On my Own

I have been working out with a group of women 3 days a week at 5:50am since November. And as all things must eventually change this is going to be a change. I have decided to stop going to the group and go out on my own. This has been a difficult decision but I feel it is time.

Now, let us get one thing straight - I am not a self motivated and disciplined individual who can just inflict pain to herself on her own. No, I have always needed someone to crack the whip to get me moving. Lets face it, unless someone I respect tells me to do something that causes discomfort, I won't do it. But I can and have done many workouts that I would have never done on my own without the help of others. There were many workouts while I was at University that pushed me to crying, peeing my pants and throwing up all in the presence of onlookers. Most of whom were of the opposite sex and I might have had a chance of getting a date with but rarely did because they saw my nasty side. What drove me to such extent as to ruin my social life? Someone else telling me to.

That brings me to my point of this blog. I cannot do this alone. I am going to be posting my workouts and my progress to this blog as my motivation. I need the one person who reads this blog (hopefully at least one person is interested in what I have to say) to give me encouragement so that I will get my lazy bones out of bed in the morning. You will be my trainer so to speak. I am usually the one who tells people to get their butt off the couch but now it is your turn.

Also, as my trainer, I would like you to send me your favorite workouts. If it is possible, I will do your workout and let you know what I think about it. I will start tomorrow morning at 6:15am. I am planning to use the TRX outside hooked onto our Mulberry tree. I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully, I get out of bed.

TRX

Just wanted to introduce a little piece of equipment that recently replaced all of my weightlifting equipment. The TRX suspension system has been great! I had a whole room dedicated to my weights and machines for personal training and for keeping myself fit. I sold all of it and changed it out for the TRX. I can get a great workout without needing a whole room to keep all of my equipment.

I took it to the park this morning and had a great workout. The TRX is portable, fun and anyone can use it - it doesn't matter what kind of shape you are in. A professional athlete and a couch potato could use this and get results. The TRX was used on the "Biggest Loser" this past season.


Normally, I don't recommend anyone purchase home fitness equipment because it usually ends up being an expensive coat rack. Never used and taking up to much space. The TRX is much different and I would recommend to anyone. As a personal trainer, I would recommend the TRX as one of the best pieces of equipment I have ever used. As an owner of a TRX, I would recommend the TRX as the most versatile pieces of equipment I have ever owned.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a TRX, I am a TRX affiliate. Just click on any of the TRX links on my blog and it will take you to my storefront or use this link:

https://www.fitnessanywhere.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&AFFIL=Fn634X75

The Foolish Man

What made the foolish man foolish? Was he foolish because he knew building on the sand would make his home unstable and eventually washes away but decided to build on the sand anyways because it was easier and cheaper? Or was he foolish because he didn’t know? Did he not do his research and find out the best way and place to build a home? Any way you look at it he is foolish.

This is what knowledge can do to you. Either you will be the foolish man or become the wise man. The past 3 years I have been studying about alternative health and nutrition. I have read many books and I have learned much. I have acquired knowledge. No, I don’t believe everything I read or hear. But when something rings true in my heart, I have pangs of anxiety that come along with my new found knowledge. What I choose to do with that new knowledge will make me the foolish man or the wise man.

Sometimes I wish I hadn’t learned something because I don’t want to change my life or alter some life long habit. But now that I have learned better, if I don’t change I am the foolish man. If I hadn’t researched and acquired the new knowledge then I am also the foolish man.

Changing life long nutritional habits can be very difficult. When I hear something that makes me question my eating habits, I decide to research. The more I research and learn the more likely I am going to want to change my old ways. True knowledge can be a powerful motivator. It can help you do things that you never thought was possible. When you get correct information most likely you will decide to be the wise man and change your life.

The other powerful motivator is my family. When I learn something, I want to share it with them. I want them to live long and healthy lives. But at that end, I cannot tell them to change their lives unless I am willing to do it myself. The following story illustrates my point perfectly.

