MizFit RE-exposed (four year update).

When Michelle reached out and asked if Id do an EXPOSED! update I couldn’t believe it had been four years.

Not so much in the “Good gosh time flies! Can you believe it has been four years already?!” sense, but in the “That feels like a lifetime ago.  I feel like a different person.” way.

I went back and reread my initial post. 

I recognized much of that woman.

I remembered the moment the picture was taken (crack of dawn, rushing around, thrust husband’s phone at him and instructed SNAP ONE! FAST!!).

I still owned the bathing suit (something which amazed me. Im a swim-in-running-shorts-and-sports-bra misfit, hadnt worn it since the photo, and we’d moved).

I still immediately flashed back to college-aged women Id worked with & how they’d had no concept what their bodies looked like because they weren’t living fully *inside* them. (something which made me want to gather new Oakland girlfriends and do the butcher paper experiment).

And yet–at the same time–the post read as though it were an entirely different individual.

I look much the same.

I feel worlds different (partial photo credit above a VERY PROUD seven year old.  Left side four years ago.  Right side last week.).

Gone is the prideful:

I am thankful for my health, my strength & for making it to 40 without any major aches, pains or injuries.

Replaced at 44 with:

I am thankful Ive learned sitting IS the new smoking.  My piriformis seizes when I sit too much.  Im grateful Ive learned to move more.

Gone is the simplistic:

What Ive learned is when I give my body what it seeks it repays me ten-fold by being able to do pretty much anything I ask of it in return.

Replaced at 44 with:

At times my body hesitates before doing what I ask (hello back bend on command!) but it flat out refuses to comply when bombarded with old talk/thoughts.

Revisiting the EXPOSED! movement has been a painful experience for me.

As I blather about ad nauseam:

Healthy living and fitness for me is *not* about the vessel.  It’s about striving to live a longer more vibrant life.

I may not appear all that different from four years ago (insert awkward yet candid joke about wrinkles on my countenance) —yet I feel utterly changed.

Ive learned more.

Ive lost more.

Im wiser.

Im older in every sense of the word.

In the initial post I expressed gratitude for my eyes/ability to see.  Four years (& aging eyesight) later Ive learned seeing is much more than viewing whats before us.

As I created the wonky side-by-side photo above I pondered the definition of the word EXPOSED.

It occurred to me, at 44, I feel less EXPOSED “displayed for viewing” when posting a bathing suit picture than when I ‘display’ things more sacred than my vessel.

For me being EXPOSED! is sharing my words.

Sharing Im feeling off. 

Sharing Im stepping back, re-evaluating & trying to recover the joy Ive shed since that photo was taken four years ago.

For me EXPOSE!-ing through my words is far more revealing than a photo could ever be.

Did you participate in the EXPOSED! project?  How do you feel four years later?Are words & thoughts more EXPOSE’ing for you than the physical?

View the original article here

MizFit EXPOSED! (the immediate aftermath…)

…because nothing makes the SMILE reappear more swiftly than being TOLD to hoop by an overly-excited, seven year old, budding videographer.

Video was her idea. As was the…interesting? semi-Texan? pronunciation of cirque du *SOLEIL*

Tags: hooping, MizIsRunningAwayWIthCIRCUS

View the original article here

MIZFIT SKIRT GIVEAWAY!

Miz, I want to buy a skirt and give it away anonymously.  On your blog.  It’s the notion of paying a favor not back, but forward.  I do this monthly as it supports my spirituality/who I am and watching the momentum it sparks is amazing.  I believe in your MizFit angel network.

I received this email the day I announced my Miz skirts were for sale (links added by me).

My initial reaction was to implore the emailer to share her name.

It’s not I believe it’s important to take ‘credit’ (in Judaism one of the highest forms of mitzvah is anonymous giving) I just thought it such a cool idea I wanted to share the source.

Our emailer declined & said she cared NOT how I conduct the giveaway. ..what I did for the giveaway…but really wanted anonymity.

And, given her choice of MizFit Angel network wording, I immediately knew what I’d do.

And I penned a post which I choose to preempt when Hurricane Sandy happened.

A post about RAOK & how small acts spark bigger movements ala the MizFit Angel Network reference in our GENEROUS emailer’s missive.

