For What It's Worth~

3M Half Marathon Recap

2012-01-30T22:22:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I put the last 12 weeks of my CrossFit Endurance training and programming designed by my pal, Benjamin Palmer, to the test at the 3M Half Marathon.

Leading up to this race I've felt a lot of pressure within. It's no different pressure than any other race. I always get nervous, there's always some little ache or pain that arises in my body within a few weeks from the event; I always question whether or not I've eaten enough, gone to the restroom enough times, etc etc.... I often think to myself, "I wish I could just run a race for fun; without having a time/pace goal, and without letting the outcome of the race determine if I'll be upset with myself or excited the rest of the day."

Why the Pressure- What Did I Have to Prove to Myself?
- This is the first time I haven't trained with a "traditional" running group

- My training included 4 CrossFit workouts, 2 track/interval workouts, and 1 tempo/time trial run a week (plus Bikram Yoga) and NO LONG EASY RUNS. Vs. Running, running, running, with long, slower running, and only doing a little bit of weight training as before.

- I'm racing as a slightly larger, endurance athlete. Before you roll your eyes, hear me out on this....when I ran my fastest half in 2004 (1:30) I was 25lbs lighter than I am now. My second fastest half in 2009 (1:31) was 8-10 pounds ago. So, I felt the need to prove that even though I am no longer a skinny, starving, over trained runner, that I could run just as hard, just a fast, and feel not just as strong, but stronger.

- I wanted to prove to myself that the CFE programming really does work.

So....Getting to the Good Stuff....The Results:
Thanks to programming a la Benjamin, and pacing from Sam through mile 5 to the end (and 3 miles from Rick) I ended up running a 7:09/mile pace; giving me a finishing time of 1:34:07.

I started the race 4 minutes later because I was standing in line for the restroom. By the time I made my way to the start, I was stuck in the pack of the 2+hour half marathon pace groups. I spent the first mile running on the grass bike trail alongside the run course to avoid the cluster; which was great because it reminded me a little of Cross Country running.
I felt awesome the entire race. I never really got tired or winded until the last mile. My calves started to get pretty tight around mile 12 and I was trying to push the pace without "kicking too soon", but thanks to my excellent pacer(s) I was able to finish strong and with a time I am satisfied with.

Final Thoughts
The Pros: I am here to tell you that training strictly CFE works! I never felt over trained, maintained less than 20 miles a week of running, based on quality-not quantity, and was pretty much injury-free aside from some minor things here and there.

The Cons: Because I was trying to really test the programming, I didn't get to do much of anything else (bike, swim, etc). I also didn't enjoy doing most of my Tempo/Time Trial runs by myself. I really enjoy running with other people and don't run with music; so running alone and trying to maintain a solid pace got old, real quick.

The great news is now that the race is over, I will continue CFE training for duathlon season, along with my Bikram Yoga challenge, and Strictly Strength...I'm ready to #getstrong and start filling out my jeans again; develop that "apple bottom".

Peace.3MRunAndDone.Love.

60 Day Bikram Challenge Update #2

2012-01-23T22:31:00.002-06:00

As of today, I am officially 20 days into the 60 Day PURE Bikram Yoga Challenge. This is the first time I have ever done Bikram more than 4 days in a row. Here are a few things I have noticed since my last update:

- After 10 days in a row, my body started to ache in multiple places. I took it as a sign of "old injuries on their way to healing"

- Bikram is a lot like CrossFit; you're constantly having to be "comfortable with the uncomfortable"....

- Just as any other exercise, if you rush into postures without the correct technique and alignment, you end up hurting yourself. ie: my right hammie/haunch area is super sore and over-stretched because I went too far into standing bow pulling pose without thinking about the correct set up.

- I'm becoming pretty good at standing separate leg, head to knee pose

- I prefer the room to be really hot; because I don't do this shiz for fun...I do it to sweat and some instructors are better at regulating the temperature than others. And when it's not super hot and humid, well I'd rather be somewhere else.

- My favorite cocktail to drink during class is AdvoCare Rehydrate+Nuun+sometimes a Spark.

- My bright pink lululemon bra and and scoop neck tank have accidentally died 2 towels at the yoga studio...oopsie!

- My best posture is rabbit, and every time the instructor tells me, "Nice, rabbit" I giggle to myself. (do I really need to explain this?)

Here's to 1/3 of the challenge down. Until next time, enjoy this blog post shared by my friend Benjamin:

http://www.liftbigeatbig.com/2012/01/8-scientific-facts-i-learned-in-hot.html

And...this silly video from lululemon:

Peace.20DaysDown.Love.

A Walking Supplement

2012-01-18T13:27:00.002-06:00

If it's true what they say and "you are what you eat" I'm pretty sure I would be a walking mix of AdvoCare supplements.

I have been asked more than a few times, what supplements I take. But before I divulge my daily routine let me start by saying that although Rick and I have been taking and selling AdvoCare supplements for nearly two years; it wasn't until about a year ago that I started taking it to the next level by being consistent with my intake and really using the products that suit each activity I participate in. And while it is evident that the supplements haven't given me the body of a Greek goddess, I can tell you that I feel great; I recover faster from workout to workout, and the days that I miss out on my Muscle Gain shakes I get really sad.

For All You Inquiring Minds; Behold My Supplement Secrets....

Everyday Use :
MNS Max 3 strip pack
4-6 OmegaPlex (fish oil)
1-2 ThermoPlus
3-4 Probiotic Restore Ultra
1 SPARK (usually 4-5 days/wk)

Before a run workout:
1 scoop Argenine Extreme
3 Catalyst

Before a CrossFit Workout:
1 scoop Mass Impact + 1 scoop Argenine Extreme
3 Catalyst
1-2 Muscle Strength (depending on if it's a heavy weight workout)

Bikram Yoga:
1 scoop Argenine Extreme + 1 Rehydrate
*or sometimes; instead of the above:
1 Rehydrate + 1 Spark
3 Catalyst (before)

Post Workout (within 30-45 min):
2 scoops Muscle Gain + water or iced coffee
*if the workout is a long one or worthy of extra carb intake afterwards:
1 Post Workout Recovery packet

When I Know I'm Going to Eat "Bad":
2-3 Probiotic Restore
1 Digest-Ease
1 ThermoPlus

"Dang, Gina....Looks Like You Be Popping Pills All day...."
If that's what you were thinking as you read this, well...yep, that's about right. I carry around my little bag of tricks, plus some shaker bottles, and 1-2-3 it's that easy! And honestly, if I'm doing at least 2 workouts a day, sometimes 3, my body needs additional help to perform, recover, and restore.

"Man Cannot Live By AdvoCare Alone"
While I am very aware that some people believe you can get all the vitamins and minerals and protein your body needs from food, I cannot stomach that much food. Plus, how many minerals and vitamins do you think are really left in our fruits and vegetables when they are picked too early, shipped all over the US, and sprayed with who knows what? I don't have the room in my stomach, nor the desire to eat 6 chicken breasts, or a thousand boiled eggs, or 10 cups of spinach, or 20 oz. lean meat everyday, all day.

I will however, tell you that I have learned the hard way, by wanting to die mid-workout or eat my arm off because I was starving, that packing only protein powders and nuts for the day, just isn't enough. Which is why in addition to my supplements, I try to pack real food as my main source....hence the word: supplements.

So, there you have it. I'm sure I have left something off the lists above. I know this may look like a lot to some of you, but have you seen your grandmother's cabinet of prescription medication?? That's what I'm trying to avoid one day. It's important to know that each person's supplement needs vary; so if you have any questions, comments, concerns, please feel free to email me.

Peace.LegalPillPopper.Love.

PURE Bikram Yoga 60 Day Challenge

2012-01-11T14:50:00.000-06:00

So there's this thing called the PURE Bikram Yoga 60 Day Challenge. I'm officially 7 days in. You can read more about the start of my adventure here.

Peace.60DayChallenge.Love.

Does Working Out Really Suck?

2012-01-08T14:38:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago Rick told me that Anytime Fitness was going to be running an ad about, "Working Out Sucks". To which I think I may have replied, "Really? That's stupid", and didn't think anything further.

Then..... I heard the ad on the radio one morning and thought, "Wow....Way to go, Anytime Fitness. Working out doesn't suck. In fact, I LOVE to workout and most people who workout regularly, don't think it sucks." Or do they?...

Turns out, I wasn't the only person "offended" by the commercial. A few of my twitter friends didn't get the "working out sucks" ad either. However one of my friends, had a great point and tweeted,

"It does (suck) when you've never been in shape, never had the joy of a PR, etc. Bad marketing, but I remember."

There's actually a few times that I have said during a workout, "This sucks". Just the other day when I was doing my long run alone and bored of talking to myself I thought, "Running sucks." (I really meant running alone sucks). In fact, I have a few clients that have told me if exercising wasn't necessary for their health, they wouldn't do it, nor do they particularly like to workout but do so, because they know they need to.

My point is this, not everyone enjoys and loves to workout. Not everyone sees the value and importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Which brings me to the point of the overall "Working Out Sucks" ad:

"Working out sucks, but the alternatives suck more" is the premise behind the commercial and the title to the book written by the CEO of Anytime Fitness, Chuck Runyon.

“Working Out Sucks” is a provocative marketing campaign designed to grab attention by combining long-overdue honesty with compassion and practical advice (anytimefitness.com)

So, before I got my panties in a wad, maybe I should have researched the approach behind the commercial and watched this video. It all makes a little more sense, now.

Peace.SometimesWorkingOutDoesSuck.Love.

2012 Motto: So Much Hustle

2012-01-04T15:46:00.001-06:00

"Cultivate stillness in the world of hustle" - Benjamin Palmer

A few weeks ago the Trinity Training System/CrossFit Central coaches and staff were asked to come up with a 2012 Motto; something that calls us to action in the next year.

As I tried to think of a motto, the only thoughts that kept coming to my head were, "I'm not sure I want to be called to action....I'm already busy enough. If I create anymore action in my life; I won't have a life."

Here's Where I'm Coming From

The last few months of "hustle" hit me pretty hard a few weeks ago. I was driving home from coaching one night, in mental-panic mode thinking about everything I still had to do in the 2.5 hours I had until bedtime (10:30-11pm). I was bombarded with emotions of always being rushed to go to and from here and there, rushing through phone conversations, and meetings to get to the next one, coming home and rushing through my shower so I can spend the two hours of the evening left with Rick, but still rushing through our dinner and conversations so I can write workouts for clients or work on my blogs, emails....etc...etc....and I started to cry. It was a good cry. A necessary cry. But nevertheless, that cry didn't help me find peace in all the rush-rush.

Am I Too Much Of A Wanna-Be Achiever?

Before I knew what my strengths were, I would've said,

"I have a problem doing too many things, putting too much on my plate. Saying 'yes' to too many things and to too many people."

However, knowing that two of my strengths (according to Strength Finders) are Achiever and Responsibility, it makes sense that I may be suited to have many tasks to achieve and responsibilities to fulfill. But.....if I don't even have time to achieve the responsibilities expected of me, how am I supposed to use them as my strengths?

Cultivating Stillness; Finding Balance

The truth is, life isn't going to slow down any time soon. I'm not going to have any less demands on me, nor my time, in the near future if I want to continue to be a next level coach and trainer, an accomplished athlete, and most importantly a committed and present wife.

I told Rick one night half-sarcastically, half-joking and probably while complaining how overwhelmed I was,
"I can't be all things to all people!"

To which he replied,
"But, you can to me"

Immediately that statement took me back a second, and it does as I type this. This next year, as life and people demands hustle of me and my time, as I am in the midst of feeling overwhelmed, I will cultivate stillness, say a prayer, breathe a breath of fresh air, know that it's all going to workout, and find balance and stillness within all the hustle.

Peace.F*ckTheHustle.Love.

CFE Seminar Recap

2011-12-12T16:45:00.000-06:00

This past weekend I attended the CrossFit Endurance seminar in San Antonio. Aside from learning some new running drills and programming ideas to teach our athletes at CrossFit Central Endurance, I learned/was made aware of some things I need to focus on for myself and my own training.

First of all, I know some of you see me blog, tweet, facebook about CrossFit Endurance and are still wondering What is CrossFit Endurance? And, most importantly, How is it different from other endurance training programs?

Answer: In CrossFit, we train the 10 physical skills in any given workout, at one point or another....from the warm up, the workout, to the cool down. These include; Cardiovascular/Respiratory Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy.

Now, take a traditional endurance/strictly running program and you're lucky if anything other than Cardiovascular/Respiratory Endurance, Speed, and Flexibility are addressed. In previous run groups that I have trained with, we did some strength work, but it was never anything more than medballs and body weight, speed was addressed in interval workouts, flexibility was on our own, and what I was left with was high mileage, little strength training, and a straight path to multiple injuries.

Back to CrossFit Endurance: put it all together, and you get an endurance athlete who's no longer relying on just their aerobic capacity to do well, but also enhancing their 10 physical skills through CrossFit, incorporating the "constantly varied" fundamentals of CrossFit; while increasing the intensity and quality of the workout and eliminating the "unnecessary volume" seen in typical endurance training.....Are you sold yet!?....

Here are a few things I learned that really "spoke" to my endurance training:

"Run comfortably fast vs. running hard....run faster, not harder"

Running "hard" just sounds rough on your body vs. running effiecently, comfortably fast. That's what becoming a better athlete (person) is all about; being comfortable with the uncomfortable.

"Eat to train OR train to eat"

I don't train so I can eat. I eat to train, and 85% of the time fuel my body with the things it likes to run/perform on.

After hearing the nutrition/fueling talk, I realized I need to work on my "eat to train" more. I've created a bad habit over the past ten years of training my body to work on almost nothing. I'm not properly fueling my body because I've never trained myself to workout or run on a non-almost empty stomach. I've always been afraid to have more than a boiled egg, nuts, or fruit in my body before working out. Afterwards, I have no problem drinking a protein supplement or eating, but I definitely have problems eating before and it was addressed this weekend that just like training your body to work, you also have to train to eat, literally...practicing eating more, fueling more and then working out on that fuel.

