this really should be comment of the week.
I read in Shape magazine (after watching the interview on the Today Show) from Faith Hill that to avoid getting bored and for the best workout to stay toned she does Pilates... really? I thought helo-skiing would be more appropriate. This blows my mind every time. Pilates??? How do you elongate 15lbs of fat? Or does it just get airbrushed off ya? And for someone like Faith Hill (who should have access to ANY kind of workout she can think of) to say that the ultimate challenge and variety comes from Pilates...???? Really? ah, that's how she thinks Tim Mcgraw is hot.. like Pilates.
Without being judgmental, it's fine for everyone to choose their best interest, the only problem I have is with a star like Faith to put the wrong idea in little people's heads. She probably has a very good nutritionist, maybe even a personal chef, and other fitness and health professionals advising her and keeping her in shape. Three one hour classes a week won't do it. So let's be honest! Pilates is a great extra, however, it is not a solution for any of your fitness dilemmas. Except maybe for core strenghtening. But you can only do that if you are not 30 lbs overweight and are able to hold yourself up in any position. There has to be a base built even for Pilates.
So, if Pilates is *(^*&%&^, Faith, you need to get out more.
I was also asked recently why I don't teach Pilates (having Mat Pilates Instructor cert.). To which I responded with "It's not my speed". I don't love it and it bores me to tears. Up, two, three, four, and down, two, three, and four. Inhale, inhale, three, four, and exhale, two, three and four.
Yeaaaaah...
Back to one of my core beliefs: life is not rolling on pulleys and you're not always strapped in. Train to live better, to stay stronger, chances are, your body will not be airbrushed for a magazine cover...don't believe the crap you read!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
peace within
hmm.. more private matters - shared in cyberspace (and with my three readers).
I am fighting my eternal dilemma of finding peace without self loathing, without prejudice, without doubts and without any other questions to myself. Yes, peace within.
That's a BIG WORD. Because, for me, there is always a counter word. always. If I am happy, I will wonder if it's real, how long it will last, and I can not relax and have peace, because there is always something. Something else. If I am confident, something will come along and take it all from me. Something, (usually) that I let into my life KNOWING that it will derail me. Oh, you say, is that the definition of selfdestruction? perhaps. And that worries me too. Yet, I cannot seem to stop doing it. I don't want to be perfect. I don't, at all. for several reasons. One is, that I know without inflation, that I can be top notch good- being half assed... second is, because I get bored easily, and being ALL GOOD takes all your focus and determination and energy, leaving nothing for actual self expression. I don't want to loose myself in the process. Take me with my imperfections, my human downfalls, AND my talents and compassion.
Sometimes I feel that I have something extra, that is what makes me unique, and strong, and there are times I feel I have something missing, and that is what makes me feel, well, the opposite - and weak. Weak is the worst. Weak cannot get out of any holes, weak will wither away... I am not weak, just lost. Sometimes. But for most of the other times, I am able to improvise and pull off a pretty good performance. Pretty darn good. Though I am not bragging and I am not proud of it, it's almost like I am laughing to myself a little bit, like when tricking my father into thinking what a hard worker I was when not even doing homework, because I am coasting on my natural abilities. Being fortunate for having some, and being doomed with my EQ, that has a range of INSANE to HALF DEAD. What am I to do???
I am not sure. But more and more I think that I have to tone it down. Both ways. I will not be the great savior of the human race, nor will I be the destruction of myself. Somewhere in between I shall find the golden median, where I can help some people and make myself happy without pretence. Without pretence. With eternal peace... No, I will not find Jesus, he's not lost. I have to find myself. What? You say 40 years should've been enough? oh yeah? By whose standards?? Who's setting the rules?? Bow down to society? I don't think so. If nothing else, I will try to be true to myself and will not give up this search till I stumble upon what I am looking for. Even if I am 80. At least I will have been true to one thing: my search.
Compromise is death. Conform to society, family, husband, career, 2.43 children, 401K.
