The difference between skinny and fit

(At a fashion show, feeling good in a sleeveless dress thanks to my resistance training!)

When I was in my early 20's ( ummm, which I still am?:) I wanted nothing more than to be skinny, rail thin in fact.  I ran an hour every day, and my diet, left a lot to be desired.....I was hungry, a lot.  I was constantly moving up and down with my weight, and not just a few pounds, most likely because my body was trying to find a healthier weight for me, and I.....was trying to look like a fashion model.  Funny thing is, no matter how much I tried, I was never going to look like a couture model, and everything that I was doing, was tough on my body and my mind.

Now that my workouts are largely resistance based, whether it be weights, or a body weight workout, I have seen huge changes in my body.  Having a healthy amount of muscle under your skin gives a beautiful, healthy appearance and makes you look "toned".  That's right...to be toned, you must carry a healthy amount of muscle!  I am by no means big, but I am also not thin and frail.  When I look at side by side pictures from when I was "skinny" to now when I'm athletic and toned....the difference is pretty amazing, and appearance wise, I think the majority of people would choose my current look over the one from my past.  I would compare the past look to Lindsay Lohan, and the current one to Britney Spears in her heyday.  The best part about a fit, healthy, lean look?  I eat 6 meals a day, and I'm never hungry.  This is so much more enjoyable and easy to maintain than constantly feeling that I need to deprive myself.  I clearly watch what I eat, which I think is true of most lean people, but I enjoy life so much more:)

What is your goal?  Skinny or lean and healthy?

* Photo courtesy of Jeff Baker

Tell me what you think!:)

I would love to hear from you!   Please add your comments to anything I post, I'm so curious about your personal experiences, are they similar?  What are your biggest issues?  Are there things that you would like me to address in my blog that I haven't?  Where are you from, and tell me anything you want about you!  Thank you so much for reading, I really love to share my tips, and stories, and I hope that my learning experiences pave the way a little bit for you.

best,

Megan

My workouts this week......

This week I worked out at an outdoor space by the river that the city of Boston built this year.  It was a great reminder that you don't need much equipment to have a killer workout.  I did bodyweight dips, step ups, squats, push ups and rows......and was able to enjoy the beautiful view of the water.  Hydration is definitely key when working out in the hot weather though, be sure to bring water or a sports drink, and drink well before you are actually thirsty if you plan on having a great workout.

Something to think about.........

"If you have no critics, you'll likely have no success" - Malcolm X

Liking yourself, no matter how you wake up:)

There is a certain danger in waiting for things to be "just so" in your life.  It always seems like things would be just perfect if you bought that car, looked like you did for your wedding, or highlighted your hair to the perfect shade.....and yes, all of those things are wonderful, but guess what?  Love yourself now, and every accomplishment and prize will be that much sweeter, and easier to reach.  Love yourself after you gain an extra 10 pounds from your vacation, or don't get the promotion you wanted at work.....things don't have to be perfect all the time:)

The calorie count on your cardio equipment is LYING to you!

Have you ever done an hour on the elliptical, and seen the count of 900...or something close to it....calories and thought:  wow,  I just worked off sooooo many calories, I'm going to have a nice little treat!  Something to keep in mind when you're at the gym:  The caloric estimates on most of the equipment is wrong.  Manufacturers increase the numbers of calories burned so that you will feel good using a certain piece of equipment, and you will keep going back to it again, and again.  If you run very hard for an hour, you can burn about 620 calories.  The treadmill at the gym will actually give you a number that is quite close to this, so it will give you a sense of accuracy.  Note that if you work out on the treadmill and it says 1200, you probably don't feel as though you didn't work as hard, and guess what?  you also didn't burn as many calories!  Look up a calories by the hour burned site on google, and you'll start to get a sense of approximatly how much you are really burning:)

The best exercises for sexy abs!

After my first fitness competition, I looked at my abs and wished they were a little defined and athletic looking like some of the other girls who were competing.   I hadn't been training hard for the competition for long, and I had more of a "pilates body" as opposed to the more defined, and slightly more muscular competition body.  For something like this, you might want to add more ab training, to really define, and even build a little....

