SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE

WHAT IS THE SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE?

The SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE is a week-by-week program for physical activity 

and positive habitual changes in nutrition. The small weekly changes lead to consistency and maintain motivation. The small achievable goals will, with time, 

help individuals adapt to a healthy active lifestyle. 

The SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE started on 06/12 and is designed as a 12-week program. 

Individuals are encouraged to complete as many as the suggested activities/exercises.

I have some SURPRISES, GIVEAWAYS and SPECIALS for 

people who start to engage and share their progress on my IG @kikiworks_2werkit.

HOW ARE YOU TRACKING WHAT WE DO?

Checking in daily would be optimal but we each get busy with routines. Your results will

start to show as the SUMMER MOOD CHALLENGE progresses. 

Share with the GROUP via IG as you put in work for the CHALLENGE. 

Encourage one another with before and afters.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO?

1. Share your pictures, your progress and #SUMMERMOODCHALLENGE

2. Practice healthy eating. This could include half-portions, no sodas, no dessert, 

balanced portions, and/or clean eating. 

3. Follow the activity posts each week. If you want to do more, go ahead but remember

the point is to build consistency not to burn out and stop.

HOW ARE YOU MEASURING RESULTS?

You will be measuring your own results. You can use various methods but be sure to record them. 

They could be size in clothing, measurements, pounds, activity you are able to do vs. one you couldn't complete. 

WHY ARE YOU DOING IT?

I am building. I was operating at a high level of activity and I was enjoying myself 

tremendously. Mainly because I was able to go places and do things without constantly feeling

tired. I am working towards that level of activity again. I know that will take some work. 

My payoff will be to climb the ruin pictured above in COBA for my birthday in October.

Here's to LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

Reset

Meals. I just realized I only had one meal today. Ooooops.

4oz carne asada, nopales, beans, and 2 corn tortillas. Guacamole. Tortilla chips. Salsa. Flan.

One big meal. I was busy in the morning with meetings.  Then I went to lunch and went to see the acupuncturist. This is not the norm for me. It was that type of day.

Keep going!

Changes

I am having a photo challenge on IG. Its been a lot of fun.  It makes me smile for several obvious reasons. I also love to see everyone's takes and journey. Without judgement and with pure joy.

If you want to join follow me on IG @kikiworks_2werkit - follow the details below.

SUNDAY WORKDAY

The 5k conditioning series had their 12 week completion today. 

The July series is open for new and existing participants. 

Come and join us if you want to get the ball rolling. 

Below is a H.I.I.T. workout you can follow at home! 

Now get going...oh and yes have fun while you 

WORK It!

True Thursday

People often ask me, "What made you want to do it?" 

There is no simple answer, or is there? It was the feeling of I'm to young to die. I'm to young feel this way. The true cruel reality of diabetes and high blood pressure. I had to make a change.

A 100 lb. lost was a big change for me and part of it was daunting. Not recognizing myself.  Receiving unwanted attention. Seeing myself for who I am.

The cementing turning point.

After dealing with my feelings. After providing myself with the space "to be" it came down to   this.My aunt is ill. She is 57 and requires dialysis because of her diabetes. She requires a double bypass surgery. She is the third to youngest of my seven aunts. All of which have diabetes.
       

Cruel Reality.
If I do not continue with my weight loss goals. I will fall back. I have to make a change. When things got real about health my mind was set. It all became second nature, again.

My freedom is more important than my fear. I accept change.It is a process. It is work.Work I am willing to do.
          I read positive affirmations.
          I meditate.
          I practice self-love.
          All things that lead to a better me.

I practice the power of choice.

         This cookie or my life. Choose.
         This slice of cake or my life. Choose.
                   
The statements keep me focused on self-love. It empowers me to choose vs. feel obligated.
It is not an exaggeration, it is the truth. Seeing relatives live with limitations and dependency on medication makes it real.

My Mission.

