P90X Doubles: Phase 2

P90X Doubles and Phase 2 began yesterday. I am already loving it! "Doubles" in Phase 2 = 3 times per week I'll do 2 workouts/day. One workout is cardio and the second a normal P90X Workout.

Yesterday I ran 4 miles in the morning and then did the P90X Chest, Shoulders, Triceps and Ab Ripper X Workout. I woke up today sore! I love that feeling!

I will begin training for the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon beginning the week of February 15th. I am so excited. I have every intention of completing the full marathon! But the good news is that they just added a half marathon this year, too. If my body cannot hold up for the marathon training, I'd still love to do the half! This is my "next hurdle" to overcome - a marathon! But what better place than San Diego, June 6th, to do it at?!

Today for P90X was the Plyometric workout. It #neverfails, the Plyo workout is hard. When the workout is over I'm always drenched in sweat. But I love it. And this is why I #carryon with the entire P90X Program!



Tomorrow is another Doubles day. I can't hardly wait! Cheers!

Reinventing Your Life

I read an article in Oprah's Magazine (O) recently. The article was from June, 2008, so not very recent! It was called, "The One-Box-at-a-Time Way to Reinvent Your Life."

The article hit home for me. It made perfect sense and it was just another fire put underneath me to move up, on and with it! 

Julie Morgenstern wrote the article. She states, "Let's say you want to make a major change....but you're stsalled. Here's the thing: You can't be a new you without to some extent dismantling the old you."

Julie continues by talking about how to fully move into a new phase of your life. She says we must, "shed our old skin." And she does a pefect comparison to an article she read in National Geographic.

In nature, shedding is "a process that must occur in order for growth to be achieved." It is an ongoing process that mammals, arthropods, reptiles, and birds are engaged in most, if not all, of the time. In each case, the animal emerges fresh, lighter, and renewed."

I thought long and hard about this idea, how true it is and how I could apply it to my own life. And then I realized that I had been thinking too long and too hard about it - that was my problem - it was time to act. 

And I think this is exactly what Julie was talking about. It's not that the "old you" is bad, but perhaps it's just an "old you" that had gotten too complacent (with work, relationships and life in general). It is easy to get caught in the day-to-day that monotony somehow becomes OK. We leave ourselves in a place in which we don't necessarily want to be because we are unsure of how to "reinvent" this "new life."

I loved her article, and when I finally listened to my own advice, I started to move in a new direction! I am constantly saying that I love to create and then re-create myself as often as possible. My friend Row. Wallen had a quote today that could sum this all up as well: "If you aren't sure who you are, you might as well work on who you want to be." (Robert Brault)


And with that...Happy Sunday! Enjoy the wonderful day and think about how you can "shed," "move" and Reinvent Your Life! Cheers!

How I Landed My Dream Job

Resume, originally uploaded by sarahkayhoffman.

Passion. Persistence. More Passion. More Persistence. AND....

A creative, different, out-of-the-box and fun resume that I designed around the idea that I wanted to demonstrate Social Media, Marketing and a Creative Edge through my resume. 

After attempting for so long through traditional resumes and tools, I decided to take this different approach. It made all the difference.

And so now....Passion, Persistence, Most Passion, More Persistence AND a unique approach is how I landed my dream job! 

What will YOU do to land YOURS? Click HERE to email me for more information on landing your own! Cheers!


And ps. MUCH MORE to come about my new gig!

Recovery Week: P90X, Food & Vegas

I'm now in my fourth week of P90X. This is "Recovery Week," and the final week of Phase 1 already!

It's been nice to give my muscles a break this week. I've been taking time just doing some cardio, stretching, Yoga in a couple days and of course a Kenpo X session yesterday!


I love the "routine" of P90X, but I also think these "Recovery Weeks" are just what the body calls for. It's a good break from routine and schedule. I love the discipline, but I also love the rest!


This week is also a "Recovery Week" from my food disaster weekend in Vegas! I must say - I am not complaining about Vegas - we had a BLAST! But my system needs a good recovery from food and everything else. We got in to Vegas on Friday morning. By Friday afternoon my stomach was already severely bloated. Food...food...food! 


I am honoring and appreciating being back on my diet this week and recovering! I guess all good things must come to an end...that is until I return to Vegas again! Cheers!

