Running Interview with Crystal, my sister

Hi Fit Guys and Gals,

Today I wanted to talk about someone beside's myself for a change....lol

I wanted to feature my sister because even though she may not know it; she is an inspiration. She took up running even though she has said for years that she couldn't do it. She got involved in boot camps and started going to her local gym.

Here is my brief interview with her:

Name: Crystal Fahey-Reid

From: Newfoundland, Canada

Age: 31

Have you always been a runner or did you discover running later in life?

I wasn't always a runner, actually, I wasn't very active at all until a little over a year ago. I began to get involved in local bootcamp classes, going to the gym and then started running.

What made you start running?

The reason I started running was because I wanted to be able to prove to myself that I could do it. I always thought I wouldn't be able to run but I was wrong. I love running now!!

What would you tell ‘The You’ of a year ago?

The me of a year ago was an inactive person who didn't make time for much physical activity in my life or had no interest in being physically active. I would remind myself that great feelings come with being active and that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

Has running changed you on the inside in anyway?

Running has changed me by realizing that I can do anything I put my mind too. If I want to do it then I can make it happen. Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do something!

Are you working toward a particular running goal right now?

My goal for running is to be able to run 10k. I am also hoping to run in the Tely 10 this summer which is a 16 km run.

What advice do you have for other women just getting started into Running?

My advice for anyone stating out is to start slowly and gradually increase the distance and time of their run. Also, believe in yourself and that you can do anything you put your mind too.

'Mud Immortal 2013'

Thanks Crystal for agreeing to do this. I'm proud of your fitness achievements to date. Keep going!!

Until next time,

Food Prep

Happy Monday!!

Let’s talk food prep. It’s an important part of staying on track, don’t you think? What’s that saying; oh yes “Failing to plan is planning to fail”.

 

Personally, myself I take one day every week to prepare all my food for the upcoming work days. That day is usually Sunday simply because I don’t work on that day, however this weekend it turned out to be Saturday.

I prepped, cooked, washed and bagged all my food for this; my last week of work before the Christmas break.

 So what did I do?

This week I made my oven roasted green veggies as per usual; which I love. Simply sprinkle veggies with coconut oil, sea salt and bake until tender. I did this with my brussel sprouts, asparagus and broccoli. Yum!

 

 

I also grilled salmon and halibut steaks. I just seasoned them with a little lemon pepper.

 

Next I made my other typical item; scrambled eggs. Nothing to this one, simply mix together a few eggs, add additional egg whites, some veggies and/or meat and cook. Simple but delicious!

I made my protein muffins again because my hubby just loves them. Get the recipe here

 

Last but certainly not least I played with the juicing again, I made a big salad, washed and bagged fruit and raw veggies and I think that was it.

Voila—Done!

It may seem like a daunting task just thinking about spending several hours in the kitchen but believe me you and your body will be thankful you did. It makes staying on track so much easier and with the food right in front of you; you are bound to only eat clean plus packing lunch is a breeze.

 

Enjoy!

Until next time,

 

Question: Do you do food prep early week?

FitGirlsRock: Runner spotlight of the week

Hi Everyone,

How is your weekend going? Mine has been good; I got a lot of things accomplished and I'm just enjoying the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle. I love this time of year.

Today I am the runner spotlight of the week over at Road Runner Girl. Thanks Mindy :)

Check it out at Here :)

Question for you. Do you enjoy the Christmas season? What is your favourite part?

Until next time,

Metabolic Damage = Frustration

I recently had an appointment with my doctor because I wanted to see if he knew anything and was able to give me any direction as to metabolic damage and how to repair it. Short answer: he does not.

So here I am sitting in his office explaining my symptoms, which have obviously improved from where I was 6-8 months ago but are still not back to normal, and he basically tells me that he doesn’t know anything about metabolic damage and that I don’t really need him because I am healthier now than I have ever been. I am not overweight; I have lots of muscle, all my blood work came back normal so I should relax and be happy.

