Meet My Friend Kat!

This week's featured blogger is someone I met about a year ago. She and I connected before I knew any bloggers in person. My first impression of Kat was that this girl was beautiful. She is super fit and kind on the inside as well. I think I just assumed that she was one of those people who was just naturally fit. I was shocked to find out that Kat has worked really hard to get where she is and nothing comes easily. I think it was an eye opener for me in the fitness blogging world. All of us have a story. You need to check out Kat's. She is truly inspirational!

I almost forgot too... Kat is participating in the Marine Corp Marathon this weekend! Good Luck girl!

Name: Katrina P

State: Florida

When and why did you start working out? 

Back in 2005 I started a fitness journey since I gained weight through college. However, I didn't do it the right way, hoping fat burners would do the trick. They did, but temporarily and with side effects. So, I began running in 2007 with 5ks and slowly built up to a half marathon that I did last year - 6 more after and now will do my first marathon at Marine Corps Marathon 10/27/13. Living a healthy and fit life helps you to ENJOY life that much more fully!

What is your workout of choice? 

Running or High Intensity Interval Training Circuits/Tabata

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD? 

My favorite race to date was the Disneyland Half marathon, race distance is the half marathon, and WOD - I attempted crossfit and didn't stick with it, I use various circuits when I strength train. My favorite exercise is the push press and the pushup knee-to-elbow

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear? 

Good sneakers!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts?

I eat a mixed ratio of carbs/fat/protein. I aim for .80 g of protein per lb I weigh. I also eat tons of veggies and avoid starches if I can. Through marathon training my body's craved more of those starches and I don't fight it. After training is over, I'm attempting the Whole 30!

What is your favorite cheat food? 

Frozen yogurt

What advice would you give someone just starting out? 

Start slow and don't compare yourself to anyone but yourself! Set attainable goals that you can achieve and focus on!

What is your best workout memory? 

Sub 2 hour finish at my first half marathon and again at half marathon #5

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST”item? 

Achieving the 6 half marathons in 6 months, To complete my first marathon, to compete in a figure competition one day!

Tell us something that not many people know about you? 

I'm slightly OCD - order makes me happy ;)

You can find Kat at:

Blog: http://www.katrinaelle.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatrinaElleP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrinaelle

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katrinaellep

Instagram: http://instagram.com/katrinaellep

#Rethinkyourday and Win a limited Edition Polar Shirt

Have you ever had to change your plans? Adjust your goals?

RETHINK YOUR DAY???

Two weeks ago, I finally admitted that something was going on with my health, and I went to the doctor. I had been having some female issues for the last month, and things were not going away on their own. With a history of ovarian cancer in my family, I knew I couldn't wait. The good news is that it doesn't seem to be cancer! YAY! I do have a cyst and a whole bunch of fibroid tumors, but thank God for no cancer. These things are, however, causing me a lot of pain and some other issues. As a result, I am "benched." Yep, that means no working out. I am able to go for short, easy walks, but no heavy lifting and no running. Well, as someone who is still trying to lose weight, this is awful news!


So now I have to Rethink my Day... everyday. I decided to come up with some ideas that will help me stay healthy without exercise.

Ten Easy Things You Can Do when Exercising is not possible

1. While watching TV...  stretch. Just because you can't workout, doesn't mean you can't work on your flexibility.

2. Keep a bottle of water within reach all day. The more water, the less cravings. (As an emotional eater, and this whole thing is emotional. The more water I have, the less I feel like eating. This is also good because then I get more "short, easy walks" to the bathroom! See, this is me being optimistic!)

3. Track what you are eating. (I need to write down every morsel of food I eat throughout the day so that I can be sure to stay true to my goals.)

4. After tracking all day, it is important to reflect on it. (I have picked out a journal where I will write and reflect on my day.)

5. Exercising has always helped people relieve stress, and when you cannot do that, you need a new way to let go. Sit quietly for 10 minutes every day. That means no TV, no social media, nothing! (I am not going to call it meditating because I don't really know how to do that. I am betting this is something similar.)

6. Get more sleep! You need to make sure that you get at least 8 hours a night. (I will journal about this as well. I look forward to getting a Polar Loop to help with this.)

