Confessions of a Fitness Div

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4

My "Getting Ready For the Slopes" Workout
2008-01-10 04:32:00
I am really into prepping for things. Must be the Virgo in me that has me crossing every T and dotting every I whenever I do ANYTHING new.So, I'm thinking....I need to be in snowboard shape before hitting the slopes. Now, mind you, I realize that just because you're fit in one sport or area, it doesn't mean you're just going to automatically come up aces in everything else. Just doesn't work that way, usually. Now, if we're gonna be kickboxing, stepping or jumping rope out there on the mountain, I've got it locked. But ya know it's not gonna be like that! ;)One fun thing I'm doing is working out on my trampoline. Jumps, runs, and 180 and 360 degree turns (in the middle of a jump). I want to be able to do 180's and 360's on my board when a get the basics down. Yeah, I'm always a show off, and I HAVE to have neat tricks in my arsenal. I also want to be able to jump up on elevated surfaces like I see the other, more experienced snowboarders do. Hey, my health insur...
More About: Workout , Ready

"These Boots Were Made for Shreddin'......"
2008-01-08 03:48:00
That's the new tune I'M singin'! Got my first pair of snowboard boots!!!! Aren't they cute?Also got my cool as hell snowboard pants, a great insulated jacket, my goggles, face warmer, and a slew of other miscellaneous snowboard stuff. Betty is ready to ride! :)So, my first crack at it comes up in two weeks at Okemo. I can't frickin' wait! I plan to take plenty of pics, and maybe even shoot some video. We'll see!I must now give respect to the incredibly sturdy and detailed construction of snowboard clothing. Man, those pants I bought are SO tough I think they'll last about 70 years. The jacket too. And there's a pocket for everything you've ever thought of! They don't play when they make this clothing. I think that you can get dropped out in the cold, Arctic wilderness wearing snowboard gear, and do just fine. That's how intricately reinforced and insulated it is. Cool damn stuff! Can't wait to sport mine and test it out for reals!I'm doing two snowboard w...
More About: Boots , Made

And The Resolutions Are....
2008-01-04 20:48:00
Ugh. Here we go again. Truthfully, though, I really don't have many complaints with how my life is going, and/or what I need to work on. I'm ALWAYS working at or on something. Achievement is my middle name. The only fly in my ointment right now is my credit card debt. So, I'm going to keep it nice and simple.2008 New Year's Resolutions 1. Cut up my credit cards2. Pay off at least 4 completely (you don't want to know how many I have...)3. Get back to using cash and debit card ONLY.Okay. Now, already, that first one is difficult. "What about emergencies?" one might ask. Well, listen to how sick I am. I actually have some of my credit card numbers MEMORIZED (along with the expiration dates). lol How many people can say THAT? While I'm not a credit junkie, I can tell you that I have lived quite well for the past few years, just going slightly over my actual income every now and then. The occasional vacation, sudden trip, class, course, spa day, or culinary indulgen...

OMG.....Too Funny!
2007-12-29 19:43:00
A Facebook friend sent me this, and I've been LMAO ever since....
More About: Funny

Why I'm Still So In Love...With Whole Foods Market
2007-12-28 09:08:00
Just look at this baby. Ain't it purty?A gorgeous little piece of fruit ART! I had to buy it! It IS all about the presentation, yes? And then, of course, the flavor. I could see that this one was put together with much thought and a lil' bit of luv....That's why I'm still soooo hooked on Whole Foods Market . I should become their damn spokesperson, I'm so into them. Every time I stop by, there's something else there that delights me, and ends up coming home with me. This cantaloupe half, scooped out and filled with blue, rasp, and strawberries, by the way, was YUMMY. ;)
More About: Love , Whole Foods

