2013 What we know

Processed foods are toxic. 

Coconut oil is a must. 

Grains and sugars are the culprits for weight gain and failed diets. 

Short but High intensity workouts far more beneficial than long cardio sessions. 

Meditation is not just for the yogi. 

Mood affects health. 

Consuming fat does NOT make you fat. 

There is good salt and poison salt. 

You need to eat to lose weight. 

Fibre keeps insulin levels down. 

Insulin stores fat.

Water increases metabolism and flushes toxins. 

Flossing your teeth affects heart health. 

......

Of course there is more. There will always be more. And the above list will be corrected and modified. What we can safely hang our hat on, is we need to eat food (stuff that does not require a commercial to advertise its benefits or have a sticker indicating 'nutrition' information). We need to keep active (the only time an exercise is not effective is when it is not done). 

Information in the form of articles, commercials, flyers, tweets, posts... Can be overwhelming. 

Simply... Eat food...Get moving. This is not new, but perhaps the reminder is warranted.

Bring on 2014!

Yours in real health and real fitness,

Sar (Jo:Moma )

www.jomoma.ca

Christmas ... The new health craze

Christmas is only days away, and if you don't celebrate Christmas I am hopeful you have something similar that provides you with the opportunity to relate with the feeling Christmas can give you. 

Cheer: The smile you unselfishly share with a stranger who is strapping a tree to his rusting civic. A warm greeting to your neighbour who is stuffing children and their excitement into the house. The cards, the phone calls, the emails you make/send wishing people a happy holiday. 

Generosity: Giving your time for FREE.  Be it delivering hampers, making phone calls for a charity, holding doors open, shovelling your neighbours driveway, baking cookies for the last day of school. 

Kindness:  Being considerate and helpful.  Carrying an elderly lady's groceries to her car.  Feeding somebody else's parking meter.  Having a conversation with a stranger.  

Hope/Positivity: The anticipation of something better.  The feeling that anything is possible. Seeing the silver lining in the darkest cloud (perhaps in the form of a garage ice-rink due to a burst waterline). 

'Christmas' does not have to be seasonal. It CAN last year round...and as luck would have it, you will be healthier for doing so.  You heard it here first! CHRISTMAS Pcross90fitX (or something catchy) now available!! FREE! Limited time only (NOT). 

The above Christmas feelings boil down to HAPPINESS. As it turns out, happiness can positively affect your health. Happy people tend to have healthier hearts and arteries. Recover more quickly from injury and have a higher threshold for pain. For the cost of a smile, a held door and a chat with the cashier you have improved your health and the health of those around you. 

Happy Christmas Everyone

Love Jo:Moma 

www.jomoma.ca

Don't punish yourself...Love yourself

Why do you work out? Is it because you want to look great in a pair of skinny jeans? Why do you decline that piece of candy offered to you? Is it because of that same pair of skinny jeans taunting you? Having dedication to exercise regularly and to resist treats is nothing short of impressive, when you do it out of love for yourself.  When you recognize that putting your body into motion has significant benefits...increased muscular strength, increased coordination, hormone stabilization... Then you are exercising because you love yourself. You are pushing around weights, running, swimming, planking, generally being active, because you WANT to feel better and be a better you. When you choose to forego the piece of candy, deep dish pizza, or ice cream sundae because you are not interested in the insulin spike or the bad fats that will wage war on the insides of your body, you do so out of love for yourself.  BUT when you workout because your sole purpose is to have thinner thighs for the pair of skinny jeans you purchased then you are punishing yourself. You will not look forward to the interval sprints on the treadmill.  You will instead dread the prospect of exercising. When you choose healthy dietary options solely to look better you have programmed your thoughts to categorize those foods as a punishment versus the ultimate treat you can give yourself...REAL FOOD. 

