I've been called a BEAST! Now, let's workout like one!

In my drive for motivation and desire after several months of slacking, maxin' & relaxin' I no longer have an excuse and I no longer have a choice!


I'm heading to the Screamin' Eagles, 101st Airborne (AASLT) Division! Yep, no longer have a choice to sit on my butt and eat delicious pastries from France or chocolate from Germany or Belgium or drink the lemoncello from Italy, yep, my fat and lazy days they are a' over! 


While I've been here though, I've taken part in mud-runs, obstacle courses, runs and high intensity interval training! I was tough, I was strong, I was lean and I was mean! Well...at least I'd like to think so BUT...I've been called a beast because of my undying determination to never quit, my ability to fight through the pain and do what I never thought possible. I've always been stubborn and I've always wanted to show my physical strength that's packed in a small body. You don't have to be big to be strong! Anyway, I have been called a beast because I'll try anything, I'll keep trying till I get it right. I've never given up on anything, I've been given up on but I'll never give in! My health and my fitness are important to me and I desire to be better than ever, the more I age, the better I get...like the saying goes "I'm like a fine wine, I only get better with age".


So, this brings me to the latest Beachbody review! They have a new program in the works called Body Beast! This program is built to build your bulk! If you are a body builder or are training to be one, this is surely the best in home training system you can get! Check it out here at THE BEAST I'll call it the beast because if you look at the creator Sagi Kalev, you'll see...well...his photos say a 1000 words! The description is in the name!


If you are familiar with the Israeli Army you'll know this guy is definitely no joke! I've met several people that were in the Israeli Army and they are some crazy dudes! They will do anything! In comparison to our Rangers, Special Forces, SEALs etc...these guys are right with them. Military training of any kind requires discipline, focus, determination and respect...all of the values Sagi had while in the Army.


These values are also what are required to get you through a rugged workout! Not to mention, there is a specially designed meal plan to go along with your goals.


These workouts are a hybrid mix between the traditional style of weight lifting and a new innovative approach to muscle building and bulking up.


I know I would like to use it, if anything only long enough to deplete my body fat and get back to my beautifully sculpted beast body! 


I say beautifully sculpted...I was sculpted years ago and I've struggled since having a child to keep fat off my body. I believe that if you are someone struggling with the same things, this program might just help increase metabolism and build muscle. We all know that when building muscle it doesn't necessarily mean bulk up, for women, we tone up, we become more lean. We can bulk up but we can also create lean muscle. 


Muscle burns more calories therefore creating fat loss but keep in mind, every body is different and the outcomes will vary just like individual fingerprints.


Until next time....keep running! :)

Moving Blues, I'm leaving NATO

If you are familiar with the way the U.S. Army operates, you'll know that most assignments are only 3 year postings. Well, unfortunately my posting to NATO has come to an end.


I heard a lot about NATO before I signed in there. Things like, Oh, it's a big vacation, you'll have time for relaxing and time off etc...WELLLLLL!!!! THAT WAS NOT THE CASE!
This is by far one of the most challenging jobs I've had with the Army. I have had 4 weeks off in 3 years! I have so much leave built up that I have to find a way to use it but moving to a new unit I won't get that chance any time soon!


I have to say thought, I'm one of the lucky few Army officers who have had an opportunity to work directly within a NATO command. Nope, I didn't go to Europe! I WISH! I've been trying to get to Europe for 16 years! So, I stayed in the U.S. as a NATO representative and a miniscule strand in the Trans Atlantic Link to Europe. I was at NATO Allied Command Transformation for the last three years. You're probably asking "What the heck is that?" well, honestly...it's too long to explain here but Google is an amazing tool!


This brings me to why I mention NATO. As an American, I was never really taught about NATO growing up. I knew what the acronym stood for, I knew it was founded in 1949, I knew it was an Alliance between nations to fight against communism etc...BUT...I didn't know exactly what it did and why it was important until after working here.


