Changes

Hey Everyone!

I've been busy, obviously.

In two weeks from today---TA DA--November 9th--I'll be back on the blog, full force. I have some changes in mind, some evolutions, per say. You will, of course, still get your daily blips of health and exercise. Howeeeeever, some of these daily features are evolving. Stay tuned!

Allyson

The Friday Find

I am all about the Handstand lately. I think my inner child is kicking in, and I like that. I want to be able to flip my body any which way I desire to, and know that I can actually do it. So, here's to handstands, and my ability to get them down, nice and solid.

Thursday Things Thin Girls Know

Today's Thursday Thin Girl is a Miss Genevieve Sullivan from Wylie, Texas! Genevieve is a hot mama, in the sense that she is not actually a mom. A childhood friend of mine, I am constantly praying that she'll just stop going to school, and start modeling as a way for me to live vicariously through her. She is beautiful, hilarious, good-natured, giving, and born with naturally good genes. Read through to discover how this sweet girl lives her life!

As a perpetual slacker myself, my advice is is to set easy goals. Yes, of course you can have one big huge mondo goal for the end-- but set easy weekly goals that will keep your spirits up (and make that big huge mondo goal not seem too overwhelming.)

Let's set easier goals so you don't have to focus on them, and sing that Miley Cirus song ("The Climb") to try to keep you motivated (everyone might will hate you.)

I feel pretty durn good about my body. YES there are pieces of me I don't like, but I have learned to try to balance them with other things I do. For instance, some days my belly flab really bothers me and I just remind myself how nice and shapely my knockers are. Or sometimes I will wish I didn't have chicken legs, but hey! At least they are nice and long! Focusing on the positive is very important.

The one habit I swear by is finding clothes that fit correctly. I see so many girls walking around with clothes that just do not do them any good. Previously, I mentioned how you have to focus on the positive things about your body. Once you've found those positive things you have to learn to play them up! If you have a small waist but a bodacious booty, find some empire line dresses that will accentuate your waist and flow right over the curves down under. The right outfit can make you feel loads lighter.

If you think skinny, you will feel skinny. Go put on a pretty dress that makes you feel thin and think thin all day. If I'm thinking about being thin and about how utterly smokin' hot I look, I'm not likely to shove a double bacon double mayo cheeseburger down my trap. Truth.

Work It, Wednesday!

Today's Work It, Wednesday! takes a different approach from our previously published listings. What is this difference, you may ask? Well, dear Blogoworld, it's that you can do it RIGHT NOW. And should you? Well, that's a different story. Are you in church? You should not be doing yoga in church. Also, you should probably sign off of your Iphone in church, as well. :) Are you at your Texas family reunion? You should probably not do yoga there. Chances are you'll get hit on by your first cousin, Adam and the rest of the family will try to exorcise your demons away. Are you at work or sitting in your apartment/lavish mansion? Then, yes, this could be a good time to do some yoga. :) (P.S. if you're at work, go lock yourself in the file room for ten minutes. I do it all the time.)

So what exactly are we covering today? Oh my darling Blogoworld, it is yoga: the practice of strength and meditation. As the savvy weight loser that you are, I'm certain you've heard about yoga before. Does it help to melt pounds away? Sure, it does, especially if you've already lost the extra baggage. The most common misconception about yoga is that it will give you the results you want, quickly. NOTHING WILL DO THIS. Every weight loss adventure takes at least two weeks. So if you want a toned, amazing, strong yoga bod, you're going to have to put the hours into getting it. Use up energy, that is the point of weight loss.

So what can you REALLY do, if you've never done yoga before? Well, you CAN put yourself into the positions listed below, and this will be fun and hilarious and challenging, but you're missing out on the philosophy and principles of yoga. In order to love it, you probably need to understand it. So sign up for a class. Visit a website. Buy a video. Or learn online.

Child's Pose
This pose lengthens the spine, stretches the tops of your feet, and relaxes your body. Starting on your hands and knees, arms underneath your shoulders, pull your hips back so your buttocks rest on your feet and your torso on your thighs. Keep your forehead on the mat and let gravity help you sink into the pose. Shift your arms to the left and right for a deeper oblique stretch.

Bridge Pose
This pose opens the chest. Lie on your back with feet planted close to your buttocks, palms on the floor. Breathe in, and, as you exhale, press into your feet to lift your tailbone. Clasp your hands together underneath you and walk your shoulder blades closer together so your weight rests on your posterior shoulders and feet. Lift your hips upward.

Boat Pose
This pose builds core strength and creates heat in the body. Start seated -- legs together, knees bent, feet planted on the floor. Holding the back of your thighs, rock your weight back so it rests between the sitting bones. Lift your feet, knees still bent, keeping your lower back drawn inward. Inhale and extend your legs. Let go of the back of your legs, and extend your arms out parallel to the floor.

Warrior II
This pose increases leg, back, and arm strength. Standing at the top of your mat, step your right foot back about 4 feet and turn it 90 degrees to the right. Turn your left foot slightly in. Adjust your torso so that it faces to your right, inhale, and raise your arms out, shoulder blades wide, palms down. Exhale, bending your left knee until your thigh is parallel to the mat. Switch sides.

