Category: Being strong

The Fitness Journey

I’ve been asked how long will I continue my fitness journey so I need to clarify. My fitness journey is a journey but there is more. The journey is to unlike previous workout incorporate nutrition in my workouts. I’ve always been a workout individual not always committed, but I had every eating disorder and poor nutrition. It’s now different.

The journey, my journey is no longer a temporary journey, no longer that on and off #%%^. Nope. It’s a lifestyle continuous which means never ending. So perhaps instead of “My Fitness Journey” I should say “A New Lifestyle”. Either way I’m dedicated to empower myself, others in a healthy way.

That Fear

Once again I’m dealing with that fear, but it’s not alone. Nope I have excitement mixed in. How so? Well I’m about to begin a new workout program for certain with another challenge (not sure why I agreed to it but) as well as embark on change in my professional world, but back to this fear and excitement on the workout.

First I’m always excited about a new workout program but a sneak peek of it can be a bit challenging, at least for me especially when I see new workouts I’ve never done. I assure I’ve been on a fitness journey on and off for years.
So I got a sneak peek and a sample workout of this new “Beachbody” program and I was thinking 🤔 this looks too challenging and I may not be able to make it the first week.


That darn fear which is usually me second guessing myself before I actually begin. Now for sure if I’m not enjoying the workout not because of the intensity but not having fun it will be a no go. I must enjoy a program. Nonetheless I committed to the workout for two weeks, this being my first. How’s it going well, umm just saying I’m for certain am challenged and YES it’s a go.
See sometimes we must step into that which we fear (as long as it is safe not life threatening ) to get our strength. That strength is not lifting weights or a workout but the mindset strength. The strength to conquer and endure.

Figuring It Out For Me

I’m currently just bouncing all over with my workouts. Now if you know me this is not always a good thing. I need structure with my workouts to prevent complacency and not to just do the same workouts in other words, a schedule. Yep this is why I love streaming my workouts, one program directing me each day what to do. This is why beachbodyondemand is my channel. Of course I do a few you tube workouts but 95% it’s that beach body workout with those awesome trainers. I shared the current bounce with someone and their recommendation left me speechless, my response was “really”. I bounce when I’m not sure which new workout I want to begin. The Recommendation- maybe working out is no longer for you, perhaps you should stop and find another hobby.

I’m lost, first it’s not a hobby, it’s my fitness journey but it’s a life style. STOP, that was alarming. Now I know I will never be able to share my fitness journey with her . Sometimes we just have to figure things out for ourselves and cast out those negative inputs regardless of how we value a person. Everyone we classify as a friend will not understand us. Yes it’s okay to value certain aspects of our life differently. But for certain if you don’t understand at most be supportive. Or just figure it out for you after all whatever journey you’re on it is about you, pleasing yourself to be proud of you. So you like me sometimes we just have to figure it out for our goals. I’m going to do a few squats to that.

Permission Without Guilt

Just a quick reminder, life happens. Life can throw a curve ball and knock you completely off, which by the way should be temporary. So, this past weekend one of my fur babies begin screaming loud for 3-5 seconds then stop. If he bumped into something, another fur love touched him and he’d stand for minutes in one place. Now Lucky is with limited vision and several eye meds to prevent further decrease in vision so I felt he was adjusting but no.

Lucky was having difficult getting comfortable to nap and adjusting for comfy he’d scream then find a way for comfort. I really thought it would pass but nope and then the vet was closed. Well I couldn’t allow him to keep screaming and I was doing everything for comfort trying to make to Monday but that wasn’t going to happen. To the animal ER we went. We were triaged quick so that meant a quick visit right? I was so wrong and was happy Lucky was able to doze off. Three hours in the vehicle and my feet were cold. In we went, examined and then injection with two meds. The cost oh my. Home and two hours later very little relief for Lucky and no sleep for me.
My Sunday was dragging, but every time he napped so did I and he screamed. He wouldn’t eat so no medication could be given and I was almost to tears. Really I just knew this is far worse and he was sick but Monday came. I called the vet no ER here and took the first appointment, this time Lucky was taken in and I sat in a cold vehicle again. I am not good for just sitting in an idling vehicle to warm or cool it for comfort. Yeah that’s just me. I get a call from the vet, more pain injection a higher dose and an inflammatory med injection with a treatment, a laser treatment one for now but he’ll need 6 more. Huh 🤔 laser well an hour later out comes the tech with Lucky and I assisted in getting him comfort for the ride home. By the way Lucky is a Shih Tzu and terrier mixed.
Minutes after getting home and comfort still tired I wanted to workout. The other fur babies looking odd I turned and there is Lucky walking toward the food bowl no screaming. What?
My little nugget had a horrible arthritis flare. I was so happy to see a speedy response to injections and laser treatment but I still wanted to workout. I was fatigued as yeah that fatigued and felt so guilty. I have a team we workout together, I’d delayed our workout which meant 2 workouts the same because everyone has a schedule so yeah. Long story short I couldn’t do either, I was super tired and energy was gone. I felt so guilty, I was letting myself and the team down.

