Motivational Monday

Whenever I start a new challenge,  routine or group activity I get discouraged when I don't complete it the way I was "supposed" to. I get upset and then I eat the foods that are only going to make it worse.

This time it was different. I acknowledge my pattern. I know that during the 8 week intensive I gave each workout my best but ate clean 40% of the time. I know that will not give me the results I desire.

In fact I often self-disclose when people ask about my weight loss. I will say, I don't always eat clean and that's why I'm no longer loosing weight. I can acknowledge I have been in this "waiting room" for oh, 6-9 months. You could say its the gestation period for a new me.

Well slap me on the Fanny 'cause I'm ready. I accept it is not a linear process. I accept new and old people in my life. I am okay with being uncomfortable. I am okay with sharing all of me.

I invite you to start this new era with me. Whatever you haven't done or did wrong let it go. Then just start now. If you find you are not ready...try again. Better yet check what is missing for you internally and accept the process. Most of all accept you. Your faults, your beauty... all of you. Then forgive yourself and love yourself to health.  

Step by step... you will get there. 

Namaste.

Sunday Snooze Day

Today was lady #2 which means I was down and out. It was a different pace from most of my week but an opportunity to recharge. It also allows me to reflect about all of the great things that are happening.

1. I saw an old friend during the week who motivated to stay focused.
2. I met new contacts who provided new insights in my industry.
3. I spoke to an old colleague who provided a new prospective about my long-terms goals.
4. I completed #theworkout series and while I did not meet any of my original goals I reached a new level of acceptance for myself.
5. I joined a new gym.
6. I bumped into an old colleague who thanked me for sharing myself through my blog.

Workouts

I completed 60% of the planned workouts. Which means I completed AM & PM workouts through Wednesday. By Thursday I was beat and made it to one hour workout daily through Saturday.

I have yet to create this weeks structure but plan to incorporate at least two gym visits by the end of the week. I will not post a commitment today since I am waiting on a friend to plan our workouts.

Meals

Meals were good through Thursday ... then it flopped. Sugar cravings got real and I caved in by Friday. I will continue to post more through the week.

Here's to keeping it going.

Sweet Saturday

I've had a busy and productive Saturday. I have much to share. Let's just say I'm feeling all of the benefits from yesterdays yoga session.

 

Feeling blessed. Namaste.

 

Remain Coachable

Once we take on the attitude of we have learned it all, or "we know it already", we cease improvement. Listening to everything as if it were "new" allows us to expand our vision. This is key because once we boast about how much we know the arrogance impedes our development.

This has been key for me this week. I have been in my field for many years. I, after listening to many lectures,  realize how much I know. But I went into each session with a specific listening, "this is all new to me." It allowed me to stay alert and pick up on a few key elements. I have learned key ways to improve upon what I am doing. 

I am applying this concept to my weight loss journey. I cannot continue to do the same thing or act like, "oh yea, I've done this already." What helped me loose the first 80 may not help now. Simply because I need to learn new ways of eating, exercise to improve on the overall methods of weight loss. I remain coachable.

HERE'S TO KEEPING AN OPEN MIND AND LISTENING TO THE NEW.

True Thursday

I want to be true to someone I met for lunch yesterday. We discussed all of the different things I'm up to and I shared my blog with him. It is a great way for him to keep up with me since he is not on social media. He also made a good point...I don't have a lot of my creations on my blog. So here we go.

I create and manage 4 different series/events to offer people with new ways to become active.

1. I have a yoga workshop which runs for 6 weeks at a time. The group consists of 8 people and the cost is $72. for 6 - 1.5 hour sessions. We are currently in week 2 of the workshop. I will post information about the next workshop in good time.

2. The 5k conditioning series is a 12 week program set-up in 3 week sets  with a weekly break for the monthly hiking trip. The 3 week sets also allows people who are starting to workout with short term goal. People do not have to participate in 5k's to be in the series. A new set is starting this Sunday.  There are still 3 spots open on the second team.

3. The hiking trips are not a part of a series but I create the events as a compliment to training. It is also a good opportunity for people to get a view the different hiking trails in so.Cal. It is highly recommended for anyone participating on the TM to come out and hike.

4. The last series I have created and will begin next month. It is the Tough Mudder (TM) series. This is a series was created specifically for those participating in the TM on 11/01 in Temecula. Completion of the 5k beginner series is highly recommended since participation in the TM series requires a fitness test.

I will continue to post regular updates about the various programs, series and events for those interested.

Have a great day and make a small change today.

Wonderful Wednesday

This post is also out of the norm since  I can only write some of Elaine's weight loss tips from memory. These are the tips I recall about healthy eating, meal planning and activity.

Her words that are embedded in my memory:

1. Always pack a lunch. I make salads on Sundays and seal vac them so they rain fresh all week.

2. It is okay to eat out for lunch once a week. You can keep the calories low but if you go nuts, cause we all do sometimes, eat a light dinner.

3. Start slow but start somewhere. You think I like doing stairs?

4. Always go exercise when someone invites you. You may not want to but if you go every time someone invites you, well you have someone there with you.

5. Just do it.

Workout Tryout

Training mode to me usually includes trying a new workout weekly to determine where I am fitness wise. The challenge can sometimes encourage or discourage me.

I did the sportskool cardio combat 1, 28 min. video. It was one of those I watched last month while I was sick. 

It started out with a ball sequence,  then a few Kickboxing combos and finally a stick sequence. The video was okay. I give it a 3 of 5 star rating.

I felt like quitting a few times because there was a high volume of lunges and leg rotations so my knee was a concern. I would get frustrated and a bit discouraged but I kept going.

In the end, I did not sweat as much as I did with  yesterdays workouts . I know it was probably because I did not push hard during certain parts of the sequence due to knee concerns. 

I will definitely try this again once I feel confident about my abilities just to compare fitness level. 

For now I will continue with my other planned activities to continue with knee rehab.

Here's to trying new things and pushing forward.