Workout and eliminate junk foods because you deserve to be a strong healthy you.  Love yourself, do not punish yourself. Loving yourself fits better than any pair of skinny jeans ever could. 

www.jomoma.ca

The Ol boys club

It seems the Ol' boys club has always been in existence. I am fairly certain there was not a single maiden seated at the round table with the knights...and such fraternities continue. Oddly, women who have historically and presently been treated less than equal, objectified, and demoralized have yet to band together to unite in a sisterhood. Why? It seems we (women) have a tendency to view each other as threats or competition, likely due to recognizing how powerful 'she' is. What we really ought to do is champion each other. So let us unite. Let us celebrate our strengths and differences. Our intuition, our love, and our power. We women are super heroes. We can grow people for heavens sake!!! I am not opposed to men having their brotherhood. Nor am I against female competition.  I am interested in support. Being each other's cheerleader, guide, crutch, and motivator. We know better than anyone what we need, so let's give it to each other. Let's kindle and be a fire that cannot be put out. 

www.jomoma.ca

Changing your mind

I am not sure where it is written or why there is a general opinion that once you have made a choice, voiced an opinion, or proceeded with an action, that you are locked in. To change one's mind on whatever is OKAY. Really. You have PERMISSION to choose something different.  You MAY switch your opinion. You CAN act differently. You are NOT locked in. 

If once upon a time you liked the colour pink and professed it as your favourite, but now you are more of a green girl...it is ok, you changed your mind.  If you never wanted to get married and have kids but something or someone has altered your perspective, it is ok, you changed your mind. If you once were a vegetarian but now dine on fillet mignon, it is ok, you changed your mind. 

Changing your mind is not defeat. It is growth. Or at least it ought to be.  New information and new experiences can influence your thoughts, senses, and actions. Active participation in events or activities are opportunities to gain knowledge and skill. These new acquisitions are bound to affect you...to influence how you think... Maybe even change your mind.

Holding onto past beliefs or doing the same thing over and over because that is how you have always done it, or it is what others expect you to do, is crippling.  I am not suggesting you must change, I am saying it is okay, NO, it is more than ok to change your mind. Think of changing your mind, as a new opportunity to be a new you, a chance to run where before you were hindered by crutches. If you only get one shot at life, take the liberty of being all that you want to be. 

Engage. Experience. Learn. Change. Live. 

www.jomoma.ca

A week in review

Several times during the course of a day, I hear something, read something, research something that I think would make an excellent topic for my weekly blog. And if time were mine to manipulate and slow down, I would in those instances stop what I'm doing and write. However, because I have 4 children, 2 dogs, a hubby, and a laundry list of other responsibilities, I shelve those topics for future use. This week, not unlike any other week, has come and gone.  Instead of accessing the dusty shelve of ideas, I thought that perhaps I would share my week with you.  First, you need to know the order of events are likely jumbled.  I am not sure if my inability to keep events* ordered is a result of sleep deprivation, a multitude of noteworthy incidents, or self preservation (sometimes forgetting is best....). 

Unpacked suitcase from weekend business trip. This is partially true...suitcase is indeed unpacked, however, it remains in the middle of my bedroom, impeding all traffic (also a partial truth.  My two youngest have NO problem finding their way into our bed. It is only me that is walking into it). 

A winter jacket lost its ability to zip at the hands (teeth) of our youngest pooch. When a back pack is made into a 'front pack' nobody is the wiser. (Do people actually mend zippers in 2013?!). 

Two, correction, three pairs of shoes lost their mate due to the owners not putting away their belongings and the house elfs running amuck with them in the evening (what else could explain the disappearance)?

Love seat got eaten. Seriously. To be fair, I had considered reupholstering the 'good' furniture in the future when the bank account could support such an activity, and perhaps one of the dogs misinterpreted me. And now there is no discrimination of furniture. It is all officially bad. 

Four basketball practices, two hockey practices, NINE tournament games. Only one of the fifteen sporting events actually took place in the town we live in. 

Cleaned the fridge. Not because I am that much on top of chores, but because I was assaulted by an odour. End result, found one of the missing shoes. NO IT WASN'T IN THE FRIDGE!  But as I was procrastinating with the fridge, I located a rogue shoe. Ha ha! Not this time elf!!

Dead squirrel delivered into my home by the guilty couch eating puppy. Don't get me wrong, I love thoughtful gifts, but I could have passed on this one. Note: this is not a cute, small, red Manitoba squirrel. It was an Ontario grey squirrel. They are a mixed breed (chipmunk and lion). 

