Shelf it! Do the Ultimate Reset

I'm doing the Ultimate Reset the first week of January. So is my family. This past weekend we've gone to three holiday parties. Last night Zane ate an entire row of fudge, Beaudy had two pieces of cheesecake, and I have to take a stand.  This morning they were an absolute wreck. Beaudy was so groggy, he left late for school. Zane could not leave the bathroom (he might still be there). I'm fixing it.  I'd love for you to join me.  Why? It helps with a few lil' things such as:

Mood/Patience

Before UR:

• Irritable because you’ve missed every traffic light this morning and are now running late because you hit the snooze one too many times;

• Impatient and unwilling to tolerate people who have a stack of coupons, gift cards that need to be redeemed, or want to count their coins as they pay for their groceries;

• Anxious that you are missing something, somewhere—something important—but you can’t put your finger on it;

• On-edge about the endless list of tasks you’ve built;

• Defensive when your smart phone corrects the word “are” into “ate,”

• Persnickity with your comment-making about people’s posts on Facebook.

 After UR: You will feel much more balanced. Not bubbly euphoria fake-happy balance, but true balance. At a four way stop, you will smile and wave for the person in the car kitty corner to you to go first, you won’t feel the urge to press snooze because you are SO eager to start your day, you will start tipping the cashier at Kroger because ringing the bell for service just won’t seem like enough. When you start to feel edgy about a pending project or frustrated about unreturned emails, you will bring yourself back to equilibrium. And you won’t feel the need to reach for food as a crutch.

We have two elves, they don't share a toilet.

 Digestion/Regularity

(Okay, well my boys really love passing all sorts of bodily gases. Even our elf on the shelf likes to pass gas)

Before UR: Frequent bloating, gassiness. Do you even KNOW if you are bloated? Or, are you walking around in a constant state of bloat and have become so used to it, you don’t even realize it?

After UR: Significant improvement, including much less bloating and better regularity than you could ever remember. If this is something you’ve never struggled with, be thankful. For those of you who have/do, you know what an achievement (and relief) it is to experience daily.

Join me, your tummy will thank you. www.myultimatereset.com/bodybybrig2

Looking for a Venti dose of energy with extra pep

Ultimate Reset and Energy

When people are feeling weighed down by stress, the chemical processes in our bodies result in fat storage and mental sludginess (not sure if that’s a word, but that’s what it feels like).  Our bodies are not able to digest food as well when we are harboring negative emotions; everything slows down inside of us and the fat accumulates.  Stress is high in my world right now.  Maybe it’s that the kids are getting older and need more of my direct attention; maybe I’m missing my dad, and won’t see him this Christmas; maybe I’ve signed on for one too many things; maybe I fear the “letdown” on the holiday season; maybe in my quest to help others, I’m pushing people away—and I’m internalizing.  For whatever reason, I know you are feeling it, too.  In the darkest dark of your night, I know you are ALSO stressed. Admit it. Stress is an energy thief.

BEFORE THE ULTIMATE RESET:  Zombie hood. You are tired by 4pm. You crave sugar. You are crabby, snappy, and irritable.  You've become snarky in your comment making. You skip workouts and flip on the TV rather than read to the kids because it’s “easier.” You decide to head to ______________ because you didn’t get that grocery shopping in yet, and now it’s cold and dark.  The grocery store will be busy; you don’t want to wait in line.  You justify your long day, and eat fast food. You feel exhausted, but know that when your head hits the pillow your list of things that “need to be finished” starts to tick through your brain. You eventually fall into a fitful sleep, waking up the next morning-- only to feel worse. You wait for Friday to catch up with your life.   You supplement all day long with your favorite form of caffeine, and maybe you supplement with your favorite form adult beverage at night. You tell yourself, “Caffeine is good for my metabolism,” and “The tannins in red wine help me relax.”

AFTER THE ULTIMATE RESET: You will no longer drag yourself through the day (don’t tell me you aren’t—you are not being honest with yourself)! You will have no problem hopping out of bed at 5:30am with sustainable energy. There is no mid-afternoon need to grab a Diet Coke or Snickers bar. You will have made it through “withdrawal” and won’t desire it. Yep, I said it: withdrawal.

