ScorpyStell's blog

As an athlete, it is important to be at your best and to always be able to perform optimally.  To do so requires one to be both mentally and physically fit. Your body is a machine, much like a car. It requires regular maintenance and is powered by the fuel you give it. If you cut corners and feed it inferior grade fuel, performance will suffer. If you give it the best, premium grade fuel, you will have optimized the chances of high performance. Having said that, by cutting out all the junk, processed foods, refined sugars, and replacing it with natural foods and healthy fats, you will see a difference. It has been said that by purging your body of toxins, you will in turn revitalize your mind, keep energy levels high, and body fat down.

In an attempt to optimize my performance and to gain an extra edge, over the last 3 days I decided to go on a Fruit Detox program. Any extra weight and toxins I have is going to hold me back so it must go! I’m not an endorser on popping pills to achieve end results, and much prefer to do my cleansing through natural foods, which is one of the main reasons why I decided to try Jay Robb’s 3 Day Fruit Flush Detox. It claims that one can lose as much as 9lbs while on this program, no workouts necessary. Okay, I didn’t quite lose THAT much, but I did come close and couldn’t resist fitting in a couple of kettlebell workouts in between.

After having tried it, I was really surprised that it didn’t leave me hungry all the time and I still had more than enough energy for my workouts. However, I did crave food – especially on Day 1, where I was just consuming whey protein all day. Other than that, I like how this detox is very natural in the sense that you’re always consuming fruits/protein. The richest food I ever consumed was avocados. The program was especially easy to follow and keep to since I was swamped with deadlines at work and pretty much tied to my computer all day. I packed all my fruits the night before to save on time.

As for results, I lost 5lbs on the first day alone! Then for the remainder of the time I lost another pound, making it a total of 6lbs by the end of the detox. Not too shabby at all. I felt cleaner, my abs were flatter, I was revved and ready to go!

I feel great and would definitely do it again. The fact that it’s only for 3 days, I think anyone can do it.

Bottom line: Doing a detox for 3 days is a great way to lose a few quick pounds but not a quick fix solution for weight loss. For the long term, I suggest adopting healthy eating habits that include a good balance of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and fats. If you’re in, you’re in all the way!

You may recall me mentioning my involvement in the KettleWorx project in a previous post. As a follow-up post, I’m really proud to see that it is continuing to be an incredible success and attracting many follower around the world. Certified Personal Trainer, Jarrod Wise from the ABC Fit Friday has been quoted on calling KettleWorx a new Fitness Phenomenon! Over the last few months, my good friend and trainer Ryan Shanahan has been traveling across the US to get the word out there and promote KettleWorX. This in turn has really helped make kettlebell training accessible to the masses.

KettleWorX is a 6 week kettlebell workout program that encompasses core, cardio, and resistance training in the form of 20 minute workouts, that if done 3x per week combined with the Fat Free in 42 eating plan will lead some pretty incredible body transformation results.

I was one of the first trainees to test out Ryan’s kettlebell workout program. He saw beyond my layers of fat and decided to take me under his wing Thank goodness for that! To say the least, it has dramatically changed my life and reshaped my body, resulting in a huge surge in my fitness levels. My testimonial is currently featured on the KettleWorx website and I totally didn’t expect this but I’ve also been mentioned alongside my before/after pics on a couple of tv spots. Check ‘em out.

On ABC15 in Arizona (April 21):

http://www.abc15.com/content/style/beauty/story/Getting-married-Follow-these-7-tips-for-wedding/v7x8MDJkaE-9P4MJcggJPg.cspx

On NBC Philadelphia (April 25) – the audience even applauded in this one!:

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/station/10/Get_a__Beach_Bod__Fast__Philadelphia.html

One move that I have always wanted to master is the Pistol. It is essentially a 1 legged squat whereby one leg is extended 90 degrees in front while you balance your bodyweight on 1 leg and lower your body until the extended leg is parallel to the floor. This is considered one of the most difficult feats in flexibility, strength and conditioning, so difficult that many are unable to do even one full rep. Well, I was up for the challenge and wanted to see if I can do 10 reps on both legs.

I recently purchased Steve Cotter’s Mastering the Pistol DVD. On the DVD, Steve reveals the secret to mastering this move by breaking it down into 3 components: balance, flexibility, and balance. You will get 3 workouts that help further reinforce and develop those skills. I had an easy time with all the warm up exercises but it was when I got to the actual workouts that I really began seeing my numbers increase, and not to mention, my legs got even stronger as a result! When I first started the program, I able to only do 2 or 3 in a row. I’ve only been on the program for 3 weeks and I’m already up to 10 pistols each leg! Simply amazing stuff!

For more info on Steve and to purchase the dvd, check out www.fullkontact.com

Breaking my collarbone has been the single worst and most humbling experiences I had ever been through. The part that drove me crazy was not being able to workout or function at full capacity. However, looking back on the whole thing, it has taught me a lot about myself, life, and training. I felt invincible up until the accident and now that I’m fully healed I can’t help but feel the same way. Everything always works out in the end and it feels good to be back into the fold. Only difference is that I’m more cautious about my actions, now that I proved to myself that I’m not like Wolverine

Top lessons learned:
1. Do your research – don’t trust everything you’re told. when it comes to your own health and well being, get several opinions, educate yourself so that you can be 100% sure that you are making the right decision and not just taking someone’s word for it. Always look out for #1.
2. Patience is a virtue – work through it one step at a time and don’t rush a good thing. Get a good athletic therapist , do your physio, and slowly ease back into the hardcore workouts you know and love.

I’m currently at 18 weeks post surgery and feeling absolutely incredible! I got my groove back and blessed that things can only look up from here. The injury gave my body a good break from working out, leaving me well primed and ready to push limits, try new things, get stronger, and become a better athlete. I like a good challenge and vow to make this my best training year yet. For the past month I’ve been easing back into a workout program. I’ve been doing:

90 minute bikram yoga sessions

kettlebell workouts

indian clubs

flirty girl fitness classes

Life is good. Don’t live for the moment. Live in the moment. Take it all in. Do what you can when you can. Stay focused on the task at hand and make it happen.