Magic Pills

Ohhhhhh, so I am almost embarrassed to share it, but you know, the fitness journey blog is supposed to be all about self-disclosure and stuff.  So here it goes.

In January I stopped into GNC for protein powder for the breakfast smoothies I like to make sometimes.

• ¼ cup raw oatmeal, blended powder fine
• ¼ cup vanilla lowfat, organic yogurt
• 1 cup skim milk
• Frozen berries—about a half cup-ish (Sometimes a banana & some ice instead.)
• 1 scoop GNC Pro Performance® AMP Amplified Wheybolic powder

I find that this is super satisfying and it takes me almost all morning to drink the whole thing, so it appeals to my grazing tendencies.  I make it at night and store it in the fridge in a thermos and it is still nice and thick the next morning.

But I avoid my confession. Back to GNC.  So, they gave me a free sample of “OxyElite Pro”  a thermogenic--a fat burner, metabolism booster, magic pill.

I was skeptical.  And sort of intrigued.  Does anyone out there remember the good old days of Metabolife before they removed the ephedra from the product? That stuff was my crack in high school. 

I researched a lot.  Most people who reviewed it online fell into two camps.  1) The loved it, it changed their life. Some claimed it worked as appetite control.  2) They hated it, either because it didn’t work, or the side effects were too significant.  Individuals who reported side effects complained of heart palpitations, limited attention span, thirst and irritability.  Both pro-OxyElite and anti-OxyElite mentioned excessive sweating during workouts. 

I looked around a bit on thermogenics in general.  The science about why they worked seemed a little weak to me.  Plus this is the label on the bottle: “OxyELITE Pro is Pharmacist-formulated & must be used with extreme caution, only by healthy adults capable of handling its true power. It is mandatory that users get clearance from their physician before use.”  Seriously, are you selling me a diet pill, or an NRA membership?  Other resources said absolutely, under no condition should anyone take a thermogenic, because they don’t work, they mix with meds, they do bad things to the body---there are all kinds of haters out there.  Educated ones.

So Alice is not a princess, but I couldn't resist!  Her image
belongs to Disney.

So, did this stop me?  Of course not.  Mostly I was attracted to the amount of caffeine in each pill.  Like coffee, Jetson’s style.  I started with one of the beautiful purple pills before my workout.  I didn’t notice any negative side effects.  But was I sweating harder?  Yes.  No, that was in my head.  Well yes, I was!  Maybe?

The free sample bottle eventually ran dry.  So I invested in a big one—and increased my dosage to two each morning before my workout.  That’s like four cups of futuristic coffee in my belly by 5:15 AM. 

Image from GNC website. 
Purple is my favorite color, and these little capsules are pretty!

I cannot say I have every felt a negative side effect.  I also can’t say one way or the other if it has had any effect on my weight loss.  I can tell you that the bottle went dry on Monday.  And all week long, I have been a walking zombie.  It takes me longer to feel pumped up at the gym, I am sluggish in the locker room and I want a morning nap—desperately.  So, I think I can definitely attest that the caffeine was making a difference.

These types of things are not especially safe.  I don’t recommend them without doing your own research.  You should probably consult a physician.  Read the labels (the one on OxyElite is actually quite extensive once you get beyond reading about its “true power”) and investigate ingredients.  And we all have to remember, there is no magic pills.  Taking these things may be counter to my healthy, fitness focused goals and lifestyle, I don't know.  I feel like I am cheating--but coffee--without the work of coffee--I love it.  What do you think?  You can tell me the truth.

I am looking forward to a GNC run in the very near future.  Because although they aren’t magic fat melters—they are the coffee of the future!  Charming calls them my OXYcontin pills. 

GNC (or the OxyElite people) did not request this review and have not compensated me in any way to talk about their product.  All opinions expressed in this blog are my own.  CBC or a supplement manufacturer want to send me product or coupons, I would be happy to share my honest thoughts about how a particular item for me, and would disclose such perks to readers.   I can be contacted at discoveringmyinnerprincess@yahoo.com.

