Monday, December 1, 2008

Training Program

Hey Girls! Here is our Training schedule. Time has flown by and you guessed it... it is time to start trainging!! Crazy. Here it is. Just remember slow and steady wins the race. To view it click on the link below.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd8s8s99_0dgxp7qds

Great News!! Iron Girl Vegas is back on!

After exchanging many emails I received this one back and we are back on for Vegas 2009!!!

Friday Announcement! We have found a safe, one loop bike course for the sprint event. We have added back the sprint distance race for the 2009 Aflac Iron Girl Lake Las Vegas on May 9, 2009.

Register now, as with the addition of the sprint, this event will sell out.
Registration just opened today at http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1605440&assetId=02648047-01bb-42bb-819e-3cb8bac378d7

You can learn more about the event at http://www.irongirl.com/Events/Las_Vegas.htm

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Great way to start!

(I have noticed that everytime I sit down to write anything, I start things out with So. There might be a million Sos on this blog.)

So, I thought a one thing we can start doing while we put together our plan of action is to slowly change our eating habits... if we need to. My HH (hottie husband :)) lost about 80 lbs a year ago and that really opened my eyes to what we were eating. We are definatly not devout healthy eaters, but we have learned lots over the past two years. We find our selfs falling back into old habits and have to remind our selfs that we owe it to our family to be healthy. So today I am going to post an article my HH recently sent me about 8 foods we should eat every day. He got it from MSN Health here is the link: http://health.msn.com/nutrition/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100169914&imageindex=1


8 Foods You Should Eat Every DaySpinach

Spinich

Muscle growth, Heart healthy, Bone builder, Enhances eyesight

It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day.

SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce

FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip.

PINCH HITTER: Sesame Stir-Braised Kale Heat 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds.

Yogurt

Cancer fighter, Bone builder, Boosts immunity

Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food's health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says "live and active cultures." Aim for 1 cup of the calcium and protein-rich goop a day.

SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt

FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast — or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips.

HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.

Tomatoes

Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they're packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it's easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice.

SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava

FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragu; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe.

PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint.

Carrots

Cancer fighter, Boosts immunity, Enhances eyesight

Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids — fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis — but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for 1/2 cup a day.

SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango

FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake

Blueberries

Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname "brain berry"). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup frozen or dried.

SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries

FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form.

PINCH HITTER: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.

Black Beans

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That's because they're full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat.

SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans

FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes.

HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.

Walnuts

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts — about 1 ounce, or seven nuts — is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack.

SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts

FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; dice and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken.

Oats

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA's first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy.

SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice

FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt.

PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

HOME RUN: Mix 1 cup walnuts with ½ cup dried blueberries and ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks.

* Information provided by All-Star Panel: Joy Bauer, author of Joy Bauer's Food Cures and nutrition advisor on NBC's Today show; Laurie Erickson, award-winning wellness chef at Georgia's Sea Island resort; David Heber, MD, PhD, author of What Color Is Your Diet?; and Steven Pratt, MD, author of the best-selling SuperFoods Rx

Monday, July 28, 2008

Plan of Action

So, I always have to have a plan! I know me and I know I can not do this alone. I have invited basically all my friends to join me in this quest. We are scattered across the West with a common goal of meeting in Las Vegas on May 9, 2009. We want you to join too. This blog will be our central meeting spot. I am currently putting together a training guide. I will post it very soon! See you in Vegas!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Train with me! See you there!

Okay so I know the first reaction most of you will give is YEAH Right!!! So I want to start out with my encouragement, Why NoT!

How many times have you started to exercise and after a few days of utter exhaustion you get distracted and your mind starts telling your body maybe you don't want this as bad as it hurts. I have done this a million and one times. The one constant that has kept me going when exercising is having a support group. You know, a partner to encourage you. Someone you know is going to be there, a dedicated friend who shares your desire.

Have you ever known someone who has run a marathon or completed a triathlon and thought, wow!!! I wish I could do that. And in the back of your mind a voice says, “That is way too hard, I will never do that”. Let’s do it. Let’s prove those voices in our heads wrong. I have been looking for an exercise goal to help me get over this fear, because let’s be honest, I am afraid! Afraid I will fail, afraid I am not strong enough, afraid I won’t make it. I haven’t even tried and I have already set my mind up to fail. Not anymore!

I am just an average girl, training for a not so average event. Iron Girl Las Vegas 2009. I don’t need to come in first, I just want to be able to say I complete Iron Girl. I can not do it alone. I am not strong enough yet. Please do this with me! We can train together and meet in Vegas, but this time what happens in Vegas isn’t staying in Vegas! This will go with us throughout the rest of our lives. It will boost our confidence; give us a feeling of self accomplishment! It will show us our inner strength, help us concur our fears and doubt. It will build emotional as well as physical strength! I want to see you there!