Double Dare Challenge

We are all up for a challenge, right?  Well I'm a little more competitive, so challenge me at most times, and I am in!  The instructor in my spin class is great at inspiring and motivating.  He's a positive individual and finds a way to get your mind off the workout, yet challenge you to push yourself out of your comfort zone.  Yesterday, he challenged us, no matter what our religious affiliation, to start the season of lent with a health and fitness challenge.  I love it!!!  So I thought the Dynamic Edge crew could join me along the journey.  Some of you need a reboot after drifting away from those good intentioned new year's resolutions... yeah, I'm talking to you!

Double Dare Challenge for next 40 Days-  Give up something that is good TO you, but not good FOR you!!!  Read that again to let it sink in.  It doesn't have to be food related, but that could be a big one.  Also, think about wellness factors and bad habits that may not be the best for you.  Are you getting enough sleep?  Are there individuals that you are surrounding yourself with that could be sabotaging your progress towards your goals?  Are you scheduling ME time in so you can have some sanity on a daily basis?  Think through and find something that you will choose to give up for 40 days.  Make it challenging, but realistic.  You don't want to set yourself up for failure if it's a lofty one, but you also want to find a true challenge.  Also, grab a friend or someone close to you to join you so you can keep each other accountable.  40 days is a trek and most need someone to keep them on track.

My challenge- You see Starbucks and I have a love/hate relationship.  I don't like coffee and don't drink much caffeine, but I do like a warm beverage in my hand which usually includes a single, grande, vanilla, soy latte.  I like the warm toasty in my hand and it satisfies my sweet urge.  This choice also results in a lofty $4 a drink price tag.  Ouch!  I can make this trip to Starbucks 3-4 times/week.  That adds up, and do I really need the latte?  No, it's good TO me, but not really FOR me.  Latte OUT (again!, as I gave it up for 30 days in Jan too...)!!!

Second additional item for me are the miscellaneous, usually sweet, snacks around late afternoon.  That is my low energy part of day and I really get the sweet cravings then.  I tend to go for a couple chocolate covered blueberries that are oh so yummy from Costco.  The problem is, those couple turn into a couple trips.  Yikes!  I also feel yucky after I eat them, so why go for them?  Random late-afternoon pick-me-ups OUT!

So who's joining me in the 40 Day double dare journey and what are you giving up that's good TO you, but not FOR you??

Best in health-

Be A Little Selfish, You're Worth it!

 As 2011 has made its way, many start, and do not follow through completely on their resolutions.  I'm not much of a resolution person anyway.  I mean NOW is as good a time as any to start working towards a goal or start healthy habits.  Most fail at those silly resolutions after a couple months anyway.  The key is setting smaller, attainable steps to reach those big, hairy, audacious, goals so you don't peeter out in the beginning. 

As we look forward to new adventures, it is imperative to look back and reflect upon your previous habits.  History will repeat itself if we do not learn from our previous mistakes and setbacks.  Many of us are coming off a hectic holiday season where maybe we took a timeout from the gym; had one too many cocktails; too many layer bars (thanks mother-in-law); spent too much time consumed by others and neglecting ourselves.  It's time to be a little selfish!  Put yourself first for once!

I am a firm believer that healthy bodies lead to healthy minds!  Put your health and fitness goals first so you can feel better about yourself, be a better spouse or significant other, a better mother or father, a better co-worker, or be a better person to just be around.  You may feel guilty about the thought of being selfish and putting yourself first, but trust me, all will gladly appreciate you taking care of yourself first so it is a pleasure to be around you.  Now your schedule may dictate when you can make the time to focus on your health and fitness, but I see the most success when people get a workout in first before you attack that to-do list and run around for everyone else.  You will feel more energized and your sense of well-being will be heightened if you put yourself first, first thing!

"The good news about the past, is that it's over!  The great news about the future is that you can CREATE it!" -The Daily Love.  Now go create greatness for yourself!!

Best in health this new year-

25 Day Challenge! Healthy Tips to Survive Holiday Season

25 day Challenge starts NOW!