7. Explore more recipes in the kitchen. (I am not a cook, but now that I have more time, I will try some new things.)

8. Don't sit longer than 30 minutes. (Sometimes my pain is too bad to walk, but this is my goal.)

9. Get outside. Fresh air does amazing things for stress!

10. Stare longingly at your medal rack and yearn for the day when you are  healthy and ready to "play" again! (One thing I know is that I miss exercise. I will be ready to be very serious about my workout plans! No more excuses)


What positive changes are you making in your life to 

achieve better balance and health? Tag your 

photos/posts/tips showing how you #rethinkyourday 

with the #rethinkyourday hashtag.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Who wants to win this limited edition Polar Tech Shirt? I only have one and it's a medium. You cannot buy this shirt anywhere! Fill out the Rafflecopter below! I am also giving away a second and third prize too. You can win a Polar tee or a Polar Water Bottle.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am also giving away a copy of Eli Sapharti's new book. Check out the giveaway here. He went from Fat Boy to Fit Man! From 300 lbs to 180... Check it out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

From Fat Boy to Fit Man: A "One Step at a Time" Story of Success Book Review and Giveaway

photo from Eli's facebook page

I have been following Eli Sapharti on facebook since I started working out almost two years ago. Eli's story has been a huge motivator.  I remember when he made his first comment on my page, Mindy's Fitness Journey, I couldn't believe it. I was thrilled.  Here's a man who has done it, and he looks GREAT!!! And he was supporting me on my journey! 

photo from Eli's facebook page

After hearing that he wrote this book, I knew I had to have it. When I was asked to review it and give a copy away, I couldn't wait. I love the title of this book. From Fat Boy to Fit Man: A "One Step at a Time" Story of Success  This One Step at a Time is a program that will help you achieve a happy and healthy life. 


What stood out to me most was that losing weight is not something that you just say, "I want to lose weight," and POOF, you lose weight. We all know that. Well, Eli has a one step at a time approach. The first thing he gave up was soda. That was it. Only he meant absolutely NO SODA! No cheating... I love it.  He gave up things, but he did it in a manageable way. 

He is now sharing his secret with us! How did he lose 120 lbs? Read this book to find out.

Photo from Eli's facebook page

Eli's bio on his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FatBoyFitMan
  says the following:


In 2008 I had ballooned to almost 300 lbs standing at 6' and my body fat percentage was well over 40%. My blood pressure was elevated, I felt tired all the time, if I walked a flight of steps I would lose my breath, my joints were hurting, and I was always getting some type of flu or cold. 

Around March of 2008, shortly before the end of an almost 18 year marriage, I had what many would call an epiphany. One day I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't believe how unhealthy and just plain FAT I had allowed myself to get. At that moment I knew I had to do something to change this downward spiral. As I thought about past attempts to lose weight I realized that the "quick fixes" and fad diets I had tried, although successful short term, were not going to work if I wanted to make LIFE-LONG changes. That is when I decided to try a different approach and came up with my "One Step at a Time" principles and approach to weight loss. Small, consistent changes allowed me to achieve the body I have today. 180 POUNDS with 10% body fat. I am also an avid runner having finished FOUR Half Marathons with a personal record of 1:46. I have also run countless 5K and 10Kraces my last 10K in 46:43 and my last 5K in 22.01. Both being my personal best times. My drive and passion today is in helping inspire, motivate and teach others how to achieve fitness success too. I have had the privilege and honor of being able to spread my message to the masses. In 2012 I was featured in People Magazine, Inside Edition, Extra, AOL.com, The Huffington Post and the Emmy Award winning show, The Doctors. 

Want to win a signed copy of Eli's book? Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gingermantra: Featured Blogger and Win a Polar Heart Rate Monitor

I have this beautiful friend that I was lucky enough to meet in real life in June. Her name is Tammy and she runs a blog called Gingermantra. She is a feisty red head and a true, good-hearted woman that I am proud to call my friend. You have to meet her! I cannot wait to see her in November for the Women's Half Marathon in St. Pete, FL.

Meet Tammy Means from  Florida

When and why did you start working out?  I was a tomboy growing up.  I loved the outdoors and camping out (primitive camping) at a very young age.  It was the classic childhood of you don't come inside until it is dark or dinner is ready.  I spent my days running and on my bicycle.  After 3rd grade my Mom put me in a summer camp where I grew to love softball which I played through high school and in a few adult leagues after that.  I also dabbled in running in high school, but never fully committed to it as my sport of choice since I was also a volleyball player.  After turning 25 I found myself in the rut of my mid twenties on the slide to 30 and I had gotten out of shape, so I joined a gym and began working out and taking aerobics classes 6 days a week.  In between workouts I would hit the treadmill for 6 miles every day.  Then after turning 35 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and found myself right back at the threshold of needing to get back into better shape.  I began working out at a gym and then took several months of bootcamp classes and then a long time friend reunited me with my love of running I had found in my mid twenties and I have never looked back.

