Going Big for Charity

My story starts in 2008 with the birth of my second son, Eric. The day we were to be discharged from the hospital they found a blockage in Eric’s bowel and at 4 days old Eric had surgery on his tummy. The surgery went well, the Doctor said he had never seen anything exactly like what Eric had but thought he would heal just fine. Unfortunately he didn’t. We had several close calls and almost lost Eric on numerous occasions. That’s when they decided to send us out to Cincinnati Children’s hospitain Ohio…..733 miles away from home.

It took us a couple months to get Eric stable enough to handle Chemo. When he was about 9 months old, he started chemotherapy. Around 10 months old he had a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor. We celebrated his first birthday in the ICU.  At the age of 15 months, Eric lost his battle.

October 1, 2009 the Doctors worked for over 12 hours trying to save Eric’s life and couldn’t. After Eric died, the doctors unplugged all the machines, and took off all the sticky electrodes from his little chest and I held him. Then I gave him a bath and dressed him in his jammies. Then they came and took my baby boy to the morgue.

I don’t have any memory of the 6 months following Eric’s death. Starting in March of the following year I begin to have some spotty memories here and there and that’s when I realized I was in a very bad place. In one of my moments of clarity, I received a postcard from Team In Training and thought….I’ve got to do something. And in October 2010 I ran 26.2 miles wearing a purple jersey and Eric’s name proudly on my bib. That race brought me out of my darkness, back to my family, and back to my life.

I am ready to do it again! I have committed to completing Hits Waconia FULL IRONMAN TRIATHLON August 15, 2015 with Team In Training. I will swim, bike, and run 140.6 miles through beautiful Minnesota. Please consider making a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society’s life-saving mission. Be assured, all donations are 100% tax deductible, and at least 75% of your contribution will directly support the research and development of treatments. Every donation is greatly appreciated, and even a small bit goes a long way!

Please donate by clicking the link below

http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/yourway15/nkendall

Toning At Home

Tomoson

I work at a gym, so finding time to get a workout in is not a problem. If I don't get a workout in, it is my own fault.  My husband, on the other hand, finds it difficult to get to the gym. I want him to be able to take care of himself, or at least remove any excuses he has to not get a workout in! 

So this Christmas, I am building an In-Home Gym!

My first purchase.....a treadmill!

We are getting the Proform 400. Not top of the line, not the bottom either. It has just enough features to keep us entertained while being long enough for my husbands stride. It arrives next week. I am super excited!

We need to do more that just cardio though! As an endurance athlete....that is a hard statement for me to admit.

When I talk about toning at home, I am not referring to those magic creams that make cellulite "disappear"

 While these creams are fantastic, they do not make cellulite disappear. They do make your skin feel tight and smooth, but the cellulite is still under there. The ingredients in these lotions typically tighten blood vessels making your skin appear smoother and tighter until the ingredients are absorbed. I like the Spalon Tech lotion but the Contour 180 lotion gave me razor burn. 

ANYWAYS....back to toning at home. 

For us, a full weight rack in our basement is not an option.

These Cynergy Fitness resistance bands are awesome. They come with a variety of "weights" as well as handles, including a door anchor. They are small and compact but you can do a huge variety of moves with them. They are suitable for both me and the Hubby...now I just gotta show him how to use them!

I also got to try the Your Weigh ankle weight set. When I was originally sent these to review, they told me they were ankle weights. Since then the company has changed their mind since they are so small that most people can't fit them on their ankles, so they changed their name to "wrist weights".

While not impressed with the company, they still kind of fit my ankles. We will see how much they get used. Disappointing, but I am staying optimistic. 

Another easy way to add to a home gym is through DVDs. I have a few that I like, including Shape Magazine's Bikini Body Bootcamp. When I got sent Salsa Crazy's Pilates for Dancers, I was really excited.

After popping in the DVD....I was super disappointed. To be honest, this might be the worst DVD I have seen. It is not a workout, it is marketed as one, but it truly is not a workout. It is a step by step guide through a few standard Pilates moves.  As a Pilates Instructor, with multiple Pilates certifications, I can honestly say I would not recommend this DVD to anyone. 

But don't fret, there are a lot of decent DVDs in the market.  I am not a fan of Insanity but P90X is a decent set of workouts if you have the right equipment.....

And if you can tolerate listening to Tony Horton speak....

I personally put the TV on mute.

Some products were provided for free. All opinions are my own

Face to Face with Aging

Tomoson

First impressions last a lifetime. A bright smile and a fresh face make you like youthful, lively, and energetic.....even when your a worn out mom! I thought I would share some of the product I have used lately to help me put my best face forward.

