Eventful Evening

Hey guys!! Happy almost-Friday 🙂 Anything fun planned this weekend?

The rest of my off day yesterday was a little more eventful than I’d anticipated.

That would be because I ended up using the Heimlich Maneuver

on Viesa.

vies

I’ve always hoped that the Heimlich would go into the “good to know but will never have to use” folder of life… and am still creeped out from being the “model” in CPR class and the instructor had to put his thumb on my belly button but that’s beside the point…

And then last night, in the middle of getting sick, Viesa stopped making any noise, stopped breathing and started shaking her head from side to side. Instinct took over and I reached around her puppy belly, pulled in a few times and it totally worked. Vieserton covered me in kisses, her tail curled back up (which told me she wasn’t sick but probably just ate something weird), and all was right in the world.

And then I had a glass of wine.

reisling 

I *tried* to go to the gym last night because I haven’t done weights since last week and felt like I *should* get a leg workout in. My body was exhausted from morning yoga and I should have just stayed home because I wandered around the gym for 5 minutes and left. 🙂 The weights will always be there.

My aunt, cousins and I spent the night hanging out, plotting which meals we’re going to make from the new Real Simple and Food Network magazines (squash soup in pumpkin bowls, caramel apple tart, pumpkin waffles, mushroom and herb strata), fell asleep during Julie & Julia, and called it a night <3

This morning, I munched half a banana with almond butter and cacao nibs:

banana

and made a breakfast cookie to eat after yoga:

breakfast cookie

(with goji berries and cacao nibs)

I’ve found that it works really well for me to have something small before yoga (1/2 banana with AB, apple, plum, date with AB) and then have the rest of breakfast waiting for me in the car because I’m stavin’ when we get out of class 🙂

Well I’m off to yoga and then meeting some friends for lunch!

Have a wonderful day <3

xoxo

Gina

Something to read:

Cardio Friendly Foods

About the Vegetable Butcher

Total Body Workout

Fitness Friend Dates for Fall

Something to do: Last day to vote if you’d like 🙂

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57 Comments

  1. Holly @ couchpotatoathlete on September 30, 2010 at 8:49 am

    Poor Viesa! I’m so glad you knew what to do! How scary though.

    I’ve had to give the Heimlich to a child I babysat for when I was in high school. It was terrifying because I didn’t really know if I was doing it right or if it would work. Thank God it did work!

    Good luck with making it to round 3 🙂

  2. Jenn @ LiveWellFitNow on September 30, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Good instincts Momma!!!! Little Viesa…poor thing.

    I completely agree with eating something small before yoga. I pretty much now ALWAYS eat something before a workout if it is anything over 30 min. I have finally gotten over my previous beliefs of working out on an empty stomach to maximize calorie burn. Regardless if that is true or not- I feel BETTER when I eat something and that’s what it is all about! Calories smalories! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2010 at 8:56 am

      i think it’s better to have a little something because you’ll have more energy to get a more effective (higher calorie burning) workout anyway 🙂

  3. Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle on September 30, 2010 at 9:09 am

    OMG! I would’ve needed more than one glass of wine after that! I think that its awesome you stepped in and did that without even thinking twice 🙂 I still need to try this cookie dough cereal!

  4. Whitney on September 30, 2010 at 9:21 am

    Oh no! Poor Viesa! I’m glad she’s okay. I have to eat a normal breakfast before working out in the morning or else I can’t get through it and I feel sick. I also eat another breakfast afterwards…haha.

  5. amber on September 30, 2010 at 9:25 am

    Poor Viesa!!! I’m glad she is ok. That’s stressful, for sure!

    I made the squash soup in pumpkin bowls the other night when I had a randomly decided dinner party! I used white tiger striped pumpkins, it was so pretty and I wish I had taken pictures. The soup – amazing! Plus, you get to eat it out of a pumpkin, what’s not to love about that?!

