My Butt is Big

Nike Women

This Nike Women ad isn't new, but I love it all the same. The Nike women ad series celebrates women with strong, athletic bodies instead of emphasizing just being "model thin". Of course, I also connect with it personally. I swore when I started working out seriously again that my butt would shrink. It didn't. Countless hours of run, plyometrics, strength training and yoga and, yes, I still have a butt. My jeans may be looser in the waist, but below that not so much. That is just fine with me. If I didn't have this butt and thighs I wouldn't be able to run like I do or kick with power and accuracy.
We all have a body part that may not be ideal, but it's okay. If you have muscular shoulders, you can probably throw with great power and strength. If you have long, thin chicken legs you can use them to run fast. It's really not about making your imperfections disappear, it's about embracing your body and making the most of your assets. 

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The Mind-Body Connection

I'll admit it: I used to hate yoga. I recognize the importance of stretching before and after cardio, as well as warming up, but yoga just seemed so boring. I've moved past my reservations though and I'm starting to incorporate yoga into my workout routines. Turbofire includes an extended stretch routine that I usually end up doing every other week, but I've also decided to do 15 minutes of yoga before going to sleep. Yoga is great for relaxing, limiting stress, preventing recurrences of depression and toning your body. I do different poses every night depending on certain factors, but here's some of my favorites: 

Boat pose: This pose is great for strengthening your abs, spine, and hips. It's also great for digestion, as well as relieving stress. Each time you perform this pose you can hold it longer to get a greater core workout.

Tree pose: Tree pose looks easy, but it definitely challenges your balance. It works your thighs, calves, ankles and core. 

Locust: It could definitely take awhile to work up to the full locust pose because it is tough! After practicing though, you'll be able to lift yourself higher and higher and really feel the workout for your butt and the back of your arms and legs. It's also great core work!

Plank: Here's a basic, but it's still a pose that shouldn't be underestimated. Plank is a great move to strengthen your arms and your arms. It's amazing how staying in plank for awhile can improve your ability to do push-ups!

I could go on and on with more great poses to try, which is one of the huge pluses about yoga. For more poses and tips, go to Yoga Journal for a very comprehensive guide to yoga poses.

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A New Era for US Soccer...Potentially

Juergen Klinsmann -- Getty Images

I've been waiting for this moment for what seemed like forever. Today it was announced that Juergen Klinsmann is the new coach of the US Men's National Soccer team. It's about time. 
Never have I been much of a fan of Bob Bradley as coach of the USMNT. Some fans pointed to the victory over Spain in the 2009 Confederation's Cup as a turning point in American soccer, but unfortunately I think it was more of a fluke. The US performed poorly in the 2010 World Cup, despite the thrilling conclusion of the game against Algeria that put the United States in the round of 16. The United States was in the easiest group and subsequently lost to Ghana, just like it did in the 2006 World Cup. The US had consistently lost or tied in international friendly matches and the team's loss to Mexico in this year's Gold Cup really marks it's decline. Something had to give.
Juergen Klinsmann has a tough task ahead of him to say the least. Change has been long overdue though and bringing in a coach with experience, talent, and fresh ideas could be the catalyst US soccer needs. I don't believe that coaching is the only problem facing the USMNT or soccer in the United States in general. Culture is also part of the problem, as well as money. Money is necessary to build and recruit a solid squad and the MLS is certainly not the best paying sports league in the nation. Juergen Klinsmann can't completely change how the United States views soccer, but if he can build enthusiasm for the team in addition to building a stronger team, this could be a momentous occasion for American soccer.

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Dealbreaker?

According to AskMen's Great Male Survey of 2011, almost half of the 70,000 men surveyed would dump a girlfriend if she "became fat". On the other hand, about 20 percent of the women surveyed would dump a boyfriend if he gained weight. I'm not surprised by these findings, but they are interesting nonetheless. 
"Fat" is definitely an objective term. The survey also doesn't address how much weight a girl would have to gain in order for her boyfriend to call it quits, but the principle remains the same. One could view the results of this survey as very disconcerting, but there's different factors to consider. 
Some people prefer certain lifestyles and want a partner who has a similar lifestyle. Fitness and sports are both major parts of my life and always will be. I truly cannot imagine being with someone who didn't love sports or enjoy working out or being fit. I wouldn't necessarily require my significant other to love every sport I do as much as I do, but us sharing a healthy lifestyle really isn't negotiable. If my boyfriend started out fit and healthy and suddenly that lifestyle changed I don't know that our relationship could survive. I don't think that's an awful thing, I think wanting to share a lifestyle with someone absolutely makes sense.
People also have personal physical preferences and unfortunately there is no way to change those preferences.
However, relationships can definitely cause weight gain. Between dinners out, watching movies on the couch, and losing the desire to impress it's pretty common to go up a dress size or two in a relationship. I know it's not practical to keep up the same exercise routine when you're in a relationship as it is when you're single. For that reason, I think it's unfair to break up with someone because he or she gained a few pounds. A better solution would be trying to eat healthier and become more active. That change might be all that is needed to get back on track. 


