Welcome to the "Grand Re-opening" of the Boston Homebodies website!  This newly revived space will include a regularly updated "In theNews" section and BHB blog.  "In the News" will be where anyone interested in health and wellness can read up on the latest trends and happenings in the fitness world.  The BHB blog will feature reviews, interviews, and first-hand accounts of people from all stages on the fitness journey.  

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12/2/10

Thanksgiving.  It was, for me, the scene of big wins and big losses.  Win:  My turkey did not poison anyone.  Loss:  I drank two liters of Cherry Dr. Pepper.  Win:  My daughter ate lots of vegetables.  Loss:  I did not.  Win:  The mashed potatoes went over famously.  Loss:  That is probably because they contained a pound of butter, sour cream, cream cheese and whole milk.  Go big or stay home, I say.

The day after my Thanksgiving nutrition transgressions, I vowed to transform myself into a goddess of light and fitness.  This lasted about an hour until I found the leftover pumpkin bread and whipped cream.  Gone was the holiday baked good and so too my determination and resolve.

Things have not improved much.  I have, in the past week, considered therapy, hypnosis, buying new Wii fitness games, joining Weight Watchers, and taking my kids out in the jogging stroller.  My pants may still fit, but I think they are starting to mock me when they are in the laundry.  They talk it up with my daughter's skinny pants and complain that I may soon start stretching them within the limits of their stitching.

So, changes need to be made.  Again.  I will keep you posted on what they are, how they go, and if they last longer than the cookies I bought yesterday.

Yours in (desperately longed for) fitness,

Adrienne

11/16/10

Dear Gap, I hate you.  Sincerely, Adrienne  

PS.  Boston Home Bodies does not hate you.  Just me.

I have mentioned recently that I was in a store that sells "super skinny" jeans for elementary school girls.  This is harmful and wrong, in my opinion.  However, I was in the Gap yesterday and saw they have "mini skinny" jeans, which are "skinny" jeans for even younger girls.  That is, my daughter.  She is very tall for her age and believes most food to be a waste of time.  Thus, finding pants that fit her is a challenge.  Sadly, the mini skinnys are perfect.  They stay on her sturdy frame, but I ask myself, at what price?

If she has my genetics, "skinny," is not something she will be in puberty.  If she has her father's metabolism, though, skinny she will be forever.  Either way, I don't want her self-estreem hinging on an arbitrary word assigned by some marketing department before she can even read the word to begin with.

I think everyone should write to these stores in defense of little girls everywhere.  Obesity is an epidemic, but such cultural cues only fan the flames of destructive patterns.  Shame on you, Gap.  Skinny jeans are the pants that fit my kid.  But I won't buy them.  Because it just isn't right.

What do you think?  I'd be interested to hear another's perspective on the issue.

Yours in fitness,

Adrienne

11/11/10

Television Review: Ruby

I have written before that I do not like The Biggest Loser.  I am reminded of this fact every time I see a commercial that shows people "inspired" to lose weight by the contestants.  I do not find the participants inspiring; I find their transformations positive, but ultimately unattainable without the 24/7 help of a team of professionals.  At a resort.  Away from small children and an endless supply of chocolate.

A show I do find inspiring, however, is Style network's "Ruby."  The program follows a morbidly obese woman fighting to lose hundreds of pounds and reclaim her life.  Spoiler alert:  She is winning.  Granted, she too has a team of professionals (a nutritionist, a trainer, a psychologist, etc.)  However, I find her reality more likely, as many health insurance companies would pay for several of the services she receives.  That is to say, many people could have the support system that Ruby has (while most people will never have Jillian Michaels).

Ruby has loving friends and family.  They struggle to be a support system instead of enablers.  They are there to help, but sometimes their well-meaning efforts cause more harm than good.  Still, at the end of the day, Ruby is getting healthier.  Her journey to health is longer than that of most, but still she keeps trying.  That is what is inspiring, I think.  If she can do it, in her own home, on her own terms (with her own flawed, wonderful team), then there is hope for anyone.  Myself included.

11/8/10

Do you ever feel like the world is against you losing weight?  I do.  Constantly.  Articles like the one featured in yesterday's "In the News" section make me particularly aware of the fact that even the US Government, perpetuator of the Food Pyramid, has it in for me.

