Tag: fitness

The “Right Time”

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

Do Something

Once when I was complaining about my weight and my body to a friend back in my early 20’s that friend said something that struck a chord in me. She responded “If you really wanted to do something about it you would. It’s not impossible.” She meant it as a “shut up or do something” statement I’m sure. How annoying would it be to listen to a friend always make self-deprecating comments about their body?

At first I was hurt “She doesn’t understand it’s not as easy for me!” And, “but I do really want to do something about it…” But then it really got me thinking. For a smart girl I feel really silly that it had never really occurred to me that I could LEARN how to get fit. I only knew vaguely about calories and really knew nothing about how much fat, calories, etc. were appropriate for my body and activity level. I grew up in a healthy foods type of home. We didn’t eat a ton of sugary processed foods. I got Eden soy milk boxes in my lunches and we had vegetables and whole grains in abundance, but I didn’t learn about healthy portions or nutritional balance.

I had always felt like an active, athletic person stuck in the wrong body. Like something went wrong along the way and I wasn’t supposed to be so out of shape. So, the idea that I could do something about how my body felt was inspiring, though incredibly obvious looking back now. It wasn’t about blaming me for how I got to where I was, it was about empowering me to feel a sense of control over my situation. I really could do something about it, it might not be easy, but it is/was possible. It’s taken a number of years, stops and starts to finally get a handle on the “how,” but knowing I can has helped me stay on the journey.

Making now the “Right time”

I’ve had a number of friends contact me who are interested in the Beachbody programs. Some are totally ready to go and jump right in with the 21 day fix, but there are many who decide they aren’t ready or “it isn’t a good time right now.” That’s legitimate. You really do have to be ready to do the work for these programs, or any programs to really be effective. But, I also have to ask “When will it be a good time? Can you define what will be different in the future that would make that the right time, rather than now? Perhaps the reason right now isn’t a good time is still going to be an issue a month from now, or a year.”

Waiting for the right time may end up an endless cycle of wishing you’d already started. I watched a Beachbody coach on social media for over a year before I jumped in, and you know what? I wish I hadn’t waited. I have LESS time now than I did when I first found the programs. I am MORE exhausted than I was before I had Ziva. If I was using my old system of judgment, now wouldn’t look at all like the “right time”. The thing is, I decided to make it the right time. I decided this journey is my priority right now, along with my job and family responsibilities.

Caring for myself and working towards my goals doesn’t need a magical start date in some elusive future when life is easier. It needs to start now, so that I feel good, have energy and stamina for all that life throws my way. Now is the right time, because I’m making it so.

So, perhaps right now really is too hectic and stress filled to dive in to a lifestyle program like the 21 day fix. Or, maybe it’s the perfect time. Exercise helps to relieve stress, it releases endorphins that can boost your mood and leave you feeling more energized.

If you really want to see change happen in your life starting NOW;

If you can carve 30 minutes a day out of your schedule (maybe drop a TV show, or shave 15 minutes off of a few other activities each day);

If you can commit to being thoughtful about your eating habits and spending as little as 3 hours a week pre-prepping your meals (not mandatory, but super helpful- especially later when you can grab prepared meals all week and gain back extra time in the evenings. Perfect for leaving extra time to workout!);

If you want to stop lamenting the state you’re in and start taking action;

Than now is the perfect time to start.

How can you get started?

The 21 Day Fix is on sale until the end of November! Don’t miss this opportunity to get started with all the tools you need for success: an easy to learn meal plan, 30 minute daily workouts, 30 day supply of Shakeology (the super-food nutrient packed protein powder), 30 day access to streaming tons of workouts on Beachbody onDemand, and a motivational coach and private online accountability group.

I can work with you to track your time management to find time for your workouts. I can help you strategize your meals so that you can stick with the plan. I want to see you succeed.

Send me a message or comment below with a way to get in touch so we can get you started right away.

 

Making a commitment to health

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky1 Comment

ProgressionPics

I have a long history as what you would call a yo-yo dieter. Since my early twenties I’ve bounced back and forth, using diets and different fitness classes (Cardio kickboxing, Bikram, Pure Barre). I would lose a lot of weight, sometimes nearly reaching my goals! But, of course, overtime I’d fall right back into bad habits and I’d inevitably gain it all back (plus some). I’d move away from my gym, change schedules, start having a few too many “cheat days”… and just like that I’d be back at square one.

I eat pretty healthy. Throughout most of my life I’ve avoided junk foods and empty calories. I grew up eating clean, I just didn’t grow up eating carefully. I know what portions SHOULD look like meal to meal, but I enacting that discipline every day and at every meal just didn’t come naturally. You really CAN have too much avocado, brown rice, and nuts.

When I gave birth to my daughter in February of this year, I’d reached my absolute biggest. Sure, I was pregnant, but only a bit of it would be considered baby weight. I was shocked and disappointed my body had gotten out of control so quickly. How could I have gone from goal weight to my biggest in just a year and a half? I knew I needed to take charge of my health.

See, the thing is that I have always focused on just one side of my fitness at a time. I’d have the exercise routine down but not the eating, or the other way around.

Now that I’m a mom, how was I going to get the exercise and nutrition I needed for success now that I had EVEN LESS time? I can’t get to a gym when I only have a few hours each evening with Ziva! I already know as soon as it’s cold out I’ll stop heading to even the gym in our complex right here at home…

I knew it would have to be something simple, easy to follow, CONSISTENT, and that I could do at home.

I knew it had to be Beachbody.

