Learn From Everything. Every Day.

Hey Kittens!! How is your week going?? Fabulous I hope. This week should just show you that I'm so crazy busy lately and traveling so much that I don't even know what day it is half the time. What is UP with me forgetting Monday Manjoyment yesterday? FOR SHAME.

Anyway- today's post is, "Learn From Everything, Every Day" and that is because I just got in from an hour Run/Walk. Mostly Run, probably 75% and then walking. I learned a LOT about my body today, and I learn every day. 

DON'T VIEW FAILURES OR MESS-UPS as FAILURES OR MESS-UPS. Look at them as a way to LEARN SOMETHING. It's easier to move on then, instead of obsessing over what you did wrong or didn't accomplish.

Most importantly- I think a key to success in this "getting fit" game is to realize that we are all unique. What may work for me may not work for someone else. Recognize that and work within YOUR limits, preferences and capabilities. Some people kick butt at pull-ups, my own sister can do several and I've practiced for over a year and can't do ONE without assistance. Do I want to spend my time whining about it? No. I'm still gonna try, but I'm also going to focus on where I CAN excel. 

So....what did I learn today?

• I learned that 90% of the time I cannot do cardio - any cardio of the high-impact kind- on anything but an empty stomach. I have learned that my body digests food very VERY slowly and when I have food in my stomach, trying to do cardio....well it is challenging to say the least. I cramp up EASILY. 
• I have learned in general that I really excel with my workouts as early in the day as possible. Today, I went for my run around 5pm and - it had been 3 hours since eating but I was just NOT on my A-Game. I was tired and cramping from a full tummy.
• I have learned that I need to make sure my running GEAR or get-up allows me to run unencumbered. Today, I had this zip up sweatshirt on top of my running "gear" of Nike tank top and running pants/tights. The sweatshirt got too hot so I had to tie it around my waist, which left it needing to be fixed over and over again so it wouldn't fall off. I also need something to hold my ipod so I don't have to hold in my hand. I also had my crappy headset instead of the bigger ones I use at home that cover my whole ear- these kept needing adjusting and it just PISSED ME OFF to no end. 
• I have learned that having the fast, motivating rock or club music on tends to make me run too fast, and that I do a better pace with more mellow music. Who would've thought?
• I've learned that my stomach is a wimp. It is. Truly a wimp. I've mentioned that after having that bout of salmonella, I am more lactose-intolerant than before. And in addition, I am just MUCH more sensitive to anything...well out of the norm. I didn't THINK I had anything "out there" today- I chose a cucumber/tomato salad and a grilled chicken/artichoke/red pepper "toss" in like a vinaigrette. HOLY STOMACH-ACHE FROM HELL later. Seriously, you'd think I was 6 months pregnant the way my tummy was sticking out. 

So, I can either ignore this stuff or adjust accordingly. I avoid foods that I don't know are made simply....whacky sauces and stuff- I can't tolerate, plus it's likely that they are "bad" for me anyway with hidden sugars and salts and stuff. I need to do my cardio in the mornings whenever possible. I need to get my running gear so I can run and think about just GOING, not fidgeting with my clothes.

All in all, good. I've been in Lake Tahoe 2.5 days and gotten in two solid workouts. Tomorrow morning I will get up EARLY and do my run, with weights in the evening. And for my "diet", Jenny has worked out a nice simple diet to follow while in my weight loss phase, incorporating what I can tolerate plus the ViSalus Protein Shakes that THANK GOD work well for my tummy. And they are YUMMY. 

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are there any foods you avoid or any dietary restrictions you have for overall health??

Where is KO Today??

This is where I am, in Beautiful, Stunning Lake Tahoe. Kids - you've probably heard me say that Park City, UT and Seattle are two of my favorite places with that OOH AHH factor. I had a client once use the phrase, "God's Paintbrush". Lake Tahoe has to be #1. It is breathtaking out here. I left yesterday morning around 8am, arrived in RNO airport around noon, then drove to the hotel here. Um, let me just say that while I was OOOH-ing and AAHH-ing on the way, driving on a one-lane road up into the mountains, I wasn't quite prepared to get hit with fog so dense I could barely see a car length in front of me. Talk about white knuckle driving OMG!! Seriously- you can't pull off the side of the road BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIDE OF THE ROAD. 

Whoa. 

Anyway, arrived here last night and this is a picture of where I went walking then running. I started off walking because we are at 8,000 feet above sea level- compared to Chicago's lame 600 feet  - so like in Park City, I was worried I would have difficulty adjusting to the lack of oxygen. Turns out I was fine. I did notice some difference but I was able to run the better portion of the 30 minutes.