Remotivation

I never thought I would be a woman that has a personal trainer. 

When I joined my gym (the most amazing fitness center ever), I got two free sessions.  The first was a fitness assessment; the second was an introduction to the equipment and set up of a weight training routine.  The membership specialist randomly assigned me to a staff member when I joined.  I got Lisa.

Lisa has been great.  After our first two sessions she has sent me emails to encourage me, and is always friendly when I see her around.  But is Lisa worth $60 an hour?  I found out on Monday.

My weight loss has been slower lately.  I also have tried to start running some, but it hurt my knees a little bit and I was concerned, that as a non-runner, I didn’t know how to do it right.  Plus, my deepest confession is---I have not lifted weights in about a month.  The routine was boring, and I would rather do cardio.  After I won the New Year Challenge, I pretty much lost all interest in strength training.  (Terrible, I know!)

So I made an appointment with Lisa.  She gave me a laundry list of things to do:

1.        Exercise less.  Apparently my four hour workouts on the weekend aren’t helping me as much as I think they are.  Also, I was instructed to take 1 day off per week.  This may sound blissful, but as someone who is obsessed with the concern of losing momentum, this is not easy to hear.

2.       Eat a little more.  Lisa thinks I need to fuel up more to burn more.  My concerns with #1 are equally reflected here.  However, we did talk about how I need to spread out my calories better throughout the day.  I tend to eat small meals for breakfast and lunch and then gorge at dinner.  I don’t do this because I am famished, it is because I realize I haven’t eaten enough and need to take in more calories, but apparently I may be doing as much damage as just not eating enough.  I know that eating 5-6 small meals is better, but I struggle getting it together.  She encouraged me to try at least 4 meals.  I am going to give it some real effort.

3.       “Get off the damn elliptical.”  Yep, that’s a quote.  90-120 minutes daily has my muscles so trained that I am not challenging them and losing the opportunity to become fitter.  This is a going to be hard for me, because on my elliptical row, I am surrounded by my fan club, and I like it.  I am going to take her advice though. 

4.       Get new glass slippers.  My shoes have too many miles on them.  Not sure I have ever worn out a pair of sneakers before.  Especially in less than three months.  That goes on my to-do when funds are available list.

5.       Sleep more.  Well, we talked about that, but it just isn’t going to happen.  I know I don’t get enough, I know it affects my weight loss and fitness and I know more sleep improves overall health.  Well, make the days longer then, because I just can’t. 

6.       Restart my lifting schedule.  She gave me a whole new circuit of activities.  Since I have proven myself as someone who actually will come to the gym, they are a lot harder than before.  Like REALLY hard.  I am actually excited about kicking some ass.

7.       See her again, in 6 weeks.  We scheduled an appointment already!

It was great to have a fitness specialist talk about my challenges with me (Lisa has all sorts of letters behind her name—I am not certain of her exact qualifications, but I know she has credentials).  In many cases, I KNEW what she was telling me, but it still helps to hear it and have someone provide incentive, education and motivation.  If you can work it in your budget, I recommend working in a trainer, at least every few months to keep you on track with your goals!

Baptist East Milestone, or my trainer, Lisa did not request this review and have not compensated me in any way to talk about their services.  All opinions expressed in this blog are my own.  Should Baptist East Milestone or another fitness company want to send me product or coupons for services, I would be happy to share my honest thoughts about how a particular item or service worked for me, and would disclose such perks to readers.   I can be contacted at discoveringmyinnerprincess@yahoo.com.

Tweeples in the Royal Kingdom

I have had a Twitter account for a while now.  You could find me @jessrandall, and you still can.  But I wouldn't bother.  For @jessrandall, Twitter is an input function only.  I have been following a handful of news organizations, celebrities and such just to get info like headlines, Hollywood gossip and concert dates. Twitter was okay for me.  It gave me something to do if I had down time waiting for a meeting and something to look at if I couldn't fall asleep at night.  I tweet from this account on a rare occasion, mostly because I  am afraid that they will deactivate my account if it doesn't occasionally show some activity.  Tweets are generally uninspired and impersonal.