  6. jenna on September 30, 2010 at 9:30 am

    i can’t believe that happened!! hopefully viesa is feeling much betta today! poor pup! She’s so pretty! have a fun morning at yoga!

  7. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman on September 30, 2010 at 9:30 am

    That’s incredibly scary! Honestly, I didn’t know the Heimlich worked for dogs. Good thing you’re a quick thinker. What was she choking on?

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2010 at 11:42 am

      vomit 🙁

  8. Mo on September 30, 2010 at 9:33 am

    I’m so glad you were there to intervene – how terrifying for both of you. I expected to see a bottle of wine in front of you, not just a glass! My pooch is shedding so much that whenever he licks himself, he ends up choking on hair – poor little fella. You are such a good dog mommy – take care, Mo.

  9. April @ Crazy Fabulous Life on September 30, 2010 at 9:37 am

    Have a good day, Gina! 🙂

  10. rachael on September 30, 2010 at 9:37 am

    How scary! I am totally jealous of all the yoga in your life:)

  11. Stefanie @thenewhealthy on September 30, 2010 at 9:38 am

    Aw that is so scary! But it sounds like you’re a good person to have around in an emergency situation! I’m glad Viesa is alright!

  12. Sarah Jayne on September 30, 2010 at 9:41 am

    Oh my gosh, this just happened to me on Sunday! My dog was inhaling his food per usual & just started wheezing and foaming and then stopped getting air in his lungs so I grabbed all 75 lbs of him and heim’ed away. Thankfully it worked fine on him, as well. So glad our poor pups are okay and I hope neither one of us ever has to use that skill again!

    I have been eyeing that squash soup in a pumpkin bowl since I got that issue! Looks soooooo comforting and GOOD!

  13. Kiim on September 30, 2010 at 10:20 am

    so glad your baby is ok! I’ve had to do that to my dog also, they are so grateful when you help them!

    Enjoy yoga!

  14. Felicia (A taste of Health with Balance) on September 30, 2010 at 10:24 am

    my dog swallows things wayyy too fast without chewing it scares me, so we usually give smaller things to him. so glad your baby is okay! you deserved that wine 🙂

  15. Nic on September 30, 2010 at 10:24 am

    You’re amazing! I’m sure your pup is totally thankful for such a great mom! And one glass of wine? I might have had to have the whole bottle!

  16. Little Bookworm on September 30, 2010 at 10:25 am

    Poor Viesa! Glad she is ok, and that you knew what to do! Hope you have fun at yoga!

  17. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on September 30, 2010 at 10:29 am

    I’m glad Viesa is ok!! I am CPR and first aid certified, but hope I never have to use it. Hope your yoga class goes well!

  18. Shanna @ Shanna LIke Banana on September 30, 2010 at 10:33 am

    You rock girl. Any one that can save an animal is a hero to me. Therefore, Gina, you are my hero 🙂

  19. jessica G on September 30, 2010 at 10:33 am

    oh my god…. i would freak the f#%k out if i had to do the heimlich on my juno or jupitater. yes, one of our dogs is really named jupitater. i dont’ think i would be able to think straight for the rest of the day. i’m glad that you were able to jump in.

  20. Chelsea on September 30, 2010 at 10:43 am

    OH my gosh poor little Viesa! Glad your instinct took over 🙂

  21. Heather (Heather's Dish) on September 30, 2010 at 10:47 am

    holy cow, that’s scary you had to do the heimlich!!! i’m glad she’s ok 🙂

  22. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on September 30, 2010 at 10:47 am

    Oh my gosh… so glad Viesa is okay!

  23. Erin @ A Girl & Her Mutt on September 30, 2010 at 10:58 am

    Poor girl! How scary that would have been. Glad she is ok!

