Commitment To Self

Prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday, I reached out to a few fitness friends because I was in need of an intervention.  I had been struggling with exercising and admitted out loud that I am in fact, a stress eater.  Things at work have been increasingly stressful and the nights in the office were getting longer and longer.  Thus, making it extremely difficult to exercise.  I've always said to myself that I feel so much better when I am working out and taking care of me, yet I hadn't been.

With the help of my fitness friends, I joined a 17- day re-energizing challenge which began November 11th - November 27th and included early morning bootcamp classes.  I also signed up for Saturday HIIT classes, also in the early mornings.  I was excited about both and even took a tip from my bff's book, by marking my calendar for each day I exercised. 

At the end of the 17-day challenge, I must admit, I was quite proud of me!  I had a calendar filled with exercise marks.  The visual was a great reminder that even in the midst of a busy day at work, I managed to commit to myself the time needed for fitness activities.

My 17-day fitness calendar

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  And another challenge began, November 30th.  This is with a Facebook group, 30 days of workouts for 30 minutes.  Many of my friends on Facebook belong to a gym, The Inner Athlete and I saw the trainers message to the ladies and decided to join in.  When I commented on a post, I was immediately added to the group and the challenge began!.  Let me just say, I thought the 17-day challenge was tough.  Hmph!  This 30 days for 30 minutes is tough, too!  Again, when working long hours, the last thing I want to do is workout.  My bed sounds so much better! 

With the start of the holiday season, I am glad that I consciously and subconsciously made the commitment to myself to stay active.  My goal with all of this is to maintain my current weight and comfortability in my clothes.  If shed a few pounds and/or move a bit of them around, I will not be mad!

Off to get my Day 11 of 30 in!!          

A workout discovery

I've been getting back to my regularly scheduled workout program, which consisted of walking, zumba, afro-belly boogie, u-jam, and pretty much any fitness activity that looks or sounds interesting to me.  I'll try a fitness idea at least once.

I had been attending my friend, Sharon's zumba gold classes (zumba for seniors), but this week, I attended regular zumba.  While grooving through the routines, one of the movements consisted of a stand-up stomach crunch.  As I'm moving to the music, it hit me!

I didn't feel the hard-like bulge in my belly that I had previously felt during my workouts when I completed stomach crunches, leg lifts, or any movement in my core region.  It was weird and bizarre all at the same time.  A feeling that I had for so long was no longer there.  This was another moment of clarity that I realized that my 'decision' was indeed a great one.  All of the mini discoveries I'm experiencing have been awesome.  I look forward to many more of them.

To find Sharon's zumba classes, visit her website:

www.zumbawithsharon.com    

Support

Whew...it's been a long while since I've been here!

I am trying to get back to sharing my thoughts here.  After all, that is the point of a blog, right?  Two of my followers have inquired about my absence here and when will they read an update.  My response has been the same, 'I have a lot going on, being lazy, or I just haven't been in the mood to write, etc.'.  Mainly, I've been in the doldrums and desperately trying to get out.

For me, getting back to taking care of myself, is key to getting out of the doldrums.  What that means in a simple word? EXERCISE!  I feel 1000 times better when I exercise.  I also feel better when I speak about my struggles and what is going on that has caused me to not take care of myself.  The culprit mainly has been work, but also some recent health concerns that have come about.

I've been talking to my main supporter, my mom, but I have so many others in my corner and providing me with the support I need.  I'm very appreciative to have the love and support of them who quickly recognize when I am not my 'normal' self. 

I am happy to say that I am working on both culprits and that I am getting back on track with exercising, eating right, and feeling better about myself.

I don't know the final outcome of my recent health concerns, yet, but I am sure all will be well.  The main thing is, I get back on track and take care of me.

I am back to exercising: yoga at Hotbox Yoga, I recently committed to walking with my new buddy from Black Girls Run group member on Tuesdays, and I started going back to zumba classes.  The most important thing, I'm looking into nutritional counseling to learn tips to eat better and/or have better food combinations.  I hope to update on this item, really soon. 

All in all...things are going to be okay and I thank you all for your support.

I love you!
Juvella, J, Belle, Bobo 

In a slump....ugh!

The last few weeks have been pretty tough for me on a personal level and a fitness level.  I am in a slump and thankfully, I recognize it.  People in  my life recognize it, too.  I thank you, mom and Sharon. 

During this time, this is when I need to listen to my own advise of 'working out when I don't want to' or 'when you're feeling down, working out will make you feel better'.  Well, for me, cuddling up in my bed with comfy pjs has been my desired coping method.  Oh....and eating!

I knew things were pretty bad when I called my mom and asked her to meet me for Chevy's.  While I was sharing with my mom what was going on, I instantly began to cry.  Like for real, cry.  I was speaking my frustrations through my tears of what was going on with me and why I was feeling the way I had been feeling.  I felt as if I were 12.  I think I freaked my mom out because I am pretty sure she wasn't expecting me to lose it the way that I did.

In true momma form, she knew exactly what to say.  She knew how to verbally comfort her baby girl who wasn't feeling 100%.  Thank you, mom for always knowing what to say, no matter what.

My friend, Sharon shared a blog post with me, 'Relapse Happens'.  You see, I've been absent from her classes.  Not only does she notice my absence, but so does my classmates. I read Sharon's blog as if she were directly speaking to me.  Her post spoke to my feelings of being burnt out, triggers, and how to recover. 

I am on my way.  I know this happens to me all of the time.  I just have to do better at not staying in my slump for so long.

http://zumbawithsharon.com/          

Boot camp!

As per usual, I get in fitness slumps.  I'm so annoyed with myself, but the truth of the matter is, I really dislike working out, but I know it is an absolute necessity that I do and coupled with proper eating, I lose weight.  While yes, I am working on bringing my sexier back, but dang!!!!  If only it were easier.  Thankfully, I don't have to work out because of high cholesterol or because I am pre-diabetic.  I know once I begin my workout, I always feel better afterwards. 

This week, I begin boot camp and I know this will help jump start my renewed fitness goals.  I will have the support I know I need and strong coaches to get the best out of me.  Boot camp will also add to my zumba classes and I need to 'speed' train for my October 17th 1/2 marathon!  Whew!!  I've got a lot of work ahead of me!!

check out some of my fitness jump starters:
http://www.inspirefitnessbootcamps.com/  
http://myforma.com/
http://zumbawithsharon.com/