When I got Digit, I decided I wanted to tweet my results, and I thought I may enjoy tweeting about my fitness journey as I work towards my Disney Princess Half Marathon goal.  So I created @princessjruns.  I started out following Biggest Loser contestants.  And then a few health and fitness people.  A trainer here or there.  Runners.  And people who want to be runners.  People who want to be skinny.   Then I followed a few nutrition freaks and physicians.  And suddenly I was part of this huge fitness community.  Oh, I follow a few Disney fanatics too.

I fell in love with Twitter. 

I am skeptical of using the word community and social media in the same sentence.  My whole career is based on creating community, in the real world.  Social media can often create roadblocks to that process. Community to me is fundamental to happiness--Biblical, spiritual and totally essential to humankind.  Relationships blossom in community and reflect Divine intentions.  It shouldn't be a word used loosely.

But that is what I have found in Twitter. A group of supportive people, dedicated to the same goals I have.  A community.  It is full of men and women who wish to share information, support and inspire one another.  And it doesn't matter that we don't know each other.  Sometimes I think that is actually better.  One person I follow once tweeted "Twitter makes me love people I don't know.  Facebook makes me hate people I do."

There are several benefits to joining the fitness community on Twitter (besides a sense of community, albeit virtual).

• Motivation--listening to others stories helps me stay on track.  Plus when I need direct assistance I ask for it.  I may tweet:  "Help!  I can't get motivated to get to the gym."  In less that 5 minutes I get at least three responses that range from "Go girl! You can do it" to "Maybe an at home workout?  I like this one (link)."  Suddenly I have the strength to strap on my sneakers.                                               
• Reality Check--Guess What?  Real fitness people struggle too.  I have witnessed, via tweets, trainers and fitness specialist totally mess up.  They gorge on brownies after a crappy day, they hit a wall during a workout and quit.  The have shitty days and sing Cee Lo lyrics.  If they can do it from time to time, I certainly can.  If they pick them self up and hop back on the wagon, I certainly can. There is something empowering knowing that even the fitest of the fit struggle in the same ways I do.
• Knowledge IS Power--So much good info gets shared!  I have been directed to many articles about health, wellness, nutrition and fitness that I would have missed without my tweeps!  For example, did you know that if you hang on while on the treadmill or elliptical and leave your arms stationary, rather than swing them you burn as much as 40% less calories?  Wow.  What a waste of time!  I have tested it via Digit, my bodybugg.  It's true!
• Birds Of A Feather--Hanging with people who are like minded, helps keep my brain in the right place.  If I am feeling down or frustrated about my goals, I can turn to my twitter account to refocus, in a matter of seconds.  Plus I can help others too.  I love to respond to people needing motivation or kudos for their success as much as I like to receive it.

So if you are a Twitter skeptic, I get it.  But if you are looking for a place to connect with others on a fitness journey, like losing weight, training for marathons, or keeping your diet healthy,  reconsider. Twitter might not be exactly what you think it is.  For me, it is living, breathing community of kick-ass people who radiate positivity into my world from theirs--wherever they are!

And if you jump in to the Twitter pool--follow me, friend! @princessjruns

Introducing Digit

Rapunzel gets help from sassy Pascal.  Tiana counts on Ray.  Cute little Gus Gus is one of Cinderella’s
many rodent friends.  Rajah is a great companion to Jasmine.  Snow White can always count on
woodland furry creatures. Flounder pals around with Ariel.  Digit the Bodybugg is
this princess’ cutesy critter.  (Images belong to Disney and Apex Fitness.)

I really could have cast my Bodybugg as Prince Charming.  It is here to rescue me and I love it that much.  You may have seen Bodybuggs used on NBC's Biggest Loser, which is where I learned about them, but the show has never really spent any time sharing what it really does.  So let me tell you:  it does everything, and it is omnipotent in a friendly, magical way. 

