Fresh Foam Kicks

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So you've probably noticed by now that I've been testing out the new Fresh Foam 980's by New Balance. They launched on February 12th and I've been wearing them for a few weeks so that I could provide you all with a solid review.

I fell in love with these sneakers at first glance... they are just SO ATTRACTIVE. Super fly. 

There was a fair amount of jealousy when these arrived... Rob, a couple of the trainers at Peter Welch's Gym, friends etc. So, I started testing them out... first to a couple classes at Peter Welch's and then for a couple outdoor runs. (Weather has been stupid cold and snowy so it's been hard to sneak in a couple runs)

I was a little hesitant to switch from my other running shoes because I am SO loyal to them. Plus, I have this chronic issue where my ultra-high arches collapse and it's been irritating me lately.

BUT....

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Holy Smokes - they are SO comfy and SO springy! It took me about 2-3 times to get used to the fit with my weird, narrow, high-arched feet, but, the last week and a half I've been wearing them to boxing and I love them. 

So what do I like best about these fly kicks? Brian, one of the trainers at Peter Welch's, is CONVINCED I am a faster sprinter since I started wearing them. He has said it to me about 3-5 times. I have to be honest - I feel like I'm flying in these things. The foam is just so springy so I do feel like a gazelle... not that I can prove I'm any faster, but, I would say that these are GREAT training shoes for sprints. I think they are more meant for long distance running, but, coming from someone who used to be a sprinter - these would be great to train in. I also liked them on my longer runs - so cushiony and comfortable - what's not to like?

Speaking of Peter Welch's Gym... I haven't provided a workout post in a while so let me just tell you what these sneakers go through and how they feel. In Brian's class today we...

...warmed up with jump rope for 4 minutes
...ran around the room doing alternating sprints and calisthenics for 6 mins
...shadow boxing for 6 minutes
...partner up on the bag then hit all jabs then all crosses then free style, repeat, 12 minutes
...switch off with your partner from floor to bag (where I took these photos) squats then squat thrusts, shadow boxing, flutter kicks, etc on the floor and then free style, combinations, etc. on the bag, 12 minutes
...end with side shuffles and suicide sprints, 6 minutes
(I might be a little off with the minutes - just picture a bunch of boxing rounds - long and short ones)

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Brian was nice enough to take a photo of my sprints - haha he really is convinced the Fresh Foam makes me fast - I'm laughing and about to take a turn in this photo so it's a little awkward.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... this workout is the absolute best and the sneakers - they hold up just perfectly! I'm going to make it a point to start adding more PWG posts on here - it's been an ongoing request and I just need to get better at taking some photos during class. Feel like checking one out? First class is FREE. Mention you saw it on funfitflavor.

Interested in the sneaks? They are available at New Balance Boston (583 Boylston Street, Boston, MA) for $110.00. They come in a lot of other really cool colors, too.

More info HERE and a FUNNY VIDEO with Pedroia HERE.

Have an awesome week, guys! It's almost Thursday! Yippee! xo

Disclaimer: New Balance did not compensate me to write this or any post. They did, however, provide me with the pair of Fresh Foam 980's seen in this blog. Opinions are honest and all my own - that's why I tested them for almost a month. :)

Ugh, WTF Biggest Loser....

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Did anyone catch The Biggest Loser last night? I'm allllll bent out of shape about it. I started watching the show back in 2009 when my cousin Jenn and I lived together. She's a nurse, I'm a health nut... we loved it. At the time, we were both big Jillian Michaels fans and love(d) a solid health and/or weight loss story.

So, I don't watch it as regularly as I used to because I think it's become even more dramatic than ever and it's lost its luster for me a bit, but still, Jillian is back on the show and they cut it down to an hour so I started watching it a little bit over this season. Rachel, this season's winner, stood out to me because she was a former athlete, competitive swimmer, and won almost all of the competitions on the show.  She had a bad break up that she let get the best of her back in College and so on the show she was 'getting her life back'. Oooof.

I feel like I'm usually a pretty sharp person... I don't like most reality TV... when everyone's watching The Bachelor... I'm watching a Friends repeat. But I have to say... I'm feeling a bit frustrated with myself that I was fooled by what this show is doing. There's so much positive that has come from it that I've ignored a lot of the negative. Shame on me. 

So, last night as I was writing about roasting potatoes and brussell sprouts... I was watching the finale and this happened and I gasped in horror (similar to Bob and Jillian, but, with more gusto)

Ugh, guys, she looks very unhealthy. Her cheeks are wrinkled. Her arms look like they are going to break. She's only 24 years old (5'4" and 105lbs) The thing that upset me most was when I went to open up Twitter (because I had a feeling I wasn't alone) EVERYONE was tweeting about it.  All I could think of was that  she's obviously going to read these tweets that say how anorexic she looks and make matters even worse. She's far too thin, yes, but don't body shame her or call out diseases... the SHOW should be blamed for not properly monitoring her while she was home. Seriously BL... you don't monitor these folks when they go home??

