We're basically soulmates...

I'm dedicating this entry to my favorite workout in the ENTIRE world.

TURBO KICK.  I started attending this group exercise class in Summer 2007 and I have been IN LOVE ever since.  I became a certified instructor for Turbo Kick in Summer 2010, but I have never actually taught a class (we'll get to that later I'm sure).  Basically, Turbo Kick is the BEST workout to have ever happened to me.

The creator of this workout program is Chalene Johnson has some at-home workouts, Turbo Jam and Turbo Fire, which are great to do when I can't attend live classes (love them), but

There is NOTHING that compares to attending group exercise classes... especially Turbo Kick

 

Literally, any time I hear one of the songs from Turbo I just want to WORKOUT!  Every few months Chalene comes out with a new "round".  New songs, new moves.... I'm LOVING round 52... so so much.  The music is GREAT!  My fav right now?

Unfortunately BGSU's rec center only offers classes two days a week, and I rarely have the opportunity to go (yay for a busy schedule).  So...

I bought a membership to Urban Active on Thursday...

The best part?  I can go to 3 Turbos there a week... and I LOVE their facility.  ADDED BONUS?  Chalene Johnson's SISTER teaches two of the classes!  How awesome it is that we have that opportunity in good ol' Toledo Ohio?  It makes the group classes THAT much more motivating.

It also gives me the opportunity to be home 2 days a week and stay with my MOM!

My (hopeful)workout schedule for Fall:
Monday: Turbo Kick (Urban)
Tuesday: Turbo Kick (BG)
Wednesday: Turbo Kick (Urban)
Thursday: Turbo Kick (BG)
Friday: Running/Workout DVD

Saturday: Spinning

Sunday: off

Mind you, this is in a PERFECT world.  We all know the world isn't perfect, and I'm a procrastinator and I'll probably put off school work and have to skip out... I also plan to integrate weight training into this.. but baby steps...

Darn-it, Reset!

Because I love video games so much I'm going to use a video game reference that I'm sure many of you can identify with... sometimes I wish life had a RESET/RESTARTbutton.

Every year I find that it's harder and harder to stay active.

After I graduated from undergrad and worked full time at Subway, I longed for a res-hall meal plan, the rec center across the street, and the opportunity to walk to and from classes everyday.

Now that I'm back in school and working a 10-hour-a-day desk job, I long for the days when I worked on my feet for 8hrs and walked a a mile to and from work.

Each year that passes I realize that I could have utilized that time to get into better shape and be healthier BECAUSE I had the opportunity to be so active.

 

NO MORE!  I can't keep making excuses and thinking "oh, it will be better next year... month...week... tomorrow"

I'm going to try to utilize this blog-thing to keep myself motivated.  I realize that most people WON'T read this... that's cool.   But knowing that people CAN read it will hopefully help me stay accountable.

Starting to blog is like starting a diet for me... I keep up with it for a few days and then I give up.  I'm hoping that by combining BLOG + lifestyle change + the CHANCE of having people read this= me getting it together.

Who knows... all I know is this:
-I'm 20 pounds heavier than I'd like to be
-I'm super out of shape
-I eat way too much SHIT and...
-I'm too embarrassed to wear about 75% of my wardrobe.


workout schedule: August 6-12
Monday: Turbo Fire class: ~60 min
Tuesday: Spinning class: ~45 min
Wednesday: Turbo Fire class:  ~60 min (I may stay for a "Skinny jean" class and an abs class)
Thursday:  Turbo Fire class: ~60 min
Friday:  Spinning class: ~45 min
Saturday:  Turbo Fire class: ~60 min  AND  Spinning class: ~45 min
Sunday: Rest?  Maybe

I'm on vacation this week so I plan to use the gym as MUCH as possible :)

-WTF

... you're not sexy. Shut up

I’d like to take a moment to talk about something that makes me angry… pissed off… Basically, I need to talk... talk about all this SHIT .. I need to talk to you…

(do you like my parody of “my angry vagina”? Vagina Monologues anyone?)

Warning:  "Mature" language (such as fuck)... is used QUITE often... also... a lot of "..." <--- those.

I mean, what’s the deal ? Yes, I’ll admit it, I’ve NEVER been happy with the body I’ve been given… the body I’ve created for myself. Some, genetics… some, my love of food. It’s all a give and take… will I ever be happy with my body? At this point in my life… maybe not.... who knows.

Whatever...sue me.

I like to eat food that I find tasty, I like to have wine at the end of the night, and I really enjoy going out to eat with my friends. Let’s face it, I don’t always have TIME or ENERGY to work out, even though I DO enjoy it. AND GUESS WHAT, I’ll admit it… sometimes I’M JUST FUCKING LAZY.

