Day 2 of Story von Holzhausen's 6 week challenge

I just lost a very very long blog all about Dairy,cleanses, vegetarianism and other health issues. I don't have the time (or energy) to re-write it all so I will tackle it another time. I am hoping that everyone is clear about what they are doing and are excited about it. I have been eating a lot of papaya and fruit as my "treats". I have to say, I need less sleep when I avoid sugar and other less healthy choices. I notice an amazing jump in my energy when I am not swollen. So far I have been eating a lot of sushi (getting very little brown rice in rolls that are pretty much just plain fish with avacado) and steamed veggies. I also ate at a chinese place with Kurt and I ordered steamed vegetables with chicken, scallops and shrimp. I had a salad and soy beans in the pod as a starter. I was so full, I ended up just snacking on fruit and yogurt for dinner.

I invite you to experiment with what time of day your biggest meal should be. I believe in being full (not stuffed) once a day. For some people, mini meals in steady intervals works best. I personally like lunch to be my biggest meal. If I wait until dinner, I find I never feel sated the same as if I have a big lunch. I also sleep better (and snore less haha) if I eat a lighter dinner. We all tend to eat very ritualistically so for this challenge, try to break out of habits and have fun with your food. I tend to get really into a certain thing and want to eat it every day. Right now, I am obsessed with Hummus Place Hummus. I like to get 3 eggs in it and I mix in health salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and herbs) into the hummus and eat it with a fork not pita. I am trying to NOT go there every day but to try and experience a variety of tastes (and nutrients) by changing it up. I will be blogging ideas for both cooking at home, packing food to eat later along with how to order in a restaurant and be as healthy as possible. You can really eat anywhere and find good choices. You just need to know how.

I can't wait to hear how we are doing wed. I will be in early to discuss plans and problems and to motivate. Many of you have talked to me about the need for support and contact during this challenge. I would like to try to match up "challenge" buddies or call chains so we can all have some much needed human interaction. The health benefits of talking to someone and connecting are huge. Let's try to replace that for the empty and ultimately sadness inducing "foraging" that we do. I am always reachable for anyone who wants to talk. I am sure Scott and Kathleen would welcome calls too. I know many of you feel you are "bothering" someone when you reach out but you are actually giving them a huge gift by allowing them to have human contact and quality interaction that they desire too. Everybody wins.

I would like to know if anyone is interested in setting up some times to get together and exchange funny stories and ideas during these 6 weeks. These 6 weeks are a huge gift to yourself and to each other. I expect to see huge changes in your "happiness" and attitudes (not to mention your bodies but I believe the former is the most important). Classes are going to be focused and we are going to continue to "find it" and "keep it" during some of our bigger movements. Wed we are lifting heavy. I will be dragging in a 30lb dumbell to use myself. We are doing one legged very focused and controlled cycles. This is a day for weight loading. Heavy and focused.

just went shopping.....

My fridge is full of great stuff. Kurt is doing the challenge with me so we shopped together. We got:

blueberries

grapefruit

honeydew

kiwis

plums

apples (Jazz and Granny smith)

papaya

pears

hummus (kurt likes to dip baby carrots)

Edy's no sugar added fruit pops. These are SO good with real fruit bits. I got all the flavors.

frozen precooked wintersquash (I love this for a warm snack with cinnamon)

I will go back later to get some fish and veggies for dinner. The challenge does not start till tomorrow but I am starting today. I can't wait to feel great !

Would love shopping ideas from some of you. What are you planning to snack on and what nutrient rich things can you sneak into your day ?

Story von Holzhausen's 6 week challenge starts tomorrow

Hello everyone ! Yesterday I had some "treats before the challenge". I am so swollen and wretched feeling today that I have to say, I am EXCITED to start this. I will be blogging every day to inspire you and check in. I invite you to reach out to me here on the blog or privately. The more support and unity we can create, the better experience we will all have. Go shopping today and fill your fridges with wonderfully diverse and healthy foods. Make it easy to eat exactly what you choose to. I will be giving some ideas about meals and snacks. If you can all post what you are doing, it would help everyone else too !!!!

