I have landed.........

Well, not quite. I successfully left my apartment in MA, clearing out clutter, gifting to friends, selling what I can..... filling dumpsters along the way. and book and clothing donations boxes. And I arrived in NJ on Thanksgiving evening. Much later than I had desired.

I arrived!

And the craziness began!

 

My 30th high school reunion. I honestly do not know when that happened. 30 years out of high school..... Well, maybe that is a good thing!

And then off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I could really get used to this! In four days, I secured housing, work and did some sight seeing.

 

And I returned to New Jersey to retrieve my cats and the rest of my stuff. And I have remained in a holding pattern since. So much for plans!

 

 

 

Fast forward: I am now preparing to head to Houston, Texas. Where I will be working as coordinator and coach of an existing youth triathlon program. I anticipate continuing to train and coach and teach in my new environment.

 

Today, is the last day of 2015. I have been reflecting on the past year, and planning for the upcoming year. I never imagined the journey I would have traveled in 2015. Last year, I chose the word LEAP to encompass what my goals and ambitions and what I wanted to do through the course of the year.

It was not until October that I learned in order to leap forward I had to let go of what I was hanging onto behind me. Like swinging on the monkey bars of a jungle gym, let go of the rung behind you to,grasp the one before you. And as I packed and purged, I learned and embraced the LEAP forward.

And so today...... I am bidding 2015 good-bye, welcoming 2016, and the adventures that will come with the new year.

I have chosen a word for 2016. I was impressed with myself, as I really took the time to think about it, focusing on what I learned in my journey and what I wanted to continue to learn, pursue and how I would challenge myself.

The word for 2016 is OPEN.

I am learning to be open. To open more doors. To be responsive to those doors that are open. To be available, willing to share, welcoming to new athletes, being approachable, friendly and kind. To understand that to develop my business I have to show these qualities more often. I am looking forward to learning and seeing where this new adventure will take me.

And in the meantime, I will continue to chase the run, swim, bike and row. Because I love these!

I have set various athletic goals for 2016. I will share as these opportunities are provided.

I will continue to share on this venue as well as on my professional website MSJ Athletics and MSJ 4 Her. Please visit me there, and join in the chatter on my Facebook Page. As I continue on my journey, please do not hesitate to share yours.

 

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Twelve Days

What can one accomplish in twelve days?

I have twelve days (eleven as of tomorrow) remaining in the glorious state of Massachusetts. I am stepping forward into a new adventure. And in the course of the next twelve days, I have to finish prepping, packing, and making the necessary arrangements to relocate. I leave MA with just my stuff and some idea of where I am headed. I am stepping into a new adventure.

 

My apartment looks like a hoarder lives here. There are boxes everywhere. In the midst of it, the boys (my four cats) are enjoying playing and sleeping in and on the boxes.

And I have twelve days to organize the madness.

In the midst of this insanity, it would be easy to forget about my health. It would be easy to toss it to the wayside, and neglect myself.

I had started the Whole-30 Plan. And at this time, it is not appropriate for me. I live in the real world. Yes, I want to reduce and eliminate my sugar and flour intake, and reduce my dairy. But, I struggled to stay focused. So my focus changed, creating opportunity to focus on how foods interact with me.

I have learned that I need Apple Cider Vinegar. I stopped using this for about a month, and after returning to drink my ACV mixture in the morning I feel better. My feet and ankles are not swelling, and my body is able to counteract the reactions I have to the chlorinated environment in which I work.

I have learned that I enjoy vegetables at any time of day. And I like some with hummus.

I enjoy omelettes! And bacon!

I like pancakes!

I feel better when I don't eat three or meals per day. I feel better when I eat one major protein (animal if I choose) feeding in the evening, and graze on fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts throughout the days. I feel stuffed and sluggish when I eat three meals consistently.

I like Haribou frogs. I know they are full of sugar. I enjoy them.




Over the next twelve days, I am observing how my body responds to various foods, and eating styles.

And I am going to work on building a foundation for my fitness levels, by running, rowing, and swimming.

And I hope to share.

 

What can you do in the next twelve days?

 

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Whole 30

For a whole 30-days.

 

I was challenged to participate in the Whole30 plan. I have been struggling with different things related to health and the extra weight I am sloshing around with me. Weight that doesn't seem to move, ankles that swell at the end of the day regardless of the amount of water I am drinking or activity I am doing. I feel puffy, and fluffy and not happy.

I was willing to try anything.

And here is the program:

Eat Real Food. Eat meat, seafood, tons of vegetables, some fruit, and plenty of good fats from fruits, oils, nuts and seeds. Eat foods with very few ingredients, all pronouncable ingredients, or better yet, no ingredients listed at all because they're totally natural and unprocessed.

Avoid for the next 30 days:

• Do not consume sugar of any kind, real or artificial.
• Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.
• Do not eat grains.
• Do not eat legumes.
• Do not eat dairy.
• Do not eat carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.
• Do not try to recreate baked goods, junk foods or treats with 'approved' ingredients.

And lastly, you are NOT allowed to step on the scale or take any body measurements for the duration of the program.




And so I began. For 18-days, it was a fairly solid, and surprisingly easy journey.

