21 Day Fix: Day 10 - Mushrooms are my friends

Did MUCH better yesterday with my eating. I kept my to my containers for sure, even when I went over to a friend's house for dinner. I measured out my yellow container of rice right there by her stove!

Alas, I did struggle yesterday because I didn't eat enough. By the time I got home it was going on 9 PM and I hadn't had all of my greens or purples, or my blue. I wasn't particularly hungry, but I know that my body probably needed those nutrients, especially since I did a little more work in the weight room than usual yesterday morning. Calm down, there weren't actual weights involved. My body weight exercises are quite challenging enough at this point!

I did have a dream last night that I was at my friend Bethy's wedding (with Neapolitan cake) and it was attended by everyone I know from my home town (hmmm) and it was also a small CrossFit competition and Rich Froning (Fittest man on EARTH) was there competing... and so was I. And there was some weird thing where we had to scootch around on our backs while holding a barbell.. and I totally beat him (at the women's prescribed weight). It was a great feeling, but I still walked around feeling like I was a fraud, lol.

But I digress.

Yesterday here's what I ate (no pictures though, sorry!)

Breakfast: 1 Veggie Burger - 1 Red
Morning Snack: 1/2 Chocolate Shakeology with Cherries - 1/2 Red, 1/2 Purple
Lunch: Some root veggie soup from Bethy, a Turkey Burger (plain, just the meat) and some spring mix - 1 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 Green
Afternoon Snack: None, I totally forgot to eat
Dinner at Bethy's: Jambalaya and rice - 1 and 1/2 Red, 1 Yellow
Special Treat not allowed in 21 DF: 1/2 White Chocolate Raspberry Daiquiri from Dove Chocolate Discoveries. 

Workout from yesterday:

-25 minutes on the treadmill. Still no running, but I cranked up the incline and walked quickly and got myself out of breath.
-Incline push ups on a barbell in the squat rack (yes, I'm that girl). 3x10
-Hanging row things from that same barbell 3x10
-Cable tricep extensions 2x10
-Assisted pull ups 3x8

It's short, but sometimes a girl's only got 45 minutes before she goes to work! OH, I also stopped for a cup of coffee. No fancy stuff, just coffee with a drizzle of cream and sugar. I'm so bad. 

STILL feeling optimistic about yesterday though, and today is off to a good start as well!

21 Day Fix - Days 8 and 9 - Keeping Momentum is Challenging

So heyyyyy,

I've been remiss. 

Monday and Tuesday I didn't get my workouts in and I only hit the diet properly about 75%.

While this could derail me, I've decided today to refocus on why I'm doing the 21 Day Fix. I want to love myself, and so I need to complete something. No giving up this time! Two rough days rounded out by kicking butt last week and committing to kicking butt the rest of the Fix.

I've learned how to handle weekends full of chocolate:

PRIOR PLANNING

If I'd taken the care to prepare food ahead of time and have easy snacks and meals on hand all weekend the way I did last week, things would be going much differently. I'll limp along through the rest of this week and a trip up North for not-Thanksgiving with my family. There will be food, but only what fits in little colorful boxes. 

Today I am back on track and have worked out with Bethany at the gym. I've got a written To Do list that I am knocking out, and I'm generally taking care of business all over the place.

Better things to come!

21 Day Fix - Weekend Update

The weekend did not go as well as planned. I am a part time chocolatier. Need I say more?
I'm pretty proud of my display, even though I'm not as proud of my will power.





I did go out to dinner on Friday and took my containers to Leo's Coney Island and measured out my salad. It was vaguely embarrassing, but I made a point to make my dining company more embarrassed of me than I was of myself, and that helped, haha.

The salad mostly stayed in the container boundaries, although it's difficult to separate the cheese from a salad once it's already applied.









After all the crappy eating over the weekend and feeling like a 21 Day Fix failure, I decided to pick up again fresh, and it all started with kale. I'm not giving up, and I'm going to keep doing the Fix until I get the results I've been dreaming of! I'm still proud of myself, and it's not over.

21 Day Fix - Day 5: Getting Out of Bed

Good Morning! It's another chilly morning here in the apartment and the Librarian insists on sitting on my lap (awww!). I'm just having some tea and waiting on Bethany to come pick me up to hit the gym this morning. Yesterday the Fix went quite well. I'm finding it easy to stick to my containers and not cheat, which feels really awesome. I'm sure there aren't any physical changes yet, but I feel more confident anyway.

