Friday, March 30, 2012

Cleanse Video Review

Most of you already know that I am a big fan of being fit. You also, by now, probably know that I am a skeptic. I don't really give much creedence to things like Ab-Rollers, Shake Weights, or (I just know that Mr. Norris is going to be waiting for me in the parking lot) that body sled thing that he created. Maybe that last one has some good points to it, actually, but not the other two. Shake weight? Really? No thanks.

Anyway, I have spent MANY sleepless nights and parts of nights wide awake on the couch, cruising through informercials. Of course, the P90-X/Insanity ones catch my interest. Why? Because to me, they make sense. Anyway, I have decided to make the leap and become a BeachBody Coach. I can already see some of your heads shaking, muttering something like, "Really?" Yes, really. I'll go into my "why" in another post. I do, however, PROMISE not to turn this blog into a big commercial for said products. Honestly.

That having been said, BeachBody's main meal replacement product, Shakeology, has a 3 Day Cleanse that you can do, so I did it. I am not big on people who promote things that they don't actually use, so i figured that i should probably try this out.
Reader's Digest version is that I liked it. It was simple. I didn't go through as much Charmin as I thought I would. I had plenty of energy, and it was ALL NATURAL. The only variation I did was that I continued to have my morning coffee. In it, I put less than 1tsp of raw sugar, and about a tsp of soy creamer. But I only had one per day, where i usually have 2 or 3.
A side 'benefit' is that I lost weight. I've been hovering around 165-168 for months. I'm ok with that, but with running season upon me, I was trying to get closer to 160. The morning of Day One, I weighed in at 165.4. The morning of Day 4 (which really isn't one of the days), I weighed in at 161.2. Same clothes, same scale, same time of day. Yes, it was mostly water weight. Yes, it will be interesting if I am able to maintain that weight. Yes, I will keep you posted. Yes, individual results will vary, blah blah blah.
So, as part of your usual FUN PHOTO FRIDAY, i give you a fun VIDEO friday. it is a review, but done in MY STYLE, not...well....just watch, if nothing else than to hear what i sound like and to see part of my house.
Link HERE.



Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Aggressive or Passive. The choice is YOURS.

This morning one of the tweets that came through my timeline said something to the effect of “if am finally understanding how my mood is linked to binge eating.” It was all i could do not to jump up and down and yell at my computer monitor. Being pressed for time, I simply replied, “you mean how it CAN be linked. the choice is yours.”

As of now, I have not received a reply or comment. I must say that I am not surprised. I would have welcomed a healthy exchange with this person. It could have benefitted both of us.

Without going into the semantics of the tweet, I am going to take it at face value: the author CHOSE to use the word “is”. Ok, so i guess i AM going into semantics. Shoot me. Get over it. I would have chosen, and suggested, the word “can'”. Do you see the difference? Lemme ‘splain.

By using “is” in the tweet, the author has in essence surrendered him/herself to emotions/mood. S/he believes that mood/emotions have a direct link to how much food goes into his/her body. As if depression (anger/sorrow/happiness) itself is shoving unhealthy amounts of food into the pie hole. If we take a look at this realistically, we can see that this is NOT what is really happening. The PERSON is buying the craptastic food-like-substance, preparing it (well, i guess that opening a bag of chips doesn’t really count as preparing…), and putting it in their mouth.

Not the emotion.

Does emotion have the ‘ability’ to control our actions? Sometimes, I guess. I have, at times, been so overwhelmed by a combination of fatigue, sorrow, and anger, that I have cried while watching the Downy commercial with the fluffy little bear. (ok, not that one, but i’m not going to give away which one!). I ‘couldn’t control’ my joy when Kara qualified for the Olympics that I jumped up and down and shouted like a mad man. (ok, i didn’t do that, either, but that isn’t the point). What didn’t happen, in either case of extreme sadness or joy, was that I sat down and ate a large pizza, some wings, and some cheezy bread. (oh, MAN. that just made me really hungry!!) I’ve had heartbreak in my life, both personally and professionally. Did I uncontrollably sit down and eat a gallon of Ben & Jerry’s? No. Could I have done that? Yes.

“But, Gene”, you say, “not everyone has the self control that you have. I have no power over the amount of food i consume when i am depressed. You just don’t understand!”

