Oh no you di'int!

This blog entry is dedicated to all the Foot Reflexologists out there. And so the story begins...

I went for a manicure today and while drying, I caved to the brilliant marketing of Susie (not her real name) when asked, "Miss, 30 minute foot reflexology?"

As soon as I stretched out on the table and handed the woman my feet, I knew I had known better. Why didn't they just call it what it was? A FOOT RUB. I'd have been more than happy to tack on 30 minutes of a foot rub, and was happy, by the way. Who doesn't love a good foot massage? Just don't call it reflexology, please.

You see, I studied foot reflexology in NYC with Laura Norman and Associates. SHE is a foot reflexologist. It was with her that I learned such techniques as thumb walking and hooking. It was in her school that I learned how to pinpoint the gallbladder and pituitary reflex points with accuracy. Laura Norman taught me the zones of the feet, the systematic way to give a reflexology session, and a lot more that could make up a separate blog. You get the point, pun intended. Today, I got a foot rub. Was it nice? Yes. Was it even close to reflexology? No.

My reasoning is this--we don't allow drug addicts using needles to call themselves acupuncturists, do we? No.


Reason numero two--calling yourself something you're NOT is a becoming an epidemic. (If the swine flu = pandemic, this = epidemic!) Nothing erks me more than someone selling something they're not giving you.

Exhibit A: Those neon signs in the front windows of deli's all across America reading "Catering For All Occasions." Buyer beware! You are NOT going to find a caterer inside. But what you will get is a big to-go order. And that's fine with me! Big to-go orders have their place in the world. But as a caterer who would never put disposable aluminum serving bins on the table, I beg of all the deli owners, hang a sign that says, "Big To-Go Orders Available."

Exhibit B: I'm a Licensed Physical Therapist. And I would run as fast as I could from a certified personal trainer who says they "do" physical therapy. Physical therapy isn't done. It's "practiced" by licensed physical therapists, period.

Now before all the personal trainers start in, I want to say, I have worked and taught in some of the best gyms in NYC. I have worked with numerous, highly qualified, AMAZING personal trainers who could whoop my behind at training someone. I don't do what trainers do. I couldn't. Furthermore, I wouldn't refer one of my physical therapy patients recovering from disc surgery to a personal trainer because he wanted to train for the NYC marathon. (This is a true story, btw.) I would, however, work in conjunction with the trainer, as a team, to meet the patients fitness goals, safely and pain free. I have enormous respect for personal trainers and believe it is in the best interest of everyone--client, trainer, patient, physical therapist and/or otherwise, to do the job they are licensed or certified to do. (And that patient? He did meet his goals and run his first NYC marathon in 5:35)

I knew I knew better, and now you do, too.

A calorie is a calorie is a calorie

This is to all of you who love to eat, like I do, and feel as fit as a fiddle. Here's a little secret!

A calorie is a calorie is a calorie.

It makes no difference whether it comes from spinach or lard. For sure the spinach is nutritionally wiser, but the calorie is merely a measuring system. And counting calories as so many people do, can be a good idea, depending on your weight goals. But judging them is pointless. So my point is … you could gain weight eating apples if you eat too many because taking in more calories than you're expending results in weight gain. It's basic math!

Instead of counting calories, start getting some satisfaction. What I mean is, consider the idea of satisfying something more than just your physical hunger. Here’s how this plays out for me.

It’s three o’clock on a Sunday afternoon and I’m hungry. I contemplate what will take the edge off and choose a healthy snack of carrot sticks. Five minutes later I’m thinking, "That’s not what I wanted." So I go back to the kitchen, stand in front of the open refrigerator door, again, searching for something more. I choose an apple—healthy, yes, but still not doing the job. A few minutes later I’m mindlessly munching on some almonds, a couple pretzels, and then a yogurt, only to end up having that slice of pizza I really wanted in the first place. Sound familiar?

Cultivating this kind of awareness to know what will bring you satisfaction is something we've lost in our all too busy, instant, just-add-water lives. Please don't misunderstand me. I’m not advocating pizza everyday or suggesting that there’s anything wrong with apples and oranges. But if you’re going to graze for thirty minutes on ‘healthy’ foods like carrot sticks and almonds only to end up having that slice of pizza you wanted in the first place, then from a mathematical point of view, you’ve got some excess calories on your hands (or hips)! Striking a balance between satisfaction and healthy eating habits is the goal.

