BREAKTIME!!!

So with a tight schedule this weekend that included a performance and with two late business meetings on Monday and Tuesday, I was unable to make it to the gym. I know what you're thinking "ok Mrs. Excuses." Listen, I get to the gym at 7am every morning and one thing I will not do is sacrifice my workout's endurance and strength just to tell myself  "I went" and in fact, I honestly believe thay the rest did me some good. Upon my return today, I felt energetic and was able to increase my weights from 15lbs to 17.5lbs and 10lbs. to 12.5lbs. Aside from that, I looked at my physique and either my mind is playing tricks on me or I am actually getting much leaner. I decided to read up on why this was and came across an article titled "Take a Break" by Chris Zaino on one of my favorite fitness sites BodyBuilding.com.

Image credit to Bodybuilding.com

He goes into explain the importance of "RECOVERY." He discusses the importance of recovering not only physically but mentally as well, not to mention the break that your nervous system needs to take. "Even though we take days off from the gym a couple times a week, after weeks and weeks of pounding our bodies, we may require more than one or two days." Ahhh, so then there IS a difference. I never imagined that a week off or close to it would be so rewarding and you know what, it was. If you have been killing yourself at the gym, relax a bit. Do not deprive your body of the much needed rest time that you and it deserves.

 

 

For more information on recovery and its importance, copy and paste this link to your URL: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/zaino4.htm

Before I go, I just want to say how happy and great I have been feeling about myself. My recent lifestyle change has not only been great for the way my body is looking but for my shows. Even my husband is noticing. I have been performing since a child but this past Saturday, I had power, stamina, strength and my words were as clear as ever. Many asked how I had so much energy. I said "I'm now dedicated to my body." See for yourself...

 Enjoy the rest of your week and HAPPY HUMP DAY!

DAYS LEFT: 

To life, to health, to fitness, to the NEW You,



Steph A.K.A. Mzs. Stiletto

"CARBS...THE CURE TO CONSTIPATION"

 

Don't be shy, we've all had it. That aching pain in your stomach and dealing with the uncomfortable feeling of not being able to go to the bathroom, CONSTIPATON. If you read my post last week, you'll remember me writing about how my 4th of July weekend was completely destroyed because of it. I tried everything in the sky to cure me of my torment, prune juice, lemon ginger tea, Gas-X, Miralax, damn it, I even went to the ER and had an IV stuck in me. Not to say that the IV didn't help, it assisted a ton, and I must say that the tea did soothe the cramping, however, in the end, I feel that what really got the job done were the carbs.

 

 

 

NOOO!! Not the ones photographed above, the healthy ones.

I am a huge pasta, potato, and of course, BREAD lover. However, since I've been watching the tummy, I've cut down...A LOT. Yet, last week, it was the only thing that helped me with my constipation. I didn't go crazy, I had some slices of my absolute favorite, Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread.

 

I was introduced to it last year by a good friend of mine and fellow Fit Queen, Aimee. I let her know how getting rid of bread was the hardest thing to do for me and she told me about Ezekiel and how I could basically use it as an scapegoat. No, you can't overdo it, however, one slice is only 80 calories and it is low in fat. Well I ran out to Publix, got me some Ezekiel, and long behold, I am back to my regular self. Again, I am not saying that the above-mentioned remedies had nothing to do with my healing process, however, I strongly believe that what really got me going, no pun intended, were the carbs. I was able to enjoy my weekend with great friends, still no drinking, and had no tummy issues. Ahhhh, the pleasure. So if you're ever feeling uneasy, a lil, well you know, stuck, call up the carbs, the good ones at least. They might in the end be the ones to get you out of a tight jam and get you going from this...

 

TO this...

 

pun EXTREMELY intended.

 

Well enjoy your week and I sure hope the information was useless because let's face it, it ain't no secret that we all get stuck in a rut sometimes. Before I go...

DAYS LEFT: (Think my numbers may have been off last week...Oops)

 

To life, to health, to fitness, to the NEW You,



Steph A.K.A. Mzs. Stiletto

4TH OF JULY WEEKEND RUNDOWN

 

I know I'm two days behind with my post and not because I ran out of content but because, well basically, I had the weekend from hell!!!! I sure hope you all had a joyous, festive and relaxing weekend because I most certainly did not. It all started out on Thursday evening when I became consumed with lower back pain. By Friday morning, I was vomiting with severe cramping and constipation. I became worried because I had not one, but two shows that evening and the uncertainty of whether or not I was going to pull through played with my emotions for the entire work day. Like the champ that I am, I did everything possible to make the first show a success and well the second one was a flop because of the promoter but that's beside the point. One thing that remained was the excruciating pain I was going through. The Gas-X wasn't being very affective and when it comes to pain, I am quite the bit of a pansy. I wasn't getting any better and I already accepted the fact that my 4th of July weekend would mainly be spent home.

 

 

By Saturday morning I was at CVS stocking up on some meds, prune juice (ewwww), soup and Miralax. I ran home with the hope that this would all save the weekend, boy was I wrong. Miralax, thank you for royally destroying my fun time. I was stuck in the bathroom literally from Saturday all the way through Tuesday. I couldn't understand what it was that had gotten me to this point. Was it too much protein shakes, was it the change in my diet, was it that maybe I was expecting? So many thoughts ran through my mind.

So the weekend came and went but my cramping, nausea and daily runs remained. Sorry to sound grotesque but I am not going to sit here and sugarcoat anything that I went through this weekend. My poor husband had to deal with it and the only thing I looked up to was the fact that I got new furniture and was able to select a new color palette for my bedroom. So hey, at least I had that joyous occasion.

 

Finally by Tuesday I went into work with cramps and all but I did make the decision to call the doctor. His recommendations were that I go to the ER. So after a 7 hour wait time, people must've had a great weekend, blood work, a CT scan and a urine test, I got the results... "You're not pregnant but you do have a stomach virus." All that and that's the best they could tell me. I will admit that the IV got me a bit more hydrated and helped with the cramps so I guess the hospital visit was helpful and I am glad it wasn't something more serious. Besides, I got to enjoy the extremely good looking staff at Kendall Regional Medical Center. I guess headshots are required in order to be considered for employment. All I can say after my rough weekend is this, nutrition is soooo important. Staying balanced and really watching what you put into your mouth. Sometimes we think, "oh hey this can't be that bad" and in reality it is the worst thing you can have. I believe that the protein shake I had been taking may have bared some responsibility to my feeling ill but for the most part I blame myself for not taking the proper precautions and listening to my body when I had mild cramping the week before. Either way, lesson well learned.

So that was my weekend in nutshell. I am glad you all had a great one and hopefully my Labor Day will be better spent. But hey, I will say this, I did have two great things that happened, 1. A HUGE announcement will be made with regards to major changes in TASTE Ladies and a big addition and 2. I was introduced to Niykee Heaton!! Thanks to her music, I survived the weekend!! And can we PRAISE her body!!!

 

Oh and by the way...

DAYS LEFT:

 

To life, to health, to fitness, to the NEW You,



Steph A.K.A. Mzs. Stiletto