**I wrote this on Thursday of last week but didn't post it that day as I was working to finish my homework...**
Yesterday being day three I was starting to feel a groove to this new way of eating. As with all eating programs, it is not just a diet it is a lifestyle.
I was blessed to have a day to myself in the kitchen to experiment and play in a totally new realm for me... gluten-free. Having over a decade of professional baking under my belt and a lifetime of home-style baking, both with high gluten, I found a great resistance to the new venture. But, this current journey was made with the understanding that it's time to break free from that shell of "gluten is king" and learn my true potential of baking without it.
My online search brought me to find a great deal of options for DIY gluten free flour mixes but I came across a goldmine of info with which I tailored my day around. Read more about it here... You will also find my own personal modifications for the recipes as there were many options to choose from.
This choice has been a great addition to the new vegan way of eating!
While I haven't been vegan for over 8 years, my last experience did not turn out very well. I did my research to be sure I was doing it properly and took time each day to prepare balanced meals but for some reason I couldn't maintain my iron levels, my energy or my muscle definition. With this kind of memory I have been quite hesitant to return to this regimen, until now.
When mom got the results from her physical I knew this was the only way to help her get back on track. You see, she has always been a clean eater. Doesn't do sauces, creamy anything, sodas, fried foods or anything junky like pre-packaged cookies and stuff. Her diet for years has consisted of fish, poultry and lots of veggies but no beans or fibrous carbs. It's really incredible to think that someone who seems to be so healthy could have cholesterol levels of 398, clogged arteries and very low levels of essential nutrients.
Vegan is our answer.
The reason I added the extra challenge of no soy and gluten-free to the mix is simply because her body does not process gluten but in fact stores it as puffiness in the fat cells and soy has too much evidence to prove that it increases hormone levels in unsafe ways. I'd rather not chance either of the two. Just my preference.
Being her personal chef and trainer for the summer I have the challenge of taking on a crash course of learning how to live this vegan lifestyle with daily meal preparation and packing for her to go to work.
It was so easy back when I was in serious body building to pack mass amounts of chicken, broccoli and brown rice up in plastic containers for microwaving later in the day, but now the game has entirely changed!!
So this week as a brand new vegan I spend a good two hours in my mom's tiny kitchen getting ready for the day plus an additional 2-5 hours researching and blogging to share my knowledge with others who seek this lifestyle change as well. Taking pictures and noting my adaptations to recipes takes up a bit more time than just throwing things together but for this chef, it's an absolute necessity. Plus, it gives me more to write about which is always a plus. ;)
What I find most fascinating about this time around is being gluten-free, soy-free and vegan together is giving me much more energy than I had imagined possible! Being that I woke up at 5am yesterday to meet with an online client I expected to need a nap at some point but my body has become so in tune with my food that I can feel the energy pulse through me within 5 minutes of eating. I even had a difficult time falling asleep at my normal bed time.
Guess it's true what they say: when you give your body the nutrition it needs, you don't need as much sleep to recover!
With all this energy I have more time to play in the kitchen which makes my heart sing. I think I feel a cookbook coming on...
Today I venture into planning ahead for the weekend. I have school on Friday-Sunday and won't have the usual 2 hours each morning to prepare food needed for the day. Today is all I've got. I'm taking on the task of making gluten-free bread and or crackers, double potato-leek soup and veggie burgers.
Keep this pace up and I may have a GF Vegan bakery going in no time!! Let's see where the universe takes me.
Showing posts with label beachbody. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beachbody. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Ever Wish For Thinner Thighs?
I can speak from years of experience with larger than average thighs that pants don't fit right, shorts...forget it and well, clothes shopping just doesn't go the way we want it to.
For many years I danced. Tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical though for all of those years I was obese. It was a sad existence to feel hopeless in having to buy clothes that fit because as my upper body would shrink during the weight loss my thighs never seemed to go down. I've been known as "the white girl with a bootie" for as far back as I can remember.
It's not a bad thing though. I mean think of it this way, I could have been plagued with no hips or bootie at all! Some of you may be suffering from a sunken, flat or saggy butt. The fact is, people are now getting butt implants to give shape to the very thing that others of us have been trying to get rid of for what seems like forever.
Now, did you know that you have the power to change this? The tools to trim and sculpt the legs you really want are not so far from your grasp! Really. Here are a couple of tips to ease your stress and lighten the load on those delicate areas you so lovingly call Thunder Thighs. This is how I did it and it works wonders!
