Category: Health

A New Month, A New Start.

MPiccolo6 Comments

A little over a month into training for this competition and I’ve already hit a plateau.  I tried a little experiment two weeks ago by not doing any fat burning cardio and just did weight training 3 x a week with high intensity cardio 2x a week.  My thought process was how fat burning cardio is not as ideal for losing fat as much as weight training.  It was also sparked from this article http://jillfit.com/2012/10/18/how-much-cardio/.  Plus I was just plain bored with doing my steady state cardio 4 x a week.

And the results?  Maintenance.  Didn’t lose a pound.   137.4lbs exactly on Halloween, which was my scheduled weigh-in for myself.

So I think we can assume that didn’t work for me.    So back to plan A:  Eating as best as I can prepare for, steady state cardio 3 x a week, boxing 2 x a week and weight training 3-4 days a week.  Period.

As for diet, I’m starting to implement the Fighter Diet from trainer Pauline Nordin.  You can get it here for a decent price at http://www.fighterdiet.com/.  I can’t recall how I found Pauline’s website but I do like her very blunt approach to fitness and health.  She’s also a badass.  I mean, look at her!  She’s a BEAST!

She’s actually 112lbs in this pic. Amazing!

She did do a figure competition but now she does her own thing by writing ebooks for people to download to use for their fitness goals.    She actually suggests instead of competing, women should just train hard and schedule a photo shoot to show off their new bods.  I can’t help but think this might be my Plan B if competing doesn’t pan out.

And, don’t laugh, but I even found a really cool website on Facebook that one of my FB friends “Liked” and I think it’s an amazing idea.  (Credit to FB for actually doing something right here). It’s called Cleveland Boudoir.  Looks like they are a boudoir and pinup photography studio. http://clevelandboudoir.com/  The premise is that you can get all dolled up in some sexy clothes and do a photo shoot, just for fun or for a Valentines Day gift, anniversary, etc.  Cute!

Back to Fighter Diet:  I just started her workout plan last week and will begin her nutrition plan this week.  The only reason I didn’t start both at the same time like you SHOULD is that I wanted to wait until I had a bit more funds to get some of the foods that are called for, like psyllium husk and Nutrafiber flakes.

And unfortunately, one of the staples of the plan is…the dreaded….Oatmeal.

Why does something so good for you have to look so unappealing??

Ever since I can remember, I have never liked oatmeal.  I actually never tasted it because I based my disgust on just the looks of it.  It’s so…mushy and ….beige.  I mean beige?? Really?  Such a boring ass color.

I tried it over a year ago for the first time and wasn’t completely disgusted.  I did eat it for a week or two.  Somehow I stomached it and yes it made me feel full for hours but the entire process of getting the courage to actually eat it was so time-consuming.  I think it literally took me an hour to finally eat a bowl of it.

To be fair, Pauline suggests Oat Bran, not oatmeal, which is different.  And please don’t ask me the differences because just talking about oats is so boring it might put me to sleep.  The point is, I gotta eat some stuff I’m not too crazy about.  However, I can substitute foods.

This week should hopefully get back on track after quite a bustle of activity so far this month (I realized it just started):

1. My ipod, money and a very nice Ohio State jacket getting STOLEN from my car that was PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.  I know I locked it…the perps (I watch so much Law and Order) somehow got the driver’s side window down far enough to then unlock the door.  I was stupid enough to leave my iPod in there.  Dumb mistake.  But it does bring a smile to my face to think that the idiot that has it now can’t turn it on because the On/Off switch hasn’t worked for months.  This was due to me drinking a protein shake one morning and spilling it near the ipod while it was in my car.  The price of “drinking” healthy!  It caused the button to stick so much that the only way to turn it on is to connect it to a power source.  Good luck selling a broken ipod buddy!!  And I hope you enjoy a mix of Skrillex, Tori Amos and ABBA!!