Source: Half of Men Say They Would Leave a Partner Who Gained Weight

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It's Back!

Ray Lewis

That's right, the NFL lockout is over and football is back! I never really thought that the season would be in jeopardy, but it was getting closer and closer to the beginning of the pre-season and I was getting a bit worried.
It wasn't long until my team, the Baltimore Ravens, announced some serious changes. A salary cap has to be met and Todd Heap, Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, and Kelly Gregg will all be getting cut. The news came as a shock since the excitement of the lockout ending was still setting in. They may not all be gone for good, but there's no denying that a core group of Ravens will be missing this year. Of course, just because the Ravens have decided to announce major changes early doesn't mean the salary caps won't drastically affect other teams - we just haven't heard any announcements yet. 
Strategy and some serious last-minute training will probably make all the difference in the NFL this season, since there will be a significant amount of changes made to the teams we know.
Things still seem disjointed, but it's definitely going to be an interesting season! I'm looking forward to my Sunday football and pumpkin lattes come September. 

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It's Getting Easier (Part Four)

I'll admit it: 2009 felt like a "get out a jail free" card for me. I felt like I had escaped and everything was okay. I had my plans all set out for the next year: I was moving into my own apartment, I'd get promoted again and get tuition reimbursement, I'd go back to school and everything would be perfect. I felt independent, but only because I thought independence came from a false sense of financial security and having a real job. I thought happiness came from external goals and accomplishments.
I moved into my apartment, I got promoted, but it didn't take long before I started to feel trapped again. My job seemed like a dead-end, I suddenly realized it wouldn't be long before I'd start running out of money, and my plan seemed like a failure. I felt the anger building up inside, once again, and every moment I was a moment closer to snapping. How was it that, yet again, what I thought I wanted wasn't what I wanted at all?
To differentiate my college woes from my job woes, my only regret with my job was that I didn't leave sooner. Whereas I know my initial problems with school were more emotional than anything, my problems at my job were real and I have no regrets in leaving. The experience was invaluable, but it wasn't my passion at all. If there's anything I regret, it's that I allowed myself to lose focus on my goals so easily. I'm thankful for the learning experience and I can't deny that my resume got quite the boost at a young age, but I wasn't ready for it.
The way I chose to handle my problems was always worse than the problems themselves. I spent a great deal of time before leaving my job crying, whether it was in the parking lot or in my apartment. A significant amount of time was also spent in the bathroom, getting rid of whatever I had last eaten. I didn't think I was depressed; I swore it was the circumstance - a familiar viewpoint for me.
When I left my job, I knew it was time to make some changes. I felt free and vowed to live my life healthier - I started working out again, taking vitamins, and eating much healthier. I thought all was well and if this part of the story seems terribly familiar that's because it is. Repetitive though it may seem, I've learned that my struggles with depression aren't that unusual. I'm not the only one who has gone through periods of sadness and anxiety, swearing they'd stop if my circumstances changed. I developed a terrible habit of relying on some far-off goal to sustain my happiness and blaming some unforeseen disappointment for why I felt so sad and empty.
My twenty-first birthday was supposed to be my pivotal turning point. I was going to be in amazing shape, my hair was going to be long and luxurious, I'd be back in school, I'd be able to drink legally of course, and I'd have a great celebration with all of my friends. All of my problems would melt away and I'd feel complete at last. My twenty-first birthday was a very pivotal day for me; it was within two weeks of turning twenty-one that I finally recognized, admitted, and sought help for my problems with depression and anxiety.

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No Excuses: Workouts on the Go

Kourtney Kardashian for Shape Magazine

When I talk to people who don't work out or aren't into fitness, there's usually some excuses involved. Last year when I didn't work out, I had my own personal set of excuses. One of the most common excuses I hear has to do with travelling too much or being otherwise unable to get to a gym. Of course, you don't need a gym to get fit! There's a ton of ways to stay fit away from home, whether you're on vacation or travelling for business.

• Crossfit has some awesome workouts that can be done on the go because they do not involve equipment. An additional bonus of Crossfit is the workouts of the day are short, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy vacation. Some of the travel workouts listed on various Crossfit affiliates include
• Run 1/2 mile, 50 air squats - 3 rounds
• Run 200 meters, 10 squats, 10 pushups - 5 rounds
• 100 jumping jacks, 75 air squats, 50 pushups, 25 burpie
• Going to the beach? Fortunately the beach affords plenty of opportunities to work out while on vacation. Working out on sand works your body harder and while you can either wear shoes or go barefoot, going barefoot will work your muscles seriously. 
• Try beach runs. You can get in the water, a little less than knee deep, and run parallel to the beach while in the water. No need to run for distance here, the resistance is intense enough. But just a regular run through the sand will give plenty of resistance as well!
• Yoga poses are always great for sand. The beach is a perfect place for some relaxing, invigorating yoga.
• Workout DVDs are a great option if your hotel doesn't have a gym, but you have access to a DVD player, you're in luck. Bring along some of your favorite workout DVDs and you can fit in some exercise whenever you have time.
• Be active during your vacation! Get out and explore the place you're visiting, walk instead of renting a car, go for a hike or a bike ride. So many popular vacation spots offer so many opportunities to be outside, so while I totally understand laying by the pool, reading and relaxing, mix it up (or at least do a few laps)!

