Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Testing new iPod app

Using new BlogBooster app so maybe I can blog next week when I'm out of town... BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

Monday, September 20, 2010

My Initial Reaction to my Vibrams Five Fingers

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed me talk about my VFFs. So what exactly are they? See pic below (and I'll forgive you if you laugh, lol!):


Well, they are a pair of shoes I first heard about via my friends on Facebook. I saw pictures of these funny shoes that looked more like novelty toe socks than a running shoe. Then I started reading an awesome book called "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall where these were mentioned along with other very interesting info about running, foot health, diet, etc. that I hope to talk about in a future post and got really interested in wearing the shoes that make you feel as if you are barefoot.

I went to a local store to see if I could try them on and figure out my size as they don't follow the conventional sizing but due to their overwelming popularity and the fact my feet are a less common, smaller size (51/2 -6 depending on the shoe), they did not have any for me although I did try on a pair that were a size too large, but even then I fell in love with them.

So my next option was to go to the Vibram Five Fingers website; there they show you how to figure out your sizing and I chose the two sizes I thought would fit, ordered them, and sent back the pair that did not fit. (I ended up wearing a 36 in the KSO's, fyi.) Even there, it was hard to find colors in stock that I wanted and especially in the styles as I really wanted the KSO Treks which are more durable for rugged terrain.

 I wore them all day yesterday for about 10-11 hours straight while out and about for errands and social engagements. The main issue I had was my little toe; from many years of wearing feminine, narrow shoes, I have developed a hammertoe that kind of prevents the toe from fitting into the snug pocket as straight as it should. Other than that, they are very easy to get used to. I think the strangest part is getting over the feeling that I feel kind of naked, as if I am really going barefoot because it does give me a better kinesthetic feel of the ground. I can feel the stones in my driveway, although it does not hurt like when I go completely barefoot.

You also have to get used to the funny stares and long looks from people who likely have never heard of them before and then giving an explanation of what these crazy shoes are doing on my feet. But as one of my friends said, it is a great way to raise awareness about foot health/benefits of minimalist shoes (especially for running) as it is one of those things I think people that are used to having some kind of leg pain may benefit from.

I did my morning workout of Insanity's Max Interval Plyo (the hardest and longest DVD in the series) and Jillian Michael's Cardio Kickbox and did really well wearing them. No blisters, funny movments--I had very good proprioception. I especially liked the extra grip and stability I got when doing plank moves and quick glides. It is amazing how freeing my toes helps give back a little bit of coordination to my step!

The only thing I would caution about wearing these is you really have to strengthen  up your foot, ankles, and calves before attempting workouts like I am doing. I have worn Nike Frees for the last six years and this last 4-6 weeks, I've done most of my workouts with totally bare feet. I won't go into it here as I will have another post about barefoot/minimalist footwear another day, but you can hurt yourself if you do too much too soon. Regular shoes, especially highly padded ones with lots of support, almost work like a cast and atrophy those structures, so break them in gently with walking and light activity. Though I am up to four miles non-stop when I go for my run a couple times a week, I may only try 1-2 miles TOPS initially (maybe even only half if I get to feeling funny) just to make sure I can handle it.

I hope to update more in the upcoming weeks and let you know if I am truly sold on my Vibrams! Just hope I don't go a little too crazy and try to much with them though--but I am hoping they will solve a lot of my knee and hips issues I have had in the past with running. :)


**To buy the Beachbody DVD "Insanity" listed here go to our site at Graceful Coach/Beachbody and click the Shop sign and find Insanity and other effective workouts! Sign up under "Graceful Coach" for free coaching and advice from me!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

FAQ: Do I Use Protein Shakes?

Anytime I get to talking fitness with anyone, the subject of protein shakes always comes up. Especially as a vegetarian, you are always told you don't get enough protein anyway (untrue), but in my own study the last few years, I decided to include one protein shake after my workouts and I also started doing a supplemental shake in the evening, Shakeology, for added nutrition.

Most protein powders out there taste pretty nasty to be quite honest. The first one my husband and I bought was one they sold at Walmart and it tasted like medicine. Then we switched the the one they sold at our local Sam's club (EAS 100% Whey Protein Powder) which actually tasted pretty good and used that for a while.

However, I've recently gotten convicted that I really don't like the use of so much artificial sweeteners and most brands that are easily accessible have sucralose (otherwise known as Splenda) as well as countless preservatives and additives that make me just a little wary.

One day, I was Googling "clean whey protein powder" and ended up on the Sparkpeople.com forums where some ladies were talking about the best tasting protein powder they had ever had, specifically mentioning one of the the flavors, Birthday Cake, tasted just like Cold Stone Creamery's Birthday Cake (or is it Cake Batter?) which I had just had a week or so before, lol.

So I went to their website at http://www.tryabouttime.com and found where you can try two samples for $2.99 (Shipping and handling included!) and found out those ladies were NOT lying about the flavor! It a very basic protein powder with less than four ingredients, it is made with Stevia and only a little over 100 calories and 25 grams of protein per serving!

After experimenting with some of the flavors however, I decided my favorite is the Mocha Mint as it reminded me of a Chocolate Mint Chocolate Chip shake...yum!!!! So if I can recommend two flavors to try for your $2.99 sampler, it would be Mocha Mint & Birthday Cake. It's all I'm going order from now on! However, if you are parital to Cinnabon, you might also want to try the Cinnamon Swirl...

As far as the Shakeology, you may think I only drink this because I am a Beachbody Coach. Well, partly true. I would not have tried it had I not gotten curious about it after all the other Beachbody Coaches were talking about how awesome it was for getting nutrients and improving energy levels, etc.

