I know there are some strong opinions out there regarding the NonSociety girls. You either love them or hate them.
Mary, a former member of NonSociety, is now doing her own thing, over at More Than Mary.
Whether you love her or hate her, I HIGHLY suggest you take the time to visit her new site on Mondays, where her posts are all about getting fit, pushing your limits and staying in shape.
She posts some excellent videos of herself trying out different exercises, which, for the most part, always contain something we can include in our own workout regimes.
Enjoy! And if you have any great sites, or blogs that you follow for exercise tips, tricks and motivation, leave the link in the comment section!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
WELCOME.. back.
Bikini season is fast approaching.
And because I felt like we could all use the extra push, Biggest Loser is back - after a rudely unannounced break that I took after quitting my personal blog, and basically being overwhelmed by this little thing called the internet. Sorry :).
I'm back with tips, tricks and creative ideas.
I'm back with notebooks full of magazine and newspaper clippings on health, fitness and wellness. With some pretty damn good knowledge of the body, muscles, and training, thanks to being a (currently non-practicing) personal trainer.
This is just a little filler while I go work on some posts for the coming week.
But I will leave with you with a little tip on what I drink as a lovely calorie-free drink.
Iced. Tea. Not the sugary Nestea stuff. The literal version, where you boil the water, grab your absolute favourite tea, throw the bag in, and pour it over ice. Choose a fruity flavoured tea. I don't particularly like hot blueberry tea, but when its chilled? I'm in heaven.
If you want to be all gourmet, add berries.
If you want to be the opposite of gourmet, and are short on time (or lazy in the kitchen, like myself), pour a glass of water, and just throw the teabag in. Mash it around with a straw. It isn't as amazing, but it gets the job done.
This is all coming from the girl who has had Kool-Aid running through her blood for 21 years. Sure, iced tea isn't as sweet as sugary juice, or pop, but I'm being honest when I say its good. And I feel good about drinking it.
And because I felt like we could all use the extra push, Biggest Loser is back - after a rudely unannounced break that I took after quitting my personal blog, and basically being overwhelmed by this little thing called the internet. Sorry :).
I'm back with tips, tricks and creative ideas.
I'm back with notebooks full of magazine and newspaper clippings on health, fitness and wellness. With some pretty damn good knowledge of the body, muscles, and training, thanks to being a (currently non-practicing) personal trainer.
This is just a little filler while I go work on some posts for the coming week.
But I will leave with you with a little tip on what I drink as a lovely calorie-free drink.
Iced. Tea. Not the sugary Nestea stuff. The literal version, where you boil the water, grab your absolute favourite tea, throw the bag in, and pour it over ice. Choose a fruity flavoured tea. I don't particularly like hot blueberry tea, but when its chilled? I'm in heaven.
If you want to be all gourmet, add berries.
If you want to be the opposite of gourmet, and are short on time (or lazy in the kitchen, like myself), pour a glass of water, and just throw the teabag in. Mash it around with a straw. It isn't as amazing, but it gets the job done.
This is all coming from the girl who has had Kool-Aid running through her blood for 21 years. Sure, iced tea isn't as sweet as sugary juice, or pop, but I'm being honest when I say its good. And I feel good about drinking it.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Biggest Loser's First Recipe!
If you haven't already, comment on the post below with your February progress! And here we have a delicious recipe, submitted by Nora of the Black Team. If you have any recipes you'd like to share, email them to me and I'll get them posted for everyone to see!
I like to experiement in the kitchen and while I'm sure this isn't a new idea to anyone out there, this little connoction I've come up with is one of my staple meals! It does not, however, have an official name.
Ingredients (serves one):
Large Handful Grilled Chicken Strips (I personally like the Just Grilled Chicken Strips from Trader Joes; a super reasonable price for a very versatile food. Find them in the frozen food section)
1 cup broccoli
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup of whole weat penne pasta
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A dash of pepper
Italian seasoning (optional) or any other kind of seasoning you want to throw in there
1/4 cup of shredded low-fat cheese, any kind is great
Bring water to a boil in a medium sized-pot. After water is boiling, add penne pasta and cook to taste (usually about five to seven minutes).