Forward Bend
This pose stretches the back and hamstrings. Standing tall with your feet hip-width apart, inhale and sweep your arms overhead. As you exhale, lift your tailbone and begin to bend forward from your hips, sweeping your arms with you as you go down. Keep your spine long and straight as you move, bending at the knees if need be. To return to standing, curl up slowly, one vertebra at a time.

Downward Facing Dog
This pose circulates blood to the head and stretches the back. Start on all fours, with hands under your shoulders. Curl your toes, take a breath, and, as you exhale, press into your hands, lifting your hips back. Holding the pose, keep your spine straight (bending your knees if need be) and your weight resting evenly between the legs and arms.

Truth Tuesdays

Betty Calman, 83

Hey there, Blogoworld. Let's take a look today at one very important reason why taking care of your body should be a priority in your life: It's gonna wear out someday.

OHMYGOD, but that is at least forty years away!

Maybe.

Maybe not.

Regardless of how old you are, you need to be aware of the fact that your body is not invincible. It can be hit by a car. It can misstep and snap a bone. It can, and will, age. So what can you do? Well, take care of it. Keep it up and running. Put the right nutrients into it, and watch it heal miraculously when something goes wrong. Know what is and isn't good for your body. Wow, this makes me want to go eat a salad. So, here we go:

The Ten Best Foods to Fight Aging

from WholeLiving

1. Healthy Greens

They contain folate, calcium, and other nutrients that support bone health, protect against cognitive decline, and help prevent age-related eye problems. Diets high in cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli and cabbage, help reduce risk of memory loss and cancer.

2. Whole Grains

Rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, whole grains can lower the risk of age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Because they're digested more slowly than processed grains, they also help prevent high blood sugar and diabetes.

3. Berries

Blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are rich in antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins, which have been shown to slow the growth of certain cancers as well as improve brain function, muscle tone, and balance.

4. Olive Oil

Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat, olive oil figures prominently in the Mediterranean diet. It may explain the lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline in people who follow this way of eating.

5. Tomatoes

Certain red fruits -- including tomatoes -- contain lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps maintain youthful skin texture and may reduce the risk of some types of cancer (especially prostate, lung, and stomach cancers) and heart disease.

6. Nuts

Varieties such as almonds and walnuts contain a generous helping of healthy fats, vitamins, and protein that benefit cardiovascular and brain health. Nuts are also high in compounds that ease inflammation.

7. Red Grapes

Grapes contain an antioxidant called resveratrol, which been shown to extend the lives of lab animals. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, which may explain why red wine and purple grape juice also help promote heart health.

8. Fish

An important part of the Japanese and Mediterranean diets, oily fish provide omega-3 fatty acids that help combat inflammation in the body. People who eat several weekly servings of such fish have a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

9. Teas

Of the various types of tea, white and green tea contain the most EGCG, one of the most powerful antioxidants. Numerous studies have linked tea consumption to lower rates of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.

10. Herbs and Spices

Spices such as turmeric and ginger contain anti-inflammatory compounds that might reduce the risk of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The antioxidant substances in garlic and onions can protect against heart disease and cancer; cinnamon may help lower blood sugar.

Thirty Minute Monday

Got thirty minutes today? Take this quiz.

Let's talk for a moment about repetitive information. I have been trying to lose weight, let's say, for three years now. Why have I not yet been entirely successful? Because I'm not listening OR paying attention to what it is I'm reading about weight loss. So what's different about this time? Take a look, Blogoworld, I have SURROUNDED myself by weight loss. I keep reminding myself of what this lifestyle looks like, and I keep testing my knowledge of it. I'm doing well.

So, today, if you've got thirty minutes, and I am certain that you can, take this quiz to remind yourself what 100 calories looks like. You're gonna need it. :) This info will stick in your brain eventually, even if you're only halfway paying attention to it. So keep reminding yourself of what it takes, what you love, what makes you happy, and what you like about what you are doing with your body. It all adds up. :)

Seeing Skinny

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!

I have a lovely surprise for today's Seeing Skinny. It's a Yoga Flip. A what?! A Yoga Flip, and the video lasts four seconds.


This counts as a Seeing Skinny for multiple reasons: 1) It's in a gym. 2) This HAD to have taken practice, and 3) Look what you can do if you set your mind to it! :)


Sure, it may be a stretch, but I love it.


See today's video HERE.

Saturday Success Story

Hey all!
I apologize dreadfully for the lack of posting that has been going on with this blog, as of late. School has been a WHIRLWIND. Have you ever attended summer camp, and when it was over you thought, "Man, I wish I could have done that seven days a week, eighteen hours a day?" Well, I am here to tell you that YOU ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT THAT.


However, I do have a Saturday Success Story here for you pulled straight from the website of Women's Health Magazine! How do you keep your weight loss going? You surround yourself with information. Get acquainted with this website and magazine, it is a grand one.