A post encouraging you to do an act of good.  Any act—BIG like skirt giving or small like a smile—which would spontaneously brighten another person’s day.

I almost changed the post for today—but decided not to as our world–in my opinion–is always in need of a little extra loving kindness.

Drawing a blank for your pay-it-forward gesture?

We tend to git weird misfit’y with our actions—so here are a few of our more staid ideas:

Use manners as a form of kindness.  Please. Thank you. Hold the door open for a stranger. Done!Stop a stranger on the street & give a genuine compliment and a smile (<—one of our faves).Clean out your toy room/bring gently used toys to fire/police station so they have extras on truck in case they encounter a frightened child.Bring coupons to the grocery & leave the ones you dont use TAPED to the item for the next shopper (<—another one we love).Launch A PRO-ANYTHING campaign on a social media platform (blog, twitter, instagram, pinterest etc).  For example, anti-BULLYING is a great message, but PRO-KINDNESS might be even better?  Pro-positivity.  Another example: not ANTI our healthy living TROLL but PRO everyone else.

Not yet sold on spending your little leisure time PAYING IT FORWARD?

Need to know there’s a little fitness-payback in the deal for YOU?

Voila.

Acting in a kind/giving fashion can:

Contribute to good health & diminish the effect of diseases psychological and physical.Spark the “helper’s high.”  (The rush of euphoria, followed by long period of calm, after performing a kind act. This ‘helper’s high’ triggers the release of endorphins.)Create feelings of joyfulness and vigor (woo-hoo! Im all about the vim & vigor).Decrease intensity/awareness of physical pain.Serve as an amazing distraction from the fact Thanksgiving is merely a week away (!)

You can be entered to win a MizFit workout skirt (men, they make great gifts!) for the low low cost of a comment below.

What act of kindness will you do this week to pay-it-forward?

All my proceeds *plus* a matching donation from abprosports go to the Mayan Families charity in Guatemala.

winner announced 11.21.12 USA and CANADA only

View the original article here

The WINNER of the MizFit SKORT:

First, thanks so much for playing along and paying it forward.

Here’s hoping it all continues throughout the year.

The randomly selected winner of the MizFit skort is THE RUNNER MOM!

Email me (carla at carla birnberg.com) your mailing address/size and your skirt will be on its way…

View the original article here

Did you buy a MizFit workout skort?

YEP. I bought this one!

I have the opportunity to git a skirt-mention on a pretty big website and would LOVE to feature *you.*

If youre so inclined (be inclined! be inclined!) email me a photo Im allowed to share of you wearing the skort.

(Yes you may crop out your face etc if you choose, but you know me I say LEAVE IT IN.  You never know where things may lead in life…)

Carla at Carla Birnberg dot com

What’s that? You didnt get a skirt yet? Still planning, waiting & juggling funds?

Stay tuned. 

There’s a give away coming this week.

Tags: MizFit Skort, wanna be semi-famous?

View the original article here

MizFit (SuRpRiSe!!) Commenter of the Month…

105 pounds gone!!

Oh how I love Lori.

Ive read her for YEARS.

Ive cheer on her victories.

Ive shared in her tears.

I admire her biking.

She badass. Hardcore.

Her he-bikes-too?! husband

His love for *her* I adore.

She’s a weightloss success.

With much more to offer

She’s always at the ready

With a kind word to proffer.

She’s a foodie weights-lover.

She’s focused and fit.

Yet her thoughtful blog-comments?

These TOP all of it!

Id imagine you know her.

You read her each day.

If you dont–please start now!

You may go!!! CLICK AWAY.

She has no idea she's waiting for you

View the original article here

Ive found my (Pure) bliss! (MizFIt & guest post)

DiZclaimer:  Im biased. I freakin love this girl.  The Tornado LOOOVES her & Pure Bliss Eats. We’re superfly biased that way. Please to enjoy this BY-DEMAND! guest post by Nicole.

I’m so happy to be here on MizFit’s blog sharing my story with you.

I got the very special chance to meet Carla in New York in December. I have to admit I *may* have been a bit nervous to meet her, but as soon as I walked in she was SO warm. And I mean, how can you not like someone that tells you, you are a prettier Bethany Frankel, right?

