We Need a Food Revolution!

"I believe that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals, and that every family deserves real, honest, wholesome food. Too many people are being affected by what they eat." <<<<>

What a bold statement. When thinking of your own weight issues... what do you think the problem is? Bad genetics? Bad habits? Lack of education?

What about your health? Is that a concern or are you completely vanity driven?

What about your children that depend on every choice you make for them to eat and receive proper nutrition... are you making healthy choices for them?

These are all of the things that were running through my mind while watching ABC's new television series, Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.

The premise of the show is pretty simple... America is struggling with the obesity crisis... Oliver has experience in revamping many programs in Europe to bring better health to the country...

Win - Win situation, right? Wrong.

The thing that surprised me the most is the lack of presence by the parents. It became quite clear that the parents were not only ok with the school's menu selection... they actually served the very same meals to their children at home. This just goes to show how a LACK OF EDUCATION can be passed from parent to child. Fat isn't passed through genes... ignorance is.

The best part about this is, all of this can be changed. But it starts at home. We may be able to change the school systems in due time but we can change our own homes NOW.

*Insert Rant Here* --->>> Now, I may not be able to relate to every parent in the world considering I'm not a parent yet, but I am a big sister and an aunt and I can say that alone from my experience as those two that when I think of my sisters or brother, or my niece and nephews... I think of top shelf high quality EVERYTHING. I think of wanting to take all that's bad out of their lives and replacing it all with good...taking all of the pain and replacing it with pleasure. I can only hope that when I do become a parent, I will not only treat my children in the same light...I will treat them better! I just don't understand how, as a parent, you can feed your children food that can ultimately lead them to a lifetime of pain. How could you sentence your child to that type of misery? Diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc etc etc... why make it so easy for your children to be victims of their health? Call me naive but I'm thinking that as a parent you want your child to drive around in the body of a Bentley...not the body of a Pinto! They say your body is your temple... so why destroy it with over processed fatty foods and not only feed it to your children but start your children on a lifetime of bad nutrition choices? As an adult many people often find themselves battling the bulge in one way or another... if we see ourselves and how many of us are on yo-yo diets because we can't seem to make our own health a priority, how can we sentence our children down the same paths? This is a part of the change that needs to happen now. This country is DYING of their own bad habits. In life, we are blessed to receive 1 body that can do whatever we want it to do - good or bad. It's sad that so many of us are choosing BAD over good. We are in desperate need of help and if we don't get hip to our own behaviors, how can we really call ourselves good parents? **Rant complete**

Every day when you wake up, look in the mirror and tell yourself, I'm going to do something today that supports my overall health! Hold yourself accountable, make the change, live longer, live healthier.

Game on.

xoxo

Lei

**Recommended websites:

- www.jamieoliver.com

- www.amenclinics.com

New Year, New Body, New Attitude!

As I sat here at my house (after catching the lazy bug), the guilt was unbearable so I decided to check out what fitness programs I could find on demand. So I came across a cool Yoga-Meltdown program and decided to give it a shot. Whew! Boy it was tough! Before I knew it, I was sweating! What a great way for me to still get a workout in after not making it to the gym!

While working out, I noticed the women in the fitness video were toned and in great shape...and I started feeling a little insecure/ intimidated! Since, I was aware that I wasn't in the best shape I've ever been, I knew this feeling was to be expected and quite normal (especially being a semi-emotional woman lol) but it got me thinking... how many other women are out there, who want to get in shape, but they just can't get past their emotions to do it? They are afraid of large gyms for the fear of others looking at them, they are afraid of working out in front of those that are in great shape, maybe even afraid of looking like they don't know what they are doing or fit in? It's almost as if you have to be IN shape in order to go to the gym without having a complex! An oxymoron, right?

So, I just wanted to take a little time to salute all of you women (and men too!) who desperately want to get in shape but your mind's playing tricks on you. As women, we are unfortunately prone to the emotional issues that come along with being overweight (or we are just simply emotional about everything lol) but we don't have to be a slave to them! I encourage you to grab a friend, your I-Pod, or even just stay at home and get that workout in so you can start YOUR special journey to your new body, new attitude. I understand that by seeing another person in shape may be a little intimidating and may make you doubt or be hard on yourself, but don't be the bearer of a negative attitude! Let those women be your motivation to keep going! The irony in it all is that if you scare yourself away from people, gyms, trainers, classes, you're digging the hole deeper and deeper therefore making that challenge even more difficult to overcome and let alone even attempt.