The Weight of the Holidays....
2007-12-25 03:46:00
It hangs pretty darn heavily, to tell the truth. It's not easy to maintain a moderate weight, much less lose some pounds over the holidays. There are just too many things going on, and also the stress of running around trying to get everything just right for these last celebratory days of the year seems to knock everything out of whack. Stress eating is at an all time high, and consumption of fast food from food courts and eating on the run is also a big source of extra holiday calories. And last but not least, the fatigue you feel after all the prepping, shopping, wrapping, lighting, tree trimming, decorating and cooking for the big events leaves you not wanting to lift another finger, much less stick to your workout plan as usual.So, here are a few tips to keep it all in check until the New Year's resolutions kick in:Tip #1 - Have a plan. Whether it's for your shopping trip, house decorating, or prepping holiday dinner, create a time line in which you're going to try to ge...
More About: Holidays , Weight , Weigh , The Holidays

For Love of Fried Cheese.....
2007-12-22 23:08:00
I love Greek food, and I would like to kiss the person that thought up fried cheese, cause I think it's just brilliant! I went to Uncle George's for dinner last night, which is a well known Greek restaurant here in Astoria, and man, the fried cheese alone was worth the trip. Don't do it that often, but when I do it, I DO it! lolAnd Greek salads, to me, are the best. After I pick out all the onions first....Uh oh....I think I hear the treadmill calling. Gotta go! ;)
More About: Love , Cheese , Fried

I Must Bitch....
2007-12-20 21:39:00
Yep. Right now. Today. It's building up, and I gotta get rid of some of it. I'm having one of those days where I really hate people.This, followed by a day where I really got to feel and appreciate deeply the love of some of my people, namely my Forest Hills peeps. They are the BEST. Love them! They surprised me on Tuesday with a Christmas card stuffed full of $$$$. I love them, not because of the money, but because they care enough to show that they CARE, and they show that what I attempt to do for them on a weekly basis is noticed and appreciated. I love appreciation just like I love kindness and respect, two things that are quite high on my list. Now I gotta figure out how to bake my Forest Hills peeps a batch of low fat cookies or something. Like I said, LOVE them. They rock.Now, moving on to less evolved, more self absorbed, self entitled types. Like the ones I got to sub for at Central Park West last night. I HATE snooty, self important, emotionless, rude, unappr...
More About: Bitch

Dragging My Arse....
2007-12-13 00:11:00
That's what it feels like I'm doing this week. I gotta snap out of it! I have tons of crap to do, websites to complete, and on the social front, I don't even have New Year's Eve plans yet! Yikes!I do have a couple Xmas parties lined up though. Yep, party girl, that's ME!I am, however, making plans to go into the year 2008 kicking ass. In EVERY department in my life: my businesses, socializing and networking (I was damn near a hermit in 2007, unless I was outside blading or playing tennis), and spending more time with my family. They HARDLY EVER see me, and I know that when my ass breaks a leg, or a few ribs speeding down some wicked slope on a snowboard, THEY will be the ones rehabbing me and feeding me soup through a straw. Gotta keep 'em close and give them that respect! ;)I also need to knock down the balances on some of my credit cards. NO MORE frivolous spending for me! Makes me want to cry, that last one, cause I LOVE frivolous spending! I'll just have to get ove...
More About: Arse

Viva December!
2007-12-07 20:13:00
Ah, the layers upon layers of clothing, the need to actually HAVE to wear socks, your ears getting so cold they turn purple, and the cold brisk air, damn near freezing the insides of your nostrils. I'm lovin' it!Winter is one of the best seasons in NYC for me, because for one thing, it calms the city down. Far less people on the street than in the summertime. I always say "most assholes tend to stay home when it's cold outside". I could be wrong about that, however. Seems like it, though!So we're on to winter sports for me. Dudes, I'm getting ready to plunge myself into the world of snowboarding, and I'm excited as f*ck. I joined the Snowboarding Meetup, and man, they have ski and snowboard trips left and right. I am about to be on one of those bus trips with a quickness! I love an active, fun group, and this one seems to be just the ticket. They're at it like two to three times a week.I've been contemplating taking up snowboarding for a while now, and figure since ...
More About: December , Viva