This really doesn't do the area justice. This path runs about 3 miles each way, surrounded by ungodly beautiful homes, half of which are on the water. Yea, Lake Tahoe. See below.

It is unbelievably stunning here. Just breathtaking. And I am SO missing my flight home on Thursday. LOL (You all know I am half serious, wondering how this could happen...)

Anyway, I have conference sessions to attend all morning and early afternoon, and then either tonight or tomorrow night there is a dinner cruise on the lake above. And the weather is amazing- it was chilly yesterday around 60 degrees (LOVED) and today it may be a bit warmer. I'm down with no more 90 degree days I tell ya. I'm OVER that. 

Below is a vlog I shot before I left. I've had a ton of you write me asking for the details and the lowdown on being a part of this 90-Day Challenge with Jenny Lynn and what is the Visalus business all about? This is VERY informal below but just enough to give you a taste. The bottom line is, we are all - or a good portion of us, are using protein shakes/meal replacement shakes as part of our overall healthy diet. Furthermore, we are all trying to focus on getting our daily vitamins and supplements for preventative measures right? Visalus is a company that provides all of these products - and the protein shake is nice, only 90 calories, 12g protein, 1g fat, 5g fiber- made with NON-GMO Soy protein.....very good stuff.

There are 800 other companies producing all kinds of protein shakes, supplements (essential fatty acids, vitamins, anti-aging, fat burners) and energy drinks. Visalus is one of them and the products are solid. And....I'm pretty dang sure Visalus is the only company where if you buy your goodies from them, and then you get your friends to try them, they like them and they buy them from Visalus, you earn actual money on it. Not the $.03 you earn on affiliate programs. Like, real actual part-time or potentially full-time income, from simply talking about and recommending a product you likely already use anyway.

**SPECIAL INCENTIVE** For those of you intense about your weight training and/or interested in maybe figure competition any time soon, Jenny Lynn and I are offering a kick butt prize!! Out of anyone joining our team in the next 2 weeks, we will choose one name and JENNY LYNN WILL FLY TO YOUR TOWN AND TRAIN WITH YOU FOR 2 DAYS PLUS WRITE UP A STARTING PROGRAM AND DIET FOR YOU!! 

If you are tilting your head wondering "Hmmph is this a scam??" or "Hmmm I want to know more!" - Leave me a comment here and email me at kellyolexa at gmail dot com. We will set up a time for you to talk on the phone with Jenny (Yea Jenny Lynn!) and she can answer any questions you have and tell you how SHE got involved with the company, after shaking her head and not seeing the great opportunity at first. 

For those of you with that skeptical thought in your head..."This isn't one of those PYRAMID SCHEMES is it?" Um, no. Pyramid schemes are illegal in the United States and I know a good bit about direct sales company, because I did my research before joining Arbonne, where I've been buying my skin care for over 5 years (and I earn extra income every month from it too). 

The "red flags" to watch out for with direct sales companies are:

• Companies that promise you that you can make "MILLIONS" without doing anything. Any real company should tell you that you can make $50.00 a month or $500.00 a month and that some people make thousands a month- but like a workout program, you get OUT of it what you put INTO it. 
• Companies that only focus on recruiting other people instead of an actual product or product line. These companies (I've had some friends get involved and I see it right away) focus only on "sign up 10 people a week, each person you sign up pays you $50....and all they care about is obnoxious recruiting and you aren't selling or talking about any product. That's not a business, that's a joke. 

So- like I said, for those of us regularly incorporating a meal replacement protein shake, vitamins, supplements or energy drinks- taking a look into this opportunity to earn some bank off of that makes sense. Some of you I have chatted with and you said, "Hey Kelly I don't really use protein shakes, I eat X or Y"- and we were like, hey cool. You won't hear me shoving this down your throat again and again trying to convince you. Life is too short. 

You will see me using the product line for my daily "diet" and get lean. I'll mention it and talk about some stuff Jenny and I are doing as we travel to different areas for fitness themed events with Visalus. But don't worry, my blog is not gonna change! This blog is about getting fit, working out, running, boys, good nutrition, and usually some Starbucks thrown in as well. 

;-)

Plus I am not keen on writing really long blog posts like this. Information overload!! 

I'm off to be a studious professional now. You kids have a kick butt day- and make it COUNT!

Question of the Day for today: ARE YOU MAKING PROGRESS OR EXCUSES??