Fitness For YOU

I think by now, unless you are truly in denial (or living under a rock!) you know that exercise is a necessary component to living a full healthy life. In theory I strongly support Michael Pollan's theory- eat good foods, not too much and mostly plants. However a question frequently posed is: which is more important, good exercise or good nutrition?

I believe no amount of exercise in the world will take you to your optimum health unless you are also eating whole clean foods. When I say that, I mean for your OWN body. Yes, there is the understanding that calories taken in vs. burned, is what leads to a healthier number on the scale- yet what works for one individual might not work for another.

First, there is much debate about how much protein a body needs to maintain a strong and effective exercise routine and muscle mass. Some of the strongest athletes are strictly Vegan.  For others, the Paleo Diet works. And for others, The 21 day Clean Diet has changed their lives. On this note- when a new client comes to me, I never assume what will work until we explore their eating styles, cravings, digestion, habits...so many facets to look at. So undoubtedly the same applies to exercise.

Lately in South Beach (approximately 1st street north to 17th street in Miami Beach) the exercise possibilities have exploded! Again there are so many choices- no particular one better than another. You have to try several before you start to see your own results. Personally I have explored a lot of the options and here are my favorites, though each very different in style from the other.

Crossfit Miami Beach on 9th and Alton is owned by two guys, Nate and Mike. Crossfit Workouts which are called WODS -Workout of the Day. Crossfit gyms are all across the US and Canada and involve cardio, weights and innovative movements, that are fast paced, competitive, and short (some workouts are 20 minutes!).  I think the world of Jason, the early morning instructor, he is interested and treats everyone has if he is your own personal trainer making sure your form is correct. (Tell them you read my blog and take a free class!)

Green Monkey- can't tell you more than that I am a Yogi and this is my home. They now have 3 locations, South Miami, Miami Beach, and Midtown Miami- there is a level and class for everyone!

Jetset Pilates 110 Washington Avenue, ground floor of the Cosmopolitan condo. This is no ordinary Pilates class. You exhaust each muscle group. Wow were my quads on fire! My new love- a really cool, amazing hard core workout.

My trainer Jeff Shepard is opening his new gym Symbio this week on Purdy Avenue. Gorgeous, an unbelievable amount of equipment, a variety of classes and what makes it unique- Biofit. Biofit is their medical component to fitness which helps determine what foods and exercise type your body processes and reacts to best. Definitely useful information! And I must say that their views to the bay are beautiful, as you are doing your cardio. Whether you choose to hire Jeff or any of the trainers, or just join with a regular membership, I strongly recommend it if you live on the beach.  (You could be like me and 'live' on Purdy Avenue all morning between Green Monkey and Symbio- considering they are neighbors!)

And last but not least, Miami is now big time- joining NY and LA with our very own Soul Cycle. It is in the Mondrian Hotel on West Avenue. Great music, great instructors and you even use hand weights during the workout to make sure your upper body is not left without getting its cuts.

Whatever you choose to be your fitness kick- make sure to nourish and rehydrate the body afterwards.
What I recover with is a great smoothie. Here is one of my favorites.

Acai Smoothie
3.5 oz frozen Acai puree
1 Banana
1/2 cup frozen Raspberries
1/2 cup Pomegranate juice
1 TBSP Agave nector
1 TBSP spoon ground Flaxseeds.
Blend well and enjoy
Add protein powder if desired. I like Shapefood or Sun Warrior- my favorite Vegan protein powder.

Hope this gets you going! And if you have a class or fitness facility you would like to add please share and post it under comments. We would love to hear what else is going on out there in this ever expanding world of fitness!

Happy sweating!!!  XO Ginny

love your life!

My clients come to see me initially about food, and yet food frequently is just the beginning of our discussions. I am so frequently asked what about cravings... a craving is frequently your soul talking to you, perhaps you are lonely, bored, too stressed, tired or angry.

Try to start to look into yourself to understand why you crave. Perhaps if it happens everyday at the 4pm slump, your nutrient profile is not keeping up with your physical needs. I do not mean your calorie intake, but rather the quality of your food.

Maybe your relationships need adjustments. If you are a female,  has your identity been overtaken by the label wife and mom? Who are you? Do you have enough in your life just for you? I will tell you something from my own life, at times when my 4 boys were young it could be very overwhelming. They were six years apart top to bottom and life at moments was too much. I used to believe I had to be perfect, that was who I expected myself to be and was brought up to always show a proper facade. I lived up to that til the day I fell down a dozen stairs in the house rushing to make dinner. I was never so relieved not to have a baby in my arms at that moment.   I finally learned in an awakening moment that perhaps pizza and pajama nights have a great place in life.

