Miss Jane Meets The Gluten Gorilla

For years, I have been wondering what was going on inside of my body. I ate extremely well, used good quality supplements, followed a great training program and there was something that had a hold inside of me that I couldn't put my finger on.

It would show up occasionally over the years in the form of flu like systems, although I usually never had vomiting or diarrhea. I would usually describe it as fighting a bug in my system, I must have the flu! What was odd about this is I only ever used to get sick from my allergies and that was it. This type of flu bug seemed to be changing that. For the last 9 months or longer, I have been walking around feeling like I am fighting a flu bug and it continually worsened.

I learned that I had a Gluten Gorilla inside of me. He was very strong and powerful. My ND concluded that it is her belief that I have a SEVERE gluten intolerance. I now have a reason for what what happening inside my body and it is remedied by cutting out all gluten from my lifestyle. I am back in control again, no more trying to figure out what is wrong. See below a diagram of what was really going on inside my stomach as well as the 2nd diagram of what my stomach looks like now after only 4 weeks of living a gluten free lifestyle.

The top diagram shows gluten in the stomach and this is what it looks like. Imagine how it feels. The bottom diagram shows a normal digestive system gluten free or a person who tolerates gluten.

Many people out there are trying to get stronger, healthier, leaner. If you have a digestion problem no matter how positive your attitude, clean your eating, good your supplements are you might not be getting the results you are looking for. I suggest finding a Naturopath who specializes in Food Sensitivities and begin finding out what could be holding you back. Once you have the answer, you  can take your health back. Perserverence, determination, intuitiveness and strength will free you like it did me, to conquer all your goals.

Find out what Miss Jane does to tame The Gluten Gorilla inside of her. And so begin the adventures of Miss Jane versus The Gluten Gorilla. Please join me at my new blog The Gluten Gorilla. http://theglutengorilla.blogspot.com/

My Christmas present to myself was getting my health back . My husband Brandon Steen's Christmas present to me was my very own painting of Miss Jane vs The Gluten Gorilla. http://www.brandonsteenart.com/

 

With my health in control who knows what I will conquer as I create new goals and continue my pursuit to "Be Strong" on Jane Trains in 2012.

Is that light I see?

As I sit here now with my body aching and throbbing from head to toe, severely exhausted with zero energy, a foggy unclear head, and an extremely over reactive stomach. I reflect on this last year of poor health. It might be hard to believe but I can finally see the light at the other side of this horrible health roller coaster I have been riding on for almost a year now. 

What exactly have I been feeling like that has kept me from my life in 2011. Here it is:

Bloating, gas and/or abdominal pain  

Failure to thrive

Fatigue or general weakness

Flatulence

Fluid retention

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Headaches and migraines
Heartburn

Irritability or behavior changes  

Itchy skin rash         
Joint pain  

Keratosis Pilaris     
Muscle weakness

Nausea

No obvious physical symptoms (just fatigue, overall not feeling well)

Pallor (unhealthy pale appearance)

PMS

Vertigo

Voracious appetite

Weight gain

As I read my fitness journal from March 5th, 2011. I wrote, " I have been exhausted for the past 2 months and have not been able to put my mind to anything." Which has now turned into almost 12 months. People don't understand what is wrong with a person suffering like this because they can't see your symptoms. It gets to the point where you don't even talk about it and most people around you don't even know your not feeling well. Those that are close to you can see it because the time you spend with them is usually compromised by having to lie down or sharing time with the zombie form of what used to be their loved one. My supporting husband Brandon Steen can attest to this.

In May 2011, I asked my doctor for one final blood test to see if I had a gluten allergy. One of the other blood tests my doctor had me do was a condition that fed off gluten. I stopped consuming gluten and began to feel somewhat better. However, the test was negative and the $75.00 I had to pay for the test was gone. Seeing as I supposedly wasn't allergic to gluten I continued to consume various whole grains as part of my healthy diet.

Here I am months later with the same issues, trying to experience what little of life that I can. In my first meeting with my new Naturopath, Jen Newell ND http://newellnd.ca/ we discussed gluten allergies and celiac disease. A week later which is this Thursday I will be tested for celiac disease, begin a detox and be treated with accupuncture. I believe greatly in preventative medicine because treating the symptoms will begin to heal the whole body.