Yesterday my sweetheart was over and so it was really difficult to get out of bed when there are so many warm cuddles happening, but I did! I got some me stuff done and went about my day. When I came home later the dishes were done and he'd made the bed and laid out my snuggle clothes. <3

For my workout, I did PiYo Sculpt. DO NOT DO PiYo Buns followed by Strength Intervals, followed by Sculpt. Holy Hell, the're ALL legs days. I feel like my lower body is made out of a rusty erector set.

Please observe my recovery face. I refuse to do another legs day. 

Food for yesterday:

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with sauteed mushrooms and spring mix and feta - 1 Red, 1 Green, 1/2 Blue, 1 Tbsp.

AM Snack: 1/2 Shakeology (chocolate cinnamon) and mixed cut fruit - 1/2 Red, 1 Purple

Lunch: Paleo meatloaf and spring mix salad with spicy chili dressing - 1 Red, 1 Green, 1/2 Orange

PM Snack: 1/2 Shakeology (chocolate cinnamon) and then a few hours later, another serving of chopped fruit - 1/2 Red, 1 Purple

Dinner: Paleo meatloaf, sauteed mushrooms and baked sweet potato (orange and white) with butter and a drizzle of ketchup - 1 Red, 1 Green, 2 Yellow, 2 Tbsp, 1/2 Orange 

I was short on 1/2 a Blue, but I'm ok with it, I just can't eat that much feta. I went over on my Tbsp of butter anyway. I DID use ghee though, so at least it was clarified butter. :)

21 Day Fix - Day Four: Doubles!

It's bright and early here on day four of the 21 Day Fix. I tell you, it's very difficult to get up and find my Zen at 5 AM without my French press full of coffee. I don't mind drinking tea instead (I know that coffee is allowed on the Fix, but what's the point if I can't have it with my sugar and half n' half?) but I really miss my quiet cups of coffee with the cat.

I don't get up at 5 in the morning to work out. Let's make that very clear. If a workout is waiting for me on the other side of my toasty covers, I'm not getting up. Then I end up sleeping until seven, busting my buns to get to work, and having an unproductive day.

I get up at 5 to work on ME projects. Things that will further my life in some way, or enjoying a good book, or blogging! I feel like if I can take control of my morning, have a leisurely healthy breakfast and sip my coffee (tea *sigh*) and putter around the house, I've broken a cycle of negativity. I just can't stand the thought of getting out of bed and going directly to my job. It's like then my whole day and my whole life belongs to them because I get home too tired and lazy to do anything other than cook dinner and play with the Librarian (that's the cat again, you'll be hearing a lot about him).

A morning where I've had my 5 AM Club moment (some of my girlfriends also get up in the morning and we chat a bit online) I can walk into work and feel like I'm in control of my life. No matter what happens to throw me off, at least I took the time to take care of me before taking care of others. It's like in an airplane. I must put on my own oxygen mask before assisting the person next to me. Then if I can get my workout in during my lunch break, my hours at home in the evening are ENTIRELY mine to relax and take care of little things. I don't feel guilty for a wasted day. 

This is a mask of pain... in a cubicle

Yesterday I was beating myself up a bit about being a broke in-dept young person, and lamenting my life choices that have led me here. One thing I'll say about the 21 Day Fix, I'm saving money on food. I typically buy X amount of groceries, but I can see clearly that the food goes a lot farther when I'm not just compulsively eating all the time!

Here's how yesterday went:

I worked out at 7 AM with Bethy at the gym and even ran into a man who had gone to the same Crossfit box that I love! (He was wearing their shirt) and it made me smile as we chatted a bit.  Bethy and I did an abs workout because my legs were killing me from PiYo Buns on Tuesday. THEN I did PiYo Strength Intervals with my Lab Manager at lunch! Didn't realize that it was another intense leg burner. Oh god. 

