ZUM Blog

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String Are Overrated

2009-09-23T17:15:00.001-07:00

Maybe it's just my preference for brightly colored sparkly flowers with matching ribbon or the Unabomber images the description elicits. At any rate, I don't like them and come to think of it, I don't care a whole lot for warm woolen mittens (they itch) or schnitzel and noddles (I'm a veg). So, I've made up my own list of favorites (people are excluded, as I have far too many):

Honey Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner
Cleansing, moisturizing and with the perfect amount of fragrance, this stuff really makes my showers something to anticipate. Without the annoying overpowering aroma of so many bath products, the subtle scent is pleasant yet strong enough to last long after my legs have given out to Kurt's calls for a higher rpm.

Peanut Butter Crunch and Mocha Biogenesis Bars
Hey, we don't call 'em crack for nothin'.

Monkey Rings
I'm sure they have a proper, technical name but since I prefer to swing from them like a crazed Spider, this title seems most appropriate.

Rhapsody
Some may prefer the old favorite playlists stored in Windows Media Player or the complete randomness that comes with Pandora, but I'm a loyal Rhapsody fan. All I have to do is type in "Christmas Music" and a whole plethora of holiday hits come up. Elvis, New Kids, Frank, Bowie...I can't wait until December 25th! I may even have to give it a practice run before then, you know, for quality control. Right now seems like a pretty good opportunity...

The Chandelier
It's pretty and in my view almost the entire time I'm working. It sparks memories of The Phantom of the Opera, a reference that in turn makes me feel cultured and refined. Until I remember that my idea of highbrow living is adding spinach to my foot-long Subway Veggie Delite.

Striped Classroom Floor
Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but the alternating bands of color are great for separating bursts of high knees and heel kicks while traversing the floor's surface. The straight lines are also great for helping me know where to place my knees in Hardcore when we do those spin-your-toe-to-the-side-and-lunge-but-don't-let-your-knee-go-over-your-toe things. Man, I love those.

Germ-Free Zones
I may keep my Brooks tightly laced (subjecting others to the wonderful aroma they enclose might just cost me my job), but I appreciate that others do not. I've heard that the benefits of exercising barefoot are plentiful and since we run around in a place of cutting-edge, intelligent training, it makes sense. And thus, so does our upholding of stellar cleaning services.

Vegetarian Wrap
Intimidating in its burrito-esque grandness, this wrap is packed with fresh veggies, beans and some special lovin' (you will not find the last item on the ingredients list, but I assure you it's there.) A great post-workout treat, the wrap is refreshing and satisfying without making me feel like I'm going to explode twenty minutes after inhaling its every last bite.

Lack of Windows
It may seem like a real disadvantage to some, but let's be honest, with windows it's a lose-lose situation. Staring out at clear sunny skies would be a total tease and avoiding glimpses of dreary downpour would be downright depressing. So, I'd much rather be confined to my own little ZUM box, where the environment is always pleasant with a 98% chance of perfection.

This is just the beginning. My list of happy heart-makers could go on and on, and I'm sure it will as my time here continues and discoveries of new amenities unfold. How fortunate am I? What luck to have a running tally of favorites to recall and be grateful for should a moment of discontent strike, say, when the dog barks, or the bee stings, or I'm feeling sad.

Back on the Trail

2009-09-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am walking on air this morning after my massage at ZUM with Judy last night.

All week long I have been limping around, stretching out my hip/butt every chance I got, rolling on a ball or foam roller between clients, and finding every active stretch I could think of.

Last night, with the expert helping hands of Judy I am pain free and loving how my body feels.

My love for the outdoors and mountain biking sometimes has its consequences and my hip was telling me that all week after a brutal mountain bike ride on some of Washington's most technical bike terrain.

I was not only gripped for survival as I was climbing and descending the trails, I was also getting off and on my bike more times than my body was used to. Every time I got off my bike I planted my left foot and hiked my right leg up and over my bike as I prepared to push my bike up steep, root ridden slopes that were too technical and steep for me to climb.

As Judy worked all the muscles in my hips I was reminded of how hard I was working on that ride without even thinking about it. Of course as I was climbing uphill I was thankful for all the cross training like running and hundreds of variations of lunges and squats, but as I was descending I wasn't thinking about anything except for my line down. Its kind of an active meditation, your going so fast you cant think about form or what muscles you are working.