To be a pioneer and show the younger generations in my family we do not have to fall into this cycle.
To inspire the older generations and see they do not have to live with diabetes. They too can make a change.
To inspire people who think they cannot do it.
             Get up and Go.
                           
                    And if you fall, get up and Go                                                  

                                             AGAIN!

#sisepuede

       

True Thursday

SHARING IS CARING

Three people shared their stories with me this week. They each shared about where they were in their journey. Some mentioned the transitions they have experienced and what they have learned about themselves in the process. One person touched on the difficulty of sharing but felt she needed to talk to me. The other shared about the avoidance of feeling pain and how food helped her numb it all. Then there was the share about life's unexpected changes and how to cope with it all. Each share ended with a big thank you for sharing and providing positivity.

What these three people did not know was I was aching too; questioning, fighting and having difficulty sharing. I was pushing to stay positive but feeling like I was failing. Then just as the light seemed dim, they appeared.

FEELING THE PAIN

Being sick is never fun. Not knowing what my body is doing can be frustrating and even builds anger. - Vertigo spins, dizzy spells, constant colds, fever days and nauseous moments take a toll. -They discourage me and make me seek comfort foods for "soothing". Bad habits creep in...Bread, lovely fluffy bread. Lemonade, sweet and tangy lemonade. "Papas"...mmmmm...give me some creamy "papas". Then my body craves good foods so I go back to good eating. But the back and forth and the tastes, here and there, ADD UP. They also send my body into confusion mode.

Mental games relating to fears about people invading my space and touching me inappropriately became real for me in February. He called it playful, I call it disrespectful and uninvited. Threats of slapping and boxing him for his unwarranted advances were made. He stopped and brushed it off as "friendly" men behavior. I called it, "unpleasant I am going to slap you the next time" behavior. It is this type of behavior that triggers something deep in my being. It puts me in a panic. It caused a down spiral effect and furthered my already frustrated and angered state of mind. It brought mindfulness to a halt.

Daily stressors from work and family life only add to the mix. Not being able to voice what I am thinking or making errors sends me into a frenzy. I like to manage things and plan. With time I have been able to cope with unforeseen changes with flexibility. However, when I am the cause of the error or I am ignored, well I do not do so well with it and over think the correction process. I seek balance by surrounding myself with positive affirmations. In February, my affirmations were not enough. It all took a toll and the negativity added up. It added up to a 10 pound gain in a month! Yes, "taste" eating, fear from past triggers, and stress from day to day living put a 10 pound dent on my goal. My light was dim.

THE AFTERMATH: FOCUS ON LOVE

Regardless of how ill I felt. I kept going. I kept going to workout when I could. I stayed active for as long as I could. It resulted in a little over 29 hours of activity. While I was at home making myself wrong for not doing more...I did not consider I was doing as much as I could. Old habits will creep with ease and so can disease. While I may not know the cause of this cycle of vertigo. I can do my best to manage it. The doctor may not be able to provide insight to the cause but I can search for alternatives to create balance.This means sticking to clean eating and soothing with other things like music, reading, yoga, a massage etc. I practice self-love with lovable actions. I have done it before. I can do it again.

Remaining Mindful can be tough when I am trying to forget acts that are part of my past. Forgetting the past is not possible. Forgiving past acts is doable. Remaining rooted in my being and connecting with my inner strength is key. People's behavior will not impact the core of my being and I manage this with mindfulness. - I cannot escape with food. I cannot escape my power. There is no escaping me. - Instead I choose to focus on the support system I have created. The people who share their stories and tell me I inspire their journey. I focus on all the good in my life and remain grateful for the positive opportunities that surround me. I choose to focus on the bigger picture : a world full of endless positive possibilities and love.

We all have trials. We all have stressors. We also have a choice to deal with those negative occurrences with grace. I know I have grown leaps and bounds in the last five years. I also know I must remain humble and grounded for I do not know what my future holds. I create light around me and no matter the struggle I tell myself it will get better. It all works out for my higher good. Above all I choose to lift those around me too.

