Wednesday Weigh In: The Scale Has Nothing For Me Today

Sometimes I just don’t know how to start a post and this is one of those times.

I’ve been feeling … dare I say it … fat.

Stop rolling your eyes. I know. I know. But sometimes it’s the only word that captures that uncomfortable, thick, unhappy, self-conscious, blah feeling. I’m trying hard to remove the connection in my brain between “fat” and “feelings,” but it’s pretty deep rooted. We’re talking years of dysfunctional thinking here.

The official Tough Mudder Photos were released and like last year, my inner mean girl is really letting loose.

She has me focusing on all the wrong things. Again.

I’m so over listening to her yell about my weight and body size. I really am. Especially when I’m doing things like this.

And this.

And this.

(OMG, I’m STILL freaking out about the Plank and I’ve done it 6 damn times!)

I decided a long time ago that my body is and will be a product of my lifestyle. I refuse to starve myself and focus on particular body parts all in the name of sculpting some perfect body. This is me.

I’m a 37-year-old mom who likes CrossFit, running, and ice cream all way too much. If we can figure out how to add more hours in the day, I’d love to take a yoga class here and there. I’m happily married to a junk-food junkie who brought Doritos to bed last night and supports me in all my crazy adventures. I’m almost always smiling and I consciously work on being happy, grateful and content. It’s not always easy but I’ve learned it’s worth it.  I’m also, apparently, out of focus.

This is my favorite photo they captured.

Not because of the way my body looks, but because when I saw it, the first thing I noticed was my smiling face and it immediately brought back the sense of accomplishment I felt when I crossed that finish line.

I’m sorry I hijacked our Wednesday Weigh In post this week, but I needed to get this out of my head. The scale really doesn’t have anything for me today. I didn’t need to weigh in. I needed to write this post.

Inner mean girl  must not have liked it too much. I can barely hear her now.

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Holding these two close today…

and living not blogging.

xo

Tags: life is short, prayers for Boston

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

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Today we are paying our rent.

In light of all the Hurricane Sandy devastation Ive bumped today’s MizFit skirt giveaway post to next week. The Tornado & I spent last night chatting about doing unto others & thats 100% where my head is right now.

The Tornado & I frequently talk about giving, volunteering, & the importance of doing unto others.

While I’ve made the conscious choice to say as little as possible (& simply walk the walk) as she gets older she’s more filled with questions and wanting discussions.

I always return my my parents by way of example.

Growing up I watched them work tirelessly to help others. They marched-walked-picketed-protested-donated-volunteered and never merely gave lip-service to a cause they believed in.

Ive shared on all my social media platforms and in real life here more than a few times how much I adore the age of six.

The Tornado grasps more than I even give her credit for & is able to participate in my ‘grown-up’ activities in ways she couldnt even last year.

As a result, we’re taking a little field-trip today after school.

We’re trying something new & something which I plan to make a weekly excursion.

We’re making today’s rent paying service simple, small and yet I hope powerful.

We are bringing some money to the Dollar Store, purchasing all the socks, sunscreen, bandaids, Neosporin, & anti-bacterial gel we can afford and compiling ziplock bags with one of each inside.

That way the next time we see someone at the side of the road who sparks a “S/he’s hungry Mama. That’s so so sad” we have a bag* assembled and ready.

Last night when she & I planned this she asked if we could bring our “socks and stuff” to people today.

So, if all transpires as planned, she & I will take a little trip around Austin after we create our bags and before we trick or treat.

We’re making time on this day of ringing doorbells & demanding treats to do unto others.

And yeah, I wanna drag you all into the proverbial fray.

(if youre feeling too frazzled this week please to note a new University of Pennsylvania study showed performing altruistic acts boots ones sense of efficiency and makes it feel as though hours have been added to the day.)

What small but powerful act might you do this week which would make someone elses life a bit easier? Bag #1

A friend who volunteers in a TX homeless shelter said these are items residents repeatedly mention they need. Calling your local shelter may generate a different list.

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Ninja Fusion Circuit (Home Workout #6), plus My Eating Snapshot For Today

My morning workout is done. This is how it went down.

NINJA FUSION CIRCUIT (after a thorough warm up)

50 reps Tuck Jumps (gah!)40 reps Abs on the floor20 reps Jump Kick, left20 reps Jump Kick, right5 reps Dive Bomber push ups (killer!)5 mins Kickboxing Intervals: 45 secs boxing / 15 secs high knee jog

Completed circuit 3 times: total time approximately 30 minutes. I am Ninja. Hear me R-O-A-R!

Tuck Jumps Demo

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Dive Bomber demo

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And gotta top off all that well earned fitness-funk with healthy eats all day long. Here’s what I’m eating today…

BREAKFAST GRUBBIN’: Tropical Shakeology in the blender with 1 cup water, 1 ripe banana, 6 frozen strawberries

MID-MORNING SNACKAGE: Nope. Never hungry for morning snack (thank you, Shakeology).

