"Un-Leash the Creativity"

February, already?!?! It always amazes me how time speeds past us. Which I guess is always a good sign that we are enjoying what we are doing. This blog has turned out to be a fun hobby of mine, but I did not know where I was going with it. People suggested that I try to write reviews for products, but that is easier said than done. Quite honestly I like writing about my thoughts on faith and fitness. When this blog started my encouraging husband introduced my blog to his high school students. They have become such avid readers of my blog and always leave me feeling inspired to write more. I am honored to write this blog entry about some students at Proviso Math and Science Academy.

Back in December I got put in such the holiday spirit when I received an email from Karthika about the Destination Imagination Team. They asked if I would like to be the recipient of a generous donation to the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. I was so thrilled to get this email, because I had just attended a bowling event to raise funds for a friend who is a Breast Cancer Survivor. She is an amazing woman, high school counselor, and a mother of two little children who my children have been growing up with. The Destination Imagination Team has offered their donation to the “Pointer Sisters,” for this year’s Avon Breast Cancer Walk. The event consists of a walk in Chicago on June 2 and 3rd. Day one is 26.2 miles. Day 2 is 13 miles for total of 39 miles. Walking 39 miles and surviving breast cancer makes one filled with hope. The sign of the pink ribbon is one that I hold near to my heart as do many others in our world today.

Here is their story as told by Karthika Nair:

I am a student at the Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy and captain of their Destination Imagination Team. In this program we complete challenges as a team that promote teamwork, thinking out of the box and being creative. Last year, we won the community project challenge. We placed first in the state for our project. The challenge was to bring the community together for a common goal or cause. Our team consists of 5 members: Karthika Nair (me), Gaby Berndt, Saul Alarcon, Lissette Moreno, and Jorge Lopez. The team manager is Lauren O'Connor, a teacher at our school.

Destination Imagination Team has been around as long as we have. It has been four years and was started by Mr.Thomas Dix, a physics teacher at our school. Destination Imagination is a team-based, problem solving program that encourages creativity. The project that we chose last year was the community project that focused on using effective communication to bring the community together for a common goal.

Our goal was raising awareness and an affordable means to support breast cancer. Two years ago our found mentor, Mr. Thomas Dix, passed away due to lung cancer. We wanted to stick with the concept of fighting cancer, and thought that breast cancer was a more imminent topic to make into a community project. We selected breast cancer because we wanted a project that we knew has affected a lot of people but none of us have had the opportunity to make an impact upon. When realizing that the AVON breast cancer walk costs $1300 to participate in, we wanted to find a way for people in our community to have their own impact even if they don’t have that kind of financial support.

Destination Imagination ordered pink bracelets, made a lot of handmade bracelets and pink ribbons that we wore and sold around our school. Then, on April 1st of last year we held a Walkathon, without much success considering that the weather that day was terribly cold, windy and gloomy. That's where the amazing part unfolds. After the walkathon, between all the effort we put into bringing so much food, we had heaps of leftovers that we didn't know what to do with. We couldn't afford to just take them home, we had to at least make up the sum that was spent from parents on supplies. In my lobby that day, there were a flurry of phone calls about public places that we could sell food without a permit and about our cause. That's when a neighbor of mine walks by and we all spark a lightbulb. "We're giving out free hotdogs and asking for donations for breast cancer". Apparently one person was having a party and another was facing cancer herself. Before we knew it, my lobby became like a little bakery shop. That day we made $375 solely off of going around my condominium talking about our cause.

My final thought is if this blog does nothing else I am happy for what it brought to the “Pointer Sisters,” and to the Destination Imagination Team. It brought two “tribes” together via the internet and allowed a good story to be re-told. Both of them teach us that over coming challenges, working together, and being creative can result in positive outcomes.

For more information about the Avon Breast Cancer Walk please visit the side link for "Pointer Sisters" on my blog. If you are interested in donating to the “Pointer Sisters,” you can visit the same website and 1st: click on donate at the top, 2nd: donate to a walker, 3rd: type in Wendy Biggs, Pamela Gonzalez, or Julie Kearney.

“Give, Barter, and Share...”