2. I had two days in a row (this weekend specifically) of not the greatest eating.  Dining out is always the biggest challenge.  I had one alcoholic drink on Friday and half of one on Saturday.  I’m not about to cry about having two drinks, one night will not undo all the progress I’ve made.  The food choices could have been better though; Did I really need those sweet potato fries and two quesadillas??  Ehh…

3.  I went to a Boxing Fight last night called Battle in the Ballroom.  There were 13 bouts (fights) and it was all really amazing and entertaining to watch!  What was so great is that it was quite motivating for me to see these guys duke it out.  You could tell who had trained really hard and who was experienced and who was not quite as prepared.   It was also a little wake up call for me as far as my goals and how far I have to go.  Take away the actual fighting aspect of it…I don’t want to be that” unprepared fighter.”  The one who goes down after 1 round.  The one who staggers and falls and as much as he thought he was ready, he wasn’t.  His opponent dominated the fight and won.  It might not be the best comparison but I refuse to be that competitor who is NOT prepared.  It’s obvious after just a few seconds in a boxing match who is going to win.  It’s probably just as obvious for figure/bodybuilding competitions;  obvious winners and perhaps some people who should have re-thought the idea of getting on stage.

Which reminds me:

 

This is a “mantra” I have in my head alot while I’m working out and doing something particularly difficult.  I just think of all the other women out there training for a competition, specifically my competition.  I refuse to let them get ahead of me.

 

And with that, let’s have a good week peeps!  All 3 of you who are reading this. Ha! 🙂

 

Random song on iTunes (thank goodness those thieves didn’t get my laptop):  “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins.

 

Random Tweet of the day courtesy of our lovely Cleveland Browns: 

Advocare, Zija, Vemma, Visalus…MLM Overload!

MPiccolo19 Comments

Maybe I’m reading too much Michael Pollan “In Defense of Food.”

Or maybe I’m tired of telling people to just eat real food and put down the junk.

Or maybe I don’t understand how much time it takes to prepare foods if you’re a busy housewife or a working parent of 6 or a traveling businessman business person.

Folks, how long does it take for you to realize that there is no magic pill out there?  What happened to hard work, getting your ass out of bed to go for a run (or walk) around the block, waking up a little earlier to make some food, taking the TIME to research where your food comes from?  It seems like no one wants to EAT FOOD anymore, maybe because they associate food with weight gain or something BAD or a CHEAT meal.   So they’re DRINKING it in the form of shakes and powders with the hopes that they will lose weight!

Naive me, I thought Fad Diets went out of style years ago…with the word fad. (I think it’s “Trend” now).  I’m hip to the lingo.

So the fad diets are still around except the approach has changed.  At least that’s what I’m noticing.

Nowadays, supplements are now being sold directly through people you know.  Your friends and family members.  Maybe a co-worker or a Facebook friend of a friend.  It’s a much more subtle approach.  After all, your friend would never steer you wrong!

Pretty clever marketing if you ask me.  Real people using their real results to sell you the same product.  Everyone wins!

That’s how I define these Multi-Level Marketing companies.  (Notice I didn’t say schemes, trying to remain unbiased here.)

Let’s take a look at some of the popular ones:

We have Advocare which seems to rely on Personal Training Studios and Personal Trainers themselves to sell this product.  That is definitely who they are targeting because I myself got an email from them asking to sell it at our studio plus I’ve seen their logo at a number of gyms that I’ve been to.

ZijaNext is Zija which has gotten ahold of this Moringa plant that has a ton of nutrients in it.  They sell mostly drinks.  Their motto is Drink Life In and they tout that people can be super healthy drinking their mixes and taking their vitamins.  They also have a skin care line.

VemmaVemma is a nutrition company that makes shakes, energy drinks and energy shots and a cleanse…the list goes on.  Here’s what it says on their website under Vemma Bod-e Program: Vemma Bod•ē™ is a healthy weight loss solution featuring results-oriented products to help you achieve your weight management goal, without sacrificing wellness.*† With first-of-its-kind ingredient blends, Vemma Bod•ē helps curb your appetite, increase your energy and restore your body with nutritional support.* See for yourself how Bod•ē can help you shed those hard-to-lose pounds.*†  

See all those asterisks?  When you scroll all the way down to the page, it says “To be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and daily exercise.”

Well, at least their honest.

Body by ViLastly we have Visalus but mostly everyone else knows them by Body By Vi. They have shakes and all kinds of kits as you can see.

If you haven’t heard of any of these products, consider yourself to be living under a rock.

And can I please join you under that rock?

Before users or sellers of these products get all upset,  note that I’m not about to bash a series of products that I haven’t tried.  I’ve heard absolutely wonderful things about them. I know people who swear by them.  Awesome. Good for you!