As women, our emotions can sometimes possess our whole lives. I remember when I first began working out and I floated from machine to machine, taking my time, and the moment someone looked at me like wtf r u doing? I was outta there lol. I had such a fear of looking stupid or silly in front of other gym members and now looking back, I actually did look stupid just by taking their feelings into consideration! Living a healthy life is your journey and your journey ALONE. Don't let others prevent you from making the progress you deserve! Self-love is a full time job, you will have your good days and bad days, but you still keep going to work. Don't give up, I won't let you!

So next time, on your way out the door to the gym, stop at the mirror, look at yourself and say, "I AM A SUCH A HOTTIE AND I'M BOUT TO GO TO THE GYM AND MAKE IT HOTTER!"

Happy lifting,

Lei

Educate Yourself!

Ya know, I just recently read an article posted on my trainer's website regarding supplements and was inspired to reach out to my readers to educate them on what it takes to lose fat, diet, etc.

It's funny that I even fell upon this article because I actually watched a new workout dvd called Insanity (not sure if anyone's heard of it---very similar to P90x) which showed a Sports Trainer doing various plyometric and calisthetic workouts in what looks like a high school gym with a group of about 15 people. The drills were intense and a great cardiovascular workout overall. The entire package that my father ordered included a few dvds, a nutrition guide and a few brochures. After reviewing most of the material (zooming in on the nutrition aspect most critically) I definitely think this a good, solid purchase that the consumer would get the most "bang for your buck." I was most impressed with the nutrition guide book due to the fact that it gives the reader very simple meals but also provides them with information as to why you are making those choices. I was happy to see that the trainer was not giving the reader what most consumers look for... a magic pill to lose weight.

As I was driving home from my parents, my boyfriend (a trainer as well) and I began speaking about this Insanity program. The one thing we both noticed was that the workouts/drills/routines outlined in the program were really nothing new or improved. It basically consisted of basic plyometric, calisthetic, yoga, core exercises, etc, all jumbled into 1 very intense cardiovascular boot camp style class. Consumers have seen all of this before. They have purchased these types of workout dvds before. But since this particular dvd is brand new... they quickly purchase in hopes of losing weight in some new, improved and possibly easier fashion.

What most people do not realize is that losing fat, toning/building muscle and retaining that leanness/muscle tone is quite simple... it's just that us as people, complicate it. We look for the easiest way possible to get the most work done. We become pill poppers in hopes of that magic supplement that will give us that "head start." We buy video games for exercise and join the local Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig for nutrition. We as a population have become amazingly lazy. When said diets, exercise programs, supplements don't work... who do we blame??? Who we should be blaming, is ourselves.

There is a wealth of health and fitness knowledge out there for everyone to learn and apply to their own lives. Especially in the world today with the internet, there is absolutely no reason why every individual can't search and find the answer to their own battles with weight loss. This goes back to me saying us as people... COMPLICATE things.

Here is the simple answer to losing weight, gaining muscle, looking great:
1. Eat healthy 2. Exercise 3. Stay consistent

That's the million dollar answer everyone is looking for. This is what we as consumers spend billions of dollars on every year (fitness industry is a multi-billion dollar industry). There is no secret, no magic potion, no magic supplement, no shortcuts PERIOD. New workouts are great for spicing up an old routine, but for those of you who have no routine and just wait around for the next new thing to hit the market so you can buy it and use it for 5 minutes, you are a marketer's dream come true.

Now, as the new year approaches and everyone adds "get in shape" to their new year's resolution list, remember that all of the information you need is at your fingertips. It's just a matter of you applying that information. You don't have to go out and purchase a $200 workout dvd or video game in order to get in shape. You also don't have to buy into these group nutrition programs that you have to pay $400 for frozen meals. Start reading! If you've been struggling your whole life against the scale then it's time for you to stop taking the above shortcuts and start making some major life changes. That means cooking your own food... researching your own workouts... maybe even starting your own fitness support group! The best way for you to keep the weight off and rid yourself of your struggle against weight is to tackle this obstacle head, skip the shortcuts and enjoy the JOURNEY!!!!!

