My STRENGTH is gone.

our Austin RAOK bag for the homeless.

I try and do one daily random act of kindness.

Most days it’s nothing big (holding the door for someone. helping a stranger carry groceries to her car.) & I admit the helpers high *I* get is a strong motivating factor.

That and watching the surprise and joy on the other person(s) face when she realizes something has been done for her without expectation of anything in return.

Following in the footsteps Facebook status updates of many, I decided to do 44 RAOKs in honor of my birthday tomorrow.

Following in Jewish tradition (the highest level of giving being anonymous) I havent shared my RAOK’ing process—except for today.

And only today because I ended up giving away what I r-e-a-l-l-y wanted to KEEP.

Which, I realize, is the point of the 44 random acts of kindness (giving freely) and a kinda big indicator Im a little bit of a selfish misfit at heart.

But Im getting ahead of myself.

A few months back I blogged about seeing this GOLD-man on the streets of Oakland:

gold bike, gold boom box, gold helmet, gold balloons.

I spied him as I sat outside my office and seemed to be the *only* one who noticed him.

I asked the husband to poll his people at Pandora & none of them had heard of him.I asked around the playgroundparents & none of them had ever seen my guy in gold.

I began to wonder if he were a vision of sorts. 

Something only I could see.  (<—-which is a post for a different day.  maybe when we have coffee?)

And then Monday, as I walked to work, I spotted GoldMan ambling ahead of me.

He stopped, parked his GoldBike, and stood outside a coffee shop.

As I walked past I longed to ask what his story was…why all the GOLD…if he purchases new balloons daily or if they’re given to him etc.

He, in turn, spotted my backpack, perhaps sensed a kindred spirit (?), and shouted he liked the colorful spikes.

In true misfit fashion I seized this as a sign to stop and chat.

And I did.

After a lengthy conversation — one I feel intuitively is not mine to share — I told him I wished I had something to give him but I had nothing on me.

(I opened my freakflag backpack so he could see it was, indeed, empty.  He then informed me he had 20.00, needed 40.00 for a hotel room, but now thought he should share the 20.00 with me.)

And then I remembered I had my strength to give.

Wrapped around my wrist was the giving keys bracelet Id purchased & planned, when I was ‘finished’ with it, to pass on to someone else.

And I knew–as much as I wasnt ready to part with my strength–it was time.

For the past few months Ive needed this.

Im woman enough to admit it was with a selfish heavy-heart (& a mind already pondering purchasing a HOPE pendant) I slipped off the bracelet, showed him how to re-size & told him it was really all I had to give.

He considered the key in its semi-almost gold state, put it on, and cycled off on his GOLDENway.

He’s OAKtown unique.

Me?

I was left pondering the point of my forty-four random acts of kindness when it really was only this where I gave of something which really ‘cost’ me anything: time and something–however superficial—I treasured.

Have you done the birthday RAOK?  What act was most powerful to you?Do you feel RAOK are more powerful when continuous & intentional not merely kindness scattered haphazardly?

The Giving Keys is an amazing group who works with the homeless offering them jobs to aid them in their transition out of homelessness.  This is not a sponsored ANYTHING and I urge you to check them out.

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New Printable: Strength Training Tracker

So, yeah. I whipped up this Strength Training Tracker to use, starting today. Why? Because I need to make sure I’m hitting all major muscles groups at least 2-3 times per week to strengthen and make sexy(er) my body.

click here, or click the image to download/print

For example, it’s no good working the triceps one-time per week and expecting awesome results. Who wants bat wings, right? It’s also no good to be diligent with quad training (front of the thigh), yet barely work the opposing muscle group (the hamstrings – back of the thighs).

Do you have any major muscle groups that you’re NOT training for strength and sexiness on a regular basis?

Remember: Train each area 2-3 times per week (basic/beginners) or a bit more if you’re advanced, but do NOT over-train. Not ever! You could injure yourself and start whining ‘n stuff. You shouldn’t be training the same muscles on consecutive days in a row, or training the same muscle groups too many times per week.

And just a quick work to all the excess-cardio-lovin’ peeps: You have to strength train for a complete body transformation. Cardio will help you lose weight, but your body will mostly stay soft (maybe even saggy for some people) and undefined without putting strength training into the mix.

Transforming your body requires a purposeful, diligent, systematic plan. Being wishy-washy, sometimey, or half-assed with your strength training will not get you there. Work up to your potential. Get crackin’ on the strength.