I’ve seen this program change people’s lives, and I wanted in on that magic.

Sure, I might be late to the party, but I’ve been watching women I admire take charge of their lives both physically and financially over the last few years. I’m inspired by people like my Cousin Jen, and Amy Silverman (top beachbody coach and adventurer).

I started following the meal plan a couple of weeks ago and found it really manageable, and I’m in my first cycle of the 21 day fix and I’m loving it. Sure, I’ve done online workouts with the Tone It Up! girls and Blogilates in the past and I loved them, but being part of a private challenge group, having a team of people to be accountable to, and a structure to follow motivates me.

I lost the first 30 lbs of baby weight on my own, but in the last few weeks with beachbody I’ve lost 9 1/2 pounds. I was able to break through my plateau. It’s Not a lot, I know, but this is just the beginning. 

Pounds aren’t what it’s all about. I’ve regained confidence in my body and my abilities. Sure, I pushed out a 7 lb baby sans medication, I know my body is some legit warrior material, but I had lost mobility, comfort, and confidence in movement. I’ve only been doing the workouts consistently for a week, but I’ve already regained some of my strength and mobility. I feel free. Free to move, dance, climb, free to move like I have ownership of the body I had let get out of control.

This isn’t about weight, I think there’s beauty in every size.

This isn’t about being “beachbody ready”. This is about living my life free from limitations, with strength, mobility, and energy. 

Fitness may not have always come naturally to me, but MOTIVATION and DEDICATION always have. With a path to follow, I can get where I want to go.

Want to join me in making a commitment to health? I can help you find your path on your fitness journey, help keep you on that path (even when there seems to be NO TIME and NO MOTIVATION). Let’s get on this road together!

Leave me a comment here, send me a facebook message, or go to my page here if you are interested in learning more. I’d love to see some of the people I love join me on this journey.

My Favorite Home Workout Resources

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

 

Top left: Tone it up. Top right: Blogilates. Bottom left: Beachbody 21 day fix. Bottome right: bodyrocktv.
Top left: Tone it up. Top right: Blogilates. Bottom left: Beachbody 21 day fix. Bottome right: bodyrocktv.

After a long day at work away from my baby the last thing I want to do is take more time away from her to go to the gym. I know some people may feel differently, they’re just dying for a little “me” time away, but Ziva is still so young and I want to be home with her as much as possible. BUT, I still want to be a good example for her of self-care and fitness. For years I’ve followed a few of these online resources:

I would get into it for a while and then fall off the wagon. I needed something with a bit more accountability, a bit more human interaction and support. I’ve recently started using Beachbody products and I’m loving the challenge groups and the way my coach (who is also still on her fitness journey) checks in with me and helps keep me on the right path with healthy, clean eating and working out. So, now my new favorite-

I’m definitely drinking the cool aide (if by cool aide you mean protein shakes full of vitamins and healthy ingredients). I’ve found new motivation to press play each night once I get Ziva to bed. It took a while to figure out when exactly I could fit in a workout, but now that I have I’m feeling, and seeing the results.

For more online/at-home workout resources, check out this comprehensive list from Huffington Post-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-smith2/free-online-workout_b_7722024.html 

What are your favorite at home or online workout resources?

Breakfast Egg “Muffins”

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

Another delicious grab and go breakfast experiment!

We’ve been eating Banana Oat breakfast muffins in different variations for a few weeks so I decided to try another high protein option for those rushed weekday mornings. I’ve seen a few different “egg muffins” on Pinterest and I thought it might be fun to give them a try. Most of the Pinterest versions include a lot of dairy (cheese, milk, etc) and pig products (ham muffin liners, bacon bits, etc), but since Brian and I are cutting back on dairy and I don’t eat any pork products I made up my own version.

Here’s what I put in (makes twelve muffins):

  • 6 whole eggs
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1/3 cup brown rice flour or other flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (My favorite is Trader Joe’s Vanilla Unsweetened in the refrigerator section)
  • 1 chicken apple sausage (Trader Joe’s)
  • 1/2 large green jalapeño pepper
  • 1/2 tomato
  • 1/2 zucchini squash
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives
  • 1 package Applegate herb roasted turkey slices (there are less than twelve so I cut them up to line all of the cups)
  • Coconut oil pan spray (Trader Joe’s)

1) Chop up the veggies and sausage into small pieces and mix together.

2) In a separate bowl use six whole eggs and with the other 6 separate out the egg white and yolk and use only the egg white. Add the almond milk and rice flour and whisk until mixed thoroughly.

3) Sprayed the muffin tin with coconut oil pan spray and lay about a half a slice of  turkey into the tin as a liner.

4) Fill the cups of the muffin tin with a scoop of the veggie/sausage mix each. I filled them up pretty high since the egg mix filled in around it all. Pour the eggs, almond milk and rice flour mix over it.

5) I baked these for about 25 minutes at 350 (checking back until the center of the cups were solid and not liquidy).

6) Let them cool and enjoy!

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Egg Muffins. Image by Ready Set Sarah

I didn’t freeze any because I wasn’t sure how well they would thaw… a friend told me they thaw better with dairy in them. It didn’t matter though because between Brian and I we went through them in one work week. We’d pop them in the microwave for about 40 seconds in the morning. Super fast, satisfying and easy.

I put the ingredients into the My Fitness Pal recipe builder on the app and this is the nutritional information it gave me for this recipe. This is for a serving of one Muffin. Not a bad breakfast!

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Nutritional info for 1 egg muffin (From MyFitnessPal)