But what I am more concerned about is why you would take such a product?  What convinced you that this was the solution for you?  What about the long-term effects.  How long do people who take these shakes/energy drinks plan on using them for?  When does it end?   Do you feel the results you’ve gotten have been because you’re literally drinking the Kool-Aid or is it because maybe you decided to start eating better and working out once you actually started the program and it’s one big coincidence?  How do you feel after taking these products?  Do you feel energy from all that caffeine that’s pumped into them?

Okay that last question was a little dig, I admit.

I have noticed one way to entice people to try their product is with a Challenge, like a  “90 Day Challenge” or “24 Day Challenge.”

Hmmm…something shady here.  Why are we given a time frame now? What’s the rush? Oh right I forgot, everyone’s in a hurry to lose water weight.

I work in the fitness industry so why wouldn’t I want my clients to take these products to lose weight? And I could make a profit from it? Sounds tempting…After all, I could definitely use the extra money.

So what’s the catch?

Well as I mentioned above, they are all MLM  Companies.  No big deal right?  But what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear MLM?  I posed this question on Twitter and got the following responses:

“Scam.”  “Pyramid Scheme.”  “Ponzi Scheme.”  “Amway…Scam.”

All negative responses with the exception of  one “Not all MLM companies are created equal.”  That was from someone who worked with a few.   But the overwhelming negative viewpoint of it continues to baffle me.  Upon further research, it’s obvious these companies are  making money.  They all seem to have the same video montages online that you can watch of how they started, the CEO walking thru the warehouse, the executives around the large table thinking of new ideas, the conferences where everyone gets all pumped up to get out there and sell their butts off with the hopes of perhaps earning a free BMW or Mercedes if you’re a top seller.

Something else these companies have in common is a celebrity endorsement/testimonial.

Evander Holyfield for Zija

 

Chris Powell (That Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition trainer) for Vemma Bod-e Shakes

Hulk Hogan for Visalus

 Drew Brees for Advocare

That’s interesting… They all have something in common besides being completely wealthy that I just can’t put my finger on…oh right, THEY’RE ALREADY IN SHAPE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN SHAPE!  Drew Brees? The man is an NFL Quarterback!  Hulk Hogan may have struggled after he retired…maybe?? I think Chris Powell may have been an overweight kid so I won’t comment on that but he is a trainer.

Hey wait….I’m also a trainer!  Does that mean I wouldn’t jump at the chance to endorse a product that promised great results?  Even un-paid like Drew does?  Well, I suppose it would depend.  If it’s a product that helps you achieve great results in the gym, like a protein powder that I have taken and seen firsthand the effects…I think I would consider it.  But a weight-loss product?  And one that promises a free car for the top seller?

You have the right to call me a sell-out if that ever happens.  But let’s be real, it never would.

I’d rather make a DVD and slap my face on that showing people how to workout.  But that’s too simple and unoriginal.

And common sense doesn’t sell.

Here’s my advice opinion to anyone looking to lose weight:

Whole, natural food, some supplements like a multi-vitamin and probiotic and fish oil and daily activity is the probably a good start to being healthy.  The key words are WHOLE, NATURAL FOOD.   You should probably learn how to cook if you don’t already know.  That is also a big secret people tend to forget about.  Consistently do this and you should see some changes.

Here’s a better 24/30/90 Day Challenge for you:  Cook all your food.  The only rule is you can’t use a microwave.  You have to use a stove/oven/steamer/blender etc..  The microwave can only be used for re-heating leftovers. Work out if you want.  But you don’t have to.  Do that for a period of time and see if you still need those shakes/drinks.

Oh my gosh, I think I just gave everyone reading this the secret to losing weight!

And for free?!  Shoot, where’s my endorsement?

-Michelle

  • So what’s your take?  Have you been approached by a friend to take any of these products?  
  • Have you found success by selling them/ taking them? 
  • Can I have a ride in your Mercedes? 😉

 

A Healthy Obsession

MPiccolo6 Comments

Would you know if you or someone in your life is actually addicted to working out?  I mean, what would the signs be? Believe it or not, you can Google it and find out the “Signs of Obsessed with Exercise.”   I find it kind of sad that this actually exists in the first place.  How the heck did we get to a place in our lives where being obsessed with being healthy is actually a thing??

I recall one of my first clients as a Personal Trainer was a woman who clearly wanted nothing to do with exercising.  She had weight loss goals yes but she wanted the quick fix.  This became obvious after just a few sessions with her.