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Fit Links

Here's some great fitness articles I've recently stumbled upon!

• The Fitnessista tackles how to find motivation, even when you really don't feel like working out!
• 20 Habits That Make You Fat from Eat This Not That
• Healthy Women presents a Beginner's Guide for Running
• Beat the mid-summer workout slump with these tips from College Candy - you know, when it's so hot you don't feel like moving, let alone working out
• Evidence that exercise is the key to brain health from Health.com
• Exercises for balance, coordination and agility from Pooja R Mottl

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Playlist: British Invasion

Drumming Song - Florence and the Machine

While this playlist isn't as high energy as the last one I posted, it's still fun for working out. I've included some classic artists, like The Beatles and The Smiths, and some newer artists like Mumford and Sons and Florence and the Machine. This playlist runs 1.3 hours and I think it's perfect for my P90x workouts!

• In My Life - The Beatles
• To Darkness/Kripa - The Dharohar Project, Mumford and Sons
• Set Fire to the Rain - Adele
• Signs - Bloc Party
• Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons
• Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles
• Red Lights Indicate Doors are Secured - Arctic Monkeys
• Who'd Have Known - Lily Allen
• Benny and the Jets - Elton John
• Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles
• There is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths
• I Could Say - Lily Allen
• Drumming Song - Florence and the Machine
• White Blank Page - Mumford and Sons
• Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) - Florence and the Machine
• I'll Be Waiting - Adele
• Meheni Rachi - The Dharohar Project, Laura Marling, Mumford and Sons
• Hurricane Drunk - Florence and the Machine
• Howl - Florence and the Machine
• Fix You - Coldplay
• Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths

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Moving Past Disappointment

Unfortunately disappointment is a huge part of life, as is frustration, but it never seems easy to deal with those feelings. No matter how much progress is made with positive thinking, sometimes it gets hard to deal with things when they go wrong. Yesterday I definitely had a frustrating day, one that reached the height of frustration when I found out from the doctor that I had carpal tunnel syndrome and I'm going to need surgery. I knew that I had a pinched nerve, but I was shocked to find out it was that bad and that if I didn't address it I'd begin to experience muscle atrophy. While I'm still shocked and overwhelmed by this information, I've found different ways to avoid focusing on it and stay positive.

1. Leisure reading: While I do enjoy taking classes and moving closer to my degree, I miss having the opportunity to get in leisure reading when I'm super busy with classes and school. Some light leisure reading always takes me away from my own stresses and keeps me entertained. I feel late on The Hunger Games series, so I finally picked up the first book so I could get out of my own world and into something new and exciting.
2. Treat yourself: I love a little retail therapy. I won't advocate going out and buying anything that's relatively cute or useful when you're upset, but it's nice to treat yourself to something you love. Yesterday I found the perfect Fossil watch for an amazing price and I couldn't be more pleased with my purchase. I also treated myself to some new running shorts and sports bras, which always puts me in a better mood.
3. Focus on a new goal: For me, it's usually fitness or sports related, but it can be anything! I also picked up a new soccer ball so I could get out and practice my shooting this morning. It felt great! I have a lot of work to do since it's been awhile since I played soccer regularly, but practice makes perfect and I just had a great time playing since it's something I love.
4. Get some good advice: One of my favorite inspirational blogs is Tiny Buddha. Whenever I'm feeling less than one hundred percent I can go to Tiny Buddha and find an article that helps me understand how I'm feeling. In the article "4 Steps to Deal with Disappointment", Raeeka gives great pointers to dealing and moving on from disappointment. 
5. Let it out: Talk to someone, whether it's a friend, family member, or a therapist. Talking to my parents, one of my close co-workers, and my best friend really helped me to get perspective and feel okay. Writing is also a great way to express the feelings of disappointment and frustration in a constructive manner.

