Why all the fuss for Valentine's Day? Does anyone really know where it even comes from? One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wibes and families, he outlawed marriage for young men- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lover in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death (history.com). Honestly, I think most men today would be thrilled if marriage was ooutlawed!
Regardless of the origin, people all over celebrate and like to make a fuss over Valentine's Day, women especially. Yes, we tend to be the more romantic ones of the human species. Seriously though, does anyone really need a pound of chocolate? What about the sexy negligee with the garter belts and thigh highs? Unless your skinny or have the perfect body, do you wnat to receive this as a gift knowing you're expected to prance around in it in front of your guy? He probably feels the same way about receiving a thong with hearts all over it. So how can we celebrate Valentine's Day without the tacky gifts?
Love Coupons? Might seem childish but if you're willing to uphold your end of the deal and grant every offfer in the book (a massage, home cooked meal, sex slave for the night, ect...), I think he will be thrilled to know he's getting you to give in at his request. How about a couple's "Day at the Spa" gift certificate, where you can spend a relaxing day together BOTH receiving together? You can go online t find a Spa in your area with different package deals>
Love to eat, but hate to wait for a table? Then you probably should go out the day before or after to avoid the crowd and the feeling of being rushed through dinner. Better yet, send the kids to grandma for the night or to a friend's in exchange to do the same for her one night, and plan a romantic evening at home. Plan to cook (or order) the foods you both like the most, a nice bottle of wine or champagne, plenty of candles, and of course you have to set the mood to music. Then you pick out the negligee that makes YOU feel sexy and let down your hair and inhibitions!
So what about the rest of us that will be alone on Valentine's Day? Yes, my significant other will be walking the streets of Bourbon during Mardi Gras. No comment needed! I know from past experience that the last place I'd want to spend Valentine's Day if I were single is in a nightclub. I did that ONCE many years ago and my friend and I realized about an hour into the night how pathetic we looked as if we were looking for a date for the night...YUCK! Planning a night hanging out with your friends can be a lot of fun with no pressure to please anyone. How about a night of Sangria and Karaoke singing Shania Twain's "Man, I Feel Like a Woman"?
Not into the bar scene? A girl's get-together "Day at the Spa" followed by lunch and a "chick flick" also sounds pretty good to me. Maybe you're totally banning the holiday altogether. That's fine too. Kick back at home with your comfy pajamas and a good book and just enjoy yourself! That's probably what I'll be doing:)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Stop The Ride!
Do you ever feel like your life is an amusement park, and it's time to go home? They can be so much fun at the time, but after a while, and amuzement park can make you sick! How many times can you go climbing the steep hill of the rollercoaster with the excitement and anticipation of the fast ride going down, just for it to be over in 2 seconds? Ok, so you might get 2 or 3 hill climbs out of it, but eventually the guy makes you get off and go back to the end of the line like everyone else.
Then there's the carousel with the very adorable horses all decorated nicely. If you get to the front of the line, you get to pick the one you want to ride! You wait for the operator to start the ride thinking it'll be relaxing, because it never goes fast; it stays at a safe, steady pace, which is why so many people go on that one. It even has that nice little "carousel music" to entice you there. Soon you realize after going around and around that you've been seeing the same thing over and over, and going no where. And now that amusing jingle that lured you in is going to drive you NUTS!!!
Who hasn't ever been on the bumper cars? It's one thing to be a kid who can't drive a real car to think it's cool, but when you're an adult and KNOW people are going to keep hitting you...it's time to wonder why you get on it in the first place? That's a headache in the making...to say the LEAST!
Bungee jumping anyone? Now that is the ultimate high if you're need for a "rush" is strong enough. As you're climbing one staircase after another, you're heart rate is going up, your breathing is getting heavier, and the excitement is starting to resemble "panic", but you HAVE to do it. Here you are standing at the top as you put your life into the hands of a stranger that is strapping you up to some apparatus. If you stop for a second and analyze it, you won't do it, so before you explode from the excitement and fear, you just jump aimlessly and hope for the best!
