My "INNER" Experience

It is one week now since I returned from the INNER IDEA conference in Palm Desert CA and I am happy to report that what I learned there is still with me. Beyond attending four days of jammed packed informative sessions, being with other "like-minded" individuals, sharing stories and a room with 2 women who were 15-20 years younger than me, I also learned something about myself. I learned that there is always something new to learn. It never ends and that is the beauty of gaining knowledge.

It's been so long since I have attended a conference, mostly because I had the attitude of "what am I going to learn that I don't already know" which is the most arrogant thought. Well...frankly A LOT! It was my own arrogance that was my biggest barrier, because after 30 years in the fitness business I guess I felt entitled to have it. WRONG. This was very hard to admit to myself and (to now write this publicly), but also very important. It's not that I ever really stopped gaining "exercise" knowledge, it is that I gained it through private avenues, watching you-tube videos, educational DVD's, reading magazine articles, books, and other on-line sources. After attending years of conventions, conferences, workshops, seminars I guess I was done with it and needed to learn via other avenues and gave up attending anything that gathered a bunch of "fitness" people together in one place. Well I am so glad I changed my attitude and attended this years Inner IDEA conference.

What drew me in to go to "inner" verses say the "World" Fitness Convention (held the month before in downtown Los Angeles and much more convenient location) was the AHHHHHHH factor. The Inner IDEA conference was formed 5 years ago in an effort to step away from the traditional IDEA mega conventions that normally generate thousands of attendees who come and spend days attending high energy fitness frenzy sessions and milling around the expo taking in all the latest and greatest gadgetry the fitness industry has to offer. Truth be told it gave me a headache even thinking about. When I first started in fitness these types of industry "get together's" were my adrenaline. Now for me, I can tell you those days are way over. So when I first heard about the Inner IDEA conference (which primarily attracts attendees who are teaching yoga, pilates, meditation, nutrition etc..), I thought "now this is something I could attend" and really enjoy. Not wanting to go alone, I recruited another friend/colleague who recruited a couple of others and we registered. I must say another big incentive was the LA Quinta resort and the 500 person limit to attend.

After the almost 3 hour drive to the desert, I began to experience this feeling of calm and utter joy come over me (mostly because I was on vacation) as we drove onto the gorgeous property of the LA Quinta Resort. We checked in to the hotel with ease and then went to register for the conference. Another breeze....no line, 5 minutes tops and if we wanted to change sessions no hassle, just show up to the session you want and if it's full we were able to just stand and observe. Easy schmeezy... love it. We proceeded to go to the room, unpack, decompress and get ready for the first session, which was Creating Reformer Choreography presented by Nora St John who was fabulous. From that moment on, my creative juices (that were on drip) began to flow. I could feel the cogs in my brain turning and I knew, in order to keep this going I needed to be 100% present the entire time so I didn't miss a thing. I now learned lesson - #1) NOTHING ELSE "OUT THERE" is as important as BEING RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW. Being Present is the gift I gave to myself for the entire weekend. That message was reiterated again at the opening ceremony with beautiful words and music, chanting and an inspiring key note address by Brant Secunda (Huichod Shaman and Healer) and Mark Allen (six-time Ironman Tri-Champion) and authors of Fit Soul Fit Body. I turned to my friend Megan and said "I am not opening my lap-top this whole weekend" as I made a silent vow to myself to step away from the outside world. This for me (and you all know what a FB and email addicted junkie I am) was a HUGE progressive step.

Every session I attended I learned many new things, along with being introduced to many of the finest presenters in the world. Scott Josephson, who is from the Hippocrates Health Institute did two brilliant presentations: Women, Metabolism and the Hormone Highway and Search and Explore popular diets. I don't think I ever laughed so hard, nor had more fun than in Lawrence Biscontini's Bosu:Hard Core Peace Core. Who would ever think you could do mindful yoga, pilates, t'ai chi, chi gong and chants on a bosu and SWEAT?
Lawrence was brilliant, and deserved The INNER award he received at the opening ceremony (especially after taking his Moonlight Meditation class and there being more distractions than ever thought possible) and he still managed to keep the entire class centered and focused. Paul Check's "The Last Four Doctors You will Ever Need" completely threw me for a loop when here I was thinking traditional docs and it was metaphorical. Dr Diet, Dr Quiet, Dr Happiness and Dr Movement, "well being is as simple as 1-2-3-4. How true is that statement? Very... Micheal Kings' reformer sequencing brought new light to putting movement together in a beautiful seamless sequence like a dance. Break it down and Build it up by Michael Fritzke took traditional Pilates movement and broke them down down into teachable pieces we could use for own own classes. I could go on and on but I would be remiss if I did not mention the session that stuck with me the most. That would be the last one I took and ended my weekend on such a glorious high note with . Sue Hitzmanns' MELT on Pilates rocked my world.
Can I say I LOVED IT any louder? This woman was not only an amazing, knowledgeable, dynamic presenter but her passion for wanting to heal everyone in the entire world through her technique came through loud and clear. I was so beyond impressed I decided that when her instructor training comes to Los Angeles I will be the first sign up. I have used everything I had learned from that one session since, and my clients, students and patients just melt (literally). I am Melting over this and cannot wait for more.


We (Megan, Emilee & me) ended on a beautiful note leaving Palm Desert, the 117 degree weather and the most wonderful attendees we befriended (especially Susan & Diane yes you guys!) behind, filled to brim with knowledge, purpose and inspiration. I would say this was the best money and time I have ever spent on an educational conference and I am definately going to attend next year. AND.... my industry colleagues who are reading this...you are all invited to share with me this amazing experience.