A mother took her child to Ghandi, to help her child stop eating refined sugar. Ghandi thought for a moment: “Bring your child back, tomorrow.” The puzzled mother did so, at which time Ghandi said to the child: “Stop eating candy.” The mother then asked: “Why didn’t you tell him that yesterday?” Ghandi replied: “Yesterday, I was eating candy myself.”

I hope I can be the wise man. I hope I can gain enough self respect, control and determination to be the wise man.

Keep your Girlish Figure

A few weeks ago we went to the city Health Fair. There were a few testing stations set up to supposedly tell us how healthy (or sickly) we are. Mr. Smiley and I both had our body fat, glucose, bone density and cholesterol checked. Mr. Smiley had his body fat tested first. He fell within the normal/healthy range for a man of his age and height. His number was on the high end of normal. Body Fat woman (the tech) told him he needed to start exercising and eat better and he could lower his body fat. I was annoyed.

Next it was my turn. I also fell in the normal/healthy range for my age and height. My number was on the low end of normal. Body Fat woman then started lecturing me about being to thin. How I am sooo unhealthy because I don't have enough fat. What a load of garbage. I was getting pretty mad. She then said, "You must be a runner! YOU RUNNERS just don't know when to stop." I started fuming. The steam was coming out of my ears when she delivered the final blow. "Don't even think about getting your bone density tested it will be horrible." she snidely remarked.

So I immediately went over to get my Bone Density tested. The tech there was in shock as she told me my bone density was the best she had ever tested. Take that body fat woman. Can't good ever be good enough? I would like that body fat woman to know that I am proud of my body fat percentage. I think it is healthy for me. Not to mention that I have had a body fat percentage in the past that was 11% lower than what I tested that day. And I was healthy then too. I think she was just jealous. I am happy with my body. I work to keep it the way I want it. Oh maybe I am just lucky because I am tall and have good genetics. Don't ever mention the fact that I get up at dark thirty in the morning and have for many years to try to keep my body fit.

Don't mean to open a can of worms. (I will open that can later) Most people who are fit and healthy work at it. They don't just become that way overnight. God has given us all an amazing gift - our body. We all choose what we do with our bodies. Let us do the best we can with what we have been given. Some are thin, some are fat. Some need to lose weight, some need to gain. I just wish it was as easy as Betty Boop demonstrates.

This is my all time favorite cartoon about weight and exercise. I always laugh at this film. Just over 5 minutes in length. It is worth watching the whole thing.

Fresh Food - Elevates my Mood

Fresh Spring Rolls are the most wonderful food. They elevate my mood. I love to eat them in the morning, I love to eat them in the afternoon, I love to eat them at night. They give me so much delight. (Do you like my rhyming?)

This one is for Nellie ( I hope you like your new blog name).

Thai Fresh Spring Rolls

1 package dried rice rolls (also called "rice paper" – Asian Markets)
1 cup cooked chicken sliced or cut into bite-size pieces, and tossed in 2-3 Tbsp. fish sauce (OR substitute tossed in 2 Tbsp. soy sauce) - If Vegetarian, substitute baked tofu or flavored wheat gluten - I like them with no meat.
1 cup fresh coriander leaves (cilantro)
1 cup fresh sweet basil, roughly chopped if leaves are large
1/2 large cucumber, sliced into matchstick-like pieces
1 carrot, grated
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
(You can experiment with other veggies and herbs.)
Except for the rice rolls, place each of the above ingredients in a separate bowl
and set aside.

Take out one of the rice wrappers and place it in a bowl of hot water. You may have to gently press the wrapper down into the water. The rice paper will soften in approximately 30 seconds.
When the wrapper is soft enough to eat (these rolls do not require cooking), remove from water and place on the clean working surface.
Working always horizontally, place slices of the chicken (or tofu/wheat gluten) toward the end of the wrapper. Now place some of the cucumber on top.
Now add a little carrot, fresh coriander, basil, and bean sprouts.
Begin to roll by folding the bottom portion of rice paper over the ingredients.

Roll up burrito style.

Serve with the peanut dipping sauce, and/or Thai Sweet Chili Sauce (available by the bottle at most large grocery store chains in the Asian section).

