Today is a week since I decided to recommitt to taking better care of myself - to once again connect to what makes me feeland look my best.
This morning I weighed 124. My ideal weight is 115, but I'm already feeling better. I think it was the combination of not making time for cardio, too much salt, not enough sleep or protein - pile on hormones ... anyway I encourage you to check in with yourself once in a while. Don't let your health or your fitness get away from your radar ...
I will continue to document my eating and exercise for my knowledge and mine
thanks for tuning in ...

Happy Hot Tuesday!
Yes it is hot but it IS summer, no?
Yesterday was very hot so I waited until 4PM to do my cardio. This morning it was also very
very hot and I got up late so I will go in about an hour.
I noticed I have some food associations that I need to break. Obviously at work I cannot eat.
Today I made sure I did not get hungry so I had a Muscle Milk to hold me until I had lunch ...
But now at my laptop, I am not hungry but I want to much - if it turns to hunger I will have something 
but I always snacked while doing homework growing up ... so I'm wondering if want to much out of habbit or also
as I've mentioned, once I start with carbs, I do not want to stop ...
 
Last Night (rest of Day 2)
45 minutes of a Walk/Jog followed by 20 minutes of Power Ball Sculpt
Dinner
2 Pork Ribs
Large salad
2 small pieces of toast
1 corn on cobb with butter
2 scoops of ice cream
Yes, I'm trying to lose Belly but I want to see if once in a while I can eat small portions of "bad food"
or do I have to be super strict 24/7 forever ... stay tuned ...
1 pt of water with lemon, decaf green tea

DAY 3 (weight 126)
Breakfast (5AM)
6 oz non-fat raspberry yogart 130 cal
1 Muscle Milk Light 100
1 pt water
7AM ATTITUDE BALLET PILATES CLASS
Snack (9AM)
1 Muscle Milk Light 100 cal
1 Diet Snapple
930AM 30 MINUTES ON REFORMER
Lunch (1130)
1 Hwauii Roll (8 piece)
1 pt water
Snack(3PM)
Large Bowl of Raisin Bran & Quaker Oat Squares with Vanilla Soy (about 350 cal)
(more calories and carbs than I usually have but I LOVE cereal! And I LOVE mixing!)
1 pt water with lemon
3 bite-size pieces of dark choc (about 100 cal)
(once I have carbs I want more - I could have eaten the entire box of cereal- so I had chocolate!)
1 pt of water with lemon
 
Its 104 degress so I'm not sure its a good idea to do cardio outside but WILL do 30 minutes of cardio
Not sure what dinner will be - I'm thinking a large salad because it is so hot and I'm not hungry after all
of that cereal!

I hope some of this will help you. There are so many hidden lessons here for me that I'm slowly uncovering.
Bottomline is I was not taking good care of me. It feels good to pay close attention and get to know me
again on many levels. I like routines. I am not sleeping well so I got up later than I wanted and did not take
my morning drog. I had to tell myself it was "ok" that I will get the time in. I also noticed that the morning walk is becoming
my meditation time, quiet time outside - time to mentally, physically and spiritually get ready for the day.
Tomorrow I will make sure I get up in time ...

b blessed!
no Belly pictures today

Boun Giorno!
So yesterday was interesting. I haven't written down what I eat in a very long time. I instantly realized that I do
take in more calories than I thought. I'm not eating Doritos or anything but I do graze and I think I'm eating
more salt than I should. Here's the second half of yesterday ...
"Snack" (going to parents later for bbq)
- 2 pts of water with lemon
- 3 slices of lean cold cut roast beef, 3 slices of fat free cold cut turkey, 3 crackers
Walk 1.27 mi
- 1 pt water with lemon
Dinner
- 1 6 oz cheese burger, no bun
- tossed salad
- veggies, 1/2 cob of corn with butter  
- 1/2 piece of apple pie
- 8 oz diet coke, water, tea
Before bed
- tea, water

I'm not saying I eat a lot. But I did not have enough fruit or veggies. This was not my usual day because of the holiday
but when I had almost 90 lbs to lose after I had Noelle, writing down everything showed me how it was
possible to gain all of that weight.

