And Another Quote...

Lifepulp is simply infectious. Inspiration is contagious. I find myself often in search of a quote or inspirational picture. Yesterday I posted a cute (maybe a bit corny) quote on Lifepulp, but I felt it was something that needed to be shared on TeenSanity. Because simplicity and corny-ness, I just had to post it! So here it is:

"The best known vitamin to be a happy person is B1."
~Author Unknown

Setting Goals In Your Workout

Today I set a goal of mine: 300 burpees in less than an hour. Guess what? I accomplished my goal! I completed 300 burpees in 47 minutes. I felt like I died afterwards and had to lay on the floor for a good five minutes before I was able to get up. It was the most amazing feeling when I was completing my final burpee. I can't explain the feeling of completing a goal in a workout. Two years ago, I could not do a push up if my life depended on it. I was constantly making excuses to stop my workout midway. I would constantly fix my ponytail and get a "water break." Every time I felt weak or unable to accomplish my workout, I gave into it. If I couldn't do something, my mind would go "You are physically out of shape.Why are you even trying?" For the longest time, I let my mind get the best of me. I felt like because I couldn't do a push up was the exact reason why I should stop trying. I think a lot of people face this when they try to work out. I finally got to a point, where I wanted it so badly. I wanted to be in incredible shape. I knew my mindset wasn't working. Just because I couldn't do something wasn't an excuse to stop trying. So I set goals and I accomplished them. I motivated myself by wanting to be strong physically and mentally. If you dedicate the time and put in the effort, you will improve in your workout. I can honestly say if I didn't push myself at times when I thought I couldn't do it, I wouldn't be where I am today. Start off small and build your way up. You can do it. I could never do a push up or a proper crunch when I started. Because of my effort and will to succeed I did 300 burpees today. I have footage of me trying to do a burpee from when I first started. I cringe when I watch it, it's that bad. My elbows barely make a 45 degree angle when I try to do a push up. I couldn't do the timing of jumping back into my squat from the push up. It looks extremely awkward. I could've let that get the best of me, but I didn't. I slowly built my way up. I first set a goal to do a proper push up. Then I increased the amount of push ups. Then I built my coordination. Slowly I put together all the aspects of a burpee and finally I got it! Then I was able to increase my amount and intensity. I set goals and went after them. It's that simple. Set goals and go after them. You will surprise yourself.

The Get Inspired Lecture

Learn How Four Inspirational People Succeed in Life & Business

Meet four inspirational speakers whose mission is to help others reach their goals. The two-hour event will be held at Westport’s new Center for Energy Healing, located at 180 Post Rd. East. It will be held between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. The parking lot and main entrance are in the rear of the building, off Imperial Ave. 

Each of the speakers will offer a different perspective on how they sustain their motivation in their lives and careers and how they use it in their work. Hosting the event will be Tessa Zimmerman, the founder of the Westport-based teen health blog TeenSanity.

Speakers:

Inspiration in Business and Life:

Canadian-based Roman Price, founder of LifePulp.com, a website that motivates and inspire all over the world, will discuss how inspiration has contributed to his successes. He has been an entrepreneur since he was 17 years old. Find out how he built his businesses and why he wants to inspire people. Roman has the largest inspirational network in the world.

Sustainable Education = Inspiration

Suellen Inwood, Director, Individualized Program Coordinator, at the Easton Country Day School, a small, coed private school for grades Pre-K through 12, will discuss sustainable education and how to keep students inspired.  She is a founding parent and one of the school's administrators.  Her 25 years of teaching experience includes Pre-School at Cooperative Educational Services and numerous grades at Fairfield public schools.  She has apprenticed and worked with Dr. Fred Donaldson in Original Play for over 20 years.  

Joining Suellen will be Dr. Donaldson, who taught at the Universities of Washington and California State, Hayward and the California School of Professional Psychology. He is the developer of Original Play. He is also the author of the Pulitzer-Prize nominated book, Playing By Heart. He will be discussing the importance of original play in education and how original play inspires students to achieve their goals.

How to Overcome Obstacles and Stay Motivated:

Bryon Breeze, also known as “Soulja,” is the subject of a feature-length documentary, Half a Soulja, www.halfasoulja.com. Born with a severe disability, he will discuss how he has overcome tremendous obstacles and has achieved some notable accomplishments, including being the first “double amputee” to win the New York City Triathlon. He will discuss how he motivates himself on a daily basis. He calls it “Motivation in Motion.”

The price of the lecture is $10. The Center’s numbers is (203) 557-9329 or for additional information please email Tessa Zimmerman zimt@optonline.net.

Gogi Berry Goodness!

