It’s Good To Be Home

It’s finally here! I know you’ve been incessantly pacing the room, biting your nails, and asking the universe why I wasn’t blogging. I’m sorry. I’ve missed you, too. Like, a lot. But please don’t bite your nails-it’s a yucky habit.

The talented folks at Copter Labs have been working hard the last few months on the new and improved Neghar Fonooni. Well, maybe not me, but my site for sure. Speaking of the new site, isn’t it gorgeous? Those guys did an amazing job and I owe them a wealth of gratitude. For the first time in my blogging life, I feel perfectly at home.

Although the Copter tech wizards didn’t actually work on improving me per se, the interesting thing is that in the past few months I’ve been away from the blog, I’ve actually encountered quite a bit of personal growth. I’ve missed writing here more than you can imagine, given that this blog is my baby and a huge part of my existence, but I’ve had many writing adventures elsewhere-and even some actual adventures. Like, in Thailand.

Seriously, I went to mutha-effin’ Thailand!

Playing in the Andaman Sea

Aside from all the jet-setting, I’ve been writing for various online publications, including Arnold Schwarzanegger‘s site (of which I am on the fitness advisory board) and Shape Magazine.  Many of you know that my childhood dream was to become a writer, and it is profoundly gratifying to see the start of my career come to fruition. I promise you this-with the launch of this new site you will see so much more on the EL&bH front. I fully intend to blog more often,  even as my writing career begins to plant it’s seeds. Like I said, the new and improved negharfonooni.com feels like home. It’s genuinely me in every way, and I am elated at the prospect of sharing my struggles, adventures and general shenanigans here. 

The cast of the Spartacus Workout

I’ve also been doing some fit modeling, which has been a crazy experience-especially trying to maintain a lean physique amidst the constant travel. Most recently, I did a video shoot in NYC with Men’s Health for the forthcoming Spartacus Workouts. It was an absolute riot, especially because I got to share the experience with my homey and partner in food debauchery, Roger Lawson. I’ve got another shoot coming up the day after I return from a family vacay to Hawaii, so you can be sure I’ll have some tips on staying fit while traveling, as well as tips on how to prep for a shoot without any extreme manipulation.

Oh yeah, and I got a puppy. And I’m obsessed with him. In fact, he’s sleeping in my lap right now. Meet Samwise Gamgee aka Fat Hobbit aka Sammy:

Who knew you could love a dog so much? I’ve never really had a dog of my own, so I am thoroughly overcome. This love is boundless. I mean, just look at that face!

Perhaps the most extraordinary piece of news is this:

In an effort to fully dedicate myself to Eat, Lift & be Happy, I did something really ballsy…I quit my job.

For the last 12 years I have been training clients, both part-time and full-time at intervals. During the last 5 years, I’ve done so as a single mother, and this year, because apparently I’m properly mad, I made the decision to go back to college to finish my journalism degree.  To say that 2012 has been hectic is an egregious understatement. Between my clients, my kiddo, Girls Gone Strong, school, travel, my own training and this blog-well, I was in deep. Although I did my absolute best to keep it all together, I was spreading myself far too thin. I couldn’t surrender myself to my writing or spend enough time with my kid. What this change means for me is a pretty extensive list, but the most important item on the list is that I get more snuggles with Isaac.

 This new adventure is equal parts frightening and exciting; although, I know that in a few short months, exciting will most certainly win out. I have never felt more free, more alive and fired up about the future than I do now. Life. Is. Good.

My new home gym

What does this mean for you, as an EL&bH reader? Well, lots of things. Firstly, I’ll be blogging more often and offering you as much free, quality content as possible. If my fingers can keep up with my frantic creativity, you’ll see at least one blog post per week and usually more. I’ll also be doing more videos and even some home workouts now that I’m not working at the gym. I joined up at a Lifetime Fitness (which has been pretty awesome, by the way) and have kettlebells at home, so I’ve been adjusting my training a lot and coming up with new things to share with you.

But because I cannot imagine a life without training clients, and directly helping them transform their bodies and minds, I’ve launched a brand new online coaching program. This is an exclusive program that offers you a customized training and nutrition plan as well as premium coaching and special content that only coaching members will receive. Plus, I’ve put together a pretty kickass eBook that you can download for free, just by entering your email in the box on the top right. ===>

In addition to the changes to the site, I’ll be teaching exponentially more workshops around the country-and possibly internationally-now that I’ve got a more flexible schedule. I absolutely love teaching workshops as it allows me to make new connections with people I wouldn’t otherwise meet. The 2013 workshop schedule is filling up quickly, but feel free to contact me if you’re interested in hosting one. I’d love to come to your gym and meet you and your community.

Well friends, that’s all for now. After I hit publish on this bad boy, I am headed to NYC to spend the weekend with my fitness BFF, Jen Sinkler, so I’m sure I’ll have some shenanigans to share with you. Plus, tomorrow I’ll post two scrumtrulescant recipes for autumn eats that I’ve been perfecting.  Until then, thank you so much for all of your support and kind words over the years. You are why Eat, Lift & be Happy exists. You are the reason I love my job and look forward to opening this laptop every single morning.

From the depths of my heart-thank you.