Wednesday Weigh In!

I’m here! SO sorry for the late weigh-in post. Things are crazy with the conference and end of the school year. I’m trying to get as much done before heading to the school this afternoon to volunteer for the end-of-year party.

Anyway, I DID NOT GET ON THE SCALE this morning, and you know what, it was easy. I didn’t even think about it! I was too distracted by the kids, making breakfast, packing lunches, getting ready for the gym, etc., etc., etc.

It’s amazing how habits are started and broken. All it took was a few days of consciously not getting on the scale — almost forcing myself not to — and now I just forgot.  Just a few weeks ago I was thinking about weigh-in day for, well, days! Now the scale is the farthest thing from my mind.

Maybe it’s just because I’m busy but that’s OK. There really is a freedom that comes from NOT being distracted by the number. At this point I’m just going to take it week by week.

How was your week? Scale or no scale reading — we want to know! 

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I never felt stoppable.

I felt UNSTOPPABLE both ways.

When I launched MizFit it was “enough” to have a passion for healthy living.

It was 2006.

I was just back from Guatemala. Gnarls Barkley was popular. Skinny jeans were only starting to emerge on the Austin hipster scene.

And The Biggest Loser television show was born.

People heard what I had to say—-but my message was diminished because I was a long-term loser. No big numbers–merely consistency.

I challenged myself as to whether I “fit” as a fitness blogger.

Could I motivate if Id only lost forty pounds? Could I relate to greater struggles?

I answered the same way I did when I owned my training studio. I returned something Id learned in my counseling masters program:

Human struggle is universal. We may struggle differently —but the experience of facing challenges & persevering is universal.

It’s in that same way Ive dedicated myself to helping girls navigate frenemies and tween’dom.

Long before the Tornado (when I wrote mainly fiction) I led mother/daughter book groups at Barnes & Noble stores.

Ostensibly we met to discuss novels, but what transpired was sharing & paralleling the character’s lives to the girls’ own challenges.

Normalizing the struggles of the group’s members and reminding them they weren’t alone.

Since the Tornado burst on the scene Ive focused mainly on *her.*

I’ve worked to send *her* the message she’s ENOUGH just as she is today and remind her shes powerful and strong (& strong is NOT the new sexy).

she loves her some her.

Helping her to learn she wil sometimes fall short of goals—we all do—but as long as she learns & grows from the experience there’s no such thing as failure.

the ability to laugh at yourself helps!

She’s older now and I’ve learned the best way to help her is to practice what I LONG to preach (and say not a word).

I’m sharing my message of GIRL POWER! through teaching yoga to kids.

I’ve started mother/daughter book clubs in my new OAKtown ‘hood.

This post is NOT sponsored by DOVE’s GIRLS UNSTOPPABLE campaign—-but the crusade has snagged my attention.

Especially the statistic of six out of ten girls stop doing what they love because they feel insecure about their looks.

That’s a whole lot of our next generation derailed from their dreams.

Girls who could change the world. Girls who could change lives. Girls who need US WOMEN to step up, stand up and lend a hand during this time which can feel daunting and Sisyphean.

I’ve lead a blessed life.

I never recall feeling stoppable even when my outsides didn’t match my insides.

I never equated my beer, pizza, and junk-food bod with diminished self-worth.

I still believed I rocked.

I’ve spent time trying to discern why I’ve always felt UNSTOPPABLE in an effort to pass it on to my daughter and others.

My confidence at many points was misplaced—but it worked for me. I unknowingly faked it till I made it (and I still do many days.).

I work to impart to my daughter these 3 concepts:

Compliment yourself! As 7 she adores compliments. Heck at 44 I do, too. The difference is, at my age, I realize telling myself YOU ROCK! feels just as good as hearing it from others. It took me years to get here–I’m trying to help her find her way more rapidly.Know where you’re headed. As women we may have a mission statement. With girls it can be a mantra or personal catch phrase. We need to help our girls have a general sense of where they’re headed or they’re certain not to get there. Plans can be fluid (the Tornado is convinced she’ll be a special ed teacher. this may change) but having a destination helps girls believe they’re unstoppable.

Join me? Six out of ten girls are waiting for you.

As the amazing Jess Weiner says:

Girls have the ingredients for self-worth, but sometimes need the recipe.

Be a mentor. Role model for your child. Lend a boosting hand to a woman-friend or YOURSELF.

How will you be UNSTOPPABLE today?
How will you show girls/women in your life there’s room enough for us ALL to rock?

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FITBLOGGGGGGGGGIN! (ticket giveaway)*

Please amble with me down memory lane.

I know it’s an indication of aging when every single occurrence has to have a story attached, but Im embracing that notion and dragging you down the proverbial lane with me.

One upon a time there was a blogger trip.