Food:

Breakfast: Shakeology (chocolate) with banana, PB2, coconut milk, water and ice - 1 Red, 1.5 Purple, 1 Tbsp, 1 Blue
AM Snack: Chopped fruit (pineapple, melon, blueberries) - 1/2 Purple

Lunch: Paleo meatloaf and salad with spicy coconut chili dressing - 1 Red, 1 Green, 1/2 Orange

PM Snack: 2 hard boiled eggs - 1 Red

Dinner: Paleo Meatloaf with curried cauliflower and some tortellini (snatched from Andrew's dinner!) - 1 Red, 2 Green, 1 Yellow, 1/2 Orange

 

Special treat!!: I replaced my remaining yellow container with a blue container full of Dove Chocolate Discoveries cinnamon dusted chocolate covered almonds. YUM. My special treat was totally allowed in the program and I enjoyed it SO SO much on date night. It made it seem kinda special as we cuddled up and watched James Bond last night. 

So look at those pictures for a second. That was a TON of food. I struggled to eat everything. Let me reiterate that I'm not going hungry on the 21 Day Fix. I'm still trying to find a balance where I'm not eating so much for dinner, but some days I get home and have 5 containers left! Clearly I need to be eating more throughout the day. 

Gee, twist my arm.....

21 Day Fix - Day 3: Lunchtime Shennanigans

Today was day 3 of the 21 Day Fix. So far so good. I'm feeling very optimistic about the program and I'm really hopeful that I'll finally start seeing some results. Referring to the Fix as a "program" comes off a little cultish to me. From the outside looking in, it may seem like I'm attempting some sort of quick detox weird diet thing. NOPE.

I'm eating the same stuff I always do, only I've cut out most of the sugar, and I'm eating it in specific quantities. Some of you may now be thinking that I am just cutting a ton of calories. NOPE AGAIN.

I'm actually struggling to eat all this stuff. I tell you, finishing the day with 2 green and a red is really difficult and I feel like I've overdone it with food. There's no worry that I'm going to waste away here.

Anyway, yesterday I worked out during my lunch break, and did PiYo Buns. It was a toughie and boy, I tell you I'm feeling it today. I'm moving around like an old person and if the zombie apocalypse showed up today, I'd be toast.

I took the time to tidy up my office's classroom in order to make myself a "studio" where I can work out. I've been doing exercises in there for ages, notably with the company of my Laboratory Manager, but actually clearing out the tables and chairs and putting the DVD up on the projection screen really made the workout a tranquil experience, especially with the fluorescent lights turned off. 

Plenty of room for flailing.

Yesterday's meals:

Breakfast: Breakfast burrito with eggs, feta, spring mix, and sauteed mushrooms, along with a fruit cup and sweet & spicy tea. (1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Blue, 1 Yellow, 1 Purple, 1 Tbsp)

AM Snack: An Apple (1 Purple)

Lunch: Veggie Burger and quinoa (1 Yellow, 1 Red)

PM Snack: 2 hard boiled eggs (1 Red)

Dinner: Meatloaf with ketchup and roasted Brussels sprouts (1 Red, 1 Orange, 2 Green, 1 Tbsp)

Before

After! Nommmmmm

21 Day Fix - Day Two. Brussels Sprouts!

Good morning!

I think day one of the 21 Day Fix went fairly well yesterday. For those of who aren't familiar with it, the 21 Day Fix is a Beachbody program that uses daily 30 minute exercise videos, color-coded food containers (for portion control), a careful diet plan, and Shakeology. (You can learn more here.)

I have a daily allotment of containers:

3 Green - Vegetables
2 Purple - Fruits
4 Red - Protein
2 Yellow - Carbohydrates 
1 Blue - Cheese/nuts/avocado
1 Orange - Seeds/salad dressing
2 Tablespoons - Nut butters/cooking oils

I also must drink tons of water every day, which isn't too much of a problem for me, fortunately.

Yesterday here's what I ate:

Breakfast - Cup of Tea and Ginger Orange Shot (1 Purple) and Spinach/Celery/Cucumber/Apple juice (1 Green, 1 Purple)
AM Snack - 2 Hard Boiled Eggs (1 Red) and Pumpkin Seeds (1/2 Orange)
Lunch - Veggie Burger and Quinoa and a tiny bit of leftover garlic mashed potatoes (1 Red, 2.5 Yellow) (I just couldn't resist the potatoes!)
PM Snack - 2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Dinner - Baked salmon with coconut chili glaze and roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic and olive oil (1 Red, 2 Green, 1/2 Orange, 2 Tbsp)

I did not eat a blue container, but I feel okay about it, since I went over on my yellow. I am not supposed to substitute like that, as the container amounts are set a certain way for a reason, and I should really try to eat all the colors in order to make sure my body gets all the nutrients I need! :)

Here's a photo of my dinner, which was actually so big, I struggled to finish it. I guess I'm just glad that I wasn't left hungry at the end of the day. I usually eat so much more than this! 