Sometimes I feel over whelmed by all of the organizations, causes, and groups I could join. But then on the opposite side I am encouraged, because there are numerous people out there who care and want to do good in the world. It is just how does one decide where to put their time? I have come to the place where I ask if it fits into my priority list than it is a “yes,” for me. What??? By that I mean I am able to do it without taking away too much time from my family and I can do it at a low cost. That is what drew me to blogging. I can write when my children are sleeping and my blog is free to write. It is exciting to meet other people who are just was enthusiastic about blogging and technology as I am.

One of my favorite t.v. characters is “Carrie” she is a writer, but does not live this glamours life for following her passion. I think one can get driven by the status and prestige that their gifts can bring. If you really search the meaning of the “why,” and how it can enhance others life’s, then more fulfillment occurs. My philosophy has been “give, barter, and share.” Being that fitness, health and wellness are my passions I get a lot of questions and requests. It is always that odd feeling I get when someone asks about fees or cost. I have a career that provides for my family (and it is my dream career) and I am not one who needs excess in their life. This is how I came to my philosophy over the years.

Some of the most fun times have come from bartering and sharing. For example, my cousin asked my help with some exercises. I came up with a video for some of my favorite exercises and shared it with her. She was very sweet and did my hair and even put high lights in it. This meant a lot because I am not one to spend more than a hair cut on my hair. We shared lots of memories as she did my hair and I was thankful for her sharing her gift with me. Over the summer I trained a girl who was going back to college and in our barter system she babysat for us. My husband and I got to enjoy a weekly date night and my children just fell in love with having her come over. Recently, I have had the opportunity to meet some people in my profession who enjoy sharing. When teachers share, it impacts our students. When this happens our society changes in a positive way. There are teachers out there who give extra, just for the enjoyment to see the positive changes in their students. This always brings a new kind of energy to try something new, which allows you to grow as people and professionals.

I did not come up with philosophy by myself. I just reflected on my life and how I got to be where I am at. I have fulfilled many dreams, because of the people who were willing to give, barter, and share with me through out my life. I have had people who shared their knowledge with me on how to lift, to do a fitness routine, about teaching the list goes on, but never asked me to pay, because they too loved the philosophy of “give, barter, share.”

I am sure if you thought of what you could give to someone, what you could barter or share, you too will find happiness in that....People come into our lives for a reason and you come into theirs for reason, makes you smile to think of that, right?

My Transformation

There are always buzz words that marketing uses to attract people. I have seen lately the words: extreme, immediate, rapid, and transformation all relating to the fitness industry. The fitness industry uses marketing and marketing is not always that truthful. I think it is because the truth would not sell. In regards to “fitness” losing, gaining, maintaining, whatever your goal is, it is not just a 12 week program. I can visualize the commercial or you tube video telling someone that FOREVER you will have to eat right, exercise, and encounter bumps along the way to reach your “fitness” goal. I am sure that sales and memberships would sky rocket. Right???

This leads me to my transformation story. I took up running about five years ago pretty seriously because I needed a shift from the body building scene. Everything is good in moderation, but my extreme goal of trying to gain muscle and than leaning out was effecting me negatively in my life. Running helped me over come a lot of insecurities and low esteem that I had developed from body building. Which seems so ironic because one would think that body building would do the opposite. I can remember working out in sweatshirts and baggy pants in the middle of summer, because of how bad I was feeling. Not everyone’s experience is the same, this is just my story.

I have now done three marathons since I took up running, but after this last one I started to feel burnt out from running. That is when I was given the chance to try Turbo Fire, by a friend. I would like to say that I began this workout series to keep my heart strong, but that would be a lie. I wanted to see if I could transform my body rapidly, like the ads had shown. I even started drinking the shakeology, because I wanted to know does it really work???

I took out the tape measure and took out the scale for past 6 weeks and the results??? I still look the same, really come on!?! That is when it hit me. My transformation took place on the inside...I wish I could say that I came up with this all on my own but I did not. Sometimes you hear the words, but it does not hit you until you are ready to really take the words in. I heard Chalene (the creator of Turbo Fire) say it, but it was today I really took it in. She references how it is not all about the number on the scale, but how blessed you are to work this hard.... That is it! There really will come a day when I will not be doing plyo’s and running countless miles and I should be thankful for what I can do now!

