Monthly Archives: April 2010

Hola & Happy Friday Friends! Every-time I sit and write Viernes, I get that “wow” feeling that its here again!   Am I the only one that feels like the weeks are flying by?!? Another week over another Viernes here!  I wonder how Arizona would feel about my writing in Spanglish Had to throw that in there. That’s the thing I love about my blog, I write what I feel, and most of the times my readers relate & enjoy it.  I believe that one of the best forms of communication is when it comes from the heart. Throughout my journey I’ve always taken that approach. Whether it was in a speaking engagement in front of hundreds or in a blog, I’ve been fortunate enough to engage the audience because of my simple approach-making readers feel as if they were speaking to their friend. Someone who also knows and has walked the walk   The weekend is here and I want you all to take in a few simple rules when you are thinking of eating. In a recent study I read there has been research done on the benefits of eating while sitting down vs. while standing at the counter. A bad habit I am afraid to admit too We mom’s tend to do this while serving the kids or when at our best- multi-tasking. The study showed that when two groups ate the same meal one on the counter and one on the table, the counter group felt as if it was just a snack and went for more, while the group that was sitting felt fully satisfied. Another point that was made was in being conscious of what you eat. I’ve made this point several times. The hazards that come from eating in front of the TV, while reading, or even in front of the computer! One never knows how much you are actually eating and before you know it the bag of chips is gone! Being conscious of your actions is very important not only in eating but in everything you do throughout the day. Be conscious of your words, actions, behavior, and food Lastly the study spoke of the wonderful aroma of food Ahh yes that sweet smell of chocolate or stew. Its that smell that makes us go nuts and run right to the bowl!  Again stop and focus. Train that brain to control yourself-be conscious of what is going on. Enjoy the smell and take it easy. Comportate con fundamento Why is it that Spanish words make everything sound so deep? And they think they can make me stop speaking it! You just try….I dare you

Enjoy Your Workout! World Fitness Day! Make it Count

Have a Great Weekend…Feliz Fin de Semana

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends! Hope everyone is great on this crisp morning in the North East. Yes I froze Michael last night and he reminded me of it all morning. Maybe that is why he weighed in at 206! Woo hoo baby!  The body tends to “shrink” a little when your cold, and you may feel even colder than usual if you’ve been losing fat, which in Michael’s case he has   The thermostat is a constant battle at Casa Gomez, ESPECIALLY with the lovely hormonal issues we are “blessed” to have He was freezing and I was sweating! Go figure!  In addition to Max’s Communion this Saturday, May 1st is also the very first World Fitness Day!  Jane Fonda is the founder of this great day/event and will be holding what might be called the biggest gym class ever at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.  Growing up in a Cuban household I remember much controversy with the politics of Jane Fonda, but one thing was true and firm for me,  she introduced me to Fitness The Jane Fonda Workouts started it all, and may have very well started the industry, and for that I am grateful. Throw those tapes in with a little of Olivia Newton Johns “Lets get Physical” and I was ready!   Today I look back at what brought me here, a “Fitness Guru” as some have called me, and with pride I review and understand what it was all about.  Make this weekend about Fitness. It is so important that we all get on board. “The State of our Nation, is only as good as the State of our Health.” A quote that is SO true! One that could also be taken further. The State of your Health, reflects The Health of your Family. Friends, I’ve said it before, our kids are sponges, we are their greatest educators, they follow our examples be it good or bad. Set the RIGHT one in ALL you do. One very easy way is by making the RIGHT food choices and by being active. Don’t tell me that all your kid does is sit in front of the TV and play portable games. You are his leader, his superior, his parent, your responsibility-Grab his arm and get his ASS off the couch! Or hers of course   Get out of the comfort zone and think of ways to get moving and be active! 

Have a Great Workout!  Make it fun or you won’t stick to it

Until Tomorrow…Have a Great Day..Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your “cyber routine” everyday xoxo..