It should be noted I stopped mindfully eating gluten for 6 meals and I felt significantly better. However, to accurately test for celiac I must have gluten in my system. When I began eating gluten on Saturday night, I began to ache immediately, developed mucus, joints became sore, eyes got blurry, energy drained, exhaustion set in. I spent the next day and a half in bed. I had taken 2 days off work to try to gain enough energy to make it through the rest of the week teaching. The truth is I am so irritable from the constant discomfort I can't even begin to think of tolerating children and other adults around me. If I sat at a desk job it would be better but I am certain I would fall asleep.

I have accepted that no matter what my results to my test, I will not eat gluten probably for the rest of my life. This is a whole other blog which I am sure I will write about one day. Being Gluten Free can make it very difficult to socialize with people and eat out at restaurants, however it is a small price to pay to have my life back.

Some of you may wonder why I share this on Jane Trains. The answer is simple. If you don't have your health you don't have life. Most people don't understand what it is like to try to find enough energy and willpower to make it through a day of work, just to go home in utter exhaustion. Someone might say to me I should exercise and it will give you energy. The simple truth is I don't have the energy to exercise. I barely have the energy to stand up out of bed in the morning, walking like an 80 year old woman with my plantar faciitis and force myself to go to a job that requires my constant attention.

I write this to all those who want to exercise daily in the worst possible way. You know how great it makes you feel and look but simply don't have the health to do it. Make sure you take care of your health first, once you have your health then your can have your exercise too. I will share my results with you and my journey back to health in the next coming days all with the hope that I will be sharing training tips with you again soon.

I suppose in reflection "Be Strong" had a significantly different meaning for 2011 than what I had planned for it to mean.

It's a Newell day for Jane

For months I have been focused on trying to feel just well enough so that I can get some training back into my life. Last weekend I woke up and my focus changed. My perspective was altered and I decided I needed to get my health back, period.

How do I get my health back? Simple answer, I found a new Naturopathic Doctor. My former ND moved out of province and I moved to the city of Mississauga, leaving me without my most valuable health care provider. Since moving, finding a new ND has been on my list of things to do. Last week I decided I had to finalize my decision and I did that by settling on the ND who knows food sensitivities best! 

Jen Newell ND, was chosen to be my new most valuable health care provider. http://newellnd.ca/ Thursday of this week I met with my new ND, who will be working with me to regain my health. If you have never been to an Naturopathic Doctor, it is like nothing you have ever experienced. Your first visit is at least 1 and 1/2 hours. Prior to your visit you will fill out an extremely detailed questionnaire focusing on your whole medical history. Seeing as I am so in tune with my body I was able to connect with my ND prior to our initial consult to let her know my symptoms as well as shedding some light on who I am with my blog. 

The more in touch you are with your body the better as you will give greater insight into what is really going on inside your body. It has come to be my belief that people need to learn how to read their bodies. Too many people go to their family doctor, come away with little to no answers and simply accept what the doctor says.

After countless trips to my family doctor this past spring, 5 blood tests later and no clear diagnosis of what was wrong with me, my doctor said he was "stumped". He didn't know what was wrong with me and there was no more that he could do for me and  9 months later I am still unwell.

If I chose to ignore what I was feeling or if I was simply not in touch with my own body to realize that there was something wrong, I believe this could have turned into a disease that could possibly become terminal if left diagnosed or untreated. It is my belief that most people end up going to the doctor to late when the health issue is at its worst as opposed to early on when the health issue is in the initial stages and highly treatable. When my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer he was already at stage four and it had gone into his bones, it was believed he had probably had his cancer for several years. He was not in touch with his body like I am and didn't go to see his doctor until he was really feeling unwell. Unfortunately he lost his fight with cancer in March 2011.

By being preventative with our health and in touch with our bodies you can catch a health issue before it becomes more serious and potently fatal. My health issue is now being treated and I will restore my body to its strong balanced state in a matter of time. I truly recommend that if you are unwell you should find a local Naturopathic Doctor to assist you in your journey to better health. 

Once my health is strong I will be back on the Jane Train. I look forward to sharing that journey with you as we go into the New Year.

Back On Track Again With A Weekend Detox

 

 
Day 1

On Waking
One cup of warm lemon or lime water (we use a delicious Italian organic variety in a bottle)
One cup of flax seed broth
(Boil water and pour over 2 tbsp. of flax seeds the night before your detox)

Why? These drinks clear out your bowels and digestive system. Be prepared you may need to run to the washroom.