"3-5 hours between workouts"

The "rule of 3-5 hours rest between workouts" was stressed as a must follow this weekend as well, and this is another rule I have broken quite a few times. About 2-3 times a week, I have 2x/day workouts. One being an interval run, and the second a CrossFit WOD. I have been known to do my interval run and 10 minutes later do the CrossFit WOD, or vice versa. I thought the "3-5 hour rule" was just a recommendation, as in "if you need a rest"; so I always figured I have enough energy and feel great, I'll just get the second workout over with....wrong! The 2x/day are supposed to be 2 completely seperate workouts with appropriate rest in between. Who has that much time to go back and forth to the gym? Guess, this girl will....

So, the long in the short of all of this is that, just as soon as you think you have everything figured out, you realize you don't at all. Revamping of my CFE training starts NOW!

Peace.ILoveAllThingsEndurance.Love.

No Excuses: Get it Done!

2011-12-05T20:57:00.001-06:00

Being both a personal trainer and being married to one, there is hardly ever a question when we're on vacation of "Are we going to workout tomorrow?" It's more like "What time are we going to set the alarm to workout tomorrow?"

The past few days, Rick and I were cruising the Carnival to Mexico with my clients and their law firm partners and employees. It's always a great time with this group; we all get along and have a blast together!

Hear this: Being on vacation and being "stuck on a boat" are not valid excuses to abandon an active lifestlye. It's actually a bit motivating because you're surrounded by the majority of the United States: overweight people loading up their plates at the buffets....but that's beside the point. I have a training schedule and I had every intention of following it while we were on vacation. The bonus was that I had Rick, and a few of my clients along with me to workout with.

Cruise Workouts:

Thursday morning Rick and I did 4 x 800m repeats on the treadmill at home because we had to leave early for Galveston. I kept the pace between 6:22-6:40/per mile.

Friday: The workout was supposed to be "Cindy" which is 20 minutes, as many rounds as possible of 5 Pull Ups, 10 Push Ups, 15 Squats but since there was no pull up bar we modified it into 20 min of: 5 Plank Rows (30lb dumbbells), 10 Push ups, 15 Squats, 20 Sit ups.

I did 10 min with Rick and then my clients joined for the last 10 minutes. Total Rounds completed: 11 Rounds + 10 Push ups.

Bonus: 4 Rounds of

5 Burpee Broadjumps

10 Handstand holds/walks

10 Push Press (50lbs)

20 Lunges

40 Bicycle Crunches

Saturday: 5K @ 85% of Time Trial (on treadmill)

My most recent 5K was a 22:02; so I ran on the treadmill increasing the pace every 800m starting at 7:41 pace and ending with 7:03 pace the last 1200m.

Total time: 23:15

Sunday: Recovery WOD

25 min on the elliptical

3 rounds of:

15 Decline bench sit ups

15 Superman

15 Swings (35lbs)

15 Chest Press (60lbs)

15 Bent Over Rows (no pull up bar) (40lbs)

5 min elliptical

Monday: Rest/Travel Day

Let me be the first to tell you, that there were plenty late nights of wine, cocktails, and chocolate molten cake with ice cream that could have been the perfect excuse for us to sleep in and avoid the gym, but we both knew that we'd feel better if we just got it done!

Point: Enjoy your vacation, but don't abandon doing the things you enjoy and being active just because "you're on vacation".

Peace.GetErDone.Love.

Touchdown Celebrations

2011-11-28T21:34:00.001-06:00

When it comes to me and watching NFL football, wait.....when it comes to NFL football I don't know much nor do I have any interest in it, aside from the fact that I love talking trash about the Dallas Cowboys, and that it serves as great background noise for taking great naps on Sunday.

However, I do have a few opinions on the little bits and pieces I do see. I can't stand when the players do little dances and act ridiculously after scoring touchdowns, and dreads hanging out of the bottom of the football helmets....seriously, tie that shiz back!

Last night during the Pittsburgh and Kansas City game, I happened to catch Bob Costas talking about "touchdown celebrations" and all I could say was, "Booyah; you tell them!" Watch the clip here and see what you think.

Peace.LikeIKnowAnythingAboutFootball.Love.

One Week CFE Training Down

2011-11-22T21:24:00.001-06:00

Monday's CFE WOD:

Max Effort Good Mornings

then

3 Rounds (120 sec rest b/w each round)

15 GHD Sit Ups

15 GHD Back Extension

Sled Pull

This one I had to do at Anytime Fitness in Austin, and since they don't have a GHD machine or sleds; I modified doing the following:

15 Decline Bench Sit Ups

15 Straight Leg Deadlifts (65 lbs)

15 Squat/Rows with the cable cross (110lbs)

Rd 1: 2:19

Rd 2: 1:57

Rd 3: 1:52

Max Good Mornings: (10x45lbs/1x65/1x95/1x115)

30 minutes later - 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga.

Tuesday:
5x2 Box Squats
2x95lbs/2x115/2x135/2x145/2x155

AMRAP in 12 min:
5 Chest to Bar Pull Ups (I did regular)
3 Thrusters (95lbs)
25 Double Unders

Rounds completed= 7 + 4 Pull ups

Track WOD in the PM:
8 x 200m repeats w/2 min rest
#1 :37 #5 :36
#2 :36 #6 :35
#3 :37 #7 :37
#4 :36 #8 :38

Wednesday:

90 minutes of Bikram Yoga

Thursday:

CrossFit.com WOD w/Lisa Thiel before CFC Turkey 5K

3 Rounds - 1 minute each (for reps)

Squat Clean (105lbs)

Shuttle Run (20 ft)

Deadlifts (175lbs)

Burpees

Push Jerk (105lbs)

Rest

Rd 1= 42, Rd 2= 42, Rd 3=44 Total Score =128

5K Turkey Run - 22:02

Friday:

90 minutes of Bikram Yoga

5x3 Barbell Rows (85lbs)

5 Rounds:

3 Overhead Squats (85lbs)

7 Burpees

Time = 4:48

Saturday:

Fredericksburg Turkey Trot 10K

Time = 44:21 (7:09/mile pace)

CFE Recovery WOD 2 hours after race:

3 Rds

15 GHD Situps

15 Back Extension

15 KB Swings (35lbs)

15 Bench Press (65lbs)

15 Pullups

Sunday:

REST DAY!!

Peace.CFEWeekOne.Love.

Focused Training Begins NOW

2011-11-22T16:31:00.001-06:00

Earlier this month, CrossFit Endurance posted on their .com this video about

"Program Mixing: Don't Be That Guy; Stick with a Program".

For the past few months my training routine has not really been structured, nor have I had a goal other than to get strong. It's looked something like this:

Mondays - Strictly Strength and Bikram Yoga

Tuesdays - track/run workouts + CrossFit Central workout + Bikram Yoga

Wednesdays - Strictly Strength

Thursdays - run + CrossFit Central WOD + Bikram Yoga

Fridays - Hero WOD at The Combine and/or Bikram Yoga

Saturdays - some sort of run or CrossFit WOD

Sundays - rest.

It's a little all over the place, and while this may look structured to some; it's really not focused. I probably do too much on some days; just because "I want to get in an extra workout". However, now that half marathon and duathlon season is coming around; I know I need to be more focused on my training. I need to set dates on the calendar of competitions, races, etc. instead of just training to train.

So; thanks to Benjamin my CrossFit Central Endurance coaching partner, he has designed us both (as well as the CFC Endurance class) a focused, 12-week program. Benjamin and I will be "leading from the front" for our classes that we coach. We will do all the workouts they do, and aside from that I will continue to do Bikram yoga but no more "extra workouts just cause I feel like it".

I need to train like an athlete; not an obsessed worker-outer.

I may need a reminder of that previous sentence as this has been a bad habit of mine for quite sometime: over training just for fun.

I'll be posting my CrossFit Endurance training on this blog for the next 12 weeks, as well as other stuff because I know some of you could care less about what kind of workouts I do.

Quick plug: If you want to join in on this training join the CrossFit Central Endurance "Bucket List Challenge". You can find more information by clicking the link.

Peace.GettinFocused.Love.

Primal "Mac & Cheese"

2011-11-14T21:01:00.001-06:00

Thanks to my friend Jessica, who talked about gluten free mac & cheese and fish sticks non-stop over the weekend, I couldn't stop thinking about how long it's been since I've eaten that and how delicious it sounded. I went to the grocery store and pondered over getting a box and making it for dinner, and then decided against it. Here's what I made instead and it is delicious; grain-free, gluten free, and guilt free (unless you have something against cheese, and if so, you're not my friend).

Spaghetti Squash "Mac & Cheese"

- 1 Spaghetti squash

- Cheddar cheese

- Parmesan Romano cheese

-Salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2. Cut the spaghetti squash length wise, scoop out the seeds and place "meat side down" on a baking sheet with about 1/4 c. water on the bottom of pan

3. Bake for 35-40 minutes

4. Use a fork to peel out the insides (as pictured above) into a bowl

5. While squash is hot add 1/2 c. of cheddar cheese and 1/4c. of Parmesan Romano, salt and pepper to taste.

Some recipes suggested to use butter and coconut milk, but I didn't think it needed any of that, nor did I use it and it tasted just fine! We ate this alongside ground beef patty and sauteed spinach and tomatoes.

Peace.LegitSubstituteInMyOpinion.Love.

Godai Elements Recap

2011-11-06T20:33:00.004-06:00

First, I would like to say thank you to all who organized the event, everyone who volunteered, and who came out to support and cheer on all the athletes competing yesterday. Benjamin Palmer, my fellow CrossFit Central Endurance coach, and I competed as #TeamApplebottom and came out 10th place overall.

The Godai Elements consisted of 4-5 events that included "constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity across broad time and modal domains using the elements of the Godai and the 10 General Physical Preparedness Skills".

One of the only reasons I was interested in competing in this event is because the first workout was announced and consisted of: 2 mile run + 200m swim. Then when I saw that every workout must be performed Rx (no scaling the weight), I was a little hesitant. After emailing Winchester my doubts and asking him if he thought I could do it, and getting "Silly Strong" with Travis Holley in Strict Strength for the last 3 months; I decided to #gettough and sign up as a team; hence "#TeamApplebottom" was born.

Mister "70's Big" Benjamin Palmer and I.

This is how the day went for Benjamin and I (according to me).

WOD 1: "Earth+Water" 2 mile (mud run) + 200m Swim

The run was 2 loops around the Texas Ski Ranch "lakes"; followed by an out and back swim in the cable lake. The run was great aside from the fact that I lost my shoe in the mud pit, 200m into it; meaning I ran the rest of the run with one shoe and one sock. Immediately following the run, I stripped off my jacket, shoe, socks, decided against trying to put on my swim cap, and walked into the freezing water. This entire workout should have been a breeze for me, but once I hit the cold water already breathing heavily from the run, I couldn't catch my breath. Every time I tried to put my head down in the water, I panicked, lost my stroke rhythm and just basically ended up flopping through the 200m looking as though I'd never swam in my life. I was pretty disappointed with my swim performance, but nevertheless Benjamin and I came in 1st place in the workout!

WOD #2: The Godai Total

(For max total weight: 1 rep max strict press, 1 rep max front squat, 1 rep max deadlift)

My results (all PR's for me; very exciting)

Strict Press - 95lbs

Front Squat - 140lbs

Sumo Deadlift - 260lbs

WOD #3: Air

Buy-in: 100 AbMat Situps

21-15-9:

-Snatch @ 115#/75#

-Cluster @ 115#/75#

-Burpee over barbell

Cash-out: 100 Double-Unders

When this workout was released a few weeks ago, I practiced it 2-3 times because I knew the 75lb snatch would be a challenge for me. Everything else I could do pretty confidently; yet this was the workout I was most nervous about. Benjamin and I split up the Ab Mat situps, and our strategy going into the snatch and clusters were, I do 3 snatch; Benjamin do 1 until we completed the reps. It ended up that I did most of the snatch, Benjamin did all the burpees as well as most of the clusters. We did our best to complete the workout and when time was called at 20 minutes, we were left with 4 snatch, 9 clusters, and double unders. I'm pretty sure both of us were glad that workout was over.

Had to break up the move into: power snatch then overhead squat

WOD #4: Fire

Each partner had 30 seconds to perform max reps of atlas stone bouldering (120lbs/75lbs) while the other partner holds an L-sit, partners then switch. Followed by Max distance hand stand walks and Zercher carry (315lbs/225lbs). By the time I got to the L-sits, my quads were shot; I couldn't hold my legs up longer than .5 seconds! I got 20 ft. on my hand stand walk, and 50 ft on the Zercher carry. If I could've held my legs up on the L-sit, this may have been my 2nd favorite workout.

Benjamin bouldering; me attempting to L-sit

Handstand walk

All in all, the Godai Elements was as Benjamin put it, "the catalyst we needed to launch our training to the next level". Preparing for this event made me step outside of my routine and comfort zone in more areas than one. I'm pleased with how #TeamApplebottom did and am looking forward to the next challenge.

Peace.GodaiRecap.Love.

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

2011-10-28T08:39:00.002-05:00

As many of you know, I am in the process of going through a leadership development program with CrossFit Central. Each week we meet with someone on our team, talk about our strengths, core values, goals, and just life in general. I have really enjoyed this whole process and getting to know each other on a deeper level than just, "Oh, I love your new Adidas watch." or "Those lulu pants are awesome" or "Dang, you be lookin' ripped"....cause we (I) say that stuff all the time...

This week, my partner is the Jeremy Thiel. Oh, J-Tizzle....where do I even begin....

How about here?

Jeremy during his triathlon days

Or here?....this is how I know JT best, for his sweet dance moves

In all seriousness, I have known Jeremy since my sophomore year at Texas State, where we met through a mutual friend, raced on the Texas State Triathlon team together, and went to the same church. One of my first thoughts about him was, "This guy seems pretty intense and what's this Spark stuff he's drinking?"

Fast forward 8 years later, and I still think the same thing...he's pretty intense and judging by the amount of focused direction and energy he has, I'm pretty sure he has a secret IV-drip of Spark hidden somewhere on his body. Behind all of his intenseness, lies not only a silly, fun-loving, big-cheese smiling guy who loves to dance, but also someone who gives great advice on business, life, and where you're going with it.

Jeremy is someone I can confidently take advice from because I have watched him leave college to help his sister, Carey open up CrossFit Central at the very grassroots. I've seen Central grow and expand and enrich the lives of others and the community of Austin over the years, and it has been amazing to see where it has gone and exciting to be a part of where it is going; above and beyond! None of what he and Carey and the other coaches have created have come without hard work, self development, leadership development, faith, commitment, and a responsibility to serve others with excellence in all areas; not just CrossFit.

