FIT@50: What’s Life Over 50 Like? So this week I decided to head over to Smoothie King and grab a shake and a plant-based alternative for a no-bake chocolate cookie. Why? Because I like those cookies, but they don’t like me. Besides, the package said they were gluten-free. That has to be a bonus. While there, I met an older man who was talking about meal replacements, and then another older man who talked about intermittent fasting. Of course, I felt the need to contribute th

FIT@50: Two Pounds This week I was watching the boys out back as they discovered a pile of Leah’s padded dumbbells. They came in 2, 5 and 10 pounds. The youngest one was talking about weight lifting in his gymnastics class, and that he wanted to start lifting every day. He’s nine. They struggled with technique, but had no lack of effort as they took turns hoisting the weights overheard. How bad could a two pound dumbbell hurt if they dropped it on their head anyway? The littl

FIT@50: Let Your Light Shine You know that bright blue LED light that glares from the small window at the top of your scale? Well, I’ve not seen mine in over a week. Why? Because I suspect it’s going to tell on me. Therefore, I’ve refused to allow it’s little light to shine. It probably needs to be punished for the naughty thing it’s just dying to reveal. I’ve changed up my eating habits over the last several month. I’ve gone from over 265 to the last time I let that light sh

FITx50 \ week 30 This week Liliana Hart​ curiously said, “In two weeks you’ll be 50.” Silent, I waited for the punch line or the life’s lesson – nothing. She followed with, “Just saying.” It was the first time I realized just how close I was to the half-century celebration. No panic, just realization. Quickly I flashed over the initial goals I’d set as the idea of FITx50 became what I thought was a great idea. I always enjoyed the saying, “If you want to see God laugh, tell H

Someone commented this week during a Mardi Gras parade that they enjoyed keeping up with my Friday FITx50 posts. They thought it was funny that I veered away from physical fitness and began focusing on other aspects of being fit. I have to admit, it wasn’t anything purposeful. Looking back I saw where the transition began, and I think that was the point “fitness” truly began to mean more to me than physical accomplishments. I do look forward to turning 50 (HINT: March 11) and

FITx50 \ week 26 What do BL and I have in common? Other than an almost 50 year spread, we both love cheesecake. This was his first time tasting it. My sister had the great idea of sharing mine with the tyke. End result – kid gets new treat and great uncle eats less cheesecake. Win – Win if you’re the one year old. Kidding of course. This week has been fantastic as I returned to a regular schedule at Momentum Gym – I’ve heard all the crossfit horror stories, but seriously dude

Happy 2015. It’s been a great week for inching a bit closer to my goals for blasting the 50 year mark. Momentum Gym has been incredible as always and it’s great to exercise among a community who also share similar goals. I’ve not had a pinch of cake, ice cream or pizza this week either. Guess what? I’m in no need of a coroner’s hold either!!! Have an awesomely lived weekend and here’s to getting fit. Best of success Tami Mills-Merrill & Beth McCall Moore #Encourage #diet #Cr

FITx50 \ week 21 was spent on another adventure out West. While the endless walking involved in what is Las Vegas was exhausting, I’m not sure it counts as exercise. Not when buffets, pizzas, fancy foods and snacks bookend each journey. Encouraging was the wisdom to avoid the slots, and keeping up a frantic pace. Between solving the CSI exhibit’s mystery and helicoptering / boating / hiking the Grand Canyon, I held up pretty good. Christmas was also wonderful to return home t

FITx50 \ week 19 This is my favorite Christmas picture for several reasons. For purposes of this post, the expressions illustrate the yin and yang of fitness and dieting. Santa’s look is how I feel after I blow my diet. The sly grinning kiddo is how I feel once I’ve logged in the exercise and managed to avoid the sweets. I also think its funny because the photographer failed to notice the “horned” candles behind Santa’s head. This week, I can say my FITx50 focus sided with th

You thinking what I’m thinking? Breakfast? No, but it was delicious yesterday. Delicious but not over indulged. I made it through this holiday by eating great food, with family and friends. Before i got a bit full, guess what? I stopped. Planning ahead, i also anticipated the desserts, so I made an effort to up the exercise leading up to T-Day. And….I plan on enjoying a great community post-holiday session of crossfit Friday morning. So what was the lesson this week? Not sure

