Actual Thoughts I Had at the Gym Today

Saturday, February 04, 2012

"He's the yeti of the YMCA... I see him, but I can't believe he exists." (On seeing a gym regular who wears the most bizarre workout clothes.)

"I want to have children so they can be healthier and better-mannered than all their classmates."

"I wish it were the Middle Ages and I could burn calories by being a milkmaid and tending to my herd of sheep. Oh wait, but then I wouldn't have an iPod. Nevermind..."


* * * * * * * * * *

It's true, my brain is a scary place!

In case you missed it, I started a healthy Pinterest! You can follow it at pinterest.com/holisticdetoxer
/my-healthy-life/ ; I also have a few invitations if you've been wanting to join. Send me a PM.

:)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

_DASH_ 2/9/2012 9:17AM

hahaahah this is awesome! thanks for the laugh! Report Inappropriate Comment

JENNIGIRL06 2/4/2012 11:04PM

LOL at the milkmaid bit. I have Pinterest. LOVE IT! Just Followed you btw :) Report Inappropriate Comment

FITMOMMYFORLIFE 2/4/2012 10:08PM

Hahahaha.. I just love that second thought! LOL!!! Also, I LOVE your pinterest page! I just went to "follow " it and it ROCKS! Report Inappropriate Comment

APIRLRAIN888 2/4/2012 6:23PM

Lol I think weird things too at gym Report Inappropriate Comment

Children and Body Image (What Would YOU Do?)

Saturday, January 28, 2012

My gym (more of a recreation center, really) has a rule that children under twelve need to be supervised in the change room. Today, there were three girls there who I thought were about nine or ten. They commented that they were going to "hang out" for twenty-five minutes before their class started. Two of them were quite slender, one was slightly chubbier. Oh, puberty. So the two slender girls are standing in the change room, in front of the full-length mirrors, poking at their stomachs and thighs and complaining that they are SO FAT. The chubbier girl was like, "Ummmm, no. I'M fat." The slender ones would say, "Oh, YOU'RE not fat!" This went on for about ten minutes. I had NO IDEA what to do. I know a lot of girls that age, and I could definitely talk to girls I know about the impact of their words and body image, but these were strangers. I didn't want to be the weird naked lady telling them not to call themselves fat. So, I totally chickened out, got dressed, went to the front desk and said there were children in the change room making bad choices who needed supervision. Now they'll probably get kicked out of the gym forever, never engage in physical activity again, spend their days watching TV and eating Doritos, and end up far worse off than if I'd just left them there to put themselves down in peace. What would you have done in that situation?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MSPRIS3 2/9/2012 1:04PM

Wow, I actually had an ex-friend do that a couple years ago. She has a much tinier frame than me, maybe 110 pounds, and a clear difference for her and my 160 pound butt. She would sit there and poke at herself, saying how fat she was (wasn't fat, but really lazy) I never said anything, because I honestly believe it was more a jab at me than anything. (other things went on to become an ex-friend) As for the girls, I likely would have done the same thing. Just a couple weeks ago, my beautiful 12 year old neice says, "I think I'm too skinny" I told her she was perfect of course, (she has a nice little athletic body). I know that body perception can go in both directions, but I am actually happy she doesn't think she is fat. Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSIFISH 1/29/2012 2:58PM

This is a really interesting situation. I get so sad when I see kids developing unrealistic body images. I teach human development, and the thing I say over and over again is "If you want someone to do it, then MODEL it." I think you did just fine by these girls. Getting them some supervision might stop them from such negative self talk. I may have tried to get in my own mirror, look at my body and say "I'm not as thin as women in magazines, but those girls are PHOTOSHOPPED! The best way for me to stay healthy is to start to love what I have, and to be active and eat well. I'm liking this body because today it was strong enough for me to have an awesome workout!" Then I'd walk away. I like for kids to hear that models aren't as perfect as they seem, and also for them to hear that self hate is way less constructive than positive effort. Just my two cents. Report Inappropriate Comment

FITMOMMYFORLIFE 1/29/2012 11:27AM

Oh man, what a tough one!!! I'm not exactly sure WHAT I would do.. a part of me says that I would do exactly what you did, remove them from that situation. But at the same time, I'm a very BLUNT person when I feel passionately about something.. I might have very well said something!!!!! It would probably be along the lines of how NONE of them are "FAT" and that they should never compare themselves to others because EVERYONE is different and BEAUTIFUL in their own ways!! I was always that girl that was heavier than the others during puberty and then it all dropped off at around 15/16 and came back again.. it's HARD and we are all our own worst critic!! I remember I used to be put in the goalie position in our soccer team because I was the biggest.. (though they would have never admitted that outloud.. it was true..) So sad.. but I can really relate to those girls! How hard... what a tough situation.. maybe I WOULDN'T have said anything afterall.. sigh.. their mothers need to have more conversations with them about body image!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FATHINSN 1/29/2012 9:41AM

It's scary for girls compare to guys (maybe?) as girls have so many body image bombs thrown at them! If it's me in your situation, I probably try to steer them away from that chat "I'm Fat!" to "Hey, let's compete who can do best in the classes", maybe make their fat chat more lighter and not making them too worry about the non-existent fat body, making jokes (coz I'm the girl who tend to crack jokes anytime, anywhere, haha). And it might take several times to finally get into their head that it's better to get healthy, not to moan about fat body and not doing anything about it. Hmm, this reminds me of my teenager years. Before puberty, I'm the skinny girl but after that, suddenly I found curves and I'm in the minor group - a very curvy with big boobs and big butt teenage girl in the group of slimmer, taller friends. It takes years to finally accept my curves but along the way, so frustrated with myself, especially when it's time to shop for new clothes! Just curious, I thought the gym's rule is kids under 12 need supervision? Where's the person who suppose to do that during their conversation? Report Inappropriate Comment

