Tag Archives: Personal Growth

February 20, 2012 · 11:21 PM

A Night of Bikram Yoga

The other night, my neighbor, the lovely @Melysa_S,  sent me a text message asking if I would be interested in joining her for a 90-min Bikram Yoga session. I found that I got excited about the chance to try something new, and then a sense of fear took over. If you have followed this blog for a while, you know I have a phobia or group workouts. I loathe working out around people so the thought of not only leaving my comfort zone, but doing it in a 105 degree F room scared me….big time!

So what is Bikram Yoga? Well…

  • It’s done in a 105 F room with 40% humidity.
  • It consists of 26 “asanas” or postures and two breathing exercises that are done twice in a row.
  • It’s 90 minutes long.
  • The combination of heat and postures are supposed to be good for blood circulation, delivering more oxygen to joints, muscles and organs.
  • Sweating is supposed to be detoxifying.

This all intrigued me as did the need to de-stress, so I found the courage to say yes and started looking at info on-line to prepare myself. From everything I read, hydration and towels were the most important things, as well as going to class with an empty stomach.

Upon arriving at the studio, we signed in, quickly changed and entered the room. I knew it would be hot in there, but I wasn’t prepared for the wall of heat that smacked me. We found the last two spots in the back of the room (of course mine was under the pipe that fed the steam into the room), settled in and began to stretch.

The instructor was really nice and I was grateful that I had experience with YogaX so I knew some of the poses. I was also happy many of them were balance poses as those are the ones I like the best.

There were a few times the heat started to get to me, but I wiped the sweat off my brow, took a little water and got back in it.

Class was split into a standing a segment and a floor segment. I was very relieved when we switched to floor work because it gave my head a chance to rest from the lightheadedness that was beginning to take over.

Ultimately, it was an amazing workout. I had a great experience, felt a ton of stress melt off of me and I look forward to two more weeks of it, since we purchased a 3-class pack for only $25!

If you are interested in what kind of poses we did, here is a graphic I found that has all 26.

If you have ever contemplated trying Bikram Yoga, I say go for it! I’m so happy I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave it a try!

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February 6, 2012 · 7:30 PM

Think Less & Live More

This is my new outlook on fitness.

I have been stuck in this awful rut of over thinking what I have and have not been doing. I’ve been dwelling on the negative instead of the positive, and that my friends is no bueno.

For so long I’ve been fixated on reaching my goals and doing what I had to do to reach them. Well, you know what? I reached them and I guess I hit that point of not really knowing what to do next.

I had nothing to focus on anymore and found myself wandering around, trying to find happiness in what was familiar but not really what I needed anymore. Now, don’t me wrong. I’m not saying I don’t need to work out daily, or that I wouldn’t benefit from it. What I am saying, is that the need and want wasn’t really there anymore. Part of me wanted to see if I could maintain the goals I achieved without the “beast mode” level of fitness I had become accustomed to….and you now what? I did…and it’s a great feeling.

From here on out I want to take things day by day. I want to enjoy whats around me and just go with the flow of the mood I’m in. I don’t want to plan every workout in advance. I want to just do what I feel like doing that day.

Some people may think that’s crazy and to them I say, to each their own. I will have my guidelines for the 3 days a week I plan on working out and I will just pick from the workout DVD collections I have to fill the needs of that day. Some days it might be P90X or Insanity, others running or yoga.

At this point of my journey I believe my nutrition is the most important part, and it’s the area I have gained the most progress in. To me, it was the hardest to get under control and while I will indulge in kettle chips, Five Guys and ice cream from time to time, I am no where near, nor could I ever return to the fast food fiend I once was.

So…from here on out, I vow to (over) think less & live more, because if I can’t enjoy the goals I have obtained, what’s the point?

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January 30, 2012 · 8:09 AM

How Did We Get Here?

This is question I believe many people ask themselves at any given point in life. It can apply to fitness, love, friendship, finances, marriage, relationships and parenthood.

A series of individual events, strung together, can lead you down a road that you never imagined walking down.

Is that a bad thing?

No. I don’t believe it is.

As cliche as it sounds, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that people come into your life for a reason, events happen for a reason and what doesn’t kill you, can only make you stronger. You just have to be willing to take on the new role, learn the lessons being given to you and embrace that change can be good for the soul.

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*In an attempt to bring this blog back to life, future posts may not only relate to physical fitness. I feel that this is a journey about getting mentally fit as well, and I’m finally at a point where I am comfortable sharing some more of myself….unsensored.*

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January 30, 2012 · 1:11 AM

I Deserve To Be Happy, Dammit!

I know my blog hasn’t had a lot of content lately and I know that my tone hasn’t been very positive, but I guess everyone goes through it at some point or another. Depression isn’t fun, but it is a reality.

