5 Reasons I Love Energy Bits!

Thanks to Energy Bits and Vitality Bits I have had spirulina algae and chlorella algae as part of my diet for several months now.
These little bits are not a supplement, they are food.  100% dehydrated organic algae.  No side effects, no chemicals, no filler.  Just great algae.  For more info on bits, click here.

I love adding bits to my diet SO much and I am sure I will continue to share, but for today, here are the top 5 reasons that I love Energy Bits:

1.  I never worry about being hungry.
I deal with low blood sugar and when my blood sugar is low, I start to feel "not real."  This triggers my anxiety and it just isn't a fun situation.  I try to pack healthy snacks and to make sure to eat small snacks throughout the day.  But you and I both know that it is easy to run out the door without grabbing anything or to get stuck at a ball game or in traffic and being starving.  Thanks to my travel tin of bits I know that I will always have a great source of fuel with me.  I will have 10-20 bits when I am hungry but not in a spot to eat a full meal.  The bits fill me up, regulate my blood sugar, and keep me feeling great until meal time!

2. Plant Protein!
That's right, algae is really high in protein.  All of the bits contain at least 60% protein per serving.  A steak or piece of chicken typically contains 20-30% protein.  So, not only am I getting more bang for my buck, so to speak, I am also getting protein without eating an animal, something that I am always on the fence about.  So, to all of my vegan and vegetarian friends...you need bits in your life!

3.  I have stamina and energy.
When I have a handful of bits between classes or before a workout I feel great.  It isn't a jittery, crazed feeling like energy drinks, etc, provide.  I just feel great.  You know, that feeling that it's your best workout ever, you aren't tired, you just feel good.  And I love that.  As much as I love a good cup of coffee, I hate feeling nervous or overly energized.  EnergyBits are all natural so it's basically like I sat down to a giant salad, not a giant bucket of chemicals.

4.  My hair, skin and nails are so healthy!
I didn't really pay attention to that part when I was gathering information, but after adding bits to my diet I noticed how strong my nails are now.   And how I don't need to put lotion on my hands, that are normally chronically dry.  And my hair is growing faster, it seems...take a look at my roots if you don't believe me :)  It was an unexpected bonus for me and I am really enjoying it!  I noticed the benefits in less than a weeks time.

5.  They come in handy when I am at work.
A typical shift for me looks something like this:  teach a private Pilates session, teach a group Pilates session, teach a cycle class, teach a yoga class, teach a private session.  With less than 3 minutes between each of those it is difficult to grab a bite to eat and I used to end up starving and feeling horrible.  (See #1)  Thanks to bits I can pop 10-15 in my mouth, sip some water, and I am good to go.  It's a meal in astronaut form!  I don't feel very professional, even if my students understand, munching on nuts or carrots during their warm-up.  It is hard for me to talk, spot, etc.  Energy Bits have allowed me to get past this without starving.

Have you tried Energy Bits or any of the bits line?

Do you have questions?  Let me know!  I love talking about bits and the benefits.
Check out the bitsofhealth.com site, also Google away.  I am a googler and before giving them a try wanted to do as much research as possible.  The only negative I can possibly find or think of on my own is that bits taste like fish food.  But you can swallow them whole, so that negative doesn't really count, does it?  :)  

Forward From The Heart readers get 15% off of their order, just use the code HEART at checkout!

