Friday, December 31, 2010

Done and Done!

(Relentless Boot Camp featured in Austin Fit's Kick Mo's Butt- read the article HERE).

Excellence, wherever... and within whomever you may find it, is always a result of effort... never by accident. -Guy Finley

2010 ended with a BANG. CrossFit Central was voted  Best Training Studio with 87% of the votes and Relentless Boot Camp came in 2nd as the Best Boot Camp in Austin Fit's Best of Health & Fitness December issue.  I am so thankful to be a part of this community!

2011 is right around the corner and my goals are written out and now the revisions are taking place daily. Every year I truly believe more and more in the goals I write down, and that they will happen. In 2010 I wrote that I wanted Relentless Boot Camps to be recognized as a top boot camp in Austin (done & done), and that I wanted to win 2010 Coach of the Year at CrossFit Central (done & done). There is power in writing down goals, but most importantly, TAKING ACTION.

As my Dad would always say growing up, Character is the quiet moments out of the spotlight when on one else is looking. This quote was a driving force for me this year when days were tough.

A big thank you to Coach Jeremy Thiel for the support, mentoring, encouragement, and tough love in 2010. WATCH OUT 2011!!!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Miracles do Exist



I had to take a moment on my blog to celebrate my alumna's success. My good 'ole Baylor Bears are in a Bowl game for the 1st time in 15 years! Tomorrow at 5:00pm GAME ON. Miracles do exist.

Did any of your football teams make it to the playoffs? We all know the Longhorns are staying at home =).

SIC'EM!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Tomato Soup--kind of...


One of the top reasons I live in Austin is due to the hot weather; however, there are sporadic moments and a few months where the weather is too cold for my own liking. In those cases, I like to enjoy warm soup. The other night I did not want to run to the store, so I warmed up tomato sauce and added a few extra ingredients.


Tomato Soup-
Bertolli Tomato Sauce
Kalamata olives
Sauteed spinach
Avocado slices



Thursday, December 23, 2010

Cheers to 2010!


Cheers to an amazing 2010 and an even more exciting 2011. Athletes in the Relentless Boot Camps I coach joined together for a Christmas party to celebrate all the success of this year, make new friends, and SHOWOUT! Each one of these individuals have made a huge impact in my life and shaped me as the woman I am today. Have I mentioned how blessed I am???!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Holiday Workouts

 pictured: Myself and Relentless Boot Camp coaches at UTB

Keep on trucking through the holiday! Below are 6 workouts to keep you on point during our 2 week break. I look forward to seeing everyone ready to kick it into a new gear this New Year on January 3rd. 3, 2, 1 GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Workout #1-
10 pushups
10 thrusters
9 pushups
9 thrusters...all the way down to 1

3 rounds-
10 (right, left) 1-arm overhead squats
10 push press
Run

Workout #2
3 rounds-
10 American swings
20 mountain climbers
short run

21-15-9 (perform 21 reps of everything, then 15, then 9)
Sumo deadlift high pull
Walking lunge with KB in front rack position
Russian swing
2-handed KB clean

Monday, December 20, 2010

Skinny Tito's Holiday Drink





Why I drink Skinny drinks, specifically Tito's...


A vodka drink (one shot) has as little as 55 calories, zero carbs, zero fat, and is deemed by many as the cleanest type of alcohol. 

If you go vodka, you may as well go with the best.  Tito’s is recommended because:
  • distilled 6 times (3 more than most vodkas) –rendering the nectar of the alcohol without toxins found in most other brands 
  • made in a batch process in an old fashioned pot still – like fine Cognacs and scotches 
  • every batch is tasted and qualified by Tito himself 
  • 100% corn with no additives, so it is guaranteed totally gluten-free

As Tito puts it, no “squinch face” and no headaches (with proper hydration techniques, of course).

Tito’s has won the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, beating 71 vodkas from around the world and just was recognized as the world’s best vodka and tonic at New York’s Cocktail Challenge. Tito’s is made in Austin, TX, goes down smooth and treats you right the day after. 

My favorite Skinny Tito's drink-
1 part Titos 
2 parts Club soda
2-3 fresh squeezed limes
salt on the rim




Friday, December 17, 2010

Workout before breakfast...


Merrily in the 5:30am Tu/Th class at Deep Eddy Park sent me an article regarding the benefits of exercising before breakfast. The author writes,

In other words, working out before breakfast directly combated the two most detrimental effects of eating a high-fat, high-calorie diet. It also helped the men avoid gaining weight. 

Check out the article HERE. What are your thoughts?

Try out one of our 22 locations around Austin and start your morning off on the right foot this New Year.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Running...


