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May Jump Rope Challenge!

April 28, 2012 By 11 Comments
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We were able to twist Dr. Sara Solomon’s arm (not really) to help us with this challenge. We both have seen her videos AND met her in person and thought— she’s so EFFING cool… can she teach us to do some of that crazy ish??

So, Sara also enlisted the help of her mentor Buddy Lee and they give some GREAT info on Jump Rope technique and safety.

The challenge is 30 sec. jump rope, Day 1… then ADD 30 sec. a day;)

(you may start with another time and add to it as well)

Order your awesome PINK jump ropes HERE

and check out the rest of Sara’s info on here site:

www.drsarasolomon.com

 

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Metabolic Damage and Why I’m pissed off!

April 21, 2012 By 211 Comments
Tired Woman 3

Sorry guys, this is just Danny-J for the moment.
Sighhhhh I don’t even know where to begin here, but I guess I’ll start with a quick re-cap of my situation:

Prior to Sweaty Betties, Aubrie & I were in different facets of the fitness industry. Both of us competed and modeled and we did whatever it took to attain the “look” that we thought was marketable.
I was in the quest that many women find themselves in– the quest for the “PRO CARD”
When I started competing, at the end of 2006, I thought a Pro Card would just make me “more legit” as a trainer, as a professional. It would add to my resume and help me get more clients. As I started to learn, it was really more about who you know, to get you anywhere in the industry and I was luckily successful on my own right, without the competitions. However, in 2009 I decided to go ahead and compete again. I hired a new coach at the last minute, 6 weeks out from my show, so the diet was a little more drastic. I ended up looking the best I’d ever looked onstage and I also saw the new bikini division and wanted to give it a shot. So, thus began a diet that started in May and continued until the end of November. At the time, I thought the diet was extreme, and it was nothing that I would ever give my clients, yet, I thought, I’d try something new, it seemed to be working!

Fast Forward to 2 weeks after the competition– I had gone from being able to do Level 10 on the stairs, to trying Level 5 and having to stop and catch my breath to picking up 5lb. dumbbells and barely able to lift them AND gained 8lbs. over one weekend and steadily gaining. So I tried to crash diet, took all carbs away again, did 2 hours of cardio a day for 4 days and I GAINED 2 lbs. I didn’t understand. Why was I doing everything I did before and gaining???

Add on a year of this– trying to crash diet and another cycle of gaining. Fear of eating ANYTHING because I’d gain weight so easily. I’d cry and not want to train my clients, because I thought that they would see me getting fatter and no longer want to train. I’d get jealous of my clients who were successful and I wasn’t.

I finally started to realize this was bigger than just a thyroid issue and I was finding other women who were experiencing the same things!

Here are some quotes from the emails of just a FEW women going through this, unfortunately, the phone conversations I’ve had and the stories I’ve heard are painful and sad.

“In almost two years, I think I could count the number of times I had a cheat meal on both hands.  I was “allowed” to eat on my wedding day, but only a meal…I’m crying as I write this, because I know a lot of other women suffer from the damage”

 ”I am so sick of not wearing shorts or going to a pool … lol. This certainly is a much bigger struggle than any comp prep that is for damn sure.”

“Such a big part of me, while I loved the transformation and good times of competing, wish I never did bc of what it has done to my head.”

“I too, have been to so many docs with lots of $ spent, and no progress.”

“I truly think unless you have gone through it, you have NO IDEA what it feels like”

“ I have avoided several of my friends (not even competitors) and many social get togethers, along w vacations bc I am so disgusted w what I look like. Then I get pissed for putting so much of my self worth into my body… It is all such a mind fuck. There are many days I think this may be what Im stuck w but then I keep thinking if we keep fighting we can beat it and be better for it”

“I just all of a sudden have been experiencing so many symptoms and am miserable. I have also gained 17lbs out of no where, extremely fatigued, legs and ankles swell, shortness of breath and extremely weak. “

“I am doing Paleo at this time afraid of eating anything so I won’t gain more weight! But even with exercise I can’t loose any! Ugh!!!!”

 

It is my mission to FIND a solution. I am currently reading, reading, reading, and working with some professionals on a protocol. I hope that this blog/video will help someone become aware of what is going on, help someone feel like they aren’t crazy, or stop someone  from even going down this path.

 

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11 Random Facts about The Sweaty Betties

April 16, 2012 By 18 Comments
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We are getting super excited about all the upcoming events— going to see Blogilates next month, Rockwell Mud Run, The Fitness & Health Bloggers Conference in Denver, Bodybuilding.com Fitness Expo (BFE), and OUR FIRST WORKSHOP!!! aghhhh! (we just filled out our calendars and we’re literally booked for the next few months!)

