How "Health" Turned My Stomach

I haven't ordered magazines in years because they usually sit on my coffee table or shelf after I read an article or two (if so much), collecting dust and generally living a lonely, mostly useless life (sorry, mags!) until I gather a bunch together to toss in the recycling bin. It's not that I don't enjoy reading magazines.  I do, actually, quite a bit... but in recent years they have taken a back burner to all the articles, information (overstimulation), and mind-blowing stupidity of the internet. One just doesn't have time to do it all! 

Recently an airline with which I've been a customer for a while offered me free magazine subscriptions in exchange for frequent flyer miles I had that were going to 'expire' (really? how do imaginary miles accrued have an expiration date? That's a whole separate vent...).

Based on my 'expiring points', I could choose approximately two and a quarter subscriptions based on the (mostly mediocre) choices I was given. The only ones I found remotely relevant to my interests were TIME magazine and "Health" magazine.  TIME has actually been great, although it comes once a week and I get totally overwhelmed because I feel like last week's JUST GOT HERE. And that other quarter-of-a-subscription is nowhere to be found - so buh-bye points.

To my point -- I started receiving "Health" for free a few months ago and have been saddened and disappointed to see what the 'cover-worthy' articles are. Here's the latest:

Most of these have NOTHING to do with actual HEALTH - with the possible exception of "22 foods for a long life." It's all about looking a certain way, with the tagline up top that "Happy Begins Here" serving as a not-so-subiminal message that encourages people (in this case, mostly women) to think that looking good equals happiness. A flat belly, toned legs and great butt won't do much for you if you dislike your job, aren't happy in your relationship, or haven't found a purpose here that is fulfillng and exciting to you - whatever that means FOR YOU.  You might have the softest skin in the world, but is that really going to help you find that career that truly drives you, or the relationship that satisfies you to your core?

Aside from my personal desire to avoid wasting time on the more ridiculous aspects of life, I suppose this is why I've never been too into following "Pop Culture." Magazines, TV, Movies, and Celebs endorsing fitness products or programs that are dangerous or that they don't even use themselves is an insult to the intelligence of the consumer.  But somehow, whether consciously or subconsciously, we still think if we LOOK the way they say we should look, we will FEEL the way they say we'll feel.  It's the good old marketing/advertising cornerstone: start from the outside and work your way in.  If you ever get inside at all.  Mostly, just work on the outside and believe it will solve all your woes.  

How about FEELING amazing for doing your best with where you are each day?  Taking a small (or big) risk or challenge EVERY DAY to get out of your comfort zone, while still honoring who YOU are?  And creating CONSISTENCY by doing things each day that will make you healthier - whether it is a few extra minutes for yourself on the gym floor, a new morning meditation routine, or exploring a new nutritious food that you've never tried?  How about reversing the suggested order of events: work on feeling healthy, satisfied, and evolved in your level of self-care. There is no doubt you will look better because you will achieve a glow of satisfaction that others can't quite put their finger on, but DAMN is it ever attractive.

The Inside-Out Approach doesn't happen overnight.  It takes time, patience, and consistent actions, and that's why many don't stick with their version of it. It's tempting to believe that a quick fix is still out there somewhere and that following the advice of a few petty articles will make us "healthier" and "happier."  Well don't get too attached, because all of a sudden the next month there's a whole host of new suggestions like "Slim for Life" and "Summer Shape-Up" that send us sliding back down the slippery slope of self-doubt, quick fixes, and marketing schemes.  But by the time next month's issue arrives, you've already tried, failed at, and/or forgotten about last month's miracle fixes.

Well, that's about all I can stomach for now. I guess I'll go read "Stomach in Knots? New Ways to Feel 100%"... Although I'm pretty sure it won't do much for me.

Speaking of knowing NOTHING about Pop Culture, who the heck is Ashley Tisdale and why do we care "what she does to look like this"?

Winning Wednesday!

On Wednesday I had to be downtown EARLY for an ALL-DAY Video shoot, after which I would be teaching two classes. My first thought (after, of course, being excited and grateful to be doing another Crunch video shoot), was "how am I going to get through this day without coffee?!" I'm so used to relying on my trusty bigger-than-your-head sized coffee on days like this, I knew I would have to strategize.  

I had pre-set my tea & kettle, Vitalizing Protein + other smoothie ingredients the night before so I would have everything ready to go. It was so early I couldn't even think about eating yet, so I mixed up the smoothie, poured it into an insulated travel mug, and threw it in the freezer to keep it extra cold until I was ready for it. I got to the shoot and drank about half during hair & makeup before we began, and the rest after the first segment. I felt super energized throughout the morning! There was coffee (and even soy milk - how thoughtful!) available on-set, but I knew succumbing now would do me no good - the caffeine crash would be inevitable and no doubt make me feel worse later that day. 