  24. Diana (Soap & Chocolate) on September 30, 2010 at 10:59 am

    Poor Viesa! Good thing you have good instincts–I don’t know that I would have done the same! 🙁

    Loved that article about the vegetable butcher at Eataly. I still haven’t gone (I hear the crowds are still a little crazy), but the veg butcher has been the number one thing that has intrigued me all along! That and the fact that a Batali restaurant has yet to do me wrong. 🙂

  25. Kelly on September 30, 2010 at 11:00 am

    I’m glad that Viesa is okay! Poor little doggy. I would be absolutely terrified if that happened to my dog. I’m glad it all worked out!

  26. Therese on September 30, 2010 at 11:12 am

    Holy geez! Glad Viesa’s alright! Poor pup!

    I find having food magazines around dangerous! I get all excited and book mark half the magazines!!!

  27. Kat (My Fruity Life) on September 30, 2010 at 11:18 am

    So glad your puppy is a ok. Thats scary, but its fortunate you knew what to do.

  28. Lin on September 30, 2010 at 11:19 am

    I’m so happy to hear that Viesa is ok! It must have been so scary to realize that she needed the Heimlich.

  29. Kristina @ spabettie on September 30, 2010 at 11:23 am

    so glad Viesa is okay!! poor baby pup! I feel the same way, I always have my certification, but hope that will keep me from NEEDING it… *knock knock*

    Happy ALMOST Friday!!

  30. Kendra on September 30, 2010 at 11:24 am

    OMG, poor Viesa!! I am so glad that you were there when this happened. I have always been afraid my dogs would choke on their rawhide chews, so I only allow them to have them when I am home to watch. I am glad she is ok 🙂 What type of dog is she?

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2010 at 11:40 am

      she used to choke on rawhides too! we had to stop giving them to her
      viesa is a shiba inu

  31. Angela on September 30, 2010 at 11:39 am

    That’s so scary! Luckily you came to the rescue – glad she’s okay!

    I’m so excited for the weekend – I’m going to LA to celebrate my bday. It’s been only a few months since I was there, but its one of my favorite places so I can’t contain myself. All smiles today!

  32. manda_michelle on September 30, 2010 at 11:43 am

    oh my, i am glad Viesa is ok, that must have been terrifying! my dog does whats called ‘reverse sneezing’ (hes part pug and has shortened snout). the first time it happened he was a puppy and i thought he was dying. he also likes to eat weird things and sticks and i am so scared i’m going to have to do that on him one day. one time i did have to pull a 4 inch long string of rawhide from his throat and that scared me into never giving him rawhide again! i’m glad to know the Heimlich works though!

  33. Lily @ Lily's Health Pad on September 30, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    Oh my gosh! Way to act fast with Viesa. I don’t know if I wouldn’t known what to do it my Linkie was in trouble. 🙁

  34. Liz on September 30, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    I have a question about bikram/ hot yoga – does it really burn as many calories as they say, or is it the heat that makes it feel so exhausting?

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2010 at 12:41 pm

      i think that hot yoga burns more calories than bikram because it’s more aerobic, but i think the high heat makes your heart beat faster and will burn more calories.

  35. Lisa on September 30, 2010 at 12:44 pm

    I love gogi berries. Never thought of putting them on top of a breakfast cookie though. Sounds delish!

  36. Mandy A on September 30, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    Poor pup 🙁 OH my gosh, I would have lost it! I’m so sorry you had to do that and glad she’s okay!

    Have you taken any Turbo Kick classes? I know there’s one taught by a great instructor down at the Orlando YMCA… I’m hoping to catch it next time I’m visiting my family there (I grew up in Orlando… now in Nashville). Just curious! Have you ever thought of teaching Turbo Kick classes?

    Have a great day!

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2010 at 4:08 pm

      which ymca??
      i haven’t taken kick but i LOVE turbo fire 🙂

  37. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) on September 30, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    Oh wow that is so scary about Viessa! Good thing you’re a trained professional in the Heimlich! Wow! Way to think on your feet and somehow perform the H.M. on a dog with their anatomy at what would clearly be a stressful moment in time.