During my assignment I have been to many countries and had the opportunity to meet many different people from many different cultures. I feel honored to have met them and I am privileged to have had this opportunity. This was my first job as Public Affairs Officer, I was a Media Relations Officer and had to figure this out on my own. I didn't really have much help. When I started this job, I relied a lot on the Senior NCO's (they were all Navy) to help me learn about what is expected of a Public Affairs Officer at this level. I was a Signal Officer for crying out loud and I'm put at echelons above reality without experience except for DINFOS. I worked hard to try to learn and grasp my role and responsibilities but I had a lot of negative pressure from my supervisors. I was never given much guidance in this job, I was left to the wolves! So, here, it was literally...sink or swim. I eventually figured it out but not 100%. You never figure it out 100% in this job. I'm also learning about NATO as I go during this time and I'll tell ya, it's a very, very complex organization.


I dealt with media around the world and learned how to use the Department of Defense Pentagon Press Center, the Foreign Press Center, Contacting Embassies, Calling Ministries of Defense and reaching out to all types of media all around the world. I had no idea what I was doing but somehow, it all worked out. 


I enjoyed working with the international community outside my office. The officers and NCO's in the NATO ACT Headquarters made life in the cubicle a lot easier to manage and were so helpful and understanding. I'll never forget the ones who made me smile on a regular basis. Working with Generals and Colonels was a great experience too!


Through any military assignment, you make lifelong friends and I really hope I've made some here! I know a couple people who will remain a part of my life for many, many years. The unfortunate thing is...all good things must come to an end. When I leave, some of the friends from around the world will eventually move back to their countries and it will be harder to maintain that connection but, I hope they all know that they will never be far from my thoughts!


So, I'm leaving this great Alliance with an ache in my professional heart but, I also leave with a smile on my face...you know the old saying...Bitter-Sweet? It is, bitter-sweet because even though I'm sad to leave I'm excited to see what is in front of me and excited to gain more experience and at an operational level and not echelons above reality. Once I do this, I will be a more well rounded officer with a greater understanding of "WHY", why we do some of the most asinine things we are told to do in the military. This is very important for professional growth and wisdom.


Well, I'm heading out and it's become more real as the transportation company did the pre-move inspection of my belongings and I am selling off my things to help finance my move and shrink the amount of stuff I have. I have to go from a 2400 sq ft house to a 900 sq ft apartment so I have a lot of downsizing to do. I'm also left with renting my house for less than it is worth which is a bitter pill to swallow but I gotta do what I gotta do!


Anyway, I will soon pack up my house and move my belongings to the hills of Tennessee and Kentucky, Ft. Campbell here I come! I'm not sure that's an enthusiastic cry though! I still desire to get to Europe! I hope I get there!!!


Well, I also have to say I'm sad to leave this area of the country too. I will leave the ocean views, the friendly people my friends and...the East Coast :( I'm not happy about that! I feel at home here which is something I never felt in my 35.5 years of life. I never felt at home anywhere. I guess I never settled because I never liked where I lived growing up and I never wanted to stay. I wanted to move around, see the world, learn new things and explore but I also wanted a place to call home. Somewhere I could go back to and feel complete. Outside of how at home I feel in France (I love it in the countryside in France), I actually have this feeling here in Norfolk and Virginia Beach and I really don't want to leave it. Yes, sure, I can come back but I am not sure I will. I would love to live in Europe! Fingers crossed I get that chance.


Anyway, I'm a little blue these days because I'm leaving a place I can actually call home. The one thing I'm excited about is the fact that I will be able to ride my road bike without fear and I can run through many more forests and see many trees! I'll be able to enjoy my biggest hobby that I haven't enjoyed in a few years and that is running and exercising! I'm happy to be able to do the one thing that helps me clear my mind whenever I want! That's the one thing the Army is good at doing, and that... is allowing me to stay fit! 


So I'll probably give you some insight into my next job soon! I'm going to have a great time and learn new things and meet new people. 


My moving blues won't last long but there are few people I will take with me and keep in my life as I move to the next leg of my journey. They will know who they are!!


Stay tuned! I'll keep running around the world!

P90X Git Some...On the Move!

What did we ever do without the ol' mobile phone? Heck, it's graduated from mobile phone to cell phone and now...dah dah dahhhh....wait for it...


...It's a SMART PHONE!