It was the very first blogger all! expenses! paid! trip and, to put it mildly, all of the invitee’s minds were blown out (as the child sadly no longer says).

Emails flew (“is this really all expenses paid!?”) as this was early 2008 & we couldnt believe a brand would *pay* to bring us together.

All of us who had wanted to meet for s-o v-e-r-r-r-y long.

All of us who had kinda STALKED RONI NOONE and longed to meet her in person. (<—–yes. indeed. that all of us was ME.)

The trip was amazing.  I flashed the Windy City with my NEKIDness. And a friendship was born.

Ambling a head a few months—-Roni and I connected at BlogHer.

ahhh youthful bloggers…

We took the opportunity to plop in a hallway & gossip about our lives chat in a very serious away about blog conferences and Roni mentioned the idea of launching FITBLOGGIN.

A conference not unlike BlogHer but where it would only be us crazy healthy living types doing what we do & having fun the way WE like to have FUN.

And, because she’s RONI, a few month later the first Fitbloggin was born.

our tribe

Four years later my life feels crazier than it’s ever been.

I find I say NO far more than YES when it comes to trips & opportunities.

I receive invitations to events and ask myself:

Is XYZ really worth the “cost” of leaving my family (I like my family!) and missing time with the Tornado?

Quite frankly—reason #78347 why Ill happily never be big! and famous!—the answer is usually NO.

Fitbloggin, however, is my exception.

It’s like a blogger family reunion (even if we’ve never met!) which feels my soul and has me return to my family energize not depleted.

This woman is freakin amazing.

I was so happy to finally meet TJ!

Dont make me pick JUST 1 reason I love him…

New friends who feel like old!

First meetings make me smile.

Im not sharing about this friendship. <3.

I love this guy!

MATCHING hoodies? Yes, please!!

Check out my balls!

In all honesty each year I think:

Can I afford to go to FITBLOGGIN?

And each year my answer is the same:

Can I afford not to?

A few days with people who get me, get healthy living & GET MY IRREVERENT SENSE OF HUMOR?

Im a

child!

How on EARTH could I not go?

To that end I have a ticket to the conference to GIVE AWAY & you can be entered for the LOW LOW cost of a comment below.

If you were to attend fitbloggin whats the VERY FIRST THING you’d do?

*because I am a child I cannot stop singing the word FITBLOGGIN to Jim Gaffigan’s hot pocket.

random number generated winner announced June 10th.

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Lean Cuisine Salad Additions (Southwest-Style Chicken) Review

Reviewed by Tanya Patrice | May 13, 2013
Rating:

The other day I spotted Lean Cuisine Salad Additions and curiosity gripped me tight. I try to eat a salad at least once a day, but I'm not very creative, so I was excited to see what the Southwest-Style Chicken Salad Additions would be like.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 pkg (202 grams)
Calories: 260
Total Fat: 9 grams, 14%
Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams, 8%
Sodium: 590 mg, 25%
Carbohydrates: 26 grams, 9%
Fiber: 4 grams, 16%
Sugars: 5 grams
Protein: 18 grams

Inside the packaging are 3 pouches. One has the dressing, frozen since this product is kept in the freezer. There's also a package containing the chicken, black beans, corn and peppers; and another with tri-color tortilla strips. The directions are pretty straight forward. Put the frozen "chipotle ranch" dressing in water to thaw, microwave the pouch with the chicken, then add this to a bowl with lettuce (which you provide) along with the now thawed salad dressing and tortilla strips.

The result is visually striking and I have to say, it tastes as good as it looks. The chicken is tender yet still firm, and all the ingredients work well together. The dressing is a little spicy, which is expected of something that bills itself as "Southwest-style" and I must say I enjoyed the amped up salad.

Each package of Lean Cuisine Southwest-Style Chicken Salad Additions provides 260 calories from 9 grams of total fat, 1.5 grams of which is saturated (14% and 9% of the daily value), 590 mg sodium (25% of the DV), 4 grams of fiber (16% of the DV), 5 grams of sugars and 18 grams of protein.

Right now there is a printable coupon to get $1.00 off the purchase of 3 varieties of Lean Cuisine Salad Additions at Target, where it retails for $2.39. I really enjoyed the Southwest-Style Chicken and I'll be using the coupon to try some of the other varieties. I wonder which will be my favorite?

{Website: Lean Cuisine Salad Additions}

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This will take couch-azzing to a whole ‘nother level

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

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Inner Thighs Workout

Those darn thighs. They’re a nagging trouble zone for a lot of us wonderful peoples. Including me! Let’s work our thighs, baby. Let’s get ‘em sleek & sculpted together…

Inner Thighs: FULL WORKOUT

There are two rounds in the circuit. Each round consists of 4 inner thigh exercises:

10 reps frog legs onto tip-toes10 pulses elevated side leg lifts (then switch sides)8 reps leg scissors pulse (3 low-end pulses, then legs up, equals 1 rep)8 reps low-end plie’ pulses (3 low-end pulses, then stand up, equals 1 rep)

INSTRUCTIONS, MODIFICATIONS & PROPER FORM

1. Frog Legs onto Tip-Toes: With legs a little more than shoulder width apart, crouch down to assume a frog position. Then stand up onto tip-toes. This will require you to balance by engaging your core and keeping your legs strong. To modify the move, go down only as far as you can and/or do not go onto your tip toes on the way back up to standing.

