Motivation Monday

The people who surround me and I have the same mindset about health and fitness. They often motivate me.

FOOD

Food is my largest obstacle. It has been a way to soothe pain and mask sadness. It allows me to escape to a different place with a bite. Or so I thought.

SATURDAY

I had my cheat meal for lunch. It was more of cheat items; sweet potato fries and chocolate gelato. I was content and was sure I was going to be able to manage the rest of the weekend.

SUNDAY

We went to the Santa Anita race track and sat in the lounge that offered free buffet.  I was making all the right choices;  carrot and celery sticks,  no alcohol,  salad but then came the wings. I had 6 total and my stomach was in pain.

I thought that was enough but oh no it was hot so I had a cherry icee and later a chocolate shake. This is where it all shifted for me. 2 sips into my shake. I realized I did not want it. Better yet I did not like it. It was no longer providing that joyful feeling I associated with chocolate shakes. Instead I was feeling the uncomfortable feeling of over doing it.

Aftermath

My largest motivator in life is my health. Eating certain things occasionally is okay. Going beyond the occasional taste/bite is just ludacris when I know it's going to impact me negatively in the long run.

The best part is I have complete freedom over what I did and did  not fall into the pattern of negative self-talk. Instead I chose to stop because of the heightened level of self-love.

Here is to a beautiful Monday full of love and self-care. Make good choices.

Motivational Monday

It used to be that getting sick with my reoccurring problem would frustrate me. I would get angry. I would feel weak and question, "Why me? Why like this?" - Part of my process has been to accept things as they come. To work through the obstacles and to persist. 

So today even though I was not 100% and I was dealing with major pain - I worked out. I was cautious and my mantra was, "You can do this slow and steady." I gave it my all and when I felt the pain I worked through it and thought, "I am doing the best I can."

I remain hopeful about my health. I tell myself, "I am healing. I am better." Tomorrow I will attempt to do a double work out as preferred and focus on improving my performance.

I hope you too can create your balance and can acknowledge all of your accomplishments; small and large. Remember to accept your process and to remain persistent. Eye on the prize.

Here's to keeping a positive outlook.

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.

Beast Mode

Today's work-out combo of circuit training at accelerate with Anthony and Boxing at 220= BEAST MODE.

I was scheduled to start boxing last month but did not due to the circumstances.  The delays in scheduling gave me time to question my abilities and create doubt. Today was the hands down, no more playing, no matter what drop down date for starting boxing! !

I loved it as much as I thought I would and I was able to keep up. For the most part. The staff was a great and the groupon transitioned to a trial membership.  Not what I expected but I crunched the numbers and I got a deal!

The new environment will provide some new energy. It will also challenge me in other areas including my self esteem. Vixenology dance class was cancelled so yoga it is. 

To boxing fun! 

Week 4.

My Goddaughter and I at Saturday Jazz Brunch.

Food. Free Day.

Yesterday was a free day filled with champagne, ice cream and fried tacos. I could have done without it. Mainly because it was excessive and I don't enjoy the food. When I eat in excess I find myself feeling disgusting afterwards. It is not a wrong, guilt or bad feeling it is more like, "OMG I can't walk and this is so uncomfortable feeling". Then I find myself craving salads and fruit. Eating healthy has become the norm.

Yet I'm struggling with conversations about food e.g. my mom talking about Friday night dinner during lent, friends talking about dinner out on the town, or planning a weight loss celebration by going to brunch. Those conversations/plans do not align with how I'm feeling and what I want to accomplish. I struggle because I know I need to make changes somewhere in this realm. I'm not sure exactly where and will focus on this more during week 4.

Scheduled Weight Training and 1/2 Cardio Make-up Session

Work Out

I WORK-OUT! This has become second nature to me and I am pretty good, (no matter how tired I am), about getting out and being active. I've realized that I struggle with the idea of getting it done more than I do with the actual work-out. I always feel AWESOME right afterwards so there is really no reason not to get pumped about a work-out. Week 4 is the last week I have the same weight training rotation so I will be sharing about the details in days to come. I'm still trying to make-up work-out's from my sick days but I will have to let go of the make-up idea some of them this week. 

To exploring my conversation around food and letting go.