Brandi Koskie

Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Ep 98: Fitness “Meet & Tweet,” “Tips of the Scales” Podcast, The Skinny Gut Diet Giveaway 10

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Episode #98

Tips of the Scale Podcast, New Tunes for Playlist, Fitness Meet & Tweet, People Who Leave Their Crap by the Stereo in Class

Plus: The Skinny Gut Diet Giveaway!

1 skinny gut

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

I had a crazy busy week and will soon be going on a quick business trip but fear not—I am still posting as often as I can and offering a new book giveaway as well. Woo hoo! So let’s all take a deep breath and then dive right into my quick hits this week plus my SkinnyGutDiet.com book giveaway by Brenda Watson C.N.C.

  • Tips of the Scale Podcast: At Fitbloggin this past summer I was lucky enough to meet Sam Lomeli who hosts his own podcast Tips of the Scale. In case you are not familiar with him (and dammit—you should be!) Sam interviews an array of “real” people each episode who are either currently dealing with weight loss issues or have overcome them and want to inspire others. Many of my Fitbloggin pals have been on his show including Brandi of Diets in Review, Martinus of 300 Pounds and Running and Alan of Sweating Until Happy. Sam is a guy who really cares about helping people get healthy and I encourage you to subscribe to his show on iTunes and follow him on Twitter @TipsOfTheScale podcast.
  • Need New Tunes for Playlists! I realize I made this call-out before but I really meant it this time—I am desparate for new music to use in my group fitness classes. (Also on assignment for Fit Bottomed Girls and they are itchin for me to get off my Gluteus Maximus and get a few out to them as well!) So pretty please—just leave me one tune below in the comments section below. One song that makes you feel happy & motivated when working out. I would appreciate it SO much!
  • Fitness Magazine “Meet & Tweet Event” Where are my East Coast fitness Bloggers at? How many of you are going to be at the Fitness Magazine Meet & Tweet this week? It’s the THIRD annual event and I am lucky enough to have been invited to attend and I so want to make sure I say “hey” to all of my peeps there. (My friend Namaste Mari teases me for being a notorious bailer of events but I want to say “hi” to YOU so let me know to keep an eye out for ya!)
  • Students Leaving Their Crap by the Teacher’s Area: This is more of a vent/rant than a new post but at one place where I teach I have a student who leaves her purse right by me while I am teaching and it really cheeses me off. Not sure WHY it bothers me so much but she just ASSUMES she can leave anything she wants by me when I am teaching and maybe it will be safe there? I have no idea but no one else does this and it is driving me nuts. I will explain more in the Vlog but any advice you can give me to handle this tactfully will also be appreciated. (I am not kidding—this is a real problem I am having.)
  • The Skinny Gut Diet Book Giveaway: Are you interested in proper digestion and also like to win things? Well get ready to enter to win The Skinny Gut Diet by Brenda Watson who is a certified nutrition counselor and has the most amazing Twitter name @brendapoopscoop. If you are interested in winning your own copy (open to the Continental U.S. only, sorry!) then check out my Vlog below. Good luck and happy pooping!

Now on to this week’s Vlog and giveaway details!

 

The Skinny Gut Diet

By Brenda Watson, C.N.C

In your digestive tract live100 trillion bacteria, which make up 90 percent of the cells in your body and are the real reason you gain or lose weight. Everyone has a unique balance of good and bad bacteria that either keeps them healthy or leaves them susceptible to disease. This same balance contributes to weight gain or to weight loss. By increasing the “be skinny” bacteria and decreasing the “fat” bacteria, you can finally achieve your ideal weight—for good.

In THE SKINNY GUT DIET (on sale 10/7/14, Harmony Books), New York Times bestselling author, certified nutritional consultant, and digestive health expert Brenda Watson offers an insightful perspective on this connection between weight gain and an underlying imbalance of bacteria in the gut, or what she calls the gut factor.  Drawing upon the latest scientific research, Watson illuminates the inner workings of the digestive system and provides instructions for achieving a healthy bacterial ecosystem that initiates weight loss by enabling the body to absorb fewer calories from food, reduce cravings, and store less fat.

The premise is simple: curtail sugar consumption (and its surprising sources) and eat more healthy fats, living foods, and protein to balance the bacteria in your digestive tract. The result? A skinny gut and optimal health.