2. Elevated Side Leg Lifts: Lay on your side with legs at a slight 45-degree angle. Place your top leg behind you in a bent-knee position. Lift hips up off the floor and begin an 8-count pulse with the other leg. Because your hips are off the floor, you will need to engage your core to stay stable and prevent from falling over.  For the leg that’s bent, drive that heel into the floor and keep your leg tight. Your bent leg will also feel it in the inner thigh. To modify the move, keep your hips on the floor. Be sure to switch sides to work the other leg for an 8-count.

3. Low-End Pulse Leg Scissors: Lift both legs up at 90-degree angle. Open legs wide with your heels slightly pointed in and pulse the legs in the low-end position for a 3-count. Bring your legs back up and your cross the ankles, left over right. This is one rep. Complete the 3-count pulse again, this time, crossing with the ankle, right over left, when you bring the legs back up. To modify the move, pulse down once (instead of 3 times) before you bring your legs back up.

4. Dumbbell Plie’ Pulses: Legs wide and feet at 45-degree angle (or more, if it’s comfortable). You will naturally have a slight bend forward as you plie’ down, but don’t hunch your back or lean over too much. Keep your neck in line with spine and engage your core. Pulse down 3 times as you lower the dumbbell. As you come back up, raise the dumbbell for a bicep curl, being sure to keep your elbows by your sides. To modify the move, ditch the dumbbell and/or pulse down once (instead of 3 times) before you come back up.

For more of a challenge on any of these move, increase reps and/or pulses, but do NOT sacrifice good form for higher reps.

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

v 10-pound dumbbell (or heavier) for plie’ pulses. I used a 20-pound dumbbell.

POST WORKOUT RECOVERY & NUTRITION

Healthy sources of protein are necessary for muscle building and muscle recovery. Greek yogurt, protein powder, eggs, beans, chicken, fish, lean cuts of beef and Shakeology are all excellent sources of healthy protein. But go easy on that cheese!

v HOME WORKOUT CENTRAL

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Scenes from my Sensational Mother’s Day Sunday

Today started with all three boys ready to seize the day.

I put the 7-year-old right to work on his laundry.

I’m starting a new house strategy where everyone (minus the 2-year-old) is responsible for their own laundry. He folded and put it all away himself. He also helped me clean the basement.

For breakfast I made some amazing oatmeal. Both boys are huge fans!

Most of the morning the boys were outside playing and doing yard work while I straightened up and relaxed.

I did entice the 2-year-old in with my fresh, ripe pineapple.

But he only pretended to eat it.

The little bugger still doesn’t like most fruit. 

I ended up making a fabulous green smoothie with it, some spinach and a banana.

I’ll post it on GreenLiteBites tomorrow when I get a chance. It came out WAY better then I expected.

The 7-year-old and I took a minute to finally update our calendar that still said “February” on it.

Then we went grocery shopping as a family.

When we got back, the boys made ME dinner!

You have no idea how amazing of a Mother’s Day gift this was! The Husband is not a cook. It’s just not something he does, but he recently took a cooking class with me in Vermont and it built up his confidence a bit.

One the menu: Ricotta Gnocchi with a Tomato Basil Sauce, from scratch!

I decided to go for a quick run just to fight the urge to take over in the kitchen.

On my run I wore a Brady Band to see if they really are non-slip and I have to admit: I’m impressed!

I wore it all night and that little bugger didn’t move. The company asked if I’d help promote after they had some failed campaigns. I told them to send me a few to try and I’d see what I can do.

Now I have to figure out what I can do. lol

When I got back from my run, The Husband was still hard at work in the kitchen. He even cut me some cucumbers as an appetizer.

The final dish was AMAZING!

We are going to make them again so I can share the recipe in more detail on GreenLiteBites, but I have a few minor tweaks I want to try first.

Both kids LOVED them!

For dessert….

Sinful! The Husband knows me so well. :)

After dinner we headed to the park.

And practiced some tennis.

It’s so fun doing more and more active things with the kids. Sometimes I feel bad for the 2-year-old because he tries to hard to be like his big brother but he usually ends up content just being in the middle of things.

We came home, watched Survivor and am now catching up on Game of Thrones and then Mad Men. Sunday night is my favorite night for TV right now. :)

Hope you had a great weekend!

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