Thanksgiving Hangover...
2007-11-30 21:08:00
Yes, still....a week later! My body is feeling the effects of my 4 day weekend of complete decadence. I went for a run last night and thought I was gonna DIE. lol I haven't felt like THAT in a while! But then, it all boils down to what I put in my body....Your food is your fuel, remember? Apparently the body doesn't run quite as well on half a pan of baked macaroni and cheese, ham, dressing and heaping plates of rice, beans and potato salad. Hmph! Who knew? lol. I did, of course, but I still had my fun. Tonight I will take another run, and hopefully this one will be better than the last. Also, sometimes your body just has a bad exercise day. I was rocking some fierce aerobics on Tuesday, and was full of energy. After teaching two classes, I was still bouncing. But the next day....not so much!I'm looking forward to the challenge of an extra mile this evening. Well, not really. lol.
More About: Thanksgiving , Hangover , Hank

Marion Jones and Barry Bonds Scapegoats??
2007-11-23 21:38:00
We all know the stories, and the facts that have come to light. Yes, Marion Jones should have her medals stripped. I'm a bit on the fence about her having to return all the prize money, though, because she did show up and participate, and all those involved in her camp were paid from her winnings....hmmm, that's a slippery slope, that one. But, my real question is, who else is being investigated with such diligence? Is it ALL the athletes, or just a chosen few? Here we are in 2007 and they're STILL after these few folks like bloodhounds. Why only them?I also sense some type of unfairness in the whole Barry Bonds situation as well. Once again, I ask, WHO ELSE is being put through this same scrutiny to such a degree? Are the powers that be just pissed because he broke Hank Aaron's home run record? That he now goes in the history books? What about all the other "dirty" players? We know they're out there, suiting up every game as usual. Is it only the golden, chosen few...
More About: Marion Jones

Back in The Hole...
2007-11-23 03:39:00
Uh! I must have eaten half a ham by myself at the ol' Tday dinner. But damn, it was good! And about half a pan of baked mac and cheese. One place I did show some restraint was at the dessert table. I only had ONE slice of strawberry cheesecake....So THERE! lolAlready setting the clock to be up at 7 am for a run before my morning classes. Oh, the paiiinnnn.... ;)
More About: Back , Hole , The Hole

More Temptation....
2007-11-17 02:44:00
One of my class members went to Ireland and bought me back a bottle of Baileys. I am too crazy about Baileys Irish creme. Yes, the gremlins are at work, trying to sabotage my "get shredded in two weeks" diet and workout. I think I'll just put that bottle of Baileys on the shelf til Christtmas, no? Yes! I gotta get ready for these pics! No Baileys for me!!
More About: Temptation , Temp

It's So Yummy!
2007-11-15 21:54:00
My schedule, that is. I love being able to go and knock out a couple classes in the morning or mid day, and be DONE. The rest of the day is MINE. I step out of the gym door and ask myself "what do we want to do RIGHT NOW?". I can do ANYTHING I feel! LOVE IT!That is the most important thing in life to me; being able to do whatever the heck I feel WHEN I feel. It's priceless!Today, being the rainy day that it is, finds me inside, maintaining my websites, watching ATP tennis, all the games leading up to the US Davis Cup. Right now I'm watching Djokovic vs Nadal. Loving it. I have a date later, and all the time in the world to relax, luxuriate, and then go take a nice, decadently long bubble bath. Yum!On the personal fitness front, I've been pretty good this week. Workout and diet are in sync. NO bad stuff. And anyway, with next week being Thanksgiving day, that's a good thing. Put a little in the bank now for all the sins I'm gonna commit later. This TDay will see me...
More About: Yummy