Then a friend called and reminded me, it’s a workout, it’s okay give yourself permission for recovery and drown the guilt. WOW, I did and I was able to resume our workouts early Tuesday. We support one another in our team as well as grow together but more so understand. I ask of you what regular routine you perform and feel guilty when you have to bow out for a day or longer. Today I will say to you erase the guilt and give yourself permission to recover to a stronger you.

Changing The Self Talk

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I know we’re told talking to yourself is somewhat of an insane practice and forbid if you answer with a resolution. Okay honestly have you ever talked to yourself? I’ll answer for me with both hands 🙌 raised. GUILTY. For me it’s a check and balance system. Okay another raise for the honesty when I self talk first I am not always aware it’s verbal. Really it’s a thought or thoughts I’m processing and it just comes out. So what. Now about that self talk.

I once was unable to do two workout routines and kept modifying. What were they pushups and knee tuck jumps. I’d hear push-up and down on my knees I went. Knee push ups were good and easy especially my range of motion was so similar to a high plank. Knee tuck jumps I’d just step it out with high knee raise. Okay, I’m not knocking modification because the benefits are there and for many it’s a safety approach to prevent injury. I knew when I wanted to attempt each and it was a change in my mindset. How well instead of saying I couldn’t do either (that self talk) I changed my words. Haha yep I begin telling my self after each attempt l just hadn’t mastered the move yet. Yes it worked for me, however I still need to get a little lower on those push up and I have mastered knee tuck jumps. Next it’s those tricep push-ups off the knees.

How about you, what talk should you have with yourself? Go ahead I will never label you because I know you’re resolving and evolving. Self talk to your hidden greatness.

It Happens

Today I had that experience, you know the one when the body and mind just will not sync.
My body was feeling it, the endorphins were rising as I’d already scheduled my workout time . Of course I still do home workouts and YES, ABSOLUTELY I’m still streaming on beach body demand. I do have that flexibility to workout whenever but I cannot forget my life. With responsibilities and so much more, it works best for me to schedule my workouts especially when me and my squad are doing it together.
BUT today my body was ready and my mind just wasn’t. I kept second guessing the workout one because I was working out solo and another I was just being you got lazy. I pushed myself to begin after I sat my stage (weight set up) and since I was doing a leg day with weights I decided heavy, 15,25,35 lbs would be good. Here again I started thinking maybe not go lighter. Lighter and not challenge myself, heck no.
I prefer to challenge heavy then decide if I need to increase or do a drop set. Safety and form with weights are so important. After the warm up I was so ready and am I glad I followed through. Sometimes it’s necessary to push ourselves and then smile 😊 afterwards. Yes you can be proud of you 👏 you don’t have to wait on someone else recognition.
I’m proud of my leg day although I probably should have increased the last set on those lunges to 40 lbs. maybe next time.

We’re Halfway, Are You and Please Don’t

We’re halfway the first month of 2021, how are those resolutions, goals, intentions coming along? I’m going to share on my intentions at least one and that is my boxing. My intent is to box twice a week, thus far I’m at one time a week. Will I just accept that once a week is probably my limit? Uh no, because the time is there I need to get better on my timeline. The thing is if I can find time for that which has no value and definitely will not be an assess to me then surely there 30 maybe 40 minutes of boxing in addition to my regular workouts. I know and love the benefits of boxing for me. With this said “how about you?”

Are you still focused on your goals, resolutions or intentions? You can choose whatever word satisfies you. But really are you? Because many people are throwing up their hands ready to just stop and do what? Yep restart not next month but January 1 2022.🤔. That’s how long? Please stop it. Don’t stop, how can you accomplish what you want, what you know you deserve if you keep restarting. 🛑

It’s time to look and just tweak it and keep moving toward the greatness in your life that’s waiting for your change. Oh yeah it doesn’t have to be just about your fitness journey, it can be about whatever journey you are on . So PLEASE DON’T stop.

Happy New Year again.

What’s In Your Toolbox

What toolbox you ask? Your daily toolbox. Oh did you think I was speaking on one with screwdrivers, saw replacements, nuts and bolts? Well no and yes because there are nuts and bolts in your daily toolbox.

