Kiki's Fourth Cycle

The Summer Mood Challenge came and went. It became a thought transformation period. 

I  regained trust in my abilities to go beyond my secure circle. The lack of balance from vertigo is no longer an obstacle instead it is something I work with. 

I do as much as I can do. I give each day my best. 

There is no real approach. There is no fast lane. There is no contest. 

There is me living life. I live inspired about the day. 

I live inspired by the people who provoke love and joy. So I continue.

There is much more of me to give. I do not to hold back based on what occurred in the past. 

I  do not stop if today did not go as planned. 

Instead I focus on spreading my wings wider. Of being present to the feeling of freedom.

So I walk on my path. Feeling joyful as I enter a new era, the era of my 39th birth year.

 My fourth life cycle according to indigenous traditions. 

I honor my ancestors and my being by taking care of my health; physical, mental and spiritual.

Living Kiki's Journey.

Wobderful Wednesday

My life changed. For a long time I sat in a whirlwind of confusion. Once I determined what it was I made up a plan. I'm focused on the plan, to live life fully and healthy.  

Today is day 3 of the detox plan. I was very close to quitting yesterday because I was so dizzy at some point that I was going to reach for easy.  But I'm determined. 

I'm looking forward and asking for help when warranted. I'm making it work so I can WERK IT!

HERE'S TO STAYING POSITIVE AND LIVING LIFE FULLY. 

Remain Coachable

I started my blog years ago to share my story and motivate others to reach for their goals no matter the obstacle. My main objective was to get off of diabetes and high blood pressure medication by living a healthy lifestyle. 

I accomplished that goal by loosing 100 pounds and then I experienced other obstacles. The main one that I have been unable to manage is my vertigo. My activity level decreased to zero, and my frustration led to less meal prepping. And then up, up, up went my weight.

I have gone to several doctors, specialists and naturalists. I've gone through several diagnosis and a series of tests. I got the "final" diagnosis yesterday : Menieres Disease. According to conventional medicine  there is no known cure and it is common to worsen with age. Stress and high-sodium trigger vertigo episodes. My doctors plan is for me to take a diuretich and to see him every 3-4 months for a regular check up and management i.e. how it is affecting me with time.

I am more focused on living a long healthy life. Now that there is no more uncertainty about "what is wrong with me?" I can tackle the dis-ease. I will work with what I've got and manage it all as best as I can.

I can do it with holistic methods, clean eating and positive thinking.

Heres to healthy living and never giving up!!!

Bye 2015. Hello 2016.

I woke up early on 01/01/15 eager to conquer 2015. I started the year with the Hollywood Sign Hike. A Hike which ended with an agreement to register for the Tough Mudder Challenge with Los Game Changers. It also led to regular hikes, 5K;s and other races for training.

By June, I had 8 long distance hikes, 4 5k's, and one Tough Mudder under my belt. My inspiration wheel was rolling high and no amount of weight gain was keeping me down. I had experienced vertigo with more frequency but I was not allowing it to stop me. I was still "functional".

The community was also inspiring me to continue. I responded to regular questions, assisted people as best as I could and created three groups for people to continue with their fitness goals. There was the Conditioning Series and the Yoga 6-week workshop series; sessions were hosted at different locations with fitness experts. The hiking trips were free to all who were interested.

By July my vertigo had taken a different turn. My light dimmed and there was inconsistency with healthy eating and exercise. I was in a slumber for several months. By October I was ready to start to work on ways to make this functional. I was able to drive again and I was gaining confidence it day to day tasks.

I rise.

I stand tall as I face my 2016 Goals.

-Build Strength and flexibility
-Take it Day by Day
-Eat Healthy. Without Guilt.
-Practice Positive Self-Talk
-Practice Love and Kindness
-Cultivate New and Old Relationships
-Create a Peaceful Environment

Measurable Results
-Follow Continuous Yoga Practice
-I can do the splits!
-Climb the Pole
-Complete 2-Tough Mudders
-Complete 1 - 1/2 marathon
-Complete 1- marathon
-Complete 1 - spartan sprint

Renew
-Vacation in Cancun
-Vegas Trip
-Grand Canyon Trip
-Camping Trip
-NYC Trip
-Vacation in Caribbean

$ave. Be Aware. Be Present.

