Weight Loss Secrets

Thursday, August 8, 2013

SOUL SESSIONS (guest post)

The older I become (and the more dreams I have/the seemingly LITTLE amount of time left in which to make them a reality)– the more I ADMIRE anyone who has a dream and pursues it. It’s in that vein I want to endorse, cheer on and spread the word about a little huge somethin’somethin’ my friend Heather is doing.
Please to enjoy.

Today is the official launch of the Kickstarter Campaign for Soul Sessions, my upcoming meditation album. I am SO excited to share this campaign with all of you because this is a journey we can go on together. We can raise this money together and you can reap some lovely gifts from it too!

As I dove further into this project and started crunching numbers, a knot formed in my stomach. I realized that, if I wanted to make a quality album and share it with as many people as possible, I’d have to ask for help. That’s where you come in!

I know that this meditation album is going to rock your world and I can’t wait for you to have it. In order for that to happen, I’m going to need at least $3,500 for professional studio time, designing and packaging the CDs, and for purchasing tank tops and screen printing them (see below). They’re a gentle reminder for you to leave your light on – because the world needs your light!

"Leave the Light On" Tanks

How rad are these?!

When I first started meditating, I noticed there weren’t any meditations that used music that spoke to my generation. The music was a bit dated or unrelatable, which is a shame because meditation is the hippest thing on the planet. I also noticed there weren’t any meditations that featured musicians who sang and lead a guided meditation. So, I decided to fill the gap. I grabbed my ridiculously talented friend Jeff McGowan, who is co-producing the album, and we got to work on creating a kick-ass meditation album filled with gorgeous music and vocals. It’s going to KNOCK your socks off!

This meditation album will help you witness the fears and limiting beliefs that are blocking you from owning your power. Each meditation is a session with your soul. I will be your guide and help you reach your ultimate destination: inner peace.

If I raise $3,500 or more, I can claim the money and use it to give you all the CDs and tanks you want. If I raise even a penny less than $3,500, I don’t get anything. That’s right. Even if I raise $3,499, I don’t get a penny. But I have faith that we’re going to raise even more than the $3,500 so I can have enough albums and tanks for everyone that needs them!

If you feel called to donate, click here! You can also catch a rough edit of one of the songs (note: the guided meditation portion is not yet included) by visiting the campaign. If you are moved by the campaign, feel free to share with your BFFs, family, and partners on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

LET’S DO THIS!!!

Stay lovely,
Heather

We’re STREAKING!!!

Unless it’s your first time reading my blog, seeing me tweet , skimming my repetitive ever exciting instagram feed, hanging with me on the book of the face or TALKING TO ME EVER—you know Im not a runner.

I love the promise of the run (it looks BADASS to just snag shoes, canine and GO!) yet Ive never found a mental happy running place.

Which is also reason number ONE many of you were shocked I joined Roni on her Run Streak when we were in Portland:

exactly a mile? EXACTLY enough for me.

Roni invited me, Roni mentioned she was determined to keep up her streak, I was already MizUpAtCrack, I happily tagged along.

She chatted as we ran (I was reminded running uses completely different muscles. I was a silent, winded misfit) & by the end of our jaunt I realized a mile might be my perfect distance.

A short, non-training for ANYTHING distance and DONE.

Because the thing is the Tornado has become oddly interested in the run as of late.

She’s taken to saying to me in that inimitable seven-year-old offhanded fashion:

Mama I really want to run with you.

To which I always think in my imitable forty-four year old fashion:

Homegirl, if you think I run and youre just not SEEING it you’re a nutball.

Yet what she’d say still stuck in my cranium.

Given my philosophy of “if I think something more than once it’s time to ACT” I felt a pang of mama-obligation to encourage her running curiosity.

Short of begging Roni to move in, I also knew Id had to come up with a way to make it fun for *ME.*

First I shared with her my idea (lets run *together.* you plan where & how we do it.).

Next we made a chart to keep track of how we did with our streak:

chart & photo credit: Tornado

She then decided we needed rules:

yay number four!

And the very next morning we were off.

We misfits gotta match!

I let her be the expert and she mapped our route/routine.

She announced we’d run to the playground, do push ups, pull ups, run a lap screaming at the top of our lungs, one time across monkey bars and run back home.

In the name of being fully present I left my camera/phone at home–but thats pretty much how it all happened, too.

we left, ran, pushed, dipped, shrieked, bar’ed, stretched (last minute playground addition), & we ran/walked home.

Im fairly certain she was surprised how tired she was afterward (I wont lie—I was tired too), but she re-found her exuberance when it was time to make a tally mark on our chart.

Later that day she spontaneously said to me:

Thank you mama for the running with me. It was like the most fun I ever had.

How long will we maintain our streak? As long as she’s interested and views it as PLAY.

Now, however, Ill at least have an answer when she asks MAMA WHEN YOU GONNA RUN?

Tomorrow.

With you.

Have you participated in a run streak? How long did *you* maintain it?Have you run with a little person? How long did *they* find it entertaining?

Wednesday Weigh In: Knowing What You Need When You Need It

WHAT a morning! I was hoping to get this post up super early before leaving for the gym but I woke up to the find my little copyrighted photo drama not really over as I thought it was.

I ended up coming home from my workout and writing copyright infringement letters to the owners of a .au domain that’s using my before and after photos to sell some diet pill and colon cleanse.

FABULOUS! Right?

Ugh. To make matters worse, I’ve just been a funk lately, which is why I didn’t get on the scale this morning. I thought about it and consciously decided the number (regardless of what it is/was) would do more harm than good today.

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And that’s what I wanted to talk about for this week’s weigh in: Knowing What You Need When You Need It

There are weeks I need to see the number. I need to be held accountable. I need the feedback.

There are other weeks where my mental state doesn’t warrant dealing with the scale. “Good” or “bad” wouldn’t matter, I just don’t want to bother with it and no, it’s not coming from a place of denial. I’m not binging myself to death or eating out my frustration, but the feelings have been there.

