We are rusted and weathered, been holding together, I’m covered with skin

It peels but it just won’t heel! …….Creed, Weathered.

In 2009 you will hear people shout their new resolutions, resolving to carry over their negative baggage from 2008 and to finally get it right only find that now, instead of having one year of unresolved issues that they now have two years worth, and are knee deep in resolutions, baggage and probably experiencing panic attacks!

The one thing that I resolve to do each year is to NOT make any resolutions! That’s right! I know it sounds like a cop out, but I don’t really need a new year to resolve to live better! I strive to do that every single day! I don’t need any special event to try to look my best because I try to do that each and every day. I don’t need to be reminded each day by others that I look great, buff or beautiful (even though it is nice to be told) because I can look myself square in the mirror each day and give myself that compliment!

With each year that passes, I have learned that I have become a little more Rusted, a little more Weathered. My skin is not as tight as it use to be but it still has a very youthful glow which actually comes from working out something that I never did in my 20’s! My hair doesn’t grow as long as it once did but it has great shine and that is because I have learned to supplement well (a lesson learned well into my 30′s). I have curves everywhere because I strength train and I am the leanest I have ever been in my life and I am vastly approaching my 40s!

You see, although everyone says that 30 is now the new 20 I would never ever want to be 20 again! Yes I have aged a bit, but I am every bit as happy now as I ever was then and much healthier, wiser and dare I say tons sexier!

So as the song says “I rusted and weathered, I’m covered with skin” ………BUT I LOVE THE SKIN I AM IN!

Shaneek AKA Miss Murder

As you have all read in Saturday’s post, my meathead BFF is selfishly leaving me to take a trip gallivanting across Kuwait and Dubai to visit family and friends in a few short weeks!..

Sob, sob! Leaving me here all alone each a.m in the gym with no one to keep me motivated no one to discuss my meals with and no locker room buddy. I will be missing out on all our online meathead chat we have throughout the day! I will be lost! Lost I tell ya! And all because she wants to spend some quality time with her family!

Now of course I am exaggerating a bit….ok I might be exaggerating a lot! I am of course happy for Ghada and I do hope she has a blast on her trip. We will of course still chat on line and it is only 10 days but I will miss her terribly! She has traveled away from me before on trips for   business but never as long as 10 days so this will be a real test of our friendship for me .Not to say that I will disown her and find my a new meathead BFF and forget all about her but I tend to get over people really fast when they are out of site they tend to be off my mind as well too!

I hope that when she FINALLY does return I remember her(Ghada who?….kidding)and we can pick up where we left off and share many cool stories of her home visit over a nice cold protein shake! 

Yes those few days will be very, very hard for Miss Murder and so sad indeed and I may even need to find myself a temporary meathead BBF just to keep myself motivated while she is away……do you think you can fit the bill? Ghada has some pretty big shoes to fill for such a petite amigo!

So if you think you can help Miss Murder get through the rough times during the 10 day period by offering a few words encouragement or just a simple dropping me a line! I would love to hear from ya!

Shaneek AKA Miss Murder

I started taking Bentonite clay a few years back because I suffered from stomach problems that lead to irregularity and constant stomach upset from just about everything I ate!

I stopped eating meat for years and my diet consisted of mostly vegetables and whole grains, but even that did not ease my stomach issues.

In a mission to aid my stomach issues, I agreed to try a fast and take a chance on a beneficial clay that I read about; Bentonite clay. It was so effective that I have been taking it ever since.

Not only does Bentonite clay help keep me regular, but it also detoxifies my system on a regular basis by riding it of the harmful herbicides and pesticides I consume each day in foods. And although I watch my diet religiously, I can’t attest to what companies are using when it comes to growing and harvesting vegetables as well as what a cow is fed before it is butchered.

Now, I know the idea of ingesting clay to aid in promoting internal  healing will undoubtedly seem farfetched, and even a little primitive. But natural clay, especially the form known as “Bentonite clay”, has not only been used for hundreds of years medicinally by indigenous cultures, but it has also in recent years increasingly been used by practitioners of alternative medicine as a simple but effective internal cleanser to help in preventing and alleviating various health problems. Clay is one of the most effective natural intestinal detoxifying agents available to us and has been used for hundreds of years by native tribes around the globe.