Carla is the most down to earth, REAL, person and I found that so comforting. She has become sort of my mentor and has helped me in many situations.

Anyway, I’ll stop gushing now…and tell you a bit about me.

MizFit note: Seriously. I asked for none of the above niceties. Just the post.  really.

I was destined to be a teacher since elementary school when I played with my friends. I was one of the only people I knew, who ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher. Enter college, what’s my major, teaching, obviously. There was never ever a wavering thought or moment because teaching was ALWAYS for me.

I graduated college when I was 21 years old. Fast forward 3 months I was a 100% full time Special Education teacher for the 4th grade. I honestly thought I’d stay there for a long time, much longer than 5 years.

I thought I had it all figured out. I had a great boyfriend I’d been with for a long time, I knew engagement, marriage, and a mortgage was coming…and it did, happily. Oh 21 year old self, how you so didn’t know what was ahead.

On August 15 2011, I quit teaching.

It was the hardest and the BEST thing I’ve ever done for myself. I was miserable. I cried A LOT.

I made the decision to quit with my husband, back over the school year, but I told basically NO ONE. When I finally started to break the news, I got an overwhelming amount of support, with a few people telling me I was legit crazy for leaving a secure decently paying job at this time. But honestly, does money even matter when you are crying multiple times a week?*

 *Let me say my husband and I had a CLEAR plan. We did NOT do this and hope, wish and pray for money to appear out of thin air. And we did not act irresponsibly and leave us in a situation to not be able to pay our bills.

I worked my butt off over the spring and summer to get my small businesses off the ground. I started nutrition counseling over the spring and then launched my healthy online bakery in July. With the help of my husband and sister we went around and made connections with a few local business that would talk to us…mostly yoga studios and friends of friends.

My company, Pure Bliss Eats has a mission to be a health food company that offers delicious baked goods that won’t hurt your waistline. I carefully chose each ingredient like organic spelt flour, raw nuts and organic raw blue agave nectar to carefully craft each baked good. These treats are delicious and provide long lasting energy. You will not feel a sugar crash after eating any one of these items.

MizFit note: Pure Biss Eats is having a site re-launch next week. Keep your eyes out for discount codes!

I truly believe you have to enjoy what you are eating, life is too short not to, but at the same time you should make the best choices for your body. Whether you are looking for a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert, I promise you that you will enjoy our foods with no guilt.

Because I love Carla and her community SO much, I thought it would be fun to share a recipe with you for one of my many healthier granolas.

 Pumpkin Spice Granola

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups rolled oats

1 cup puffed millet (or another puffed rice cereal)

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice mix

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)

3/4 cup pureed pumpkin

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup raw chopped walnuts

1/4 cup raw sliced or slivered almonds

*optional: 2 tbsp chia seeds

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a large baking sheet with wax paper. In a large bowl, combine oats and millet.  In a small bowl, mix together pumpkin pie spice, salt, sugar, pumpkin, maple syrup, chia seeds and vanilla. Mix until smooth.? Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients bowl and then stir and mix well.

It will take a couple of minutes to get everything mixed evenly. Spread the granola mixture on the large baking sheet evenly.

Bake for 30 minutes, then turn over the granola carefully using a large wide spatula. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Let cool on the pan or on a cooling rack. Add almonds and walnuts.

Store in an airtight container.

Hope you enjoy!

View the original article here

MizFit (surprise) Commenter of the Month:

(cick on karen’s lovely locks if youre already READY to leave me for her. I understand.)

Please to me February’s Commenter of the Month the fabulous Waisting Time Karen!

I’ve read her blog since its inception and, for sake of sharing her awesomenessment, I shall pretend you’ve never clicked her way for a visit.

Yet.

Getting the first things out of the way, I experience pangs of envy at time from Karen’s posts and comments.

We’re not too far apart in age, but she’s already raised two amazing boys whereas Im old and tired just getting started.

I adore the way she writes & was heartened to find she’s an editor as well.  She blogs, puts away, rereads, edits and THEN posts.   I do the same (though admittedly it’s more evident in Karen’s flow) and may have cried had I learned her lovely lilting prose went immediately from fingertips to PUBLISH.