I guess it isn't exactly magic, but it feels that way.  I copied this from the Bodybugg website about how it works:

• Motion: The armband contains an accelerometer that measures motion from multiple perspectives.
• Steps: The accelerometer counts steps by measuring the distinct patterns created by running or walking.
• Galvanic skin response: When you sweat, your skin becomes more electrically conductive. This measurement helps the device understand how active you are.
• Skin temperature: There’s an electronic thermometer inside your armband that monitors how hot you are.
• Heat flux: When you move, your muscles produce heat. Your armband measures the heat that’s flowing from your body into the environment.

Bodybugg touts itself as a "calorie management system" which is a bit of an understatement.  For me, the three major things it does is:  1) Monitor my body and tell me with over 90% accuracy how many calories I have burned, 2) Allow me to log my food and calories consumed.  It has thousands of foods in the system to choose from and I can enter nutritional information for foods I don't find.  I also can put in recipes and it will figure the calorie content for me. And 3) (This is the best part) it shows me, whenever I wish to log on, what my calorie deficit is.  Well, hopefully it is a deficit.   It presents this info in a great little bar chart.

It does other things too like:

•  Act like a pedometer so I can monitor steps each day.
• Give me nutritional pie charts so I know how much protein, sodium,  fiber, carbs, etc. I have consumed.
• Help to keep me on track by telling me how many calories to eat and how many to burn to meet my goals.
• Allow me to see how effective any given exercise was, by breaking down how many calories I was burning while doing it.  I can look in 6 minute increments.  For example Zumba classes set my calorie burn sky high versus a warm-up walk on the treadmill.  When I review the day I can actually see when I was up and away from my desk throughout the day just by looking at the chart.
• Tweet my results to put my success out there in the cosmos.  I could Facebook it too, if I wanted.

And so much more!  There are message board communities to join, a health and fitness library to pull articles from--it even suggests a diet and plans meals!  I don't use all of the features it has--but there are a ton.  When I first activated it, I got a free "coaching" session on the phone with a Bodybugg rep, so it was easy to learn about everything it is capable of.

The Bodybugg is super light weight and straps to your left arm.  I honestly don't even realize I am wearing it most of the time.  I wear it all day except when I am showering or in the pool.  Some Bodybugg users wear theirs to bed, but I choose not to, at least not since the first few nights.  It has gotten to know me and already knows how many calories I burn while sedentary and figures it that way so I don't think it is really needed.

I have the basic model, but you can also upgrade to a digital watch, which allows you get real-time instant numbers.  There is also model that will communicate with your iPhone or Droid.  Although I don't have that model, I can still enter my food online on my phone, which is great. (This app is currently only available for iPhone and Android users.)

For me the Bodybugg system has been the most helpful tool for a healthy lifestyle.  It is based on a principle we all know is true--calories in versus calories out.  It takes out the guesswork out of weight loss and for me, those charts are total motivators.  Most importantly, it gives me a sense of control.

It isn't cheap.  I was glad to get mine as a gift.  You can purchase them at http://www.bodybugg.com/.  At the time I wrote this post (a couple weeks in advance of it posting) the basic model was $169, including 6 months of online access.  I think they run specials from time to time.  The advanced models are a bit more expensive, but the upgrades may be important to some people, especially athletes needing instant...digits.

And by the way, Digit is pink!  How perfect for a sidekick to a princess. 

Bodybugg did not request this review and has not compensated me in any way to review this product.  All opinions expressed in this blog are my own.  Should Bodybugg or another fitness product want to send me product or coupons, I would be happy to share my honest thoughts about how a particular item worked for me, and would disclose such perks to readers.

A Chapter Guide

Storybook princesses have exciting tales woven over chapters.  So do I.  Here is a key to what you may find in each chapter.


By Royal Decree

Goals & Announcements

Cutesy Critter
Every princess has an adorable creature to help her out.  Mine is a Bodybugg I call Digit.

Princess Ponderings
Personal reflections about my get-healthy journey.

Regal Goods
Healthy products, services and such discovered by this princess.

Nobel Ambitions
A bit of inspiration.

Villains
Roadblocks & Evil Spells

Glass Slippers and Tiaras
Silly Storybook Stuff

Real Royalty
What makes a princess?