No, this is about being true and honest with myself, and for the past couple of days, for whatever reason, I’ve needed to walk away. I eased up on keeping my food journal. I haven’t run. I didn’t even put my Fitbit on this morning!

Maybe it’s hormones or stress or tiredness. Maybe it’s all three. Who knows? To be honest, I don’t want to psychoanalyze myself. I just needed a break, and you know what? I’m already starting to feel better.

Learning how to honestly listen to what I need without guilt or stress or anger is probably the hardest part of this journey. There was a time I would have called myself weak or lazy for admitting I needed a break. There was a time I would have binged to help deal with these feelings. There was definitely a time (not that long ago) that I would feel an enormous sense of guilt.

Now I simply try to treat myself the way I would a friend, and sometimes you tell your friend, “Hey, take a few days. You deserve it.”

So how was everyone else’s week? I hope better than mine! :)

The Courage to NOT Exercise (this is an experiment)

josiem The Courage to NOT Exercise (this is an experiment) My workouts have been super tough lately. Tougher than ever, actually. And now I really need a break. My fitness progress this past month has been epic, but my body is tired and my mind has become a wee bit weary.

So I’ve decided to do a little experiment.

For the next 7 days (starting today), I will do NO Beastmode workouts. I will do NO plyometrics, NO strength training, NO Speed Rope, NO burpees. Nothing like that at all. YIKES! Do you see where this is going?

What will I do instead? I will continue to climb Corcovado Mountain, bask in bendy-flowy Yoga-ish moves set to relaxing music, and enjoy luxurious walks through the park on my lunch breaks. More personal prayer time is also on the menu.

I will also hide under my bed so the Greedy Family can’t terrorize me. I’ll have a filled-up wine glass with me, of course.

Ahhhh. I can feel myself becoming rejuvenated already.

I’ve never done this before — never refrained for such a long stretch of time. It’s going to take courage to NOT exercise as usual (weird, huh?). I’m taking cues from my body and will honor what it’s asking of me.

Restoration! Relaxation! Renewed strength! I’m all about that life, yo.

((drops mic and crawls under bed))

—-

LIES, Opinions and 3 Thoughts.

It happened again. My photos are being used to peddle some weight-loss product. Actually this time I think it’s just being used to game the system and get more Facebook followers.

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I don’t want to give them any more attention by linking to them because that’s what they really want anyway. I’ve reported them to Facebook and I’m hoping they take the post down soon.

As if having my photo used without my permission wasn’t enough I have to read the comments like…

First pic is the best

Still has no fashion sense

She looked better at day 15

She looks anorexic

Far too skinny on day 30. Should have stopped at day 15.

She looked the healthiest on day 1 just my opinion

Yet again I’m reminded, everyone has an opinion. Remember my Peanut Gallery post? I was told I was too skinny by one schmuck and another one was telling me I was gaining too much.

*sigh*

I’m just not in the mood for this crap. I have to get 3 things off my chest…

1. I HATE WEIGHT LOSS SCAMS! Especially ones that have to steal photos to sell their $hit products, but really, all of them. If someone is selling you something that promises quick weight loss IT IS A SCAM. PLEASE, for the love of GOD, stop giving these companies your money.

2. I’m so tired of everyone having an opinion on everyone else’s weight. Myself included. I’m guilty. Why do we care so much about how small or big another person’s body is? WHAT is the fascination?

3. In case you are wondering those photos (Day 1 and Day 30) were exactly a year apart. EXACTLY. If you want to lose weight it can be done but you are going to have to do the work. It’s hard and it requires changing your thought process, your eating habits and your lifestyle. I’m STILL figuring it out day-by-day after 8 years. Don’t fall for the gimmicks, they just keep you in the cycle.

OK, I’m done.

Feeling better.

Update: It’s been taken down!!

It’s like SANTA for your VAG!

Right now Im imagining 29% of you wondering what the heck Im talking about, 70% of you laughing & immediately knowing to what I refer, and 1% of you NOT opening the post after spying VAG in its title.

For the twenty-nine percent of you who have a life/spend time OFFLINE here’s to what Im VAG-refering.

Please to take take 107 seconds and watch. I promise—GUARANTEE if you possess said VAG—you will not be disappointed.

Now that we’re caught up—let’s break it down.

The majority of women I chatted with this weekend adored Camp Gyno.

Words were bandied about like FINALLY, GROUNDBREAKING and, yes, the oft repeated RED BADGE OF COURAGE PHRASING ROCKS!

I agree with these sentiments. I also agree it was high time for a new approach to tampon advertising.

What surprised me is how few women were bothered by concepts I struggled with in both the ad and the HELLO FLO product.

And, because apparently I cannot struggle and keep it to myself, I offer you my thoughts and demand seek yours.

What do I like about Camp Gyno & the Hello Flo monthly subscription box?

I love period boxes! I know the subscription box model is currently overdone–yet for me this brings back happy childhood memories. I recall getting my Your First Period! box and immediately ripping into it. I messed with maxi-pads. I tampered with tampons. I explored the hell out of that package long before my first period. Nostalgic-me adores the notion of getting the same sort of box for my daughter. Which leads me to…It’s precisely where I am right now. Girls are getting their periods earlier. Even girls who dont consume much in the way of hormones or crap (<— technical term) in food. As a result, period-specifics are high on my to-talk list this year with my daughter. Many criticized the ad for using too young girls—I disagree. If periods are starting at 9 we *need* to launch the discussion when they’re eight.Camp Gyno is a conversation starter…with girls and husbands. It transforms something potentially scary to girls (I remember the first time my daughter spied blood in the toilet. She panicked I had a “bad bad boo-boo!”) into funny/familiar with its iCarly’esque approach. Id venture to say it does same with husbands. Periods, tampons etc arent topics most men know much about. That, coupled with a daughter’s nascent sexuality, makes menstruation an avoided topic. Camp Gyno breaks those barriers beautifully.

What do I dislike about Camp Gyno & the Hello Flo monthly subscription box?

