InsightsfromtheMat

Renaissance Aruba - 2017 We/I have been traveling, a lot.  Many have asked about our trips.  It feels like the first place to start is all the amazing companies and people that made it such a wonderful experience.  Don't worry, I plan to update everyone on my perceptions/experiences in getting my Dive Certification. I cannot say enough about the  Renaissance Aruba .  The hotel is beautiful, they have wonderful amenities, including their own private island with a flock of Pink Flamingos that you can feed. Renaissance Flamingos 2017- @MeganHeil Well worth the stop on the trip, in my opinion.  After a brief stop in Aruba we move to  Hilton Curacao .  My opinion on this property is mixed. Hilton Curacao-2017 The staff was wonderful, with lots of wonderful recommendations.  However, the service was SSLLLOOOWWW, and the property is dated.  It is definately, NOT, at the typical standards you experience at a Hilton in ei...

Juvenile Male White Shark 2014 Ok - so the obsession stared, in a book, in the midwest.  Actually it started with the story of the  USS Indianapolis, labeled as the worst shark attach in US history.    I was fascinated with the science not the horror of the event.  (I do not want to discount the horror and it is part of the reason it has taken 4 years to get my Scuba Certification.)  But when you read about how the sharks were attracted and why they attacked- and why they attack in general it all makes sense.  (At least to my scientific mind) So this midwestern girl, starts to study sharks and becomes OBSESSED.  Not being close to salt water- my obsession is not an issue.  After I graduated and moved to Washington, DC, things start to change.  But I am not in a place to sort through my issues/desires with the water.   Fast forward, I meet an amazing adrenaline junkie- with whom I fell in love- who is a certified diver....

BVI 2016 - Helm of Bear As kids, we believe that when we become adults, that we will get to do anything we want.  As adults, we realize that life was so much easier when we were kids.  As kids our "responsibilities and commitments" were so much less stressful.  Like so many people, life has not always gone as planned.  I have found myself in a many situations I would rather not . . "get through/survive".  But as adults, we put on our big girl panties and push on.  This fall has presented a lot of challenges, from personal, to professional, to environmental (Irma was no joke when it came to disruption and we were mostly spared).  I found myself more impacted by them than usual and in a bit of a funk.   The "icing on the cake" to this challenging fall was that our annual BVI sailing trip was canceled.  I look forward to this trip each year.  For me, it is the one time a year, I am guaranteed to do the thing I love most in th...

So what is the difference between a personal trainer and a health and fitness coach?  Can you be both?  Isn't 1 better than the other? I have been getting a lot of questions on this topic, so let me start with some background. In the US, we have a problem.  Approximately 69 % of the Population is overweight according to NIDDK ( National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Disease ).  Enough of the population is pre-diabetic that there are PSA's on the TV on Saturday Mornings-  Do I have Pre Diabetes . So as a result there are lots of people trying to solve the problem.  None taking the same approach. Does that make one approach better or worse?  In my opinion no, but you have to understand the approaches so that you can find the right solution for you. Let me again preface this by, I do not care if you are overweight.  I don't care if you wear a bikini, or your jeans fit. I, personally, care if you are healthy.   ...

4  Shakeology  Myths You Might Have Heard Shakeology is just a protein shake Shakeology doesn’t contain whole food ingredients Shakeology is expensive Shakeology is only for weight loss Myth #1: Shakeology is just a protein shake. Meaning just a shake that provides extra protein. I can’t blame the general public for thinking this since “protein shake” has become nearly an interchangeable term for  any shake. But, all shakes are not created equal—especially ones that contain superfoods.  Shakeology  is a very nutrient-dense shake. You’d have to eat a whole lot of different foods to get the fiber, phytonutrients, protein, vitamins and minerals in a single glass of Shakeology—and it would be tough to do that for fewer than 170 calories. Truth be told, the majority of people are  way more  nutrient deficient, than they are protein deficient. So why would Beachbody have created just a protein shake? Myth #2: Shakeology is just a ...

First off, thank you all for the love on my posts.  I am truly humbled by the support.  That being said, I have had a lot of questions about how did I get here, and statements like:  "I want to be you, or I could never be you."  If you want this, it is yours.  If you think you can't do this - let me be real.  You are just wrong! This health and fitness journey path that I am isn't hard to duplicate.  I copied it off of someone else.  You know what, that is OK and you can do it too.  Here is my path, if you want to walk this journey together- join me in my next challenge group. Meal Prep 101 I am going to show you how I have gotten here through Imperfect Progress and Failing Forward . So let me start with Step 1 Exercise . You can't talk about it.  You can think about it.  You have to do it, do SOMETHING.  That first "something" may not be 100% correct but it will help you to make the next step. I read a f...

This past week the American Heart Associaton released a position statement on Saturated Fats-  Coconut Oil  was mentioned.  Since then the Internet has been a buzz.  So . . .  What is the right answer? STOP - Hammer Time. First, as a scientist and clinician we don't make decisions off of 1 article.  And we for "reals" do not make a decision about someone's health after reading someone elses' opinion about the article.  Sooo, if you want to understand.  Step 1:  Read the Article.  Yes it is a little sciencey but no one is going to grade you or judge you, just read it:) Here is the Link. Second,  You have to take YOUR health into account when you try to apply the science we understand.  If you have high cholsterol (LDL), then you have to think about all of your saturated and unsaturated fats more than those who don't have high cholesterol.  Your genetics, decisions in your past, age, may all be working against you. ...