A Life (Extra)Ordinary

As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast. I wanted to be the next Nadia Comaneci. I wanted to be world famous.

And then came the balance beam. It was my nemesis, the destroyer of my dreams. That and the thousands of dollars my parents would NOT spend to send me to live with Bela Karolyi.

Instead, reality set in. I was not going to be world famous and inspire a nation. I was going to lead an ordinary life: marriage, children, mortgage and all, and most days I am good with that. Day to day I think I lead an average life. I am loved by my husband, kids, sisters, nieces and nephews. That's is all that REALLY matters, right? Everyone wants to lead a fulfilling happy life, don't they?

Five years ago I began training for triathlon. Almost three years ago I became a group fitness instructor. In one month, I will be able to claim the title of Ironman for a year now.

After completing my Ironman last August 26th, I received so many incredible messages from people who tracked my race all day long. People who said "It's not if she can do it, I can do it. It's because you did it I can do it." I took that as a mighty fine compliment. But it's been a year since my Ironman. To me, the glory never wears off. I can look at my Ironman pictures and remember every second, every detail of that day.

Then the monotony of life takes over and again I think I lead an ordinary life....UNTIL....I get those random, out of the blue emails from someone from my past, or someone who has been in my classes, someone who has found themselves eating healthier, moving more and eventually getting more fit.

I woke up this morning with a horrible sinus headache which concerned me since I'm supposed to go to GRIT(r) training this weekend in St. Louis. Ugh, every movement made me hurt. While I made my breakfast, I checked my Facebook news feed and noticed I had a message from a friend from high school. Her message brought tears to my eyes.

Just over a year ago she contacted me regarding her struggles with exercise and emotional eating.  Her loved ones did not support her, but mocked her attempts to get in shape. Today? She's lost 30 pounds since the beginning of this summer. She's eliminated some bad habits and kept the negative people out of her life. She emailed me to thank me for my words of encouragement and for all of my "fit posts" on Facebook. (Yes, I can be a little overbearing with getting my message out there.)

It's days like today where I do not feel like I lead an ordinary life. I lead an (Extra)Ordinary life. I am blessed to do something that I love every day. While I motivate others, they inspire me. I am incredibly blessed.

Fitness Bucket List

FitFluential is a group of fitness bloggers who recently posed the question:

What is on your fitness bucket list? 

Which got me thinking....What would I like to achieve? Why just wait for life to happen? It's time for me to take control and guide my path through life. Here is what is on my bucket list: 

Run a Marathon: I know it seems strange that I have completed an Ironman, but I have never registered for an independent marathon. My plan is to run in the Chicago Marathon next October. Goal: 2013

Trail Running: I am not a call of the wild kind of girl, but trail running just sounds fun. The natural obstacles provided by God's grace sound like wonderful distractions for the mind instead of just pounding the pavement day after day. Goal: Incorporate trail running in my training regiment in 2013 and maybe even run a trail race or two.

Mountain Biking: I have a little bit of trepidation over this one. I would like to try mountain biking, but I fear I will be one of those unfortunate souls who flips over my handlebars and breaks my clavicle. Add in the fact that I have to purchase a mountain bike and this goal may take a little bit longer to achieve. Goal: 2013, maybe 2014 depending on how many race funds get re-routed.

Learn to Belly Dance:  To me, learning to belly dance would offer a great opportunity for me to improve my core by exercising muscles which have been long forgotten. I have the name of a belly dance studio in Peoria where I can take classes. The problem? Finding a class which fits into my own schedule. Goal: 2013, but let's face it. It may take even longer. 

Disney Coast to Coast: Combine Disney & running and you have pure magic. Disney puts on some of the best races year after year. In order to achieve the Coast to Coast challenge, you have to complete 2 Disney races: one each in Disney World and Disneyland in the same calendar year. I really don't care which combination of races I get to do. I have several friends who want to do the Princess Half Marathon in February in 2014 which would mean going to Disneyland in September. However, 2014 is also supposed to be the year for my next Ironman and I don't think I can afford to do all three in the same year unless I displace Jillian Michaels on The Biggest Loser and in all likelihood that's not going to happen. What little girl wouldn't want to do the Tinker Bell in January and Princess in February? Let's face it. We all have a little princess hiding inside of us. Possible Goal: 2014, but we'll see what happens with a reality check as we get closer. 

Disney World Races

1. Disney Marathon (January)
2. Disney Half Marathon (January)
3. Goofy's Race and a Half (January)
4. Disney Princess Half Marathon (February)
5. Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon (November)

Disneyland Races

1. Tinker Bell Half Marathon (January)
2. Disneyland Half Marathon (September) 

Scuba Diving: Every time we go on a cruise or Caribbean vacation and I see the excursions for scuba diving I am saddened that I do not have my scuba diving certification. Fortunately, even though we are not surrounded by gorgeous beaches, we do have a local company where I can get my certification. Now, however, it's a matter of planning to get my certification prior to our next beach extravaganza vacation. Goal: 2015

Warrior Dash: Who wouldn't want to army crawl under electrical fences and climb obstacles while covered in mud? This bucket list item should be relatively easy to attain, right? Goal: 2013