We rocked out filming all morning and broke for lunch. I realized then that in all my efforts to get my day STARTED well (something I will admit I don't always shine at), I had completely neglected to plan ahead for a Sweet Start-friendly lunch! A brief moment of panic set in, then I reminded myself that I was in the East Village, a veritable playground of vegan, vegetarian, and organic cuisine. I chose Siggy's Organic (http://www.siggysgoodfood.com) on Elizabeth between Bleecker & Houston. I love this place - all organic, with the menu clearly marked with which options are vegan and gluten free. I opted for the vegan Lentil Garlic soup and steamed broccoli - yum!

I grabbed an organic green tea on the way back to the shoot and sailed through the afternoon. We even finished early (long story), and I was able to go home before my evening classes. On a normal day like this where I had been going for hours, I might choose to take a nap in the afternoon. But my energy still felt strong, so I got some work done and shot back out to teach my evening double.

As much as I love my coffee - the smell, the taste, the ritual - whenever I do pull it from my daily routine I am reminded of a few things:

- I DO tend to rely on it to 'get going', even though I know I'll feel worse later

- it really is a toxin, because my body goes into withdrawal for the first few days without it

- supplying my body with healthy nutrition is a much more effective, and long-lasting way, to give my body energy!

On this Sweet Start Wednesday, I almost gave in to my coffee crutch - but I stayed the java-free course - and felt even better for it!

How Sweet it is to Start Anew!

Today was the first day of the SWEET START to 2015, and what a great kickoff!

We have an awesome group of dynamic women who have made the smart choice to treat their bodies well this New Year: old friends from my early fitness teaching days, former Bootcamp clients, current regular class-takers, and even my cousin! We are already having a blast sharing our recipes and Detox-friendly ideas to ENJOY what we put IN our bodies while we gently get the toxins OUT. With guidance and program development from Certified Holistic Health Coach Jen Morris (Co-founder, Urban Detox Club), we can't go wrong!

A little insight into how we roll: 

The Sweet Start program focuses on manageable goals and attainable challenges. We are slowly eliminating common toxins from our diets over the first three days - today was sugar & caffeine.  We are not trying to reinvent the wheel or go into starvation or major deprivation mode!  I am not a sugar fiend but I DO love my coffee, and coasted through the day without it because I had so many other delicious things to prepare and enjoy while I fueled up for the first day of the Winter 2015 schedule - four classes strong tonight!

One of our goals throughout the program is to add more cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts - to name a few).  

I'm already a big veggie-lover, and as I told the Sweet Start crew today, one of my favorite ways to cook vegetables is Simply Steamed. I throw a bunch of garlic cloves in the steamer basket (adds flavor and may have antibacterial properties) and layer in my organic veggie(s) of choice. I like to throw some onion and fresh ground pepper on top for flavor. No need for oils, salt, or other seasoning - just cook to crispy deliciousness - yum!

One other fun tip: did you know it's great to cook the thick stalk of the broccoli as well? Cut off the hard outer layers and divide the sweet inside into cubes. They will take a little longer to cook than the flowers, so be sure to either cut them into smaller pieces or throw them in the steamer first. Now you are receiving the yin-yang and full energy balance of the vegetable!

Keep following for more updates on all the Sweet Start goodness!

BRING IT ON, 2015!!

Happy Healthy Halloween!

"Mistress Sweets" Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween from (Mistress) Deborah Sweets!  

How to have a Healthy Halloween... and beyond.

I usually think of Halloween as the "official" kickoff to the holiday season... for the next two months we will be surrounded by all sorts of temptations from extra sweet treats, to booze, to holiday parties, to giving nonstop to others but not taking time for ourselves.  Prime time to make excuses for lack of self-care!

Here are a few Healthy Tips to start off your Holiday season right!

1)  Don't wait until January 1st to make a Resolution.  Make a goal TODAY for what you want to do this holiday season - whether it be choosing to stop holiday weight gain before it starts by implementing a healthy weight management plan, making a schedule of all your favorite classes at the gym (and resolving to go!), or adding healthy additions to your diet and life such as fresh vegetables, or more sleep.  Small changes now will mean you can avoid the rush, stress, and/or exhaustion on January 2nd!

2)  Have a little of what you love.  We've heard it time and again, but moderation is key.  Choose the holiday treats you love the most and enjoy them.  Eat slowly, savoring the food or drink, and really taste it.  A little goes a long way.  Balance is key - what goes up must come down - so depriving yourself completely will most likely lead to overindulgence at some point down the line.