She may not see it—but she’s a weight-loss & fitness inspiration.

Shes honest about her perceived shortcomings (one of my faves being her experience with P90x & I like to pretend she never returned to it.  Makes me feel better about myself), her struggle with snacking (especially in the evenings. I can relate), & is always ready with a word of encouragement or NEEDED REMINDER.

And her Thumbs Up Thumbs Down posts? The only big.thumbs.down. I give is to the fact I wasnt creative enough to have thought of it first.

I adore Karen.

Her way of writing, her humor, and the comments she leaves for me…for *us* here.

I appreciate Karen.

I encourage you, if when you opened this post you thought: KAREN WHO??, to click on over and say hello.

I promise you wont be sorry you did…

View the original article here

The MizFit workout skirts are here!

And, you know, it isn’t as though Ive been talking about them for years now or anything…

They currently come with black compression shorts (misfit’ingly revealed in video below).

They currently come with white compression shorts.

There’s a pocket (in back) for keys/money/license etc.

There’s a slit I LOVE in the front which makes the workoutskirt flattering *and* non-chafing comfy (if you watch any of my videos & most of my photos you can see Im wearing this same skirt sans-pattern.  I adore this skirt).

For your viewing pleasure here’s a 27 second snippet of what the skirt looks like on & in motion:

For your amusement pleasure allow me to elaborate on the video. 

I was all set up with a tripod when the Tornado blew into the room.  It was *early morning* but Ren Man had already left for the office (hence the tripod).

The Tornado was eager to play cameragurl as she’d successfully negotiated this weekend to be paid for any work in sticky hands.

And, while I want to encourage her interest in working/vlogging, I also know she has a tendency to get distracted and let the camera wander.  ALL OVER.

I knew there was a good possibility Id pay sticky hands for a video of our wall and/or kitchen when I wanted the skirt filmed.

So I went topless.

And I learned.

Nothing keeps a six year old girl focused entirely on her subject (the skirt) more than horror at her misfit mother being partially nekid.

You may leave my Mom of the Year trophy on the porch.

You may indicate an interest in pre-ordering a skirt ($50.00 sizes xs through xl)  in the comment section below.  Ordering info. coming after I talk to manufacturer.

You may ask any & all questions (from skirt to sticky hands) in the comments below as well.

View the original article here

MizFit Commenter of the Month goes to….

Ahh People.

Back in the day—if you’ll grant me for this post that 2009 was the day–I did a Commenter of the Month blog post.

I cant speak for you, but I adored these posts.

I reached out to a  consistent commenter (whether she had a blog of her own or not!) and emailed her a list of questions.

Random, serious, snarky, silly, seeking her wisdom kind of questions.

I ceased doing this when *I* became more busy.

I put myself in the place of the reader receiving my email and thought:

I do NOT want to be the proverbial straw which breaks her too life-busy back!  We’re all stretched so thin these days I don’t want to give someone yet ANOTHER assignment.

The thing is, I have missed these posts (again I can’t speak for you. Id love you to speak for you in the comments) so Im bringing them back and would welcome your input as I do.

First, however, I wanna introduce you to JODY.

I wish I could remember when we first met (Ill blame that on the fact MizFit turns 5 next month and not the fact I turned 42.5 yesterday), but I can not.

It feels as though Ive known her forever and yet, as with so many virtual friends, we’ve never met in real life.

Jody is one of the most supportive women Ive ever encountered.

She’s a cheerleader for so many of us.

She’s always the first to congratulate on successes and encourage when we need a kind word.

She makes me believe I can keep getting better as I age.

That I will, as she has, grow stronger, wiser, more loving, and more beautiful inside and out.

Her blog is filled with fitness tips (warning! she’s weights-crazy as I am! I like to think that may be the KEY to her badass physique.), recipes ( yeah. we’re alike here too.), product reviews (she loves those Hokas. Ive never seen those Hokas) & GRATITUDE (this final one is, IMO, the key to staying young at heart).

And she has no idea Im profiling her today.

And that, alone, makes me love this post.

The very thought of her clicking through and stumbling upon it & the very *hope* it will bring a smile to her face as she has done for so many of us.