To create Thai peanut dipping sauce from scratch, place the following ingredients in a blender or food processor:
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/3 cup water
1/2 tsp. dark soy sauce
2 tsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. brown sugar (OR other sweetener - ie. agave, or honey)
2 Tbsp. fish sauce (OR Vegetarian fish sauce, OR 3 Tbsp. soy sauce)
1/2 tsp. tamarind paste (OR lime juice)
1 tsp. chili sauce
Process well. Now do a taste test for sugar and salt, adding more brown sugar or fish sauce as needed. If too salty for your taste, add a squeeze of lime juice.

Your taste buds have never had such love. Enjoy!

Spring Moments

I love spring. It helps me remember the simple and most beautiful things in life. My husband. My children. Clear sparkling water. Fresh Fruit. Sunshine on my face. Light. Fresh cut flowers on my table. Eating ice cream cones. Playing at the park. Being barefoot. My favorite white t-shirt. New green blades of grass. Opening the windows. Going on walks. Not being in a rush. Enjoying the moment. Breathing. Feeling God's Love.

I am a Flexitarian

I have had the most liberating idea come to me. This new found concept has brought loads of freedom into my so called healthy lifestyle. I came upon this fascinating word yesterday as I was reading one of my favorite blogs. It really made me laugh as I pondered it's meaning. I also have said I don't like to have a label put on me but this one fits me perfectly and it makes me feel so wonderful. Please don't take me too seriously.



According to Wikipedia:



Flexitarianism -is a semi-vegetarian diet focusing on vegetarian food with occasional meat consumption. A self-described flexitarian seeks to decrease meat consumption without eliminating it entirely from his or her diet. There are no guidelines for how much or how little meat one must eat before being classified a flexitarian. [1]


Mr. Smiley and I started changing our diets about 3 years ago. We have slowly made changes for the good and to make a long story short, we even tried tofu this past week and it wasn't bad. Changing the way we eat hasn't been a painful road for us. A word of warning though, I must tell you that once you decide to take this path in life, food as you know it will never be the same.



We now love to eat really good "real food". We try to eat whole grains, veggies, fruits, and a little meat. We try to limit our consumption of white flour, white sugar, food colorings, nitrates, nitrites, pork and many other unmentionables. Eating out and finding really good food at a restaurant is getting more difficult and we increasingly find ourselves enjoying our own food at home.



Sunday night on our long drive home we decided that we would try to eat meat less than what we have been and see how that would go. Then I came upon this great word - flexitarianism- What a relief. With no guidelines to how much or how little meat I must eat to be classified as a flexitarian, I believe I can always be classified as such and never disappoint or not fit into this category.



In fact, in 2003, the American Dialect Society voted flexitarian as the year's most useful word and defined it as "a vegetarian who occasionally eats meat".[2]

I think that a flexitarian can also eat as much or as little white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, trans or saturated fats and any other of those nasty chemicals we decide to put into our bodies and call food. I think flexitarianism covers most of the basics.



When you decide to try to be healthy or eat healthier than you have before, you get all sorts of misconceptions generated by others on your behalf. I once had a visiting teacher bring me brownies to the door and tell me she knew I would never eat them but that I could give them to my kids to enjoy. Not to mention brownies are the most wonderful food ever invented. Now, I don't have to fake it anymore. I will simply reply, "I am a flexitarian." and go on ahead and eat those brownies and not feel one bit of guilt.



I have given numerous nutrition seminars and people get this total false idea about me. I have never mentioned that I am a vegetarian or even pretended as such but I have had many ladies ask me how I survive on eating salads. No, I am not the sugar Nazi as some have suggested. I actually have no will power, which is why I rarely buy candy, cookies, or even make them very often because all I would do all day is eat them. We just try to eat healthy and once in a while we do eat pork, white sugar and french fries.. "I am a flexitarian!"



I try my best to feed my kids nutritious foods. I try to take my vitamins everyday. I try to drink filtered water and try not to use the microwave everyday. But, I am human. I am a mom. I have kids that don't like carrots and squash all of the time. "I am a FLEXITARIAN!!!"