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It's Getting Easier (Part Three)

The freedom I felt as I drove back to Maryland was short-lived and I directed my new found freedom to all the wrong channels. My parents would not accept me living at home with no job and not enrolled in school, but I lucked out and found a job within two weeks of returning home.
Luck is a funny word and it's especially funny to think of it in such a context. I had never made real money before, so having a job that gave me more than a sixty dollar bi-weekly paycheck was eye opening. The job, however, was in a big box retail and if you've been fortunate to avoid working retail, I must say the awful stories you hear are almost always true. At first I didn't hate it though. I needed to feel like I could excel at something and it certainly wasn't difficult to excel at easy things like cashiering, working the sales floor, and customer service. I won't deny that finding a job so quickly and becoming successful with such ease gave me confidence; in that sense, I had lucked out. The issue was my sense of confidence was a false one.
I spent a great deal of that year volleying back and forth from guy to guy. Upon reflection, I barely spent 48 hours unattached to a fling or romantic interest. As someone who normally avoids relationships, it was an anomaly of a year, but it served to fuel that false sense of confidence that propelled me forward. Despite the fact that I exercised little discretion with my choices, I still felt pretty and wanted. None of my flings worked out. Some failed because I chose to pursue guys who clearly did not wanted to be tied down or guys with whom I shared no real common interests. Others failed because of ex drama, poor timing, or, most unfortunately, strong showings of insecurity on my part. 
I ended my year exactly where I started, with no direction. I thought because I had received a paltry raise, was accepting the affections of any guy who wanted to give them, and could (barely) afford an apartment of my own that I was in the right place. I had, yet again, shoved my issues into a box and refused to address them. 

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Playlist: Girl Power

Girls Aloud

I have an insane amount of songs on my iPod and I'm working to make some comprehensive playlists for every type of workout. So my first is your classic, girl-power inspired, high energy playlist. I have everything in my music collection from R&B to dubstep to reggaeton and rock so I'm open to playlist suggestions and already have some ideas brewing for more playlists!

• If You Can't Dance - Spice Girls
• Roman's Revenge - Nicki Minaj
• Spice Up Your Life - Spice Girls
• Lost Yo Mind - Beyonce
• Get Me Bodied - Beyonce
• I Don't Need a Man - Pussycat Dolls
• Pretty Boy - Danity Kane
• Like Me - Girlicious
• Who's that Chick? - Rihanna
• Love Game (Chew Fu Ghettohouse Remix) - Lady Gaga
• Are You Feeling Me? - Aaliyah
• Cobrastyle - Robyn
• Survivor - Destiny's Child
• Countdown - Beyonce
• Stronger - Britney Spears
• Call the Shots - Girls Aloud
• Judas - Lady Gaga

My workouts tend to run about an hour and a half long, but I narrowed this playlist down to an hour so it wouldn't be exceedingly long. If this is your preference for working out, I'd strongly recommend checking out Girls Aloud. I could listen to their entire music catalog as a high-energy workout playlist.

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Fitspiration: Lea Michele

I knew the first moment I watched an episode of Glee that Lea Michele would become one of my role models. She's talented, gorgeous, fit and not your conventional Hollywood starlet. I could always relate to her because she was told she's not pretty enough to make it and not everyone always believed in her, but she pushed forward anyway. Now she's the star of a hit TV show, has multiple Emmy nominations and limitless potential whether she continues with the Hollywood route or focuses on Broadway.

Lea Michele is more than just a personal role model for me though; she's also a fitness role model. Lea promotes a healthy lifestyle through a vegan diet and a varied exercise routine. A balanced exercise routine is essential to reaching optimum fitness and Lea exemplifies that by integrating yoga, strength training and intervals into her workouts (3 of my favorites!). 

One of Lea's favorite workouts that I haven't tried is the iPhone Nike Fitness app. Sadly, I won't have my iPhone until next month (I'm not waiting until the iPhone 5), but when I get it, I'm all over this app. Lea's specially designed workout is only 15 minutes long and it targets the entire body. It's perfect for anyone on the go. The app itself can be easily customized to fit your fitness level - from beginner to advanced. I can't wait to officially review it when I get my iPhone!

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A Silver Lining

Hope Solo's Twitter

Note: I'll return to regularly scheduled fitness and health posts after this post, but I have to wrap up my thoughts on the Women's World Cup.


There's more than a silver lining here, but I have to admit that I am very disappointed about the US loss in the final and my heart is still a little bit broken. It was a hard fought game and an incredibly exciting one. Alex Morgan showed that she is going to be a superstar, Abby Wambach pulled off another excellent goal, and the team played a better possession and defensive game than they played in the entire rest of the World Cup. That's nothing to be embarrassed about. To see them lose in penalties really hurt, especially considering Hope Solo's injury. Her frustration was painful to watch. But there's always London in 2012 and with talent like this, a gold medal is not far-fetched at all!


I'm so proud of the US Women's National Team; I'm proud of their performance and I'm equally proud of the class they displayed upon losing. If there was any team to lose to, it was Japan. They played incredibly well and the country could use that emotional boost. Hope said in an interview she hasn't even hit her prime so there's nothing for us US fans to worry about!


For me, the best outcome of the tournament has been the increased interest in women's soccer. Sure, I still cringe at the misogynistic remarks and the sexualization of female players, but yesterday's game was the second highest rated daytime cable TV telecast in TV history - how awesome is that? 