Read on to discover Bethany Whirty's way of making her lifestyle work for her. And if you, or anyone you know of qualifies as a Saturday Success Story, give a hoot and send their info my way. :) west.allyson@gmail.com

You Lose You Win: Bethany Whirty
"I can't believe I was once a size 22."

Before: 270 lb, After: 155 lb

Even as a kid, Bethany Whirty, 25, a project coordinator from Loveland, Colorado, was heavy. Though she was active and loved sports, her high-calorie, high-fat diet (she was big on brownies, cookies, and soda) still packed on pounds. "I guess I wasn't raised with healthy habits or portion control," she says.

The Gain

Her weight problem came to a head when she moved out on her own. She stopped exercising, and her eating habits worsened. Meals of Hamburger Helper, pizza, or half gallons of ice cream ("I wouldn't even use a bowl," she says) added up. By 23, her clothing size was nearly the same as her age.

The Change

Her mother, a wellness coach, suggested they diet together, and she agreed to humor her. But when she stepped on a scale for the first time in years and saw that at 5'9" she weighed 270, she was shocked into action.

The Lifestyle

She cut carbs and sweets, starting with soda. Twelve weeks in she was down 30 pounds and had the energy to join a softball team. Six months later, in January 2008, Bethany celebrated her first 100 pounds lost with a gym membership. Then she started running and dropped 15 more pounds before she did her first 10-K that May.

The Reward

This June, Bethany crossed the finish line of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego a slim size 6. Next stop: the Boston Marathon. Bethany's TipsMake the reward as big as the goal. "After my marathon, I took myself on vacation to Palm Springs."Drink often. "The more hydrated you are, the less hungry you feel."

Her Advice: Recircuit your stress. "I curbed emotional eating with a new outlet: running."

The Friday Find

The FRRRRIIIIDDDDAAAYYY FFFIIINNNNDDD is this book. Skinny Bitch. Many years ago, as in two, I lost twenty pounds by paying attention to the no-nonsense attitude of these sassy ladies. Sassy? Did I just say sassy? I absolutely did. Maybe that's why I love them. This book takes a no-nonsense attitude toward weight loss and health, filling your mind with freaking logical thoughts about what you are putting into your body. Sometimes, the "tough" attitude is the one you need to hear in order to get information at face value.

So, love it. I do.

“What makes this diet easy to swallow is the book's tough-love attitude — part best-friend counsel, part drill-sergeant abuse and a dash of sailor mouth, wrapped in a pretty chick-lit package.”— iVillage, Diet & Fitness

"Don't hate them—be them. The authors of Skinny Bitch offer women a no-holds-barred approach to being thin and fabulous." — Metro

“As the authors rightly point out, thanks to slick marketing and food-industry lobbying, we’ve reached such a collective level of ignorance about health and nutrition that a diet telling us to eat lots of meat and no fruit becomes wildly successful. ‘You are a total moron if you think the Atkins Diet will make you thin’ they tell us. Harsh? Yes. But it’s also true. …there’s more solid advice in Skinny Bitch than in most diet and health books.”— Bitch, Anniversary Issue

“Skinny Bitch combines a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude with cogent analysis and scientific proof to make an engaging, wickedly irreverent, and iron-clad case for eating healthfully. If I had it in my power, I’d provide a free copy to every young woman in the developed world; we could then become, instead of the fattest next generation in history, the healthiest.”— Ingrid Newkirk, President, PETA

"Skinny Bitch dishes up scientifically sound information that will change your health and your life. Its 'in-your-face' approach is at once engaging and humorous, and belies its serious and well-researched underbelly. It’s the spark that will start your personal revolution. Pick it up. Read every last word. Healthy and skinny you will be."— Amy Joy Lanou, Ph.D., Senior Nutrition Scientist, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Blips and Quips: UGGGHHHH

Dear Blogoworld,

School is beginning, and I am stressed already. Therefore, I'm issuing my month challenge: attend all scheduled workouts (Curves, T, H and Sat/Ballet M, W/Gym, F) and track my intake of 1200 calories a day.

Additionally, this blog will be updated on a much less constant basis.

As soon as I get my head on straight, I'll be back in the saddle again. :)

Stay Focused!

Love,
Allyson

Thirty Minute Mondays

Got thirty minutes today? Let's freaking clean something. It's time to make something look instantly fantastic. You know, like fad diets say your body will. Let's translate that into your refrigerator. Your purse. Your closet. Your shoe closet.

Just do it. It needs to be done sometime, and it's a great way to make you feel a little bit better.

Seeing Skinny

When I was a little girl, I watched musicals NONSTOP. I love them. There are many reasons why, but I always especially loved the dancing and the prowess of the performers. Incredible. Absolutely incredible. So, watching the Tony's this year, I was more than impressed at Broadway's current "West Side Story," and want nothing more to be in New York so that I can see this amazing show.

Today's Seeing Skinny is the 2009 Tony's mambo in the gymnasium from "West Side Story."

See the video HERE.

And see if you don't want that purple dress as much as I do. I've wanted it ever since I was a six.