Martini Momma

Kick off to weight loss

As promised, today is the start of my first week of exercise and weight loss.  It has been six weeks since the birth of my baby girl and it is officially time to get my ass into gear. No more excuses, no more bulk candy. After a weigh in yesterday at my sisters I have set my sights on what I think is a realistic goal.  I know my Dad is joining me on this journey (though he needs to tell me how many pounds are on the agenda) and I invite anyone else to jump on board or just cheer me on. We are headed to the States with my family on the weekend of November 5th and I want to be able to buy some cute fall/winter clothes and look good doing so. The plan is as follows....

Weight Loss Goal:  23 pounds

Weeks To Goal:  12

The Game Plan:

1.) Eating well. Like I have said before, portion control is key.

2.) Exercising 5 X week (starting with power walking, eventually back to running).

3.) No vino Sunday to Thursday and only one day on weekend.

4.) Allowing myself some treats now and then (everything in moderation).

5.) Weigh in every Wednesday recording my weekly progress.

The Pay Off:

1.) Feeling fantastic (and getting back into my favorite pair of dress pants).

2.) Setting my sights on a goal and completing it.

3.) The new LuLuLemon outfit I am going to buy upon the completion of my goal.

I am accountable now that I have posted this. I know the key to success in the weight loss battle is motivation. I am always open to suggestions, ideas, recipes, or just words of encouragement. Wish me luck on this new journey.

Your Daily Dose of Balance

Live a Balanced Life is still a work in progress but we just can't keep these tips to ourselves anymore - they are changing perspectives, health, habits, and bodies in women who our taking our course and they are changing us too.

The reality is that too often women let themselves go.  We become wives and mothers and begin to put ourselves on the back burner of our life!  This means putting on a few pounds, exercising a bit less, becoming 'frumpy' (I hate that word and yet somedays that is exactly how I feel), giving up things we love because of guilt and time.  Slowly, we become resentful, stuck, empty, and crabby and we begin to wonder if the pot will ever sparkle again.

The truth is that you can have it all!  You can be first and still be an awesome mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.  We can show you how....

Live a Balanced Life is powered by real women and moms who are doing it right now.  They will give you the tools to get off the back burner of life and start to sparkle again. These experts can 'un-frump' you with holistic nutrition tips and physical training programs that are realistic, energizing and hold you accountable.  They will walk you and help you through the guilt, the bad habits, the empty slump and teach you how you can become first again and why that is mandatory for your family and your future.

Stop waiting and feeling overwhelmed – join us and partner up now with women who have done it and can show you how!

What can you do?

1.  Visit our site daily for you daily dose of balance! Subscribe to our blog to get real-time info.

2.  Subscribe for our newsletter!  Encourage a friend to do so....when we reach 1000 subscribers we will draw for a free space in each of our 3 upcoming sessions.

3.  Follow us on twitter - see what we are up to and how we are putting balance into action in our own lives (kathgompf, wendynovotny, nutritionnat)

4.  Jump in - take a course - find that sparkle again!

A Well-Balanced Wednesday

Here is the Daily Food for Thought from A Balanced Life for Today!  I thought it might inspire and challenge all of you!

Life Balance: Say no 3 times today to things that step on your values

Physical Balance: Dance hard to an entire song (arms too!)

Nutritional Balance: Muscles sore? As you increase your exercise regime with Wendy you may feel held back by muscle stiffness. To naturally combat muscle soreness use arnica lotion topically, drink ginger tea for joint inflammation, and eat fresh cut pineapple for the anti-inflammatory bromelain.

 

The course is awesome so far if I can be involved and say that!  I LOVE it and it is challenging me and opening me up to new discussions.  We just finished one round of 'balance' with cool topics of values, cleanse and detox, and what body do you want?

 

Hot topics on our private social site include superfoods, recipes, tips for working out, and putting fitness goals out there to the group so that there is serious accountability. 

 

I am testamonial to IT WORKS...last night I pushed myself to to run harder and faster just thinking of a girl in our group who just ran a personal best half of 20 minutes faster than MY wildest dreams.  She will inspire me on every run from now on.

 

Here are a few things the group is saying.....

 

"Just wanted to say thanks again for encouraging me to sign up! It has been so informative and has totally made me do some 'real' soul searching as well, define who I am as a person.
I thought the values seminar was very thought provoking and made me refocus on what is important to me and what REALLY makes me happy. I am loving it!"

 

"ABL is pushing me to try new things and step up to take control of everything I have wanted in my life: happiness, health, fitness"  I already am so inspired and motivated and it is showing around the house. Thanks!

 

Watch for more super cool stuff coming and more classes coming soon.

 

Happy Hump!