Who would have thought we would be able to do so much with a smart phone. You gotta admit, it is pretty smart!


It can pretty much read your thoughts and call someone before you even so much as take a glimpse at it! Soon, you'll have to put a leash on it because it will follow you around like a lost puppy and put new meaning to the "mobile phone" once again!


So, with the smart phone being a part of almost everyone's daily life more and more, apps are being made on a regular basis for absolutely everything. It's really hard to weed through the good apps from the lame apps.


You ever try those fitness apps? You know, the ones who give you a few exercises but that's it. They don't really do anything for you but give you a little guidance on form and reps and maybe they have a timer on them. These are most likely the free ones with ads that ask you to upgrade so you don't see them anymore and the company has you pay for it. After you paid for it you realized the app just plain stunk!


I have tried those apps and was very disappointed in what they had to offer and not to mention the pesky little advertisements that go along with them!


Well, as I continued to search for good fitness apps, I have found a few apps that I like to use. I actually bought one after using the ad version for a while. I decided I liked it so much. I bought the "I Map My Run" app for my iPhone and love it! It gives me every option I need to track my runs and my times as well as elevation, location and now I can synch up my heart rate monitor and do heart rate training too. Not that I need that because I don't know how to calculate my HR. I don't do numbers!


So, about those work out apps, I haven't really found one that I was interested in lately because they don't seem to do everything I want or they don't have a specific exercise listed to help with creating something different each day. Always the same types of exercise with the same picture...not video shown and quite boring!


So, you know the ever infamous P90X by Tony Horton right? Well, they have created several versions of P90X to fit everyone's fitness levels and as you grow out of one version...hey, don't sweat!! There's another one just for you! Imagine all your hard work that you've put into your health and fitness and imagine going on vacation and not having your P90X with you!! If you are anything like me, you eat a lot! As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about cupcakes right now! Mmmmm!


 I love food so the only way I can maintain my weight without busting the seams is to get a good run in somewhere but also, I like to get a good workout in too. This is where P90X has gone one step further! 


The P90X iPhone app provides convenience, accountability and mobility and heck...why not some good old fashioned fun too! What a way to stay motivated to continue your workouts regularly and not have an excuse to stop because of traveling! Lord knows I put on a lot of flab from traveling this year and using it as an excuse not to exercise because I didn't have a gym or I didn't have time to go to the gym etc...the list goes on when it comes to excuses for me!


Anyway, you all know how I like to dig into things so I checked out the P90X iPhone app here "P90X iPhone Application Link" and I think it is a really great tool for the P90X lover and even if you don't have P90X, you can still use it but to get the full effects you need to have an account.  It has everything from video to display to tracking your reps, increases in weights and it automatically synchs with the online tracking system. You can select a program and the calendar populates the workouts for you! You never have to enter a workout type in or try to guess about it every day, it's already done for you after you go through a few simple steps. Turn it on and go to town!


Basically this thing is a personal trainer wrapped in a little tiny iPhone contraption. It works in conjunction with your P90X program but you can use it alone.


Now, there is no excuse to keep from working out! You have the DVD's with equipment at home and you have the app on the go! What else do you need now? You have it all right at the tip of your forefinger! :)


Check it out! I did and I love this concept!


Until next time...keep running!

Workout Ready or Not!

Hmmm....this morning started off a little like the guy or the gal walking in the old V-8 commercials. You know....the slanted walk until they drank their V-8. 


I decided to get myself out of bed thinking it was still 6 in the morning I begrudgingly reached for my phone to check the time. It was painful to see it was almost 7:30 in the morning. I planned to get up and do Les Mills Body Pump again. I did it last night and felt great so I figured, let's go Robin, get yourself up and going!


Off I went, gym clothes on water bottle filled to the rim and ready to bring it! Oh, well, it was brought alright but not like I would like it to be. I made it through the 30 minute workout with a little less energy than last night...not sure why but I forced myself through the workout of dead lifts, clean and jerks, abs, arms and chest.

Les Mills Body Pump
Don't be deceived by the small product here!
It's a doozy of a workout!
The one I like to call...
The Beast!

