Glisten on girls, glisten on

The magazines are all talking about it this time of year – how to look sexy while you work out. Thankfully, they’ve stopped recommending makeup palates and hues that look good with your Nike gear, but the whole thought of trying to be sexy when doing squats and lunges or push ups is mind-boggling.

Working out is sexy enough. And guess what, as a fit, young woman who probably sweats as much as an overweight middle-aged man, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that sweating is sexy too. And sweating buckets? Whatever. My white shirt just became see-through; it’s like a self-made wet t-shirt contest…everyone’s a winner.

In an effort to be semi-serious, just as we, shouldn’t actually believe a Pin that shows a woman with fake boobs and hip bones with the caption, “7 squats before your shower…BEST BODY EVER,” nor should we look for ways to defy biology with our sweat glands or purchase excess gear to inhibit sweat.

It’s what we need to do, it’s natural. We need to be exercising, just go to a public pool for visual proof or read any article for statistical evidence. And to be successful in our fit endeavors, we need to accept that when we put our all into a workout, we don’t just sweat, we freakin’ glisten.

As a recent convert to non-cotton workout clothes, I will say that those water-wicking clothes are magical. I never really had a problem with the old t-shirts and Hanes beaters, but since one of my favorite places, R.A.W, doesn’t have air conditioning and it’s summer, I’m sweating triple than usual, and a bra and tank that help absorb the waterfall(s) of sweat is necessary for me; it just makes sense.

So yes, for all you late-bloomers out there, get good, water-wicking workout clothes. And then go out and get your glisten on!!

Who do you cheer for?

My first marathon experience was 2 years ago. I ran the half. I was unprepared and I remember feeling butterflies at the starting line. It was the first time I felt nervous for anything fitness related. 

I was praying that my muscles would support me as they had always done. I was reminding myself to not rush that first mile. Let the serious people weave in and out. I have to “stay alive” for 13 miles.

And once it began, I was swept up by the crowd. Their cheering, the posters, the music. The volunteers who kept us on course, who gave us water or Gatorade, oranges, bananas or that bizarre gel. All I took was the water and Gatorade. And I just loved the crowd. For 13 miles, they were my heroes. 

This year, I ran the relay with my coworkers at SnapRetail. I ran the longest, flat leg, 6.1 miles. It was a great distance and the terrain was easy (still glad that my coworker Sarah confessed a love of running hills!). This year, my route took me from Shadyside, to Point Breeze, to the boarded up streets of Homewood, through Highland Park and East Liberty. 

It’s amazing. When running in the marathon, no matter how far my distance, I see more of Pittsburgh than usual. And I fall in love with the city and its neighborhoods. During the relay, it took me less than a mile to love the people.

On the hot day, they set out their sprinklers out for us to run through. Families and their little children happily handed us water, encouraging us. “You’re lookin’ good! Keep it up!” “You’re almost there!” “You’re doing great!” 

We joke that there’s no reason to go to Homewood. It’s a neighborhood that makes the news for crimes, a place you don’t want to get lost in. When there’s a house for rent, I don’t even bother; especially since my dog’s a joke of a guard.

But last Sunday, was the perfect time to be in Homewood. Families sat out on their sidewalks, painted signs, brought out their music, made food in their yards. They partied for us. They cheered the runners on. There were these adorable ladies who danced to Cha Cha Slide. I wanted to dance with them, to hug them and say, “You’re awesome, thank YOU!” Instead, I did the white girl raise the roof move as I ran by.

The thought of the residents of Homewood stayed with me throughout my run. I couldn’t comprehend why I was so moved by them. Thousands of people were cheering us on throughout the 26.2 miles. But it was Homewood residents who cheered us on for those few miles. 

And I couldn’t help but think, Who cheers them on?

 

If I were a morning person…

It’s not wise to dwell on “What ifs” right? Right. But it’s not bad to at least ask the question every so often. If we’re mindful enough, we’ll learn from ourselves, get to know our souls, maybe even evolve.

But, the “What if” that I can’t get out of my head isn’t too deep that it’s paralyzing or suffocating. It doesn’t hold me back from much….

What if I were a morning person? 

I don’t even know where to begin…I have a hunch that I’d kick ass at being a morning person. I live on making lists and plans of attack. I’m ambitious. I like to exercise. I like coffee. I love coffee. Yep, I think I’d be a great morning person.

Running in the morning, while the sun rises would probably be my favorite time to run. Before I would go running, I would program my coffee pot to start about 15 minutes behind me. Maybe 30 if I was feeling extra energetic and wanted to run longer. When I came in, all refreshed and ready to “start my day” (because, for morning people, running is like an extension of sleep, you just do it…), I would pour my coffee and then let it cool while I took my shower.