Enjoy.

Remain Coachable

I often struggle with how much I share. Is it too much? Is it for the right reasons? 

It is my main objective to share from an authentic place where there is less concern about looking good and pleasing everyone. I share my story because I hope it will help someone who may relate to my story.

Yet there are concerns about oversharing and there are concerns about critics. Those are the moments I focus on the concept EGO VS SOUL. 

My SOUL is here for others. I have always known that about myself. I LOVE doing things for people. I like to see people smile and laugh. I like to help people heal.

 I like to see others reach their highest potential. 

I hope to continue to share as best as I can to help others and to remain coachable to lifes lessons.

This Weeks Progress

• I started all of my mornings with AM Yoga
• I completed a round of 30 minute circuit training daily. 
• I completed my journal entry while sipping my lemon water and ginger every AM. 

I find this morning routine works well for me because I complete three of my daily goals before I leave for work. This allows me to be present with others. 

I know not everyone is an early bird but see what little games you can create for yourself to get motivated and going. Have an internal conversation to see what your SOUL desires. 

Have a Wonderful Friday and Keep strong this weekend. 

Remain Coachable

Me waiting for my driver on 10/09.
First Selfie I have taken in awhile.
I can face me again.

I can feel my rolls of fat in certain places again. I reverted to binge eating patterns.  I identified them. I am working through these patterns. I was diligent about conscious eating since the beginning of photo challenge. I had a relapse last Wednesday after feeling a high level of frustration and depression. 

I was angry at myself for reverting to old habits. I was angry at myself for being in this constant cycle of vertigo. I was angry at my body. I felt a deep level of shame. I did not allow myself to accept the changes I have been experiencing. The limitations I feel are quite daunting for me. I am releasing all of these negative emotions and negative ways of thinking.

Today I woke up and gave myself a pep talk today : Don't be ashamed. You are doing the best you can daily. It may not seem like enough to others and none of that matters. You are doing this for you.

Happy is a state of mind.

I remind myself: Everything happens for a reason. I am well. It will all work out. I remain
focused on all the things I can do to improve matters.
I no longer focus on the things I cannot change. One step at a time. 

I embrace my rolls. I embrace my soul. 

Renew

I created the #kikiworksphotochallenge in order to get back on track. I invisioned people posting pics that would help motivate and inspire. I stated it was a movement of solidarity to get me back on track. I viewed it as my way of digging me out of an old pattern I saw brewing.

People joined...some held on and by day 13 there was only me. ME. The source of my journey. The source of my growth. The old me would be upset because they left me hanging. The new me understands everyone is doing there best in life. The new me also finds it perfect.

Why? It was the 13th day of the #kikiworksphotochallenge my lucky number; a guide of sorts that it all happens a certain way for a reason. To shed light on the obvious. It is up to me and only me to make the change. To take ownership of my journey. Which alighned with the plans and convos I had yesterday.

Yesterday Eden from befreeology.com came over for an in home meal consultation. She did a pantry check, I passed, and we talked frig talk. We got to the nitty gritty and I openly discussed my bad and good eating habits. We set up a grocery list and I stocked my new frig with nothing but good foods.

The 14 day workout plan I created 2 weeks ago, was of course, a bit much for me. I gave my workout weeks the best I could. I fell short of my weekly goals. So I also created a more realistic goal for the next two weeks with Eden yesterday.
-->3 days on the stationary bike for at least 5 miles and 2 sets of resistance bands circuits.
--> 4 sessions of yoga (@ least 20 min each)
-->1 callenetics session (i added this today)

I will stick to the 14 day model for now.