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Bikini Monday! Bob Harper’s Pure Burn Super Strength DVD (I Promise It Will Change You)

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Grab some Shakeology in my Beachbody shop.

Contact me with questions about Shakeology.

Get the Facts On Shakeology

Shakeology is the all-natural meal (shake) developed by Beachbody, the makers of P90X. The shake will help you lose weight, reduce cravings, improve digestion, and lower cholesterol. It can also improve stamina and libido, alleviate hormonal issues (including menopause-related), aid memory, support immune function and boost serotonin levels to improve mood and symptoms of depression, while also reducing the symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.

Shakeology can be mixed with water on the go, or hook it up in the blender for an ice cream shake experience!

I enjoy my Shakeology on most days of the week and have significantly reduced my cravings and experienced weight loss, better digestion, more energy (which is priceless to me with 4 child-spawns) and a better mood. You can also find out what doctors are saying about Shakeology.

Chocolate Shakeology has 18 grams protein and 140 calories. View the nutrition label.

Greenberry Shakeology has 16 grams of protein and 140 calories. View the nutrition label.

90 Days of Shakeology: My Experiment

Shakeology 30-Day Recipe Calendars

You can purchase Shakeology in my Beachbody shop. Beachbody has a trusted reputation for putting out top-notch products, like P90X and Insanity. There’s no other product like Shakeology on the market and it comes with a 30-day empty bag, money back guarantee. Try it for 30 days. Use up the entire bag, and if you’re not satisfied, then get your money back!

If you have a true passion for fitness and helping people reach their goals, and you’re committed to achieving financial independence, contact me now about becoming a Beachbody Coach.
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Skechers Women's Shape Ups - Strength Fitness Walking Sneaker

Women's SKECHERS® SHAPE-UPS STRENGTH :: Lose weight, shape your calves, thighs, butt, and core muscles, plus improve posture while you walk! Skechers® Shape-Ups Strength are fitness walking shoes that actually help you work out in your day-to-day routine of running errands, shopping, and more. Shape-Ups Strength walking shoes feature soft, durable nubuck leather upper. Enjoy amazing cushioning and reduced impact on joints thanks to the curved outsole that rolls forward with each step.

Price: $100.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Skechers Women's Shape Ups - Strength Fitness Walking Sneaker

Shape Ups from SKECHERS are designed to get you fit while you walk, work, shop, and more. Shape Ups have as much a place in your life as your boots, sandals, and dress casuals, and can retrain your muscles, helping you walk with a positive impact. Used properly, Shape Ups change the way you approach your daily activities. Used regularly, Shape Ups will enhance the way you feel and look; muscles get toned, calories are burned and your posture improves. Shape Ups are designed to: Promote weight loss Strengthen the back Firm calf and buttock muscles Reduce cellulite and tone your thighs Increase cardiovascular health Improve posture Reduce stress on knee and ankle joints Three Reasons You Need Shape Ups: 1. Stronger You Shape Ups are designed to help you tone your muscles – from your back and abdomen to your buttocks and calves. 2. Healthier You Shape Ups will help you lose weight and improve your circulation, creating a healthier you! 3. Easy Exercise Routine Wear your Shape Ups everywhere and anywhere you walk (or stand), and your body will feel the benefits. Three Reasons You Want Them: 1. In Style Look good while getting fit. There’s no reason to ruin your outfit with unattractive footwear that’s a fashion don’t! In your Shape Ups, your style will still be right on as you power through your everyday life. 2. Portable Power Shape Ups are the ideal fitness equipment for the on-the-go, busy lifestyle. Wear them to and from the office, pack them in your suitcase, or keep them in your car for shopping trips. They are portable power in a small package. 3. A Brand You Trust There’s a lot to be said about familiarity and credibility. When buying SKECHERS, you know you are getting style and quality at a reasonable price. We’re a company you’ve trusted for more than 15 years.

The design technology behind Shape Ups changes the way you walk.
As we move through our lives, we typically walk on hard surfaces, which places stress on our knee joints and lower back. People who are required to stand for their jobs feel the impact on their bodies the most, and don’t gain the benefits that come with all that activity.