Nom Nom Nom

21 Day Fix - Kickoff!

It was a very busy weekend, but I managed to go grocery shopping and prepare for today's kickoff of the 21 Day Fix.

Yesterday's meals were humble, but I enjoyed some treats that I won't be having for a while. I took the time to hard boil some eggs and make up some quinoa. I'm going to keep the menus very simple for the next three weeks in order to avoid getting overwhelmed.  This morning when I was packing my lunch and snacks, I was already confused, so I downloaded a simple free App on my phone to help me keep track of things.

I feel so healthful!

Orange Ginger Shot!

I made up some fresh juice this morning as well after spending part of the weekend watching health food documentaries in order to get inspired. ALL THE JUICE! Then I hit the gym with Bethany. We did a lighter day since we were both running late, but it still felt good to be up and moving around before work, and it's nice that it's brighter in the morning, although I'm sure I'll be annoyed when I drive home in the dark later.

I've been good all day at avoiding the cupcakes and blondies leftover from our Halloween party at work, but I'm being very very challenged by the arrival of an unexpected care package from my mother... containing her delicious zucchini bread! My only consolation is that it will freeze beautifully and be waiting for me at the end of the fix. 




I've had plenty of water today and a cup of tea instead of coffee. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the Fix, and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of writing. November is going to be a very busy month for me what with studying for the GRE (Nov. 28th!!) and working to launch my Dove Chocolate Discoveries business (talk about a temptation! At least when I cheat, I'm having the good stuff.) So it's a bit of a struggle to do all the things I want to. Tonight I'm going to cook some Paleo meatloaf and do some organizing around the house to help me feel confident in my ability to get everything done.


I wish the zucchini bread didn't make my cubicle smell so good....

Clean Eating and Heavy Lifting

So, it's been a minute since I've written. I've been doing ALL THE THINGS. Unfortunately, changing my body has not been one of those things.

I've been working out and trying to change my diet, however, I can't seem to stay on track with both of them at the same time. I go to the gym with my coworker a 2-3 times a week and I also try to do DVD workouts at lunch a few times a week with another coworker.

I'm still the same. It's time that I stop screwing around and do the clean eating and working out at the same time. In order to succeed, I will be joining my November 21 Day Fix group members with the portion-control meal plan which is the cornerstone of the program.

I'll be filling those color-coded containers with only unprocessed foods, specifically those aligned with the Autoimmune Protocol (which eliminates all allergens). I'll keep taking my supplements and I'll leave the drinking behind (I have a wine habit).

Rather than following the DVD workouts which go along with the program though, I'm going to be doing other workouts... some of which will be CrossFit. That's right, I'm going to head over to my favorite box and take some introductory classes to relearn the skills that have atrophied in the past year or two! 

I'm also going to be keeping up with this blog daily for the 21 days of the November group which begins on 11/3/14. I'll be staying accountable by posting here, and I'll be including the workout I did each day, a photo, and a recap of my eating for the previous day. 



I suppose all that's left is posting the before pictures. This is not easy, but you know, I'm not ashamed. 

Goals: I enjoy being in a good mood. "Only work out on days you want to feel happy" they say.

Another inspiration for fitness would be to have athleticism. I never did sports growing up, I was only in dance classes to help my coordination after extensive childhood surgeries, and I existed most of my life thinking that I was handicapped and incapable of running fast or being a good athlete.. or doing anything physical, really.

I want to be fit so I can PLAY, I want to be able to accomplish great feats with my body and I want to feel like asking my legs to jump or "zig-zag" is an act of elation and expression instead of a struggle.

Survival Days

Wellness Coach Nikki, my Soul Sister and compatriot, calls days like today "Survival Days".

Lately I've had scores more good days than bad days, and I've been energetic and have thrown myself passionately into various projects that I've been working on, always finding the energy and enthusiasm for "one more rep" in this great WOD of life. (That sounded pretty stupid when I wrote it, but the longer I think of it, the more apt it seems.)

Then there's a day like today. Felt a little off this morning when I had to fight to get out of bed. Felt it when I didn't really want to make my shake this morning or clean up after myself or put on makeup. Felt it at work when listening to the chat around the office made me want to plug into music--music that today felt stupid and not very pleasing to the ear. 

