Have a House full of teenagers and want a quick healthy dinner option?
Salad Bar.
What’s for Dinner?
28 04 2013Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: cooking, food, Health
Categories : Food, Health, Living
Carry On
26 04 2013Over the last two weeks I have watched a mother grieve over the death of her son tragically killed in an auto accident, hugged sweet young woman as she said good-bye to her brother, watched the news in horror as cheerful spectators became victims of senseless acts of terror and listened to the story of a young man killed in a horrific house fire. At times the news, the stories and the endless tears all seemed too much to be absorbed.
In the midst of comforting lost souls and watching the news as events unfolded in Boston, it struck me as peculiar that the world outside of these stories carried on. One moment I was in the hospital comforting a grief-stricken family and the next I was ordering dinner with my daughter, listening to happy tales about her day at school. It seemed to me that everyday noises and chatter were muffled, like hearing the distant laughter of people on the beach when you dive under the water. All at once it was both comforting and disconcerting that world was still moving forward.
I have known for sometime that it is possible to make yourself physically strong despite years of inactivity. I know you can lose the extra weight you carry – no matter how much it is. I know you can learn to jump, run and lift heavy things – despite being middle age and terribly out of shape. What I did not fully appreciate before this week is just how remarkably strong the human spirit truly is. While some things will never be the same for those affected by these tragedies, I have faith that there will be laughter and smiles again. Happy memories will be made by the families now grieving and marathons will continue to test the endurance of the runners that live for them.
Never wait to say what you need to say and never wait until tomorrow to start what you should be doing today. End each day with no regrets.
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Tags: courage, endurance, Running, strength, Wellness
Categories : Articles, Health, Living
Comfort Zone
4 03 2013
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Tags: Motivation, run, strength
Categories : Exercise, Health, Living
A Long Time
21 02 2013On more than one occasion over the last few weeks I have contemplated the sanity of my decision to train for a long distance race in February in New England. I like a challenge just as much as the next person but this is a little extreme.
Honey -can you grill me some chicken?
After a particularly hard work out the other day, I was thinking about tossing in the towel and waiting for a race in June of next year…. While I was foam rolling away my sore glutes and pondering the validity of this notion, a woman came up to me and said, “I am so impressed with your push-ups”. No joke… she made my day, my week, and my month. I don’t think the feeling was mutual though. She went on to ask me how long it took me to be able to bang out those “real” push-ups. My answer was, “a LONG time”. Her face ever so slightly crumbled at my flat-out honest answer. I think she was hoping I knew some magic trick. I heard myself telling her, “You just have to stick with it. It will come. Don’t fret about the monumental accomplishments just keep plugging away at the small stuff and you will get there”.
As I drove home I realized that I got more from that conversation than she likely did. I need to focus more on the small things and not the long miles ahead. Every day the weather cooperates and I get a run in is a win. Every push-up, every squat jump, every stinkin’ kettle bell swing …. It all adds up.
Just keep moving, don’t get discouraged and on top of it all remember to enjoy the ride.
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Tags: challenge, exercise, Fitness, healthy-living, Motivation, Running
Categories : Ask an Expert, Exercise, Food, Uncategorized
Here Comes the next Half
10 02 2013When I received an email from NYRR on 12/21 that I was accepted into the NYC Half which takes place on March 17th I was ecstatic. When I woke up on 12/22 I went into red alert mode. Having just run a half-marathon in October I was well aware of how all encompassing training can be. Here is where you say it’s only a Half – figure it out already. Well – here is a little secret – I am not a “real” runner. See post Racehorse or Workhorse for more detail.
So where does that leave me? Well for starters I underestimated Old Man Winter. The cold doesn’t bother me too much but slush and ice and the wicked wind are getting tiresome. Then I had a thought this week – maybe running in extreme temperatures burns more calories – hmm that would certainly help defray some of the unpleasantness of being routinely frozen. Sadly though, after reading several articles on the subject, I am fairly certain I am burning the same amount of calories in February as I did in September. Okay so check that off the list of potential benefits. What about the endless miles I ride on the stationary bike? Could that be helping my time? Apparently the answer is yes. From building up complimentary muscles to increasing your leg turnover rate biking is a great way to cross train for your next race.
With that I am off to pedal in place. 34 days, 23 hours, 16 min until race time. Not that I am counting…..
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Tags: Calories, Cross-Training, Running, Winter
Categories : Exercise, Health, Living
Talking to Myself
24 01 2013During a little “whoa is me” session with a friend this week she suggested that I have a conversation with my old self. Perplexed I asked her what on earth she was talking about. She said its easy. If your old self (4 years ago self) could talk to you today, what would she say? Immediately I knew what direction this was heading. Of course my old self would look at me and say “Oh my God what are you complaining about? I would love to fit in those jeans and be able to train for a half marathon. Stop whining, put your sneakers on and go. Don’t ever look back. I would do anything to be your size, even if means running in the cold and snow and getting up at a God awful hour every day”. Appropriately abashed by my inability to see how far I have come, I thanked my insightful friend and my old self for the stern talking to that I clearly deserved.
A little silly I know, but this exercise brought amazing clarity to my goals past, present and future. If you were to have a conversation with your old self what would it sound like? I bet doing this will either make you appreciate how hard you have worked to achieve your goals or realize how far from them you have strayed. Either way it is a worthwhile endeavor.
Making time for the gym and proper nutrition can be overwhelming during the best of weeks. Taking a moment to appreciate how hard you have worked makes it all worthwhile.
Thanks Steph – I owe you one.
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Tags: accomplishment, exercise, Motivation, run
Categories : Living
The Last Fattest Day Ever
12 01 2013Four years ago today was the last “The Last Fattest Day Ever” for me. Of course I didn’t know it at the time. What I did know, was that at 40 years old, I had become so overweight and unfit that I was incapable of doing basic exercises. This realization made me mad and being mad made me fight to get my body back.
Because of my competitive spirit I was intrigued by the notion of participating in a “boot camp” class. The no-nonsense hold no prisoners gritty edge that the name “boot camp” implied resonated with me. Beyond that I had no idea what was in store. I jumped, I pushed, I pulled, I ran in place, I stood on my hands. I thought it would kill me. I never felt so alive. I hated it. I loved it. (BTW I still have all of those feelings each time I walk into the gym)
I have thought about that day many times and I am enormously thankful to whatever powers in the universe made me go to that boot camp class. Many pounds, many inches, some tears and swear words later, I am the strongest I have ever been and I am training for my second long distance race this year.
Thanks to all my cheerleaders – after all I am most thankful to you.
Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Fitness, Health, Motivation, Wellness
Categories : Exercise, Health, Living
