My Special K Challenge

Yeeee - is the weather ever beautiful!

Submitted by Jen on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:32.

It's time to lace up, set the playlist and run! I will confess, I am no seasoned athlete. Back in high school I was fairly active as a swim and tennis instructor who also joined the track team - but let's be honest the latter was purely for missing full days of school to attend meets with friends and eat gorp. However, university happened and then a series of high demanding jobs that have made it difficult to keep up...you may be able to tell from my sloppy looking jog that I'm a newbie - but that will not deter me from becoming a 'runner' by late spring!

Seriously, just put on the shoes - step outside and I guarantee you'll be inspired to move. I'm starting off easy with a few stretches, one hundred fast skips and then a slow run around the neighbourhood. The route consists of a jaunt over to Trinity Bellwoods park to circle around the park twice and then head back. If you see me - don't say hi, because no doubt in these first three weeks I'll be totally out of breath and awkward. The plan is to run three times a week on this laisez-faire route and then work up my endurance to head down to the lake front and jog from Fort York to Palais Royale. It feels so amazing to run when the sun is shining, it really energizes you for an afternoon of work to-do's. Following my jog, I guzzle three glasses of water and munch on a Special K Chocalatey Crunch bar. A terrific stress reliever, fun workout and rewarding finish. Where are you running? Any tips from all you hard cores would be much appreciated. I'm thinking a weekend jog along the Don River would be great - I have seen deer there before. HOORAH SPRING TIME - we LOVE YOU!

My Special K Challenge in surf town Mexico

Submitted by Jen on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 11:27.

It just so happens that I have a red bikini that goes really well with Special K, especially so when I contort my body into the shape of a K; my own variation on a yoga pose.

I have just returned from Puerto Escondido, Mexico - a most divine retreat that is far from the hectic inebriated mess of Cancun all inclusives. If you drive six hours south of Acapulco on the Pacific coastline (and I do not reccomend this, as it was an insanely scary venture on curvy dirt roads that were invaded by cows, goats and militia) you will find this sleepy surf town where the Peso truly works to your advantage. We stayed at Villas Carazillo, a small boutique hotel that overlooks a lagoon where I swear you wouldn't be surprised to catch some Peter Pan mermaids flapping their tails - gorgeous! If was incredible value but if you are seeking a budget getaway - there are a ton of wonderful alternatives including a hostel just for women right across from the beach.

In this coastal gem, it is very easy to do all the things outlined in my Special K challenge - healthy breakfast, time for myself and a few workouts per week. My morning cereal (in Mexico Special K has a sexy Spanish lady on the box who looks like Penelope Cruz) was complimented by fresh papaya, melon and bananas and was enjoyed slowly while I read a novel and let the salty warm breeze whisk across my half naked body. Days were spent swimming with dolphins, doing breast stroke while gazing at multi-coloured fish schools through my snorkeling mask and insane attempts at boogie boarding Zicatela beach - which had me tossed like a loose sock in the washing machine spin cycle...not advised for beginners. In the evening, I would do a few yoga poses with the backdrop of a heavenly sunset. Of course, there was also late night exercise in the bedroom; a consistently rewarding workout.

If you are seeking total relaxation and a hot escape that demands a satisfying siesta for multiple hours each day, then I highly recommend this destination. There is in fact an airport in Puerto Escondido - that is a quick fly from Mexico City, so you don't have to freak yourself out on the insane drive we barely made.

For those looking for partying and Point Break type surfer dudes, the main drag in town offers a ton of vibrant nightlife with cabana style lounges set up right on the beach.  It's easy to find yourself sitting at a table with folks from Tel Aviv, Sweden, Australia and the US - which always makes for great conversation over a couple bottles of refreshing Sol. However, my time there was not about socializing or late night tequila - rather total rejuvination and quiet bliss.

Alas, I am back in grey and frigid Toronto, so the YMCA will have to do. That said,  the great thing about a vacation is that upon returning home you feel like it's a whole new year and your energy and  peace of mind is at a welcomed and calm plateau.

Four more weeks! Let's see what mega progress can be had. In the meantime, I'll double check with my yogi friends to see what they think about downward dog moving into a Special K stretch :)

xo
Jen

Vanilla Almond, Metro Morning and my intense hot yoga class

Submitted by Jen on Thu, 02/04/2010 - 10:52.