The goal with Shape Ups was to simulate walking on soft ground. SKECHERS has turned hard surfaces into comfortable ground through revolutionary technology designed into the framework of the shoe. The core of this technology is in the dynamic rolling bottom, the soft foam insert under the heel, and the dual-density midsole. These three elements work together to give you the feeling of walking on sand or luxurious pile carpet--regardless of the actual surface. Walking on softer, uneven surfaces forces you to engage muscles not normally used when walking on hard ground. Not only does this strengthen your muscles, but it also increases blood flow and reduces the impact on your joints and lower back.

Designed to improve your life by changing the way you walk, Shape Ups feature a unique soft kinetic wedge insert and dynamic rolling bottom to simulate walking barefoot on a giving surface that gives such as sand. With the comfort of Shape Ups, you will feel your heel sink to the ground as you step, roll forward as your weight shifts to its center, and push off with your toes. This movement will result in stronger leg, buttock, back and abdominal muscles as you stabilize your steps.

Barefoot walking simulation on soft ground

• The heel sinks comfortably into the soft ground as you step
• You naturally roll forward as your weight shifts to the center and your balance is centered
• Easily push off with your toe pads

Due to this unconventional manner of walking, we suggest you moderate your walking routine in Shape Ups for the first week or two (25 to 45 minutes per day), depending on your level of fitness. As you continue to wear your Shape Ups, your body will adjust to this new method of walking. You will find it easy and comfortable while still enjoying the strengthening and cardiovascular benefits.

Get in the Routine

1. Kick Back: Stand upright and place feet parallel and hip distance apart, balance centered. Roll your weight onto the back of the soft foam heel – hold for a count of five and then back to the center. Do not lock knees or tip backward. Stretches calf and hamstrings. Repeat 5 to 10 times.

2. Rock and Roll: Stand upright and place feet parallel and hip distance apart, balance centered. Roll your weight forward so you are balancing on the underside of your toes – hold for a count of two, then slowly rock back to the soft heel – hold for a count of two, and then back to your center of balance. Do not lock knees or tip backward. Stretches calf and hamstrings, warms up Achilles and ankles. Repeat 5 to 10 times.

3. Roll and Rock and Roll: Follow the Rock and Roll stretch, but alternate feet so one is rolling to the toes and one is rocking back. Repeat 5 to 6 times.

4. The Lean: Place your hands on a wall, parallel and slightly above your head. With one leg in front of the other and your arms forward, press with your palms as if you were leaning on the wall. Keep your back leg straight and your front foot on the floor, then bend the front leg and lean forward by moving your hips toward the wall. Hold for a count of five, then repeat on the other side. Stretches calf and Achilles. Repeat 5 to 6 times.

What's Inside Shape Ups?

• Upper: Superior quality, well padded uppers of durable leather and breathable mesh designed to provide needed support and supreme comfort.
  
  
  
  

Skechers Women's Shape Ups - Strength Fitness Walking Sneaker

Women's SKECHERS® SHAPE-UPS STRENGTH :: Lose weight, shape your calves, thighs, butt, and core muscles, plus improve posture while you walk! Skechers® Shape-Ups Strength are fitness walking shoes that actually help you work out in your day-to-day routine of running errands, shopping, and more. Shape-Ups Strength walking shoes feature soft, durable nubuck leather upper. Enjoy amazing cushioning and reduced impact on joints thanks to the curved outsole that rolls forward with each step.

Price: $100.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga Power Hour with Sadie Nardini

This hour is a cardio amping, fat-blasting and creatively fun flow with master instructor Sadie Nardini. Called a "rising star" by Yoga Journal, this top instructor will change the way you practice yoga. She's the founder of Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga, a style that puts the core back into all your yoga poses! You'll torch calories, reshape and tone your entire body, gain strength, flexibility, and replace any vigorous hour you could do at the gym with the healing, balancing and transformative power of yoga. If you love to move and are looking to get strong, lean and flexible in less time, all while having a blast--this DVD is for you!

Price: $19.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Skechers Women's Shape Ups - Strength Fitness Walking Sneaker

Women's SKECHERS® SHAPE-UPS STRENGTH :: Lose weight, shape your calves, thighs, butt, and core muscles, plus improve posture while you walk! Skechers® Shape-Ups Strength are fitness walking shoes that actually help you work out in your day-to-day routine of running errands, shopping, and more. Shape-Ups Strength walking shoes feature soft, durable nubuck leather upper. Enjoy amazing cushioning and reduced impact on joints thanks to the curved outsole that rolls forward with each step.

Price: $100.00

Click here to buy from Amazon