Honestly, at the hefty price tag of about $4 a serving ($3 if you sign up as a Beachbody Coach---see me at adorned_with_grace@yahoo.com if you are interested!), I was EXTREMELY hesitant as I really did not think anything could be all that great. But as I did a little research on Shakeology and its ingredients and even read about the "Three Day Shakeology Cleanse" I thought I would like to try it to see if I felt any different.

I did! It took care of some of my cravings--of basically ANY food--and I suspected my body was just needing nutrients in general. I was very, very impressed with the flavor, a rich dark chocolate (that you can "lighten up" with the About Time Birthday Cake if you prefer a more milk chocolate), and its thickness so that you indeed felt full after one serving. Now I do have to supplement during the day with fresh fruit and super-clean salads as my body seems to need that extra bulk, but it was kind of cool to be on a this kind of a cleanse where I actually felt like I was indulging myself! So this has become a staple, and I'll drink at least one or half a serving everyday...

Other reasons why I decided to stick with Shakeology and do the Monthly Autoship?

1. Energy levels are improved! Usually I have certain times of the month my energy lags, but this seems to make up for those times about 70-80%! I imagine all the nourishing ingredients helps feed my body better and my system, in turn, is working more efficiently!
2. Takes care of my chocolate cravings. Normally, I was getting my fix with a serving of 80% dark chocolate that had tons of fat but this seems to take care of it better *without* the fat, and I am much fuller!
3. Despite its cost ($3 as a coach for one serving, $4 for a regular customer), I think that if you were to try and find another alternative or even making your own version of this by buying your own ingredients to mix, it would cost you at least $10 a day. I looked and there is NO "dupe" I could find that was anywhere close. Seriously, read the ingredients list and it's like the "Who's Who" of Superfoods. I look at this as an investment in my health; we can all agree that healthcare costs now are ridiculous and I'd rather spend the money on preventative measures than future illness that I may or may not recover from.
4. Low calories! This has just a few more calories than my old EAS protein powder but mixes up much thicker and tastes as good as an regular chocolate milkshake--better really, since it is not so sugary sweet and I know its good for me. I can even have one a couple hours before bed and not feel guilty.
5. When I do the 3-Day Cleanse, it is like doing a fast *but* still getting the nutrients my body needs. I am able to drop around a pound but I mostly like the extra energy, detoxing, and healthy feeling I get afterward.

So that's my own personal take on protein/health shakes! Everyone is different and I can't say this would be your "magic bullet" formula but I would just encourage you to try one or both of the products especially if you are searching for a nutritious health shake and test if it's what your body is needing!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Even When I Don't Feel Like It...

Due to some Internet issues last week and the fact that I've been putting together some items for one of my other hobbies (www.adornedwithgrace.com), I have been away from my Graceful Coach blog. Does that mean in my busy-ness, I've laxed on my workouts?

No way, lol!!! :)

Let me use this post as an open diary to share that when things get really busy like that, I *do* get tired from the late nights and long hours doing "busy work" and having to get up early to get orders ready to ship, and have those days I'd rather just stay in bed and vegetate.

So what do I personally do in those moments?

I think Chalene Johnson, the trainer of TurboJam, ChaLEAN Extreme, & TurboFire, has said it best (and I am paraphrasing): Even those days you don't feel like it, remember how good you feel afterward. Think about how great you feel knowing you burned off those calories and did something positive for yourself.

I'll admit, one of the reasons I am motivated is to be fit and trim, but I think that just the accomplishment of knowing I did something that seemed especially difficult adds a greater sense of self esteem for me that day. Like this morning, in leui of my usual ChaLEAN Extreme & TurboFire workouts, I did P90x's Back & Biceps & Insanity's Cardio Plyo Circuit because I like to do something with just a little more punch since I use Saturday as a complete rest day. I have not done those videos in a while, much less together, and I had to give myself an extra pep talk; I knew I would not do quite as well as I had done last time, at least with the strength part/P90x, but for that reason knew it would be one tough but great workout!

Sure enough, the pull-ups (or should I say modified via negative-style pull-ups) kicked my butt but was glad to find that the Insanity workout actually seemed easier thanks to Chalene's TurboFire Fire 55 & 60 workouts. I even accompanied the hubby and the dog afterward for a mile and a half jog.

I really did not think I would be able to do all that and I know it is so much easier said that done but knowing that I did something healthy for myself and getting that endorphin high afterward made it all so very worth it!

Now you may still be a beginner and are just working up to a half mile walk or a thirty minute workout video and find that is still quite a mountain to climb! But as mentioned before think about those health benefits and definitely find something that motivates you. If you are going for a walk, make a date with an old friend you haven't talked to in a while and catch up--you may find yourself walking more than a mile you are so engaged in your visit! Or do a DVD with some good music.

Not meaning to advertise, but with TurboFire, depsite the fact that I do have trouble with some of the choreography and find that I prefer Shaun T's "boot-camp" style of moves, the music she uses in it is so fun, it truly makes the time go faster and I'm not even a dance music lover (I'm more of an alterna-folksy rocker chick, lol).

My favorite way to exercise sometimes is while watching "The Biggest Loser" on NBC; I'll pull out my mini-trampoline or get on my elliptical or simply do some calisthenics as I watch. I think if they can do it, I know I can! (Does it blow anyone else away when they have the final set of contestants run a full marathon???) When Jillian or Bob is yelling at one of the people, I imagine they are yelling at me and find my steps getting more intense as I watch them haul it on the treadmills or racing during a challenge.

So, yes, there are ways around those lazy days and like with everything else in life, it is just about the choices we make. Hopefully, we will all strive to do the best we can each and every day! :)

**To buy the Beachbody DVDs listed here (P90x, Insanity, ChaLEAN Extreme, TurboFire) go to our site at Graceful Coach/Beachbody. Sign up under "Graceful Coach" for free coaching and advice from me!