THE SKINNY GUT DIET centers around an easy-to-follow lifestyle plan. A 14-day eating guide, dozens of delicious and easy to prepare recipes, and sage advice will help you achieve—and maintain—digestive balance and sustained weight loss. With inspiring real-life stories of individuals who transformed their health and their waistlines on the Skinny Gut Diet, Watson empowers you to become your own health advocate.

THE SKINNY GUT DIET is a lifestyle that will transform readers by giving them the tools to eat well for their gut so that they can lose those extra pounds, regain their health, and enjoy the vitality that newfound health brings.

{Just a note—Harmony Books is not sponsoring this post and will send the book directly to the winner.}

If you want to win a copy of The Skinny Gut Diet you must do the following (Continental United States only, please!)

  • Post a comment below (on this post) letting me know you are interested.
  • Send a comment on Twitter and say “I want to win “The Skinny Gut Diet” by @brendapoopscoop from @brooklynfitchik”
  • If you haven’t already—let me know you are subscribing to my You Tube channel

I will pick one winner at random on Monday, October 27, 2014 at NOON Eastern Time and contact them directly. Good luck!

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)
Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

Like My Facebook Page

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Ep 71: “Ultimate Booty Workout,” The Biggest Loser Kerfuffle, and 5 “Retired” Songs 16

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Episode 71

The “Let’s Giveaway Ultimate Booty Workouts” Edition

Plus: The Biggest Loser Controversy & 5 Songs I Have “Retired”

Booty Book cover

 Hey there! Hi there! Hi there!

ULTIMATE BOOTY WORKOUTS

One of my favorite Blogger buddies is Tamara Grand of Fit Knit Chick. Tamara is busy wife, mother, pet lover (fellow cat lady!) and personal trainer who specializes in helping women in their 40s & 50s get into shape. You have probably deduced from the name of her Blog she is also a bit of a knitter and likes to figure how to make beautiful things with yarn and a little imagination.

Tamara’s first book is the Ultimate Booty Workouts: Exercises to Build, Lift and Sculpt an Amazing Butt from Ulysses Press and I am picking one winner to receive a copy of it (Continental U.S. and Canada only.) You need to check out the clip down below to find out how to win. (I am a little chatty today so jump on down there if you do not have the patience for a little ranting.)

THE BIGGEST LOSER

So, have any of you heard about a certain TV show called The Biggest Loser? Well in case you have been studying the back & forth of the Woody Allen, Dylan Farrow, Mia Farrow, Moses Farrow and Ronan Farrow nightmare instead here is the rundown of the best links for The Biggest Loser Finale/Salute to Disordered Eating & Thinking:

So I guess we should all finally admit that this show is NOT about getting healthy and is in fact a corporate-sponsored spectacle that found a way to make money fat-shaming a willing group of people desperate to save their lives?  See, you create footage of people throwing up into potted plants, stumbling on treadmills and breaking down in tears due to exhaustion and it is okay. Because this is how you cure obesity! And it doesn’t matter if the same things happen each season—because we will keep repackaging it like it is new!

NBC doesn’t care about health & wellness—ratings will always be king to them. Ratings and profit share are of top interest to every network and NBC in particular taking branding of The Biggest Loser to top restaurant chains and getting them to pay millions for the chance to sell to their audience.  The sheer number of sponsors on the program and the lack of high-priced actors make this program a money maker. (I could never get through an episode of The Biggest Loser because of all of the damn commercials throughout the show that already had advertisements!)

And I am sure the winner had dollar signs in her head the whole time. Can you blame her? Who couldn’t use $250,000? Would you willingly lose a quarter million dollars over a few pounds? I would have done the same damn thing if I thought I could get that small. (How the hell doesn’t she have loose skin, by the way? Anyone?)

She certainly isn’t a villain, a victim or a stooge—she is a competitor. I give Rachel a pass. She went on a game show and won the whole shebang.

Let’s just hope we never see it get to this level again. (Shuddering at the very thought of it.)

My point is we cannot find salvation for the obesity epidemic by a profit-driven entertainment company. They will always look to make it sensational and forget about the whole “let’s help people really in dire need right now.”

(Whew! I am done with this one. Let’s move on, shall we?)

