Healthy Food Chart

Hi! I’m Liz Miersch, the assistant fitness editor here at
self, and I am literally obsessed with the closing dance scene in Slumdog
Millionaire–as are a few other Self-staffers here (all former dancers like
myself of course). So when I was invited to check out Bhangra Beats, a new
workout based on moves from Bhangra, a similar type of Indian folk dancing, I
immediately signed myself–and my coworkers–up!

We headed downtown to Five Points Academy to meet
Jay Patel, the program’s creator, and boy did we get into the groove! Waving “Roomaals”
(ethnic scarves that tie around your middle finger), we stomped and pumped
through a series of signature Bhangra steps. Though we were soaked in sweat at
the end of the hour we were all still smiling from ear to ear!

Check out Jay’s Bhangra Beats website where you can buy his workout
DVD and get grooving yourself!

Watch the slideshow and learn one of our favorite moves “The Roll”!

1. 

   The Roll A

2. 

   The Roll B

3. 

   The Roll C

4. 

   The Roll D

Here’s a sampling of Jay’s jams:

Hi! It’s Fitness editor Jen O’Neill busting into the blog because I’m so excited I got to meet Kara Goucher yesterday and just had to tell you all about it! The Portland, Oregon-based runner was in NYC (where she famously broke a little record back in November: the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman!) visiting her Nike sponsors after finishing third in the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Kara Goucher, in the lead pack at Heartbreak Hill (above), finished third in the women’s race. (Globe Staff Photo / John Blanding). From Boston.com.

Now I must admit that run holds a special place in my heart because I grew up a block from the starting line in Hopkinton, MA. I even spotted my house in an online news slideshow of pre-event pics, how cool is that? It’s the red one on the right!

A runner made her way down foggy Church Street to the start of the race. (Globe Staff/Bill Greene). From Boston.com.

So when Goucher, who was leading the race with just a mile to go, slipped back to finish third (9 seconds behind the winner: Kenya’s Salina Kosgei) my heart broke for her. “I wanted to win so badly,” she confessed as we chatted. “I just really feel like I could have…When I finished I just couldn’t believe how I let it slip away when it was so close.”
 
It’s a disappointment that could easily make someone bitter, but not Goucher. The inspiring, and o-so-SELF-y athlete is already looking ahead to her next challenge. “I’m never going to get that back so what am I going to wallow in it forever? No. There’s always another opportunity,” she said. Her goals? Winning the Olympic marathon in London and the races in Boston and New York. “I’m so hungry to do more!” And I, for one, can’t wait to see what records she breaks next!

Goucher (left) and me at the Nike offices in NYC.

What’s her secret to staying so motivated? Goucher shares some tricks with you!
 
Select a symbol Goucher painted her nails black and decorated her gear with skulls and crossbones to inspire her to get tough about racing in the New York marathon. “My mom put them on my water bottle and I had them on my clothes and hanging off my purse,” she laughs. “It reminded me to not be wimpy!”
 
Dress for success “I asked if I could have a special pink uniform for the Boston marathon,” says Goucher. “People think you have to lose your femininity to be an athlete and I don’t think that’s true.” She says wearing pink helped remind her to be true to herself, no matter what.
 
Repeat a mantra “I love power words,” says the runner, who selects one she’ll think to herself throughout practice and then repeat to focus during the race. “At the Olympics I used the word ‘fighter,’… and for Boston it was ‘courage.’ Have the courage to run your own race. Have the courage to want it–and to not be afraid to say it!”

Today is one of those days when having an intention to get something done has only frustrated me so far because I am not getting it done. I may just switch my plan over to the usual – wait until after the baby’s bedtime and I think I’ll be in a better mood. I ate a quick bowl of lentil soup while Will took a tiny cat-nap and now it’s his time to eat then we are heading outside. It’s really windy out there but we can handle wind now that the temperatures are up a little bit. Dinner is still up in the air – I’ll have to think about that later and get myself up to the store.

Sorry for the lack of posts – we had a blog outage for some upgrades. We are back in action now though so here are the meals I missed. Dinner was at my sister’s last night. We had chicken fajitas and I made guacamole to eat with chips. Breakfast this morning was a big latte (nonfat) with strawberries and a cereal bar. I wanted to get a bagel because I drove Mike into work but I was so sad to see the shop was closed — for good I think. Sad to see the economic slump affecting so many people & businesses. On a happier note, today is supposed to be the start of a nice stretch of weather here in Boston — 80’s through the weekend! I am going to try to get some work done and then take a walk. No rush today because there is no rain in sight!