From An Outside Eye: The Suffering of Plague, and the Plague of Suffering

Here’s a lesson on suffering from the OnSugar blog An Outside Eye . In my last blog I went on and on about how, when I finally succumbed to the plague for the first time this season, I took pristine, unwavering, ferocious care of myself and immediately started to feel better. But alas, that wasn’t the end of the story. On day two of my plague, I decided to brave leaving the house in order to go to my Buddhism class at Spirit Rock. I bundled up, made a thermos of hot herbal tea, turned the heat as high as it would go in the Subie, and off I went. That night, our class was all about the First Noble Truth: There is suffering. As I sat through the dharma talk, I got colder and colder, and sniffier and sniffier, and felt more and more like dying. The next morning, I woke up with amplified, exponential plague. I totally get that suffering is optional. I totally get that it’s the story we create around our experience that causes suffering. I totally get that, with practice, we can step back and disassociate ourselves from the suffering. I know all these things in theory. But in practice it’s a whole different story. I’m not sure if it’s ironic or apropos that the morning after the dharma talk on suffering, I felt more suffering than I’ve ever felt in my life (yes, I’m exaggerating, obviously). To find out what Joslyn learned about suffering continue reading.

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From An Outside Eye: The Suffering of Plague, and the Plague of Suffering

Ginnifer Goodwin Has Big Love For Veganism

I’m a big fan of Ginnifer Goodwin, mostly because I love Margene, her character on the hit HBO series Big Love . Margene brings a wide-eyed naivete to the show, and to me seems like a very unlikely candidate for polygamy. After all, she was the babysitter. In real life, Ginnifer joins a growing list of celebs - think Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone - who are vegan. While the thought of giving up all things animal might seem difficult for some, Ginnifer recently shared with 21-Day Vegan Kickstart that going vegan isn’t as hard as most people think. Here’s what I learned about going vegan from Ginnifer’s own transition into the lifestyle. You can live without cheese . Ginnifer says that before becoming vegan she knew without a doubt that she could “absolutely, positively could never give up cheese.” She was wrong. Not only did she manage to ween herself off of “cheeseburgers, pizza, and macaroni and cheese,” she got some family members in on the action too. “Now two of my four parents have gone vegan. They see the impact a plant-based diet has had on my life and want to live more healthfully and happily, too.” Food is more enjoyable . “Your taste buds will awake, and you can eat more without gaining weight!” It’s the responsible thing to do . Once she learned the drawbacks of eating factory-farmed meat , Ginnifer knew she had to go vegan. She admits it was not only an easy choice, but one that was “practical and reasonable” too. It’s easy, everyone is doing it . Since veganism has really taken off, Ginnifer says that everything you need to start is already out there. “Go online to discover accidentally-vegan foods you’ve always enjoyed and how to order vegan meals at restaurants you already frequent. Learn about new products and ask your local grocery to carry them. They will.” If you think you can’t live without cheese, then try making my vegan mac-n-cheese .

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Ginnifer Goodwin Has Big Love For Veganism

[Forum] Need Help With Motivation and Self-control

I’m 21 years old and I know weigh 210 pounds and am 5′6. Pretty much my whole life I thought I was fat. My mom had an eating disorder for many years and she’s obsessed with working out and eating the bare minimum now. My dad has struggled a little with weight but he’s a very busy business man and can’t find the time to always go to the gym. Nobody in my family is obese, weight has never been a huge issue. My parents always told me I needed to workout, so therefore I always thought I was big. I didn’t choose the best foods to eat when I was young, but I never over ate. I was active in basketball and baseball, then P.E. in jr.high. Then during and after high school I started to party, and stopped doing sports, etc. I still was not fat. Looking back at pictures during that time, makes me so sad. I went to hawaii about 3 years ago with my family and I was so miserable there bcuz I felt like I had never been this fat and I didnt want to walk around in a bathing suit. I look at those pictures now and I kick myself big time for not flaunting what I had bcuz I had a good body, no one ever told me. So throughout the years, I kept gradually gaining weight. I’ve developed a habit of craving food at night time. I’ve turned into a closet eater. I will go buy snacks and then hide them in my room until everyone goes to bed, then I bring them out and eat them. I don’t eat in excess in front of my family. I feel too embarrassed. I was in a bad emotionally abuse relationship from summer 2007 until pretty recently and that, according to my mom, is when I really started putting on weight. He made me feel like he could have any girl he wants, that he didn’t need me. He had a way of yelling and making me feel so ugly and worthless. But I never left. He was an alcoholic and I felt the want and need to be there to try and help him. I know it wasn’t my position and you can’t help someone that doesn’t want to help themselves. I wanted to be the first girl in his life to actually make a difference. As the months passed, the fights progressed. He eventually started breaking things in the house (we lived together), he called me every bad name in the book, and then he started calling me fat. That was the killer for me. ANYTHING but that. I started feeling so ashamed of myself, embarassed to ever eat infront of him. I feel like I started putting on the pounds when I was with him because he beat my self esteem down so bad that I had a whole in my heart and my head. I think I turned to food because I’m not interested in drinking (my mom is also has an alcohol problem, so it turns me off), I want nothing to do with drugs, and what else is there? I didn’t know what to do for comfort or for an escape. I suppose food did that for me. Now days, I struggle to go to the gym. I’m a member at the women only gym, Curves. Its an absolutely great program and you really have no excuse to not go. This is my 3rd time signing up, I’ve quit every other time. I usually have a good 2 weeks of eating smaller portions and better foods, drinking 4 bottles of water a day, then something always happens or a switch goes off in my brain and I stop all of it. And that is what I do NOT understand what so ever. I know that I need to lose weight, I know what I need to do, WHY can’t I do it? I wanted to tell my whole story on here just so everyone could get a better perspective about my life and issues. I’ve never told anyone my weight or my life, so I thought maybe this could turn into a positive thing. I would love to get advice on how to help myself, motivate myself, anything at all. Thank you very much for reading