Red Square - Mandalay Bay - PRICELESS!

P90X: Makes You Feel So Great!

It was another successful week for me and Mr. P90X! I completed my 3rd week today, with Round 3 of Kenpo X. 



I am addicted to this workkout style! Truly. Addicted. How can that picture, pose and "energy" not make you want to dive right in? 


After doing this workout for 3 weeks, I believe that the Kenpo X is my favorite workout! The workout has you moving, sweating, kicking and punching. I feel like Hillary Swank in Million Dollar Baby each time I do it. (Of course, let's be honest...I'm nothing like that yet!) I believe that Kenpo X is a fabulous workokut for my mind as well. It's the one workout where I am literally thinking about nothing but working harder and harder, trying to perfect each move. 


Tomorrow I head to Vegas for the weekend. I'll have to "rearrange" my P90X workouts a little. Tomorrow is technically a "rest day" and then Saturday I would head into Week 4: Recovery Week. Once I am back on Sunday I will resume into the Recovery Week. I'm looking forward to that week!


It's amazing how my entire attitude about working out has changed to a degree from P90X. Monotony is not an option for me ever again! Shaking it up, mixing it up...keeping things fresh and new is the only option here on out! 


With 20 days under my belt, I feel confident and I am excited for what's yet to come!


CHEERS!

Pumpkin Apple Soup

It's icky and raining today, so I thought I would share with you the fabulous soup I cooked last night. It sounds so good, smells so good, looks so good and tastes so good. So is it still GAPS Diet approved for me? ABSOLUTELY! (Side Note: this is a version of Dr. Campbell-McBride's "Pumpkin Apple Macadamia Soup)

Ingredients

1. Olive Oil
2. 1 tsp grated ginger
3. 1 sm onion, minced
4. 3 cups fresh or pureed, cubed pumpkin
5. 1 sm apple chopped
6. 3 cups homemade vegetable stock OR chicken stock (Side Note: YES, I absolutely use my own, homemade stock! There are too many additives and sodium in store bought broth! It's also cheaper to make your own!)
   
7. 1 tsp cinnamon
   

 Directions

1. Cover bottom of a heavy pan with olive oil. Add the ginger and onion.
2. Saute for 3 minutes until browned.
3. Add the pumpkin and apple, and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Pour in the stock.
5. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the pumpkin and apple are soft.
6. Add cinnamon. 
7. Transfer ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.
8. Serve in bowls and top with extra cinnamon, if desired!
   

Enjoy!

What I Learned Today from Football

A heartfelt victory for the Minnesota Vikings today (I told you I was a Minnesota girl at heart)!

Not only was it a heartfelt victory, but they taught me a valuable lesson: JUST BECAUSE they bet against you DOESN'T MEAN they are right! And here's what I mean....

The Vikings may have signed Brett Favre to win games precisely like this, but that will not matter when the rejuvenated Dallas defense pressures him and has him running for his life, which is when he is most prone to throwing interceptions.

Our free pick prediction for this game is the Cowboys +3. Dallas is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games and 4-2 straight up in its last six games on the road. Favre is also 0-3 against the Cowboys in the postseason and we have a gut feeling that ol’ No. 4 will cost his team big on Sunday.

For the past week, every time I watched ESPN, yet another person was "betting against" the Vikings. I believe I heard one person say the Vikings would win, but even at that - just a 3 point victory. 

What I witnessed today was all heart from the Vikings! From the beginning of the game up until the last touchdown, there was wild passion, fire and they showed up! We all know they knew they were not the favorites to win. And yet, they came out - strong as ever - for a fantastic victory! 

I''ll be at the Superbowl in Miami. I would love the Vikings to be there. But if not, these are the games I'll remember about them and the season! And I'll remember for my own life....JUST BECAUSE they bet against you DOESN'T MEAN they are right!

Cheers!

Mrs. Mango Head

Today began my 3rd week of P90X! Today is also Day 16 with me sticking to my strict GAPS Diet. 

How do I feel? AMAZING!


I did the Chest/Back + Ab Ripper X Workout today. This is my third time doing it and I can honestly say that it still absolutely kills me (in a good way of course)! I shake so much by the end of it, with my muscles capped out in fatigue. I try to do at least one more rep than the previous week. And this is usually all I can do! I feel stronger and in better shape, but P90X reminds me daily that I have a long, long  way to go! 