Think…are you reading this post at a time in your life when you really need a change? Are the words hitting you where it hurts? Is it making your wonder about your life and choices? If it is—please join me on January 5, 2013 with the Ultimate Reset. You will be a different person at the end of the journey. www.myultimatereset.com/bodybybrig

Withdrawal from Addiction

The Ultimate Reset is one of the hardest things I’ve done. Basically, you put yourself though “withdrawal” much like a drug addicted person would.  Only, you DECIDE purposely to do this (and in my case, with my family).  You decide it because you have finally figured out that your health, your functioning, and your life needs to be at its peak level. 

Why? It makes you a better parent, better spouse or significant other (or opens you up to this possibility), better worker, friend, sibling, member of the community, boss, employee, athlete. Breaking free of the unclean cycle of eating and drinking is life-changing.  Mind altering.  I’m not kidding.

The Ultimate Reset creators takes a holistic approach, provides exact guidance on what to eat, when to it, and how much to eat (no room for error or guess work). The UR enables you to address stress—even if you think you’ve got it all under control.  UR helps you focus on your breathing, sleep, relationships, how you handle situations, how you react to the world, and physical activities.

Doubters will condemn, “I’m not taking a bunch of powders and pills, that’s nonsense.”  Nay Sayers will refute, “There is nothing wrong with me, I feel fine,” People who spend tons on money on fast food will justify, “I can’t afford it." But, just how much are you spending in prescription drug care per month? Or, how much will you end up spending at the pharmacy for allergy medicines, Tylenol or Advil, migraine meds, eczema creams, eye drops, nose sprays, and other stuff?

The UR is much more than an expensive “diet.” The Ultimate Reset is an experiential lesson in self-care, cooking, slowing down and being present. If you commit, if you find it in your budget to purchase (no joke, its expensive—but most likely the best money you will ever spend because it changes you), and if you follow the program, you will be a different person at the end of the journey. 

I am starting the Ultimate Reset on January 5, 2013. Would be honored if you join me in the journey.

www.myultimatereset.com/bodybybrig

Need to lose 3 pounds by tonight's Christmas party

www.bodybybrig.com
I have a holiday party tonight. A holiday party for athletes. Last night, I ordered take out; this morning my face is almost swollen shut.  I need a flatter belly and looser jeans by 7:00pm. Should I go to one of those wrap places? Only drink water all day? Suck down a pot of coffee to up my metabolism? Who am I kidding? I should not have ordered the Chinese. Everytime I do, I tell myself, "This is the last time." Whatever.

Holiday Party pants

Losing 3 pounds today won’t be possible, but it  IS realistic to drop 3-5 pounds in five days—or at least drop  enough to make you feel better. Even more jolly, you don’t have to crash diet, swallow strange purple pills that are no longer legal in the United States, or feel like running to the gas station convenience store to get your cravings under control on the drive home from work.

I’ve got a few tips (besides foam rolling everyday) that will work. Staying adequately hydrated, exercising for a reasonable amount of time (have you watched my 10 minute quick workouts for December?), and breathing deeply – will help our bodies thrive in the midst of our stressful, chaotic, and emotionally exhausting lives (ironic how these little tidbits contribute to weight gain—and Chinese food ordering--in the first place).  Did I mention I’m doing the Ultimate Reset in January?

So put down that Sonic drink, and get a jump on sliding into those Rock and Republics by Monday. Here's one way how.

Get rid of the salt.  Who knew your favorite granola bar or canned tuna could double as a salt lick saltier than one you could buy at Bass Pro Shop? In a recent report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about American sodium consumption, researchers found that approximately 75 percent of the sodium in the typical American diet doesn't come from the shaker -- it's added to commercial foods during processing.

Cut the added sodium and you'll lose water weight and bloat (there must be a ton of sodium in Chinese food). Even a lot of "healthy" foods—Whole Food grocery store and Market Street type of foods-- (think Kashi cereals, cottage cheeses, and even some frozen vegetable mixes!) are high in salt. So? These can easily be replaced with oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and fresh veggies.

One trick: The more potassium you consume, the more your body will get rid of sodium, says Reardon. Sweet potatoes, coconut water, apricots, bananas, cantaloupes, figs,  and  oranges are all sodium reducers. Sodium flushers, if you will.  So...I’m off to grab a banana and swig down some coconut water. Maybe I won’t need pliers to zip up my jeans tonight.