Exercise
Take a 2o minute brisk walk. (You can have your kids or pets along on this one)

Why? To get your metabolism fires burning. Just like a car on a cold winters morning, you need to get yourself going.

Breakfast
Large Fruit Salad Berry Compote

1/2 small tub of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries Why? Berries are good for your liver. Nourishing the liver is key for detoxification.

Large Fruit Salad Berry Compote

1 cup of Nettle tea

Why? Nettle tea is an astringent, expectorant, anti-inflammatory tonic and diuretic. To find more out about this tea check out this link.  

http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/nettle.html

Mid-Morning
Fruit Juice
1/2 a pineapple or more passed through a juicer
If you don’t have a juicer you can buy juice but make sure it is pure pineapple juice. Brandon uses a Vitamix, the same kind the juicing bars use, it's powerful and with a little added water it will give you a pulpy juice.

http://www.vitamix.com/

Exercise
Take a 2o minute brisk walk.

Lunch
Warm Detox Broth

Warm Detox Broth

6 carrots
2 large white potatoes
4 radishes
2 turnips
1 cup parsley
4 celery stocks
1 clove garlic

Add 2.5 litres of water and let simmer for 2 hours. Try and use organic ingredients if you can. Only drink the broth. You will need some for dinner on Day 1 and  2.

Why? The broth is easy for digestion.

Detox Sprout Salad

100 g of organic mung bean sprouts
40g celery finely sliced
40g of cabbage, shredded
Squeeze of lemon juice
herbs to season

Detox Sprout Salad

Mid-Afternoon
Vegetable Juice

6 carrots
1 cucumber
2 celery stalks
1/4 onion

We blend this in our Vitamix and add ice.

1 cup of Nettle tea

Dinner
Detox Broth (see lunch) with Raw Paté with Sprouts 

Serves 2

2 tbsp of torn fresh basil
6 tbsp roughly chopped sprouts
200g whole almonds, soaked
1 tbsp. chopped coriander
75g pine nuts
2 tbsp of lemon juice
1 garlic clove

1. Place ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Roll around into balls, then pat them down into sprouts outside.

 
Before Bed 
soak flaxseeds in hot water overnight

1 cup of warm water with lemon



Day 2

On Waking
One cup of warm lemon or lime water
One cup of flax seed broth

Warm Lemon Water

Exercise
Take a 2o minute brisk walk.

Breakfast

1 cup of Nettle Tea
 
Fruit Smoothie
2 peaches
2 plums
2 pears
1 scoop protein powder
with water mixed in our Vitamix

Juicy Detox Smoothie

Lunch

Juicy Detox Smoothie
6 carrots
1 celery
1 ripe avocado
1 apple
squeeze of lemon or lime
8 basil leaves


All placed in the Vita Mix and it will do the rest.

Dinner
Detox Broth with Detox Sprout Salad (see Day 1)
We prefer to change this soup and salad up and make it different because we are used to a lot of variety in our meals and food.


Before Bed
Drink a cup of warm water with lemon and enjoy the benefits of the weekend.

This detox is based on one we have been doing for years by an British woman, Gillian McKeith. We are very pleased with the results we get when using her detox and clean eating program. 


http://www.gillianmckeith.info/ 

Detox Results
I am feel free of aches and pains, no lies. My mind is clear and as free as the big blue sky. Best of all my energy levels gradually improved throughout the weekend. I am all ready to conquer a good week of training and start to see some awesome results. Most of all I look forward to a great sleep tonight and some solid food tomorrow. We are having oatmeal in the morning, oh how I will enjoy that first meal of the day. 

Can I hear a Yee-haw? I know I have inspired two of my girlfriends to detox, I hope I inspire you too. Please share your experiences, I love hearing other peoples stories.


Until next time "Be Strong",

Miss Jane

Twinkle Toes

Today I went for an Active Recovery workout by the Credit River with my handsome Brandon and big boy puppy Declan. As we were walking I realized that my training shoes needed to be replaced. My shoes no longer supported my feet properly and I was unable to walk without pronating in my trainers.