Running long and hard is an ideal antidepressant, since it's hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. Also, there are those hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run. -Monte Davis

I run my very 1st 1/2 marathon in February. Over the next few months I am changing my interval training days on the track to more distance on the road or mile repeats. My friend & fellow boot camper, Michelle, emailed me the quote above. It reminded me of when I was in high school and I would go on a long run after getting upset with my parents, arguing with a boyfriend, or just having a lousy day. The endorphins truly do go to work and clarity appears.

I am excited to watch my mental toughness and physical endurance increase over the next few months. Training at SICFIT Austin and 1 (maybe 2) days per week of longer runs, and I will be ready to crush the Austin 1/2!


Watch out friends for all the mental clarity that is to come over the next few months!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Fried Green Tomatoes

Big, red, juicy tomatoes are on sale so I bought a few. Instead of how I regular use tomatoes in a salad, I decided to make some good 'ole soul food, and it was simple.

Ingredients:
Tomatoes
Almond flour
Egg
coconut oil

Directions:
Dip tomato slices in egg. Shake excess egg off tomato slice. Dip in almond flour. Place breaded tomato in skillet greased with a tad bit of coconut oil to prevent sticking. Cook about 2 minutes on each side. BAM. Fried green tomatoes. I enjoyed mine with sauteed spinach and a grass-fed hamburger patty.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Changed my life...

BEFORE

AFTER

Norma participated in the 1st Annual Trojan Challenge last year. I saw first hand how impacting 8 weeks of relentless kettlebell coaching, nutrition guidance, and team camaraderie from peers changed her completely. She writes--

"The Trojan Challenge CHANGED MY LIFE! It changed my eating, changed my mentality about working out---I can do exercises now that I was afraid of at one point. I am more confident now than ever before. I signed up again this year to take it to the next level!"


There is still time to commit to the 2nd year of the Trojan Challenge and kick off 2011 with a bang, reach your goals, and get fit! MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Page 61

Be the 1st 25 people to make moves NOW and not wait until January and receive 15% off a Relentless Boot Camp kettlebell and up to $30 off boot camp-- AND be entered into a December prize drawing. Find the ad on page 61 of Austin Fit and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

What makes you happy???

 
Coach Lisa Thiel, Me, and Emily Baker-- HAPPINESS!

I receive emails weekly from Success Magazine. Yesterday this email showed up in my inbox, and I took the time to read it. It was exactly what I needed to read at that very moment. I whole heartedly admit I fall short to all 3 traps, but the 1st trap explained below hit home. One of my strengths is also my biggest weakness---perfection. Living in a when I (fill in the blank), I will be happy” syndrome is shorting me from life.


When I am financially free, I will be happy.
When Relentless Boot Camps are a well-oiled, #1 branded outdoor program in the world, I will be happy.
When I truly fall in love, I will be happy.
When I can do a muscle-up, I will be happy.
When I can buy a new car,  I will be happy.
When I can do 20 consecutive pull-ups, I will be happy.
When I can give back as much as I receive, I will be happy. 
The list is endless. You get my point.

All I have is now. I choose happiness. From nothing, who I am is the possibility of happiness!

Which trap is hindering you the most? I highlighted the most profound statements for me below.
___________________________________

THE HEAD GAMES OF HAPPINESS


What makes you happy... really?

That’s a serious question… maybe one of the most important questions of your life. But did you know most people can’t answer it correctly?

In his book Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard professor Dan Gilbert explains that most of us think we know what makes us happy, but typically we are wrong.

I have found there are three major traps in which you might be unknowingly making yourself unhappy.

The first unhappiness trap is postponing happiness. The “when I (fill in the blank), I will be happy” syndrome. The reality is happiness, isn’t something to be acquired in the future. You are either happy now or not; “then” never arrives. Living and striving for “then” results in a constant state of unhappiness. Now is the only time you have to be happy. If you can’t be happy now, you most certainly will not be happy later.
Now is the only time you have to be happy. If you can’t be happy now, you most certainly will not be happy later.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Go Ruthie!


Ruthie in the Tu/Th 8am Relentless Boot Camp at Barton Hills Elementary climbed the highest point in TX--8,749 feet.

Ruthie writes, "It was a practice hike to test our gear for the Kili climb. We camped near the Guadalupe Peak summit in 14 degree weather to make sure our gear could well, keep us alive and warm through the night. Everything went well, obviously. Except all our water was frozen solid in the mornings! We spent our days hiking around the range to get used to the physical strain.