My stomach, mouth and all "those" problems have been nil yesterday and today! It is always that way almost exactly 2 weeks (to the day) after I start eating only the foods I'm supposed to eat. It is the oddest and most bizarre thing, but it's like clock work. People wonder why I hate to stray so much from my diet - that is why. Two weeks is a long time to deal for one "sinful meal." 

I suspected Tuna this week, though, of making me instantly bloated. I had it for lunch 2 days in a row. Both days I was in a lot of left-sided pain immediately. No Tuna for a few days. I will try it again and see if it is indeed a culprit. 


One food I have been eating that has been sitting perfectly fine with me is the Mango. In California we are so blessed with the amazing, year-round fruit. It's like candy. I ate a whole one yesterday and today! I am fairly certain I may turn into Mrs. Mango Head.



I am not too worried about becomming her, though, because the Mango is so good for you! Did you know that...

• Mangoes are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Copper and Vitamin A?
• One whole, peeled mango only has approximately 135 calories?
• Mangoes are High in fiber and are virtually fat-free?

Find out all this an more by clicking HERE. And then go get yourself a delicious mango!

In final Saturday news...I am working on building my own website via a Blogging Platform. I am so excited for this new one! It will definitely have a different "edge" than this one: A "professional," Social Media, Branding and Marketing "edge." Stay tuned!


And as always....Cheers!

Nothing Good After Midnight; Nothing Bad After 4:30am

I am crazy. I have these weird hours of bed before 9 or 10pm and waking up (usually) never later than 6am. Both of these times include weekends! My husband thinks I'm crazy, too. At night he'll say, "What? I haven't even eaten dinner yet!" And on the weekends he'll say, "Just sleep in! Try to not get up the second your eyes open." But it never fails, to bed I go and an early riser I am!

I have always been this way. This isn't anything new. However, what is new (in the past year or so) is this idea that I can workout beginning at 4:30am. My body lets me. As a matter of fact, my body thanks me for it!

I have now become addicted to it! I wake up, have a cup of coffee and workout. In the summer I'll head outside and run or go to the gym out by where we live. In the winter (now) I head to the Club I work at and workout or do my P90X at home. I'm always energized by 3 main things:

1. A little coffee
2. My passion for fitness
3. The idea that the day is just beginning and the opportunities are endless

That positive energy turns into a strong workout (on most days). In turn, that strong workout has me feeling wonderful going into each and every day. It gives me the confidence I need and the sense of accomplishment in the earliest hours of my day.

My Mother used to say, "Nothing good ever happens after midnight." She was right, except that she forgot to tell me that if I can create a habit of getting up, working out and taking care of me first thing in my day that "nothing bad will happen after 4:30am!"

And here I am again...Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 4:33am - awake - about to brew my coffee and appreciate a strong workout of P90X Kenpo X! Cheers!

A New "Pancake" Breakfast

I now have a new breakfast that I am addicted to. And I am happy to report that it is NOT meat and broth nor does it involve anything with meat or broth! However, it is still GAPS Diet friendly!

There isn't even really a name for this and the ingredients are so random that I could only come up with one clever name, "A New Pancake Breakfast." Clever, right?! This recipe is (mostly) in the GAPS Diet Book. However, I have altered it a little bit. It's supposed to be Pancakes (which works perfectly for my psyche because anyone who knows me knows that I could eat 10 big, fluffy pancakes in one sitting if I could - my days prior to GAPS)! This is what it starts out looking like:

Unfortunately, though, this is also what it ends up looking like as well! I have even tried making tiny, little "cakes." That also does not work. Either I am a terrible pancake maker or the ingredients just don't allow for it to truly take pancake-form (which is probably the case because these "pancakes" lack flour).

In any case, the final product tastes fabulous! The final product is basically like a very thick pudding or chunky oatmeal even maybe. The consistency is a little off, but that does not change the wonderful taste. I love it so much that I even have it for dessert sometimes!