I could make this post go on and on, but I'm afraid I'll lose your attention. After meeting with Jeremy this week, I feel a greater sense of responsibility to create my own opportunities, to capitalize on my strengths, and to make some moves....NOW!

(all of this to be covered in a later post)

I truly believe people are placed in our lives and in and out of our paths at just the right time. Having Jeremy present in my life and path is no accident; I am grateful for his influence, friendship, and the faith he has in me to be a part of the CrossFit Central coaching family. I AM HERE!

Peace.JTAffirmations.Love.

What's For Breakfast?

2011-10-11T21:49:00.000-05:00

This post is in honor of my friend, McKeezie...

McKeezie is the one Michelle and I are taking pics of as she moons us.

who posted the following on Facebook today;

"Do you guys have any good ideas for a high protein breakfast that is not eggs and egg whites. I have eaten those almost everyday. And I am sick of them."

After her friends replied suggestions like, "refried beans in a low carb tortilla" (carb + carb), "Special K Protein Plus cereal and soy milk" (carb+bad milk substitute), "Wheat bagel with peanut butter and bananas" (carb+fat+carb), and alas, "oatmeal" (carb) I knew I had to help a sister out.

Judging from the above comments, America has done a fantastic job at convincing consumers that grains = protein; especially when they have "protein plus" in the name. #EpicFail

So, my dear friend McKeezie because I care about you and your little body and your digestive system, and so you can teach your friends the difference between a protein and a fat and a carb; here's some brekkie suggestions for you below:

1. Applegate chicken sausage, sauteed with spinach, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes. (option: sprinkle greek feta cheese on top)

2. Protein powder + iced coffee = amazing, on-the-go breakfast

3. I know you said, "no eggs" but these Omlet muffins from Marks Daily Apple are awesome and a good twist on regular ol' eggs!

4. Elanas Pantry Silver Dollar pancakes + add a scoop of vanilla protein powder in the batter.

5. My favorite "no oatmeal" Primal Hot Cereal from Mark's Daily Apple (serving for one)

1/4 c. slivered almonds

1/4c. pecans

1/2 banana

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

1/4 c. unsweetened coconut milk

1 scoop of protein powder.

Pulse all ingredients in food processor, until it reaches the consistency you like. Heat if you wish and top with blueberries or strawberries. Tasted just like oatmeal, but is way better for you!

6. Leftovers from dinner. Who cares if you eat a chicken breast for breakfast? or leftover steak? Try it topped with avocado alongside sweet potatoes...easy!

Hopefully, this gives you enough suggestions. Anything on Mark's Daily Apple or Elanas Pantry is delicious, relatively easy, and protein packed, NOT carbohydrate packed!

Peace.BreakfastofRealChampions.Love.

The Downside of Smiling

2011-10-07T19:37:00.001-05:00

If you know me, you know I love to laugh and I smile often. And you probably also know that I don't ever have two things in my possession: chap stick and chewing gum. And if you know my eating habits, you probably know that I love nuts....almonds, walnuts, and cashews that is (get yo mind out of the gutter).

And if you've ever seen me up close and personal you may have noticed that my lips are cracked every-now-and-then from smiling and laughing so much...duh! And since we all know I LOVE all things AdvoCare; I'm pretty excited that they have a new product:

Almond flavored Lip Balm!

We ordered it yesterday, and I got it in the mail today and it is amazing! It's also pretty cheap; so feel free to click on the link and order yourself some already!

Peace.ByeByeChappedLips.Love.

Soul Searching & Core Values

2011-09-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

As you know from Sunday's blog post, Learning MY Strengths, I am doing some serious soul and goal searching with the rest of the CrossFit Central crew. This self-discovery is all very new to me because I'm usually more interested in other people than I am about myself. I know...I know...From the outside looking in and knowing that I have a Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, and Tumblr I know it seems hard to believe, but really I don't like talking about myself, nor discovering myself. To me, "I am what I am", and "It is what it is" are phrases that I could easily draw on instead of me actually getting to know me.

Honestly, I usually have to ask other people to tell me something about me. Last week, I had to ask Jessica what she thought my biggest pre-conceived notion is that stops me from reaching my goals.

This week, our task was to identify 4-6 core values of how we live and what guides our daily life. I came up with the list and then double checked with Rick to see if they sounded like me. I mean really, would any of you have to do that? Or would you know immediately? Without further adieu, here they are:

Spiritual: I have faith in something bigger than myself and know that all I experience, all that I am is a blessing from God. I start my day with gratitude and prayer. Without spirituality in my life, I would not be the person I am, and where I am today.

Family: My family is very special and important to me. I would put them above anything else in a second if they needed my help for anything. Both my mom and dad, as well as my grandparents helped instill strong values and morals in my life growing up and still do today.

Humor: I believe life is so much better when you can find joy or happiness in a situation. I like to laugh, smile and make others do the same. I would also include light-hearted in this one because I'm more that than super serious...unless a situation calls for me to be seriously, serious...

Determined: I'm determined to accomplish a task given to me. Determined to be the best trainer I can be for my clients, determined to be the best wife, friend, daughter, sister I can be. My determination helps me succeed and gets me excited to wake up every day.

Honest: I am honest to people with my thoughts, feelings, and actions because I expect that in return and it's the right thing to do.

Peace.AlreadyBoredWithMyself.Love.

Learning MY Strengths

2011-09-25T15:50:00.001-05:00

"From the cradle to the cubicle, we devote more time to fixing our shortcomings than to developing our strengths" - Tom Rath

In the next several weeks, I will be making moves to step up my game. And the best part is that I will not be alone. As part of the CrossFit Central team, myself and all the other coaches have been arranged on teams to take each other, our lives, leadership, and community to a whole new level.

To kick this off, we received the book Strengths Finder 2.0 and took the test to identify our top 5 greatest strengths. The whole book is eye opening in making people realize that most of us spend thousands of dollars and countless hours trying to work on our weaknesses or trying to become something we may not be "wired" to become. Why would we do that? Why would we not trust and use our own talents to excel at the the things we are the strongest?

"You cannot be anything you want to be--but you can be a lot more of who you already are."

My Top 5 Strengths and Descriptions:

Positivity

You are generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation.

Your own job, studies, or life becomes much more exhilarating when you help others more fully experience their lives.

Achiever

No matter how much you may feel you deserve a day of rest, if the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small, you will feel dissatisfied.

You have an internal fire inside you. It pushes you to do more, to achieve more.

Belief

By nature, you have no doubts about being linked in some way with everything in the

universe.

Your work must be meaningful, it must matter to you.

Communication

By nature, you naturally gravitate to situations where you can be your true self.

Chances are good that you may have little difficulty finding the

right words to express your ideas on specific topics.

Responsibility

Your openness may help some people know you better as a

person.

Your straightforward style may convince others you are honest, dependable, and

reliable.

Finding out my strengths is a lot like reading my horoscope, and they all really do pretty much describe me. I read through the other strengths just to see if all of them could sound like me in one way or another, and they don't...so I know that the test I took highlighted my true strengths as they are today. Stay tuned for more updates on how I'll be using my strengths and the strengths of my CrossFit Central teammates.

Peace.WeaknessSchmeakness.Love.

A Phrase I Thought I'd Never Say

2011-09-14T15:59:00.000-05:00

I am super excited about watching ESPN 2 tonight!

I know what you're thinking,

"Wait....Am I reading the right blog? Did she just say what I thought she said? Is this the same Melisa that loves to watch anything and everything on Bravo TV? The same Melisa that goes to tailgates and football games purely to socialize and occasionally spectate?"

That's right ladies and gents! I've got my DVR already set to record on ESPN 2 tonight from 7-9pm for the 2011 CrossFit Games. And although I've already seen it live in person, and will be watching it again tonight, I plan to save this baby to watch over and over when I need some motivation and inspiration.

The only other sport that gets me this excited and that can capture my attention for longer than 30 minutes on TV is the Ironman coverages they show on NBC from time to time. No other sport can make me tear up a little as I watch all different levels of athletes compete to finish a race of 140.2 miles. Every time I watch, I want to set up my bike on the trainer in the living room and ride along with them because it's SO inspiring.

Tonight, I have the same expectations for the 2011 CrossFit Games. Although, I don't see myself wanting to bring out a barbell in the living room and start doing heavy thrusters or a bajillion pull ups, push ups, and squats. But who knows, maybe watching will at least inspire me to do foam roll and do my mobility exercises that I often neglect.

Either way, whether you are a CrossFitter or not, I highly recommend you tune into ESPN 2 TONIGHT. It will be time well spent!

Peace.CrossFitCoverage.Love.

The Proof is in the Pudding

2011-09-11T16:07:00.000-05:00

Maybe this title would be better suited as, "The Proof is in the Performance".

Excuse me while I make a shameless plug for exactly how much and why I love CrossFit Endurance training.

In the past week, I have participated in 3 endurance events: Zilker Relays, Pure Austin Driveway Dash bike race, and the Got Guts 5K. Here is what my training has looked like in the past 6 months....(this is why it's important to keep a training log)

CrossFit - 3-4/x week

Track Workouts or treadmill workouts -2x/week

Mid distance run - 1x/week

Spin bike workouts - 1x/week (not consistent)

The last time I was on my actual bike outside was July 22nd.

Now, why does all this matter to you or me?

Because I have gone from running 30ish miles a week to just around 10-12 miles a week; yet I have been able to maintain my 5K performances by logging quality miles, becoming stronger in my hips, legs, and core through CrossFit, and my overall energy while doing this has been at an all time high, as opposed to always feeling tired and over-worked when I was running 30+ miles a week.

So...for those of you who want to see data comparisons:

Zilker Relays 2010: Time - 16:31

Zilker Relays 2011:Time - 16:17

Me, Lisa, and David at Zilker Relays

The Pure Austin Driveway Dash is a "bike race" that consists of riding as many loops as possible for 30 min. I decided on a whim this Thursday to race it since I would be out there watching my brother ride anyway. I missed the mass women's start because I was still warming up; so I played catch-up the entire first loop, passed the back of the pack, but never caught up to the front. However, keep in mind that I hadn't been on my bike in almost 2 months; yet I was able to maintain a 20.1 mph speed for 28 minutes....CrossFit Endurance at it's finest, baby!

The Got Guts 5K was on the same course as the Danskin triathlon (cross country-style) which I did in 2008. So comparing that 5k to today's time probably isn't the most accurate considering I wasn't riding a bike before I ran this morning, but....

5K Danskin Course 2008 - 22:15

Got Guts 5k 2011 - 21:48

Benjamin, Me, Lisa, Luis - CrossFit Central Endurance athletes

This fall I have a few half marathons planned, as well as full on duathlon training. I'm ready to get back into racing more consistently and I'm looking forward to seeing how my performance will be strictly training CrossFit Endurance-style. If you'd like to train this way, or with me check out CrossFit Central Endurance.

Peace.TryItYou'llLikeIt.Love.

The Six Degrees of The Hills

2011-09-01T21:31:00.000-05:00

WARNING: This post could get long, but I promise if you keep reading, you'll get to see pictures along the way!

Today I gave my two week notice to The Hills Fitness Center. Over the past six years of interning and working in various positions there, I met Rick, several of my best friends, awesome clients, and stumbled in to amazing opportunites from being there; which made me leaving a bittersweet moment, but I realized in order for me to move on to bigger and better things, this was a necessary step to take.

Before I start this post, let's rewind to about 11 or so years ago. I was a high school student working at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm gift shop. One slow afternoon I picked up a magazine (I assume it was one from the Austin area) and started looking through it. I stumbled upon an ad for a fitness center in Austin that had running trails sourrounded by trees and running water, beautiful swimming pools, and what looked to be an awesome place to workout. It was called, The Hills Fitness Center. For some reason, this place stood out to me and I bible swear that as I was looking at that magazine years ago I said to myself, "That place looks awesome. I want to work there someday".

Fast forward to 2005, my senior year at Texas State, we were choosing places to do our Health and Wellness internship in the central Texas area. My classmates and I had a list of probably 30 places to choose from and as soon as I saw The Hills Fitness Center listed as one of them, I clearly remember looking at that magazine a few years before and knew I had to choose this place. This is how I was first introduced to The Hills.

As I said before, I feel most of the people and opportunites I have come across in Austin have in some way been connected to The Hills; which is why I titled this post, "The Six Degrees of The Hills".

As most of you all probably know, this is where I met Rick and I will forever be thankful for that.

Our 1st date in 2006

5 years later...married!

It was also in this same time frame that I met, Michael Bland the coach that would talk me into doing duathlons and triathlons, racing all over Texas, the nation, and Europe. Without his relationship I probably would never have seen these parts of the world, let alone compete in them.

Long Course World Championships in Denmark with Taylor, Jess, Mike, and I.

Short Course World Championships

I was introduced to the only swim coach I have ever had, Jimmy and since he left The Hills, swimming has not been the same. (Sorry Jimmy, this is the only pic I have of you) Jimmy also introduced me to open water swimming at Hippy Hollow, the land of love-to-be-naked hairy old men.

Coach Jimmy Bynum

It was also around this time that I met Blake, who introduced me to working for David King Fitness and some of my favorite clients that I train today.

And then there's Sara who not only introduced me to the amazingness of Pilates, but also who always had such great advice and words of wisdom. And clearly from the picture below, she was also a lot of fun, too!

Hannah, Me, Sara

And one day when my bestfriends moved out of our apartment, to different cities, and I was in between places to live, the Kurtzweil's welcomed me in their home for a few months. I miss having Karri around as an instant bike-riding partner.

Dinner with the Kurtzeweils and friends at the Grand Canyon

And then there's Todd (pictured with Niko, also a great friend) who opened up an Anytime Fitness and then over a year or so convinced us to open our own in Fredericksburg!

Niko and Todd

And last but definitely not least, the girlfriends that I have met through The Hills. Going from just co-workers, interns, to great, lifelong friends is something I will forever be grateful for. And for this, you ladies get a montage of pics.

Without Karen by my side I would have never rode 150 miles!

Pam, Me, Celest, Karen, Brette at Sex & The City movie night

Karen, Me, Hannah

Night out with Celest, Karen, and Jess

Pam, Karen, Me

Casey, Hannah, Karen, and Amanda at Rick and I's wedding

Hannah and I dancing in the streets of NOLA 2010 Red Dress Run

So...here's to closing one door and opening another one. I truly believe that reading that magazine ten years go, the people I have met over the past six years, the places I have been, and being married to my bestfriend was no accident. I feel very blessed and and am excited to move on to greater opportunities and meeting new friends along the way!

