REAL FOOD for REAL HEALTH

Recently I have been prompted by several people to begin selling, a popular cleansing weight loss system that ha been around for several years.  My origional though was NO WAY!  How can I promote something I am ethically against (you’ll get to my reasoning soon).  Then I hummed and hawed, and read the info on it (which is extremely well written and convincing) – I though about it, I debated trying it…and I knew I couldn’t!  ….. So, how come?   I bet you’re wondering (and yes my husband was too…’cause damn you can make a mint off this stuff fast).  But ethically I just couldn’t.  To me no matter  what you call it or dress it up as (diet vs. cleanse) it’s still a “Diet” thing, you do it for a bit, you loose the weight, but you have not made a healthy life style change, you’ve only started drinking a few shakes a day and eating one meal. ..not exactly a healthy lifestyle..  Where’s your REAL FOOD, where are you fruits, vegetable… plant life..that actually looks like plant life…..

(Yup – today I’m ranting)

It’s not just that it’s the hyped-up version of “slim fast” with some actual “good stuff like herbs, minerals and vitamins,”   put into it, it’s that it keep the diet cycle going….you are showing this to your kids, you are teaching this to your daughters, you are their hero’s: their mom’s, and it’s such an sad example.   Do you want your children growing up and dieting / cleansing?  Or do you want them eating real foods, knowing that pure whole foods are nature’s healers, being confident in their bodies and treating themselves with love and respect?

I guess perhaps this cleanse shake thing, shakes-me-up because I’ve been on the other side of an eating disorder, I’ve know people who died because of eating disorders, and I still have to battle my inner demons some days….so I am on super high alert about what nutritional information and habits I pass along to my child, though my own behaviours.  Perhaps, people who haven’t been there, or seen how scary it is, don’t recognize just how much impact their own eating habits can have on a child.  But for me it’s a terrifying reality, I don’t ever want my child to feel the need to starve herself to the point of near-death, or cleanse/diet herself just so she can feel okay about who she is…that’s so very sad.  I want her to be strong and proud of who she is and know that nature heals, food is a medicine when eaten whole and from the Earth.

The simpler we keep it, the healthier we can be….move your body – eat fresh fruits and veg, from as local and organic sources as possible and enjoy being in the moment.     Teach your children by loving yourself and treating your body with respect, compassion and love ♥…we need to be the change, if we are going to change things for the next generation.

With love, gratitude and respect to all,

Alyssa

11:11 Holiday at Home Workout Routines

Exercising while on holidays, will help keep you feeling good, mentally and physically;  it helps you to de-stress, unwind and not judge yourself too harshly if your eating patterns change a bit for your regular routine.

Here’s a well-rounded at-home do-it-yourself program that’ll keep you moving and motivated… I’ll aim to add a new one every few days, until classes start again, and you can join me! (Please see web page for class details http://www.eleveneleven-coaching.com)  This program will be about an hour in length, so pick and choose what you like, if time is limited.

Equipment needed:

Water, good shoes/boots, a chair, a mat/towel or blanket or soft spot on the carpet.

Warm-Up:

Start out with a brisk walk outdoors for 10 minutes (and take a friend or family mermber if possible)

11:11 at home routine for the holidays (t-stance image)

CAUTION on ice and snow!  Please stay on sidewalks!

Work Out:

Start to run a block, then walk a block, then try 15 jumping jacks….. – run – walk – jacks, run – walk – jacks … etc…. if you’re feeling ambitious, sprint instead of just running.  Continue for 20 minutes.  (You can do this inside as well if you have a treadmill or elliptical…go about 2 minutes of  each run/walk, get off treadmill and jack)

Cardio Cooldown: 

Briskly walk a block or two about 5 minutes, adding 4 walking lunges at every telephone pole.  (watch knee does not exceed foot on front leg, as you lower into your lunges..hint, go for big strides)

Muscle Strengthening: 

* Indoors or Outdoors, alternate push-ups (your choice) with a t-stance (side plank ….see image), ratio:  10:10  ~ Push Up:Second Hold T-Stance.    Do 3 times per side.

For more Advanced: From the toes and hand

For Beginners: From knees and elbow 

*  Jump Squats: Regular squats.  Ratio 10:10.  Do 3 sets.

For more advanced: 15:5 ratio – 3 sets

For Beginners: omit jump, and do 1/2 the reps

*  Get Up – Get Down… you know…the one you LOVE…..  all the way to lying on the floor, then all the way up to standing.  When tucking the leg under to get up, alternate which leg and arm you use to help  (message me if you need more info on this one)

For more advanced:  try for no arm assistance at all if you can

For beginners, try it out…do as many as you can – use your hands to help as much as needed.