For the average woman who just wants to look great in clothes, and have sexy, firm abs......total body exercises and a clean, balanced diet are much more efficient that doing exercises which focus on the abs. Squats, dead lifts, rows, snatches, sprints, pull ups, push ups, dips, lunges, kettlebell swings and plyometrics will burn way more fat and calories, as opposed to working the small group which is your abs.

The other day in the gym, I saw a man doing at least an hour of ab exercises, and I would have loved to tell him to get off the floor and do some of the things I mentioned, with a minute of jumping rope in between, because he was a longggggg way from his goal, and not any closer with that workout.  Work smarter not harder!

Most of us actually have a great set of abs, but we need to deal with the body fat which is hiding them!  Concentrate on lowering your body fat, and you'll be pleasantly surprised to see a great set of abs underneath!

The 70 percent rule

I have a standard for how I like to look, and it doesn't involve looking perfect all the time.  Over the years, I have decided, that as long as you have done most things pretty well, no one is going to focus on your small percentage of flaws.  If you have a chip in your nail, but your nails are polished....great!  You'd be surprised how little everyone else is really focusing on your flaws, and if they are.....who really wants to be around them anyway?

A few years ago, when I used to judge how I looked more harshly, and I would always tell my mom that I wished that I were skinnier, she told me a story.  She said that when she was my age, she always wished she were thinner, and always thought she was too heavy, but looking back at photos now, she sees that she looked great.  I've worked on trying to borrow some of that feeling for myself, and appreciate what I have now, instead of wishing that I were more perfect.

Do things to accentuate, and increase your beauty, but always recognize that it is real, and present, and that while it may not look quite like anyone elses......your 70 percent is gorgeous:)

Staying on the train until you get to your place....

Everyone has a different stop on the train, and in life......sometimes it's tough to watch other people step off before you do........maybe you want to help them, tell them to stay on, make it just a little longer...but let it be.  Everyone has a different stop. and destination.  While it may sometimes be uncomfortable, or sad.....keep going and know that your life is about reaching no one's destination but your own.

Counting your blessings

So many things happen in life that we wish we could change, and sometimes....the everyday mundane tasks seem to take over, and things get mundane, and a bit of the:  look what I have to put up with/do attitude takes over.  Whenever this happens, and I find myself more focused on the negative, than the positive,  I take a few minutes to list the things that I am grateful for, instead of constantly thinking about the negatives.  Even when you think you  don't have much, I have a feeling that you have more to appreciate than you thought.  Sometimes the bad things get more attention than the good. and it takes a bit of effort to change that.  Your glass can always be half full if you choose to see it that way.......

Who told you not to get your hopes up???????

Yesterday I was having a chat with a lovely client of mine, and as we talked about her upcoming job interview.....she was a little nervous (who wouldn't be? ) and said that she was worried, because she knew other people who had interviewed with the same company, and were not hired.  First of all, she's smart as a whip, funny, educated, kind and dare I say drop dead gorgeous?  The job is in the fashion industry, and it's right up her alley.

I told her that for the next few days I want her to visualize herself through all of the steps of the interview process....arriving on time:), giving clear and concise answers during the interview, accepting an offer, and actually seeing herself at work, and happy at the job.  So many times we create a self fulfilling prophecy because we "don't want to get out hopes up"....well guess what?  If you want to succeed, then you MUST think big, believe in future opportunities, and have hope.   When you see something in your minds eye, your body will follow!

When I was in high school, and struggling a bit as a downhill ski racer, I found a book on visualization on the bookshelf at my mom's house.  It was a thin, outdated copy from the mid seventies.....but it told me all that I needed to know.  I started closing my eyes for a few minutes every night, and imagining myself at a ski race.  I saw myself in the gate anxious and excited for my run, and approaching each gate with an early line of preparation, carving my edges smoothly into the snow, overcoming the deep ruts left by the earlier skiers effortlessly.  I imagined my team mates hugging me with excitement, and my mom talking about how proud she was.....  I can't even tell you how fast I advanced in my skiing the year I started visualizing.  People were amazed at how fast I improved, and the confidence I suddenly seemed to have.  Just like I said in another post, what you focus on....is what will be.  If in your mind, you think that you will hook your ski tip on a gate, you will.  Everything that you want, needs to start with your beliefs.