Peace.ChunkingtheDueceToTheHills.Love.

Love at First Sip

2011-08-29T16:11:00.000-05:00

Did you know I have another blog? Yeah...that's right...another one. Check out my Tumblr here to find out what my latest obsession is.

Peace.YumYum.Love.

Zilker Relays 2011

2011-08-25T03:00:00.000-05:00

The Zilker Relays, previously known as Fila Relays, are coming up in a little over a week. If my running records are correct, I've participated in this event in 2007, 2009, 2010, and again this year. I am especially excited about competing in them this year because CrossFit Central is one of the main sponsors and I will be running with and cheering on fellow coaches and our ATXEndurance athletes.

A True Test of Speed

I really like this race because it's short, sweet, and to the point. Honestly, it's probably not my best distance because I prefer to race something a little bit longer but I enjoy doing it because it is a true test of speed. Unless you're just running it for fun, the 2.4 mile distance really isn't enough time to warm up, relax into a pace, and then pick it up at the end. This distance (for me) is more of a 3...2...1....GO HARD!

So, how have I been training for the Zilker Relays?

Well, I tried running the course the other morning with a friend so I could mentally and physically prepare my body, but it was early and dark and we got lost...so...until I get to run it for real next Friday night I will be envisioning myself trucking up the semi-long hill on Barton Springs Rd.

Other than that, my weekly endurance training consists of:

1 moderate pace- 4-6 mile distance run a week
3 CrossFit workouts
2-3 CrossFit Endurance workouts

What are you waiting for? Put together a team and register!

I'm currently organizing teams and if you'd like to run as part of CrossFit Central email me at: melisarehm@crossfitcentral.com.

I just need the following details:

Team Members

Team Name

Team Captain

Team Division

You can also register here.

Peace.RunZilkerRelays.Love.

Dream Stealers

2011-08-22T18:32:00.000-05:00

This past weekend Rick and I attended AdvoCare Success School. Even though this was my third time to attend, I still walked away with new information not only about the products, but most importantly about setting goals, achieving them, and believing that you can accomplish them.

I must admit that until about a year ago, I was never a big goal-setter. I mean, I had goals but I never really wrote them down. I would just tell myself what I wanted to do or accomplish, and would do it. However, I've recently learned how powerful it is to actually write down your goals and create a vision board and to place these things where you will see them every day as a reminder to what you wish to accomplish. As part of coaching for CrossFit Central, we are encouraged to set goals and find accountability partners to share them with so we can check in with one another. Luckily for me, two of my best friends, Karen and Jessica, also coach for Central and together we have formed an accountability team. We met two weeks ago to write down our goals; which I will share with you in another post.

"Dream Stealers"

I think we all know what this title means, and I'm pretty sure we've all had them come in and out of our lives at one point or another. These are the people who intentionally and unintentionally try to talk you out of your dreams and goals; people who are afraid for you to become something better and greater. They're the people that tell you,

"That's never going to work."

"What are you going to do with your Masters anyways?"

"You really think you can win? That's a big competition."

"All that running is not good for your body. Lifting that much weight is dangerous."

You won't last past a week eating that way....."

The list of negativity is endless; and it's unfortunate that we have people in our lives who would talk to us this way. As we were driving back from Success School Rick asked me, "You know those people in your life that just drag you down and suck the energy out of you?"

I thought about his question and then answered; "No, because I don't have any friends like that. And the friends that I did have like that aren't my friends anymore."

As harsh as it may sound, the older I've gotten the more I've realized that you don't have to be friends with everybody. Sure, you should treat others as you would want to be treated, and you should love everyone, but you should love yourself more and where you're going in life and know that you don't have to hang out with people who keep you from being your best self, people who create drama, stress, and negativity in your life. I always like to think of the verse, "He who is not with me is against me" (Matt 12:30). If you can't see my vision, if you don't share my dreams, and if you don't think I can accomplish anything through Christ who strengthens me, well peace out and God bless...cause I'm moving onward and upward with or without you.

If you can list more than 1 dream stealer in your life, you need to either have a heart to heart with them or make new friends, because you deserve to be encouraged to dream your dreams and accomplish your goals, whatever they may be.

Peace.Monday'sPepTalk.Love.

For all You Social Media Haters Out There

2011-08-07T13:12:00.001-05:00

Lately it has been the running joke around me that I am a social media-ing fool. As you can recall here, there were many pics taken of me on vacation always being on my phone, most likely tweeting to the masses. And honestly, compared to the people I hang around my social media "addiction" is nothing....I mean for real. If you want to follow some serious "tweeters", I can give you their names.

Getting to the point of this blog post:

Social Media Can Hook You Up with FREE Stuff!

A few months ago when Elana Amsterdam came out with her new cookbook; Gluten Free Cupcakes, she sent me two copies.

Not too long ago Applegate Farms sent me coupons in the mail because I tweet about how much I love their products.

And.....

Yesterday, out of the blue and not knowing where they came from, I got two NEW cookbooks in the mail; one was addressed to @melisaloo (my Twitter name) and the other to "For What It's Worth" - what you are reading now.

Behold the latest addition to my Gluten Free Cookbook collection:

Now, I must admit when I opened the packages and saw the title I said out loud (to myself) sarcastically, "You know me; I love Asian food" . Because honestly, we never go to Asian or Chinese restaurants because I don't like nor eat rice, I never know what kind of sauces are on the food, and I never really give it a chance. BUT.....let me tell you, my palate and eyes are about to be opened with this new cookbook. There are some awesome recipes in here, I know what ingredients I will be eating, it will be fresh, it will be good, and I am excited!

My goal is to cook something from The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen at least once a week, or every other week, and I will definitely keep you posted on the recipes and reviews.

Much thanks to whoever sent these to me!

Peace.ThePowerOfSocialMedia.Love.

2011 CrossFit Games

2011-07-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow I leave for California to watch the 2011 CrossFit Games. I'm super excited to be going this year because CrossFit Central will be represented by 3 rock star athletes, Lisa Thiel, Carey Kepler, and Lindsey Smith.

Who are these women, you ask?....

(watch the video below to get a glimpse of what it took to get them to the Games)

Games Bound from CrossFit Central - The Triune on Vimeo.

To get a taste of what I will be watching LIVE Friday, Saturday, and Sunday check out this video below...

And if you haven't gotten chills by now from watching both of these videos, well....then watch them again!

Even though I'll most likely be away from my blog for the weekend, you can follow all the action on Twitter (but I must warn you, my friend Michelle claims I "tweet more than all three Kardashian sisters").

You can follow the 2011 CrossFit Games here.

And you can also check out some great athlete videos on SicFit.com

Peace.CaliBound.Love.

Out With the Plank..In with the New

2011-07-24T15:02:00.000-05:00

Oh, hello blog. I wasn't sure you still existed. Lately, I haven't really felt all that inspiring or insightful to post anything and not that I'm saying today's post is either of those things, but I'm getting back on my blogging wagon before I lose all of you.

It has been brought to my attention by a few people and various social media outlets that....wait for it....the planking craze no longer exists. If you didn't even know it existed in the first place then well, check out this previous post to get a recap.

Apparently the new thing is called "owling". Which can be explained here. Basically, instead of lying face down and looking like you're a passed out drunk, you perch yourself on something, crouch down, and get someone to snap a pic. And then you upload it to your Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Blogger immediately...Duh!

Personally, I'm not a fan of this owling position, I prefer "The Leisure Dive". This is pure brilliance...I mean, who doesn't crack up by looking at this picture!? Seriously, I know the word "winning" went out of style just as fast as Charlie Sheen, but this picture deserves the hashtag #winning for sure.

I'd also like to go out on a limb and say that I think my girl, Nyki is ahead of the times by her pose she captured today: The L Sit. This one could be great because not everyone can do this pose. It's pretty easy to lay down flat on something, and it's pretty easy to crouch down and leisurely dive off the board, but this pose takes some skill.

This Thursday I'm going to California to watch the CrossFit Games and I'm thinking about doing the pose below in random places and calling it "Dumping".

Just think... I could create a whole new Facebook album entitled "Dumping". I doubt anyone else would have the same.

Peace.I'mBaaaaack.Love.

CrossFit Central Endurance Training is Here!

2011-07-04T18:23:00.000-05:00

Rick and I after the Wildflower 10K and 5K (he trains CrossFit Endurance, too!)

Let's rewind 2 years and 3 months ago....it was the day after the Boston Marathon...crippled and hobbling through the streets of Boston with pubic stress fractures. Rick, my dad, and myself met Jeremy and Lisa Thiel (who also ran the marathon) for breakfast in downtown Boston. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and then crammed in the backseat of a cab together where Jeremy proposed that I quit talking about wanting to try CrossFit and just do it already, after I was healed of course. He may have said something along the lines of how it would improve my running performance and keep me from getting injured...I can't remember our exact conversation, but whatever he said stuck that time and I started CrossFit Central Relentless bootcamp that July, and then switched to indoor classes a month later.

Fast forward to today and here I am...a CrossFit Level 1 Coach, loving CrossFit, and most of all I have learned a new approach to my former endurance training...no longer logging high milege and running through injury. To read more about what CrossFit Endurance training has done for me click here.

My whole point of this post is that if CrossFit Central Endurance classes would have been offered two years ago when I started CrossFit, I would have jumped right in! I am very excited to announce the launch of this training program and encourage all endurance athletes, competitive, non-competitive, beginners, etc to check it out and start with the rest of us NEXT WEEK! To see more of what the CFE program is about check out Lisa Thiel's blog.

Peace.ExcitedAboutEndurance.Love.

My California Planking Adventures

2011-06-02T20:36:00.001-05:00

Until last Tuesday I had no idea what "planking" was. While training my client last Tuesday he asked me, "So, do you plank? Are you into planking?"

And I responded, "Uh...I don't think so. What is that?"

My 1st plank of the trip - Chimney Rock Winery

Well, obviously in the past week I learned what "planking" was from Michelle while traveling to California and from that day "planking", delicious food, wine, and working out were the only things on my mind during our trip. Poor Rick got pretty tired of me saying, "Oh...what about there?...What if I plank on that?...Take a picture....Do you think I'll fall?...."

Personally, I think the planking pictures look like I was drunk and found a random place to pass out and then someone took a picture. However, that is not the case; all of these planks were intentional; as ridiculous as they may appear.

Behold my planking adventures; as well as special appearances from Pat, Michelle, Lauren, and Rick.

Stopped to plank on the way to the gym

Michelle planking in the hotel

Pat's creative Plank we got over text message...hilarious!

Planking on the dumbbells of course...this one looks like I was seriously tired of working out and decided to nap on the weight rack

Rick planking between the beds

Planking the unsuspecting shopping cart outside of Starbucks

Planking at Emerald Park...or something...I was too busy planking to remember the name

Michelle's crazy ass planking outside, on a rail, while it's SNOWING!

Look who's dumbass decided to join her in the snow; in a dress!!

Attempting to plank on poor Lauren

Michelle and I planking under Veronica's wedding dress...note the glass of wine; this explains so much

Always classy...Michelle and I planking in the restroom

Planking on the table at the reception

Planking in San Francisco at Union Square

Last plank of the trip on the back of a pedi cab at Pier 39

So; there you have it. Planking in a nutshell....which one is your favorite?

Peace.PlankingMadness.Love.

Turd Ferguson

2011-06-01T18:07:00.000-05:00

My friend and future sister-in-law Michelle, pictured with myself below, is a real

Turd Ferguson

(for a video of who Turd Ferguson is; click the link).

First of all, I love Michelle so I can "call her out" just as much as she can "call me out" with the series of pictures she took below. But before I reveal the photos allow me to explain...You see she thought it would be funny to take pictures of me on our trip to California every time I was on my phone doing "social media". I do admit, it may be a little excessive having a Facebook, a blogspot, a Twitter, and a Tumblr account, but hey social media outlets have brought great success to the following people:

Kim Ka-dunk-asshian (Kardashian) allegedly gets paid $10,000 for each tweet she posts

Charlie Sheen blew up his Twitter following in less than 24 hours after his manic episodes

Justin Beiber became uber famous once he started tweeting

Apparently Ashton Kutcher got the spot on Two and a Half Men because he has such a large twitter following

Now, I'm not saying I'm waiting for my "big break" by being a part of social media and I'm not really sure why I have so many different accounts...but who knows maybe one day it'll all pay off. And if not, well it keeps my mind occupied and that's enough reason for me.

Enjoy Michelle's Mischief below (side note: these aren't my best angles)

Most likely updating my Twitter while driving to the next winery

Updating my Tumblr with a picture of our drinks

Apparently something is funny

If you will notice, Pat is on his phone too...yet he didn't get a picture taken!

"What!???"

So there you have it. Now all of you know how much time I devote to my followers...and I actually left out about 3 other pictures. In all honesty, I think all this social media has drastically reduced my attention span to pay attention to anything at all for longer than 5 minutes.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog: Planking Adventures

Peace.MyDirtySocialMediaAddictionRevealed.Love.

My Thoughts on Bikram

2011-05-22T21:29:00.000-05:00

"I’ve only heard someone fart once during class which is totally inappropriate because it’s 105 degrees and super humid which means it basically turns into a “dutch oven” and well, that’s gross!"

To see my Top 10 Thoughts on Bikram see here...maybe you can relate to some of them.

Peace.BikramYoga.Love.

Beating a Dead Horse

2011-05-19T19:12:00.000-05:00

For those of you who have been following this blog for a while you know I frequently blog about food, exercise, random stuff, food, exercise, food, exercise....afterall, I am a personal trainer. This is what I do, preach, hear from my clients, and end up talking about all the time. And I believe that these two things (what you eat and if/how you exercise) go hand in hand in a healthy and active lifestyle. So once again, I am going to "beat the dead horse" and share with you my Fuel 21 experience thus far. This could get lengthy, but I encourage you to read on if you have ever been the least bit psycho about what you eat and working out.

