Joy

It's finally here! In fact I'm so happy about it I've been humming a little tune all around the house for weeks now. "I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart..." Joy about what Greek Girl you may be wondering?

The new movie Joy starring cutie patootie Jennifer Lawrence? No, but it was a fantastic movie that I highly recommend! The characters were all very well developed, and it's a super feel good film that gets a big fat thumbs up and five stars from this film critic. 

If not that, what pray tell could be causing all that "joy" I am talking about? Why The Biggest Loser premiere of course! Why on earth am I so excited about a TV show one may wonder? Well hello... it has many of my favorite elements: sneakers (my number one favorite shoe to wear), people doing things they thought they couldn't, inspiration, drama. Sure in my opinion the show will never be the same without Jillian, but it's still incredibly inspiring, and never fails to have me in tears at some point during an episode.

I have been so inspired by some episodes in the past that I have even written lyrics to songs from watching. So for me it's a win-win. 

New year, a new chance to get up to bat and swing for one's goals and dreams in life. We all have them, many start out strong at the beginning of the year and for a multitude of reasons peter out and end up quitting. For me it is magical to watch people who have tried time after time, after time to achieve a goal who have never been able to do it, finally break through and get it done. It's just my happy place. 

Society today has so many tools to be healthy and live longer, yet it seems is getting more and more unhealthy by the second. Your body is a miracle. When you treat it right by feeding it the right things and making fitness a part of everyday (just like brushing your teeth) the results are remarkable. That's why I love the show so much, it demonstrates this principle in such a dramatic way on such a large scale, literally. 

I think everyone has the ability inside them to blast through barriers... it's just a matter of will. Not a matter of "can", but a matter of "if". Excuses can be made for everything, everyone has something. Not everyone has the "physical capability" to be an olympic athlete, this I know very well. Accidents, disabilities, many things can make a person think they "can't" be physically fit. The truth of the matter is though that there is a modification for almost everything. There is some kind of physical activity that everyone can do, and once one changes their mentality from can't to can... the entire world can change. 

So you can be your bottom dollar I'll be parked in front of the TV watching. With a hot cup of happiness a la Dunkin's in my hands (with Truvea instead of sugar of course). Will you? If not my hope is that 2016 is a year for everyone to reach beyond their limits and break though barriers to reach goals and dreams they have buried on the inside. Remember, everything is possible... you just have to believe. Happy 2016!

Blessings, Love & Music!
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

The Return of Jillian

It finally arrived... the day I had been waiting for ever since I heard it announced (on my Birthday of all days) that one of my most favorite fitness hero's ever - Jillian Michaels was set to make her return to The Biggest Loser after a two season hiatus.

I had been so excited all through the holidays as it was getting closer and closer.  Tick tock, tick, tick tock.  Today when I woke up I felt like a kid on Christmas.  You see not just for me, but for so many people who love fitness and working out and even those who have yet to make that change in their lives, Jillian is an inspiration.

Those of us who watched saw that she did not disappoint.  She steamrolled back onto the show by throwing not one or two but three contestants out of the gym.  She does not take any bull, and she does not want to hear excuses.  Over 10,000 people submitted applications to be on this season, and I do not blame her.  If a contestant is there they should be grateful for the spot and the opportunity to once and for all fix what is broken and change their lives forever.  If they are giving her resistance, not doing what she says, whining, complaining, and still having a victim mentality then they should leave.  They are taking up a good spot that one of those 10,000 would only love to have.

Yes it is hard, yes the people have health issues, yes it is going to hurt.  The thing that Jillian whips into each and every contestant if they have the backbone to dig in and really grasp what she is there giving her time to show them is that - there is no "TRY" you either do something, or you don't.  It's that simple.  All the chatter in your head, if you do not tap into your will and find the why - you will not find out how strong you really are.

We have seen it season after season.  Just when you think you have seen it all, in comes another heartbreaking story and inside my head at least I'm thinking, my gosh my heart is breaking for these people who have lost their will.  Jillian has a way to break through all the crap and get to the heart of person and help them to find their "why" and push and push them to reach their goals.  That is, if they can get past her tough exterior.