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A Chance to be a Hero

Pressure Makes Us - Alex Morgan

"Every moment is a chance to be a hero. Take yours."

After two riveting finishes in matches against Brazil and France, the US Women's National Team has risen to both challenges and made it to the final match in the Women's World Cup against Japan. The USWNT has shown that they don't have to play the most beautiful game, nor do they have to dominate possession, but they will push to the very last minute and score the goals needed.
Alex Morgan was the star of the last game, in my opinion. The US was up 2-1 toward the end of the game, but France was still threatening to equalize and take it to overtime - again. But Alex was pushing toward the goal, as always, with her explosive energy and found a way to get that third goal that put the game away. As the youngest player on the team, I can tell Alex is going to be a star. It's great to see that not only does the USWNT have great veteran players, but they have strength in their youth too. It's going to be important, since  women's soccer is continuing to expand and grow. Great for the sport, but I want the US to keep up and keep performing like they do now.

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Hypocritical...or a Healthy Habit?

Getty Images

On Monday every newspaper, blog, and gossip site was buzzing about Michelle Obama's trip to the Shake Shack in DC and her 1700 calorie meal order. Criticism was almost immediate, with people calling Michelle a hypocrite for eating a fatty, high-calorie meal when she's known for her "Let's Move" campaign and being so fiercely committed to living a fit and healthy lifestyle. 
I can honestly say that I didn't think negatively about her choice at all, and here's why: moderation does not equal deprivation. 
Experts often say that it's easier to lose weight than it is to keep weight off, but it's my belief that that's only the case if you choose not to make fitness and healthy eating a lifestyle. If you go on an extreme weight loss diet, radically lowering your caloric intake through a special program and exercising more than is reasonable for normal days, it will be hard to keep that pace. You'll be tempted to stop exercising or to have those four slices of pizza because they're "forbidden". However, if you slowly change your habits by increasing your exercise length and intensity gradually as well as gradually transitioning to eating healthier, the temptation won't be as strong.
And for the above reasons, what Michelle Obama did was not bad at all. If you want a burger, it's okay to have a burger. If you stay active, work out regularly, and eat healthy as a general rule, a burger and a milkshake won't make you gain 5 pounds or cause irreparable artery blockage. There's no need for the "all or nothing" diet mentality.

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Sitting is Killing You?

The Body Odd

I stumbled upon this awesome infographic on The Body Odd, which is a great site to check out if you're into health, medical oddities or psychological studies. I was pretty surprised by the findings, especially the fact that "sitting 6+ hours per day makes you up to 40% likelier to die within 15 years than someone who sits less than 3, even if you exercise." The "even if you exercise" bit really threw me off. I always figured that since I exercised, I could relax as much as I wanted when I had the time. However, if makes sense. There's a lot less activity occurring on a daily basis for many people. With commutes getting longer, people begin their days sitting in the car, go to work to sit at a desk for 8 hours, return to their cars, eat dinner, and then watch TV before bed. It's a long day, but not an active one.

Fortunately, my job requires me being on my feet for 6.5-7.5 hours a day 4 days a week, which is definitely better than having an office job and sitting all day. However, this news absolutely has me re-considering my lazy days. Now, even when I'm watching TV I'm careful not to sit idle too long. I get up and stretch and do easy exercises just to keep moving like squats and lunges. I also break up the monotony of sitting too long by doing chores like the dishes or laundry and cleaning my room - which right now can practically qualify as a workout. There's lots of little ways to be active and according to this infographic, they can be just an important to your health as working out!

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It's Getting Easier (Part Two)

I entered college with the worst mindset. I was bitter about not performing better in high school and, instead of seeing college as a fresh start, I had the same negative attitude I carried in high school. 
One thing that weighed heavily on my negativity about college was my lack of preparation. I didn't give college that much thought and my parents never pushed me much. My mother received her AA in Nursing from a community college, while my father went to Johns Hopkins, even though his record indicates to me he could have gone to Harvard or Yale. My parents were dealing with a lot of stress at the time of my college applications process and I was mostly on my own. One of my closest high school friends fell in love with Ohio State during a tour and subsequently, I did some research and it seemed like a good choice. I applied and was admitted with a full-tuition scholarship within about two weeks. I couldn't turn down the money and I didn't want to go to University of Maryland like it seemed my entire graduating class did, so I accepted the offer of admission.
To add to my initial disenchantment with the college process, my boyfriend broke up with me the day before I left for school. He did me a great favor, but at the time it was like my life had come to a screeching halt. The inevitable high school relationship transition to college break-up is basically a rite of passage, but I didn't rise to the occasion and overcome the pain like I wish I had. I was far away, single and alone, and homesickness had crept into every aspect of my life like I never thought it would. I've always had a good relationship with my parents, but I had a healthy social life in high school and I never would have guessed that I'd be so incredibly homesick. 
Ohio State provided me with every resource I needed and looking back on that is incredibly painful for me. I was in an Honors program with plenty of AP credits that allowed me to schedule as early as I wanted. I got to see the most amazing football stadium and games and workout at the RPAC, the best fitness facility at any college. I had access to the most intelligent professors and incredible research and internship opportunities. I easily could have graduated with a double major in just two years and two quarters of college.
It just wasn't enough for me though. I had every classic clinical sign of depression. My first quarter of college I   slept all the time, I couldn't bring myself to eat much of anything, I felt lonely and hopeless and had no interest in doing anything but watching repeat episodes of Gossip Girl. The first time I visited home in October it took a turn for the worse. My ex boyfriend picked me up from the airport and everything was different. I thought home would be safe and perfect, but it wasn't. So what did I do? I threw up my blueberry muffin and vanilla latte from the flight.
It's how I learned to cope and how I continued to cope for the next quarter. I would go on late night burrito and cereal runs only to see my dinner floating in the toilet after throwing it up. I'd eat thousand calorie parfaits and they'd be out of my system within the hour. I cried all the time, couldn't sleep, and was a total bitch to my roommates. I didn't want to get help - I swore I didn't need help. It wasn't me, it wasn't an illness, it was the place. If I got out of the place, if I changed my situation, it'd set me free.
It wasn't that easy, of course.

