Commit to Fit (Day 7) Meet Pete and Check Out Some New Exercises!

OKay, Ladies. Our friends from Vook managed to hook us up with some video entertainment for the final leg of our 10-Day Challenge. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been so inspired by your little comments. Just knowing you’re out there expecting me to be here, too, makes me get up against the wall.

Yesterday I didn’t manage to make it happen, but I totally agree with Isobel on the fact that getting them done first thing in the morning is key.

Rhythms. Rituals and predictable patterns. These are the kinds of things that really help anchor us to our commitments. So, I’m going to try doing it first thing in the morning after my new beauty routine.

For the fitness, I did manage to get a bit of a bike ride in yesterday, and since my boyfriend and I are feeling all warm and fuzzy again, well, I’ve been feeling fairly physically active in general. *blush* *wink* I would LOOOVE to talk more about the tools we’ve been using to improve our relationship and communication. It’s REALLY exciting. I’ve been working more and more with communication and relationships because I see what a difference it makes in people’s well-being. When our relationships and communication are out of what, everything is out of whack.

Anyway, we’ve been working with an amazing person here and last night just got me so excited and inspired. I’ve decided that I’ll be doing a communication “cleanse” in August. I was working on the different elements of this program last night and I can’t think of a time I’ve ever been THIS excited to do a project.

Oh sure, I love detox and weight loss programs and other things like the WISH Summit. But this communication “cleanse” is just dynamite. There’s no way to fail. There are no fancy ingredients or machines or supplies or shopping lists. You just need to muster up the courage to look at your relationships and communicate! Observe how you are in relationship to other people then do something about it. I am SO excited about it and promise to keep you posted as August draws near.

Since this is our fitness challenge, though, let’s check out this video from Pete and see what the king of fast fitness tips has to say:

Meet Pete:

WOW! Did you see those crazy new exercises that were NOT in our assignment? I want the vook! I want the vook!!!!

You are a total RAWKstar for being here. I love doing these with you and I’m TOTALLY excited after having watched this video about trying out the other exercises in Pete’s Vook! I think I should count for a free copy, too, don’t you?

We’re getting ready to re-release the Body Enlightenment System after a long time out at the spa, and I’m really feeling like Pete’s going to be the PERFECT fitness coach for that program! Love this stuff!

And love you, too, Sunshine! Keep going! Doesn’t watching this video just make you want to get up and try something else??

GO FOR IT!

xoxox

Tera

p.s.

Just got the link to Pete’s vook. You can purchase your copy here!

Preparing for the 21-Day Green Smoothie Detox!

- by Sarah McMurray

Tonight I’m watching the stars come out over the river…

I just finished putting away bags of fresh produce to incorporate more fruit and leafy greens into my diet over the next few days before starting the 21 Day Green Smoothie Detox. I’m new to green smoothies, but after reading about the benefits of clearer skin, more energy and general detoxing, I can’t wait to start! I’m looking forward to gaining an introduction to green smoothies as the program kicks off on the fifth of July.

Last night I played on the swings at a favorite childhood playground with an old friend, discussing the need for greater health in our lives. Both of us have struggled with health problems that we tend to blame for our lack of health. Read more »

Nettles for Dinner!!

- by Heidy Claire Farrell

As a new raw mom, I have been noticing plants while commuting in my car. I am not sure what has spurred my sudden awareness of these plants.  But, there is some magic at work here.

In fact, I saw Stinging Nettles three times in one day.

Once in a roadside garden, then again in my acupuncturist waiting room,  and finally in the gravel driveway outside a neighbor’s home.  All the way home I wondered what the mysterious Nettle (Urtica dioica) plant had to tell me.  Read more »

Commit to Fit (Day 6) The Elegant Experience of Exfoliation

Well, Ladies, this morning was revolutionary.

I confess that my beloved and I are experiencing some difficult times right now. I suppose this happens in life and love, but this morning I woke up and felt that ache within to go to see him. But, I resisted. I resisted the urge to pack up in the rain on another relationship rescue mission, and instead I did something I have never really done before.

I got up from the couch (far too often my sleeping place of choice these days) and what I did instead was truly revolutionary for me.

In 35 years, I’ve never taken THAT much care of myself in the morning. I look at all the crimped and curled women out there and wonder how they fit time in to pluck their eyebrows and exfoliate. Well, this morning I unveiled the mystery.

They just do it.