Camp Gyno had a distinct lack of color. Dora (aided by ketchup) gets her period as does one other brownISH girl. The lack of diversity in the ad leaped out at me. Im aware it was filmed at a Jewish camp (go TRIBE!), but still… For me this big ‘miss’ caused the ad to lose some of its luster.Hello Flo touts DISCREET as selling point. I loved the unapologetically yourself! nature of Camp Gyno. I adored the thought of my daughter’s generation owning their VAGs (vages?) and cycles loud & proud. I wanted this sentiment to extend to Hello Flo —-or at least not *discreet packaging* as selling point. It felt, to me, like a step backward (&, in my opinion, contributes to sites like Mashable referring to the ad as CUTE. ick.)O.M.G. THE CANDY. (I fully anticipate Kenyon will seize my English Lit. degree after that sentence.) Really?! Of all the tired stereotypes of menstruating women the candy-eating (binging?), in my opinion, is one of the worst. Tuck in a trashy mag. Send a monthly hot compress. Ship a scented candle/meditation music–but tasty treats as a pick-me-up? Please.

Still, overall the ad worked for me.

I watched Camp Gyno with my daughter and, while much of it went over her head, the concepts which stuck sparked fantastic conversation.

That said, Id never buy Hello Flo box for her.

In our feminist, egalitarian, healthy living, mindful eating domicile I simply dont see a place for a monthly period box offering tampons and ‘tasty treats as a pick -me-up.’

(climbs down off the overturned maxi-pad box from which she’d been shouting)

And you?

What was your response to Camp Gyno? The Hello Flo box?Would you purchase the box for yourself/a young woman in your life?
Did you wish Hello Flo included other options like Diva Cups?

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Running in Nashville

What. a. day!

I can’t believe I woke up this morning in Nashville and went for a run.

And now I’m home watching Aerial America with the Husband. In between there was a plane ride, some collaboration work with Jen and food, a LOT of food. Between eating at an old Nashville Soda Shop,

Screen shot 2013-08-02 at 11.07.49 PM

and going out with The Husband for dinner, I feel like a blob at the moment. Bleh.

But it was totally worth it. I enjoyed every bite and I never order milkshakes, so I’m glad that when I did, it was the most amazing one ever.

Screen shot 2013-08-02 at 11.10.50 PM

Note: Jen snapped that shot as payback because she said I’m always taking photos of her eating. To which I said, “We’re always eating!”

It’s hard not to do when you are traveling and there’s so much to try.

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in, share my running video and give an update. Jen and I are working on a Nashville post for TheUnworldlyTravelers. We had fun but it wasn’t what I expected and unfortunately I don’t think it’s going to work for next year’s FitBloggin’ location, which means I’m still hunting! Trying to find the balance of hotel with meeting space in a nice pedestrian-friendly area is proving to be a challenge this year!

OK, off to bed for me. Have a great weekend!

Sunday Shots

I’m feeling blah even though I had a wonderful Sensational Sunday with the kids. Frankly, I just don’t feel like talking much so I’m going to let the photos I took speak mostly for themselves.

The day started with a run.

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I was feeling great until my knee started bugging me.

Pancakes for the kid’s breakfast.

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They love playing with chia seeds.

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My new obsession.

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Loving the bunnies at the County Fair.

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Attempt at a family selfie.

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Watching big brother on the rides.

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Ferris wheel!

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Way scarier than he thought!

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Great view!

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Messy room.

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DESPERATELY needed to be cleaned.

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Empty dishwasher dancing to Gangnam Style.

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Too lazy to cook, boys excited to go out to dinner.

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Some outside play.

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Bed time!

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Now I’m watching the finale of The Killing trying not to eat myself to death.

10 Nighttime Snack Ideas

I had this genius idea while at BlogHer last week to start a series of posts on Tuesdays for Top 10 lists.

I like the idea of having a loose editorial calendar for the blog. It gives me a little creative constraint even though I don’t always keep my own schedule.

Tonight my focus is on snacks. I’m fighting my typical mindless evening snack cravings at this very moment. I have a bag of Doritos, a box of Triscuits, and The Husband’s Ben & Jerry’s calling my name, all of which I can blow through without even blinking

So instead of eating, I’m writing. In my 8 years of maintaining I’ve learned the art of distraction. I’ve also learned you can’t always fight yourself when you have cravings. Sometimes you have to work with them. I’m always going to be an evening snacker. It’s just how I’m wired and frankly, I enjoy unwinding with a little treat at the end of the day once the kids are in bed I just have to be smart about it.

Here are my Top 10 Evening Snack Ideas for those times you just was something.

10. Hot Tea and a VitaCake

I’m not listing Vitalicious just because I work with them, I swear! I really like this product. The VitaCakes are 50 calories, whole grain, and high fiber. They are the perfect small bite when you just want something sweet, and the Fudgy Chocolate goes great with a hot cup of peppermint tea. Click here to check out all of Vitalicious Products and don’t forget to use my code RONISWEIGH for 10%

9. Strawberries and Chocolate

I haven’t done this in a while but when I was losing, I was obsessed! Wash some fresh strawberries, crack open a single serving of sugar-free chocolate pudding and dip away! It’s sinfully indulgent but super light and lasts a long time. I’d eat any remaining pudding by licking it off my fingers ’cause that’s how I roll.

8. Frozen Grapes

A summer favorite! If you haven’t tried it yet you must! Anytime I buy grapes we eat some fresh and then I pop them in the freezer before they go bad. My 8-year-old loves them too!

7. Bell Pepper Nachos

I came up with this idea a few weeks ago when I was seriously craving something cheesy. Click here to see my original posting. I added avocado but it’s totally optional. Next time I’m thinking a jalapeño slice each!

6. FRIES!

Another life saver when I was losing. I’d keep fresh butternut squash on hand and bake fresh batches of butternut squash fries when my appetite was insatiable. Let me tell you from experience, eating a whole butternut squash will fill you up!

5. PIZZA!

Notice I got all excited about pizza and fries. These 2 things are definitely a weakness for me but instead of avoiding I embrace and use them as inspiration. I have a whole category devoted to pizza on GreenLiteBites and I’ve been known to fire up the oven at 10 p.m. to whip up a pizza-inspired creation. Hey, it’s better then picking up the phone and calling Dominos!

