Vlog -Own your crap and be at peace with it. 6/10/13

Finding Your Own Way Among All The Controversy...

• High Fat vs. Low Carbs
• Cardio vs. Weights
• Vegetarian vs. Vegan                   
•  Yoga vs. Pilates 
•  Steady State Cardio vs. HIIT
• Low Weigh/High Reps vs. High Weigh Low Reps
• Zumba vs Boxing
• Supplements vs. Natural Foods

• Organic vs. Non-organic  

Let me just start by saying, politics and religion have nothing on diet and exercise. When we find what works for us, that becomes as sacred as our spiritual beliefs. Many Cross Fitters, Paleo dieters, bodybuilders, clean-eaters,yogis, and Zumba-Lights will fight to death to defend their craft and why you should do this instead of that.


Today, I was reminded of this as I realized I had once again climbed on my horse and ranted about the diet industry.  Now, I will never stop advocating against the diet industry.....My own journey lead me to my own truths that I will fight for,  but that did get me thinking....

Who am I (or anyone else) to tell you how to go about finding your path to a healthy life style? With so much conflicting science out there on the best way to workout, or the best way to eat, the best advice one can give is to learn, experiment, and learn more. What works for one, may not hold true for another. 

It is so important to remember to be a defensive learner.  Question what you read or hear. Experiment with what works for you.  Be pro-active in your own journey. Don't just blindly do what the "experts" say, or what worked for your friend.... Find what brings you the most health and success. 

And, give respect to what others have found to be their truth. .... Stepping off my own high horse...for now.
                            **grin**
 All that I can offer is what I have learned to be true for me. 



 

Vlog #3 - Clean Eating Challenge #1 - Snacks

 

A few ideas:

CLEAN SNACK IDEA #1 
Dates are a staple in my house and a great go to if I need a snack and have a sweet tooth. A great balanced snack is to stuff them with fresh ground peanut butter and sprinkle with unsweetened coconut shreds. 

YUM!!

                                                      

CLEAN SNACK IDEA #2

2-3 Strawberries
small handful blueberries
handful blackberries
1/2 sliced banana 1/4 c plain Greek yogurt
1 pk. Stevia (if desired)
sprinkle with crushed pecans
Great Fuel an hour or so before a workout!
AND Also great for a sweet tooth!

CLEAN SNACK IDEA #3

 I use Lundberg Organic brown rice cakes (lightly salted). Found at Fred Myer's in the health food section, or Marlene's.

 They are so versatile!

 You can add almond butter and banana, tuna or chicken salad, avocado and tomato, deli meat w/ guacamole .... 

Great balanced snack!

 
CLEAN SNACK IDEA #4

Don't forget those whole food basics for quick grabs at work or home! Fresh fruit and vegies can be quickly paired with Greek yogurt, hummus, or nut butters for a healthy, balanced snack!

CLEAN(ER) SNACK IDEAS (for the car):
I try to keep emergency snacks in the car and gym bag. We all get busy and I don't know about you, but I make poor, desperate decisions when I have low blood sugar and can't think straight. I like the Kind bars for a quick go-to. I also try to keep a container of nuts in my car for a quick grab!

  

Partner Shred Old School Style!! !! Organized Chaos!! So Fun!!

 

Our Spring Challenge Kick Off class. 

 Resisted Bear Crawl High 5's!!

 

 V-Sit/Partner Drags

<-- ball="" med="" squat="" toss="">  

 Tire Jump Through/Tuck Jumps --->

  ^^ Box Jumps, Suicide Sprints, Defense Shuffles.... Oh My!  

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!!