3) Give away what you don't need.  This can be in the form of food, gifts, or other 'extras' that start to gather and take up precious space (which we all know is at a premium here in the city) in your abode.  Share calorie-laden goodies with your neighbor, doorman, or give them away to random strangers!  The less "extra" you have in your place, the less likely you will be to indulge.  And maybe you'll make someone else's day that much better!

4) Be consistent.  Don't try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to your workouts, diets, or lifestyle.  Small, CONSISTENT changes that allow you to live your life in a comfortable way are most sustainable.  If you currently workout two days a week, aim for three.  If you are mostly doing cardio, add strength training to your regimen.  Resolve to try one new vegetable a week.  Try a day or two without gluten-dairy-coffee-alcohol-chocolate-sugar-processed food or whatever might be weighing you down.  Increase healthy activity and habits slowly but consistently, and they will be more sustainable.  

5) That being said, Try something new.  Scared of yoga? Get over it and try getting down with down dog.  Think the TRX looks like a torture device?  Take a class and find out.  Challenge your body to go OUT of your Comfort Zone - that's where the good stuff happens!  If you try something new and don't like it, at least you can say you've tried!  (PS You'll probably like it).  Besides being mentally stimulating (helping you to avoid dreaded workout boredom), it's physically important to keep your muscles and body guessing (to avoid the dreaded plateau).


Need to jump start your holiday goals?  Try starting with the phenomenal food-based Detox program from Urban Detox Club.

...and check out this AMAZING (and detox-friendly) recipe for Healthy Peanut Butter Cups!

HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY & HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

You Know You're A Fitness Instructor When...

New York City. 

"if you can make it here, you'll make it anywhere."  

Particularly true in the ever-sought-after-yet-generally-underpaid-and-underappreciated world of Group Fitness.  New Yorkers have seen it all, done it all, know it all, and definitely know what they want (and, ahem, know more than you).  So to those of us in the ever-changing, ever-challenging world of Group Fitness, I dedicate this Blog entry.  Because at the end of the day, we LOVE what we do... and we wouldn't have it any other way.

You Know You're a Fitness Instructor When...

• The mere thought of wearing 'civilian clothes' gets you... Well, excited.
• You shower, shave, and apply makeup BEFORE you go to the gym.
• You walk around with an oversized bag containing multiple sets of the following: socks, underwear, sports bras, shorts, tank tops, water bottles, hair elastics, and CDs in case that darn iPod connection is acting up again.
• You do your absolute best to make said oversized bag look not only 'cool,' but also not burdensome.
• You always carry extra batteries - AA & AAA thank you very much
• Same for mic wind guards - both sizes
• Your monthly metro card shows signs of losing magnetism within 7-10 days
• You lose your voice a minimum of once a month
• You shower multiple times a day - then again when you get home at night. You start to wonder if you will lose skin.
• You have 'really creative ways' of staying warm in the winter - i.e. multiple pairs of pants, leg warmers, knee socks, head wear, & many (often uncalled for - but better safe than sorry) layers of shirt.
• You worry that your playlist won't be new enough, 'fresh' enough, or cool enough for the crowd you are about to teach. Then you realize you are waaaay 'cooler' and 'fresher' than they know what to do with.
• You get über annoyed when people think you have an 'easy job' because you 'only' work 'part time'
• The staff at your local Lululemon and/or athletic shoe store greets you by first name when you walk in, promptly sets up your personal fitting room, and immediately and without being asked starts pulling items 'just for you'
• The mere thought of having clean (read: sweat-free) hair for longer than 12 hours at a time sends shivers of excitement down your spine
• You can pretty much drop everything & leave for vacation at any given moment since you regularly carry a full line of travel-sized toiletries in your bag
• Your 'gym clothes to real clothes' laundry ratio is approximately 4:1.
• You could run an energy bar and raw almond distribution business out of your bag
• You don't understand what 'lunch hour' means
• You have a college degree, 463 certifications, and an MS in exercise science, but you just can't figure out how to use that damn microphone.
• You have an uncontrollable need to check your Email the moment you exit the train, lest you miss a precious subbing opportunity while having been underground for seven and a half minutes
• Your iTunes library is worth more than your apartment
• The discovery of Spotify Premium literally changed your life
• You know the entire Facebook life story of fellow instructors - their spouse/lover, children, class schedule, workouts, recipes, and food intake - but have never met them a day in your life

...this is just the few that came to mind.  feel free to add yours!! 

LOVE to all my colleagues in this amazing field!