MAGIC!!!!

Let's just get it out there - I have a sensitive tummy. 

This is problematic when I run long (since I need to eat).  I tried GU - that made me sick.  I tried Swedish Fish - jaw wasn't having it.  I tried gummy candy - eh, not too shabby.  I tried Chomps - again with the jaw.  I tried Stinger packets - not terrible, but not ideal.  And then.... MAGIC!!

I had a long run last Sunday (around 13 miles), and I grabbed my first ever packet of Hammer Gel.  I figure if I am going to try something new - it should be on a familiar route (especially one where I know exactly where all the bathrooms are located).  I was a little nervous because my tummy had been acting up all morning - at one point I considered not taking anything.

The first five miles my tummy grumbled, but I took the Hammer Gel anyway.  I had prepped myself for disaster, but the OPPOSITE happened.  It actually settled my tummy, and made me feel better.  I was astonished!!  I have never had this kind of luck with gels before.  You can bet I will never, ever, ever take anything else.

I am not sure if these results are typical, but they certainly have a new customer for life.  I will be singing the praises of Hammer Gel every chance I get!!

Here's to wonderful discoveries.

On the Road.

I MADE IT HOME!!!

I travel fairly frequently for work.  Always on the go.  Most recently, I spent SEVEN days in Vegas (this is not a good idea - I don't recommend this).  I am also training for a marathon.  Obviously the two do not go together - well, when you first think about it.

Traditionally, I struggle when I am traveling and have to run.  I tend to brush it off, or think I can re-work my running schedule.  THIS TIME - I knew I couldn't do that.  I also didn't want to.  Running is important to me, and I decided it was high time I made it a priority.

While I was planning my trip, I made sure to schedule time to run.  I mapped out courses, I scoped out the fitness center, I packed extra workout clothes, and I went for it.  I am soooooo happy I did.  I didn't miss one day - not one!  Nothing feels better than overcoming an obstacle.  Now that I know I am capable of succeeding, even when on the road, I will be unstoppable!!

Here's to making yourself a priority.

Karly's Tip of the Day!!

What do you see in the background of this picture?  Look to the left…no, not the eggs… above the eggs… no, not the bicep…keep looking… A cookbook?  Yes!  What kind of cookbook? 

As a hobby, I collect cookbooks.  I love them.  I have old cookbooks that my grandmother had that are priceless, and classic.  While many of the books I collect are fabulous for kitchen decorating, they are terrible for maintaining a clean and health diet.  That being said, a cookbook that I do have that is not for display but for my everyday use is “Practical Paleo, “ by Diane Sanfilippo, BS,NC. 

This is an excellent cookbook filled with a ton of information, and includes easy and healthy recipes that you can make every day.  In addition to amazing recipes, she includes sections in her book that discuss why everything we have been taught about good nutrition is WRONG!!  Other sections of the book include shopping for groceries, a 30-day meal plan as well as how our digestive system works, what leaky gut is, blood sugar regulation and more.  This is a must have book if you truly want your food to be fuel for your body and not comfort for your mind.  Eating real food begins now.  No more eating processed packaged items that are chemicals mixed together to make something that appears to be food.

Don’t believe me?  Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up a box of crackers or a Lean Cuisine and read the ingredients label.  Better yet, do what I did and take a picture of the ingredients list and then come home and google and research all of the items on that list.  You will be amazed and what you find out and may never want to eat that stuff again!  It’s not real food people!

You can find “Practical Paleo, “ by Diane Sanfilippo, BS,NC at Costco or online at Barnes & Noble online or in stores.  The link can be found here:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/practical-paleo-diane-sanfilippo/1111349277?cm_mmc=googlepla-_-book-_-q000000633-_-9781936608751&cm_mmca2=pla&ean=9781936608751&isbn=9781936608751&r=1, or Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_sabc?url=search-alias%3Daps&pageMinusResults=1&suo=1361729837542#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_23?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=practical%20paleo%20by%20diane%20sanfilippo&sprefix=practical%20paleo%20by%20Dian%2Caps%2C583&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Apractical%20paleo%20by%20diane%20sanfilippo

Scrambled Legs and Runbandz Giveaway!!!