Basically, to help poor, belabored industries like Domino's Pizza (HA!), the Government has started an effort to boost their sales.  So, experts convened, meetings were held, and they determined that people would buy products with 40 percent more cheese.  Lo and behold, the experts were right.  Domino's sales skyrocketed.

This isn't the only place I see the world throwing calories at me.  I happen to have a job where I have access to free food at a cafeteria.  They list (in small print) the nutritional information of each dish.  However, as I was waiting for my chicken/veggie stir fry, I noticed that the suggested serving size of that dish hat a whopping 100 grams of fat and nearly 1,000 calories.  I almost had a heart attack from the information alone, never mind the cholesterol.  

The thing is, I am not alone in this problem.  Many other college students who share this cafeteria (and thousands of others, children and adults alike, share the company who manages the food service) are likewise in nutritional peril.  Even if I eat things in moderation, I am getting more calories now from the same comfort foods than I would have from the  EXACT SAME FOODS a year ago.  

There is only so much salad a person can eat.  Or even root vegetables (I tried the "In the News" recipe this past weekend--delicious!).

What's a girl to do?

Yours in (frustrated) health,

Adrienne

10/26/10

I have a daughter.  I have mentioned her before.  She just turned two-years old.  She has blond hair and striking blue eyes (thanks recessive genes!) and is a ball of energy, confidence, humor, and spunk.  I try not to make the, "I really need to stop eating chocolate" comments in front of her, lest any of these precious traits take a hit.  I want to do my best to encourage her positive self image, especially given my belief that life will eat away at this in junior high any way.

However, recently, I took her out shopping for new clothes.  Every time I think I have a handle on a seasonal wardrobe for her, she sprouts up another inch or two seemingly overnight.  Thus, instead of the reliable 2T clothes I thought I had covered, she is in different sizes depending on the store.  

Since she is off-the-growth-charts tall, shopping is a challenge.  Already she is attracted to the shiny, name-brand "big kid" stores, if only for their colorful window displays.  As I was in one store that shall remain nameless, I noticed that she was not yet into the sizes the store offered.  However, I also noticed that the jeans, not unlike the Gap and other adult chains, were divided into types.  One option was "super skinny."

Super what now, you say?

Fortunately, my daughter can't read.  And despite the fact that these are probably the only pants that would fit, I worry that this might start a dangerous trend.  What if she hits puberty a little early, and "super skinny" is no longer her designation?  Doesn't that set her up for failure?  Will I be able to teach her that her beauty has nothing to do with the label on her pants?  Do I even really believe that?

I was disappointed.  I quickly pushed the stroller out of the store.  She was none the wiser and was soon distracted with the idea of riding in the glass elevator.  I went back to the little kid stores where a 3T is just a 3T.  

I'm glad I have a few years to come up with a good response to this, the pants debacle.  I'm open to suggestions!

Yours in fitness,

Adrienne

10/19/10

Review:  GoFit! Balance Ball

Note:  All opinions reflect that of the blogger and not necessarily of Boston Home Bodies.

With that said:  I have owned two GoFit! Balance Balls in my life.  With my first one, "Ol' Purple," I lifted many a heavy weight over my head.  When my colicky daughter was only a few weeks old, I sat on it and bounced (as it was the only thing to sit on in her room).  To my surprise, bouncing on it was the only thing that soothed her.  For four months.

When her brother was born this summer, to my joy he was not colicky.  Still, bouncing on the ball was the quickest way to get him to fall asleep.  It was great, that purple ball.

Until it exploded.

Now, I don't blame Ol' Purple.  It served me well.  I had it for at least five years and that thing rolled over its fair share of Legos in recent days.  It blew out and the baby and I went straight down.  I was fine, he was fine, and though my daughter screamed for awhile, it eventually just became a conversation-starter for her.  We got a new purple ball, and began to happily bounce anew.

Bounce anew, that is, until last night.  When this one exploded.

I was not home when this happened.  Apparently my husband was bouncing the baby, my daughter happily playing nearby, and bam!  Down they went.  Both of the kids were a little harder to calm down (as we seem to be instilling in them an innate fear of exercise equipment) but again, no one was hurt.

This is where GoFit! lost me.  I took great care with this ball.  Nary a toy did it ever meet.  Never did I bounce too high or too hard.  I took care of that thing, as it was my sleep-depravation salvation.  But still it did me wrong.  The baby probably would always have been okay--he is sturdy and I cushion him quite well.  My tail bone, a little worse for wear, but still okay.  What I think GoFit! owes me is reimbursement for my daughter's inevitable therapy.  I can see her thought process now: "You want to work on your core muscles?  BIG SCARY NOISES AND EXPLOSIONS WILL FOLLOW YOU!"