After falling off the wagon with the Shred about two weeks ago, and hitting a mental low this past week, I’ve decided that I have to get myself back on track with my workouts. I owe it to myself and I’m only cheating myself  by not doing it.

My daily workouts brought me happiness. I felt accomplished after doing them and feeling how strong I was. I mentally had a place to focus energy and they would bring a sense of calm to my day. They were a natural Xanax for me, I suppose.

I need this happiness in my life. I need a place to focus my energy and I need to feel calm.

The weight I have lost over the past few years is my greatest accomplishment, with the exception of the two beautiful children my husband and I brought into this world. What sets my weight loss apart is that I did it on my own. No one could make me work out and eat the proper foods. I had to make the choice to wake up everyday and do what I needed to do to become the healthy person my children deserve.

During the trying times in life, they help me focus and remain a calm, well balanced person.

I know it’s not going to be easy to get back into a groove. I know I have a huge mental struggle ahead of me, but I was strong enough to do it once, so I’m sure I’m strong enough to do it again.

From this moment on, I’m dusting myself off (again) and getting myself back on track….because I deserve to be happy, dammit!

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January 10, 2012 · 7:21 PM

Hello Mojo!

Today marked Day 5 of the 30 Day Shred and I gotta say…I think I found my mojo!

It’s amazing how much your mindset can change in just 5 days.

Before I started the shred I was angry at myself for falling off the workout track. On Day 1 of the shred, I was disappointed in myself because my cardio was lacking and fatigue set it quickly. Today, on Day 5, I could feel things returning to normal.

This morning, I woke up and craved the endorphin rush of a workout. I wanted to get it done early so it wouldn’t get lost in the shuffle of a hectic day. I even made a game plan for the days I have work so I wouldn’t set myself up for failure.

It feels good to be sore again, dammit!

I can also feel the positive shift in my eating since doing the Shakeology Cleanse last week. My sweets cravings are under control and when my sweet tooth does kick in, I look for fruit or a small cup of chocolate almond milk in lieu of a bowl of ice cream or cookies.

After almost 2 months of slacking, I’m looking forward to the next 25 days of the shred and getting myself back on the path to health.

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January 6, 2012 · 11:59 AM

30 Days To The New “Old” Me

I’ve been off the wagon for too long.

I’ve complained about being off the wagon for too long.

I’ve been sulking for too long.

I’ve become weak and it’s time to snap the fuck out of it.

Yesterday for my #JanPhotoChallenge, I posted this photo as my “something I wore” submission. The photo is of  the jeans I started this journey out in. They were a size 16 and I could barely button them. The jeans on top of them are what I am currently wearing as I type this blog and they are a size 4.

(Go ahead…pass the comment about how it looks like I’ve been spending a lot of time on my knees…everyone else did.)

The person who accomplished that goal was not weak. She was not a quitter. She didn’t make excuses and did things that people told her she couldn’t do.

I don’t know how I began to doubt myself, how I became so negative or how I gave up on myself, but today that has to all change. I have to do this for myself and for my own sanity.

As of today, I am doing Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred again. There is no reason why I can’t find 20 minutes a day to complete these workouts and get myself back into a groove.

So, here’s to the next 30 days of my life, where I will pull my head out of my own ass and find the spark within myself to reach new heights.

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*Thanks coach for pointing out my negativity to me during our brief conversation the other day. You made me take a deeper look and hopefully nudged me back into gear.*

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December 30, 2011 · 9:06 PM

So Long 2011!

I have never been so happy to say goodbye to a year as I am to say goodbye to 2011.

This past year has been a downward spiral for me.

I started off really strong with Round 3 of P90X, meeting Tony Horton and plans of studying to become a personal trainer. I am ending this year with sporadic workouts that I can count on one hand over the past 60 days, no personal trainer certification and a feeling of failure.

I’m not sure what happened, where I went wrong or what caused me to derail in the manner I did. All I know is that I have the power to correct it. I just have to get my head cleared and focused.

I am heading into 2012 with hope and determination. I am hopeful that I will find my passion for fitness again and I’m determined to get myself back on track.

My plan as of right now, is to do a Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse (which sucks and I’m gonna blog each horrid day of it) starting January 2 and then settle into a 3 day a week workout routine. I don’t want to jump in a commit to a 90 Day program right away. I need to ease back into the disciplined mindset and take baby steps like I did when I first began this journey.

So, farewell 2011….you sucked and I won’t miss you at all. There were very few good moments to you and you will not be missed.

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December 18, 2011 · 10:42 AM

All I Want For Christmas Is…Motivation.

…..is MOTIVATION.

As you can tell by the lack of blogs here, Yes, I am still in my fitness rut. I guess after going so strong, for so long it was bound to happen. I burned out and lost focus.

