Frustration. Hormones. Changes.

Hormones. They are complicated little buggers.
They are what make us work, you know the important stuff like breathing...growing...metabolizing the food we eat...etc.
These chemical messengers are essential to good health, bottom line. This is something we've known for a long time.

Hold up...--->Let me intervene with some side stories real fast, so you know where I'm at.

1. I am constantly reading new published journals, articles, books, and whatever else I can get my hands on to stay current and knowledgeable in my field. Science is always evolving and changing and it's important to be able to sort the truth from the garbage...and might I add a LOT of what is published is garbage. Lately, I have been reading Jillian Michael's book, "Master Your Metabolism." This is where the root of this post is coming from. Although I am not %100 sold on every word that is in there. I think that there is a lot of truth to what she is saying. It has made me think, that is for certain.

2. (Gear up. This "side note" is more of a novel than a note.) ;)
One of the main reasons I read a LOT about nutrition and weight training is for my own personal benefit. Selfish confession, I know. For the past two years I would say I've logged a minimum of 10-15 hours a week in the gym working out. I could tell you EXACTLY what I've eaten for the past three years. I take that back, I could SHOW you. You think I'm joking? I'll send you my Fitday Login and you can check it out. I haven't had sugar in two years with the exception of a few free day holidays, and I don't eat fast food. Ever.
Why am I telling you this?
NOT to brag, I can promise you that. I'm telling you this because I am frustrated. I work all day telling people how to eat, move, and sleep and for them, it works. I watch pounds fall off of people who tell me they, "didn't eat as good as they could have." I have always considered myself some anomaly. The exception. The one who just got the unlucky metabolism that didn't seem to take to the old "calories in calories out" rule. The one that was just going to have to keep eating perfectly and working out like a maniac just to maintain and stay at a mediocre place.
Well, a paragraph in this book caught my eye.

After speaking about her vigorous routine of working out, eating perfectly, and drinking lots of diet coke to keep her energy up Jillian says, "God forbid I should fall of the wagon for a few days. (Speaking of breaking her perfect routine.) I'd instantly gain five pounds, which would then drive me back to the grueling routine. After all the effort I'd put into learning about diet and nutrition, I just couldn't figure out why all my working out and freaky eating habits weren't doing the trick. I really thought I'd been royally screwed in the genetics department--That my metabolism just sucked and I would never be able to have it as easy as some of my friends." (Master Your Metabolism, pg 22)

It just sounded FAR too familiar to me. Let it be known that I am not a huge Jillian Michaels follower. Sometimes I think her training methods are a little out there. I am not really into the whole yelling at my clients thing. BUT, A. let's be honest she gets the job done. She knows her stuff. and B. I do think that she has hit some VERY correct principles in her book. My mom and I have been talking about hormone balance for the past year or so, and my interest was definitely peaked when I saw that someone had written about it. I also love the fact that she is very much in line with another book I ADORE, called, "The Culprit and the Cure." If you haven't read it. Do it. It will change your eating habits in such a good way.

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Ok, back to hormones.
So, based on what I've been reading about how the foods we eat affect our bodies and the way we store fat, I am going to make some changes in my diet.
This is kind of a trial run here folks, right before your very eyes. Scary, huh? This could fail miserably, but if it works it could help immensely. Not just me, but you too.

Changes are as follows:
1. No more diet soda. (Wow. It hurts almost to type that.)
2. Only eating soy 1-2 times a week.
3. No artificial sweeteners.
4. No calorie counting. I can tell you right now this will be the hardest one for me, and I might slip up here every now and then. It's like mental math to me now. I do it without noticing.
5. No eating after 9:00.
6. Enjoy LOTS and LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies. (I already do this, but I have to give myself one that I KNOW I'll be real good at, right?)

K. So here goes. I might not be perfect, but I want to see how these changes effect me. I know I didn't go into explanation as to why I'm making each of the changes I am, due to the lengthiness of this post already. If you'd like me too, let me know, I'd be more than happy to give some more explanation.

Pool time treats

Summer is here in full force.
With summer comes a lot of time spent at the pool, duh.

A day at the pool means hungry kiddies, and grown ups for that matter.
The seemingly easy solution? Heading straight to the snack Bar...which is full of fried foods, pizza, chips, sugary soft drinks, and candy. That could be bad news.
The good news? With a little preparation you could have an easy solution that is healthy too.
Pack a cooler.
Bring veggies and hummus.
Cut up some fruit.
Grab some cheese sticks and deli meat.
Bring healthy snacks that won't melt; granola bars, trail mix, nuts, whole wheat crackers, dried fruit, pretzels, 100 calorie packs, peanut butter sandwiches, raisins, or bags of cereal.

You'll be saving yourself lots of money and calories! A little preparation goes a long way.

Time for new tunes...don'tcha think?

I listen to my ipod everyday when I workout, and so the workout play list is constantly in need of updating. We can't be getting bored now can we?

Here are my most recent favorites:

In My Head - Jason Derulo
Eenie Meenie - Justin Bieber ft. Sean Kingston
Back in Your Head - Tegan & Sara
California Gurls - Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dog
My First Kiss - 3OH3! ft. Kesha
Lonely People - B.o.B.
Tightrope - Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi
Alejandro - Lady Gaga
Wavin' Flag - Knaan
Cooler than Me - Mike Posner
Evacuate the Dancefloor - Cascada
Stylo - Gorillaz
Shutterbug - Big Boi
Nothin' on You - B.o.B ft. Bruno Mars
Not Lost - B.o.B ft. T.I.
Telephone - Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce
Shark in the Water - V.V. Brown
Ridin' Solo - Jason Derulo
La La La - Rachel Auburn & Iyaz

Hope you like em!

Exercise of the Week: Crazy Plank

You know how I love the multitasking.
This is a great exercise that not only will strengthen your core, but will work your upper and lower body at the same time. Phenomenal.

1. Start in a regular plank position on your elbows.

2. Push yourself up in to a push up position, so your arms are extended.

3. Return back to regular plank position
4. Take your right leg out as far as you can and leave it there. Take your left leg out as far as you can and leave it there. Your legs are in a wide "V" at this point.
5. Return your right leg back to center, followed by your left leg back to center.

This is one full repetition. Repeat this 15 times and you should be feeling it!

BBQ it up

Sometimes you feel like blogging...and sometimes you don't. :)
I didn't realize I'd gone so long without posting. Sometimes life just get's crazy, right? With summer finally coming into fruition, I decided it was time for a healthy & tasty BBQ recipe.
This is one I found on Eatingwell.com

Grilled Chicken Tenders with Cilantro Pesto

Makes 4 Servings

(Photo from eatingwell.com)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 2 cups loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, (1-2 bunches)
• 2 scallions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (Sesame seeds can be purchased already toasted. Look for them near other Asian ingredients. Or toast your own in a small dry skillet over low heat, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes.)

Directions:

1. Whisk lime juice, soy sauce, oil and chili powder in a large bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade in a small bowl. Add chicken to the remaining marinade; toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or up to 1 hour.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high.
3. Meanwhile, place cilantro, scallions, sesame seeds and the reserved marinade in a food processor and process until fairly smooth.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, about 2 minutes per side. Serve the chicken with the cilantro-sesame pesto.

Nutrition Facts (per one serving)
152 calories; 4 g fat (0 g sat, 2 g mono); 67 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 1 g fiber; 290 mg sodium; 105 mg potassium.