Steaming at the gym:)

I love to steam at the gym, once a week. you can find me there.....I make it into a bit of a spa treatment, and put conditioner or hair oil in my hair, and a masque on my face.  It feels great, and hello.....totally multitasking!  It's a great option for the day after a big dinner at a restaurant, when you feel awful from all of the sodium in the food that they prepared.   I also love it to loosen up my muscles a bit if I am a little sore from a workout......

When I was in California recently, and I went for a steam the morning of a photo shoot, I couldn't believe how many women were in the steam room to "lose weight".  You may lose a few pounds of water weight immediately in the steam room, but that's all.  A little bit of steam isn't going to "melt away the pounds".   Yes, it would be nice, but no.......it just isn't happening.  That said, enjoy it for what it is.....just be ready to sweat from actually working out to lose Lbs.  On a final note:  someone was wearing one of those shiny jogging suits in the steam?  Oh my goodness nooooooooooo!

Have an beautiful, happy, healthy day!  xoxo

80 percent:)

Call it what you will, I can imagine you've had one too.  A day where you had no intention of eating too much, but managed to eat a bit of anything and everything.  This happens to me: after a few weeks of dieting, anytime I have a very emotional situation, and....anytime I start to eat too much sugar.  Sometimes it seems like once you start eating "bad things", why bother stopping?  I'll tell you why:  Success is based on the percentage of times that you get things right, which means that you don't have to be perfect all the time.....but reigning in your bad habits will keep you on track for your goals.

Don't use a temporary slip up in your diet as an excuse to go completely off plan for weeks and weeks.  I see this all the time, around Christmas and vacations.  People talk about it as if they have no choice, and they MUST forget about sane eating habits......no way!  There will always be a birthday, a work dinner, a holiday....or a yummy bag of cookies that someone dropped off for you that's "irresistible".  There is always more of whatever goody you pass up today, don't panic!  If you still need chocolate tomorrow, there will be a million places to buy some..........

So if you have a slip up (and you probably will) , let it go.   Know that you are human, and if you do things right 80 percent of the time (with your diet) you will have a great body.

Finding your motivation......

What is it exactly that will get, or keep you in shape?  I have always found that planning something in the future, as a goal, is what motivates me to be in shape.  Vacations, weddings, photo shoots, dance competitions......oh did I say weddings plural?  Haha, oops!  I'm just a touch Elizabeth Taylor aren't I?  Well....things could be worse than having something in common with her:)  I always have something planned for the future, which motivates me to look my best.  If I have a latin dance competition, I hang my tiny dance dress on the door to remind myself to stay on track.  If I didn't always have something coming up, I think it would be tough to stay on track.  What's your goal?  Is there something coming up in the future that you would experience differently if you felt better about yourself?

A picture by a guy with a camera......calling it like I see it.

Carbs, carbs and how they fit into getting lean:)

Me in the middle of the mess that was my hotel room in California:)  Oh and sooooo tired, and clearly needing carbs after the two hours I spent shopping!  Noooo really!

These days it seems like everyone has become a little afraid of carbs....or.....all they eat are carbs, and their diets lack the protein that they need to stay lean.   There needs to be some sort of a balance, where there is variety in your diet.....eating the same boring things day in a day out is enough to drive any of us into a snickers (or whatever is your preferred crash and burn!) filled food overload.  When you constantly deprive your body for too long, there will be a day when the proverbial dam breaks....and you eat anything, and everything!

When I am working towards getting leaner ( and yes, I go in phases.....so often times I am) I focus on protein, fruits and vegetables for most of my meals, and usually only have a serving of carbs at breakfast, and for the meal right after my workout to speed up my recovery:)

For carbs I usually choose things that are less refined:

Oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and bread and sweet potatoes.

I stay away from: white sugar, white bread, white rice, sugary cereal......

When I am as lean as I want to be I usually have a small serving of carbs 4 times a day.  Carbs can be a bit of a slippery slope for me.  To a point, I feel great when I add them into my diet....but too much, or too refined....and I go overboard!