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Confession: I Hate the Word Skinny

Earlier today when I put my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on the coffee table, I noticed one of the headlines on my mother's Allure magazine: "25 diet tips from skinny chicks". I cringed. I really hate the word skinny.
It all comes down to the connotations of the word and skinny has some very negative connotations. If you search the word "skinny" as a tag on almost any blog site, you'll encounter a lot of posts equating being skinny with being perfect or happy. You'll probably also see pro eating disorder quotes like "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". When it comes down to it, all of this hype about being skinny really just focuses on depriving yourself and going to extremes to achieve an unlikely result.
Everyone has a different body type. Some girls are naturally thin while others are curvy. There's nothing inherently wrong with either side of the spectrum, as long as you're healthy. I'm petite, always have been, but I have hips and thighs and, even though I eat in moderation and exercise six days a week, I have the classic Puerto Rican butt. Nothing's going to change that short of starving myself and that's why the cultural obsession with being skinny is unrealistic and unhealthy. 
Skinny does not equal healthy. You could be thin as a rail and eat McDonald's every day if you're genetically predisposed to being very thin. Unfair? Maybe, but if you focus on being fit you'll reap more benefits than being able to feel your hip bones. Fitness equates to more energy, more strength, more focus and yes, it will change your body even if it doesn't make you a size 00. 
I'd love to go the rest of my life without having to hear anyone lamenting about how they long to become skinny.

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Review: P90X Legs/Back + Ab Ripper X

Beachbody

Initial disclaimer: I am not a Beachbody coach and I do not specifically endorse Beachbody programs. However, the Beachbody programs I've tried (especially Insanity) have taken me to an infinitely better fitness level and it is incredibly convenient to be able to work out at home when I don't feel like driving to school to go to the gym. 
My P90x reviews will be fairly scattered. I'm not doing P90x full as a program, for some of the reasons described below. However, I do really like Ab Ripper X and Legs/Back, so I have kept them in my workout routine. 
The legs/back workout will definitely have you feeling the burn in your legs. There's a variety of moves with no repeat leg movements, which makes the hour long workout go by faster than some of the other P90x workouts. My favorite moves the wall squats (talk about a serious burn) and the calf squats and raises (I'm trying to work on my calf muscles). You can up the intensity of a lot of the moves by adding resistance via resistance bands or hand weights and of course you can always go deeper into the lunges and squats. I do have to say that P90x has my quads looking great and my calves are more toned as well. The back exercises make use of the pull-up bars (you can also substitute the resistance bands for pull-up bars if you're just starting out). 
Ab Ripper X is exactly what it sounds like - intense! It's a quick 15 minute workout added on to the legs/back routine. The moves include in-and-outs, fifer scissors, cross-leg sit-ups, oblique sit-ups and leg climbs. Some of the moves can be altered to maximize difficulty and intensity once you have the initial workout down. If you perform the moves correctly, you will feel it the next day. And like the legs/back workout, my abs look more toned than ever!
So why is P90x as a system not for me? I prefer a more intense cardio workout. The Plyometrics workout didn't compare to a good run or Insanity's amazing Pure Cardio and Max Cardio workouts. Kenpo X was also too tame and Yoga X was boring and repetitive. The time factor is also the other issue. P90x requires about an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half a day. I wouldn't necessarily mind dedicating that time if I didn't feel like fifteen to twenty minutes of a workout is often spent with Tony Horton talking. 