My Latest Obsession....
2007-11-11 19:09:00
When I fall in love, I fall hard. Really. I become so infatuated.....the mere thought of our next encounter breaks me out into a tingly sweat. Yes, I even get butterflies. I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about that next succulent moment that we both shall meet. The wait is pure agony. I woke up this morning knowing that my wait was over -- today was the day! Sunday....the one day of the week that I know for sure we'll be together. And as always, it was bliss!As I walked up 14th St approaching Union Square, I could feel my heart racing. My latest love was but steps away! I crossed Broadway, walked past the train station, and there, waiting for me with open arms as always, it was. MY Whole Foods Market! I knew it missed me just like I had missed it all week long! Oh! I could feel the warm embrace enfold me as I walked through the doors....Okay, can I just explain how much I love this place? It's like the nondescript, fade into the background guy that has always ...
More About: Obsession

Let's Play!
2007-11-10 23:47:00
I used to be a Pac Man junkie. I am also the undisputed Ms Pac Man Queen! Ahh, the memories....
More About: Play

Trying To Be Good....
2007-11-10 19:14:00
Oeeey! As I mentioned before, I'm on a crash course to get ripped in two weeks, which is a little trick I pull out of my hat every now and then. It requires that I forego many of the naughty little pleasures this diva likes to indulge in. Like chocolate. Cheeseburgers. Haagen Dazs milkshakes. And beer. Those are all no-nos when you're trying to shed your top layer of fat. Hey, even a 5th grader knows that!But wouldn't ya know, temptation comes knockin' on my door, RIGHT ON MY CLASSROOM DOOR, in the form of one of my beloved boxing class members imploring me to come have drinks at the Irish bar up the block from me. I swear, I tried to beg off...but it didn't work. So, 9pm saw me meeting up with some of my boxing class members for drinks. lolYeah, I'm one GREAT role model, ain't I? lol. I have to tell you, though...my boxing peeps are the coolest in the world. LOVE them. We're all local since we all live in this neighborhood, and although I try not to mix work and ...
More About: Good

How to Motivate Yourself, 101
2007-11-09 07:17:00
Okay. So I'm in the gym today, sneaking in a quick hour of jump rope before dinner, and it's 5:45 or so...I'm about 40 minutes into the workout, jumping, pumping, rocking my beats and sweating up a pool. A guy enters at the far end of the studio, and starts doing his own calisthenics routine. As I pause to stretch my calves a bit, I hear him say "Heee-eeey",in a flirty somewhat salacious kind of way. I look down the floor towards him. "You talkin' to me?" I ask. That catcall of a hey really had come out of nowhere. He shook his head no vigorously. Okay. I figure, maybe he's listening to his Ipod and it came to a part where somebody said "Heee-eeey" on a song. A minute later he "Heee-eeeys" again. He also says "Yeeea-ahhhh!" and "it's gonna be a cold summer". NOW I'm checkin' on him for real. This is TOO wild. He does a quick burst of rapid fire push ups, jumps up, looks in the mirror, and says "Heee-eey". He poses and kisses one of his biceps. No kidding. Thi...
More About: Motivate

Lookin' Good, Feelin' Fine....
2007-11-07 07:00:00
I love when the weather starts to get cold in the city! That's when I like to run and bike the most. I'm going to start getting up and running around the area (like many of my neighbors do) and sweat off a few layers of sugar...lol. I like layering up, doing a run, and then by the time I get home I'm peeling off one completely sweat soaked item at a time. Once you dry off, you not only feel lighter...you also feel great! What a rush!The best thing about it is that running quickly melts any extra fat or weight I want to drop right off in only a few sessions. Gotta love that! Cuz you know...I'm probably gonna be a real bad girl again sometime in the near future. ;) Just gotta keep it all balanced out. That's how I roll! ;)
More About: Good , Fine