Are you happy?? Are you in PEACE?
Few of us are. Don't' give up search. Don't be afraid. It's hard and it's lonely and it's difficult to keep going. But one thing you cannot expect from anyone else is to bring it to you.
Maybe the peace within is accepting eternal imbalance... could I be so lucky?
I am fighting my eternal dilemma of finding peace without self loathing, without prejudice, without doubts and without any other questions to myself. Yes, peace within.
That's a BIG WORD. Because, for me, there is always a counter word. always. If I am happy, I will wonder if it's real, how long it will last, and I can not relax and have peace, because there is always something. Something else. If I am confident, something will come along and take it all from me. Something, (usually) that I let into my life KNOWING that it will derail me. Oh, you say, is that the definition of selfdestruction? perhaps. And that worries me too. Yet, I cannot seem to stop doing it. I don't want to be perfect. I don't, at all. for several reasons. One is, that I know without inflation, that I can be top notch good- being half assed... second is, because I get bored easily, and being ALL GOOD takes all your focus and determination and energy, leaving nothing for actual self expression. I don't want to loose myself in the process. Take me with my imperfections, my human downfalls, AND my talents and compassion.
Sometimes I feel that I have something extra, that is what makes me unique, and strong, and there are times I feel I have something missing, and that is what makes me feel, well, the opposite - and weak. Weak is the worst. Weak cannot get out of any holes, weak will wither away... I am not weak, just lost. Sometimes. But for most of the other times, I am able to improvise and pull off a pretty good performance. Pretty darn good. Though I am not bragging and I am not proud of it, it's almost like I am laughing to myself a little bit, like when tricking my father into thinking what a hard worker I was when not even doing homework, because I am coasting on my natural abilities. Being fortunate for having some, and being doomed with my EQ, that has a range of INSANE to HALF DEAD. What am I to do???
I am not sure. But more and more I think that I have to tone it down. Both ways. I will not be the great savior of the human race, nor will I be the destruction of myself. Somewhere in between I shall find the golden median, where I can help some people and make myself happy without pretence. Without pretence. With eternal peace... No, I will not find Jesus, he's not lost. I have to find myself. What? You say 40 years should've been enough? oh yeah? By whose standards?? Who's setting the rules?? Bow down to society? I don't think so. If nothing else, I will try to be true to myself and will not give up this search till I stumble upon what I am looking for. Even if I am 80. At least I will have been true to one thing: my search.
Compromise is death. Conform to society, family, husband, career, 2.43 children, 401K.
Are you happy?? Are you in PEACE?
Few of us are. Don't' give up search. Don't be afraid. It's hard and it's lonely and it's difficult to keep going. But one thing you cannot expect from anyone else is to bring it to you.
Maybe the peace within is accepting eternal imbalance... could I be so lucky?
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
my roots and my profession
I recently received a comment (and I was very happy that I did) about my previous post that talks about my roots and Hungarian bad foods. This anonymous person wrote to me to defend Hungarian foods, saying that there are NO bad foods only lazy lifestyle. Which is sort of true. However, in case this tiny fact escaped the writer's attention, I claim to be a fitness guru and know a little about nutrition. Know enough that cooking with LARD is not going to make you any good foods. Putting it on bread either. Frying dough and sifting powdered sugar on it won't do it too. Eating lots of fats, trans and saturated, is NOT GOOD. Neither here nor there. I grew up in Hungary (in case that wasn't implied enough) and I didn't grow up eating fish and vegetables. I grew up eating floury stuff, fatty things, processed meat (such as salami, pate', sausages and other cold cuts), and breads. I also say that we ate other vegetables that are not common to eat here and are very very good for you, like beets, radish and cabbage. We also ate lots of fruit. But the staple "thing" that gave flavour to our main meals, usually, was FAT. If you think that is GOOD for you than you may blame this country for getting fat yourself, I suppose. Yes, we also walked everywhere and carried our groceries home in bags all the way from the supermarket. We walked to school. We walked to work.