Everything just comes together, all the hard work that is put in. It is so nice to have your body there for you in times like this, so your mind can focus on just getting down and drift from the other daily thoughts that fill our time up.

It is also so nice to have people like Judy available for massage to help guide the body to a happy place.

Feeling Raptastic about the Urban Adventure Race

2009-08-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

Yo, my name is L.Boogie and I'm here to say
We're gonna raise a ruckus this Saturday

At ZUM's hella-fun Adventure Race
So you better put on your baddest face

Cuz it's a mix of smarts and physical stuff
Tons of awesomeness that's just enough

To make this event the best day ever
You'll be feeling strong and mighty clever

If racing's not your thing, you can still party
Just come with an appetite that's nice and hearty

For food, prizes, dance and tons of cheer
And perhaps the best part - vodka and beer

But we all know the true highlight is
All the little Treehouse foster kids

That'll receive this year's race proceeds
To better their lives and support their needs

So come one, come all this Saturday mornin'
If you don't, you'll have to answer to Lauren

Word

*******
If you give me one dollar, I'll give you a live performance.

Final Friday Hardcore. Funky and Fresh.

2009-08-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

Hello, ZUMsters!
I'm teaching my last Hardcore this Friday at 12:30 before I depart for Santa Monica and would love to see everyone's smiling face turn red with effort for the last time. Funky Final Friday Hardcore will be an intense blend of strength, aerobic and anaerobic challenges fitted with a driving beat of funkadelic audio. I created a sign-up on the chalk wall beside the drinking fountain because I'm limiting the class size more than the standard 20 peeps. Post your names before the class is full. I may alter the attendance limitations to accommodate supply and demand ;)

Performance Swim 1!

2009-08-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hello, ZUM'ers!

The first round of Performance Swim is completed and it was wonderful! We had a full class of 15 participants, each with different goals and swimming levels. I will admit, I was very nervous at first to coach everyone since it's the first program of it's kind at ZUM, but quickly got over that when I saw how much everyone benefited from the class. For those of you interested in taking the class, round 2 will begin around the holidays (neatly placed between the huge meals) in November and December. With the success the program has had so far, my plan is to hold class for 6 weeks, twice a year (summer and winter) and assign workouts in between for those dedicated to their pool time!

If you're curious about what happened in class, it went a little something like this: Arrive at Ballard Pool at 9:15 AM for a "dry land" workout, comprised of abdominal exercises, shoulder mobility exercises, and spine exercises. At 9:30 AM we all jumped into the water for a brief warm up, followed by swimming drills to iron out everyone's stroke. Toward the end of class we do pull sets (with buoys and paddles) to increase our pull strength, and kick sets. On the last day of class at Ballard Pool we played a big game of water polo, which was an insanely great workout and will certainly be added to PS round 2 on a more regular basis! The final class was held outdoors at Madison Beach where we tackled open water swimming technique and triathlon tips.

My goal with this new program at ZUM is to teach everyone that desires to swim how much fun it is, and how to make it a safe and rewarding workout. I expect the beginners and technique-oriented few will swarm the first few rounds of class, but ultimately I think we should start a TEAM! Maybe we can even reserve 2 hours of pool time and hold beginner swim first and the performance swim in hour two...

What can I say? I love the smell of chlorine in the morning :).

Urban Adventure Race

2009-08-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

I thought about making some elaborate post that was sprinkled with subliminal messages but that's just too much work. Here's to overtness:

SIGN UP FOR THE URBAN ADVENTURE RACE!

Why? I'll tell you why.

-It's for a great cause - foster children.
-You get a cool commemorative t-shirt that will make all your friends jealous.
-Strategy + physicality + wit = the most fun you'll have all summer.
-Amazing prizes that may be kept or re-gifted as the most amazing present ever to your nearest and dearest this holiday season.
-Post-race booze and food for members and non-members alike!
-You get to stare in wonder at the staff as they put on their special performance.
-Spandex is not a requirement.

Snaps To You Swimmers!