They just knock out all the distractions and barriers and to do lists and people and demands and complusive needs to help others that get in the way and they prioritize themselves.

This morning I:

• brushed my hair 100 times.
• conditioned it with coconut oil. Mmmm… So soft.
• brushed my skin a few hundred more times.
• I exfoliated my WHOLE body with a new beauty scrub from Living Libations.
• took a hot bath.
• scrubbed my toes and heels and got all traces of yesterday’s gardening adventure off them!
• shaved in all the right places.
• dried off, then lathered my whole body in the Best Skin Ever, (thank YOU, Nadine!!) and followed up with a luxurious eye cream.

I felt like a queen. I felt like me. I put my hair in curlers, picked myself out a half decent outfit–not just my lululemon yoga pants and top AGAIN–and then when I sat down to get started on my computer, I truly felt like a new woman.

And yes, my dear. I did 90 seconds against the wall and 90 in plank. I can feel it toning my muscles and love that my workout session is 3 minutes. That is TOTALLY doable. Anyway, this is a major win for the home team and I just had to share it before starting my day.

How are you doing out there, Sunshine?

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Raw ICE CREAM!

by Carissa

I know our whole family thinks I’m pretty alternative where food is concerned but I do think they understand my concerns and reasons.  But sometimes, it still is a little difficult without more support.  Just recently, after dinner, the extended family decided to go for ice cream.  The preschoolers were excited.  The crying and whining suddenly stopped when they heard ‘ice cream’ and they cheerily walked themselves to the ice cream parlor a block away.

In the ice cream parlor, our Uncle chided me from across the shop: “You may make delicious vegetables, but they [the ice cream parlor] make better ice cream!  Nothing is more American than ice cream!”  I didn’t know how to respond.  I was thinking: WOW.  This is exactly why people have health problems.  We dare not give a child a pack of cigarettes to smoke – but we think that treating a child to an over-sized ice cream on a cone filled with toxins (high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, artificial coloring, genetically modified ingredients, I could go on) is grand.  But what came sheepishly out of my mouth instead was: ”Well, I guess I have to make an even better RAW ice cream.”

Read more »

Commit to Fit (Day 4 and 5) Less Talk More Walk

Initially when I started this, I wondered if 10 days was too little, but given the fact that I’ve already had a bit of a flunk, it wasn’t. Yesterday I thought about the wall more than I sat against it.

I’m fascinated by the fact that I dedicate hours to my kids, to work, to other people and projects, but struggle some days to fit 3 solid minutes in for myself.

SOMETHING needs to be re-evaluated about this situation.

We went to the SPCA the other night and fell in love with a chocolate lab. BEAUTIFUL dog. And even the thought of getting it meant we’ve been talking a lot about commitment and responsibility.  I was thinking about how good a dog would be for my exercise schedule. But I was also thinking about how seriously we take a commitment to something like a dog. How seriously we take our appointments with the dentist, accountant and some friends.

Anyway, yesterday all I managed was some long walks with the kids, but today they’re heading back to their Dad’s for the week, so maybe, just maybe I’ll start getting a few more beads of sweat on my brow!

All this talking. I should be up against a wall.

Start counting!!

1, 2, 3…

Commit to Fit (Day 3) Burst, Beauty! BURST!

Okay, so I did it again! I did my two 90-second exercises and I dare say it’s getting easier. YAY! I have the kids count for me and the pressure of having them watch me is enough to keep me holding out to the finish line.

Pete sent me an email and promised some videos to entertain us for a few of the remaining days! I’ll keep you posted. Today’s additional fitness nugget of inspiration is about BURST training. During the call with JJ Virgin (which I absolutely LOVED, by the way! If you haven’t heard it you MUST listen to the first 10 minutes. Until you get to the part about when she talks about sleep! SOoooooo good!) she talked about burst training.

I admit I haven’t read her book, yet, but I did do a bit of a google search for burst training and found this video which totally inspired me.

So, I’m strapping on my runners and my jogging skirt and I’m going to jug up the hill by my house 4 times, then walk down. Then I’m going to get in a long overdue and much needed bath, then we’re off to go give love to pups at the SPCA for the day and see what treasures we can find in second hand stores this afternoon.

Burst, Beauty! BURST!

Sweatin’ and Smilin’

Tera

The Summer Slurping Sensation: Green Smoothie Photo Contest Results!