4. Cheese and “Crackers”

Another thing I’ve learned to make my own. “Old Roni” could do some major damage to a block of cheese, a box of Wheat Thins and a stick of pepperoni while watching TV. Now when the cheese and cracker cravings set in I grab a cucumber, 1-2 wedges of The Laughing Cow and dried cranberries. Full disclosure: I work with The Laughing Cow too but that has no bearing on how much I love their products! All opinions are always my own.

3. Homemade Yogurt Creations

If you were following me on Instagram a few months ago you may have followed along with #DailyYogurt where I shared a new creation every day. I don’t eat yogurt quite as much but I do enjoy it every couple of days as my evening snack. Click here to see a collection of some of my favorites.

2. Banana Soft-Serve

I refuse to keep ice cream in stock (The Husband is the one going through Ben & Jerry’s obsession recently), it’s just too tempting. Instead I make sure to have a few frozen ripe bananas that I can easily turn into “ice cream” whenever I want. I normally just use my Magic Bullet but I also have the banana soft serve machine for larger batches when the kids want some as well.

1. Popcorn

Popcorn has always been my night-time go to for the pure fact that you get a lot of bulk for minimum calories. I used to keep bags of microwave popcorn in stock but I have since moved on to a really cheap air-popper. Now I pop a big bowl, spray with a little non-stick cooking spray (weird I know, hear me out) and sprinkle with salt. The cooking spray gives you just enough oil to help the salt stick without the need for melted butter. I’ve also been known to sprinkle Old Bay, cinnamon or cocoa powder on it as well. If I go with a sweet version, just the tiniest amount of powdered sugar works wonders!

What’s your evening go-to in times of cravings? I’d love a few more ideas!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Confidence is a BEAUTIFUL Thing

I’m still in Chicago and feeling all sorts of inspired. It’s so energizing to be around so many women doing their thing, and the older I get the more I appreciate this type of environment.

Tonight was the second annual BlogHer Fashion Show and I shed a tear of happiness. There is nothing I love more than to see women of all shapes and sizes celebrate and OWN who they are.

What are YOU Making ‘Fat’ Mean?

dove Image from Dove.

My friend Carla shared this article on her Facebook page and it sucked me right in.

Here’s a snippet from “Why ‘Love Your Body’ Campaigns Aren’t Working” written by Isabel Foxen Duke

Like an unfortunately large percentage of women in the U.S., I grew up criticizing my body and dieting regularly from a young age. I spent years of my life terrified I would never get “there,” the place where my weight and all perceived rewards of thinness would finally fall into place. Getting thin was the only answer I could think of to most of my problems, and conversely, “being fat” or gaining weight, meant “losing” — it meant never achieving, never being loved, never “having it all.”
I remember seeing body-positive campaigns like Dove’s Real Beauty or Victoria Secret’s Love Your Body — campaigns that encourage women to “love the skin they’re in” — and thinking “that’s nice, but I still wish I was thinner.”
I would see images of “real women” and think to myself, I don’t want to be one. I wanted to get ahead, stand out, be special, and I didn’t see how accepting my body the way it was would get me “there” — the place where my life would begin. I believed my dreams were 20 lbs. away from me, and what seemed like a forced, new ideal of beauty on a billboard didn’t seem to change that.

I could have written that word. for. word.

The article goes on to say the strides in media are great for the younger generations but those who have already been programmed to hate their bodies need to “ ‘unlearn’ the rewards and punishments they experienced around weight as children…”

I’ve talked about how my dad planted the seeds of my body-image issues at a young age — click here to read an open letter I wrote to him in haste.

The unconscious lessons he taught me won’t be undone by seeing “real” woman in billboards or magazines, but I agree with the author, these campaigns are still important. We as a culture need to be exposed to a wide variety of body types and sizes in mainstream media.

My experience with my dad coupled with a constant stream of super skinny model images of the ’80s and ’90s, cemented my body image issues.

Isabel asks in the article: What are YOU making “fat” mean?

My answer is simple: Being fat meant I was unworthy and unattractive. It’s why I was forgettable, unpopular and shy. Fat allowed me to stay safe, hidden and unimportant.

For 8 years I’ve been working on all these feelings in parallel with actually losing the weight I gained in fear I was fat when I really wasn’t. (How many of you look back at photos from high school in disbelief of how skinny you were?) My biggest hurdle has always been self-worth and confidence. Being unlovable and unworthy were always my underlying fear despite being in a supportive relationship.

This is why I think having kids helped me gain the confidence to break the cycle I was in. Giving birth was a life-changing experience for me. I finally felt the unconditional love a child brings into your life. This love taught me to value myself and my body for what it was, giving me the confidence to break the dieting and negative self worth cycles I was in.

I didn’t realize how many feelings this article stirred up in me until I started writing. All I knew after reading it was I had to make this the question of the week:

What are YOU making “fat” mean?

Note: I explored these feelings before specifically in My Core Hurt Eating – A MUST Read for those that Overeat.

Climb Corcovado Mountain With Me (60-day fat burning virtual challenge)

8/1/13 UPDATE: I am 200 steps up the Mountain. Come with me. Let’s do this! We’re gonna make it to the top!

You know this mountain. Surely you’re familiar with its image. Are you ready to burn more fat?

corcovado mountain Climb Corcovado Mountain With Me (60 day fat burning virtual challenge)

Corcovado Mountain is the site of the world famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. The site is nestled in Tijuca Forest national park. The mountain scenery is beautiful, intriguing and definitely climb-worthy. No passport required.

Here’s the quick & dirty info on the climbing challenge:

We’ll be scaling 2,330 feet up Corcovado Mountain and arriving at its peak where the statue sits.We’ll travel up the mountain via Mountain Climbers. This is NOT a walking/pedometer challenge.The challenge starts on Thursday, August 1st.Each left-foot, right-foot action of our Mountain Climbers counts as 2 steps/reps (2 feet) up the mountain.If you do 40 reps of Mountain Climbers each day, you will have scaled Corcovado in 58.25 days, but feel free arrive atop the mountain in 45 days or less if you dare. This will mean more reps each day, of course.

