A Fitness Professional and a Sales Person Walk into a Health Club...

The other day,  as I walked out of my health club I saw an "It Works" wraps and supplements table stationed inside the front door....

Why do I get a surge of emotion and anger every time I see the diet industry superimpose themselves on the health industry?

Because they have some how been sold as one in the same!

But here is the difference...

The (true) health industry sells:
education
whole, fresh foods
local farmers
active life styles
clean eating
exercise
balance
yoga
organic
GMO awarness
farmers markets
food co-ops


The diet industry sells:
low fat
low calorie
low carb
light
fat free
zero calorie
fat burners
carb blockers
appetite suppressant
supplements (ofcourse to suppliment what we should be eating, but are not because after all, we're trying to lose weight!! Hello??)
cellulite creams
magic potions
wonder drugs
miracle  cures
shapers
slimmers
toners
calorie burners
detoxers
shakes
sprinkles
powders
patches
wraps................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
the list is endless!

Nature has provided us with all we need. We create more out of greed!

Greed.

That's what it is. We have given our personal greed power over helping people to be healthy. :(

We see it all the time, right? Celebrities and celeb  trainers putting their name on a diet pill box...Lest not forget Dr. Phil with his "apple shape" or  "pear shape" diet pills.... Can we just take a moment to step away from those trying to make/take money, and reach for some common sense?? .....

Move
Eat whole, good,  REAL foods
Sleep
Relax
Breath
Drink water






 

 

My views on calorie counting

I've been reading a lot of fitness blogs lately on calorie counting. Most seem to be against it. Here is my take.
 
Counting calories has been a very important part of my journey. I counted and kept a food journal for years as I learned about food and their place in my diet. When I first started counting, I counted calories on my ice cream, Big Mac Combos, fish sticks, mac-n-cheese, soups, sandwiches and cereals....oh, and the occasional banana that would some how sneak into my diet.

After growing consistently frustrated with being unable to get my numbers where the "experts" said they should be, I began my love affair with diet foods. Low fat, light, low calorie, diet, and lean, became all the buzz words and rules I followed. My kitchen was the poster child of a dieter. Single serving (100 calorie) bags of cookies and chips, low fat cereals, and light canned chili and soups graced my cupboards. Fat free yogurts, diet sodas, Lean Cuisines, and low fat ice creams filled my refrigerator and freezer. I was counting calories like a queen! And I lost weight. I had mastered my numbers!.....

And then I plateaued. So frustrated with never being able to quite hit my weight loss goals, I changed the goal to being healthy. I figured if I was truly healthy, My body would naturally find it's healthy weight.  I began scrutinizing everything I ate. I read books (The Eat Clean Diet) I read labels, I read blogs and discovered "real food".

I continued calorie counting through it all. I wanted to learn. I still strongly believed in the numbers. Discovering real food, I achieved my goal. I was healthy and my weight was too. I continued to count. I would step away from counting for a while, and if I got off track I would resume counting until I was stable again. This was a process I had to go through to get where I am now.

One day, I just stopped counting. Life got busy and I began focusing more on clean eating (which in itself is time consuming). There was not time for both. That is when I realized I was in tune with my body. I began watching my patterns. I took note that if I got off track for too long, I'd gain weight and fall into old habits. I took note when that happened, it took about 3 weeks to take that weight off and get back to my comfort zone of healthy living. ( Comfort zone meaning no longer struggling to not pick up the cookie)

I can't remember the last time I counted.
 It feels great to be in this space.

Would I recommend calorie counting to others? YES! I would tell them to use it as a learning tool. Don't stop progressing until you no longer need to count. And even then, keep learning. It was a great tool for me to get this far.

What I learned:  

Calories = energy and energy is GOOD!!  
A calorie is not just a calorie
There is food and there is junk Food is good. Junk is junk.
Junk is enjoyable but not appropriate fuel. Use it as such in moderation
If it says diet, low fat, fat free, low calorie, or light, it is likely junk in disguise
FAT IS GOOD!! EAT FAT!! (see: The girl who loves fat) 

So yes! Count. But don't stop there. LEARN. =] Because the person who tells you it's one easy step is a moron...It's a life time of baby steps.

