The good, the bad and the just plain stupid
Below are random things from this week that I just felt the need to share.
The Good:
1. Rock climbing is simply awesome. If you haven’t gone, I recommend you try it!
2. Kombucha. Why oh why are you so hard to find in stores? You are super healthy yet Whole Foods is just about the only store to sell you. Can someone please tell me why you can find WhoNu bars everywhere and Kombucha nowhere?
Also, soon to come a Kombucha recipe (and this won’t be like the foam rolling video…it will happen in a more timely manner. Although the foam rolling video will still be up soon! I promise!)
The Bad:
3. Kashi uses genetically modified products. I think food products that use these products should have to be labeled. Do you?
4.” Eating meat started from boredom and experimentation that became habit. If we eat dead flesh then we become dead flesh. It is said that humankind was immortal until it began eating the dead. Keeping the brain busy is how you feed the body. Keep it busy and only take from this earth what you need.
Sit on that for a few seconds, maybe even minutes. Keep your brain busy by learning, thinking, and creating. We have so much to unlearn.
We will chat again…”
This was the first comment on the NY Times “The Ethicist Contest Winner.” Oh boy….
And the Simply Stupid:
5.
I wanted to share this photo for two reasons. One, I made it and thought it was funny. Two, it boasts that it is “A fat-free food.” As if that makes it healthy!!!
6. Ok so this isn’t really “stupid” per say. But it is really funny. In an old episode of The Office, Michael gets a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit for breakfast. He takes off the biscuit and says, “Healthier.” Haha I like it even though it isn’t totally true.
Drowning out the noise
Sometimes I think the hardest thing is focusing on yourself.
And I mean this in two different ways.
I mean that sometimes it is hard to say “no” to other people and instead put yourself first and focus on your own wants and needs.
And two, that sometimes it is hard to drown out all of the criticism and doubts that come from other people.
But whether or not it is hard to drown out all the noise, there are times when it is absolutely necessary that you do.
Sometimes you just need to focus on you and say screw the world!
And it isn’t easy to do that.
I still haven’t mastered how to say “no” to people when I really don’t want to do something. I get myself into situations where I’m overstressed and finally just crash because I can’t handle it all. Usually that crash involves lots of tears and maybe a chick flick or two.
But I really can’t let it keep getting to that point. And logically I know this.
So what am I going to do about it?
I’m going to remind myself that if I never say “no” I’m doing anyone a favor. Most of the time when you do something for someone when you don’t want to, you will end up not giving it your all.
So I just have to remind myself that saying “no,” even just every once in a while when I feel myself about to crash, will keep everything from totally falling apart. I will be able to give everything my all since I won’t ever crash since I will have occasionally looked out for myself.
This is a VERY important point for MOTHERS to consider. I know a ton of women who put everyone in their life ahead of themselves. Many of these women NEVER take time for themselves and they end up crashing because of it.
And crashing can mean a ton of different things for different people. It can be emotional breakdowns. Stress eating. Weight gain. Weight loss. Illness even.
None of these things are good.
And all of them could have been avoided if the person just said “NO” every once in a while.
So think about taking some time for yourself. It could help not only yourself but also everyone else in your life.
I mean think about it….which is worse, saying no to one thing or finally crashing and potentially being out of commission for a while? I know it always takes me a couple of days when I’ve become totally mentally drained to get back on track…..
Now…the second part of the drowning out the noise equation – Ignoring the criticism and negativity that comes from other people.
This isn’t easy. It isn’t easy to brush off the negative comments that other people make about you.
My question to you is, “Why should you listen to them?”
You shouldn’t. People that need to criticize and never compliment you aren’t worth listening to you.
Why aren’t they worth listening to? Because they are obviously jealous or insecure themselves and are just TRYING to hurt you.
And here I’m not saying you shouldn’t listen to the advice of others. I’m just saying you need to block out the comments that are obviously just meant to put you down.
I’ve gotten criticized by other trainers for my diet and even my workouts. But I don’t let them make me insecure about what I’m doing.
I’ve gotten great results and so have all of my clients. No I’m not saying my program will work for everyone, but it DOES work.
I won’t let the fact that another trainer doesn’t like it or that they are insecure about their own training program deter me.
I won’t let their negativity hurt me because I BELIEVE in myself. I have CONFIDENCE.