Yes, you do. And yes, I understand.

But I used to go the opposite way. I didn’t binge. I just didn’t eat. The longest I have gone without eating is a week. Only water to drink, but nothing containing any nutritional or pseudo nutritional value. It was during a particularly dark time in my life (which, actually, I had control over and I caused. I was NOT a victim….I screwed up by choice.) During this period, I was taking an intensive review class to help me ace my NCLEX (Nursing License test). Toward the end of the sessions, I got up from my seat in the auditorium and nearly fell over because I was so weak. I’d managed to drive 45 miles to class, but had been experiencing blurred vision all morning. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

But I had CHOSEN not to eat. Why? Sure, I’ll share, because maybe it will help other people realize why they, too, might choose to binge or not eat. I did it because I felt, at the time, that FOOD was the ONE THING in my life that I had control over. I believed that all of the external choices I was making really weren’t in my control. At the time, I was afraid of potential outcomes in situations that I found (placed) myself. BUT, in my mind, if I stopped eating, I could pretty much be certain of that outcome: I would get sick. Even thought I graduated from LPN AND RN school with honors, and fully knew the physiological impact of what i was CHOOSING to do, I did it anyway.

But it was a CHOICE, made by ME, not by food. In my case, my tweet might have been, “I finally see how my mood is directly connected to my inability to eat food.”

I call Bullshit.

Realistically, I was CHOSING not to eat.  It is akin to someone saying, (and I am NOT picking on any individual here, honest!) “If i quit smoking, I will gain so much weight, so I am not going to stop.” Ummm….yes, I will give you that the chemicals in tobacco can have an accelerating effect on metabolism, and when a smoker quits, eventually their metabolism will slow. But it isn’t the absence of tobacco that causes the weight gain. It is the old simple equation of calories in > calories out. And if a non-smoker CHOOSES to either not increase their output or decrease their intake, well, then likely weight gain will result. But it is a CHOICE.

So which one will you be? A person who makes the choice to move in the direction of a healthy lifestyle, or one who chooses to binge or not exercise?

The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

-g-

Home based workouts and injuries....my 2 cents.

This question showed up in my stream yesterday, and instantly I wanted to reply. So I wrote a brief reply that begged for a deeper explanation or discussion, so I have decided to write that here. Feel free to comment, as I am open to other opinions, even if they are contrary to my beliefs. (no, really, I am. just try to make them well thought out. I hate automatic gainsaying.

As an adult, I am a BIG FAN of personal responsibility and accountability. As my family knows, I try to impress this view on people beginning at a fairly young age. This makes me come across as a bit of a hardass, and I'm ok with that. There are many common expressions that I just don't agree with: "Life is Good." Nope. Life is what you make it. "Dreams come true." Nope. Goals are achievable
Aren't you glad you aren't living in my house? 
In any case, as far as the topic of home-workout programs leading to serious injuries? Of course they can. It is a WORKOUT PROGRAM. This is why the videos have disclaimers on them like this:
Yes, this is taken from a BeachBody video. More about that later, but i thought it particularly important to show since thier P90X is referenced in the article on www.dispatch.com. This particular warning is on one of their lower intensity programs. I can assure you that it is also on their higher intensity programs as well.
Does this absolve the company? I think so. 
Cigarettes have warnings. Roller Coasters have warnings. Hell, even the coffee cup from McDonald's has a warning. Hello, don't use your hair dryer in the shower, stupid. 
Also, if you are a person who has been inactive for many moons been leading an unhealthy lifestyle, why in your right mind would you expect that you could leap off the couch and do ONE pull up, let alone a series of them while moving side to side P90X style? You might as well run onto the field during an NFL game and expect to score the winning touch down!! Oh, and then don't forget to blame the NFL for your stupidity.
Beginners need to start at the BEGINNING. Read the first sentence in the warning above. Sound familiar? Yep, pretty much seen on MOST IF NOT ALL exercise videos, commercials, handouts, gym waivers, etc.
Personal accountability. Just do it.
And if you can't, then work with a coach. Sure, some people can't afford a personal trainer. I get that. But can they afford an injury? Can they afford to workout and NOT have a trainer? Maybe, but probably not, especially if they are beginners.