 

I felt happier, lighter and I noticed that my tastes became clarified, and my sense of smell radically improved. It was pretty cool when I put in a swim suit and it was not as snug as it had been. My energy levels increased.

And, my ankles were not swelling. My ankles had been swelling to the point of pain. And NOTHING I did, would eliminate that pain.

 

This past weekend, I was not prepared for the events of the day. As a result, I ate quite a bit of gluten -- you know the fast and easy food. And Monday night, my ankles were swollen and stiff and in pain. UGH!

 

All things being the same, the gluten and/or processing in the foods of the weekend splurge caused my body to feel puffy, bloated, swollen and heavy. I did not feel good at all.

 

 

I would definitely conclude that I have some serious gluten intolerances. As a result, I am recommencing my Whole30 Challenge. Over the next 30-Days, I will be eliminating the junk and seeing what happens. I am also participating (vicariously) in the YMCAs 6-week weight loss challenge that started this week. I say vicariously, because this is about me and not a team. I am running and swimming and cycling.

 

This process is to see what happens, to find what I may be allergic or have sensitivities to, and how I feel. It is about getting healthy, which is so much more than a number on the scale. And while some of you are cringing about the food elimination, it is only 30-days.

 

Who's in? Anyone care to join me?

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Learning to Swim

If I'd blinked, I would have missed it.

The opening line to the book had me. This novel, while dragged at times with details and information overload is about a woman, Troy Chase, who learns to swim.

She witnesses a child tossed overboard a ferry, dives in the water, rescues the child,swims to shore, and then investigates his kidnapping. In this quest, she is learning to trust and allow people to help her at times of need. It is Troy who is learning to swim.

The novel has many twists and turns, and there are characters who seem to be guilty and prove to be innocent. It is not until the end, that the story unfolds and the true villian reveals herself.

It is a great read. At times, long and heavy in detail. I enjoyed reading it.

 

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It's all about the VEGGIES!

 

As some of you may know, several years ago I did a self-experiment and followed a nearly vegan lifestyle for six weeks. I did so after reading the book, Eat to Live, by Dr Joel Fuhrman (book on Amazon)

,

 

At the time, I was on a journey to delve more into the world of weight loss and the various philosophies within. And I took myself on various journeys throughout each ideology. The process taught me a great deal about my habits, my needs and choosing better quality food. I learned I love veggies, including Brussels sprouts (with honey mustard), and that I do not need to eat meat every day. I

In this, I also determined the eating style that seems to resonate the most with me is a plant-based diet, warrior-style.

What does that mean?

Plant-based: I eat predominantly fruits and vegetables throughout the day. These are fresh and not cooked. In the evening, I continue with my vegetable scheme creating a meal around various veggies, and potentially incorporating some meat in the plan. The meat serves as a garnish, and not the main event. Yes. I do eat meat, and fish, and the like.

Warrior: simply means, I eat the majority of my calories in the evening. (Warrior Diet)

 

Yes, I know..... Diet heresy. But I feel better, this way.

 

And so....... I have continued in my quest for a healthy life-style, and have joined a challenge for Vegetable of the Week. The challenge is to expand one's horizons and explore veggies that might not be regular staples in your eating scheme, and create (or use a pre-existing recipe) dishes or even meals using the veggie.

The vegetable this week is the red cabbage. It is no different than the purple cabbage, except in color. And the fun begins. Who knew there were so many interesting recipes with an Asian flair? And my own heritage of Denmark boasts Rødkaal, a sweet-sour red cabbage dish. (Which is currently cooking).

As I explore the various vegetables, I will share with you as well as my peers who are also being creative with the various veggie choices. I will also be pinning these on Pinterest, and provide the links for you to see what my friends and I come up with.

Please feel free to join us, as we participate in Vegetable of the Week.

 

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Deep Water Running

As I am training more consistently chasing new and revised goals, I found myself jumping in the pool Friday morning. And...... it was NOT to swim!!! I put a belt float belt on, and ran for about 20minutes.

 

 

So, I enjoyed a 20-minute run!! Completely challenging. I control the pacing and intensity. I can run and work on my intervals WITHOUT any impact.

Believe me, I was sweating. And I was able to work on intervals, running fast in one direction, recovering on the return lap.

This was the perfect pick me up, in the midst of my opening shift. I felt revived and alive!

 

 

 

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Love Yourself

 

 

What a great reminder this morning, as I woke after a couple days of eating crap. To commence and short-circuit the crap-cycle (eat crap, feel like crap, eat more because I am craving crap). I had friends over for a small gathering to celebrate the deck opening, and the beginning of summer. (The sunset and it got cold).

And let's just say, the menu while providing fresh veggies, was not the most wholesome. And as a result, I consumed more gluten and sugar than I have in a while. I feel bloated, achy, tired and poofy.

NO WONDER the bowl of steamed Brussels sprouts and honey mustard was absolutely amazing last night.

My body wanted reprieve from the disastrous course I had taken. And as I resume my journey, I am reminded of the question I was asked, "Where is it you want to be in six months?"

Goal affirmation time, combined with course of action evaluation time.

 

 

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