Personal train-ah takin' weight gain-ah...

Seriously, I don't even know who raps that song I used in the title. What I DO know is that if you want a big ole slice of humble pie (or maybe I should say a slice of low fat, whole grain, apple crisp) then have a body fat assessment done. Holy Crimany! Way to jerk my big ole bummer back into reality! I met with a personal trainer on Saturday morning (8am I know-I don't want to talk about it) to set up proper program to firm up and learn how to "train smarter, not harder". I mean just hear me out on this. I'm not looking to drop 20 lbs or fit into a size 2 (or 4 for that matter) jeans. Just lookin' to make sure that when I do my Miss America wave the underside of my arm doesn't jiggle like my mother-in-laws holiday fruit infused JELLO. Just asking for a little extra assistance in figuring out how to get rid of that "extra texture" I am sporting on my rump-o-la. I am determined after many scrupling hours of flexing in the bathroom mirror that I want more G.I. Jane-like shoulders and triceps before the boating season really begins. So anyway this trainer... he is S-M-A-R-T and is my brave and fearless leader as I begin this fat burning journey. PLUS he promised me he will be able to bounce a quarter off my buttocks when he is done with me (ok ,so not really but a girl can dream can't she?)! I'll keep you posted on the progress, but if you are waiting to see a swim suit photo shoot you are coming to the wrong place-you'll just have to take my word for it! On a serious note: if you are looking for a GREAT personal trainer that will make your body hurt, (in places you didn't even know you could hurt) go see Justin W. at the LTF in the "grove."

Well you calorie consuming/calorie burning bloggers (which ever shoe fits just wear it) come on back again tomorrow for an update on the Belmont Stakes!

Fashion Friday: Gotta Love The Wedge!

Behold. The beloved wedge. Not to be confused with a wedgee (WTF?)! It's like all the stars have aligned and we are left we a shoe fit for fashion and comfort. Too good to be true, I know. So here's my random thoughts on the wedge. These shoes are no longer reserved for the "grandma" types (I use this term loosely as I know some Grandma read my blog and would never wear a pair of these... at least not for another 20-30 years). I know this for fact, because I used to sell shoes in high school at the BIG (used loosely again) Lakewood Mall. Of course my favorite part of the job was the requirement of having to fit these ladies for their S.A.S. shoes. Hot, moist, panty-hosed, bunyoned, corn-topped feet (I'm gagging). That and my inability to ever get the "till," "cash register, " whatever you call it to balance out at the end of the day (I don't do math-of any kind). All done in the name of a 40% discount on shoes! I know! FORTY PERCENT PEEOOPLE! Ok, back to the wedge. Wear these to the office with a pair of Ping-Ping (the bitchy, little, Asian, lady who does tailoring around the corner) tailored trousers. Wear em with your favorite A-line skirt! For cryin' out loud wear them with your favorite jean-e-babies! For God's sake just buy a damn pair already (I know! Permission to hate the girl in the photo granted!).

I gotta run! Working half days on Friday's for the summer is hard work! See you Monday!

V-Ohhhhh2! Part 2

Ok, so do you get the whole deal about training "smarter" not "harder?" If you had a chance to look a the link yesterday to the heart rate chart you can figure out your approximate Anaerobic Threshold (A.T.) by subtracting your age from 180. Deduct another 10 if you have not been exercising OR add 10 if you have been exercising 4x a week for the past few years. In theory, this gives you a loose guideline as to what "zone" or heart rate you should be working out at to burn F.A.T. not just burn time. Of course this doesn't take into account your weight, gender, overall physical health, etc. If you really wanna nail this thang down you gotta sign up for the Metabolic Testing I was talking about yesterday. The doesn't hurt (too much) and you'll feel just a little prick, a pinch really, right at your pocket book. The first test (remember no passing or failing with this kind-a test) I took is the exercise portion of the test first. Here are the rules: No exercise 24 hours prior (permission to skip a day!!!), no alcohol 24 hours before testing (relax is it gonna kill you sit one night out?), rest well the night prior, eat a healthy snack a few hours before testing AND take the test a the approximate time of day you typically work out. Easy right? Next step... Show up at the club with your heart rate monitor secured snuggly around your chest and hop on the treadmill for a little get up and go. You wear this totally sweet looking mask (ugh, hope that cute boy isn't around) on and for 10 to 15 minutes, you’ll walk or jog on a treadmill at increasing levels of intensity (you basically perform to failure). For those who love a hardcore challenge this will be the one of the coolest things you've done (if not whats a few minutes of hell anyway?!?). The payoff is worth it (I stole this part from the New Leaf site): This is where you’ll learn how many calories your body burns while exercising; whether those calories come mainly from fat, carbs, or a combination of both; and at what intensity level you burn calories most efficiently (I couldn't have said it better myself). The second portion is a resting metabolic test. Same guidelines and rules except you show up in the morning, put your feet up, get comfy and relax. All this testing and semi public humiliation gives you the following data:

The amount of calories your body needs to function, including everything from regulating your body’s hormones to thinking the thoughts (some of them dirty-if I know ya) that run through your mind.
The amount of calories you need to consume each day to achieve your fitness goal, whether that’s weight loss goal or greater athletic performance.
The point, known as your aerobic base heart rate, is the highest intensity at which your body still uses fat as it's dominant fuel (burn baby burn).
The highest sustainable intensity of exercise, known as your threshold, that your body can sustain and still burn fat efficiently (si-a-nar-a thunder thighs).
The rate at which your body absorbs oxygen, which your body requires to burn fat.

Are you as exhausted by all this info as I am? Last little ditty VO2 levels (the higher the number the more amazing the performance). Some fun facts for all you geeks out there:

Lance Armstrong: 85 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute
Siberian Huskie Sledding Dogs: 240 ml "
34B Cup: 53 ml "
Himalayan Sherpas: 66 ml "
Click here to see how your VO2 number ranks amongst others your same age and gender.

Enough of the serious stuff-just in time for Fashion Friday! See ya tomorrow!

V-Ohhhhh-2! Part 1

I'm a freak. I'll step up and admit it. I do stupid things like head out for a run in the pouring rain and lighting, like running 2 marathons (one of which almost, I mean almost, killed me), like volunteering for a skin fold test (who really wants to know how much of your body is fat), or like sitting on a big, Dyna ball instead of an office chair at work. No surprise I was willing to pay too much money ($220.00 in case you too are a freak and wanna give it a try) to have a series of two VO2 test performed on my 147lb frame. And yes, I just openly admitted my weight, on my blog, for everyone to read, and I didn't even flinch when I typed it (I rarely step on a scale, rather I judge based on the fit of my Seven for all Mankind jeans as my litmus test). Ok, here's the ditty about training "smarter" not "harder." AND if you are like me and a complete cardio junky, who loves the endorphins, this is gonna be tough to swallow. Ok, so I'm going to boil this down to the basics and the best news of all is there will be no test at the end. It all boils down to A.T. or Anaerobic Threshold. This my friends is the point at which your bod STOPS burning calories from fat and STARTS burning calories from sugar (carbs). You may be saying burning any calorie in my book is fine, but consider this... your body has way more hours of fuel from fat than hours of fuel from sugar (carbs). So when you are spending your time working out why not target burning calories where they really count? Burn all sugar (carbs) and when you head home to eat (refuel) you'll be right back where you started. This people is why you gotta get a heart rate monitor (I recommend Polar brand-it syncs with most quality cardio equipment) (mine is the model in the photo...pink of course) and you have to know your workout zones and your A.T. I spend about 2/3 of my time (this will depend on your fitness goals) working out in zones 2 or 3 and 1/3 of my time working out at my A.T. (165 beats per minute for me) or above to increase my fitness level and condition the old ticker. Here's where I start sounding like a commercial for Lifetime Fitness. Sure, you can guess your A.T. by looking at your heart rate monitor when your jaw drops and you can only speak 1-2 words without taking a breath. Or by using a heart rate chart as your guide if you aren't up for the testing I am talking about. Follow this link and then download/open the PDF to find your approximate heart rate zones and begin training smarter.