 

"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth."

-Mark Twain

Bringing Balance Home

Last night kicked off this session with a group of 11 amazing women.  As much as I am leading it, I needed it...you women will inspire me too to grow, push, and get better all around...so great to meet you and I can not wait to see how it unfolds. 

Today, I am starting a spring hypoallergenic cleanse at the recommendation of my nautropath and our meeting Friday.  It is two weeks.  I am ready ( I think).  I am excited (I am rather grossed out by the amount of food I squeezed in at The Lobby and Brunch at the Fort Garry).  I am stocked up.  Here is the nitty gritty:

1.  The diet - no allergens, therefore no gluten, no dairy, no eggs, no caffience, no alcohol, no crappy cuts of meat, shellfish, peanuts....SO yes, you can still eat fruit, veggies, many select grains (brown rice, millet, flax), nuts, organic meats, lentils etc.  It will just require some extra planning and cooking.  I like that so I am looking forward to re-connecting with that.

2.  Dry brushing to stimulate the removal of toxins from the lymphatic system

3.  Cod Liver Oil heat pack/liver soothe - NO I do not have to drink it, just rub in into my liver and soothe

4.  Sauna - 10x in 2 weeks for 30 minutes

5.  Supplements - a few simple supplements to cleanse

It seems not too bad and should have me feeling like I million bucks - check back I will report...

Oh ya, she recommends also detoxing the soul and stuff SO I happened to already have a big swap and shop party with girlfriends planned for Friday so that TOTALLY works (more details on that - would so reccommend it - planning to post photos and tips next week) and for the soul I am going to read this book seems fitting. 

How are you going to kick off this week and Spring?

The Fountain of Youth

This past weekend we had A Balanced Life meeting of the minds and I NEED this course....sure, I am doing the coaching portion but the other 2 experts I have teamed up are so well read, fascinating, and challenge me to grow big:)  We outlined all 12 topics for the session and they are awesome. 

We have 2 more spaces left and if you are interested in kicking your health into high gear and being pushed by some serious motivating debates and topics - sign up soon:)  The course start date is April 11, 2010 (one week further than planned because of Easter) and is completed entirely over the phone from your jammies....

Here is a snippet from Natalie - our Holistic Nutritionist and her talk on alkalinity and the fountain of youth...way cool!

If you're a living, breathing woman, chances are there is something about your skin, energy levels or general health you'd like to improve.  If you feel you're aging too fast there is something you can do about it.  The "fountain of youth" is a simple lifestyle to follow that has been backed by science and is well known in the medical field.  In fact, it was discovered in the 1900's by a scientist who later won the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking cellular research.  Why is something so important and useful such a well guarded secret for over 100 years?  It doesn't have to be. I'll tell you all about it.  Learn how to stay young on the cellular level and improve every aspect of your health.

Sign up at www.liveabalancedlife.wordpress.com

Can I get a burger, fries and a green beer. Hold the bun.

I hope Mol doesn't mind but today I am going to contribute to Weight loss Wednesdays from a food perspective.  Admittedly, friends of mine may say that I don't know weight loss.  I guess the assumption would be that anyone who is not over weight doesn't battle weight loss, and I guess they'd be right.  I don't battle wight loss.  But every day I push myself hard to be physical and eat well.  Heck I am a Celiac.  I eat well.

That being said, from a fitness perspective, especially since I hung out with Wendy, aka Super Woman, I am totally bringing it.  I feel like my form has never been better and I am *so* in the know of flies and presses and squats and raises. 

Sadly, the more I work out and push this bod, the more I eat.  Wendy is famous (in my head) for saying: "Eat what you want... Just remember you need to put out whatever calories you ingest."  I am ingesting more than I am putting out.

Yesterday, Lis and Blaine had us over for New York Steaks, roasted potatoes, mushrooms, and a Greek salad.  All good right?  Well I ate a FULL dinner (8oz steak included) AND had a huge bowl of strawberry ice cream, a Kinder Surprise egg and half an Aero bar.  What the hell is wrong with me?

Last Friday night at the Pampered Chef party, Miss Mollie Kats had a bite here and a wee bite there.  She did not have seconds.  She did not eat 75 chocolate covered almonds, nor did she eat a full bag of salt and vinegar chips at 1 a.m..

So what's my point?  I guess I am only admitting that lately I have have fallen off the food wagon and need to get my butt in line.  Do you ever feel like this?  Do you ever feel like you can't satisfy your appetite?  Do you ever feel like you look a bag or box or bowl full of junk food right and the face and say: "To hell with it, I'm diving in??" 

Tomorrow I am going to be better.  Today is St. Patty's Day, we're having fish, chips and Gluten Free beer for dinner.  Tomorrow I am going to be better. 