So you made it out of that one alive...now what? There's nothing that's going to come close to that for quite a while, and you're quickly coming down off of your "high". The only thing left is food. I once ate cotton candy when I was about 5 and threw up all the way home in the car. I never ate cotton candy again. So why is that a 5 year old learns a lesson the first time, but as adults we keep making the same mistakes over and over? For comments, email me at info@cindyfoxfitness.com.
Then there's the carousel with the very adorable horses all decorated nicely. If you get to the front of the line, you get to pick the one you want to ride! You wait for the operator to start the ride thinking it'll be relaxing, because it never goes fast; it stays at a safe, steady pace, which is why so many people go on that one. It even has that nice little "carousel music" to entice you there. Soon you realize after going around and around that you've been seeing the same thing over and over, and going no where. And now that amusing jingle that lured you in is going to drive you NUTS!!!
Who hasn't ever been on the bumper cars? It's one thing to be a kid who can't drive a real car to think it's cool, but when you're an adult and KNOW people are going to keep hitting you...it's time to wonder why you get on it in the first place? That's a headache in the making...to say the LEAST!
Bungee jumping anyone? Now that is the ultimate high if you're need for a "rush" is strong enough. As you're climbing one staircase after another, you're heart rate is going up, your breathing is getting heavier, and the excitement is starting to resemble "panic", but you HAVE to do it. Here you are standing at the top as you put your life into the hands of a stranger that is strapping you up to some apparatus. If you stop for a second and analyze it, you won't do it, so before you explode from the excitement and fear, you just jump aimlessly and hope for the best!
So you made it out of that one alive...now what? There's nothing that's going to come close to that for quite a while, and you're quickly coming down off of your "high". The only thing left is food. I once ate cotton candy when I was about 5 and threw up all the way home in the car. I never ate cotton candy again. So why is that a 5 year old learns a lesson the first time, but as adults we keep making the same mistakes over and over? For comments, email me at info@cindyfoxfitness.com.
Monday, January 4, 2010
When One Door Closes...
Why is it so hard sometimes to let go? We hold on to relationships that are not healthy, jobs that we don't like, clothes we no longer wear, and most of all we hold on dearly to memories. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, security of body, employment, resources, morality, the family, health, and property are the second most basic need after the physiological needs (air, food, water, ect...).
So why hold on to memories? Maybe when we lose a physical thing or person we love, the memory of that one thing we cherish is the only thing that keeps us feeling safe and comforts us. When the loss is too much to bare, it is nice to be able to "go back" in our minds and feel secure for a little while. The problem is when we refuse to live in the "present" and accept the change life has brought us.
We often hear that "when one door closes, another door opens", and I truly believe, even though I admit to staring at the closed door longer than I should sometimes. During these times of transition, it is important to think of what good has come from the situation. Everything that happens to us is a lesson in life if we open our eyes, hearts, and minds to it, as cruel as some of these lessons might seem to be.
For my friend who mourns the loss of her son on his birthday today... my heart goes out to you....xoxoxo
So why hold on to memories? Maybe when we lose a physical thing or person we love, the memory of that one thing we cherish is the only thing that keeps us feeling safe and comforts us. When the loss is too much to bare, it is nice to be able to "go back" in our minds and feel secure for a little while. The problem is when we refuse to live in the "present" and accept the change life has brought us.
We often hear that "when one door closes, another door opens", and I truly believe, even though I admit to staring at the closed door longer than I should sometimes. During these times of transition, it is important to think of what good has come from the situation. Everything that happens to us is a lesson in life if we open our eyes, hearts, and minds to it, as cruel as some of these lessons might seem to be.
