Some Michiganders and a Californian-My Rock 'n' Roll Weekend

My Rock 'n' Roll half marathon race weekend last month was EPIC.  Not only did I have a great race, but I got to meet some of my very favorite online friends in real life (IRL!) It was akin to meeting the cast from your favourite T.V. show.  The one that you've watched forever so you feel like you know the people, yet you would still be completely starstruck to be sitting amongst them.  

The switch from online friend to IRL friend can be tricky.  After all, everyone has their online persona.

Confession time:

The first person I met was Adrian from Happy Girls are the Prettiest Girls.

She writes one of the first blogs I ever followed and is among my very first bloggy friends. When she first emailed me to ask for hotel recommendations for the race, I offered Casa de la TriGirl.

Once we both agreed that it totally wasn't weird to invite a sort of stranger to stay in your house, or to accept said invitation from a sort of stranger, the plan was set.

Adrian flew in the day before the race, and I recognized her immediately.

She kinda gets that a lot. Like, a lot a lot.

We drove straight to the race expo and chatted the whole way. It wasn't weird, for the record, and it took my mind off driving on crazy overpasses and into the middle of downtown on a weekday in the pouring rain, which apparently means that suddenly no one knows how to drive (because you know, it's not like it doesn't rain here EVERY DAY!).

After checking out some free stuff at the expo,

we met more bloggers for lunch at a nearby restaurant.  As we rounded the corner, another familiar face that I had only ever seen online was grinning at me.

It was Megan! And her boyfriend Ryan was right beside her! 

It was like a celebrity sighting; like Brangelina, but Rygan...Myan? Anyhoo, like that, minus the multicultural children, and the weird tattoos, and the creepy beard that Brad sports on occasion. Plus, Megan totally gets along with her dad and has even turned him into a runner!

Along with them were a few more familiar faces:  Megan and Kevin, and their baby, Charlotte.

Those blue eyes were soooo big!

Erika and Julia were there, 

(I just love the pigtails) 

along with some of Erika's friends.

Then more local bloggers joined us: Lindsay, Nicole, Tasha, Lauren, and Stacie!

After some more expo-loring (get it? expo and exploring?) it was time to go home.  Adrian had brought me a bag of gifts that was fantastically awesome.

The next morning we raced, and that evening, we went out for sushi.

We had a great time getting to know each other better, and after dinner we went to a pub. We sat around in a little side room with flamingo beer bongs and mustachioed guitars hanging on the wall. Suddenly, Erika noticed that Ryan had attracted some unusual attention.

Megan shooed the (presumably drunk or otherwise altered) woman away and asked Ryan what that was all about. He replied matter-of-factly,

Touche', Ryan.  Touche'.

The next day, TriGuy, Adrian, and I went out for breakfast, then we went downtown for some sightseeing. We met up with Erika and the Megans, with the menfolk and childfolk in tow. We did the regular, fun touristy stuff, but one of the highlights of my day was watching Megan walk backwards while she was talking, and knock over a magician's table with his magic trick movies on it.

It proved to me that she is exactly who she claims to be on her blog...and that we are most definitely kindred spirits.

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend, and the only sad part was having to say goodbye to so many good friends that I had just started getting to know.  Perhaps it's time to start looking for more races...

UPCOMING POSTS: MORE RACE REPORTS, YOGA (for real), LONG RUNS

Q&A With Helen M. Ryan, Author of "21 Days to Change Your Body"

Hi everyone!

I have something a little different for you today (but there is still lots of stick figure goodness!)  I was recently sent a book called 21 Days to Change Your Body, by Helen M. Ryan.  

The book is broken up into quick, daily recommendations that guide the reader to make small, but crucial changes in both body and mind, in order to start making healthy choices. 

I think Helen is pretty inspirational, as she lost over 80 pounds in less than a year through changing her mental approach to food and exercise.  She is currently an ACE certified personal trainer and Spinning instructor (you know, my favourite kind of instructor!)  You can check out her blog, Real World Weight Loss to learn much more about her.

Here is the Q&A I did with her after reading her book.