It's A Full Time JOB to Stay Healthy In This World

It has been several weeks since my last blog, and frankly I just needed a break from feeling like blogging was a job (even writing a blog once a week sometimes feels like pressure). Writing is a passion of mine and I want to keep it that way, so when I am inspired and have something to say, I will. Today I do, and now I write.

I have been feeling like I need a suit of armor (or hazmat) to survive and stay healthy living on this planet. I know that sounds extreme, but lately that's how I feel. Sometimes reading and empowering myself with knowledge may not be such a good thing...I may now be thinking "ignorance is truly bliss." Have you ever noticed that just about everyday something else comes out across the wire that can be harmful to your health?...Egads!!...It is amazing people actually live past birth. Between our air and water being polluted, our food supply being sprayed and genetically modified, personal care products being filled with toxic chemicals penetrating our skin how do we even have a chance? And you think the western medical establishment and BIG PHARMA will help if we succumb to disease? Well think again...because that's a crap shoot as well. Like I have said over and over again, taking responsibility of ones own health is the first (and BEST) defense. Over the past month, I have made several very positive healthful adjustments to my lifestyle (and my husbands...he he) to help promote our best defense and increase "our" vitality.

Way Back in my early twenties (during the stone age), I became a vegetarian which lasted for about 17 years. I was later bamboozled into thinking animal-based protein was the very best source of the so-called highly nutritionally valuable macro-nutrient source, whereby having me start eating meat (poultry actually) once again. I became hooked on meat, and did buy into touting it's nutritional value trying to convince myself of it's worthiness. I did this for fifteen years until I recently decided to become a plant-based/whole grain eater once again, and honestly, it wasn't so difficult. The turning point for me was reading the book The China Study. I have read more books about nutrition, diet...yada yada over the years to realize this book really had me at "you want to know how healthy you are...look at the end of your fork" (also watching FOOD INC about 100 times). The author of this book says throughout "I am a researcher" and indeed he is. Not only is T. Colin Campbell a researcher, he is a very thorough one at that. His list of cited studies and references was the size of a small book. His argument for eating a plant-based, whole grain diet could not be disputed. While he does tout vegan-ism, vegetarianism is the next best thing so that I knew I could do with the intention to go vegan (someday?). Now the tough part was getting my 2 gallon a week milk drinking, cheese eating, carne asada burrito consuming husband to make that shift, and that was a whole other story. I decided to use the old "blood doesn't lie" trick and went straight to the cholesterol and triglyceride (he just had a physical and blood work done) in your face these are your levels.. truth. "You need to get those blood levels down especially now that you're in your fifties" was my rant and I used the book as proof. My husband is a "just the facts ma'am" guy, he wants legitimate cited studies, research, hard core proof...so then I knew I got him because this book has it all. Thanks to T. Colin Campbell and The China Study book, now Dennis is a transformed man (OK on his way to being a transformed man). It's been a week for him now, and I already see the changes and it's great. He may slip in a little meat here and there on the road to being a vegetarian, but I will take it...this is a major milestone.

As far as I go, well this week I ate just about completely vegan and I feel fabulous. I prepared my first all American vegan burger recipe (from my new vegan cookbook), which will be grilled tonight, and eaten along with accompaniments of fresh greens from the FM and (of course) wine (not giving that up). I must say vegan prep has a labor intensive learning curve, but definately worth time put in. I also went through my medicine cabinet, and storage drawers and threw out all the toxic sun screen, cosmetics, and personal care products that did not score above a 3 on http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ which amounted to a few hundred bucks worth. I decided our health and life was worth it. I am now using this website to restock my supply of just about everything which has now turned into another job. I have officially become a product researcher...OY Vey.

In this ever growing toxic world we live I believe the best defense starts at home, making positive changes using reliable, trustworthy resources (as in never believe the FDA) and yes it takes work to find them. And I am happy to pass them to you so you can have another job as well...

OK put on your HAZMAT suit and go out and enjoy the world!!!!

See you next time....

yours in Good Health ~ L

Making A Healthier Earth One Person At A Time

We just celebrated the 40 year anniversary of Earth Day and it made me sad that so little has been done to really help the planet in 40 years. It's appalling actually. My greatest hope is that my daughter and her generation will be more aware and make vital changes in their lifestyle and become the "sustainable" generation. I do my best to set a good example and have changed my "evil ways" over the years. I can honestly say these changes were simple and are no big deal once you get into the mind-set of wanting to do what is right for the earth, your family and yourself. What is interesting, is the changes that make a healthier planet also make a healthier you. Many changes were made because of chemicals that can leach from materials into the food that's eaten.

Some of the changes I have made over the years...

Eating completely Organic and eliminated meat (on my way to poultry but not yet).
Replaced buying bottled water (or any liquid in plastic ) with filling stainless containers.
Using stainless or cast iron cookware NO longer any Teflon.
Replaced plastic storage containers with all glass.
Conscious driving (biking instead of driving, combining errands for efficiency).
Cut back on Flying.
Recycling, composting everything I can to reduce garbage.
Creating a sustainable front lawn that uses barely any water and no chemicals.
Lots of bamboo & palm trees in the back yard (helps filter bad air CO2>O2).
Using Cloth Napkins more replacing paper.
Showers (short ones) every other day (except when workout sweat calls me to shower!).
Replaced all appliances to energy savers and light bulbs too.
Computers on stand by when not in use.
Lights and water faucets off when not in use.
Bringing own bags for groceries.
Shopping for food locally at Farmer's market.
Supporting local merchants more (although I do shop at Costco still)
NEVER SHOP AT AT EVIL WALMART!!!!
#1 no flush #2 FLUSH!!!!
Buying less (conscious shopping ...rational vs emotional purchasing).
NO CABLE TV (we have an antenna on top of our house that works great).
Avoid buying anything from China.
Volunteer more.
Borrowing library books instead of buying them unless it's a book to reference.