For my friend who mourns the loss of her son on his birthday today... my heart goes out to you....xoxoxo
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
High Achievers
If you're like most people living in the NY/NJ metropolitan area, you rush around so often, barely getting where you're going on time. We are a group of high achievers, trend setters...the "movers and shakers" so I've heard. Is it a necessity to survive and pay your bills? Or is it an addiction to constantly be at your best? Regardless of the reason, I believe the satisfaction one receives from accomplishing a lot and achieving above and beyond is what makes it worth pushing beyond the "norm".
When most people are going home to "relax" and turn into a couch potato, there are the other people who are staying late to pick up the slack at work, the people who work 9 hours and then go to the gym, and the ones who are giving them an ass-kicking workout! Don't hate...immitate!
When most people are going home to "relax" and turn into a couch potato, there are the other people who are staying late to pick up the slack at work, the people who work 9 hours and then go to the gym, and the ones who are giving them an ass-kicking workout! Don't hate...immitate!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Are You Sticking To Your Workout Routine?
Today’s article is courtesy of my good friend Jay Cataldo who is a NYC life coach and owner of Definitive Diva.
Thanks Cindy. Even though summer is here, it’s not too late to melt off those last few pounds. While Cindy can give you plenty of advice on how to get in shape, I wanted to share four quick tips for helping you stick to your workout routine when dealing with a hectic schedule.
1. Make a list
Every night before I go to bed, I make a list of all the things I need to get done the next day. For some reason, having a list of things to cross off at the end of a day really helps to motivate me.
One thing that makes the list even more effective is when you schedule in times for everything that needs to get done (i.e., instead of writing down “workout”, you should write “workout 7-8pm”).
2. Make a vision board
A vision board is simply a collage of pictures designed to motivate you and keep you focused on the end result. If you are looking to lose weight, for instance, you might want to use pictures of fit women, pictures of you when you were at your ideal weight, and maybe even pictures of the island you’d like to travel to when you’re in tip-top bikini shape.
You can choose to make a physical vision board or you can find some digital images and make a collage on Microsoft Paint (or a similar program). Just make sure to look at the vision board at least twice a day (both when you wake up and before bed), being sure to feel the feelings you will experience when you finally attain your goal.
3. Don’t skip workouts unless an emergency comes up
The act of skipping workouts usually starts a downward spiral that can lead to a serious lack of progress. So unless a true emergency comes up, be sure to get your butt to the gym no matter what!
4. Get a harassment buddy
Sometimes, we need a little outside help to stay on top of ourselves. A workout partner is great to have, but more importantly, it’s good to have someone who will harass you when necessary and make it really uncomfortable for you to slack off. If you can’t find anyone, you can use this free service in the meantime: http://www.hassleme.co.uk
That’s it for today. Hopefully, these four tips will make it easier to stick to your routine. Thanks again to Cindy for letting me share this info with you. If you like some more health and fitness advice, come chat with Cindy and I on our Diva Forum.
Make it happen,
-Jay Cataldo
www.JayCataldo.com
www.DefinitiveDiva.com
Thanks Cindy. Even though summer is here, it’s not too late to melt off those last few pounds. While Cindy can give you plenty of advice on how to get in shape, I wanted to share four quick tips for helping you stick to your workout routine when dealing with a hectic schedule.
1. Make a list
Every night before I go to bed, I make a list of all the things I need to get done the next day. For some reason, having a list of things to cross off at the end of a day really helps to motivate me.
One thing that makes the list even more effective is when you schedule in times for everything that needs to get done (i.e., instead of writing down “workout”, you should write “workout 7-8pm”).
2. Make a vision board
A vision board is simply a collage of pictures designed to motivate you and keep you focused on the end result. If you are looking to lose weight, for instance, you might want to use pictures of fit women, pictures of you when you were at your ideal weight, and maybe even pictures of the island you’d like to travel to when you’re in tip-top bikini shape.