I realized that the transformation I was seeking was the wrong one. I needed to transform my perspective on why I work out. Over the past 6 weeks I have been working in my heart rate zones, learning new moves, and I have been committed to a workout plan. I can celebrate that I can now “Fire Up” the music with the dvds and I can kick higher. I did, I fell off of the path and fell for the ads which left me feeling down and in an unhappy spot. Now, I am back and I will continue my journey with this transformation.

I am writing this in hopes that you can find that joy in your workouts and you can create your own transformation story. In all aspects of life it is hard not to get distracted and pulled in. I encourage you to make that inner transformation through fitness. Celebrate what you can do, how you feel, and than pass it on to someone else.

Morning Warrior

It is the choices I make that determine my outcome. Sometimes is difficult because we can catch ourselves looking to the right and to left that we get distracted. I have to remind myself that I am a unique individual and what works for me may not for someone else. With that being said these are just some of my steps to what I call a "Morning Warrior."

1st: Prepare everything the night before. Coffee, water bottle, clothes, music, shoes, anything that will make the morning more enjoyable.

Quick side note: I keep an extra set of workout clothes ready, so if I am too tired I have a set ready to go.

2nd: Yes, the alarm is going to go off early. Yes, it will suck and it might for a while. Don't beat yourself up, but it will get easier.

Quick side note: To make yourself get up out of bed, place the alarm across the room.

3rd: You might be really tired, coffee is your friend. (Remember I have 2 children and a career.)

4th: Pick a workout you LOVE and ENJOY. Who wants to wake up to do something they dislike?

5th: Start off with shorter workouts and then increase the time as you get more used to waking up.

6th: When you feel like crawling back into bed tell yourself "I AM a Morning Warrior!"

Join me in starting your day off with a good sweat and the rush that yes, you can!

Send me a facebook message or tweet me that you are here and that you are a "Morning Warrior!"

Over Coming Obstacles

I am at this stage right now, where I really have to be strong mentally. My workouts are going ok, but not fantastic for me. I have a lot on my plate that is not finished and our schedule is busy. Yes, that probably seems like everyone this day in age. So, how do I over this stage???

First, of all I am trying the new Turbo Fire program. I am being smart and following the plan for the order of the dvd's. I am a control freak so I still have to fit in my own lifting and a long steady session of cardio. I really enjoy the Turbo Fire. I find Chalene's motivation extremely inspiring. The combos of moves are at times hard to follow but I am catching on. It was my second HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout and I felt better and I found my heart rate in the 160's, which brought a smile to my face. The only problem is that I keep waking up the little ones. After 3 days of this, I am strongly considering going out to my garage and working out. I don't want to stop, but this is decreasing their sleep, which they need. Not to mention I need my "me" time. Obstacles yes, but I have not given in.

I would love to workout for hours and go to the gym when ever I felt like it. That is what I really what I did in my younger days. Now, reality has set in and I will take whatever I can get. When I know my time is short I up the intensity. My energy has been low and I am fighting this awful lung/cough thing. Where I used to have the "aha" workouts almost every time, I only get a couple a week. Keeping up with the little ones takes a lot out of you, but you realize that they are your priority.

When I feel like I am in this "rut" I look up and just say " I know I can handle it."

I am focusing on my nutrition and trying to sleep more. I know that when I have my shake, Greek yogurt, and sweet potatoes my body is getting the right kind of fuel. I am getting my weekly chiropractic adjustments and using my rice sock my mother in-law made me. I will go into more detail about the rice sock in another blog post.

I am not writing this to complain. I am simply sharing with you that we all face obstacles and we all have our down day or days. It just matters if your are making positive choices and surrounding yourself with good people. I have to remain thankful because I know this "rut" is only temporary. I appreciate you taking time to read this and maybe it allowed for some self- reflection.

My First Week of Turbo Fire

My shoulders are so sore, but that good sore that means they have been worked. As of now I have completed 4 dvd’s in the Turbo Fire schedule and Push Circuit 1 from ChaLean Extreme. This has really helped me stay on track with my training and to feel amazing. I know that running makes me feel that “high” that I am always longing for when I train, so I was afraid to try something new. It seemed like the right time because I am desiring a change in my workout routine. Well, I got it alright.