Well, you have probably heard by now - we are doing a GIVEAWAY!!!

With the help of RunBandz we are giving away 3 Runbandz!! Runbandz is a shop that designs cute, AFFORDABLE spandex headbands for running, yoga, party rocking, or just holding the couch down.

How to enter?? Go over to the Runbandz Facebook Page and tell them Scrambled Legs Running sent you. (step one) Next share and comment on this post. Easy as pie!! (Well, you should probably like Scrambled Legs Running, too!!)

We will draw a winner from those who completed both steps on Friday, February 22nd.

Want to check out RunBandz?? Head to www.runbandz.etsy.com 

Want to know a little bit more about the gal who started the company???  Let me introduce her: 

My name is Amber. I'm 27 years old from Swartz Creek, MI. I grew up in a family of runners and avid gym-goers, but the mere thought of working out or running any distance more than a few yards was more than I thought I could handle.

When I was 24 I was at the tail end of a very physically and mentally abusive relationship. I had lost pretty much all my self worth and gained about 50 lbs. I had isolated myself from virtually all mt friends and family and had found solace in large quantities of junk food. One day after weighing myself, and to my complete terror seeing the numbers "192", I knew my 5"2 frame needed a change, and I needed it now.

I started working out 5x a week at my local gym, and running a few times a week in my neighborhood. Running is something I literally never dreamed I could do. I had short legs and was big busted (a tragic combination for a runner). Determined, little by little, my running improved. My posture, speed, distance and breathing started to resemble that of an actual runner!

Since 2010 I've done a handful of 5ks, 8ks, 10ks, and one very hilly and grueling 15k! This year I look forward to training for my first 10 mile (The Crim) in August.

I've lost a total of 50 lbs so far. My boyfriends wonderful cooking and my love for food makes for a daily struggle, but with moderation and 45 minutes of running or working out ( I'm currently doing Insanity) I go to bed feeling confident and genuinely happy with myself, which is more important than anything.

I had two problems when I was running though; my earbuds NEVER stayed in my ears and my hair would ALWAYS fly in my face. I looked for headbands at the store, but they were never tight enough around my head. I looked online and found some spandex headbands, but they were $18 a piece! I thought to myself " I could make these myself much cheaper and more importantly, much cuter!". I ordered the material, got out my sewing machine, and went to work. I make my headbands snug enough to without a doubt stay in place while running, and wide enough to put over my ears while I'm running so my earbuds, without fail, stay in place!

Now go and enter to win!!!

Second Thoughts.

As some of you know, I raced a 30K on February 2nd.  It was a great race for me.  I completed it in my fastest time ever, I overcame obstacles that I didn't know where coming (dirt, gravel, steep embankments, totally wore the wrong shoes for this type of run), I even chased someone down (something I had given up in long distances).  I was so proud of myself for crossing that finish line - I had been working hard, and it paid off.

AND THEN... I got super sick - as in completely and totally dehydrated.  sick.sick.sick.sick.sick.  I didn't even want to eat the cookies I bought for the post race celebration.  (you know it's bad when...)

On the flight home that night I was having all sorts of thoughts - on a wide scale of emotions.  Finally, I turned to my dear friend, Anna, and said, "I'm not sure I want to be a distance runner anymore."  GASP!!!  She said, "whoa whoa whoa - just give yourself a week, and you'll be ready to run again."

I am not sure every runner has these doubting thoughts, and at the time I figured I was probably the only one.  I was the most horrible runner ever - thinking about turning her back on something that had given her so much.  But, I don't think I AM alone, and I am here to tell you those thoughts are okay!!

I did survive.  I am still a distance runner.  I will complete another marathon in May. 

Anna was right, I just needed to give myself a little distance between all the hurt and pain - and take some time to appreciate the accomplishment.  I look back on that race now as a HUGE accomplishment, give myself a big pat on the back, and lace up to run another day.

Here's to fighting through it all.

Food Diary of a Clean Eater.