So next time you find yourself mindlessly munching, consider what will really satisfy your hunger. Sometimes it’s a healthy salad; sometimes it’s a cheeseburger. The point is, a calorie is a calorie is a calorie.

How's your New Year's Resolution going?

I was in the gym the other day and ran into a friend of mine who had made it her New Year's resolution to lose 25lbs. I must say, she was looking very trendy in her Ed Hardy outfit, holding that infamous green and white coffee cup outfitted with the requisite recycled cardboard sleeve, and talking to her fellow gym rats. After saying hello, I kept a distant eye on her for the next twenty minutes--and came up with this blog entry.

I imagine, like many of you out there, you made it your New Year's resolution to lose weight. And if so, I raise my glass of green tea to you! However, to those who've made this ever popular 'lose weight' resolution and have been going to the gym all year long and are still carrying that reason for your resolution, like my well accessorized friend, I'm here to 'gym-rat' you out!

If you go to the gym almost daily, and can't figure out why the pounds aren't leaving you or your behind, consider this. You can't go to the gym with a Grande Caramel MachiaVendiLatte-ccino from Fourbucks (as i like to call it), stand next to your friend, sport your fabulous looking exercise outfit, sip and gossip for fifteen minutes while she's pounding it out on the treadmill, and exclaim with glee, "I went to the gym today!" Standing inside the gym does not constitute going to the gym. I don't care if you were drinking the "skim" version of your coffee concoction or a protein shake. You must move, push, lift, breathe, shimmy, shake and sweat to earn the right to say, "I went to gym today."

Now, we've all done this on occasion--but if this behavior is a habit, you might as well save your gas--and your four bucks! A workout means some calories have been expended, and that is what gets you closer to your resolution.

Now lets say you're reading this and thinking to yourself, "But Blair, I'm not a social butterfly. I do move, shimmy and shake. And I can't seem to shake these stubborn pounds."

OK, the good news, which is also the not-so-good news, is...you might just have trained yourself into being a 'creature of habit', instead of the 'fit woman with Madonna-like arms' you were hoping for. If you're bored, I'm guessing your body is bored, too. You've become accustomed to your workouts and aren't working out as effectively as you could. Two suggestions...

First, consider wearing a heart rate monitor . This will ensure optimal training when taking, say, your ump'teenth spinning class. Exercising in your target heart rate range really does help you to know if your aerobic, anaerobic or amoeba (which is NOT a category--and if you don't know that, call me immediately). Depending on your training goals, you'll maximize your precious time in the gym and achieve those goals sooner. Consult an exercise physiologist or certified personal trainer to help you set your training goals and determine your target heart rate. Then watch and see how effective this little device is at keeping you on target.

Secondly, if you are the 'creature of habit', changing your routine will challenge your muscles, mind and cardiovascular system in a new way to meet new physical demands. Instead of taking that ump'teenth spinning class that you could probably teach by now, try a vinyassa or power yoga class. If you're stuck on the step (do they still have step classes?) take a Zumba class that will have you dancing like a mambo queen (or king) and see how fun fitness can be.

Cheers to effective training!

(note to self: discuss green tea vs. Fourbucks coffee concoctions next entry)

Lifestylist™ Group and Individual Instruction

There have been many inquiries recently regarding what it is I do? So here goes.....

In a nutshell, I'm a life consultant providing education, motivation, resources, products and advice to help you live your best lifestyle. I provide content and concepts about all things "lifestyle" for various media outlets such as magazines and television, as well as on a private basis. I am uniquely qualified, possessing the education, degrees and work experience in several areas of lifestyle ranging from entertaining, to decorating, to health and fitness.

Whether I'm instucting how to make homemade tortillas and salsa in a TV cooking segment , serving as the creative director for a charity's fundraiser or leading a workshop on the benefits of exercise or proper form when stretching, I impart my knowledge, experience, and motivation to help you get more out of your life.

For more information about my services, seminars, programming ideas, or hosting availability, contact me at blair@blairfrench.com