As of January 2011 my blog can be found here: http://live-to-inspire.com/blog-news/
Why the change you ask? I'm now have a fully integrated website, linked into my new LiveFitness facebook page as well as twitter.
If you have not already done so, pop by the new site and sign up for the monthly newsletter!
I will of course be leaving all of my existing posts right here where they are so you can still come back anytime you'd like!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
This year I want to....stop making resolutions!
Happy 2011! So you survived the holidays and now you can't stop beating yourself up for all of the treats you ate. But it's ok, because now it's the new year, fresh start right? Time to say "this year my new years resolution is to lose weight!
If that has been the conversation you've been having with yourself every January 1st, perhaps it's time to realize it's not about calling it a new years resolution and more about making real lifestyle changes. Don't feel bad Losing weight is not only a popular New Year's resolution; it's a much-coveted goal many of us set several times throughout the year after failing time and time again which is why you need to set attainable, realistic, smart goals!
Instead of saying "I want to lose 60 lbs in 6 months" when you have not done any form of exercise for years and live off of food that comes in boxes, why not start smaller. Start by incorporating real foods into your diet a few times per week and before you know it your body will be thanking you. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, even if it's just one flight to start.
Here are a few other examples of mini-goals you may want to set for yourself:
If that has been the conversation you've been having with yourself every January 1st, perhaps it's time to realize it's not about calling it a new years resolution and more about making real lifestyle changes. Don't feel bad Losing weight is not only a popular New Year's resolution; it's a much-coveted goal many of us set several times throughout the year after failing time and time again which is why you need to set attainable, realistic, smart goals!
Instead of saying "I want to lose 60 lbs in 6 months" when you have not done any form of exercise for years and live off of food that comes in boxes, why not start smaller. Start by incorporating real foods into your diet a few times per week and before you know it your body will be thanking you. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, even if it's just one flight to start.
Here are a few other examples of mini-goals you may want to set for yourself:
- Drink enough water every day. On average women need nine cups per day and men require 12 cups per day.
- Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. On average women should aim for seven to eight servings and men should strive for 10 servings.
- Switch from drinking calorie containing beverages to water with a splash of lemon, caffeine free herbal teas or ice tea made with herbal tea.
- Eliminate fried foods.
- Substitute high sugar convenience snack foods with fruits and veggies dipped in hummus or nuts and seeds.
- Bring a healthy brown bag lunch to work instead of splurging on high-fat, high calorie take-out foods.
- Go for a 30 minute walk during your lunch breaks.
- Use a pedometer to keep track of the number of steps you take and challenge yourself to take a few extra steps every day.
- Sneak in extra exercise by parking further from your destination.
Monday, December 20, 2010
New e-newsletter! Just in time for the new year!
Ready for some strategies for healthy living delivered right to your email? Now is your chance to sign up for my new e-newsletter! Visit http://www.live-to-inspire.com/newsletter.html http://www.live-to-inspire.com/newsletter.htmland sign up today!
What can you expect? Well you can expect not to be stalked by me, you don't have to worry about getting a ga-zillion emails everyday! What you can expect is to get e-newsletters full of health and wellness tips, tricks, recipes and other strategies for healthy living!
What can you expect? Well you can expect not to be stalked by me, you don't have to worry about getting a ga-zillion emails everyday! What you can expect is to get e-newsletters full of health and wellness tips, tricks, recipes and other strategies for healthy living!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Double — Don't!
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, I start seeing commercials for the new KFC "Double Down". Because why use bread when you can use fried chicken as the bun!
Yes that's right, two slabs of fried chicken in place of the bun and in between are bacon, cheese and sauce. I bet you're wondering what eating one of those little babies will pack in calorie-wise....540 calories, 30 grams of fat and 1,740 milligrams of sodium. To compare a McDonald's Big Mac has the same amount of calories, 29 grams of fat and 1,020 milligrams of sodium. A Whopper from Burger King has 670 calories, 40 grams of fat and 970 milligrams of sodium. The recommended daily salt intake is 1,500 milligrams.
So what was KFC thinking when they decided to create the "double-down". When asked they replied “They’re targeting working-class consumers that have less discretionary income. It’s about quantity. Whether we like it or not, this product will appeal to a signficant portion of the consumer base...”
Sorry, but when I read that all I see is "what the heck, lots of people can't afford to eat well so lets just kill them off slowly with this one sandwich that has a days worth of sodium then we don't have to worry about it!"