I the past year and a half I developed a very painful and uncomfortable condition known as Plantar Fasciitis. It is a foot condition which makes daily life very painful when you are on feet most of the day as a Kindergarten Teacher. The tissues on the bottom of the feet are stretched and pulled. As a result the heel feels sharp shard like pains when you stand on your feet and walk around, much like nails being driven up your heel as you step down. It is particularly difficult in the morning when first walking on your feet. Your feet don't stretch or move properly as a result.

see Pronation diagram

I made an appointment with my local Podiatrist Jessica who assessed my feet and made me orthotics to correct my pronation on a negative angle. After a few weeks of trying the new orthotics in my shoes, I went back and Jessica covered them for me. Look how awesome they are! I use them in shoes that don't give me proper support. At other times I wear very good footwear such as Birkenstocks, Clarks and Doc Martens. I was very pleased when Jessica informed me that my orthotics were needed to conitnue wearing my colourful collection of Converse that I love so much. It is very important that I support my feet at all times to lesson discomfort in my feet. When I am at home I wear a pair of Birkenstocks at all times in the house, in fact I put them on immediately when I get up from bed after doing some foot exercises.

Miss Jane's orthotics

If you are starting a training program I recommend getting yourself a new pair of shoes that support your feet well. Today I went to an Adidas Outlet store and got 2 pairs of shoes for less than the price of one. If your not into trends and having the most recent fad this is a great way to save money on footwear. Foot discomfort is not your friend, I suggest you visit your local Podiatrist and get your feet looked after if you are experiencing problems with your feet. I am so happy to have my foot problem under control so I can get back training again. Check out my new training gear. Can I hear a Yee-haw?

My new matching tanks to train in, Walmart rocks for training gear.

Treat your body well and "Be Strong",

Miss Jane

The Jane Train Derailed

What happened? The answer is life. 

My father lost his 3 year fight with prostate cancer, my dog developed a brain tumor and we had to say goodbye to him, my step father in law passed away and my step grandmother passed away all in a 2 month period of time. During the same time as my father’s death I was ill but cared for my father in the hospital during his last few days.

I have suffered from allergies my whole life. However in the past few years I have begun to suffer from food allergies. In March, the week before my father went into the hospital for the last time, my digestive system became overstressed and took a turn for the worse. At the same time I contracted a virus that gave me a bacteria in my stomach that would not leave. I never knew the stomach could bloat so much and be so uncomfortable. This derailed the Jane Train for weeks that turned into months.

The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) has its own nervous system which when compromised causes many symptoms and ailments. Altogether these symptoms shut down your body making daily life a struggle and you become exhausted just trying to make it through a normal day of work. Unfortunately, blood tests don’t give you the answers you are looking for when you are suffering through this problem. In fact, 4 blood tests later and too many doctor’s appointments to remember, my doctor was stumped. His only option left was to send me to a Gastrointestinal specialist. I was too exhausted to go down this route at this time. 

I once again took the most natural route to solve my problem and began to work on an elimination diet and implemented supplements to support the stomach and digestion. It has led me down the path of very strict eating being mindful of many of the foods that irritate the digestive symptoms such as wheat, corn, soy, dairy. This is not new for me but this time I know exactly what I need to do, why I need to do it and what I will gain from this over the next few months.

I have been suffering from tension headaches for a few weeks and have just come through a few days of bad headaches. I believe it was the last few toxins leaving my body. In the past I have used acupuncture and massage to assist in ridding myself from toxins, this time I tried to manage it on my own.

What you learn from these experiences in life is to accept “limitations”. Limitations mean taking out many of the things in life you enjoy because you simply can’t do them. It means you basically put life on hold until you can get yourself back to the point where you can start it up again.

I have finally after 7 months got to the point where I can start it up again. My body has been under a great deal of stress over these past months as this is one of the ways the GI tract reacts to bacteria and sensitivities the digestive system. Stress is dreadful for the body.

Over the next few months I will share with you some of the things I am doing to get myself back on the Jane Train. I will have to make some new goals as I won’t have the right amount of time to train before the new year. What I will need to put in these next few months is hardcore training and clean eating to start to see the results I am looking for. The commitment, determination and focus needed to accomplish these results will put all those limitations well behind me.

I have begun a 6 day a week training routine, 4 days of strength training with a fat burning focus, 2 days of cardio training. With an extremely clean eating meal plan this will begin to develop into some results I will be happy to see. Tomorrows workout is hill sprints with cardio focus at the toboggan hill. We have some good fall weather to keep me feeling refreshed during my workout. I am glad to have my training buddy with me the famous Brandon Steen. He is in charge of our eating plan and makes all our meals and snacks for us. This weekend is a detox, just to get rid of those last few nasty toxins. Thankfully Brandon will take care of our detox weekend meals.