But I guess this isn’t about ME (well, isn’t EVERYTHING about me? I AM an only child you know?). There is an overarching theme... something  that makes me MORE angry than the fact that I can never seem to stick to a healthy "diet", the fact that I have yet to successfully complete a workout regimen... and complete the “90 days to a new me”-program, or EVEN the fact that I can’t seem to lost the LAST 15 pounds that I’ve literally been trying to lose for oh… the past EIGHT fucking years… You know what REALLY makes me angry?

THIS SHIT:

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Claire, these images were NOT created equal... they are NOT the same... some are promoting a healthy lifestyle. I mean LOOK, the word HEALTH and FIT are right in the quote..."

HAHA my friend.  That means you have been fooled.  Take the quote off... shake them around... and then put them on a DIFFERENT picture... it's the same fucking thing.  Sorry folks. You're not fooling me... at least not any more.

 Same picture different words... do you think that REALLY makes a difference?

Okay, so basically there are two major things that are pissing me off:
1.  You're putting these "healthy" quotes on SKINNY girls
2.  Polarized thinking, expression, etc etc.

Before I get started I want you to do me a favor.  You ready? Okay.
-Go to www.google.com and type in "thinspo" or "pro-ana" and be absolutely appalled by the thousands upon thousands of things that you find.  Yup, welcome to the life of a teenage girl... and beyond...

...okay, and NOW go to www.pinterest.com and go to the "fitness" section.  Notice something?  Yeah... they're using the SAME type of pictures as the "pro-ana" and "thinspo"-shit...but instead of using the word "SKINNY" they are say "FIT" and "STRONG".

Let me give you an example: (ya know, if/because you're too lazy to actually look up what I told you)

This, my friends, is what you find if you go to www.xanga.com and type "weight" in a "group: search.  Groups are basically... groups, that you can be a part of on on this particular blog site (you have access to reading others that have the same interests etc etc).

These were the TOP 5 groups related to weight...

1. because skinny jeans aren't meant for fat people: 12050 members
2. you're looking skinny like a model: 11288 members
3. Tired of Being Fat: 4557 members
4. Weight Loss Journal: 4313 members
5. because nobody likes a fat girl: 3968 members

... disgusting, horrifying, and just... sad.

Now, for those of you that don't/didn't have a xanga... this used to be a site that was extremely popular in like... junior high/high school... so like... before 2006.  People that have been inactive for a while have been deleted... these groups are made of up ACTIVE members.. and I'm pretty sure xanga is probably one of the LEAST populated blogging sites... and there are THIS MANY PEOPLE in these groups (I can only imagine how many are on blogger, tumblr, etc etc)

This right here... upsetting to see.

Even more upsetting?  These women (well mostly women) and supporting each other in "challenges" and fasts meant to help them lose weight (that most don't need to lose).  "Ana-love"... and "stay strong" are used often.  This is everywhere on the internet... support groups that encourage starvation.  The line between supporting starvation and healthy eating on some social networking sites is way more blurred than some people would like to admit.

Now, before all the people that are trying to promote a HEALTHY lifestyle go ballistic on me, I want to say... I'm not saying there is ANYTHING wrong with trying to eat healthier, or inspire others to workout and eat healthier with you.  I think that's absolutely wonderful... go and be your super awesome healthy selves... I have NO beef with that.  MYYYY beef is your presentation...

Which comes to my first point:  

1. the images this new era of "healthy" and "fit" people are using.  Okay, I get it... let's be healthy.  Actually, that's a pretty fucking awesome idea.... but um... you're putting quotes like "skinny is not sexy... strong is" on images of... skinny people.... dude... not kidding, sometimes I see the same images that "pro anorexic" people use... for images that "fit" promoters use....  ... . . . . .

Here's the deal:  If you're promoting a healthy lifestyle... let's scan some pictures of your bloodwork and put some catchy-ass quotes on those... or perhaps a picture of a healthy-ass person getting their blood pressure taken (I guarantee not all of them are fucking skinny). THAT, my friend,... that's healthy.  Some of those women, with ripping abs and awesome hair.. yeah, they're probably smokers.. and use cocaine on occasion (or every day).  Who's to say they don't?  I'd like to see THEIR blood work.  You're saying "healthy" yet backing it up with aesthetics/appearance alone (aka a pretty picture of a pretty girl).  BACK UP YOUR CASE BITCHES.... I just SCIENCE-D you...

....which comes to my second point.

2.  You healthy, salad-eating, ladies are no better than the bitches that say "fat" girls are ugly/awful/repulsive/ etc etc etc,

Let's go back to your assignment at the beginning of this blog.  Go to www.google.com yet again and search "REVERSE thinspo"  Okay. awesome.