This week we are working really hard. I want to keep the "focus" of the quality work we have been doing while freeing up the movements to be more free flowing and diverse. We have 6 weeks. We can do this together. We can take the BEST care of ourselves possible. I want you to think about these weeks as a treat to yourself. Like a spa 6 week run. Do all sorts of things good for you that you normally neglect. The more we can make our attitude grateful and nurturing the better. This is not a diet. It is not about punishing or "not allowing" anything. It is about feeding and nourishing our bodies, minds and souls the most lovingly and gratefully we can. I want you to explore your own beliefs and what moves you. Get back in touch with what really feeds your soul. Reach out to the people who love you and give you what you truly need. If you are lonely, call someone (call me). Don't "settle" for food when you really need something much deeper and important. Listen to your bodies, your hearts and minds. Learn about yourself and learn to love who you are. This is a time for all of us to grow and become more evolved and truly happy people. What an exciting gift we are giving ourselves and everyone we love.

Story von Holzhausen's 6 week challenge revelations

It was an amazing focus group last night. What I have learned (along with you) during this year's challenge is:

If we were the spouse of our bodies, we would be very abusive spouses. We punish it, tell it constantly all of it's faults, engage in abusive or neglectful behavior. There is no positive interaction. We never say "I feel really good and healthy today". We only say "I feel sick". We notice only the bad and never the good. If you really take a moment and think about that, most of your "challenge goals" would be reached if you treated your body like you treat your friends, children or spouse. For all of us that is the spirit of this years challenge. I want all of you to begin with that. Sit down and think of what is amazing about your body. There is SO much to be grateful for. Let me give you an example of 2 exercise to help you get there:

1)Imagine you are expecting a baby. You are waiting 9 long months. You are praying it will be healthy. It will have all it's limbs working. It will be fully formed. Think how grateful you would be when the baby came out perfectly. That baby is you. You are perfect just exactly as you are.

2) Think of anyone you love very much. Let your heart be full of the love you feel for them. While holding onto that, recognize their faults. I can name many for everyone I love but the overwhelming GOOD that outshines all those things is what I really feel and focus on. If every person could do that with themselves, the world would change. We would be on each other's side, without jealousy and insecurity and selfishness.

This is all of our "challenge". To turn around a lifetime of self abuse and begin to be loving and kind to our selves. We can do so much good but first we need to feel that good inside ourselves.

Story von Holzhausen's 6 week challenge closing in.

It has been such a huge week for me and many of my clients/students. As we discuss your "goals" and issues there seem to be some very strong trends. For most of us, we eat (or forage as I like to call it) when we are not hungry due to either anger or loneliness or fear. That is a pretty huge discovery. It shows that it really is "not about the food". How do we satisfy ourselves and make our lives and rich and full truly? The habit of "foraging" leaves most of you feeling badly about yourselves on many levels. The behavior is self destructive and habitual. The biggest challenge I can issue to you is to make changes in your life to satisfy your true needs and wants. Fill yourself up so you can give and share with everyone around you. What do you wish you did every day that you don't ? For me, as most of you know, I am very lazy about fashion, nails, etc. I don't even always wash my face before bed. I have been taking myself into my bathroom and creating a nightly ritual where I do all the things I should do to take good care of myself. When I wake up the next day, I feel really happy. I am better for my behavior. I want you to be too. The first 3 nights are the hardest, after that, it is easy.

Tomorrow night we will be having our "Liquid Strength 6 week challenge kick of party". I want all of you to do me a favor (even if you can't come). I want you to take a piece of paper and draw a line through the center. On the left side, list all the things you do not like about yourself. On the right, all that you do. This may be a very long list or a very short list but really try to capture the whole picture. Bring this list with you as we will be doing a really cool thing with it.

As we begin this journey,we are forging new relationships with each other (our supporting each other is such a powerful and beautiful thing), ourselves and our lives. This is the work that matters most in life. The growth and true joy we alone can give ourselves, can make our energy and love and "life" radiate out to everyone around us. We are all capable of miraculous things when we are truly whole and happy. This is what I wish for all of you. It is a life long journey and challenge but every step brings a bevy of gifts that we get to share with everyone around us.