Look for some of my training routines, clean eating recipes and lots of good inspiration to come in the next few weeks.

Jane Trains 10 Clean Eating Tips

I have been practicing the clean eating principles for a few years now. If you put effort into exercising then you need to put effort into eating clean. It helps greatly that I have a wonderful person Brandon Steen who loves to cook and prepare meals for me. However, he follows the clean eating principles too. Some of my clean eating principles are due to food allergies but many people without food allergies follow the same principles. What does clean eating mean to me? 

Jane Trains 10 Clean Eating Tips

1. My morning starts with warm water and lemon. My grandfather practiced this and I have adopted it. Cleans out the system!

2. Eat a good balanced breakfast such a protein shake with homemade almond milk (we have a Vita Mix so we use filtered water and raw almonds and blend it as we make the smoothie), Vega protein powder (made from peas and hemp), cod liver oil (lemon flavour), frozen fruit, spinach or sprouts. I take my protein shake with me to work and drink it while I am getting ready for a busy day in a kindergarten classroom. On the weekend we often have fresh fruit, eggs, oatmeal or a whole grain toast with some organic all natural nut butter.
Jane Trains tip: I NEVER EVER miss a breakfast, it is the only way to start to a good day.

Fresh summer salad with mint from our garden

3. I enjoy my green tea in the morning sipping it on my way to work as I drive the highway into Toronto and then finishing it calmly as my kindergarten students are quietly reading on the carpet at the beginning of the day.

I love my teas!

4. Snacks between meals are very important to keep the metabolism going. They are also important to teach young children the principles of healthy eating, when my students have snack I sit down and have snack. This is one of the only times you will see this kindergarten teacher sitting during the day. My morning snack is usually fruit with cheese or sunflower seed butter (no nuts at school is really hard for my healthy eating plan). My afternoon snack is often vegetables with homemade bean dip. 
Jane Trains tip: I always pack at least 2 snacks, you never know when you many need one.

4. Eat a good size lunch as you still have most of the day to use all the nutrients. My lunch always is a large salad full of a variety of vegetables with homemade oil and vinegar dressing (I keep a bottle of salad dressing at work), and a serving size of a lean protein source (chicken, fish or eggs) and occasionally a healthy grain such as brown rice, spelt pasta or quinoa. I try to save my carb intake for after a strength training workout and that usually is after I get home from work. Jane Trains tip: I always bring my lunch to work, I never go out for lunch, pick up lunch or skip lunch.

One of Brandon's awesome salads with fresh figs

This was my birthday salad and it was delicious.

5. Everyday I take a extra large reusable bottle of water (40 0z), you can tell it is used daily from the dents and scratches on my bottle. It is harder in the winter to drink as much water. On warm days in the early summer at work when the classroom is a steam bath I take 2 extra large bottles and have to slow down at the end of the day to make sure I don't run out of water before home time. Sometimes when I am at home on the weekends, I will fill my water bottle making sure I drink it all if I think I may not be getting my daily consumption of water.
Jane Trains tip: I never leave home without my water bottle filled.

6. Dinner is always awesome as it is created with love by non other than Brandon Steen. Always consisting of a protein source with another good size salad and sometimes a healthy grain. This meal often becomes my lunch for the next day. I usually end my day with an herbal tea after dinner. My favourite herbal tea is peppermint, it is a nice way to soothe the stomach and relax at the end of a long day.
Jane Trains tip: I try not to eat after 7 p.m.

A healthy dinner of fresh Ontario yellow beans, simple salad and organic meat with blueberry compote

7. I don't consume: processed or prepared foods, fast food of any kind, junk food, white flour and most wheat flours (allergic to wheat), sugar or any sugary drinks including most juice (allergic to sugar), dairy (except for goat milk and cheese as I am allergic to dairy), soy products (allergic to soy), caffeine (exceptions can be made), more then one alcoholic drink a week (and it is usually one a month)


8. I always make sure that our fridge and cupboards are full of good healthy foods from our awesome grocery store Michael-Angelos. Remember to buy your foods along the outer walls of the grocery store (fruits and veggies) and less on the inner shelves (this is where the processed foods are housed). We always have something healthy we can eat that is made by us and we know exactly what we are putting into our bodies. We aren't consuming chemicals and preservatives, I won't eat something that has words I can't pronounce. 
Jane Trains tip: The money you spend to go out to restaurants can give you a nicely stocked kitchen from your favourite grocery store or health food shop.