I would start my day on all positive notes, because now, I not only have caffeine in my veins, but endorphins buzzing all over the place. Bring it, Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (I like you, Friday), I’m ready! (Although, maybe I wouldn’t even have that “bring it” attitude because I’m on a whole other level, being this morning person…)

But, alas…the only thing I wake up to is Luna whimpering that she needs to pee or poop. My blaring alarm clock only wakes the neighbors, but not me. When the sun is creeping up, I think, “Ah, I still have minutes before it totally shines in my face…then I have to turn my face the other way so I can continue to sleep for as long as possible to run out of the house without even doing my hair but passing as non-I-don’t-care-what-my-hair-looks-like-I-look-at-a-computer-screen as possible.

I rush to get out the door, hoping that the light turns green at the right moment so that it’s truly “fate” that tells me to go to Starbucks to get my java fix. And since I can’t drink it so hot, I don’t even start sipping it until I’m halfway to work…running late…

I don’t even know if I would like running in the morning, because I never really tried. But I do know that at the moment, running at night is still amazing. As the sun sets and it cools off, I reflect on my day. I might not plan out the day in my head, but at least I reflect and consider how I can improve as a friend, a hard worker, a mentor, a sister, a daughter, a sometimes-cynical-sometimes-hopeless-romantic, a dog lover, a dreamer…

And sometimes, I wonder, would it be easier?….

…What if I was a morning person…

What’s the point of networking?

I’m sorry to say that I’ve only been to a handful of networking events. Considering how many invites I get via LinkedIn, Facebook, Branchout and my regular email from Pittsburgh events, I should be a 25-year old vet on the matter. But instead, tonight I’ve been to my second woman-focused networking event. Even better, it was pitched with a focus in marketing. Boom. Jackpot.

But 2 hours later, after 2 glasses of wine and 2 freakishly small platefuls of hors d’voeures (is it because I’m a woman that you supply such tiny plates?!?), I feel as unfulfilled in networking as I feel unenlightened by women in marketing.

Hosted at the amazing Boxheart Gallery in charming Bloomfield, the event had my expectations set pretty high. The art in the gallery was fabulous and here was this young woman, the founder and president of her own ad agency (aka, my first choice of occupation for a speaker!). I had every reason to listen to every syllable of every word; she did what boggles my dreaming mind. And she even had stats and awards to back her up.

But because I’m this 25-year old dreamer with high hopes and higher expectations, and because I hung on to every single word she spoke, I read in between the lines….This accomplished woman provided little value. She talked about herself for nearly 45 minutes. She talked about starting her business with even less information on starting a business than Google could pull up for an inexperienced high school student working on their research paper (and that’s not slamming Google, the god of information). Get an attorney, get an accountant….really? That’s what I paid $20 to hear? Hopefully my money went to the adorable dessert company that made scrumptious chocolate-covered pretzels – THAT sister-run company deserved every penny!

What irritated me the most though, was that when I timidly approached her after her self-influenced performance, she gave me nada. Zilch. And I had some pretty amazing questions too. I talked about the balance of culture in an ad agency. How can you stay progressive and innovative yet create work that pushes the envelope of perfection? How do you stay ahead of the social media curve? What resources can you suggest for me to grow in my profession and passion in advertising? Literally, nothing. So then, I went all out. “What do you think about the fact that my guess is in a matter of years, Facebook will cease to be a hot virtual destination?” Crickets. Seriously? That was f*^%$ing bold! 

So, the rhetorical question to all you women in business or marketing: What is it about US that we can do to actually enlighten the minds of our future women leaders? And, quite frankly, I’m a little too young to be answering that question. I’ll think about it because I’m an overachiever like that, but that’s your job. One day, I could be the reason that you’re living so luxuriously during your retirement.

I love finding cheesy stock photos. This one could demonstrate me throwing my money away from the event? Or just the stereotype that women play with money? Plus, this speaker was also a redhead...Don't judge on the photo...it's part of the creative license here.

The CrossFit Truth

When I joined R.A.W Training, a CrossFit affiliate in the Fall, I was looking to push my fitness boundaries.

R.A.W hasn’t disappointed me in the slightest. It’s crazy, amazing, challenging, fun, exhilarating, and it’s a program that at each visit, is something new. But it’s also a program that you get out of it what you put into it. And that’s what makes it such a challenge. While you’re building muscle and endurance, you’re conditioning your mind to push past old standards and preconceived boundaries.

There’s a competition all CrossFitters can participate in, the CrossFit Games. I am doing it out of pure fun and because the coaches convinced me that even my weak upper body was worth registering! I’ve been loving it so far, but the best thing happened last week. It was so cool and inspiring that for the time being it is casting a slight shadow on my own successes.