I'm heading out to a party today. Pushing myself out the door because it is important I stay connected. My attitude about food is different and I will be practicing concious eating again.

I thank you for reading my journey. I wish you much joy in all you do. Have a wonderful Sunday beautiful.

Motivational Monday

Never give up. Keep on going.

I am giving myself the best gift I can for my biddy.

I am practicing all of those things I write about. No matter how I feel with vertigo, my knee or external factors. I am going to remain focused.

Because this is about more than a look...it is about my health.

It is a lifestyle.

current weight:254.6

lowest weight: 218.0

heaviest weight: 318

goal weight: 145

I reserve the right to change the goal weight at any time depending on the look. I have not been lower than 168 at a size 10. This was during my senior year of high school and freshman year of college. Then I started this weight gain thing but there is nothing more to say about that now.

This is after all about getting healthy. In this present moment.

Wonderdul Wednesday.

Going with the flow. Resting for what is coming.

Doing the best I can daily.

Getting into it.

Getting into it is the name of the game.

I'll share as I go.

Remain Coachable

I have been an open book. Displaying good and bad choices for a week. Last Friday I mentioned how I was practicing what I preach and being mindful about what I eat. In some ways I am coaching myself by making myself accountable and then getting up quickly with positive self-talk.

Weight Loss

I started the Diet Bet last Thursday by Sunday I was down 2.5 pounds. This was after a day of unplanned meals on Saturday. I did not prep snacks, or breakfast knowing I was going to do a 5k. When I went out for breakfast I ate 1/2 of a machaca plate telling myself it was not "that bad" and the trend continued with dinner.

Then Sunday came around...I got on the scale, "a loss?" --- Disneyland was a bust. I started my morning with good choices but by mid-day I was starving and eating those, oh not so good things; mickey mouse ice cream bar, a lil bit of popcorn, a lil bit of churro, a lil bit of turkey leg, a lil bit of cake. Then I said, "STOP!" -  I said no more lil tastes and I made sure to add a salad and green beans to the meal I shared with Jose <clear throat> FRIED CHICKEN thigh!

By Monday morning I was up to where I started. BAMN!

Determination

I made a plan for Monday. I started to observe this is a yes, this is a no. When the girls went for a Starbucks run I joined them on the walk but ordered nothing. When I knew I had a busy day...I planned my snacks ahead of time. When they offered chocolate, I said, NO GRACIAS!

Yesterday's meals were off and reviewing it last night I thought, tomorrow I will have more fruit and salad. I will make good choices.

Commitment

I am committed to breaking the "restrictive-eating" trend  and practicing "free-eating" this weekend. I am also adding a mindset switch by creating my own definition for each term:

Restrictive-Eating : Foods that restrict me from being a healthy me. Foods that impair my weight loss and stop my weight loss progress. Foods that restrict my movement. These foods include french fries, cake, onion rings, ice-cream etc.

Free-Eating : Foods that nourish my body and provide free living. They allow me to be free of medication, free of ailments and allow me to move freely. They provide freedom. These foods include vegetables, fruits...power foods.

The Exception

I will allow one meal/event where I will eat what there is without guilt or worry. This week it is my bosses party on Saturday. I will not over indulge but simply eat until I am comfortable (half-full). Drink until I am satisfied.

Self-Love

I invite you to practice some self-love this weekend. Do something nice for yourself and create beauty no matter what you may be facing. Much love to you.

Namaste.

Remain coachable

I've shared plenty during the last couple of weeks.  I've been sharing more about the journey. Opening up more about the past. There has been an overall shift for me in acceptance.

I may be criticized. I may be viewed differently --- and all of that is okay with me because I have gained a new level of acceptance for myself. I've been paying attention to my own write-ups and practicing what I preach. I may very well inspire others with my candid and open approach. I openly display weight loss is non-linear. It is a process that will take time for some while others may speed by. It requires determination and will. 

When the day does not work out. If I make a bad choice. I get up and try again. I've been practicing self-reflection and identifying what holds me back and what other emotional baggage is weighing me down. There is different relationship with shame.