But I remember one thing that she said that stuck with me and made me pause. “Look at all these people working out…look at them sweating and jogging and lifting weights.  Who would have thought we’d ever have to have gyms!  That people would actually want to come here and exercise!”

She seemed flabbergasted at the thought of working out…for fun!  I also remember a client of mind looked me right in the eye and said “Your job must be so boring!”  Ummm…gee thanks!  Almost like “Oh look at all of us having to do this to ourselves because we couldn’t put the Twinkie down.”  It did make me think for awhile.  Yes, we have come to a point in our lives on this planet that we make machines that help us run and walk and bike.  And we have classes that force us to move our butts because yes, we are a sedentary society.  This is our reality.

It’s a potato..on a couch…get it??

But when does it go overboard?  Is it really possible to become obsessed with being a healthy person?  Why yes! It is!  In fact the medical term for it is Orthorexia.

Wikipedia defines it as a term to describe “people who develop an obsession with avoiding foods perceived to be unhealthy.”

Basically, an unhealthy obsession to eat as healthy as possible.  Who knew this was even possible?  But it is.  I would lecture to groups of women and men at my former place of employment and I’d get all kinds of questions about food and health.  People were OBSESSED with finding out how they could eat right and would get very animated and almost aggressive as they begged to find out what was right.

“What’s better, eggs or just egg whites?  What do you mean Egg beaters aren’t so great? Wait, I thought Soy Milk was good for me? What do you mean I shouldn’t drink it?”  

I literally would have to calm people down and say “It’s so simple…just eat what is whole and natural! Don’t eat anything with a barcode and you’ll be all good!”  But no one wants the easy answer.  They almost WANTED to make it complicated.  Like, that’s too easy of an answer.  It couldn’t possibly be that simple.   Ummm guess what? It is.    It’s implementing it that’s the difficult part.

As for exercising, people can’t become addicted to exercise right?   If they do, is that such a bad thing?

At least give the model 10 pound weights…geez.

Well, let me look at my own workout habits.  Am I addicted?  Here are some truths that I think could be seen as an “Exercise-aholic.”

  • I have been known to turn down social activities opting to go to the gym. I’m really broke and my membership is paid for already so I’m just trying to get my money’s worth!
  • I have also worked out while I’ve been slightly under the weather.  But working up a sweat helps, I swear!  I’m getting the toxins out!
  • I have stayed at the gym until my heart rate monitor read “1,000 calories burned” just so I could see that number.  It took me over 2 hours.  Was it worth it?  Ummmm duh!  Of course it was!!  Besides, I had nothing going on that day so who does it harm?
  • I planned my very short trip to Chicago this Christmas and have already gotten my 2 day pass to one of the gyms closest to where I’m staying.  I even contacted them to see what time they open on the 26th….of DECEMBER.  Well…you know that’s just called being super organized.  Or planning…super planning. Something like that.  

Okay I might be a tad obsessed.  But it’s not like I’ve skipped family gatherings or cut out of work early to get my workout on.  (Well, yes I work at a gym, but that’s just convenience).

My point is that it seems the ones that are obsessed with working out, aren’t the ones that SHOULD be obsessed.  Why do some of us live for working up a sweat on the stairmaster while others LOATHE the gym itself and won’t do anything that remotely resembles physical activity?

No really I’m looking for an answer, I actually don’t know the answer to this question.

Chime in in the comments section, I eagerly await your insight! 🙂

-Michelle

 

Motivate, Inspire, Workout, Eat…Lather, Rinse, Repeat

MPiccolo2 Comments

Catchy title eh? Took me a whole 10 seconds to think of it.

So you have to love that I’ve had this blog for a whole 2 weeks and I’m already overwhelmed with how much information is out there regarding working out and fitness and competitions and diet, etc.  It’s as if I’m discovering a whole new internet out here….

But I have quickly realized that with information and good intentions, comes misinformation and misguided information too, usually in the form of “studies.”  You really need to check the sources of the studies that are published before you hit “ReTweet” and “Share.” “Pin” and “Post.”  People will just read the headline such as “Vitamins are a waste of money!” and “Coffee cures cancer!” click share and the lies spread all over the internet in a matter of minutes.

