S.A.D. Fitness November Drawing!

Thank you for again visiting my blog and if this is your first time here, WELCOME! I am very happy that you have come to bless my page with your presence! This blog, Fitness, and Beachbody have been three major factors that have helped me through hard times and I am very please to say that from my blessings, I have decided to give to you!

That's right, I'm holding a drawing on November 1st. Not that far away, but don't worry, there will be another one coming soon after!

The drawing is for a 7-Day Chocolate Shakeology Trial pack. 

Unsure as to WHAT Shakeology is? CLICK HERE to be transferred to my Shakeology Website. 

To enter for this drawing

1. Go to Team Beachbody, and sign up for your own FREE Team Beachbody Account.

2.Go to my S.A.D Fitness Facebook Page

3. Read the first post on the page and follow the instructions.

It's simple and easy. Feel free to share the page because more drawing are coming up and some of them will be by referral!!!

Thanks for stopping by and like always, feel free to comment or question!

Danielle M. Montoya

It's not everyday...

I know I post about fitness a lot and I push how much it helps with stress, anxiety, and most importantly DEPRESSION. I use it to manage my own depression. I cant stress enough how important it is for me to workout.

When I miss workouts, especially multiple days in a row, I have bad days. I'm not talking about cranky, I'm talking about crying my eyes out kind of days...

This entire week, I haven't been able to find time to workout at all.

Really it is my own fault. I have been far too lazy to get out of bed to do it. I know the benefits out way the cost, but I have just not been able to do it! 

The cost... A complete cry-fest. 

It never really lasts long. The "crazy spell" ends about as fast as the climax arrives. It's just that I do NOT like being this way and the only way to avoid it completely is to workout.

Today has just reminded me that, even if I don't WANT to get up and workout, it really isn't a matter of what I WANT to do... It's something I NEED to do. 

Is there something in your life that you NEED to do in order to keep from those "crazy days"? Remember, everyone is different and everyone deals with stress differently. Sometimes a good cry can help, sometimes you can workout to make all the problems a little less stressful... Maybe a day crafting with friends is what you need. 

Regardless of WHAT you do, just DO IT! Don't get yourself into the mucky-muck if you can avoid it. Appoint your husband or boyfriend, a friend, or a family member to keep you accountable. The best medicine is one that works for you... Mine just happens to be Fitness... 

Like always, thank you for reading. Please feel free to comment or post questions!

Danielle M. Montoya

S.-A.-D. to F-I-T

If you didn't already notice, I have changed the name of the page here and on Facebook... Those of you who are not Alaskan or Canadian are probably thinking, "What a dumb name for a business!" I mean, even I laughed at myself for choosing it. Honestly, there is reasoning behind it! 

First of all, let me point out that S.A.D. is an abbreviation for Seasonal Affective Disorder, a relatively common form of "cabin fever" that affects more then 20% of the population in the state of Alaska. Doesn't sound like that much but let's look at it this way... 20 out of 100 or even break it down farther 2 out of 10 people are affected by SAD... and that IS NOT including the family, friends, and co-workers.

Of those affected by S.A.D., 75% of those are WOMEN!!! The age group that is most likely to show signs of S.A.D. are persons between the ages of 20-35....

Can you see where I'm going with this yet?

Here's my logic... I have dealt with stress, anxiety and depression for pretty much the majority of my adult life. I have tried a few different "happy pills" but really wasn't enjoying what they were turning me into. I didn't like that lull feeling. Granted, it was better then hating the world, but it still wasn't >>ME<<. 

Three years ago, a dear friend of mine, who is the founder of "Stamping Out S.A.D. Creations" (can be found on Facebook and her Website), introduced me to FlyLady. I know it seems strange, but keeping my house CLEAN and ORGANIZED, really took a load off of my shoulders. I was able to find time to do things that I really enjoyed! 

Once things started calming down and I had my home pretty well de-cluttered  I was able to start working out with my husband. Nothing to strenuous... maybe a bike-ride here and there. About a year and a half ago, my husband brought home Insanity. I watched him do it a few days, then I tried it... 

You know that *Ah-Ha* moment... this was it.

I had an immediate reaction to working out. I felt so, so Energized, happy, excited, motivated, pleased, accomplished... The list goes on and on for days. I don't remember feeling that good... EVER! Since that day, I have rarely missed a day of working out. Whether it's a walk or doing an hour workout with Insanity. This has become my way of coping with daily life and dealing with S.A.D. Because this has helped me so much, I became a team Beachbody Coach to help others. 

Depression is harmful to more then just yourself. It effects everyone around you, including your loved ones and pets! Finding a way to manage it, whether it be medication, Stamping out SAD, or working out, find something that works for you.