I encourage you to try it out! Here's how I do it:

Ingredients (This "batch" will make me about 3-4 servings):

• 5-6 Zucchini
• 2 Egg Yolks
• 1 Tbsp. Raw Nut Butter (Your choice - I have used Almond and Walnut)
• 1 Banana - extremely Ripened
  
• 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil

Steps:

1. Peel and cut up about 5-6 zuchinni.
2. Put the zucchini in a boiling pot of water and cook until the zucchini is very soft.
3. Drain the water and transfer the zucchini to a mixing bowl and whip.
4. Add the 2 Egg Yolks. Continue whipping.
5. Mash the extremely ripened banana, add to the mixture and whip all 3.
6. Add the Nut Butter. Stir.
7. Pour the mixture onto a pan (melt the Coconut Butter on the pan instead of using Pan Spray).
8. Cook for as long as you'd like. I typically only cook it for 3-5 minutes. 

And that's it! Whatever you don't eat, you can refrigerate and it will taste wonderful cold as well!

Let me know if you try it and how you like it!

Time for some P90X Yoga X.... Cheers!

Homemade Mango Salsa

Perfectly delicious!


We made the best dinner last night: Wild-caught Mahi-Mahi sprinkled with Mango Salsa and steamed vegetables. Since I'm not eating any preservatives or "unnatural" and "GAPS unfriendly" items, I knew I would have to make my own salsa if I wanted it. And so I did!


I first decided what flavor I was going for. Did I want sweet or salty? And when I decided I wanted sweet, since that's what I think goes best with Mahi, I chose the Mango as my main ingredient. From there, I made it all up and in the end, it turned out to include:

• 1 Whole Mango
• 1/2 Baby Tomato
• 1/8 Red Onion
• A few pinches fresh Cilantro leaves
• Pinch of Sea Salt

I cooked it in a little Coconut Oil for the final "hint of sweetness." 

The final product was amazing and we cannot wait to have it again! The best part was that not only did it make our tastebuds bounce, but there was not one single artificial ingredient or preservative in it! Cheers to that!

Jumping, Squatting, Lunging...Oh My!

P90X had me gasping for air yet again with the 2nd round of Plyometrics. It never fails that immediately following that workout I'm super hungry! The intensity from Plyometrics revs my metabolism so much. 


For those of you who are not familiar with what Plyometrics is, here is how the Wikipedia defines it:

Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in sports. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal. Plyometrics is used to increase the speed or force of muscular contractions, often with the goal of increasing the height of a jump.

The Plyometric Workout essentially encompasses all body parts, thus maximizing caloric burn. Here is an insight into the P90X Plyometric Workout (ps. Someday I'd like to make my own videos like this to post!)



I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

the unleashed (com)passion project

Unleash - to free from restraint or control

Compassion - deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it

Passion - a powerful emotion; boundless enthusiasm

For the past 6 months or so I've thought so much about "How can I make a difference?" I live in a "fabulous, small and bubbled-world." My "toughest" days are days that many people in the world will only dream to have. So many of us have more than we know what to do with, without even realizing it. 

This has all got me wondering, "How can I make a difference? What talents do I have that someone else could benefit from? What can I give for the greater good?" 


And with these rhetorical questions to myself, I had brainstormed the following random thoughts and ideas:

• Running X,Y,Z for X, Y,Z
• Helping my Godmother bring money back to her home in Vietnam
• Helping my Aunt make her yearly trips to Africa to help those in need
• Children and teens faced with poverty
• Grassroots campaign
• Health and fitness education
• Inspiration and motivation
• Colitis and food allergy/intolerance awareness
• Children's Education

(Again, just a random start on brainstorming!)

I know I want to make a difference, but I am having a hard time deciding on what and how. I want to make a plan and move full force with it.

I am open to suggestions and comments for this new project I'd like to begin this 2010 and stick with, build upon and make my own!

I have named this "the unleashed (com)passion project." 

Feel free to leave your comments and suggestions here.

Or email me HERE.

As Rick Warren stated in The Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about You." It doesn't take a miracle to make miracles happen. It takes one person to put one foot forward...and then the next!

Week 2: P90X in Full Effect

Week 2 of P90X is in Full Effect!


Week 2 is the same as week one, as far as days/workouts go. So, here I was today back at Chest/Back & the Ab Ripper X Workout!


I had some great energy this morning, since I allowed myself that (fabulous) rest day yesterday. After my Saturday morning Cup-of-Joe at the best place in Tracy, CA (Baristas: It's no wonder they get a 5-star overall rating on Yelp) I hit the gym to do a little cardio. 