There are those that like to bash her in the media for this or that, methods, yada yada.  Muckery I say.  I used to be a little fat kid, just like she was.  The kids picked on me, and I struggled with weight my entire life until I was an adult.  (That is until I discovered my love for sneakers ;) ) Her methods - they work.  Because I like to workout at home (as I'm not really into being ogled at the gym when my face is all red like a tomato head) I have every single DVD she has put out, and trust me I have every workout system you can think of just about.  P90, p90x, insanity, slim in 6, tapout, turbofire, rev abs, urban rebounder, the firm, tae bo, Bob Harper, Jackie Warner, and on and on.  I love them all, and I always no matter what I'm doing incorporate Jillian's workouts.  Why? Because Jillian's workouts are effective and do not waste time.  You do not have to be super coordinated or able to do a bazillion push ups in order to do them.  You just have to keep going even when you do not "feel" like it.  She has workouts as short as 20 minutes, from beginner on up to advanced, all give results you can see and feel.

Anyone can go buy any one of her DVD's or systems, put in the DVD, push play when the calendar says to and see the results for themselves.  The best part, they do not cost a fortune.  So literally anyone can workout at home and watch along with the Biggest Loser week after week and see her help people while they are getting in shape at the same time.  I don't know about you, but for me, it is so inspiring.  To see people with serious weight issues change their entire lives.

Some Awesome Jillian Quotes:

"Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going." 

"Transformation isn't a future event, it's a presant activity." 

"Pain is fear leaving the body." 

"Your legs are not giving out, your head is giving out, keep going." 

"When you have a Why, you can tolerate any amount of How." 

So it's no surprise that this Greek Girl gives The Return of Jillian (also a Greek Girl) a great big Giamungo Thumbs up!  Can't wait to see what this season has in store.  Happy losing.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

Twitches

This car is my #1 Twitch

Today the secret word is Twitch. A twitch is a reaction to muckery happening with your muscles. To my great Greek surprise Dictionary.com actually had definitions for several different types of twitches. Who knew?

• Convulsion, rapid and repeated muscle contraction and relaxation, resulting in uncontrolled shaking
• Fasciculation, a small, local, involuntary muscle contraction
• Myoclonic twitch, a jerk usually caused by sudden muscle contractions
• Myokymia, a continuous, involuntary muscle twitch that affects the muscles of the face, particularly the eyelids
• Spasm, a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, group of muscles, hollow organ, or orifice
• Tic, an involuntary, repetitive, nonrhythmic movement or vocalization of sudden onset and involving discrete muscle groups
• Tremor, an involuntary, repetitive, somewhat rhythmic, muscle contraction and relaxation

To no one's surprise I have also found other types of twitches. It is not as cut and dry as just saying I have found good twitches and bad twitches. Because my Greek noggin is not wired like other noggins, I felt the need to also classify some of my twitches, fair enough?

Good Twitches

Shopping Twitches

• Super Dry
• Abercrombie & Fitch
• Express
• Kohls  (also Kohls Cash is a monetary twitch)
• Sephora
• Outlet Malls
• Coach Store
• A good TJ Maxx

Yummy Twitches

• A hot cup of happiness from Dunkin Donuts
• A few bites from a slice of New York Pizza
• Vitamin Water Zero "GoGo" Flavor
• Orbit Sugar Free Gum
• A Turkey Club on Wheat from my favorite diner (a yummo twitch)
• Ghiradelli Chocolate

Movie twitches

Rocky (also a motivational twitch)

Sneaker Twitches

Mizuno Wave Nirvana 6
Nike Shox
Nike 36o Air max

Musical Twitches

• The song "Eye of the Tiger" from Rocky
• The Theme song from "The Biggest Loser"
• My new song "Gone"

Healthy Twitches

• Working out
• The Biggest Loser
• Jillian Michaels
• Bob Harper
• Brett Hoebel
• Tony Horton
• Billy Blanks
• Zone Bars

Bad Twitches

• Bed Bugs
• Checking into hotels  (gotta do that bed bug check)
• Getting "poked" by total strangers on FaceBook (that's a creepy twitch)
• S.p.i.d.e.r.s.  & --- I do not say that word out loud ~ Ever.
• Mr. Bricks' toe nail clippers  (that's a revolting twitch)
• A bad TJ Max store

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Ava wants to go on "The Biggest Loser" television show

Here is today's Saturday morning cartoon. I hope you enjoy!