Mountain Climbers work the abs, legs, arms, abs and back. It’s basically a total body exercise. It also burns fat since your heart rate gets up there, and it doesn’t take long to knock out your reps. The climb is perfect to challenge your current fitness level.

Add this challenge to your stash of post-workout intensity drills or do your climbers while the kids are splashing in the tub. You get the idea, right? Yes, you CAN fit this in.

Many thanks to @debroby for inspiring this challenge. It was great to virtually climb Mt. Tamalpais with her back in the day.

ALERT! Anyone who quits the challenge part way through is considered to have fallen off the side of the mountain. I’ll keep search & rescue on stand-by.

—-

A Birthday Weigh In

I’ve avoided the scale for 2 months now but decided today it was time to take a peek. I couldn’t help myself. My data collecting side took over. I just got REALLY curious what the scale would read on my 37th birthday.

I hopped on first thing this morning.

Closed my eyes.

Counted to 10….

and voila!

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Pretty much EXACTLY where I was when I stopped weighing in!!

I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless. I’ve pretty much maintained without food journaling, without weigh in, without “dieting,” without even thinking about it. Actually, “pretty much” is an understatement.

I’ve maintained.

As someone who used to live their life in one of two states, gaining or losing, this. is. HUGE.

I’ve never completely disconnected from everything at once. I went through periods of not food journaling but I’d still check the scale. I’ve also avoided the scale for long periods of time but was still counting points or calories. I’ve pretty much always kept one foot in the I’m-a-recovering-dieter door.

Is it possible I’m a “Recovered Dieter?”

Hmmm, I don’t want to get too cocky. I’m just going to keep taking things one day at a time. :)

OK, I REALLY have to go. I have a flight to Chicago in a few hours. I’m speaking at BlogHer’s Healthminder Day tomorrow!

How did your week go? Did anyone take any leaps out of their comfort zones? Big or small? PLEASE SHARE!

Sugar Free Homemade Instant Lemonade

Your personal resume’ of awesomeness just got more impressive. Not only are you ladies smart & sassy, and all you men out there witty and studly, but you lovely people can now whip up sweet, refreshing lemonade with zero refined sugars…all in an instant.

Some people swear by a concoction of lemon slices and/or lemon juice in warm water upon waking at the butt crack of dawn. They say it aids in weight loss & more: 10 Reasons Why You Should Drink Warm Lemon Water in the Morning. There there’s the lemon-controversial Master Cleanse Detox perspective. While both are intriguing in their own ways, the refreshing 3-ingredient glass of goodness that I speak of is neither of those things.

homeade lemonade Sugar Free Homemade Instant Lemonade

This is solely about enjoying a fresh glass of sweet lemonade without refined sugars. I made it for the family. They didn’t know the difference between my homemade instant version and the overpriced Amish lemonade filled with refined sugars that I was buying from the farmer’s market.

INGREDIENTS

8-10 ounces of waterapproximately 2 fresh lemons or store bought 100% lemon juice2 packets Stevia

DIRECTIONS

Pour cold water into your favorite fancy glass.Add fresh squeezed lemon juice to glass, or give a generous squeeze of store bought 100% lemon juice.Add 1-2 packets of Stevia to the glass.Slurp to taste. Add more Stevia or lemon juice if desired.Now drink some more to enjoy instantaneous sweet lemonade splendor.

Homemade Instant Lemonade is not only tasty, it makes it so much easier to fit in adequate water throughout the day. You’re less likely to retain water if you stay hydrated. Lemons also have a boatload of health benefits, so start slurping!

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My pedometer made me a better mother.

my feet. circa 2006.

To know me is to know Im an *early* adopter (we had a DVR when most still used VHS tapes) or the l-a-s-t to the soiree (I jumped on the Crocs bandwagon LONG after said wagon had been abandoned).

To know me is to also be aware Im opinionated. To the point of resembling a Tornado petulant child.

Once I get into my head I dislike something (hello mayonnaise!) I never really give it a chance.

Back in the 90s when everyone was tracking/counting—I decided I hated pedometers.

This disdain had nothing to do with the fact I exercise intuitively (I didnt then) & everything to do making a snap decision.

I encouraged others to wear pedometers, rock heart rate monitors and embrace gadgets—but they weren’t for me.

Until they were.

Recently my back started hurting.

I blamed it on my piriformis/the fact I needed to foam roll more–yet I knew, intuitively it was because I sat too much.

Id become the most sedentary healthy living writer I knew.

It was time for a change, I was desperate for a change, I decided a pedometer might be that change.

It took me one day to learn I walked as much as a bed ridden person.

I exercise consistently—but after 30 minutes it’s workwritingworkwritingSITTING for much of my day.

the life of an UpAtCrack working misfit.

I PLAYout with the Tornado —- but those activities (monkey bars, SKIP IT) do not equate to steps (who knew?).

I’d get stuck here for hours & hours

We’ve gots a canine–but right now he’s hell on a leash not super walk friendly.

not helping…yet!

I realized if left to my own work-housework-grocery-work-childtime-work-bed devices Id plateau at 3 thousand steps EARLY in the day & not add much from there.

I was far behind the average American.

I committed to stepping it up (pun intended) and, to my surprise, more steps made me a better mother in the process.

My pedometer increased my patience. To mother (canine or otherwise) is to spend lots of time cleaning, straightening, retrieving, and organizing. Even with my foray into the Orange Rhino I wasnt exceedingly patient when the Tornado would say, as we were leaving the house, OH MAMA I FORGOT XXX. WILL YOU GO GET IT FOR ME? until the pedometer. I no longer heard demands of a disorganized child—I heard her saying HERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SQUEEZE IN STEPS!!