FIVE SONGS I HAVE “RETIRED”

Putting together playlists for my classes (and let’s be real—for you guys as well!) is one of the joys of my life. I decided to go back to some older ones to see if maybe I should bring back some songs I have forgotten about over the years. This brought me face to face with several songs that used to appear regularly in my classes that I eventually dropped altogether. I still like them all for listening but for teaching—I am officially done with the following five tunes…

  • Sexy Back: Justin Timberlake (Listened to this one way too many times to appreciate anymore. Love JT but with this one I am dunzo.)
  • Single Ladies: Beyonce (OMG–I loved this song when it first came out but I damn it got annoying. And I am a huge B fan. )
  • Sweet Child of Mine: Guns N Roses (This used to be a song that rocked everyone socks off but I have to admit—it’s classic rock now and some people just can’t take it. I got sick of seeing some of my student’s faces get all grumpy for the whole six minutes. Love it in my personal life but in classes—nope.)
  • Give it Away: Red Hot Chili Peppers (I love most of their music for fast sprints—but this tune is just a tough slog for me. Too repetitive and loooooong. About a minute and half too long.)
  • Freedom 90: George Michael (I did this to myself. I played it so many damn times over the years I lost all of my joy for it. And this was one of my favorite songs of ALL time. So I am letting George go for a while.)

So are there any songs you used to love and now have to retire from your workout playlist? Let me know.

In the meantime– let’s get on to this week’s Vlog post:

 

ULTIMATE BOOTY WORKOUTS:

Exercises to Build, Lift and Sculpt an Amazing Butt

Tamara Grand

Every woman wants a sexy backside. Introducing Ultimate Booty Workouts, a new all-levels fitness program targeted to tone and perk your butt with easy-to-follow exercises and step-by-step pictures!

Strengthen your glutes and feel the burn with the Basic Glute Bridge. Target those pesky inner thigh muscles with Pliés and Goblet Squats.

 

The targeted programs in this book will have your booty toned and perky in no time. Plus, these workouts will help your glutes and hamstrings:

  • Accelerate fat loss
  • Improve posture
  • Decrease, back hip & knee pain
  • Tighten & tone abs

ABOUT TAMARA GRAND

Tamara Grand loves in beautiful British Columbia, Canada with her husband, three children, a ginger cat and a stash of hand-dyed yarn. She works as a BRRPA Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor and is armed with a PhD in Biology.

I insist that you follow Tamara as well. It will do your body good!

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

You Tube

Got that? So if you want to win you need to do the following (Continental United States & Canada only, please!)

  • Post a comment below (on this post) letting me know you are interested.
  • Send a comment on Twitter and say “I want to win the @fitknitchick_1 #bootyworkout from @brooklynfitchick”
  • If you haven’t already—let me know you are subscribing to my You Tube channel

This is my own special giveaway and I am not being paid to offer it. I will pick one winner at random next Monday, February17th at NOON eastern time and contact them directly. Good luck and enter as often as you like!

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

Like My Facebook Page

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My Super Amazing Fitbloggin Post! @Fitbloggin @DietsInReview @DubyaWife @LisaJohnson #fitbloggin 12

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Brooklyn Fit Chick /Fitbloggin’ 2013 Highlights

The City of Portland, Giving Speeches, Chloe Sevigny’s Arm, Paleo Food Trucks and

Experiencing the Joy of  Multiple Hugs

 

Party night

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

 

I am back from Portland and slowly getting back to my “real life” as just little old me versus “Brooklyn Fit Chick”—it’s a tough transition.

When I was in Portland I felt as if I could just be myself all of the time and not hold back on giving someone a hug or being a total goofball. It was such a wonderful time and if I were a better writer I would be able to express how grateful I am each year to have a place where all of my personality quirks are fine and no one cares what size I wear or how much money I make. My goal is to bring more of this into my life. More joy, more laughs and certainly—more hugs.

First day was kind of a wash because my flights on Virgin airlines were so behind schedule that I was had to fly through Los Angeles instead of San Francisco and did not get in until almost midnight (sheesh!)

However, this turned out to be kind of a cool diversion because sitting right in front of me the way to Los Angeles was none other than actress Chloe Sevigny who was quiet and very sweet.

I took a quick picture of her delicate arm (hope she doesn’t mind!)

 

Chloe Sevigny

 

In the first class section sat Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker star Patty Stanger but since I have been warned that Patty is made of snakes (a nod to the fabulous Julie Klausner) I kept my distance from her.

At the hotel (The Nines which provided the best guest experience I have ever had) I was greeted by my amazing roommate Christine of Dubya Wife who had good enough manners to ignore my calls to room service for glasses of wine at midnight and my lack of any initiative for early morning workouts (hmm—are those two things related?)