It has all led me to this moment where I just own who I am. This self-reflection mode was perfect for what it was but now it's time to get dirty! --- Let's loose some weight y'all!  I got a bet to win!

Keep pushing. Keep going...and remain coachable.

Sweet Saturday

Be yourself and then you will find that people will love you for who you are 

and not who you are pretending to be. It sounds like an easy statement yet people are often preoccupied with being a certain way for likability.  As time progresses the true essence of their being becomes non-existent. What happens when you loose sight of your authentic self?

 

You rebuild.

 

This is what I have been doing for years now. Life's obstacles have made me go through a few cycles of who am I? I go through phases of shedding negative thoughts and blockages. Then I start to allow people in my life. I share myself openly. Then I hide and block them out. It seems like an ongoing cycle of not allowing others to meet the true me.

 

So What Now?

I recently heard a lecture on the Hay House World Summit about the Power Pose. It was the Tuesday after my vacation. In the lecture David R. Hamilton, PhD, stated people who practiced the power pose for 2 minutes a day felt better and where more open to the positive experiences life had to offer. He went as far as saying, they open themselves up to more social interactions which is important. According to studies we feel safest when we are connected to others because through evolution our body has learned safety comes in numbers. The bio-chemistry of the body evolved so that we operate better when we are connected with others and people with

 regular positive human contact live longer. 

 

Perfect Timing

 

This information came at a time when I was starting to shut down and hide after things just seemed to perfect. For example, during my vacation I met people from my hometown after thinking how much the place felt like my old hometown. A blue jay, (my sign for Gramps), kept on perching on trees and ledges, when I felt like, this is to good to be true. The blue jay reminded me to take it all in because it was true. When I thought of certain friends they would call or text, like immediately. It was all just flowing and it all seemed magical. I was ready to escape from people upon my return because when something is to good to be true...well I run. Only this time, the lecture I listened to through the "let the universe choose for you" button, it was right on. The best part was when Hamilton said something like: practice the wonder woman pose and you will notice the difference. Things and experiences will start to change in a positive way. I was shocked, it was the pose I practiced daily during my vacation and it was even captured in most of my pics. I was doing it without even knowing!!!

It was all flowing.

 

So YES, I have said it before, and YES, I will say it again.

 

I AM READY. LIFE BRING ME LOVE AND JOY.

 

I ACCEPT.

 

TRAIN HARD. SHED FAST. LIVE LONG.

 

NAMASTE.

 

 

 

Monthly Feature - Inspiration Cycle

APRIL 2015

CRISTINA

My Cris. Everyone's Tina.

Cristina and I met when I was at my heaviest. I was ready to make one of the largest turns in my life. At age 30 and 318 pounds I was going back to school and practically starting all over again. I was nervous about my size and making new friends. After the first lecture break I invited strangers to go to lunch with me. Cris was a last minute addition who just jumped in the car when we all told her to join us. I still remember her jumping into my car all giggly and asking, "where are we going?" - I said, "Don't worry, we'll figure it out" - TRUST.

She came into my life during a time I was rebuilding myself. In some ways she reminded me of me. Crazy, wild and free but with a mission! She loved to have a good time and party. I stuck to her and warned her of my past mistakes. She kept me on check for assignments. We pushed each other to our limits and she always impressed me. Her stamina to keep going...her will to complete the course...it all kept me afloat. We made it to our AA graduation without the original pack. Then 2 years later our BA. Then came life after graduation ... weight loss.

Cris joined Weight Watchers (WW) and I followed my own track. We took a lot of fitness classes together at the beginning of our weight loss journey. We also shared distinctions we made including the fact that weight loss was more about being healthy and less about the number on the scale. Once my weight loss results came to a halt I joined WW with Cris. By then Cris was more than halfway there. She once again amazed me. She met goal within a year and wore the dress she wanted for her sisters quinceanera! Cris is now a WW lifetime member and continues to work on her fitness goals. She will be joining me on various 5k's, the Yosemite 1/2 Marathon and the Spartan Sprint in 2015. YAY!