Hey there! Are you up for a challenge to start, stay, or continue on track with healthy habits heading into holiday season? Would you like to lose 6lbs instead of the dreaded  gaining over the holiday season? Come join us for the 25 day challenge to help keep yourself committed and on track during this busy time of year. It shouldn't take a New Year's Resolution to have you focus on healthy habits.

Here's the deal. I'm looking for 50 fans to verbally commit to joining us in this challenge. Each day via Facebook and Twitter I will post a healthy habit for the day that will be your tip to commit to.

1. Please comment on our Facebook Fan page that you are joining the challenge! If you have a friend who could benefit from this, please suggest they LIKE our page or FOLLOW us via twitter. Click links here for Facebook or Twitter.

2. Weigh yourself tonight or tomorrow and/or take measurements (chest/bust, waist @belly button, hips, calf, bicep- use R side to measure on unilateral measurements). You can use a sewing tape to do this.

                                                        

3. Take a before picture from front, back, side. Use the self timer on your camera or utilize a child to help you if you would rather keep this personal :).

4. Have fun! We are trying to make ourselves a priority (no you are not being selfish, so don't feel guilty!) and healthy habits during the busy season.

Here's to healthy progress!
Best in health-

Getting an Edge With Clean Eating- A Success Story

So here we share one great example of how clean eating can change your life.  I cannot emphasize more the health benefits that you can attain by focusing on what you put in your body and how your fuel it.  Here is a success story from Regina Schideler.  She is an inspiration and testament on how we can change our habits and get huge lifestyle results.  Remember healthy bodies, lead to healthy minds!  Here's her story:

In December I had a blood test done that showed I am allergic to MANY foods I loved and ate on a regular basis (red meat, shellfish, white fish, buffalo, cow's milk, soy, gluten, yeast, corn, etc...). I will not die from eating many of those things, but I do have uncomfortable reactions and wonder how much they were holding me back since no matter what I did, that scale did not BUDGE!  More than anything, that test caused me to start evaluating my eating habits and my need to lose the baby fat from my baby who is now ONE.

I worked out every single morning at 5am, but ate 'normal' food.  Anything from shrimp scampi, burgers, steak or roast 2-3 times per week, potatoes and always a large salad.  I am not a big sugar-eater, so I figured since I did not eat a lot of sugar and have not had a soda in over 12 years, I must be eating just fine!

I started on Feb 14th with very strict clean eating.  I gained my inspiration by googling many blogs from clean eaters, reading all of Tosca Reno's books and her magazines.  The biggest impact came from watching a few movies: Food Inc., Earthlings, and The Future of Food.

I did not tell anyone I was changing my habits, I just did it. There are many people out there with lots of opinions on what you should and should not do with your life.  I did not need a reason to stop doing what I felt was right.

I am 5'8"; WAS 184lbs and I am now 152lbs. I have lost 32lbs so far and my goal is to hit 140-ish in the next couple of months.  I was not very good at keeping track of my inches, but I do know I was fitting in a very tight size 12 (was probably more like a 14 unless it was stretchy) and now fit in my size 8's!  I plan to be in the size 6's that are overwhelming my closet and begging for me to wear them once again before they are out of style!

I now eat mostly vegetarian, borderline vegan.  I use a lot of recipes from the Kind Diet cookbook (Alicia Silverstone) and I am addicted to quinoa, sea vegetables, almond butter, almond milk, squash, couscous and different bean sources for my main proteins.  Occasionally I gobble up a Morningstar burger if I am short on time, but I really try my best to stay away from processed foods or anything that has an ingredient I cannot pronounce.  Vegetables dipped in homemade hummus are a staple food.

Regina is reaping the benefits of healthy lifestyle changes.  Not only is she losing the stubborn weight and becoming healthier as she reaches closer to a healthy goal weight, she also has the energy to enjoy life and keep up with her busy family!  Her story is so like many out there.  It just takes a choice to live life as healthy as possible so you can enjoy yourself and give more to others.

What's your success story?  Remember I am always listening to your successes and challenges along the journey.

Best in health-
Misty