Life of Pi

Life of Pi is one of those books that will stick with you for Life. I know because it has mine. Why am I doing a book review on something that has nothing to do with fitness you ask? Well, maybe it does.

I was given this exact book as seen here, a few years ago by a co-worker for my birthday. Her being a book junkie and loving the book, she wanted someone to discuss it with her at work. She didn't quite get the ending or was left with questions that were not answered. She needed a "book club" to talk about this amazing journey. I was amazed by this book then and again, as I finish it today, I am reminded of how awesome it truly was.

In the Life of Pi, in short, Piscine Patel and his family move their zoo from Pondicherry, India to Canada. A confused boy looking for faith and a true God, leaves everything behind and travels with family and animal to a new life.

The ship sinks. Leaving him tossed to a life raft with a spotted hyena, an orangutang, a broken legged zebra, and a bengal tiger. Now you ask, how is that possible? All of them living together on one boat? Well, they don't. They eat each other. Leaving the tiger, Richard Parker, and Pi alone on a small boat fending for themselves. With trials and struggles, they eat only protein from the sea and Pi turns the boat into a circus ring, training Richard Parker to respect him and turn to him for food and water.

Now, what does this have to do with TuffPhit?

The boat is your circumstances. The tiger is your hurdles. And Pi, is well, YOU! Pi survives on the water for 227 days. Have you ever committed really to a workout program, diet, journaling for 227 days? Do you give up and go back to your old habits, not continuing with your journey? Do you let the boat sink and the animals take over?

Maybe we can all learn something from a teenage boy who discovers not only about himself, but how to control the things around him, and finally finds God.

When you sit down this next time for your New Years Resolutions, and write out your new goals, think big! Pi Big.

Think vast open spaces. Believe the unbelievable. We are entering a new year, a new holiday season. It's filled with your favorite treats and goodies, but you must resist. You must remove yourself, as Pi did with the boat, and make the best of your situation. What comes from hard work in the gym and the right decisions with your food, comes great reward. LIFE.

Overcome the obstacles that get in your way. Press forward and never look back at the old body you no longer want. Stare down Richard Parker, and all those who told you that you can't and say "I can".

Gym Gems

Gym Gems is jewelry for the gym enthusiast. Beautifully crafted of sterling silver, you won't be disappointed. It's been a while since I have told you about this lovely company, Gym Gems. If you have a heart for the gym and working out, making a better you, then share it with the world by wearing a Gym Gems piece. You won't believe the complimentary comments you will get while wearing your jewelry. When I am wearing my necklace, people at stores or anywhere I am out, will make comment on it. Asking "is that a dumbbell?" Like they are surprised I would be wearing a charm like that. It's not that they think I wouldn't workout, but it's because it is such an unusual charm, they don't see them every day. Then they say "that's really cool!" So be as different as your workout and sport a Gym Gems!

My toggle necklace is probably my favorite. It's very feminine in that it's a smaller dumbbell. It looks great with the out-on-the-town outfit. Since these are real sterling silver (all marked with the 925) you will receive a a gym gems gift box, a velvet bag to store it in, and a gym gems silver polish cloth. These items will help keep your jewelry looking great for years to come. If you invest in your body in the gym, invest a little in your jewelry too!

Trigger Point Therapy - The Grid Review

As you all are well aware, I have taken quiet a bit of time off to battle my way through breast cancer and then through all the surgeries and recovery. Working out has been a new and slow journey for me. Some days I feel up to running on the treadmill and then I am tired for days. With an adjustment to medications, and LOTS of vitamins, I am getting my energy back.

When working out, whether you are experienced or a beginner, aches and pains are part of the process. I was approached by tptherapy.com  to try their foam roller, The Grid, and see if this helps with my recovery. I haven't done a review on any workout equipment in so long due to my lack of gym time. But I found this to be the perfect item for review. Even with a little workout, stretching and massage are so important.

I took my time on this review because I really wanted to give the product a fare shake.  Many times after a light jog or speedy walk on the treadmill, I would get off and roll around with my Grid to stretch out. Which then actually became a part of my workout. For me, this is very important in my time of recovery and healing. I found there to be lots of different uses for The Grid.

Back in the Gym

Wow, it's been two months since I posted here. I had my last reconstructive surgery the end of June. I had a liposuction procedure where they remove belly fat and place it in my breast area to cover up the implants from the reconstruction following my mastectomy.

It's been a long year. I remember wanting to do a bikini competition and hitting the gym hard. Now I go to work and come home and hit the pillow hard. I only hope that my story can be an inspiration to many who may be going through something similar or even just struggling with staying healthy and fit. Finding time and energy for the gym has a whole new meaning for me. I have always shouted out to my readers to just get up and do it already. But battling medication, fatigue, and surgery side effects have given me a new appreciation of the struggles others go through every day.

So let's do this together. I am active on my FB page and would love to interact with you all there. I will continue to do product reviews on TuffPhit.com as I slowly work my way back on to that treadmill.

The emotional journey of NOT working out has proven to be a difficult one. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Continue to push for your dreams. Don't ever give up. These words I say to myself as well.