Buenos Dias my Friends and Happy Wednesday! Wow mid-week already! I am getting so excited that Saturday is almost here! The rest of the week is packed with the usual responsibilities in addition to rehearsals and prepping for my baby’s First Holy Communion!  The day my Maxi will receive The Body of Christ for the first time. A true joy & blessing   Today I want to talk about one of the most popular foods for us Latinos-frijoles   We love our beans and cook them many ways. From soups to salads beans are a great source of nutrition. Loaded with proteins, good carbs, & fiber you can enjoy them as rice & beans, bean salad, hummus, bean dip, chili, even re-fried, the list is endless.  With a can/or bag of dried beans one can satisfy and complete a full healthy meal.  With most of us on a budget these days a bag of dried beans is inexpensive and nearly free of fat and sodium. With just one cup of dried beans you can serve about 3 cups of cooked which is plenty If you opt for the canned, although they do have an added amount of sodium and preservatives, rinsing them several times before cooking can at the very least reduce the sodium content. Some companies are offering beans with low-sodium so keep an eye out while on your next trip to the market. Beans don’t discriminate (unlike a particular state in our nation), so it doesn’t matter which color, shape, or size you chose, all beans have similar nutritional make-ups   Buen Aprovecho!

Weigh in Wednesday!! Can’t wait to see what the scale has in store for us today!   Enjoy your workout!!

Until Tomorrow..Have a Great Day..Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. “He who has two languages has two souls” xoxo..

Happy Tuesday Friends! Hope everyone is great on this rainy day. I enjoy a rainy day now and again, but when its three days in a row, not so much Then again who cares when you have sunshine in your heart Am I a morning person or what! Yes I am and so ready for another day! Yesterday was packed with all sorts of things. Some great and some not so great, but again brushed it off and wiped it all clean. I am ready for my do over   Like I said yesterday I met with my new client!  We had a nice sit-down and got her to work. As I was going over the basics on fitness & nutrition it occurred to me that everyone now and again, even the most knowledgeable on health & wellness, needs a little brush up course on the things to do to achieve your weight loss goals.  Fitness is evolving as we go along with great scientific research and exercises that enhance our goals, however many are the basics we’ve learned throughout most of our lives. Many times we are not re-inventing the wheel, just reminding you that you need 4 to drive a car

These are my favs on things to remember for weight loss success:

• Eat Breakfast! No matter what! A healthy breakfast will not only set you off  the right way it will also stimulate your metabolism and get it going!
• Interval Training- Moderate interval training will burn more fat & calories that vigorous continuous training.
• Ladies that want to tone and burn fat need to use weights and not 2lbs either. Stick to 3-5lbs with high repetitions and men higher weights less reps. Weights Are Our Friend!
• STOP eating 2hrs before you go to bed! The Kitchen is Closed!
• Make sure you have a support team. Get your whole family and all your friends on board. Do not de-stress eating while watching TV. Read, write, talk, whatever it takes, just do not let food disguise the problem, its only adding to the one that is already there. Get to the root cause of why it is you are eating when you are not hungry. Make your kids “food cops” and DO NOT let your husband stop at White Castle on his way home!
• This journey is for the long haul. Its a life-long commitment. Enjoy the process & progress. No quick fad diet works. You will put the weight right back on if you do not approach weight loss by taking baby steps with the goal of forever.
• Think Medical Chart not scale. The scale will reflect your hard work and come hand in hand with the numbers on your medical chart. Your health is what is important here. You were given a GREAT Gift-Life. Do not “damn” the creator when illness takes over.  Its up to us to be the maintainers. Yes, there are some things that are out of our control, however consciously doing and feeding our bodies something we know is wrong, well that is just not right.
• Lastly, treat your hunger with a 1-5 scale. 1 being full and 5 starved. Make sure you eat when you hit 3. Training your metabolism to burn and be on your side is by eating every 2-3 hours. This is a must!  Do not eat at 1 and do not allow yourself to get to 5-you will eat everything in sight!

Have a Great Workout Today!

Until Tomorrow! Have a Great Day…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. A kernel of corn…Food Inc. xoxo

Hola Friends & Happy Monday! Its a new week and one that is filled with great new possibilities. I go to bed every night thankful for all the things that day brought me whether they were good or bad. If I felt that something went wrong, I surrender that negative feeling I have and ask for guidance in rectifying and learning from the experience. At that time I review my day and try to understand what it was all about. And with a smile on my face I go to bed eager to start again with a NEW DAYof endless possibilities. It is like a nice “do over”   Today is that day, a clean fresh start, a great “do over”.  We had a wonderful weekend at Casa Gomez. Spent a fabulous evening with great friends on Saturday & a rainy “pajama day” of movies & fun   My week is filled with work & family obligations all of which I am looking forward to. Saturday is Max’s First Holy Communion! Just the thought is already bringing tears to my eyes. An incredibly special day for all of us   Today I am meeting with a new client! I am so happy to finally get her on the “journey”. It is one that is long overdue and one that I am looking forward to with joy & excitement! Definitely a challenge because I know she is very set in her ways, however the fact that she is ready & willing is all the motivation we need.  We are making a plan & sticking to it. Exactly what everyone need to do to be successful in whatever it is he/she wants to accomplish. There is no turning back, full steam ahead! A great new challenge and the courage to see it through even when the greater part of you wants to give up. No excuses, focus on the big picture, the reward, and dare to follow it through!