I will be the first to admit....I am a coffee addict. I love it. Day or night...I will drink coffee. 

But that also means, I have some hard stains to fight on my teeth.

Dr. Song puts out a whole teeth whitening system that really works well. There are multiple tubes of whitening gel, an LED light accelerator, and mouth piece to allow for a longer whitening session.

It is not the most user friendly system I have tried...it is actually quite messy. But the results are fantastic!  I was very impressed...plus the price tag is not too shabby either.

A clean face is a happy face. 

Michael Todd Organics makes an organic Charcoal detox cleanser that is wonderful! It easily removes dirt and make up and doesn't over dry my skin. I have acne prone skin and as an athlete...I put my skin through the ringer! This cleanser feels great after a long workout!

After a good scrubbing, you need to be kind to your face and replace the moisture that was washed away. I like my products to do double duty! I like night cream that not only replaces lost moisture but also fight wrinkles!

    Foxbrim  Luxurience        Authentic Skin 

All three of these products are awesome! All are made with organic ingredients! All fight wrinkles! All feel phenomenal on the skin!

BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT!!

Would you like to win one of these awesome products??

All you have to do is LIKE Kendall Personal Fitness on Facebook and you are entered to win!

Winner Drawn FRIDAY DECEMBER 5th.

CLICK-LIKE-WIN

Kendall Personal Fitness Facebook Page

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Working Out On The Road

Tomoson

Getting in a workout while traveling can be difficult. As I mentioned in my previous post, I headed to the east coast a couple of weeks ago for some business as well as play! The first hotel that I stayed at had a great fitness facility, good treadmills and a decent weight set. The second hotel.....not so much.

Luckily my hotel was right on the mall in Washington DC, I ran from the State Capitol Building

To the Lincoln Memorial.

It was probably between 4-5 miles. There were lots of people and lots of great views. I really loved this run!

I packed my Kobert Arm band for this trip. It is light weight, fits good, and holds keys. It was perfect for this run!

Being in DC, I considered busting out my Red, White, and Blue sweatbands from Suddora! These light, comfy bands are super absorbent as well as super patriotic.

When it came down to it....I figured the red, white, and blue may be overkill. So I sweated it out. It was a pretty cool day in DC but I managed to sweat through my shirt.....cause that's what pretty girls do ;-)

What about you?

Any go to's for working out on the road??

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Combining Work and Play!

Tomoson

This past weekend, I packed up and headed east to Olney Maryland and Washington DC. As always, I packed running gear, fun night out gear, and my girlie things.  But this trip was a little different.

I used my cute little makeup bag for my makeup and hair stuff and then used this "Display Sheet" make up bag for my shower stuff. I like to keep them separate since my shower stuff gets all wet.  Side note...the little display bag works great for all that shower stuff!

As I mentioned.....this trip was a little different. I headed east to complete my clinical work for my ANHA Holistic Nutrition Certification and to take NADP Board exams. Which means...I had to be on my "A" game!

I packed Yalmeh Glory Eye Bright to help my look lively after a day of travel.

 During a portion of my clinicals, my eyes were examined by other students to determine any aliments going on within my body. The eyes are said to be the window to the soul for a reason! 

 All in all...based on my eyes I am a healthy person.  According to my eyes, I was having some issues with my large intestine. I had to openly admit that the Maryland crabs cakes, while delicious, did not sit well in my tummy! And yes....you can determine that by looking at the eyes!

But don't worry friends, my trip was not all work! I got the chance to play too!

After finishing my exams in Maryland, I headed to DC to see some sights and enjoy some time with friends!

I ran the loop around the mall, starting near the Capitol Building and turning around that the Lincoln Memorial.

It was a busy day on the mall....

But the sights were incredible!

I had a great weekend! I got in multiple workouts and came home with sore legs! I dined with friends, saw the sights in DC, and successfully passed my clinicals and BOTH of my exams!

So what does it all mean??

I am officially a Holistic Nutritional Consultant certified through the American Naturpoathic and Holistic Association and am a Board Certified Nutrition Consultant through the National Association of Drugless Practitioners. 

What does that mean for the business??

STAY TUNED!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Earning Your Stripes

Tomoson

I love being a mom. I had great pregnancies, great labor, and easy deliveries. But the fact is....

I got gigantic with both of my pregnancies!

I walked away with 2 beautiful boys but also loose skin and stretch marks.... or as I like to call them...my tiger stripes!  I also walked away with Diastasis Recti. 