Blessings,

Ava

PS: Don't forget I post on Sundays as well as on all of the other days of the week! Yep this is a full service blog. 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No rest for the weary.  Just so you don't miss any of my muckery, why don't you "follow" my blog. Thanks.

If you are a loser, I like you!

Many of you reading this know by now how much having a daily physical fitness routine and having really good eating habits means to me, right? I constantly talk about it on Facebook and Twitter.  So, I decided to let you in on a few secrets of mine.

I'm a big fan of the reality show The Biggest Loser.  Truth be told, when I was a child I was on the thick side, so I can relate to all of those trying so hard on the show. Of all the reality shows, it is the one series that really tugs at my heart-strings the most, because it is so inspirational. Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper are great. They are doing so many positive things by changing people's lives for the better.  Kudos to NBC on that one.

Before I get into my "secrets", it I must say I am not a doctor, (but if any casting directors are out there, I will play one on TV) So, I suggest before you start any drastic changes in your diet or fitness routine it's always a good idea to check it out with your own (real) doctor before you start. Alright, legal disclaimer is out-of-the-way...

HEALTHY EATING

It has nothing to do with skipping meals. People who really know me or spend time around me  are amazed at how much I do eat. It's not the volume, but how often. Just like clock work, I eat regularly every three hours. Nothing big, but several small meals throughout the day. The old say, anything in moderation isn't too bad.

Here is a picture of one my typical lunch or dinners.  Notice the biggest thing on the plate is a baked potato. It is a super food and you can't go wrong with it. To liven it up, I added a little cottage cheese -- yummo, it's delish.  Exnay the concept of having a baked potato loaded to the skins dripping with butter, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, sour cream,

chives and buckets of salt & pepper.  That's not happening folks. Not today, not tomorrow, not never.  My manager, Mr. Bricks says a potato with cottage cheese makes him vomit a little in his mouth. But he just doesn't know what he is missing. I have threatened to send him to superstar fitness guru Jillian Michaels' Fat Camp, or as I call it "Jillian Jail" ....she will change his eating habits one way or another.  I rounded this meal off with some fried zucchini sticks and an egg white spinach omelette with some ketchup on top. I love ketchup. Heinz, looking for a pitch girl???.... Love your product, I'm just sayin'.

WORKING OUT

I have my daily routines. I do a lot of running. Nothing is better than lacing up the Nike 360 Air Max sneakers, clipping on the iPod and just running! It is all about the endorphins.

Sometimes living in New York we get this stuff called snow.... So I can't always get outside like I would like too. So I do have workouts I do inside when I don't run or can't run. I am certified in aerobics, but I am not a gym rat. When I want to work out, I work out. I don't want to prance around a gym in designer workout clothes with make-up on. For me its put my hair in a pony tail, slap on some sweats and a t-shirt, lace up a pair of Nike Shox sneakers and let the sweating begin. Another reason I don't like going to the gym is when I am working out really hard and start to sweat, my face turns bright red. I look like a tomato that is ready to burst. Attractive? I think not. Seriously I look like a tomato, I'm not kidding you.

So when I work at home I use several different DVD programs to work out to. My favorite one is Tony Horton's P90X® Extreme workout program -- it is a real butt kicker, but so worth it. When I lived in Los Angeles I worked out doing kick boxing with Billy Blanks in his gym.  Now that was a blast. I love kick boxing and Billy rocks!

I did do a Hydroxycut commercial, actually my photo at the top in the purple bikini is from a Hydroxycut photo shoot. They never aired my commercial.  I like their products, however, everyone has to decide what is right for them and I want to stress once again, no matter what you do you should always check with your own doctor first. They went to a bazillion years of school for a reason.

So...I am climbing down from my soap box right now.  I hope this was informational.

Have a blessed day!

Ava          xox