And yeah. If reading her isnt part of your healthy living routine this misfit firmly believes youre missing out.

Which all leads me back to you.

Are you as slammed busy as I imagine? Would you sigh audibly at an email from me filled with mind-challenging queries like “what celebrity would play you in the movie version of your life?” 

Or are you thisclose to jam-packed yet still have a little bit of time to ponder brain-bending issues like ‘ if you had to choose one meal to eat for breakfast for the rest of your life—what would it be?”

Please to share your wisdom (& Jody love) in the comments below…

View the original article here

Merry Christmas from Casa MizFit*

*Or two of us at least.  As per his yearly tradition Ren Man avoided sitting on Santa’s lap.

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

MizFit, Jackie Warner, Alison Sweeney, Dara Torres, Amanda Beard…

(If I rocked photoshop there would be a hilarious image HERE of us all hanging out)

One of my favorite quotes is:  Show me the friends and I’ll show you the woman.

(no idea who said it & good ole Google proved no help. anyone know?)

Ive found this true throughout my life.

It was true in high school when my friends may have been less than desirable (you know, from a parental point of view) and it’s true now (where I like to think I ROCK by association. Im fortunate to have some smart sassy wise witty women in my life).

I was reminded of this quote when I dated, too.

Show me the friends and I’ll show you the man rang true (to my chagrin) 99% of the time.

For those of you on twitter what strikes me most on beaten to death Follow Fridays is the company into which people place (the royal) you.

What strikes me most is the *implied* message from the Tweeter of how they view the people they’re recommending by the groups into which they’ve placed them.

(pauses. rereads. realizes she’s gone horribly off-track & chooses to continue down said wrong trackage)

I was completely excited to be asked by Cafe Mom to be one of their Transform Your Workout Fitness Experts.

I love the opportunity to giveaway the knowledge Ive been fortunate enough to accrue & the chance to help others.

It’s why I started this blog.

And yeah.

I was completely excited when I was sent the list of the other women they’d selected & saw the group into which they placed me.

I hold no illusions the other women are blogging about their MizFit’citement—-but I’m still honored to be listed among them.

Show me the friends & I’ll show you the woman.

Show me the COMPANY SHE KEEPS and I’ll show you the woman.

These are two concepts I work daily to impart–on her level–to the Tornado.

Am I alone?

Are they ideas and concepts you ponder as well?

Have you, too, noticed the friends can completely be indicative of who the man or woman really is?

I’d love to know…

(Oh and if you’re curious about the workout information I selected to impart to my CafeMom Peeps you can find it all right here)

View the original article here

Wordless Wednesday: Go Team MizFit!!

Some viewing for you whilst you HYDRATE:

And the obligatory five second outtake:

**this is not a sponsored post. this post was unplanned until the child & I decided to rip into/Sharpie-UP a 6 pack of tees we found in a closet.  the filming of (one of) the results was all the Tornado’s idea.

Tags: Brita Challenge, Crafty McGee

View the original article here

Brita Challenge (AKA Go Team MizFit!!)

 Click me! Click me!

Ahhhh People.

There has been a severe drought in Texas this summer and Im not talking about the weather.

Im talking about my mouth.

My water-hole hath become more of a word-which-rhymes-with-BAPPLE hole.

Intellectually I knew I was doing my body a tremendous disservice, but tired, crazed, misfit on the go’ly I almost didnt care.

Almost.

Because as I saw/felt my lack of proper hydration impact pretty much every fact of my life (from workouts to wellness) I began to care quickfastandinahurry.

As a result when I was offered the chance to be a part of the Brita Challenge to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day I knew there were no accidents.

I’d love for you to join me.  I know I need to do this.

Lemmie break it down:

MYTH: MizFit has lovely light yellow urine which practically sings I’m happily hydrated as it exits her bladder.

FACT: The Tornado & I were emptying our bladders in a public place when she announced loudly: Look Mama! we both have yellow yellow peepee!  This, uh, pee pee color is  not a good indicator of overall my health and MUSCULAR hydration (!).

MYTH: MizFit has been feeling mildly mentally sluggish lately due to the untimely removal of her Tornado sidekick for government mandated kindergarten.