Our week of summer slurping came and went soooo fast last week!  We received fantastic feedback from many of our participants, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed the daily recipes and e-mails!

A few green-to-their-soul smoothie lovers got their cameras and creativity out and sent us some fantastic entries for our green smoothie photo contest.  So we’re sharing the fruits (and greens) of their labours!

Read more »

Commit to Fit! (Day 2) Try “Callanetics”! My favorite exercise video from high school!

Okay, so before I type another sentence, I’m going to get up against the wall and do my plank.

Did it.

In fact, I did both. The plank and the wall sit, and while neither are enormous acccomplishments of athletic performance, there is a sense of achievement I feel within. At least I did THAT much.

I feel so good when my body is strong and fit. So much more confident. Last night I was in the subway station when I asked Mika to count to 90 for me. While I sat there turning red in the face, I recalled my favorite workout DVD from high school. “Callan Pinkney’s” video “Callanetics”. What a riot! Remembering those workout clothes from the early 80s. I did that video so many times, I’m sure I have the script memorized by heart.

A little google search brought some great results, Ladies. I found some excerpts from it!!

Since we’re doing a 10-day commit to fit adventure, I thought I’d try and find a couple little things we could add to our 90-second fitness routine. Check out this Callanetics Intro video. This is the first few minutes of that beloved video I used to play every night! (I couldn’t count the number of times that I fell asleep listening to that music while doing the final poses!)

This first video will give you a sense of who she is and what cool 80s make-up and hair job she had. If you’ve got a few extra minutes, listen to this. The truth is it was all about having a great shape. It’s about getting the nice lifts and curves. There are moments in the other sections of the video (not in the intro) when she shows different images of women as they progress through the exercises. The lifting and tightening, etc. It’s a hoot!! If you have a few extra minutes, definitely watch the intro.

If you’re tight on time, then I suggest you do the Warmup section! (It’ll take about 10 minutes.)

I found the mostly complete warm up section here. Just do these first few exercise. While I’ve been doing the plank and wall sits, I’ve been CRAVING these arm exercises. The second warm-up exercises on this video are the ones I’ve been CRAVING! Try them and let me know what you think.

Oooh! I just did a little

Last night I went for a decent bike ride with the kids. (I’m always so impressed with how they keep up.)

Commit to Fit for 10 Days and Win a Copy of Pete Cerqua’s Vook

So, I had THE most inspiring teleseminar with Pete Cerqua earlier this week “(Slim Down in Seconds with Pete Cerqua”) and if you missed it you can listen in here.

I loved the call and was so pleased with myself because during the call I actually DID the exercise workout he recommends for getting started. Silly ol’ me, though, I skipped them on Tuesday and this morning when I tried to find the motivation to do them again, I could only bear it for half the time I did on Monday.

It just proves what I’ve always known and try so much to incorporate in everything we do around here: Life is not meant to be lived alone.

The support of another person who believes in you and who pushes, inspires, reminds you to breathe when you’re in a tight situation—these are the secrets to success. It doesn’t matter how many cool exercise videos you have when they’re collecting dust on your shelf. It doesn’t matter how much you spend on a gym membership if you never go.

It matters how much time you actually put in making what you want to happen, happen in the world. And sometimes the best way to make it happen is with the support and encouragement of someone else cheering you on.

So, I’m going to be posting my Commit to Fit updates here every day for 10 days, and I invite you to join me. So, no fancy announcements. No pretty pictures or fanfare. The bottom line is that I want my bottom line lifted and the only way to make it happen is for me to COMMIT to getting fit.

Starting TODAY for the next 10 days I’m going to post every day on the blog. Just a little something about what I can do to commit to fit. If you’d like to join me, take a moment to listen to Pete’s interview here. Do the 3-minute workout about 15-20 minutes into the call and then record your score here in the comment section below. I encourage you to download the call onto your computer and then you’ll know when to start it if you want him to coach you through  it again tomorrow.

If you record your score every day for the 10 days of this challenge, you’ll be entered to win a personal consultation with Pete and a copy of Pete’s Vook (Video-Book)! He’s giving several copies away, so your chances of winning are pretty good. The truth is, though, the biggest prize is going to be tight things, toned arms and a lot more confidence when you’re out there strutting your stuff in a bikini this summer!

So, up against the wall, Ladies! Set your timers and let me know how you made out! I’ll be back tomorrow with an update!