Of course developing this confidence is a whole other post, but it starts with occasionally taking a step back and DROWNING OUT ALL THE NOISE.
That is what it all comes down to – Focusing on yourself if even just for a minute and ignoring everyone else around you.
To help myself drown out the noise, I do something FOR myself.
I plug in my headphones and bust out an intense workout that just totally drains me. Or I watch a mindless movie and ignore all of the chores that need to be done.
Or I even just simply sit somewhere quiet and write a post for Man Bicep.
It’s not self-centered to take some time for yourself! It is honestly absolutely necessary!
How do you take time for yourself? How do you drown out all the noise?
I love bright colors but I SERIOUSLY HATE BARBIE WEIGHTS!
When Ryan and I were out in California, I couldn’t believe how many women we saw out running or walking with Barbie weights in their hands.
WHAT THE HECK!?!
While I love this color, they will not be my new walking accessory.
And then one of my clients said to me, “I think that running with light weights is the best way to tone my arms!” Mind you…this is also the same client that told me that push ups were making her bulky.
I’m sorry but walking with weights IS NOT the best way to tone your arms.
Women who run with weights are IDIOTS who are AFRAID of getting bulky!
I know why people supposedly do it….Extra calorie burn and toning, but I’ll let you in on a little secret….It really doesn’t do either!
For one, you can’t spot reduce an area and part of being “toned” is low body fat. Even if walking with weights did make your arms stronger, it wouldn’t specifically cut the fat off your arms!
Secondly, yes the dumbbells could result in a few extra calories being burned but not if you have to slow down to walk with them. Plus if you simple walked/run and then did a weight workout you would burn even more calories than if you walked/ran with weights.
OR you could do a quick circuit that included weights and cardio and, in half the time you spent on your cardio with your stupid dumbbells, get twice the results!
Thirdly, swinging dumbbells when you run or walk really doesn’t build muscle. For one, if the weight isn’t challenging it isn’t going to do anything. You need to use CHALLENGING weights to get results! Also, the movement of swinging your arms isn’t really specific enough to be used to build or tone muscles.
And lastly, carrying the dumbbells may alter your movement patterns and could create imbalances and lead to injuries.
And why risk injury or imbalances if there is no chance of you seeing any results!?!
Seriously, go for a walk then head to the gym and do some true strength training!
Birthdays
Some people hate birthdays. Other people love them.
I find myself sort of indifferent to them. Well mine that is. I love planning parties for other people. But for mine….I’m not not excited…I’m just also not overly enthused.
Of course today at work there was a little bit of hazing and I had no choice but to celebrate.
Thank you Dave, Candy and Brian. You are all buttheads.
But this year I’ve decided I need to do a little bit more…I’m going back to my youth when my mom planned super active parties for me – tennis, Olympics events and roller skating!
But unlike the parties of my youth none of the events this week involve eating cake…ok Saturday there may be a bit of cake… 🙂
But tonight there will be no cake. Some delicious chocolate though. I’ve become addicted to these Taza chocolates. Very few ingredients and 70% dark which isn’t bad!! Plus they have some really interesting flavors!
AND tonight I will also go rock climbing FOR THE FIRST TIME! SO PUMPED! So excited to test out my strength in a different way.
(Actually testing out my “strength” seems to be the theme of the week. Monday and Tuesday I worked on one-handed handstands as well as crow to headstand. Not too disappointed in the results!)
And after all the rock climbing and handstands, I will be going roller skating tomorrow night. Yes roller skating! Candy doesn’t have derby practice so she is taking me skating. I think the last time I went roller skating was fourth grade….Hopefully the fact that I’ve ice skated more recently will save me! (Also, hopefully my legs won’t be too tired after 2 1/2 hours of spin during the day!)
And then Friday, BOWLING!
Overall a very competitive and active week! YES!
Great friends, fun activities…Couldn’t ask for anything more!
Just because an athlete sponsors it…
DOESN’T MEAN IT’S HEALTHY!
So yesterday when I was talking about not endorse things I haven’t tried or that I don’t believe in, I began thinking about athletes endorsing “healthy” products.
Because someone famous told them it was healthy, they all just believed it! But in fact it was worse than a candy bar for them!Anyone else a fan of Parks and Recreation?