Check me out at https://www.facebook.com/tuffphit See you there!

True Natural Sunscreen

I have recently told you about True Natural Sunless Tanner. The one that smells like a lemon pie? Well now it's time for sunblock. With the winter blues behind us, it's time for some real Vitamin D. 


I received my sunblock a few months ago, but without the sun shining bright, there was no way to test it. Now with June in full swing, my inflatable pool up and ready to go, it's time to protect the skin. Being a breast cancer survivor I am always looking for ways to keep myself healthy and educated on things in our lives and environment that cause cancers. TO much sun is one of them. Also, not enough! We have to find that happy medium. 


While Vitamin D is essential to good health, burning your skin is not. The perfect combination is a little sun at the beginning of the day and then protect the skin the rest. If you are planning on being out in the sun all day for family reunions, beach parties, or doing yard work, protect your skin naturally with True Natural. 

True Natural Vanilla Coconut , with an SPF of 50, is perfect for the entire family. You can trust this product to use on your entire body and on your face. The lotion goes on clear leaving you with no white residue. The scent is not strong at all. It smells for only the first few minutes and fades away quite nicely. It's not a coconut you would expect from a lotion. You know, that "suntan lotion" smell. It's very light. 


It's not sticky on the skin, but I did find it to be a little tacky on my palms after applying and felt I needed to rinse them off. 


This sunscreen is made with organic aloe vera, organic coconut oil, and zinc oxide. This combination reduces the risk of skin cancer and anti-aging. Here are a few other key points from True Natural: 

1. 100% natural, zinc-oxide based formula

2. Nano-particle free - 200nm and greater particle size - 2x the EU definition of nano

3. Invisible on the skin - no white film common with zinc based sunscreens

4. Exceeds the new FDA guidelines for Broad Spectrum protection - if used as directed, reduces the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging from the sun

5. Non-greasy formula - smooth, and easy to apply

6. Travel size 3.4oz tubes that are TSA carry-on approved

7. Bio-degradable and reef safe

Comes in all-natural vanilla-coconut scent and also in unscented versions for babies and those with sensitive skin. So if you are looking for a natural solution to sunscreen for you and your family, check out my friends at True Natural.  

Gymboss Review and Giveaway

This is a great workout for all my survivor friends out there moving from the couch to the gym. It's also great for any beginner. So grab a kettle bell or weight and join in!




Want to win a Gymboss? Here's how to enter:

#1 Subscribe to TuffPhit.com below and comment to let me know you are a new subscriber. If you already subscribe you are automatically entered in the giveaway.

Enter your email address:


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#2 Like TuffPhit on Facebook and leave us a comment that you are a new like either here at the review or on the FB wall.

#3 Leave a comment on why you would like to win a Gymboss and how you would use it if you had it. Giveaways are not an automatic draw and Winners have been selected on comment alone so make it a good one.

The more you enter the more chances you have to win! The contest will end on May 12th, 2012, at midnight and the winner will be announced here and on FB. Please leave contact information, so if you are selected, we can let you know.

Good luck! Angie Christine.

Workout Outline

This is a workout outline for those of us who don't know what to do and when to do it. It's a simple method of upper body, lower body, and cardio, spaced out to give your body time to rest in between. This is a workout designed for 6 days a week. It's the perfect formula for a new you.

Here's how it works. Get out a calendar, preferably one that you can use only for your workout schedule. I like the full size wall calendar over a pocket planner. Now pick a day that will be your REST day. Be realistic and remember life happens. So if there is a day a week you have something planned and working out that day is almost impossible then this should be your rest day. Also know that your rest day can be moved if life happens again. Just swap it out for another day that week. But get back on track as soon as you can. If you are going to incorporate a cheat day for food as well, then do it on your rest day. I personally only recommend a cheat meal or a snack and not a full day. Why? Because your body will not know what to do with the crap food and it will actually throw you off for your Day #1 as well. Not worth it!

This workout plan is put into a 2 week rotation. Week #1 and Week #2 are different. Then Week #3 is the same as #1 and Week #4 is the same as #2. For this example I am going to use Sunday as my REST day and Monday will be day #1. (But remember your Day #1 can start anywhere)

Big Ox Review and Giveaway

Watch this video for a chance to be one of FIVE winners selected to receive a box of Big Ox.




Here's how to enter:
Enter one way or all ways for more chances to win. You may enter/comment each day. Contest ends at Midnight on April 29th, 2012. Don't forget to leave a contact email so we can reach you if you have won. Spam blocker is on, but you may leave emails like this: find your fit at charter dot net, for added security.

#1 - Watch the video and share with us, in a comment, what you learned about Big Ox.
#2 - Subscribe to TuffPhit.com or let us know you are a subscriber already.
#3 - Like TuffPhit.com on FB
#4 - Like Big Ox on FB. (They are newer to Facebook so let's get them some "likes")

Winners will be announced in the comments section of this post and on FB. This is not a random drawing, winners have been selected in the past based on comments and entries. So make them good ones!

Good Luck,
Angie Christine