--------------------------------------------------------
What prompted you to write this book?
As a fitness instructor/trainer, I discovered that many of my clients suffered from the same issues I had before my weight loss. I realized that they felt alone and hopeless, not knowing where to turn or how to get on the right track. I was helping people on a one-by-one basis, but realized that by "going public" and writing a book, I would be able to reach more people and maybe, just maybe, help get them on a healthier path and change their lives. I had a great experience last week that solidified for me the reasons behind writing the book. A woman at the gym - who I didn't know - came up to me and told me she bought the book. I asked her if she liked it and she said, "Liked it? It changed my life!" That right there was worth every word I typed all those late nights. 

What was the biggest surprise you discovered upon making these changes to your life?

People, particularly men, treated me differently. I was also more respected in business dealings after I lost the weight. I found that kind of odd, since I have the same brain I had before. It was a bit surprising, and it goes to show us that weight does play a role in business.

What is the question your clients ask you most often?

How I did it. Many of them are in the same place I was before I lost weight, and they are looking for the "magic" that spurs weight loss. There is no magic - there is only you. The truth is, people won't lose weight until they are ready. I had a friend tell me that everything I told her a few years ago is finally making sense. When people are truly tired of being overweight - truly tired of feeling run down - truly tired of not being able to button their pants - they will succeed. But only then.

What (if any) changes have you seen in your children since you started eating healthy and exercising?

My daughter does Zumba Fitness classes with me and comes to my Pilates Barre classes during school breaks. I cajole my son to strength train. The kids (13 and 15), try to make healthier choices, but they are kids, after all, and not very interested in choosing vegetables over chips. I try to model healthy habits, but I don't force the issue. 

What is the best piece of advice you have ever gotten?

To make sure my clients and students feel successful. The owner of the very first Spinning studio I taught at shared that gem with me, and I keep it close to my heart. My goal is not to "kill" anyone, but to give them a good workout and help them feel capable and strong. Too many classes, especially Spinning classes (my favorite), make students feel inferior and weak. That is not what exercise is about. You have to learn to love something and build up your strength and stamina. Nothing warms my heart more than taking an overweight and out-of-shape student or client and showing them what their bodies CAN do - not reinforce what it CAN'T do.

What is the worst piece of advice you have ever gotten?

I think it's  a toss up between "don't eat carbs" and "don't do so much cardio" - both terrible pieces of advice. I agree that we need to cut down on carbs and focus mostly on getting our carbs from veggies, fruits and occasional whole grains, but  I don't agree with giving them up completely (hello - I love chocolate!). Also, many trainer friends of mine admonish me for doing as much cardio as I do. I lost 80 pounds doing cardio, and I still have great biceps, so I am definitely not burning off muscle. Cardio - Spinning classes in particular - make me happy, and keep me fit, so I don't see the problem.

Did you every try any of those miracle weight-loss/tone-up devices they peddle on late night T.V?

No, but I bought every book written about weight loss and even tried weight loss pills (both over the counter and prescription). Nothing worked because I didn't change my mindset. I had a "fat" mind and I was looking, like many, for a quick solution. Most of the late-night weight-loss/tone-up devices are useless, though there are exceptions. The exercises used in the Brazllian butt infomercial, for example, are ones often used by trainers and in classes, and they do work - if you stick with them and focus on eating healthier. 

---------------------------------------------

Thank you, Helen!  I really enjoyed this book.  If you are looking for a way to jump-start a new philosophy on eating and exercising, this is a must-read.  It's fun, honest, and to-the-point.  Helen offers common-sense ideas that can be implemented realistically in a non-punitive, nor highly restrictive way.  You can also follow Helen on her Facebook page, at Real World Weight Loss.

Have you had a change in your mindset that has led you to a lifestyle change?

What keeps you motivated to to eat a balanced diet and to stay active?


UPCOMING POSTS:  MEETING BLOGGING FRIENDS, LONG RUNS, AND YOGA


Disclaimer:  I was asked to participate in this online book tour in return for a free copy of the book and links back to my site.  I was not financially compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.