2009-07-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

I can't get enough of this heat. Perhaps it's because of my Midwestern upbringing and the countless stifling summers I had to endure, where temperatures hover well into the nineties with heavy humidity hanging in the air. It's the type of environment that makes breathing a chore, when no amount of showering will ever make you feel completely clean. It was a seasonal hell I lived for eighteen years. Without air conditioning. Somehow my parents reasoned that because we had a pool in our backyard, we had no need for refreshment indoors. They did not take into account the fact that they consistently opened the pool late (due to some lame excuse like a duck invasion or cottonwood clogging the filters) or that one could not very easily sleep or do homework (I come from a long line of nerds and spent many a summer at academic camps) whilst performing somersaults around a foam noodle. All the whining and perpetually sticky skin sunk in and my parents broke down and finally installed AC. After my sisters and I moved off to college.

Now I'm finding myself thrown into that same scenario: trying to function in an apartment that generates heat from its every square inch, being too hot to accomplish anything except take yet another shower, and sleeping with a fan one inch above my face. I thought a move to the Pacific Northwest would cease such activities but just like I thought I'd never have to scrape ice off another car, Seattle has proven me wrong.

Despite the fact that I feel like I'm back in Ohio, one enormous distinction has made it very clear that I am not: the plethora of natural swimming holes. The closest I ever came to Cleveland-hugging Lake Erie was when my family would go on annual fishing trips and I'd stand three feet from it's murky edge. After reeling in line after walleye-less line, I deemed the brown-green water toxic and unlivable. It was this recollection that made me shudder when last Sunday a friend asked if I wanted to counter the oppressive heat by cooling off at Madison Park Beach. "What, like swim in the lake?" I asked. Her response was something to the effect of, "Duh."

So I went. And my understanding is that many of you did as well, for one final dip with Mo in her Performance Swim Class. What a feat! You took on boat-induced waves, darting fish, nebulous vision and kids in floaties to traverse Lake Washington. Talk about a killer workout!

In a nostalgic urge to recapture my youth, I decided I HAD to go off the floating dock diving board; the short distance to the ladder alone was tiring. Granted, I was wearing a tankini that was probably as old as my last cannonball success, which resulted in a lot of one-armed freestyle: one hand sculling an exaggerated "S" pattern, the other clenching on to my baggy bottoms. Even if I had encompassed the foresight to forgo the ill-fitting suit, it still would have been a challenge. Which is exactly why I'm commending you all right now. Your body may have been sore the next day but I'm sure it will be thanking you in the end. And if that was your first time swimming in open water, I hope it's not also your last. It certainly wasn't mine! I can't wait to get in more beach time. Maybe I'll even dig out my old Speedo... and see if it has any elastic left before diving into the fun headfirst.

Sayonara Sweethearts!

2009-07-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

In case you are not tapped into the grapevine, two of our finest trainers will be leaving us in just a few short weeks. Tony Moses is headed for Barcelona, where he'll trade in weigh early morning classes and Peso's Sunday brunch burrito for sangria and long leisurely walks through Gaudi parks. Jon Yeager will soon be soaking up the sun in southern California, where we can only hope he'll take his bold shorts and impressive bench pressing skills to the beach. Both men will be greatly missed, but their presence will undoubtedly linger.

Tony and Jon's final ZUM hurrah will be our annual Urban Adventure Race on Saturday, August 15th. If you haven't already signed up, you may do so at the front desk. It is going to be super fun! If revelry is more your style, be sure to come to the post-race party that starts right here at 2pm. Not only will you give us a chance to celebrate you, our beloved members, but it'll be one last chance to get in some quality Jon 'n Tony time.

A De/Retox Respite

2009-07-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Upon looking at the overwhelming list of entries detailing my de/retox, it has occurred to me that perhaps you dear blog readers are tired of the trials and tribulations of my GI system. I don't blame you. I've certainly had enough. So, I am going to stray away from this riveting topic and instead focus on more pressing front desk issues, such as the hard road I walked to find such plush paper towels, or estimated annual attrition rates of members' earphones. In the meantime, while I craft such masterpieces, I am going to repost an older blog titled "5 Reasons to Head Indoors" because doing so will buy me more time, and given our recent tropical heat wave, I feel the subject matter is fairly apt.