(Interject - Running - Rant) I have been craving to run again! And today I finally was able to. It's been so long; oh how I've missed you my dear LunarGlides! I took it nice and slow. I did a nice, little warm up and then ran a very easy 2 miles, pacing at only about 8:49/mile. My sciatica felt great. What I'm praying for is that I can do easy, slow and light and be smarter with my running training so that I can do half marathons and (hopefully) a full this year! (Stay tuned for a *coming very soon* Running Goal posting!)


Once I got home, I ate to refuel, relaxed a minute and then dug right in to my P90X Workout for the day, Chest/Back & the Ab Ripper X. The overall workout was very similar to what I did last week (we keep sheets to track the weight/reps we do for each exercise to watch and ensure progress). 

The difference this week, on my 2nd time around with this specific workout, was that I tried to do at least 1-3 more reps than last time. My goal is to "out do" myself, even if it's just a by a tiny amount! And I did it! By the end of the Abs, though, I was shaking so badly and almost got a little dizzy. I grabbed more water and persisted on. I am so thankful I did so! Today I truly did was Tony Horton preaches, "Bring It!" 

When the going gets tough, the tough don't listen to negative thoughts in their minds. They just "get it done" until the muscles are truly and completely spent! It's all in your hands, you control that...and that's the beauty!

Cheers!

P90X Rest Day & Reflections

Today I took a complete rest day for myself. I will admit, I had a little anxiety to accompany the "rest," since I like to move and be active constantly (okay except for the 8 hours of the day when I do nothing but sit at a computer)! I digress....

I enjoyed the day for the most part. The day actually got me thinking about a few things, since this morning I got my body fat percentage done again. Here is what I am starting to realize about body fat, weight, and blah...blah....blah:

1. It's JUST a Number: These days I care more about how my jeans fit, how I feel and what my overall body fat percentage is vs. what the scale says. It seems that the "lighter" I get, the more muscle I lose. And this is actually science not just me thinking this might be the case. Some even suggest to "throw out the scale." So it's just a number. I'm only hitting the scale 1-2 x per week vs. each day. Carry on....
   
2. I'm Healthy - so Who Cares?!: I think about where I was even just a year ago from today. My stomach, mouth, joints and energy were awful. I woke up in the morning not knowing how I was going to feel and wondering how bloated and lethargic I might be that day. I know what my body tolerates and does not tolerate anymore. If eating this way tips the scale to the right or left or bloats the calipers in or out, then I will stick with my theory "it is what it is."
3. Do I really need to have only ONE Goal?: Here's the deal - For most people running (long distance) breaks down muscle, making you "lighter and softer," while lifting weights and running less (perhaps just sprinting intervals) will make you leaner and better able to retain/build muscle easier. My issue has always been, "What do I want to do with my body?" In reality, all along, I've just been confusing it. Since I never could make up my mind I'd go months with rarely any cardio and just weights and then months with hardly any weights and only cardio. I know exactly how to get either result. The problem is that I was zig-zagging between both and not seeing true results in either. Health and fitness should not come with that stress. I don't need to have ONE Goal....and that's what I'm sticking to now. My GOAL is to be super well-rounded! My personality brings out the "I want to do it all - I don't care how it's going to transform my body, just as long as I'm doing it all, getting it done, bringing it and showing up for my game every single day!" The truth is, I will be confident, bold, healthy, happy and FIT!
   

(But for the record, after getting my body fat percentage done today, I'm still in the "lean" category. I didn't want you all thinking I had to write this because I have failed miserably:)) 

With all of that being said, I hope you'll all get out there and move! Workout hard, but enjoy life! It's too short to not have a glass of wine at the end of the day or cake for your birthday or heck - even ColdStone just because you are driving by!

For more of these Positive thoughts check out my Dear Friend Laura Scholz post, "Size Matters!"

Happy Friday!

P90X: Kenpo X

Day 6 today! It's 7:30am and I am finished with my P90X workout for the day. (Side Note: IF you can get into the habit of waking up early, maybe even super early, to get your workout in, the day is even better. Endorphins!)

Today's workout was Kenpo X. Like me, you are probably saying, "What in the heck is Kenpo X?" Here is what Kenpo X is according to P90X Website.

In one hour I was hitting, kicking, jumping, punching and engaging in non-stop movement. It's a hard workout, but an extremely fun workout! 