LUNCHTIME FEEDING: Steamed broccoli, baked sweet potato with nutmeg & cinnamon, no butter. Pack of Belvita golden oat biscuits.

MID-AFTERNOON FORAGING: Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries, plus coffee with cream, no sugar (around 4pm).

PRE-DINNER SNACK ATTACK: Godzilla-sized handful of organic tortilla chips with salsa.

DINNER FRO DOWN: Roasted chicken with vegetables and big ass piece of cornbread. Yesss!

EVENING COUCH-ASSING: Cup of mint green tea with Stevia. Bowl of cereal (maybe).

Recommended Grocery List

Make your fitness and eating choices count! Today brings you one day closer to achieving your goals!

XO,

Josie

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Oh, Shizz. I Can’t Workout Today! (Home Workout #5)

You know how it is. You overslept. Or the kids are sick and clingy. Or you have to work late. Or a deadline to meet. Are you feeling unmotivated and sluggish? I hate when this stuff happens.

But alas! I command you to no longer suffer from non-workout symptoms due to chronic interference as mentioned above. Unless it’s a rest day or some major emergency, please flush that ‘I can’t workout today’ reasoning down the toilet.

Fit In These 5 Quick Exercises Throughout Your Day

1) 25 squats after you claw the morning crust out your eyes.

2) 30 second plank (2 rounds) before you get in the shower.

3) 30 alternating front kicks (keep those abs tight!) while your dinner is cooking.

4) 25 crunches + 25 reverse crunches after you put on your couch-assing clothes for the evening.

5) 10 push-ups (2 rounds) before bed.

Now there’s a full body workout, baby! Tell me you can’t fit this in throughout your day.

Get creative. Find a way. Make a way. And get it done.

BOOM!

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The Best Day of Your Life Could be Today

LOVE this. Couldn’t wait for the weekend to post. :)

Found on MotivationIntoHabit.tumblr.com

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

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Today I am five.

check out those bangs. pretty impressive.

This month marks my five year anniversary of blogging at MizFitOnline.

You know, the blog which was born spontaneously one afternoon on the couch & was thisclose to being called Sisyphit.

You know, the blog whose URL has that weirdawkward “online” at the end of it because I was simply too cheap finely frugal to spend the 1800.00 for MizFit.com back in 2007.

That one.

I’m five and, apparently because I’m a misfit, Ive gots the five year itch (as opposed to the more traditional 7).

I feel as though it’s time for a change.

Ive begun mapping out some aesthetic changes (font colors etc)— but that doesnt feel like enough.

I toyed with buying MizFit.com Apparently its value has escalated since ’07 if the domain-sellers current extortion-like demands are any indication.  Six thousand dollars?  I was compelled to tell him he.crazy.

I purchased & messed with CarlaBirnberg.com It feels right. It feels next.  It does not feel like right now.  It does not feel like today.

Allow me to back up & drag you into my brain for a moment.

You see, I woke up one morning and had the realization Im so much more than a mizfitonline.**

Or more aptly put: I AM COMPLETELY MIZFITONLINE.

I am my brand.

I walk the walk. 

I practice what I preach (all together now: so there’s never a need to preach).

I blog it.  I vlog it.  I LIVE IT.

As a result I spent time pondering the question Who is MizFit? and the answer I returned to *repeatedly* was Carla Birnberg.

Then, a few days ago, I was asked by FitFluential to define myself in a video-snippet.

As I spoke (because G-d forbid I script anything) it became evident to me I am my brand.

I never hesitate or self-edit when I speak, tweet, vlog, blog etc. because what Carla would say MizFit would endorse.

(bear with me. as I type this all out it feels exceedingly obvious as most good ah ha! moments do…)

It all conspires to cause me to see CarlaBirnberg.com in my future.

A site where absolutely nothing changes (same subject-matter for posts, twitter handle, youtube account, Tornado, lack of apostrophes…) yet the mere thought of it feels pretty damn exciting-monumental and fraught with change.

Good change.

Roni Noone and I are co-authoring a book.

Fila has asked me to serve as their global Fila SpokesMom.

And with that not-for-now-but-coming-soon notion I believe I have the answer to my 5 year itch query.

Who am I?  I’m Carla Birnberg.

Who am I? Im MizFit.

For sake of maintaining a thin veneer of “Im an adult, People!  I make all my own decisions!” I wont share bore you with details of how I crowdsourced much of this decision.  Short version: Im eternally indebted to my FaceBook Peeps.