Christine is my sister/friend and I am SO grateful she is in my life. Thank you Christine! (And see you at Mardis Gras 2015!)

BFC and Dubya's Wife--look out y'all!

BFC and Dubya’s Wife–look out y’all!

 

This was the first year at Fitbloggin where we had a fashion show (created by the insanely lovely Emmie Ho Sandford of Skinny Emmie) and it featured just about all of my favorite people in the world including Carla Birnberg Miz Fit Online,  Jennifer Mitchell of Comeback Momma and Tamara Grand of Fit Knit Chick.

 

Fashion Show

 

Me and Emmie catching up. (Love her to pieces!)

Emmie me

 

On Friday I faced a big fear of mine and actually gave a speech in public—yikes! Very happy to report the Writing the Perfect Pitch workshop I co-presented along with Kymberly Williams-Evans and Alexandra Williams of http://funandfit.org/ and Jamie Walker of “Sweat Pink/Fit Approach” http://www.fitapproach.com/sweat-pink/ (they are all sublime women) went over so well—big whew!

(Also a BIG “thank you” to my friend Martin who helped me put the presentation together—I owe you big, my friend.)

It was a particular thrill for me to meet the Williams sisters as I have been following them for years but I was not smart enough to remember to take a picture with them (dammit!)

Instead, here is a photo of me looking up to Kymberly as she gave a kick ass speech.

 

Thanks to Fitbloggin' for the photo!

Thanks to Fitbloggin’ for the photo!

After our workshop I felt the need to go for a walk and explore the city a bit which is when I discovered how cool Portland truly is. What a wonderful city filled with smart, interesting and NICE people.

 

Portland 3

My mission was to try and find the food truck I read about in Paleo magazine called Cultered Caveman. Holy smokes! First of all— I got to meet the owner Joe Ban who is not only a cool guy that can cook a mean Brazilian chicken but he also looks like Matt Damon—score!! Needless to say I went back Saturday as well to try out their mini-meatballs and brussel sprouts & broccoli mash (sooooo good.)

 

Why yes, people do tell me I look like Matt Damon!

Why yes, people do tell me I look like Matt Damon!

 

Friday night we had the annual “Ignite” presentation where fellow Fitbloggers talked from the heart about where they are in their lives and how they want to use their situation to help others. Two of my favorites that night were Sue of Mrs. Fatass and my roomie Christine.

Here is a photo of Sue.

 

Mrs Fatass

 

This is a quick clip of Christine’s presentation. http://youtu.be/6Z_SvR69Fjw

 

Saturday morning I met up with Brandi Koskie of Diets in Review as well as her husband and daughter to check out the Saturday outdoor market in Portland. This is located by the main campus of Portland State University and I was completely blown away by the beautiful homes surrounding the market.

 

Here is the Simon Benson house.

Simon Benson House

 

The Portland market entrance.

Portland Veggie market

 

This is Paisley—say hello to the world baby girl!

Paisley

Saturday afternoon (after I explored every single booth at the Portland Saturday Market downtown) I came back to the hotel to witness my first in-person flash mob. Margo of This is Not Your Momma’s Blog put the whole thing together and let me tell you it was a BIG hit with the crowd. (Yay for Margo power!)

Link to the Flash Mob clip: http://youtu.be/G_1CEC-90Ic

 

 

Two Margos hugging.

Margos

 

Saturday night was filled with hugs, drinking and more hugs with a few more terrific people I want to mention before I need to lie down and just think about Fitbloggin some more.

 

Shelton, Brandi and the gorgeous Lisa Johnson of Lisa Johnson Fitness.

 

Shelton Brandi Lisa

 

Me and fellow Sweaty Betty Valerie Kirkland of Livefit Journey

 

SBs

 

Alicia of Poise in Parma (love this gal!)

Alicia and Me

 

Me, Suzanne of Workout Nirvana and Tamara Grand.

 

Me Suzanne Tamara

Sometime on Saturday night the music started blaring and then this started to happen…

 

Chef Jason Roberts cutting a rug.

Chef dancing

 

Gangnam Style!

Party night

 

I needed to part ways sometime when the karaoke started (never been a fan—sorry!) My flight to NYC was leaving Portland at 6:30 am so I needed some shut eye time and was fully intending on going straight to bed when Lifetime TV had to put on the Anna Nicole Smith movie. Sheesh! Am I only human, people!

 

Anna nicole

So this is my last image from Portland. I think it captures the movie quite well, don’t you?