Brandon always has it stocked.

9. I only eat organic meats and have for many many years. I was a vegetarian over 15 years ago but that didn't work well for me health wise. When I began eating meat again I only ate organics and have never gone back. There is a huge difference in the taste and texture and the life experience of the animal that you are consuming. I don't eat meat outside of my home and I am happy to have had amazing butchers in the cities I have lived in. I recommend you find a local butcher and begin buying meat from the butcher shop.  
Jane Trains tip: Protein is important to the body especially for muscle growth, eat organic meat.

Organic meat prepared for dinner with fresh herbs for seasoning.

10. You are probably asking if I ever have anything as a treat? I learned an awesome tip from my trainer. I picked a day which is Friday for me and I have a treat. Nothing too big just sometimes I like a small bowl of potato chips (simple chips made with potato, canola oil and some salt) or a nice piece of dark chocolate, sometimes a beer or red wine. I follow this like my religion and if I need to plan for an event then I alter my treat day. 
Jane Trains tip: Pick a day of the week and make it your day for a treat day. Don't consume treats on the other days of the week. You may be surprised how often your having treats!

Last weeks treat was a divine birthday cake topped with berries. The cake was wheat free, egg free, dairy free and had no cholesterol. Homemade by Brandon Steen.

You may be wondering why I am eating so much food? If you want to be healthy and keep your metabolism going you must eat food. In fact you must eat food every few hours which is why snacks are so important. People think they need to starve themselves to loose weight. You can starve yourself and loose weight but you will not be healthy. If you want to be healthy than you must eat food at least 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. 

This is not a diet, this is a way of life. Diets don't work. Diets set you up to fail. You don't eat this way to reach a goal and then stop. You must be consistent and make this your way of healthy eating for life if you wish to be healthy and fit. 


Later in my journey of healthy eating I was informed of this awesome woman, Tosca Reno and began reading her articles, books and online websites. She was on the cover of a fitness magazine at 50 in a bikini and follows many of the same exercise and eating practices as I do. If you would like to read more about Tosca here are her links:

http://www.eatcleandiet.com/ and http://www.toscareno.com/

I was lucky to meet Tosca this past fall in Mississauga at one of her book signings and learned that she is also very personable giving Brandon and I many awesome compliments. She signed my book "To your best body now. Eat Clean." She is an amazing woman and is a great inspiration to me on my "Be Strong" journey. I leave you today with the picture I had taken with her.

Brandon Steen, Tosca Reno and Miss Jane Fall 2010

Be Strong and Eat Clean!

The "Ah-ha" Moment

The "Ah-ha" Moment

My "Ah-ha" moment came a few years ago when I had a very painful illness that caused me horrible discomfort. It was very difficult to function in everyday life, it became chronic for me and I knew that it was not going to go away. I eventually had to have surgery which in many cases doesn't solve the problem either. I decided that I needed to make myself as healthy as possible. I began to change my eating habits and I told myself that I needed to eat as well as I could to strengthen my body. My horrible painful chronic problem has remained dormant for a couple of years and I think I have solved the problem.

A couple of years after this I had a horrible ear ache, so much so that all I could do was pace our apartment for hours in the middle of the night hoping for some relief. My doctor wouldn't give me anything for it and I had never had an ear ache in my life. Eventually, I received a referral to an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist because at this point I had lost hearing out of that ear. However, none of the doctors or specialists could see anything wrong with me. Eventually, I became very tired and frustrated that no-one could help me to feel better and explain what was wrong with me. I thought I might never hear out of my right ear again. It was at this point I took things into my own hands and self diagnosed myself. I was having an allergic reaction to something, I have had allergies all my life and have never had any ear reactions but I felt that I was very close to having a very bad reaction much worse than an ear ache if I didn't do something fast. 