I called the GoFit! customer service line and because I did not keep either receipt, they refused to send me a new ball or a reimbursement.  They also thought both explosions were due to "user error."  Perhaps this is the case.  Twice now I have had a tension band snap (while working with a trainer).  Both times the trainer said, "You know, you are the only person I've seen this happen to."  So maybe it is me.  Maybe I am cursed.  

Just in case I'm not, I am switching to a Gaiam ball.  Its seams run horizontal to the floor instead of perpendicular.  I am hoping this makes it less likely to explode.

I'll keep you posted.  

Yours in fitness,

Adrienne

10/7/10

Review:  The Biggest Loser

Have I mentioned that I am up late at night with my sweet, ravenous infant?  Yes, I believe I have.  Have I also mentioned that he won't nap in the day unless held?  This is also true.  Thus it is that I come to record and watch a lot of television.

I felt that I should watch The Biggest Loser, since it is so popular and it deals with weight loss.  I admit that I was already biased against it for two reasons.  One, I think the exercise programs the trainers use are not sustainable to most of the population.  Secondly, trainer Jillian has a host of products in her name in the vitamin/supplement isle at the drug store.  If Jillian alleges a person is supposed to be able to lose weight on her own, why would she need a weight-loss drug (or "herbal aid")?

I watch the show with equal parts fascination and annoyance.  I understand that contestants have a lot of weight to lose.  But when a person is eliminated because he or she only loses a pound or two, I feel like the whole point of the show is made moot.  How many of us would love to lose just one pound week after week?  That is all it takes to lose 50 pounds in a year.  And then to keep it off?  That just means not gaining week after week.  

I realize that this show changes the lives of some and inspires many.  Still, I think it is dangerous.  I do not think it sends a healthy message to viewers.  Kill yourself to lose weight!  Gradual loss (like half a pound every week or two) isn't good enough!  Here, try some of our weight-loss products!

It's probably better to watch the informercials about vegetable steamers or fruit-juice makers (that are on from 3AM-6AM).  At least they are trying to sell you something that creates sustainable, healthy choices, and you are well aware they are trying to sell it.  

So, Biggest Loser--in my book, you lose. 

(If someone has a different perspective, I'd love to hear it!  Email me at Adrienne@bostonhomebodies.com to register your opinion!)

9/28/10

9/23/10

Review:  Thintervention with Jackie Warner

There are a lot of weight-loss oriented reality TV shows out there.  And, thanks to an infant who likes to eat every two hours on the dot all the day and night long, I find myself watching their re-reruns.  Far too often for said watching to be healthy, really.

I'll be honest--I don't like most of the shows.  I know that The Biggest Loser is meant to be inspirational, and it is to a point.  But those people are taken away from their lives and forced to exercise to the brink of annihilation.  I mean, how workable is that?  How can I possibly integrate that into my lifestyle?  I guess it might inspire some people to go out and get fit, but it just makes me look around and think, "Yeah.  NOT me."

Thus I was prepared to hate this newest addition to the genre.  I had watched Warner's previous Bravo show "Workout," which chronicled her gym, fitness business ventures, and personal life.  I was always a little intimidated by her rippling ab muscles to take what she ha to say seriously.  I mean, really, could I ever possible do that much ab work?  

However, Thintervention is different in that it is a team effort.  That is, no one is going to win a million dollars and no one gets voted off the elliptical.  The people on the show (who are "celebrities" in one way or another, but I'll overlook that) are the support system for one another.  Many don't like each other.  They don't get along.  And Jackie responds to the petty bickering with, "Your only as strong as your weakest link.  Work on your issues"  

I admire that, Jackie.  Good for you.

However, it is at heart a show about people who are pretty wealthy getting free help, nay, being paid, to lose weight.  And they are being pushed very, very hard.  The message could easily be, "If you were on a reality show, you too could lose weight!"  

Nonetheless, I like this show more than the others like it.  I like seeing the struggles the participants have, because they are forced to go back to their regular lives rather than being sequestered in a remote camp away from the 24-hour availability of Ho-Hos.  Granted, this ordinary life often includes a personal chef.  But the only "win or lose" situation is whether or not they can become healthier in the end.  That is where most of us fall.  Thus, I recommend this show, especially if you are up in the wee hours of morning with nothing better to watch.    

