The Power of Positive Thinking

The entire coaching staff at CrossFit Central read The Power of Positive Thinking. I absolutely loved the book. Every chapter was full of real-life examples of individuals who had met with Norman Vincent Peale, scripture, and profound statements. I did not want to forget the wealth of information I read so I took all the scriptures and affirmations found in the book and made myself note cards (see the picture above).  I keep the note cards in my car and read a new card each morning. The message on the card gets my mind right for the day and provides direction for a morning prayer. I can honestly say this has helped me tremendously over the past month. Good stuff in equals good stuff out.

How do you start the day off on the right foot?

Relentless Traveler

Ginger attends my Tu/Th 6:30am Athletic Training class at O.Henry. I love when clients send me pics while on vacation that show them in their workout clothes, especially tropical one's since I am a Sun Goddess =). Below is a little email from Ginger post workout...

Email Subject line read: Burpees in Costa Rica
And pushups, situps, squats, and running.  Just hoping the dirt on my legs was parasite free. Maybe you can come visit us when we move down here -- it's muddy and extremely humid here, but incredibly gorgeous and not very hot most of the time...Tell everybody hi.

Are you traveling this summer? If so, the natural surroundings can be your best friend to get in a workout. Get creative and be Relentless while on vacation.

Chlorophyll

After Jeremy, Big Mike, and Travis returned from a 10-day conference in Fiji with Tony Robbins, they brought back a wealth of knowledge on the importance of alkalinity. Below are characteristics that exist within an acidic culture and an alkaline environment.

ACIDIC ENVIRONMENT- based out of fear

• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Frustration
• Lack of sleep
• Sickness
• Anger
• Stress

ALKALINE ENVIRONMENT- based out of love & passion

• Easy
• Fun
• Happy
• Clarity
• Harmony
• Trust
• Energy
• Relaxed
• Empowered
• Focus

I know I want to be living in an alkaline state at all times, and Jeremy challenged our staff to be doing the same. We all tested our acidity using pH test strips. The 1st time I tested it I was wayyyyyyyyy acidic. I'm still convinced I messed up; however, the past two times I've tested my acidity levels I've been at 7.2 and 7.0--->ALKALINE. Go here for more details on a pH balance ranges..

One thing I added to my normal routine is 1TB of Chlorophyll to my water. I found my bottle of Chlorofresh (pictured above) at Whole Food's. It has a mint flavor and is very refreshing. Chlorophyll acts as an internal deodorant. It helps to balance glucose levels, is a high alkaline source, and balances pH. I recommend anyone adding this to their daily regimen, especially those that test acidic.

If you don't know where to start to get alkaline, go here for a detailed listing of acidic and alkaline foods. I choose to live in the culture of love and passion. Here's to thriving in an alkaline state!

Watermelons

Tu/Th 6:30am O.Henry Athletic Training

 I am fortunate enough to coach individuals who show up day in and day out regardless of the weather conditions. Rain, cold, humidity, hot--- everyone comes to class ready to work hard. I wish you could have seen this picture up close directly after the workout, everyone was literally drenched. On Tuesday I wanted to celebrate 4th of July and each of my athletes with a simple, yet cold and refreshing treat-- WATERMELON. Who would have thought that watermelon would taste so good after a hard, sweaty workout.

Here's to the amazing individuals I coach and to many more watermelon surprises!

My personal battle with PCOS

Ignorance is bliss BUT knowledge is power.

One in ten women has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common reproductive abnormality in premenopausal women, putting them at higher risk for both cardiovascular disease and diabetes. PCOS is also the most common cause of infertility. 

I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries when I was 20 but at that point did not have the full blown syndrome. I studied PCOS in graduate school and wrote a few published papers on the topic. With that being said, PCOS is no foreign ailment to me. 

Over the past 6 months I have noticed a change in my body; pretty much when I turned 31 in January. Nothing drastic but I know I'm not the same as I was a year ago. The business I'm in it's easy & vital to know when things are not right. I recently had blood tests run at my annual exam, and I was shocked with the results of my estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels. LOW is not even the correct verb to described the extent of how low my estrogen and progesterone are and the imbalance of my hormones at the moment. I decided to start doing some of my own research to get a handle on the situation before it gets out of hand.

One website, PCOSinfo, states--- there is no cure for PCOS…yet. There are many ways to treat and control the side affects. Read more. 

Thankfully I have an amazing career, coach phenomenal clients, have the best friends & family any girl could want, and get to workout consistently so I don't lose my mind trying to figure out how to fix this problem. Over the next few months I will be chronicling natural remedies I am trying; appointments and herbs prescribed by my acupuncturist; discussions and/or appointments I have with MDs and NDs; and any other research I come across. I will not take drugs that say they can fix the problem when in reality all the drug(s) does is mask the problem.

Like I stated above, I can either wallow in the fact that my hormones are out of whack and I have multiple symptoms of PCOS, or I can equip myself with knowledge and fix this problem once and for all and help others gals along the way.

Let's do this! 

Good Buys

I made a trip to the new Whole Foods out in Bee Caves after my 8:30am MWF Relentless Athletic Training class at Lake Pointe. If you are looking for a treat to combat a sweet tooth without taking 10 steps backward toward your fitness goals, then try out these Ginger Snaps by Go Raw. They are made with organic coconut, sprouted organic sesame seeds, organic dates, & organic ginger powder. Delish! Check out additional flavors HERE.