First off, I didn't give a great explanation of what Fuel 21 is when I first blogged about it a few weeks ago. Let me start off by saying that I think this program is fantastic at teaching and encouraging people to eat real foods; to clean up their diet, and experience what it is like to stop eating crap and only rely on real, non-packaged, wholesome foods. And eventhough I eat this way most of the time, I wanted to go through the program to make myself be a little more disciplined than 80/20. However, I had no idea until my breakdown on Saturday that it would throw me back into my cycle of obsessing over the scale and an over preoccupation with food. As you can read here; I've been through a phase like this before and it wasn't fun.

The Downward Spiral of Obsession

I think what triggered me to almost fall back into my old habits of starving myself and working out too much (which I completely preach against) was the realization that this program is only 21 days...which for someone like me, is not a lot of time to make significant changes to my body. I felt the pressure to be super strict with what I ate and force myself to workout twice a day because I didn't want to be the only person in our group who didn't see any changes when it comes time to do measurements. Our list of foods is more restrictive than I was expecting; which is what's needed for people to get maximum results in 21 days and it makes complete sense. For me the hardest part has been no sweet potatoes, very little fruit (if any at all), and no protein drinks. I found myself getting the attitude of, "Well , I can't eat what I want; so I'm just not going to eat at all" and that's how I felt for most of last week.

The Run From Hell

Let me start this part off by saying I rarely have horrible runs. Most of my runs are fairly enjoyable and I usually feel great afterwards because it's my favorite thing to do! However, this past Saturday Rick and I went for a short 4 mile-ish run on town lake and it started off ok. I had decided from the beginning that it was going to be just an easy, recovery run...a nice, relaxed run. At about 2 miles into the run I felt really tired, sore, and overall weak and to make matters worse Rick's lead on me was becoming larger and larger which is not ok with me. Either we run together or I am in front...I don't finish last! And so I was running by myself and as I was trying to hold back "feeling sorry for myself" tears I realized that my run had probably turned into a crap-fest because I was over worked, under nourished, over consumed with the fear of eating again...the fear of being a failure at something I should be able to control. I hated feeling this way in the past. I was becoming a self-consumed, obessive, no-fun-to-be-around Melisa; which I never wanted to be again.

When I met back up with Rick after our run he could tell I was upset and frustrated and said what every awesome husband should say, "I don't know why you worry about this or do this to yourself...you look great just the way you are." But as all us females know, that goes in one ear and out the other. However, I decided during my run that from past experiences I cannot function this way; I have a tendency, a history of becoming consumed and obsessed with food, and my "all or nothing" mentality can't take it.

Reality Check

After our run, Rick and I went to a local nursing home to volunteer for our church. It was here that I had a serious reality check about feeling sorry for myself and having "the worst run in a long time". I had a conversation with a 17 year old who had gotten into a serious car accident in January, he flew out of the car, was in a coma for 2 months, and came out with some slight brain damage and in a wheel chair....and here I was feeling sorry for myself because "I can't eat what I want", "my body was tired", and "I had the worst run ever". Immediately I felt ridiculous because first of all, a 17 year old is not supposed to be in a nursing home, and secondly, our lives are precious....too precious to be obsessed with my body fat, to be obsssed with what I eat, and to let it rule my life.

I Have Not Given Up

I'm still sticking with the remainder of the program, but the big difference is I am not going to let food rule my life and my thoughts like it had been the first 12 days. I will be spending time with family and friends this weekend and if I decide I want to have a drink or two, I just might. It won't be the end of the world and afterall, I have nothing to prove. If I end up losing a few pounds, inches, body fat well great....but I know I still won't have a six pack. I've come to terms with that. I don't have, nor desire the dedication to be anywhere near 15% body fat. Some may think this is a poor attitude, but seriously...who walks around asking you what your body fat percentage is anyway? And I like to tell myself that I don't need to have the "perfect" body because having my faults keeps me humble. Believe me, if I ever miraculously developed abs, I'd very quickly turn into that annoying person who always has their shirt off and flexing my stomach in the mirror like the douchey frat guys in a college rec center - and well, I don't need to be that person.

Peace.WowThisWasLong...Sorry.Love.

My Secret Pump Up Jam

2011-05-18T17:28:00.000-05:00

Nothing gets me pumped up more than the song I am about to reveal to you. Every time I hear it on the radio, I turn it up super loud, sing it at the top of my lungs, and even get some fist pump action going around 3:10 into it.

Let me set this up for you real quick: I hardly ever listen to music when I workout unless I'm in a class and it's playing. And I prefer booty-droppin music most of all. However, when I'm on the way to a workout or a race I like to "bust the jam" so I'll usually play some old school rap like (You Can Do It), and Girltalk Pandora station, along with some others. Say what you will; think what you might but this song by Chris Tomlin gets me pumped up and focused; keeping my mind on the greater picture, not just myself.

What really motivates me about this song is the lyrics, "And if God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what can stand against us?" To me there is nothing more motivating and inspiring than knowing that there's a greater support system, a number 1 fan that will not let anything stop us from reaching our goals, pushing through, and nothing can stop you if you no longer rely on your strength but yours and His combined.

Peace.NotAshamedToAdmitILoveJesusMusic.Love.

Woodward CrossFit Women's Throwdown

2011-05-09T16:23:00.000-05:00

This Saturday Bonita and I took on the Woodward CrossFit Women's Throwdown as Team Thunder N' Lightening. The competition involved 2 team workouts and tons of fun!

Workout #1

As many reps as possible in 12 minutes of:

20lb DB Push Press

20LB DB Squats

5 burpees by each team member to be done at the top of every minute

Only one person working at a time.

Burpees...YAY!

B doing work

Workout #2

Carry everyday objects back and forth 150m as many times as possible in 12 minutes

*One team member had to carry the sledge hammer at all times

Sandbell, sledgehammer, filled spray bottles

Tire, sledgehammer

Filled gas can

All the women competitorsrs

Bonita and I went as solid and fast as we could, yet somehow we didn't place in the top 3; and the final scores have not been posted on their website yet, but most importantly we did have fun and gave it our all! And I've got some temporary battle wounds to prove it...not long after brusises began to appear on my shoulders, wrists, and hips.

Peace.We'llGetThemNextTime.Love.

21 Days of Real Fuel

2011-05-05T14:33:00.000-05:00

No cookies were harmed in the making of this picture...and none will be eaten in the next 3 weeks either!

For the next 19 days (I started on Tuesday) I will be undergoing Fuel 21. What is Fuel 21 you ask?...check out the website linked above for Crystal's description. Here's why I am doing this challenge, and here's what I will be doing in the next 3 weeks.

When I told someone I was starting this challenge a few weeks ago, they said, "Why do you always do these things to yourself?" And I think I answered something along the lines of, "Because in a few weeks I am about to be in a swimsuit surrounded by you people who don't have to worry about their belly pooching out ...."

And other than pure vanity reasons, I need to clean up my diet again. The only other time I was strict Paleo (no treats) was 2 years ago; so I figured it was time. However, it's not like I have been eating like a Mc. Fatty ever since then.

I follow a Paleo/Primal diet about 85% of the time, and allow myself treats on the weekends and sometimes during the week. Rick and I never keep bread or grains in the house; except I have to admit, we have been harvesting tortilla chips and salsa in the pantry for the last few months (gluten free of course, so that makes it ok....I wish) and it's not a healthy habit to start.

Also, lately I have been relying on not real food because I have been slacking on preparing my food ahead of time. My daily food log usually consists of boiled eggs and nuts for breakfast (while driving in the car)... Spark before my workout; Protein Drink for lunch with maybe some more nuts or a Lara Bar...snack on a few chips while making dinner, and then dinner is usually a protein with veggies and sometimes homemade (baked) sweet potato fries. And then Rick has developed the love of Whirly Pop, homemade organic popcorn with lots of salt, and makes it almost every night without fail...so of course I have a few handfuls too.

Some of you may be reading the above food log as "not too bad" and I don't really think it is either, but there are a few tweaks that need to be made and that is what I will be doing in the next 3 weeks. Now, I could go on and on forever talking about food and what not, but I know you have better things to do so here is what I plan to accomplish in the next 3 weeks. Feel free to hold my ass accountable. And if I seem to be a crabby in the next week, just give me time to ween myself off my Spark and dark chocolate covered almonds obsession.

Goals:

- Lose 2-3% body fat in the next 21 days

- Stay 100% committed to the program

- To be comfortable working out and running with my shirt off

While I do believe in living your life and enjoying treats every now and then, it's time I re-focus these next 21 days for myself, for Rick (so he doesn't have to hear me complain), and for my clients. It's not fair for me to hold my them accountable for their food habits when I am not holding myself accountable. I know this is not going to be easy and today has already had a few challenges like ....

The neighbor's dog barking ALL night; which kept me up tossing and turning and wanting to drink a Spark first thing in the morning....

Grocery shopping while starving as they were offering free samples of chocolate covered strawberries and fudge....

No coconut creamer in my coffee...

And today is Cinco de Mayo....aka: National "it's an excuse to drink skinny ritas and each chips and salsa because I am half Mexican-day"

Peace.Here'sToHopingForASixPack.Love.

Dressing Room Horrors - Part 1

2011-04-29T18:46:00.000-05:00

Have you ever tried on a cute top or beautiful dress that fit everywhere else but your back?

Have you ever been stuck in the dressing room looking like this?

Almost off...so close...stuck on my lats!

I like to call the above picture an example of my dressing room "wiggle dance". About every other time I try on dresses that is what happens to me. I get the dress on, look it over, sometimes it looks good, I take it off to try on the next and.....it gets stuck on my man back (aka: rib cage/my lats). It's not fun. It's not pretty. And usually I can't ask for help from an attendant because I'm not wearing appropriate underwear, and when a dress is stuck over your head that's all that is exposed.

Yesterday as I was trying on a bridesmaid's dress for an upcoming wedding, I realized why I love to wear workout clothes all day, all the time...Because it actually fits me! Here's the run down of what happened:

I walk into David's Bridal and tell the woman I'm there to get fitted for a bridesmaid's dress. She asked me my size and I told her my lululemon size: "Sometimes a 6, sometimes an 8".

So she grabs me both of those sizes; I go the dressing room, the size 6 won't fit over my rib cage = FAIL. I reluctantly grab the size 8, put it on, try to zip it up, and again...FAIL. I walked out of the dressing room to show the woman helping me (with a very pissed off look on my face and half of the dress zipped) that the dress fit everywhere else; it just won't zip up my man back.

She guides me over to the other sizes, and as she hands me the SIZE 10 I tell her,

"I'm not very happy about this, and now I'm going to be pissed off for the rest of the day"

To which she responds: "I bet you're an athlete...you're just muscular, that's it"

In my mind I said, "I wonder if that's the new phrase for 'I'm just big boned' that I used to use back in my chunk-fest middle school days" Out loud I told her, "Yeah well, I still don't prefer to be wearing a 10!"

End of story: I ordered the dress, paid for it, and told myself that maybe the dresses just run small; blaming my half German heritage for beastly-like features, and vowing that one day I will have my own tailor so I can fit any dress perfectly to me and never know the size!

Peace.LookingForwardToWritingPart2.Love.

It's ONE Dollar!

2011-04-20T22:12:00.000-05:00

I saw this commercial tonight and immediately thought it was pretty ridiculous. Watch it and see what you think.

Here's my thoughts:

1. This little girl is WAY too dedicated for a single dollar.

2. My ass would have given up after my mom sent me up the stairs more than twice. And then I'd go look for quarters in the couch cushions, instead.

3. Maybe instead of deceiving your daughter about where your wallet is, you should encourage her to be active by playing sports or even just playing outside, ride a bike around the neighborhood, sweep the kitchen....the list is endless!

While the commercial does have good intentions, it could have been a lot better. Apparently I'm not the only one that thought this commercial was lame. Check out the comments below the video here.

Peace.ComeOnMommaObamaWeNeedABetterCommerical.Love.

Now This...Is Sweet!

2011-04-18T13:28:00.000-05:00

Elana Amsterdam has become a saving grace for celiacs and gluten free foodies everywhere. I've posted many of her recipes on this blog before and you can find her on my blog list on the right side of the page that will take you to her website filled with gluten free, grain free, 100% delicious recipes.

Pictured above is her newest cookbook, Gluten Free Cupcakes...can you say, "Amazing!"? A few months ago she released a teaser about the book coming out in April and immediately I thought, "I have to buy that!" At about the same time, my mom had just purchased a cupcake cookbook too, that is definitely not gluten free. And as soon as I get this cookbook in the mail, I will be challenging my mom to a cupcake bake off!

You can order the cupcake deliciousness by clicking the picture above for a whopping deal of $9.23!! And while you wait for your cookbook to arrive, you can find one of the recipes found inside, here (strawberry cupcakes).

The reason I love all of Elana's recipes is because the ingredients' list is very minimal. Most of her recipes use the same ingredients, they are grain free, gluten free, and can be made very easily. I've searched other websites for gluten free baked goods and most of them use potato flour, rice flour, oatmeal, weird sugars, etc, etc....it kind of takes the fun out of baking because they require a lot of ingredients that not many people keep in their house. With Elana's recipes, stock you kitchen once with almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, sea salt, vanilla, honey/agave, and you've already got a starter for most of her recipes.

Enough reading and enough about what I think....what are you still doing here? Get on over to the Amazon link and pre-order Gluten Free Cupcakes! Take my word for it or just go ahead and try them yourself.

Peace.AmazingCupcakes.Love.

My Lovely Lady Lumps

2011-04-13T21:58:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure why I really even care about the following topic, but every time I see a story about celebrity baby bumps I get annoyed. Maybe it's because I have been mistakenly asked if I was pregnant twice by the same cleaning lady at The Hills! So, I guess I can relate to how the celebs feel when they see themselves on the cover of magazines, on television news shows, and celebrity gossip websites when it's speculated that they are preggers when in fact, they are not.

This afternoon as I was running on the treadmill I caught a picture of Scarlet Johansen with the caption, "Baby Bump!?" I couldn't tell what they were saying because I didn't have headphones, but I assumed they were discussing whether or not she was pregnant or if she just "let herself go".

Let herself go?

What the hell does that mean anyway? And what's it to the world (and the lady who loves to ask if I'm pregnant) if I want to eat pizza every-once-in-a-while or drink a little too much wine, an extra margarita, or consume a little more sugar than usual?! Seriously...is a woman not allowed to "let herself go" for a day, a night, a weekend without everyone assuming they're preggers when a tiny belly appears!?

It's a food baby....