Today, weight 126.4
Breakfast
- 6 oz fat free blueberry yogart 130 cal
- 2 bite size biscotti
- 2 cups green tea
Walk (2.5 mi is the goal) and do Circle Challenge later!
- will try to jog but my knees have even been objecting to the walking ... I am realizing how much I have cut back
exercising because of my knees. I really should have another surgery but I really want to avoid it. I used to kick-box,
take dance and karate and run    I think today I will look into getting my bike in working order ...  
I'm also in the car over 15 hours a week - also something I didn't do until about 2 years ago ... 

So it took me less than a day to realize my eating is off and I'm not getting enough cardio AND I'm older. Well, I can
certainly do something about the eating and cardio! 

Thank you for your suggestions! Livvie told me to check into some cleansing for the "bloat".
I will check into it Livvie & report back!

lots of love,
b
My Belly had lots of fun in Italy .... ugh




 

I haven't posted here in a very long time (Time: Something we all wish we had more of! - Different topic!)
I decided start posting again because I have a new obsession to add to my long list:
MY BELLY! Yes me, I have a belly! I can hold it in & hide it but I KNOW ITS THERE! 
(Belly peeking out of jeans in picture above)
I KNOW I am not the only woman experiencing this - I spend 6 days a week conducting classes centered on OUR BELLY!
Ok, Power House, Core, Abs, Tummy - whatever you want to call it, we all work on it and want it gone!
But how did I get a Belly? Seriously, I live on protein powder, tuna, chicken, and greens. I drink water and green tea. Of course I have wine but 2 glasses is going to give me a belly? I workout everyday. I live in front of mirrors and cameras and my work clothes are very tight clothing! I am VERY aware of what I look like 24/7 - compared to lets say the woman who wears a suit everyday then has to do the dreaded bathing suit shopping only to realize she has a belly!
So I am writing for a few reasons. First, I'm just like you. Yes I have been blessed with a very cool job: I make DVDs and teach classes! But all is not as it seems. I went from "watching" to struggling. Just like you, I want to look and feel great for as long as possible. Just like you, the closer I get to 50, my body does not respond as it once did.
Also, I thought I could share with you what I am doing about MY BELLY. My obsessive nature is screaming "JUST DON't EAT!" My logical, non-emotional mind is say "Use this time to to get acquainted with this next phase of your life. Your life is changing, your body is changing. (did I mention I am in peri-menopause?) It makes sense that you need to change it up" Ugh! I hate change! 
So Here we go. I will post here daily ....
6AM weight 127 (yesterday was 122 ??) 
Breakfast:small banana, 6 oz non-fat yogart, tiny piece of biscotti (I mean 1 bite tiny! 8 oz cup of hot green tea, 1 pt water with suppliments
Vigorous walk 1.5 miles
2 pts water with lemon
1030AM
100 calorie protein shake
Laundry,cleaning,yard work - well its what I am planning to do when I finish here

I will post later

A few favorite pictures of our baby!












I should probably add my other two babies too!

Did you ever have "one of those days" that tuned into "one of those weeks"? I realized that if we let it, it could quickly become "one of those months" and soon you will always see "whats going wrong" There are more things that are so amazing if we just open our eyes & our hearts!
I read a blog recently of a very dear friend who just sold her family home because of a very ugly divorce. She wrote about her shattered dreams that would not come true associated with the loss of this home. I experienced this first hand. My house was the place where every holiday, every birthday, party, etc was held. I loved it! I loved hosting fabulous parties and gourmet meals & everything about it - the shopping, the planning, setting up - even the clean up didn't bother me. I loved a full house - people laughing and enjoying my home & food & each other.
For the last 3 years I've hosted almost every holiday and celebrated my children's birthdays, graduation, etc. My divorce changed me and changed some of the logistics of our celebrations, but for the most part, I am thankful that we are all celebrating - just in a different location!! My dreams for my family aren't shattered - hopes and dreams are in our hearts & are expressed when we are together.  
I am thankful that my family allows my children & me to still host the family events - I LOVE to cook big meals for my loved ones!