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Sneak Peek of the Foods Going Into My Stomachs Today

Hey guys. How the hells are ya?! Just thought I’d share a glimpse of my daily eats for today. This is what’s on my menu for chewing. It’s a peek into the foods I eat that help me be all sexy ‘n stuff.

THE FOODS GOING INTO JOSIE’S STOMACHS TODAY

(…and please don’t get it twisted. I do, in fact, have two stomachs: One for normal eating, and a back up chamber for increased food-storage of the extra delicious kind).

Breakfast was: Fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries and cantaloupe) mixed with homemade yogurt bought from the Amish peoples. No Shakeology this morning because my butt was running late. Dammit! 

Mid-morning snack: Clementine

Lunch: Brown rice & steamed broccoli, plus a chicken Caesar side salad.

Mid-afternoon snacking: Cup of Bigelow Mint Green tea (very flavorful) sweetened with Stevia and a Kelloog’s Fiber Plus Bar (their Dark Chocolate Almond is pretty tasty).

After work snacking: Handful of cashews and some more Mint Green tea.

Dinner: Homemade turkey burger made with recently killed meat (gasp!) from the Amish market, plus some fresh baked, homemade sweet potato chips.

Evening snacking: Cup of coffee with light cream and NO sweetener (yep). Oh, and the evening cereal whoredom shall continue. Gonna have me a bowl or two.

So you see, I’ve got my fruits, veggies, protein, and whole grains with very minimal carbs and dairy products (because that stuff bloats me), and barely any fats. Except for my I-didn’t-get-my-Shakeology-today snafu, all my other meals for today were planned ahead of time.

Make sure you are planning ahead as well. It’s going to set you up for fitness success and reduce your chances of veering into a food ditch filled with all kinds of delectable high calorie treats that were never supposed to be on your menu.

Have a great day!

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My Progress Pic: This Is What I look Like Today!

I forced Health-hater Husband to snap this pic at 6am this morn. He was grumpy as hell.

So this is what I look like right now. Whatcha think? Not too shabby for a woman who birthed four child-spawns? I actually desire to get knocked up again, but husband said “hell no”. Eh, he’s right. I could potentially become a first time grandmom in 8-12 years anyway (because Greedy Kid #1 is already 18-years-old).

Besides my early morning rat’s nest hair-do, darkness under the eyeball and ashy knees (can I borrow some lotion, please?), I’m pretty happy with the way I look. Well, I’m downplaying it actually. I am FREAKING STOKED!!!

I haven’t gone for a run or lifted weights in a long while. I accomplished my current fitness state through bodyweight exercises, plyometrics, Shakeology, plenty of water, and a clean diet, while still enjoying the occasional weekly splurge on something like pizza, cake, pancakes, etc. EXCEPT for stuff like white flour pasta, a bunch of sugary-sh!t, and soda. I don’t eat that crap. I keep packaged foods & restaurant foods to an extreme minimum.

I still have some fatty parts showing around my stomachs areas, but mostly in my thighs. The thighs is a genetics thing for me. My next round of fitness bad-ass-ness will have a big focus on weight training with compound movements. The mission at this point is to continue to get lean while focusing on muscle development in my legs. That way, when the rest of the thigh-fat melts, my leg muscles will be swaggin’ like ka-POW! 

Ya feelin’ me?

You guys, continue to work hard and stay consistent with your workouts. I never thought I’d get to a point where I be happy with my body, especially after looking like this before I got started with my fitness journey. As you may have heard me mention, I’m working on videoing my personal workouts. That’ll be rolling out soon and I’m excited to be sharing it with you. Watch for it so we can workout together!

Now getting back to YOU. It is possible. You can do it. You just have to want it really bad. Let that desire fuel you and push you and take you to where you want to be. There will be days when you feel like it’s not working; like your hard work isn’t making a difference; like you should just quit instead and (try) to live happily ever after where you’re at right now.

But ohhh, you keep at it. You just wait and see. I dare you to keep…kicking…ass.

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Wednesday Weigh in: Guess What I did today…

Recorded a podcast! That’s right, if the baby cooperates tomorrow I should FINALLY have a new podcast video to share.

YAY!

Other news? Not much going on today. I did workout for the first time since the half. I was NOT feeling it but I mushed through and felt fabulous afterwards.

I’m doing great on the food front too. I have 2 fun ideas to share on GreenLiteBites once I sift through the pictures. One involves acorn squash, and the other spaghetti squash. I’m LOVING the fall produce!

I did post Little Guy’s lunch from yesterday and Little Bean’s stats from his 6 month check up. I also shared (what I think) is the cutest video ever. Click here and judge for yourself. :)

In geek news, I shared my obsession with domain names and a great promo code for Register.com.

That’s about it for today. I’m off to have a little watermelon. I promised myself only fruit after dinner, no more endless bags of pretzels or grabbing handfuls of the Husband’s Doritos.

