by Kris Pitcher
Flipping through a magazine, it recommended - don't be anyone but you. Duh! I thought. But it's not a duh moment for millions of women, and men alike.
Most people, most of the time are trying to be anyone but themselves. In fact, you is the last person you'd like to be!
Well, that's great advice. Just be you. Don't be anyone but you. We don't need to look for a new style every season. We should find a personal style which suits us, and keep it. Feel comfortable in it. Rock it!
Keeping up with everyone, or with what you think you need to be doing can be exhausting. And come to find out, no one really cares. No one is going to notice if you skip the seasonal table settings? Or, if you just carve the standard face into your pumpkin instead of making a masterful art piece out of it. It's. A. Pumpkin.
There's nothing wrong with doing all that if it's you. But it seems people get all caught up in the rush of being and doing what others are doing and being. Just be you. Seems simple.
When it comes to being you, stop apologizing. No apologies are needed. Ever. Take those compliments. Simply take them. Don't take them with the requisite apology about how you don't deserve them. When someone compliments you...you say, "Thank you!" Period.
As we approach the holiday season, it seems like a good time to reflect inward and think about who we are. It's a great time to consider what's important to us and whether or not we are honoring that in our lives. Are we being ourselves?
I'm going to take that advice - Duh! Just be me. Being anyone else would just be silly?! How about you? Who will you be?
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
On Shaping Change
by Kris Pitcher
Something really obvious occurred to me while I was watching Bath Crashers, walking up an incline on the treadmill focusing on my glute/hamstring tie in...
You have to shape your change, if you want to change your shape. Go ahead, read that line again. I'm not sure if another philosophical thought this big will come to me again soon.
What I mean is, it's not going to happen to you, or for you, you must shape the change in your life that is going to get you to your goals. I see a lot of people sitting around waiting for it to "happen". It's never going to happen.
How do you shape your change? You decide. You begin. You pick a place and get started. And then you keep going. It won't be perfect. It doesn't have to be 100% all the time, every time. You're human after all. You'll make mistakes.
But it's the change, the momentum, the movement - figuratively and literally - that you must shape. You do that. No one, no thing, no force does that for you. You shape your change. And your shape changes. Period.
And then someone got a new bathroom. But that only happens on TV. There's very little difference between those who succeed at weight management, at meeting their goals, at competing, and those who don't.
That little difference, however...is whether or not they choose to shape their change. I wonder what you'll choose? I wonder if it seems as obvious to you? It makes me kind of excited to think you might find it simple enough to just begin, to shape your change.
Something really obvious occurred to me while I was watching Bath Crashers, walking up an incline on the treadmill focusing on my glute/hamstring tie in...
You have to shape your change, if you want to change your shape. Go ahead, read that line again. I'm not sure if another philosophical thought this big will come to me again soon.
How do you shape your change? You decide. You begin. You pick a place and get started. And then you keep going. It won't be perfect. It doesn't have to be 100% all the time, every time. You're human after all. You'll make mistakes.
But it's the change, the momentum, the movement - figuratively and literally - that you must shape. You do that. No one, no thing, no force does that for you. You shape your change. And your shape changes. Period.
And then someone got a new bathroom. But that only happens on TV. There's very little difference between those who succeed at weight management, at meeting their goals, at competing, and those who don't.
That little difference, however...is whether or not they choose to shape their change. I wonder what you'll choose? I wonder if it seems as obvious to you? It makes me kind of excited to think you might find it simple enough to just begin, to shape your change.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Running Through My Head - Grunt!
by Kris Pitcher
There is no delicate way to lead in to this topic. No polite way to begin. So, here we go...What is with all the grunting in the gym?
I understand the physical exertion. I am myself a heavy lifter. But the grunting and groaning sounds...like something else to me.
Maybe you're not aware of WHAT it does sound like. It doesn't sound like super human exertion doing arm curls with the 20's (I can do that). And here's the lack of delicacy. Ready?