It happens. Most humans don't eat healthy 100% of the time. And if they do; they don't have a life, and probably don't have any friends either. And when someone who is used to eating clean most of the time chooses to go on a "bender" or eat a slice of cake, a few pieces of bread we puff up....or at least I do.

It could be the clothes...

I read on a celebrity blog that Scarlett's rep said it was "the placement of her shirt that is misleading". Now, bear with me guys if you are still reading because you can't relate to this, but women's clothes fit differently on different days. One day a shirt can make you look good, and one day it can make you look like a cow. The same is true for pants and definitely spandex, may I add. One day they lay just right and fit perfectly and the next day you've got a muffin top or a baby bump out of nowhere. I blame it on our weird bodies (hormones) that yet again, men cannot relate with.

Are you with me?....

So, ladies I'm sure you're with me by now. And in case you haven't caught my drift yet, we are allowed to "let outself go" every once in a while and we certainly should be able to without anyone accusing us that we're pregnant. Only I am allowed to stick my belly out at the end of the night and make fun of myself for eating to0 much and show Rick my baby belly...no one else has that priveledge...so, consider yourself warned!

Now this..is a food baby NOT a real baby!

Peace.MyPreggersRantIsDone.Love.

Misconceptions

2011-04-12T11:33:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, Rick and I own the Anytime Fitness in Fredericksburg. Opening a gym has been one of Rick's lifelong dreams and we were so excited to be able to follow through with it. From day one this business has been about helping others become healthier and active, changing lives, and providing a place for people to do this all the time, anytime, for as long as they wish. This is our first and foremost objective.

A few times when Rick or myself has mentioned that we own an Anytime Fitness to people (ignorant people, might I add) they reply with, "Oh, that's a money maker, such a great concept...sign a bunch of people up, make them sign contracts, and charge them whether or not they are using the gym" .

Are You Kidding Me?

The first time someone told me this I was dumb-founded because I actually do care whether or not people are using the gym. I really didn't know how to respond, because I was offended that someone would think that is the reason we got into this business.

Sure, I think for some owners all they care about is the bottom line, and from personal experience I have worked at a gym where that was the owner's primary concern and it's very visible. Rick and I will tell you that we aren't the most business savvy; we don't know a lot about it, but we do know a lot about health and fitness, it is our passion, it's what we do, it's what we love and for us that is why we do what we do every single day. We don't come to work to just sign a bunch of people up, get their credit card information, charge them every month, and say, "Good luck!"

We aren't Planet Fitness

We don't just offer 12 month contracts like it was recommended to us in the beginning because we understand that not everyone wants to be held under a contract. Maybe that's a mistake on our part, but again it's not just about pushing people through; to us, it's so much more than that and I really do not appreciate being compared to Planet Fitness or any other gym who's primary goal is to sign up 1,000 members and only charge $10/month. Where's the integrity of your gym if that's all you're charging? What are you saying about your facility, employees, equipment when that's all you are charging?

We are Independently Owned & Operated

Another misconception people have about Anytime Fitness is that we get funding from a corporation and that we don't pay any bills. Just because it's a franchise doesn't mean we have endless amounts of money to spend and that it all comes from a corporate office. Each Anytime Fitness is independently owned and operated; we cover every and all expenses ourselves. We don't have a cleaning crew, laundry service, or general manager at this time. Which means, when people don't know how to wipe off their dirty feet before they come inside or get on a machine, we clean it up. When people don't know how to put down the toilet seat or pick up the paper towels they left on the floor, we do it. When the towels disappear, we have to purchase new ones. When they get dirty my dad and/or mom graciously washes, dries, and folds them.

To Each His Own

Like I said before, there may be plenty of gym owners who's sole purpose is to make money regardless if they are helping others in the process. That's not me, that's not Rick, and that's not what we do at our Anytime Fitness. Thousands of dollars or dirt poor, at the end of the day I want to be able to go to bed at night knowing that I wasn't driven by money, but knowing that I have helped others become healthier, reach their goals, change their lifestyles for the better. I wasn't given my talents and abilities, and I'm not where I am today to discover my piece of the pie, take it, and leave everyone behind. That's not how I want to live my life; that's not how I want to be remembered.

Peace.MisconcpetionsBusted.Love.

Refrigerator Raider

2011-04-11T15:49:00.000-05:00

Does anybody remember this commercial? I don't, but somehow I do remember the very beginning where they say, "Refrigerator Raider"....

Last weekend after our refrigerator went out, I realized how much I take it for granted. Luckily, it was Sunday and we hadn't gone grocery shopping for the week; so we didn't have to throw away any meat, but we did have to part with nearly a dozen eggs, spinach, and Rick's milk. It took almost a whole week to get fixed; so in the meantime I had to resort to liquid protein and nuts for my meals. I couldn't cook anything for dinner because we would have nowhere to store the leftovers and anything I would cook would require refrigeration until I was ready to cook it.

I know some of you are probably thinking, "Why didn't you just use an ice chest?" Well, you see I have this phobia of ice chests because our house was once a duder-house (before I moved in) where an ice chest could be found in the kitchen, in the dining room, three in the garage, and a few on the back porch....needless to say, after I moved in the ice chests went into the garage where they now reside. Becase last time I checked we don't live in a trailer park!

Ok, where was I?.....I had to get that out...

I'd like to think that I did a modified version of intermittent fasting because I didn't have anything to pack for meals or snacks on the go so I starved for most of the day; and then Rick and I would grab Snap Kitchen or Central Market for dinner.

I couldn't boil eggs, buy any meat, or veggies because I would have nowhere to keep them cold. So, what did I survive on for the whole week? My routine went a little something like this:

-slice of defrosted Gluten Free toast that at $5 a loaf, I was not going to throw away!

-apple

-almonds

-Dinner of Central Market or Snap Kitchen

(repeat 5 days in a row)

I felt a little leaner from not feeding myself all day like I normally do; however I wouldn't know since I gave up weighing myself for Lent. Speaking of which, it has been a huge sacrifice because I have wanted to weigh myself oh probably 100 times since Ash Wednesday, but have not given in.

I realize there was no real point to this blog other than I loathe random ice chests sitting around and to never take my refigerator/freezer for granted. Nevertheless, if you're still here; thanks for reading.

Peace.INeedToStartBloggingMoreRegularly.Love.

Quick Dinners

2011-04-04T16:47:00.000-05:00

When all else fails and I have nothing to blog about; posting recipes is my saving grace!

Saturday I posted on, Just Like Mom Never Made the delicious Chorizo and Almond Crusted Halibut recipe (although I used tilapia) from Mark Sisson's new cookbook (pictured below). You can find that recipe here.

This cookbook is amazing and all the meals you can enjoy in less than 30 minutes. That's faster than sitting in traffic to drive to your favorite drive-thru, sitting in line there, and driving home to eat it...not to mention it's a hell of a lot healthier and yes, that includes Subway!

If you don't already follow Mark Sisson's blog, I highly recommend you do for the latest health information, as well as great recipes and meal ideas. Plus, you can download reader-created cookbooks for FREE! And the recipe submitted by yours truly is posted in the Coconut Recipe Cookbook on page 63 & 64...exciting stuff!

So...move your Rachel Ray 30 minute-meal cookbooks to the back of the shelf and replace it with Mark Sisson's Quick & Easy Meals today! I promise you're going to feel better, look better, eat better, and enjoy these recipes a whole lot more!

Peace.IShouldGetAnEndorsementDeal.Love.

If Endurance Isn't Your Game...

2011-03-28T17:53:00.000-05:00

I can tell you how it soon will be...

Do you want to be a better runner without the high mileage?

Do you want to be more efficient, have less injuries, and overall just feel stronger while you run?

Do you hate to run because you get bored?

The Maze 10K, first trail race that I DID NOT train for and I believe the only reason I did well was because of CrossFit

Since my Senior year in high school and college especially, I have been an endurance junkie. The longer the mileage, the better. You tell me to run 4 miles, I'll run 6. Run, run, bike, run, run and then ouch, sore, hurt, stress fracture, sidelined from running. For about 3 years I trained with the Gazelles, a running group in Austin and maintained running about 30-40 miles a week. When I trained for the Boston Marathon in 2008-09 I decided to increase my mileage to 50 miles a week because I thought if I wanted to be a better runner and faster marathoner I needed to run more. Well, turns out I was dead wrong and I got two lovely stress fractures to prove my point.

In August 2009, I went through the CrossFit Central Endurance Elements program with Lisa Thiel and Carey Kepler in search of an answer to be able to do what I love (run) without being injured all the time. Long story short...the 5 week program helped retrain my running brain and technique to a more efficient, stronger way of running.

I went from running 5-6 days a week 60-90 minutes at a time, to 3 times a week 25-40 minutes, 90 minutes at the most. I was very skeptical to make the switch because high mileage was all I knew, but after training the past year by strictly following endurance workouts from the CrossFit Endurance website and running mostly POSE, I have not only maintained the speed I had while training with the Gazelles, but I feel a lot stronger, and most importantly (knock on wood), I have been injury free!! **

The Tough Cookie Du - cycling in my diva sun glasses

So, if you are looking for answers to the above questions it's not too late to join myself, Carey, and Lisa for CrossFit Central Endurance Elements starting tomorrow. For more information check out this website.

http://crossfitcentralendurance.tumblr.com/post/3987074615/crossfit-endurance-elements

**The asterisks by "injury free" indicate that aside from some slight knee pain which has been greatly relieved from the super awesome, Sam Sneed I have been feeling stellar!

Short and Real

2011-03-22T16:35:00.000-05:00

There's no real significance to this post...it was just a thought I had when I walked past this (pictured below) at HEB and the scent of hot, fresh bread was drifting in the air.

As I walked past the bread my mind said, "You were thinner when you ate carbs". And then I thought, I sure was. And if there was an angel sitting on one shoulder it would have said, "But don't you feel so much better not eating processed carbs?... blah, blah, blah" and the devil on the other shoulder would say, "Yeah, well your body doesn't show it" And then that's when I grab that devil off my shoulder and slam it to the ground, med-ball slam-style!

Sometimes I feel like I'm the poster child for "paleo gone wrong" because seriously....

Peace.EnoughSaid.Love.

Amazing Mornings

2011-03-14T09:48:00.001-05:00

My amazing mornings don't start with "whole grains" and if they did, they wouldn't "fuel me up to start my day right".

Thanks, but no thanks Bob Harper. My amazing morning started this morning with a yoga class with my best friend and a non whole grain breakfast of scrambled eggs with sauteed squash and bell peppers and it fueled me up just fine to start my day right.

In just a matter of a 3 minute commercial break while watching Good Morning America this morning, I saw 2 whole grain commercials telling the nation we needed to eat more grains.

If you'd like to think "outside the box" and not believe everything the TV tells you check out these blogs while I'm on vacation this week. Maybe they'll encourage you to eat more real food, and less whole grains. And if you're worried about getting your fiber there's no need to worry about that when you're mainly eating fruits and vegetables; they have all the fiber you need.

The Clothes Make the Girl - Mel is doing great series of posts this month titled "National REAL Nutrition Month" - good stuff!

Balanced Bites -Real Food for Real People

Mark's Daliy Apple - The Definitive Guide to Grains

Crystal Nelson

Peace.IMakeMyOwnAmazingMorningsNotQuakerOats.Love.

Giving Up

2011-03-08T17:43:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again; the season of Lent is upon us. Without getting into too much detail, Lent is the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter that for Christians is a "time of sacrifice for Jesus". "The traditional purpose of lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penitence, alms giving, and self denial" (Wikipedia).

A lot of people choose this time to give up sweets, eating meat, drinking sodas or alcohol; things that mostly benefit themselves and not others. And while I would like to use this as an excuse to give up sweets as well, I don't think that is the point...because my only pure, honest motive behind that wouldn't be sacrifice or "self denial" but rather I'd give it up in the hopes of losing some weight. Which brings me to what I will be giving up for Lent...

I have developed this really nasty, dirty habit over the last few months. If you're a female, you can totally relate to the following, but first I shall reveal what it is I am talking about

Seriously, has anyone ever stood on a scale like this before? And btw, that's some great hamstring flexibility.

If you haven' t guessed what I am talking about yet let's look at some of my daily routines with the scale. And keep in mind, I used to never weigh myself; in fact I think it's a very poor judgement of how fit you are; because obviously muscle weighs more than fat. Plus, it's really not good for the mental psyche (or mine at least). Any who, like I said, here are some of the scenarios that goes on between myself and the ole scale.

Scenario Numero Uno: Step on the scale, I like what I see.

(for the record, this happens maybe once a month)

And then I start thinking, "Oh, well it gave me a lower number than expected; so maybe I'll allow myself a treat today"...#fail.

Scenario Numero Dos: Step on the scale, don't like the number. Step off, wait for the number to clear, step back on...still don't like the number, let it clear and then step on maybe 2 more times just to see if it's accurate.

And when I still get the number I don't like I start thinking, "Ugh, I thought I felt heavy...that's probably why my pull ups sucked, cause I'm pulling up a thousand pounds" or "great, the number is up...what am I supposed to eat today?...as little as possible so it will go down by tomorrow, or maybe I should drink less water??".

Scenario Numero Tres: Step on the scale three times like the above scenario and each time I get a different number...so I move the scale to the other side of the bathroom and take an average of the numbers and then my thoughts start flowing again based on the 1.5 pound weight difference from one side of the bathroom to the other... will I be in a good mood or bad mood? Which number is right? #psycho

See, I said it was a nasty, dirty habit. Sometimes I weigh in the morning, after a workout, at night before I get in the shower, and then again after I get out of the shower...it's really a cycle of repeated vanity, superficial, meaningless vanity that will be crushed in these next forty days. I will be hiding my scale in the closet and if it was up to Rick, he would be throwing it in the trash because he's the one that has to put up with my mood swings triggered by the damn scale.

Now, I realize that you may be thinking, "that's not really a sacrifice" or "how is that helping anyone other than herself?" Well let me tell you sister, if you can tell me that your mood hasn't ever changed by stepping on the scale then maybe you can't relate, but for those of you that can and have been addicted to the scale you know what I'm talking about.

Besides giving up weighing myself for the next forty days, I plan to do a lot of little extra things that will better myself and the people around me. Join me if you want, you don't have to be Catholic or Christian or whatever...how about just trying to do something that will improve your life and someone else's each day. If we all did something great, something selfless for the next forty days, this world, this city would be a very different place.

Peace.SuckItScale.Love.