Had meetings. 

Report cards from school. 

Grocery shopping (which was really a 'workout'). Post sporting event, I jumped out of the truck, it had slowed down, while hubby and kids waited in the parking lot. I ran past the octogenarian that was closing the store for the evening, and darted to the bakery.  I snagged the last two loaves of bread (there were more than 2 loaves left, but saying so makes my story far less dramatic), and sprinted to the cash, paid and returned to the truck before any child or hubby had a melt down. 

There is more. Showers, bath times, dinners, workouts, and cocktails. Sighhhh cocktails. Bring on next week.  

Magic Pill

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT!!! "Magic pill" for weight loss and acquisition of lean muscles!!!! 

PSYCH!! 

Don't shoot the messenger, but the truth is there is NOT a magic pill. Don't you think if there was a magic pill that the rich and famous would rid themselves of their personal trainers and expensive chefs to pop a pill? So do not, I repeat, do not get sucked into purchasing a product that markets itself as the miracle you have been searching for. 

Here is the actual scoop:  if you are interested in changing how you look on the outside and how you feel on the inside: exercise and eat healthily. It really isn't news. The trick is that it takes work. Hard work, will power, and time. The reflection in the mirror will not change over night, however, how you 'feel' on the inside will. Your body is the best drug dealer. Exercise releases hormones that feeeeeeel goooooood!

There are a variety of products that will assist in your lifestyle change, but without your effort they are virtually useless. Believe me, I have tried several 'quick fixes' and where I have seen the biggest change is my bank account. Things that are worthwhile take effort. Your greatest friendships are cultivated and cared for over time.  The same can be said for your health and fitness.  When you work hard to achieve something your level of appreciation for it grows. Effort is a vigorous, determined attempt. Be your own best friend. Put in the time and effort to cultivate and care for YOU. You owe it to yourself to be the best you you can be. This means forgiving yourself for your less than 100% days. It means, putting good food into your body and making use of the muscles you have. Rome wasn't built in a day (mind you I don't really know how long it took...but you get my drift). Make changes that you can adopt as your own. It really is a lifestyle. The true magic is how your successes make you feel. That my friend cannot be packaged and swallowed as a pill. 

www.jomoma.ca

Be Inspiring

We are inspired by a variety of things. People, places, events, songs.... The list is endless.  What motivates us is completely and utterly personal.  Perspective, timing, needs, desires, these are all contributing factors for personal inspiration. 

This week I have found myself applauding and being down right impressed by people. Not the Rob Fords, although I have been 'entertained' and amazed, but the folks that have bared their souls. The people that have shared their failures in an attempt to assist others. People who have documented their step by step to achievements, thereby providing others an easier route. I have been overwhelmed by the beauty of humanity through social media posts. But what about the stuff that isn't posted for others to see?

What I have come to realize is inspiration can be hidden anywhere for anyone to uncover. There are moments in your life when you know your actions have significant consequences.  How you behave in front of a child will undoubtedly shape that child's future. But I would suggest that when you are not on the stage, front and centre with the knowledge that you may affect somebody, it is at that moment you are truly influential. How you behave when you believe nobody is watching is what can be truly inspiring or disastrous. 

www.jomoma.ca

Who really cares!?

I am the biggest cheerleader for women and their self esteems. We (women) are incessantly subjected to ridiculous marketing and advertising that portrays women that are 'perfect'. Extremely slim women, with luscious hair, no wrinkles and zero cellulite. I suspect that there may be a woman or two out there that has all these attributes without surgical assistance or alien DNA, but for those who do not, I say who really cares?! Errrr, sadly I do. This perfect woman is somebody I have been overly consumed with trying to be since I became aware I was a female. I have spent far too much of my time worrying about the size of my thighs, my waist, the colour of my hair, the lines around my eyes and mouth. I avoid being photographed, I am suspicious of any compliment and I come close to anxiety attacks when an event requiring something fancier than sweat pants requires my attendance. I should not feel this way. I would be sick if my daughter ever felt this way about herself. I recognize the beauty in all of my girlfriends and I can acknowledge that they are not 'society perfect'. Because, truthfully, they are perfect.  They are real. They love. They work. They smile. They dance. They listen. They scream. They wear size zero and size 32. They are beautiful. 