What is your workout of choice?  I'm a runner as my main sport of choice but I also cross-train with mountain biking with my husband and weight training in the gym.

What is your favorite race, race distance, or WOD?  I love the half marathon distance. 

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear?  Oh for me, the runner, it's all about the shoes!  For many years I was a Nike girl, but last year I was introduced to Mizuno's line of running shoes and have trained and raced with them ever since.  When I run I have an odd foot plant which makes me supinate (land on the outsides of my heels instead of neutral or inward) and if I do not have the proper shoe or foot bed in my running shoe it makes my legs fatigue much faster.  I know a lot of people would say a certain brand of clothing or maybe their favorite piece of equipment, but for me it's all about the shoes!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts?  I don't follow what society calls the traditional version of "diet" but I am a newbie vegetarian, about 2 months now.  I do not eat dairy at all and I only consume meat once a week if at all, but must know where it came from and how it was raised.  My requirement for all food I eat is that it is hormone free and pesticide free and I do not eat fast food or traditional processed food items.

What is your favorite cheat food?  Post race I love a great burger, grilled grass-fed beef with just mustard and ketchup and a side of sweet potato fries.  It's a race day tradition and sometimes I throw in french fries if sweet potato fries are not an option. 

What advice would you give someone just starting out?  Never ever compare your beginning to someone else's middle.  Never concentrate on the number on the scale either, get full measurements and track your progress with body fat tests and other health assessments.  Getting healthy takes time and it never happens over night, even if we wish with all the wishes we could have that it would.  Getting on track to being a healthier version of you requires dedication and focus, but even more than that it requires that you identify triggers that you have.  Whether it be an emotional state of mind that you must overcome that keeps driving you to quit or if it is finding the right workout for you to see the results you want, you have to sometimes step outside the box and try different workouts and routines.  I'm a morning workout person.  I love to get my runs in at 5:30 am and on cross-training days, you will find my husband and I in the gym by 5:00 am.  We love to spend our Saturday mornings on the mountain bike trail for a quickie 7 or 10 mile ride to clear our heads and get away from the hustle and bustle of the week.  It's all about finding what works for you.

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST” item?  Oh I have so many, I don't think I could chose just one!  I would love to run the New York City Marathon and I would also love to run Chicago.  I have a list of things I want to accomplish before I turn 41 and one of the biggies is going sky diving (tandem of course), though I have yet to find anyone that would join me in this adventure.

Tell us something that not many people know about you?  When I was a little girl in 2nd grade I struggled with a learning disability.  It was something that I wished to overcome and knew that I could with hard work.  I decided to put all my focus on what it would take to develop past this issue and to make sure I always challenged myself to work harder and do better and be a better student.  I think a lot of what I pushed myself through with those insecurities and also as a little ginger child helped me get where I am today.  I believe to be successful you must work hard, inspire others, always be encouraging and above all remain humble.  "People may not remember your face but they will remember how you made them feel"

We can connect with you:

Blog:  http://gingermantra.com

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/gingermantra

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/gingermantra

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/gingermantra

Instagram:  http://instagram.com/gingermantra

Win a Polar Heart Rate Monitor! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY ALERT! Congratulations on ONE YEAR CrossFit Blackbeard!

It's time to celebrate! CrossFit Blackbeard is celebrating their first year in business! I have really enjoyed being part of the Blackbeard family and have already seen so many changes since I began. I look forward to seeing more from myself as I continue to make it a habit in my life. 

We have teamed up to give away a Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor. I LOVE what my heart rate monitor reports to me during my CrossFit workouts and I have learned that CrossFit pushes me harder than any other workout! You will love having this tool to help you push yourself! 






Enter the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fabulous Friday! DietBet and Skora Giveaway!

Ready to lose some weight? Join my DietBet! 

http://www.dietbetter.com/games/24743




I also have a Skora Running Shoes Giveaway! Check it out here!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Some of my favorite motivation sayings :)

DietBet starts tomorrow: Finish Strong! Blogger Feature: Abby from Back At Square Zero

It's time to get signed up for the Dietbet! Let's lose the weight before New Years!!! Don't be disappointed that you didn't reach your goals or make progress toward your goals this year! Let's Finish 2013 STRONG!
https://www.dietbetter.com/games/24743


Meet  Abby from  BackAtSquareZero

from Charleston, SC

When and why did you start working out?

