Hello My Bundles of Joy!

Just a big FYI for those of you who know the lovely lady Diana, who was faithfully swinging a kettlebell alongside us until her 7 month of being pregnant, has had her baby!

Tobias was born on 8/24 at 11:45pm and was 8lbs 9oz.  The tale that comes w/ this delivery story is eventful to say the least (10 days past the due date, fevers, elevated heart rate for the baby…).  The crescendo came when the 18 hour labor terminated w/ a “to C-section, or not to C-section” and this determined peaceful warrior dug deep and pushed her little one out. (She cited that she drew some of this strength from doing kettlebells!!!)

Apparently Diana isn’t the only one that has had benefit w/ her pregnancy and delivery from kettlebells.  Read more from another lovely lady – http://kbellqueen.blogspot.com/2010/01/amazing-pregnancy-and-labor-from-using.html

Also some additional benefits of kettlebells for Moms to be include (but are not limited to
- better control over weight gain
- reduce possibility of developing gestational diabetes
- relieves stress and builds strength/endurance needed for labor and delivery
- easier and faster recovery
(http://www.dragondoor.com/articler/mode3/518/)

So bring it on expectant Mother’s!  (that is IF you have done kettlebells prior to getting pregnant!  As w/ all types of exercise.)  Because baby, producing the miracle of life is a big job.  Maybe training for it doesn’t seem like so crazy a notion.

To supporting you baby!  And your baby!

xo, M

Alright My Hungry Ones,

I’m going to keep bringin’ what I got to you diet wise from readings and experience through the years.

SO, last week the book Lean for Life (Clarence Bass) was raved about – as well as the encouragement to eat foods in there closest-to-natural state.  Here’s a bit more expansion on the “what” that might also be QUITE helpful in having things in your diet that help get/keep you Lean for Life.

FIBER!  FIBER!  FIBER dear ones!  Oh good God, is fiber a bit like the holy grail when it comes to diets that help you lose weight and still feel satiated.  There are 2 types of fiber – soluble and insoluble.  Soluble fiber is fiber that is found primarily in beans, nuts, fruits and many vegetables; while insoluble fiber is mostly found in whole grains, seeds, dark leafy green vegetables and the skins of root vegetables.

Soluble fiber is great because of many health benefits including absorbing toxins in the colon AND helping to slow the rate that sugar enters the blood stream = for the waist line.  Insoluble fiber is also our weight loss golden child because it creates a feeling of bulk in our belly which helps us feel full faster = less calories consumed = for the waistline.

So, check it out!  See what foods you currently eat w/ this added benefit, or ones that you might like to try due to your new found awareness.

To filling you up, but never weighing you down.

xo, M

Hello Information Sponges,

I figured I’d suggest a book that I’m personally re-reading and highly recommend.

If you’ve spent much time around me, or have queried me as to what a helpful diet might be for fat loss and those w/ an active lifestyle  – I’ve probably brought up Lean for Life by Clarence Bass.

Now, I didn’t turn to this book willingly, heck I wasn’t even seeking out any additional info for the way I was eating.  I thought I WAS following the WAY (IE – eating predominately protein and produce).  My captain insanity diet consisted of frequent servings of boiled chicken, green apples, and almonds = just shoot me now.  I thought I had to eliminate all carbs from grains in order to be lean.  What resulted was not what I had envisioned.  Less energy for 1, yo-yoing w/ my weight (whenever my body MADE me eat something w/ glucose in it), and a feeling of deprivation and frustration .

A fellow massage therapist friend and rolfer (Sheri LaChance) turned me on to Lean for Life, and I have been forever grateful.  This book has changed my life, and my body.  What is contained w/in it’s pages will expand your culinary horizons and give you a sense of freedom and security.  You will be able to trust that what you are eating is actually getting you closer to what you want, and it’s tasty, and you’ll be full, and have energy!  Miracles!

So, if you’re not interested in rushing right out and adding more things to your to-do list.  Take this tip – start thinking about eating foods in a less adulterated state.  IE – less refined.  Choose the whole apple over juice, have brown rice in place of white, look at what “low fat” actually contains.  Keep it real yo!  Food is great for you, especially when it’s kept truer to the way it was created.

To sharing things that work.

xo, M

Indeed Darlings,

So, we all know that attitude is everything and that we should fake it till we make it and all that…  BUT are we all aware that we can moment by moment choose to create a pleasurable picnic where a pile of garbage formerly was??

I LOVE this!  And you will love this too if you truly get on board w/ it.

Though pity parties can be quite enticing to have a standing reservation at, they also truly ARE the pits!  Feeling disenchanted and disappointed w/ any given thing may not necessarily be just “how it is” especially if it is a frequent occurrence.  Perhaps something else needs to (and can!) change besides the thing in front of you.

The route to joy (and the ability to choose it) comes from taking responsibility for your own pleasure.  That (I’ve found) is really the key to it all.  You (and all that is in your life) is your responsibility.  Overwhelmed?  Fear not, w/ responsibility comes great power – and you are free to wield that any which way you want.

Pleasure is your problem AND your purpose.  So if any given thing feels sucky, change something!  You’ll not only feel better, but better about yourself as well.

So whether it’s an assignment at work, traffic, exercise, family gatherings – if it starts to draw storm clouds over your head, change that focus!  Because let’s face it, if you’re going to be there any way, why not have good time?

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ALSO it’s the Last Chance, Last Dance with Jen Cookson this evening!

Sniff, sniff Lovelies, tis SAD but true.  Jen, a deeply devoted kettlebeller, is heading south (and west) to AZ for love, luck, and glorious change.  Come send her off in sweaty style!

To Making Hard Work Fun,

xo, M

Well My Darling Theorists (and Realists),

So if you think it takes a certain amount of time to get a certain result – think again!  Our friend, and Quantum Tool, the kettlebell will change that right quick.

Take leaps in time and conditioning w/ something that accelerates the metabolic process in your body like no other.

Workouts feel faster because of physical as well as mental engagement!  Workouts ARE faster because of the level of intensity reached, plus the 2 for 1 winning strength and cardio combo.  What’s not to love about that?!?

Check out what another woman in fitness has to say about it all,

“(working w/ kettlebells) will slice the fat off your body. Its unique design makes this fat-burning workout the “perfect storm” for weight-loss and conditioning. Here’s how it works:
First, the length of the rounds/reps allows the heart rate to climb and remain elevated throughout the workout, creating a cardiovascular training benefit. This burns fat stores during exercise and increases metabolism.
Second, it’s a strength training workout that builds muscles, which burn calories from fat stores all day long while increasing your resting metabolism.
Third, having breaks between rounds of vigorous exercise…which scientific studies indicate will increase the body’s ability to burn fat. ”

http://www.beacon-fitness.com/kettlebell-training-benefits.asp

So, if you’ve been on the fence, or still thinking a 2 hour yoga class or hour on the treadmill is better – give a kettlebell a shot.  Your brain, brawn, and booty will thank you.

To not being restricted by time and space.

xo, M