The box I’m speaking of is the one that gets you motivated, get you in and keep you in that mindset of being the champion you are and pedaling towards those goals. Keep in mind that pedal can be fast or slow and sometimes very slow but you keep moving.
That continuous momentum is so necessary, but what’s in your toolbox 🧰? Now the contents can change . I’ll share mine

I listen to podcasts which are chosen by the content that’s applicable for me and my goals. Quick pause every podcast is not for you, choose wisely as not to burn wasteful minutes. I read books of encouragement. Encouraged reading is different because it encourages me to continue and see through what I call ‘life fog”. Motivational reads are a combination of motivation and encouragement, now that’s my perception and I’m allowed you may see it different. Respect mine as I will yours. My workouts help me release, think and feel just great.
I release unnecessary worry there are things I can change or contribute to the change (always positive), then there are things are what they are are and it’s not for me but someone else to change. I think and resolve while working out it just happens and the feeling well that’s from the endorphins. I journal, I have a daily calendar to include what I expect from myself outside of my medical professional.
My toolbox is heavy some days and there are days I remove a few of life nuts and bolts the weight is lighter. What’s your load in your toolbox?

Tempting The Good & The…

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I’m raising my hand, no both hands, I AM GUILTY. Just a reminder, fitness and nutrition go hand in hand it’s a binding relationship FOREVER. Now don’t misunderstand this because you can get fit on changing your nutrition without being physically active. As well as you can get fit without changing your nutrition. In both instances it will take longer and in both as you begin feeling good, your mindset changes and guess what happens?
You got it for the nutrition only you begin incorporating some type of activity of fitness in your life, walking, spinning, weightlifting, yoga, Pilates and the list continues. By the way all of it can be streamed on BOD , want details ask and I’ll share and you can join me and so many others.
Okay the tempting, that I’m guilty of sometimes. My nutrition is a 75/25 just being honest I haven’t made it to that 80/20. What are those numbers well it’s the so healthy and the off the record. Now to understand eating too much good has it’s backfire. I love salads, lots of greens, nuts, pumpkin, yams, all good right, of course. However too much for me because of the fiber can cause a GI disturbance yep unless the water consumption is increased.
I love nuts and good as they are for you an over consumption means increased fat you have to balance the servings. I fail every time. I try bulk purchasing and I bulk eat not good. I had to be reasonable stop tempting myself with the good. What did I do?, well I purchase the 100 calorie packets and I really limit myself what a change. How do I manage the other good, I purchase single servings so I won’t over indulge.
Now this was difficult as it cost more to purchase small than large but I had to stop the temptation because I have no control on good nutritional food and that goes for fruit. Fruit is good but too much converts into sugar and really I can’t burn that sugar in workouts including my daily activities. Tempting the good.
Now about the other I learned I’m not good with chips so I stop that purchase. Really I can eat a large bag of chips, drink lots of water and be satisfied as I huff and puff through a workout, 5 lbs feel like 20. Now when I have that craving, and I do; I purchase chips I serve myself a few and with tears I immediately toss the remaining in the garbage and the same when I bake and no one else wants anymore I toss it. I know wasteful why not freeze it. Really freeze it, nope I know how to defrost it so I toss out the temptation.
I know I’m not the only one that fight temptation so let’s be strong for each other and I’m tossing strength to you.

2021 How About Those New …

I just couldn’t complete the title for once I took a deep breathe because I once fell in the trap. You know what it is those words okay I’ll say it ” New Years Resolution (s)”. If you have made any and most people have and a lot of it relates to the fitness journey maybe I’m assuming because I once made those resolutions and my fitness journey. Not to change or discourage anyone but I am going to make a few suggestions.

  1. Cancel the resolutions because you started so many times and gave up a few weeks any for some they’ve already given up and we’re still in the first week of the new year.
  2. Evaluate your resolutions as to how realistic they are. Yes they are realistic but how realistic are they to you sticking to them.
  3. Slow the change, yes just slow down. A long list of change is a set up. I now will refer to my favorite work “tweak it”. Tweak what you’re doing. For instance if you are not working out and it’s just not you YET, how about one – two days a week for 10 minutes and stay focus on that for a month (trust me once your body begins to respond you will increase the time and days)
  4. Your nutrition don’t start eliminating 100 things from your nutrition, seriously you trying to starve yourself ? Gradually eliminate things you are so addicted to. There are so many non benefitable foods consumed it doesn’t matter whether we eat them or not so those are the easy ones to just toss out and skip by in the grocery store or if you’ll like me order it online. During this elimination process again pace yourself and substitute the change with another food of greater nutrition value and better for you. Introduce and eliminate every two weeks. This is one time the slow place will win the race.
  5. Just LOVE YOU and you’re halfway to the finish line of committing to a greater you and THOSE GOALS are ACHIEVABLE

HAPPY NEW YEAR