Color Run: Every runner starts with a white t-shirt, but ends with their own kaleidoscope of color as volunteers at stations spray you from head to toe. Goal: 2013 

Rock climbing at Upper Limits

Indoor Rock Climbing: A few years back I went indoor rock climbing with friends at Upper Limits in Bloomington. The experience was challenging and exhilarating.  I would love to try it again now that I have much more upper body strength and even learn how to belay. Once again, finding time to take a class will be the challenge, but it would be a great activity for the winter of 2013. Goal: 2013

Outdoor Rock Climbing: Now really, once you have the skills to complete rock climbing indoors why would you not want to take out to nature? Maybe a nice vacation somewhere out west? This one will definitely take some time and planning. Goal: 2015

Fly on a Trapeze: My inner gymnast really wants to be recognized. To fly on a trapeze - or better yet fly through the air without being attached in anyway to anyone - would probably be the most exhilarating challenge on my bucket list. Goal: Oh good golly, who knows.  

Learn to Surf / Go Paddleboarding: Being a Midwestern Girl all of my life has left me very few opportunities to take on my water challenges. I would love to spend a week on the ocean learning to surf. The amount of balance and strength required would definitely create a challenge. Goal: Unknown. Let's just put it out there.  

Canoe & Hike the Grand Canyon: One of my favorite vacations as a kid was visiting the Grand Canyon. What an awesome sight to behold. The grandeur of the canyon carved into the red rock creates an endless majestic view. Goal: 2016

White water rafting: My family went white water rafting in 1997 in Galveston, TX. I, however, was left back at the resort since I was 5 months pregnant with kiddo number 2. I've always wanted to try white water rafting. The saddest part is that I won't be able to go with my dad who at the age of 70 had no qualms about picking up the paddle and jumping in the boat. My sisters went white water rafting last year. Maybe I should see if they are going again next year. Goal: 2013

Fat vs Muscle

If there is one saying I despise, it is

A pound of muscle weighs more than a pound of fat. 

Really?? Because my high school math teacher, Mrs. Leach, always taught me:

One pound equals one pound. - Math 101

Which would you rather have? 

I believe what people mean to say is that, as illustrated by this image of 5 lbs of fat vs 5 lbs of muscle, fat takes up a whole lot more room than muscle does. As you lose weight, it is common for exercisers to lose fat and gain muscle without a change in body weight which can be frustrating if you are monitoring your progress by the scale alone. Taking monthly measurements of your bicep, waist, hips and thighs is the best suggestion I can give to anyone who is attempting to lose weight. During those times where you are discouraged by lack of movement on the scale, the small changes in your body may be just the motivation to keep you on your fitness goals.

Women especially seem to believe a number of myths regarding muscle. I often hear women saying they do not want to lift weights because they are afraid to get "bulky". Unless you are doing low repetitions of heavy weights WHILE eating an excess of protein, you will not build large amounts of muscle mass. Instead the goal should be to create lean muscle by doing light weights or using resistance bands.By creating lean muscle, you are boosting your metabolism. A pound of muscle will burn more calories than a pound of fat.

So you want to lose weight? Yes, the key is cardiovascular exercise. Get in a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio (i.e. cycling, jogging, walking, roller blading) at least 5 days per week, but in addition, try to add in strength training 2-3 days per week in order to build lean muscle mass. Not only will you create the muscles needed for your daily activities, but you will be amazed at how quickly your body changes into a learner version of you.

I can tell you from experience. Last June we launched Body Pump. Over the last year, I have had so many people ask how much weight I've lost. In that year, I hadn't lost a single pound, but the inches were melting away as I stayed true to my healthy lifestyle. My body re-arranged itself into a leaner version of the person I was once and the person I was proud to be. As a result, I don't think I will ever give up Body Pump even if that day comes where I am unable to teach it anymore.

What are you doing to create lean muscles for a happier, healthier you? 

Back in the U.S. of A.

The last week was rough...tough...unbearable. I spent a week living a very primal life in the wilds of Mexico.

The beautiful infinity pool leading right into the ocean

OK, so maybe the life at Dreams Riviera Maya Resort & Spa wasn't so wild. Unless you count the dinner after my nephew's wedding.

Our waiter at Portofino brought the entire table shots. So we had to drink them!

But most importantly, a week's vacation gives you perspective especially as you get to the end of your trip and realize you have to go home. The end of a vacation makes you think about home and what is waiting for you. I left my husband and two oldest daughters at home for various reasons. Only Princess went with me on this trip. Being in paradise is very difficult without your life partner and I'm not just talking about guilt regarding leaving him behind. The location was beautiful and romantic, but tough to enjoy with your youngest daughter.

The end of a vacation makes you think about how you spend your time 24/7. Are you following your passion? Are you doing what you love?

My answer was not 100% yes. So let the soul searching begin. What do I want to be when I grow up? How do I want to spend my time on this earth? What the heck is my passion?

As I was relaxing on my flight home, I put my ipod on shuffle and start reading a book on my Nook. Suddenly, in the mix of my songs, here comes the voice of my personal hero, Jillian Michaels, reading from her book, "Unlimited".