Cris I thank you for who you are. You're tenacity is unmatched and it keeps me going. Thank you for helping me rebuild myself and for being there through the best and worst of times. Most of all for letting me in and for allowing me to experience all of you. You are truly beautiful in and out. Much love to my beautiful warrior! ROAR

Monthly Feature - Inspiration Cycle

March 2015

Kelly

I met Kelly in the 7th grade. She will gladly tell you the story about how we first met. Our mutual friend Edna  invited her to our lunch table. She did not care that she could not understand our spanish rants; she was just so happy she made new friends. Her wide eyed look and crazy laugh would fuel our friendship. She soon became our "Guera". We remained friends through middle school and high school. After high school we both married into the same family but rarely saw each other due to life's busy schedule. We would see each other at the occasional family event and our connection was that of old friends. We had the ability to pick up right where we left off...no matter the time we spent apart.  

Facebook was really what kept us in touch. I saw the boys grow-up and then I saw Kelly loose weight. She would post pictures of good healthy eats, race events, before and afters. As I sat at home studying I thought, "I am next. I will be like Kelly". - I never reached out to Kelly for advice. She just fueled me in a whole other way. Her big smile and positive outlook was one I already had a deep connection with and I knew I just had to get on board. I would surprise her!

Kelly soon started to comment on my before and after pictures and took notice of the changes I was making. Before I knew it she was my biggest cheerleader. My Guera and I were connected again and a year after mutual facebook stalking we connected "LIVE". The screeching and high-pitched screams of yesteryear were a daily occurrence again! YAY!

Kelly is an active part of my life. She is game for any activity and we set up goals together regularly. We created Los Game Changers on that 01/01/15 hike with Lola. We have a one for all attitude and remain positive about the changes we want to make in our lives. 

Gracias mi Guera for being a part of my inspiration cycle. Thank you  for your spiritual ways and for always shining a positive light. You were key in my journey. Your cheers pushed me when I thought I would fail and YES GIRL, your cheers were so loud I could hear them through FB!!! We have an unspeakable connection framed with LOVE. te AMO mi dulce Guera. 

Motivational Monday

February my Failure Month; this is what I called it in my head. I was sick for most of the month and did not workout for weeks at a time. I did not train as planned for the tough mudder. I was feeling down. I ate comfort foods then I juiced for nutrition. I sought balance while I was going haywire. My inner workings were all over the place. I made myself wrong and was angry when all I needed was some self-love. It was a month of self-criticism and illness. 

Then today I get this via email. I worked out 29:11:51 hours!!! WHAT?!? If I average it out it is more than an hour a day! AND I burned a little over 891 calories a day...not bad! Was it less than my average amount? Yes! Is it acceptable for how I was feeling...YES! 

My point is this...February is gone. March is here. I can hold on to how I did not do things the way I planned. I can hold on to how I do not look or feel how I am supposed to feel. I would much rather focus on what I did accomplish and what I will accomplish today. I invite you to do the same. 

Make the change one day at a time. One pound at a time. 

Here's to focusing on the good things!

Monthly Feature - Inspiration Cycle

I find inspiration in others. There are a few people who made me believe I could start this weight loss journey and succeed. I have met others who continue to inspire. I will start to feature some of these great people on a monthly basis. I may also share some of their tips and words of encouragement from time to time.

February 2015 

Lola 

I've known Claudia "Lola" since she was born. Sure I do not recall her until I was about age 6 and we stopped seeing each other when I was 9. Their family moved away and our mothers would no longer hang out.  We reconnected through facebook about three years ago. We never spoke. She would actively share before and after pictures on facebook. She would post her meals and workouts.  All her images and shares made me think, I CAN DO IT!

