Are you skinny/fat or a strong b*tch?

I know this Kelly Clarkson song doesn't really apply to my message here, but she has been scrutinized for her weight and she has admitted that she'll never 'be skinny'.  Her body is rockin' and a waif she will never be. This strong gal gets it!  She's beautiful and she looks 'healthy'.  Excuse me, but when did this look fall from grace?  "OMG!  You look so healthy"...these are words I live to hear!

Sandra Bullock has been known to say that she will "never be one of the thin ones".  If you got a chance to check out her latest movie Gravity her thighs were as impressive as the visual effects. Zero cellulite!  She always looks amazing. 

Have you ever had a friend that eats whatever they want and their gym 'routine' consists of passing a facility on the way to work?  No matter what they do, exercise or not, they just don't gain weight.  They're not flabby, they're not struggling and they don't even think about it.  Their only concern is what to eat next!  

These people are FREAKS (of nature) plain and simple.  Many of these same people are also paid beacoup cash to be models/dancers/actors, etc.  Sometimes their only talent -- a metabolism that won't quit.  But these are the people who seriously need to watch what they're putting into their bodies.  I know I cannot eat crap because it will adversely affect my weight and health.  However, for these freaks who eat whatever, they may be doing far more damage to their systems because their outsides mask it.  Beware of bad habits!  Watch out for cholesterol levels, raised blood pressure, premature aging (courtesy of fried foods) and chronic diseases related to poor food choices.

For the rest of us mere mortals, we are cursed with a metabolism that slows to a crawl as we age.  There are basically two choices - diet (until you can't stand it) OR have a come to Jesus moment and change the way you handle your lifestyle!  

People who diet, or have done so previously, will all say the same thing....it doesn't work!  They're right.  Dieting is a joke.  But people are so desperate to lose weight they'll try anything.  Astronaut food, bars, points, juice fasting, you name and someone will have tried it and failed.  

Here's a shocking fact: food tastes good and is mandatory.  There is no getting around it.  We need the stuff or we die.  And our bodies need the REAL stuff, not the fake/chemically processed crap on the grocery store shelves.  

I'm sorry, but simply eating grass and never enjoying food is just not an option for me.  I read 'Skinny Bitch ' and for four years I gave up meat.  What ended up happening was a major carb overload!  My corner was turned when I finally realized I wanted to be stronger and if I lost the weight, it was a bonus.  Being strong and healthy are my main goals.  Getting into skinny jeans was a bonus, not a priority.  The most amazing things will happen to your body (and your aging metabolism) as you increase muscle mass.  

Quick Fixes

by J. Rentilly July 11, 2012, 09:02 pm EDT
"You can always go under the knife, hack yourself to pieces, or take a bunch of pills. Plenty of Americans do that, but I think it’s a losing bet. Most of us know the best ways to take care of ourselves, but we just lack the discipline, focus, and tenacity to live that way. At this age, you can still turn it all around. You can drop the 20 pounds if you want to. Basically, the choice is this: Do I want an easy exit or a crash landing? At 50, those are your options."

It's not sexy, it's not rocket-science and it's free for all!  This is easy to do at home and you don't even need equipment.  Check out these additional articles from Women's and Men's Health!

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/anywhere-workout

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/gym-exercise-machines?page=0

http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/no-gym-no-excuses-workout

It's totally fine if you're starting a new routine from square one.  Some of these examples are a bit advanced, no problem.  Start out by going for a walk!  Each time you walk, extend your time by 5 minutes.  Maybe pick up the pace a bit.  Getting your cardio going will help start to strengthen you and then you can flirt with some of the exercises or even free weights.

I'd much rather be a strong bi*tch then a skinny one.  I'm much more confidant, I get a major rush of endorphins and it's empowering...plain and simple.

Quit dieting and join the legion of strong peeps who'd rather charge for tickets to the gun show!

How do you get strong?

Fallin' off that horse...

Hi my savvy readers!  How's everyone doing on their resolutions for health and exercise?  Are you still on it?  Have you lost?  Maybe gained?  Have there been blood, sweat, and tears?  My gym was packed until just recently.  It's hard work!!!  This winter has been especially brutal in terms of cold and snow (here in the MidWest) and finding the will to get out to the gym has gotten harder and harder.

Dear Hubby and I are trying to get our exercise on in the basement.  What I have found to help me get out and shake my booty...boutique studios.  No, not the ones that sell Gucci or Prada.  A fitness studio!  Here you have to sign up for classes in advance and if you don't cancel 24 hours in advance you get charged...OH SNAP!  I'm not a fan of spending cash and not getting anything for it.

I have fallen off my horse in more ways than one.  Don't tell anyone but guess what...I'm human.  But the thing I tell friends and family - it's all about getting back on it.  Life happens.  Just like taxes and death...it is inevitable.  But how you handle your struggles is what separates the strong from the weak.

My life is sometimes out of control, but prioritizing my health is at least one thing I do have control over.  So get back out there!  Don't fall into the predictable resolution crowd -- the go hard gym goers, fall off and wait until the next year to do somethin'.

Be like Britney and WORK, bitch :)

How do you stay motivated?

Hurts so good

What is your favorite way to exercise?  Is it running because you can feel the wind in your hair?  Is it pumping iron because you can see yourself as Arnold Schwarzenegger?  Maybe you love yoga because you can bend into a pretzel?  Whatever it is that gets you up and at 'em is the key to maintenance.  By this I mean, maintaining a routine of physical activity.  But here's the thing...what don't you like? What we don't like is usually a good indicator of what is weak in our bodies that need a little extra attention.  Here's one that will initially hurt like the dickens but it's one WE all need. Sit with your feet flexed on your heels. 

Or grab a foam roller and roll out on your IT band.  When you find your sore spot, hang out for 30 seconds to let the tightness release.  Most people are rather tight, whether they work out or not.  Dancers are typically more flexible and bending down to touch their toes takes little to no effort.  If you lift weights, you're the type that usually skips the stretching portion of the routine.  STOP AND STRETCH, YOU FOOL!  You'll be glad you did.  Whatever muscle is the tightest and therefore hurts the most when stretched, that's the muscle you should pay attention to.  

I've rambled onto the importance of stretching.  The point of this post is to work (i.e. strengthen or stretch) what hurts or is weak.  For me it's my hip flexors.  I am very open in my hips and as a result they are very weak.  Trying to extend my legs forward for any amount of time KILLS!  I immediately want to bend my legs to take the strain off my psoas (fancy for hip flexors).  I know I need to strengthen them.  I regularly incorporate stretching into my workouts, so for me adding hip flexor strengthening exercises is a MUST, especially because I don't like the way it feels.

Now there is a very important distinction between strengthening weak muscles and hurting yourself. Say for example you have a bad back.  PLEASE DO NOT GO OUT AND EXERCISE YOUR BACK THINKING YOU WILL HELP IT!  Think about the opposite muscle.  If you have a bad back, your CORE needs strengthening.  Adding some Pilates core work into your routine will help strengthen what is weak and therefore you will rely LESS on your back doing most of the work.  Try it! 

Just tell yourself it will hurt sooooo....good :)  And then play John Cougar Mellencamp's song on your ipod.