The Benefits of taking Bentonite clay orally:

• When Bentonite clay is absorbed in water it swells and stretches open like a highly porous sponge. The toxins in your system are drawn into these spaces through an electrical type attraction and bound.
• When Bentonite clay is taken internally it assists the intestinal systems elimination of toxins.
• Bentonite clay has been reported to be able to absorb pathogenic viruses, as well as herbicides and pesticides.
• Then when the Bentonite clay is eventually eliminated from your body the toxins that are bound to its surfaces are eliminated with it as well.
• Taking Bentonite clay internally should become part of your regular colon cleansing regimen because it is an intestinal cleanser and also a gastrointestinal regulator.
• Bentonite clay helps your body to more efficiently assimilate the nutrients you need each day.

Bentonite is relatively inexpensive and readily available in most health  food stores,vitamin shops and online stores. Here’s the best deal that I have found: Click here.

So if you are looking to detox your system on a regular basis without spending tons of money on all the gimmicky products that claim to do great things but have no scientific backup, then give Bentonite a try!

Shaneek AKA Miss Murder

In a world where people are forever trying to look perfect and be perfect in every way there is something to be said for the one time it may be absolutely acceptable to be a little sweaty and untamed, and that time is when you are in the gym.

Sure you might set out each morning for the gym color coordinated, hair done looking fierce and ready to concur the world. You look your best your feeling energized and fully intend to work up a good sweat all in name of getting your body into shape.

 Unlike any other public place, the gym is probably one of the few places where there is nothing sexier then seeing that handsome hunk wipe the sweat from his brow after bench pressing an impressive 300 lbs or catching a glimpse of that super confident beauty after exiting her intense 6:45am spin class.

One can’t deny that there is something to be said about a person who doesn’t mind looking a little untamed and working up a good sweat while working out. Truth be told!

It is during those times that your body releases large amounts of pheromones which make you even more attractive to the opposite sex.

I am not saying you should be completely drenched in sweat or stinking it up after each workout because you have sported the same gym clothes all week long, but there is something to be said for those of us that give 100 percent during our sessions and get a little sweaty doing it! It is perfectly acceptable and oh so sexy!

Shaneek AKA

The Perez Hilton of the gym world: Miss Murder

 When I refer to having a crystal clear vision, I am not referring to psychic abilities,  I am talking about having a crystal clear vision of what you want.

What do you want your body to look like and how do you want it to perform?

In your vision what do your abs, legs and butt look like? How about your arms?

How many sit-ups can you do and how far can you run?

Always try to paint a mental picture in your head and make it as clear as possible.

You can even go a step further and write down you vision and keep it in your wallet or stick it in your workout logs to remind you of your goals.

Personally, I keep a picture of my favorite female bodybuilder in my workout log to remind me of my vision and goals. I understand that  everyone’s genetic make up is unique and that I may never look exactly like her physically, but through envisioning I come pretty darn close!

Ava Cowen is my favorite because she is very close to my height and weight, and that helps keep my goals and vision realistic!

Now that you have that picture of how you want to look and how you want to perform take a little time each day to actually visualize yourself reaching your goal. It is important that you visualize these thoughts each day, simply because thoughts become actions and actions are what keep you on the path to your achieving your goals.

If you’re visualizing your goals on a daily basis they will soon work their way to the forefront of your mind, and help with maintaining your goals even when temptations arise.

So make your vision so crystal clear in your mind each day that it soon becomes it own powerful force that will ultimately lead you closer to achieving your goals!

 Shaneek AKA Miss Murder

Want more bang for your exercise buck?

Interval cardio training is an awesome addition to any strength-training routine because it burns a ton of calories, works the cardiovascular system, and builds muscle all at the same time. It’s all about doing short amounts of cardio with an intense amount of effort.

Try these two cardio burst sessions in between your weight-training exercises if you really want and maximize your workout.

Mountain Climbers

Start in a plank position with your feet hip-width apart. Bend your right knee and with a springing movement, bring your right thigh under the right side of your torso. Quickly spring back out to the starting position while jumping your left knee in toward your torso. Keep your pace as fast as possible while doing mountain climbers. Besides being a cardiovascular exercise, this move trains the chest, shoulders, lower abs, and transverse abs. 

Squat Thrusts

Start in a plank position with your feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees and jump both feet forward simultaneously to your hands so that you’re in a crouch position. Quickly extend your legs and jump both feet back behind you into the starting position, and repeat. Make sure to keep your abs tight and don’t let your lower back sag or drop.  

Remember, “interval” is the key word here. These exercises are demanding, so warm up before doing them. These are meant for 30-second to five-minute bursts, not half-hour sessions.

 Shaneek AKA Miss Murder