Day 4

It's difficult to feel motivated in the wake of loss. My best friend's sister died yesterday. The world has lost a beautiful and care-free spirit. Life is short and unfair. It's hard to accept when it hits so close to home.

From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods may be
That no man lives forever,
That dead men rise up never;
That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea.
- Algernon Charles Swinburne

exercise and nutrition pitfalls

I am so good and consistent at exercising lately. I even bought a gym membership today for 6 months. The gym I joined is by my house (about 10-15minute walk). It's clean, the equipment is new, and no pressure, no contract. It's very friendly and I am excited about it. I worked out there for over an hour today testing out all the equipment and weights; and of course, steam room! Anyway, that little rant about the new gym is besides the point...
The point is, I am soo BAD at eating right. My portion sizes are astronomical and I keep eating after dinner. Snacks, crackers, peanut butter, CHOCOLATE chips, etc. I always start off with a healthy breakfast and pretty nutritious lunch and then fuck up after dinner. I have also had some bad news today about a dear friend which doesn't help. The "bored" eating is now "sad/emotional" eating with more than 1 glass of wine to go along with it! I guess admitting it is a first step.
I am going to try and keep a food journal for 1 week. Perhaps that will help me recognize exactly where I go wrong. At least it will hold me accountable for the food choices I make.

Day 3: excuses, excuses!

Unfortunately, the water is off in my building for the next three days! How can I workout at home if I can't shower afterwards?? I feel tired. My legs are sore. I am feeling just plain old LAZY! I don't have a gym membership. Can't I just sit on my ass all day until 5 when the water comes back on? I don't even have anything better to do, but I can still suffer from lack of motivation. How do you motivate yourself? I think about how I feel when I finish working out. I feel great! Proud! Fit! If I skip my workout today, how will I feel? Sad! Fat! Even more lazy!
I think those feelings speak for themselves. I want to be happy, not sad! It's an easy choice in the end.
And besides, there is a gym nearby where I live so I can go there, even though I have to pay $20 to use their facilities.
Oh well. I can't let the water issue stop me from working out. And it's pissing me off so I need some exercise endorphins to boost my spirits!
I will have to get a gym membership in the wintertime so I can use this as an excuse to shop around. Maybe they'll let me "try out" the facilities for free.. Hmmm. I'll have to look a bit cuter than I do right now.

dining out

I went out for dinner last night with my mom. She'll take the go train to TO about once a month to take me out for dinner and gossip. It's lovely. However, I don't know if there is any way possible to stay on a diet and go out to eat. I had hot and sour shrimp soup to start, which probably isn't too bad...then my entree was spicy lemongrass chicken and eggplant. It was covered in oil and sauce with white rice. ugh. It was probably a thousand calories. And it was delicious! So needless to say, we went all for it with wine and dessert of course. So I fell off the diet wagon, but back on it this morning.
I made fresh ginger tea with lemon and honey. Eggs on organic toast with fresh organic raspberries on the side. Yum!

New Sports Bra! Woot

$41 in total. with fast shipping!
I got it from: www.activewearUSA.com

workout songs.

Remember this gwen stefani song? I listened last night while I was out for a walk. Girl power. It was a lot more motivating to walk to than sappy and depressing John Mayer.
Other workout songs I love this summer:
Lady Gaga-Just Dance
Katy Perry-Teenage Dream
Rihanna and Eminem-Love the way you lie
Always looking for suggestions...

fitness day 2

I started with my ciruit training this morning from the BBC (Bikini BootCamp). In between every three or four weight sets of exercises, you have to jump rope for 2 minutes. I have not done this in quite some time. I was sweating after the first set of jump rope! It helps to keep your heart rate up while performing the more focused exercises. I followed it with yoga and meditation for 15 minutes. I didn't realize that meditation would be the MOST difficult part of following this program. It's hard to keep your thoughts from interrupting your time for relaxation. I thought about what I was going to do today, what to write in the blog, when is the most optimum time to take the subway, etc. I had to keep refocusing to positive thoughts; reminding myself to focus on my health and happiness...and not compare to anyone else's!
Well lucky me! According to the body sculpting guide, I don't have to do weights until tomorrow. However, it is cardio day (20-40 minutes) and it's pouring rain outside. This makes it difficult with NO gym membership.
I'll think of something for sure. Last night, I went for a power walk in the rain so I guess that proves I won't melt.

in the pursuit of total body fitness: Day 1

I've taken two books out of the library to jump-start my fitness routine. The Body Sculpting Bible for Women and Bikini Bootcamp. Both of these books boast 14 days to better bodies. We'll see about that, but I think it's a good way to get on the fitness band wagon. The books both have good outlines for each day's workouts and diet plans. I am using both books and combining the information I find most helpful.
Despite the focus on physical perfection, there is a common theme of mindfulness; connecting your mind and thoughts to your desire for better fitness/body/whatever.
So I began my morning with some lovely sun salutations and yogic breathing. During my final asana (corpse pose/savasana), I focused on my intentions for my workout and goals.
1. I want to improve/enhance muscular tone and lose fat.
2. Lose weight (Ultimate goal would be a healthy and fit: 140-150lbs)
3. Feel better about myself, look in the mirror and like what I see.
As women, we need to accept what we have, but recognize we all have potential to change.
The potential exists in all of us to be happy (thank you, Dalai Lama for that wonderful piece of advice!!)

Post-yoga and meditation, Start with a nice warm up. Jump around, DANCE, sweat! It's kinda fun when you're all alone.
Now it's time for the fun part, workout with weights. The body sculpting workout outlined day 1. It was easy to follow and worked up a sweat. Included shoulders, biceps, and chest as well as a couple leg workouts and abs.
Breakfast was a protein shake with 1tbsp flax, 1 low-fat activia yogurt and frozen fruit. Yum!
The workout still requires active walking for at least a half hour. Will do that later this afternoon. Time to clean and tidy the apartment. It's laundry day for sure.

Also, check out this great website: www.yogatoday.com. Each week a new *free* yoga video is posted. Today's yoga routine is totally applicable here. "Inspire Transformation: Honor your body as your temple and let each pose become your prayer! Sarah leads an intermediate sequence that will awaken your inner dancer and inspire transformation"
Nice!

Half-Marathon Virgin No More!

Well, I did it! I ran my first half-marathon (http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com). I have to confess, I've signed up for this same run the past 3 years and I've always chickened out. So it feels that much better to have finally completed it. I thought my legs were not going to carry me any further at about the 16km mark. I made it though. It helps with all of the fans on the sidelines cheering everyone on. I guess you could say, I've made a PB (no, not peanut butter....Personal Best), I think that counts even thought it is my first run ever. haha. I did it in 2:02 which is a lot better than I expected. I am planning on running the Toronto Women's half in May with some girlfriends. Should I try to make a new PB or just have fun and run with the girls? I've got time to figure that out. And time to train. I feel motivated to sign up for running room training for a full marathon. Has my mind and body already deleted the memories of pain and exhaustion from yesterday's run??
You have to have a bit of crazy in you to run that far. So I probably qualify on that front. We'll see...

PS. This is a video. It was supposed to be a photo op, but the guy I asked to take my picture cannot use an iphone properly and took a video by accident! oh well.

this one's for you.

to LoMo:
Here is my honest attempt at blogging. I need your continued push just like you need mine. Encourage! Take hold of new opportunities and pursue them!
Life is good.
Love is all around us.