The fact remains, fats are bad and too many carbs are bad as well. BUT, that also doesn't mean that are no fit Hungarians... did I say that???? I'm one too.
It is also OK to eat BAD FOODS in measure, and that's not a bucket, if you know what I mean. So live a happy full life eating what you like but not too much of it, and do some extra work because our lifestyle does not allow for enough mobility anymore (here). I hope that cleared up some of the 'bad air' and no one got offended. I just don't like the blaming game where we say, "oh, it's not the foods we eat that are bad or badly chosen, it's the lazy American lifestyle". Well, no, you are wrong. It's both.
Mangia!
The fact remains, fats are bad and too many carbs are bad as well. BUT, that also doesn't mean that are no fit Hungarians... did I say that???? I'm one too.
It is also OK to eat BAD FOODS in measure, and that's not a bucket, if you know what I mean. So live a happy full life eating what you like but not too much of it, and do some extra work because our lifestyle does not allow for enough mobility anymore (here). I hope that cleared up some of the 'bad air' and no one got offended. I just don't like the blaming game where we say, "oh, it's not the foods we eat that are bad or badly chosen, it's the lazy American lifestyle". Well, no, you are wrong. It's both.
Mangia!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
nuttin in pa'ticular
nothing to report, anyway. or nothing blog rated.. heehee
sorry guys, I too, have to maintain my politician's profile in zee public eye, since I put myself out there. So, what's new? Cold weather in Florida, an Achilles injury, papers due in school, the world's greatest pork roast and Shasta's new best friend. Ok, that's pushing it.
I had a very eventful and emotional week and I hope the next will be just as intense - I live for drama! I am my own soap opera. Aren't we all, though?
Christmas is approaching which means more self reflection and more emotions. More wine too. But I've got a plan to derail this train and will promptly escape from it by travel and other activities. Sex would be a good one. Just imagine, if I was a qualified therapist I would so tell everyone to have more sex and relieve stress and derail negative thoughts by focusing on the highest attainable pleasure for self and immersion into the scent of someone else. Sounds good, doesn't it? In the case of lack of partner, wine always works. heehee. We'll stop there for now.
I most say that training, clients and friends and my puppy, along with wholesome cooking and good wines are the essence of life (in the absence of family, in my case), and I am happy with all of the above. If I only didn't have homework... but then I would not be writing to pass the time I would otherwise have to spend writing (a stinking paper). So when I have walked the dog and cleaned the house, have folded all laundry and baked for hours, what else is there to do but write? It's a good outlet and a good way to realize how great it is to exercise because sitting here is giving me all sorts of pains.
I will come back with more nonsense as soon as my fingers uncramp.
happy aioli!
sorry guys, I too, have to maintain my politician's profile in zee public eye, since I put myself out there. So, what's new? Cold weather in Florida, an Achilles injury, papers due in school, the world's greatest pork roast and Shasta's new best friend. Ok, that's pushing it.
I had a very eventful and emotional week and I hope the next will be just as intense - I live for drama! I am my own soap opera. Aren't we all, though?
Christmas is approaching which means more self reflection and more emotions. More wine too. But I've got a plan to derail this train and will promptly escape from it by travel and other activities. Sex would be a good one. Just imagine, if I was a qualified therapist I would so tell everyone to have more sex and relieve stress and derail negative thoughts by focusing on the highest attainable pleasure for self and immersion into the scent of someone else. Sounds good, doesn't it? In the case of lack of partner, wine always works. heehee. We'll stop there for now.
I most say that training, clients and friends and my puppy, along with wholesome cooking and good wines are the essence of life (in the absence of family, in my case), and I am happy with all of the above. If I only didn't have homework... but then I would not be writing to pass the time I would otherwise have to spend writing (a stinking paper). So when I have walked the dog and cleaned the house, have folded all laundry and baked for hours, what else is there to do but write? It's a good outlet and a good way to realize how great it is to exercise because sitting here is giving me all sorts of pains.
