The Ultimate Double Standard

He can be ugly, smell bad, covered in tattoos, have one eye and he’ll still get airplay if he’s athletic; he’ll get sponsored, he’ll get paid, he’ll get watched, followed and loved. SHE had better be sexy, long hair, great physique, tan, toned, perfect make up, teeth, then be athletically talented or she’ll never get out of the amateur world. No matter how good she is, without model looks, she’s not making THE team.

When you think of the worldly equalities that have moved society forward; voting, military positions, clergy, Title IX, there is still a double standard when it comes to women’s professional sports. In a male driven audience, women’s sports will never really be taken seriously – in the same breath you’ll hear “Danica Patrick is so sexy, and sure knows how to drive.” Can she not just know how to drive? I suppose it could be argued that women find Tebow hot but we still watch football even with the not so hot guys on the team.

I’ve become more and more bothered by this double standard as I watch female athletes become sex symbols first, athletes second. If you’re a strong female athlete but are so-so or average looking then you might as well join roller derby because that’s the only league that allows a melting pot of looks, builds, etc.

It’s sad to read articles about upcoming MMA fighter Ronda Rousey and her title fight against Meisha Tate this March. “Barbie Breaks Arms” the title of the Fitness Rx Magazine article on Rousey. “With top fighters sporting pretty faces and long flowing hair – women’s MMA is gaining popularity.” REALLY can you not start out talking about her career in Judo or the Olympics, or even just her amateur record in MMA – her looks should be a hindsight. There aren’t articles that read “with his all-American boy-next door good looks, chiseled abs and Christian lifestyle, Tim Tebow is excelling at the sport of football.”

I doubt there will ever be change in this arena – sports will always be dominantly driven by men both playing and watching, paying and drooling. It certainly doesn’t help that females allow the sexy posing because it sells seats, but I’d like to hope that for the average athletic female the field would become a far more level ground, they’d be recognized for their talents as an athlete not their physical attributes. Sexy may fill the seats but it’s not sexy that wins the game, match, tournament, it’s skill, hard work, athleticism and teamwork. It’s putting in the same work as the boys, training just as hard, wanting just as much and deserving the respect for the talent, not bra size.

I'm Back

I contemplated putting a saddle photo as in I’m “back in the saddle” then I thought I’d have the saddle on donkey since I feel like a horses ass “getting back into it,” but then I decided to post a more inspiring photo!

With a regained focus, a year of life changing events and the pure fact that I'm not getting younger and this isn't getting easier...I'M BACK!

Here’s the deal, I was balls to the wall on Ideal Protein and working out – I got to a point that I’d work out twice a day and my weigh ins sucked, they’d either be 1 pound a week loss or nothing – I had caused my body to freak out and store since I was taking in only 1300 calories and burning at least 1500-2000 – the truth is, in order to lose weight and work out, you MUST eat. THEN I got laid off and couldn’t afford the program at all. Not to mention I’d broke off my engagement to my best friend. I was so emotionally not available to anyone but my son. I didn’t care about ANYTHING, I couldn’t even really put words to the feelings other than I DIDN’T CARE! It sucked.

Though I was able to work out at my gym more, I had to figure out how to eat “normal” again and sadly I got in the mindset that I’d dropped 58 pounds and was looking good, I was thinking “I’ve got this.” I was eating Nutella toast every day – sometimes twice – It’s not a secret that I LOVE NUTELLA – oh and that’s not all I was eating, I’d started eating more crap, because I was working out more it was kind of okay but really the results were just delayed. By the time I got back to Ideal Protein, I’d luckily only gained back 7 pounds (in three months) so from Feb ’11 – July ’11 I had lost 58 pounds by October ’11, I was at -51 pounds – not bad but getting back has been so super hard.

One benefit, I’m back with my best friend – my mood is so, so much better, but I really am still dealing with being told that I need to stop working out so much, down to “you can only walk around the block.” It’s not in my genes – I’m a gym rat, I’m supposed to be lifting like the boys, I’m meant to be in the gym! So I wonder now as I eat my packets of food, what else can I do – there’s got to be an option for athletes or athletically minded people on Ideal Protein!