And the list will continue....

It's about being conscious in a world where it's easy to go through unconsciously.

Last week I wrote about the book Organic Manifesto by Maria Rodale and how important I felt this book was for everyone to read. I am almost finished with it and I wish it was on the must read list for every school in America. Our world will change if we can start now to be the role models for the next generations upcoming. They will not have a chance if we do not make the changes in our lifestyles NOW. This is BEYOND important, it is NECESSARY.

As Maria states in her book:

"If we plan to stay on this planet, we must take a stand. And the very ground we stand on holds the magic key to our future here. We have a once-in-a-lifetime, no once-in-a-species'-history-opportunity to do either the right thing or continue down the path to our demise."

It's NOW time to take a stand.

Ciao~ See you next Sunday! L

We Are Part of the Great Chemical Experiment

Being in the Health/Fitness industry for the last 100 yrs has put me in information overload with all the "stuff" out there that wants to infuse into my brain. I have decided it can only process and store so much, and frankly these days I just never know what to really believe, especially when it comes to nutrition and food. I have certain "guru's" I follow (Michael Pollan being one) that I trust and feel are worth my time to read what they have to say based on research they have done. So when my friend Barbara recommended I read "Organic Manifesto" by Maria Rodale I thought "hmm it's Barb recommending this", who is a trusted source of honest material, but do I want to bother to read yet another food/nutrition book? I waited a few days to see if I still had any interest and then ordered it. When it arrived, I saw it was only 200 pages and felt relieved. I decided to open it up and read the foreword by Eric Schlosser (which i usually skip) and the first three lines read like this:

Pesticides are poisons. They are manufactured to kill insects, rodents, fungi, and weeds. But they can also kill people.

Now I know this. That is the main reason why I have been eating organic for a while - to avoid the poisons. Pesticides and toxic sprays used by agri-business was something that was not new to me, but I kept on reading and it was the next few sentences that hooked me and made me angry and scared.

Organophosphates-one of the most common types of pesticide-were developed in Nazi Germany to be used as chemical weapons. It was later recognized that the same sort of nerve gases formulated to attack enemy soldiers and civilians could be used against agricultural pests

.....he then goes on to say that over the past 60 years a multitude of these same chemicals

have been applied to the American landscape on a massive scale.

Turns out the federal government has not done a pesticide use survey since 2001 because President George W Bush in his last year of office halted the program because spending 8 million dollars to conduct such a survey was too expensive. I am sure Dow Chemical and Monsanto had something to do with this decision no doubt. Schlosser goes on to give a conservative estimate of the current pesticide use in the US agri business as being

1.2 BILLION Pounds a year

which equates to being about 4 pounds of this toxic crap for every American man, woman and child.

I started reading last night and will probably finish this book in a day or so. I can tell you that this book is an extremely important book for everyone to read. Maria Rodale is no stranger to this area she is an expert and has the lineage to prove it. She has been "walking the walk" along with "talking the talk" for years because it's in her DNA. In case you recognize the name, her grandfather J.I. Rodale, launched Organic Farming and Gardening magazine in 1942 in addition to the organic movement. Then Maria and her father launched Prevention magazine in 1950. This woman does her research and it shows in this book. A word of warning...it is disturbing and it should be. It should disturb every single person who eats, breathes, drinks water and walks on soil enough to do something. And what can "we" do? is the question... Well first get the book and read it. Be angry. Be disturbed. Be scared....but don't be paralyzed and do nothing. This is your life, your food, your air along with everyone else on the planet and this includes your kids. The generations after us are who is in the greatest peril and it is with them in mind that we must DEMAND ORGANIC and demand it NOW.

Go to this link and read this interview with Maria Rodale

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2010/03/maria-rodales-organic-manifesto.html

See You Next Sunday... Now go get this book and read it.

http://www.rodale.com/maria-rodale-organic-manifesto

Ciao ~ L

Yeah But can they TEACH?

There are a lot of mediocre teachers, some good teachers and very few great teachers. The ability to impart knowledge to another and have the individual take in that information and really learn from it is a gift. It's a gift for the recipient in reaping the benefit of a gifted teachers wisdom. Knowledge is empowerment. Knowledge is growth. Knowledge is priceless. It should not be taken lightly and neither should being a teacher. Teachers come in all forms, some more recognizable than others. Sometimes they stand in front of a room filled with students and sometimes they stand right beside only you. They can come in the form of a highly "degreed" educator, a coach, a parent, a mentor or even a friend. Never underestimate the power of information whether it be verbal or non-verbal and it's influence and never be fooled by bravado and it's lack of substance.