It sounds like you're either trying to get a part in an adult movie - which will go straight to video. Or, like maybe you haven't had a bowel movement for several days. Either way, you shouldn't be making those sounds in the gym.
It's really the guys I'm concerned for. That sort of sound means thoracic pressure, and I'm concerned for your blood pressure. Besides, my CPR isn't completely current. I wish you would just breathe through the exercise. Exhale! (But without the noise?)
The second part of my concern is that the weight isn't that heavy. If a 40 something lady can lift it...you don't need to make that sound while you're doing it. We can see you. We're proud of you. It's not necessary to draw that kind of attention to yourself.
Lastly, it makes me wonder what kind of noise you make in the bedroom. And I just can't erase those kinds of thoughts from my mind. I feel like it's not really my fault either. They are after all, your grunts. Yucky!
You don't want me wondering that sort of thing. And if you're wondering why I'm laughing audibly, now you know what's running through my head. Grunt!
My suggestion is we focus on the mind body connection of the lift. Focus on the breathing - exhaling as we exert. Quietly. I can't help but think this method would be better for most involved, most of the time. Happy lifting!
There is no delicate way to lead in to this topic. No polite way to begin. So, here we go...What is with all the grunting in the gym?
Maybe you're not aware of WHAT it does sound like. It doesn't sound like super human exertion doing arm curls with the 20's (I can do that). And here's the lack of delicacy. Ready?
It sounds like you're either trying to get a part in an adult movie - which will go straight to video. Or, like maybe you haven't had a bowel movement for several days. Either way, you shouldn't be making those sounds in the gym.
It's really the guys I'm concerned for. That sort of sound means thoracic pressure, and I'm concerned for your blood pressure. Besides, my CPR isn't completely current. I wish you would just breathe through the exercise. Exhale! (But without the noise?)
The second part of my concern is that the weight isn't that heavy. If a 40 something lady can lift it...you don't need to make that sound while you're doing it. We can see you. We're proud of you. It's not necessary to draw that kind of attention to yourself.
Lastly, it makes me wonder what kind of noise you make in the bedroom. And I just can't erase those kinds of thoughts from my mind. I feel like it's not really my fault either. They are after all, your grunts. Yucky!
You don't want me wondering that sort of thing. And if you're wondering why I'm laughing audibly, now you know what's running through my head. Grunt!
My suggestion is we focus on the mind body connection of the lift. Focus on the breathing - exhaling as we exert. Quietly. I can't help but think this method would be better for most involved, most of the time. Happy lifting!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Strange Gluten
by Kris Pitcher
I wasn't sure from their sideways stares if maybe they couldn't smell gluten in my lipstick? But the women in the Gluten Free Bake Shop made me feel like a visitor to a foreign land.
Or, maybe it was the dress I was wearing covered up by my suit jacket. In comparison to their jeans, smocks and bare tattooed arms, I did stick out like a sore thumb. They continued to scurry about casting sideways glances. A friendly voice caught my ear but I couldn't place where it was coming from.
Sitting at an out of place desk behind what should have been a customer counter was a pleasant man with very well groomed eyebrows. He chattered on about the items they had, the farms they buy from, and their box delivery program.
"Are you gluten intolerant?" He quizzed me with a smile. Caught off guard I told the truth. I confessed that I was not, but I eat a mostly gluten free diet. He was happy with that and went on to tell me about their organic ingredients.
The decor was a mix of cast away house plants, country grocery, with a children's sitting area. A mish-mash of "where am I supposed to go" and "what is this place" swirled in my head.
By that point I felt like I had to buy something from this strange place in order to leave without a voodoo spell cast on me. Settling on some southwest pepper crisps I took them to him to pay for my purchase.
"Oh, you pay over there." He said pointing to the back of the store where the ladies were bustling in their head scarves in the kitchen. He hurried around from his counter, where he revealed to also be wearing a dress. Turns out he is a she, well blossoming anyway.
