Cramping my style

Since I started my business as an Herbalife Distributor, I've come to realize more and more that one of the biggest problems with today's diets is that they're impossible to integrate into one's lifestyle, long term. I had a friend on the South Beach Diet, and I couldn't believe the kinds of things she had to cut out. It was no surprise to me that she couldn't lose any weight. Everything she enjoyed eating was "cheating."
A good diet focuses on learning proper eating habits, and being conscious of what you are putting into your body. Balance is the key word. It's ok to snack, just be aware of how much snacking you are doing! Nobody can cut out sweets completely, at least I've never met anyone. That's why there are so many sugar substitutes out there, because even diabetics who really can't have sweets have a hard time controlling themselves.
When I coach people who are trying to lose weight, this is the point I emphasize the most: You have to find a way to make the diet work for you, so you can integrate it into your lifestyle.

Out of step...

I'm hoping to get back into my normal routine quickly. It's been a while since I've gone for a run, and I know it won't be easy to get back out there. The weather is getting colder, though, so that makes it all the less enticing. Still, running really helps me sleep better at night, gives me energy during the day, and keeps my body and shape. So I've got to bite the bullet!

From the Pros

Today, I'm going to let Herbalife do the talking for me! Check out the link below for tips on how to maintain energy levels throughout the day:
5 diet tips to keep your energy level up all day long

Sluggish and slow

Training has kind of taken the back burner for a little while, and I have seriously noticed the difference in myself! I don't sleep as well at night as I have been. Granted, I've always been a particularly light sleeper, so I need to use something like Herbalife's Sleep Now to help me get my zzzz's. But exercise really helps me shut down at night because I've really used my energy during the day. Lately, as the last time I went for a run was the last Thursday of September, I've been tossing and turning. No fun!
Can't wait to get back into my normal schedule...

You are what you eat!

I was once discussing with a friend of mine why it is that some people just have a bad odor about them. I'm not talking about the socially awkward, unhygienic, never changes his socks kind of person. I'm talking about those who seem totally with it. We were actually trying to figure out a way to tell someone we knew that she was in fact one of those who needed to spend some extra time in the shower. I know it sounds awful, but we were really trying to help her out. After all, everything else about her spelled out a great person, it seemed a shame that she had this quality in her way.

I finally came up with a hypothesis. We both noticed about this girl that her eating habits were very bad. Not that she was a compulsive over eater, although she was slightly over weight. It's what she ate: wacky mac, instant oatmeal, food coloring... People don't realize that you are what you eat!

Your body doesn't recognize the chemicals in these seemingly harmless foods, so it has to get rid of them somehow. And my guess, was that her body was exuding those chemicals from her pores, giving her a very bad odor.

A relative of mine once said that she likes her food to be "as close to the ground as possible," meaning, simple ingredients that she could name. As soon as you start approaching long lists of ingredients that you don't recognize, proceed with caution.

I did not share the story of my "smelly" friend to publicly shame anyone. I did it to give a real example that you should think twice before pulling your dinner out of the freezer. Nothing that comes out of a package can ever be as healthy as what you make yourself!

Fiberlicious

As I'm on a bit of a vacation right now, and I left my sneakers at home, I'm going to take a moment to concentrate on nutrition instead of my normal running updates.

Today's topic: Fiber. Fiber is important for so many reasons. It keeps you feeling fuller, longer. Which is super important for people who are constantly feeling hungry. Plus, it detoxifies the body on its way out, taking all the bad stuff with it. To learn more, visit the link below:

Thermobond and the importance of fiber for your diet

Too many nay-sayers

Setting goals is difficult enough as it is, especially when it comes to our health. Food is delicious and exercise takes effort, so lifestyle changes, no matter how small are a real challenge. What makes it even more difficult is that we often don't get the support we so desperately need. Everyone dreams of living a healthier lifestyle, so people can't help but become jealous of those who have concrete plans to achieve this goal. Therefore, they do a lot of negative talking. Don't listen to them! Find others who are working on slowly achieving their health and wellness goals and form a bond. Together, you will reach success.