If you think 30 minutes is nothing, try working for 30 minutes strait with five 30 second-ish breaks to switch weights or positions. I thought I'd be tough and keep the 10 pound weights on instead but I used the 5 pound weight for the ab-work.


Anyway, not that I want to make an excuse, I think after being up almost all night every night for the past week with my little man who has been sick I have finally reached my threshold of exhaustion. So, I will have my breakfast and then I think this evening I will go on a run.


A run you ask? Why yes, I so need one at this point. I am in the middle of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move so today they come to do the pre-move inspection so I'll be home today. This is a good excuse to get some things done, rest and then get a good run in this evening...


So, I'm trying to stay motivated to get back in shape after a month of travel and eating like I've never seen a pastry! Yes, I'm a victim of pastry hypnotism. I can smell the sweetness of confectionary art from a mile a way and I'm like Pepe Le Pew following the perfume of his love! I'm hypnotized by their sweet scent and their beauty and I cannot resist! That my friends is why I have to get back in shape!


My friends ask me "are you crazy?" I tell them no, that they don't understand even though I'm thin, I'm still fat. I have a lot of body fat that I have accumulated over the past year of traveling and eating really good, yummy food all over Europe! So, I tell them now, I'm not overweight...because I'm not...I'm just flabby! I can feel it when I walk and it just makes me cringe! I have to get rid of this body fat so here I go, motivated or not, I will get off my butt and do it! 


I ask you to join me in my endeavor, let me know what you think of the information I find! Join me in my crazy discussions and talk about what your thoughts are about them and about staying motivated to keep on keepin'on! Follow me as I try like heck to meet my goal! 


Until then, keep running!

Ready for the Beach?

So, If my memory serves me correctly I began to fall in love with the fitness world while in high school or even as far back as junior high school. I was too nervous to ever become a trainer because I was too afraid I'd forget the movements or timing. So, I just like to enjoy it as a client :)


Ok, so we all know who Richard Simmons is, the crazy colorful guy with an afro who dances us into shape with his fun aerobic moves around a gym floor. But I couldn't stand him...I don't know if it was those short little shorts and his squeaky voice that did it or what. 


Anyway, outside of the Richard Simmons workouts and Sweatin' to the Oldies, I  saw my first video taped exercise by Raquel Welch. She'd begin her video by sitting at her table drinking her morning coffee before she got into the groove. She was my first inspiration into the world of aerobics.


Time went on, the 80's turned to the 90's and I still had my love of working out although I ran track and played a little basketball I still enjoyed a little sweat in front of the TV.


My mom ordered Tony Little's Beach Body workout VHS from Beach Body on QVC when I was in high school. (I know, another as seen on TV ad) I rolled my eyes too! But... keep reading because my eyes rollin' turned into my eyes opened!


That was my first introduction to Beach Body. I was instantly inspired by Tony's story. He was a body builder, a champion at that, with the world at his fingertips until one terrible event. He had been in bad car accident and herniated some disks in his back. I could tell you more about him but he is just a part of this point...After that accident, he began looking into ways to create a modified workout plan to get back into shape. He was the fun, pony tailed, personal trainer that continued to inspire me. I still use his catch phrases to get me through the workouts that I endure today. He would always say (in a fun voice that reminded me of someone from New Jersey) "you can Doo it!" or "Beach Body, Beach Body, Beach Body" during the workouts to keep you focused on getting ready for the beach! He also focused on correct form...I can honestly say, I've never really been injured while working out because I have learned proper form through him and others.


Well, I moved on from Tony Little after I joined the Army in 1996. The Army kept me in shape for a long time until I got pregnant with my little man. I had my son at the beginning of 2003 and I was in dire need of getting back in shape. The hard part was I was getting ready to deploy to Iraq for the first time and I didn't have a lot of time to get back into "fighting" shape. So, I ordered the new series by Beach Body..."Slim In 6" With Debbie Siebert. She promised to slim me up in 6 weeks. I brought the workout to Iraq with me and tried to do it every day...considering there wasn't much in the way of TV and VCR equipment, I put off Slim in 6 for a while. I eventually did get to use it and saw a difference for once. I got back from Iraq and moved...and moved again...and deployed again! No Slim in 6 this time. I resorted to running and cross fit. That helped a lot to tighten me up.


