weight loss Archives

Many people assume that being a vegan means having a limited diet, but that's simply not the case. I'm never starving and I never feel left out at mealtime. If anything, my journey from vegetarian to vegan has greatly expanded my palate to include veggies, spices, legumes, fruits and exotic foods that I would've never touched if I still ate the way I did before I went meat-free (over 10 years ago!). 

Magazine covers, locker room chat and group fitness instructors looking to give you that extra bit of motivation seemingly have one thing to say: bikini season is just around the corner! As if you needed any reminder that summer is less than two months away.

I have a confession to make. I'm the first person to deny it when someone says that all vegans and raw foodists eat is boring salads, but truth be told, there really is nothing I enjoy more than an awesome salad (well, maybe a delicious smoothie). But, I'm not talking about your run-of-the-mill dinner salad of tired mixed greens, a few carrot shavings and a slice of tomato. My kitchen is always stocked with organic dark leafy greens, sprouts, onions, beets, Fresno peppers, cucumbers, basil, avocados, saurkraut from RAW (because I'm too lazy to make my own), sesame seeds and hemp seeds (for protein), so I can make an amazing salad that I top with a salad dressing made of Udo's Oil, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard and raw agave nectar (thanks to Lisa Persico for that recipe). I love a good salad and I can't wait until summer for the amazing array of fresh, local organic produce at Farmer's Markets around the city, especially now that I have a copy of Philip McCluskey's newest eBook, The Raw Food Salad Bar.

Women's networking and lifestyle company, Crave Chicago, hosts their first annual Bloom + Tone party this Sunday, March 28 from 1-6pm at Architectural Artifacts. This event, five hours of health, wellness and fitness, will be the kick-off to get Chicago ladies excited to get in shape this season. 

I've got breakfast, lunch and dinner down, but when it comes to pre- and post-yoga snacks, I can't seem to get it right. Having worked from home for the better part of the past two years, it wasn't such an issue, but now that I'm often leaving an office and heading to the studio, I'm either starving or too full during practice, both of which can be extremely distracting and not ideal for optimal performance or calorie burning. 

Photo: The Dailey Method Chicago

Last month, the Dailey Method participated in a Groupon and sold over 1300 two-for-one class deals. I can't say that I'm surprised by the impressive number because the combination of toning, stretching and orthopedic exercises makes the Dailey Method a great workout for those looking for lean, sculpted muscles, tight abs and a nice tush. But it's easy to get discouraged in a Dailey Method class because the movements are tough. You know while you're trying to gracefully not clutch on to that ballet barre for dear life that you're working muscles you never even knew you had and you'll be sore the next day.

Photo: LollyKnit

When I first heard of Mind Body Boot Camp at Wicker Park Fitness, I imagined it to be tough yoga with weight training or a similar class to Core Power's Yoga Sculpt. I was wrong.

I love SmartPhones. I love twitter. I love technology! I'm not one of those people that can't function without checking their email every two minutes, but I am grateful for how much easier technology has made my life. I've already dedicated a blog to the great websites that make having a regular yoga practice easier and here are my picks for great fitness tech tools that make staying in shape easier.

The Ejuva Cleanse kit.

I know it's hard to believe, but spring is technically only a few weeks away! 

When it comes to buying groceries, I'm a perimeter shopper. Most of my shopping is done on the outskirts of the store where the produce, grains and non-processed foods are normally kept. I'm weary of a lot of products on the market that claim to do this or that and I don't buy things with strange manmade ingredients I can't pronounce, so when I find a product that's natural, healthy and delicious, I just have to tell everyone about it. Here are a few of my absolute favorite products that keep me energized, healthy and thriving. 

Screw the magazine plans, the TV-doctor approved workouts and all that other mumbo jumbo. Social Workout, a site for fitness enthusiasts, gym rates and urban yogis, will definitely motivate you to get out and get active. You'll find out about the hottest classes (for now, in New York, but they're planning to expand to Chicago), the latest health news, workout trends, gear reviews, yoga news, inspiring quotes, reviews and blogs from other members and my personal favorite, the Magazine Summarizer. But hands down, Social Workout is known for their free workout challenges (and the sweet prizes that go along with successful completion).

Chi-Town Shakti instructor Bhakti White

Yoga is for every body, regardless of if you look like Seane Corn or fit into lululemon clothing. In fact, if you don't happen to be a teeny tiny yogini, that's all the more reason to get on the mat. Yoga can decrease stress, increase flexibility and improve posture, sleep and sex. Yoga also helps us respect our bodies and get more comfortable in our own skin, something that every human being, regardless of shape, can benefit from.

Photo: www.localfitness.com.au

I've read countless top 10 lists, 2009 year in review lists and fitness predictions for 2010. I love a good list, but with the exception of Gaiam's "Ten Yoga Trends" article, they lack a focus for the mind-body fitness set. So, based on the Gaiam article, the American Council on Exercise's 2010 predictions, Pilates Pro articles and my own experience running around Chicago to try different classes, I comprised a list of trends for mind body fitness in 2010.

This weekend, head to Spring Wellness Center in the Southport Cooridor for two unique, challenging and cheap workouts.