Is that a God sign? I'm thinking so. So look for some deep introspective over the next few days as I search to find the thing that will make me excited - ok, maybe just look forward to - returning home from vacation.

Exercising with Type 2 Diabetes

I'm trying to be a better diabetic. Really I am. I hate to admit it, but I rarely test my blood glucose prior to exercising.

I know. I know. Yes, I will try to be better. However, I do test my BG AFTER exercising and it's normally higher! Last week I tested it after Body Pump and it was 191. Not horrible. Certainly not where I want it to be. I'd be happy with 100 at all times, but I guess that's asking too much. Instead I try not to let my small fluctuations affect my daily life too much. They are usually all within a "normal" range, or at least normal for me.

BUT just in case you need a friendly reminder, I'm including an article from Spark People about Exercising with Type 2 Diabetes.

On Top of the World

There are few things in life that can make you feel like you can do anything. I, however, have found one. Body Pump. I know you are going to think I am crazy, but every time I teach the class I fall in love with it more....and I'm still teaching the first choreography.

About five years ago, I took a Body Pump class at a local gym. It was fun. I enjoyed it, but I was happy with my little collection to DVDs at home. Fast forward to 2010 when our local park district decided to lease a small gym in town and you will start to see me researching group fitness classes and the pros and cons. In October, I went to Body Flow training and surprised myself by truly enjoying it. I began teaching Body Flow in January and enjoyed the group exercise experience. I enjoy teaching others how to move their bodies and how to move them correctly.

Finally, in February one of my co-workers agreed to go to Body Pump training. We agreed on the April training in Northbrook, IL and started practicing together at 5:30 am every Monday, Wednesdays and Friday. We giggled and laughed and then struggled and pushed each other through our Body Pump 74 DVD three times a week for almost three months in order to prepare for our three day training. Whether we were ready or not, the time arrived for us to go to training.

Scared? Yes. Nervous? Yes. Afraid I wouldn't be able to move by Sunday afternoon? Oh hell yah. I was definitely not sure how I was going to survive pumping it up all weekend long... but I did. I was tired, sore and utterly exhausted, but I had fallen in love with an incredible program.


Fast forward to our launch of Body Pump 77. Tell me we aren't creative people. We launched BP on the deck of our outdoor pool and held a private pool party for our class participants and their families immediately after. We had 16 women and 1 man participate in the class. We were off and running!

I've been teaching the class for 6-7 weeks now. My classes are generally very full......we try to squeeze 11 participants into our tiny little studio room. I love to watch my class participants push themselves as they change their bodies.

Yesterday I taught Body Pump two times....once at 8:30 am and then again at 7 pm. I really thought by the 2nd class, I would be struggling to get through the class, but 7 pm came and I was ready to kick it to the next level. Is it the music? Is it the adrenaline? Is it just because I know I can finally fulfill my inner child and be the center of attention? Hahahaha, probably yes to all of them. I can't help it. I must be a masochist. I am slightly crazy, but I like to exercise and I love Body Pump.

All with Good Reason

A few years ago I read a book by Dr. Judith S. Beck called "The Beck Diet Solution train your brain to think like a thin person". Dr. Beck writes about cognitive behavior modification by bringing awareness to your eating patterns and purpose for living a healthy lifestyle.


One of the first steps in Dr. Beck's program is to create an Advantage Response Card (ARC). An Arc will "help you motivate yourself everyday so that you stick to your diet, apply good eating habits, deal with hunger and cravings, resist emotional eating, and get right back on board when you make mistakes". Dr. Beck suggests that you read these cards daily as you lose weight and periodically for the rest of your life. I know it's hard to believe but sometimes we forget why we want to lose weight...especially in those moments of time when we are frustrated, stressed or unhappy. By reading your ARC, you will be able to put up a stronger fight against the sabotaging thoughts which invade our lives, such as:


Is dieting really worth it?
Resisting food is too hard.
I don't think I really want to do this.


Chances are thoughts like these have helped sway you from your purpose and demolished your good intentions in the past, but fear no more! It should only take 10 minutes to create your first card and 1 minute per day to read them. Dr. Beck suggests keeping a copy of them in your purse, in your kitchen, at the office and even in your car. Each time you read them your intention will be stronger, your purpose brought to the forefront of your mind. 


When I first read Dr. Beck's a few years ago, I made my first ARC. Here is what they said:

1. I'll live a long, healthy life.
2. I won't be self conscious in a bathing suit.
3. I'll feel healthy & in control.
4. I'll feed good on the beach. 
5. I'll feel good in my clothes.
6. I won't be embarrassed by pictures anymore.
7. I'll awaken my inner athlete.
8. I'll outlive my mom.
9. I'll be proud of myself. 

Of course all of these advantages are still true. I want to live a long, healthy life. I want to feel good when I go to the beach or pool. I have re-awakened my inner athlete. I still want to outlive my mom who passed away at 68 years of age. All of these are still true and yet, I feel the need to expand upon my reasoning. 