(imagine image here of me happily skipping inside domicile to retrieve fleece jacket)

My pedometer was an opportunity to PRACTICE NOT PREACH. My approach to parenting life is to practice what I preach & say not a word. Before my pedometer it hadnt occurred to me a step-count display would be a sign to the Tornado we *both* needed to move! On days she’d see my count was low she’d take the initiative to suggest we go play. You dont need to be a mom to know ANYTHING which promotes healthy living *and* spares us nagging is win-win.

when did her fingers get so BIG?!

My pedometer was a FLASHING reminder of self-care. I take care of myself first. I get up *early* to do so—but Ive learned if I dont place my oxygen mask on first I cannot ‘do unto’ others for the rest of my day. It quickly became apparent on days I ONLY did unto others my step count was miniscule. This is inevitable some days—this is NOT fine as consistent practice. it cant always be this--but sometimes!

SELF-CARE= a relaxing amble around the lake

So there’s my confession: a gadget Id hated without meeting is now a helpful tool in my belt with regards to being a kinder, gentler, misfit-Mama.

And you?

Are you an AVOWED pedometer junkie?What lessons have you learned from increasing your steps?

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Life balance: not easy but necessity (guest post)

My sensei, Mizfit, knows this to be true as I still look to her for guidance on BALANCING life and getting it all done!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t get it all done.

I am my all means the definition of a work in progress.

I have made improvements, though, and that in and of itself is cause for being thankful!

I’ve learned that balance in life is not easy, but it is a necessity. We can’t get it ALL done nor expect to get none of it done at the same time. Mizfit’s term of monotasking has been my biggest area of focus.

Monotask!

Do each task you set out to do to its fullest and to the best of your ability. I don’t halfass and I don’t put too much work into anything. I just do my best. I try to do each task separately now, too, so they don’t cloud together. Into mush.

I work to live and don’t live to work.

Period.

We all may not have the job that we dreamed we’d have nor are we 100% ecstatic about going to a place for 8+ hours a day away from the things we do love.

However, 99% of the time, it’s what we have to do to make a living.

Do a job and do it well, I always say.

Don’t make those 8+ hours misery nor make it so much fun that you’re job hunting every 2 months. I know that my job is what helps me vacation, travel, have dinners out with my husband, so it affords me those things I love to do. I respect it, but I also leave it at the door once I walk out of it.

Who comes first?

Your dog? Your children? Your husband? Your wife? Your cat? It should be YOU.

I’ve learned that I have to balance enough to make time for myself.

Whether it’s a 5 mile run right when I wake up or 30 minutes to make my toes look decent and not runner-like. If we take time for ourselves, we’ll feel at least a tad more refreshed than we did before. We also won’t feel as expended in the 5 million directions we get pulled in daily.

Organize as best you can.

I stay organized with a planner at work and a separate one for home. I pre-plan as much as I possibly can.

That includes date nights, time with friends, time to workout, time to blog, anything. If I at least set aside a reasonable amount of time to accomplish everything I want to accomplish, they don’t bleed together. They get their own separate special time.

Aaaand I don’t forget important events causing me to let down others – I’m big about keeping commitments.

Don’t over-commit.

In order to not let anyone down, including yourself, know your limits.

All-in-all I remember to not give in one area more than I should in another – after taking a look at prioritization.

Life isn’t about giving ALL to others and it’s not about giving ALL to yourself either.

That’s my main takeaway for BALANCE. What’s YOURS?

Kat is a pug-mom and wife trying to stay fit while tackling work, getting creative intermittently, studying for her NASM CPT exam, and managing asthma while taking on an active life in general! Her fitness blog, sneakersandfingerpaints.com, helps her hold herself accountable for all the goals she plans on accomplishing and inspiring others to do the same.

2013 Birthday Bucket List Update

Tomorrow I turn 37.

Wow.

I’m sure everyone who has ever turned 37 feels the way I do right now.

When did this happen?

Not only am I not in my 20s anymore, I’m pretty darn close to 40!

Is this really happening?

Yes it is, and I’m totally over the whole age thing.

Comparing 27 to 37, I’d take 37 in a heartbeat. I’m happier, more confident, and content. I’m thinner, which is a total byproduct of my lifestyle. I’m more fit and energetic. I do more despite having more responsibilities. And I have two amazing kids!

Last year I wrote a Birthday Bucket List so I thought it would be fun to revisit it, give some updates and possible add to it as well. So here goes …

Write a Bucket List.Live at the beach (at least part time), AKA buy a beach house.Become a World Traveler. I don’t even own a passport at the moment.
Update: Passport obtained!! Click here to read the post.Hike in the Grand Canyon.As cheesy as it sounds, skydive preferably with one/all of my boys but I won’t force them to do it.Visit the Redwood Forest.Publish a book (note: I’ve self published but I want to traditionally publish)Launch a Travel Blog.
Update: Launched The UnWordly Travelers last August!Be financially independent (My goal is to support my family doing only things I love and want to do, like this!)Start some type of non-profit to help people in some way. Not sure what that “way” is yet but I know it will come to me.Take the ultimate American road trip with my boys coast to coast.Take a cooking class just because.
Update: I did it AND brought The Husband along. It was great! Click here to read about it. Train for and run another marathon. This time completing it in under 5 hours. Preferably the NY Marathon but it’s not a necessity.Sing karaoke, alone and OWN IT. This scares the CRAP out of me. I can’t carry a tune to save my life.
Update: I DID IT!!! At FitBloggin’ this year. I’m sure there is a video but I don’t want to see it. lol Honestly, it was really fun even though I suck. I may even do it again. OH! and I chose “One Way or Another” by Blondie. :)Write a children’s book.
Update: In Progress! Working on the illustrations with David!Take my Mom to Italy.
Update: This was the highlight of the year for me. Click to see how I surprised her on Christmas. Take a rock-wall climbing class and get certified to belay.See the Northern Lights.Throw a big reunion party for all my college friends. I miss them dearly.Host a double elimination Beer Pong tournament in my garage. Note: May be combined with item above.Spend a week on a guilt-free spa vacation.Go scuba diving NOT snorkeling but SCUBA diving. I want to see a coral reef!See an iceberg.Take martial arts lessons.Host FitBloggin’ on the West Coast.
Update: DONE! FitBloggin’13 was in Portland this year!Be on or work with the Food Network in some way .Be present with my kids while they are kids and do my best to raise them to be responsible, happy adults.
Update: In progress. Always.Take a creative writing class.Take a class at Penland School of Crafts. See the stars and milky way in the night sky uninterrupted by city lights.Do 2 pull ups in a row. Note: I did one once and it took me months of training. WHY are they so friggin’ hard?!Visit Australia alone. I can’t explain why, I just want to.Hike to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.Audition for a Reality Show. Oh wait, I did that already! Surprise my neighbors with New Year’s gifts.Master my camera and take a breathtaking photograph that people want to hang on their wall.Make a video that goes viral on YouTube.Plan a romantic transatlantic cruise with The Husband.Take The Boys to Legoland.Plan an official 5k event.See as many of these movies as possible.Go to Comic-Con International.Take the boys to see the Statue of Liberty.Spend a FULL day in bed watching movies with the Husband.Teach/Inspire as many people to cook as I can.
Update: In progress on GreenLiteBites. :)Build something useful with my hands.Have a conversation in another language.Get another tattoo.Collaborate on a project with the husband. We have tons of ideas.Never stop living consciously and continually add to this list.
…
New for 2013…Run 2 Tough Mudders back to back
Update: Mission accomplished! Click here to see the video. Now I’m considering putting The World’s Toughest on my list but I’m not sure I’m ready to commit yet.Compete in an unscaled CrossFit competitionRun at least one adventure marathon. The Great Wall Marathon is at the top of my list.

