I am feeling stronger in my legs and upper back since increasing my workouts.  My upper back takes a beating with my job and I need to keep it strong.  Snatches and bent over rows make a huge difference.  I did a snatch and swing workout that helped bring my shoulders back. 

I did well eating raw until tonight.  I had quinoa pasta with broccoli.  I usually eat until I am stuffed but since eating raw I didn’t have as much of an appetite. This week I ate raw ravioli, pad thai, corn chowder, broccoli soup, and lots of salads.  You can see the recipes on www.AlissaCohen.com.  I am amazed at how good vegetables can be.  Tomorrow I will have tomato, cucumber, red pepper and avocado salad for breakfast and grated raw butternut squash with curry seasoning for lunch.  I am actually having fun with raw food. 

I am putting on a seminar in Tacoma, WA with one of the speakers from the movie The Secret, Bob Doyle (www.WealthBeyondReason.com).  I also have Mark Edgar Stephens (www.MarkEdgarStephens.com)  coming who is amazing.  These two people want to empower people and make good changes in the world.  I always feel better just being in their presence.  For those of you who are interested call 206.365.0400 or go to http://www.discoveru.org/Class.aspx?ClassID=2554 

I went to the June 2007 RKC certification 15 lbs heavier than the last certification.  I could give you all of my sob stories on why I gained weight, but ultimately it doesn’t matter.  The fact is that I was not in the shape I needed to be.  I met Tracy Reifkind at the April 2007 RKC and was inspired by her story.  She lost over 100 pounds by changing her diet and exercising with kettlebells.  When I got home I checked out her blog.  No wonder she lost weight.  She is exercising her butt off.  I was so impressed.  I was disgusted with myself that I had become lazy.  Since returning from RKC I bumped up the intensity of my workouts and changed my diet.  I am happy to say I have lost 7 of my 15 pounds.  Kettlebells will remain my exercise of choice because there is nothing out there that gives me the all over workout for strength and cardio.  I have radically changed my diet.  I have gone all raw.  Lots of raw vegetables and some nuts and fruits.  I am feeling better than I have in months.  I have lots of energy and I am losing weight.  I don’t know how long I will do this but it feels right for now. 

There will always be things going on in life that will come before taking care of yourself.  I hate how I feel when I don’t workout and now that I am feeling so much better I will make sure I get my workouts in.  I don’t get done with patients until 6:10-6:15.  As soon as I get done with work now I change and get my rearend into the gym.  Some nights I only get 20 minutes in but it is more than nothing.  I used to linger after work until I had to teach class at 6:45 but now I hustle to get changed so I can get more time in.  It is just changing priorities.  I work 50-55 hours per week and can find time to work out.  I am motivated to get back into my smaller clothes and feel good. Don’t let excuses make you fat.