I will come back with more nonsense as soon as my fingers uncramp.
happy aioli!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
why I live in this country
Tonight, after talking to my family via Skype in Hungary and cooking a couple of awesome steaks (and leaving them uneaten) I left my backdoor open for doggie-pooh so I could go out for my night training along the intracoastal. As I was running with my Garmin GPS giving me distance and rest time (I was doing mile repeats) I thought about how lucky I was. Not because rain was soaking my tank top and weighing it against my body and not because I was running against 15 mile an hour winds, just because I could do all this! I could cook my steak, use my gadgets, leave my house door open and run along one of the most beautiful sites of the world. Then come home, eat my steak, walk my dog and drink my imported Italian wine. It is these everyday comforts and freedom that are so elementary and make life here so wroth while.
Everything is relative. If in another country, everyday comforts and little perks will mean something totally different. Sometimes that's good. I can also love a little Tuscan country home with its old fashioned plumbing, wholesome foods and bicycles. I could live without the gadgets and technology (and maybe whithout steak) because then other things would be pleasurable. Lot of different things are, in fact, it all depends on where you be (bad grammar on pupose). When I was in the desert, the most precious thing was our short hot showers in running water, and indoor plumbing toilets you could sit on. There was though a common denominator as well, which was running. It always is therapeutic and refreshing, rewarding and cleansing. I think, most of all, I am lucky that I discovered that - thanks to my father - and was able to revive it when I needed it. It's work, it's a challenge, it's a sacrifice; maybe that is exactly why it's so rewarding to me. Because of its "price".
Well, what's your common denominator? What could you take to any part of the world and cherish and use without much preparation? Is it music? Is it writing or reading? Is it praying? There is, there should be something, do you know what it is? Do you know why you are NOT living in another country?
I'm still going to Italy though, even if temporarily, to discover another beauty and maybe find another common denominator. Because I might not be able to run when I am 90...heehee. Maybe I'll paint. I will paint scooters with little puppy faces and church bells... Ok, now that's oxygen deprivation talkin'. Time to go.
Everything is relative. If in another country, everyday comforts and little perks will mean something totally different. Sometimes that's good. I can also love a little Tuscan country home with its old fashioned plumbing, wholesome foods and bicycles. I could live without the gadgets and technology (and maybe whithout steak) because then other things would be pleasurable. Lot of different things are, in fact, it all depends on where you be (bad grammar on pupose). When I was in the desert, the most precious thing was our short hot showers in running water, and indoor plumbing toilets you could sit on. There was though a common denominator as well, which was running. It always is therapeutic and refreshing, rewarding and cleansing. I think, most of all, I am lucky that I discovered that - thanks to my father - and was able to revive it when I needed it. It's work, it's a challenge, it's a sacrifice; maybe that is exactly why it's so rewarding to me. Because of its "price".
Well, what's your common denominator? What could you take to any part of the world and cherish and use without much preparation? Is it music? Is it writing or reading? Is it praying? There is, there should be something, do you know what it is? Do you know why you are NOT living in another country?
I'm still going to Italy though, even if temporarily, to discover another beauty and maybe find another common denominator. Because I might not be able to run when I am 90...heehee. Maybe I'll paint. I will paint scooters with little puppy faces and church bells... Ok, now that's oxygen deprivation talkin'. Time to go.
Monday, November 10, 2008
revamp the exercise field
There is a general disconnect between all health related sciences and professions, such as medical, rehabilitational, preventive and consulting. A dietitian is not a doctor, a doctor is not a trainer and a trainer, well, a trainer is not much of anything most of the time. A psychiatrist is not likely to tell you to exercise regularly because she may give herself the pink slip. Exercise is THAT GOOD for you. A doctor may tell you to use mismatched weights when exercising unevenly developed sides of your body. A dietitian will not know what to do with an old rotator cuff injury. And that is normal, it's just fine, I mean, can't expect everyone to know everything. So why the exercise field?