Not only did I discover pizza nights, I also learned each of us needs a place to crawl into that no one in our daily lives has to be part of. For me it was a hovel of a yoga studio with a master teacher. It was my oasis, my home for an hour each morning, my sanity. It didn't make me less of a wife and mom, instead it gave my family and myself the gift of a strong impassioned woman who adored herself and her family and could give more because I saved some for myself.

A marriage like everything else needs major tune ups as do our jobs.
Are you passionate, happy? It is the start of the year, a beautiful time to reevaluate.

For myself my 21 day challenge has me re-looking at everything going on in my life. I am questioning mysef more, feeling more radiant and full of blessings. I feel strong, cravings are not part of my life lately and life has a feeling of wellbeing. Good nutrition and introspection does that, throw in the exercise and what bliss. xo ginny

Day 2-4

Funny, the alcohol doesn't bother me, gluten no issue, nor sugar. It is that salmon. I have always loved it. It is now time to try and live without the seafood. I am taking this like a science experiment as I fine tune my nutrition.
 I love the feeling of waking up each morning to a cocktail of green energy. I have been making it for my husband as well, and  feel the good health flowing into our bodies. Today I used cucumber, celery, kale, ginger,  carrot, and a pear. It was not as sweet as say a carrot, juice. It is more plain with a little grassy taste. I love it, my husband didn't. If you try it,  don't give up everything in life takes getting used to.  I drink it on an empty stomach and make sure to give it time to fully digest so my body can absorb its powers.

 I just came back from Whole Foods where I picked up B12,  I like the twin lab brand 5000mcg. I know the only source for that is animal products and besides eggs I will not be taking any in. In the past when I attempted to go raw or vegan, mouth sores from a lack of B12 got me every time. This time  I will be ready, my system is loaded with its B12,  hopefully it will keep the sores and lip splits away. I will keep you posted of course. xo ginny

Good Morning and Happy 1st day of 2011

Wow, a fresh slate for those that choose it on a very traditional day to start. So many people wake up today, massive headaches, and  weight gain from the holidays to deal with...What would it be like for so many if they truly realized their health was not in the hands of the medical community, but in their own.

If each of us decided to give up the processed junk and decided to take control of our own bodies that there is a realization that it is not normal or natural to be exhausted everyday at 4 pm,  overweight, moody and depressed. That there is a path to a better sex drive, a glowing feeling of well being. All can be attained if individuals decided to get back to basics and take control. No more looking for the quick fix of the cookie diet, 100 kcal bags of processed junk.

Decide to change to become happy and whole to have that light step, the quick giggle and a big smile of well being. Get moving,  exercise, ramp it up, get some weight resistance in there to keeps muscles strong so as we age we don't become these walking skinny, old ladies or overweight persons with the fat just jiggling around.

Where to begin? Get rid of the white processed junk, if you are further a long, decide to move to a whole foods organic lifestyle, or come with me for the next 21 days as I ramp up and fine tune my path. I love salmon and really all fish, but have decided the mercury may be causing some of the symptoms of a lagging episode of candida. I also want to save some fish a long the way. I am going vegetarian this next 21 days and doing more than that. I am juicing or making green smoothies  for breakfast everyday. I have begun doing it in Utah and am feeling so great.

 Instead of a few times a week it is the first thing that enters my system after a great cup of tea. I am giving up coffee, gluten, any sugars, dairy, and alcohol.
Today I made a green smoothie of avocado, romaine lettuce, cucumber, banana and flax seed oil. I am going to let you know of my progress and hoopefully inspire you.

 A beautiful, glowing, truly healthy New Year for you.  xo ginny

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just about here, I am setting my table and cooking away. Not only for the day, but for the boys arrival into town.
I have been following and making my menu primarily from the NY Times link that for the past three weeks has been posting incredible vegetarian and vegan dishes from top chefs across the nation. How far we are coming. In today's NY Times Health section on pg 5 ( Link will be forthcoming on FB page) The article is titled A Vegetarian Thanksgiving Even for Carnivores, it says and I quote; " Interest in vegetarian cooking is surging, even among those who eat meat." Please read the whole article.  Also the recipe link will be reposted on FB.
In my house it is interesting, my husband, my mom, a friend all adore the vegetarian dishes. (My husband has really come to embrace it,  but it definitely took time)  My father, who used to think I was the most fabulous cook is so disappointed in my cooking lately. He likes old fashioned meat and potato dishes. This is just not my way.
Thanksgiving I will compromise, there will of course be turkey and traditional dishes, but just as many if not more dishes of all beautiful colors and textures bringing health, and hopefully having my kids sort to embrace what I hope they come to embrace as the traditional holiday food. Kale, and butternut, chickpea stew, zucchini pancakes, roasted brussel sprouts, cous cous, quinoa, fresh cranberries and orange zest, stuffing full of veggies...I could go on and on.  Hope your thanksgiving is beautiful. Remember to eat well and to sit back comfortably full,  and not more so, so the day after is a day of grace and not regret.
xo, ginny