FACT:  When our bodies become dehydrated our attention & concentration can decrease by 13%  & short term memory by 7%.  Clicking the pitcher above and joining me in drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day (fortuitously the amount contained in said pitched!) can greatly help our mental acuity.  (**cue confetti shaped like something I caint recall but will as soon as I properly hydrate**)

MYTH: MizFit has kinda old looking skeletor hands.

FACT: Thankfully my seriously when did I get me the hands of my grandma issues might also be tied into my mouth’s water drought!  Another way to test for dehydration is to pinch the back of your hand while it is resting it on a flat surface.  When you release the pinch, your skin should snap back into place.  A slooooow return to normal can be a sign youre dehydrated.

So where do we go from here?

How do we mitigate our dehydration levels all while having fun and leaning way too heavily upon you guys and harnessing the power of community I yammer about all the time?

Im so glad you asked.

As a woman in possession of way too much chutzpah Ive challenged Roni Noone in conjunction with the Brita Challenge (click the pitcher! click the pitcher!) I can hydrate better than she.

Check us out on Twitter hashtag #britachallenge. It’s gonna git ugly be all in fun.

And, because I KNOW none of you would reveal them to the enemey Roni, below are the tricks I plan to use during our one month challenge:

Until I find a drinking water groove—Ive created a hydration schedule as I do with all important facets of my life.  Ive set alarm reminders and everything!
 I plan to match any NON-WATER beverages with same amount of water (this works well for me as I tend to eliminate non-water to reduce amount of time spent running to & fro rest room).Im wearing 10 rubber bands on one wrist & switching to other after each glass consumed (YAY visual reminders. BOO I dont possess 10 lovely bangles).Ive sliced lemon, lime, & cucumbers and placed them in my 10 cup purple pitcher.  Aesthetically pleasing AND tasty!

Now I seek your help.

PLEASE to gimmie your best water drinking/staying hydrated tip in the comments below and I will lock the post from She whose name I will not say’s prying eyes.

And maybe,  in the name of healthy living, Ill share and help the opposing team out as well but really probably not.

FTC my Brita water bottle and pitcher were FREE. My ability or inability to stick with the challenge is all my own.

View the original article here

MizFit training: biceps, triceps, & shoulders.

Now I’m curious: do you have a specific arms workout? would you share? I want your arms.

First?  Totally not my plan when I blogged about the sleep question on Monday.

Next? Thank you.

To my parents’ chagrin Im renown for saying what amazing intellectual genetics they gave me but the structural/physical? Not so much.

When I taught swimming lessons for kids I clearly recall a number of them who, at age 4, already had lil emerging muscles (!).  You could just tell that they’d be buff boys & girls merely by virtue of their genetic gifts.

I was never that girl.

For me any muscle I have (arms included) is a result of three things and, if I let one piece of the tripod fall by the wayside (especially as I age. 90 shopping days left People!), then the whole things kindasorta crumbles.

As a result my answer to the question is twofold: the general & the specific.

Overall my biceps, triceps & shoulders are a result of the THREE C’s:

(I know how tempting it is to skip over old linked posts. That said, I really do believe if youre curious at all about my training the two Ive linked above are KEY.)

Ive exercised consistently for the past 17 years.

A little cardio a day.

A little weights a few times a week.

A lot of meditation.

A smattering of stretching.

(lottsa bumbum rolling)

CONSISTENTLY.

Ive eaten clean/intuitively for the past 17 years (which, if you follow me on Twitter, you know includes some intuitive forays to places like Fudruckers & Marble Slab Creamery).

I aim to do cardio 6 days a week (which for me means I end up doing about 5).

I prefer to do less (30 min) more frequently (intervals) rather than longer stints.

When I started lifting weights I quickly learned that, for my body-type, I could possess all the muscle in the proverbial world—but if I carried around a lot of excess bodyfat you couldnt tell.

Do you have a specific arms workout?

I lift arms once a week and, due to time constraints, I tend to break my routine down into little parts.

I want to be finished lifting in 20 minutes (I dont talk. I preplan my workout) so I typically lift biceps one day & triceps/shoulders  another.

Biceps:

The most important piece of my routine is mixing up the way I lift. Each workout includes one free weight (love these), one cable (this one isnt me. Dont rest at the bottom of the movement as this guy does!)& one machine.