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[Forum] Need Help With Motivation and Self-control

The Transformation of Kelly Osbourne

I have to admit that I’ve never been a fan of Kelly Osbourne, but after reading her interview in the latest issue of Us Weekly , I’m a convert. The singer talks in detail about the hard work she went through to transform herself from a size 14 to a size two. I love that Kelly did it in a totally manageable and healthy way, and has such a kick-ass attitude about everything she’s been through. Focusing on a healthy diet and exercise plan, the 5-foot-2 star lost an amazing 42 pounds. Most importantly, she has let go of the shame she’s carried for years because of her weight. Check out the highlights below. How Dancing With the Stars changed her life . “He [ DWTS partner Louis van Amstel] made me work out, practice six times a day and get fit. I fought him the whole time, but at the end of the show I realized he was right. It worked.” On working out .  “After DWTS ended I followed the Bar Method and now I do that three times a week at least. Not every day. I don’t have that kind of dedication. Working out sucks. You sweat and you stick, but then you’re done - and then you see that just taking an hour three times a week can change you so much. It becomes addictive.” To find out what Kelly’s eating and how her self-esteem has changed, read more. On eating well . “You don’t have to count calories. Just make sure what you’re eating is good food. You can eat as much good food as you want if you’re careful. I try to have no carbohydrates unless they’re natural, such as apples. No bread, no pasta and real sugar . . . what that does to you is incredible. I lost five pounds in one week just by eliminating starchy carbs and soda.” Why dieting doesn’t work . “If you want to lose weight for good, you need to make a commitment to a life change. You have to say, ‘I’m just not going to eat that anymore. I’m going to change my bad habits.’ Otherwise, you’ll spend the rest of your life yo-yoing and you’ll be miserable. By no means is it easy. Getting in shape is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” On loving who she sees today . “When I look in the mirror now, it’s really different. For the first time, I look at myself and I’m really proud to not hate every single thing that I see. What has made this process so healthy and interesting to me is that it’s been a whole transformation. It’s like this feeling disappeared that I had carried around with me for so long.” To hear more about Kelly’s amazing transformation, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly , which hits newsstands today.

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The Transformation of Kelly Osbourne

Jessica Simpson Slams Weight Obsession in Allure

In the March issue of Allure magazine , Jessica Simpson seems to have come into her own. Fresh off the heels of filming the reality show The Price of Beauty , the actress gives the finger to America’s obsession with weight: “It’s disgusting. My job is to be creative, and I’m not weighing in for anybody.” Over the years, she’s endured a ton of scrutiny for her weight. There was of course the infamous Jeansgate scandal , which was cause for the media to pounce on her like a starved lion. Talking about that time in her life, Jessica says, “I would not wish on my worst enemy what I went through.” But Jessica gets the last laugh. She’s looking better than ever in her cover shoot: poised, svelte (no doubt from all that boxing she’s been doing ), and calm. She’s also traded her sweet side for a bit of snark: “When I walk through an airport and people go, ‘You’re not fat!’ I’m like, ‘Thanks. Thanks. That’s great. Good to know I’m not fat today. Thank you!’”

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Jessica Simpson Slams Weight Obsession in Allure