After you have the pasta started, in a large skillet, heat oil and add grilled chicken strips. At the same time microwave broccoli on high for one minute in a microwavable covered dish. Add broccoli to skillet. Cook for about five-seven minutes, add spinach and stir. Let simmer on low for two minutes.
Sprinkle cheese on top of just before serving.
What I like about this recipe:
* It's great for a post-weight lifting workout as the protein in the chicken and spinach helps to repair muscle tissue while building lean muscle mass
* Broccoli is a great source of fiber and is a super food for women
* Many whole wheat pastas are enriched with B Vitamins which is an added bonus
* It's inexpensive to prepare, only takes two dishes in the kitchen and cooks in less than 20 minutes
* Low fat, low calorie. Need I say more?
I like to experiement in the kitchen and while I'm sure this isn't a new idea to anyone out there, this little connoction I've come up with is one of my staple meals! It does not, however, have an official name.
Ingredients (serves one):
Large Handful Grilled Chicken Strips (I personally like the Just Grilled Chicken Strips from Trader Joes; a super reasonable price for a very versatile food. Find them in the frozen food section)
1 cup broccoli
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup of whole weat penne pasta
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A dash of pepper
Italian seasoning (optional) or any other kind of seasoning you want to throw in there
1/4 cup of shredded low-fat cheese, any kind is great
Bring water to a boil in a medium sized-pot. After water is boiling, add penne pasta and cook to taste (usually about five to seven minutes).
After you have the pasta started, in a large skillet, heat oil and add grilled chicken strips. At the same time microwave broccoli on high for one minute in a microwavable covered dish. Add broccoli to skillet. Cook for about five-seven minutes, add spinach and stir. Let simmer on low for two minutes.
Sprinkle cheese on top of just before serving.
What I like about this recipe:
* It's great for a post-weight lifting workout as the protein in the chicken and spinach helps to repair muscle tissue while building lean muscle mass
* Broccoli is a great source of fiber and is a super food for women
* Many whole wheat pastas are enriched with B Vitamins which is an added bonus
* It's inexpensive to prepare, only takes two dishes in the kitchen and cooks in less than 20 minutes
* Low fat, low calorie. Need I say more?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Winners!
The winners of the Why Don't You Do Somethin' Challenge (selected by random draw of the particpants who completed all 6 days) are:
Lalanav of the Yellow Team!
and
Nory of the Black Team!
If you two could send me your mailing addresses as soon as you can, that'd be great!
Also:
Congratulations to EVERYONE who participated in the challenge. The goal was to find time in our bustling, 20something lives and use it to get moving, and by the looks of it, so many of you were able to do just that. Whether you completed all six days, or just a day or two, you should be incredibly proud of yourselves.
Finally:
February has come and gone, meaning we are over a month in! If you'd like a chance to win the monthly prize for February, leave a comment on this post, with a wee little summary of what you got up to over the past month. Did you lose weight? Join a gym and actually GO? Were you cooking at home rather than eating out? Let everyone know!
Lalanav of the Yellow Team!
and
Nory of the Black Team!
If you two could send me your mailing addresses as soon as you can, that'd be great!
Also:
Congratulations to EVERYONE who participated in the challenge. The goal was to find time in our bustling, 20something lives and use it to get moving, and by the looks of it, so many of you were able to do just that. Whether you completed all six days, or just a day or two, you should be incredibly proud of yourselves.
Finally:
February has come and gone, meaning we are over a month in! If you'd like a chance to win the monthly prize for February, leave a comment on this post, with a wee little summary of what you got up to over the past month. Did you lose weight? Join a gym and actually GO? Were you cooking at home rather than eating out? Let everyone know!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming!
Today's post is brought to you by little miss Lauren of the Black Team. Enjoy! And remember, if you have something to say, or a story to tell, email a post to me, and I'll be sure to get it up here for everyone to read!