I have found a new journaling site that I like more than Live Strong – it’s My Fitness Pal, not only can I use it on my computers but also my phone, it already has the Ideal Protein foods in its system so I don’t have to guess or hand enter the calories etc. LOVE it. Truly, journaling has been a Godsend, but I need to figure out this whole work out thing – I cannot NOT workout - it’s just not an option.

On the schedule for this year is two Warrior Dash races, at least three 5K’s and a 10K, MMA training and part of me wants to do a Sprint Triathlon but we’ll see. I’d also like to get back into CrossFit – that was super neglected after I stopped IP, also due to funds, though still expensive there are ways to get in WOD’s without having to go to a box – it’s just a lot more fun surrounded by other CFers!

We’ll all get there – just keep pressing forward people!

You Must Eat To Lose

You've heard them all...An Apple a Day, Muscle Weighs More Than Fat, You Must Eat to Lose. There is substance in each of these statements, but Everything in Moderation!

I've lost a lot of weight in the last 5 months, I'm more than 1/2 way to my goal but now I've been faced with another hurdle, another obstacle that just might be harder to overcome than the initial issue. I'll do it because going back is NOT an option, but wrapping my head around it will be a battle.

Yesterday's weigh in, I'd gained 0.8 of a pound in two weeks. I know big deal right. The weigh in before that covered the previous week, and I'd only lost 0.2 pounds. Though these aren't crazy numbers on either end, they are enough, given the Ideal Protein structure, to make myself and my coach step back and look at what was going on. After going through my food journal and discussing what a "normal" week looked like for me, my coach was astounded to learn that I workout on average 8 times in a 5 day work week, 1 hour at a time. Add to that a two mile weekend hike and BOOM, we found the problem. I'm working out far too much for my strict caloric intake managed by the program. I was putting my body into famine.

I love my workouts, love, love my gym time, the endorphins, the sweat, the loud, angry music but I now need to slow it down (not the music). I've been placed on a four week restriction of working out. I'm still able to do core, walking, hiking and playing with my son but the days of dead lifts, squats, hip sleds, bench press etc. are on hold (insert sad face here).

This will be a difficult four weeks but I understand what we're trying to achieve and where I need to be to get there. I am very happy with my accomplishments so far and know I'm only going to get better, stronger, healthier and hotter (lol) but understanding the machine, understanding the physiology of exercise and nutrition is paramount.

I've got this - come along won't you?

14's Baby

I'm now on the downhill of this "thing" and feel awesome - like anything, some days are better than others, but over all I feel so much better. This whole task was daunting on day one - now that I'm 52 pounds into it, it's still work but it seems a bit more manageable. 48 pounds is nothing to shake a stick at, I still have a tremendous amount of work to do but I can see the faint light at the end.

The more and more I'm in this, the more and more I see the responsibility of working hard, doing right, setting examples, being an example. I've started having people inquire about my recommendations, advice on workouts, etc. and though through a lot of it I still feel very novice, I encourage forward progress. We are all at a place where something could be better, improved in our lives, it's simply about doing, about choices. It's not a race, it's not a comparison, it's just a journey and sometimes it sucks but the mere fact that we get up each day and fight again, will make it ALL very worth it.

This past weekend I ran a 5K (with my 8 year old) - my time was a horrible 41.02. That means my 13.21 pace was just 3 1/2 minutes behind the female lead's FINISHING time! But again, it was the simple fact that I did it - I didn't train (running) at all - I'd started the C25K but it was seriously only for a week, then it was just weights and CrossFit.

Since that run, I've researched and found three more I will do. August 20th is the Covey Run for Children's Hospital - this is especially important this year because a friend of mine lost her 15 month old son on July 1st at Children's after he'd fought from the day he was born at 1.5 pounds. September 11th, I'll do another 5K for Iron Girl - a wonderful organization. I last did this run in 2006 with Jordan. I then plan to run, with my two cousins, the Big Sur International Marathon's 10.6 miler which is in April of 2012. I want to be a decent runner - I believe continually signing up for these will only continue to motivate me, I refuse to push out any more40 minute times!