Yours in fitness, 

Adrienne

9/21/10

Hi! I am Tessa Hollyn Taub and have just joined the exceptional team, Boston Home Bodies as a new personal trainer and health coach. After much trial and error with fitness and health I have achieved balance which I enjoy sharing my insights and methods with clients.  I am even able to successfully manage a college tennis knee injury--and live an extremely active lifestyle--knowledge that is priceless to my clients. I have always had a huge passion for outdoor activity and have enjoyed a multitude of sports since I was very young including skiing, soccer, volleyball, swimming and tennis.

 

I have been working over three years as a master trainer and motivational coach at one of the leading athletic clubs in Boston as well as privately at client’s homes. I also teach cycling, total body, boot camp and core classes which are huge highlights to my week! I am qualified as a certified health counselor by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine along with specialties in corrective exercise, neuromuscular stretch, senior fit (baby boomer population) and MADDdog spin. Our health is the one gift we must cherish above all. Physical activity and enriching food is proven to enable fulfilling relationships and tireless careers.

 

Moreover, when our body is nourished with the right food, exercise and mindset, our obstacles and challenges are transformed into victories. We must love ourselves first as a way to love others... and be loved.  As Albert Schweitzer noted, "I have found that if you love life, life will love you in return." I will be your partner in becoming the best you can be.  In our sessions, I will guide you to identify your goals and establish realistic targets for achieving the body and life you desire. I support clients in creating change by slowly working with a wide range of techniques that lead to success.

 

I look forward to helping you fall in love with your body and enhance your life!

Book Review:  Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life

A Zen Buddhist I am not.  However, Tich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung’s book Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life really resonated with me.  I admit I picked it up based mostly only the cover artâ€"a bright, happy, inviting orange.  But reading it proved that sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.

The book’s philosophy is simpleâ€"pay attention to what you eat.  Don’t eat too much.  Eat mostly foods that occur in nature (that is to say, avoid 100 calorie snack packs of things so processed they could also double as poker chips).  Tich Nhat Hanh also frames obesity in terms of Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths:  there is suffering, one can identify the cause of that suffering, suffering can be eliminated, there are paths that lead to suffering’s elimination.  The authors define obesity as suffering; the book is the means to help people create mindful paths away from it.

Mindfulness, the idea of being fully present in the here and now, certainly can pertain to eating.  How often do we just mindlessly shove food into our mouths regardless of hunger or even the food’s taste?  Savor presents several ways to try to put food in its rightful placeâ€"a means to live.  You can train your mind to enjoy food that helps your body feels its best.  It is a long, continuous process, but a worthwhile one.

Personally, the state of being "mindful" is one that I try to seek.  When my two-year-old insists on dumping out all of her toys despite all of my attempts to stop her, when my two-month-old makes a sound like a dying cat at 3:30AM, 4:30AM, 5:00 AM, and 6:00AM to get me to feed him, I say to myself, "They will never be this small again.  Enjoy this.  One day they will be teenagers and be mortified you even exist."  Sadly, I generally fail at this type of reasoning when it comes to eating.  My usual plan is to stuff what I can into my mouth while standing up trying to make sure both kids aren’t crying.  Or, if I am sans children, I eat too much for the simple joy of having two hands with which to eat.

Tich Nhat Hanh has an exercise in the book that tries to teach readers to mindfully eat an apple.  I found myself thinking that if I even had an apple in the house with which to try the experiment, I might be in a better place to start.  He does not suggest mindfully savoring, say, a Twinkie.  Nonetheless, I highly recommend Savor  for even the most busied and harried among us.  Its lessons can be applied in small ways, for cumulative results.  I will keep you posted on how I fare over the coming months as I attempt to eat more mindfully.  

9/14/10

My Training Plan â€" Secrets for Success

Hi everyone â€" I am your guest blogger, Mary McManus. Some of you may remember that I am one of Janine's incredible success stories. I went from wearing polio shoes to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon. It's been an incredible journey since then and here is an update on what's been happening on my health and fitness journey.

Last August I had no idea that I would be able to run again. The symptoms of fatigue, weakness, pain and cervical spine discomfort flared. I knew I had to ask for help and as always, my 'Master Magician' Dr. Omar El Abd of the Newton Wellesley Hospital Spine Center was there along with an angel of a physical therapist Catherine Barry. Together we mapped out a plan and little by little, step by step, every day in every way I am indeed getting better and better (thank you Emile Coue).