A better booty, trim legs and improved posture simply by walking? Is there anybody on Earth who doesn't want that? No, I didn't think so either, which is why I'm not surprised that fit shoes, exercise shoes (exer shoes) and functional footwear is growing in popularity.

When the weather gets frightful, it's hard to muster up the energy to leave the house, let alone workout. That's why it's important to not only make your winter workouts effective, but also fun, calorie-burning bonanzas that will leave you craving for more, seeing results and treading through the snow to get to class on time. Here are the top 4 best holiday workouts to keep you slim, happy and fit into 2010 and beyond. 

I felt great after the lululemon x Corepower challenge last month and with temps dropping and my workload increasing, I, like many others, am afraid I'll start to slack on my yoga and workout routines. So I was pretty stoked to find another challenge to keep me motivated into the New Year, the free Social Workout Emergency Holiday Challenge.

The thought of the holidays got you down? Feeling a little sluggish? Afraid you might overindulge with the holiday party season upon us?

As I mentioned in previous blogs, I'm doing the Thrive in 30 vegan diet challenge with a group of friends. They've all agreed to share info about their lifestyle, eating habits and experiences. This week's spotlight is on professional badass Heather Crosby.

I was a super lazy kid. I watched a ton of TV, had a panic attack every day before phys. ed (especially on dodge ball days) and besides going to town with my Skip It, I just didn't want to exercise.

Last week, I wrote about being vegan and why I decided to do the Thrive in 30 Challenge with a few friends. Now it's time to hear from them. First up is acupuncturist Lisa Reichert. I asked Lisa to participate because I knew she could provide a Traditional Chinese Medicine take on Brazier's The Thrive Diet.

I love October. As the month comes to a close, I'm finally finding the structure and balance in my workout and diet that colder temps bring. 

The holidays are right around the corner, which means the seasonal stress, food, travel and cold weather are almost here, too. For most of us, this is a one-way ticket to fatassville, but what if you could actually get fitter this holiday season?

Imagine having the opportunity to transform yourself in seven days with an unlimited amount of unique tummy-toning, booty-lifting and leg-slimming classes; top of the line spa treatments with earth conscious products and a discount on fancy products like high-end Japanese skincare and jewelry.

Sounds like something only those living the lifestyles of the rich and famous get to enjoy, right?

It's normal to be pretty hungry after a vigorous yoga class, but are you more likely to go for a double cheeseburger or a filling salad? If you said the latter, there's a reason for that.

Dear Elle-

We have a problem. Your recent article, "Iron Maiden," which claims that when compared to "faddish" yoga and pilates, weight training is the most affordable and quickest way to change your body, isn't entirely true.

When I had cable a few years ago, VH1's Celebrity Fit Club was a guilty pleasure and I loved Dr. Ian Smith! I'm not sure if Celebrity Fit Club is still on the air, but Dr. Ian has definitely kept himself busy helping people, especially people of color, lose weight and get healthy.

One of his most popular efforts is the 50 Million Pound Challenge. Sponsored by State Farm, the Challenge is a free website that allows participants to track weight loss, learn healthy living information and connect with others who are dedicated to leading a healthier lifestyle.

This isn't a diet or a gimmick by Dr. Ian to get people to buy his books (although that can be incorporated in the program), it's free to anyone and it's helping people live their best life ever.

I had the opportunity to speak with two local participants who will be featured in an upcoming Challenge commercial.

Even though they aren't on the mind body wellness tip yet, I found their stories and energy so inspirational that I thought it was important to share some of their thoughts and words of encouragement for any readers who are trying to lead healthier and happier lives.

 

Marilyn Winters- Chicago resident who went from 267 to 150 pounds

I had planned a trip to Jamaica with a group of college friends I hadn't seen in years and my eating buddy decided to lose 30 pounds. So I thought, well, then I can lose 40 pounds.

I heard about the 50 Million Pound Challenge on the radio, went on the website and registered. It was really simple. I had already started eating 1600 calories and walking for 30 minutes on the treadmill, but when I went to the website there were so many other tools to utilize. I started tracking my weight from week to week and reading the inspirational stories from others.

How did you overcome roadblocks and weight plateaus?

I lost 100 pounds in a year, but the next 17 took 5 months. That was painful. But I honestly felt like there was a support group from the website. I would get online and read stories and get inspired. Plus, my trainer was the best in the world. On those days when I wanted to cry because the scale wouldn't move, he'd remind me of where I'd come from. Like, you can do 50 pushups and you have a waist now.

How are you maintaining the weight?

I've become a serious runner. I've done two half marathons and a 10 mile race. Now I have another half marathon, then I'm doing the Chicago marathon and a week after that, it's the Urbanathalon. I go to the gym and I'm taking pilates now. But I still have a life! Fitness has just become a part of my lifestyle.

I want a gladiator body. I'm 47, conditioned and in great shape. Plus with doing all the running, I have to be in great shape to avoid injury. 

Any words of encouragement?

I hear "oh you lost the weight because you had a trainer" a lot. But I think it's doable without the trainer. I think we need to surround ourselves with people who have the same goals and the tools that we need to be successful are free and available on the 50 Million Pound Challenge website. I believe if you do what you're supposed to do, your body will treat you right.