GAKCARTER 1/28/2012 4:09PM

I probably would have done the same thing that you did. Unfortunately since stranger danger is so high any more you never know if you're over stepping your bounds by saying anything. I would think that if you complained to the desk that they would actually see they weren't being mischievous and they were just talking and "checking things out", I can't imagine that they would be kicked out for that. I do know what you mean though My girls and I always have those conversations. I have one that is 15 and one that is 8 and I'm always catching myself in how I phrase things knowing that they will take it literally! Kelly Report Inappropriate Comment

What Have I Got Myself Into?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

So, I signed up for "Survivor" at my gym!

I don't even know what this is! The signs say to ask at Member Services, so I asked at Member Services, and they told me to check online, but online it says to ask at Member Services!

So far I know I'll be assigned to a team (hopefully one with a dark t-shirt so that my sweat doesn't show!) and my team will earn points based on the number of minutes we spend working out for six weeks, starting in February. I'm not sure if everything counts, or only certain workouts. I don't expect to know anyone else on my team, and I'm not sure if we'll even ever meet.

But it would be cool to win! (If only I knew how we could do so!)

Victory will be mine!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

EJOY-EVELYN 1/25/2012 12:56AM

Sounds a bit mysterious. Hope it all works out well in the long-run. I've been in 5 5% challenges and now will have to wait about a month for the new challenge to begin. It should help our leaders recharge. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOLISTICDETOXER 1/24/2012 11:53PM

I think the only prize is the satisfaction of a job well done! I hadn't even thought of there being a prize, actually (I'd rather the gym spend their money on community programs rather than prizes, actually). Comment edited on: 1/24/2012 11:55:49 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSYGEEN 1/24/2012 9:03PM

Do you know what you could win? Report Inappropriate Comment

PHAMS85 1/24/2012 8:16PM

Good luck on the challege! Hopefully you get some actual information soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

Eating My Way into 2012

Monday, January 23, 2012

So, I haven't exactly been eating as well as I did in 2011. For one, I went away for the holidays. Remember all those holiday treats you ate? Well, they're still sitting around my house because I wasn't here to eat them! So I'm definitely indulging in a few too many treats (and too much Starbucks, since to receiving more than $200 in Starbucks cards). Second, I'm not gaining weight. I'm staying right here at 124, which is one pound below my initial goal weight and well within the healthy BMI. I think that by keeping up my exercise routine, including sticking with the strength-training I added last fall, my metabolism is in a way better place than it was last spring. So I'm going to be relaxed about eating some of these Christmas candies, and go for half-sweets at Starbucks (or, even better, green tea!), but I'm NOT going to completely drop the ball (like I did after my successful weight loss two years ago, when I got super-duper-over-confident and stopped Sparking). I want to keep up my daily food tracking, keep up my fitness tracking, and transition from dramatic weight loss to maintenance (or, if my body allows it, super-slow weight loss plus super strength building!). Let's see how this goes...

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ILOVEROSES 1/24/2012 8:25PM

Good luck with healthfull eating this year and on tracking your nutrition and exercise daily! Report Inappropriate Comment

PHAMS85 1/24/2012 7:41PM

Good luck in 2012 and I'm happy that you are conscience about what you're doing. It's easier to get on track/stay on track when you are actually aware of what's going. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARYELLEN301 1/23/2012 9:25PM

I also agree with raworganicvegan that you may need to throw the goodies away, or at least freeze it in acceptable portions. I bake for Christmas gifts to friends. I went through probably 15 pounds of butter this past season, making I think, 27 different recipes of candies and cookies. Everyone got tins of goodies and I supplied 2 parties with huge plates of assorted goodies with the leftovers that I didn't give away. I still had stuff left and on the Tuesday morning after Christmas, just in time for the trash men, I threw away all that was left and wheeled it out to the curb. It was the best move I made! Maintenance is a pain, but I paid too much taking in the pants and jeans to let it all slip away. Hang in there! Report Inappropriate Comment

ORGANIC811LFRV 1/23/2012 7:30PM

What concerns me is not only the lack of nutrition in what you are consuming but all the chemicals and refined sugar. That doesnt do your body good especially with exercise. Id trash the stuff asap. Report Inappropriate Comment

Holiday Snapshots

Saturday, January 14, 2012

I arrived in Mexico City, where the Zocalo had been converted to a skating rink.



Then we went to Oaxaca, where it was sunny and warm!



Next stop Zipolite, where the weather was hot, the water was dangerous, and the people were naked! (Me too!)



Left the beach and went to Taxco, where I burned a lot of calories walking up hills!



After two weeks of backpacking I checked into a nice hotel in Cuernavaca.



I spent two days exploring Cuernavaca, including this street full of nurseries at twilight.

And now I'm planning my summer holiday!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RR1_RR1 1/27/2012 9:13AM

Wow that looks fun! Report Inappropriate Comment

NEENSTER1 1/27/2012 8:52AM

For sharing. I hope you had a time. Report Inappropriate Comment

JULIABELANGER 1/23/2012 11:50PM

You make me dream! Did you feel safe (not sure about going to Mexico )... but I am sure I would be ok? Love your pictures! Report Inappropriate Comment

YOITLE 1/18/2012 1:48AM

Great pictures! I almost feel warm looking at the sunny ones! Report Inappropriate Comment