Just as the seasons change in many parts of the world, so do the attitudes of the people in it. Right about now, almost every person reading this is probably having very similar experiences being that it's December 23rd...two days before Christmas. Whether you're Christian, Jewish, or another religion, you can't help feeling a shift in the level of energy surrounding us...at least here in the United States I think that's true.
There's an enormous lift in spirituality this time of year in preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth, as well as the celebration of Hannahkah which always falls closely together during the month of December. Although the "Holiday Season" has become very commercialized, one cannot help but to reflect on the true meaning and reason for all of the festivities. I can't speak for the whole world, but here in the New York/New Jersey area, it seems like we share each other's holidays regardless of our own religious background. Consisdering we all come from the same source, isn't that the way it should be?
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
From Fitness Diva to Naked Cowgirl
After 6 years of being the significant other of the Naked Cowboy of Times Square and having people ask me if I am the "Naked Cowgirl", or why I'm not the Naked Cowgirl, I finally decided to give in and take on the role. It never seemed like the right thing to do at the time, and now it seems like the position has been just waiting for me to jump into it! Yes, there's been a few Naked Cowgirls coming out to Times Square on and off over the last few years, but there hasn't been one who can come close to having the same standards as the Naked Cowboy...until now, that is.
"There's a time and place for everything"...so they say, and I do believe that. In February of 2005 I went to Mardi Gras with Robert (Naked Cowboy) and wore jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat as I walked along Bourbon Street with him. That's when the questions started. "If you're the Cowgirl, why aren't you dressed like him"? Let me first explain that I didn't even realize he was famous outside the New York area until that trip, nevermind parading in my underwear.
Shortly after that, I went with him to A Motivational Convention in Chicago, where he was hired by New York City and Company, a NYC tourist organization, to draw in people and take photos with them. I got a little more daring and brought a mini-skirt and halter top, to wear with the boots and hat. I was able to walk around this absolutely huge convention center for three days dropping my business cards and networking with people from all over the world. That's when I started my book of contacts, from which I send fitness postcards to once a year.
There were many more events and trips since then that I dressed up as a Cowgirl to accompany him. Many times the guys would feel more comfortable taking photos of me than with a guy in his underwear. It still always came back to the same question..."Why aren't you in your underwear"? I guess there were three big reasons why I didn't imitate him...I couldn't play the guitar, my kids would've flipped out if I was outside wearing my underwear, and I also didn't feel comfortable enough in my own skin at that time. I was constantly trying to get thinner. Robert's standards were so high that there was no way either of us thought I looked good enough to pull it off at that time.
I've since learned a lot about promoting myself, my videos, my website and everything fitness-related I'm involved in. One thing I've realized is that no matter how good you are at something, you still usually need either a lot of money or some really good connections to make it to the top. It's hard to put the time into your creative endevours when you need to work a lot to support your family.
With all the publicity this summer pertaining to the lawsuit of Naked Cowboy vs. Sandy Kane, one of the Naked Cowgirls, for trademardk infringement, I decided "now is the time". I decided to sign a licensing agreement with Naked Cowboy Enterprises to become the first "Officially Licensed Naked Cowgirl" in Times Square. I became vegetarian 2 years ago and have become leaner, plus I have learned to play a few cords on the guitar. As for my children, they are older and I think will eventually understand why I've made this decision.I work out hard, am totally dedicated to what I put my mind to, and realize I need to do something extreme now to get noticed before it's too late. I am the closest thing there is to being the female version of the Naked Cowboy. So there you have it...I am the NAKED COWGIRL! E-mail me at info@cindyfoxfitness.com to see when I will be in Times Square so you can get your photo with me and "tag" it on Facebook.
"There's a time and place for everything"...so they say, and I do believe that. In February of 2005 I went to Mardi Gras with Robert (Naked Cowboy) and wore jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat as I walked along Bourbon Street with him. That's when the questions started. "If you're the Cowgirl, why aren't you dressed like him"? Let me first explain that I didn't even realize he was famous outside the New York area until that trip, nevermind parading in my underwear.
Shortly after that, I went with him to A Motivational Convention in Chicago, where he was hired by New York City and Company, a NYC tourist organization, to draw in people and take photos with them. I got a little more daring and brought a mini-skirt and halter top, to wear with the boots and hat. I was able to walk around this absolutely huge convention center for three days dropping my business cards and networking with people from all over the world. That's when I started my book of contacts, from which I send fitness postcards to once a year.
There were many more events and trips since then that I dressed up as a Cowgirl to accompany him. Many times the guys would feel more comfortable taking photos of me than with a guy in his underwear. It still always came back to the same question..."Why aren't you in your underwear"? I guess there were three big reasons why I didn't imitate him...I couldn't play the guitar, my kids would've flipped out if I was outside wearing my underwear, and I also didn't feel comfortable enough in my own skin at that time. I was constantly trying to get thinner. Robert's standards were so high that there was no way either of us thought I looked good enough to pull it off at that time.
I've since learned a lot about promoting myself, my videos, my website and everything fitness-related I'm involved in. One thing I've realized is that no matter how good you are at something, you still usually need either a lot of money or some really good connections to make it to the top. It's hard to put the time into your creative endevours when you need to work a lot to support your family.