Begin at the beginning. Don't jump into the deep end before you can blow bubbles with your face in the water and not choke. Baby steps.

That's all I have time for today. I welcome your comments below!
peace, yo!
Gene

Thursday, March 22, 2012

3 Things Thursday

HEYA!
It has been a while since I did a 3 things Thursday, let alone post anything here. For your 'welcome back' pleasure, I proffer my Three Things Thursday:

1) I am thankful for my cousins in North Carolina. They were very hospitable, offered some good laughs, and made us feel right at home this week. As for the ones who live in NC that we didn't stay with, it was great to see them, too, if only for a brief period of time.

2) I am thankful for the sunshine. It felt great on my face today as I walked to my car for a 15 minute nap during lunch. I can't wait to get out and run in it this summer. Gotta get to work on my beach body...

3) I deliberated what I would put for number three for quite some time, and then I thought, "WWHBD?" I am certain that most of you have seen this video already, and you know what? I don't care. That's right, I'm like the Honey Badger: I don't give a sh!t. Link here Honey Badger in case you can't see the video embedded below. Kick back, turn on the volume, and laugh. I was introduced to this video by my (non) redneck cousin Jay. Yes, of course there is a back story, but "this isn't the time or place" for that. Just watch the video, and gimme my damned badge already....


Monday, March 12, 2012

Big Little Steps

This coming Saturday is the first race of the year for me. I ran it last year, too, as it is a nice local 5k.
Last year was COLD, I over dressed, and didn't really train for the event. The check in and start area was a bit confusing, but I still managed to have a decent time out there. I got to see some friends who I hadn't seen in a while, and likely made it home in time for lunch.
This year.....it is a noon, we have virtually no snow, and I have learned better how to dress for days like this.
Oh.
And i've been working with a running coach. So, yea. My buddy Adam, from TheBoringRunner (@theboringrunner) and I have been working together for several weeks, and I am very happy with my running!! I feel fast, strong, and ready to take on this 5k. I have no intention of winning the thing like Adam did last weekend, but my goal time is lofty; 23 minutes. In last year's race, that would have put me in 94th place overall. Yep. I finished in 225th last year with a time of 26:48.90. So nearly a 4 minute improvement over only 3.1 miles. I've been working my little legs off on the treadmill, and I'll be ready. I am NOT going to worry about that lung busting hill. I know it is there, i'll do what i need to do to get over it, and i'll still be fairly fresh for that last push to the finish.
That's my plan, anyway.
I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.
That's all i have for now; i wanted to put my little goal out there with the hopes that it will help push me through this last week. Thank you for lending your ear.
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Tracey and the boys for putting up with my thump thump thumping on the treadmill. Many more miles to come.....
Peace, YO!
Geno  

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Brief Interlude

<delete>

Just deleted a long paragraph of nothing. Move along……

In other news, I received some mail yesterday. I could NOT wait to tear into the package (once I got the tripod set up….)DSCN0817See? I didn’t even get the framing correct! (wanna borrow a dvd? we probably own it) I was so psyched to get mail from Josie over at http://www.yumyucky.com/ !! She has been very influential to me along my fitness journey, and is just a HOOT! Head over to her web site and read all about her, her greedy kids, and her hubby. So what was in the envelope?

DSCN0819Not instructions on how to better frame pictures while using the self timer, I can assure you. Nope! It was a pack of Shakeology! They’ve recently released a new flavor, “tropical strawberry”! This is their third flavor offering (the other two being chocolate and greenberry). Tropical strawberry is VEGAN, but the other two are…omnivorian. Read more about each here (yes, I am a new BeachBody Coach. More about that in another post.) I am very excited to be able to try this out. About a year or so ago Josie let me try the chocolate flavor, too, and it was great!

Lots of things have been going on in my head these days, and I appreciate you stopping by. I’ll be posting about these things soon, and perhaps they’ll help you feel a bit less neurotic. (what? you DON’T feel neurotic? I knew it was only me….crap.)

Running has been going GREAT lately, thanks to Tracey for letting me get a treadmill and to Adam’s coaching. The dude is merciless. (not really).

Alright. Off to start getting ready for work. Have a GREAT humpday!!!