Tomorrow is finally a Rest or Stretch Day for P90X. I will take that day and enjoy it, too! I believe one key to success with any fitness program is that you must stick with it, enjoy it, shake it up, BUT you must also give yourself a day (or two) of rest. It's during the "resting" that our muscles rebuild and recover to prepare for another tough workout! Cheers to Friday Eve!

P90X: Legs & Back + Ab Ripper X

Day 5 today and these are the solid, muscular legs I aspire to have. I have a new "odd" obsession with the part of the leg just directly behind the kneecap. It's an honest obsession, though. I know I'm not the only one that notices this part of the leg! While I believe that part of the leg is more diet than anything else, I do believe that my new workout is going to help me in overall tonation for it (if I can use that term - tonation?!)


The legs and back workout goes similar to this:

• Tons of leg reps, a few different exercises and then
• Reverse Grip Chin-Ups
• Tons of leg reps, a few different exercises and then
• Wide Front Pull-Ups
• Tons of leg reps, a few different exercises and then
• Closed Grip Overhand Pull-Ups
• Tons of leg reps, a few different exercises and then
• Switch Grip Pull-Ups
• REPEAT WHOLE CYCLE 

Here's what I have to "admit" about my pull-ups: I don't do them all normally. I do use the chair for a little assistance. But, this is okay. Tony Horton says it is, so for now I'm OK with it. But using the chair for a little assistance still has me leaps and bounds from where I used to be prior to working out a lot! I could barely do a pull-up with 90 pounds of assistance! I can now do at least a few pull-ups on my own, with no assistance!


I'm certain I will feel this workout tomorrow, especially because tonight I went to my friend Gary's kickboxing class for an hour. I know that the 2-a-day "doubles" workouts don't start for a few weeks yet, but I love it so much and when I have the energy I keep going! 

I am teaching myself to eat, eat, eat, eat so I'm not tearing down muscle. I want to maintain lean muscle, "find" new muscles and shed excess fat, but I also know that without the (good) calories, it will be hard to do. I take one day at a time with the food/workout discipline. It's all we can really do! Cheers!

P90X: Yoga X

We should never underestimate the POWER of YOGA!

Yoga is not only great for stretching and clearing the mind, but it's also an incredibly hard workout that gets your heart pumping and whole body shaking. I have always loved Yoga and the P90X version was no different!

I didn't know how long the P90X version was, so when I hit play at 5:15am, I was expecting it to be 45 minutes to an hour. Turns out the P90X Yoga is 1.5 hours. This is great, but since I didn't plan for it, I was only able to do a little over half this morning. 

The one thing that I noticed almost immediately was that it was so great for my sciatica! The stretching felt so great! I can't hardly wait for the next time I get to do the P90X Yoga X.


I made a Duck meal for dinner tonight. I had slow-cooked a duck, then sauteed it with homemade chicken broth, freshly-squeezed orange juice and a few orange pieces. We mixed that, then, with broccoli, spinach and asparagus. 

I told Ryan tonight, "I am the most boring wife-cook!" And he responded, "Yeah right...I bet there are not a lot of husbands having Duck tonight made with all-natural, fresh ingredients." And I guess he's right! Cheers!

P90X: Shoulders/Arms + Ab Ripper X

And on the 3rd day I did the P90X Shoulder/Arm + Ab Ripper X Workout. Hard....again!


I am so sore today that I am finding it hard to maneuver around. My lower body (glutes in particular) are so sore. The Plyometrics did them in. I am realizing I have muscles in certain parts of my body I never knew I had! For example, there is this part of the triceps directly above the elbow. I was not sure how I would ever reach it. P90X has shown me its possible. Wow!


Here is what I would tell anyone who is thinking about doing P90X: Often times, Tony Horton says, "you can do anything for 30 seconds." I expand on that and say, "you can do anything for 30 days."


30 days into the P90X Program would have you done with Phase 1. What I have heard from several people is that if you follow the diet, you will see changes in as little as 2 weeks to one month. Thus, if you can do anything for 30 seconds and then anything for 30 days you will:

1. Have the energy to go for 30 more seconds AND 
2. Never want to give up after the 30 days when you see results and feel amazing
   

Another successful day with the GAPS Diet. I'll stay at this stage until the weekend at least, probably. Today I added: Extra Lean Beef from Whole Foods (then I made "mini burgers" and added a pinch of cayenne pepper/onion and cooked in Coconut Oil), steamed broccoli, spinach and asparagus, Raw, Organic Artisana Walnut Butter, Artisana Coconut Butter. 