1. I won't have to turn sideways while looking in the mirror to see how noticeable my gut is. 
2. I  may not do it (because I am of a ripe old age of 42), but I would like to feel as if I could wear a bikini. 
3. I will truly personify the role model of a healthy woman for my group fitness participants. 
4. I will feel better prepared to register for a marathon or half Iron Man triathlon. 
5. It will help me stay off of insulin longer. 

All of these reasons are true; however, the final punctuating note has to be about my diabetes. As I watch my numbers start to rise, my concern for living a long, healthy life also rises.  

What are your reasons for losing weight? Or maybe you aren't striving to lose weight  - what are you reasons for living a healthy lifestyle? For working out on a regular basis? 

The Myth of the Plateau

I hear from people all of the time that they've hit a plateau in their weight loss. While that may be the case with some people, I can certainly say for me that I have not hit a plateau. Nope. Not me. I've been lazy. And unfortunately, I believe that is the probably with 90% of the people who claim to have hit a plateau.

The mythical plateau can come from many things. Not journaling your food. Not paying attention to the little nibbles throughout the day. Not working out enough - or hard enough. All of these things can lead to little or no weight loss.

Weight loss comes from a simple equation:

Calories In minus Calories burned

Plain and simple. So if you are stuck at a "weight loss plateau", start to re-evaluate where you are at and move forward from there. Here's an article from Spark People which might help jump start your metabolism once agin.

The Bubble Burst

There comes a time in your life when you set a goal and you know you are going to achieve it.
This is it. 

All of the starts are aligned and my motivation is high. It's been two years since I was diagnosed as PWD (person with diabetes). Two years since I lost 15 pounds. Two years.....of saying I will lose that final 10 pounds...next week.

Why are the stars aligned?

1. Baseball is over. I know this seems strange, but in my job as Director of Programs at our local park district this fun, kid friendly activity takes a lot of time. Let's say it again: Baseball is over!!!! I will no longer receive phone calls every evening or on weekends. I won't have parents screaming at me because the field wasn't ready or their kid didn't get to play. 
2. The evening activities for my kids have come to a halt. No softball games (see #1). No swim meets. I can actually plan and MAKE a dinner for my family for the first time since April. Ugh. Has it been that long? 
3. I'm teaching Group Fitness 5-6 days a week. At least 3 days of Body Pump. 2 days of Body Flow. My job does have some benefits! At least, the calorie burn is already somewhat built into my day.  
4. Because of teaching group fitness, I have a built in group of women who will support me in my goals. I've discussed the idea of all of us working together and motivating each other toward our individual goals. I think this is going to be a great thing!
5. I'll told the park district board that I am reducing my hours. In May & June, I worked close to 50 hours per week at my office job and then taught group fitness on top of that. Over the past few months, I've noticed my blood sugars slowly starting to rise. I don't know if that is because I've been eating out more and therefore eating more carbs? Or it it's the stress of working so much? Or if the disease is simply progressing in my body? I'm not sure why the change is happening, but I will do my best to reverse it. 
6. I am going to Cancun in October. Whoot whoot! I like to put it this way. I am 42 years old and wearing a bikini is highly unlikely; however, I would like to at least feel like I could wear a bikini. Add the health benefits in and you'll see why I am so highly motivated. 

While I may be doing great at group fitness, I haven't been exercising and doing what I want to do. I haven't run since the Tremont Triathlon. I haven't been on my bike either.....and I certainly haven't swam. I oversee the managers at the pool, but I've only been in the water 3 times this summer to do lap swims before the triathlon. So pretty soon I'll be signing up for some fall races to get me going again. 

I started my mission yesterday. I started out the morning by meeting up with a friend at the fitness center and going for a light 2 mile run. Following a quick Redneck Bath, I joined another group of friends who went to the Farmer's Market on the riverfront. I've lived in this area for 15 years and this is the first time I've been there. It was fantastic!!!! Lots of fresh yummy vegetables, locally grown. It was all incredibly awesome and refreshing. 

I've also been working on motivating Sunshine. I had a God moment not too long ago where one of my class participants gave Sunshine a wonderful opportunity. I'll post more about that later. Part of her motivation is to ride her bike. So yesterday afternoon we took a ride...only to have her tire burst. Unbelievable!!! As you can see, Sunshine was quite upset about having to give up her ride with me. Actually, she was disappointed because she knows if she gets comfortable with the route she has a reward coming at the end. Note: The correct motivation is key!

After her tire burst and Camo-Man picked her and the bike up, I finished my ride going about 12 miles. Not bad for a lady who hasn't done cardio since June 25th!

I've started an online journal using Spark People. OK - re-activiated, but I am serious this time. I'm highly motivated. I leave for Cancun on October 2nd. I want to lose 10 pounds by then. That's 77 days. If I can't lose 10 pounds in 77 days, maybe I really should hang up all of my health & fitness knowledge and try to pack on the pounds to qualify for The Biggest Loser.

OK, maybe not.

Think like a THIN Person

I used to think THIN people were naturally thin….until one day I decided to actually observe them and pay attention to their behaviors. Why are some of my friends thin while I feel like the frumpy, dumpy mommy?