Mom & me in kitchen on Thanksgiving!


Max and my brother Sal. I am so thankful that Max loves coming home AND loves attending Rutgers. I am so very thankful that my family enjoys each other - and that they Eagles won! I am a die-hard NY Giants fan living with Eagles crazy people. Thanksgiving was a little sweeter because the Eagles won the "Battle of the Birds"!

Here's Noelle and her friend Mike on their way to his Sophmore Semi-formal. I am sad that she is no longer little. I am so very thankful that she has grown into a strong, very bright, very wise young woman. "Mom, Mike and are FRIENDS. He is NOT MY DATE!
Don't you know we are too young & relationships in high school are silly??? Geesh .."

Thank you for stopping by. I am thankful for you! I am so grateful for all of your notes and that you enjoy my work!

b blessed!

b

 

 

 

Hi, I'm so distracted by the elections in the background as I type. I feel so sad and disappointed. I cling to my Faith and hope that we all remember "In God We Trust" ... Our party: what a great day! Of course I had a fashion melt-down because suddenly what I had planned to wear "just didn't look right" I know you know what I mean! I dug into my closet. Found a little cashmere sweater I bought at Marshalls & a "had to buy I know I'll wear it someday" skirt from INC! I used to be a wardrobe stylist so buying certain pieces for "someday" is my thing! We arrived to my parents beaming. My Mom looked beautiful and my Dad was dressed in his new suit!


Can you believe she's 70 today & he was 80 in June??? They've both been through so much with their physical health. I think what sets them apart is their incredible faith in God & each other & my Mom's dedication to excellent nutrition and exercise!

Here's our family just as the festivities began!
My brother Sal, Mom, daughter Noelle, son Max, my guy Fran, moi, my Dad. Down front, my sister and her 3 sons Christian, and twins Mikey & Charlie!

FOOD,  Sunday Party, 11-02
Breakfast
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 7 almonds, 1 medium honey crisp apple, green tea
~ 1 mile brisk walk with dog ~ 30 mins on Reformer
Luncheon
4 thin slices of rare London broil, salad (plain lettuce with steamed green bean Almondine & tomatoes)
tbsp mashies, approx 1 cup of fresh fruit, 1 small piece of birthday pound cake
Snack
Plain steak Burrito from Taco Bell on our ride up to Rutgers

FOOD, Monday, 11-03
Breakfast
1/2 cup LF cottage cheese, 1/4 cup raw walnuts, small honey crisp apple, green tea
~ 30 min Reformer
Snack
Luna Power Bar, Snapple Diet Peach Tea
~ Pilates on The Ball (60 min)
Lunch
Spicy Tuna Roll, Seaweed Salad, Green Tea
Snack
Peanut butter cup!!!!! yum!
Dinner
1/4 chicken breast with mixed greens & LF feta & cucumber - drizzle olive oil & balsamic

FOOD, Tuesday, 11-04
Breakfast
Snickers Marathon Bar, green tea
~ Ballet Class (Attitude Tu! 60 min)
Snack
Honey crisp apple, 3 Babybella LF cheese, Diet Snapple
Lunch
Wendy's Chicken Breast no bread, handful of Noelle's fries, diet coke
Dinner
4 oz very rare filet, mixed greens with tomatoes, tiny sweet potato with butter, 1/2 glass red wine


I hope my sharing blesses you! Feel free to comment here or at the forum!
See you tomorrow
Never Stop Dreaming!
b

 

 