He was the only nice lady in there. She helped me with my purchase and smiled while the others scowled, not looking directly at me. I couldn't figure out if it was my lipstick, or my dress, or my sisterhood with their tranny that bothered them.
The whole thing was a little strange and cult-like. I'm sure there's not a gluten free cult you have to join first. But if I ever go back there, I sure hope s/he's there. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my crisps!
I wasn't sure from their sideways stares if maybe they couldn't smell gluten in my lipstick? But the women in the Gluten Free Bake Shop made me feel like a visitor to a foreign land.
Sitting at an out of place desk behind what should have been a customer counter was a pleasant man with very well groomed eyebrows. He chattered on about the items they had, the farms they buy from, and their box delivery program.
"Are you gluten intolerant?" He quizzed me with a smile. Caught off guard I told the truth. I confessed that I was not, but I eat a mostly gluten free diet. He was happy with that and went on to tell me about their organic ingredients.
The decor was a mix of cast away house plants, country grocery, with a children's sitting area. A mish-mash of "where am I supposed to go" and "what is this place" swirled in my head.
By that point I felt like I had to buy something from this strange place in order to leave without a voodoo spell cast on me. Settling on some southwest pepper crisps I took them to him to pay for my purchase.
"Oh, you pay over there." He said pointing to the back of the store where the ladies were bustling in their head scarves in the kitchen. He hurried around from his counter, where he revealed to also be wearing a dress. Turns out he is a she, well blossoming anyway.
He was the only nice lady in there. She helped me with my purchase and smiled while the others scowled, not looking directly at me. I couldn't figure out if it was my lipstick, or my dress, or my sisterhood with their tranny that bothered them.
The whole thing was a little strange and cult-like. I'm sure there's not a gluten free cult you have to join first. But if I ever go back there, I sure hope s/he's there. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my crisps!
Monday, October 22, 2012
How Much Can You Bench?
by Kris Pitcher
I see posts about PRs or PBs...those refer to personal records or personal bests. (Not to be confused with PB & J. That's much different.)
This new trend stands to reason with the latest fad programs stressing how much and how many of certain things you can perform. Not to pick on anyone. Group programs come and they go throughout the life span of the industry.
I have to laugh when someone asks us in the gym, "Hey, how much can you bench?" The thing is, we don't bench at all in the sense they mean. Flat barbell bench - nada. Don't do it. We just need to look like we do.
No PRs there! The PR is how long has my husband been able to rehab his torn shoulder without surgery followed by taking a year off for recovery. The PB is how long has he been pain free AND able to lift and continue competing.
My point is, what is the PURPOSE of your exercise? As you collect your personal bests for this and for that...what it the purpose of that. If you have one, great! Gaining strength in an exercise for a specific reason is great. Or just the purpose of "getting the lift" in that exercise is fine too.
Whatever your reason - fine by me - just have one. Which leads me back to the question, how much can you bench? What difference does it make? Incline, yes. Smith, yes. Dumbbell, yes. Cable, yes. Fly, yes. Every variation/combination/inclination/etc. in between...yes. But flat barbell bench, no.
The person asking that question will always have a story about how he used to lift more, but he got injured. This is the point in his story when he pats his belly and tells how things went to pot after that. It's the same every time, clockwork.
If you're happy with your PRs and PBs good for you. If you're not sure why you're collecting them, it might be time to reconsider your plan. What is the purpose? Me? I'm going to find a PB... & J.
I see posts about PRs or PBs...those refer to personal records or personal bests. (Not to be confused with PB & J. That's much different.)
This new trend stands to reason with the latest fad programs stressing how much and how many of certain things you can perform. Not to pick on anyone. Group programs come and they go throughout the life span of the industry.
No PRs there! The PR is how long has my husband been able to rehab his torn shoulder without surgery followed by taking a year off for recovery. The PB is how long has he been pain free AND able to lift and continue competing.