Now, in Africa we won't have to carry all our gear around like on this trip, but it will be higher with less oxygen. This trip was to a Texas desert and we had to carry gallons and gallons of water, our tent and sleeping gear with us everywhere we went. It was 40lbs on each of our backs the entire time. In Africa they carry your gear for you so it will hopefully be easier in that regard. And there are fresh water springs on Kilimanjaro. So we won't have to carry ALL our water around. Also no open fires allowed in Texas National Parks so no camp fire to warm up around. It was an experience!

I'm not gonna lie and say it was a cake walk. It was a struggle sometimes, but we learned a lot, our gear worked well and it really was a great experience to help prepare for the big climb. I don't know if I could have done it before the hundreds of squats and lunges during CrossFit. Thanks!! Hope your thanksgiving was wonderful and inspiring as well!!"


Ruthie and her husband are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in March in celebration of their wedding anniversary. What did you do over Thanksgiving to stay active?

I ran the Thanksgiving 5K Fun Run with CrossFit Central and did a family workout with my sisters on Friday in my garage gym---lots of burpees!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Turkey Burpee Hustle

Sarah in the M/W 6:15pm class at Little Stacy Park took on the 100 day Burpee challenge all by herself. She had a burning desire to improve her endurance with this exercise, and I could not pick a better way to see progress.  Today (Thanksgiving Day) is Day 100.

Sarah exemplifies dedication, strength, and fun. When she puts her mind to something, she makes it happen. No excuses. Congrats, Sarah, for taking on this Challenge and seeing it through completion. The end results are apparent in class each week. I am so proud!

Check out the workout below she came up with to knock out her 100 burpees and some to grow on with her family today.

Turkey Burpee Hustle-
10 - 1 burpees and american swings
Run a lap
10 - 1 burpees and situps
Run a lap
10 - 1 burpees and squats
Run a lap
10 - 1 burpees and pushups

That's a total of 210 burpees! I challenge each of you to do this workout today. I will be completing it this weekend.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil


Coach Heather and I each bought 1 gallon tubs of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil and our order arrived today. Woohooo!!! I am so excited to have this oil just in time for Thanksgiving and to start implementing again in my diet. It is by far the best coconut oil I have ever bought. I tried all kinds of different brands from Whole Foods and Sun Harvest and none match up to the flavor and purity of this oil. I dare you to try it and see what you think.


TOP TEN REASONS Why I love Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil: 
1) Unrefined coconut oil. 

2) This coconut oil is made on Mt. Banahaw and surrounding areas from organic coconuts. 

3) Coconuts are used fresh (within 24-48 hours of harvest) from small family farms on Mt. Banahaw and other rural places in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines.

4) Only the highest quality coconuts are hand-picked from each harvest. The volcanic soil of Mt. Banahaw makes these organic coconuts some of the most nutritionally rich coconuts in the world!

5) Testing done in independent laboratories reveals higher levels of phenolic antioxidants than other coconut oils. 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Holiday Hustlers

Rachel thanked me with farm-fresh eggs from her chicken coop and Kale salad. Rachel lost 2lbs, 2%  body fat, and 11 inches!!!

Marcy took matter into her own hands and had me take before & after pics. Marcy lost 5lbs, 3% body fat, and 6 inches! Pictures say it all.

I truly enjoyed the Lean Turkey Challenge. I had the opportunity to coach athletes I would never coach. The Holiday Hustlers kicked A$$ over the 6 weeks! One of the biggest lessons learned over the 6 weeks was balance--it is absolutely possible to lean up amongst the the holiday season. No need to have an all or nothing attitude and relying on the statement, "I'll start in the New Year." These 6 athletes proved it can happen NOW!

We got 4th place on the workout yesterday and everyone saw significant results. Debbie lost 5lbs, dropped to 19.7% body fat, and lost 5inches. More results from Ashok, Kelly, & Autumn will be posted in a few days.

Nice work, Holiday Hustlers!


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

#1 Boot Camp in Austin


(chanting) RELENTLESS...RELENTLESS...RELENTLESS...RELENTLESS...RELENTLESS

Relentless Boot Camps  and CrossFit Central are nominated for Austin Fit Magazine's 2010 Best of Austin Awards. We need your help with a vote and sharing the word with friends.

I have seen first hand how Relentless Boot Camp has changed lives of many of our athletes from the inside and out. I am honored to coach around 70 of our boot campers each week. Vote for us and show Austin who delivers the BEST product not only in the city but the world. The possibilities are endless.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

True Self


I met some phenomenal people last weekend at Landmark's Advance Course in Austin. Brett was in my small group for the weekend and now a part of my life forever. He is an amazing young man with profound insight. Below is a quote he revamped after the weekend.

