Definition

The definition of definition according to dictionary.com is;

the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined: His biceps have great muscle definition.

 

(Make sure you notice the italicized sentence after the definition. It has nothing to do with my point but I just thought it was funny. Also, why wouldn't they put "Her".....why does it always have to be Him if it's about having muscles? Ugh!)

 

And back to the subject......

 

I want to zero in on "clearly outlined, distinct" and talk about ourselves a little bit.

 

What defines us.

Of course you start to rack your brain for all the things that make You into You; golf, water skiing, family, traveling, or your rock collection(never understood that one.....what do you DO with rocks?)

 

I'm not really saying that those things DO or DON'T define us but what if we couldn't do those things anymore? 

You injure your back so you can't swing your golf club.

Your boat hits a glacier and sinks.

You contract a strange allergy to stewardesses (stewardi?)so you can't fly.

You decide to not be a nerd and not collect rocks anymore. 

(this sounds really gloomy but hang in there!)

 

But seriously, all that stripped away. What defines you?

 

I think about this often when it comes to exercise. 

 

What if you couldn't exercise anymore? Would you still be YOU? 

 

And even more importantly.....would you still feel good about yourself and who you are?

 

This may seem weird that someone who is a Personal Trainer would say these things.

 I know, it is weird. 

 

But there is a line that sometimes gets crossed. 

Many of us have been there. 

 

We feel "fat" if we didn't go to the gym. 

We feel lazy because we took a day off to rest. 

We stepped on the scale a few extra times today just to "check". 

We skip lunch because we are going out to eat tonight and don't want to take in too many calories.

Now some of you are thinking......what the what??!?!?! Who would do those things?

But I know there are some of you out there wondering if I'm talking about YOU. 

I have been there. It's a hard and scary place to be. 

 

Maybe you are flirting with the line. 

 

Step back. Ask yourself. Be honest. Make a change (that's the hard part)

 

If this is you, tell someone. Have someone come over and take your scale away. Start writing down your meals and share it with a friend so they can check on you. Take days off from the gym. 

All this is to say that nothing in this world can define you. You were wonderfully and beautifully made and we all have so many things to offer this world. Our talents go beyond how good our butt looks in jeans (even though it's NICE to have that, too!) 

That will fade.

 

Exercise, eat healthy, water ski, collect rocks(but why would you want to?) BUT remember all these things can be wonderful blessings of this life but you can't take it with you. 

ENJOY your exercise. Challenge yourself. Try new things. Hire me as your Personal trainer. :)

But if the only thing someone remembers about you is "His biceps had great muscle definition." then step back, re-balance, and make a change.

 

 

 

 

Make It Work

This week I'm channeling Tim Gunn.
It's "Make It Work" week in our house.

"Make It Work" week is when we are not allowed to dine out or buy any groceries whatsoever. We have to "make it work" with what we have.

What started as an effort to save money has turned into something much more.

Yesterday was Day 1 since we were out of town Monday (which means we did absolutely no prep for this off the cuff week of hodge podge meals). Without knowing what we really had in our fridge or pantry we decided that we would make it work since we are leaving for Vegas on Saturday for vacation. (I mean, what a sacrifice, right?)

Day 1 was interesting. I basically ate random things but mostly veggies and some leftover meats in the fridge. I even busted out the Acorn squash that I bought 2 weeks ago thinking that if I bought it then it would force me to learn how to cook it. Unfortunately all I have done is explain to guests what that "weird gourd" thing is & look up recipes that seemed too detailed to try. (Remember: I avoid cooking things with more than 5 ingredients or takes more than 15 min.)
I went to bed with a belly full of protein shake & pineapple.
Not the smartest decision one could make. 

Day 2 has been a much bigger eye opener for me. If you're anything like me you probably have a freezer full of random frozen meats that are partially labeled & have been in their since the dawn of time. You've passed them over millions of times cuz you want to eat the meat more recognizable and in a nice shiny package that you just bought instead.
Well, it's time to start digging to the back of the freezer and see what my dinner fate is.
Luckily, we have some frozen salmon. yum!
In an effort to come up with something other than salmon and protein powder for dinner I took one more look in the freezer & discovered frozen brussels sprouts. I felt like Smeagle in Lord of the Rings discovering his long lost "precious."
We live to eat another day!

I'm sharing this all not to tell you what I'm eating, although I think you would get a kick out of my lunch; 2 bites of 6 month old granola, greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds(which I'm pretty sure had some mold or something cuz there was definitely some funk happen'in) & 2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese.

I'm sharing this because I'm realizing multiple things;
1. There are people that do this every day just trying to survive. (or go without all together)
2. I waste a lot of food.
3. I take the availability of food for granted.