For me it is less important what the specific exercises are right now (Im not getting ready to compete) and more important that I keep my muscles confused.

Triceps:

The same principle applies here. I typically do one free weight exercise, one cable or resistance band, and one machine.

Shoulders:

I am a little different on this one and it’s mainly by virtue of how little time I have. I only lift side deltoids. I hit my front deltoids when I lift chest & my rear when I train my back.

**whew. I know, People. That was a longass post & it’s the edited version**

In an arm-shaped nutshell that’s me.

And Ive merely scratched the proverbial surface of all questions which flooded my in-box after Monday’s sleep post.

Now you.

Curious about my opinion on sets & reps?

Want more specifics about my workout?

Have a routine you want to share (pleaseplease!!)?

Beg to differ with my entire arm shebang?

View the original article here

Popcorn + chicken + Egg Beaters® = MizFit HEAVEN.

Yes, people this post?

Is sponsored.  Tis true.

Ive been hired to cook

& share my review.

Im honest. Im blunt.

I say what I feel.

The reviews that I write

Are honest & real.

The Tornado & I

did some chicken make.

The prep time was short.

20 min. it did take!

It used stuff that I love

(I’m Egg Beaters McGee)

I HEART me the chicken.

Organic. Range free.

The Girl loves her popcorn.

Blew her mind when I said.

The Asian Style Chicken

Used this ‘stead of BREAD.

The cooking-time? Fast.

Process like Shake & Bake!

About fifteen minutes

In oven it did take.

What did this misfit do

While awaiting her meal?

She squeezed in a workout!

Muscle BURN she did feel!

The dinner was tasty.

MAMA MORE! the demand.

My only tip?

Be me! Use those bands.**

**FTC: I was paid to make and review this and other recipes.  The food-thoughts and workout suggestions are all my own. The photo above? It was taken by the FAB kristina kennedy.

View the original article here

MizFit & The Ellen Show!

Subtitle: why YES. we are at this again!

Ok, People.

If youve been reading MizFit for more than a week youve already discovered I like for my life to be filled with levity.

Im so excited about our FIT STANLEY and his potential for humorous & *random* FIT’ventures.

Yet I longed for more.

I salivated for some silliness.

STAT.

As a result Im re- launching the crusade below.

A blatant ripoff spoof of the creative tatics Ellen employed to get on the cover of O Magazine.

Will it serve to get our Healthy Living tribe on her show?

Will we ever dance our way across her stage whilst simultaneously getting our PLAYouts on doing lunges?

Only time will tell.

More importantly, however, Im enjoying the PROCESS.

(oooh is she linking this all back to fitness? can she pull this one off??)

Sure the end destination (be it weight loss, marathon completion, or career goal) is important, but it’s equally important, in my passionate opinion, to enjoy at least *some* facet of the journey there.

Now, without further rambling adieu, I share with you Ellen, my house guest.

First I invited her to breakfast. Ellen adored my protein pancakes. I mean really though–whats not to love?

Then we worked out. I was kind enough to lend her my skates & I used the Tornado’s pink Barbie ones.

Since she was a *celebrity* house-guest she got to use the best blanket in the domicile.

The first morning we went out to Starbucks for coffee. Who knew Ellen liked iced coffee on a cold morning just as I do!

After coffee it was time for a run. Even though I love having visitors I can not deviate from my running routine.

The next morning we decided to just stay home and drink MizFitMade java.

I was happy to see Ellen was an early riser just like I am!

And yes.

I know youre wondering if I dragged The Ellen into my wacky ways & compelled her to eat healthy while she was visiting.

The answer? Below.

Ellen didnt love the goo’ness of the Chia, but after I gave her some tips she seemed to think she and Portia might actually use it!

I was secretly thrilled that, since Ellen was in town, I had an excuse to skip a day of running outside for some indoor treadmill work.

I dont think she was as excited.

The rest of our day was spent shopping, getting mani/pedis and just hanging out.

Morning came quickly & it was time to get up again and prepare my visitor some breakfast which I must say she ADORED.

At least I she said she did.

Then it was back to the gym, again, since it’s peak training season up in herre.