Darn Husband. ;)

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5 Steps I took towards Re-Prioritizing Today

As I said yesterday, it’s time to refocus. I’m tired of feeling stressed and overwhelmed, so today I took a few steps in the right direction.

Step 1: I Went for a Run

At 6 AM I was lying awake in bed, trying to sleep but failing miserably. I just knew the baby would be up within the hour to eat, and my brain wouldn’t shut down. Then it hit me–I could RUN! Why not? It would be a great way to start the day. All I needed was 20 minutes. If the baby woke up, the Husband could handle it.

So I strapped on my sneaks and headed out. It. was. AWESOME. I ran 2 miles in about 23 minutes. When I got back the baby was just starting to stir. I doubt I’ll be able to do this every day but I can react to the baby’s schedule and find time for myself. Running is something I like to do. It’s something I want to do. I need to find time for it, for me.

Step 2: Reduced my workload

I recently took on some additional blogging responsibilities for babble. I’ve been having fun sharing Little Bean on Baby’s First Year, and the company asked if I’d be willing to write more for them. I said yes, but it was simply too much. This morning I wrote them and said I would have to walk away from the other opportunity.

It felt good to relieve myself of a responsibility. I need to learn to say "no" more.

Step 3: Focus on healthy food and having fun in the kitchen

I’ve been eating mindlessly too much. Trying new foods and having fun in the kitchen helps me refocus on the food front. Today I scanned the pantry and took advantage of my herb garden, making Chickpea and Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil. It was DIVINE! I need to remember this the next time the husband temps me with an eating out request.

Step 4: Sleep IS Important.

Today I took a nap when the baby was napping. It was hard for me to do with an overflowing inbox and a messy kitchen, but I did it. It’s not healthy to live on 4-5 hours of sleep a day. Sleep is just as important as eating right and staying active. I need to respect it more.

Step 5: I Kept a Food Journal

Food journaling has helped me in so many ways. It’s an easy way for me to be more conscious of my choices, as I do have a habit of mindlessness munching. I’m committing to it for at least a week.

Here’s today’s journal.

Uncle Sams with almond milk and blueberriesFUN snack. Will post video of us making tomorrowHad fun with lunch! Wanting something fun and filling. I had a request from the little guy for more fruit. I had to comply. :)Burger on a whole wheat with all the fixins except cheese, a side of Spiced Sweet Potato and some cut raw veggies2 mile run + a walk to the library with the kidswater could have been better. Taking my vitamins now before bed.

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I’m Starting Another Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse Today. Here’s Why

Frivolous Demands: *Subscribe to the blog *Follow me on Twittah *Like me on Facebook *YouTube my videos

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! Shakeology 30-Day Recipe Calendars

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: 18g protein and 140 calories. View the nutrition label.

Greenberry: 16g protein and 140 calories. View the nutrition label.

90 Days of Shakeology: My Experiment

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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Join the Planktastic Plankathon Challenge! Make your planking video to compete against the champs!

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Put Flavor First: New Book Out Today

My new book "Flavor First: Cut Calories and Boost Flavor with 75 Delicious, All-Natural Recipes" hits stores today, and it gets to the root of why so many weight-loss efforts fail.

Why "Flavor First?" Because all too often when we try to eat healthy, we equate that with eating bland. And it doesn't have to be bland. In fact, when the food we make and eat bores us, we fall can fall back to old unhealthy habits: adding high-calorie sauces, condiments, and dips to our meals or just eating highly-precessed foods.

So how do you conquer these temptations? By making meals that are both packed with flavor AND healthy.

Enter the 75 recipes in "Flavor First." I've also filled the book with tips, techniques and instruction on the principles on which the recipes are built. I hope you enjoy it and start putting flavor first.

For lots more on the book (as well as recipes and an excerpt) check out FlavorFirst.com.

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Today is My Birthday and I'm Celebrating with Zardoz

Zardoz is back! He crawled out of his man cave to give me happy birthday wishes and allow me the privilege of gazing at his loin-clothed physique. Zardoz was also extra generous by helping me out with some very specific beautification tips that every aging birthday girl should be doing.

I gotta…

1) Pluck my chin hairs

2) Wax my mustaches

3) Count my gray silver hairs

4) Hike up my breasts into the push up bra

Guh… I’m 38 today. But despite this 4-step beautification routine to keep myself looking young(er), I’m happier than ever, better than ever, I’m more clear about want I want out of life, and I’m NOT slowing down.

No matter your age, the best years of your life can still be ahead of you. It’s all up to you, baby!

Now excuse me, but it’s finally time to chew on extra-large slices of birthday cakes. Frack the dainty moderation and small portions sizes today. I’m gonna be real greedy about it. There’s no shame in my birthday-eating game.

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so, uh, we working out today or what?

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

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