I was so hungry when I was doing P90X this morning. The workouts have my metabolism in overdrive. This is a great thing, but I just need to be sure that I am sticking 100% true to my GAPS Diet while consuming enough calories!


Alright, time for me to rest for the evening. My muscles are in overdrive. I have Yoga X at 5:30am tomorrow. But....I'm content, motivated and so excited! Cheers!

P90X: Plyometrics

Day #2 of P90X and Plyometrics kicked my butt! Again, thought I was in good shape, but was quickly brought back down to earth.

First let me rewind to the middle of the night. I woke up, muscles sore already. As the day has gone on today, so much muscle soreness from yesterdays Chest/Back and Ab Ripper X workout. I am feeling muscles in places I didn't know existed. I am having a hard time maneuvering around tonight!


The Plyometrics workout burned the legs! It's about 50 minutes of constant moving, jumping, sliding, lunging, squating and shaking every which way. Towards the end I could hardly keep up, but I pushed myself as hard as I could. 

I felt great again today! I was a little too hungry, so I'll be looking to add more food and (hopefully) carbs via vegetables and fruit very soon! Today I added in one banana, some avocado, yellow miso and one egg yolk (partially raw). 

Tomorrow I can move onto Stage 4, where I will be able to add meats that have been roasted or grilled (though I'm sure I won't have time for that until next weekend), cooked vegetables, cold pressed olive oil, ghee and the special "baked bread" (made with ground almonds or any other nut and seeds ground into flour). I will probably not have much time to spend on any of that, but I will do what I can to get more calories! 

I will wake up and do the Shoulders & Arms workout prior to work. That should be interesting. I'll have a 4:45am wakeup call, get a little coffee in and be ready and focused around 5:30am. Sound crazy? Nope! Sounds exciting! Cheers!

Stay Fitness Motivated

Good Morning! Only 7am, but I am up and full of life already.

As I was laying in bed, I couldn't help but think, "How can I help people get even more motivated to stick with their fitness routines?" And then I was reminded of two fabulous articles I have recently stumbled across. They worked for me, and I hope they will work for you as well!


Article 1: Runner's World - 101 Kicks in the Butt (by Calvin Hennick)
I will not list them all, but here were my most favorite:

1. "CREATE A BLOG where you post your daily mileage, then give out the Web address to your friends and family. Do you really want Aunt Ellen to ask why you skipped your four-miler on Wednesday?" (Side note: My Blog has kept me super motivated. It allows me to become "accountable" for my health, fitness and nutrition. I recommend blogger.com OR wordpress.com)
   
2. "GOOD-TO-GO PLAYLIST
   Country
   "Cocaine Blues," Johnny Cash
   "Ain't Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up)," Garth Brooks
   "Wide Open Spaces," Dixie Chicks
   "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow," Alan Jackson
   "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," The Charlie Daniels Band" (Side Note: Yes, this playlist was from Mr. Hennick, BUT the point is that it's his playlist. Country, hip-hop, jazz, classical, pop - whatever it is that makes you move, create it! I am biased with this Country List, since I'm a total country girl. THANK YOU, Calvin, I will now add these songs into my own!)
3. "PAY YOURSELF. Set a price for attaining a certain weekly mileage goal. When you hit it, pay up. Keep your mileage money in a jar, and once it accumulates, buy yourself that new running jacket you've been ogling." (Side Note: I have now incorporated this into my life. I have saved various gift cards and money. When I reach a certain health, nutrition or fitness goal, I'll dig into my stash and buy me something new. Notice - I did not say, "I'll go get me an ice cream cone!")
4. "RUN FOR A REASON. Do a race for charity. Helping kids with diabetes or women with breast cancer makes it much easier to get out the door." (Side Note: Do anything for a reason. It will inspire you. I'm working on a couple "reasons" currently. One I am very passionate about is Ms. Ashley and her fight against MS. Check out what she's doing HERE.

You can find the entire list HERE at Runnersworld.com. Sign up for even more Runnersworld.com Inspirations HERE.