• ·         They split a meal when I order a full one for myself.
• ·         They don’t include snacks such as potato chips.
• ·         They don’t have to eat out of the candy bowl every time they walk by.
• ·         It doesn’t happen naturally. It happens consciously.

I am the mom of three daughters – each with their own body types. My eldest daughter is bone rail thin. My middle daughter is not. My youngest daughter has an athletic build – skinny, but not tiny with a layer of muscle. What is the difference between each of my girls? Their approach to food & exercise.

My oldest daughter would choose to eat a bowl of fruit over cookies or chips any time of day. She rarely eats processed foods. She doesn’t think about food until she is HUNGRY.  She is tiny, skinny as can be, but she exercise is not really a part of her life.

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My middle daughter loves sweets, baked goods, and bread.  If a bread basket is put on the table, you can watch her eyes drift to the basket again and again while she’s waiting to have the next piece. For some reason, you can almost see her thinking about food at all times. She exercises because she wants to be a part of school sports, but it’s not her natural inclination.

My youngest daughter eats like a toddler. She doesn’t eat a lot of meat and only a few fruits and no vegetables.  However, I can’t keep her still to save my life. She’s on the run at all times and wants to be the best at everything.

All of these factors lead me to “The Beck Diet Solution”.  The characteristics of How THIN people Think in Chapter 3 really hit home with me:

1. THIN people can differentiate between hunger  & cravings
2. Most THIN people feel hungry & occasionally notice cravings, but they don’t dwell on those feelings for long. Generally, they don’t think much about food at all.
3. THIN people eat to the point where they are reasonably full.
4. THIN people have a pretty good gauge on how much they eat.
5. THIN people don’t comfort themselves with food.
6. When THIN people gain weight, they just exercise more and watch what they eat for a few days. They have the confidence that the scale will go back down.
7. THIN people don’t focus on the unfairness of eating smaller portions or making healthy choices. They accept those limitations without too much of a struggle.
8. THIN people don’t D-I-E-T. They know it’s a lifestyle and have changed their mindset about food.

The first few steps:

Record the Advantages of Losing Weight

Pick a Reasonable Diet Lifestyle

Eat sitting Down – and not in front of a screen or with a book

Give Yourself Credit: Recognize your successes

Eat Slowly & Mindfully

Find a Diet Lifestyle Coach

Arrange Your Environment

Today my small group is reading Day 1 - Record the Advantages of Losing Weight. Why do you want to lose weight? Take those reasons, put them on a note card and read them several times a day. 

Goals & Motivation for 2011

I've put it off as long as I can, but it's time to put my 2011 Goals into writing. I've pondered what my strengths are and where my issues lie. As a result, I have 4 areas of my life almost like four legs of the table which I need to work on in 2011. 

PERSONAL HEALTH: Fitness

SPIRITUAL HEALTH: Focus on my relationship with my Creator 

FAMILY HEALTH: Finances & Meal Planning

HOME HEALTH: Creating a harmonious, happy home for my entire family

In 2010, I completed 2 half-marathons, 2 15k races, 1 10k race, 2 sprint triathlons (and here), and 1 5k. So what is going to be my motivation to push myself in 2011? I spent last Saturday looking at some races to see what is out there. In the last few months, I've had a very small voice in the back of my head whispering, "Go for it. Start reaching for the holy grail." And then I hear the loud booming voice which shouts at me, "Are you insane?" I've made my tentative race schedule for 2011, but I have two major goals distances I'd like to achieve this year: a full marathon, and a half IM triathlon. I'm still looking for the right race, the right dates to match my schedule. As more race directors post their race dates, I'll keep you updated on my race choices. 

The next leg I need to work on is my SPIRITUAL HEALTH. For some reason, I've felt very disconnected from my church over the last year. Well, actually for many reasons, none of which I'll go into here. While some of the reasons are outside of my control, there is definitely some part of this problem which comes from me and my lack of effort. A dear friend gave me a precious Christmas gift, "Babes with Beatitude: Devotions for Smart, Savvy Women of Faith", by Linda P. Kozar and Dannelle Woody. As soon as I opened the package, I thought to myself, "How did she know exactly what I needed in this exact moment?" My goal for SPIRITUAL HEALTH involves reading, studying and meditating several times each day on the daily devotional in my Babes with Beatitude.

For my FAMILY HEALTH, I have two major goals: one in the area of personal finances & the other in the area of meal planning. On the personal finances front, my husband and I have finally gotten on the same page and have agreed to follow a budget. I have listened to Dave Ramsey on and off over the last few years and while Camo-Man may still be a little skeptical about some of the aspects of Dave's plan, we've agreed to follow a monthly budget to accomplish some of our financial goals. We'd both like to pay off our car loans so we can start preparing for the quickly approaching college tuition bills which will be coming our way. As for my never ending issue of meals and meal planning.....(grrrrr).....I am going to continue to work on my meal plans. I take somewhat of a macabre interest in planning my workouts on a monthly basis and modifying them each week as my schedule changes. I'm going to generate the same interest (either forced or genuine) in my meal planning as I do in my workouts. I will plan my meals on a monthly basis and then update them weekly as our family schedule changes. 