* Prone Opposition – lying down on your front, and raising opposite arm and leg.  Switch each rep, right arm – left leg, left arm – right leg.  See about pulling up your navel as far away from the ground as possible.

For advanced: hover in a table top position, from hands and feet, with your knees 2 fingers width away from the floor, engage your abs, and give it a go!

For Beginners: rest down on your front, being sure to keep your head and neck supported and resting as the arms and legs move.

Caution if spinal or neck problems or sensitivities.

This should take about 20 minutes.

Flexibility

Stretch out your major muscle groups holding at least 20 seconds:

* hamstring (back of your thigh) … seated with legs extended to the front of you, lean forward as much as it feels comfortable – breathe and relax.

* quadricep (front of thigh) … standing, bend one knee, drawing your foot up towards your bottom, take your foot in your hand, bring thighs together, so the knee cap points down.  Reapeat on other side

* erector spinae (all along your back)… cat pose

* lattimus dorsi  …go into downward dog, with hands on an elevated surface..pulling back slightly with your body weight

* Pectoralis Major (your chest) … standing come up close to the wall, facing inward, extend 1 arm out straight at shoulder height, rest your whole arm, from shoulder to hand on the wall (get in close, close, close), then turn your torso away from the arm – so your arm is flexed back, and open on the front.   Do on the other side.  (If that sounds far too confusing, just bring your arms back and wide as far as you can, palms forward facing.)

About 5 minutes.

Take a few nice deep breaths, thank yourself for the amazing workout you just did, and if you feel any other areas need a bit more of a stretch, please do add them in..i.e. calves, hip flexors, shins, bicep, tricep, abs.  Instinctively if you feel tight anywhere, open up that area, by moving the corresponding joint in the opposite direction, to add length to the tight area.

Hope you had a great workout, and a super holiday!

Alyssa Huntley

11:11 Life Styling

Can Fit Pro: FIS, PTS, NWS.   INLPTA.   OFC/NFLAC.    Fitness Unlimited.   Reebok University.  

Oh, but it’s cold outside — how to remain dedicated to your outdoor fitness regime and love it!

Exercising outdoors this winter?   No Problem…

Activity warms up your body, so exercising outdoors in the winter time isn’t a problem.  What can be a hazard though, is getting chilled after your workout, or staying out too long.   Beat the cold, and get fit with 11:11’s fit tips:

* Layer up, so you can add and subtract your clothing as you need to.

* Wear wool or moisture-wicking fabrics (luon) as your bottom layer, next to your skin, these fabrics can breathe and keep you warm even when you sweat.   Cotton will get wet and keep you damp, and synthetics fabrics don’t breathe, and keep your sweat on your skin, which cools your body quickly after exercise is complete.

outdoor exercise tips for winter 11:11 life styling

* Wear a top layer that is wind-breaker material, for your warm up and cool down, to help keep your body heat in… you probably won’t want it for your actual workout, unless it’s raining out.

* A hat is good for the warm up and cool down portion, and you may or may not want it on for your workout.

* When it’s really cold cover your ears, and mouth and nose if possible.

* Gloves and/or mittens are beneficial, as well as good warm socks – wool is best, and water-proof shoes/boots.

* Drink water more often during your workout, since humidity is normally lower in the winter time.

* If out at night be sure to wear something reflective.

* Exercise with a friend or group when possible for extra safety.

* Watch for icy patches.

* If driving to your outdoor workout, keep an extra blanket in your car, to rest over your lap, for your ride home, so you don’t get as chilled.

* Change out of your wet clothing as quickly as possible.

Exercising in the winter months outdoors, feels different the first few times you do it, and it usually takes the body a week or more to adjust to the differences, so pace yourself, listen to and respect your fitness boundaries – be safe and have fun!

See you out there!

Alyssa Huntley

http://www.1111fullcirclehealing.ptenhance.com

alyssahuntley@gmail.com

Avoid injury in the gym

safety in the weight room

* Lift weights slowly, and lower carefully, keeping joints slightly bent at extension
* Keep your abdominals engaged (abs pulled inward)
* Always move weights through full range of motion (as long as their is no pain)
* Warm up before lifting any weights (do a few light sets or do a cardio warm up)
* Cross train by doing a variety of activities
* Use weights that are appropriate for you (ask a trainer to help you find what range is beneficial for you)
* Keep your workouts focused and know their purpose
* Stretch after each set or at the end of your workout
* Take a break when you need it

Alyssa
11:11