Let's talk about BOOBS.

I'm writing this post because yesterday, after Stroller HIIT, I was having coffee with some wonderfully smart, beautiful, hilarious Moms who all have a sense of humour, put health as a priority, and run their households like badass mofos.

Speaking of bad asses, we started talking about our bodies.

You read that right.

And we started out pretty good. We talked about what a fit group of women we had. We talked about how strong we had become. How many push ups we just did. How our legs were sore already from squatting. How we threw down a 12km run in record time. How we pushed a human out of our vajayjays and lived to tell about it.

Then we started talking about physical appearances. Some of us wanted to be leaner. Some wished they didn't have stretch marks or cellulite. Some wanted abs. And some girls wanted breast implants.

Just us hanging out hitting the weights. No biggie.
Source: Sisters in Shape

I totally relate to this. Being a fitness and yoga instructor and Phys Ed teacher myself, I will tell you it is HARD to be in the fitness industry sometimes. I'm surrounded by people that have beautiful, tanned skin, muscles in places I didn't know existed, white veneers that could blind me, willpower the size of my appetite for chocolate, and more silicone than I know what to do with. Open any fitness magazine and you will see gorgeous women who are ripped from head to toe, with nice, perky boobs. And I'll admit it: I like it. I like to look at them. I like that they are strong AND sexy, but I also know that strong and sexy can be a female Crossfitter, or an Olympic heptathlete, or that chick down the street who goes for runs on the weekends. I do worry that women and girls will strive for an ideal that is literally impossible to do on their own- as it physically requires surgery. 

Let me reiterate. We want, like, zero fat on all other parts of our body, but we are supposed to have giant funbags for boobs? How is that normal, or fair? Fair would be if the extra love in my lovehandles were considered sexy. Or if the stretched skin on my stomach was considered a badge of honour. Or if men felt the same need to make, ahem, one of THEIR body parts bigger. 

Are implants like like putting makeup on, getting eyelash extensions or fake nails? Is it like straightening your teeth? Is it a fair reward for working so hard and having low body fat? Is it a gift to women who want to feel more "womanly"? Do women like looking at that ideal, or would they prefer the real thing? I can't answer these questions. What I do know is that I've had braces, I've had my teeth whitened, I've had laser eye surgery, and I feel damn good when I have my makeup on and my hair did. That being said, I think it is sad that women of all shapes, sizes, and cups aren't celebrated in the fitness world.

Two months ago, I was asked to contribute to Gorgo Women's Fitness Magazine- a dream come true. Erica and Val, two women I believe in wholeheartedly, asked me to join them at a photo shoot. I would get photos done for the column I would be writing for them (Think Carrie Bradshaw, but fitness. Without the designer shoes. Or NYC apartment. Or millions of dollars. Or the size zero. Or smoking addiction.).

And I was terrified. The shoot was less than three weeks away, and I literally got the email as I was getting ready for a wedding: eating Mini Eggs, and downing multiple a glass of champagne. I know the "fitness look"- jacked from head to toe, huge boobs- and it's not me. I have small boobs, wide hips, and I certainly enjoy my indulgences in life. Fitness is not universal- there are MANY ways to be fit- yet people want to idolize the girl who looks hot in a bikini, even if the girl in the full piece wetsuit can kick the crap out of her. I don't have a six pack, but I know my core is my strongest asset. I wouldn't wear micro shorts to save my life, but I know I can outrun a whole hell of a lot of people. I don't have Michelle Obama arms, but I can push up and push up and push up like a mofo. And I don't make excuses for myself, but I also just had a baby. It was, to say the least, terrifying.

Most of the photos that were taken at the shoot were of the real models with sports bras and short shorts. And they looked amazing. But I was glad (read: scared shitless) to be given a chance to be "me"- a real woman with a pear shape who eats chocolate and drinks wine, and kicks ass in the gym. I even did a shoot with a workout I created. It was inspiring, empowering, and hopefully- the way of the future.

Source: Gorgo

A few things: 1. My thighs touch when I'm not posing. 2. I don't have abs unless I flex.
3. My boobs are non-existent. 4. I AM FIT.
Holla!   

Personally, I am not for, nor against breast implants. One of the girls at coffee said something that really resonated with me: "Wouldn't it be great if we could celebrate the Moms who got their bodies back, but with saggy boobs and stretched out tummies? Now THAT shows hard work." I couldn't agree more.

If I was self conscious about my boobs, or if my body resembled that of a Grecian goddess or a fitness model, then perhaps I would consider implants. I just feel like they would get in the way of hoisting my wine glass. That, and I just couldn't possibly handle getting more attention than I already do. I do have like, three whole fans, you know.


What do YOU think of breast implants in the fitness world?

CLEAN Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Amazeballs

If you know me, you know I have a major sweet tooth. I've tried everything: completely cutting myself off from sweets (in which case, I ate just about everything in sight to make up for the dissatisfaction of not eating chocolate, causing me to gain a zillion pounds); having only 1-3 squares of chocolate per night (which is great and all, until the weekend hits); saving it just for the weekend (don't talk to me between Monday-Friday); and finally, saying F it and eating sweets whenever I want.

The point of that rant is to show you I have no clue what the hell I'm doing.

Truth is, I limit my sweet tooth. A lot. I'm pretty good during the day, and must admit weekends I give in on my cheat meal. But during the week, I love something sweet after dinner. I've been resorting to protein shakes, apples and peanut butter, or gnawing off my son's arm. I think popping a few of these will be just what I need. Now if only I can not eat them all in one sitting.

I adapted these from Oxygen Magazine by changing up the chocolate (you know it) and making a few other changes.

Makes about 30 gooey cookie dough bite-sized balls (it took everything out of me not to make a comment about gooey balls):

1 cup quick oats
1 cup natural peanut butter
2 tbsp honey
4 tsp vanilla extract
30 semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup liquid egg whites (pasteurized)
4 tbsp unsweetened coconut almond milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder (this is optional. If you omit this, use half the almond milk! I use Vega Sport Chocolate)

Using your ginormous biceps, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and form into balls on wax paper (set on a cutting board or baking sheet). Add one chocolate chip to each ball. Place in freezer and let set for a minimum of 1 hour. Voila!

These balls are a little lopsided, but I'll take it. 

You can then put these bad boys in a freezer-friendly container, and when a sweet craving hits, just pop a few out of the freezer and let thaw for 15 minutes. Enjoy your balls!!!