Fighting Temptation

On my way home from work in the evenings I pass a brand new Quik Trip gas station that has soft baked pretzels.  A carb-loaded treat that always sounds so good after an evening of teaching.  I have yet to stop and get one and last night, as I was driving home, a tweet popped into my head:
"I am just as tempted as the next person to stop and get junk food.  The difference is that I don't."
A snarky humblebrag that popped into my head but I decided against tweeting.  Instead, I am blogging about it.  I don't want it to sound snarky, I want it to be motivating.  To myself and to others.  It is a testament to my willpower that I don't stop, and sometimes I feel like my willpower is zero.
While I don't usually stop for junk food, I do tend to over indulge in sweets, pizza with the boys and late-night snacks.  I have even talked to my therapist about what I feel is a lack of willpower.
He told me that I do  have strong willpower.  When it comes to exercise.  To fighting and facing my fears and anxieties.  To working hard for what I want.  And, as it turns out, to saying no to drive-thru and gas station fare.  Driving home last night I realized that if I can just eek out a little bit more willpower I can stop defeating my fitness successes with sweet treats and carry-out.
I had planned to not have any refined sugar from last Monday through July 4.  Day one I had a cookie at E's baseball fundraiser.  Day 3 I had a milkshake after L got his 5 year shots.  I don't want to deprive myself of fun moments.  But I know I need to give up sugar for the most part.   Again, I need to squeeze out my last little bit of willpower in this sugary sweet area of my life.  On the other side of that, I don't drink...okay, one or two drinks in the entire month, maybe.  I don't smoke.  I drink black coffee. I gave up soda, again, one or two a month rather than every day.  I guess I feel like having a cookie or a  couple scoops of ice cream is like my evening cocktail.  And I am not sure if that is so horrible.  I think that is why it is hard for me to completely go sugarless.

What areas of your life do you have incredible willpower in?

What area(s) do you need to channel a little more in to?

Do you have an indulgence that you just don't want to give up?

2 exercises to strengthen even the weakest core

"I would go to Pilates, but my core is to0 weak."

"I want to try yoga, but I am not flexible enough."

"I want to get a haircut but I have too many split ends."

Okay, so the last sentence we would never say, right?  Having split ends IS a reason to get a haircut.  You wouldn't take scissors to your own head, chop it up, and THEN go to the salon.  But the first two sentences I hear all the time.  I get it.  No one wants to be the weakling in a class, but we all have to start somewhere.

Today I am sharing two exercises to get you started.
I did these two exercises to get ready to go back to teaching after having L.  I also give these exercises to my students that have an extremely weak core.  You can do these in the comfort of your own home before heading to class.  Core work can be done everyday, but to begin try every other day.

Plank with knee kiss
Start in plank with shoulders over wrists, shoulders-hips-heels align.  Lower your knees to "kiss" or "stamp" the floor and then lift.  Start with 5.  Build to doing 10, then 2-3 sets of 10.

^ ^ ^ 

One Arm Plank
From plank, lower your right knee.  Bring your right hand in to align with your knee.  Turn the toes of your left foot out, raising your right arm, turing your gaze up to your left hand.  Hold for 10 seconds.

When you are ready (can take days, weeks, even months...be patient!) Slide the right leg out with the left, toes also turned to the side, legs staggered for balance.

 Repeat on the other side.

As always, before beginning, make sure a doctor has given you the okay to exercise.  If something hurts, don't do it!

Junk Food Junkie

Ugh.
I have been eating so horribly lately!
If it isn't a donut for breakfast it has been a candy bar at a ball game or a chicken/bacon/ranch hoagie with fries.  Seriously.  
I still love my fresh veggies and fruits but I feel like I used to eat 80% healthy and 20% average.  Now it's almost completely opposite.
I am still working out 5-6 days a week but it hasn't helped me not feel like crap, because we all know its mostly about what we eat.
I know most people tend to over eat in the winter months but for me I have always tended to have my cheat months in the summer.  Something about ice cream, ball park food, picnics extra time with the kids sends me into a mode where I eat more bad than good.

How have you been lately?  Is it just me eating like a college boy or is it a pandemic?

What do you do to snap out of a nutrition rut?

PS-even though I started the day with a donut and lunched on pizza I am not nibbling on celery and grape tomatoes.

Bodytox Treatment featuring the ItWorks Wrap

When it comes to some body treatments I am always skeptical.  When I first started hearing about the ItWorks Body Wraps, I will admit, my initial reaction involved eye rolling.  I envisioned my plastic workout pants from the 90's and, also from the 90's, seeing celebrities being wrapped from shoulder to knee in ace bandages, sitting in a sauna, to lose "weight" prior to a big event.

My skepticism parallels my love of a good deal, so when my friend, and massage therapist, asked if I would like to try her latest treatment, I agreed.  Like I said, she is a Licensed Massage Therapist, along with having years of experience in health, fitness and wellness.  If Neda gives it the seal of approval, I automatically know its great.