I've tried all sorts of "Miracle" treatments....

IT Works Wraps...

IT didn't work....

I am sure it could work for some people, maybe just not me. 

I also got to try Instanatural's Stretch Mark & Scar cream.

This is a very nice lotion. It feels good and I think it may have actually dulled the shiny stretch marks that line my once sexy tummy. Did it make them go away...no. But there was a difference in the quality of the marks. 

While the quality of my skin has improved, my abs won't be back to pretty without medical intervention. As an fitness instructor and athlete I am more prone to getting a hernia due to the Diastasis Recti. I've met with a couple of Doctors to discuss other options, but at this point surgery is the only one. I anxious to go under the knife....I have some pretty big events planned of 2015....including settling my vendetta with the full marathon and joining my friends in my second Ironman Distance Triathlon. Working closely with medical staff will be necessary to accomplish my goals safely, but I'm confident it will all work out as it should!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Grateful for Guinea Pigs

.

Tomoson

I am very fortunate in the fact that people seem to trust me. 

My clients are always willing to try what I throw at them, my friends are wonderfully supportive, and my co-workers seem to respect me as a professional.

I am one lucky lady!

I often use my friends and clients as guinea pigs. I test new things out on them to see how they work and get their opinions. I never do anything too stupid, I am respectful of their wishes and abilities, but also try to encourage people to step out of their comfort zones. 

I am currently finishing up my Holistic Nutrition Certification through the Washington Institute of Natural Medicine. As a part of my clinical course work, I needed 4 volunteers for nutrition consultations. Lucky for me, I had 4 friends who were willing to log their food daily, log all of their exercise, and were willing to try what I recommended! 

They all did an awesome job! I now have a lemon water drinkin', greens eatin', tea drinkin' group of friends!!

I also like to have my clients try some of the products that get sent to me to review!

Here's Andrea....her little sister and my little sister have been best friends since Kindergarten. I have known her family for literally 27 years. 

I had Andrea try Customonit sweatbands. This company does custom embroidering for businesses on headbands, wristbands, shirts, hats, etc. At first, she said it was itchy and wasn't a fan....I took this as a sign that I needed to make her sweat more! Needless to say, by the end of the workout...she used it and appreciated having it. It is a really good sized wrist band and made out of super stretchy material. A very cute novelty for any business!

My client, Doug, who has been on the blog numerous times, is often my guinea pig. Doug is 6'4" and is all arms and legs. Whenever I get sent something that is made "extra long" I give it to Doug to try. I am 5'6".....I am not "extra long" for anything...ever.

Doug has started taking yoga classes and mentioned to me that he hangs off his yoga mat during the final relaxation at the end of class. When I got sent and "extra long" yoga mat to review....I sent it his way! It's only a couple inches longer that his regular mat, but a couple inches still keeps him off the cold ground in the basement of the bike shop.  

Thanks to all of my friends and clients who put up with the randomness that is me!

You are all loved and appreciated!

Stay tuned....there's an update on the 2015 race scene!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Amazing World of Vitamin C

Tomoson

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is required for at least 300 metabolic functions in the body. It helps with tissue repair and growth, adrenal gland function, and aids in the production of a variety of hormones and enzymes in the body. Vitamin C helps lower cholesterol, reduces the symptoms of asthma, protects against infections, boosts immunity, and has even shown to not only fight cancer cells but to actually prevent cancer cells from growing. Some research has even suggested using high doses of intravenous Vitamin C to treat cancer patients, showing a great reduction in tumor size with IV Vitamin C doses. 

Vitamin C it is easily absorbed through the skin too. Vitamin C can aid in collagen production and can treat as well as prevent sun damage.  Amazing! I have recently been adding Vitamin C serums to my daily facial cleansing routine. I've gotten to try a variety of products and thought I would pass along some pretty great products. 

Instanaturals has quickly become one of my favorite companies. They are a great blend of organic meets science. Their age-defying skin serum is pretty fantastic too. This blends vitamin C with retinol,  vitamin B6, and salicylic acid to treat wrinkles, blemishes, and sun damage. I really like this product, I tend to use this one more during a break out, but you need to use a moisturizer as it tends to be more drying. 

Morea Naturals created a serum combining Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid and green tea. This is a nice, light serum that feels really good on the skin. I like to use this in the day time, under makeup, to make me feel more awake. 

SANO has a serum similar to the Morea Naturals above. It also has hyaluronic acid and is a nice and light serum. It comes with a great eye gel that feels fantastic around the eyes first thing in the morning!

