The New York Times exposed last week the poli-tricks of Nutrition. Major brands like Coca Cola, ConAgra, Beef Cattlemen and Aramark are educating, co-sponsoring and lobbying Nutrition and Dietitians countrywide. So next time you hear a label brands itself as Nutritionist and Dietitians favor this over the other leading brands, remember the product was more than likely bought and paid for, not really tested/studied/researched as the label may suggest.

Check out the Eat Drink Politics for more information about the political and financial dirty work behind the foods made available for consumption.

Side Plank

8 ways to lose belly fat this winter.

Article via Madame Noire

I have a bad habit of pushing. It drives people nuts but in the same sentence, I like to be pushed just the same. I need to feel constantly motivated because I get bored way too easy. When people call on me for the proverbial kick in the ass, I don’t lift a finger or move a foot; I just PUSH.

P.rod U.ntil S.omething H.appens. Some people pray until something appears, but prayer alone never saved anyone. If it did, Haiti would be a world power. Prayer is spirit but Prod is will.

Definition of Prod: incite, invoke, jab, challenge.

I can judge one’s patience and politely try one’s character by pushing. It’s amazing when you do, how people can do 1 of 2 things: run/hide or step up.

I’m a challenger because I enjoy how the duel also challenges me. When one steps up and sustains, they grow as an individual. In that same moment, I grow as a teacher. You know it’s like taking Yoga, when the teacher sees you misaligned and struggling to hold the pose. What do they do? Pass you by in your moments of strain? No, they correct you and compromise your ailing ego, convincing you that you have more to learn, more to grow, more to bend and more to stretch to achieve greatness.

But today I learned, that not everyone in life is worth that kind of push energy. Some people in life would rather pull you: warp you of your energy, sap you dry of your creativity, box you in and cover up your light. That’s when you stop growing and that’s when I woke up 8 am this morning, told the universe to help me let go of them.

With this new validation in my mind, new energy unleashed, by 11 am I got fabulous news about my upcoming coaching project, by 1 pm I was introduced to warm refreshing energy, and by 3 I was offered 2 new opportunities, chances to push me outwardly even further.

And to think I was harboring all this darkness just hours ago because of one person and letting them go this morning, I was granted light. Of course, all these great things are derivative of me plugging along, doing the right thing for my business, but I would have never appreciated it if I didn’t let go of yesterday to embrace tomorrow.

Moral of the story: Let go, Let God, Let Light in!

So most of you know that I’m formerly of the “bodybuilding” world and previous to that volleyball player in my teens; I joined sports to get my out of the house and competed as a bikini athlete to quite frankly look good naked (an added boost to my confidence/morale) after years of treating my temple like shit (a direct reflection of my relationships at the time, but I digress).

When the words Crossfit flashed across my laptop screen back in 2010, I was a little sketchy as if it were some kind of (p90x) x (insanity) x (hybrid interval training) spinoff from the west coast. Naturally the methodic yet randomly selected program gave it a different edge than push play based fitness and the cult-like commune vibe intimidated me enough to be curious.

My first impressions of the original boxes in my area were kind of scattered. It seemed that the boxes were only swarmed with high school/college kids and their “I sucked at real sports so I’m part of this sport, hoorah” type bravado. Boxes were gladly taking their money as they injured themselves with improper form, inconceivable progressions, and quite frankly lackluster approach to convince me that this was something here of value. Sure, I’ll take the fundamentals and learn a thing or two, cause I’m always down to learn something, (even if all I do learn is my instructor was a douche). Eventually, I casted Crossfit off because my own cult of meat-heads/superficial fitness fanatic that I’ve come to know, love and respect, those who knew that at 10 pm Monday-Friday you can find me on the squat rack, leg press, iso-row or iso-press machine knocking out my split/non-functional routine, we’d never be caught dead with that kind of crowd.

But something happened last summer; I signed up for fundamentals at Black Box. I experienced something there I never witnessed before. Could it be that this is what they intended it to be? Scalable workshops, division of work capacity (newbies, beginners, intermed & regular pop), dynamic & functional warm-ups, and a community proud of the work & integrity put forth every time the step into the box. Let me explain:

I walked into some random building asking the guy in front of me entering in an obscure lobby “Is crossfit on the 2nd or 3rd floor?” He answered “2nd” and asked if it was my first time. I replied yes as he sized me up from head to toe.

“You’re a trainer?”
“How did you know?”
“Your shirt…”

He smiled and said “you’re gonna do just fine, in fact, you’ll probably love it.”

Guess what? He was right. I did 2 weeks of fundamentals with this coach named Ryan who professed to us that he couldn’t do 1 pull-up his first time at his original box back in Denver. He was in disbelief that a 120lb girl smoked him at his first WOD. But now, after advancing through the ranks and then becoming a coach, training from 3 days a week to 4/5, he can stand before us and pass the hard-learned lessons on.

In other “sports” to remain nameless, people are erroneously rewarded trophies, titles and cash prizes based on the illusion of health and wellness, discipline and integrity, when actually it’s illegal use of enhancements, steroids, amphetamines, clen and all sorts of mind-fucking shit. I digress.

This kid in front of me is telling us about his earnest efforts, transformations and triumphs, processes and procedures he learned and endured: he put in the work, believed in the process, which molded him into a better athlete, a better father and eventually a coach. Accomplishing all this based on his own fn merit. Could you believe that still exists in this day and age?

I thought to myself, I think I like this place.

Even though it was filthy, soot/sand/chalk everywhere; place looks like it was still in construction with no visible signs of where to go nor what to do upon arrival, but I liked the whole Fight Club swag of it.

