Author Archives: Ilene

Fierce Diva Fitness Anarchist Pump Up Your Plank

Posted on by

I love plank.  It’s an all-over body strengthener that accomplishes a lot in minimal time.  I am so enthusiastic about this effective little movement, that I recruited 40 friends to participate in a plank-a-day challenge with me for the month of July.   The specifications are easy.  (1) Perform 1 plank per day and hold it for as long as possible.  (2) If you want an added challenge, time yourself, and continue to try to beat your best time.  For full instructions on how to perform a properly aligned plank, click here.  Holding a plank for a one, two, three minutes … Continue reading →

Life Is Your Story: Choose Plot Points Wisely

Posted on by

Several years ago, I had dabbled in writing fiction.  During this period of time, I also began to teach fiction writing classes at our local community college as part of their summer learning series.     Next week, I return to campus to participate in the 2012 summer program, so I have dusted off my notes to review the materials I use with my students. While going through my lectures last week, I was reminded of the importance of a writer setting goals for the main character, and to pay just as much attention to how the main character goes about … Continue reading →

Fierce Diva Fitness Anarchist: Hold A Longer Plank

Posted on by

You are taking boot camp at the gym, or a yoga class, and the teacher tells you to hold a plank.  Maybe you are in your living room, holding a plank for your plank a day challenge.  You are determined to hold plank longer than you did the day before! You want to make it to three minutes, or to four minutes, or whatever arbitrary time you have set for yourself.   Having a goal makes it easier to withstand the discomfort that arises as you hold the posture for sustained periods of time. You are holding the plank the best … Continue reading →

Fierce Diva Fitness Anarchist Build A Better Plank

Posted on by

For the month of July, I am participating in a plank-a-day challenge with a group of my friends. The goal is to hold a plank, either a “forearm” or “high plank” as long as possible at least once a day.  The challenge part is to (1) commit to performing at least 1 plank every day and (2) to see if you can improve upon the hold time in plank between now and the end of the month. Anyone is welcome to join us! To understand the basics between the two styles of plank, click here. The benefits of holding a … Continue reading →

Meditate, Run, Sleep: Chasing Goals Week 2

Posted on by

Last week, I began participating in The Weekly Chase, an incentive started by fellow blogger Melissa at Live Love and Run, where we log weekly goals and share them with others for accountability. Here is a recap of my goals from last week and progress report: 1)   Continue my plank a day:  All good here 2)   Veganize my home:  Done.  I have been vegan as of Tuesday of last week.  3)   Run my fastest mile ever!  Last week I caught a virus and had to cut back on the intensity of my runs.  This week for sure, I will get a time on … Continue reading →

Green Revolution

Posted on by

I have taken a lot of pictures of green smoothies this past month. Some were straight and to the point.   Some were humorous.    Some were thought provoking.    Some were political.  (Hint:  This smoothie drinker can see Russia from her house!)   Some were a little warped,   No animals were harmed in the smoothie photo sessions.  I promise!    Neither were any children. 29 days ago, I never would have imagined that 22 friends, some old, and some new, would come along for the ride with me on the Green Smoothie Challenge.  What made the Green Smoothie … Continue reading →

Fierce Diva Fitness Anarchist Plank A Day Challenge

Posted on by

I am a fitness anarchist.  I believe in the importance of being physically fit but not for the sake of being thin or “hot” or reaching a “goal” weight or having a perfectly shaped ass.  I don’t count calories.  I do not exercise for the sake of burning calories.  I do, however, understand and respect the importance of exercise.  I get the cardiovascular benefits and the fact that a balanced exercise regimen increases bone density and lean muscle mass and boosts immunity.  But if you have been to this blog more than once, you know that I don’t believe in … Continue reading →

Mom Fail in 13 Days

Posted on by

My children have been out of school for exactly 13 days, and already, my parenting standards have dropped to an all-time low. Summer got off to a shaky start this year, and I’m not sure whether to blame that on planetary alignment or if the fact that summer vacation came abruptly early had something to do with throwing us off (our school district is one of those in the Northeast that paid us back for unused snow days, hence, the school year ended several days ahead of schedule). We have been struggling to find our summer groove. It’s a hectic … Continue reading →

The Power Of Goals: The Weekly Chase

Posted on by

Earlier today, I discovered a great weekly blog link up created by Melissa Durham of Live Love and Run.  It is called The Weekly Chase and is a forum upon which to create goals for the week ahead.  I’m a huge fan of setting goals.  I have yearly goals, monthly goals, daily goals, and so on.  I’m also a big list maker, where I write down my different goals.  If you were to walk into my office, you would see lists everywhere.  I have a yoga list, a running list, a blog list, etc.  Goals come in many different forms.  … Continue reading →

Diva Needs New Shoes

Posted on by

I miss my mom and pop running shoe store.  I miss Christine, who, the first time we met, had me remove my shoes and socks, while she got down on the floor eye level with my bare feet, to study them.   Christine and I spoke the same language:  over-pronation, plantar fasciitis, and collapsing arches.  She had introduced me to Brooks Adrenalines, which marked the beginning of a running shoe romance, which is still going strong. Christine closed shop two years ago, thanks to the recession and a high rental situation, and I am still searching for my new shoe store. … Continue reading →