Candy Corn Coma....
2007-10-31 03:52:00
Ah, yes, Halloween is tomorrow.....and I sit here with my commemorative bag of candy corn, my favorite Halloween naughty! Nothin' but a mouth full of sugar....yum!I will be doing my penance tomorrow to make up for it. 'Bout 40 on the treadmill before I teach my class should do it. But in the meantime, MMMMMMMMMmmmmmm!Beginning this week I'm gonna start me a Janet Jackson....getting myself all shredded and pic ready for some projects I have coming up. That's going to require alot of discipline and hard work on my part, but I'm ready to do it! While I'm not in bad shape now at all, I'm not exactly "camera ready" at this point. My stomach is pretty much flat, but the definition is not really visible. Same with my legs. They're solid, but until I see the definite lines of my quads when I look down, I know I have work to do! Gotta cut the sugar, and some carbs. More cardio, less layin' around on my butt like I've been doing lately. I'll be sure to post my before and a...
More About: Corn , Candy

I've Been Soooo Bad......Naughty, Naughty!
2007-10-28 19:56:00
It ain't easy bein' cheesy.....My social calendar has been jumping a bit lately, and this Diva has been hitting some bars, lounges, parties and the like. I totally subscribe to the "work hard, play harder" ethic...simply because I know how to come back and perform any damage control necessary after the dust settles. I know that I still should rein it in, though. Just a bit!What I'm talking about is the massive amount of alcohol calories I've consumed in the past week or so. We're not even mentioning food. I was at an all you can drink Mexican brunch yesterday, and mimosas were my poison. I can try to pretend that since there was orange juice in them (with good old vitamin C), I wasn't being TOO bad a fitness diva. But hey, you know I know better! lolA few nights before that, I was hanging out with a friend and we knocked back a few beers (the worst!). I won't say how many. Can't put myself out there quite THAT nakedly. lolA few days before that, I was sharing a bot...

The Politics of Politeness
2007-10-23 18:38:00
Back from the wedding weekend, and I must say, I didn't go too crazy on the southern food. I love North Carolina, though, and the way they try to make you feel comfortable and welcome everywhere you go. It's something that you don't experience as much in New York. Every store I went into, the cashiers and floor people spoke to me, saying "how are you doin' today?" and "how are you", and sometimes just "Hi-iii" in those lovely, cushiony southern accents they have. And these are folks that have never seen me before in their life. I love the way people are so friendly and open in the south. Southern hospitality is alive and well, I'm telling you!Flash forward to the streets of NYC, and I'm surrounded by a brashness and rudeness from strangers that I can't even begin to explain. People refusing to move over as they walk straight at you on the sidewalk, this never ending game of chicken that New Yorkers like to play, better known as "who's gonna move first?". I've driven...
More About: Politics , Politic

I'm Back!
2007-10-17 21:05:00
Got my voice back, although it's still a bit raspy. One thing I am going to do after this scare is to go back to using a mic when I teach my classes. I stopped using my mic about 2 years ago or so, because it was just a bit cumbersome to hook and unhook the system every time I taught. I taught with a mic for a good six years, and when the power adaptor broke, I just stopped. That's when I discovered the joy of yelling and screaming! ;)Well, that little party is over now...I'd rather be able to use my voice for many years to come, and to do that, I'm gonna have to save the screaming for other occasions! ;)The cool thing is I get to go back to being the social butterfly that I am...I missed out on a cool party with this laryngitis! Gotta make up for lost time...
More About: Back

Day of Silence
2007-10-13 16:05:00
Having taken the day off to rest my voice, of course I'm out here on the net early, surfing, searching, reading blogs I like, and always finding new ones. It's staggering to fathom the sheer numbers of people out here writing these days! Seems like everyone and their dog has a blog. I'm not kidding, there are DOGS out here with blogs!Great thing is that more people are exercising that writing muscle. Only good can come from that. Well....hopefully! ;)I also sit here watching the Sundance, IFC, History and Science channels. In between those I click on Current TV to see what I can learn, and also to see what amateur filmmakers and journalists are putting out. I love Current, and one day you'll see one of MY pods on there. Just as soon as I learn how to work a movie camera (and buy one...dont worry, I've been saving for it. Already know the one I want). Making films is something else I'm trying to learn about and prepare for in the midst of everything else I do. The le...
More About: Silence