I got pissy with drivers on the road and I felt hollow when I paid for my gas at the corner store. I didn't want to eat any of the food I had for dinner (I wanted pizza instead!) and I didn't feel like doing the dishes or any of the things on my list. So I ate listelessly and felt nauseated and blah after my sandwich and salad. Then I watched a really shitty Christmas romantic comedy. Yes, in July. 

As I sit on my couch and beat myself up for not doing all the things I wanted to accomplish today and for apparently losing the brilliant spark of motivation for my new fun endeavors, I realize that I'm in one of my downward cycles again.

I made it through the day, but I wasn't living. I was barely here at all.

Nikki said that we can't be productive and successful on Survival Days because we're focusing so hard on getting through the day. The effort it takes Depressed Patricia to maintain her relationships with other people is exhausting. My senses are brutalized by the ennui and I can't tell if I need someone to come help me or if that would make things feel worse. I just can't. I can't do anything, I can barely think.

Well, the only thought I do have is "why do I bother trying so hard when I'm always going to be struggling?"... I'd rather not think than see that one wander through my head.


So here's to the Survival Days. I am going to list the accomplishments I DID make today, despite regretting my decision to get out of bed this morning. 

-Did my workout with Coworker M at lunch: P90X3 - Triometrics
-Did the Dishes even though I didn't want to
-Listened in on my Beachbody Team Cup Challenge conference call with the other coaches
-Went to work and got a few things done, even though I honestly can't remember being at the office at all
-Talked to long-lost friends
-Didn't eat ALL THE THINGS
-Tried a new recipe (failure)

And I wrote. I wrote to you, my anonymous supporters and friends and colleagues. And it helped. 

As a great friend of mine once told me, "SMILE, and fake it until you make it". 

Never Give Up

I'm afraid today. 

The past week I've been seeing things in my left eye. Flashes of light and blurry spots, as if I'm missing part of the picture. I was worried that maybe that fall on my head last year is still having lasting repercussions in addition to my frequent headaches and occasionally forgetting where I am.

A trip to the ophthalmologist and retinal specialist put that worry at ease. It's not in my head. It's not my brain. I'm not imagining it. Unfortunately, that means that there's something wrong with my eye. The doctor found it peculiar that someone my age and in apparent good health could have something wrong with my eye, but he found white spots all over my retina and observed the veins around my eye are leaking. Multifocal Choroiditis and Retinal Vasculitis. These things didn't seem to be such a big deal to him, and he told me to be concerned if they got worse, but it's something else he said that's worrying me. 

He told me that this isn't necessarily a problem with my eye, but more like a symptom of something else. He suggested I go get a gallon's worth of blood work done to search for autoimmune disorders. 

What if I'm sick? I know people with autoimmune problems-- apparently the great catch-all of "you're sick, and there's nothing we can do". I'm afraid that I'm debilitating before I ever caught my stride and became the strong and vibrant person I've been dreaming of.

That's why I'm so glad that I've finally been finding things that work for me as far as my health goes. I've been working out consistently for a month, which is a lot for me. Usually I give up after a week or two. Today as I tried Piyo for the first time, I realized that I may have run out of excuses for not sticking with things.

I've talked recently about how committed I am to changing my lifestyle and working to get the body and mental clarity that I desire... but it could be that now I MUST eat a certain way and nurture and strengthen my body in order to slow its deterioration. 

It's a thought that shakes me to the core and makes me exceptionally grateful that I've got a support group of people who are there to help me stay on track with my fitness. 

It would be really easy to let the depression well up and win if it turns out I'm sick. BUT I've got people watching my back, and I'm going to come out the other side of this stronger, one way or another.




The motto for Beach Body this year is "Never Give Up". This usually puts me in mind of Winston Churchill, and his iconic speech reminding us that we shall never surrender. 

Wellness Coach Nikki and I took this to heart when we met up on Saturday and we vowed that we will not give up on our goal of getting out of debt before we're 35. 







This moment is the same, I won't ever give up. I'll never surrender. 

Not ever. 

Salute Thy Shorts!

It has been a pretty hot spring since the weather broke and the Winter ended. (Yes, Winter with a capital W, Game of Thrones style!) I'm typically a skirt wearer all summer because it's way too warm for jeans, they aren't cute, and I like the breeze. Also because I'm pretty ashamed of my thighs. They're bigger than I'd like and prone to dark bruising and also rather jiggly and dimpled with cellulite. 