5 Reasons to Head Indoors

With the streak of sunshine we've been having, the idea of hitting the treadmill instead of the trail probably seems preposterous. The question, Who could exercise indoors on a day like this? may cross your mind and the answer is simple. You could. Or perhaps said better, you should. I know pleasant days in Seattle are like unhappy lottery winners - scare - but there are several reasons why visiting your favorite boutique fitness club may just be in your best interest. Here are five:

1. No sun worries. True, we all need our fifteen minutes of daily rays, especially since we live in a city that offers so little natural vitamin D. However, that glorious glow can quickly turn into too much of a good thing. And although yes, there are plenty of potions promising high levels of SPF out there, have you ever had the stinging combo of sweat/sunblock creep into your eyes? Not fun! What is fun though is joining friends for a summertime happy hour, which may be wholeheartedly enjoyed after having just dragged yourself inside for Hardcore. You can even request a patio table, the one without the umbrella. For fifteen minutes.

2. Sometimes it's hard to conjure up the motivation to kick your own butt. Fortunately, we are armed with superior staff to do that for you. Our first-rate instructors and trainers may be just what you need to squeeze that extra oomph out of your workout.

3. You won't miss the surprise that comes with guessing the day's soundtrack. Depending on who happens to be playing DJ at the moment, music can range from Madonna's greatest hits to Led Zeppelin (complemented by some of staff's sweet air guitar skills) to martini lounge beats to love ballads (although the last is usually by accident and thankfully short-lived). It's as if the world's largest jukebox were put on shuffle. This way your workout can carry on while your IPOD sits at home by the microwave, forgotten and all alone.

4. Accidents are less frequent. Although some caution should be applied while walking the halls (you never know when a front desk stud is going to turn the corner high-speed with a load of dirty towels in tow), it is nowhere near as daunting as dealing with careless drivers that put the pedal to the metal and disregard pedestrian signs/bike lanes at will. Here, you can get into your zone without worrying about whether others (especially those operating heavy machinery) are also in theirs.

5. The front desk thrives on banter. If you don't grace us with your presence, with whom may we comment on this glorious weather?

Escape from the heat in our sweaty sanctuary!

2009-07-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

Getting to work at 6am this morning, I could already feel the heat outside building into a muggy and sticky atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, I love the sun and the heat, but it makes it really hard to find motivation to get in my running or outdoor park workouts when the heat oppresses me into full blown laziness. This weather begs me to go home after work and sit in my hammock, not go sweat it out with a run around Greenlake and walking lunges though Lower Woodlands. After training clients at ZUM today in the pleasantly cool environment of ZUM, I got super inspired to take Kathryn's Hardcore class at noon. It was awesome! The sweat that was produced was from good old hard work, not my body fighting off global warming. Work out done, check. Time for the hammock.
See you tomorrow ZUM!

Retox Day 3: Bring on the Creamy Smooth Stuff!

2009-07-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

I think that

D elicious
A mazing
I ncredibly
R ich
Y ummy &

I nsanely
S atisfying.

Will my love for all things dairy be reciprocated and take on a level of mutual respect? I can hardly wait to find out...

Retox Day 1

2009-07-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

OhmyGodIlovecoffee.Seriously.Love it.From the moment I plopped the tea kettle on my back burner and propped a filter in my Melitta I knew it was going to be a good day.Maybe it's just the mental association of having java in my system.Maybe it's a true physiological dependence.It doesn't matter.I don't care.I love it and can't wait to have more.Per my handbook, I'm supposed to have two daily servings of the reintroduced food along with my regular meals.I'm not sure I can handle another dosage.My energy is already triple what it was yesterday.I can see why caffeine is labeled a drug.I feel a little bit like Helen Hunt looked when she starred in an after school special as a troubled teen that snorted PCP.She jumped out of a second-story window.I don't think I'm quite at that point but I might be if I have another cup of dark roast.My instinct tells me not to, that I should ease my way back into it, despite what the guide says.But perhaps I will because man is it good.OhmyGodIlovecoffee.

Detox Revelations: The End of Week 3

2009-07-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of my detox. Sort of. I thought it was, but just as I was about to release a tear of sadness (is it possible to have separation anxiety from rice protein powder?), I opened my program guidebook and realized what exactly the reintroduction period will entail. Each food item that was off-limits over the last three weeks will reappear one at a time for a solid three-day stretch. If no symptoms occur I can move on to the next item, all the while noting any physical changes, discomfort or problems in the manual's handy little chart. This posed a bit of a problem as I had envisioned myself diving right into the things I missed most - coffee, yogurt, cereal - without entertaining the idea that there may also be restrictions post-detox. I suppose I'll have to prioritize my cravings and determine which item I can't possibly live without for one more day.