I finished Fundamentals but relented to join at the time. Besides, another was opening up just one stop away from home in a few month. Late November I attended that box  one Tuesday night, left the sweat on the floor like they expect you to do, but the vibe wasn’t quite the same. So I reached out to Ryan, who had eventually left NYC and headed back west. He replied to my email and did something only professionals would do, something I really didn’t expect: he remembered me (months later) and then referred me to a coach who I can work with considering my knee and shoulder issues.

WOW!  and I rarely get impressed.

So I’m joining Crossfit, not for the extreme games, or the Paleo push, or the bullshit/gimmicky/egotistical branding; nope, not sipping on any of that kool aid. I’m joining because they providing something that is absent in the fitness community: camaraderie for those who believe that honest work and earnest effort still pays. Just like my HS & College volleyball coach instilled in me.

I’ve got a new hero; I’ve been watching her for almost a little over a year now. She’s my new inspiration, at least one of them. Her name is Elisabeth. She is DOPE!

She doesn’t know me; but neither did Ava Cowan. But respect is given, when respect is due. I feel an itch coming on; the competitive bug is near. Not with anyone in particular, but myself my old self. I want back in, you hear me. I 99.9% sure I’m going all in.

#crossfit

Today I relaunched this Tumblr: proudly named I Am Janessa. The hiatus from blogging and social networking over the course of almost 2 years gave me time to figure out who the hell I am and what is it that I have to offer. In those 2 beautifully triumphant and yet mentally draining years, I’ve discovered that I discarded one label to assume another; once again, trapping me inside another 16 x 16 box. Let me elaborate:

In 2010, publicly I brought to Better Fit Body, my transformation vehicle. I blogged about my highs and lows from fatty to phenom bikini contestant, from 3rd place winner to fitness model and from conception to full on self-employed business woman. In 2011 I was privileged to work alongside some amazing brands on college tours, publicity tours, workshops and was asked to audition for the Biggest Loser. By mid 2011, I was happy that my seeds were growing but I still felt I lacked something. I relocated to NYC in 2011 and literally fell silent. Searching for something, I didn’t know I already possessed. In my query, I found myself curious about all sorts of movement therapy, and enthralled in self-discovery, excited in guided others towards light, all the while re-creating a better more beautiful mind. Late 2012, it came to me like an epiphany. I am all those particles, labels and boxes; and so much more.

I found resurrection when a close friend and I sat at Whole Foods in TriBeCa brainstorming our next movement: bridging together those who’ve made it with those who are still climbing. We collectively called this Sister:Girl:Friend. In this we can workshop: cultivating young women into self-CEO’s managing their own “personal” business in a way that’s still cool & hip & valuable, working across company lines to bring top-notch MBA’s, scholars & power professionals successfully bridging the gap between what we do, what we are and what we offer. It’s not about your title here – it’s about being a sister, a girl and a friend. What woman, who is trying to make something of herself, wouldn’t want that? I know between me and PB (we’re both only childs) we needed something like that growing up.

I also found a new outlet and gained a new friend in my joint venture with My Me Time Wellness. She has been supportive of me since hello. I am grateful for our newness and I am certain it’ll be around for many more years. This venture affords me the time that I need to nurture all the other wonderful relationships I forgotten about in my need to find self. Instead of killing myself 7 days a week, I’ve committed to 4 days a week in NYC working on fitness clients and servicing the public. I selfishly took back 3 days for me, for the first time in my life. It is certainly refreshing.

I Am Janessa: no stage, nor spotlight, nor self-serving praise from a contest judge, a sponsor, a household brand nor a job need apply to validate me. My mother, in my early 20’s, would always say “you are so lucky to get so many opportunities; you’ll never be without work.” I always thought opportunities arose solely on my hard-work and tenacity. It does, but I possess so much more. I have a lot to offer, I have a lot to build upon, I have a lot to give, I share so much because I care so much. I am a passionate person who will ride and die for a cause. Not too many too often are willing to show those attributes on their sleeves like I do. I can’t help it. It’s just who I am.

My ex will say I am a hard shell on the outside and a cream puff on the inside. Neddy would say that I’m such a Scorpio: high maintenance and yet hardcore. My girls would quote Rakim: “I ain’t no joke”; but I say simply, I’m just Janessa: the great grand-daughter of Massimo (the Sailor), the grand-daughter of Roger (the Businessman) and the only child of Roland (the Wiz). Raised by my grandmother Eunelie (MeMe), molded by her daughter Justa (the Resilient), emerging as a Butterfly.

      Morning light, silken dream take flight

      As the darkness give way to the dawn

      You’ve survived, now your moment has arrived

      Now your dream has finally been born

      Black butterfly sail across the waters

      Tell your sons and daughters what the struggle brings

      Black butterfly set the skies on fire

      Rise up even higher

      so the ageless winds of time can catch your wings

                    -Black Butterfly, Deniece Williams

*Thanks Gary, I never forgot this dedication ****

I took 2 years off from fitness, unbeknownst to me, to find clarity. I felt like after competing and traveling, meeting people and other lifestyles, I wanted more for me. I deserved more for me and it meant that fitness is not something that I do, its something I should live so that I can be better at being the best me, in life.

I wrote on FB my goals for 2013: learn a new language, learn a new sport, travel and launch a few more projects. I want to keep you in the loop this time; make 2013 less introspective and more open. You’re invited to my diary; it’ll be right here. Promise you, this will be fun.

My Trick or Treat workout with the editor former editor Joshua David Stein of BlackBook Mag,  is on shelves today… It’s the one with Zac Efron on the front!