You can choose to make a physical vision board or you can find some digital images and make a collage on Microsoft Paint (or a similar program). Just make sure to look at the vision board at least twice a day (both when you wake up and before bed), being sure to feel the feelings you will experience when you finally attain your goal.
3. Don’t skip workouts unless an emergency comes up
The act of skipping workouts usually starts a downward spiral that can lead to a serious lack of progress. So unless a true emergency comes up, be sure to get your butt to the gym no matter what!
4. Get a harassment buddy
Sometimes, we need a little outside help to stay on top of ourselves. A workout partner is great to have, but more importantly, it’s good to have someone who will harass you when necessary and make it really uncomfortable for you to slack off. If you can’t find anyone, you can use this free service in the meantime: http://www.hassleme.co.uk
That’s it for today. Hopefully, these four tips will make it easier to stick to your routine. Thanks again to Cindy for letting me share this info with you. If you like some more health and fitness advice, come chat with Cindy and I on our Diva Forum.
Make it happen,
-Jay Cataldo
www.JayCataldo.com
www.DefinitiveDiva.com
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Atlantic City Follow Up
After reading over one of my own blogs from June '07 describing my annual weekend in Atlantic City for my Fitness Convention, I feel a need to contrast it with my recent trip last week. Being a divorced mom of three (now teenage) children, going from one job to another, and running around like a "chicken without a head", I very rarely have a couple days alone to move about at my leisure. My description of my fitness convention 2 yrs. ago, when I went alone for the first time in years was a clear indication of what it's like to let a bird out of it's cage...out of control!
Of course I always go to my morning classes in hopes of learning some new moves to do in my kickbox or step classes, or maybe get some good ideas to try with my clients, but I usually take off after lunch if it's nice out to hit the beach. The difference two years was that I went alone but had friends to meet up with and treated the day as one big party, drinking on the beach, in the casinos, happy hour with my friends, and continuing into the night. Needless to say, I missed my classes the next morning...NOT GOOD!
This year I brought my two sons, one whom was taking classes and the personal trainer exam, and my 13 yr. old whom I got to spend some "quality" time with. We went to the beach after lunch and I did get "A drink", we walked the boardwalk and shopped, and then my older son met up with us and we all went to Rainforest Cafe' for dinner. It was a great opportunity to spend time with them without the interruptions of my hectic schedule, their video games, or other family members being around to take my attention.
I was actually in bed by 10pm and up early, feeling great and ready for my morning classes. I did get some new ideas for my classes, bought 4 new Cd's for my classes and a new pair of cross trainers. Maybe if I plan these "get away" weekends more often I wouldn't be like a bird out of a cage when the opportunity arises.
Of course I always go to my morning classes in hopes of learning some new moves to do in my kickbox or step classes, or maybe get some good ideas to try with my clients, but I usually take off after lunch if it's nice out to hit the beach. The difference two years was that I went alone but had friends to meet up with and treated the day as one big party, drinking on the beach, in the casinos, happy hour with my friends, and continuing into the night. Needless to say, I missed my classes the next morning...NOT GOOD!
This year I brought my two sons, one whom was taking classes and the personal trainer exam, and my 13 yr. old whom I got to spend some "quality" time with. We went to the beach after lunch and I did get "A drink", we walked the boardwalk and shopped, and then my older son met up with us and we all went to Rainforest Cafe' for dinner. It was a great opportunity to spend time with them without the interruptions of my hectic schedule, their video games, or other family members being around to take my attention.
I was actually in bed by 10pm and up early, feeling great and ready for my morning classes. I did get some new ideas for my classes, bought 4 new Cd's for my classes and a new pair of cross trainers. Maybe if I plan these "get away" weekends more often I wouldn't be like a bird out of a cage when the opportunity arises.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
You Are What You Eat
Most people today are, to some extent, aware of the nutritious value in the food they're eating, whether it's good or bad. The media is overflowing with advertisements for different "diet" products, vitamins,cooking shows, as well as commercials for diseases you can get from not eating "healthy" foods. So how is it possible that it took me over 20 years of being a health FANATIC to finally realize that the so called "healthy" foods I've been eating come from SERIOUSLY TORTURED animals that are filled with diseases, antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones. It's not that I've never heard about it, but I didn't know the extent of it until I recently watched some undercover videos of slaughterhouses demonstrating the SEVERE CRUELTY and horrible conditions of the animals I've been eating...poultry included.