At the moment the list is as follows:
1.) coffee
2.) dairy (protein!)
3.) alcohol
4.) corn
5.) tomatoes
6.) eggs (more protein!)
7.) wheat
8.) peanuts
9.) soy

Looking over my rankings, I think I understand how I ended up with stomach trauma in the first place - coffee and alcohol as the base of my personal food pyramid? Maybe I should have undergone a self-imposed intervention rather than a cleanse. Regardless, I'm anxious to put the forbidden fare back into my system to see what sort of internal insurgence ensues...

Detox Day 20: To Exercise or not to Exercise....

2009-07-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Over the past twenty days I've probably been a little too excited about having an excuse not to exercise,* but I've still managed to go on some short runs and dust off my downward dog in an attempt to try yoga for the first time in months. However, given my reduced food intake it's been hard to gauge an appropriate length of time and level of intensity for my athletic endeavors. Today, while spending my lunch break on the elliptical, it became very apparent that the protein shake I had for breakfast was not enough to sustain my forty minutes of impromptu activity. I started to get a wee bit lightheaded and with my regular go-to electrolyte stabilizer nuun currently not an option, the outlook was hazy. My mind drifted and eventually stalled upon a memory of a poignant little show from my youth titled Full House, specifically episode number 8 of season 4. As it was a program that dealt with serious issues, this particular installment featured a pubescent D.J. Tanner enduring a crash diet so that she could confidently wear a bikini to Kimmy Gibbler's birthday pool party. Said diet included no food and excessive exercise. Cut to the Tanner family visiting a local gym, D.J. going crazy on her cardio equipment of choice (was it a StairMaster?) and then collapsing. I thought of myself in that same situation and decided that I would be okay with facing the same fate if a.) I suffered no head trauma and b.) I got to come back to consciousness in the arms of Bob Saget. Since neither was a guarantee, I opted to get off the machine and eat lunch. It has proven to be a wise decision.

*During Weeks 1 and 3 I could engage in light activity, as that helps the release of toxins but Week 2 listed restorative yoga and long easy walks as adequate exercise since the mid-program regimen is more intense and taxing on the body.

Detox Day 16: Food (or lack thereof) for Thought

2009-07-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

When I first started the detox program and Dr. Lauren told me I'd have to give gum the boot, I thought I might have a panic attack. If you've ever had a conversation with me, you may have noticed a little colorful blob bouncing around the back of my mouth. Much to the dismay of my mother, it's a habit in which I partake rather regularly and much to her displeasure, rather visibly. However, I've found that life without Orbit is not so bad. Of course, it might have something to do with the fact that I'm temporarily off the bean and no longer have coffee breath to cover up. Still, it's reassuring to know that if gum should cease to exist, I would survive. Maybe I'll even reconsider my compulsive chewing (ergo averting a premature onset of TMJ). Just be forewarned - I eat a lot of garlic.

Detox Day 15: The Home Stretch

2009-07-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of the third and final week of my detox program. I celebrated by cracking open a 100-calorie snack pack of cashews, Brazilian nuts, almonds and hazelnuts. (While savoring every single one of the ten-morsel serving, I congratulated myself for surviving a nut-less Week 2 while fourteen of said snack packs were stowed away in my kitchen cupboards. Evidently I do have a shred of self-restraint in my body.) Even with the addition of most nuts, beans and quinoa back into my diet, I don't think my food intake will change much over the next six and a half days. It's a lot of work - spending more time at the grocery store and in my kitchen, rolling my eyes at the price of organic produce, grilling the waiter about every single ingredient in the menu's "vegan" option and its complete preparation, declining lunch invitations to avoid the before mentioned scenario, attempting to go out dancing with friends because it didn't seem right to spend another Saturday night reading at home only to get tired after fifteen minutes and function like a total zombie the following day - BUT it's totally worth it. I feel so much better than I did this time last month. And honestly, despite all the restrictions, the only thing I'm truly missing and couldn't imagine living without is coffee. Okay, and peanut butter ice cream.