I know we always hear the ol' "Their are starving kids in Africa" bit but do we actually think about that and believe that that goes on?
That an innocent child goes to bed with an empty belly not knowing when their next meal will be?
Put your OWN child in that place. Or your niece or cousin or your friends baby. Can you even stand to imagine that?

Ok, I'm not trying to go all Sarah Mcglaughlin on you and lay the guilt on. Guilt doesn't really motivate us to do anything except feel bad about ourselves & then distract ourselves so we don't think about it.

I guess I'm just feeling convicted about the way I treat food and really all that I'm blessed with.
While I think it IS important to help those in need I also think that being a thankful and respectful steward of my resources says a lot.

While this is only Day 2 and I'll be in Vegas by Saturday eating & drinking whatever I please, I am going to mandate one week a month to "Making it Work". Of course, this will save $ but it's truly a good reminder. I need to be reminded to step out of my little Tinley Park box and see what I am truly blessed with and how I can help others.

Not exactly sure where that will lead me but I am excited to see God Make It Work. 


(If you are interested in sponsoring a child in a 3rd world country here is a great company that I know works to help give kids clean water, nutritious food, education, and more. This is not a scam where you are really just sponsoring a rich dude's trips to the Bahamas. And it's seriously upsetting to see how little money/sacrifice it would be for you to give someone a better chance at life.)
http://www.worldvision.org/m/sponsor-a-child/?open&campaign=110719209&cmp=KNC-110719209

Ch Ch Ch Chia

I'm hooked on trying to cook/make things with Chia seeds.
I will answer the question that is echoing in everyone's brain;
YES, it is the SAME seeds as you use for Chia Pets.

Weird, I know.
But HEALTHY!
Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, and protein. (Plus they are great for sprouting green hair on your children's rhinoceros herb garden.)

Here are some healthy benefits for people who eat chia seeds often;
-Improves cardiovascular health
-Relief from fatigue/low energy (Can I get an Amen!)
-Supports healthy digestion & detoxification
-Regulates blood pressure
-Reduces cholesterol
-Stabilizes blood sugar
-Reduces pre-menstrual & menopausal symptoms
-Reduces cravings for sweets & carbohydrates (I'll be the judge of that!)

I know you're saying...."Laura, you SOLD me! How can I eat these little buggers?"
Well, I just made 2 things with them last night & this morning.
Now don't think for a second this is some type of recipe blog because you will be very disappointed.

Last night I grabbed plain greek yogurt (Full fat baby!), pomegranate seeds, sliced up strawberries, almonds, & a little scoop of chia seeds. Mix is together. Eat it. Like it!

You could really put any fruit in it that you like, and I recommend draining some extra juice from your fruit into the bowl just for sweetness.

The great part about it?
You don't have someone DUMPING a bunch of sugar that you don't need/want into your yogurt PLUS....you guessed it.......CHIA SEEDS!
You really can't taste them cuz I added so much garbage(I use that word in a loving way), but they just add a little crunch that reminds you how you are enjoying your food while totally healthifiying yourself.....yep, that's I word I want to invent.

Then I woke up this morning with CH CH CH Chia on the brain so I decided to find some ACTUAL recipes. Welp, heaven's gates opened because I found a recipe with less than 5 ingredients & takes 15 minutes. I'm a sucker for easy recipes. If it was for an Alligator Yogurt Parfait I woulda made it. (hmmmm, that sounds creepy).
Even better, I HAD all the ingredients at my house! Done & Done! I'm making it!

So, you warm up a cup of milk then dump the chia seeds in....if you're a meathead like me you will add a small scoop of chocolate protein powder.
I'd add protein powder to the gas I put in my car if I could!
Heat it up. Stir it. Let it stand for 10 minutes. Reheat it. Slice some bananas & drizzle a tiny bit of hunny.
BAM- tasted JUST like Oatmeal.

Only problem is....I don't like Oatmeal.
Well, I ate it & even shoved some down Trav's throat while he was trying to shave for work & he agreed. He did ask if he was going to sprout green hair now.

If you are an oatmeal lover, I suggest you try it.
If you are like me and don't like Oatmeal then first off, you have good taste cuz Oatmeal is just mush but also, stay tuned because there are lots more uses of these crazy seeds to come! (I spotted a pudding recipe I wanna try!)

And if you're wondering where to find these- COSTCO! Or you could have your sweet client Vicki buy them for you if you don't have a Costco card! (ugh elitists!)

Well, Chia later.

Resist the Power

Happy New Year you ol' Building in Loan!

Those of you that don't know the reference were not born in this country.