Being "wowed" by someone's ability to perform a skill to perfection, or just perform or even how they look is admirable, however it does not necessarily translate into the ability to be able to properly teach it to someone else. And that's what I mean by "never be fooled by bravado"...yeah but can they teach? It's the trap I see the unsuspecting person fall into time and time again. Think of this...You read a best seller written by a fabulous writer and perhaps what comes to mind is, I want to learn how to write from that person. Just because he/she can perform the art/skill of writing into a best selling book does not necessarily mean they can teach you how to write a best seller. That is not suffice to say that there are exceptions to that, but I believe more often than not it's the other way around. Those who can not necessarily do (to perfection), teach, and actually teach sometimes to perfection. So don't necessarily rule them out, as they may just be the jewel among the sparkly glass.

There are "performers" and then there are "teachers", and one world I know very well is the fitness world. I know I am biased but I can tell you without question my husband Dennis is a top rung swim teacher. He may not be able to "perform" and swim like Michael Phelps but he can sure teach a student to achieve that level if desired. I have witnessed personally him show a scared 2 year old who was so frightened of the water in the beginning of a 30 minute lesson embrace and feel the love of the water by the end of the 30 minutes. Amazing. It is truly a gift. His secret is trust, and building an honest relationship with his students. He's been teaching swimming for almost 30 years to kids from as young as 13 mos to 80+ yrs and he does it with love. He is passionate and compassionate and believes in the benefits of what he teaches. It goes beyond just arms and legs moving in the water arriving at a destination. It is about the journey, his students and the self esteem and confidence he sees grow and develop within and live within long after they get out of the water. He has seen this self belief emerge beginning with the simplest goal of just floating to scuba diving hundreds of feet underneath the ocean water. He makes his students feel safe, curious for more and empowered. He wisely figures out how they learn and then teaches to their ability to "get it".

I've had the pleasure and fortune over the years to have a select few teachers who were great. Unfortunately, I have also had very mediocre teachers and some really bad ones. I remember one teacher I had in college who was so awful, I stopped writing and forgot how much joy it brought me until I asked myself why this idiot had so much power over me to stop me from something I loved to do. "Screw him", I said to myself and I started writing again, albeit many years later but I did and that's all that matters.

I learned a lesson in that and have used it in my own instruction as an educator.

When I began my fitness career 29 years ago I started out as an "aerobics" instructor (circa 1981 that is what it was called) because I loved to dance and choreograph and needed to make money. This was before the days of "certification" and everything being so technical, it was just about having fun, sweating and losing weight and of course, wearing leg warmers. We learned quickly about shin splits and the importance of beats in music, it was easy and again just FUN. I performed on a platform to my "fans" and made sure I could outlast everyone who was in my class regardless if my heart was pounding out of my chest and my feet killing me. I had to be better and I had to show it because it was of course all about me. My students were WOWED, kept coming to class as long as I pushed them, made them sweat regardless of how much they hurt or were sore for an entire week. The more pain they were in, the better I thought I was doing my job of kicking their asses (kinda like what Jillian Michaels does now on the biggest loser show except my students were not as large back then).

Fast Forward it's now 2010.

I still see "instructors/trainers" (group or private) still do this except now the audience sees it on TV or You-Tube. I watch an individual perform Yoga moves twisting themselves into knots while reciting something "zen", or a testosterone laden guy (or female) pumping 100lb dumbbells (or a body) over their head or a Pilates instructor doing a succession of very impressive moves on 4 different pieces of equipment upside down. And they are all in enviable amazing shape (OK - I will admit a slight bit of envy of what their body can do and mine cannot...ugh).... But that is not why I am writing about this and it is not about jealousy or envy it's about....CAN THEY TEACH???? Are they even qualified to teach? Can they make it about their client or student and not about them? Yet the public will see this and be enamored and mesmerized and completely taken in and fooled into believing they can be transformed to be just like their "guru" oops instructor.

I love what I do and can honestly say have come a long way since the days of headbands, thong leotards and leg warmers. I've spent time over the past 29 years educating myself (formally and practically) to go well beyond just fitness "training" my students and clients but really educating them about their bodies from the inside out. I have worked very hard to gain their trust and belief in me when I take their body into my hands (so to speak). This is a responsibility I do not take lightly, ever. Even though I have been in this fitness field for 29 yrs their is always something to learn because it is dynamic and ever-changing. I feel I have done my job well when my students have learned something beyond "the classroom" or "studio" and take that knowledge with them integrating it into their everyday lives. I feel honored when I see a client who was hunched over stand up aligned and they tell me their back or hip no longer hurts. I adore hearing how they have become physically stronger carrying that into them becoming mentally, spiritually and emotionally stronger. Regardless if it is in fitness, writing, swimming, math, reading etc... We need to seek out and honor great education in any form. We need to demand it (not just in the formal classroom but everywhere) so this way the performers can just go on and do what they do best, which is "perform" and teachers can do what they do best, impart knowledge and wisdom and "educate".

Until next Sunday...Ciao and I hope you learn something new today from someone...you never know who may teach you something wonderful.

This is why I LOVE Sunday....

Last week I wrote about my 24 hour Vacation so this week I decided to video tape a snip it of it with my Flip Cam. As per my ritual, I woke up early and watched my favorite program CBS Sunday morning drinking my freshly brewed mega strong volcanic coffee laying in my bed. Once sufficiently caffeinated and full of knowledge from learning all about money on this mornings "The Money Issue" on Sunday Morning I proceeded to get myself ready to get on my bike....Oh yeah - Getting Dennis out of bed is always fun... So an hour later after I was all ready this was our morning...




Off to Eat now...

See Ya next week...