Ok, this is the tip of the iceberg, do you wanna know more? Check out this site for New Leaf (the testing process used by Lifetime). They do a good job of explaining more... I hope I've peaked your interest, cuz tomorrow we talk about the first step in metabolic testing. It's gonna be fun and way less painful than a morning after 3 sets/15 reps of lunges.

I'm in the Mood!

Not THAT kind of mood, but you know, the MOOD to create! I was recently at Mood Fabrics in NYC (as seen on Project Runway people) and I left feeling inspired! (Don't fret, it's just a 5 minute walk down 7th Ave from the Times Square station to 37th Street!) The newest item on my favorite/wish/gotta-have-it-now list (in case you were looking to buy me a little treat) is a professional dress form. I wanna pin, drape, gather, pleat, wrap and cut fabric to make one of a kind 34B cup styled garments. I'll tackle the sewing part after I figure out how to get this perfectly tailored frock off the mannequin. Anywho, this joint has more (and better quality) fabrics for fashion than I have ever set my green eyes upon! Plus they have incredible buttons and zippers and of course handles for the handbag line I plan on designing. My head was spinning with ideas, if only my execution could hold a candle... I can't wait to get started right after I sleep, eat, work, exercise, clean my house, hang out with my pals, take care of my dog, grocery shop, garden and blog (in no particular order I may add). Rarraaahhhh, fierce!

Pay it forward

I'm a firm believer if good karma. Pay it forward whenever you have the opportunity and you'll reap the benes in the end. I'm not talking about hours upon hours of community service (although some of that does the heart good too), but I'm really preaching about the little stuff. Like offering to help someone who looks lost in the NYC subway system before they have to ask. Sort of like helping someone with children to carry a heavy bag to their car since they clearly already have their hands full. Exactly like picking up a lost dog walking in the middle of the road before they get hit by a car then calling the number on the tag so they can get home safe (been there done this numerous times). Just like telling a veteran "thanks" for your service and for looking after all of us (Jerrid is sooo good at this). So here's a little example of how it all comes back around. Finally, today we dug out our swimsuits (yikes), packed our lunch, and loaded up the dog for a cruise on the boat (long "o" since I'm a true Midwesterner). What is better than a day on one of the 10,000 lakes when the sun is a shinin' and the thermometer reads 85 degrees? We get to launch, all jazzed and I'm ready to break in my new wet suit. My hubby backs the trailer in like an old pro, I turn the key and... nothing happens. We fiddle-fart with the battery like we know something about motors (not) and then jerk the boat out of the water in frustration. On land we tinker with the bolts and now we see signs the day is not a total bust. Take two, my hubby backs-r-on-down again, I turn the key and we get a little somethin' more, but alas... it still doesn't start. This time we "pop" (you know who you are) the trailer out of the water with tires on fire. This time, barely speaking to one another, we start unpacking all our gear so we can head home with our tails between our legs. Cue the entrance of a true good ole guy. This "MN Nice" stranger asks if we wouldn't mind a little help with trying to get the Glastron started?!? Of course, desperate, we immediately accept. To make an already long story somewhat shorter, he hooks up his spare battery and sends us on our way to "have a good afternoon." He says, "ah, I'm not worried about it, you'll get it back to me sometime." Is that cool or what? This is what I am speaking of people. You do a good deed for a stranger in need and rest easy knowing when "your back needs scratching" good karma will swing back your way. Git! Go on now and spread the good word!

Headline: Wearing White: Leagalized!

Hi kids! Happy Fashion Sunday night at 10pm. Sorry I'm late. I know, I missed you too. Well better late than never, huh? You didn't really think I would leave you completely S-O-L without a little tidbit of fashion advise for the week did ya, huh, huh? Ok. It's sweet, simple, classic and clean. AND since it's after Memorial day feel free to break out the white like a virgin bride. A white Birkin bag (if you suddenly fell upon a little cash)-go Posh! Bleached britches-yes! White pearly-pearls-oh for sure! Crispy white shirts (NO cream-style corn yellow pit stains ever)-absolutely! White 80's pumps-OMG no (sorry). Ok, fine that's it. It's a school night-what did you expect? Go to bed already.