In June, I ran the Charles River Run 5K and it felt phenomenal to be back on the road again. The race director had Eric Derrico of Boston Massage Associates (www.bostonmassageassociates.com) doing pre and post race stretching. I knew I was meant to patiently wait for my turn (being a back of the pack runner means that a lot of people finish ahead of me). It was well worth the wait but more about that later. I ran the Harvard Pilgrim 10K finishing on the 50 yard line of Gillette Stadium and the Lexs Run 5K to Benefit Muscular Dystrophy just this past Sunday. I am now training to run the Tufts 10K and the Hyannis 10K in February.

What's my secret? What do I do? How do I keep up a health and fitness regimen while living with the diagnosis of post polio syndrome? Well, unlike magicians or chefs, I want to share my secrets for success with you. I begin my day by waking slowly. I meditate.  I quiet my thoughts so I can receive inspiration for the day. I check in with my body. Where is the tension? Where is the pain? I relax into it and release it. I am so blessed to be working with Eric Derrico.   We are creating new cellular memories in our work together, and I reinforce these new patterns during my meditation.

Every day:

I have a series of cervical spine stretches which I do three times a day. The first exercise begins while lying down; one is done sitting and one is done using the door jamb. I have a foam roller and mat and have a series of three exercises to do using the foam roller to stretch out the cervical spine. Every evening I use a cervical traction machine for ten minutes. 

Sunday is a rest day.

Monday:

Upper body strength training using a pilates ball and weights. I have been increasing the weights and the repetitions during the past year and still am not at maintenance of doing two sets of ten reps each for 3 pounds but that's just fine. Every three weeks I increase reps or weights. My cervical spine is very happy with this plan. I use a blue theraband for upper body strength training and have an exercise to help with the rotator cuff issues on my left arm.

Tuesday:

Cardio training - A 45 minute run maximizing heart rate. I incorporate several hills into the run.

Wednesday:

Upper body and lower body strength training. I have different exercises to choose from for each class of muscles which include doing squats, plies, calf raises, lunges, single leg stands, and single leg deadlifts taught to me by Janine.

Thursday:

A 3 mile power walk/run depending on weather and how I am feeling for cardio.

Friday:

Core exercises and upper body strength training. Core exercises were prescribed at Spaulding Rehab, and I continue to use them to strengthen the once weakened and deconditioned core.

Saturday:

Cardio - 'long run' with my husband. He pushes me to achieve my personal best and paces me above what I would do if I were running alone. 

Every three to four weeks I have a session with Eric for stretching, flexibility, releasing tension and pain, creating new pathways and new cellular memories to keep this 56 year old body which has survived paralytic polio, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, over 25 surgeries and overcome the challenge of post polio syndrome to keep running!

So build your dream team to support you on your health and fitness journey, keep to a schedule and plan, set realistic goals for yourself, while challenging yourself along the way and most importantly of all â€" have fun while you are doing it! There are so many ways to do a cardio workout â€" find one that you enjoy and remember the more you love your body, the more your body will love you back!

Hello!  My name is Adrienne, and I am the Media Coordinator for Boston Homebodies.  As such, I will be forwarding pertinent wellness-related links from owner Janine Hightower, as well as from other popular blogs and Internet sources.  Check them outâ€"I have found there is a lot out there to learn.  I will also be blogging about my own fitness journey, as well as posting others’ stories as well. 

As a means of introduction, I first started training with Janine in 2004.  I completed the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and lost 15 pounds in the process.  Then, in 2005, I lost another 20 pounds and ran the 2005 Boston Marathon.  In the years since, I have had two children and have struggled to maintain healthy eating/exercise patterns.  Though these days "exercise" generally means "trying not to kill myself while leaping over Legos while carrying a two-month old," I am recommitting to wellness.  Maintaining this website is great motivation.  What is so great about Janine and her team is that they promote practical, realistic exercise and nutrition goals tailored for the individual. 

If you would like to see something specific in the blog or in the In the News section (or if you have any comments, questions, or pieces to submit to the site yourself), please feel free to email me at Adrienne@BostonHomebodies.com  Also, please know that anything found in the blog or In the News reflect only the views of the writer, not necessarily the entire HomebodiesTeam!

Yours in Fitness,

Adrienne