Teaching With No Voice...
2007-10-12 18:58:00
I think it was pretty damned amazing of me to knock out two classes this morning with absolutely NO voice whatsoever, since I now have full blown LARYNGITIS.Imagine yourself trying to teach a step class without verbal cuing. Yep, that was me today, the Marcel Marceau of aerobics! But I made it easy (for myself) and turned it into a step circuit where the class rotated through different exercise stations, performing each for a minute and a half. 4 step stations, 4 weight stations and 4 jump rope stations. Truth is, they got a better workout than usual, cause step, weight and jumprope together in one class usually kicks some series butt! I could tell by the collective exclamations of relief when I finally signalled "class over". ;)Cuing the toning class afterwards was easier, I just basically did a Simon Says bit, or more like a "Watch me, and do everything that I do". I was pretty happy with being able to get thru teaching both classes minus my voice...it takes REAL talent to be...
More About: Voice , Teaching

Dealing With Difficult People - The Series
2007-10-11 09:17:00
I am having a "really can't wait until I'm working totally and entirely for myself" moment. For real.My life is basically broken up into a series of weeks, like most people, I guess. There are good weeks, and there are bad weeks. Funny thing is, you can be having an awesome week, and one or two bad incidents back to back can wreck it all. Then you have to regroup and start all over again.One thing I need to admit up front: I'm not that tolerant and understanding of this planet's "less centered and less enlightened" people. I was raised to be courteous, considerate and polite, and when I encounter people that are NONE of those things, and have a personal interaction with them in their negative cycle, it causes me problems. My own little cross to bear, I think. That's the main thing I am meant to work through in my time on this earth. I truly believe that. Because I'm soooo sensitive. More than most people would believe. I think I'm overly sensitive like that for a re...
More About: People , Series , Serie , Erie , Diff

Even a Dog Knows......
2007-10-07 19:46:00
Frequent exercise is FUN!!!"It's good for you too! Be sure to get yourself some TODAY!

Wedding on the Horizon.....
2007-10-06 03:46:00
Ughhh....as fun as they are, I am not looking forward to it! No, it's not MY wedding, but I still feel the pressure to show up looking exceptionally good, since everyone knows I'm a fitness queen. It's a pressure I put on myself, because I'm such an anal perfectionist. Yes, I am! And also, it's FAMILY (ones I haven't seen in years), so they all wonder what the hell is happening to me up in old NYC. (the wedding is in North Carolina, home of fried everything, thick gravy, fat and REAL butter). I just always feel like I gotta represent. I have to show them how great it is to be fit, down there in that land of XXXX sizes and all you can eat buffets. Most of my family in the south is overweight, and loving it! I need for them to see that it's worth it, all the sweat, toil, muscle ache and sacrifice I go thru to look and be trim and fabulous! Yep! That's why I live!Anyhow, I am looking forward to seeing the fam, dancing, laughing and drinking to exhaustion, and trying to ...
More About: Wedding , Izon , Horizon

Staying On a Roll.....and Bounce
2007-10-01 02:51:00
Is it really September 30th already?? DAMN! Where the hell does the time go? I guess losing track of time is a sign of you've been pretty busy, which I have been.I have unfinished websites coming out of my azz, but the good news is that two will be ready for launch tomorrow. Don't piss this Diva off...she comes out WORKING!Ok. Y'all know I'm crazy, right? Yeah. I am. When it comes to fitness, I'm like a junkie in a crack store. I saw an Urban Rebounder in my studio at Wall St the other day after teaching class, and started jumping on it. Mind you, this is not the first time I've seen a rebounder. I actually took the Urban Rebounding workshop and got certified to teach it umpteen years ago, but never bothered to get myself a rebounding class. Anywhoo.....guess who went right home and ordered an Urban Rebounder? Yep. You got it! Now this mini trampoline is sitting in the middle of my living room, and I've had to figure out quick where to store it without having to c...
More About: Roll , Bounce