La Beatue Pure is probably my favorite Vitamin C serum I have used lately. It is just straight up Vitamin C. It is organic, all natural, alcohol free, and fragrance free. It is made by a small family owned company here in the USA. Love it! Check out there website by clicking here.

Some of the products above can be drying to the skin, so I like to use a good moisturizer. I really like Adovia products! They are in my top 4 favorite beauty brands! Their Anti-wrinkle cream is wonderful! It is a heavier cream, so I use it at night. It smells divine, absorbs nicely, and makes the kins feel great without being too heavy. Side note...it doesn't clog my pores either!

Vitamin C is an easy thing to add to your daily routine that has incredible benefits. Pill form, food form, or topical form...I would strongly encourage everyone to add more Vitamin C to their daily life. The benefits are limitless.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Music Moves You

Tomoson

Everyone knows that adding music to your workout makes it better. You can run longer, lift heavier, and the right song can keep you going even when you want to quit.

I finally got out for a run today. The weather has been amazing lately!! I have put off running for a month due to trying to do the 600lb club at the gym I work at. Unfortunately, I tweaked my back during the training and won't be competing on Saturday, but it does mean that I can run again!!

Beautiful day, Beautiful Midwestern fall, and new running shoes. 

My soul is refreshed.

I used my new Limm Sports band. I is pretty comparable to the MUV band I got sent a while back, but it is thinner, lighter weight, and fits much better. Here's the kicker....

I completely sweat through the arm band...like enough to get my phone wet.  I was super disappointed! I admit...I am a sweater so maybe the normal people population won't have this problem but I will not be able to use this band and I really like it. Boo.

Glad to be back to the run, and back to my music. New song suggestions are welcome....what music moves you???

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Vitamin B3 Like Never B4!

Tomoson

Hehehe...like my little word play in the title. Seriously, sometimes I crack myself up! 

ANYWAYS...

Vitamin B3 is needed for proper circulation and healthy skin. It aids in the functioning of the nervous system as well as metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is involved in the normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids, aids in the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, lowers cholesterol, and in helpful in managing many mental illnesses. 

 Research shows that our skin absorbs 60% of the products we use topically. Many of us apply creams or lotions to fight sun damages, slow the aging process, and fight wrinkles. Certain vitamins like Vitamin C, E and the mineral Selenium are easily absorbed through the skin. But what about Vitamin B3, or Niacin, how is that absorbed?

One of my favorite skin care companies, Instanaturals, sent my their Niacinamide Serum to review. Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 which is needed for proper circulation and healthy skin.  This product is marketed to smooth skin, fight hyper pigmentation,  and smooth wrinkles.

It is a very heavy cream. For me, it is one I would consider using in the winter time, it's too heavy for our humid summers here in Nebraska. Vitamin B3, Niacinamide, is not noted for specifically being easily absorbed through the skin, but I figured it can't hurt. 

What we put ON our bodies is just as important was what we put IN our bodies. Using natural, organic products benefits our bodies through and through.  Be a mindful consumer, read labels, and do your research .

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Recovering From Family Fun!!

Tomoson

Most of the time I talk about training or races. How to train, tips and tricks, and even chat about good ways to recover from hard training days and race day.  But sometimes, you have such a great weekend...you have to recover from it!

We went camping this weekend! Friends came out and joined us for an evening as well! We played hard, got dirty, got bug bites, and enjoyed the outdoors! We had a blast!! 

So...how do you recover and prepare for the work week??

Well...these two veg out with some video games and a nap!

Unfortunately.....this mom requires a little bit more pampering ;-)

First....I start with a full body scrubbing!!

Adovia's  Sulfur Soap does a great job of lifting the dirt and bug spray residue right off the skin! It doesn't dry out the skin and leaves you feeling clean and refreshed.

My hair got super gross and dried out this weekend from all the bug spray too!

I used Instanaturals Argan Hair Oil Mask. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!

It smells so good and leaves your hair feeling silky! That is really saying a lot for my curly, crazy hair! You use it once a week as a deep conditioning treatment and it does wonders!

After a fully scrubbing and shaving, I like to put a good lotion on to "ice the cake" so to speak!

I got the opportunity to try Naturalico Firming Cellulite Cream.

I'm 35....nuff said.

Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan. I didn't like the texture or the scent.

But no fear...I also got sent  Body Merry Cellulite Defense Gel-Cream to try.

The texture is better...not great...but better. It's made with Retinol, seaweed, and caffeine.  This legitimately has a noticeable tightening effect on the skin effect! It has a lot of menthol in it as well which can be very intense...a little goes a long way....lesson learned. Body Merry is also sending me some eye cream to try! If it works as well as this cellulite cream, I will be a happy, more awake looking girl! 