My 24 hour vacation called Sunday

It is the only day of the week I can sleep late and it's the morning I wake up at the earliest hour. Why? Why on earth would I do that when I could actually sleep? Because I don't want to miss a minute of the most glorious day of the week (for me). Let me ask this question.... For most people when on vacation, do they sleep late or wake up early and take advantage of the precious moments of "freedom" to do what they want? Thought so....that's why I wake up early to the scent of my freshly brewed alarm clock waiting for me in the kitchen. Today I was up at 6AM because my Sunday Morning indulgence is to watch my favorite program CBS Sunday Morning propped up in bed with my cuppa brew. You may ask "why not just record the show and play it later?", answer...I do not subscribe to pay TV, have no Tivo and our VHS recorder is as old as dirt. Besides which it is just not the same as waking up and watching the incredible stories this show produces even if I do have to endure the commercials. It is the one quality TV "journal style" program worth watching (in my opinion) outside of PBS. After my 90 minutes of viewing is over I do a quick check of emails, read some FB posts, write a bit (here) or journal and get my husband Dennis up for our bike ride to the local Farmer's Market to get our feast for the week... Here is a visual sample...


Now mind you...I never lose sight of being blessed to have this amazing fresh, local, organic produce literally right out my back door (or at least a 10 minute bike ride away) an advantage of living in southern California. I suppose in a way it makes up for the lousy air we are forced to breathe and the daily threat of an EQ...but that's beside the point. When we return back home, we are hungry for breakfast and make seriously delicious concoctions (healthy of course) that satisfy us for most of the day....
We eat on our back patio area overlooking the amazing Bamboo and palm trees that Dennis planted 10 years ago when he envisioned replicating an Hawaiian paradise. This is probably the closest I will get to Hawaii (at least for now) so I savor it along with every bite I put into my mouth. This is the one meal of the week I take my time to eat and consciously enjoy every flavor. I eat slow. I think about what is going in my body and know that every nutrient is really good for me, and it feels good. My goal is to expand this consciousness beyond this one meal, although the nutrient part remains steadfast for the most part throughout the week. Even the clean up after the meal is not daunting. We do it together, and it gets done fairly quickly. Beyond breakfast my day is my own and I am never in question with what I want to do next. I may connect with family or friends on the phone or skype, take a walk at the beach, do some laundry or other chore (which I actually don't mind) or sit and read a book. The one thing I try and stay away from is being sucked in by this vampire called the internet. I really don't want to be sitting in my desk chair staring at a computer screen on my 24 hour vacation day. So I now say goodbye and go on with my rejuvenating precious one day vacation and enjoy every moment before it ends at 8AM tomorrow when my first client knocks at my door (with a smile of course).

"Pollan" & "Oliver" are my HEROs

Michael Pollan RULES.... He's my HERO and I LOVE his message. One reason is, what he says is important...no, it's very important. It's life changing, because if you lose the most precious thing in your life (which is your health btw...) you are Done with a capital "D". If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Pollan, he is in my opinion the current expert on food. He is the author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, discusses the link between healthcare and diet, the dangers of processed foods, the power of the meat industry lobby, the “nutritional-industrial complex,” the impact industrial agriculture has on global warming, and his sixty-four rules for eating. “ His message is very simple, "Eat Food, Mostly Plants and Not too Much" enough said. I heard an interview recently he gave on a program called Democracy Now, which of course I would like everyone on the planet to listen to, but if this gives even one person the impetus to listen I will feel good. This is what stuck with me the most in that interview:

"Of the money we spend on health care, about $2.3 trillion, three-quarters of that goes to treat chronic diseases that are preventable. Now, they’re not all food-related, but most of them are. You’ve got smoking and alcoholism in there, and I don’t know where you want to count alcoholism. But, you know, upwards of $500 to $750 billion we are spending to deal with the consequences of this diet. It’s remarkable it’s not a more central part of the conversation."

Health care costs which includes Health care insurance is a major concern for (I will go out on a limb here) 99.9% of the country (except for congress of course as they have GREAT medical insurance coverage). I hear conversations about this topic everyday whether it be on the news or between individuals just talking. It is on everyone's mind because it is so very important. But most are missing the mark, especially those in government who introduce and pass bills that (may or may not)go into law. "They" are missing getting to the root of the problem. "They" are attempting to try and fix a broken barn door well after the all the animals have escaped. The core of the problem is Food. The entire food industry needs a overhaul, because the way it is now it's like a slow growing cancer that is eventually going to kill us.

And now I go onto my next Hero....Jamie Oliver who just won the coveted TED prize. For those of you who are unfamiliar with TED (Technology Entertainment Design)well I urge you to go to TED.com and listen to the many TED talks that are available. I guarantee you will find it difficult to navigate away once you are sucked in. Listen to Jamie Olivers TED prize wish - http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html and this is why you should listen to him:

"Jamie Oliver has been drawn to the kitchen since he was a child working in his father's pub-restaurant. He showed not only a precocious culinary talent but also a passion for creating (and talking about) fresh, honest, delicious food. In the past decade, the shaggy-haired "Naked Chef" of late-'90s BBC2 has built a worldwide media conglomerate of TV shows, books, cookware and magazines, all based on a formula of simple, unpretentious food that invites everyone to get busy in the kitchen. And as much as his cooking is generous, so is his business model -- his Fifteen Foundation, for instance, trains young chefs from challenged backgrounds to run four of his restaurants.

Now, Oliver is using his fame and charm to bring attention to the changes that Brits and Americans need to make in their lifestyles and diet. Campaigns such as Jamie's School Dinner, Ministry of Food and Food Revolution USA combine Oliver’s culinary tools, cookbooks and television, with serious activism and community organizing -- to create change on both the individual and governmental level."