    Eating something small but then having a stash of food waiting..like right there in the car? Smart, very smart! Unless the yoga class is extremely early in the morning, it’s hard for me to practice on a totally empty stomach or I just dont quite have the energy I want. however, when I was younger and had just moved to CA, I would get up at 5:45am. Leave the house at 6:15am. Drive to morning meditation, then do a 2 hour primary series (ashtanga) from 7-9am. And by the time I would eat, I was starving but hey, everyone else was too and we’d all go out for breakfast together at local veggie outdoor cafes…some of my best memories ever are from that time in my life 🙂

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2010 at 4:08 pm

      yup i have breakfast waiting in the car… the same car that i vowed i’d never eat in, haha

  38. Megan @ Healthy Hoggin' on September 30, 2010 at 1:15 pm

    Oh, how scary!! I’m so glad your instinct took over and Viesa is alright!

    I had something scary happen with my dog a few years ago, too– she somehow wiggled her way into half a bag of chocolate chips, and got severe chocolate poisoning! I woke up in the middle of the night to her shaking, half-paralyzed and vomiting! My instinct told me to keep letting her drink water, so that she would not get dehydrated, which also caused her to KEEP vomiting. Needless to say, it was really gross, and quite a mess to clean up. But when I finally got her to the emergency vet, they told me I saved her life by giving her so much water and letting her vomit as much as she did! Most vets tell you to restrict water, so that they stop getting sick. Whew! After after a full day of being on IV’s, my puppy was good-as-new! So scary, though. There’s nothing worse than your “fur baby” being sick!!

    I’m the same way with yoga– I need a little somthin’ before class, then eat almost immediately afterward! Keeping your breakfast stashed in the car is a great idea!

  39. annie on September 30, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    wow that is scary!

    that bfast cookie looks soo good btw

  40. Tracey on September 30, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    Poor pup! Good thing you new what to do. I’m always scared that my dogs are going to choke because they always eat food so fast!

  41. Paige @ Running Around Normal on September 30, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    I’m so sorry you had to use the heimlich!! Poor Vies. What a good puppy mama she has though!
    Have fun at lunch:)

  42. Shelby on September 30, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    That is so scary! But awesome that you were able to save her life (: Props to you girl!

  43. Holly on September 30, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    OH my gosh!! I’m SO glad that she is ok!!! Poor thing! And, you are the BEST puppy Mom ever for knowing how to do that, and acting instantly- and not freaking out. Maybe it was a good thing that we all couldn’t go out last night..thank goodness you were there to save her 🙂

  44. Jessica (Fit and Clean) on September 30, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Oh my GOSH! How scary! I’m glad that Viesa is ok. I can’t even imagine how you felt…you deserved that glass of wine!!! 🙂

  45. Sassy Molassy on September 30, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Oh my gosh! Good work on saving the puppers. So crazy to actually have to use the heimlick on a dog.

  46. Moni'sMeals on September 30, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    glad your dog is alright, what a scare. You are allowed more than 1 wine after that. 🙂

  47. Katherine on September 30, 2010 at 5:02 pm

    How scary! I’m so glad you were there to save her! I shudder at the thought of something like that happening to my pups, especially if I’m not around. They are our fur babies!

    Love it that you have your breakfast waiting for you in the car! What a great idea!

  48. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on September 30, 2010 at 8:07 pm

    Oh my gosh that must have been so scary for you! I’m so glad she’s okay!

    I made the muffins from that Cario Friendly Foods article a few weeks ago and they are to die for! They’ve everything a muffin should be. 😀

  49. Dani on September 30, 2010 at 10:30 pm

    OMG… Poor puppers. My bulldog choked once and I stuck my finger down her throat and forced her to throw up. It worked, luckily – I was so shaky after.

    Love your blog btw. ♥

  50. Toronto Girl West on September 30, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    The horror!!!!!!!

    Thank-God for instincts! I would never think to use the heimlich on a puppy but it’s good to know that it can be done.

    I’m so happy to hear that your little Viesa is doing well! Those puppy kisses were surely well deserved! 🙂

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