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It's Getting Easier (Part One)

When I started this blog, oh two and a half weeks ago, I didn't intend it to be a personal blog. I still don't intend it to be a personal blog really, but when I was reading one of my favorite blogs Oh She Glows, Angela mentioned something important about having a successful blog - creating your own voice. I want to write to inspire others to make changes in their lifestyles, to express my passion, and to have my own creative outlet. It seems disingenuous though to gloss over how difficult it's been for me to reach this point.
Mental health is just as important as physical health and for me, mental and physical health were intertwined in the worst of ways for a long time. Throughout middle school and high school, my self-image was pretty warped in a terrible way. I could find a way to pick at everything about myself, but some things were worse than others. I hated my nose and my acne and my hair was way too frizzy. 
Not only did I have physical self-image problems, but my intellectual self-esteem wasn't so great either. I went to a high school that seemed to breed intellectuals like rabbits. I always considered myself a smart girl, but I really doubted myself in high school and I never focused. My mother's bout with breast cancer and my father's period of unemployment left me worried about everything but school and my transcript reflected that. By the end of high school, I felt like I had accomplished nothing. 
When you don't feel too pretty or too smart, sometimes things feel out of your control. The only thing I felt like I could control was my body. I could control working out, I could control binging, and most importantly, I could control purging. 
And unfortunately, high school was only the tip of the iceberg...

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Hydrate the Right Way

I used to hate drinking water. I would seriously go weeks without drinking one glass of water - I strictly consumed soda and coffee. When I started at my current job I realized they didn't sell Coca Cola and, as a soda snob, I decided to start drinking water. I have zero problem with drinking it now, but I've found some great alternatives to plain water that make drinking it a little more tolerable if you hate the taste.

• Hint water : Hint is exactly what it sounds like, sugar-free, calorie-free water with just a hint of different flavors. It's refreshing without being overly sweet and the most important part is there are no artificial sweeteners. 
• Poland Spring : Poland Spring's sparkling flavored water does one thing Hint water does not - met the need for carbonation and that "soda" taste. The flavors are natural and not overwhelming. I love the raspberry lime flavor, but all of the flavors are great options for a good, natural flavored water.

When choosing a flavored water, always pay attention to sugar content. Eat This Not That has a great article on the worst flavored waters that will make decision making a bit easier. 

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Pressure Makes Us

I've been watching as much of the Women's World Cup as possible and I'm loving it! People who complain that there isn't enough scoring in soccer really need to watch the Women's World Cup and maybe they will reconsider. The US Women's loss to Sweden two days ago was very painful for me, but Hope Solo is still my favorite player and her Pressure Makes Us video segment above really shows why. It's so inspiring how she's come back from her shoulder injury and when I watch her play I can just feel how much she wants to win.
I still think the US ladies have it in them to beat Brazil and it breaks my heart that I won't see the game because I'll be working Sunday. I've been impressed by a lot of teams so far this tournament though. If the United States doesn't make it all the way, my support will be with Germany. I just love watching the German team play and they have been dominating this tournament.

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Breakage Proof Hair?

I don't believe the influx of commercials for products that claim to "fix" split ends. Unfortunately, once the split ends are there, they cannot be erased until they are trimmed. Since I'm growing out my hair though, I'm willing to try anything that will make my hair stronger and prevent it from getting split ends. I hate going to get my hair cut and having some scissor happy stylist undo 2 months of progress.
So I decided to try Pantene Pro-V's new system: Breakage to Strength. I don't flat iron my hair often, usually once a week, but I always worry about the damage it does to my hair. Right now I may have one or two split ends that I plan to trim as soon as possible when I get my hair cutting scissors, but otherwise my hair is healthy. I'm hoping this shampoo and conditioner will keep my hair as healthy as it is and make it better!
When I got out of the shower, my hair was silky smooth and when I blow-dryed it it was straighter and less frizzy than it usually is. It looks extra healthy and, despite the insane muggy weather outside, it's frizz free! So far, I'm definitely impressed and I'll continue to use it so I can put off any unnecessary hair trims. 

Excuse the shiny face - it's humid, and I forgot to mention, my  hair is super curly and thick

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There's Always Tomorrow

The amazing thing about getting in shape and working out is that there's no limit to what you can achieve. Of course, you may not become an Olympic athlete (it's nice to dream though), but you can push yourself to levels you would have never imagined when you began. 
This is too embarrassing to admit, but at my lowest point of being out of shape I couldn't even run a full mile. Today I run an average 8 minute mile. I'm not going to stop there because I know how far I've come and there's no limit to how far I can go. For this reason, I've come up with a variety of fitness goals to keep me pushing forward and add variety to my fitness routine. 

1. Complete a triathlon: I've listed this first, not because I plan on doing it soon (sadly), but because it's something that would be a huge achievement for me and something I really want to do badly. I'm not the best swimmer so it'd be major to really work on my swimming. I'd rather complete a triathlon than run a marathon because of the diverse training it requires and I just can't imagine how great the adrenaline rush would be.
2. Do Crossfit: Crossfit is my ideal fitness program, no doubt about it. I recently found out the new gym near my house and job happens to be a Crossfit affiliate, which is awesome! Crossfit is pricey, but it'd be worth the money once I reach the point in my fitness where I can complete it and dedicate a lot of time to it.
3. Become an accredited trainer: I'm tentatively planning for next summer to take the test to become a personal trainer, which is super exciting! I love helping people improve their fitness and one of the best feelings is helping someone and seeing their excitement at their progress. If I can get a job at my local gym then I can do Crossfit for free, yes? 