I called my Naturopathic Doctor, as I have been treating my allergies naturally for many years now. I began acupuncture immediately, I still remember the feeling as all the toxins left my body, I felt so good after each treatment. I began regularly taking supplements and homeopathic medicine. After some time, I began building up my body and had my allergies retested. What I found was alarming to me but it explained everything. I had many food allergies, the list so long and shocking that Brandon didn't know how he was going to cook for me. I was allergic to wheat, corn, soy, dairy, sugar, oranges and many other things. This changed how I ate drastically. I had a great deal of restrictions that made my eating habits very clean. Shortly after I began making all these food changes I was beginning to feel much better. 

Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture cured my health issues

I learned through these health issues that I was a very strong person. I decided that if I was eating clean I also wanted to get in good shape too. It was at this point that I decided that I wanted to work with a personal trainer to get myself in top shape. I have been working with Josh Hewett of Top Form Fitness for over  a year and along with my healthy eating I am well on my way to being the healthy person I have worked so hard to become. 

Josh Hewett of Top Form Fitness

You may think to yourself a Naturopath and a Personal Trainer cost money. To you I say, this is the best investment I have ever made in my life. In our lives we need good health, when we are healthy and fit we are at our best. If you think of the money you spend on fast food, eating out at restaurants or on useless fitness gimmicks or dvds you would have the money for the necessary supports to get you on your way to living healthy and eating clean. We need to take care of ourselves and for me the results far outdo the costs.


Maybe you have had your "Ah-ha" moment or perhaps you are on your way to your moment. When you have it you will begin to change your life for the better. 


I look forward to hearing about your "Ah-ha" moments, please share your story on my blog or on my facebook page.

Boot Camp This Girl!

The Strictly Fitness Boot Camp Class

A few weeks ago my trainer Josh Hewett of Top Form Fitness mentioned that he will be starting up an indoor winter Boot Camp. I signed myself up although I didn't know exactly what I was signing up for and I honestly have never been a fan of group classes. 

I walked into the facility, Blast Athletics located in an old raw building that had been a mechanics shop. It had lots of the old Toronto character that I love so much, but what I saw really pumped me up. My eyes moved around the building noticing a turf floor and rubber mats from front to back, yellow and black jungle gym straps bolted into the wall, the bad boy 500 lb tire with thick ship ropes for rope undulation, lots of gear hanging on the wall and an back area called "The Pit" for doing weights. 

Taking It All In

I mentioned to you in my first blog entry, New Years Resolution for 2011 "Be Strong" that I had spent over a year searching online for inspiring strength training videos of women. My interest is not in bodybuilding training that creates muscles comparable to men, however when you type "strength or weight traiing for women" into search engines this is what mostly comes up. The closest thing I could find for inspiration online usually was Crossfit videos of women and I did find some good inspiring ones.


As I began to take this environment in, I realized that I just walked into one of the online videos that were bookmarked as my favourites. There really aren't words to express this exact moment in my life. I suppose it would be comparable to a kid when they walk into a toy store for there first time only to realize that there are a lot of toys and they want to play with them all. I couldn't wait to play.

Focusing for Jump Squats

The Big Boy Tire and My New Friend "The Rope"

Killer Wheel Barrel Workout on the Ab Roller

Ab Wheel Curls

Being Strong!

Inverted Rows on the Jungle Gym

Are you wondering what was Miss Jane's favourite exercise of the day? Let me tell you. Earlier when I told you I was taking in the building I really was focused on one thing, these my blue eyes were glued to the ropes. I have seen the rope exercises online and have always wanted to try them out. It is called, rope undulation training where you move the ropes either in unison or in alternating movements. This is a challenging workout but very satisfying. When we were asked to find our first station, I bolted in a mad dash for the ropes. There was no need to rush as no one seemed to have the same interest in the ropes as me. I have already discussed with Brandon adding the ropes to our implement training at home, no time like the present. I look forward to getting stronger with my rope undulation.

My Toy Store

I Got The Rope!

Time to Play

Rope Undulation is Hardcore!

I got in an awesome training session today, enjoyed some good laughs and really got to push myself in a new environment. It is days like today that make me want to condition myself to the extreme so that I can really push it all out at an event like todays Strictly Fitness Boot Camp. If you are looking for a full body workout and ready to get yourself into solid strong shape this is the Boot Camp for you. If interested contact Josh Hewett or Kris Donaldson at: http://www.top-form-fitness.com/bootcamp/. 

"Be Strong"

Photos taken by Brandon Steen at Strictly Fitness Boot Camp