Finally, for my HOME HEALTH: I know that I don't function well with clutter. You will never see me on HOARDERS. Now I am by no means perfect when it comes to getting rid of things in a timely manner, but I know if I have piles of junk lying around I feel more tension than I normally do. My goals for HOME HEALTH include keeping an organized, de-cluttered home for my family. I've decided to somewhat refer back to my Flylady days and break my home into Zones and keep it clean 15 minutes at a time. My Zones are a little different from the Flylady, but I think these will work for me.  

• Zone 1: Master Bedroom
• Zone 2: Bathrooms
• Zone 3: Laundry Room & Den
• Zone 4: 1 other room as needed

I'm still flushing out some of the details, but I thought I'd share my work in progress. Here is to a healthy, financially sound, spiritually fit and harmonious 2011!!!!!

Health Nuts Unite!

According to my 12-year old daughter, Sunshine, her mom is a HEALTH NUT. Since when did regular exercise and trying to eat right make me a nut? Just because I haven't eaten at McDonald's in almost two years doesn't mean I'm the one who has lost her marbles. Hey, I'm no bean pole. I still have a few pounds to lose (10- count them - 10 agonizing pounds!!!!) 


Only 6% of Americans get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese.  Maybe it's the 2/3 of Americans who are the nuts and not me. 


Obesity Related Statistics in America**

Did you know?

• Obesity is the #2 cause of preventable death in the United States
• 60 million Americans, 20 years and older are obese
• 9 million children and teens ages 6-19 are overweight
• Being overweight or obese increases the risk of health conditions and diseases including: Breast cancer, Coronary heart disease, Type II diabetes, Sleep apnea, Gallbladder disease, Osteoarthritis, Colon cancer, Hypertension and Stroke

** According to the Get America Fit Foundation. 


Obesity is the leading cause of higher healthcare costs. Being overweight only makes our wallets skinny. Costs related to obesity represents 9.1% of all medical spending. If you are obese, you can expect to spend 42% more on healthcare than a person of normal weight.  Obese Americans spend about $1,429 more on health care each year than normal-weight Americans. 


I repeatedly hear that it's expensive to eat healthy. BUT at the cost of $1,429 annually for healthcare costs + missed work due to illness + a shortened life span, I think we can afford to eat a little better and exercise a little more. If those costs don't inspire you to get off of your duff, I don't know what will. If two-thirds of all Americans can afford almost $1,500 for health care costs each year, wouldn't that money be better spent on eating healthy foods & a gym membership? 


I'm not saying that losing weight is easy. In American society, it's very hard to lose weight when you are constantly confronted with marketing ads for calorie laden foods on the television, in your magazines and on the radio. But the long term gains are soooo worth the uphill battle. 


Wouldn't two-thirds of Americans love to play outside with their children? Wouldn't two-thirds of Americans love to ride on a roller coaster or in an airplane without worry of being told they are too big for the seat? Exercise releases endorphins into your body which relieves pain, enhances the immune system, reduces stress and delays the aging process. Who doesn't want to stay young?? 


I don't have the answer. If I did, I wouldn't still have 10 pounds to lose. All I can say is go outside or to your local gym and take a walk and keeping walking for 20-30 minutes and then think about how you feel. Write it down. Savor the moment. Because you will need that motivation again tomorrow when I ask you to get up and get moving again. 


For once in your life, Be in the minority. Be better than 94% of all Americans and make exercise a priority in your life. 

Thankful Thursday

This post means so much more considering the past 48 hours. I am so thankful for my life, my family, and my friends. I am thankful for a loving Father in heaven who will comfort those in need.

I planned a 4 mile run on Wednesday morning with a lake swim that night. My morning run got derailed by an eye emergency with Diva Princess. On Tuesday evening, she flipped a blanket and a sequin from her purse got into her eye. Camo-Man pulled out the sequin, but Diva kept telling us her eye still hurt. I thought the lining of the eye was irritated and told her to go to bed. In the morning, her eye was swollen and red. Finally, after a trip to the doctor, Wal-Mart and back home, I saw a rather large piece of iridescent cellophane stuck to her eye. After a few frantic moments, Diva was finally able to grab the cellophane and got it out of eye. We both did a happy dance!!!! By this time, it was 11 and my morning run was called off. I still had hope for my evening swim, as long as the storm held off.

Unfortunately, life derailed me again. Last week, my friend's husband went to the dermatologist to have a mole removed from his inner thigh. Unfortunately, the news was not good. After a few more tests, they discovered he has melanoma which has already spread to other parts of his body. Instead of getting in a final lake swim, I spent the evening with my friend listening to her go through all of the emotions associated with hearing such tough news. All I could do was sit there and listen. Nothing I could say or do would change the fact that her husband would soon be in the midst of the fight of his life.

So as you can see, not getting a workout in on this Wednesday does not really matter in the whole scheme of things. Please Pray for J. He will need all of the prayers you can send his way.

I am thankful for a strong, healthy body.
I am thankful for an incredibly supportive husband.
I am thankful for 3 daughters who are each so completely different.
I am thankful for a healthy family.
I am thankful for friends who are always there for each other, especially when the chips are down.
I am thankful for medical technology which gives patients hope.