Enjoy Today’s Workout! Set the plan of the week and stick to it. In achieving weight loss aim at burning at least 250 calories during your workout and eliminating that same amount of calories from your daily diet.

Until Tomorrow Friends! Have a Great Day…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Did you catch Food Inc.? One, of many take away’s, Cage Free! xoxo..

Happy Friday Friends! I cannot believe it’s already Friday! I feel like I just wrote TGIV yesterday This week flew for me. I have much going on and it seems at times I don’t have enough minutes in the day to get it all done. Then I panic, and control myself. Its hard at times for someone who has spent most of their life lacking patience and always rushing, to finally take control and breathe I really don’t know what would be of me if I had not welcomed Yoga into my life.  Today I am making my blog short and sweet Its the weekend and I have a task for you all. I would like you to go out and rent Food Inc.if you have not seen it already. Some of you may agree with it and some may not. Luckily for us we have choices and a right to discussion. Keep an open mind and take it as something worth exploring. I’ll be talking more about it next week, not preaching, just discussing Let me just tell you Michael’s eyes were in shock

Have a Great Exercise Filled Weekend!! Take full advantage of your extra time! Instead of 30 minutes make it 60! Get Moving Friends & Stay on your Healthy Eating Routine

Feliz Fin de Semana!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo   “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends & Happy Earth Day Thursday!   Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day which I was frankly surprised to learn. I hadn’t realized that it had been celebrated for so many years, however very happy that it has been! It is so important that we stop and take a good look at our planet & all the natural resources we take for granted.  If we don’t make a conscience effort to make changes as little as stop running the shower when we are shaving our legs before you know it we will be in a tougher predicament than you ever imagined. Remember friends, the deterioration of the planet is in our hands and ours only, and it is we who can make a difference.  Go outside and take in Gods beautiful creation. The bright green and blue, in addition to those “amazing colors” my kids so relish in while watching the sunset or sunrise. That is a gift to us, lets treat it like our most treasured possession    So Michael dropped 2 more lbs!! Woo hoo   He feels good and its really starting to show too   My hounding him is finally paying off! I mean really, how can I have my husband overweight!?!?  What does that say about my abilities as a personal trainer! I will not have it!  I told him, you either shape up or ship out!   Just kidding. Although he needs to lose a few more pounds I do it for his health. The 40′s really scare me especially when you read & see so many horror stories about Men collapsing and dieing of heart failure. Heart disease is way to close to my heart. I thought it was bad enough not growing up without any grandfathers due to losing them to heart disease, but when I lost my dad to a massive heart attack I just thought it was plain cruel! Therefore its my mission to educate & motivate, and no better place than to enforce that than in my home

Enjoy Today’s workout Day 4!   Make it a family affair Veronica actually gave ME a Yoga session yesterday!  One of the best, full body, mind, & soul workouts I’ve had in a long time….and the pride, no words can describe

Fact of the Day:  St. Francis of Assisi is named the Patron Saint of Ecology and referred to as “an example of genuine and deep respect for the integrity of creation”. The first Earth Day was celebrated, by coincidence, in San Francisco, named after St. Francis of Assisi

Until Tomorrow Friends! Have a Great Day…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