Detox Revelations: The End of Week 2

2009-07-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Today marks the end of Week 2. Boy, was it fiberific. And ricerific. And bloaterific. Needless to say I'm anxious to add back the things I had to remove during the last seven days. Hopefully tossing some protein into the mix will help balance the ratio of fiber:other nutrients, and thus have me returning my fat jeans to the depths of my closet. I'm already salivating over the thought of unleashing beans and quinoa upon my go-to bland veggie mush. Not to mention the sweet potatoes or almond nut butter I can't wait to reincorporate. I'm so stoked about the latter that I've crafted a poem to honor the hands-down best toast topper out there.

Ode to My Favorite Spread
Oh, almond nut butter
Almond nut butter
If you were a person
You would be my lover

Detox Disappointment

2009-07-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is...

July 10th - invite to the VIP lounge at a Tears for Fears concert that would not only grant me rights to scream along shamelessly to "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," but also entrance to the all-you-can-eat food buffet, endless wine, and access to the dessert tent(?!)
July 11th - free slurpees at 7-Elevens nationwide
July 17th - free ice cream at the Westlake Ben & Jerry's

Why must these monumental occasions take place during my detox? Oh, the injustice!

Detox Revelations: The End of Week 1

2009-07-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

This isn't so bad. My head has become accustomed to the lack of caffeine and no longer feels as though it's being flanked by the two cold metal slabs of a tightly cranked vice. I've discovered (and frequently enjoyed!) the many ways in which rice can transform itself. I've survived the role of high maintenance eater and waiter's worst nightmare among a party of five at the ever delightful Cafe Flora. I spent Fourth of July weekend indulging in some of my favorite [temptation-free] activities: reading, writing, finally catching up on laundry and long distance phone calls, and watching my dreamboat Emile Hirsch starve to death in Into the Wild (and I thought I had it bad!) The two bottles of wine that adorned my counter pre-detox are still corked and I've had to fight little urge to grab my trusty Rabbit (the one that opens my beloved Cab Sauv. Jeez - this is a PG-rated blog, people!) Most importantly, my stomach feels better. The cramping has stopped and bloating has been sparse. Except of course when I thought it was a bright idea to consume half a watermelon because it just tasted so darn good. (Hey, it's on my list of things to eat and there's nothing in the fine print about quantity restrictions. And besides, I learned my lesson.) All in all I'd say things are looking optimistic. Of course, tomorrow marks the beginning of the most intese step of the detoxification program: Week Two. For the next seven days it'll be rice, organic fruits and veggies (no peppers, tomatoes, potatoes or corn) and very little movement. Less time spent grocery shopping, preparing food, and a valid excuse to keep my tennies on the shelf? Maybe this will be more like a mini-vacation than deprivation. I'll find out soon enough...

Detox Day 2

2009-07-02T15:15:00.001-07:00

I want coffffeeeeeeee.....

Detox Day 1

2009-07-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

Seven hours into my detox and I'm still standing.

My morning started off with 12 ounces of chicory root in lieu of coffee and although surely not the same thing, it was pretty tasty and almost as satisfying as my beloved dark roast. I think my excessive coffee consumption has more to do with the mental association of waking up to a piping hot cup o' liquid than any real physical dependence. Of course, we'll see if I'm saying the same thing in a couple hours....or days.

Breakfast consisted of a fruit smoothie made with Dr. Lauren's prescribed elixir: MediClear. I blended two scoops of the rice protein powder with rice milk, water and frozen mango and pineapple. It was actually pretty refreshing. I typically don't drink smoothies because just bearing the thought of washing out the blender is too much effort. However, the clean-up wasn't so bad and this experience may just change my mind about spending an extra five minutes to get a delicious high-protein quick-to-eat meal.

Lunch was consumed in the form of a large mixed salad with a variety of vegetables (no tomatoes), sprinkled with sunflower seeds and olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Prior to the detox I had been using one of those spray dressings, but now that I'm scrutinizing all the labels I come across, I was surprised to find that it contained high fructose corn syrup, a big no-no on the list of items to eat/avoid.

Snacks have included a banana, apple and tiny bag of mixed fancy nuts (dry, unsalted and no peanuts.) A craving for something crisp sent me to Whole Foods during my lunch break and while perusing the chip/cracker aisle it became very apparent just how many foods contain dairy, soy and gluten. Just as I was about to lose total hope, I came across a bag of rice cakes whose sole ingredient was Eco-Farmed whole grain brown rice. Sounds very tantalizing, no? When I came back to work Ruth suggested popping them in the toaster and spreading a little almond butter across their bubbly surfaces. It actually sounded pretty good. The only problem of course being that I can't have almond butter (or any butter for that matter) in my house; one tablespoon very quickly turns into one jar. Who knew I was such a high maintenance eater?