Some good reading:

www.bodybuilding.com
www.leanbodiesconsulting.com/blog
www.siouxcountry.com
www.rxmuscle.com
www.stevemoyerfitness.com/_blog/Steve_Moyer%27s_Blog

It's never too late!

So I'm here @ the gym for the 1st time in a week or 2 and wow, it's amazing how a little time off can completely throw your workouts off. Things I used to do I can't do and it's extremely frustrating. I almost decided to take however long off until I felt like doing it all again. After my last workout session where I was completely humbled, I just thought to myself this is ridiculous, I'm done, I'm fat, I don't wanna do this anymore. I know some of you will think that's crazy but I was so serious. I had an emotional meltdown @ the gym n was just completely over all of the pressure I put on myself to be/get in shape. After about a week of me hiding out from the gym, I missed it in a weird way. I didn't yearn to be there but I knew how completely necessary it was for me to be there. If I was mad @ how out of shape I was now, imagine me 1 year from now after NOT working out? It was time to rearrange my thinking.

So instead of quitting all together, I decided 2 bring it back to basics. I started today with legs. Back in the day when I 1st began working out with a trainer, we ALWAYS did legs on Mondays. It was a fresh way 2 start the week. So today came my old school leg workout:
-warmup, 3x15 leg ext
-leg press toes pointed out
-squats
-deadlifts
-1 leg seated leg curl
-calf raises
-finish w/10 min intervals on arc machine

All in all, I'm beat. I mean completely done. I'm sitting here in the gym still waiting 4 my bf 2 finish his cardio session n I'm nodding off. I think it's safe 2 say, good workout accomplished :).

Point is, never give up on urself. We're all not perfect n there will always be struggles but u just have 2 get back up n ride the wave. I was so discouraged bcuz I wanted to have the "perfect" workout that I used 2 have when I was in better shape n I physically couldn't. Every1 has to crawl b4 they walk n since I had been in n out the gym, I'm no exception. So remember, it's never too late to get back up and do whatever it is u want to do, whether it's getting back into the gym or going back 2 school, going back 2 work etc. Do whatever u have to do to get the job done, even if u have 2 humble yourself along the way :)

Don't worry- be HAPPY!
Xoxo
Lei

Mental Strength

Howdy folks,

Ever feel down? Ever get stuck in a rut and the only thing that makes you feel better is JUNK FOOD or ALCOHOL or anything else unhealthy? Well... I'm right there with you! I had such a rough week this past week that last nite I craved pizza soooo bad! I was so over it all that I just allowed myself to go with it and ate 5 slices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Terrible! But the worst part about it was that I ate all 5 and felt absolutely fine... not bloated, nothing. It's strange because I haven't eaten pizza in forever and definitely not 5 at a time... So... as I'm thinking about it all, I'm wondering... how much does emotions affect your eating? Your cravings for unhealthy food? And WHY???

I've decided to pay extra attention on my "emotional" days. I already journal my eating but on days that I'm feeling down or stressed, I'll make an extra note of it and chart the differences. I'm looking forward to seeing how these emotional cravings can be controlled and manipulated. My idea is to try to transform my mind from automatically running to "cheat" foods and force it to automatically run to healthy foods. Wish me luck! I'll be sharing my experiences!! :)

Stay healthy & strong!

xo

LP

Dead tired but I've been so absent minded lately that I haven't even logged on here so I decided to stop by and say hiiiiiiiiiiii

Taught my class tonite and was completely beat. The class even started late which made it about 40 minutes or so and still, I was done. I really need to step up my conditioning and get it together already!!!!!!!!

Hmm what else... I saw in the Star Mag that Alicia Marie dated A-Rod for 4yrs? wtf?

I have to go into my ridiculous experience over the weekend at my bf's 1st competition... the story is just hysterical and will soon follow :)

Anyhow... gnite folks, sorry I have to keep it brief... but I'm working 14hrs tomorrow and need my beauty sleep...and LOTS of it lol.

xoxo
LP

Worst Blogger in the world?

Soooooooo... it's been so long since I've blogged that I actually forgot my password... MY password to MY own site? wtf? Who does that?

Anyhow-- is everyone ready for the summer??? I can NOT believe it's June already...sickening. I'm super busy these days since everyone wants that "beach" body ;) Plussss, I'll be prepping for a show too (yipee). What do YOU have planned for the summer?