The Perfect Marriage

2011-03-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

No, this post is not about the keys to a "Perfect Marriage" between husband and wife it's about the perfect marriage between two recipes I combined for breakfast that were AMAZING!

The first recipe (and picture below) is brought to you from Balanced Bites. I present to you... Zucchini Pancakes.

For the recipe, click the Balanced Bites link above.

The next recipe is from Mark's Daily Apple, root vegetable hash.

Boiled beets, rutabaga, turnips, sweet potato, carrots (my picture)

Mark Sisson's creation (pic from Mark's Daily Apple)

Here's the secret you've all been waiting for....turn your leftovers from both of these dishes into an amazing breakfast!

Heat up your veggie root hash, scramble up some eggs, crumble zucchini pancakes over the scrambled eggs while they're cooking, throw the eggs on the hash, add some avocado and there you have it: The Perfect Marriage between leftovers!

There's no better way to start your day than with protein and lots of power packed root vegetables to fuel you through the day!

(For both recipes, click on the above links and ENJOY!)

Peace.BreakfastForDinner.DinnerForBreakfast.Love.

Snap Much?

2011-02-27T20:43:00.000-06:00

After already giving away at least ten of these containers this is what remains in our "leftover container" cabinet.

Snap Kitchen and My Fit Foods have become a saving grace for Rick and I when we both work late and don't have the energy or time to cook dinner.

If I had to choose a favorite between both places, I would pick Snap Kitchen. Their customer service is outstanding, they value their lowly twitter followers, and their selection appeals more to what Rick and I eat.

So stop teasing yourself by going through the drive-thru and ordering off the "healthy", "lite" selections and get to Snap Kitchen or My Fit Foods and eat up!

My Favorites From Snap (pretty much everything):

Spinach & Goat Cheese Scramble

Paleo Breakfast

Turkey Chili

Bison Quinoa Hash

Turkey Meatloaf

My Favorites from My Fit Foods:

Ninja Tenderloin

Denyse's Killuh Chili

Turkey Meatloaf

Mario's Marine Corps Mash

Plus, not only do you get fast, healthy, delicious meals but you'll never have to buy plastic containers again!

Peace.SnappitySnap.Love.

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Steak and Eggs-Part II

2011-02-22T16:32:00.001-06:00

So, here's my follow up post to yesterday's Steak and Eggs video...which I love, by the way. I think I watched it about 20 times and then sang and danced it around the house the rest of the night; which Rick really enjoyed, too (not really).

I know some of you may have thought after reading the previous post, "But, I thought she ate Paleo and she's always talking to me about it, or posting pictures of her Paleo creations...did she have a change of heart??"

My answer would be, "Well, yes and no." I think my opinion would be better expressed by borrowing a line from Shakespeare,

"A rose by any other name smells just as sweet".

Lately, I feel like the word Paleo has become over-used and sometimes mis-used. It is no secret that in the CrossFit community most athletes and coaches follow and highly recommend the Paleo way of eating; which is great. It's a clean way of eating and for most people, it's an answer to health issues, food allergies, better sleep, more energy; the list is endless. However, sometimes I think the whole word and name gets abused.

What I mean is, why can't we just call it eating clean?

No processed foods; sticking to the basics of lean meats, veggies, nuts, fruit.

Does it have to have a name?

Do we all have to proclaim we are on a Paleo diet?

And if I want to have some feta cheese on my salad or more than one serving of fruit a day, Does that make me less of a person?

Does that make me less of a CrossFitter?

Does that make me a failure?

This is where I think the word becomes abused. It gives some people the notion that it's either all or nothing; instead of encouraging their small efforts along the way of eliminating certain foods from their diet piece by piece. Some people don't care to cut out all dairy or all grains, but they still eat clean or cleaner than they used to....and yet, they're still not considered true Paleo. And that's when I say, " Well, at least this person is doing the best they can with what they've got" and if they truly are then great for them.

Then comes the question, "Is Paleo for everyone?"

I mean, this may be a rare case of extreme talent, but let's look at Michael Phelps. I'm pretty sure when he won 8 gold medals in the Olympics, his diet was nothing close to Paleo. And who knows, maybe he could have won more if it was OR maybe he would have competed a lot worse. I also know many semi and pro triathletes and marathoners who don't eat strict Paleo and they're kicking ass and taking names at their sport.

I do think that a lot of people could benefit from eating Paleo, but not a lot of people are willing to eat this way and that is completely ok with me. Who says they have to? Sure, I'll advocate for it and recommend it, but I'm not going to think less of a person because they still eat cheese or have a slice of bread. Because honestly, if I'm not 100%...why would I expect someone else to be?

The Great Debate on Twitter

I started getting annoyed with the Paleo-talk a few weeks ago when people were talking back and forth over twitter about Dr. Barry Sears, creator of The Zone Diet, reading one of the Paleo books; twitter followers were appalled. Everyone was making a big deal out of Dr. Sears possibly "converting to Paleo" and, blah blah blah. And as I was reading everyone's conversations, I thought, "Who the hell cares?" So what if he's reading about the Paleo Diet? And if he decides to eat this way, do we discredit all his previous research, writings, efforts? No. What does it matter? He's not a god and neither is the person that wrote the Paleo book, and why are we so concerned about them and what they are reading?

Is it healthy or is it an obsession?

I've had an obsession with food before. Been there, done that, and I don't care to go back.

Luckily, my obsession with food was the opposite of the contestants we see featured on Heavy or The Biggest Loser.

There comes a point when our passion for something can turn into an unhealthy obsession. We let it rule our life, it rules where we go, what we do, who we talk to or don't talk to, etc. It's not a very fun place to be and when taken too far, it becomes miserable; which is why I haven't dove deep down into one way of eating or another. Personally, I know that I need and prefer balance in my life, and I'd like to think most people do, too.

For example, I know that if I run too much, too far, too fast, day after day, I get stress fractures.

Just as if I do too many pull ups, day after day, I develop bloody, callused, man hands.

I also know that if I eat too much sugar for multiple days in a row, I grow a food baby in my belly, I get lethargic, and I feel crappy.

So what do I do? What am I even talking about?

I eat the best that I can day to day, without preoccupation and without obsessing over it. I eat clean 90% of the time, and whether or not I call it Paleo or Primal or eating clean matters to me not. Sometimes I log my food, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I eat cheese, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I pass on a piece of chocolate cake, sometimes I don't.

At the end of the day, food is fuel for our body; our means for living and thriving. Food is not and should not be our god. It should not rule our life. Yes, we should and do need to be concerned about what we eat, considering more than half of us are obese, have diabetes, or heart disease, but just as we all don't have to exercise the same way, and we all don't have to drink the same brand of bottled water, or wear the same brand of clothes, we all don't have to eat the same exact way.

It's as simple as the car analogy people often use: If we fill our cars with clean, pure gasoline it runs and performs better vs. if we fill it with the cheap diluted crap. The same goes for our bodies... We all don't fill gas at the same station, we all have different brands of gas cards, yet our cars still run.

I know that was probably not the best comparison, but regardless...I'm done here. I could go on forever if you kept reading and I fear at this point I have lost many of you already. So, take whatever I said, "For What It's Worth" a penny or a grain of salt, and thank you for reading.

Peace.SeekBalanceNotObsession.Love.

Steak and Eggs

2011-02-21T22:02:00.000-06:00

Sound familiar?

Except, I think these guys need to have on lulu and high knee socks. No need to say more.

Peace.AnyoneElseTiredofPaleoTweets?Love.

High and Mighty

2011-02-16T19:01:00.001-06:00

Holy Moly! I had no idea it has been 2 whole weeks since I have updated my blog; sorry readers but sometimes life takes over and until I get paid to blog daily; I gotta go where the money leads me.

Preface

I used to think people who run with an Ipod or to music should not be considered real runners. Because, afterall real runners shouldn't and don't need music to listen to. When people would pass me in races wearing an Ipod with the music blasting I would think to myself, "Yeah, well if I had some jammin music I'd probably be running a lot faster, too"

Just like when I see someone who weighs 120 pound pass me I think, "Yeah, well if I didn't have to carry around 25 more pounds I'd be fast too"...but that's neither here nore there.

My thinking on runners with Ipods changed a bit after reading the following article in this week's Austin American Statesman, by Pam LeBlanc titled, "Marathon for the Masses: Are hordes of slow pokes ruining the marathon?" And while this article has nothing to do with Ipod-wearing runners, it has a lot to do with marathon runners who think they are high and mighty; which is what I would call myself with my "real runners don't wear Ipods thinking". Because honestly, who do I think I am by qualifying people as legit or not? And if wearing an Ipod while one runs gets that person's ass off the couch and on to the treadmill or the road then by golly, put that Ipod on and go!

Marathon for the Masses

Basically, the article by Pam LeBlanc talks about the evolution of the marathon and whether or not it's good or bad that so many people are attempting to run one.

"Marathons have evolved from serious sporting events for top-notch athletes to rolling road parties with people in costume, bands every few miles, and people walking — instead of running — stretches of the race.

Some hard-core runners, though, say slowpokes are zapping the marathon of its prestige. Once, only the best runners finished marathons; now scores of mediocre athletes (and non-athletes) are pounding out 26.2 miles.

They argue that a six-hour finisher isn't really 'running a marathon,' he's just participating" (LeBlanc).

Apparently this viewpoint has caused a great debate amongst hard core runners and recreational runners. I can't say that I didn't think the same way in my "hard-core" runner days. But after reading this and reading LeBlanc's viewpoint stating,

"At a time when about two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight and third are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, isn't encouraging regular folks to exercise a good thing? The slow runners don't interfere with fast runners, who are long gone before they cross the finish line. Besides, without the masses signing up and paying race registration fees, they note, some marathons couldn't stay in business." I can't help but agree that at least people are being active, accomplishing their goals, and trying to lead healthier lives.

The article goes on to share other runners' opinions and spans from running a marathon too quickly is like "rushing through a good meal" to "Just because you run an 8-hour marathon, that doesn't make it less of a great feat than someone running a 2:05 marathon," (Ruth England)

Another runner recounted that one of his best marathons was running from the back and taking in all that the race had to offer.

From my experience running both in the front of races and in the back with the slow pokes, I stand by my new-found opinion of, "Who am I or anyone else to tell someone their marathon doesn't count because they didn't run it under 4 hours. Just as running with or without an Ipod matters none either."

I have realized that when I am in "race mode-front of the pack action" I do miss out on a lot of the course. I don't notice the motivational signs people are holding, I don't notice the trees or houses lining the course. I am straight-ahead, focused. Some would argue that takes the whole fun out of running, and at times I may agree.

Running the Houston Marathon with Rick at a much slower pace than I'm used to, made me realize how fun running can be...chatting along the course, cheering on other runners, high-fiving the crowd, posing for pictures, stopping to use the restroom 2 times...well, let me just show you the difference in pictures.

Both pics, I look like I'm enjoying the run...FUN!

Whereas, this picture I look like I want to die!

Moral of the story

Thank you, Pam LeBlanc for publishing an insightful viewpoint on the sport (competitive and recreational) of marathon running. I think people need to learn that not everyone trains or competes the same, and they shouldn't. Not all of us were meant to run marathons and not all of us were meant to win them...let the lead runners run, eat all the post-race goodies, and get in their ice baths and let the slower runners enjoy reaching their health and fitness goals and finish whenever and however they want to.

Peace.GetOffYourHighHorse.Love.

I Got Checked

2011-02-02T13:19:00.000-06:00

About a year ago after Rick and I ran the 3M Half Marathon, he semi-mentioned that he would like to try running a marathon one day. We talked about it a bit and then moved on to something else. When the Houston Marathon lottery registration came around in August, I asked him if he was seriously considering running a marathon and that if he was, we should enter the lottery for Houston and see if we get in. I told him that once we found out we were in; that it would be a sign, that it would be my last marathon and that I would train and run the whole thing with him and....then we got in...and the training began.

As we started training more and more, I started getting the itch to try and qualify for Boston again. When Rick and I would do our long runs together, I'd get impatient and run ahead, and it started becoming more about me and my marathon, than Rick and his first marathon. The whole time I trained, I kept going back and forth in my mind about whether or not I should try to qualify or run with Rick as I suggested in the first place. My training runs were on pace; my weekly interval workouts were strong, I got ART once a week, and I was healthy....

Until I got the flu just a few days before; or as I like to think of it as "divine timing" a "you better watch it before you get checked" - sign that maybe not all of this is about me for once. And I was stuck trying to decide whether to run while I was sick and still try to qualify (virtually impossible) or run with Rick as I said I would and support him along his 26.2 mile journey. It's funny how things work out because I know that if I would not have gotten sick, I would have run the marathon for myself, and left Rick in the dust to do it alone. Instead, I got to run and talk and support and feed (for real, I was grabbing bananas from people wherever I saw them) my awesome husband the entire way. A few times I got a little emotional because I knew what a feat this was for him. And of course, a part of my selfish-me was worried that my finishing time would be forever on my race record, but you know what?...none of that matters because sometimes it's not about me.

Moral of the story: Just when you think you can take full control of your life and think you have everything planned the way you want, the big man upstairs always knows better, and His way always ends up the best way whether or not you may think it is at the time.

(More on Rick's run report to follow soon)

Peace.IGotButtSlammed.Love.

Be Careful What You Wish For

2011-01-28T17:47:00.000-06:00

The following post may go against a lot of what I preach, but it's the truth and if you are one of my friends this will sound very familiar to you.

Just last week I was telling someone "I never really get sick" and I also talked some serious smack about the flu shot on Facebook a few months ago.

Nevertheless, here's where my stupid "wishes" come in to play. When people talk about getting the flu, or getting the flu shot, or getting a stomach virus I'm the sick (mentally) person that says, "I'd love to have the flu"...or "I don't need to get the flu shot"...or "I wish I would get a stomach bug" only because:

a. being sick means staying at home

b. having the flu or a stomach bug means not eating; which means you lose weight.

But reason (a) means: when you stay at home; you are not working which also means no dinero coming in. AND I used to think staying at home while sick meant laying on the couch watching TV all day. Well...wrong! Because the last two days I have been home sick all I have been able to do is sleep. It's like I'm a newborn...I couldn't do anything but sleep, drink a few sips of water, and sleep again!