 I decided to take my roommate’s dog for a run.  Neither of us made it past the mailbox.  It was scary- Something I thought I would be able to do was so hard.  I knew I was overweight and unhappy with my body.  However, I never realized how out of shape I was until that moment and suddenly I knew I needed to do something about it.  If I didn’t I was sure I would continue to gain weight, stay out of shape, and just get unhealthier.  It was time for a change. 

What is your workout of choice? 

Distance running is my go to with a bit of spinning thrown in for cross training. 

What is your favorite race, race distance, and WOD?

Not sure about my favorite race yet - I need to try more out:)

My favorite distance is the half, but I love pushing myself to do full marathons.  

My favorite WOD would involve kettle bell swings - love them.   

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear?

My Mizuno Wave Creation shoes.  I am an addict!  They are my marathon go to.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your workouts?

I am slowly learning to eat healthy, I had bad binge eating issues when I was younger, but it is a process for sure. 

What is your favorite cheat food?

Fro-yo! 

What advice would you give someone just starting out?

Find what works for you.  Discovering an exercise you enjoy will help you stick to it. 

What is your best workout memory?

Finishing my first full marathon. 

What is your biggest “FIT BUCKET LIST” item?

I cannot choose:

NYC Marathon

Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

Biking Through Tuscany 

Tell us something that not many people know about you?

Cotton balls freak me out.   

Go over and check out Abby! What I love most about Abby is that she is the real deal. She is a totally real person. She talks about her mistakes and focuses on being positive! You will love her as much as I do for sure!!!

Blog: www.backatsquarezero.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BackatSquare0

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BackatSquare0

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/BackatSquare0

Instagram: www.instagram.com/BackatSquare0

There is also a giveaway on my blog for a pair of Skora Running Shoes. Make sure you get entered! http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2013/09/skora-running-review-and-giveaway.html

Instagram Photo Challenge, DietBet, Free Skora Running Shoes and Go Rays!

There is quite a lot going on this week!  

We have the fun Instagram Challenge going on with a fruit package valued at $65 from Parkesdale. See the contest here: http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2013/09/october-instagram-challenge-and-win.html

Join my Dietbet! We can lose weight and make money! No sense waiting til 2014. Let's get on it now! http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2013/10/dont-wait-for-new-years-to-lose-weight.html

There is also a giveaway on my blog for a pair of Skora Running Shoes. Make sure you get entered! http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2013/09/skora-running-review-and-giveaway.html

And my favorite baseball team is playing in the wild card playoff! I am so nervous!!!

What is your favorite sporting event? Do you have a team you watch?

Don't Wait for New Years to Lose Weight! Join Me!

Every year I say, "This is the year!" I did the same thing this year. This is the year that I am finally going to shed this weight and be myself again. Well, we are 2 months away from 2014 and I have some work to do. Who wants to join me? I am not selling anything, and I am not promising some magic pill. Gosh do I wish I was. It would be a lot easier to take a pill than do actually do this work, but I know from experience that that magic doesn't exist.  I am hoping for some good honest work along with a little push from my friends!  

Join my DietBet! http://www.dietbetter.com/games/24743
All you have to do is invest $25 in yourself. You WILL win that money back, plus a little extra because you will lose weight. You will prove that you can do it. We will be celebrating this new year in style and with a little cash in our pockets! 

Want to know how DietBet works? Click here: http://www.dietbetter.com/how-it-works

 I plan to track my meals on myfitnesspal and wear my calorie counter and sleep tracker (I currently use Jawbone but I will be getting a Polar Loop soon.) I want to feature some people who are having success in their weight loss journey, and introduce you to other who are working hard to lose weight! There is a DietBet support group on facebook. We will use it to share workouts, get support and maybe even talk a little smack! You can request to join by clicking this link: http://www.dietbetter.com/how-it-works

For A Chance To WIN A $65.90 Value Fruit Basket, Come Join The Instagram #Octogram #Parkesdale Photo Challenge! See our October Instagram Challenge: Here!


And if you want to win a pair of Skora Running shoes, click this link:
http://www.mindysfitnessjourney.com/2013/09/skora-running-review-and-giveaway.html