I’m only adding three things this year, one of which I already completed. I want to make more progress on my original list before I go really crazy. ;) I’m super excited about the progress I made on this list so far! There are a few more in my sights for this year, too.

Making and checking in on a bucket list really helps keep things in perspective. I know I accomplished a lot of these things because I committed to them on paper. I’m tired of talking, I’m in “do” mode now.

Cyclospora Outbreak: Parasitic Stomach Bug Infects Nearly 300 across 9 States (so far)

Update 7/31/13: The outbreak has infected 372 people across 15 states. It is thought to be linked to bagged salads, but the CDC is still investigating…

It’s a parasitic stomach bug called Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora Infection). Although this parasite is typically only found in the tropics, recently (June 2013), two confirmed cases sprung up in an Iowa couple who had not recently traveled internationally. According to CDC data, the infection has now spread to nearly 300 people across 9 states in just a few short weeks, from mid-June 2013 to early July 2013.

But here’s the kicker: Cyclospora is NOT spread by human-to-human contact. It is a foodbourne & waterbourne parasite. In imported food, it’s previously been linked to fruits, veggies and herbs.

The CDC has yet to pinpoint the exact source of infection, and are currently working with the FDA, as well as state & local health departments to find a common connection between infected people. What did they eat or drink? We don’t know yet.

Cyclospora symptoms include watery diarrhea and/or explosive bowel movements, cramping, bloating, fatigue and weight loss. Less common symptoms are vomiting and low-grade fever. Symptoms can last more than a month and can quite possibly return in a relapse. Anyone seeing a doctor for stomach flu symptoms is encouraged to mention Cyclospora to their physician, as doctors don’t automatically test for the parasite when evaluating a patient for stomach flu. There is a special test to diagnose this particular bug and the CDC hopes to document as many cases as possible.

Here’s a CBS segment that gives additional info, including which states have popped up with cases of the parasite:

Antibiotics are often used in the treatment of Cyclospora. However, this Youtube vid clearly shows colloidal silver in action, killing parasites:

In the past I’ve urged to you to get your hands on colloidal silver because of its many uses. Please do it! Diatomaceous Earth is another natural alternative that is a proven parasitic killer.

Please see your doctor if you have stomach bug symptoms, and keep these recommended Colloidal Silver & Diatomaceous Earth brands on your medicine shelf:

What I intend to do immediately is to slightly “up” my family’s daily dosage of the colloidal silver supplement in an effort to thwart this parasite should it come our way. I will also be washing our fruits & veggies more thoroughly. Stay well, my friends. XO!

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Healthy Food That Poisons… (guest post)

Please to welcome back Igor. I love the way Igor thinks as this is precisely why I resisted for YEARS sharing the fact Im two decades gluten-free.

This could also be called: Why You’re Getting Sicker and Fatter Despite Eating Healthier.

MizFit note: my FAVE food may be your poison!?

Pop quiz!

Fruits are good for you, right? Generally speaking yes, but not if you have adrenal fatigue (a collection of symptoms characterized by needing coffee, “bags” under the eyes, fatigue, feeling lightheaded when going from lying to sitting or sitting to standing, etc.).

Why?

Because in adrenal fatigue, you usually have low sodium levels. The higher your potassium levels, the lower your sodium levels. And since fruits have a lot of potassium and very low sodium, it makes them worsen your condition.

How about veggies?

Veggies must be good for you, right? Well, if you have a slow thyroid, the very pictures of “health food” will actually be bad for you. Specifically, vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and others will actually make your thyroid condition worse.

Oh, and how about white bread, white rice and white potatoes?

Bad for you, right? Not necessarily.

If you have digestive problems, these might actually be quite beneficial since they’re processed.

I can hear it already “but processed food is bad for you.” The majority of the time, yes. But in certain cases, no.

In this case, the processing removes the fiber, which takes a lot of stress off your digestion.

After all, what’s the definition of “fiber”? Open any basic nutrition textbook and you’ll see that fiber is undigestible carbohydates. That makes it a real problem for your stomach if you have digestive problems. Once your digestive problems are resolved, you should include more fiber in your diet.

Whenever I do speaking engagements, by the time I mention all of the above, my audiences have to take a minute to pick up their jaw off the ground.

We’ve all heard the saying that “one man’s food is another man’s poison.” And it most definitely is true.

The truth is that there are no universally good or bad foods. It’s more about how a particular food interacts with your own physiology.