Motivation Monday

Never Give Up.
Never quit working toward your goals.
Create your plan.

AND WORK IT!


So where is my EPIC FAIL? I haven't created my plan.

No plan. No goal. No sense of achievement.

Failure.....epic.

So, get on the band wagon and get at it.

Here are my goals for the week:

Training plan:
Tuesday       -      P90X Kenpo X, 1000 yard lap swim
Wednesday  -      5k run, P90X X-Stretch
Thursday      -      P90X Core Synergestics, 1000 yard lap swim
Friday          -      Dolce 27 mile ride
Saturday      -      Rest (Tazewell County Swim Meet) and dinner with Leber family
Sunday        -      P90X Chest, shoulders & triceps, 5k Run

Nutrition plan:
1500 calories / day

Home plan:
Clean up basement for dance team overnight next week (12 girls - am I crazy or what?)

Menu Plan:
It's the week of 3 girls planning:
Tuesday - Sunshine's plan - hamburgers
Wednesday - Diva Princess' plan - eggs of some sort
Thursday -  work meeting at Perdue's
Friday -  Grilled chicken

RPM Plan:
Tues & Wed - Segment 1
Thurs & Fri - Segment 2

Work Plan:
Line up instructors for Fall programs

OK, now I've got a plan. Time to work it! Go to bed so I can get up in the morning.

Nighty-night.

When motivation kicks you in the rear

Motivation can come in many forms. I find health & fitness motivation from reading blogs, news articles, and fitness magazines. I watch people who motivate me all of the time, but especially my dear niece, Cheryl, and awesome friend, Jody. Both of these fine women are an inspiration to me as athletes and fitness sounding boards. I respect their knowledge and experience with health, nutrition and fitness and I'm very blessed to have them in my life.

The most impactful (is that really a word?) motivation always comes from those motivators of last resort, your doctors. Last week I thought I had a UTI so I visited the doctor. While there, I asked them to check my A1C. Now keep in mind, I had my A1C checked in November and the result (5.9) made me happy. While not normal, my test results were definitely below my personal goal of 6.0.

Then I decided I didn't need to test my glucose every day. My doctor was having me test my glucose right before eating. Every time I tested it was fairly consistent. Normal with the exception of my before breakfast reading. So, I thought to myself "Why am I wasting money testing my glucose and having it tell me what I already know?".

Ding ding ding.

Great (feel the sarcasm dripping?) idea #1: Don't test your glucose.

OK, really, it wasn't a bad idea. I was training for a half-marathon. Life was good. It was January and February & every one on Planet Earth was trying to get fit and healthy. March? No problem. Jeff & I had a "Biggest Loser" challenge between the two of us. I lost the challenge, but I won because it motivated me.

April?...

(crickets)

May?...


June??.....oh hello, my name is Carla and I'm trying to be healthy. Have I met you before?

Back to the story: So I went to the doctor to have my A1C tested. I finally called and got my test results.
6.7    OH MY WORD


I don't ever want to see a 6-point-something ever associated with my health unless it's my clothing size! Holy cow. So, needless to say, I got my swift kick in the rear and now it's time to kick it in gear.

Julie & Julia

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Today I watched Julie & Julia. It’s about a woman named Julie Powell who started a blog when she decided to try to re-create 524 recipes from Julia Child’s cookbook in a year’s time. The woman truly dedicated herself to the mission. And it made me wonder? Why am I not that dedicated? Why am I so easily distracted? Didn’t I once write a blog? Hahahaha, yah, for a bleep of a second.

Now I wouldn’t try to make Julia Child’s recipes for many reasons. 1) I truly can’t cook. Bone a duck? Steam a live lobster? Oh hell no. Not me. I’m lucky to cook frozen chicken breasts. 2) I can’t eat all of that butter and fat. Oh my word. How did she not weigh 200 lbs? OK, strike that. Maybe she did. I don’t know.

I don’t think I could have Julie Powell’s dedication to one woman’s cookbook. For one, Julie didn’t have kids, picky “I don’t eat green” kids. For another, Julie had a nice 9-5 job. My job is 24/7…and after this weekend, I don’t like it very much.

Dear Job, why do I hate thee?

·         Because you’ve ruined the wonderful balance I had in my life. OK, maybe it wasn’t balanced, but my life used to be all about ME, wonderful ME….and my family. Now it’s about baseball, rained out games, chlorine, poop in the pool, purchasing drumsticks, nachos and pizza, dealing with disgruntled employees and people who don’t like the park district in general because of some small slight they received over 10 years ago from people who are no longer even involved in the park district.
·         Because working for 60-70 hours a week is not healthy for anyone let alone someone who loves to do other things, like exercise and spend time with my family and friends.
·         Because people in general rarely put themselves into someone else’s shoes and consider what might be happening in their lives, like lack of electricity and a husband out of town to help you out.
·         Because not everyone takes their job as seriously as you do….i.e. employees who don’t let you know they are taking ANOTHER vacation for 2 weeks of the 5 weeks during the summer they are actually available.