To start off with I just watched the Fire 30 to see what I was in for. I figured I can run thirty minutes so this should be good. The combinations were broken down. I won’t lie even if you can follow 8 counts you might find it challenging at first. I was able to keep up, but watching it first was a BIG help. My three year old daughter loved the dvd and she even tried to join on by actively watching it. Take a look at her smile during this.

Tuesday morning I almost jumped up out of bed with so much excitement to try Fire 30. I have been watching the informercials for the past year, just waiting to try it. I put on my heart rate monitor and pressed play. I was in my fat burning zone and enjoying the crosses and uppers. Smiling thinking to myself that this is going to be great for something new. Until I heard the “fire drill.” You find yourself in this high intensity stage for 1 minute. Then you come back to your lower range of the fat burning zone. Chalene finds the way to motivate you and takes you through ANOTHER drill! At this time I am really smiling because my heart monitor is reading in the high 160’s and I am sweating! This is what I long for everyday!!!

The HIIT 20 and Fire EZ 55 are new moves with new music that really do get you fired up. I will say that I did need to do the 10 minute stretch and my off day was much needed. I am continuing on with the schedule and I feel a sense of accomplishment each time the dvd ends and I circle the workout as completed. Along with the Team Beach Body videos you can log into the “WOWY” gym and keep track of your workouts. I am getting used to this and taking more time to research all the tools on the website. I have the free membership and I have found it useful so far. You can learn more about heart rate zones and rate of perceived exertion at their website.

On my light day I did a 20 minute Zumba express, which I will post in the next few days.

"Exercise A.D.D."

“Exercise A.D.D.”

Last week my workouts were at a very moderate level, just enough to de-stress myself. Now, I am back in the groove and when I wake up I am not as achy. I really listened to my body post- marathon to help reduce over-training or injury. I have found myself back into what I call “exercise a.d.d.” One day I want to do Zumba, next is yoga, then I am lifting heavy back, and swimming. I need to focus and have a goal for fitness. This is how I operate the best in all aspects of my life. My goal now is to see how many different ways can I get into my target heart rate zone and sweat! I still get to have my “exercise a.d.d.’,” but now it is focused. Isn’t that an oxymoron???

I will blog the next month about all the different ways I am training my heart. Truth be known I am as analytical as they come about numbers pertaining to working out. I need my pace, my heart rate, minutes, distance and measuring cups for food! I wish I could be more like my husband who is what I call a “Zen” exerciser. As I would define as one who does not need numbers for motivation. That is one of the reasons why we make the perfect couple. We balance each other out.

Why am I so focused on my heart rate? Well, I am preparing for the winter and my miles per week decrease immensely. When I run I calculate every mile and my pace. It makes me feel like I am accomplishing my goal. Now, I will change that focus into the beats per minute (bpm). Also, condition wise (a.k.a. weight -wise) the colder weather usually brings some additional weight gain. There is a vast amount of information that the beats per minutes provides. I can theoretically calculate if I am in my “fat - burning zone,” (133 bpm) or if I am nearing my true high intensity range (160 bpm). Hence, I know what my body is using for energy. This allows me to remain cardiovascularly fit in the colder weather. Once, again this all just helps me to come back to my passion of running.

There is no other heart rate monitor like Polar. I am a huge advocate for Polar heart rate monitors. I say that because I have tried others and none compare to the user friendliness and reliability of their products. Polar is always at the Physical Education conventions and they are very honest about their products. Check out their link to for more information. NO, I am not endorsed by Polar, but that would be AWESOME! It really is just how I feel.

I am beginning my quest to find how many different ways I can make cardio fun and stay in my zones, like running does for me. What makes it fun for me is if:

1. It makes me sweat.
2. At some point in time I get that “ultra- happy” feeling. The “ultra-happy: feeling is described as the “I can take on anything today!” One knows being a mom, a career woman, and in your thirties can bring on some interesting daily obstacles.
3. It has rockin’ music involved!

On the horizon I have Turbo Fire, Zumba, P.O.W.E.R. Punch Gloves and Spin. I have access to these forms because the equipment or dvd’s are at my house. I REALLY desire to have Turbofire and in order to get it I need to cancel my gym membership. Note in all caps “REALLY,’ so if my husband reads this he can inform the North Pole. It is all about budgeting to stay healthy without going broke. Which that will be a future topic,also.