So who can you trust to give you truthful information with regards to health and fitness?  Anyone who doesn’t have an agenda.  Not as difficult to find!  Iasked myself “Self, who do you like? Who’s (or is that Whose?) philosophies do you follow and trust?”  So, with a little “search” skills, I found a good base of people that I always look to for good information:

I tend to follow Registered Dietitians like Andy Bellatti http://www.andybellatti.com/ and Mr. Whistle Blower himself Bruce Bradley http://www.brucebradley.com/ on Twitter.   I also follow editors of magazines like Women’s and Men’s Health and Muscle Fitness as well as some great authors of books I’ve read like

   

Those are just examples of people I TRUST to dole out truthful information.

So that’s information….but what about Motivation?  The internet is not lacking in this department.  Again, I asked myself “Who do you want to be like?  What do you want your body to look like?”  Well you know from my first post that I really admire Nicole Wilkins.

Just looking at that picture a few months ago I’d probably say something like “Oh my gosh I hate her, she’s perfect!” and proceed to whine about how my genetics will never allow me to look like that as I stuff my face full of Peanut butter covered rice cakes.  (I know, I can’t even BINGE like a normal person).

But now…it’s odd. I look UP to this person and I admire her.  I am motivated and inspired by her.  No jealousy…(okay maybe a little) but more than jealousy is hope.  Hope that I CAN look like that someday.  Maybe not exactly like that but my HOPE is still realistic in that I want to be as close to that as I can.

Other women who totally motivate and inspire me on a daily basis not just with their physique but with their attitude and work ethic:

She tends to post pics of herself often but I find it to be sweet and not annoying.
A great follow on Facebook. Seems to be a very down to earth type of person.
Yeah she’s kind of a beast. She actually frightens me but I like that she has a great sense of humor about herself.

I feel like I should mention here to my family if you are reading, I’m not a lesbian.

Ha!  Okay sorry just had to say that since it can be a little odd to see that I “follow” and “Like” pages on Facebook and Twitter of women who are scantily clad.

I just think it’s kinda awesome that I’m finally using the internet for a purpose other than “time-waster.”  I’m actually using it to find people with the same interests and lo and behold the same goals!   Gasp! Fascinating concept I know.

Improving The Fitness Industry / Dinner Dilemma Avoided (Yes that’s how you spell Dilemma)

MPiccolo1 Comment

Improving The Fitness Industry – Born Fitness

Once in awhile I would like to share a great website/blog/person to follow for those who are interested.  Tonight I share a blog from Adam Bornstein.  Adam is what I would call THE leader in fitness as far as knowledge, research, advice, training, etc.  He just revamped his new website and it’s fantastic!  He even does online coaching if you’re in need.  I haven’t used him myself personally but you can rest assured he’s one of the experts in the field.

The blog I refer to above is somewhat similar to the rant I made yesterday on Being Healthy is a Revolutionary Act (which, by the way, got Re-tweeted by Pilar Gerasimo herself as well as Experience Life Magazine, my first KUDOS).

Adam speaks about the Fitness Industry itself in this post and ways in which to make it a more positive experience.  Here’s one of my favorite lines: “If it were up to me, we’d all spend less time trying to fix the fitness industry, and more time trying to fix ourselves as individuals.”

Love it.

Sidenote:  I managed to avoid going through the drive-thru tonight as tempting as it was.  I want to make it clear I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself of anything here…I’m PREVENTING myself from eating a terrible meal of a burger and fries. (Sweet potato fries…they are still fries no matter how much I want to convince myself that they are “not THAT bad.”)

It was tempting only because of the CHEAPNESS and QUICKNESS factor (Payday is tomorrow thank you Jesus!)

I quickly resorted to my iPhone.  Why? Because on it I have a picture of my idol Nicole Wilkins as my screensaver.  It’s a nice constant reminder my long-term goal.  And this is one of the many times it has helped me avoid a sticky situation such as this.  And it worked again this time…I thought “I don’t think she got that bod by eating garbage fast food.”

I drove right to the grocery store (conveniently located right NEXT to BK)  and stocked up on veggies and chicken and dark chocolate. And yes I am happy about that.  If I would have eaten something that really isn’t good for me, I’d confess it on here and move on.  The world would not end.  But I feel 10x better for eating something GOOD tonight and not thinking “Oh I’ll just burn it off tomorrow by working EXTRA hard.”

Screw that!  I’m making it easy on myself. 🙂

G’night!