A generally good, healthy diet includes:

Lots of veggiesA few grainsA bit of meat, fish or seafood (and their alternatives, like milk and eggs)1-2 servings of fruit per daySmall amounts of nuts and seedsSmall amounts of herbs and spices

And for the perfectly healthy, well-balanced person, this diet will bring amazing health and energy.

But there is one little problem.

There are so few of these “healthy, well-balanced” people, that the generally “healthy” diet needs to be tweaked. I know what you’re thinking: “I’m healthy and well-balanced, so I’m the exception.”

Well, see how many of these apply to you:

Crave sugarCrave saltCrave coffeeCrave chocolateHave dark circles under your eyesDry skinOily skinFeel lightheaded when going from lying to sitting or sitting to standingHave a hard time falling asleepHave a hard time staying asleepFeel constant fatigueHave gas after mealsFeel sad, anxious or depressedUnder constant stressUnexplained weight gainLow libidoHair growth or hair loss

If you have just one of these, your diet requires modifications (albeit, probably just temporary). If you have more than one, you definitely need some modifications.

The other important lesson you should get out of this article is that as your body changes, so should your nutrition.

So what may have been a good diet for you when you had 10 of the above signs and symptoms may not be an appropriate diet for you 6 months down the line, when those symptoms started to get better or disappear entirely.

And probably the most important thing is to listen to your body (instead of the talking head on TV or the write of a magazine).

There are so many individual differences that although one diet may work for one person, it may not work for you, no matter how sound the science is or how spectacular the results are that others get.

If it’s not working for you, don’t do it.

How has listening to your own body improved your health?

About the Author

Igor Klibanov was selected as one of the top 5 personal trainer in Toronto by the Metro News newspaper. He is the author of a book called “Unlimited Progress: How You Can Unlock Your Body’s Potential.” He is a self-described information junkie, and loves to study and educate himself on all aspects of fitness and nutrition.

A Quick Update and 4 Inspiring Women!

I’m in Chicago and I have so much I want to tell you but I’m literally falling asleep as I type. So I’ve got to make this one of my quick bullet point posts. Here goes…

1. I started my day with Sara Rosso doing a CrossFit workout at River North and it was INSANE! I loved every minute of it but injured my hand a little doing kettle bell swings. :(

Screen shot 2013-07-26 at 12.55.02 AM

2. I got a Fitbit!! I’m so excited. I’m going to try to wear it and track everything the next few days just to really see how it works. I’m such a dork about these things. I find them really fun.

3. I spoke at HealthMinder on the Panel Fad to Foundation. It was fun but I’m not sure how it went. There were only a few people in the room and I wasn’t sure they were all that interested.

4. Jen and I had quite the adventure on the way to the expo this evening…

Screen shot 2013-07-26 at 12.53.26 AM

Let’s just way we’re not big fans of conferences offsite from the hotel.

5. My favorite panel of the day was called Weight vs. Health. I knew most of the panelists from their sites but hearing them speak was VERY inspiring. If you have a minute you should really check them out…

OK, must go. Tomorrow morning is the BlogHer 5k!

Maintainence isnt sexy.

wait. remind me what HEEL means?

When last we left Coop he was happily drooling all over his new domicile.

He slid effortlessly into our lives—but not so much into the lives of the neighborhood canines.

Coop, we quickly learned, had some socializing to do.

We examined our options, interviewed trainers, and decided sleep away camp was the way to go.

Two weeks. All training all the time. No Tornado’y distractions. Then home to us where Id *maintain* what he’d learned.

On our way to pick up the canine wonder I said to the Husband:

I get the fact I’ll have to work hard at maintaining what Coop learned. I realize it wont be fun. Ive lived maintaining for 20 years. MAINTAINING IS NOT SEXY.

The Husband had no idea what I meant in precisely the way, I surmise, all of YOU immediately grasped my point:

All of the above propel us on to greater fitness/weight loss success.

The ‘power’ of most of the above wanes after weight has been shed/goals reached.

Maintaining? Not glamorous

Maintaining? Never featured on a magazine cover alongside a titillating photo announcing “Find out how Sheila shed 30 pounds and struggles daily to maintain her loss!!!”

I knew maintaining Coop’s training would be challenging because I knew my own weight loss maintaining hadnt been sexy easy.

I was confident I could rock it because I recognized our differences —while seemingly vast—-were few.

I prepared for Coop retrieval by reminding myself of the three steps I went through with my own maintaining process.

Step one: This is all new & super! Im so happy!!! For Coop it was us seeing how he’d transformed. For *me* it was shedding weight/discovering my love of the iron. Goal achievement feels so flipping EXCITING it’s hard to envision the newness (weight-loss or Coop’s new skillz) ever losing its power to motivate!

Yay! He’s gots some knowledge!

Step Two: You know I can do this. Must we practice again!? (AKA My new bod rocks—do I really have to work to *maintain* it? Some slacking wont hurt—will it?) I’ll admit my mind was BLOWN by all Coop learned at Boot Camp. He was socialized. He followed commands. I was very tempted to get lazy as Id already been REWARDED with a rockin bod trained dog! Maintaining had to start on day one. I knew–from fitness–if I blew off day *one* CONSISTENCY would never return.

can we skip my being tethered just for this ONE day?

May we skip my being tethered just for ONE day?

Step three. This is forever?! When do I rest on my hindlegs laurels?! Maintaining what Coop learned is a forever process. Maintaining weight loss is a forever process. Maintenance requires we find new motivations as, typically, old motivators no longer work. We’ve reaped those rewards. I look to my daughter when I feel like slacking. Ill never venture off my fitness path as she’s my living, breathing motivation to remain healthy. Ill never slack on Coop-maintaining because as much as she adores him–he’s big & there’s some fear there.

well trained dog = a FEARfree Tornado

It’s true maintaining isnt as glam or sexy as the actual weight loss (or Coop training) process—but that doesnt mean it cant be done.

It’s all about consistency.

From canines to fitness—what are your experiences with maintaining change?What’s your best tip to avoid returning to old habits?