Now my wish would be for Mike and Jamie to combine their forces and actually make change happen. I realize this is a big wish but I can dream big can't I? Maybe, just maybe, something could actually be done to change Health Care but it's going to take each and every one of us to reform and make major changes in our personal food choices. As a collective society, if we begin to show the food industry we are not going to eat this crap (aka...fake food substances) anymore, maybe they will stop using dollars to manipulate the public, and actually put efforts toward helping us get healthier and lowering the 70% rate of preventable diseases we now have in the United States.
Wouldn't that be a hellava dream come true?

OH SH.....My Back is Jacked!

Those were the first words I uttered to myself this morning when I woke up and realized I could not move without an immense amount of pain. I noticed the first signs last night when I toweled myself off after a shower and went to put my pajama pants on and had trouble raising my leg to go into the pant leg. The tightness I felt in my lower back was not unfamiliar to me, however this time it felt different. So what did I do? I ignored it, thinking it would just magically disappear overnight during a night of restful sleep. That was a wonderful fantasy.

I managed to get some sleep but finding a restful position was very difficult. I noted lying on my right side with a pillow between my legs allowed the pain to subside enough for me to not moan and close my eyes to slumber. When it came time to shift my body that was when I really noticed I was fairly immobile. This was not good I thought, and fear momentarily came over me. Thoughts of "how am I going to get out of bed" crawled throughout my brain until it came time for me to have to go to the bathroom and I really had to move. It took a while and I felt like I was 90 years old and full of arthritis. "Holy CRAP this just so sucks" took over my thoughts and my husband proceeded to help me get out of bed so I could get to the toilet. A few minutes later I was slowly stacking my vertebrae to stand up straight and then to shuffle my feet because I could not lift them to takes steps toward the bathroom. The effort it took to sit and raise from the commode made me wish I used a depends....UGH. Since my mountain bike accident about 8 yrs ago, I haven't felt quite like this, so I was really taken by surprise by this spastic behavior in my lower back and right hip. "What the hell did I do?" Yesterday I did nothing out of the ordinary really that would have triggered a spasm and discomfort like this. It just happened. Sometimes this just happens. I added it to the "effects of aging" category, it made me feel better...ha.

I then proceeded to pick my own brain to begin to "heal thyself" and not panic. Thank goodness it is Sunday today and I have no work and no commitments, this couldn't have been more convenient (looking at it positively). I remembered I still had one 600mg Ibuprofen left in the medicine cabinet and I needed to get some ice to settle the inflammation in my back to feel better. I also knew I couldn't lay down or sit for long periods or my back would seize up. What I needed to do was just keep moving and have the blood flowing throughout my muscles, and get the pelvis and spine lubricated. So I shuffled around until my grandma shuffle turned into a slow walk.

I kept MOVING....Sounds counter-intuitive right? WRONG - it is the best thing to do when your back seizes up. It will be a struggle but KEEP MOVING....Nothing crazy just walking around. Once I felt somewhat "lubed" up I slowly lowered myself on to the rug over the hard wood floor into a supine position (that's face up) with my feet to floor and began to slowly stretch. I brought one knee in at a time (keeping my pelvis in a neutral position - tailbone down) and then gently brought the knee in toward my chest while exhaling and switched back and forth a couple of times. I then rolled over to the side to help myself back up to a standing position (brought back thoughts of pregnancy) and began to walk around doing little things around the house.

This is everything I tell my clients to do when they have this very thing happen.

And guess what? It actually works....

Obviously right now I am sitting and blogging so...Excuse me - I need to break from sitting, put my ice pack back in the freezer and walk around some more.

OK - I am back now with my ice pack against my back sitting just long enough to finish up this blog and get my back iced for 20 minutes. I will continue to do this throughout the day and I am thinking I should be OK by this evening to make a 6PM meeting I have to attend. I know I will be good for work tomorrow...the only thing I have to scrap today is going to the gym....BUMMER.......

Kravitz on Calorie Burning

I wanted to post this because it clears up a lot of misconceptions on calorie burning.

By Len Kravitz, PhD

As personal trainers, you are continually seeking new and better programs to help clients attain their aerobic activity goals and maximize caloric expenditure in their endurance workouts. To help you better understand fat burning, caloric expenditure and exercise, here are answers to four controversial questions on this subject.

Question #1: How does high-intensity interval training (HIT) help burn more fat?

Answer: As exercise intensity increases, the body uses more carbohydrate as fuel. However, scientists feel that at the cellular level this overloading stimulus also involves some of the same molecular signaling messages that induce increases in muscle capillary density, mitochondria proteins (energy factory of cells), fatty-acid oxidation (burning) enzymes and other regulatory proteins (Burgomaster et al. 2008; Baar 2006). So, the connection between HIT and improved fat metabolism appears to be associated with adaptation changes that occur at the molecular level of muscle.

Question #2: How many more calories do you burn with the addition of each pound of muscle?

Answer: The scientific estimation is approximately 7 kilocalories per pound per day (Elia 1992). However, the key point is not so much that caloric yield increases from this additional muscle; rather, it is that the person becomes much more capable of working out longer and harder. It is this training effect that adds to the caloric deficit from exercise.

Question #3: Will you burn more calories from fat if you exercise first thing in the morning on an empty stomach?