But let's think about that for a second. I'm ashamed. How can I be ashamed of something like that? This isn't like the time I got caught driving the neighbor's car. This isn't like being caught in a lie. This is a part of my body. 

For the longest time, I regarded my body as a meat suit that I wear around my soul. An object that can be used to hurt me or give me pleasure, depending on the stimuli. It was all very scientific in my mind, and I thought my assessment of my body was clinical and objective. 

That's clearly not the case. 

I've been focusing so much on the bad stuff that I've been ashamed of wearing shorts. Shorts for heaven's sake!!! In the summer time!!!!!!111one

So I've decided that even though the little tiny short shorts that are so popular now make my legs look like big, square, white sausages (it's hard to stop thinking that way) I'm going to wear them. Well, maybe not the super short ones in public... I'm not comfortable with my lady parts touching park benches or bus seats.

So here's to you, Shorts! I know this is going to be a great summer, and I'm going to feel gratified by the way my thighs not only brush against each other when I walk, but occasionally stick because they're my legs. My thighs. I'm proud of them. 

Please disregard the sink. I didn't have a photographer handy.

Commitment

I figured out what I've been missing all this time. The past two years of wondering why I'm not successful at getting "fit". I've been seeking happiness through fitness, however it would have been nice to be seeing results as well. For a while with my CrossFit I felt like I was getting stronger, but then the gains were lost. 

And that's kinda the point I'm making today. I purchased fitness equipment and gym memberships. I have dozens of DVD programs... but I never committed to them. I thought that one of the hundreds of "fresh starts" and "first steps" I took would get me somewhere, but it's not the beginning that makes a difference... it's the persistence throughout the journey.

The past 3 weeks I've worked out every day and have been eating clean (well, pretty clean). Something has changed. I've committed to doing this every day and sticking it out when it's hot and sweaty or my DVD skips or when coworkers are gawking at me in the break room doing yoga. It's not even hard to do it because in addition to committing to my health and fitness for my own reasons, I'm also doing it as a coach for others.

Ennui 2 Energy is my new venture, an organization designed to offer support and help for people who want to get fitter both physically and mentally. I've partnered with Wellness Coach Nikki and we're using our combined skills and more importantly, PASSIONS to make the world a better place through connecting with other people. 

I've committed to this. I'm succeeding. 

Sometimes It's the Simple Things

Last year sometime I wrote a post about how I suspect being an environmentalist and mildly politically minded and caring about the planet and people on it a little too much was probably contributing to my depression. Seeing all the horrible ways we're hurting each other and the planet causes me to lose all hope in humanity at least once a week.

I am at a mold conference this week (yes, that's a thing) however, and yesterday something amazing happened. I attended a paper presentation that gave hope for combating two extremely devastating ecological disasters occurring currently: the loss of bees due to colony collapse caused by mold, and white nose syndrome which is killing whole bat colonies in cave systems all across the United States. 

Hearing this one small (less than 15 minutes) talk about something hopeful made my whole day. Especially as it followed a depressing discussion about how now snakes are dying from fungal infections in mass quantities as well. I was rejuvenated to discover that not all news these days is bad news.

My good mood could also be because I'm at a professional conference building contacts and learning new things. So often in my everyday life I feel like I'm trapped and stagnating without creative outlets or professional and personal development opportunities. Of course, being around all these academics makes me wish I had gone on and finished a PhD, but there's still time!

Now in the wee hours of what is looking like it's going to be another gorgeous morning before my first symposium of the day, I'm feeling optimistic. I have possibilities ahead of me, and if I work hard enough and stay dedicated, I can develop the freedom to pursue whatever I choose. <3

Chilling with Sparty!

Inspiration and Connection

Last night I had dinner with a dear friend and I found another facet to my goal of supporting people and helping them to live happier lives. It's not all about fitness.

We discussed how she feels tied down by so many things and it was apparent that she didn't have an outlet for her creativity and nothing that she was really passionate and excited about. We had a long conversation about things that inspire us and her face began to light up the more she talked. I watched the transformation as she went from looking vaguely pinched and stressed to glowing with excitement.
My heart grew 3 sizes that day!