Throughout high school, I spent the majority of my time in a pool. I was a fish. And, truth be told, a skinny fish. If only I would have appreciated what I had then…
Since climbing out of the pool four years ago, my body has most certainly changed. Part of this change is largely due to growing up and becoming a ‘woman’ (if only those Greek statues were hot today…I would be banging!) and another very large part of this change is the fact that I have turned in to a lazy bum. While one would assume that sitting on a computer all day typing away would leave you with plenty of energy to work out at the strike of five o’clock, the opposite seems to happen. I go home, change into some comfy clothes, and sit. I stare the TV for hours as I indulge in as much trashy television as I possibly can. Some days I attempt to make a healthy supper and other nights, I just don’t care and opt to inhale Bagel Bites and Soft Bake cookies.
Like many of my peers, I have dabbled in working out for the past four years. I’ll have a good streak for a few weeks but find it difficult to make the real lifestyle change that is required to change my figure/appearance. I get frustrated after busting my ass for two weeks and still feeling chubby. And I decide to stop regulating what I eat and enjoy life. My mantra quickly changes from ‘live healthy’ to ‘life is too short!’ and the work of the past two weeks is soon forgotten.
I’m tired of this cycle. I’m tired of trying to cover my body while in a swim suit. I’m tired of Spanx and sucking in. I’m tired of throwing eighteen shirts on the floor while I get ready to go out because I ‘look like a fat cow’ in all of them. It isn’t enjoyable for me and it certainly isn’t enjoyable for the boyfriend.
I finally decided to make a lifestyle change. I decided to get back into the pool.
Swimming has been my workout of choice since I was a toddler. I love the pool, I love the feeling of gliding through the water, and I love the fact that I don’t get sweaty.
I decided to join a Masters swim team in New York City. First of all, it’s difficult for me to push myself as hard I need to be pushed at this point because I am out of shape and full of excuses. Joining a team with a coach will force me to complete a work out and not skip laps/practices. Secondly, I am competitive. I enjoy racing and I enjoy winning. While I’m not sure when I will sign up for my first meet, the idea of having a meet excites me and makes me want to work harder in practice.
Swimming has been like riding a bicycle. I was incredibly nervous the first day back in the pool. I worried that I would forget my strokes, tire out after my first 100 yards, mess up flip turns and disappoint myself. Certainly, I have to do some work to get back the endurance that I used to have in the water. And my strokes aren’t perfect as I tire out easily and my arms aren’t nearly as strong. But I still know how to do it and do it well.
Did you play a sport in high school? I challenge you to get back into any activity that you really enjoyed in the past and push yourself! Living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than a treadmill and for many of us, we aren’t going to be able to stick with our workouts unless we do something we love. So figure what you love and get after it!
Throughout high school, I spent the majority of my time in a pool. I was a fish. And, truth be told, a skinny fish. If only I would have appreciated what I had then…
Since climbing out of the pool four years ago, my body has most certainly changed. Part of this change is largely due to growing up and becoming a ‘woman’ (if only those Greek statues were hot today…I would be banging!) and another very large part of this change is the fact that I have turned in to a lazy bum. While one would assume that sitting on a computer all day typing away would leave you with plenty of energy to work out at the strike of five o’clock, the opposite seems to happen. I go home, change into some comfy clothes, and sit. I stare the TV for hours as I indulge in as much trashy television as I possibly can. Some days I attempt to make a healthy supper and other nights, I just don’t care and opt to inhale Bagel Bites and Soft Bake cookies.
Like many of my peers, I have dabbled in working out for the past four years. I’ll have a good streak for a few weeks but find it difficult to make the real lifestyle change that is required to change my figure/appearance. I get frustrated after busting my ass for two weeks and still feeling chubby. And I decide to stop regulating what I eat and enjoy life. My mantra quickly changes from ‘live healthy’ to ‘life is too short!’ and the work of the past two weeks is soon forgotten.
I’m tired of this cycle. I’m tired of trying to cover my body while in a swim suit. I’m tired of Spanx and sucking in. I’m tired of throwing eighteen shirts on the floor while I get ready to go out because I ‘look like a fat cow’ in all of them. It isn’t enjoyable for me and it certainly isn’t enjoyable for the boyfriend.