We had a rough start to 2012– both in our personal lives, but we made some changes, even had a little stir in our friendship… and now we are stronger and have had so many blessings come into our lives since we changed our attitudes and opened our hearts. We are so grateful for all of your love and support and wouldn’t be here without all of you. So… thank you. Your emails and comments bless us everyday.

So we were actually tagged in this post from Cassey of Blogilates back in FEBRUARY (Sorry Cassey) but we had so much other crap going on, we never got around to it! We thought now was a good time to share!

Soooo… here we go… this might be stuff you wished you didn’t know!! LOL

 

Rules:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

Our Random Facts:

1. (Danny) I hadn’t had ground beef since I was 13 years old until last month! I decided I should try again, so I made chili. Its the ONLY way I’ll eat it, since its disguised in the sauce!

2.(Aubrie) Ever since I was little I’ve quite enjoyed bumpy things on my fingers. I’m 23 and I have this purse in my car that I often rub.

3. (Danny) I secretly want to be a rock/pop star, like Miley, Pink, Taylor Swift or Brittney, but I can’t dance or sing and I’m actually super embarrassed to do either…. maybe in my next life

4. (Aubrie) I can go through a pack of gum a day. Cigarette smokers don’t have shit on me

5. (Danny) when I was little I used to want to buy a big house and save every single puppy from the pound. Now I realize that’s just gross and a little creepy. My two dogs are enough to clean up after!

6. (Aubrie) I want to be famous, but I don’t know if I could handle people knowing me everywhere.

7. (Danny) It took a boyfriend in my 20′s to get me to wear make-up, shave and buy a thong.

8. (Aubrie) Not many of my pants have pockets

9. (Danny) I used to be obsessed with Kurt Cobain & was an extremely unhappy, negative person. When I read my old journals now, it makes me sad, and I want to help young women know>>> It gets Better!!

10. (Aubrie) I have never dyed my hair in my life until this year!

11. (both of us) we both are virtually the same person, personality wise– yet opposite in other things– Aubrie likes to get up early & is obsessively clean she cleans her ENGINE, Danny likes to stay up late and washes her car once a year– only if its a drive though car wash;)

 

 

Our Answers to Cassey’s Questions:

1. If you were a fruit or vegetable, which one would you be and why?

Danny: I’d be a Mamey Fruit, because they are exotic and hard to find, which I am neither exotic nor hard to find

Aubrie: I’d be asparagus so I could make your pee stink

2. What’s your fave song to sing when you go Karaoke-ing?

Danny: “I’m just a girl” by Gwen Stefani– because you can make your voice sound silly and I love that song. Aubrie has yet to Karaoke— we’re going this year!

3. If you got $1 million tomorrow what would you do?

We’d probably just do more Sweaty Betties videos, buy our own damn gym that’s not so crowded and take a little trip to somewhere warm, give our families some cashola and become more generous tippers… oh and get some good cars;)

4. What’s your favorite feature on a guy/girl/whatever sex you’re attracted to?

Danny: hmmm sense of humor always gets me first, but I love a little rugged facial hair (but no crotch beards)

Aubrie: A great sense of humor & they have to be physically fit, which shows they take care of themselves

5. What is your ultimate “bad food” or “cheat food”?

Danny: Whatever I’m craving at the moment. It changes from month to month. Lately– been obsessed with Chips & Salsa from Chili’s and a margarita!

Aubrie: Cheesecake!

6. Have you had your heart broken or are you a heart breaker?

We are definitely both heart breakers, unfortunately, we’ve had this conversation too often!

7. What superpower do you want to possess?

Danny: I would love to fly! I was an acrobat and flying/flipping is the best feeling in the world!

Aubrie: I would love to fly– then I could leave whenever I wanted!

8. What’s you fave meal of the day?

Danny: BREAKFAST!! Most carbs and I’m always starving at breakfast! (I used to be a non-breakfast eater, so its weird to “hear myself” say that!)

Aubrie: Breakfast– because I love eggs~

9. If you could pick your own name, what would it be?

Danny: I always wanted to be Samantha when I was younger so people would call me “Sam” like on”Who’s the Boss?” now, I think Danny-J is fine.