People see an athlete endorsing a product and illogically think that they need that product to be like the athlete. They connect that product with the athlete’s success.
Which 90% of the time is totally incorrect. I bet 90% of the time the athlete hasn’t even ever used the product he or she is endorsing.
Just because someone famous is associated with it doesn’t mean it’s good.
Same goes for movie star diets. Just because so-and-so lost 20lbs on a diet doesn’t mean that it is healthy OR that it will work for you.
I mean logically we all understand this right? But if we do why are people constantly buying diet pills or trying the latest celebrity diet? Why are people focused on getting the right “supplements” when all they eat is junk food?
How could someone believe that an energy bar with Lance Armstrong’s face on it is healthier than REAL, whole food?
Why do we always try to make things overly complicated?
Who cares if a product has a celebrity’s face on it!?! Those bananas in the next aisle are way better for you!
Man Biceps Unite!
Ok I’m in a weird, but HAPPY!, mood today if you can’t tell from the title.
Anyway, I told you a few days ago that I joined the Under Armour What’s Beautiful competition.
And I also told you that I usually don’t like these challenges.
But I have to say, I’m really enjoying it. Actually I’m a bit obsessed and I’m sure Ryan has heard more than he wants about it over the last two days. (Of course, he is always supportive, but I do feel bad about the constant chatter!)
One of the challenges in the competition is to get other people to join.
I don’t endorse things I don’t believe in. While there are ads on my site, none of them are things I posted.
While I love p90x, when Beachbody contacted me about promoting products (but I wouldn’t get to try them first), I turned down the offer.
I don’t endorse things I can’t vouch for – things that I haven’t TRIED.
But I like this competition.
Under Armour has created a social network full of wonderful people who are all there to achieve their fitness goals. The competition provides a great support network AND provides ACCOUNTABILITY!
It is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a little extra push to achieve their goals.
I would love if you all joined the competition with me and sent me your picture, with the Man Bicep showing of course! Show me yours and show the world “What’s Beautiful!” 🙂
Does anyone else catch flack because of their AMBITION, COMPETITIVENESS, TENACITY or DRIVE?
Recently I’ve caught some flack from people around me because of my ambition, competitiveness, tenacity and drive.
For some reason it seems to be much more acceptable for MEN to be super driven and competitive than WOMEN.
Hehe…yes I have a weird sense of humor. We’ve established that! 😉
Usually women who are competitive and driven are called “pushy,” “bossy,” and even “bitchy.” (Sorry for the crude language!)
But it’s true. Drive and ambition aren’t necessarily seen as positive things in women.
My question is, “WHY!?!”
Why shouldn’t I want to take advantage of any opportunity I can to better myself?
Why shouldn’t I want to succeed?
Why is it that when I go after what I want with all my heart that I get condemned and told to not be so pushy?
I’m sorry but I REFUSE to apologize for my AMBITION, COMPETITIVENESS, TENACITY OR DRIVE!
If I want something, I’m going to go after it. I’m going to work hard and EARN IT.
Call me pushy, bossy or a bitch. It would deter me. And I hope all of you out there are the same way.
Has anyone else ever been condemned because of their ambition, competitiveness, tenacity or drive?
Oh and if you ever need to work out any frustration because someone puts you down because of your ambition, try this workout! 🙂
Strength:
Bench 3×10
Auxiliary Lifts:
Pull up/Burpee Pyramid
Pull ups 1-10-1 paired with Burpees 2-20-2
P.S. Man Bicep Mom – Happy Mother’s Day! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…YOU ARE AMAZING AND MY ROLE MODEL! Love you!
Leading by example
I’ve always been a firm believer in leading by example. I won’t ask anyone to do something that I don’t or won’t do myself.
And I constantly ask people to push their limits – to take on challenges that may be outside of their comfort zone.
So here’s me stepping outside my comfort zone.
I don’t like entering competitions like the Under Armour “What’s Beautiful” challenge.
I don’t know why I don’t like doing things like this. I just don’t ever feel comfortable doing them. They make me super nervous.
This sounds silly, right? I mean I’m the person that has freaking photos of herself up all over the blog and post about herself every day.
But it’s true. These competitions aren’t comfortable for me to do.
But I think Under Armour has created something great here, which is why I’m challenging myself to participate. This a chance to show what it means to be a true female athlete.