FITx50 / week 17 and this has been my approach of late. After last week’s post-travel and fancy food eating festival I returned to the crossfit gym. I was greeted by the realization that at closer to 50 than I was weeks ago, shape, like the space station, is something just waiting to drop. Some crazy workout call Down Sally Up – yeah, that’s what I said – I got the down part pretty good. Okay, mostly I’m kidding but this little kitten was so darn cute, i had to include him so

Week 16? What happened to weeks 14 & 15? Well, that’s what I want to know. It’s crazy how trips to south Florida and the Carolinas can easily take you off your game plan. Seriously, I’m like a bald tire spinning in marsh grass. I had to reintroduce myself to my friends at Momentum Crossfit, my Trek Madone 6.9 won’t even look at me and ice cream and I have been joyously reunited. How? That’s my struggle. Weeks to months of sustained discipline followed by weeks to months (oh n

Did I Do That? The Warrior Dash is in the books, and I’m super energized with motivation and memories. While it wasn’t the most physically challenging thing I’ve accomplished, it was one of the most enjoyable. Why? It was a short-term health / fitness goal associated with a cause greater than losing a pound or two and flexing some rusted muscle. I’ve already set another goal to get me through the holiday season. So I encourage you to do the same. Don’t be that New Year baby e

Warrior Dash DASHED Fitness Benchmark #1 has been met. This weekend was the Warrior Dash in St. Francisville, La. Our team of Cops-n-Kilts sponsored by Liliana Hart’s Warriors started strong and finished even gutsier. There was unexpected difficult terrain, injuries and dehydration within the unit, but no one left the others. I’m still in awe of the effort of each. No matter how tough, everyone knew we were doing this for the true Warriors committed to kicking the crap out of

Gotta get up to get down That’s this week’s theme. I’ve been faithfully training for my first fitness benchmark – October 11th’s Warrior Dash. Crossfit 5x/week along with running and cycling. Cut carbs WAY down and feasted on protein throughout the days. On target to work close with our Cops-N-Kilts team. Then, I hear the kiddo make that late night sound every parent dreads – the Yulp. Yes, stomach virus. Of course, doctor dad attends into the morning and next day with luggin

Fight Like a Girl Thinking through this week’s update, I took this picture of Lori Cortez at work. We often kid at the office and were working on a fund-raiser by selling the bracelets she’s modeling. BTW they read MAN ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK and SAVE 2nd BASE. Then she said, “It’s already been a year.” as she turned her head away. I knew what she meant. It wasn’t spoken but her eyes glistened with the significance of her diagnosis just a year ago. I’ve not once in that year hear

Monkey See. Monkey Do Seems after nine weeks the theme of Cops-n-Kilts has turned into Kids-n-Kilts. The kiddo not only loves his Boston Strong shirt, but sporting his sport wrap. He also loves going to crossfit to exercise after the big kids (adults) do. One of the major benefit of reclaiming a healthy lifestyle is your Silent Witness. While we ache and creek and moan and stretch – others see the effort, the commitment, the progress. Now as an 18-year-old – I wanted the girl

I’m a romance novel cover model – Really? Those writer’s conferences can get pretty wild, but you know fiction is crazier than reality. Hu? Speaking of conferences and fitness, I spent last weekend in North Carolina to present classes to amazing authors at the Writer’s Police Academy. It was a wonderful event as always. Even tough the pace was hectic and non-stop smoozing  – I did find time to exercise. As far as eating right, well not so much. But no worries – I redeemed mys

I get a kick out of the officers willingness to show me how far I’ve yet to go for reaching my fitness goals. Although, surrounding yourself with positive, health focused peers provides the motivation and accountability elements that lead to a sustained life change. I’ve been athletic my entire life, but rarely combined exercise and diet. I’m trying, but not so much of late. Good intentions with a poor roadmap will still lead you down a dead-end. Still killing the crossfit th