"Your true self can be apparent at all times. However, for most people it is only shown in parts of their life. It is not until they have discovered the greatness that lies within themselves, and that they can accept themselves for everything they are and everything they are not. It is then that true transformation can occur in not only their life, but in the world as well."- Brett Moore 

FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Celebrate

 
There is power in community. Max, Susan, & Karen are in the 5:30am Tu/Th Deep Eddy class and Cristine is one of my newest personal training clients. This group works together, hangs out together, and works out together. 
 
We met up on Election night to support every one's hard work over the past year in fitness and career. Susan and Karen joined Relentless boot camp over a year ago and have now referred over 6 people to our classes. As Demosthenes says..."Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." 
 
 

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Declaration

My new friend, Becky, from Landmark
Statements of declaration are powerful. Declaration is defined as a positive, explicit, or formal statement; proclamation. I DECLARE...

  • I am whole, complete, and perfect.
  • Money does not limit me.
  • I live with integrity.
  • I do not avoid looking bad to look good.
  • I play BIG.
  • Anything is possible.
  • I do not take things personally.
  • I receive.
  • I have a new found love and passion for my job--clarity
  • I meet people where they are and not try to change them. New possibilities!
  • I am vulnerable.
  • I am abundant.
  • I am dynamic.
What do you declare?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Beet Treats

Laura in the 5:30am Tu/Th Deep Eddy class is the Chef of Creativity. Check out the recipe below. She brought me a treat to class last week and it was amazing. The original name was Beet Brownie, but the 2 words together freaked me out so we switched it too Laura's Funky Beet Treats =). Enjoy!

BEET TREATS:
1/2 cup roasted pureed beets
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup ground cacao (not cocoa)
4 TB Butter melted  (also substitute with Ghee)2 eggs
1/3 cup raw sugar (Laura used Truvia actually)
1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
2 TB flax seeds, ground
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup walnuts chopped (Laura used pecans)
 
Dump all the ingredients above accept the chopped walnuts in the mixer, mix, then fold the walnuts in at the end. Pour into 12 muffin tins with muffin liners and bake at about 375 degrees for approx 30 min (until knife inserted in middle came out clean). Good luck!




Monday, November 8, 2010

Now that's Relentless


Post workout pic after a Relentless workout in the 8:30am MWF Lake Pointe class. Kettlbells, pistols, squats, pushups, running, ball slams, presses...

 How Relentless are your workouts each week? 

Send pics to info@relentlessbootcamp.com for us to post on the Relentless Boot Camp website.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Strong Chick Fuel

Coach Jess, Coach Jen, and I being showouts at the Women's-Only Challenge

Check out the new blog by the CrossFit Central Women coaches---Just Like Mom Never Made. Daily each of us receive emails asking what we eat for meals, snacks, on-the-go, where we shop. This blog sums it all up in one useful resource. Check daily to see what the women of CrossFit Central are eating to fuel their body, perform at peak levels, and how to have a showout social life in the realm of nutritious eating. No more excuses of "what can I eat today?"

Friday, November 5, 2010

Do you Stretch

Can we say----CRAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZY???!!!!

We all often skip stretching at the end of our workouts because we either run out of time or don't understand how important stretching really is. All of us are guilty of it sometimes, and then we sit around wondering why we didn't recover as quickly as we usually do.

Why Stretch???

1. Improves range of motion in joints--  If the muscles are tight (shortened range of motion) you may develop little tears in the muscles which will make you more prone to injury. Stretching at the end of your workout allows you to lengthen the muscles and increase your range of motion within the joint, resulting in increased flexibility over time.

2. Speed up recovery--  Stretching keeps you looser for future workouts. It will reduce muscle soreness, stiffness, and even improve your performance. This can be valuable for individuals who are training and want to avoid time lost to injury. Faster recovery equals better workouts in the future, period!

3. Reduces injury-- When warm muscles are stretched, you increase performance, can reduce the risk for future injury, and increase overall flexibility.  Avoid stretching when muscles are cold, to ward off strains, cramping, and setbacks due to injuries.

Try these static stretches at home.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

GREENS!!!

The picture above are the green veggies I just bought from Sun Harvest. The pile of greens is just enough for a max of 3 days and that is only for ME. I didn't even include the onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, and the zucchini.

I cannot emphasize enough how vital it is to eat your vegetables, especially green leafy ones!!! I challenge you this week to make a trip to the local Farmers Market or grocery store and buy yourself some greens. I eat something green at breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day.

What is your favorite way to include greens in your meals?