Because, a trainer is in a powerful position. He or she has to be a role model and spends a lot of time (most out of the above mentioned professionals) with the client. And frankly, to become a trainer, to obtain a nationally accredited certification along with insurance and CPR is not rocket science. Bam, you're a trainer. In a powerful position. Now, I think that's wrong! Trainer certification I think should include the following and should be made into a bachelors at least: some nutritional and diet principals, some physical rehab and a lot more basic anatomy, some physiology. I know there are bachelor degrees designed with this in mind, but it's not mandatory to have in order to train people. I don't have a bachelor's in exercise science. I was going to get one till I found out I would have to drive to Davie and take day classes, that is the nearest place for it. I wanted to do a dietitian bachelor's instead, but that's down in Miami. I wonder why there is no entity that certifies fitness professionals and health counselors, even masseuse! People listen to other people who are in their lives regularly. Training someone three hours a week is a lot of time that has a "lot of weight ", if you know what I mean. So why so little training needed to be in such a responsible position?? A trainer can make or break a client's success and have huge influence on his or her well being, aside from the training time and the session and the workout program. There is a lot more going on there. It's entirely up to the trainer to research, be inquisitive and conscientious about his or her profession and somehow, gather enough knowledge and expertise to guide the client. I don't know about others, but I do not take this position lightly. I see a big disconnect and a lot of bad advice. It's just hard to try to weed through stuff in the media and in between new fads, while keeping up with the latest scientific discoveries and new concepts. Our bodies are complex organisms (quiet amazing!) and its components cannot be hierarchied or singled out; they must form a perfect mosaic, a pretty picture of kaleidoscope, when working well together. It is difficult to create a balanced, harmonious system that is an efficient machine - no one is that smart or perfect. But we thrive to be, so it's crucial that we can turn to people for advice who will not completely sabotage our goals. That happens more often than not. Plus, who has money to hire all these professionals separately??
So, my point remains: fitness trainers must be trained better, much better, and regulated, almost as in a medical field. I don't know why this is taken so lightly in this lovely establishment of liability and responsibility ditching nation, since the position is a serious one. Maybe some day we'll realize that exercise is reaaaaaally important and it'll gain the corresponding respect and other perks that define a field that deals directly with one's health, and not just physically!
With this I close and wish you all a splendid week!
Because, a trainer is in a powerful position. He or she has to be a role model and spends a lot of time (most out of the above mentioned professionals) with the client. And frankly, to become a trainer, to obtain a nationally accredited certification along with insurance and CPR is not rocket science. Bam, you're a trainer. In a powerful position. Now, I think that's wrong! Trainer certification I think should include the following and should be made into a bachelors at least: some nutritional and diet principals, some physical rehab and a lot more basic anatomy, some physiology. I know there are bachelor degrees designed with this in mind, but it's not mandatory to have in order to train people. I don't have a bachelor's in exercise science. I was going to get one till I found out I would have to drive to Davie and take day classes, that is the nearest place for it. I wanted to do a dietitian bachelor's instead, but that's down in Miami. I wonder why there is no entity that certifies fitness professionals and health counselors, even masseuse! People listen to other people who are in their lives regularly. Training someone three hours a week is a lot of time that has a "lot of weight ", if you know what I mean. So why so little training needed to be in such a responsible position?? A trainer can make or break a client's success and have huge influence on his or her well being, aside from the training time and the session and the workout program. There is a lot more going on there. It's entirely up to the trainer to research, be inquisitive and conscientious about his or her profession and somehow, gather enough knowledge and expertise to guide the client. I don't know about others, but I do not take this position lightly. I see a big disconnect and a lot of bad advice. It's just hard to try to weed through stuff in the media and in between new fads, while keeping up with the latest scientific discoveries and new concepts. Our bodies are complex organisms (quiet amazing!) and its components cannot be hierarchied or singled out; they must form a perfect mosaic, a pretty picture of kaleidoscope, when working well together. It is difficult to create a balanced, harmonious system that is an efficient machine - no one is that smart or perfect. But we thrive to be, so it's crucial that we can turn to people for advice who will not completely sabotage our goals. That happens more often than not. Plus, who has money to hire all these professionals separately??
