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.

Motivational Monday

Planning is good but if a plan falls through  or planning overwhelms you then improvise as best you can. Be cautious  when improvising. You need to be real honest with yourself when it comes to portion control, especially when it is something you like and your estimating.

For example I planned all of my meals for the week and a last minute meeting had me eating at Pacos! Yep. So I improvised as best as I could and resisted temptation. Those tortilla chips are my down fall I could have a whole basket in one sitting and their beans are num num so once I get started I can't stop. Who am I kidding? This applies to the carne asada, and fresh hand made tortillas too.

I had 8 tortilla chips (huge for me), 1/2 of my carne asada plate meal. I subbed the rice for the cactus salad. I had one tortilla. Water as my drink and when he asked if I wanted flan I said NO. 

Skipping the tortilla chips and tortillas all together would have been ideal. My victory was that I said 8 and I stuck to 8. I practiced mindful eating and ate slowly to focus on half of the meal.

If you are just getting started with weight loss half of what you normally eat is a good starting point. Start subbing in veggies as you start getting hungry and explore different salads. Be careful with the dressings they can put you in the danger zone.

Stay motivated and try your best to make good choices.

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. 

Keep Moving

I took 5,000 steps and earned the Boat Shoe badge! #Fitbit

This is new for me and I hope tracking my steps will help me. I'm 1,000 away from the daily recommended of 10,000 a day. I'm moving around so I can hit it! 

Motivational Monday

When my mom talks about her pregnancy with me...I was the rebellious one. The one who wouldn't stop kicking...that would shake all around when she sat down. Relentlessly until she got up and moved around again. She always tells the story of my birth, the one who flew out like a football ready to go!

Yet I stop myself with questions and over thinking of the most basic concepts. So this coming month, the last month of the year of manifestation, I am playing full out with intention. I'm thinking less and doing more.

December Goals Include:

1) Hot Water with Lemon and Ginger Daily

2) Journal entry Daily

3) Clean Eating Daily (exceptions are 12/24 & 12/25 for family recipe tamales)

4) Exercise, any type of work out, for at least 30 minutes daily

5) No weight-in until 12/31

6) Organize Guest Room and Office

7) Follow-up on Doctor Appt's for tests

8) Give each day 100% in every area; work and home life

Get on up and join me with your December Goals. Get up and get started. 

ROAR!

THE ELEPHANT

I've been overweight my entire life. I've held on to this fat as my form of protection and as my shield against the world. It has been a part of me for as long as I can recall.

It too has been a source of pain and illness. Pain because my appearance sometimes made me an outkast ... it was the source of teasing and name calling. Even by my own father. He called me,  elefante. It was painful and mean. I often told him to stop but he took it lightly until this past Sunday.

After a deep heart to heart conversation he acknowledged his regrets and wrong doings. He apologized for any wrong doing. Specifically name calling. I shared with him how much it meant to me. I told him how for years I tried reframing and applied the positive significance to "elefante". But on bad days when my self-esteem was low...all I could hear was my negative dad.

His response : You are wise beyond your years. You have taught me and continue to teach me so much. I am proud of who you are and how much you accomplish. I am sorry if I ever hurt you with my ignorance and my actions.

I responded with : I am the elephant because of what I practice not because I am fat. I can own that now. Thanks for your acknowledgement.

He smiled and agreed.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Be the light.  Shine bright.  Be grand.

Remain Coachable

The hardest days require the most attention. They require alignment to yourself and to your being. At least that is what I tell myself. I did not want to meal prep for the day. I did not want to eat the same type of salad. I was getting ready to walk out the door and just wing it.
Then I thought about :

• The hard work I've put in the last two weeks.
• The way I've been feeling after a good meal. 
• The way I'm feeling today and how it may contribute to bad choices. 

So I put on my jeans that fit after two weeks ... and prepped a salad for lunch.

Spinach Mix Salad

3 cups of spinach
2 T of Arugula
1/2 of a red pepper
1 egg
2/3 cups of purple potatoes
3T of garbanzo beans
1/3 cup of yellow cherry tomatoes
1 T of sun dried tomatoes
2T of mozarella cheese
1T of cranberries
2T of walnuts

I included cheese because I knew I wanted something creamy in the mix. Also because yesterday three different people told me the same thing: Don't be so hard on yourself.

So I remain coachable by staying on track and practicing balance in every day decisions.

Have a great Friday.