LIGHT

I need it. So I come clean to create anew. I remain true to the goal of a healthy me. I am human and share to bring light to you. Together we all make things much brighter.

Here's to making a positive imprint in our  life's journey. Much love to you.

Remain Coachable

Health

I had a relapse with my throat on Monday but still went to work out. Halfway through my left hamstring was giving me trouble. On Tuesday I decided to stay home and recover to start again with my 5A workout on Wednesday. By Tuesday night my sciatica on the right side started to act up. My first reaction was frustration. Then I recalled Louise Hay's teachings and remembered to treat myself with self-love for harmonious health. This is when I also came across a Bruce Lee clip.

Coaching

In this clip Bruce Lee explains the importance of the combination between natural instinct and control in order to successfully; combine the two in harmony. He states that you otherwise become unscientific or a mechanical being. While his explanation applies to karate skills.  In that moment it applied to me as well. I needed to follow my natural instinct and take care of myself because I am not a mechanical being and I seek harmony. 

Solution

I went to work Wednesday, limping, scratchy throat and all. I followed my healing affirmations. I got a massage. By 7p I was as good as new. My throat is still scratchy but I'm taking care of it as best as I can. I went to my work out on Thursday with the importance of balance in mind. I am more focused on making steady progress instead of pushing so hard that I loose my footing. 

Last Note

I signed up for Insane Inflatable 5K Obstacle Course. Come join my team if you want to try something fun and different. It is not a crazy challenge...it is more of a let's bust out laughing being knocked out wipe out style! LOL I might wear a tutu! 

Here's to making it work...in the face of anything. 

122 days away...

Hanging at the Bars on a Saturday Night

...from my Drop Down Goal Date.

I'm creating tunnel vision and counting down to my goal date: 10/01/2014. I've set up tools like a day counter on the top left corner of my phone.

The counter provides a positive number to focus on. I'll wake up and focus on the amount of days for the first goal benchmark and the final goal target date. I'm also able to look at that number and stop myself when I am about to eat or do something that is counterproductive to the goal. It is my anchor. 

Work-outs 

The schedule will vary but I have a few guidelines. They are listed below:

Circuit Training : 3 times a week

Boxing : 2 days a week and 3 days a week when I'm in my new office. 

Cardio Intervals/ Jogging Training : 3 days a week

Strength Training : 2 days a week

Callenetics : 2 days a week

Hiking: At least 2 times a month. 

Yoga Daily

*Participate in as many active ventures as possible.

** Try a new activity monthly.

Food 

My food intake is being tracked with weight watchers point system. I am also sticking to clean eating rules.

Motivation 

My largest motivator is the idea of being free of medication and free of physical restraints to do fun activities like dancing, hiking, and water rafting. When I feel like I'm not doing enough I need to remind myself of how far I have come and just continue to act healthy. 

To a healthy me.

I'm dizzy but it's not all bad.

My head goes round-round, baby, round-round, round...

...and after going to the doctor I have bad and good news.

 

Bad News

I need to relax and work from home until Monday. I have vertigo due to my current throat infection and I'm not allowed to drive. According to the doctor I can try to exercise with caution but nothing involving machines.

 

Good News

The other possible causation is my blood pressure medication. Due to my recent weight loss and the blood pressure results during my last few visits she thinks the medication could also be causing dizziness. What does this mean? I'm off my blood pressure medication as of today for a 30-day trial period.YES!!! Sure I have to keep a log to make sure my numbers are good but being able to eliminate medication is AWESOME. My blood-sugar medicine was also changed. I went from 2000mg to 500 mg a day. She thinks I may be able to eliminate the medication soon. I need to keep up my active lifestyle and clean eating habits.

12 Week Challenge

I'm working with what I've been dealt and I won't be quitting any time soon. My exercise routine may be limited but I'll keep on trying. 

To getting healthy.