How was your New Year? (not that you're going to respond.....it's kinda like when you walk by someone & say "Hey, how's it going?"- you don't ACTUALLY want to know "how it's going", you're just being friendly....so don't tell me how you're doing cuz I'm just being polite.)

This week my mind is racing.
The New Year stirs a lot of emotions up about fitness & health. So many people operating under so many misconceptions, no wonder they quit after 2 months.
But it truly makes me sad. They WANT to change & in their way they TRY to change but they don't know who to listen to & what to believe.

There was a sign I saw today that said "Advocare + Zumba = Slamm'in Body".

Really? That's all it takes? And that's all we care about in this society is having a "slamm'in body"?
(Not that I wouldn't take one if they were handing them out!)

But our focus is on the wrong things. We want to get skinny & if that means drinking some "new" shake 2x per day & eating only rice pilaf then we'll do it. (not an actual diet, but I'm sure it'll come out soon!)

We have made such an easy thing into something that is so hard! (not that losing weight is easy, rather what to do is simple).

Look around next time you are out. See how hard it is to get something that is NOT processed to eat?

Yesterday I was checking out in KMart (and yes, I was talking to the clerk so I am following up with my promise), but I noticed the food stand by the exit doors.
Pizza, soft pretzels, Icees, hot dogs, nachos. (I think I just heard Phil lick his lips)
It's not like I don't see this every day- I AM married to a man that ate 2 corn dogs from a gas station- but when you really think about it.....it's sad.

We are poisoning our wonderful bodies & our kids.
It's the truth.
I'm sorry if that sucks to hear.
Just because your kids aren't trying to "lose weight" doesn't mean they should eat it either. (I know you're thinking "Laura, you have no children, how would you know?" but I've witnessed families that feed their kids real food & the kids LIKE it. It's amazing.)

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy treats as well, but I truly believe you can have a delicious dessert without the side of  aspartame.

(Check out;
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com/blog/2012/2/6/the-dirty-7-7-ingredients-you-dont-want-in-your-food.html & more tips to come!)

This stuff is so artificial you might as well just eat the plastic food that comes with you child's playschool kitchen set.


Where am I going with this? (That was not rhetorical, seriously, I'm not sure how to finish this off.)

I really feel like we can say no to it.

Resist the Power. Stick it to the Man. Fight for Your Right. Just Say No.

This is not a lecture.
This is a call to all of you that care about your health to help US become the majority.
Take charge of our health & be thankful for the bodies that we have.
There are a lot of people with unhealthy bodies that had no say in it, so let's not take ours for granted.

It's the only one we will get so let's make it "Slamm'in".

Balance

Welp, I'm no longer employeed.


Feels kinda weird to be done at Lifetime but it feels even more weird not to be employeed anywhere.

No boss. No "schedule". No uniform (yippee!)


You'd think I'd be freaked out, but honestly I'm really excited.
Maybe it doesn't totally feel "real" yet, but I actually feel ready.


Since I became a Personal Trainer about 2 years ago my goal was to work for myself.


Now I'm not one of those people that have always wanted to own my own business.
"Business" has never  been something I was interested in or could even really spell all that easily.....bussiness, busines, biz-nass......ok, not the last one.


But here I am stepping into the unknown.


Really isn't all of life unknown?

We think we have some sort of control over where are lives are going, how much money we are making, & what we will do this week but really none is guaranteed to us.


I really feel like in the last year of my life I have realized that WORK is not everything.
Ok, most of you are my clients so that could come across badly.....bear with me. (by the way, I had to google if it was "bear" or "bare" with me......what did we do before google? I don't know.....google it)

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my work & I LOVE my clients. They are so precious to me & they give me so much enjoyment (and headaches too....you know who you are). But nothing is promised to us & you can't take any of "it" with you when you're gone.

I feel like I meet so many people(myself included!) that work, work, & then volunteer, & then work some more.

But we need Balance.

Enjoy a break without checking your email, watch a movie without texting, cheer for the Bears without writing your blog(by the way, Go Bears! Fumble recovery just now!).



What about spending time with people? What about actually having a nice one on one conversation with the check out lady at WalMart? She's a person too. (By the way, I am terrible at doing that but I will start to try. Unlike my father that thinks that being a "greeter" at church means you thoroughly interview each person that walks into the church.)



Well, that's what I want for 2013.
Not to thoroughly interview everyone at church, that's not what I was referring to.


Balance.


I want to work hard but I also want to value each moment I have. I want to try to be IN the moment & actually enjoy life with friends, clients, family, & yes, even that check out lady.


Here's to balance in 2013.
See ya next year ;)

I will inspire.