Reason (b) is exactly correct. And in reality, I have lost 4 pounds...but the flipside of that reality is most of it is water weight and water loss because I have been sweating like crazy for no reason! So, as soon as I am recovered I'm sure those ellbeezies will make their way back!

The most annoying fact of my sick-wishes coming true and biting me in the ass; is that in two days I am supposed to be running the Houston Marathon with Rick. This will be his very first marathon and I am so proud of him. Although, most likely I will not be running with him as planned. As my friend, Jessica put it, "Maybe this is your body's way of telling you no more marathons"...well body, here's what I have to say to you: "Suck it!"

So, here's to never wishing for the flu or stomach virus again, and here's to me getting the flu shot next year, and here's to Rick's first marathon in less than 2 days!!!

Peace.NoMoreWishing.Love.

Aah, Ninja Pizza!

2011-01-22T20:41:00.070-06:00

"Pizza that vanishes without a trace"

For the most part, Rick and I eat the same things for dinner and he usually always eats whatever I make. However, the one thing he is most reluctant to eat is my Paleo pizza. So, while he enjoys his whole grain crust; I make my own because if I eat the real deal, loaded with cheese and made with tons of flour, I end up feeling like a bloated, gassy cow and that's not good for the marriage; trust me.

Tonight I experimented with a new Primal, gluten free pizza recipe. I've shared a Paleo Pizza recipe here before that I got from the Paleo Plan website, but wanted to try something different that didn't contain so much almond flour; sometimes it just gets so filling. Here's what I did and the ingredients I used, along with some pics. Feel free to add any variations and share them with me!

The Crust: (Preheat oven to 450)

Here's the lengthy part: First, roast cauliflower stalks on 4oo degrees for about 25 minutes. Do not rinse the cauliflower or coat with oil. You need it to be as dry as possible. Once cauliflower has cooled, grate either in a food processor or I used a cheese grater.

Because I only had 1/2 bunch of cauliflower I used 1/2 c. grated cauliflower for the recipe; while the original version called for 1 c. Ok, so back to the crust...

-1/2 c. grated cauliflower

-1/2 c. almond flour + 2 Tbsp.

-2 Tbsp. ground flax seed

-2 Tbsp. cashew butter (optional, but preferred)

-2 eggs

-any seasoning you want to add. I just added a few sprankles of garlic powder.

Mix in a bowl together, until paste-like consistency. Spread over parchment paper (may have to use your fingers, it's kinda sticky) and bake for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile....saute any veggies that you may want to add on top and brown any meat you want to use, for just a bit. I used:

-sliced, cooked venison sausage

-3 slices of Applegate Farms Organic Pepperoni

-1 small orange bell pepper, sliced

-few florets of broccoli

-sliced mushrooms

*Add fresh spinach on pizza right before placing in oven.

After 10 minutes is up, remove crust from oven and cover with sauce.

(I used Organic Ville Tomato Basil sauce)

Then, top with the good stuff!

I used a bit of Organic shredded cheese (maybe 1/8c.) and the meats and veggies listed above.

Place in the oven again for 10 additional minutes on 450 degrees.

The Finished Product:

If you're wondering how the hell cauliflower-almond crust can even be good, then try it for yourself! I swear to you that this alternative crust was so legitimately delicious, it was hard to stop at 3 pieces.

If you are cutting it in slices as seen below, it could easily serve two people or one person with leftovers for lunch the next day!

Peace.EnjoyGuiltFree.Love.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Thoughts...

2011-01-20T14:58:00.001-06:00

Image taken from Annie's Facebook Wall. (Thanks, Annie)

I could easily post this picture and say, "Enough said" and end my blog post there, but we all know that I love to rant; especially when it comes to health habits and since someone pissed me off earlier today, I'm taking it out on all my readers.

This picture conveys the following thoughts to me:

Fries: those look a lot like Mc Donald's fries....I get it...they're trying to say that fries are addicting just like cigarettes.

Fries and Cigs: They're both nasty habits. They both lead to lifestyle-induced diseases. Both of which, if smoked or eaten enough can kill you.

Fries: Ok to eat occasionally or better yet, never if you can. But if you do eat them, the only person you are harming is yourself. Unlike...

Cigarettes: Never ok to smoke. Never. And if you do smoke, you are harming yourself and others around you...aside from the lung cancer, throwing your cigarette butts all over the yard, on the highways, and side walks is a pain in everyone else's ass but the smoker themselves.

Which brings me to my soapbox. I've never blogged about how much I loathe smoking because I was afraid someone would say, "Yeah well you think smoking is a disgusting habit, but so is eating six cookies in one sitting" Which on occasion, during Christmas, I will admit I probably did eat six cookies in a span of 20 minutes. Comparably, smokers LOVE to use the excuse, "I only smoke when I drink". Well, that's like me saying, "I only eat sweets on the weekends".

Either way, you're still doing it. We all know that "Smoking only when you drink" just as "only eating sweets on the weekend" carries over into the weekdays; especially when we are stressed and craving that desire to have a smoke or eat something sweet. And soon, one cigarette during the week, turns into 2 or 3 packs a day...just as one sweet during the week can turn into a sugar addiction and some major love handles.

Here's my point: When I see young people, my age or younger than myself smoking, I don't get it. I completely understand how people 30+ years older than me are still smoking...because they started before they knew how horrible it was for them. People my age have no excuse. None, whatsoever. It's not cool, it doesn't smell good, it kills you slowly day by day, it makes other people sick...I could be here all day. There is no single benefit. You don't lose weight because you smoke, you lose weight because it kills your taste buds and food doesn't taste good, or because you lose your appetite. So what, if you claim it calms your nerves...yeah, they'll be real calm when you're hacking up a lung when you're 60 because you can't breathe and your lungs are black.

I'll end here before people get offended, but it's not like I've said anything you don't already know. At the end of the day, the decision to smoke, the decision to eat fries, and the decision to eat six cookies in 20 minutes is up to each person...I'm not here to judge, I'm just sayin'.

Peace.WhoPissedInMyCheerios?Love.

Bittersweet Memories

2011-01-17T18:28:00.000-06:00

For the past several months my mom, and her brothers and sisters have been working on fixing up and selling my Oma and Opa's house. It has been a long process that included weekend after weekend of painting, tiling, building, cleaning, etc. After being on the market for a few months, the house finally sold this past weekend.

While this was something to be grateful for, it also makes me sad because I have so many memories of my grandparents and practically growing up there, or at least spending any chance I could when I was little there. And even though it has been several years since my grandparents have lived there, it was comforting to just walk around inside the house, stand on the back porch and look out into the backyard and just remember. Because, honestly going to the cemetery isn't quite the same as being at their house.

My cousins and I wearing the Easter dresses my Oma made each one of us, sitting on their front porch

I heard this song, The House That Built Me, by Miranda Lambert this morning on the radio and it inspired me to write this blog.

This was the house my mom, her brothers and sisters grew up in, as well as myself, and all my cousins. We spent the summers there with my Oma, playing restaurant in the backyard, reading library books in the hallway, playing SkipBo at the kitchen table, helping Oma bake in the kitchen, falling asleep on the couch or on the floor while both grandparents fell asleep in their chairs...celebrating family Christmases, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving. We'd go to their house to show them our good grades on our report cards, visit with them after school, spend weekend nights there just because.

It would have been nice if the house could have stayed in the family, but instead another family has the chance to create memories of their own. A family that has small children that will appreciate the big backyard and the porch that's perfect for pretending you are serving a restaurant of twenty with mud pies and sand cakes.

And until I see them both in the biggest and greatest house there is in the world, I cherish both my Oma and Opa and the memories I have growing up in their house.

Peace.ByeByeHackberry.MuchLove.

Unrealistic Expectations

2011-01-16T16:10:00.000-06:00

If you're like me and browse the junk magazines while in line at the grocery store, you probably wonder the same things I do:

How the hell do the Kardashians wind up on every single magazine cover?

How realistic are those bikini shots and the before and after photos of the celebrities who "lost 10 pounds"?

Where is all the extra skin on the Biggest Loser winners who have lost 100+ pounds...it's gotta be somewhere and these pics aren't showing it?

Well, this may shed some light on these bogus magazines, their celebrity cover models, and before and after pictures.

A few weeks ago, Mel posted on her blog, The Clothes Make the Girl the following video:

This is just a reminder that if you're ever feeling inadequate because you are comparing yourself to the people on the cover or inside of magazines, you shouldn't be! What you see does not really exist (in most cases).

Peace.BeforeAndAfterMyAss.Love.

Cold Feet...Who's Got 'Em?

2011-01-14T16:28:00.001-06:00

Sadly, I must admit...these...are my feet.

I know, I know...hideous. I live with them every day. My brother likes to call the bunion on my left foot my "sixth toe" and the right one is not far from it. Nevertheless, this post is not about my feet. Actually, it kind of is.

When the temperatures drop and it gets really cold outside, my feet freeze! It doesn't matter if I wear socks all day, and then change into my thick, wool socks at home. Without fail, when it's time to go to bed and take my socks off, my feet are still cold, like glacier cold.

One of my favorite things to do when it's time for bed and my feet are still cold (quit looking at the picture...you're supposed to be reading)...ahem....one of my favorite things to do when it's time for bed and my feet are still cold, is to stick my cold feet on Rick!! I really think it is so funny how bugged he gets when I put my cold feet on him. All I want to do is warm them on his manly, hairy legs and so when we lie there and he's about to fall asleep, I inch my foot closer and closer and then ATTACK and put my feet all over him. I really am the only one that thinks it's funny and sometimes Rick laughs, but then after I repeatedly do it, he loses patience with me.

Welcome to marrying a turd-wife.

Peace.SometimesI'mATurdPart2.Love.

Bursting Your Bubble

2011-01-14T14:05:00.000-06:00

Bringing you this blog post live from Starbucks...

I used to stand in line here and be really jealous of the people in front of me who were ordering the banana walnut bread, or the blueberry scones, and the pumpkin swirl cheesecake muffin...and then I would watch them eat it and cry on the inside (not really) because it looks and sounds oh-so-delicious. And then it happened....one day as I was standing in line, I saw the barista unwrapping a frozen, boxed package of the "fresh", "soft" banana walnut bread, as well as the other products in the display case and from then on, my longing for Starbucks' pastries bubble had burst!

Really, it's obvious. Did I really think every Starbucks had bakers who get there at 2am to bake you fresh, delicious treats daily? For me, knowing that those breads and pastries had been frozen and shipped all over the Unites States and were made who knows how long ago, I was no longer tempted to want to order them.

On the same note, I saw on someone's Twitter the other day that it's Girl Scout cookie selling time. I blogged about this last year around this time, and I still have the same opinion...don't waste your time. For the amount of calories, carbs, and fats in those tiny cookies you may as well go eat one that is fresh out of the oven from a local bakery or make homemade ones yourself. I'm not hatin' on the Girl Scouts because you can still donate to their troop without having to buy the cookies.

Lastly, the Christmas (or whatever holiday) baskets....if it's wrapped in cellophane and everything is boxed up, keep it wrapped and boxed and give it to someone else. However, there are some exceptions - wine baskets are always ok and should be opened immediately :) But really...if you want to talk about shelf life; these products definitely have a really long shelf life which means it probably has just as long of a shelf life on your tummy, ass, and thighs.

So...you're welcome for bursting your bubble. I hope that this has helped shed some light on your weaknesses if they're anything like mine and will no longer be tempted to eat something that in reality, is really not worth it.

Peace.ConsiderYourBubbleBurst.Love.

Stalking Awareness Month

2011-01-06T18:15:00.000-06:00

So....apparently January is National Stalking Awareness Month. I'm not really sure how I came across this tidbit of information, but nevertheless I wanted to share with you all a "must-read" article I read in the December issue of Women's Health. If you have a Twitter or Facebook account, or even a blog; for your own safety you should read this post. I will try to highlight the most important parts of the article.

Before I get into the article, let me step on my soapbox. I do not understand why people feel the need (especially girls) to "check in" on Facebook or Twitter to tell the world where you are. Why not just invite creepers to your house, unlock the door, get in the shower and wait for an attacker? Seriously...it takes two seconds for someone to find a picture of you, find your exact location, and go exactly where you are, strike up a "casual" conversation with you, and BAM before you know it you're in a situation you would never have expected.

The New Privacy Predators

(Women's Health Magazine)

"Bonnie Russell was having lunch with a friend in a pub near Detroit when she got a wake-up call—one that actually came on her cell. A few minutes earlier, she had used the phone to snap a photo of her lunchtime combo: "A lot of seriously unhealthy fried crap" she called it when she posted it on Twitter with the wry title "Lunch of champions." She received a tweet back from a total stranger who had found her public Twitter feed and used it to track down the neighborhood where she was having lunch at that very moment."

How did this stranger find her exact location? Geotags are GPS coordinates that can be added to digital files—most commonly photos—and used to pinpoint your location by as close as a 10-foot radius. Many GPS enabled smartphones embed these tags in photographs automatically, and you don't even know they're there. While that could be a good thing if you were ever lost and needed to be found; it can turn bad by inviting unwanted strangers into your daily path.

"Already there has been an uptick in other types of social-network related crime: Last March, for instance, the house of an Indiana woman was robbed after she updated her Facebook status to say that she and her fiance were going out for the night. In September, New Hampshire police busted a burglary ring that targeted people based on the locations they posted on their profiles. And a recent Justice Department report found that a quarter of stalking cases in the United States involve cyber stalking, and one in 13 victims reported that GPS technology or another version of electronic monitoring was used."

The article also goes on to say that most people don't think privacy issues and sharing location information is dangerous because "It boils down to personal experience. If everybody is using the technology, and you don't know anybody who has been kidnapped or had their home broken into, it can't really be that risky, right?" ....WRONG!

Before reading this article I didn't think it was a big deal to put on my status, "Going to Dallas for the weekend" (or whatever town) because what did it matter? But, what you are really saying when you announce that you are out of town, or at the movies, or going out downtown, is: "We won't be home, come rob us." I know it may sound extreme, and I still probably share too much information myself, but I am more aware now, and I'm sharing this with you so that you can be as well. The article recommends that if you feel the need to share where you are to wait until you are home and say something like, "Our vacation was great; glad to be back" not "Going on vacation for a week".

More recommendations for protecting yourself from cyber stalkers is to disable geotags on your pictures, manage your "friends" list, do not share your address or phone number in your profile, and to change your passwords about every 12 weeks.

Peace.CyberStalkerAwareness.Love.