When I asked her for tips she always responded. She invited me to events and I never came through. I was still trying to manage me. It was not until 01/01/15 that I accepted an invitation and decided to play full out. It was a group hike she organized to the Hollywood sign. It was then that we created the "Game Changers" team and entered the venture for tough mudder. It was the hike that changed it all. 

Lola is now an active part of my life. We both continue to push for our goals and remain positive about our life's work. We workout together at least 5 days a week and keep each other honest. There is a mutual love, understanding and level of encouragement. We are learning a lot about one another, our process and our friendship is blossoming daily. 

Thank you Lola for sprinkles of love and joy. Thank you for being a part of my inspiration cycle and my journey. You were key in me believing I could do it. Much love to you ... you warrior! 

Motivational Monday

LOVE

I was recently asked what it would be like for me if I did not care about my image. My immediate response was freedom to be, open with my heart on my sleeve, delicate with the courage to share, and unstoppable in the most girly way (princess warrior with a pink feather band). If I had to sum it up in simple words it is centered, focused and balanced. Exactly the way I feel when I am in my yoga meditative state. The question was perfect and it cemented the enlightening experience I had the day before.

Lucy, the instructor and I. 

Friday Night Yoga

At the end of the session we were asked to focus on something we have not been able to release. For me it was my willingness of letting go. The feeling was almost out of body and for all you new age junkies, like me, it was a beautiful image of orange and red. It gave me vision to actively push without fear. When Yoga was over I felt this level of peace that has trickled into every part of recent days. I have been enjoying every moment of my day. I am present. I see color more vividly. Beautiful and wonderful things have just been happening. I am present. I am one with me.

Saturday

I shared about doing the tough mudder at my weight watchers meeting (down 4.4 at weight in). I was open about the fear I have been facing while training. I told them about the feeling of true change in me. I did not explain my new age Yoga experience but they must have seen it in my face, heard it in my voice and felt it with my presence. My declaration caused "ooos" and "aaaa's" and the room felt instantly warmer; full of encouragement, joy and love. A few of them called me their inspiration and asked about how to get active themselves. The icing on the cake was Jose sitting next to me with a look of pride and joy.

We are in love. I am so grateful to have a him witness my journey. I appreciate our moments of growth and feel honored because he chose me.

Sunday 

It was group hike day. This was an event I planned. I was hesitant when I started planning mostly because I knew this meant sharing myself with people for the day. As mentioned in the past being truly open and present with people can be difficult for me. Yet I knew it was time to venture out, meet with old friends and create new memories. The outcome was fantastic. I was proud for going out and being open. I felt so much encouragement and motivation while walking through the beautiful sights.

I find that isolating myself only allows me to create negative story lines. It also makes me play small because I do not face who I really am ... a powerful woman. I can declare I own who I am and it feels beautiful. I am present to how great I can be and I do not mean this in an arrogant way for I am humbled by all whom share their stories and lives with me. The conversations we have and the struggles we share only makes us appreciate one another and understand we are not alone. We all have a story and we all have dreams to achieve greatness.

Here's to continuing to achieve greatness.

Remain Coachable

Coaching Principles

Coaching applies to all areas of life. There are Performance Coaches, Skills Coaches, Career Coaches, Personal or Life Coaching, Business coaching, Executing coaching and well I'm sure of a whole other of varieties. The principal is the same. They are all there to enhance your performance, increase your effectiveness and productivity. They teach you core skills and focus on areas of concern. They provide you with feedback and keep you focused on your main objective. They help you view your own capabilities, achieve your aspirations; no matter the constraint. 

Remaining Coachable is accepting what the coach has to say, offer, and taking it and running with it; even when you don't want to hear it, believe it or just plain don't see it. It is remaining present to the principles they are teaching.

Workout Session's

This week I did not do yoga every morning. I notice my head space changes and I must return to my yogi ways soon. All of my other workouts have been good. I've doubled up on ROAR and stuck to spinning and kickboxing as planned. Then I got slow. I was slow on Wednesday and Thursday. I've had a few stressful days and thought it was related to that but boy was I wrong.