CrossFit, oh CrossFit - this Thursday just after my weigh in, Jordan and I will complete our last On Ramping WOD and graduate to the full meal deal. We are both very excited to welcome the punishment. This is by far the best, most driven workout a person can get involved in!

One of the combined accomplishments of my Ideal Protein and my workouts was today while getting ready for work, having nothing really to wear; I grabbed my old black slacks - ironed them and slipped them on. These are "pre-plan" slacks, size 22 to be exact. I pulled them on without unzipping them and down they fell - I no longer even had hips to hold them up with. I was happy but sad - I had nothing to wear, nothing appropriate for work. I had workout clothes and jeans! I reached down in a pile of clothes I'd been given by my Ideal Protein coach - things she's grown out of due to her own weight loss. I grabbed a pair of blue slate cords (size 14) that I'd been eyeing since I got them. They went on! They fit! There's just a small muffin top - actually it's really more like a "mu" top, not even enough to constitute the FFIN! The MU top was easily disguisable by a light jacket and off to work I went, elated. I don't double I'm probably a size 15 (lol) but this was a happy moment for me of possibilities to come. Like I said, there's still a ton of work to get done but I am ready, I love how I feel, I walk taller, feel happier, I feel like an athlete.

Go out and do something great for yourself! Get moving.

(BTW there's a little progress photo for you - the "me" on the left was October 2010, I looked just like that on February 2011 when I started IP, the one the right was me a couple weeks ago!)

Strong is the New Skinny

Well I'm about two weeks behind in posts, I do apologize. Part of the reason is I was busy with work, my son's sports, school...LIFE. Part of it was because I'd truly SUCKED at the last two weigh ins hitting a ZERO just after Memorial weekend (thanks to some amazing, authentic Mexican food) followed by an even sadder ONE pound loss last week.

Why was the one worse for me than the zero? I'd expected the zero because of what I'd put in my body, and by what I didn't do. The one was simply a representation of NO ACTION. I should have dropped weight and water from the previous week and clearly I didn't put in nearly enough work on my eating or working out.

From last Thursday to yesterday I was back on track, focused and working hard - I had some really good work outs and felt awesome. I honestly feel stronger than I have in the last decade! Last night I stepped on the scale...4.6 pounds lost in one week. That's more like it. An addict will take themselves to a place mentally where they are full of limitations. To this day, I still do it - I believe I'm not good enough, it's never going to happen, it's too hard, what if I fail, I'm going to fail, I'm sure I've failed, blah, blah, blah! Each week is a new focus, a new charge, a new goal. I love this plan because all I have to do is follow it and chase Thursdays and within a year (or less) I'll be down 100 pounds.

Luckily I have responsibilities like a son and a job that keep me busy otherwise I'd be a gym rat - now there's nothing wrong with that but I'd seriously be obsessed. I'm still working on my Personal Trainer Certificate, more so I know what I'm doing and how to properly train this body but someday this body might be a marketing tool to working full time at what I love. TRAINING!

I have however found a new obsession! CrossFit - if you don't know what that is exactly, Google it, YouTube it...heck go here http://youtu.be/GjPvkoDWcow and just watch day 1 of the CrossFit games held last weekend here in Washington. The sound is a little funky but enjoy. These people workout in industrial parks, large warehouse garages, they are lifting tires, throwing weights and taking themselves to a new level of masochistic fitness.

I want to be the fittest I've EVER been, not just in the last decade but in the last three and a half decades. I want to push myself to fitness levels I don't think I can reach and CrossFit is my vehicle. I'm excited (nervous) to join next Tuesdays "On Ramping" class and get my two weeks done so I can go full time! The other benefit is they have developed a CrossFit Kids where they teach youth from 4 years old and up the proper body mechanics, mental attitude, agility and strength training (appropriate for little bones and muscles). Jordan is amped to get in there and do something especially since when he goes to the gym with me, he sits in a baby daycare watching baby movies, surrounded by baby toys. BORING!

So here we go - onto the next one, another week, eating, training, training, eating - chasing Thursday - will you come along.

No matter what your fitness level or goal is go for it, just put one foot in front of the other and remember you're there for YOU - no one else. You cannot go through life making everyone else happy if you're not. You only have one body, one life - have fun with it, treat it well, make good choices.