I am just a bit (maybe a lot) obsessed with gogi berries. After sharing my superfood trail mix, I realized I forgot to share the benefits of gogi berries. The ancient Chinese monks credit this berry for their greater health, vitality, longevity, stamina, and energy. Finally, Western science has realized the power of these incredible berries.  This berry is packed with 18 amino acids including 8 essential amino acids which makes up 10% of the superfood's composition. This antioxidant packed fruit is known for fighting free radicals thus supporting a healthy immune system. They contain 21 trace minerals, including geranium, an anti cancer trace mineral rarely found in foods. They have more protein than whole wheat. If you thought an orange had lots of vitamin C, well gogi berries have even more- 5 times more per ounce. Gogi berries are the richest source of carotenoids of all known foods. They contain essential fatty acids which are required for our body's production of hormones and for consistent functioning of our brain and nervous system. These aren't even all of the wonderful nutrients that make up gogi berries! Not only are these gogi berries packed with nutrients, but delicous. With their chewy texture and a flavor between a cranberry and dried cranberry, they are so yummy! I love to add them to my trail mix or top them on an acai bowl. Enjoy the gogi berry goodness!

Superfood Trail Mix Recipe

I love a great snack; especially one including superfoods! This trail mix is perfect for the on-the-go teen who needs a little something to snack on. Just grab a handful of this trail mix and you'll be good to go! Thank you to Patrick for sharing this with me:) Here's the recipe:

-One eight ounce bag of gogi berries

-3/4 of a cup of sunflower seeds

-1/2 cup of coconut flakes

-1/2 cup of cacao

Yum! 

Wise Words

The best way to spend the day is to play through the day. On Wednesday, I got to play for three hours with Fred Donaldson, author of Playing By Heart. The first hour was a workshop with Fred. During this workshop, Fred said something really insightful. He said, "If you give someone your mind, you lose." These words were very powerful for me. I tend to let what someone says get the best of me. If someone says a test is going to be really hard, it makes me very nervous, but by getting that nervous over those words; I am giving that person my mind. I am letting what they say get the best of me. That's why I found these words really powerful because I recognized a bad habit of mine-giving someone my mind. Now that I've recognized this pattern of thinking, I can learn not to give away my mind so easily. Thanks Fred! 

The Break Down of Vitamins and Minerals

I love it when I get suggestions for a post. So big 'THANK YOU' to Kayla for the suggestion and making sure I actually complete this post. Everyone always says, "You need more vitamin A or potassium or omega 3's." But no one ever tells us why we need those vitamins! So that's what I am here to do-to give you the break down on vitamins. Let's start by clarifying what a vitamin is: "any group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition and are required in small quantities in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body." Below are just a few of many essential vitamins:

Calcium-Aids in the metabolic functions necessary for normal activity of the nervous, skeletal, muscular systems and plays a significant role in normal heart function, kidney function, blood-clotting, and blood vessel integrity. In our body, calcium promotes normal growth and development; builds bones and teeth; and maintains bone density and strength. 

Iron- Is an essential part of our blood. In our body, iron transports oxygen and contributes to the storage of oxygen; forms part of several proteins and enzymes in the body; maintains a healthy immune system; assists in the production of thyroid hormones, connective tissue, and several neurotransmitters.

Omega- 3 Fatty Acids- Research shows Omega-3 Fatty Acids reduce inflammation and may help lower the risk of chronic diseases. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are highly concentrated in the brain and is important for cognitive and behavioral function. In the our body, it protects against coronary heart disease; may protect against strokes; causes high density lipoprotein. 

Potassium- Works in the body by promoting regular heartbeat; promotes normal muscle contraction; regulates transfer of nutrients to cells; maintains water balance in body tissues and cells; stimulates normal movements of the intestinal tract.

Vitamin A- Works in the body promoting bone growth and teeth development; helps form and maintain healthy skin, hair, mucous membranes; builds body's resistance to respiratory and other infections.

Vitamin C- The primary role of this vitamin is to help build collagen, connective tissue. Collagen is the defense mechanism against disease and infection. Vitamin C plays a large role in the production of antibodies. When our immune system is fighting an infection, vitamin C helps increase the white blood cell count and function.

Vitamin D- Works in the body by absorbing calcium and phosphorous to aid in the development of bones and teeth; promotes normal cell growth and maturation; maintains a healthy nervous and immune system. 

My Hope for Teens in 2012

Today I had a discussion with someone who has seen me at my best and worst. We talked about how all the "You can't do that" and "Just give up" has just fueled me to do everything they said "I couldn't". Don't get me wrong, when I first heard those statements, I fell apart. Maybe that person didn't believe in me, but I knew deep, deep (really, really, deep) down that I wanted it badly enough that I to believe in myself. And that's all it takes to do something: believe in yourself. Often people tell us we won't be able to accomplish something. My hope for everyone is that you take that statement and prove them wrong! It's so easy to let a statement like "You won't be able to do that" to get the best of us. But that's one person's opinion, what about your opinion? If you believe you can do it, you can! That's my hope for teenagers this year: I hope teenagers realize the power of belief. And for all those teenagers out there who says "No one believes in them." Guess what? I do!