The Bodytox Treatment at Trinity Wellness utilizes the ItWorks Body Wrap, but it is SO much more.

The treatment starts with dry exfoliation.  Lying on the massage table, I was gently scrubbed with a soft, dry bristle brush.  I LOVE dry exfoliation.  It feels good and I just can feel the dead skin cells being brush away!

Next Neda applied CEL-Lite Massage oil, an all-natural essential oil blend that helps to cleanse and purify the skin.  It also smells great!

After that Neda applied the ItWorks wraps to my tummy and thighs.  You can do arms, legs, tummy, rear...any where there is extra fat. There is also an option for chin/neck to help tighten and firm. She then wrapped those same areas in plastic wrap and then wrapped me in a soft blanket and then a blanket to help heat my skin.  Basically I looked like a swaddled newborn.

As part of the treatment I was able to choose a foot or head massage.  I chose feet for my poor old dogs.

After the massage I had the luxury of lying in the dim room, with relaxing music, comfortable warm and cozy, for around 30 minutes while the wraps did their work.

After the treatment I was given a glass of cool water with Greens-on-the-Go powder mixed in.  This is a detoxifying nutritional drink that enhances the body wrap treatment.

The wraps do the majority of the shrinking magic in 45 minutes, but Neda encouraged me to keep them on for the rest of the day.  Yes, I went to Costco and cleaned the house with my thighs and tummy plastic wrapped :)

You will want to drink lots of water during the first 24 hours especially.  No less than a half ounce of water for every pound you weigh.  This helps to flush toxins from your system and enhance your results.  You may feel bloated because of this on the day of treatment, but don't worry...it goes away.

You can also continue to see results for the next 72 hours.  The results can last for several months.

The wraps contain an essential oil blend to minimize cellulite, firm and tighten skin and improve texture.

My Results!

I can't say I am a fan of showing off my mid-section, but anything for a good blog post, right?  As you will see, I lost noticeable inches and in the pictures my body looks more firm and defined.  The results are still lasting, 2 weeks later, thanks to a healthy diet and exercise in addition to the wraps.

Here are my before and after photos, along with my results, in inches:

Before (totally regretted having a donut for breakfast)

45 minutes after

72 hours after

Before

45 minutes after

72 hours after

Before:  the land of dimples

45 minutes after: smoother and looks as firm as I feel they should be!

My thoughts
I absolutely love that I can do the It Works wraps as part of an entire treatment.  I know that the wraps can be purchased on their own and applied at home, but I like that I am able to receive so much more doing it at the Trinity Wellness location.
This is not a permanent solution, but it was a great boost.  I had been feeling bloated and chunky and the wraps helped me to tighten and firm my skin, allowing me to be more comfortable in my clothes and in baring my belly.
If you have hit a weight loss plateau, have a special event coming up or are wanting to feel better in your bathing suit, this is PERFECT for you!
Results can also be seen in those that have had massive weight loss followed by sagging skin.  Again, this will not be a permanent solution, but it can give you just the boost you need to continue on your fitness program.
If you are eating right, working out and wanting to enhance what you are already doing, these wraps and this treatment would be amazing for you!
For me, it has been motivating and helped me to become more strict on my never-ending quest to be sugar-free.  I will definitely do it again during swimsuit season or anytime I need a little bit of help losing inches.

Trinity Wellness is a massage therapy and body treatment clinic.  For more information on the location click here.
Information from Trinity Wellness about the treatment:

BODYTOX FIRMING TREATMENT!

Loose inches while firming your body with this Detox Treatment featuring the It-Works! Ultimate Body Applicator Wrap! It’s powerful natural botanical ingredients absorb through the skin layer by layer getting into your fat cells, allowing your body to loosen toxins and extra fat stored, revealing a more toned body!

Treatment includes: Dry Brush Exfoliation to prep the tissue,     Ultimate Body Applicator Wrap on your area of choice, Young    Living Signature CEL-lite Oil massaged into the body followed with a heat enhanced body wrap to infuse your entire body with detoxifying benefits. During the treatment enjoy a Head & Neck Massage or Foot Reflexology followed with a meditative processing time of 30 Min. & a refreshing detox drink, GREENS!