Talking to her about things that made her enthusiastic was a big rush for me. I realized that I don't always need to try to get people to DO things to be happy, I can instead help them see the astonishing and wonderful qualities they possess and let them bounce ideas off of me until they find something that ignites their inner fire!

Today we'll be looking for a community theater to join together so we can relive the excruciating joy that is being a part of a production, and the high of riding the energy of an audience. I'll be using my contacts and resources as a Project Dragonfly instructor to find her a study abroad opportunity or some kind of field excursion that will let her expand outside of the life she's accustomed to. We'll be having more dates to keep each other inspired!

Another friend asked my yesterday why I write this blog. He asked me if it was because I love writing or if it's because I want people to read it. I think I write it so I can feel connected with people. I'm finding my happiness through connecting with other people.

Working out with friends and connecting with other people is how I'm finding happiness. 

The End of the Challenge and a New Beginning

So, being a part of the 7 - Day Challenge group was really eye opening for me. I discovered that I loved reaching out and connecting with my teammates and developing a dialogue about our mutual goals. I felt the sense of community that I haven't felt since CrossFit, and after talking to Wellness Coach Nikki, a beautiful idea began to take root.

I've been so busy getting excited about it and planning things that I've been remiss in posting the rest of the 7 day workouts! Here they are:

My enthusiasm for this new project will be coming to a head within the next few days! Hopefully Friday we'll be revealing ALL THE PLANS!!!!!!

For now, this photograph is my inspiration.

The Bliss of Enlightenment and Creative Epiphanies

In just a few days, it's like my entire life exploded outward in a rush of positive energy and ideas. This is rare for me. It's only happened a few times before, and each time heralded a grand change in my life. I'm typically pretty low energy and often sad, only devoting my persistence and creativity to single projects outside the scope of my own health and happiness. (i.e. creating ornate care packages to mail to pen-pals instead of caring for myself.) 

I'm not sure if it's the 7-Day Fitness Challenge itself that's inspired me so much... or if it's that the stars have aligned and my Soul Sister and I are going to attempt creating a dual-powered health/happiness/fitness/friendliness initiative. We're going to pool our resources and create something great for ourselves. (And hopefully we'll help others in the process!)

Here's Day 3 and Day 4 of the Challenge, for those of you following along at home. 

Stay tuned, something great is brewing!

7 - Day Fitness Challenge with Nikki Sue

Yesterday, on the most glorious Memorial Day in recent memory I joined a little fitness challenge with my friend who has started her own side business as a wellness coach. She created a mini plan for the group to do daily exercises and a Facebook group support page where we can all talk to one another and share inspiration and ideas about clean eating, good feelings, and healthy living.

So far, it's been lovely. Today Beef and I took a crack at the day two workout and even compiled some photographic evidence in the form of the "post workout selfie". 

Not a bad workout for between beers and BBQ.

Blurry. Which is how I felt after. 

#PostSweatSelfie

Working out with Beef and being part of the online group both reiterated a fact that I've known for a long time: healing is a process that's accelerated by good friends. Depression is something that can be overcome, it's true, especially if there's a smiling face across from you or a kind word across the World Wide Web.

Fitness and Depression

Over the weekend, my dearest Soul Sister came over and helped me finish unpacking my apartment. We cleaned and had wine along with our friend L, and it was just a brilliant weekend.Soul Sister and I were talking about the new Henry Ford program that she's piloting. The program is designed to help people suffering with depression by not only providing therapy, but also life tools and exercise opportunities for patients. It reminded me of why I started this blog, especially in light of the hard, long, depressing winter we just had. It's only now becoming spring here.

In talking to her, my  enthusiasm for so many things came back to life.

I had seen this coming for Soul Sister for a very long time. I had know that her life would lead her in this direction, and just as I wrote about way back in the earlier days of my blog, I feel like it's connected to me as well. Something magical is brewing. 

The events of the weekend led to a truly great feeling as I entered into this week. My apartment is tidy and feels like home finally. The place is decorated and organized and I have room in the Gymbrary. So much good came from the simple conversations of friends and spending time with Soul Sister and Beef. 