If you knew your neighbor was torturing his dog or cat everyday, would you report it or just pretend it wasn't happening? If your cat had kittens, would you put the males kittens in a plastic bag and throw them in a garbage bin to suffocate to death just because you had no use for male cats? Every day, hundreds of thousands of male chicks are killed by suffocation in plastic bags, decapitation, gassing, being left to die in dumpsters, or being thrown alive into grinders, sometimes remaining alive for even twenty seconds after being slowly tortured and mangled (Rollin, B.E., Farm Animal Welfare).
A pregnant sow's (mother pig) biological need to build a nest before having her litter is so great that some sows confined in "gestation" crates will rub their snouts raw on the concrete floor while trying to satisfy the drive. Piglets are taken from their mothers as young as 10 days old and packed into pens to be raised for breeding or meat. Due to overcrowded conditions, the piglets develop stress-related behaviors such as cannibalism and tail-biting. Factory farmers chop off the piglets' tails and often use pliers to break off the ends of their teeth. In order to prevent unpleasant odors due to sexual pheromones, the farmers rip out the males' testicles. All of these procedures are done without any use of painkillers (www.merceyforanimals.com).
History classes all over the world will teach about the horrendous treatment that occurred during the holocaust, rightfully so; but most people will turn their backs on the cruelty that is happening everyday to millions of animals. How can a person physically and mentally be "stress-free" when their eating animals that were tortured and completely "stressed-out" until their death? Does the word "Karma" ring a bell?
The average vegetarian spares the lives of more than 50 animals each year. That adds up to thousands during a lifetime. For healthier options and recipes with "peace of mind", go to www.chooseveg.com, www.veganhealth.com, and for high quality protein powder products, go to www.nakedwhey.com.
If you knew your neighbor was torturing his dog or cat everyday, would you report it or just pretend it wasn't happening? If your cat had kittens, would you put the males kittens in a plastic bag and throw them in a garbage bin to suffocate to death just because you had no use for male cats? Every day, hundreds of thousands of male chicks are killed by suffocation in plastic bags, decapitation, gassing, being left to die in dumpsters, or being thrown alive into grinders, sometimes remaining alive for even twenty seconds after being slowly tortured and mangled (Rollin, B.E., Farm Animal Welfare).
A pregnant sow's (mother pig) biological need to build a nest before having her litter is so great that some sows confined in "gestation" crates will rub their snouts raw on the concrete floor while trying to satisfy the drive. Piglets are taken from their mothers as young as 10 days old and packed into pens to be raised for breeding or meat. Due to overcrowded conditions, the piglets develop stress-related behaviors such as cannibalism and tail-biting. Factory farmers chop off the piglets' tails and often use pliers to break off the ends of their teeth. In order to prevent unpleasant odors due to sexual pheromones, the farmers rip out the males' testicles. All of these procedures are done without any use of painkillers (www.merceyforanimals.com).
History classes all over the world will teach about the horrendous treatment that occurred during the holocaust, rightfully so; but most people will turn their backs on the cruelty that is happening everyday to millions of animals. How can a person physically and mentally be "stress-free" when their eating animals that were tortured and completely "stressed-out" until their death? Does the word "Karma" ring a bell?
The average vegetarian spares the lives of more than 50 animals each year. That adds up to thousands during a lifetime. For healthier options and recipes with "peace of mind", go to www.chooseveg.com, www.veganhealth.com, and for high quality protein powder products, go to www.nakedwhey.com.
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