Answer: The substrate that most effectively powers your workout is carbohydrate. Fat contributes, but carbohydrates in the form of glucose are the main exercise fuel. After a night’s sleep, the muscles are greatly depleted of glycogen (stored glucose) and therefore lack the energy substrate they need for exercise. In addition, the brain utilizes glucose for all of its fuel needs. Consequently, exercising first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can impair the muscles and some brain functions. Clients should have a light carbohydrate snack (e.g., fresh fruit, yogurt and trail mix) before working out, to properly “fuel up” and safeguard themselves from bodily harm.

Question #4: Why is caloric expenditure lower during upper-body exercise?

Answer: Upper-body exercise is generally complicated by the small muscle mass in the upper body relative to the lower body. This muscle mass is less effective at inducing the return of blood flow to the heart, thus decreasing the volume of blood pumped by the heart each beat. Also, for a given intensity, contraction of the upper-body musculature provides greater resistance to blood flow than occurs with lower-body exercise, resulting in a greater increase in blood pressure. These factors lead to a lower energy (caloric) expenditure from the upper-body muscles.

Determining caloric expenditure during exercise

At rest, the body expends energy to maintain the functions of life- sustaining cells. The heart’s continual pumping of blood demands energy, as does the continual ventilation (movement of air into and out) of the lungs. Maintaining a life-supporting environment within and around cells requires a constant breakdown of certain energy-releasing molecules. This energy is also used to form the molecules necessary for repairing cells, storing energy (glycogen and triglycerides), fighting infection and processing nutrients obtained from digestion. These energy-demanding functions form the body’s resting metabolic rate (RMR), which can vary from approximately 800 to 1,500 kilocalories (kcal), depending on body size and temperature, muscle mass, percent body fat, diet, health status and glandular function.

The body uses adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a chemical means to perform cellular work. Exercise adds to caloric expenditure, as muscle contraction involves the need to repeatedly form and break down ATP. The energy that is released fuels the contraction of skeletal muscle, thereby adding to the energy demands of the body. During exercise the increase in caloric expenditure is predominantly due to the contraction of skeletal muscle. A moderate energy increase comes from the energy demands of the heart and ventilatory muscles in the lungs.

Len Kravitz, PhD, is the program coordinator of exercise science and a researcher at the University of New Mexico, where he has won the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award. In 2006, he was honored as the Can-Fit-Pro Specialty Presenter of the Year and as the ACE Fitness Educator of the Year. Last year he received the 2008 Can-Fit-Pro Lifetime Achievement Award.

I AM INSURED...yet I still feel unprotected

I see consumerwatchdog.com post hugh billboards about evil Mercury Insurance company and how they want to screw the consumer. I hear evil things about how Wellpoint (Blue Cross is under Wellpoint) and how they are coercing their employees to rally against health reform.

I'm totally screwed.

My (really our..my husband & me) are insured by Mercury for Auto & Home and Blue Cross for Medical.

I'm feeling totally screwed and even though I pay those premiums every month, in full on time, I feel when it comes time to eventually use the insurance they will not be there to deliver. I am feeling raped of my hard earned money which I am willingly giving to these crooks, yet lucky I am insured. What is wrong with this picture? I would love to say "Screw You" and stop it all but we are so conditioned as a society that we MUST BE INSURED or we will lose everything if something happens .... Well....we are insured (but are we really?) and I still feel like we could lose everything while we are paying enormous amounts of money every year for what? Protection? Why don't I feel like I am being protected?

I actually looked into changing to another insurance company (scouted around for quotes from others)- BUT guess what? Our premiums would DOUBLE!!! YES DOUBLE!!! You see my husband has been with Mercury since the dawn of time and because we (he really...I just came along with marriage)has been such a long time "loyal" customer we get a fantastic discount (this is to keep us since they make money off us because we have not filed a claim in a decade or more). Essentially we are customers THEY want so we get the carrot dangled and we stay and Pray they will have mercy if we will ever need them in the future. How sick is this????

And speaking of SICK.....We better not get sick or we are really screwed - we have Anthem (Blue Cross) of CA and they are apparently no better. UGH......
Of course I am not planning on getting sick, in fact the chances are very low being that I do a lot of self care in the form of prevention and Eastern type medicine (acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, NET, NRT and on...I have a village). Obviously exercise is a staple in our household being that is our business and along with that we eat very healthy. Organic is the norm for us in all ways not just food. We buy local as much as we can and support the community in various ways through contributions of both time and money. Practicing health goes beyond just nutrition it's a way of life. It's a part of all our relationships (family, friends, neighbors and community), needless to say we lead a life where we think about health everyday...actually we really don't have to think about it...it's our normal. So I suppose in this way, I feel the most protected. Taking accountability and responsibility for my life is my protection in my own way. I am certainly not leaving it up to any insurance company that is for sure.

I can only hope if it ever comes to pass that the unforeseen occurs in the form of an accident, injury or an illness (that could not be prevented) my insurance would some how come through. Although, I am not holding my breath or taking a backseat, I stay proactive, aware and I am going to pay attention and be mindful and present each moment.

Inspire Change through EDUCATION

The "tag line" I use on my business card and wherever else I can put one is "Go beyond training be Educated" because that is truly the key to being empowered and getting control of your own health. Let's face it - NO ONE is going to take better care of YOU than YOU! It's time to stop giving all of our control away to an over loaded so called Health Care (really Sick Care) system. We all need to take the power back get healthy, stay healthy and stay away from having to use this broken system for diseases we can certainly prevent.

EDUCATION is the answer plain and simple. What is not easy is actually applying what we learn to help ourselves. This is where we fall off a cliff.