P.S. Go Green! xoxo…

Happy Wednesday Friends! I started to write this morning and something inside me told me to stop and go cuddle with your little girl This too can wait, but precious moments with your kids are priceless, and one day you will want them back so badly. The interesting thing was that I woke this morning feel all “turbada” Disturbed & anguished, and really for no reason. I had my morning run as usual, and my day planned. But something wasn’t right.  The hormonal roller-coaster we ladies undergo does not help either   I made it a point to stop, pray, & meditate-I surrendered. And just like that, I stopped what I was doing, and went to cuddle with my kids. Now, I feel great! Its as if this great big weight has been lifted from me. I can see clearer, and the clouds that were filling my morning with anguish and clutter are gone! The power of connecting with the Universe and feeling present in the moment never seizes to amaze me!  I don’t know what I would do without Him   Ok friends, its Wednesday, Michael is going to weigh in later on today, and we are on a roll! The Beaches will be opening in about a months time-5 weeks to be precise! So get moving and make sure you stay on track. Minimize the flour intake, stay away from starchy carbs, load up on the veggies & fruits, balance your dish with healthy carbs/grains, and STAY away from SUGAR!  You can do it! You have the power! DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Don’t let being tired stop you from exercising-you will feel so much better once you’re done! Make it a point to motivate & educate someone who is not on the “journey” with you. Let’s all do it together! When you feel weak, & temptation is kicking in, picture me   and repeat ”Barbara, Barbie, Barb, Barbara, Barbie, Barb, or B & Barbarita”  as some also call me    Muevanse!

Enjoy Today’s Workout! Day 3

Quote of the Day: “Guard Your Mood” Meryl Streep  Love her!

Until Tomorrow Friends! Have a Great One…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, Y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

“Forever young, I want to be forever young….”  Hola Friends & Happy Tuesday!   I woke up singing this morning . Thanks to Jay-Z, I can now once again enjoy this great song I first heard 20 years ago-Alphaville’s Forever Young.  Great memories…great times   However the question I posed for myself was, do ‘I really want to live forever, forever young’? Many times I may act & feel like I am still that girl of 20 yrs ago, but I think at the end of the day, am grateful that those days are behind me. I enjoyed every moment of my high school & college years, although they may have been tough at times, I am grounded enough to accept the challenges that brought me here & the journey that lies ahead, review what life has taught me, and look at the present & future with awe and excitement.  I also think that one’s health has alot to do with feeling “forever young” Today, at 40, I am healthier than I was at 20.  My ups & down with health & fitness spanned across most of my life, but can honestly say that as I have woken the passion of wellness in my soul, I feel young, & eager to learn, while continuing on this amazing journey we call life

Enjoy Today’s Workout! We will be following Day 2

Tip of the day: Alcoholic beverages Friends, I am the first to tell you I love my wine, however must remind you the added sugar will put a negative effect on all the hard work you do to lose weight and be fit. I am taking a break from my vino & am now on day 9 of no alcohol.  It not only shows in  my weight, but also in my skin.  I am an advocate of balance & moderation, therefore will continue to enjoy my wine come the weekend. However, every now and again its nice to give your body a little detox and slowing down on the “boos” is a great way

Until Tomorrow! Have a Great Day..Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Hola Friends & Happy Monday! Its a brand new week and one that I am ready for I hope you all had a great weekend as we did in Casa Gomez. We were filled with baseball cheer! A bit too chilly for my liking while watching a ball game, but nevertheless watching your boy play ball allows all thoughts of coldness disappear with warmth in the heart   I had a fabulous day yesterday at El Diario la Prensa “Mujeres Destacadas” Annual Luncheon in NYC. What can be better than spending an afternoon honoring Outstanding Women! I truly left inspired & empowered.  It is so wonderful to know and be reassured that we Latinas have come such a long way and are continuing to climb and persevere.  So many of our moms and grandmothers “hid” behind their husbands, never speaking their minds, pleasing everyone , and often sacrificed their own dreams for the good of the family, & frankly because it was not “allowed”. Fortunately for today, we can still care for our family, and pursue our dreams. That “juggle” that I often talk about and maybe even “complain” about thank goodness we are able to do it!  The fire & passion that burns inside me knowing that I have so much to offer, and want to do in my lifetime, I cannot imagine feeling and knowing that I would not have the opportunity.  That is what so many before us felt, and sadly in this day and age, in many parts of this world still feel.  Today, now, here, in this great nation that we are so fortunate to live in, it is our duty, our responsibility to help eachother, continue to break the barriers, bust through the “cement ceiling”, educate & motivate-United & Proud. A Superar la Raza

Enjoy a New Workout Week! Its Monday so get Moving!

Thought of the day: “A sedentary lifestyle promotes heart attacks, diabetes, and bone disease.”  Make it a point to grab someone who is following a sedentary lifestyle and get them moving! NO EXCUSES!

Until Tomorrow Friends…Buen Dia!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  “…Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”