Awful, right?  Yup.

Let me point something out to you.  Okay, our society has taken it as a given that being "fat" is unhealthy... it's so ingrained in our heads that we APPARENTLY don't even need this as a reminder any more.  SO who do we attack next?  the SKINNY people!

    

What do the TOP pictures on the FIRST image and the 2nd image have in common?  OH OH OH OH!!! I KNOW!!!.... same fucking body-type... nimrod.

That's a great plan.  Let's move from insulting ONE body type (larger) to insulting ANOTHER (smaller). Here's a news flash.... everybody has a different body type that is considered "HEALTHY"... even bigger newsflash... it's not all determined by how you fucking LOOK!  wow...

Basically... my biggest issue is how the idea of "healthy" and "unhealthy" is being portrayed.  There seems to be a new "healthier"-era coming in to play (which is great).... but I think we/you/I need to be careful of how we/you/I are portraying what healthy is... images of models in workout clothes posing?... maybe not the best way to do it... especially if those are the same images we are insulting for being "thin" or "unreachable"  or "unhealthy".

JUS SAYIN!

I'm tellin you.. this whole instagrammed version of a person getting bloodwork done or their blood pressure taken... it's the new THING.... At least we'll know their healthy... or at least trying to be...right?

Cleaning the Fridge: A Money Saving Challenge.

Cleaning out the fridge is an extremely cathartic experience.


CATHARSIS

• 1. purgation
• 2. purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) primarily through art
• 3. a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
• 3. elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression

If I could explain to you the amount of expired food I threw out, it would make you cry.  I buy food and forget about it.  But I'm refusing to let that happen.  At this point, I'm going to try not to buy any groceries until I absolutely HAVE to.  Minus wine of course.

Of course this means I also need to cut down on going out to eat... For those that know me... and don't... I LOVE El Zarape, a Mexican restaurant in town that has amazing Margaritas.  My weakness is a nice FROZEN drink with chips and spicy food.  Chips and dip= the best thing in the world... mix it with margaritas ... I'm in heaven.  I honestly don't see a problem with me having this once a week... if it was the only thing I was splurging on (anyone else think splurge is a weird word?... SPLURGE... awkward.)  Any ways... my money is going to nonsense. 

 

So, here's a little challenge for myself:

  I will NOT go to the store until I have to
(this excludes drinks i.e. pop, wine, milk, juice, and fruits/veggies to make my juice).  Now, this is not a competition to see how much I can eat haha... because I COULD eat everything in about a week or 2... but I think the stuff I have could literally last a month or 2... that would save me about 100-200 dollars in the next month or two.  This will also mean packing my lunch for work.

Basically, this seems like common sense to most people... but I don't have that... OBVIOUSLY haha.  This has got to stop.  I am POOR people. :)

 

Overall this is what I will be doing:
1.  No shopping for food (I can get fruits/veggies for juicing/milk/pop/juice etc)
2.  Packing lunch for work/school
3. Actually getting AND eating my 4 free 6 inch subs I get each week for work
4. REALLY limiting the amount of times I go out to eat eat week.
5. Keep record of what I'm eating (for health and money reasons)

Yep... I got this.  I recommend you clean out your fridge too.  It's a good to REALLY be aware of all the food I have in the house.  Maybe I'm weird and most people do this already... but I just buy and buy depending on what I'm craving for the day.  Not good.

I GOT DIS

(a little inspiration for myself)... and YOU

Shakeology Cleanse

Yep folks... I did the Shakeology Cleanse this Monday-Wednesday.

BREAKFAST:
Shakeology – 1 scoop, blended with ice & 8-10 oz of water
Optional: Add ½ cup of fruit (Only for those who are already fit)

SNACK:
1 piece of fruit

LUNCH:
Shakeology – 1 scoop, blended with ice & 8-10 oz of water

1 cup of green tea

SNACK:
Shakeology – 1 scoop, blended with ice & 8-10 oz of water
(This snack can be before or after dinner)

DINNER:
Salad
- Lettuce/veggies
- 4 oz lean protein (WHITE fish or poultry)
- Light Dressing
_________________________________
CLEANSE?  EWwwWw... You know what that means:

But actually, no.  It's nothing like that. Basically, you're eating less, but you're still getting plenty of nutrients.

Okay, so you can't read it... but you can see it... or look it up :) Last time I did it I was still working at Subway, and I have to say, being on your feet for 8 hours (plus walking a mile there and back) really makes it rough (especially when you're around FOOD).