1- DO NOT use any more resistance on the bikes or elliptical machines more than 1. I find so many women struggling to push harder and harder on the cardio with extra resistance in hopes of trimming down their thighs. Keep in mind, you must burn the fat first. With all that resistance you are only building more muscle under the fat. *This applies to the inner/outer thigh machines as well!!!!
2- EAT CLEAN foods while losing weight. When you workout your body takes in the food you eat and shuttles it right to the muscle that you just finished working with. That means, all the chips, cookies and soda will go right into your muscle creating a bulkier effect! EEK!!!
3- SQUATS and LUNGES only work if they are done right and with light weight. Trainers even make the mistake of not paying attention to their clients form while performing these exercises which is very sad. They key to properly balanced formation of leg and glute muscles is to keep your weight in the heels NOT the toes. This way you will not build up ginormous thigh muscles with no bootie.
4- DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH before and after your cardio sessions. When your muscles are stiff and you do cardio form and technique may be affected by the areas that are constricted causing an imbalance in how you use your legs. Your walk, stance, sitting position and even sleep can be affected by this poor conditioning. Stay limber for proper balance and stability.
If you are in need of some serious guidance on a workout that targets the hips, bootie and thighs check out Brazil Butt Lift in the SHOP section of my site. You will love this intense, sculpting, high energy workout program!!!
For many years I danced. Tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical though for all of those years I was obese. It was a sad existence to feel hopeless in having to buy clothes that fit because as my upper body would shrink during the weight loss my thighs never seemed to go down. I've been known as "the white girl with a bootie" for as far back as I can remember.
It's not a bad thing though. I mean think of it this way, I could have been plagued with no hips or bootie at all! Some of you may be suffering from a sunken, flat or saggy butt. The fact is, people are now getting butt implants to give shape to the very thing that others of us have been trying to get rid of for what seems like forever.
Now, did you know that you have the power to change this? The tools to trim and sculpt the legs you really want are not so far from your grasp! Really. Here are a couple of tips to ease your stress and lighten the load on those delicate areas you so lovingly call Thunder Thighs. This is how I did it and it works wonders!
1- DO NOT use any more resistance on the bikes or elliptical machines more than 1. I find so many women struggling to push harder and harder on the cardio with extra resistance in hopes of trimming down their thighs. Keep in mind, you must burn the fat first. With all that resistance you are only building more muscle under the fat. *This applies to the inner/outer thigh machines as well!!!!
2- EAT CLEAN foods while losing weight. When you workout your body takes in the food you eat and shuttles it right to the muscle that you just finished working with. That means, all the chips, cookies and soda will go right into your muscle creating a bulkier effect! EEK!!!
3- SQUATS and LUNGES only work if they are done right and with light weight. Trainers even make the mistake of not paying attention to their clients form while performing these exercises which is very sad. They key to properly balanced formation of leg and glute muscles is to keep your weight in the heels NOT the toes. This way you will not build up ginormous thigh muscles with no bootie.
4- DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH before and after your cardio sessions. When your muscles are stiff and you do cardio form and technique may be affected by the areas that are constricted causing an imbalance in how you use your legs. Your walk, stance, sitting position and even sleep can be affected by this poor conditioning. Stay limber for proper balance and stability.
If you are in need of some serious guidance on a workout that targets the hips, bootie and thighs check out Brazil Butt Lift in the SHOP section of my site. You will love this intense, sculpting, high energy workout program!!!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Consistency Is KING!
In the war against body fat many rules apply but only one thing rules over all else: consistency! If you are struggling with losing weigh or getting in shape, ask yourself "Am I being consistent in my workouts and my clean eating habits?" then you will know what's holding you back.
At the start of this new year, many folks have committed to workout, lose weight, save money etc. but how many will actually follow through with these resolutions? If you are one of these people then let's look at some things you might need to know in order to achieve success. Starting new habits with ease and enjoyment will start the year off right. Plus staying consistent will bring you continued, measurable results and keep you motivated to keep "Bringing It"!
First, start taking time each day to remind yourself of your WHY. Why are you taking this plan of action? Why are you committed? What is this driving force and how passionate about it are you?