In April, Canada had decided that it would not support the sale of the Double down. Unfortunately as of October 18, it has been made available all across North America until Nov 14. It could however become a permanent feature if sales go well according to KFC.
So what do I say to that? I say DOUBLE-DON'T!
Yes that's right, two slabs of fried chicken in place of the bun and in between are bacon, cheese and sauce. I bet you're wondering what eating one of those little babies will pack in calorie-wise....540 calories, 30 grams of fat and 1,740 milligrams of sodium. To compare a McDonald's Big Mac has the same amount of calories, 29 grams of fat and 1,020 milligrams of sodium. A Whopper from Burger King has 670 calories, 40 grams of fat and 970 milligrams of sodium. The recommended daily salt intake is 1,500 milligrams.
So what was KFC thinking when they decided to create the "double-down". When asked they replied “They’re targeting working-class consumers that have less discretionary income. It’s about quantity. Whether we like it or not, this product will appeal to a signficant portion of the consumer base...”
Sorry, but when I read that all I see is "what the heck, lots of people can't afford to eat well so lets just kill them off slowly with this one sandwich that has a days worth of sodium then we don't have to worry about it!"
In April, Canada had decided that it would not support the sale of the Double down. Unfortunately as of October 18, it has been made available all across North America until Nov 14. It could however become a permanent feature if sales go well according to KFC.
So what do I say to that? I say DOUBLE-DON'T!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Introducing my new look!
Some of you have been wondering where I've been. I can tell you it's been a busy summer, I've recently launched my own business "LIVE FITNESS" and I have been busy getting the website up and running as well as my new bootcamp classes and personal training! You'll notice my get the skinny blog now sports the LiveFitness look and feel as well.
Over the next little while I will be back and blogging more frequently! In the meantime check out my new website www.live-to-inspire.com
In addition to launching my new company I just got back from Chicago where I participated in the Men's Health Urbanathlon, 12.000 men signed up and only 1,000 women! Stay tuned for photos and details on how the event went.
Over the next little while I will be back and blogging more frequently! In the meantime check out my new website www.live-to-inspire.com
In addition to launching my new company I just got back from Chicago where I participated in the Men's Health Urbanathlon, 12.000 men signed up and only 1,000 women! Stay tuned for photos and details on how the event went.
Friday, July 23, 2010
mission accomplished - 3k run, 30k bike, 7k run!
Sorry it's been awhile since I've written a post. This summer has been especially busy for me between training for my trail races and most recently my Duathlon! This past sunday I completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes a 3 k run, 30k bike ride and 7 k run at the Belwood Lake Sprint Duathlon.
I have to admit I wasn't worried about the first run or even the bike ride...it ws the 7k run AFTER those first two events that had me worried. Running 7 k on it's own tires me out so I was not sure what to expect....it took me about 1:12 minutes to ride the 30k bike, which is slower than normal but I held back in fear f the upcoming 7k run.
Basically when you ride that far and then get off your bike to run they call it a "brick". They call it that because your legs pretty much feel like cement stumps attached to your body until the lactic acid build up in them leaves. For me I made a plan to run/walk the last 7 k and keep a consistent pace which turned out to be a good plan. After about the 2k mark my legs started to feel normal and I realized I was ok, and I actually felt really great and strong! I have to say keeping my self hydrated in the heat really helped me stay strong!
3 years ago walking down the street tired me out, looking back I have a hard time believing that was me. As I was running the last 7k I had a strange epiphany type of moment where I felt a huge sense of accomplishment for the first time in 3 years. I know that must sound weird...like losing over 115lbs you'd think I would have had that feeling before but this time was different.
If there has one thing I have learned throughout my journey it's how important consistency is.
Here's a shot of me on my bike...with my ghostly white legs!
I have to admit I wasn't worried about the first run or even the bike ride...it ws the 7k run AFTER those first two events that had me worried. Running 7 k on it's own tires me out so I was not sure what to expect....it took me about 1:12 minutes to ride the 30k bike, which is slower than normal but I held back in fear f the upcoming 7k run.
Basically when you ride that far and then get off your bike to run they call it a "brick". They call it that because your legs pretty much feel like cement stumps attached to your body until the lactic acid build up in them leaves. For me I made a plan to run/walk the last 7 k and keep a consistent pace which turned out to be a good plan. After about the 2k mark my legs started to feel normal and I realized I was ok, and I actually felt really great and strong! I have to say keeping my self hydrated in the heat really helped me stay strong!