Article 2: Woman's Day - Lose that Weight for Good (by Denise Austin)
In the January, 2010 issue, Denise mentions 12 ways to Stay Motivated:

1.  Music is Key
2. Give yourself a No-Food Reward
3. Find a workout buddy
4. Put your workout clothes out the night before
5. Hang a Calendar where you can see when you eat/workout right
6. Pick a time of day to workout and stick with it
7. E-mail your workout log to a close friend each week
8. Slip on your workout clothes the night before
9. TV - watching ESPN while working out to see all the fit athletes
10. Make healthy foods look pretty
11. Keep a food log
12. Remind yourself that you'll always feel better after you exercise than you did before it (of if you skip it)
    

Click HERE to read the full list of these motivators.


My final thought for this Sunday morning on health, nutrition and fitness motivation is: "Because You are Worth It!"

P90X

Today I took the plunge.

After several weeks of feeling blah, icky, lazy and bloated I am back! I am ready, focused, determined and super excited!


It was Day 2 of GAPS for me, so I felt much better already. I added a few things into the diet today. My diet consisted of: Extra lean turkey, chicken, broth, a small coffee with coconut milk and baked crab legs. I added in the additional probiotics and had my other probiotics, enzymes and multivitamin. Still no carbs, more fats (ie. avocado) or raw almonds. Tomorrow I move into Stage 3 (I can move through the stages faster now that I have already been on the diet and heal faster). Stage 3 means I can add raw egg yolks (though I may cook it), ripe avocado and "pancakes." I will probably only make one egg yolk in the morning and have some avocado. The "pancakes" use flax and veggies, which I'm not ready for yet. I will have a half ripe banana or possibly a full one. Working out a lot with no carbs is not good for you. I don't care what anyone says!


My energy level is way up. It always is when I'm eating the way my body needs to be fed! Thus, I was ready to start full-on with P90X today! For the record, YES, I did my STARTING STATS. I took my weight, did measurements and took pictures. That being said, I'm not sharing those stats. I will wait! I'm so glad I took them all for me, though. It's nice to have a starting place. Starting is the hard part, seeing final results is the best part! 



My workout today was Chest/Back and the Ab Ripper X. Ryan and I bought a pull-up bar last night, some extra weights and bands. Chest and back really equaled push-ups and pull-ups....for 45 minutes! The Ab Ripper X was 15 minutes of abs. 


By the time I was done with the workout, I felt like Jell-O! I haven't been that "shaky" from a workout in a long time. I think I'm in overall fairly good shape. P90X told me differently! But that's the beauty in this program for me. I'm shaking it up. I'm doing something different with my workout. Shaking it Up = Results, and for now I won't accept any thought other than that! 


Tomorrow is the Plyometrics workout. I'm nervous for that one, but it won't stop me from getting it done! I can't wait for all of this!

I'd love to have you join me with all of this. If you currently do P90X, I would love to hear from you! Cheers!






   

2010: A Brand New Year and a Brand New Decade

Happy New Year!

I spent most of my first day of the Brand New Year and Brand New Decade resting, relaxing and detoxing. I needed to after the fun last night!

I have completely dived back into the GAPS Diet. Today I gave my system a much needed "break" from digestion. I ate very little (chicken and turkey) but focused more on broth and water. Now that Day 1 is over, I can move on. This week, though, I will remain completely carb free, except for maybe 1/2 a ripe banana and/or well-cooked allowed vegetables. I will be back on all Probiotics, Enzymes and Probiotic Foods. I can guarantee that come Wednesday or before I will be feeling amazing!

I am so excited for this Brand New Year, 2010 and the Brand New Decade! There are so many things I'm looking forward to and so many goals I have put out there for myself.  


I want this year to be another year of change! Change is good! We need to keep "shaking it up!" I find that it's the moment I let myself become complacent that I am not as happy. Each day I reinvent myself, my thoughts and my attitude is just one step closer to another goal accomplished! 


I am reminded, yet again, of my Power Quote from the Curly Girl Designs, 

"I am fairly certain that given a Cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world."

I believe it's as simple as that and as simple as this: Positive attitude. Quirky thoughts. Random-ness. A good laugh, smile or cry. And Passion. LOTS OF PASSION!

Goals are waiting and ready to be achieved....CHEERS!