For some strange reason we think our body is not as important as our car or other material things when it comes to caring for it. Interestingly enough, those "things" can all be easily replaced and at a lot less cost then let's say a HEART for example. Yet, people still have a hard time doing the right thing to take care of this precious item that keeps us alive. We have one body that we get for an entire lifetime and we have the choice as to how we would like it to perform, feel, be around and what we want it to look like. This is very powerful, yet we give it away every single day by not paying any attention to what will nourish it and keep it running in tip top shape. We do better with our car. How nuts is that? Would you put sugar in your gas tank? Probably not, since common knowledge is that it will kill the performance of the car. Now, let's just apply this same knowledge to the human body and the same result will occur....crappy performance.

The human body NEEDS constant attention, care and maintenance in order for vitality and longevity to occur and have it stay out of the shop for expensive repair. A little knowledge backed up by effort goes a long way and reaps big rewards. It's really worth it to "take good care" of one's own machine.

So here's a thought....Make an effort to make a change toward doing something healthy each day. Start small (take the pressure off) and build from there. Eat a healthy breakfast rather than a poptart, take a 30 minute walk instead of opting to sit on the couch to watch a stupid sit-com, drink one less beer, smoke one less cigarette, buy one kind of organic fruit, eat a veggie burger instead of a beef burger. You don't have go out and run a marathon but maybe watching someone run one may inspire you to have that goal someday.

Educate yourself on the importance of proper nutrients, eating WHOLE FOODS grown from nutrient rich soil, exercise and building strong muscles including the heart, proper sleep and reducing stress. It doesn't have to be done all in one day but it does need to be done for longevity and living a rich and fulfilling life.

My letter to Oprah about an upcoming BIGGEST LOSER show

I was so appalled at Oprah when she had Gwyneth Paltrow on and her emaciated body along with her trainer Tracy Anderson and the complete nonsense workout she had her do - I decided enough was enough.....So noticing on her website that she is having an upcoming show featuring the Biggest Loser show and all that surrounds it I had to speak out..... So I did!


Dear Oprah
September 25, 2008

I noticed on the website you have an upcoming show about “The Biggest Loser” and I wanted to respond, however this is more than 2000 characters so I just had to write and send it in (the old fashion way).

I have wanted to voice my opinion on The Biggest Loser since the inception of this show. I will come right to point and let you know that I feel it is the single worst reality show on TV today (or one of the many single worst shows). I happen to live in Los Angeles (the entertainment capitol of the planet) and have realized that things definitely operate differently here than in other parts of the country. I am a born and bred New England Girl (NY/Connecticut) and moved to LA LA land 3+ years ago when I re-married a native Angeleno. Being in the Health / Fitness profession for the last 27 years I decided to move west after living bi-coastally from my husband for a year and half. I figured it would be easy to re-start my personal training business in LA after having a long established training business in CT. What I learned was the rules are different in LA when it comes to fitness and the fitness business. It’s about who you know and what celeb you are training that lands credibility to your resume as a trainer instead of experience, education and true passion for the profession. I find many so called trainers (who are also out of work actors) are more interested in being on TV rather than really wanting to get the public healthy and fit. It’s sad that the viewing public will buy what these so called fitness experts are selling as the latest greatest fitness product or workout when it is nothing but a bunch of hype to inflate their ego. Which brings me back to the biggest loser infotainment (pull at your heartstrings) for the overweight to get your butt off the couch you big loser. This whole entire show serves one purpose and one purpose only, a high rating which leads to more of the almighty dollar in the true fat cats pockets. It’s appalling that people who clearly are hurting emotionally dealing with obesity in their lives and their family’s lives are subject to being put on public display to only be brow beaten for the sake of entertainment and what will look good for the camera to lose the most weight of all the contestants that week. I realize that contestants bear responsibility here as well; accepting to take this on, feeling that this is their last hope for losing weight and of course winning 250,000 for losing big. And the audience buys this crap hook line and sinker and that’s why the show continues season after season sending the wrong message. People who are overweight and have been battling their weight for years are grasping at anything they feel will help them. The Biggest Loser show I believe is a complete detriment but the producers certainly do know how to pull at the heartstrings - that’s the entertainment industry at its best. They can do this because of editing and designing the show for the public to see what they strategically want them to see to get the largest viewing audience buying this crap. But this is far from the reality of their lives and what they have to deal with on an everyday basis to combat losing the weight and becoming healthier and fit. I would like to see how many of these biggest loser contestants actually keep the weight off (the real percentage) and not just the ones who are paid after the shows aired to keep it off for the reunion show or knowing they will be on camera in the future. I would like to know the real behind the scenes of how these contestants are actually treated and feel about this whole ordeal. I am truly amazed that no one has died after what they are asked to do to so they can win a phone call home. This show does not send a true message as to what it takes for an overweight person to become fit and healthy. NOT EVEN CLOSE. An article written by James O. Hill, Ph.D. in the October 2005 issue of Obesity Management (pg 187) clearly explains my point. In fact, this (show) is the thought process those of us in the (real) healthcare/fitness/wellness industry have been trying to change. This show trivializes the complex genetic and environmental influences on our behavior and weight. It perpetuates the wrong message to those who most need the right message.
To me this show is THE BIGGEST LOSER.
Thank You for listening.
Respectfully,
Laura S. Gideon M.S., CPT
Owner Bamboo Balance LLC Fitness & Aquatics Training, Exercise Physiologist, Cert. Fitness & Pilates Trainer, Nutrition Counselor