As I sit here now wondering what I'm going to eat for dinner (probably brown rice and veggies, which is probably what I'll be eating for the next three weeks straight) I'm thinking this may be harder than I imagined. And thinking about having dinner with my [very unhealthy] family this Friday makes my stomach churn. Which is exactly how this whole thing started....

Toxins Be Gone!

2009-06-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

There is something I am eating that my body just doesn't like. I have come to this conclusion after spending the last month complaining about stomach cramping, little sleep, series of inconclusive tests and excessive co-payments, dizziness, misdiagnosis and essentially feeling like total garbage.

For the sake of my tummy (and the ears of my co-workers) I am hoping to at last put all this GI distress to rest. To do so, I've called upon our resident naturopathic genius, Dr. Lauren Oktay, N.D and her magical detox program. After detailing my symptoms and concerns, Dr. Lauren passed along some powder, pills and a plan to pinpoint what it is exactly that's causing so many problems. Tomorrow marks Day 1 of a three-week regimen that includes taking the prescribed supplements, taking certain foods out of my diet, and taking it easy. I feel optimistic about the detox, not only because it will hopefully lead to health and sanity, but also because it will be a new challenge. I'm not fearful of the food restrictions - I've upheld some pretty strict diets in the past - but I am a bit nervous about the total elimination of caffeine and alcohol, as the former has become a daily habit and the latter, well... it's summer and nothing goes better with sunshine than a strawberry margarita. I suppose twenty-one days of prohibition isn't so bad, considering at one point in my life I went twenty-one years without the special sauce. Or, at least I did as far as the authorities are concerned.

So, as I sit here enjoying one last latte before Day 1 officially begins, I say bring it on - toxins be gone! I'll let you know how it goes...

Who Knew Word Play Could Lead to Such a Great Workout?

2009-06-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Jes somehow convinced me to get up yesterday at a pinch to five to make it to Tony's 5:30am Weigh Crazy class. Not only did it incite a series of playful text messages ("Let's dress weigh crazy for class" and "I am weigh tired") but it also kicked my butt in a fun weigh. Despite feeling slightly under the weather, Tony brought his jammin' playlist and insta-charm to deliver a fantastic sixty-minute stretch of engaging exercises. Attentive to each participant's body alignment, he called out overextended arms and uneven glute recruitment, along with other observations essential for injury-prone folks with no propioception such as myself. He doled out challenging moves that focused on strengthening with bursts of cardio. It felt like a great all-body workout, which I'm sure I'll be able to confirm as delayed onset soreness sets in entirely and it becomes increasingly more difficult to get up out of this chair...

I Want to Feel the Burn...Really, I Do

2009-06-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

I consider myself a fairly driven individual; however, there are some days when 6:30pm rolls around and the last thing I want to do is strap on my tennies and take it out on the treadmill. Not when there are boxes of granola or marathons of America's Next Top Model to be consumed. Even the inspiration that comes from watching sweaty hands grab towels after a killer workout wanes in comparison to the lure of happy hour margaritas or my uber-comfy bed. So, my question is, what keeps you motivated? At the end (or start) of a long day, what helps you move from punching time cards to punching heavy bags? Please share your tips and insight; your words of wisdom may just prompt my heart rate to rise above 70 bpm. If nothing else, perhaps I'll be stirred to watch Tyra throw herself into the spotlight while I knock out a cool three miles.

The Highlight of My Week

2009-06-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

Sitting at the desk, I get to do a lot of conversing. I also get to do a lot of eavesdropping. In this case, I was actually invited to participate in the dialogue as one of our members exclaimed that she had to buy a new belt to keep up her now too-loose pants. Yay! All the hard work she's put forth with her beloved trainer and during independent workouts has paid off and she is in the market for a celebratory accessory. I suggested she go bigger for her smaller waist by skipping the belt and getting a new pair of pants; shopping for a lower numbered tag seemed more gratifying and this is a feat not to go ignored! In fact, I say get two pairs. Why not? It's the season of summer sales and this is one mighty success!