Each participant must state a goal. And most of the goals people set have an end date – a clear conclusion. Compete in a triathlon. Run a 5k. Do an Ironman.
But what if your goal is just to be able to do everything – to be a renaissance fitness woman? What if your goal has no end date?
What if what you really want to prove is that a TRUE female athlete is a woman who has the drive and determination to take on any physical challenge that comes her way?
Then you come to this conclusion….My goal is:
I will be S.T.R.O.N.G.E.R. I will SUCCEED. I will be TENACIOUS. I will be a ROLE MODEL. I will OVERCOME OPPOSITION. I will NEVER LOSE HEART. I will GROW. I will be EMPOWERED. I will be a REAL WOMAN.
I hope you all will support me on my journey to show just how STRONG all of us REAL female athletes are!
P.S. If you search for me, I’m listed as Cori L.
WhoNu? – Healthy cookies my a**!
I was waiting for my laundry to dry and watching some TV when I saw a commercial for WhoNu? nutrition rich cookies.
WHAT!?! Ok so these PROCESSED COOKIES are NUTRITIOUS but my GRASS-FED, FATTY STEAK ISN’T!?!
UHM…I DON’T THINK SO!
Do people actually believe this crap is good for them!?! I mean look at the ingredients! You can’t even pronounce half of them!
What even is CALCIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE!?!
But who cares about the ingredients, right? All that matters are the vitamins and minerals the cookies have!
My only question is, why not just eat the things listed above instead of these cookies? All of the things above don’t have a ton of ingredients that you can’t pronounce!
Also, just look at all the sugar and carbs in these cookies!
All in all these vitamin and mineral enriched foods just aren’t near as good for you as eating the real thing. Just check out this article called “Are vitamin-fortified foods healthier?”. This quote from the article says it all! (And this article is even from the mainstream media!)
In other words, eating a cereal containing a plethora of vitamins does not equate to eating fruits, vegetables, legumes, or lean meats. (Ok so I don’t agree with the LEAN meat part but you get the idea!)
The Difference Between Diet and Lifestyle Part II – No end date
When most people go on a “diet,” they usually want to lose weight or look good at a specific time in their life. Most of the time there is an end date in which they must accomplish this goal. And after this end date, usually people plan on returning to their previous eating habits.
A lifestyle has no end date. Yes, you may have short-term goals – events that you want to look good for. Yes, you may start a lifestyle because you want to lose weight.
But unlike a diet, you aren’t going to go back to your old eating habits once you’ve reached your goal.
Yes, you are going to cheat. Heck cheating will probably even be a part of your lifestyle. BUT you will cheat on your terms and always return back to your healthy lifestyle.
Making a “diet” into a “lifestyle” means that you don’t just give up your healthy eating habits at the first sign of adversity.
It means sometimes not cheating while everyone else is indulging.
A prime example of this is Ryan’s dad who started a version of the Man Bicep diet a little over two months ago.
Ryan’s dad started the diet so he would be healthy and active when his first grandchild is born in August (Congrats Jamie!!!). He has lost over 20lbs and has increased his energy level.
While he would still like to lose more, Ryan’s dad has basically accomplished what he set out to do – he feels better than he has felt in YEARS.
And because this is more than a DIET, because this is a LIFESTYLE, Ryan’s dad has stayed committed even though he could be tempted to eat badly every day!
His co-workers invite him to eat out almost every day. And when he goes out, he could cheat. It would be easier. But he doesn’t. He sticks to his healthy eating habits.
He could cheat every time he has to make food for parties for his children and their friends. He could have cheated the entire time Ryan and I were out in California.
But he didn’t.
He doesn’t cheat at every opportunity because his healthy eating is about MORE than losing weight – it is about being HEALTHIER and FEELING BETTER.
And I’m so proud of Ryan’s dad. Not because he didn’t cheat, but because he truly has created a new, healthy lifestyle for himself.
So now take another look at your eating. Are you eating well with an end date in mind or will you forever stay committed to your healthy lifestyle because it has improved your quality of life?
If your eating hasn’t improved your quality of life, is it really worth continuing or should you start experimenting with other diets?
Is your eating program merely a diet or is it a lifestyle?
P.S. If you’ve emailed me and I haven’t responded, I’M SORRY! I will get to emails this weekend!
Man Bicep 