After a full body scrubbing, washing, shaving and moisturizing....I feel much more like myself and ready to take on the week!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

On The Road or In The Gym.....SAFETY FIRST!!

Tomoson

Too often we hear about cyclist getting hit by cars while out on the road. It's tragic. As a cyclist who enjoys hitting the highway for hill training, I am always looking for ways to make me more visible to cars. So when Phantom Fit sent me  reflective ankle bands to review...I was stoked!

They are nice and stretchy, adjustable for any size ankle, and don't itch. I barely notice I have them on, but they are bright and reflective so drivers notice me!

Another tool I like to keep in my bike bag....

Lifeguard Mini Portable Charger

I use my phone to map my pace and mileage. I am an endurance athlete so I often run my phone battery very low, if not completely dead, on my long days. I like to keep this mini charger in my bag in case of emergencies. It is also nice to have when traveling!!

If you recall my last post, you will remember I signed up for a weight lifting challenge at one of the gyms I work at. I normally keep my weights light with high reps and only lift to keep strong to avoid injury. I am not a heavy lifter. This challenge has definitely gotten me out of my comfort zone.

As my weights increase, I have noticed that my wrists, hands, and forearms tend to get very sore from holding those heavy weights. So, I have started carrying Phantom Fit wrist wraps and straps.

They help hold my wrists steady as well as aid me in holding the heavy bar for deadlifts. They are nice! I have big man hands so these fit me well! I know I will be using them much more over the next 4 weeks as I prepare for my 600lb Club Challenge.

What about you??

What do you like to use to keep yourself safe??

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Change of Seasons = Change of Routine

Tomoson

Greetings Friends!

It's official, my race season is over. I made 2014 a full year of new PRs and am super stoked with how the year went!

But now it is time to focus in on preparation for next year. I want 2015 to be another year of PRs. In 2015 I plan on settling my vendetta with the full marathon as well as tearing up another IRON course! Which means this "off" season will be full of tough workouts.

No Rest For The Wicked as I like to say!!

So how do I start my off season??

Getting back on my mat!

I am back to  regular yoga and Pilates practice! 

my cute new pink yoga mat from Youphoria Yoga

my new super awesome Hot Yoga towel from Youphoria Yoga!

Check out all the cute stuff from Youphoria Yoga by clicking HERE

I am back to teaching a weekly Mat Pilates Class for the fall and winter season. After teaching my first class, I realized just how much I missed (and need) focusing on my core! Also,  a new yoga studio opened about 3 minutes from my house that does a lot of HOT yoga classes. I know....hot yoga and my inexplicable sweating ability does not sound like a pretty combination. Well, it isn't but I am totally loving the hot yoga! I feel so de-stressed, relaxed, and limber when I leave those classes! I just love them!

Another must....New running shoes!

You should switch out your running shoes at least every 500 miles. Essentially I go through 2 pair of shoes a year. 

I wear custom made orthopedic inserts in my running shoes.

Once I retire a pair of running shoes, they become my regular wear to work shoes, so I need new insoles in my shoes when I make the switch.

I got the opportunity to try Syono gel insoles.

They come one size fits all and have lines to cut them appropriately for your shoe size. Not a huge fan of having to cut them, I'm a wee bit high maintenance when it comes to my shoe issues, but they seem to fit okay. So far so good. I can't say that they are anything special but I do think they will last a lot longer than most of the others that I have seen on the market. They are a nice, not too thick, gel that seems to hold up well. 

During the off season I really try to hit the strength training much harder than normal. 

I've been using these Phantom Fit bands on both myself and my clients trying to get the hips and buns strong. These bands are great! They are strong, wide, and according to my client, Doug, they don't pull on leg hair. Important stuff for those hairy folks.

This off season, the weight training is being taken to a whole new level. I actually joined in on a weight training competition!

My goal is to lift a combined total of 600 pounds between dead lift, back squat, and bench press. EEK!

I started training about 2 weeks ago. I am still sore. I never lift weights like this! All my strength training has been focused on injury prevention for endurance events, so this is a real stretch for me!! We test out of our challenge October 25th with a full day of weights, judging, and beefcakes. I may be more excited to watch the guy's competition than actually competing in my own!

Stay tuned for more.....and Wish me luck!!

OH SNAP!! I can't forget....

We also have a giveaway winner for the Vizeri Shampoo and Conditioner Set...

Congrats Lynzee Sue!!  You are going to L-O-V-E this stuff!!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.