slideshow pics of my new dog!

Check out photo slideshow of my new black lab, "Champ." (photos by Lori Berkowitz, New York, NY)

http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/ERWIthTC/2481923/1907253

You don’t need a gym

Coming from someone who makes a living training folks at a gym, this is a pretty bold title.  But that should show you that my true heart’s desire is for you to be fit, healthy and happy with yourself, not just to make money off your unmotivated butt!

Look, the weather all over the country is getting so nice.  Get outside.  Do something.  It’s so easy to get a workout right now.  Take advantage of the fact that it’s not scalding hot yet and it’s no longer the Ice Age.  It’s perfect.  Doesn’t take much–go for a run, bike ride, rollerblade or for some of you, JUST WALK.  I was in the park today and I watched people throw a football back and forth.  One couple was throwing a frisbee.  This is better than nothing, guys.  Now if you’re wanting to lose some serious fat, it’s gonna take more than just a leisurely stroll hand-in-hand with your partner.  It’s gonna take sprints, climbing stairs, longer runs (3+ miles), push ups, squat jumps, etc.. all of which you can do in a park or grassy area.  This is the part where you don’t need a gym.  Even a serious athlete, like myself staying in fighting shape, can get in a KILLER workout with nothing but myself.  No equipment needed (might need a can to puke in, though).  I take my dog on 4 mile runs every morning at 5:15AM and another 4 mile run at 6PM each night.  Yes, you read that right–twice a day.  Might seem excessive to you but I have some goals in mind and I’ll stop at nothing to achieve them.  That’s the kind of attitude you need to get.  Those runs combined with a clean diet equals weight loss.  I lost 4 lbs last week, and 3 lbs the week before.  And I plan to drop another 2-3 lbs this coming up week.  And those runs I mentioned above are only taking me about 30 minutes each.  So it’s not like I’m spending tons of time working out all day long so you can’t use that excuse that you don’t have the time.  You can totally do this, too.  

GET OUTSIDE!!!  

Bad Economy = great body

What the heck is Code Red ranting about this time?

Everywhere we turn and everyone we talk to is broke, broke, broke.  Money is tight, ya’ll and it’s even tight for me.  We’re all feeling the pinch of this crappy economy (when is that stimulus check gonna show up?).  

However, this is a PERFECT opportunity for you to shape yo self up.

“But Cristy,” you ask, “How can I afford a gym membership when I can’t even pay my light bill???”  Such a great question; I’m glad you asked.  I’m not talking about a gym membership.  In fact, forget the gym for a moment.  Let’s focus on one thing at a time. In all my years in this business, I’ve found the biggest problem with most people is their eating.  You already know how I feel about eating out or ordering in so I’m not going to beat a dead horse.  But how the heck can you afford to eat out or order in take out when you’ve got no money?  You can’t.  

Time to cook.  

Example! I bought a bag of brown rice (doesn’t matter which kind, they’re all the same kind) for $1.99.  I bought a bag of black beans for 69 cents.  Can someone get me a calculator?  That’s $2.68.  Each of those items make 12 servings.  So I made both entire packages and divided up a serving of each into tupperwear bowls.  I ATE 12 MEALS ON TWO DOLLARS AND SIXTY EIGHT CENTS.  That’s 22 cents per meal.  Look, you’re talking to a country girl raised poor on a farm.  I know how to stretch a penny if I need to.  Mama didn’t raise a fool, folks.  Need another example?  Sure, I’ve got one.  Quaker Oats:  one canister is $2.99 and almost 3 pounds.  One canister makes 30 servings. That’s 9 cents per meal.  9 cents!!!  Both of these examples are extremely healthy and a wonderful source of a balanced meal.  And although I make jokes about my poor childhood, this isn’t poor people food; it’s a simple, microbiotic diet.  Even if I were filthy rich, I would still eat the same way. 

If you’re limited on funds, use this as a chance to limit your intake of coffee, alcohol, sugary snacks, soda, chips and other impulse items.  JUNK, JUNK and JUNK.  Say to yourself and tell your friends, “Look, things are tight for me right now so ya’ll have a good time at dinner.  I’m gonna sit this one out.”  I know that hurts your pride, especially New Yorkers, but get over it and turn it around to benefit YOU.  Even if you don’t tell your friends that money is tight, you can just say, “Look, people, I’m on a certain eating regimen so I’ve gotta eat at home. ”  No one needs to know (unless they read my blogs!)

Beach season is RIGHT around the corner so take charge of yourself and get your act together.  Seriously, people.  Enough already.  You’re going to start getting those calls to join your friends for outdoor stuff and you’re going to wish you would have done something back in May.  Then you’re gonna feel all bad about yourself and be sitting on the edge of your bed crying.  But it’s no one’s fault but your own.  So, it’s not too late.  Remember:  Nothing tastes as good as being FIT so spit that out!!!     

I about fainted at Starbucks

Before hopping on the subway this morning, I went into Starbucks for a hot cup of coffee to warm up the gray, rainy New York day.  As I was standing in line with the other poor schmucks addicted to this over-priced crack, I gazed into the glass cookie display case.  My favorite cookie, the Rainbow Cookie, smiled at me.  But as I smiled back, I blinked to clear my blurred vision.  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  

Right there written beneath the cookie was, “$2.75 and 470 calories.”

Now, people, look–I do this for living.  I am an expert in the field of health, wellness, and exercise.  I studied nutrition in college.  But even I was ASTONISHED!  Even I was completely floored that, although it’s a big cookie, it has more calories than my entire lunch.  I make a point to stay on top of the nutritional value in most foods and drinks but this one totally took me by surprise.  I think it was perhaps my unconscious mind not wanting to believe that the best cookie on earth would cause me to do not one, not three…but 5 MILES on the treadmill.  5 MILES just to work off that stupid cookie.  

It was such a great eye-opener and reminder that we must be so very careful at what we put past our lips.  You wonder why you can’t lose those last 5 lbs?  Or why you’ve been jogging every night for the past 2 months and your gut STILL hangs over your waistband?  Take a look at what the heck you’re eating.  You’d be surprised…very surprised.  BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU EAT AND READ THE LABELS!!!