I got to witness a female athlete who is participating in the Games to compete, not just for kicks. She is the unmistakable image of a strong woman. She was doing her CrossFit Games WOD while I was waiting for my class to start. She was in a rhythm that was almost mechanic, and her focus was intense. When I looked up from my phone, I saw a rambunctious little girl running around her in circles, screaming, cheering her on. I then saw a little boy who was injured in a wheelchair, looking on, admiring her. As the workout ticked away, as her muscles grew exhausted, and the loud exhales, that even I have come to make, left her, her kids cheered louder. By the time her workout was done, she was drained but proud, her kids ecstatic.

I was blown away. Obviously, I was impressed by her ridiculous strength, but what was even greater to me was the support she had and how she set in motion an admirable example. She chose to show her kids where she spends some extra time. I assume that the benefits of that are many. Her kids see their mom living healthfully, they see her working so hard and past pain to reach a goal or a dream, they see her overcoming obstacles, and they might remember her habits and examples when they need to draw on them in their lives down the road.

I’ve always seen working out as a part of something greater. It’s not truly about weight or sizes. It’s about the extra mile, the surpassed obstacle, the holistic health benefits and the well rounded lifestyle that should follow.

It’s what makes CrossFit the “sport of fitness” and it’s what will make each WOD achievable and truly enjoyable.

A nutritious week

A couple months ago I started working out at RAW, a Crossfit affiliate, and since then, a lot of my perspectives changed. It’s taught me a lot, obviously about form in each workout, pushing boundaries and just overall physical success, but it was a little direction from Coach Amy to keep track of my diet, exercise and sleep patterns for a week that is the subject for this blog.

After logging what I ate last week I wasn’t necessarily disappointed in my food choices; they weren’t terrible choices and I never ate in excess. But I noticed that I ate out, or at least brought food back to the office, more than I would have liked to. Panera is sometimes the best option for a non-home-cooked meal on the fly, but having more control is always best when creating a healthy lifestyle diet.

Fueled by weekend time, great workouts and some extra determination, I set to work yesterday evening, cooking up lunches and snacks that I could pack throughout the week.

To keep lunches healthy and easy for the week, I doctored up a hearty vegetable soup I found on Pinterest. Instead of pasta, I used barley and I added other vegetables: zucchini, cauliflower and spinach. It’s filling, tasty, and so healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

Then I made granola to keep handy for snacks. I didn’t add the pumpkin seeds, because I couldn’t find any that were unsalted and the sodium is UNREAL on most brands at the store. After baking, and once it cooled, I added white chocolate chips, craisins and golden raisins! It’s absolutely delicious…

 

 

 

 

 

The next prep for the week was smoothies. I loooove smoothies. They’re easy and can be so nutritious. My recipe for this week: Lowfat vanilla yogurt; organic skim milk; orange juice; frozen raspberries, blueberries and peaches; a banana; handful of Quaker Oats; baby spinach. It’s the perfect way to start the day.

What are some of your go-to healthy meals or snacks?

Organic Customer Service

I’m an easy to please customer because I’m not high-maintenance. But I do pay attention to a businesses values, their communications and whether or not they follow through. There are so many companies and brands that I will buy for the rest of my life. I have a feeling that a new fling, Hazelwood Soap Company, from North Carolina, will be one of them.

I’ve never tried their products before. My boss and friend recommended them so on a whim (I’m always interested in new lotions or scrubs) I bought a body scrub and lotion. I haven’t even received their products yet. I have the most sensitive skin and I don’t even know if they’ll pass the allergy test, but I absolutely fell in love with the company, their people and their products.

Here’s why:

• Their Facebook page is helpful, friendly and simplistic. There’s actually nothing that special about it. I would love to spruce it up, add some oomph to it, but frankly, when I needed to find information, it was right there and super easy. They were running a Valentine’s Day promotion, and I’m assuming their lack of FB posts is because it was so successful that they’re catching up with product. Which brings me to my next point…
• I got an email today from the company (amazing in and of itself) that my product was just finished BEING MADE and an effort to keep it SO ORGANIC, that there is the smallest time frame possible between sealing it and shipping it. WHAT?!? Are you for real? I’m in love. They’re authentic and straight-up organic. That’s truly amazing.
• Their website was so user-friendly, even for a newbie like me. I didn’t know anything about this company. My boss just posted on FB that it was a great deal and I virtually meandered to their page, then to their site, then made my purchase. But I had all the info I needed. Everything from the history of the company and values, to organic FAQs, to the make-up of any scent infused in their products was all explained concisely but wonderfully. Because they were so user-friendly, I am confident that the product I’m getting is genuine and of great quality.

I was just emailed today that my order was freshly made and was ready to ship so I can’t testify that I’ll love my body scrub and shea butter lotion, but I love this company already. It might sound naive or over-the-top to you, but I’d rather fall head-over-heels for a company with great ethics and purpose than one that stands more for the quick wins and sale gimmicks.

I’ll keep you posted on their actual product, but honestly, I already would recommend them to a friend. Actually, I did that last week on Facebook, and now with this blog…

The body scrub. I got mine in the Bloom scent.