Day 5- Feeling good afterwards

Today’s motivation is: “Feeling good afterwards”

Yesterday I decided to do 1 of my 2 fasting days (with a healthy ~500 cal) meal.  I got off work early and I was feeling tired.  Tempted to go home and nap…I was encouraged strongly to get myself to the gym before I take a nap.  I’m glad I listened.  Once I got home and settled in, I was NOT going back out.  

After my workout I was incredibly hungry and still feeling worn out.  I looked at the clock and it was just after 3pm.  Earlier, I decided 6pm would be a good time for my meal so I anxiously and impatiently watch the clock to turn.  3:15pm …3:42pm… dang I’m hungry.  It’s all I can think about.  Try to nap…look again and now it’s 4:12pm.  

My body is convinced it’s starving to death, so I head for the kitchen for something quick and easy.  Ooopps…this doesn’t look good.  I decide to make nachos.  Mmmmm..tasty.  So much so, that I go back for seconds.  Now that my belly is satisfied, I find sleep much easier to come by, time to sleep off the guilt of my choice.  Gotta do better tomorrow.  

Yesterday’s choices inspire me to remember how good it feels after I make healthy choices.  

Today I fly to Yosemite and a good 6 hours of my day will be sedentary.  I wake up feeling motivated to not use this ‘travel time’ as an excuse to slack off on self care.  While waiting to be called to board the plane I find myself pacing the very short span of Dwight D Eisenhower airport…every step counts today! 

I anticipate my arrival to Denver, as I recall they have a nice outdoor patio area that would be an ideal location to do a workout.  While waiting for takeoff I find the video workout I am doing today and keep it open in my tabs.  I actually can’t wait to off board and do this routine!  I’ve never worked out in an airport before, and surprisingly I’m not nervous at all to workout in an uncommon public setting today.  This is a good feeling! 

As we approach Denver the sky is filled with the visual of beautiful white frozen crystals.  Yep… it’s snowing.  As I imagined, the patio is closed.  That’s ok.  I REALLY want to feel good afterwards, so I find a closed terminal as my workout space, and I killed it! 

I am thankful for the power I have to create a life I love!

As I make my way towards the exit of the airport I find this amazing guy awaiting me...my heart is full. 

We rush to make our way to Yosemite National Park before the sun sets, so we can get in some nature time before the day ends.  

Today's fitness wins:

30 min body weight workout (https://youtu.be/WLS2N2yzxrQ?si=OX__Gm_VPo1kdAcv

Outdoor hike up to and around Glacier Point (Couple miles of easy hiking with incredible views)

MUSIC inspiration:

Feel Invincible by Skillet

Thanks to my workout partners: Body weight program: Caroline Girvan

Day 4- Muscle Endurance

Today’s motivation is, “muscle endurance”

I leave for Yosemite first thing tomorrow morning!!!  I’ve got my bags packed…clothes laid out for the flight…puppy care arrangements made…I’m ready!  

Today I will focus myself on the effort I put into things.

Today I choose to believe that the work I’m doing on improving my health is not going unnoticed…I imagine how much better prepared my body will be for hiking. 

…and this is a direct result of my efforts!  

Today's fitness wins:

30 min biceps/back workout 

10 min Ab workout 

MUSIC inspiration:

I Prevail- Rise above it

Thanks to my workout partners: Weight program: Caroline Girvan, Ab workout: Gainsbybrains

Day 3- knowing I could do better

One of the motivations to workout recently shared with me was: “I hate looking in the mirror knowing I could do better.”

Today as I think about these words, I feel a connection to the drive within me that this creates.  There is truth to this…I KNOW I can do better.  This is where the guilt and shame play a factor.  I have not been ALL in.  I know I COULD do better.  

To live a life in accordance with my values and desires is living a good life!

Laying my head down on my pillow at the end of the day knowing I gave my all…knowing I did my best, is an amazingly invigorating feeling!  I WANT to feel this!

Allan often encourages me to reflect on the concept: If people on the outside looked in on my life actions, would they know what matters to me most?  (Not his exact words…but you get the idea…).  Not yet…but SOON!