Ok, enough about Rachel and BL. I hope she finds some real balance and help. I also hope BL makes some major changes if they continue this show for upcoming seasons.

The bigger issue here is that this problem is rampant. Yes, America has a major Obesity Epidemic and it's an extremely important issue, however, there are other very dark sides of eating disorders that need to be addressed.  One that stands out to me is Exercise Bulimia. Being someone who is so active in the fitness community, I have seen so many women successfully get healthy and then make a turn for the worse -- over-exercising, under-eating then over-eating, and never really finding the balance. If I'm being honest, I struggled with this myself in my early twenties. I never became too extreme, but, I really struggled with missing a workout, counting calories, and being a certain body weight. It can take over your entire life.

I know I'm not a Doctor, NP, PA, or have any cool, smart letters following my name... I just feel like this is something we need to talk about more.  I think more people are suffering from this more than we care to admit and I think it's dangerous. Actually, I know it's dangerous. There is enough research and articles out there (written by the real pros) that proves intense-over-exercising can be harmful:

1. Negative Impact on the Heart too much intense exercise can, “cause dilation and stretching of the heart's chambers, especially the atria and right ventricle." What this means is that the pumping capacity of the heart can actually decrease, which makes it work harder.  

2. Weakened Immune System Moderate exercise helps the immune system whereas too much can increase respiratory infections

3. Weakened Bones and Joints No need to explain this one but excessive wear & tear causes more surgeries earlier in life.

4. Damage to Internal Organs without proper rest - the radicals and toxins released during exercise (a good thing) remain in the body and damage internal organs

5. Muscle Wear and Tear Muscle builds during rest. Without rest, the small tears caused by exercise do not heal and, in turn, cause bigger issues like strains and pulls. 

6. Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies- The body needs certain vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. Over-exercise and dieting can deplete the body of nutrients, and cause complications such as low potassium, which is related to heart problems.

7. Increased Food Cravings & Bingeing

All of the above information can be found in many places, but, I pulled most of it from this site.

So, what to do about all of this? I honestly don't know. I don't have the answers. I can only speak for myself and say that when I was teaching 2 classes a day and taking another 1-2, it wasn't good. I only thought about exercise and calories and I deprived myself from going to parties or meeting up with friends because I had to 'get in some cardio'. Eventually I grew out of it... I had some life changes that got in the way of constant exercise (mainly a new job and life in the big city). I had to figure out how to go out to restaurants and not order a salad (because ordering a salad on a date is lame), but still maintain my weight. Well, I lost weight... I started to relax... enjoy food... cook real food... and exercise in a more efficient way.  I educated myself on weight lifting and real food and satiety. Eating real fats and proteins. It all came together for me. This is one long post and it got wayyyy more personal than I planned so I'm going to wrap it up. 

As cliche as it sounds, life is so much more than how you look. Being healthy doesn't mean eating "perfect" 24/7 and exercising every single day of the week. Being healthy means being a good person, enjoying time with friends and family, seeing the world around you, being a hard worker, etc. That's why there's FUN in funfitflavor, guys!! (trying to lighten it up - haha)

Sooo... what do you all think? Did you watch the show? What are you thoughts on this matter?

Hope you are all having an excellent hump day (snowed in or not!)

xo

Rocking a Rest Day

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 I usually never take a rest day during the work-week. I typically save them for Sunday or Friday. Today, however, I felt really sore, a little tired, and realized that if I went to boxing - my workout would probably be a little weak (literally and figuratively). So, I decided to take an "active-rest" day. 

Rest Days are CRITICAL to ensuring those muscles you work so hard to tone, recover and develop stronger. Sometimes I feel guilty for a mid-week rest day. I really need to let that go. Do any of you feel that way? I'll be thanking myself tomorrow when I go to boxing and am ready to GET AFTER IT. Plus, I was able to do some laundry, write this blog post, and clean!

 I decided that a solid Yoga workout is exactly what my body needed (I even threw on my favorite Fenway Yoga t-shirt!). I YouTubed my favorite Yoga DVD, Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown: Volume 1. It has more movement than straight 'holds' and it isn't really hokey. Nothing wrong with a little hokey yoga, but, I just can't take it seriously coming out of my television. 

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 I roasted a sweet potato in the oven while I yogied it up in the living room. These potatoes rocked my world at dinner tonight. Yummmmm.

(Cut the extra virgin o/o-drizzled tater into chunks and throw on pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes.)

 Tossed this chicken in some honey mustard and cayenne pepper and threw it on the grill pan.

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 Mash up the taters... they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside - kind of like a cookie! I drizzled it with extra virgin, a tsp of Parmesan, and smashed in a chopped fried sage leaf. The chicken is drizzled with a little more honey mustard.

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 This meal is jam packed with FUEL. Especially Protein, Vitamin C, and B Vitamins.  Perfect for recovery.

While I am at it... I would like to make a request to stop using the phrase "going on a diet". Diets don't work... it's a bad word.  Fueling properly does work. If you fuel your body properly... it will thank you! (more on this to come)

Have an awesome week! xo