Another life saver for me has been the boiled-peeled-and-ready-to-go eggs from Costco. My wonderful client, Mary, bought me 4 dozen on Friday and they are just perfect. The price is only slightly higher than regular eggs but you avoid all the time of boiling and peeling. If you are big on fresh farm eggs then this would not be the most suitable, but if you are looking for convenience then make a trip to Costco.

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

40 Burpee Buy in

 My 5:30am & 6:30am O.Henry and 8am Barton Hills Athletic Training classes took on Michelle's 40th Birthday WOD today, and it was a doozie. Michelle is a dear friend of mine and has been in Relentless Training for close to 3 years. My goal is to be in shape just like her by the time I turn 40, which is closer than I realize--> 9 years to go!

40th Birthday WOD
Buy-in: 40 burpees

O.Henry class took off from the school and ran up the hill on 12th St. to Meriden and back.
Barton Hills class ran up Wilke and back.
1 round-
40 American/Russian swings (alternating back & forth)
40 thrusters
40 dips
40 frog jumps
Finish with the same run from above.

The workout took anywhere from 23-28 minutes. I was very proud of all my athletes today! I have some brand new gals who just joined from our 6-Week Boot Camp and they did awesome. You are never too out of shape or too fast to get in a Relentless workout. We meet you right where you are and push it to the limit.

Email me at meganparsons@crossfitcentral.com to try one of my classes complimentary.

Pesto

Pesto

My personal training client, Melodee, is a whizz in the kitchen. She can whip up the most amazing different dishes with only a few small ingredients. The key is her fresh herbs from her garden. After summer is over I will plant an herb garden in my backyard. One of the best things about training Melodee at her house in the backyard is the smell of fresh basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano all around us. I whipped up something similar to what she calls Garlic Paste.

Ingredients:
~12 garlic cloves
Fresh spinach
Olives
Basil

Olive oil
Add lemon juice if the pesto is too spicy from the garlic

Directions: Add garlic cloves to food processor and chop until the cloves are almost mush. Slowly pour in olive oil while mixing. Do not pour the olive oil too fast or the paste will turn into a runny mess. I also added fresh spinach, olives, and basil to the food processor. Add ingredients until you reach the consistency desired.

I added my Pesto to fresh tomato and basil seasoned with sea salt and pepper. It's also great with any source of protein. Think of the pesto as your "fat" with a meal. Enjoy!

Respect for our fire fighters

Fight for Air this year was the best one yet. I was greeted Saturday morning by the fabulous, Lina, and she was just the person I needed to see when I walked up to Frost Bank. My drive to the race was a bit emotional. Reflecting on the death of my Poppie only 2 months ago and the recent lung cancer diagnosis of my Mima made this event hit very close to home. Life is short and you never know when today is the last time you will see someone you dearly love. A few tears later and I was ready to go.

I suited up in full on fire gear--- boots, pants, jacket, and a 30lb tank. All together everything weighed an additional 55lbs. I voted to not wear the helmet. The biggest difference with the fire gear on was the heat. WOW. It was hot. I have a new found respect for firemen. I was only wearing the gear and not carrying a water hose or a person over my shoulder and running into a burning building---that's next level. Richard, Jeff, and Larry who train with Coach Travis at RedBlack Gym were great! They helped me get suited up and hooked me up with the gear.

I finished the race in 8:02. Only 3:30 slower than last year but with completely different elements. I was super pleased with my time and received a ton of high fives when I finished.  Check out pictures from the race on Saturday HERE.

Gratitude List

I started a Gratitude List about 2 weeks ago. I've had numerous people tell me how impactful this simple daily habit is on their lives. Coach Carey Kepler told me about the Gratitude List a good 2 years ago; I read about it in the The Power of Positive Thinking, and then on a Monday night when watching the final episode of Lifeclass with Oprah, Tony Robbins, and Deepak Chopra something clicked. I was sitting on the couch and chose immediately to start a daily Gratitude List.

In a few short weeks this list has opened my eyes to so many things. The goal is to write 5 things you are grateful for each day. On the 1st day I could not stop writing. I wrote well over 10. The irony behind the journal I am recording my Gratitude List is completely entertaining. The journal is one I've had since I moved to Austin in September 2006. I went back and read excerpts from when I first moved to Austin. I could not stop laughing at what I was reading. Friends, my job, boys, life--- all of it now is so ridiculous and I immediately wrote at that moment that I was grateful for how much I've grown and am learning daily about myself. That is one reason why I think journals are so powerful-- reflection and celebration. When I go back and read excerpts from the past it is affirmation that I am on the right track and moving one step closer to my dreams each day.

Today I am grateful for...

• the freedom to be able to do my computer work and meet with Adam outside on Whole Foods patio
•  my 1st day back to my track workouts in over 2 months with my new track buddy, tinyFIT
• all the donations I have received for Fight for Air in less than 24 hours
• a peace that surpasses all understanding
• my roommates

I challenge you to start a Gratitude List today, especially if you are someone who thinks their life is absolutely miserable and you are in the pits of despair. You will be amazed at what you will come up with daily. There may be a day where you are simply grateful for the breath you can breathe. Start somewhere. Post in the comments sections what you are grateful for today. Let's do this together.