Till next time - be blessed.

I Must Confess!

I could say "well at least I didn't gain..." or "it was a holiday..." or "it would have been rude not to partake..." but really though these may all be true, it still does not justify the fact that I CHEATED! Yes it's true - I'm a cheater - well I was, I'm currently reformed.

You see over the Memorial holiday weekend, my family trucked off to Eastern Washington to see my fiancé’s best friend. Great guy, great cook. John is Mexican - we were showered with carne asada, Pico de Gallo, tamales, homemade tortillas, black eyed peas, and rice...YUM. Now I did make sure to have a hotel with a gym and we did work out for two hours on Sunday. I did not consume any alcohol and nearly reached my 140 ounces of water intake daily; however there were the road trip snacks of Starbursts! And though I worked out four more times when we arrived home, there was a mocha, a snickers AND a beef and cheddar. The slope was slippery and I kept sliding. I was starting to get into that mindset "oh I'll just work out extra hard." Really - it's nearly impossible to burn 800-1000 calories in a workout and all because I decided to eat something that only took minutes to consume - DUMB!

THEN..... there was the weigh in yesterday - now I knew I'd cheated, I felt guilty for it - for my own personal progress but also because I'd made a promise to my coach - I'd signed a contract and I'd failed. I stepped on the scale and it was a BIG FAT ZERO!!!

Tom Krause said “There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them.”

SO here I go, I'm going to react in a non-verbal way, I'm back on the horse, I'm back in the saddle, I'm doing this thing and not cheating - this is by far too important for me to quit on myself for temporary pleasure.

Failure is a true sign of being human and I'm okay with it - it really is all about what you do with what you have at any given moment.

If you have found yourself "being human" too, just remember it's okay, remember your goals and your WHY. Remember that what you're doing isn't easy otherwise our world wouldn't be obese and remember that you CAN overcome temptation and get back to your laser focus.

Go do great things!

Drop It Like It's Hot!

Can I tell you how much I LOVE the Ideal Protein program? This truly has been a blessing in my life. Chasing my Thursdays every week for my weigh in’s and measurements - to hear I've lost 2.5 pounds and 3 inches in 5 days - CRAZY. To fit in cuter close - to work toward "regular" sizes. I'm not sure why plus sized clothing must look like a table cloth but instead of continuing to fight the industry, I'll fight what got me there because I AM WORTH IT.

I'm on my way people; the road is ahead of me and will be marched down, Thursday after Thursday.

I'm excited for my future. I got engaged to my best friend Saturday and I'm excited to live this life, walk this journey with him and our kids - to experience everything, the things I wanted to do but couldn't because I was too big, too ashamed, to conscious - now watch out! I want to inspire people that they can, because they are worth it. God doesn't make mistakes. Every day is a blessing and I'm so ready!

You'll see the success not just from my words and the excitement found in them but from my chart shown here - you'll see where I was doing it on my own and when I started with IP on 2/24 how it's just gone DOWN, DOWN, DOWN!

Be blessed people - do you (no one can do it better). Have ZERO regrets!
Can I tell you how much I LOVE the Ideal Protein program. This truly has been a blessing in my life. Chasing my Thursdays every week for my weigh ins and measurements - to hear I've lost 2.5 pounds and 3 inches in 5 days - CRAZY. To fit in cuter close - to work toward "regular" sizes. I'm not sure why plus sized clothing must look like a table cloth but instead of continuing to fight the industry, I'll fight what got me there beause I AM WORTH IT.

I'm on my way people, the road is ahead of me and will be marched down, Thursday after Thursday.

I'm excited for my future. I got engaged to my best friend Saturday and I'm excited to live this life, walk this journey with him and our kids - to experience everything, the things I wanted to do but couldn't because I was too big, too ashamed, to conscious - now watch out! I want to inspire people that they can, because they are worth it. God doesn't make mistakes. Every day is a blessing and I'm so ready!

You'll see the success not just from my words and the excitement found in them but from my chart shown here - you'll see where I was doing it on my own and when I started with IP on 2/24 how it's just gone DOWN, DOWN, DOWN!

Be blessed people - do you (no one can do it better). Have ZERO regrets!