Aubrie: I like Aubrie– I’ll just stick with that

10. Which ice cream best describes your personality?

Danny: Pistachio– its green and a little nutty

Aubrie: Chunky Monkey– because if I didn’t work out, I’d be fat

11. On the plane, when the flight attendant asks you what drink you’d like, what do you pick?

Danny: Coffee, black with one splenda OR Tomato juice and water

Aubrie: Spicy tomato, and a coffee and water

Friends I’m taggining:

we’re gonna break the rules here and not tag anyone, but we just want to hear from YOU! If you’d like to play along, post your answers to my questions in the comments below. Would love to learn more about you too :)

Our Questions:

1. Cinnamon Bears, Gummi Bears, or Sour Patch Kids?

2. Favorite Comedy movie?

3. Top 3 Dream Travel Destinations

4. If I wasn’t a ______ I’d be a _________

5. If I had to giveaway 3 things I owned, they would be:

6. One thing I will never be “cheap” on is:

7. What’s cuter: puppies, babies or kittens?

8. What’s the best frozen yogurt topping?

9. Your Starbucks order—> GO!

10. I never leave the house without:

11. If I could have dinner with one person alive today, it would be:

 

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April Abs & A$$ Challenge!

April 1, 2012 By 23 Comments
Let's work on those Abs and Booty in April!

We hope everyone enjoyed adding some raw veggies to their daily meals in March and maybe now have a great habit. We also hope you didn’t fall off the workout wagon and maybe caught up on some old challenges!

For April, we want to focus on the two body parts we get asked about the most:
ABS and ASS…. BELLY and BOOTY… TUMMY and TUSH…. whatever you want to call it, you know you want to tone it!

So first off, let us please be reminded THERE IS NO SPOT REDUCTION>>>> Abs are made in the kitchen and the reduction of cellulite comes from removing toxins and also cleaning up the diet

However, we still want to be toned, tight, and looking fabulous so we’re going to give these areas our full focus in April…. Abs & Ass… (or A squared?)

 

Here’s the Deal–

EVERY DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP and EVERY NIGHT WHEN YOU GO TO BED—

You had April 1st off– so get to work! #dontbeabitch

Week 1- Abs– 30 crunches

                 Ass– 30 Air Squats

Week 2- Abs– 40 crunches

                  Ass– 40 Air Squats

Week 3- Abs– 50 crunches

                  Ass– 50 Air Squats

Week 4- Abs– 60 crunches

                 Ass– 60 Air Squats

Click on Link For Demo:

Crunches

Air Squats

Let's work on those Abs and Booty in April!

 

 

 

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How can I get rid of loose skin on my belly?

March 22, 2012 By 39 Comments
this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**

We get emails with training and diet questions all the time. We also get this question (or version of it a lot)

<<<Q: I used to be a size 18 and now am a size 2. I eat clean, weight train and do cardio, but I still have this loose skin. How can I tighten  my belly?? (or I have loose skin after pregnancy)>>>

these stretch marks will not go away, but her skin most likely will still tighten more

 

There are many factors– age, amount  of weight lost, how long you were overweight, and mostly genetics.
Some people gain and lose a ton of weight and have hardly any issues while others are covered in stretch marks and are trying to fix that sagging skin. You can cry about it or just learn what you can do and accept what you can’t.

There are tips for preventing stretch marks; like cocoa butter and moisturizing, but honestly, if you’re bodies genetics are likely to get stretchmarks, no amount of cocoa butter is going to stop that. At this point, the damage is done. So….what is OUR answer for what you can do?

Assuming you already eat clean, lift-weights and “do what you’re supposed to”…. you may not like the answer. Preparation-H does not work. Saran Wrap does not work. Crunches, reverse crunches, planks or any abdominal exercise you can think of will not work. There are a few lasers (usually very painful, expensive, and not largely effective) that are available.

this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**

 

The only true thing that can actually get RID of loose skin is a tummy tuck. They actually CUT. IT. OFF. Even this only works if you have a significant amount of skin…. annnnnnnnd $8-$10k and about 3 months to recover.


Sooooo WE SAY–  the BEST thing you can do is: love yourself, don’t stress over it (its probably worse in your head) and think of it as a symbol of your hard work or your souvenir of your beautiful child.
We don’t all look/stay young forever. Just be strong, be healthy, be beautiful.
and sorry we wish we had some better tips… but we are here to tell you the truth, not what you want to hear. Please Leave us your comments!

you are MORE than some silly scars :)

Also, as Freakin’ Awesome Fitfluential Ambassadors we are trying earn a scholarship to get to The Fitness and Health Bloggers Conference in Denver… its actually sponsored by Refuel With Chocolate Milk.. which, we all know….. chocolate is awesome! The conference is at the end of June and it would be the first conference of this type we have ever attended. We have been in the fitness industry for years and are new to the “Blogging” fitness industry. We’d love to have a chance to go, so here’s our shot!!