My point is, what is the PURPOSE of your exercise? As you collect your personal bests for this and for that...what it the purpose of that. If you have one, great! Gaining strength in an exercise for a specific reason is great. Or just the purpose of "getting the lift" in that exercise is fine too.
Whatever your reason - fine by me - just have one. Which leads me back to the question, how much can you bench? What difference does it make? Incline, yes. Smith, yes. Dumbbell, yes. Cable, yes. Fly, yes. Every variation/combination/inclination/etc. in between...yes. But flat barbell bench, no.
The person asking that question will always have a story about how he used to lift more, but he got injured. This is the point in his story when he pats his belly and tells how things went to pot after that. It's the same every time, clockwork.
If you're happy with your PRs and PBs good for you. If you're not sure why you're collecting them, it might be time to reconsider your plan. What is the purpose? Me? I'm going to find a PB... & J.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Keep it Fun, Sized
by Kris Pitcher
They're popping up everywhere. The wear house stores have ensured we will not run out this year. And reportedly seven out of ten of us will spend on average $80 this Halloween. As a nation we will spend $8 billion on this holiday. Praise the retail gods. Wow.
Much of that is spent on costumes, scary decor and the requisite fake blood. But we spend a lot on fun sized (and full sized) candy. So, what will all that fun cost you this season? Let's look at some of our favorite fun sized bars:
A couple of things happen with these tiny treasures of fun. You want to try them all. I just listed a few. There are MANY more. And why not taste them all? You also lose track of how many pieces of fun you've had. So, your 75 calories quickly becomes 712 if you try ONE of each of the above.
You might as well main line me right up because once I've had one...I want to keep the fun coming. Lots of people just can't stop once they've started. And with a bite sized piece, you really don't feel like you're doing that much damage.
The damage adds up, and quickly. There are some things you can do to manage your own behavior at work and at home. At home my best advice is wait to buy the candy. The mega store is not going to run out.
If it is in the house, you're going to eat it. If you really live in a place where they will run out and all that will be left is Jolly Ranchers...buy it now and seriously PUT IT AWAY. It's not for you in so many ways. You are the only one who is going to control your home environment.
When you are away from home you need to make some decisions and have some tools. One good tool is sugar free gum. It's kind of gross to pull the gum out of your mouth and hold it while you eat a snickers bar. Your mouth is already busy. Chomp away. It's a good tool.
Drink lemon water, or lemon tea, and eat your regular meals on schedule. Keeping yourself on track helps your body know it's getting what it needs. It doesn't need a kit kat. When you are getting the protein, fat and carbs you are supposed to eat, you won't be craving sugar.
Decide. Make your decision ahead of time. If you'll be in an environment where you know those fun sized items will be tempting you...decide ahead of time how you will handle it. You are prepared, not caught off guard. Hello! There's gonna be stuff at the pot-luck! Plan ahead.
Not getting fat sized from fun sized is easy when you know what you're dealing with and when you make decisions about your choices. No one is forcing you to participate in Trick-or-Treating. Are they? Keep it fun!
They're popping up everywhere. The wear house stores have ensured we will not run out this year. And reportedly seven out of ten of us will spend on average $80 this Halloween. As a nation we will spend $8 billion on this holiday. Praise the retail gods. Wow.
Much of that is spent on costumes, scary decor and the requisite fake blood. But we spend a lot on fun sized (and full sized) candy. So, what will all that fun cost you this season? Let's look at some of our favorite fun sized bars:
- Snickers 72 calories
- Twix 80 calories
- 3 Musketeers 65
- Kit Kat 100 calories
- Butterfinger 100
- Milky Way 75 calories
- Nestle Crunch 70
- 20 pieces of Candy Corn 150 calories
You might as well main line me right up because once I've had one...I want to keep the fun coming. Lots of people just can't stop once they've started. And with a bite sized piece, you really don't feel like you're doing that much damage.