Day 5 California photo shoot:)

Best day yet!  We shot fitness by the pool, and all that I can say is that I was stunned by the results.  We moved from outfit to outfit very quickly and got shots that I had no idea would be that great.  Thankfully the last day of shooting as I am soooooo tired!

xoxo

Day 4 California photo shoot:)

Such a fun day of shooting:)  Lauren Melton, my favorite makeup artist in California and an all around sweet girl came to the room to do my hair and makeup in the morning.  We chatted away because we haven't done a shoot together in a year, and there was so much to catch up on.  Having someone there to support me and make me laugh really made all the difference.  We laughed hysterically many times throughout the day, and made some fun videos of the actual shoot.

Something happened this photo shoot.....just sort of clicked inside me, and I felt so much more confident as a model.   I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't hard work, and a long day, but I had so much more fun this shoot than I ever have before.  It's such a nice feeling when you like yourself, and just start to feel really positive.  I think I've gotten past needing to be perfect, and now I just accept who I am and play up my strengths.

Around 4:00 I started to fade energy-wise, and Lauren and I stopped the shoot to go pick up sushi and yummy, healthy food.  I can't work a long day of shooting without enough to eat...I need energy:)

Sorry this blog is a bit delayed, I was so busy on the shoot I never got to send this:)  Btw, the pic today is one that Christopher (the amazzzzzzzing photographer) sent me.  It"s a funny pic (so me) with instructions from him about the shoot:)

Day 3 California photo shoot

Yesterday I was feeling a little critical of myself....I think this is natural anytime I do a photo shoot.  There is a certain amount of pressure knowing that you have to look your best.  I started my day off with oatmeal, protein powder and berries....always my fave when I travel (easy and tons of energy) and a shot of espresso.

The first shot we did was on Hollywood Boulevard, and I have never had so many people swarm around me...AND actually have to model.  People were taking pictures of me getting my picture taken, and asking who was I????? and what is it for??  Trial by fire!  I was a little overwhelmed at first, but by the end of the day....feeling so much more comfortable in front of the camera.

After the shoot, we went and ate tons of sushi.....it was the perfect end to a great day:)  xoxo

Day 2 California Photo Shoot

Yesterday was a great day!  I was able to get a little sleep, then get up for the first day of shooting rested, and ready to go.  We got a bit sidetracked at first.....I saw Guess, and Sephora.....and got lost in there for about an hour!  After that, I picked up a cute pair of platform, wedge, sandals...because we were going to walk all  over town to make some videos and take pictures.  We spent most of the day in the Fashion district of LA....it's a bit like Canal Street in Boston.....and it has everything!  I bought shoes, jeans, shirts, everything.....and it was ridiculously cheap!  Somewhere along the way though, I needed food.....and there was nothing acceptable around!  On the way back to the train we found a little greek restaurant, and I had a shwarma? Soooooo good.  Then after so many hours....back to the hotel to pick out wardrobe for today:)

xoxo

California photo shoot day 1

Here I am in my hotel, and LOVING the water they have in the lobby, with fresh cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew pieces inside the pitcher for a great flavor.  I've never had this combination before and it's so refreshing.  Definitely a better option than all the the flavored waters on the market which use artificial sweeteners!

I'm so sorry I missed my blog update yesterday!  My flight to Cali left at 6am, and I tried to update at JFK during my layover...but my IPhone would only write my blog in all caps!  Wayyyyy too Kanye West for my style!

Yesterday was a bit of a hellacious day ( to start).  I traveled for hours and hours, and my driver dropped me off at my hotel tired, hungry, and needing a nap.  At the desk they couldn't find my reservation and......yep, there were two hotels in LA with the same name, and I booked at the wrong one:(   I had prepaid and thought I was going to have to pay for two hotels and I definitely had a little sad moment at the desk!  Soooooo embarrassing but I just started to cry a tiny bit!  (Exhaustion never makes me rational)

Anyway, the hotel was kind....and gave me a beautiful room, and the sweetest latin bellman named Santos.  He had me laughing within minutes, and after a shower and rest, I was good as new.