Why does beauty seem to have very little leeway when it comes to marketing and advertising? Why do we (women) allow that BS to exist? I recently joined a fitness group on Facebook that is challenging its members to complete 100 reps of 3 different exercises daily. I had my husband photograph me last night (in my underwear and bra) to document the 'before' of this challenge. When I saw the picture I was in tears. I focused on everything that was imperfect. I felt defeated before I even began. And why? My husband tells me daily that I am beautiful. He loves the lines around my mouth made by my smile. He does not see the 2 inch difference in my waist as disgusting, he finds me sexy. So why am I measuring my beauty by the tool developed by society? I do not measure my friends as such, yet I know they subject themselves to society's guideline too. We need to change the measuring stick. We need to celebrate what makes us different. In difference there is beauty.  No more impossible physical standards, no more photoshopped pictures of women, no more embracing of a standardized "perfect". Instead we celebrate being real.  Real is beautiful. Real is perfect. We need to stand up and say ENOUGH, because we really don't care!

www.jomoma.ca

Coffee and Polo

Sighhhhh.  Polo.  The scent of it reminds me of every grade 9 boy of yesteryear. I don't know if I actually enjoy the smell of Ralph Lauren's green bottle cologne or if it is the memories it brings with it that I find so attractive.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a boyfriend getting type of girl in the olden days (or now my dear husband), however, had I been, I am certain he would have doused himself in Polo.
Enter coffee.  My present day Polo. The smell of coffee is sexy.  Not rip your clothes off sexy but rather the excitingly appealing definition. Everything : the whif of the dark roasted beans in the bag...the smell of them being ground...and ooooooh the scent of a fresh brew! Giddy up. I don't seem to have a negative memory where coffee is the reminder. I am sure I have been drinking coffee when I have been delivered bad news, as we'll I'm certain I have spilled coffee on something white I have donned (a whole different rant).  Yet it has not jaded my coffee perspective. Even when morning has arrived much sooner than I have hoped, the smell of coffee can lift my spirits.
I adore the routine of coffee.  The shuffle to the kitchen. The tossing of the old coffee filter and grounds into the garbage can (don't judge me...I don't do it when I am done the pot).  The lining of the brew basket with a new filter.  Pouring the slightly greasy beans into the grinder. The painfully loud noise emitted from the grinder. Pouring the water into the reservoir. Pressing the button. And then the most magical part...the gurgling and sputtering of my dying machine as it floods the ground beans with hot water and permeates the air with most incredible scent.  The scent of morning. My shuffle takes on a lighter drag. My plans for the day starts to get clearer.

I shudder to think of what coffee would have smelled like on a grade 9 boy.

www.jomoma.ca

New Beginnings

Sounds exciting right?! Adventurous? Fresh? How about scary as Hell!  I did it! I walked away from a great paying job with stellar benefits and desirable pension because it was sucking the life out of me. I didn't win the lottery. I didn't inherit any money. Nor did I have a nest egg to fall back on. Quite the opposite actually. I had nearly 100k in debt, not including mortgage.  What I did have was the knowledge that we only have one shot at life (I have yet to meet somebody that has done this 'life' thing before... Who was not on television at 3 in the morning hosting a psychic phone line). I was not prepared to have a life that I looked back on and wondered 'what if I followed that dream'...but never did. And that in itself is scarier.

What I know to be true: Change is daunting. There is fear of the unknown.  Shifting from something familiar to something new can be paralyzing.  The key is embracing it and making it a challenge. When we accept the challenge we become warriors. Handlers of courage and skill, overcoming conflict and struggles.  Sometimes success is immediate but more often than not it takes time. BUT there is always success and only the person challenged can and should measure it.

I am beginning anew. I choose to follow my dream. I choose Jo:Moma. I am a warrior and I look forward to being part of other warrior's lives. YOURS.

Signed,
Your friend, teammate & #1 cheerleader
Sar