Grocery Item of the Week: Habanero Iguana Sauce!!

I love this on my scrambled eggs!!

 I get mine at Wold Market. They only sell them is the little 2oz. bottles, so I pick up 2 each time I go. I don't mind the small bottles! It gives me a great reason to keep coming back to my favorite store!! 

I just wanted to share this with you. 

Not too hot or spicy, but very flavorful!! 

Resolutioners....Ya know, we all started somewhere

The attitude about New Year Resolutioners in the gym, is typically negative. I hear it all the time. 'They' take our parking spaces, benches, and favorite "spot" in class! 'They' move in the wrong direction in kick box,  take all the weights in lifting class, and crowd the gyms.

What if, instead of glaring at them this year, we welcome them? What if, our smile, encouragement and offering of comradery, gave just one more person the desire and strength to cross over as a regular in the month of May instead of dropping out by March? What if?

Food for thought: Nothing is more intimidating then walking into gym for the first time without a clue....except when everyone who has a clue glares at you like you're in the way. 

Let's see how many we can bite with the fitness bug!    

Happy New Beginnings! 

Sugar and spice and everything nice must GO!! Bye bye holiday food, Hello clean!!

Me at about one, beginning my love affair with sugar...

Confession time... I can't have sweets in my house! I will (and have) eat them...ALL!! When we have an event or holiday that includes dessert or baked goods, If they are left in the house I will literally OD on them. Sugar addiction actually runs in my family. True story. Just look at the picture above; my eyes are glazed over!!

Today is purging day in the Norton house! Time to give away the rest of the cookies, dump the egg nog, and  toss the pies. 

I'm not so much worried about weight gain. That is inevitable with all my holiday indulgences. Once the pounds creep up on my waist line it will take about 3 weeks or so of my regular healthy habits to see them disappear. What gets me more than anything is the way I feel! I remember this feeling. Sluggish, no energy, struggling in the gym as I trudge through quick sand wanting to give up. Craving a mid-day nap. That is how I use to feel all the time when I had a poor diet. I hate that feeling! When I get that all to familiar feeling, I know I'm in trouble. 

So today I get rid of all the crap! And I look forward to getting back to normalcy  and clean eating!
I could lie and tell you that I've always eaten healthy. That is just comes natural for me, but if I'm keeping it real, I'd have to say, I NEVER thought I'd love clean eating so much. And I do. Slipping back into old habits during the holidays reminds me of why I eat clean and how good my body can feel and operate with good clean food. I am so grateful I have come this far. 

Merry Christmas Star center Members!

MERRY CHRISTMAS STAR PEEPS! Here is your Christmas Workout! I challenge you to choose 'at least' 2 days to this workout, write down your reps the 1st time you do this, then try to beat your score the 2nd time! **WATCH THE FIRST ROUND BEFORE YOU BEGIN!** This will familiarize yourself with the moves and different levels so you waste no time watching the different levels during the workout...MAXIMIZE your intensity by know your levels ahead of time!

10 exercises for 3 Rounds 5o sec. max effort, 10 sec. transition
1. 3 lateral leaps - 4 switch kicks
2. Right Single leg tap out-drop squat
3. High Knees
4. 2 knee Spiderman push-up
5. Burpee w/ 2 witch lunges
6. Left Single leg tap out- drop squat
7. 8 mnt. clmrs/8 low jacks
8. trench crawl + 4 pendulums
9. CRAZY APES!
10. Squat crescent


*Injury disclaimer:
Not all exercises are suitable for everyone and this or any other exercise program may result in injury, To reduce this risk of injury, please consult your doctor before beginning this, or any other, physical fitness program. Any user of this program assumes the full risk of injury resulting from performing the routines presented within this video.

Gift Idea #4 ( for good health and fitness)

The Ultimate Body Press set!!!
Again guys, NO GYM NEEDED!! I love my set!! Endless workout possibilities! Pairs beautifully with the The Gymboss Interval Timer .

I have a very small house, so my home gym is filled with toys like these to switch it up and get a great workout at home without a big treadmill or elliptical cluttering my room.! I haven't stepped on a treadmill many many years!! 

Click on the link above to shop their site!!