I met with the photographer, went over some wardrobe for the shoot.....and walked around the city.  Now after 10 hours of sleep, I'm up.....and getting ready for shooting some pictures and videos today:)

xoxo

You make time for anything important in life

So many times people ask me for fitness tips, and then when I talk about working out ( which on an average week take me no longer than 4 hours max) or packing lunches for work, and preparing a few other meals.....I get a shocked look and the dreaded:  I don't have time for that!  Ok, so we are all busy....but if you REALLY look at your day, I bet you can cut down on some of the ways you are wasting time, and spend it taking care of yourself.  do you have time to....? :

• watch tv
• text
• talk on the phone
• shop
• sit on your computer
• shop

That's what I thought!  Now stop doing one of those things for 30 minutes a day, and exercise!  You know you have time, just make it important......no excuses!  Oh my gosh, isn't that a brand or was it in the 90's???

I'm off to finish packing for my photo shoot in LA!  xoxo

* looks like in this picture I had "time" to sit on Maggie's couch eating junk food:)  I bet I could have had  "time" for a walk instead:)  xoxo

Dieting and saboteurs

One thing that I have always found, is that the closer I get to my goal....for a photo shoot, or vacation.....the harder it gets to stick to it.  Now part of this is just the fact that I have been being really consistent on plan for a while, and I miss certain treats....but the other factor is something that everyone should be aware of:  Not everyone in your life actually wants you to be successful in your dieting efforts!  Certain people will suddenly tell you that "you should stop now" and perhaps even drop off some of your favorite treats.  It could be your boyfriend, best friend or co-worker, it could be anyone.  That said, the reasoning behind what they are doing could be perfectly innocent, but whatever it is.....as long as your goals are reasonable....stick to them.  Of course I hope that your goal is to be fit, and healthy, not rail thin and emaciated......so within reason, accomplish your original goal.  It's not always easy, but just be aware that there will be an obstacle course ahead of you before you can really get what you want.  If it were easy, everyone would look great!

Traveling and eating healthy

Oh and that's Teddy my teacup yorkie in my suitcase....he already knows I'll be away, and he isn't happy!

Ok, so I'm packing for California....West Hollywood here I come:) and guess what?  Just because you are on vacation, your eating can still keep you lean....but.....it's going to take some effort and some room in your suitcase.  When I travel, I pack food, or go to a grocery store to put some things in my mini fridge in the room so that there's no excuse for eating tons of junk.  Here are things that I like to travel with (or buy upon arrival).

• Nuts
• Single serving protein powder
• plain, instant oatmeal
• apples and grapefruit (I buy there)
• All natural cheese sticks
• Crystal light (in case there is only yucky hotel water handy)
• Greek yogurt (haha, I wouldn't try to pack this......)

This way I can stay on plan, still eat out.....and I'm not starving the entire time I'm on vacation.  Interestingly enough, I often come back leaner after a vacation!

xoxo

Jumping rope 101

First things first,  buy a jumprope of your own.  I buy my ropes at www.buddyleejumpropes.com they are the perfect weight for jumping, they sell a few different options, depending in whether you like a shorter or longer handle ( I like the shorter to start) and you can customize the size by trimming the rope.  This is actually quite easy, and it only takes about two minutes.  It will keep you from tripping over the rope more frequently than you might otherwise.  The rope is also attached with ball bearings to the handle, and you won't believe how smooth the action is on this jumprope.  After you try it you'll wonder why you ever used another kind!  I love having my own rope and throwing it in my bag, so that no matter where I go, I can get in a quick....and effective workout.

By the way, when I went on the site today I couldn't resist adding the rope at the top to my collection!  Can't wait to get it:)  xoxo

Feel free to comment with your questions!

Making your workout a priority....

So may times I have such good intentions, and really do mean to do things....but doesn't it sometimes seem like the things you want to do for yourself get pushed to the side, so that you can do things to please other people?  I learned to make working out a priority from my younger brother Ian.  He had a schedule, and he stuck to it no matter what.  If it was Sunday, and the family was over for an extended brunch, he would brew his coffee, pack his gym back and head out the door.  Sometimes family members got a little offended, but guess what?  There is always something going on in your life that will pull you away from your fitness goals, and you need to make them a priority.  If not, they will fall to the end of the list, and you'll be out of shape, resentful, and living for someone other than yourself!  Get out there and do something just for you!

Always remember this.....

They need you, more than you need them.