Second, schedule out your week or month in advance. If you make sure that your workouts are in your time schedule then you don't have to stress at the end of the day because you didn't have time to squeeze in a session. It's okay to schedule only 30 minutes a day if that's all you have. Even 10 minutes works...check out 10-Min Trainer with Tony Horton! Anything is possible if you are ready to achieve it.
Third, be patient. Self-compassion is the hardest thing for most human beings because we live in a quick-fix society. Keep in mind, quick results are all great until the real results of our journey show up three months later with an additional 10 pounds attached! This is a journey, not a destination.
Fourth, go over a list of small, reasonable goals for yourself that feel comfortable to you. Setting small, measurable goals will help you consistently achieve results. Seeing results keeps you motivated and so your journey becomes more pleasurable!
Fifth, find an accountability partner or group. Fitness is always more fun in numbers, especially when you are starting a new adventure. Having someone to answer to will keep you committed to your workouts as well as have someone to share and discuss your experiences with.
Sixth, get help! I used to hate seeing women year after year start the new year off by getting a membership only to show up to their orientation with no experience and say "oh, I'm just going to do my own thing..." or "my boyfriend said he's going to train me". Two months later they see no results and POOF, they disappear as fast as they came in. Their excuse for canceling the membership "I tried working out but it didn't work for me" or "I gained weight working out" and with that lack of knowledge they will forever feel negative about taking their health and fitness into their own hands. It's very important that you find a program, trainer or coach that can help you get started. Having the right information from the beginning will help you succeed in the long run!! Check the ego at the door and honor your body for a change.
Be one with your body and honor yourself with the gift of good health :)
*If you need a place to start, check out the programs here: Beachbody
These are programs you can do at home and include everything from Brazilian Butt Lift to P90X2. No need
for a gym membership. You can even workout in your pj's!!
Sign up for a free membership to log your workouts and sign into the message boards for more information!
Sign up for a paid membership and you will have access to a fully customize-able menu plan complete with
recipes and shopping lists
At the start of this new year, many folks have committed to workout, lose weight, save money etc. but how many will actually follow through with these resolutions? If you are one of these people then let's look at some things you might need to know in order to achieve success. Starting new habits with ease and enjoyment will start the year off right. Plus staying consistent will bring you continued, measurable results and keep you motivated to keep "Bringing It"!
First, start taking time each day to remind yourself of your WHY. Why are you taking this plan of action? Why are you committed? What is this driving force and how passionate about it are you?
Second, schedule out your week or month in advance. If you make sure that your workouts are in your time schedule then you don't have to stress at the end of the day because you didn't have time to squeeze in a session. It's okay to schedule only 30 minutes a day if that's all you have. Even 10 minutes works...check out 10-Min Trainer with Tony Horton! Anything is possible if you are ready to achieve it.
Third, be patient. Self-compassion is the hardest thing for most human beings because we live in a quick-fix society. Keep in mind, quick results are all great until the real results of our journey show up three months later with an additional 10 pounds attached! This is a journey, not a destination.
Fourth, go over a list of small, reasonable goals for yourself that feel comfortable to you. Setting small, measurable goals will help you consistently achieve results. Seeing results keeps you motivated and so your journey becomes more pleasurable!
Fifth, find an accountability partner or group. Fitness is always more fun in numbers, especially when you are starting a new adventure. Having someone to answer to will keep you committed to your workouts as well as have someone to share and discuss your experiences with.
Sixth, get help! I used to hate seeing women year after year start the new year off by getting a membership only to show up to their orientation with no experience and say "oh, I'm just going to do my own thing..." or "my boyfriend said he's going to train me". Two months later they see no results and POOF, they disappear as fast as they came in. Their excuse for canceling the membership "I tried working out but it didn't work for me" or "I gained weight working out" and with that lack of knowledge they will forever feel negative about taking their health and fitness into their own hands. It's very important that you find a program, trainer or coach that can help you get started. Having the right information from the beginning will help you succeed in the long run!! Check the ego at the door and honor your body for a change.
Be one with your body and honor yourself with the gift of good health :)
*If you need a place to start, check out the programs here: Beachbody
These are programs you can do at home and include everything from Brazilian Butt Lift to P90X2. No need
for a gym membership. You can even workout in your pj's!!
Sign up for a free membership to log your workouts and sign into the message boards for more information!
Sign up for a paid membership and you will have access to a fully customize-able menu plan complete with
recipes and shopping lists
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