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Tuesday was Upper Body! Beef and I decided to tackle a legit weight training workout Tuesday and ventured into the Bro Zone of the gym. It was very busy and I admit I was very intimidated as we were using a bench and taking up space in the male dominated area. Here's what we did:

Warm Up:
-25 Minutes on the Elliptical
-15 Minutes of Stretching

Workout:
Everything was 3 sets of 10, and I attempted to keep to 3 second movements, although we were using pretty light weights by nature of not being very confident or skilled at the motions. 
-Dumbbell Bench Press: This felt wobbly and odd and I was certain that all the jockstraps at the gym were disgruntled I was taking up bench space to lift 15 pound weights.
-Barbell Rows: These we did standing, using a fixed weight bar of 20lbs. I didn't want to go to heavy because I was concerned that we'd do these wrong and end up hurting our backs instead of working our shoulders. 
-Dumbbell Shoulder Press: This too felt wobbly and odd, but it was challenging, which felt nice (15lbs)
-Dumbbell Flys: Lying on the floor (away from the bros) we used lighter weights for these, about 7.5-10lbs)
-Lateral Raises: Used nice light 5lbs for these. Felt very fatigued at the end of it all. 
-Told Beef we need to do some tricep dips too, but we were ready to leave, so we didn't. 

It was really difficult for me to work with Beef on these things. She is new and unfamiliar with the movements, so while if I were by myself trying to figure them out, I'd have a basic understanding of what things should feel like and how I should stand, etc. I just suck at explaining it to her. I can see that there's something a little off with say, a shoulder press, but I'm inarticulate and can't explain how to do it differently to get better results. I don't want to be giving poor advice which would lead to injury, so I suppose all I can do is try to teach myself how to do the movements so well that I can understand the mechanics enough to explain them to others. 

Night Writing

As I was cuddling into bed last night (or a few weeks ago) at my new apartment, listening to the evening traffic screaming by my windows, I was suddenly overcome with the desire to write. My thoughts turned immediately here, to my neglected blog and I composed a wonderful post all in my head. 

I talked about the changes in my life recently.
I talked about some of the original reasons I started this blog:
I talked about my current fitness approaches like P90X3, the gym with Beef, and the "Home Life Challenge" with A. 
I talked about teaching.
I talked about the turn of the seasons and the persistent shadow of winter that's been hanging over me. 
I talked about the way I look ridiculous doing lifts at the regular gym. Stupid mirrors.
I talked about using Every Move with my coworkers (and really loving it!)
I talked about how I can't seem to stop watching Bro Science Life.


And so I've been sitting on this long list of things to write about for a few weeks and have been too overwhelmed to even write it! There's too much to say, especially all in one post.

I will say that I dreamed I was at CrossFit again last night (actual last night, not several weeks ago last night) and the personalities of Coaches H and J were so vivid it felt like I must have just seen them. Honestly, as I drove by the box over the gorgeous sunny weekend, I was tempted to stop in.

I think I'm afraid that everything would be different. I know they've expanded and ventured into other fitness areas and that anyone who started when I did (and kept with it) is probably quite proficient at things by now. So after that drive by, I went home and took a crack at the first real WOD I ever did, Angie. It's a bit different in my 2nd bedroom (otherwise known as the Gymbrary as it holds my exercise stuff and all my books). Additionally, I only made it through 50 reps of each exercise instead of 100, and I had to break it up into pieces instead of going straight through each movement 100 times before moving on to the next.

Warm Up: 
Gym with Beef
-13 Minutes Elliptical (lol)
-15 Minutes Stretching
-Garage Sales

"Skill" Work:
-30 Walking Lunges With Slingshot Band
-3x 30 Second Squat Holds With Slingshot Band
I'm trying to work the weird knee bobble that's screwing up my squats. Yes, after all this time, I'm still obsessed with my inability to squat. 

WOD:
"Angie"
-100 Pull Ups (I used the fat green band)
-100 Push Ups (I used the Slingshot band)
-100 Sit Ups with Abmat
-100 Squats (I used the edge of a chair for a target)
I ended up breaking things up into rounds of 25 and made it through two before having to stop. To be honest, it was pretty hot in there on Sunday and I haven't worked out WOD style in a really long time, so I'm still proud of myself. Not to mention I'm still sore from it two days later.

Time:
16:42

I will try to come back and fill in some of those other items I wanted to write about instead of getting overwhelmed with a million things to say. I think 2014 is going to be a good year though, the air tastes like possibilities. It also happens to smell like BBQ, which is another great thing about hanging out with Beef!

Jalapenos with cheese, bacon wrapped beans, Caribbean Jerk chicken, and Ballpark beef franks