Overnight Celebrity

Before I get into this post I want to appologize for falling behind on my post. I have set a personal goal to post 3 new blogs per week.

Recently I was featured in our local newspaper the Republican in an ad ran by the gym where I get my Guru sessions. It touted their expertise and my unwavering success in reaching my fitness goals. It has been a long road to travel in such a short time. I have sweated and cried out in pain, limped my way to bed at night and scrutinized my dinner plate too many times to count. Through all of this I have had the support of an amazing team and a group of women who know my struggle. In an effort to honor my Guru Crew, I want to give a shout out to all of them. I am a member of the WIldwood Athletic Club in Oakland MD. This gym is a fitness pillar in our community not only do they provide a fun, clean, state of the art fitness center they also provide a place for the youth to come and practice in the batting cages. I have been given a gift and I hope that I can stand as an example of what a great gym will do for a person who wants to change. Thank You to all of the staff at Wildwood.

Magic In A Jar

One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall


I am sure that most of us have tried many different kinds of vitamins and weight loss supplements to help achieve our weight loss goals. Currently I am taking a handful of supplements that are recommended by many health/nutrition experts. Before I list them I want to say that nothing can substitute mother nature and good ol' hard work. With that being said I also want to add that it will require lots of variety and color on your dinner plate. You might ask "So why supplement then?" The more processed the food item is the less vitamins and minerals it contains. We are in a world where time is everything and the less time we have to spend preparing meals the better. Our food chain does not exist as in the past. It may come from hundreds if not thousands of miles away and contain GMOs, pesticides, hormones, and a slue of other things and even lowered nutritional content. On to the list of what I feel are the best supplement for me. These were also part of the Perricone Prescription.

Fish Oil - The name says it all. Omega 3 fatty acids are crucial in so many of the bodies functions including metabolism. I take (6) 1000mg capsules daily

Alpha Lapoic Acid
CoQ10
L-Carnitine
L-Glutamine
Astaxanthan
Maitake SX Fraction D
Chromium Picolinate
Borage Oil (GLA)

Lost Without You

Wow it has been a long time since my last post. Many changes are taking place with my body. I recently had my first weigh in and measure and although my weight only dropped 7 pounds I was happy to learn that I lost 6 inches off my hips and several more off the rest of my body. It has not been an easy road thus far, I struggle daily to eat healthy and maintain a proper caloric intake while dealing with tobacco cravings, carb cravings, and the occasional urge to down a bottle of stolis'. During my Guru sessions I seem to be able to go longer and have increased my strength and overall stamina. In an effort to lower the number on the scale I went back to an old favorite, the Perricone Prescription. It entails a diet high in omega fatty acids, fresh vegetables and fruit, a few choice supplements and abstinence of sugar and all things white, including white flour, white potatoes, white rice, white pasta, or anything that is starchy. I stuck to this diet 2 years ago and had great success, lately I feel like robbing the dunken donuts and drowning myself in sweet coffee and crullers. What I have come to realize is that when I go to extremes and deprive myself of certain foods my body fights back and with brute force releases all sorts of chemicals that tell me I need carbohydrates. The weight sure does come off a lot faster when I restrict all things glycemic however I end up feeling miserable and cranky. I started having oatmeal a couple of times a week and allow my self a whole grain low calorie high fiber bread on the other days. I usually consume these in the morning or afternoon to gain much needed energy for my workouts. Do I miss those luscious white flour carbs that call out to me like a two faced banker crying for a bailout, of course deep down I know what the best choices are.I recommend seeking advice from a nutritionist and certified personal trainer before beginning any weight loss program. Your success rate will be much greater. Next time lets talk Vegas Baby!

Up In Smoke

"I don't want to gain any weight!"It is probably the most popular excuse used for not quitting. I am living proof that it is just that, an excuse. I know that it is not possible for everyone to have their own Guru but turning off the television and going for a brisk walk does not cost anything. In the past I turned to food to fill the void when quitting, I know now that if I embrace healthy food choices and many forms of exercise I can quit for good and continue to lose weight. My Guru keeps me sweating, he pushes me to the next level and for that I am ever grateful. During one of my workouts I seemed to have lost my breath and was having a hard time, I quickly dismissed myself and went into the bathroom to recover. Once I sat down for a minute and controlled the air coming in, I regained normal air flow. I have never suffered from asthma but may have experienced a small glimpse into what it feels like. A mixture of fear and panic swept over me that day and it has strengthened my resolve to quit for good. Smoking has left its mark on my body, in time I hope to erase all of the damage. I refuse to let my fitness fantasies go up in smoke. Many of my friends and family continue to smoke, I hope that I serve as an inspiration to all of them to break this nasty habit for good. In the words of K.D. Lang "Love Is Like A Cigarette"

What is love
You called it heaven above
Star that shine in the night
A bird that sings in its flight
A flower that blooms in the spring
There's no such thing