With all the publicity this summer pertaining to the lawsuit of Naked Cowboy vs. Sandy Kane, one of the Naked Cowgirls, for trademardk infringement, I decided "now is the time". I decided to sign a licensing agreement with Naked Cowboy Enterprises to become the first "Officially Licensed Naked Cowgirl" in Times Square. I became vegetarian 2 years ago and have become leaner, plus I have learned to play a few cords on the guitar. As for my children, they are older and I think will eventually understand why I've made this decision.I work out hard, am totally dedicated to what I put my mind to, and realize I need to do something extreme now to get noticed before it's too late. I am the closest thing there is to being the female version of the Naked Cowboy. So there you have it...I am the NAKED COWGIRL! E-mail me at info@cindyfoxfitness.com to see when I will be in Times Square so you can get your photo with me and "tag" it on Facebook.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
High Impact vs. High Intensity Workouts
Prior to the discovery of Spinning classes, Step Aerobics, and "Low Impact" Aerobics, if a person wanted to take a cardiovascular class at a gym, it was more than likely a "high Impact" Aerobics class. This usually put a lot of stress on the joints over many years of doing it, especially the knees. High Impact Aerobics consists of bouncing on the balls of your feet through out most of the class with a variety of moves to keep your heart rate up, such as jogging, jumping jacks, high knee runs, shuffles, etc...in which both feet come off the floor at the same time. There are modifications a person can do during these classes to avoid the bouncing and the impact.
In "Low Impact" Aerobics, on foot is always on the ground to support the weight of the body. These classes use rhythmic movements and tend to use larger muscle groups to get the heart rate up. BASIC Step Aerobics class is also considered low impact, although many instructors add little hops which are optional. Swimming, walking and bicycling are other ways of getting a good workout without impact of the joints. These are safer activities for people who have injuries, poor balance, and women who are pregnant.
Regardless of the type of activity you choose to do, you will only get out of it as much as you put into it. This would be referred to as the level of "Intensity" at which you perform the exercises. Anyone who has ever ridden a bicycle would know there's a difference between a slow ride on a flat surface and going up a hill. There is a much greater intensity in the latter due to the amount of energy expended to make the muscles in the legs move the bike up a hill. This is an example of a low-impact exercise at a high intensity.
Although walking is a low-impact exercise, jogging and running are both high impact because there is not one foot on the ground at all times. In any given marathon or race there is always someone who comes across the finish line first and someone who finishes last. The difference between the two in the pace or speed at which they are both going. The person running the fastest is using more energy and muscle power to propel him or her forward, as opposed to the person who is jogging and keeping a slower pace. Both of these runners are doing a high impact activity, but one is at a higher intensity than the other.
If you're trying to keep your fitness level up without putting the extra impact on your joints, there are a few ways to do that. Walkers can try adding small hand weights, pick up the pace and try occasional hills to increase the intensity and raise the heart rate. With the exception of the hand weights, bikers can use this same method for getting more out of a workout. If you're a "Cardio Junkie" and love the adrenaline rush you get from sweating and having your heart rate way up, but can't take the impact anymore, try going into a low impact class and keep your center of gravity low forcing yourself to use your leg muscles more. Doing big arm movements will also keep our heart rate up, such as in a kick box class, and will have you walking out of class dripping of sweat and feeling like you had a great workout!
In "Low Impact" Aerobics, on foot is always on the ground to support the weight of the body. These classes use rhythmic movements and tend to use larger muscle groups to get the heart rate up. BASIC Step Aerobics class is also considered low impact, although many instructors add little hops which are optional. Swimming, walking and bicycling are other ways of getting a good workout without impact of the joints. These are safer activities for people who have injuries, poor balance, and women who are pregnant.
Regardless of the type of activity you choose to do, you will only get out of it as much as you put into it. This would be referred to as the level of "Intensity" at which you perform the exercises. Anyone who has ever ridden a bicycle would know there's a difference between a slow ride on a flat surface and going up a hill. There is a much greater intensity in the latter due to the amount of energy expended to make the muscles in the legs move the bike up a hill. This is an example of a low-impact exercise at a high intensity.
Although walking is a low-impact exercise, jogging and running are both high impact because there is not one foot on the ground at all times. In any given marathon or race there is always someone who comes across the finish line first and someone who finishes last. The difference between the two in the pace or speed at which they are both going. The person running the fastest is using more energy and muscle power to propel him or her forward, as opposed to the person who is jogging and keeping a slower pace. Both of these runners are doing a high impact activity, but one is at a higher intensity than the other.
If you're trying to keep your fitness level up without putting the extra impact on your joints, there are a few ways to do that. Walkers can try adding small hand weights, pick up the pace and try occasional hills to increase the intensity and raise the heart rate. With the exception of the hand weights, bikers can use this same method for getting more out of a workout. If you're a "Cardio Junkie" and love the adrenaline rush you get from sweating and having your heart rate way up, but can't take the impact anymore, try going into a low impact class and keep your center of gravity low forcing yourself to use your leg muscles more. Doing big arm movements will also keep our heart rate up, such as in a kick box class, and will have you walking out of class dripping of sweat and feeling like you had a great workout!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
Mother's Day is a day to appreciate the gift of life and the person who brought us here. Some of us are fortunate enough to step into this role and continue the circle of life. When we were children, we didn't understand why our parents wouldn't let us do what we wanted to do or have everything we asked for. Children are small and can only see what is right in front of them. Parents are supposed to protect their children from the things they cannot see or imagine yet. Children learn from their parents and model their actions. This is why it is so important for a Mother to be loving, nurturing, and affectionate to her child so these traits can be fowarded to future generations.
For those who have lost their mother, may your heart be filled with good memories and know they are the angels who watch over us all. For those who have lost a child, may those angels above give you the helping hand you need to keep you lifted. To all who are blessed with the joy of motherhood, may you forever be grateful and cherish the moments.
For those who have lost their mother, may your heart be filled with good memories and know they are the angels who watch over us all. For those who have lost a child, may those angels above give you the helping hand you need to keep you lifted. To all who are blessed with the joy of motherhood, may you forever be grateful and cherish the moments.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Be Creative This Valentine's Day
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:)
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:)
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