So, my point remains: fitness trainers must be trained better, much better, and regulated, almost as in a medical field. I don't know why this is taken so lightly in this lovely establishment of liability and responsibility ditching nation, since the position is a serious one. Maybe some day we'll realize that exercise is reaaaaaally important and it'll gain the corresponding respect and other perks that define a field that deals directly with one's health, and not just physically!
With this I close and wish you all a splendid week!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
big day in history
I hope you have voted... and don't go startin' no riots in yo' neighborhoooood!
ya hear? I would stay up to find the winner but instead I will get up before every normal person and check the news then.
And life goes on...
Tomorrow, there will be another sunrise and another present, live it as such!
Happy Wednesday!
ya hear? I would stay up to find the winner but instead I will get up before every normal person and check the news then.
And life goes on...
Tomorrow, there will be another sunrise and another present, live it as such!
Happy Wednesday!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
who should you listen to for training/weight loss advice?
Maybe not your doctor. That's right, not the doc!
I have seen it repeatedly where doctors give training advice and say, well, not so smart things. They are not physical therapists, not coaches or trainers. They are highly trained professional DOCTORS. I don't try to give you blood pressure medication, right? They do that.
My advice is, find a trainer you know does the right things because he or she looks healthy, works hard and does train as a professional, both self and clients.
Or, ask another professional you trust. For instance, I have a pool of people whom I recommend for others when looking for a nutritionist, a chiropractor, physical therapist, sports medicine, and some other, health related help. I send them elsewhere, but not without knowing that if I needed one of those professionals I would definitely go to one of those guys. So talk to someone whose opinion you respect but only ask what's in the realm of that persons knowledge and take his or her referral. Otherwise you might as well strike up a chat at the check out line in Publix and ask for training advise or how to fix your achy wrist.
Don't be lazy and don't be stupid. If you read headlines in the magazines (that make me really mad and furious, most of the time) you will fail. If you believe infomercials you deserve your failure. The "on sale" sign really just means it's for sale. There is no special deal...
Ps: I am a firm believer of walking the talk. If your psychiatrist is a disheveled basketcase he's is not a good professional and cannot be trusted with advice to others. If your trainer is packing on 15lbs extra and she lives on caffeine and energy bars than why would you listen to anything she tells you? See where this is going? Ok. So there.
And a good professional will not hesitate to give the referral...
ask me
I have seen it repeatedly where doctors give training advice and say, well, not so smart things. They are not physical therapists, not coaches or trainers. They are highly trained professional DOCTORS. I don't try to give you blood pressure medication, right? They do that.
My advice is, find a trainer you know does the right things because he or she looks healthy, works hard and does train as a professional, both self and clients.
Or, ask another professional you trust. For instance, I have a pool of people whom I recommend for others when looking for a nutritionist, a chiropractor, physical therapist, sports medicine, and some other, health related help. I send them elsewhere, but not without knowing that if I needed one of those professionals I would definitely go to one of those guys. So talk to someone whose opinion you respect but only ask what's in the realm of that persons knowledge and take his or her referral. Otherwise you might as well strike up a chat at the check out line in Publix and ask for training advise or how to fix your achy wrist.
Don't be lazy and don't be stupid. If you read headlines in the magazines (that make me really mad and furious, most of the time) you will fail. If you believe infomercials you deserve your failure. The "on sale" sign really just means it's for sale. There is no special deal...
Ps: I am a firm believer of walking the talk. If your psychiatrist is a disheveled basketcase he's is not a good professional and cannot be trusted with advice to others. If your trainer is packing on 15lbs extra and she lives on caffeine and energy bars than why would you listen to anything she tells you? See where this is going? Ok. So there.
And a good professional will not hesitate to give the referral...
ask me
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