Archive for May 2012
Fitness Buddy!
Posted on: May 31, 2012
“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” – Mark Twain
Few other quotes could accurately describe the relationship that my mom, Kathy, and I have nurtured for nearly the past 20 years. I labeled my 2-year-old to 12-year-old self as a “terrorist.” I was, at one point, asked not to return to children’s church if that gives you a clear enough picture of the little devil I was for the first 60% of my life, thus far. However, my mom’s ability to rationally explain to me that having a more positive and likeable attitude would reap positive consequences to my actions finally stuck with me at about age 13.
She is able to persuade not only me to reconsider my actions and potentially exchange them for more healthful, beneficial, productive behaviors, but almost anyone. My mom confronts people with such graceful assertion that one may not even notice that my mom really would rather gauge her own eyes out with a spork than attempt to calmly manage them–and they are almost guaranteed to take something positive away from the discussion. I try to emulate the communication skills that my mom uses on a daily basis, and I believe that doing so has allowed me to grow in so many directions.
Effective communication is vital in any relationship be it friendly, professional, family, or romantic. It is human nature to read tone, body language, volume, and eloquence during a discussion–not just the words exchanged. Therefore, it is important we remain attentive to our communicative actions when trying to foster heathy, growing relationships. I have learned to rephrase potentially abrasive statements to be more positively received by the listener– such as “I really hate when you cook steak for dinner,” instead maybe “Hey, next time you grill steak would you mind throwing a veggie burger on for me?”
Beyond healthy communication skills, my mom has put up with my health and fitness obsession for the past 6 years. She not only puts up with it, but fully supports it. She attends my workout classes even when her legs are sore; we walked a 40-mile cancer walk a few summers ago; she comes up with creative and health related gifts for birthdays and Christmas; she doesn’t bat an eye when I tell her my shoes are worn out and I REALLY need another pair; she always makes sure there are several vegetarian options on our dinner table even if I often decide last-minute fix my own dinner or eat with friends.
For almost 20 years, my mom has been my biggest supporter in health(I can’t say 20 years yet in regards to health, because 20 years ago she was pregnant and feeding me Burger King Whoppers and Dairy Queen Blizzards 4x weekly–not exactly “Fitness Buddy” worthy), happiness, and love. So thanks mom for teaching me to not throw rocks at people to make them play with me, for learning to love green beans without bacon grease, and for pushing through chair pose every Tuesday and Thursday.
Guilty, my friends
Posted on: May 30, 2012
Guilt: it looms over us whenever a regrettable decision is made, it reminds us that our conscious is in workable condition, it drives us crazy. It drives me crazy. Guilt is what drove me to decide that 1 week on the Clean program, this round, was long enough. I was getting to the point where I was sticking it out simply to blog about it and to avoid guilt, while at the same time feeling guilty for my every longing for coffee (the largest source of antioxidants in the American diet, by the way). Soooo not worth it.
After doing the program once through last year and to a t, at that, I paid careful attention to the Clean Maintenance program where it advises anyone who has done the program for the full 21 days at least once to consider doing the full cleanse each year either all at once or broken up throughout the year. There are many ways to cleanse healthfully depending on one’s health and fitness goals. It just so happened that my feelings of deprivation were much more prevalent this time around and were leading me to a mindset that was unaligned with my personal health and fitness goals.
Guilt does little more than remind us that there is something to be learned from the situation for which we feel guilty. So instead of berating myself for cutting my cleanse short I will take away the appreciation of healthy food that I gained back, the lack of an incessant need to snack, and the drive to be my healthiest self that has been re-instilled within me. Do I encourage giving a cleanse a spin? Sincerely. I believe that taking even a day to focus on a healthier mindset about food, fitness, and life can be nothing but beneficial. Will I ever attempt the full 21-day Clean program again? Absolutely. It offers amazing health benefits that are key to living a fulfilling life.
Next post: new fitness buddy!
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions about cleansing, feeling guilty, great restaurants, life, etc. please leave them below. I love to chat.
Day 5 and 6: Clean Program
Posted on: May 26, 2012
I decided to go back to my written ways for the post encompassing my experiences with cleansing for both yesterday and today. I will be back with a video tomorrow!