(Please be prepared to wear disposable undergarments & hydrate before/after)

Summer Specials!

1 Treatment $75 (1 Body Area)

Take-Home Wraps $25 Each or Box 4 for $75(Get 1 Wrap FREE)

4 PACK TREATMENT Only $300 & FREE Box of Greens-On-The-Go ($50 Value)

Mention that you are a Forward From The Heart reader when you call for a special treat!  

I want to know!
Have you tried It Works body wraps?
What did you think?


TW is not a distributor of the It Works wraps, they just utilize them in their services.
I paid for my treatment so all of the thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and in no way influenced by Trinity Wellness, It Works, Greens-to-Go, or Young Living.

3 Beach-Booty Moves!

I have never really focused much on my glutes.  I have never had much junk in my trunk and running makes me even more flat.  But in the past year I have had some hip pain and my doctor thinks it is my gluteus medius and minimus.  So, I started doing strengthening exercises and it just so happens that those exercises can make you more bootyliscious than ever!
Even better, NO SQUATS are involved!
Do these 3 easy moves every other day for 30 days and you will love the booty-lifting results!
Start with one set of 12, then 15.  Then add a second set, then a third!  Start on one side, left or right, go all the way through, then do the other side.  That is one full set!


Dirty Dog:
Get on hands and knees, wrists under shoulders, knees under hip joints.  "Grow tall" away from the mat.  Lift your right arm and right leg into a straight line.  Bend arm and leg, bringing elbow to knee.  

• Imagine rounding your elbow over a beach ball.
• Inner thigh faces the floor, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
• Inhale when limbs are straight, exhale when you bend.
• Slow and steady...3 seconds each way.

Clam

Lie on your right side, with knees bent at a 90* angle.  Like sitting in a chair.  Support your head in your hand.  Shoulders should be stacked and imagine a wall behind your back to keep the torso and hips supported.  Keep your feet together and lift your top leg, then lower with control.

• Inhale first, exhale as you lift your leg.
• Keep your back straight, don't lean back.
• Draw your navel into your spine.
• Keep your gaze in front.

Leg Lifts
Immediately following Clam, straighten out your top leg in front of your body.  Think hip joint, knee, heel all in alignment.  Lower your leg and stop just before your foot touches the floor.  Lift to just above hip height.

• Keep shoulders and hips stacked, like there is a wall behind you.
• Don't lean back.
• Make sure to keep your leg straight out in front.

As always, make sure your doctor has given you the okay for exercise.  Don't do anything that causes pain.  Questions?  I love to help!  Let me know.

Scale or Size

I admit it.  I am a slave to my scale.  The number I see when I step on every morning (or evening) can dictate how I feel about myself.  I know it is silly.  There is SO much more to being healthy than a specific number on a scale, but it is just habit.

I was listening to a radio program yesterday and they were encouraging listeners to NOT use their scales at all when trying to diet/change their bodies. Instead, go by dress sizes, goaling to lose 2 dress sizes in 3 months, for example.

I am about 6 pounds heavier than I was a year ago and my diet and exercise have not changed that much.  All of my clothes still fit, though.  I even tried on my summer shorts and swimming suits and, despite a little extra tummy flab, I feel like I look about the same.

So, for the next month I am going to try to not weigh myself.  To measure inches and go by how my clothes feel.

Interested in taking your measurements?  Here are some major areas to measure and guidelines:

Waist:  look in the mirror and measure the smallest part of your torso.
Tummy:  even with your belly button.
Waist:  the thickest part of your lower torso/pelvis.  Yo' money maker ;)
Thighs: the halfway point between your hip bone and knee.
Arm:  the halfway point between the top of your shoulder and elbow.

Take measurements no more than once a month.  It can be just as frustrating as weighing yourself if you take inches everyday or every week.  BUT measuring my inches is so encouraging for me when I am feeling like I am not doing so great.
Make sure you write it down.  You may think you will remember, but you won't.
Every 1/4 inch counts, don't round up or down.

How about you?

Are you a slave to the scale?
Do you even care how much you weigh or do you also go with how you feel?
How much do you think I weigh?  J/K.  But seriously...