So, I got back from my second tour in Iraq at the end of 2007 and there was Tony Horton! I watched the infomercial during my jet lagged days, contemplated it and then I ordered the most famous P90X series. I really enjoyed this workout because it actually pushed me to my limits. I considered myself in decent shape at the time too but it kicked me! I got the 12 workout DVD's that I could do at my own pace but if you know me, I don't have my own pace all the time. Tony Horton or whichever instructor was on at the time was my competitor! I had to keep up with him until the end or at least I tried to. I will tell you, by the end of a workout I was smoked! My favorite part was the cool down sessions, ha ha ha! I also liked the calendar and the little nutrition book that came along with it. Now, P90X has so many options there is no way you'll ever get bored with it.


So, my brother "borrowed" my P90X so he and his son could get in shape...hmmm...I wonder if he's actually doing it...I should call and ask! 


Ok, I got sidetracked...


Well, after my dear friend ordered the Brazilian Booty series I checked into the Les Mills Body Pump Series. Now, I've been traveling a lot this year so my time with Body Pump has been little. I have to tell you that Body Pump kicked my butt too...literally! I had to take extra time getting up and down stairs because my legs were so sore and then my abs were happy sore and my arms...well, they were jello! 


Which brings me to the end of this LOOONNGG Blog...Beach Body is world renown with their innovative approaches to in home fitness and health. They have many more products in the works and I  have the privilege to share them with you as I get them. Tomorrow I will begin with the iPhone App for P90X, this is already available but you'll get more detail soon from me. 


For now, if I've peaked your interest at all in any of the Beach Body Products you should check out their website at Beach Body there is a workout regimen for every body and fitness level with a lot of options to choose from depending on your comfort and they have health products as well. So, until tomorrow's review check out what they currently have and soon I'll give you a sneak peak at what is to come.

East London Run

In my journey's around the world I have made it a priority to run in each country I visit. 


I first began this idea last year when I went to Koln, Germany. I went there for work and decided prior to leaving that I wanted to run along the Rhein River! I did just that and it was at this particular moment that I made up my mind. It was so peaceful and beautiful to run the trail and watch the passersby as they sat on the benches or they boarded the river boats for a tour or dinner cruise. I wanted to run as far as I could until the path ended and I did.


From this point on I was going to make sure I ran at least one time in each country I visited no matter how jet lagged I became.


So, September rolled around and I ended up on my first trip to London. In my strict determination I wanted to find a race in London that I could participate in since I'd be there at the perfect time and on a weekend. So, my sources "Google" found the perfect race...The Sister Act Nun Run sponsored by Whoopie Goldberg and a run that was a charity for children to participate in the arts. What a great cause. So, I signed up and when I arrived I was issued my Nun's Habit and off I went!

After the race

During the race, it was unseasonably warm but loads of fun!

A few of the friendly friars and priests! 

I made a good friend along the way on this path and we have kept in touch since.


Then you all know I embarked on more runs within the U.S. over the next several months.


My second trip to London put me smack dab in the middle of East London...Not quite the travelers destination but I managed to run again along the Thames River only on the warehouse side by the Excel Conference Center. I was a bit skeptical about running the other parts of East London because it's sort of a ghetto and unless I wanted to run with a kitchen knife up my sleeve I didn't venture off the beaten path, that's for sure!


So, since the scenery around the route was not picturesque, I did not take any photos. I just ran and enjoyed the sound of cars whizzing past and the smell of exhaust fumes in my nose...ah, the city! 


East London is a bit drab but does offer some good running when it comes to urban terrain. I got to run up, over and down metro track bridges and through fences...Yep, I took a wrong turn. I could see my destination and wanted to reach it. Since the shortest distance between two points is a strait, I ran through a fence, under an overpass, through a warehouse parking lot, up and over a bridge for the metro and across the street where I landed smack dab right in front of the Custom House Hotel Doors where I was perched for a few days during the conference!


So, needless to say, I got my run in London complete. Then it was off to my next stop...FRANCE! Vive la France! I got to run in Nantes! I'll tell you about that next time!


Until then, keep running!