3 years ago walking down the street tired me out, looking back I have a hard time believing that was me. As I was running the last 7k I had a strange epiphany type of moment where I felt a huge sense of accomplishment for the first time in 3 years. I know that must sound weird...like losing over 115lbs you'd think I would have had that feeling before but this time was different.
If there has one thing I have learned throughout my journey it's how important consistency is.
Here's a shot of me on my bike...with my ghostly white legs!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Don't spread those wings...all over your face
Hey everyone, Kelsey's is celebrating over 30 years of chicken wing goodness by offering you "all you can eat wings, sunday to wednesday for only $15.99--wing lovers unite!"
I bet you think those little wings are harmless, I mean really it's a wing...there's hardly any meat on it which means if you eat a dozen of them that's really like eating a normal chicken breast right?
WRONG! That first plate of 12 wings that you will dive into has about 1,430 calories (naked), 18 grams of "saturated" fat (ya the bad stuff). But wait, that doesn't include the 10 sauces you can choose from to coat your wings. Pick the medium flavour and you add about 300 calories just in sauce, another 12 grams of saturated fat and don't forget the 1,980 mg of sodium!
Ok, let's be realistic here...who goes to an all you can eat wing place only to eat one plate of wings? Kelsey's let's you switch sauces on each order...yippeee, you could try a lighter sauce perhaps the guinness bbq sauce with 110 cals/520mg sodium or just go crazy and get the Hot stripe ranch sauce 340 cals/1,390 mg sodium.
don't be sitting there thinking oh it's not that bad, you have to remember to add those totals to the original 1,430 calories, 18 grams of fat and 1,980 mg of sodium.
Oh and then there is the dipping sauce, you can't forget that! For an extra $2 you can get an additional 150 calories/300mg sodium for every 2 tablespoons.
Who knew those seemingly harmless little itty bitty wings would give you an entire days worth of calories, TWO DAYS worth of sodium and 1.5 days worth of saturated fat...and that's without the french fries. Add those into the equation and that's about another 350+ calories/1,120 mg sodium.
For fun let's add that up...
1 plate (12) Naked chicken wings with Hot Stripe Ranch sauce =
1,770 calories
3,370 mg sodium
25 grams saturated fat
That's just ONE plate!!!!
Now consider this, 1 pound of fat = 3,500 calories...eat 24 wings, you just bought yourself enough calories for 1 pound of fat...and that's only the wings, not the beer you're likely to be consuming or the fries...bon appetite!
I bet you think those little wings are harmless, I mean really it's a wing...there's hardly any meat on it which means if you eat a dozen of them that's really like eating a normal chicken breast right?
WRONG! That first plate of 12 wings that you will dive into has about 1,430 calories (naked), 18 grams of "saturated" fat (ya the bad stuff). But wait, that doesn't include the 10 sauces you can choose from to coat your wings. Pick the medium flavour and you add about 300 calories just in sauce, another 12 grams of saturated fat and don't forget the 1,980 mg of sodium!
Ok, let's be realistic here...who goes to an all you can eat wing place only to eat one plate of wings? Kelsey's let's you switch sauces on each order...yippeee, you could try a lighter sauce perhaps the guinness bbq sauce with 110 cals/520mg sodium or just go crazy and get the Hot stripe ranch sauce 340 cals/1,390 mg sodium.
don't be sitting there thinking oh it's not that bad, you have to remember to add those totals to the original 1,430 calories, 18 grams of fat and 1,980 mg of sodium.
Oh and then there is the dipping sauce, you can't forget that! For an extra $2 you can get an additional 150 calories/300mg sodium for every 2 tablespoons.
Who knew those seemingly harmless little itty bitty wings would give you an entire days worth of calories, TWO DAYS worth of sodium and 1.5 days worth of saturated fat...and that's without the french fries. Add those into the equation and that's about another 350+ calories/1,120 mg sodium.
For fun let's add that up...
1 plate (12) Naked chicken wings with Hot Stripe Ranch sauce =
1,770 calories
3,370 mg sodium
25 grams saturated fat
That's just ONE plate!!!!
Now consider this, 1 pound of fat = 3,500 calories...eat 24 wings, you just bought yourself enough calories for 1 pound of fat...and that's only the wings, not the beer you're likely to be consuming or the fries...bon appetite!
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