This time around was not bad at all.  I never really felt HUNGRY (I just missed my favorite foods... which aren't really good for me anyways).  I never felt DIZZY... I just didn't feel deprived.  It way great.  Some days I didn't even have my 3rd Shake, and I'm sure the amount of chicken I ate was more than 4 oz... and OKAY, I'll admit it, I had to have a can of Diet Dr. Pepper (it's a problem, I'm working on it)  That being said, I was surprised I lost as much weight as I did.

I have been hovering at this weight for about 3 years.  I lose some, I gain some... it's usually between 130-135.   About a year and a half ago I was down to 120... that lasted about a week (all stress related weight loss).  This time around... I'm TRYING to keep it up. http://myshakeology.com/esuite/home/ClaireMarie

Insanity: Completed 8 weeks (it's a 9 week program) and I didn't lose a pound.  I DEFINITELY lost inches, so I'm hoping that's getting me on the right track.  Now I'm trying to do ChaLean Extreme/Turbo Fire/Ripped in 30.  We'll see.

I'll try to keep up with writing in this a few time a week.  Not that I think you CARE about my life, but because it holds me accountable.

5.4 pounds down :)
...in 3 days.  I'm aware I'll gain some weight back (obviously some water weight), but I feel great, and it's definitely a motivator

Thin paper

I guess I should start updating this...  Not because I'm interesting... but because I have a lot to say.

Topic of the day? Toilets.

If you use those stupid paper things to cover up the toilet seat before you go to the bathroom.
I'm secretly judging you.
There, I SAID IT. So sue me.

But seriously?  Do you REALLY think a piece of thin freakin' paper is going to protect you from herpes?
(... fun fact, you have about 0.00000000000000001% chance of catching herpes from a toilet seat.  TRUE STATISTIC (... I'm lying. Please don't quote me).

Really people... ? we used that same paper to trace shit in elementary school.  FUN FACT: you can TRACE STUFF THROUGH IT... you know what that means? it doesn't have some awesome defense mechanism that adsorbs all creepy things... like herpes.

I know what you're thinking...

"Noo Claire, you can't trace HERPES through a thin piece of freakin' paper... but you CAN trace a kitty".

FALSE. Sorry dude.  Do you ever remember spilling something on one of your papers... (you know, like you can of red bull that's keeping your awake when you're working on something"... and you FREAK OUT because you spilled something on your precious paper?  You know why you're freakin out? BEACUSE WATER PENETRATES PAPER... and so do other creepy crawlies...)

This is from an advice column at MIT, and quotes a doctor there (not a prof there, just a doc in Student Health): "It's very difficult to get sick from a toilet seat," Heller says adamantly. "This is especially true for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)," he adds. (Hmmm… apparently, there's a reason they're referred to as sexually transmitted.) However, Heller notes, "a little extra caution might be warranted if one is traveling in an area where enteric infections like cholera are more common."

...And yes, I get it people.  If there's stuff on the seat, you don't want to sit in it... Either go to a different toilet or stop being a pussy and wipe off the seat. (obviously make sure there is a thick barrier of toilet paper between your hand and the toilet seat... have you learned nothing from my rant?)  Bring clorox wipes if you're really intense about it... just stop using that dumb thin paper toilet seat cover... it makes no sense to me.

Oh, and ONE MORE THING.  You people that are so disgusted by toilet seats are usually the ones making the biggest mess.  YOU HOVERERS... yeah shoot, if you're going to HOVER wipe it off afterwards.  You can't even act disgusted then because it's your OWN STUFF on the seat.

If the stuff on the seat isn't pee... or water from a power flusher... well that's a different story.
THE END.

HiddenBelly: Ranch

WHY is Ranch Dressing SO DELICIOUS?

... seriously I'm not kidding.
I love RANCH on my salad, it makes salads absolutely WONDERFUL... but then I looked at the fat content about about passed out

ranch:
calories: 330
fat calories: 320
total fat: 39g (54% of daily value)

... this daily value is based off of a 2000 calorie diet... I should be eating about 1200-1400.
SERIOUSLY?  Who creates something so delcious to put on something GOOD for you... and makes it BAD FOR YOU.

Part of me says "at least I'm not eating a burger..."

junior bacon cheeseburger:
calories: 370
calories from fat: 153
total fat: 17g (35% daily value)

AND THEN I GET MAD AGAIN.  I love Ranch on SALAD... and Salad's are healthy... when they Don't have Ranch.  Life is complicated.  I hate fat free ranch and I really don't care for Italian-like dressings.




I found a some recipe on making "healthy ranch"... well... healthier
2 cups of lowfat yogurt
1 packet of ranch flavor thing

I'm planning on trying it out tomorrow...

we'll see about that...