Thank you for reading, And please, Feel free to share comments and questions! :-)

Danielle M. Montoya

Never enter into a workout without first talking to your doctor to make sure it is safe. Once you get the OK to workout, make sure to only go at a pace that is comfortable to you. Never over exert yourself for risk of injury. For persons just starting working out for the first time, Instructional Fitness, also known as Personal Training, is recommended but not required.

All information gathered regarding statistics are brought to you by the following:
http://www.alaska.net/~mhaa/factsheets/reprint/reprint2.html

Moments define who we are...

Life is made up of moments... both good and bad. As children, we dont label them and sometimes dont even acknowledge these moments exsist. Moments that occur during childhood build up to the moments that define who we are and what we will do as adults. As adults, there are moments that change us for the better, or worse, and there are moments that make us realize how good, or bad, our lives are.

This blog, journal entry... whatever you call it is about a specific moment. A comical moment that follows after a moment of depression, stress, and anxiety (three things that I know very well). But first, you know THAT moment? The one where you dont think anything else could POSSIBLY go wrong and you really dont know WHY you do the things you do... The moment we will talk about comes right after this...

When things seem to get me down, it always seems to get worse and worse, until the point where I think I'm going to pass out. Kids making messes or not sleeping at night, or just being down right monsters. You know how kids can get if you have some of your own... That's how my last few MONTHS have been and in the last week, I didnt think things could get much worse. Then today's MOMENT happened. Anthony, Arianna, Aurora and I were all attempting a nap this afternoon when my son decided he needed to "go poop"...

Think you know where this is leading... you are wrong.

He proceeds to the bathroom and then starts crying.

Think you got it yet? You are still wrong...

I go in to find out what is wrong.

Another guess? NOPE!

"Anthony, what is the matter baby?"
"Nothing, I just got all wet."
"How did you get wet?"
"Nothing, I just go pee, and I got all wet in my face"

Ahh, the joys of mother hood... My son has been doing SO GREAT at potty training and not wetting himself... until this fiasco. So I did what any good mother would do, I grabbed my phone and called my husband laughing so hard that my face was hurting!!!

I am learning, slowly but alas, it's learning, that I must find joy in all things!

Dont worry, I cleaned up my son, let him play in a bubble bath, and got him some clean cloths that didnt have pee on them ( he made a bit of a mess once it hit his face).

Leave it to a little one to help show that even when things get tough, laughter is still out there!

God Bless!

Hidden dangers of "Supplements"

So many people are looking for the "quick fix" and the "easy road" to health and fitness that when they see labels and commercials that promise you all these good things, they are so quick to jump on the band wagon... but what are these about? Are they really good for your body? People who are looking for that six-pack, extra energy for workouts or extra muscles and plan on using the dietary supplements, be cautious...

According to the FDA in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, defined "dietary supplement" as a product taken by mouth that contains a dietary ingredient intended to supplement diet. These dietary ingredients must include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanical's, amino acids, a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing dietary intake or concentrates, metabolites, constituents or extracts, or a combination of these.

These sound wells and good, but the Food and Drug Administration loosely regulates supplements. Meaning, under the DSHEA, as of October 1994, a firm is responsible for determining if their own products are safe and that any and all claims are held accountable through evidence to show they are not being misleading. In easier terms... The FDA doesnt need to approve the supplement before it's being sold.

Although all the ingredients are listed in the Supplement Facts Panel, serving sizes are not regulated by the FDA. The manufacturer is responsible to ensure safety and there are no rules to regulate serving sizes. Because It's not required to give this information to the FDA, the only way to find information about the Supplement Facts Panel is to contact the manufacturers themselves

So, ultimately it is up to the consumer themselves to research and educate themselves on all the ingredients to find what is best for their body and activity level. If you have questions never hesitate to ask me, and I will do my best to help give you the resources needed.

Sick and Tired!

I am SICK and TIRED... of being SICK and TIRED!!!

Just like anyone else, I hate being sick. I hate waking up in the middle of the night because my nose is so stuffy I cant breath, I hate waking up in the morning feeling like I didnt get any sleep, I hate taking medicine to just be able to breath out of ONE nostril... I just hate life when I'm sick.

Where am I comming from with this? Well, I havent been sick in a LONG time. Over the last week, however, I have gone from perfect health to feeling so bad, I dont know what to do. People have said that it's the weather. I mean it has been raining and crappy the last few days, but it was like this a few weeks ago and I wasnt even close to being sick then... as a matter of fact, I was playing in the rain.

So, why am I sick now while I wasnt then? I honestly believe that it's because THEN my immune system had an extra boost and NOW I've been slacking.

Let me start off with saying, I've always been the one that is easy to get sick. Always getting the flue or having a cold. It's just something I've always dealt with.

Over the last few months, I have been drinking Shakeology for breakfast every morning... until about a week ago. Last weekend, I went camping with my family. The weather was nice for the first few days so I was good, but then around tuesday, weather turned sour and I started getting the sniffles. By Thursday morning, I couldnt breathe out of my nose! It has been horrible since. It seems to be even worse since I cant take any real medicine to help.