That is all for now. My next post will feature my exclusive “Fitbloggin Goodie Bag Giveaway” so y’all come back now ya hear?

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Episode 17 with Flip Camera Giveaway and @FitBloggin Mentions! 19

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Episode 17

The Latest Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog featuring a Flip Camera Giveaway, The MILF Diet Book Giveaway Plus, My Struggle to Remain Coherent While Recording on Cold Medicine!

(Also, scroll below the video for my 2012 “Thank Yous”)

That's my cat T!

That’s my cat T!

You can enter to win this Flip camera but not the cat—sorry about that!

 

Happy New Year!!!

As I am setting up this post, it is New Year’s Eve and all I can think about is what happened in my life in 2012 (both good & bad) plus all of the wonderful things I am looking forward to doing, seeing and experiencing in 2013. Before I get to my list of what I am most thankful for this past year—I would like to start with my last Vlog post for 2012 which includes my newest giveaway (a Flip camera!), my current MILF Diet book giveaway plus my upcoming posts planned for the week.

 

My cats do not make an appearance this time but I am bit loopy on cold medicine so that is always fun to check out!

 

 

Got that? Okay here are the details of the Flip camera giveaway. All you need to do is post below and let me know what you would film for your Vlog posts and I will pick one winner at my discretion next Monday, January 7th at Noon eastern time.

 

The contest is open to residents of the Continental U.S. plus I am opening it up to the wild and wacky residents of the Great White North!! (Yes, that means YOU too can win my beautiful Canadian readers!)

 

Those who post to my Twitter feed will get extra consideration @BrooklynFitChik. Also—if you have not signed up for my You Tube channel (BrooklynFitChick1)—you might want to do that as well (hint, hint!)

 

Finally—I want to leave you today with all of the things I am grateful for from 2012:

  • Going “Paleo” and switching to a whole/non-packaged foods. I have a couple of friends who still can’t seem to understand why (even after all of my Blogging about the health benefits I have gained) I went on this supposedly “strict” program but in addition to losing almost 20 unwanted pounds since last December—I now have a new appreciation for food as a fuel source. This is no small thing people! (Yes—even a teacher can learn a new lesson from time to time!) Also, kudos and “merci” to Keri Olkjer at http://fitviews.blogspot.com/  for her extra encouragement and all of the information she offered without a bit of hesitation. Thanks Keri!
  • The amazing, wonderful, inspiring and unforgettable Fitbloggin conference in Baltimore this past year. Special thanks to everyone I met there including Roni Noone, Carla Birnberg, Steve Gray, Robby Lamb, Christine Assaf, Toni Church, Emmie Sandford, Jack Sh*t (unfortunately, I do not know his real last name!) Tara Martin, Meegan Dowe, Joise Maurer, Kelly Olexa, Brandi Koskie, Dr. Mary, Sheryl Yvette, Sue O’Lear, Susan Ito, Mark L. from The Biggest Loser and so many more than I can’t name in just one Blog posting.  I bought my tickets for this coming June in Portland and if I can afford it—you will see me there for sure!
  • My best friend in the world—Deborah Cota. Deb is a nonstop source of love and support for me and I just wanted to take the time to thank her for all that she does for me. If you want to find about Deb’s awesome books—check out her Blog The Kindred here: http://www.dantechronicles.com/default.html
  • My new friend Marrliee Wilson of Halifax, Nova Scotia who after only knowing me a few short weeks spent hours of her time trying to teach me how to record a podcast. (I will make it happen in 2013 Marrilee! Promise!) Thank you for being such a warm and wonderful source of advice and unconditional support. You are a true gem!
  • Jenn & Tish of Fit Bottomed Girls for (especially Jenn!) not only offering me the opportunity to be their New York City eyes and ears BUT ALSO for sending me virtual hugs and high fives when I need them. You are both exemplary.
  • Finally, I want to take the time to say how grateful I am to each and every one of you who take the time to read my Blog and watch my Vlog posts (especially you Missy Barnum, Toni Church and Jennifer Mitchell of the Fitness Bloggers group on Facebook who always give me their time and incredibly useful feedback. You are the best!) It means the world to me to know that there are people out there who are joining me on this journey to get healthy and feel good for the rest of my life. Let’s do this together gang!!

 

Well—that is it for today. Be sure to come back in 2013 for all of the health, fitness, food and pop culture you can handle in one blog. Big hugs and kisses to all of you. (“Mwah!”)

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

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