After a month of not doing any workouts at all, I finally started back up this week...but not with any particular program…I just can’t seem to decide on one. However, my nutrition has been pretty good...not stellar…but good enough to maintain what I have achieved and even notice some fat loss around the midsection.

So…Santa, if you read this blog, all I want for Christmas is my motivation back…and a Mophie Juice Pack Plus for my phone.

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November 22, 2011 · 9:56 PM

‘Tis The Season For Lots O’ Drinking!

Office parties, family get-together’s, dinner with friends and stress….these all sound like perfect reasons to have a few drinks to me. Then again if you know me, you know that #BeerMe is a popular phrase of mine *wink, wink*

The truth of the matter is, alcohol is one of the quickest ways to pack on the pounds and a hefty cocktail will double-cross you by cancelling out that fat-burning workout you enjoyed earlier in the day. Now don’t get me wrong…I’m not saying you can’t have a few drinks over the holiday season, while watching football or just because holiday shopping at the mall sucked. I just want you to make smarter choices when doing it.

If you are a beer drinker try to opt for light beers.You could save yourself over 100-calories per drink considering most regular beers have around 180-calories per bottle. Brands like Corona Light, Heineken Light, Bud Select and Miller Lite all have around 100 calories per bottle. Brands like Michelob Ultra, MGD 64 and Bud Select 55 all have even less. (To me, the latter taste very watered down.)

If you prefer mixed drinks try to have them made with diet soda or “light” juices if available. I know soda is normally avoided in the fitness world, but then again alcohol is too. Here are some figure friendly mixed drink options under 200-calories each to consider: Gin and Tonic, Vodka and Sprint Zero (you can add a splash of cranberry juice – I had this over the weekend and I am a big fan), an Appletini, Mojito (without the simple syrup), White wine spritzer (diluted with water or club soda), or a Mimosa Lite.

Harder liquor such as 90-proof alcohol contains about 110 calories, and when you add carbonated sugar-filled sodas, juices and Redbull, you also add-on the calories. Just this weekend I indulged in some Jager bombs and opted for sugar-free Redbull instead of the original. It wasn’t as good, but I appreciated the calories I saved.

Red or White Wine contains anywhere from 109 calories – 129 calories per 50z serving, depending on the type of wine you are drinking.

My advice during this holiday season is to be aware of what you are drinking and go for the low-calorie fun. Drink plenty of water between your cocktails, and remember that alcohol adds empty calories and interferes with your bodies ability to burn fat.

*If you have a favorite low-calorie cocktail or beer you would like to share, please feel free to do so below in the comments section.

Happy Holidays and Drink Responsibly!

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Raspberry Cooler
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Raspberry vodka
3 oz Sprite Zero
1 splash of lite cranberry juice
1 wedge Lime

Mixing instructions:
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add Raspberry vodka, Sprite Zero and a splash of lite cranberry juice. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

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November 13, 2011 · 1:36 PM

Red Light, Green Light, 1-2-3

The title of this blog is what my workouts have been like lately.

(Internal dialog)

Red Light: STOP: “Take a break. You’re going to kill yourself if you keep pushing this hard.”

Green Light: GO: “Push bitch! No one can do this but you. If you want results so gotta work for them!”

1-2-3:  Mon-Tues-Wed: Workout, Workout, Workout! Thurs-Fri-Sat: Slack, Slack, Slack! Sun: Guilt.

(Repeat loop of events)

This has been the past two weeks of my life. I decided to start round 3 of Insanity with a group of amazing people and I just can’t get myself to stay in the zone. My body is tired from round two and as my work load increases, my excuses seem to as well.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are always great. They are my days off from work and my short shift days so I am not exhausted and I feel good. Thursdays and Fridays kick my butt, so I’m tired and start mentally shifting my rest day around and justify the dreaded double in my head. Saturday rolls around and the thought of the double makes me want to puke so I opt for some college football first and then I lose all motivation. Sundays….um….I blame the RedZone channel for Sundays.

The workout game is NOT new to me and I know that these excuses are a bunch of bullshit. I also know that I can’t keep pushing myself as hard as I have, so my new task at hand is to strike balance. I don’t like the way I feel when I don’t workout. I have a fear of going back to being out of shape and lazy, which is why I think I push myself the way I do. I need to come up with a routine that fits my schedule and my needs. One that I will look forward to and want to do.

THIS is the reality of a lifestyle. There are ups, there are downs and there are hurdles to jump. The important part is to never give up, to keep pushing forward and to find the balance that keeps you growing as a person and pushing you to your ultimate goal.

I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
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P.S. – If my thoughts seem to be all over the place or if I didn’t make much sense to you, I once again blame the RedZone channel. Blogging during the 1pm games is not a good idea.

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