I have plenty of other more short-term fitness goals, but when I think about what I want to do in the future, these goals keep me going.

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What Motivates You?

Motivation: the key to meeting all your goals, whether they are career, personal, or fitness goals.


For me, motivation isn't just about money or external rewards. Sure, I'm motivated to go to work because I want to make money, but I also want to maintain a solid resume during school. When it comes to working out though my motivation is deeper than just wanting a six pack and to increase my metabolism.
I love pushing myself to levels I never thought I'd achieve. I love the feeling of sweat dripping down my face and when I'm running and my legs feel like complete Jello. I love finishing a workout and feeling my heart beat still racing afterward, knowing that my workout was super intense. It's not about competition for me, I only look to compete with myself. 

"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to take better than myself." - Mikhail Baryshnikov

So what motivates you? 

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Strong Core, Strong Body

WeHeartIt

Having a strong core is about more than just having a six pack (although that's a major plus); a strong core makes you stronger and faster overall and keeps you healthy. I'm still working on the perfect ab routine and I've tried a variety of exercises and videos that I will absolutely review, but these are the best tips for eliminating belly fat and working on a tight, strong core. 

• Contract your core! Don't just focus on your core when you're doing sit-ups and crunches. Focus on contracting your core when doing cardio or other strength training exercises, like push ups or squats. Feeling the burn and the contraction is a key to getting strong abdominal muscles.
• Cardio, cardio, cardio! You can do a million crunches a day, but if you don't burn enough calories through adequate cardio, that layer of fat will cover those muscles up. Balancing cardio with ab work is necessary to scuplting those abdominals.
• Cut out those empty calories. Key culprits of the empty calorie problem - drinks: Get rid of the sodas, alcoholic beverages, teas, juices, and high calories lattes. Always give yourself the opportunity to treat yourself, but that iced tea and latte daily will contribute greatly to your caloric intake.
• Core doesn't just mean abs. Don't neglect your back and your legs either. In order to have a strong core, you need to have a strong back. You don't have to muscle train to get a strong back either. Yoga, pilates and stretching can do the trick when it comes to improving the strength of your back and legs to give your core a full workout.

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Some July 4th Refreshments

A nice refreshing cocktail is the perfect addition to an Independence Day barbecue, especially when it's hot and muggy outside! I've found some delicious cocktail recipes that are perfect to top off your July Fourth celebration. 


Melon Mint Sangria : This drink incorporates three of my favorite things - sangria, watermelon, and mint. It's so refreshing and you can make as much as you want. 
Strawberry Vodka Lime Coolers : I have an unpopular opinion on vodka - I'm just not a huge fan. Too much vodka does not agree with me and the wrong vodka just goes down completely wrong. However, this recipe is a simple flavored vodka that's light. I just have to avoid going overboard!
Bikini Martini : This cocktail is an automatic contender because it's made of gin and only has 170 calories! I'm always looking for low calories drinks because I find that ignoring calories in alcohol is one of the quickest ways to gain weight once you turn 21. This would definitely be my choice! It's light and refreshing, but packs enough of a punch that it'll achieve its purpose.


Have a great Fourth everyone!

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Fitness on a Budget?

It's not as big of a difficulty as it seems. As much as I love fitness, I can admit that it can be expensive. While I make it a priority, there are still some things that I can't afford right now, but hope to later. I've learned some tricks to staying fit on a budget though that have helped me stay fit without going over my budget.

Toned and Fit

1. Get outside! There are so many great fitness activities that can be done for free outside. If you live near a public park there are tons of opportunities to work out, including swimming, running, hiking, playing tennis or volleyball. Living near a public high school also provides the opportunity to use tennis courts and the track especially during the summer when sports teams aren't practicing. You can even go for a walk or run around your neighborhood.
2. Exercise DVDs and exercise videos OnDemand are also a good option. Exercise DVDs can be rented from the library for free or bought at Amazon for cheap. Comcast offers a wide array of exercise videos on OnDemand.
3. Take advantage of the Internet's resources. Websites like Fitness Magazine, Fit Sugar, and Shape Magazine all offer free workouts that can usually be performed just using body resistance and in your house.
4. Look out for good deals on GroupOn, Living Social and in gyms in your community. I've seen great deals for different gyms and fitness classes on GroupOn and Living Social. Different gyms also offer free introductory classes. Whether you choose to join the gym or not, it will still be a free workout. 

Fitness can be expensive, yes, but there's so many ways to stay in shape without spending too much money and the benefits will be very worth it!

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