Start

When I started my weight loss and get fit journey. I guess this comes as no surprise, but my diet and exercise regimen were totally different than they are today.

Back then, my idea of healthy eats were frozen Lean Cuisine meals, Broccoli & Beef from the Panda Express menu, and if and when I ate raw vegetables, they had to be dipped in Ranch dressing. I've come along way.

Today, I'm repulsed at the idea of any store-bought frozen meal, anything from Panda Express, and I gladly eat my veggies dip-less. On a personal note: I have taken control of my health in my very own kitchen, by preparing 99 percent of my meals at home using fresh, whole ingredients. Not only do I eat healthfully, I've taken it a step further: I've authored two cookbooks and I've held numerous cooking classes around the community. Where I am today, wouldn't have been possible without me, starting.

My exercise routine used to consist of a 15 minute normal paced walk outdoors. You heard the saying, "You have to crawl before you walk." Everyone has to start somewhere.
Walking for me was a safe effective way to get me jump started. Once I became comfortable walking, I made my way to the gym. Today, my workout routine looks quite a bit different than it did in 2009.

So, the point of this all... Don't worry so much about where you want to be. Don't over-think it. Keep it simple. Start where you are. Where you are today will inevitably look different in a few weeks, a few months, a year.

No one starts out preparing 99 percent of their meals at home from scratch. No one runs a marathon without first running a mile. Keep in mind, there'll be twists and turns a long your journey to health and fitness, but keep going, you're worth it.

Start.

Habits

Despite not wanting to. I did. 

Sleepy. Low energy. Unenthused. I went.

See, the thing is I'm just now getting back into a workout routine.  So, I don't want to miss a workout -- especially because of a lame excuse like I'm sleepy.

I'm trying to form a habit. Forming a habit takes consistency. You know, doing the same thing again and again. Over and over. Day in. Day out. And when it comes to working out -- doing it even when you don't want to.
 
To establish a routine and form a habit -- here's my approach:

- I've started with a small goal. I don't want to overwhelm myself.  Three times a week for now. Once the routine is engrained. I'll add another class or two (Yoga, Weight Training, etc.).

- I'll attend the same class (5:30 a.m. Cycling M,W,F) for a month. This establishes a pattern. Once the habit is formed I'll be more flexible on days and  times.
 
- First day, I introduced myself to the instructor.  This gives me someone to be accountable to. Even if I let myself down. I won't let him down.

- The night before, I set out my workout clothes, underclothes, socks, tennis shoes, towel, and fill water bottle. Preparation equals success. Besides, it gives me a few extra minutes to sleep in.

- Stay away from the negative thoughts. Instead, replace these thoughts with positive,
upbeat messages. The mind is powerful.

So, this morning despite not wanting to. I did. And I'm glad. I feel energized, accomplished, good.

Legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi said: 

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” 

I'm not going there!

Instead, I'm with Aristotle:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

No quitter

Corpse pose

In corpse pose, I lied on the floor tears running down my face. Tears of relief, satisfaction, joy, completion. I've taken Yoga many times before and prior to my fractured leg it was a part of my regular workout routine. I love how it makes me feel -- connected. It's rare that we sit still with ourselves, breathe, stretch, connect...Aww...

There was a sub instructor in yesterday's Yoga class. By the looks of her body she was advanced and her rapid, effortless cues through sequences confirmed my thoughts. The sequences of poses were challenging and she spoke with a thick accent which made it a little difficult to follow. After about 15 minutes I wanted to leave class, I had let way too many bad thoughts in and was way too irritated, combined with the rapid sequence of: Downward Facing Dog, High Plank, Upperward Dog. I was being challenged outside of my comfort zone, and I did not like it.

As the rest of the class followed, I returned to Child's Pose to rest,  I decided enough and grabbed my socks...In that moment, she cued us to another sequence -- one in which, I could manage, so I joined back in and went with the flow. The flow led us to Warrior 2 pose -- this pose always makes me feel strong, liberated. I was a little wobbly,  probably because my mind was so rattled , but as the sequence progressed I began to connect.

It's been a long while since I felt so compromised, vulnerable in a group class. I desperately wanted to leave, get off the mat, and walk out. Walking out would be so easy. So, so easy. Staying there being compromised, challenged, oooooo so very hard. Hard, but gratifying. I realize that I can't progress to the next level if I don't conquer the current level. I'm a huge fan of pro tennis -- Serena Williams is one of my favorite. If she quit because something was too challenging she would not be the champion she is.

There are a number of reasons I could not walk out that room: Pride and character being the top two. I stayed in the classroom because I didn't want the stares as I walked out and I didn't want the guilt of not finishing on my conscience. I didn't walk out because that would have been easy. I didn't leave because that represents - quitting. And, I'm no quitter. I stayed because I'm a woman of strong character who finishes what she starts. Yes, it's only a Yoga class, but as I stated in an earlier blog post Nothing Owns Me. If I can't make it through a challenging Yoga class this type of behavior will start to effect other aspects of my life.

As class came to a close and my eyes were full of tears, I thought of every out-of-shape person (the underdog) who ever felt compromised in a group class - I dedicate this blog post  to you. I stayed in that class for me, but as I stood to my feet I realized it was for you too. Don't ever leave because it's challenging, that's the very reason you stay.

**Of course, if you are physically hurt than you would not stay. It's only if you are scared to move outside of your comfort zone -- to challenge yourself that I highly recommend you stay.



.

Warrior

A perfect demo of Warrior 2

As I proudly stood in Warrior 2 pose this morning in Yoga, this thought filled my mind: All that I've endured, all that I've battled, all that I've become -- all that I am.