BUT I know that this too will pass. Some other thing will come along to distract me from my misery and I won’t mind my job….until the next weekend is blown and I’m back to pulling my hair out. Until then, be safe, be healthy and be happy.

How to keep motivated

First off, let me say that I think your motivation must be internal. It can't be something or someone external to yourself that decides you are really, truly going to make yourself a priority and get healthy. If you aren't convinced you are worth it - and you have to feel it DEEP down inside - you won't make yourself a priority.

So, I thought I'd talk about some of the tools that I use to stay motivated:
WEBSITES

1. Spark People - Awesome sight full of information on exercise and nutrition. Use it to track your calories and stay on track
2. Motivation to Move - CMO (Chief Motivational Officer) Scott Smith with his wife, Joi, have created an excellent site to read articles, get recipes and share with a community all of your successes & failures.

PODCASTS

This is one area that I talk about A LOT, but people usually give me this deer in the headlights kind of look. Podcasts are usually free on iTunes and are basically "talk radio". I subscribe to a number of podcasts from genealogy, Harry Potter, a volleyball podcast, Disney and Jane Austen. (I know - what strange mix of interests, but that's me!)

To find podcasts, open Itunes, on the left hand side click on Podcasts and once that opens, click on Podcast Directory on the bottom right of your screen. You can enter any search subject and you will probably find a podcast out there for it.

1. Motivation to Move Fitness Boost - Scott Smith has recently changed the format of his podcast. It used to be an hour long free podcast. Now, free subscribers only get a once a week 15 minutes podcast, but it's still worth listening to.
2. The Biggest Loser Fan Podcast - Based on the hit NBC TV show, Cliff Ravenscraft & Father Roderick (yes, a Catholic priest) review the show each week, but talk about the insights they have gathered from the show. 
3. KFI AM- Sunday - Jillian Michaels is no longer putting out this podcast, but let me tell you IT'S WORTH IT. She breaks down the science of physical fitness as well as the affect of the processed foods in our bodies. Makes you think!
4. Cooking with the Moms - Listen each week as cookbook authors, dietitians, and busy moms, Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss -- AKA The Meal Makeover Moms -- share their latest fast and healthy recipe creations and mealtime tips, all designed to get families, even the pickiest eaters, back to the table.

BLOGS

Some of the blogs that I read are kind of specific, but I thought I'd share them anyway.

Steve in a Speedo? Gross! - Hilarious and insightful

Fat Cyclist - A man and his bike and his struggle with life after losing his wife to cancer

Fit Yummy Mummy Blog - full of short workout videos

Goals for the Week! - A smart woman who sets weekly goals for various aspects of her life

I actually read many, many more, but those are some of my favorites. 

I LOVE MY JOB

Have I ever mention that I love my job? I love my job. Not only do I get to create activities and programs for the awesome community that I live in, but it's also a chance for me to see some people that I don't get to in my normal activities.

Yesterday I had a friend stop by the office to register her boys for summer baseball. She mentioned she had lost 25 pounds so far and was still working toward her goal. Now, I have to say I am the least observant person I know. I don't notice when you get a new hair cut. I don't notice when you buy some new clothes and I CERTAINLY don't notice when you lose weight. I don't know why. It's just not in my nature. You would think I would notice these things. I am definitely an observer of the body. I observe body mechanics. But I don't watch to see how small or big your butt is.

As I talked to my friend, I was amazed at how similar our stories where.

1. For years, I've followed the advice of weight loss experts and shouted my goals from the rooftops so that someone would hold me accountable. That didn't work. When I finally got the "click", I silently just started making changes in my life which made the difference in my weight loss and fitness level.
2. I put myself on the shelf. I became a mom and I put everyone else in front of me. Oh don't get me wrong. I still had my selfish moments, but I let my health drop in my priority list.  
3. I stopped being true to myself. My friend said it best. It was as if I had suddenly grown up and wasn't allowed to do the things I enjoyed. I had to grow up and that meant all work and no play.
4. I denied my true nature. All of my life I've striven to be the best. I was the 8th child of 9 and I was going to prove to everyone out there that I could do everything they could do even if they were at least 7 years older than I was. My cousin could do a back handspring. I did 7 - and a back air. But suddenly being competitive (said with a sneer) was no longer a positive thing. I heard "Carla's so competitive" a few too many times and suddenly I wasn't proud of my achievements. I just wanted to blend in with every other woman out there.

My talk with my friend made me realize that whether we have 10 pounds to lose or 50 we all have demons to strike down and conquer. And while the details may be slightly different, our stories are similar and we need to support and motivate each other as much as possible. After all, we are all sisters in this game of life.

Motivation Monday

“Consistent action will get you where you want to be” – Scott Smith, Chief Motivating Officer at www.motivationtomove.com

So, where do you want to be?

You may be thinking with a snort and snicker “Oh yah, I’m consistent. I’m consistent about eating fast food. I’m consistent about blowing off my workouts.”

Well, why is that?

How does that make you feel?

Is that consistent action helping you get to your goals?

It’s time to make a change. It’s time to change your consistent action and chart a new course. Follow our weekly challenges to see how small steps can make big changes in your life, health & happiness.