(We cant forget the obligatory BLOOPER REEL either. That’s what I get for grabbing a total stranger and asking her to film me. Duly noted. I need an intern. Any takers?)

And that, oh faithful readers, is what Ellen & I have done together thus far.

(and YES. I do still have some tricks up my lackofsleeve which shall be coming your way soon. *cough* Ellen SWIMMING!*cough*)

Have any thoughts on how I might best entertain my visitor?

Wanna link this post on your blog?

Entirely cut & paste & steal it in hopes someone at the show might take a glance?

Have the tiniest of contacts at The Ellen Show you wanna send my way?

Please to hit us all up in the comments.

View the original article here

MizFit videos on Shape.com

Ok seriously?

Im beyond freakin excited.

I mean, Ive totally read this magazine since I was young.

Before I started weight training & after I added my freshwoman 40.

I never, ever thought I’d have the chance to share my videos on their website.

And yes.

There’s a chance I shouted HELL YES! IM SO IN! even before the poor woman who called me had the opportunity to finish her sentence about my submitting two videos a month.

And yes.

There’s a chance I played it super, ultra-cool.

I think we all know which way it went down.

You’ll have that.

Oh, if you arent going to Fitbloggin (or havent left yet) & have some time on your hands I’m doing something new.

If you feel like it you can click over to Shape Videos and watch me.

My first video is listed under workout trends and talks about starting a meditation practice.

Really.

Only if you have a moment.

It’s totally no biggie.

View the original article here

MizFit, Fila Real Women Models & NYC.

(yes. I am still jumping for joy. It’s who I am: an overzealous misfit.)

I don’t know a lot—but I do know a little.

Im heading to NYC Monday morning (Id joke at the crack of dawn but even my early flight time is mid-day up in herre).I’ll be in NYC through Thursday morning.I’ll be photo-shooting along side five other *amazing amazing* women.I have to be in hair and make-up at 8a on Tuesday. (Yes, Oh Readers whom I view as friends, the words HAIR & MAKE-UP did cause my heart to skip a beat.  This head has spent the past 10+ years at the Cuts which are Super and I havent worn make-up since high school.  Fare the well comfort zone—Ill be back soon!)Hmmmm.  Except for the fact Im *way* excited, Im seriously super curious what it will be like & I intend to drag you (willing or not) with me every step of the way that’s about all I know right now.

My plan is to attempt to blog from Ren Man’s ipad (tips? suggestions? anyone out there use wordpress and an ipad?).

In addition, I’ll be tweeting /facebooking random updates and panic attacks .

I *hope* to upload video but, given my distinct lack of ipad’ing skills, Im not sure that will happen.

Most importantly Lastly, Im hoping there’s some built in free-time for a blogger/tweeter NYC meet up.

That’s me on this Friday:

Looking for ipad tips, wondering if I should have gotten a hair-do, super excited for this crazy random experience, and curious if any of you live in NYC.

I await yer wisdom in the comments below…

The photo above was taken by the awesome kristina kennedy.  Austin people? Take note!

Tags: fila, fila real women models

View the original article here

MizFit is Ready!Set!EAT!

Yes, People, I’m officially a kind-sorta foodie blogger.

I’ll give you a moment to digest that (rimshot?) before I continue & clarify.

Ok.

Ready?

Im less of a foodie blogger I guess and more of a recipe reviewer.

The folks over at Ready Set Eat asked me to join them as a contributing reviewer & I will freely admit I leaped at the chance.

I love they reached out to me for my insights as a mom who strives to lead a healthy life, stay fit, & drag her family along the proverbial way.

I love I am was allowed, no, ENCOURAGED to be completely honest in my feedback about the meals.

I LOVE, whether I adore a given dish or not, the whole experience will get me spending time in the kitchen with the Tornado & out of the GrillSteamServe rut Ive been in as of late.

(pauses as I realize this whole endeavor is a shock to those of you know know me well.)

The site is still in its launching stage so, for now, please to just enjoy my thoughts & muzings on the dish pictured above.

DiZclosure: My reviewing is indeed a paid endeavor.  The groceries purchased, massive mistakes made & opinions proffered are all my own.

View the original article here