Ooooh baby. I just did one very intense hot yoga class - and feel like I sweat out a month worth of toxins. In the olden days (like six weeks ago) I would wander into a 7AM hot yoga class every once in a while (like every six months)  after a late night spent with girlfriends drinking red wine. The alarm would go off at the crack of dawn and with a quick espresso shot I would tear off to Moksha. Whoa - what a bad scene! Woozy and light headed, speeding on java - I often had to just lie on the floor, unable to finish the 90 minutes of inferno stretching. I'm happy to say that the class I took today, although challenging, was a complete success. I didn't feel insecure while watching uber flexy yoga women downward dog - because I was able to follow every step of the way. I still may have a hard time touching my feet - but I blame that on my ridiculously long torso.

This whole breakfast thing is working wonders into my actual life routine - I kid you not. By simply changing one bad habit, my overall health seems to be positively affected. Each day begins properly and with a moment of reflection, not in haste. This week I've been obsessed with Special K Vanilla Almond. I've been throwing blueberries on top and if the dog is going for an extra long walk in the cold I may enjoy with a side of multigrain toast with peanut butter - and of course CBC Radio's Metro Morning. Further to my happy morning groove, I've also been keeping a litre of water by my desk and sipping it throughout the day - which is essential for hydration in winter months - especially so if you are going to break the chill and profusely sweat in a sauna.

Hot yoga is not something I will commit to on a weekly basis - but it is a rewarding experience every so often. There is something totally gratifying about staring at yourself in the mirror, holding a pose, consciously breathing and watching beads of sweat hit the floor. You feel really clean afterwards - but at 90 minutes, it is a time commitment.

What I'd prefer is to do some yoga on the beach, AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I'LL BE DOING IN ABOUT TWELVE HOURS. Yes folks, I'm heading to PUERTO ESCONDIDO, MEXICO!!! It's a seven hour rocky drive south of Acapulco, and I can not wait to rip off my clothes and dive into the ocean. I haven't been on a vacation in TWO YEARS. I am so excited to lie on a beach with a good book, toss in the waves and watch the sun rise over the Pacific ocean as I wake up with some low key yoga stretches. Guess what? I'm not bringing my Blackberry - and this is important as it fits back into my 2010 resolutions....taking time for myself to relax.

I'll tell you all about it on Valentine's Day....this is my honeymoon after all.

Along with some fancy lingerie - I'm throwing in my Special K skipping rope for some sandy skips along the beach. Photos to come!  (me skipping, not lingerie)

Must. Pack. Now.

xo
Jen

P.S - no that is not me in the yoga photo because A: it's creepy to take photos in a yoga studio and B: What? You don't think I can get to this point in my eight week challenge?

Healthy Snacks Takeover My Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 11:46.

Okay - so truth be told, I have not yet made it to the gym - and yes, I am feeling horribly guilty about this, especially since I have to announce it to all of you. I blame this on the fact that the last week has been totally chaotic and had me tearing down to NYC last minute for a business trip and spending an entire weekend at the Interior Design Show. That said, I have upheld my promise to eat breakfast and this has lead me to become more conscientious of my other eating habits, and less prone to grabbing a bagel to curb hunger. One thing I am pleased at right now is the state of my fridge. I've gone out of my way to fill it with nutritious snacks and by combining this with my Special K breakfast, I feel more energized and content and am experiencing seriously less bloating and mid-morn exhaustion.

Quick and Easy nutritious low-cal snacks include:
- Frozen grapes....they taste wonderful and because they are frozen you are forced to chew them slowly...it's actually pretty sensuous, especially when you let them float in a bowl while indulging in a bubble bath
- Celery sticks with light peanut butter - hmmm crunchy, refreshing and totally tasty
- 1/2 a banana with 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese...yum, yum, yum.
- Seaweed...high in nutrients, cheap and is perfect for when I have a salty craving
- Baked apple with cinnamon - as satisfying as most decadent desserts and it will also make your house smell wonderful

When I'm at home working - I will reach for one of these snacks and when on the run I put a Special K Fruit Crisps in my purse to munch on in the back of taxi's, while walking the dog and for unexpected road trips - like the one to NYC. It was way easy to skip the fast food restaurants with my healthy snack pack full of apples, Special K Fruit Crisps (100 calories or 2 crisps) and yoghurt.

Extra bonus - I have also switched to organic milk for my cereal and if you are looking for something really healthy, may I suggest Almond Milk. It's made from almonds and water, so is totally dairy free for all of you with lactose issues. Refreshing and sweet, it goes really well with the Special K Red Berries cereal.

K- I promise to go to Yoga today. I'm going to start off easy with Restorative Yoga, not sure I'm up for the hot Moksha just yet.

I'm not doing so bad though...some mighty improvements since the days of caffeine coasting and mid-afternoon carb meltdowns. Small steps people!!

Talk soon.
Xo jen

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