The damage adds up, and quickly. There are some things you can do to manage your own behavior at work and at home. At home my best advice is wait to buy the candy. The mega store is not going to run out.
If it is in the house, you're going to eat it. If you really live in a place where they will run out and all that will be left is Jolly Ranchers...buy it now and seriously PUT IT AWAY. It's not for you in so many ways. You are the only one who is going to control your home environment.
When you are away from home you need to make some decisions and have some tools. One good tool is sugar free gum. It's kind of gross to pull the gum out of your mouth and hold it while you eat a snickers bar. Your mouth is already busy. Chomp away. It's a good tool.
Drink lemon water, or lemon tea, and eat your regular meals on schedule. Keeping yourself on track helps your body know it's getting what it needs. It doesn't need a kit kat. When you are getting the protein, fat and carbs you are supposed to eat, you won't be craving sugar.
Decide. Make your decision ahead of time. If you'll be in an environment where you know those fun sized items will be tempting you...decide ahead of time how you will handle it. You are prepared, not caught off guard. Hello! There's gonna be stuff at the pot-luck! Plan ahead.
Not getting fat sized from fun sized is easy when you know what you're dealing with and when you make decisions about your choices. No one is forcing you to participate in Trick-or-Treating. Are they? Keep it fun!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I Got Flashed!
by Kris Pitcher
I got flashed this summer. I didn't ask for it to happen. In fact, I wasn't even aware it happened until after. To be honest...I didn't even realize it was possible.
And I haven't been the same since! My husband had to explain what had happened. I was so clueless. Did you know there is a computer inside your car telling your engine to under perform? Lame! So, my husband had mine "flashed".
What? What did you think I was talking about?
Now, in my unassuming car I can race people off the line, jockey people into their lanes on the freeway and basically wreak havoc in my own 40-something kind of way. I'm high performance!
I guess what I'm wondering is what's telling you to under perform? What's holding you back? What "programming" will it take to get you to meet your high performance potential?
All valid questions as the days get darker, colder and shorter. We stack on the sweaters and hide for the duration of the winter. Heck I've pretty much stopped shaving my legs...
OK, I haven't, but things can turn ugly over the winter as the holidays are about to begin in pure domino fashion and the eating begins. Now is as good a time as any for you to get "flashed"! Why not kick up your performance when it matters?
The excuses are already building...Halloween is just around the corner. This candy is really for the kids. November starts on a Thursday - no one starts a plan on a Thursday. I'll wait until after Thanksgiving...pretty soon it's the New Year and you haven't shaved your legs!
Ugly. Turn up your performance now. No use in waiting. I'm certainly not waiting. I can't! Not with all this horsepower! Stay right except to pass, we've been flashed!
I got flashed this summer. I didn't ask for it to happen. In fact, I wasn't even aware it happened until after. To be honest...I didn't even realize it was possible.
What? What did you think I was talking about?
Now, in my unassuming car I can race people off the line, jockey people into their lanes on the freeway and basically wreak havoc in my own 40-something kind of way. I'm high performance!
I guess what I'm wondering is what's telling you to under perform? What's holding you back? What "programming" will it take to get you to meet your high performance potential?
All valid questions as the days get darker, colder and shorter. We stack on the sweaters and hide for the duration of the winter. Heck I've pretty much stopped shaving my legs...
OK, I haven't, but things can turn ugly over the winter as the holidays are about to begin in pure domino fashion and the eating begins. Now is as good a time as any for you to get "flashed"! Why not kick up your performance when it matters?
The excuses are already building...Halloween is just around the corner. This candy is really for the kids. November starts on a Thursday - no one starts a plan on a Thursday. I'll wait until after Thanksgiving...pretty soon it's the New Year and you haven't shaved your legs!
Ugly. Turn up your performance now. No use in waiting. I'm certainly not waiting. I can't! Not with all this horsepower! Stay right except to pass, we've been flashed!
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