Story von Holzhausen

Guest Blogger for Story von Holzhausen

Hi everyone this is Sharon, the dietitian who is always in my white tank and black lululemon pants uniform in class. Story so kindly asked if I would contribute to the LS blog. I am a dietitian in private practice in midtown. I got my BS and MS from NYU and did my internship at NYU medical. If anyone needs a little more nutrition attention, please feel free to contact me. My email is info@sharonrichter.com. I also have a website, www.sharonrichter.com, with recipes, success stories and information that might be of interest. I am participating in the 6 week challenge. This might seem crazy since I should be the EXPERT in food, but LS is helping me connect more with my body, improve my imbalances and forgive myself for some of the foods I have fears of and at times use for emotional reasons.

After looking at Story's food list, I thought of a wonder way to obtain this FUEL for our bodies. The company, Urban Organics, delivers all organic fruits and vegetables right to your door step each week. I have worked with them before and they are being so terrific and offering all of you a free registration ($25 fee) and 50% off the first order! I love it because you can tell them food to keep off your list that you really don't like, are able to preview next weeks produce, and what best is you get foods you usually wouldn't purchase and can go to their website for recipes. If you want to try it go to www.urbanorganic.com and use my name, Sharon, as the promotion code. Enjoy!

One little tip I want to leave you with: our bodies are our best machines. You want to feed it high octane fuel. Don't be afraid of trying new things, feel full, and having good fats. Think about it, when you go to a beauty product store what are the ingredients? Almonds, avocado, lycopene (found in tomatoes) antioxidants (berries). Why not get it from the inside out?!?! Hope you see you all in class tomorrow sun or snow.

xo

sjr

Food list for Liquid Strength 6 week challenge

There are endless foods in the world. I am going to write a list including most of the more common choices. This list will be broken down into "the dream foods" (these being foods that I wish everyone ate daily/weekly and are the very best for you and you can eat quite freely). "fantastic portions" (the foods are super good for you but you want to eat a them in smaller portions as they are nutrient dense and although I want you to eat them, I would like one portion at a time). Lastly, we will have "in moderation". These are foods that I would prefer are not eaten daily but have a place in our diet and should be thoroughly enjoyed when eaten. Remember, the most important thing is that you learn to taste and enjoy really good quality food in it's natural form. This is not about dieting. In fact, you may be eating more than you usually do and that is GOOD !!!! For my 6 week challenge, I invite you to use this list as your absolute bible of food. There may be some foods I forgot and as you ask me about them (which I know you will) I will be amending...

"The Dream Foods"

broccoli (any form or type)

blueberries (any berries but these are the best)

onions and garlic

any and all salad or steamed greens (seaweed too)

beans (the non legume kind)

Asparagus

fennel

celery

cucumbers

cauliflower

squash (summer types)

tomatoes

fresh herbs of any kind

all citrus fruits

Kiwi

all melons (watermelon on the next list)

Apples and pears

all fruits with a pit

peppers

mushrooms

any sprouts

"Fantastic Portions" (* means eaten daily but in the correct portions)

*fish (all kinds that are mercury low this means Salmon and most flakey smaller fish)

Lean organic chicken and turkey

*nuts and seeds of any kind

carrots, peas and winter squash

yams

watermelon

edamame

*low or no fat dairy

tofu (read labels and get the most protein you can with the least amount of fats and carbs)

avacado

eggs (organic and Omega3 rich is best)

bananas

winter squash

lentils

tea and coffee (green tea being the best!)

peas and corn and beets

Olive oil (any other healthy oil you like)

"In Moderation"

grapes (so much sugar for very little nutrients)

wine and beer (hard alcohol not good)

chocolate (the darker the better and small portions)

fuller fat dairy (try your hardest to do low fat or keep very small portions)

lean completely organic red meat (if you love it and must eat it, make sure you know exactly what you are eating !!!)

* (note you do not see whole grains on any list. While brown rice and whole grains can be healthy options, fruit and veggies are also carbs but are so much more nutrient and fiber dense that I would prefer they are your focus. If you need to use some whole grains to "feel satisfied" I would prefer grains other than wheat as many people are sensitive to gluten)

"The NO WAY list" (listen, I know these are things you may really love but the more you get out of the habit and lose your "taste" for these things the better...this is a process. There are NO reasons besides bad habit and taste that make these foods an issue at all. They have NO value to your body whatsoever.

Butter

Cream

Hard Liquor

Sugar

Salt (the lower the better)

Processed food (canned, boxed etc)

Mayo

Whole milk