available

The new spring Long Beach Recreation Class Guide with new and ongoing classes and programs is on the Long Beach Parks website for viewing and downloading. Copies of the Guide are available at park community centers and city libraries.

Read the rest of Grow Your Mind, Body, and Spirit With Long Beach Parks Spring Classes

This father is leading by example and showing his son the importance of exercise. He and his son take on the challenge together, and run to end childhood obesity showing that size does not matter when it comes to staying healthy.

The Pediatric Residents from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach hosted a special kick-off to game day with the Super Kids Sunday 5K and Fun Run to fight childhood obesity. Rather than rushing to the grocery store for last minute munchies, community members and pediatric residents started Super Bowl Sunday with a dose of fitness and wellness.

Obesity is becoming more of a problem for children everyday, leading to an alarming increase in the number of children and adolescents developing type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight or obese.

Read the rest of Gameday Run To Beat Obesity Got The Kids Out

Mike and Amanda Matuz

First Step Fitness will host a unique grand opening tomorrow, Thursday, January 27. The personal-training gym is inviting the public to come experience “Sweat Networking,” a dynamic networking event for business owners and professionals that incorporates a physical workout.

The “Sweat Networking” workout will be led by First Step Fitness Owners, Mike and Amanda Matuz, experienced personal trainers who have national accreditations in health, fitness and nutrition.

The Matuz’s explained that they are opening First Step Fitness in Long Beach to provide clients with a positive and productive fitness experience. It’s their goal, the couple said in a recent press release, to groom clients to not just be in great athletic shape, but to help them build their business and business network.

Read the rest of First Step Fitness Hopes to Build Your Body and Your Business

“As we care for patients and families in our hospitals, we sometimes forget to care for ourselves,” says Mark Roberts, MD, physician ambassador of the Good Life Employee Wellness Program at Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. “The incentaHEALTH program encourages manageable changes to lifestyle in how we eat and exercise, that lead to better health and slow, steady weight loss for those who need it.”

Read the rest of Employee Cash Reward Wellness Program Launched at Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s Hospital

According to Pam Ryan, General Manager, one lucky couple will win a wedding at the Torrance Marriott South Bay on October 1, 2011 for 120 people.  The wedding, valued at up to $50,000, will include the wedding ceremony, reception, and dinner dance; a wedding night stay in the Presidential Suite of the hotel; as well as the services of a wedding coordinator, photographer, flowers, videographer, and much more.

Read the rest of One Lucky Couple Will Win a Wedding Valued At Up To $50,000 In The Torrance Marriott South Bay’s “Ultimate Wedding Experience” Contest

David McKeag, Fitness and Nutrition Trainer

Imagine if you will, a muscle-bound fitness trainer with a swagger in his walk, and a quick lift of the chin to you when he walks by. When he’s training you on the weight machine, he yells out single-syllable words. Now imagine the opposite. That is David McKeag.

Soft-spoken, thoughtful and professional, 48-year-old Long Beach local David McKeag keeps his regimens simple and straightforward. He works with clients on nutrition, cardio, and muscle building. He listens to his clients’ needs, and finds the best physical goals and nutritional plans for each individual. He enjoys meeting amazing people and helping them build strength and stamina, and improve their overall health. David says, “All I see in fitness are benefits; I love training people and watching the light bulb turn on when they get something, and make that change.”

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Long Beach developer Bryan Aamot of www.brainware.net and Fitness Expert Nick Rians of www.fitnessworkx.comin Huntington Beach explained their goal for the iPhone and iPod Touch app:

Read the rest of Ready to Get Fit? iPersonal Trainer is the App for That!