 

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March Challenge— EAT YOUR VEGGIES JUNIOR!

February 29, 2012 By 9 Comments
March Challenge "Eat Your Veggies"

OK OK so we don’t always have a fitness challenge. In December we did the “No Flour” Challenge and for March– its the “Eat your Veggies” challenge.
But not just any veggies…. RAW VEGGIES.
Your challenge is to eat at least 1 serving (at least a heaping cup) of Raw Veggies per day…
some ideas are:
-chopped peppers
-celery
-cucumber
-carrots
-snap peas
-spinach

or check out our CLEANSE and do our Sweaty Betty Cleanse Salad!

Not only do raw veggies provide extra fiber in your diet, but compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

**note– you may want to take a digestive enzyme to help with bloating and gas. Also stay away from raw broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage, as in their raw state are known to suppress thyroid.

 

PS If you want another Physical Challenge– we encourage you to look back at some of ours in the past and catch up or try again to see if you can do better–

Burpee Challenge

Mile-a-Day Challenge

Push-Up Challenge

Kettlebell Challenge

 

 

Filed Under: Challenges, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Almond Coconut Oatmeal Bake (breakfast or dessert)

February 26, 2012 By 9 Comments
image from http://foodhero.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/baked-oatmeal/

Oatmeal Bake (breakfast or dessert)

(revised recipe from Anna Slotnick)

Sometimes the old egg whites and oatmeal breakfast gets a little boring. Maybe you just don’t have time! This Oatmeal Bake you can make the night before and just grab a bar in the morning!

(or we sometimes like to have a bar after dinner for a little something sweet, but not too naughty!)

There are 3 combos we made:

Almond Coconut

Banana Walnut

Apple Pecan

They are all freakin’ awesome and you can create your own combos too!

 

Ingredients:

2 c. old fashioned oats (not quick oats)

4 scoops vanilla whey (we used Dymatize Elite XT)

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

lots of brisk shaking of cinnamon (2 itsp??)

4 egg whites (or 1/2 c liquid egg whites)

1.5 c cold water (or almond milk if you want)

3/4 c. Pumpkin (or you can use no sugar added applesauce)

Sweetener as desired—4-6 packets of splenda or truvia, 3-4 dropperfuls of lohan (or none)

 Then…. this is where the fun starts
OPTIONS–
Coconut & Almond (1/2 c. coconut, 1/4c. almonds chopped)
Apples & Pecans (1 whole apple chopped, 1/4 c. pecans chopped)
Bananas & Walnuts (1 whole banana sliced, 1/4 c. walnuts chopped)

 

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix together wet ingredients – except fruit, nuts, or coconut

3. Mix together dry ingredients in separate bowl.

4. Spray pan with non-stick baking spray or grease with coconut oil (we used a cake pan– 8×13)

5. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients – make sure it is distributed evenly. Then add nuts, half of the coconut or fruit. **if doing a banana, line the pan with banana slices

6. Pour mixture into pan and top with extra shredded coconut or extra apple slices

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes (make sure a knife/toothpick comes out clean in the center)

 

They taste amazing when still warm from the oven, but still are delicious when room temp or reheated;)

 

Cut into 1/4ths. (This makes 4 servings.)

Each serving has:

1/2 c. oats

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 egg white

little bit of: pumpkin, sweetener, spices, etc.

 

29 g carbs (less than 3g of sugar– from fruit and little bit of pumpkin), 33 g protein, 0.5-2g  g fat (depending on if using nuts or not)

image from http://foodhero.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/baked-oatmeal/

 

 

Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts/Snacks, Nutrition, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Greens with Your Beans Soup

November 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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  • 2 cans black or pinto beans, rinsed & drained
  • 1 T. olive oil
  • 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 1 32oz container chicken broth
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • ¼ tsp marjoram
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 5 oz spinach

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large saucepan, add in onions and garlic, cooking until soft. Once the onions are soft, add in carrots and celery, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add in chicken broth, beans thyme, marjoram and bay leaf.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  3. A handful at a time, cur the spinach crosswise to make thin ribbons and add to the soup.  Cooking 5-10 minutes then serve.

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Mariah Carey Us Weekly Rant

November 19, 2011 By 2 Comments

In this video we go over why you shouldn’t believe everything you see in the silly tabloids for weight-loss.

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