I have come to one MAJOR realization with all of this... If I had been drinking my Shakeology, I wouldnt be feeling like crap! The Phytonutrients (Green Super Foods), Shakeology is great for boosting your immune system to help fight off colds and the flu. I honestly believe that Shakeology is the ONLY reason that I have been missing out on the colds the rest of my family has gotten. There have been several times in the last few months where everyone in the house gets sick and it skips right over me. Believe me, I'm not complaining about NOT being sick... I just know that it's time to start bringing a blender when I go camping!


If you would like more information about Shakeology click the following link:
The Science - Shakeology
If  you would like a sample of any of the flavors click the following link to send me an email:
Danielle M. Montoya

Getting the MOST out of Housecleaning.

Ever have one of those days where cleaning is really the last thing on your mind? If you are working on getting in shape, loosing weight, or just being slightly more active, housecleaning is really helpful. Have you ever noticed that you are actually PHYSICALLY tired after cleaning for long periods of time, especially when deep cleaning the house? This is because you are actually burning a LOT more calories then you think. For example, after 15 minutes of walking around while you prepare to leave (if you have kids, you know this take MUCH longer then 15 minutes) you burn roughly 36 calories! Of course this is dependent on your current weight, but you can check out how many you are roughly burning by visiting CalorieLab.

There are other things you can do in order to burn more calories faster and also things you can do during basic house cleaning rituals to help build muscle. For example, instead of using a handvac to "sweep" your floors, pull out that old dusty broom and sweep the floors. If you are OCD like me, doing it an extra time to make sure everything is up will be good for you as well. Instead of wasting precious EXPENSIVE electricity, hang your cloths outside on the line instead of using your dryer, not only will it save you from having to clean out the dryer vents every quarter, but it will also work those arms, legs, back and calves!

One thing that I personally do, especially if someone has the kids while I'm cleaning, I'll turn on some good tunes and dance around while I am doing my house work. Constant motion throughout the entire body not only will burn those calories off but it will keep you loose and flexible!

Here is a list of other ideas to help burn extra calories while cleaning:

1. Run or walk quickly up the stairs of your house throughout your cleaning section (USE YOUR HANDRAIL)
2. Do squats when picking things up off the floor. Not only is this better for your back, but your legs and butt will get some great toning!
3. If you arent doing a WHOLE HOUSE cleaning, set a timer and see how much you can get done in 5, 10, or 30 minutes.
4. Vaccum at a fast pace. great full body workout!
5. Skip out on using the Dishwasher and handwash the dishes. Your arms get a great workout!
6. DANCE. Shake that booty while you are standing and folding laundry or vaccuming the floors!
7. If you MUST sit, use your best posture and dont lean back in your seat.
8. Use full range of movement while working, doing this will help stretch your muscles and joints.
9. If you have a lot of cleaning to do, set a timer for 10-30 minutes and take a 5 minute stretching/breather before starting your next "workout" session.

Now, I know many people dont particularly LIKE cleaning the house. I for one am definitely one of those people! I have the whole mindset that, if it isnt done right, it isnt done! Which makes housecleaning take a lot longer and it gets more in depth then what it technically should be. There are ways to help with making cleaning a little more tolerable. And yes, I had to find ideas online to help me...

1. Set a positive mood for housecleaning. For me, I have found that playing high energy music (even if it's kid's music) helps me stay active and positive while cleaning. I also make sure that the house is BRIGHT. I know during the Alaskan Winters, bright isnt something we come by often so we have lots of lamps and bright bulbs in our house. During the summers, I just tie up the curtains and get to work!
2. Take DEEP BREATHS. I know this sounds a little funny, I know, but when you breath deeper you are giving yourself more oxygen in your blood which means more oxygen to your muscles, including your brain. This will make you feel more energized.
3. Set a pace. Dont try to get everything done all at one time. If you set yourself small achieveable goals (kind of like the ones you set for your fitness), you will see progress faster. Work at a fast pace to keep your heart pumping, but not too fast to burn yourself out too fast.
4. STRETCH. House cleaning is a workout. What do you do before and after a workout? YOU STRETCH! You use more parts of your body while you are cleaning then you do when you go to a gym and sit on a machine. If there is a point in your housecleaning that will make you have to stretch, do it! You're body will thank you!

I hope these things help you with your Housecleaning Workouts, They have certainly helped me in the past few years and have definitely made me more eager to be able to start really cleaning again after this baby girl arrives! Let me know what kinds of things you do to help you loose calories while cleaning!


References:
http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/cleaning-workout/
http://fitbodyfulllife.com/2010/07/top-10-housecleaning-workout-tips/
http://calorielab.com/burned/
http://voices.yahoo.com/get-good-workout-while-housecleaning-141601.html