Many of you write privately asking what I REALLY EAT & REALLY do for exercise. I know this is due to many things. Most women view exercise as punishment, "I ate cake yesterday so I must submit myself to torture today" "I was very bad so I will run more, lift heavier (fill in whatever you do to yourself) We've been beaten in believing that "No pain, no gain" is the way to fitness. "Work until failure" is what I hear trainers say all day long in the gym where my Pilates Studio is located. FAILURE??? Are you kidding me? Failure is NOT AN OPTION - Not something I will submit my body or mind! I am not saying that I do not believe in working out hard. My work is not HARD ON THE BODY. There is a difference. I workout to honor my body, to keep strong and revitalized. How do you feel after your muscles go to failure? Like you failed? Can you function? How hungry are you? Think about it. How long does it take you to recover? I'm going to be offering an opportunity for you to workout with me. I will share everything I know so that you too will feel great - and your body WILL respond. I'm off to get ready for a family party. My Mom will be 70 on Tuesday & my Dad recently turned 80! Great day to start posting what I eat! A family party with great food & wine! I'll check in later!
BREAKFAST
I had 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese, 7 almonds, 1 medium honey crisp apple & 2 cups of green tea fpr

Decide to have a magnificent day!
much love b

What a beautiful day! We received much needed rain and I think the rain actually brought people into the gym that maybe would have done something outside today! I arrived at 8AM excited & nervous. This was my first event at the Aquatic & Fitness Center in Bala Cynwyd, PA where I teach Pilates & Ballet. I arrived early to stretch & think and pray. What a crazy awful week I had and I didn't want anything negative to affect this wonderful day! I know you've had this kind of week: ANOTHER COMPUTER CRASH, ex-stress, blown-out brand new tire which led to missed work which led to stress & less income, calling for help, disappointed students, schedule complete mess, etc Then I realize my iPod is missing - MY MUSIC! MY BOOKS! NO!!! Sometimes its really tough not to string all of these events together & feel like every corner is crumbling! But I'm so fortunate to work along side some wonderful women and I have my Faith which keeps my feets on the ground and my spirit souring! Putting our goal of a fun and informative event and keeping all things of Love & Light shined brightly over any darkness that may have tried to creap in! After the crazy running like crazy, our baskerball court was transformed into a festive "pink place" of learning & exercise! We all came together on this rainy day egar to have fun and support this cause that touches all of us! We will have another smaller followup event on Tuesday: Basketball Pilates Workout & a lecture. we raised money and awareness and had a great time! Thank you to all who participated! There will be more pictures to follow, but I just thought it would be fun to get these up! I'm off to New Brunswick to see Max in his first collage production! Mama is sooooo proud! much love & blessings! b




 

Hi,
I am in awe of the internet and the Gift to connect to you! I am so touched by the emails and questions and response to my work! So, as I asked a dear friend, "Where do I start?" It was very scary for me to write my entry "Lucky Skinny Girl" a while back. There is so much more I could share: my relationship with God, myself, with food, how I see myself, how I think other women see me & I see them. The more time I spend with women, the more I realize how the same we are - yet have qualities and beauty that is uniquely ours alone. The stories are different, the lessons are the same and so is the one single answer ... Love ... every problem whether its our work, or children or monthly bills, our capacity to love surpasses all things - our appreciation & gratitude for each other heals all things ...
Breast Cancer Awareness is about Love. People from all walks of life, different stories, all with the same message - Love. Love each other enough to be checked, love each other enough to be healthy, love each other enough to lift someone who is down, love one another to work together for a Cause .. I don't think of it as a Fight for a Cure. What we fight gets stronger. I participate in events to find the answer ... our event will be fun & informative. All proceeds will go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer & The Wellness Community of Philadelphia...I hope to see you there! See my forum for the flyer .. I will be teaching 2 classes Dance/Pilates & Pilates for Sports ...

much love & gratitude
b