Overdosing on Vitamins

Did you know that it is possible to have too much of a good thing? It seems obvious when said that way, but most people don't realize that this rule applies to vitamins as well. I once heard that too much vitamin C has been connected to cancer. Now, that might be crazy, but it does get you thinking that maybe there's such a thing as too much vitamins.
In fact there is. There's a reason they have % daily values on the nutrition labels. When it comes to sugar and fat, we know how and why it's harmful to have more than our share. With vitamins, it's not quite as harmful, it's just completely unnecessary. Most store bought multivitamins have an average of over 150% of your daily recommendation of the most common nutrients. This is a ploy to make the consumer feel like it's more effective.
The truth is, that the body doesn't need or want more than the recommended daily value. In fact, when you take those vitamins, you are giving your body extra work, because it now has to get rid of the excess. That's why I really like Herbalife's multivitamins. They are meant to be taken daily, and they are meant to be a supplement, not a replacement for eating healthy.
Be a smart shopper, and know that what you are getting is actually what your body needs. And don't forget, vitamins are not an excuse to eat whatever you want. Make sure to get nutrients the natural way too!

Time for Tips

Just a quick tip before I head to bed for the night: go to sleep! Seriously! I was always made fun of as the old lady in her twenties. All of my friends think I'm a grandma because I go to bed so early. But I can't emphasize enough how important sleep is for your health!

So many good things happen while you sleep. Your metabolism breaks down fat, your muscles rest up, your brain gets everything in order.

And, sleep is also so important because often, when we don't get enough sleep, we wind up snacking endlessly to try to get the energy we could have had by getting to bed a bit earlier. Has that ever happened to you? It's one of those days where coffee just isn't doing it, so you grab a chocolate bar for the sugar, and then load up on carbs... and before you know it, you've eaten about 800+ more calories than you normally would.

So make a pact with yourself right now. Doesn't everyone want to sleep a little more?

Up, up and away!

Yay! New sneakers! I love that feeling you get from a new pair of sneakers. That first run, and you realize why it is that you've been sluggish lately.
Of course, sometimes that sluggish feeling can't be blamed on the sneakers. Sometimes it's lack of sleep, or eating heavy meals before a run or any number of reasons. So sometimes, I just don't get out there like I should. That's why I stay connected to other runners who help motivate me to lace up!

4 months?!

Having just started my own business, much of my focus lately has been about getting things off the ground. Between the phone calls, the ordering, the advertising etc. I've barely had time to think about anything else.
So you can imagine my shock when I realized that the marathon for which I am training is only 4 months away! I'm so happy I have an Herbalife order on the way. It's really time for me to get into shape, and I know the protein boost will be a huge help.
Full speed ahead!

Marathon runner

Last year I participated in the ING marathon as part of a great team that raises money for kids with cancer. It was fun, but never thought I would be doing it again!
But here I am, six weeks in to my training, because it was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. This time though, I have Herbalife on my side! Running is so hard on the body, so I'm doing what I can to treat my body right. That includes yoga, taking Liftoff to get the most out of my runs, and drinking lots of water.
Stay tuned for updates on my training...

Endless Posibilities

I'm a huge fan of smoothies, but when I used to make them for breakfast, I found that while they might taste good, they never actually kept me full. So adding 2 scoops of Formula 1 nutritional shake mix just makes sense! This morning, after a refreshing run with my sister, I made us each a tall glass of strawberry banana smoothie:

1. 16 oz water
2. 4 scoops shake mix
3. 1 banana
4. About a bowl full of strawberries.

So delicious! (And of course the run started with a glass of liftoff, so I was feeling great!)

The protein really helps to make it a proper breakfast.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Healthiness

Freshly graduated from college, I need a way to stay young and active. It's amazing how many people my age find jobs and lose the youth they had in their college years.
Well, not me! I finally found the products I need to keep my body in tip top shape, and running as it should be. Stay tuned for more...