I finally decided to make a lifestyle change. I decided to get back into the pool.
Swimming has been my workout of choice since I was a toddler. I love the pool, I love the feeling of gliding through the water, and I love the fact that I don’t get sweaty.
I decided to join a Masters swim team in New York City. First of all, it’s difficult for me to push myself as hard I need to be pushed at this point because I am out of shape and full of excuses. Joining a team with a coach will force me to complete a work out and not skip laps/practices. Secondly, I am competitive. I enjoy racing and I enjoy winning. While I’m not sure when I will sign up for my first meet, the idea of having a meet excites me and makes me want to work harder in practice.
Swimming has been like riding a bicycle. I was incredibly nervous the first day back in the pool. I worried that I would forget my strokes, tire out after my first 100 yards, mess up flip turns and disappoint myself. Certainly, I have to do some work to get back the endurance that I used to have in the water. And my strokes aren’t perfect as I tire out easily and my arms aren’t nearly as strong. But I still know how to do it and do it well.
Did you play a sport in high school? I challenge you to get back into any activity that you really enjoyed in the past and push yourself! Living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than a treadmill and for many of us, we aren’t going to be able to stick with our workouts unless we do something we love. So figure what you love and get after it!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Why Don't You Do Somethin'
CHALLENGE POSTS ARE UP UNDER YOUR TEAM SITES.
If you haven't checked them out already, the rules are in the post below this one.
HAVE FUN!
Friday, February 20, 2009
CHALLENGE NUMERO UNO!
Coming up with the idea for the challenge was easy. Coming up with a name for it? Not so much. I started off with it being called MOOOVE! But that sounded too demanding, and awfully cow-esque. Then I was calling it Get Up And Do Something. Which was horrible, but each time I said it, I wound up singing Why Don't You Do Somethin', like Britney Spears does in this song. So..
WELCOME TO THE WHY DON'T YOU DO SOMETHIN' CHALLENGE!
The challenge officially starts Monday, February 23rd, and runs until Saturday February 28th.
The rules are EASY PEASY.
Do something ACTIVE every day for the duration of the contest.
It is so easy to come home from a long day of work, or school, and veg on the couch until its time to head to bed. The goal of the challenge is to have us all consciously finding time to add some activity into our busy lives. It could be an early morning spin class, a long walk on your lunch break, or hitting the gym after work. Find out what works for you!
For each of the six days, there will be a new post on your team site, where you will leave a comment stating what you did to be active that day.
Everyone who completes the challenge will be put in a wee little draw for a killer-amazing, pump-it-up, work-it-out mixed tape, courtesy of Rachel and I.
Also, the end of the month is coming up, and as we stated before, there will be a prize for a monthly Biggest Loser winner (details on this to follow) - and that prize rocks.
Recap? Yes, lets recap.
Monday the 23rd - Saturday the 28th.
Do something active EACH day.
Add a comment on your team's page, stating what you did, EACH day.
As I said, EASY PEASY.
See you all Monday!
WELCOME TO THE WHY DON'T YOU DO SOMETHIN' CHALLENGE!
The challenge officially starts Monday, February 23rd, and runs until Saturday February 28th.
The rules are EASY PEASY.
Do something ACTIVE every day for the duration of the contest.
It is so easy to come home from a long day of work, or school, and veg on the couch until its time to head to bed. The goal of the challenge is to have us all consciously finding time to add some activity into our busy lives. It could be an early morning spin class, a long walk on your lunch break, or hitting the gym after work. Find out what works for you!
For each of the six days, there will be a new post on your team site, where you will leave a comment stating what you did to be active that day.
Everyone who completes the challenge will be put in a wee little draw for a killer-amazing, pump-it-up, work-it-out mixed tape, courtesy of Rachel and I.
Also, the end of the month is coming up, and as we stated before, there will be a prize for a monthly Biggest Loser winner (details on this to follow) - and that prize rocks.
Recap? Yes, lets recap.
Monday the 23rd - Saturday the 28th.
Do something active EACH day.
Add a comment on your team's page, stating what you did, EACH day.
As I said, EASY PEASY.
See you all Monday!
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