Cardio 101: Endurance, Intervals, Fitness

Variety is the spice the life, and your cardio workouts, which hopefully are a part of your regular life, are no different. Spinning your wheels at the exact same speed each workout is not only boring for your mind, but your body as well. As your body acclimates to your workout, you begin to plateau - meaning you’re not challenging yourself as much as you could, and you’re not burning as many calories as you could be. All that wasted potential . . . Don’t waste your time on a single track cardio plan; your aerobic life plan should be a mix of endurance, fitness, and interval training. You shouldn’t just hop on the elliptical or hit the streets and do the same routine every session - you need to mix it up. Here are three types of workouts you should include in your cardio life. Endurance : Maintaining a steady and somewhat slower pace for a longer duration is an endurance workout. Aim to work out for at least 40 to 60 minutes maintaining a target heart rate of 60-70 percent of your max (check my calculator to learn your max heart rate). This type of workout is good for burning both fat and calories . Endurance workouts are great for ” recovery ” workout, the day after an intense workout. Try running on flat ground for at least 40 minutes at a nice steady pace. Add five minutes on to your run each week until you’re running for a full hour. To see the other two, just read more. Fitness : Short and intense workouts to increase cardiovascular fitness are fitness workouts. For these workouts you work at a consistent and intense pace for a short period of time. Keep your heart rate between 75 and 85 percent of your max for 20 minutes. A tempo run is a great example of this kind of workout. You will burn the maximum number of calories in a shorter period of time. Doing just this type of workout can lead to injury, since you are pushing your body, heart, joints, and muscles beyond your comfort zone. Once you have warmed up, put the speed of the treadmill a couple of notches past your comfort zone and run for 20 minutes. Don’t forget to cool down. Interval : I love interval training since it is a blend of both endurance and fitness training. It challenges the cardiovascular system by alternating intensities. It also increases your metabolism and will burn calories and fat. Here is a challenging interval workout: interval sprints on treadmill . No matter what type of cardio you fancy, these three types of workouts can and should be included in your workouts from biking to running, from swimming to rowing. So which type of training is your favorite and which do you need to do more of? Tell me in the comment section below.

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Cardio 101: Endurance, Intervals, Fitness

Don’t Call Her Granny!

Ernestine Sheperd is 72 years old. She runs 80 miles a week, lifts weights every day, and is a certified trainer. Among her many accolades is a first place showing in a body building competition. Talk about inspiration. I was floored watching this video of Ernestine that Kristen - a FitSugar reader - sent my way. In her email, Kristen wrote that Ernestine has become a source of inspiration to her, and I totally agree. This older woman is lively, full of health and vitality, and looks amazing. She is also living proof that a healthy lifestyle takes years off your life. And did you see Ernestine’s nails? Amazing. If you have a story, tip, or video to share, I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email or post it to our FitSugar Community . I know our Get Fit For 2010 challenge participants will love the inspiration!

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Don’t Call Her Granny!

If at First You Don’t Succeed . . .

How’s everyone doing with their 2010 fitness health goals so far? Based on all the inspiring posts in our Get Fit For 2010 community group, it seems like most of you are right on track. But don’t get discouraged if you’re struggling a bit. It’s hard making these kinds of lifestyle changes, but over time you won’t even have to think about it - all of these new, healthy habits you’re developing will be second nature to you in no time. One of the biggest gripes I hear from people who are trying to get in shape is how much they hate exercising. When I ask why, they say that it’s boring, uninspiring, or that they hate forcing themselves to do something they dislike. Here’s the thing, I empathize with what they are saying. For me, it’s important to love what I do, even when it comes to being active. I have a friend who hated working out until she discovered boxing, and now she practically lives in the ring. Same thing goes for another friend who dreaded going to her Hatha yoga classes. But before she gave up on yoga altogether, she let her coworker convince her to try Bikram. Three years later, she’s going to Bikram yoga five times a week. I really believe that there is something out there for everyone. Some people love being gym rats, while others have to be outdoors. Some people like to work out alone, while others need social interaction to keep them motivated. If you haven’t found an activity yet that makes you want to work out, experiment. Don’t give up too easily either. It wasn’t until my third Vinyasa flow class that I realized how much I loved the practice. Once you find that special something that makes you want to get up and go, you won’t even consider it a workout anymore, it’s just your life.

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If at First You Don’t Succeed . . .

Do You Avoid Strength Training Because It Makes You Look Too Manly?

I’m so envious of BuzzSugar! She was lucky enough to catch up with Katee Sackhoff last week about her new role on the popular series 24 . If you’re a major sci-fi geek like I am, then I don’t have to tell you that Katee kicked some major ass playing fighter pilot Kara “Starbuck” Thrace on the cult favorite Battlestar Galactica . She also played tough girl Sarah Corvus on the short-lived series Bionic Woman . Although it’s unlikely that she’s abandoning her tough girl image for 24 , Katee did say that her new role doesn’t require her to do any heavy lifting. “I used to [lift heavy weights] ’cause I needed the bulk and I needed to look like I could beat up a guy,” Katee said. “I don’t need that anymore.  I’ve leaned out and I can be more delicate than I could before. It’s afforded me less time at the gym, it’s just more cardio now.” You’ll still catch her at the gym every day, though. Not only is staying in shape part of her job, it’s just who she is: “I grew up athletic and it’s who I’ll always be,” she said. Katee is not the first star to lay off the heavy weights to avoid looking too muscular - earlier this year, actress Kristen Bell shared the same sentiment in an interview. I’m curious how you feel about it . . . Do You Avoid Strength Training Because It Makes You Look Too Manly? Yes. I don’t want to be bigger than the guys in my life! No way. Bring on the bulge! Sort of. I strength train but I stick to lighter weights.

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Do You Avoid Strength Training Because It Makes You Look Too Manly?

What Do You Know About Running and Side Stitches?

You got all geared up for a run, and five minutes into it, you get a twanging pain in your abdomen - a side stitch. They’re quite common, and chances are high you have been affected by the dreaded side stitch at least once in your life. But do you know what causes them and, more important, how to prevent them? Take this quick quiz and see. Take the quiz

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What Do You Know About Running and Side Stitches?

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