Ten months ago, I was hit by a car as a pedestrian and suffered a fractured Tibia. Today, I was back in Yoga. Knee a little tender and my heart unsure whether I could perform some of the stretches and poses, but I was there. Throughout life, throughout this weight loss and self-transformation journey, I've been tested and I've overcome. All that I've endured, all that I've battled, all that I've become -- all that I am. I'm a warrior.

Just breathe

One of the things I use to treat myself to before the accident -Yoga classes twice a week. I learned quickly the beauty of Yoga. It's about mind, body, spirit - balance. In our everyday lives we are so busy running around...When do we ever sit still with ourselves and just breathe? Stretch? Focus? For me hardly never. That's why after my first few Yoga classes, I decided to make Yoga a MUST.

Yoga showed me how important breathing is. Really, deep breathing -- opening up your lungs. Breathing is fundamental, precious. Think about it. Ahh...and stretching. Stretching is not only good for the body, but the mind. Finding yourself in the positions is about discipline. Probably more about discipline. I remember, the first time I ever found Downward Facing Dog, truly found it. It was beautiful! Oh and when I found Warrior - oh wow!

This morning, I was feeling a little off balance. So I decided before I set off to start the hustle and bustle of the day, I would take sometime to practice some of the Yoga techniques I learned in class. I sat still, breathing, stretching, focusing.  I even made an attempt to do a Sun Salutation (A little challenging with the leg injury) - a very simple, yet effective pose.

Yoga brings me to a peaceful state. Where I feel calm and at ease. It forces me to take time to sit still with myself and just breathe.

Smart and balanced

A couple of months ago I wrote a blog post, “Scared and a little stupid.” At the time I wasn’t feeling so good and my body was giving me all the signals to slow down. But, I was hard headed and I didn’t listen. I forged ahead to the gym on an empty stomach, light headed, and dizzy. I nearly fainted in Pilates and had to leave class prematurely. That incident was one of my first wake-up calls to take better care of myself. Sometimes it’s important to just STOP. RECOVER. REFUEL. Coming from a person who avoided exercise like the plague and ate whatever foods I wanted. I admit, I have turned my obsession in quite the opposite direction. I eat and breathe health and fitness. It consumes me. I want out of this body so bad and sometimes I just can’t and won’t sit still.

Last weekend, my body, mind, and soul were tired. I was - I guess you could say - tapped out. So I decided to take the weekend off from exercising and thinking too much about it. Time to just chill and relax. I realized after some self-reflection what my life needs is balance. Here’s a recap of my week:

·      Monday – I worked with my Megan, my trainer. Accomplished things I never accomplished before: 33 pushups and 25 modified pull-ups.

·       Tuesday - I hit the gym HARD. I was moving around like Agile Abigail. I tell you I had full command of the gym. I was a Rock star.

·      Wednesday – A vigorous cardio workout followed by a return to Yoga class. In Yoga I discovered my body is in need of TLC. Despite being stronger and fitter my body is really wacked. A blog post about Yoga is forthcoming.

·      Thursday – A tune-up type workout with Megan and I started my pre-training jog for the half marathon I’m participating in this June.

·       Today, Friday - It seems I have hit another brick wall. I’m physically tapped out.

After reviewing my week I guess maybe I still missed the mark in the area of balance. But, to make good on the week I’m not working out today. And, I’m not going to beat myself up about it. Heck, I work hard. My body works hard. I give all of myself when at the gym or with Megan. I respect and cherish my body and its limits. Today I grant my body the rest it deserves. After all, slow and steady wins the race. This is about the overall, big picture and I’m destined to win even if I take a day off here and there. I’m smart and balanced.

"...Life’s a great balancing act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” ~Dr. Seuss

I'm Worth It!

The other day after Yoga class I was chatting with the instructor about this and that, and of course, my weight loss journey came up. I recalled the day I signed up at
24-Hour Fitness. I initially went in with the intention of only signing up for a 7-day trial pass. The friendly membership guy gave me a tour of the facility and details about being a member. It all sounded pretty good until he started talking about the monthly fee. Hmm…I thought to myself…I’m receiving unemployment and money is really tight. How could I justify adding another bill? As he carried on highlighting the benefits of being a member, I blocked out his words because I was only concentrating on how I would stretch my already stretched dollar. In a split second, my inner voice whispered to me – I’m worth it – I’m worth, $36 a month. For goodness sakes, this is about my health, my livelihood.

Since that day back in March “I’m Worth It” has become my personal motto. A couple of weeks ago I went grocery shopping and I bought two lbs. of asparagus, at $3.99 a lb. I was telling my mom about it and she moaned and groaned about me paying almost $8.00 for asparagus. Like I told her, I could easily spend that much, probably more on a good steak, a pound of Peet's coffee, etc. So I wanted the asparagus and I bought the asparagus. I’m worth it.

Eating healthy and living healthy have a higher price tag, but I’m not going to let the price tag stop me from taking care of myself. I’m worth every cent.

Change is Good

In all aspects of our lives - every once in a while it’s good to mix things up - especially, when it comes to our workout routines. After several months of happily gyrating my hips in Zumba classes it finally became boring. Don’t get me wrong I still love the Latin rhythms, but as with most love affairs the honeymoon phase came to an end. So over the last couple of weeks, I replaced Zumba with an array of different cardio machines – you have to keep the body guessing.

To do just that, this week, I’m going to try something completely different. I’m not going to do any cardio. Yep, NO cardio. Instead, I'm going to take Yoga classes and weight lifting only this week – how’s that for a shocker body? I’ve heard so much about the benefits of Yoga. And, since this journey of mine is all about trying different things, I’ll give Yoga a try too -- Mind, Body, and Soul.