Archive for February, 2009
“That Girl”
I don’t typically engage in fem-bashing … I was a sorority girl in college and a cheerleader in high school and my best friends are female. I tend to defend my girls til the end.
But sometimes, we need to call ‘em as we see ‘em and at my workshop this past week in NYC, I met “that girl.”
Allow me to explain …
Halfway through the presentation-skills workshop I attended, we divided up into groups to do on-camera work. I was fortunate to be put in a group with three fantastic people and we totally gelled; midway through my first presentation I was feeling good; confident, even.
We cheered for each other (three women, one man), and rooted each other on as we each presented a challenge and a solution in a two-minute “talking memo” (not as easy as it sounds!) and then watched ourselves on camera. (more…)
25 comments February 27, 2009
Book Giveaway Winner
…And the winner of the random drawing for a copy of Beating Ana is …. blog reader AmandaSue.
Please email me your home address to Lissa10279@gmail.com to claim your prize!!
Thank you everyone for entering and a book review will follow shortly, once I get my copy.
3 comments February 24, 2009
Training Session #1
Image credit: FitSugar.com
I’ve been lifiting on and off since freshman year of high school, so I went into this with some knowledge … but it didn’t prepare me for the arse-whooping I got!!
We’re dividing my sessions into body parts, and last night was purely legs. I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard in all my life!! She pushed me, and I felt the burn and loved it. I’ve missed it; that empowering “Yes I can!” sensation.
When I was off-form, she corrected me. Likewise, when I had excellent form, she praised me. It was good for me to have someone pushing me; it reminds me of running with my husband, who always sticks with me, but pushes me along when I’m feeling exhausted. Some people hate the pressure; I thrive off it.
(more…)
9 comments February 24, 2009
On Messaging …
Last week, I was shocked when I was contacted by someone working for the publisher of Fitness magazine (of which I have been a loyal reader for years now).
I was initially flabbergasted — and flattered — to see that I’d been “found” in the blogosphere by such a huge magazine.
But then I remembered I rank #1 and #2 in Google when you Google “disordered eater” … so perhaps it wasn’t so surprising that eventually something like this would happen.
Anyway, it turns out that the contact was looking for bloggers to share with their readers a new package –the workout, diet and exercise routines of 50 celebrities.
In return, the FitnessMagazine.com blog would link back to the bloggers who shared the links with their readers, driving traffic to those blogs.
Now, I read Fitness magazine and while I don’t necessarily “Drink the Kool-Aid,” so to speak, I do love the tips I find in this (and all of) my health and fitness magazines.
That said, there’s a time and place for everything … and so, despite being stoked about the notion of getting a plug from Fitness magazine, I began to question if my blog about disordered eating was the proper place. (more…)
20 comments February 23, 2009
Book Giveaway: Beating Ana by Shannon Cutts
In honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I was recently contacted about the upcoming release of the new book, Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder and Take Your Life Back by author Shannon Cutts.
As part of her blogosphere book tour to promote her new book. I will be receiving a copy to review shortly, and I wanted to offer one of my readers an opportunity to win a free copy of her book.
In a couple weeks, I will be interviewing Shannon here on my blog, after I have read/review the book myself.
According to materials I received, “In Beating Ana, Shannon reveals her own struggle with ED, introduces readers of six amazing women who have fought the same battle, and focuses on the need for those who suffer from eating disorders to look to mentors and sponsors to enable them to win.” (more…)
20 comments February 21, 2009
Feb 22-28 Is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
I’m not sure how many of you know this, but next week, February 22-28, is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
If you are looking for resources for yourself or someone else who is struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating issues, please see my HELP tab.
Remember, you are NOT alone. And there IS help out there for you and/or your loved one. You are worth it, and it’s never too late to seek help.
With love,
Melissa
2 comments February 20, 2009
Insanity Is …
They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results.
Well, I’ve been totally guilty of falling into that trap the past couple years … which is why I feel uber-inspired right now.
Between the nutritional suggestions the trainer had (nothing new, mind you, I just needed to hear it from the expert to finally do it — “stay away from sodium, focus on protein, etc.”) … and her fitness regimen she’ll be planning for me … I really think I’ll be able to get a better grip on my eating and my mental well-being. (more…)
3 comments February 20, 2009
Great Article
I was reading Kath Eats Real Food on my lunch break today and came across this great USA Today piece she shared, called “Study confirms: Don’t reward yourself for calories burned.”
Bottom line is that all too often people think they’re working harder than we are and end up over-eating after exercise, eating back what they burned, and often then some.
(I’m not sure how that plays into it when you wear a HRM; they seem accurate to me compared to machines though I’ve been told that isn’t always the case). (more…)
11 comments February 19, 2009
Quickie Update
This morning before work, I met with the trainer for my body comp. Here are some quick notes:
1) My resting metabolic rate (RMR) — what my body expends each day just breathing … is 1605, it had been 1620 in Nov 2007 … so it’s good it didn’t change much, (and she noted 1605 is great!) but I have gained three pounds since Nov 2007 according to their scale.
2) My body fat went from 25.1 to 26.9 percent. NOT GOOD.
3) She took measurements; we’ll reassess in 8 weeks.
4) We’ll be focusing on super-sets for my sessions.
5) She wants me to be drinking protein shakes following our sessions and wants me to rethink my oatmeal breakfasts in favor of more protein-dense choices. I’ll see … I’ve planned a high protein breakfast for today (1/2 c cottage cheese, 2 T PB, and a protein shake … plus strawberries).
6) I am dehydrated and am not getting enough water … still! (I also had taco salad last night — oops, hello sodium!)
7) She wants me to stick to 1300 a day and focus on 120 grams of protein.
She said I had a pretty flat tummy and muscular legs.
9) She wants me to get in 6 gym sessions, burning no more than 500 calories a session. (This means cutting DOWN on my cardio b/c I’ll be including weights into this calculation). Today I burned just 350 because I was in a rush to get to work, but that’s ok. It’s better than nada!
10) I will be journaling on a spreadsheet for the next 8 weeks to show my deficits. (more…)
20 comments February 19, 2009
Slow. It. Down.
Lately I’ve felt as though I’ve been grasping for straws trying to get my life in order after a fall/early winter spent in much disarray.
I’ve noticed a correlation between body happiness and overall happiness/contentment/sense of order. Right now, I’m not in that body-love mode, and so my life feels “chaotic.”
Between my marriage, friendships/family, social life, work, blogging, the gym, and now my Lia Sophia business on the side as well as upcoming personal training sessions, I am going to have quite a bit on my plate — certainly not as much as my friends who are working moms, or those with a new baby, or my husband who is working full-time and getting his MBA part-time. But plenty to keep me occupied, and hopefully distracted from disordered eating behaviors/issues.
On the flipside, I asked for it, have made the strides to do something for me … and I am going to embrace it. (more…)
6 comments February 19, 2009