What am I supposed to do with that? I mean I certainly agree to an extent. I am healthier and fitter than I have ever been and no I am not overweight but I don’t always feel comfortable in my own skin, I am not able to shed any excess fat and I don’t know how to fix it. Isn’t that some cause for concern?

 

 

Needless to say visiting the doctor has gotten me no closer to getting to the bottom of this but on a brighter note I think I have finally hit a plateau in my weight gain because I haven’t notice any changes in the last little while. I am still a size 2.

My doctor wanted to weigh me yesterday and I must confess that I haven’t stepped foot on the scale since about a week or two post-competition last November. So I was very hesitant and in my head I was screaming “Noooooo!” and telling myself not to cry because no matter what it is just a number like I tell everybody else. So the moment of truth, I currently weigh 154lbs—ouch! I felt like I got slapped in the face but then I had a realization and I relaxed a little. I started this journey in 2011 at 156lbs and a size 6-8 however I am now 154lbs and a size 2. It just goes to show you that the scale CAN NOT tell the whole story. Obviously I carry a lot of extra muscle now compared to then.

Long story short, I have improved immensely from where I was and although I am still struggling; I am very hopeful.

One thing is for sure; I have learned to listen to my body more intently and I am still as determined as ever to beat this thing.

 

 

Have you ever experienced metabolic damage or anything similar? How did you deal with it?

Until next time,

Costa Rica- Yoga with Sanga Retreats

Ola from Costa Rica!

As some of you know, I've been on a 7 night/8 day yoga retreat with Sanga Retreats since last week. It is now coming to a close and as sad as that is; I am so happy and content to have taken part in this experience.

I feel I have improved my yoga practice. I have certainly learned more yoga postures and I have relaxed; even though the relaxation part has only fully come to light in the last couple of days.

In this moment I am sitting at a wooden table and chairs in the restaurant/bar area of hotel Pelicano, directly facing the beach, feeling the ocean air on my face and in my hair and listening to nothing other than the crash of waves as they roll in onto the beach. Could there be anything more relaxing??

Our days here have been filled with morning power yoga on the deck facing the ocean. This class leaves us all dripping with sweat. The teacher is amazing and makes her self available for questions

and one-on-one sessions when and if we need. I have learned and boosted my confidence in my practice so much just by being here and learning from her. On this particular retreat, there is only a small group of us so we have really been asking lots of questions, learning new postures and taking advantage of getting in as much yoga as possible.

The remainder of the day I use as free time to do as I please. There are lots of options here and we have gone zip-lining, white-water rafting, my husband has taken 2 surf lessons, shopping, watching a surf competition, walks on the beach in search of treasures, runs on the beach for added exercise or just relaxing and laying at the beach. The chocolate beach here is completely peaceful, tranquil with hardly a person. It is the perfect retreat. The perfect getaway. A once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to anyone.

And don't be worried about your yoga abilities, the retreat is open to any and all levels from beginners to the more advanced so don't feel intimidated if you are new. My husband had only taken 3-4 classes before he came and he is still not overly flexible but does feel a difference and also feels that what he has done and learned will help with his hockey.

There is a restorative evening yoga class as well. I found this one hard to get into at first because it is more tranquil and meditative. I have a hard time staying still and relaxing but in the last couple of classes I have certainly gotten better at it.

I wake every morning since I have been here at 6:30am and start my day either seated here or at the beach with my coffee before class. I have not felt drained or tired in the last week and the food--wow! Sanga Retreats had a special menu developed that includes all healthy meals with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The vegetables and fruit taste so fresh, fruit smoothies are made fresh with each meal and my favourite so far; fresh pineapple and banana. Delicious! Personally the only thing I would change about the food would be the breakfast; it could use a little something extra. Oatmeal, maybe??

In closing, the retreat has been exactly what I needed at this time; what my husband and I both needed. We have a lot of stress right now with our jobs and deciding what it is exactly that we want to do with the future. Have we made any concrete decisions? Not really but we have both determined that we need a change. Mine lies heavily in the fitness industry; I just have to complete my certifications and go for it. My interest in yoga has also highly increased by being here and I may just look into getting certified to teach as well one day soon.

Until next time,
Pura Vida!!