Since Karly is the cleanest eater I know (and also happens to be one of the leanest people I know) I asked her what she did and ate on Sunday.  I wanted to give you all a glimpse at what her menu looks like.  I think that sometimes we get into a cycle where we think "if I don't eat, I'll lose more weight, faster."  No beuno my friends.  You need to eat, and you need to eat good food.  Here is what she said:

What I do on Sunday sets the entire pace for what I eat for the week.  Literally... You see, I prepare a week's worth of food to keep me on point, and it makes life simple really.  I don't have to worry about it during the week. I just go to the fridge, pull out the food, pack my bag and off I go.  The planning part is a little complicated when first beginning, but after a few Sundays of prep. you too can be a pro.  I have mastered this time down to 2 hours.  Not bad!!!

 

This week, I had lots of yummy options.  For instance, here was today's meal plan which was a higher carbohydrate day for me because of teaching Kettle Bell Class and training legs in the gym.

 

4:00 am Breakfast

 

1 cup organic oats, 2 boiled eggs and 1 scoop of ChocolateTrue Nutrition Protein.

 

10:00 am Second Breakfast as a hobbit would say...

 

2 cups of spaghetti (Gluten free noodles with organic sauce and grass fed ground beef)

 

1:00 pm Lunch

 

Post Workout Shake (1 scoop of ChocolateTrue Nutrition Protein)

A kale and 8 oz chicken wrap with red peppers and 3 slices of avocado (my kale leaf was my "bread")

 

4:00 pm Late snack

 

10 carrots and 10 pieces of celery  both organic- with organic sunflower seed butter (about 2 teaspoons)

 

6:00 pm Dinner time- My favorite!  Breakfast for dinner!!

 

6 eggs scrambled with 1 teaspoon of organic coconut oil

2 pieces of bacon (no nitrates)

1 cup organic coffee

 

9:00 pm Protein shake (1 scoop of ChocolateTrue Nutrition Protein).

 

Bedtime!!!!!

 

Along with the food I was drinking water, all throughout the day.  Water is so important- a dehydrated body cannot function correctly- give your body water, and you are on your way to the fountain of youth!

 

In addition, the types of food you eat are important, and where the food comes from is just as important.  I eat grass fed beef, free range organic chicken, and organic fruits, vegetables, and oats.  I don't do this to be a snob.  I do this because organic food (such as vegetables have less pesticides) if any, sprayed on them compared to conventional veggies and fruits, and grass fed beef is high in Omega-3 (good) and lower in Omega-6 (bad) which can cause havoc in the body and inflammation.  Something to really think about if you truly want to be healthy and feel good.

Introducing My Guest Blogger!! Karly Gomez

Ladies and Gents -

I have known Karly since the sixth grade.  She has been there for me though thick and thin; in good times and in great.  We have gotten into more shenanigans than we know what to do with.

She is my voice of reason. The person who will pick me up from my bootstraps.  The one who isn't afraid to shake me when I am being unreasonable.  My sister from another mister.

Oh, I should mention she is also a fitness competitor and a BEAST at the gym.  She will make you turn your head and say, "DAAAAAAMN."  She'll be joining us weekly with advice, tips, rants, and funnies.

You'll love her just as much as I do.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten:

Just be yourself and do what makes you happy.

 

Worst piece of advice you’ve ever gotten:

 

Don't lift weights, they will make you bulky.

 

How has your lifestyle changed over the last 5 years:

 

I went from being a skinny, unhealthy woman who was plagued with Systemic Lupus and Ulcerative Colitis, to a lean and healthy fighting machine who is no longer plagued with the aforementioned medical issues.  Today, I am more happy and more confident in my own skin than I have ever been in my life.  I now compete in figure competitions in the NPC Division and have accomplished so much just with doing what I love.  Now, I journey to make this lifestyle a living. I teach group fitness (Kettle Bells and BOSU Pilates) at the Student Rec. Center at WSU and I am working on becoming a Certified Personal Trainer.  Where my journey leads me after that is my greatest adventure yet.

 

Do you see it changing more in the next 5 years:

 

Yes, I do.  I can hardly wait!

 

Favorite Quote:

 

Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future.  (Proverbs 31:25)

 

What keeps you going on days that you want to throw your hands up and walk away? 

 

My family and remembering how far I have come and how much I hated being sick when I didn't train and eat clean.

 

Welcome, Karly!!!  I couldn't be happier to have you.