Bringing it All Together....To Be in Balance....

Upcoming Seminar - A Balanced Life

Three life experts have come together to create a one stop opportunity for busy women to find clarity, gain knowledge about fitness and implement a holistic nutrition approach to life.

How do you know if this is right for you?

Are YOU in need of a personal Spring Cleaning?   

Do you feel too busy to commit to meeting with someone outside of your home?  

Do you wish you had a life coach, a personal trainer and a holistic nutritionist at your disposal? 

Are you lacking motivation to get started? 

Or do you simply need a cheerleader to help you to do this on your own?

Here is your chance.  Join a group of like minded busy women who are ready to kick their physical and mental well being into high gear while being led, inspired, and pushed by a dynamic threesome.

What will YOU get out of this?

• 4 Fitness, 4 Life Coaching and 4 Holistic Nutrition seminars via a weekly dial in information session on a hot health/wellness topic followed with inspiring homework

• A daily dose of inspiration and a small challenge to set your day up for success.  We will help you build your new life habits!

• Online access to a password protected Balanced Life community where we can share, discuss and support each other

To Learn more or Register:

Visit www.liveabalancedlife.wordpress.com

Phone Wendy at (204) 898-2763

Email [email protected]

NEXT SESSION STARTING APRIL 4, 2010

Music that makes you sing, shout, run, push yourself.

 

What's on your IPod? 

Two nights ago, Wendy trained Kath and I.  Here is my review....

1.  She is a crazy, strong wicked chick who rocks a work out.  I did call her every name in the book, especially when she was telling me to get lower into my pushups.  For Christ sakes, any lower and I wasn't gettin off the floor.  Luckily she knows I adore her.  Seriously though, 10 more, 10 more, 10 more.  She cannot count!

2.  All the while I kept thinking about tunes that rock, make me push myself harder.  I love this song by Miley.  I love Sugarland, Lady A.  I love music that makes me move.  So, come on now - what's on your movin mix???

The sand in my jar...

I haven't forgot about this....what I have discovered is that the sand is one of the most important things in my life - it's the little things that matter most.  The sand is what keeps me connected to the rocks and pebbles. 

My grains of sand:

a good run

a quiet walk with the dog (it is her total happy place)

fresh, crisp air, horefrost

waking up early and enjoying a few minutes of quiet and peace

an awesome new recipe

new jeans that fit perfect

hoodies and flannel pj bottoms

starbucks chai tea on an afternoon

finding my kids softly singing to themselves

Foxy curled up sleeping in a sunbeam

a inpromptu glass of wine and conversation with my husband on a 'school night'

little gifts of affection

homemade soup

sugar cookies

a laugh with my sister

a cool new song discovery on itunes

reading a book you can not put down

sleeping under the stars at the lake

getting tipsy with girlfriends

a hike, bike, or skiin the wild outdoors

crazy dancing in the kitchen to sexyback with my kids

meeting new, inspiring, motivating people

pizza on Fridays

healthly food ideas

helping someone in need

sleep

sunbeams and sunshine

thunderstorms at night (especially at the lake)

I spent the weekend thinking about this and planning for a kick ass SANDY Spring....Here is my new vision board...

It is amazing what a little vision can do...

Question:  What do you get when you cross a personal training guru, a life coach, and a holistic nutritionist?

Answer:  A super kick ass Spring cleaning program that will motivate and elevate your BEing beyond your wildest dreams.  Watch for it...more info coming soon.

Tommorrow I will see (ilasik here I come)
 

That's Golden

This has been a weekend of non-stop olympic watching and roller coaster rides from the sadness of the luge accident to celebrating the first Gold.  Olympic athletes are such an inspiration to the world and a coach's dream.  They stay focused on a goal which at times seems impossible and unrealistic.  They live their dreams and reap the rewards that come.

This week we will be watching Kirby's second cousin Mellissa Hollingsworth as she goes for gold in skeleton racing!  Bison Spirit Ranch (Kirby's Aunt and Uncle and Mellissa's grandparents) will be at the race cheering her own and we are sending her every vibe we can. 

The weekend was busy.  I did lots of coaching and coaching work. Check out my new website and logo.  I loved every minute of it but will admit I used it as an excuse to eat copious amounts of chocolates (I had the best Valentine's date EVER - Cross country skiing and Bellisimo) and NOT run AT ALL. 

Today, I swear I will get back on track and focus like an athlete.  I learned so much new stuff from my naturopath and can't wait to share.  I also want to share my sand but that will have to wait because i am dragging my ass to gym because once you are IN the spinning class it is impossible to sneakout!