Today's fitness wins:

Walking- 5.16 miles 1 hour 30 mins

30 min shoulder/triceps workout

10 min ab workout

MUSIC inspiration:

Thirty Seconds to Mars- Get Up Kid

*Today was challenging.  My lack of patience already kicked in.  I’ve been dedicated ALL week…where’s the progress?  What’s the point of all this work if it’s not going to change how I feel?  

Get up kid…

I remember hearing it said ‘getting to the gym is half the battle’.  “C’mon girl…commit to showing up for 5 mins and then you’re free to leave”- I said to myself.  Once I stepped into the gym, motivation found its way to me..grateful for that quiet voice today. 

A quick little late night bike ride back home to process my day, and I’m done.  I can feel proud of my efforts today. 

Thanks to my workout partner: Ab/Weight program: Caroline Girvan

Day 2- Live on purpose!

Live on Purpose 

With my Yosemite trip just a few days away, I am taking it easy this week on my lower body.   My last lower body workout took me 4 days to recover from, so I don't want to risk being sore when I arrive.  

I feel some soreness through my arms…abs and back.  It feels good to feel sore-this reminds me of the work I put in.  

Today's fitness wins:

28 min indoor cycling workout

38 min arms/core workout 

I pushed through despite a terrible headache begging for a cool, dark, quiet room…

Thanks to my workout partners: Indoor cycling program: Kaleigh Cohen.  Weight program: Caroline Girvan

Day 1

Journey Back to Fitness: Day 1

What motivates you to work out?

From the many individuals I reached out to, this is the combination of responses I received:

• Nothing ….(I can relate!)
• Time to myself
• Job requirement
• Hate looking in the mirror knowing I could do better
• Feeling good afterwards 
• Health
• Future 80 year old self
• Prayer time
• Mental health
• Process of growth
• Goal achieving 
• Fat avoidance
• Vanity
• Wellness
• Avoiding cycles of ‘I should’ or ‘I’m going to’
• Muscle endurance 
• History of being bullied
• Strength and confidence 
• Physical appearance 

I italicized the motivations I have used in my own personal journey.  

Thank you to each and every one of you who helped provide motivation today!  I will keep this list handy to inspire me on days I just ‘don’t want to workout’.  

Today’s fitness wins:

35 min upper body weight routine

40 min indoor cycling workout 

6 min ab routine

2.25 mile walk at 17 min/mile pace

*Interestingly enough, I put in a killer workout session before I even read most of the responses I had received.  Just knowing they were going to be there waiting for me at the end of the day was inspiration enough.  

Thanks to my workout partners: Indoor cycling program: Kaleigh Cohen.  Ab workout: Alex Croxford.  Weight program: Caroline Girvan

Empowered beginnings

This morning upon awakening I attempted to take a selfie.  I was mortified by how far from health and wellness I have allowed myself to become.  Then the horrible and demeaning self talk began in my head.  

See, the only bully I've ever personally experienced is the one in my head. 

It’s time to TAKE HER DOWN!  

Right here…right now.  Searching inward and outward for motivation to push through. 

I was asked "How bad do I want this?"  That's a powerful question!  I want this...REALLY BAD!

No more sulking in my unwillingness to change my actions. It’s time to show myself  just how bad I want this. 

In Brene Brown’s book Rising Strong I find connection to the following statements: 

“I’m not great at falling and feeling my way back.”  “Falling still hurts”.  “Rising Strong after a fall is how we cultivate wholeheartedness in our life.”

“Fall…get up…try again”

I realize I have hit a wall in my workout routine.  My friend circle of individuals who engage in fitness activities with me has dwindled.  When left to my own avail, I have chosen avoidance, over working out alone.  

I am struggling to find internal motivation to invest in my own personal health and wellness.  This definitely comes with the cost of increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping, unhealthy eating habits, weight gain, and low self-esteem.  One might think that these symptoms alone could help fuel my desire to change my actions....but they do not.  

When I feel good mentally and physically, this is when I find the most motivation.  When my mood is low I tend to hide away and limit my exercise even though I KNOW it will help me to feel better!  Sounds pretty insane to me.

So, I set out on a journey...a journey to connect with others and see what it is that keeps them inspired to live a life of health and wellness.  On the hard days, I may lean on their perspective to help carry me through.  

I have made a list of responses from friends that you can view on my next blog post.  

MUSIC inspiration:  Right Here Right Now by Graffiti Ghosts.

I am Incredible!