Day 5:
“Ugh!” is about the only way to describe my 5th day on the Clean program. I felt hormonal, weak, and lethargic. Because the elimination diet requires you to remove several things that typically interrupt the normal function of human hormones such as soy, dairy, and non-organic foods as your body adjusts to the new, cleaner diet, hormones change. I think I jumped the gun by assuming on day 4 that I was over the hump of cravings and detox symptoms. All I could think about yesterday was food; I didn’t want to work out (although I took a quick bike ride); I felt my own will and levelheadedness at a low. So, I caved. I ate some definitely non-elimination foods last night with a promise to myself to read the section in Clean about falling off the wagon, and jump right back into it on day 6. Dr. Junger’s advice on what to do in the even that a detox-er eats foods not included in the program was simply to jump back in as if nothing happened and to consider consuming only liquid meals for 1-2 days following the slip-up. I chalked my mistake up as a very human learning experience. Onward to day 6…
Day 6:
Woke up bloated and feeling pretty yuck from my “whoops” last night. I am ready to take on today with a vengeance , though. I already gave my all in a 40- minute Insanity workout, plan to go for a jog and stay active today while enjoying the sun. Kombucha was the perfect drink to revitalize my body after last night and my liquid only meals today will keep me feeling light and energized.
We are only human and that means two things 1) We make mistakes. 2) We much compensate for those mistakes by treating our bodies right with activity, proper nutrition, and rest.
See you tomorrow for day 7!
Day 4: Clean Program
Posted on: May 24, 2012
I feel ultra-energetic today! I made a yummy brown rice pesto pasta for lunch, here is the recipe:
- 1 cup gluten-free brown rice pasta, cooked
- 1/4 cup boiled peas
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup water
Blend last 5 ingredients and pour over first two. Yum!!
Here is my video for today:
Day 3
Posted on: May 23, 2012
Feeling great today! I offer tips and tricks about sticking to a cleanse in my video today.
My link will direct you to Facebook because I am trying to figure some things out as far as video goes.
Sorry about the quality of the video, I will try a different meathod tomorrow.
Day 2: Clean Program
Posted on: May 22, 2012
So, day 2 is in full swing and I am feeling pretty good. If you didn’t see yesterday’s post, go back and watch it as I explain the Clean program. Enjoy my video and please please comment.
Day 1: Clean Program
Posted on: May 21, 2012
Watch my first ever video EVER!
I filmed this on my first day of the clean program so that you can see physical changes as I complete the cleanse.
Bear with me as the beginning is shakey and I talk as though the detox-police are listening at my door to my every word. I guess I just get paranoid because my voice is much more often TOO LOUD than too soft.
Comment below and tell me what you think!
Thanks for watching!
Posted on: May 14, 2012
- In: Workouts
- 4 Comments
Happy Monday everyone! I am starting this week off with a strong momentum to accomplish! I am reading the book PUSH by Chalene Johnson, which at this point, I have no idea if I have blogged about; however, some searching through the archives will be done and if I have, in fact, neglected to post about this brilliant life-changing read, I will definitely do so in the near future. Anyways, one of the major concepts addressed in the book is finding your soul-mate workout. What this means to you is totally subjective as you may be a fitness guru who loves almost anything that brings about a solid sweat, or you may be someone who’s worst nightmare is being required to do anything beyond mat Pilates– and even getting there is challenge enough. I would definitely put myself in the former category when I take into consideration the group fitness classes that I consider entertainment, the way I examine any given area for ample amount of sidewalk-age on which to run , and the overflowing exercise DVD collection taking over my basement shelves. Just don’t ask me to shoot hoops or join you on a stair stepper.
Although I love sweat sessions in almost any form, there is one workout that hypes me up more than any other and has for the past six years: Turbo. I love Turbo. There is a group exercise version (TurboKick), the first DVD version (TurboJam…this format helped me shed 35 pounds six years ago when I first began my fitness journey), and the ramped up DVD version (TurboFire…the one I chose yesterday and felt myself delightfully challenged by the quick pace). My love for Turbo led me to lose weight, become certified in it, and teach it for a year at Purdue University.
My hometown is very unfamiliar with the concept of Turbo and I would LOVE to change that. It is a brilliant cardio routine incorporating kickboxing, a little shaking it, and a lot of great music. Nothing revs me up more than that siren signifying the quick burst interval known as “the Turbo” in the middle of the workout, the interval proven to increase calorie burn after completing it, the interval lasting 1-2 minutes followed by a drink break. YouTube “TurboJam,” “TurboFire,” or “TurboKick” to see what I mean.