It was my attire but I didn't realize it until Anthony asked, "what's wrong?" I said, "my clothes are falling off!!!" - his response, "yea you're getting small!" - I gave him a look and smiled. 

I kept going and didn't think about it much more until this morning. 

WOW

My clown pajamas must go! 11/14/14

I woke up and looked in the mirror and started to bust out laughing. My pants were slowly creeping down and for the first time ever I noticed how big my clown pajamas were!!! I could wrap the shirt all the way around and could fit a whole other person in my pants! Somehow all the coaching my friend Susie and my cousin Paola did to get me into smaller clothes did not translate into the pajama and workout departments! So once more I must listen and realize yes I am getting smaller. This time I am not afraid. I am not daunted. I am simply accepting this as part of my course...and running with it.

Here's to new clown pajamas!

1. Complete.

100 pounds and 14 sizes smaller.

Today is the day I was supposed to be at goal...

but I weight the same as when I started this count down. I'm not disappointed,  dissatisfied or discouraged.  Instead I am optimistic,  relieved and renewed. For I understand  this is a non-linear process which requires a lifestyle change and a whole lot of persistence.

I've made peace with the process.

I'm no longer angry about food; what I cannot and should not eat. I went through days of beating myself up over unhealthy choices but a new mindset allowed forgiveness. I am human and I will have bad days. I make mistakes and will fall back sometimes.  The point is not to stray far from the optimal goal: live a long healthy life and adapt to the lifestyle that will allow me to get there. This means smiling when I order a salad. Being proud of myself for choosing the fruit instead of a chocolate bar and if I don't make a healthy choice I don't make the "old me" type of scandal. These days, if I make an unhealthy choice and I make sure the next one is a healthy one. I seek balance.

Yes, I am still not at goal and while reflecting over my journey I realized: I'm healthier than I was 1 -2 - 3 - 4- 5 - ... 12 years ago!! I am thinner, stronger and leaner. I am at the perfect spot and self-love makes me want to go the extra mile. Self-love makes me want to loose the next 84 pounds!  I feel complete in knowing I give each and every day my best - whatever that may look like. I truly forgive myself for not being perfect. I am living the best way I know how and I am in the process of positive changes in my life.

The mindset that helped me get where I am today.

1. Forgive myself.  For not being perfect,  for slipping sometimes, for being so hard on myself.  

2. Love myself.  Honor my mind, body and soul. Treat my body with honor and respect. Instead of being critical over what I am not doing I must remind myself to simply say, I love you, to myself.

3. One step at a time. I make grand goals and there have been set-backs. There will be days when I push hard and others when all I can do is apply a small change to stay on target. This is when I remind myself that I just need to take it day by day, moment by moment. 

4. Play hard. Stating I'll take it day by day does not mean I'm not playing hard. When I'm healthy - no vertigo, no pain - I play real hard because I love waking up knowing I gave each moment the best I could. This may also apply when the emotional part tries to take over. I just have to get up and rise above it all and play hard in every area of my life i.e. work, home etc.  

5. Share yourself with others. Some people appreciate my story and they will be inspired to make changes in their own life. If I can help another individual through their journey then I'm satisfied knowing I made a contribution and difference in someone elses life. 

6. What others think of me is none of my business.  Life is too short to worry or to live concerned about what someone else thinks about me. For example, I give each work out and each class my best. I may look foolish to some but I'm having fun and simply taking care of me. 

7. Be grateful.  I have been given the opportunity to embrace this new way of living and thinking.  I am grateful for every moment. 

8. Be happy. It is a state of mind and happiness will get me much further than fear, doubt, anger, depression etc. A smile truly goes a long way. 

9. Be mindful. Being mindful is a daily practice. Yoga helps me reach true consciousness. I am successful when I practice mindful eating and mindful living. 

10. Enjoy the process because there is no finish line. It is truly a journey.

I thank you for reading about my journey. May you live a healthy and inspired life.

Here's to sharing.