Love's like a cigarette
You know you had my heart aglow
Between your fingertips
And just like a cigarette
I never knew the thrill of life
Until you touched my lips
Then just like a cigarette
Love seem to fade away and leave behind ashes of regret
And with a flick of your fingertips
It was easy for you to forget
Coz love is like a cigarette

Then just like a cigarette
Love seem to fade away and leave behind ashes of regret
And with a flick of your fingertips
It was easy for you to forget
Coz love is like a cigarette

My Muscles Are Cannibals

According to my Guru I am burning approx 425 calories during my cardio workout, in addition I attend a group fitness class twice a week and do ab workouts at home. My daily caloric intake is around 1500 or less. I have noticed a slight increase in my appetite do to heavy exercise. My Guru informed me that being a little hungry is a good thing because my body will eat the stored fat cells to get what it needs. I love the thought of my body eating itself, of course in order to maintain a high metabolism you must have the proper intake in order to avoid going into starvation mode.

Which brings me to what I really want to talk about. My favorite lo calorie highly nutritious top ten foods to include in any diet.

Before I get to the list I just want to let all of you know that I am making great progress so far. I stepped on the scale after working out yesterday to discover 5 pounds were missing! I floated home even more determined to reach my ultimate goal. My muscles must have been very hungry! Now back to the list.

1. Flax Meal - I put it in oatmeal, muffins, yogurt, and even as a substitute for bread crumbs.

2. Beans - They are rich in Protein and fiber, and pack a nice punch when it comes to dense nutrient rich calories. .

3. Flatout brand Light Flat bread - It is only 90 calories, with 9g of Fiber and 9g Protein

4. Nickles Light Multigrain bread - Only 35 calories a slice and 1.5g Fiber, 1.5g Protein

5. Laughing Cow Light Cheese - 35 Calories per wedge

6. Ground Turkey - Very low in fat and calories and is very versatile. Makes great chili

7. Josephs Flax & Oat Organic Lavash Bread - Only 100 calories for a 6x12" square, it makes a great pizza crust. I like to brush it with olive oil and sprinkle it with herbs and bake it for a few minutes.

8. Fresh Mozzarella - This popular cheese is low in fat and calories and has approximately 6g protein. Great with tomatoes and a little balsamic vinegar

9. Sweet Potatoes - They have a low GI factor and are a good source of vitamins and minerals

10. Salad Greens - I eat salad everyday and have a fetish over making my own dressings. I prefer organic gourmet varieties that have a combination of lettuces and herbs. I love to add grilled chicken or fish to my salad.

I hope that all who read this will get inspired to try some of the items listed, and enjoy what nature intended! Starting next week I will do double workouts, get measured for the first time and come closer to realizing my fitness fantasy.

The Svengali Worked His Magic

A wonderful almost magical thing is taking place in my body. I woke this morning to discover that my PJs were a little looser and I seemed more uplifted if you will. I will light a candle, and do some crunches to honor my Guru! Yesterday afternoon the magic spell was implemented and calculating measurements were taken. I was happy to learn that I am eating all of the right foods, my genetic code is superb, and this journey will last for about 10 weeks and take every ounce of dedication to succeed. Last night I went to my first group fitness class with two other ladies who are veterans in the fitness world. The Guru had me sweating, panting, burning, hurting, and in general feeling really good. My lungs were sore form that workout, all those years of smoking being scrubbed from my cilia. Cravings for cigarettes creep up on me still, however after almost needing an oxygen mask after exercise I don't see the appeal anymore. Ask me that after a few martinis or glasses of wine and who knows. So for now I am going to buckle down and work like a soldier, avoid alcohol like the plague and have visions of a yellow polka dot bikini in my dreams! I will weight myself this coming Monday, wish me luck. For the next entry I want to share some of my favorite healthy foods.

Vitamins For My Ears

Motivation will take on many forms while trying to get in shape.. For me music is what gets my heart rate up. I plug in and zone out to deep acid electronica, or some booty shaking Hip/Hop.
My husband experiences this same euphoria while driving and often hits the gas as a reflex.
There is something special about music when your natural inclination is to match the BPM.
When the beats get heavy and the tempo is speeding up I push myself harder and up the intensity.

I browse iTunes, and some obscure music sites for the newest editions to my collection. One of my favorite ways to discover new music is to listen to world music broadcast' either in podcast format or public radio shows like World Cafe. I find that expanding my borders beyond the states has opened my ears to a whole new dimension. Music has powerful influences over our moods and attitudes. Emotions are intensified and can bring forth ancient memories with just one line of a song. I can pin point exact moments in time through music. If I had to plug my headphones into the screen while on the elliptical and hear about news or what ever I may barely break a sweat but give me something fast paced and exciting and I am off to the moon. The last thing I do before I leave for the gym is make sure I have my ipod and headphones. It's that important! I highly recommend music as a powerful tool to take your workouts to the next level.

In my next entry, I want to discuss weight gain and/or loss and what are reasonable expectations for the first few months.