Turbo is my soul-mate workout for so many reasons but the primary reason is that no matter what condition I am in, I can always turn to it for a solid workout. If my knees are sore, I don’t have to jump. If I am tired, the warm-up is energizing but I can still do the movements at my own intensity level. If I have mountains of enthusiasm for the day, I can get super into the music, sound effects, and exaggerate my movements. My body knows I am in for a good workout when it begins with shoulder-rolls (the first move in a Turbo warmup). I encourage you to try the format by attending a TurboKick class, trying a DVD, or even following along with a YouTube clip for a little taste of the Turbo action. If you don’t love it, hey, everyone has their soul-mate workout–find yours.
My Soul-mate
I am typically a promise-keeper. So I must regretfully inform you, my tried and true followers, that I decided to end my detox at just four days. Yesterday, I went to Chicago to visit a few museums and forgot my lunch sitting on the counter at home. It was not terribly difficult to find detox friendly foods at the museum cafes; it was the scent of coffee that got me. All I wanted was that iced coffee to pacify my craving. And you know what? I am a healthy 19-year-old; why shouldn’t I have that coffee? Of course, I shouldn’t have that coffee AND a cookie AND pizza for dinner…so I didn’t. And this principle is the one that I am striving for in my eating habits–balance.
I will definitely repeat the Clean Program several more times during the course of my life, as its benefits are amazing; however, my health and fitness goals right now don’t necessarily align with doing a 3-week detox. I have no doubt, though, that once I reach my goals of becoming more balance, exercising portion control, and practicing consistency that I will be in the right mental place to detox for all of the right reasons. For now I need to listen to my heart and my body and accept where I am on my health and fitness journey.
Upon returning home from Purdue, my mom asked me to help her out on her fitness and health journey. I couldn’t be more excited about having a buddy hold me accountable for practicing what I preach. This week we are going to give up snacking and start using myfitnesspal.com on a daily basis (see my post on the calorie and exercise tracking website for more information). YES for small wins.
My mom and I have different goals for ourselves both nutritionally and fitness-related; but, who says we can’t encourage and check in with one another? We both set clear, measurable goals for ourselves and are excited to reach them together. If you don’t have someone in your life that has a health-related goal they wish to achieve, find new people to hang around with. Kidding. Ask! Bring up healthy living topics and I am sure you will find that a close friend or family member is looking to improve themselves physically in some way– team up! Two is better than one my friends!
Sharing is caring: Did you drop a pound? Celebrate with your “Fitness Buddy”! Did you run further than ever before? Post it on your FB’s wall! Is your FB lacking in motivation? Find a motivational quote and text it to them!
On that note, please feel free to share your successes, tips, struggles, etc. in the comment box below or in any comment box on any of my posts. I love to know who is reading and how my posts pertain to you!
Detoxing…it’s not that scary
Posted on: May 8, 2012
If at the utter mentioning of the word “detox” you picture yourself fumbling with a bulky juicer, choking down a thick green concoction comprised of kale, garlic and chia seeds, or simply being forced to learn what kale and chia seeds are–sit back and allow me to ease your mind.
Just a year ago I was where you might be now, confused by all of the mixed reviews on detoxing and slightly unwilling to give up my coffee for any predetermined length of time; however, I stumbled upon the book “Clean,” by Dr. Alejandro Junger a little over a year ago and my views were changed. This 21-day detox program is unlike other detoxes in the sense that is not solely about nutrition, and you do eat solid food each day. Dr. Junger created the cleanse to help himself as a tired and run-down cardiologist that only ate hospital cafeteria food. He then realized that nearly every human being living in toxicity that is our world could use a little internal cleansing.
The gist of the plan is this: drink a smoothie or juice for breakfast and dinner, and enjoy a solid meal for lunch in between. All food and drink consumed during the 3 week period must be included in the “elimination diet” which excludes all things known to cause indigestion, allergic reactions, or toxicity within the body. For example, gluten, soy, and dairy are not allowed, but olive oil, green tea, and almond butter are.
I learned a lot my first time doing this program and it changed my outlook on eating-an outlook that I lost when I entered college. During my first year of college I grew as a person but feel as though I betrayed the health freak I once was on midnight rendezvous with cheesy bread and dining court rampages with shortbread cookies. These three weeks following my freshman year provide the perfect time to reset my body and regain confidence in my own ability to make healthful nutritional choices.
So, I will complete these three weeks with drive and passion. I am in no way saying that a detox is right for every person from every walk of life; but rather, encouraging you to reevaluate your eating habits– are there some you could modify or change to improve your health? If the answer is yes, and you are up for a rewarding challenge to reach a sense of calmness in the face of food, maybe a detox could do you wonders.
Check out the Clean program here:
Tomorrow I will be reporting an hour-by-hour “day on the detox.” Stay tuned.
iamincharge 