The Focus T25 Workout

This one is going to be a good one. I'm learning that really the secret to fitness success comes down to two things. First you have to focus on muscular structure that is mixed up, and fatigues the big muscles but still works on the smaller muscles to let the sag cinch up.  Second quick interval training gives your body less of a cortisol release, less stress on the joints, less over activation of select core muscle groups over and over again. That's the cycle so many of us are stuck in... and why so many of us are bound to our workouts. We can't go a week without starting to gain weight. We can't get rid of our tree trunk thighs {a term I say with the most loving of voices} and why I think this is one of the two workout programs I know about getting ready to launch that are going to totally IMPACT so many lives. 
The only thing that stands between you and the results you want is time when you are a super busy mom, or launching into an amazing career! What's cool is that Shaun T experimented for the last year to see if he could create the same kind of results you'd expect from an hour-long program, in under 30 minutes.

Eat Clean 

Part of what I didn't know was that the food that was comforting me, was also killing me as my severe food allergies were starting to come through.

I've learned to listen to my body, but I've still let those little round crackers, cookie dough, and certain candies call my name. This has been the hardest thing for me to realize that through my fear, I was letting the lonely little girl feed me.

Clean eating is the one thing that can free me. When I start the day with a big, green smoothie I just feel better. I know myself better, and I am able to deal with what life throws at me. It's something that any emotional eater can understand, and hopefully will understand. And if you can find supplements that are made with dense nutrition that help your journey, or clean supplements that ease your pain... it's so much better than a box of Girl Scout cookies.

Train Fast 

Over this last year I had a couple of very interesting A-ha moments, that even as a certified personal trainer I was shocked about. I did a 90 day program that was almost all strength training, and I was shocked that I lost body fat, and trimmed down with just strength training. It was the way that the muscles were confused throughout the program, and the fatigue which allowed the smaller muscle sets to get use. Then I went into a program that was a combination of cardio and max intervals. I love intervals. But when the program was throwing in 60 minutes of intensity on top of max intervals was killing my adrenals, and releasing an abundance of cortisol into my system... and that means more fat storage.

I'm turning 45 this year, so believe me when I say I do NOT need any help with storing fat. When I reduced to shorter bursts of intensity, incorporated the weights into it... things started to swing back the opposite direction. That's why I was able to get so excited about interval sprint training this year, it's perfect! I recommend to my clients now to get in 20 - 30 minutes, and if they want to add more they should do pilates based lengthening or kettlebell training. Mix it up, and not doing the same old thing every single day. Your body building the same two legs every day with the same workout will give you two lovely little tree trunks on the end of your cute little behind.

Trust Your Purpose

There are shiny sparkling items around every turn. People would love me to be excited about on board with everything they are doing and trying, and what I've realized is that it's okay if I disagree with your point of view, or you disagree with mine. I have learned who I am, and I have gone through the trials of my life to be able to be here and share my soul purpose with someone that needs it. Every time I get a message like this one

{ You are an inspiration to me, truly you are and your sharing of your hard acquired knowledge is so appreciated by all of us in your days stream. thank you for caring about other people like you do. If more people loved their fellow man just a wee bit more it'd be a much better world for all of us. I love you Barb.}

that is what it's all about!! I hope you take away from this blog the things that are right for you. And when you learn something that make a difference, share it with someone else. That's the reason for my posting, that's the reason for it all.

HUGS!! XOXO,


Barbara

Cauliflower for dinner

One of my very favorite items to put on the dinner menu is cauliflower. It's so rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C. You may not have known this about me but I am very allergic to a number of healthy, vitamin C rich fruits. That makes it hard for me to get enough Vitamin C without supplementation (camu camu, or acerola berries) and getting in more options of Vitamin C rich foods, like cauliflower. You can make lots of soups, curry, so many things with cauliflower. In fact I like to use it as a binder in my carnivore husband's meatballs when I make them.

I like to make Cauliflower Rice as well. Ricing your cauliflower is so easy. Cut it up, run it through the food processor, you can freeze it, and then when ready just cook it in a little raw organic coconut oil. I like to add in onions, mushrooms and paprika for a quick bit of yum.

Smashed Cauliflower Recipe for saving cancer fighting compounds

Smashed cauliflower is every easier. You just have to steam the cauliflower. The reason you steam is so that you do not lose the valuable anti-cancer compounds that you would with boiling it. Then throw it in your mixer, add in any items you want in it (I like to use basil, Earth Balance and diced garlic) and mix. It's like garlic mashed potatoes without all of the starchy carbs that you would get. Don't get me wrong, some people love a good mashed potato, especially after a good strength training session, but that doesn't mean that you have to eat them all of the time.


Cauliflower really is so darn good for you as it is very low in fat and high in dietary fiber. It's got your folate, water, vitamin C and several phytochemicals.

This yummy little veggie is also a source of indole-3 carbinol which is a chemical that boosts DNA repair in cells. Say what? No kidding. It also appears to block the growth of cancer cells. And in this phyto-estrogen rich world we live in, the compound also appears to work as an anti-estrogen, and slows (or even prevents) the growth of breast and prostate tumors. That's one pretty amazing little natural medicine there in a very tasty bite. One tasty, smashed, garlicy sweet bite.