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/
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Healthy Checks, part 2: UPDATE
I am so truly blessed and thankful. What a huge sigh of relief when I received the call I had been anxiously awaiting for 7 days.
The discovery at my annual physical exam: A Lump on my Thyroid. Talk about changing the course of your day in 2 seconds! One minute, my doctor and I were talking and laughing; the next, she was dead silent as she examined my neck area. She stepped back and asked me to swallow. Swallow, again. She comes back to my neck area to further examine the front, back, and sides of my neck. Swallow, again. At this point, I'm freaked out because she's super quiet and focused and I immediately knew something was wrong. She still hasn't spoken a word and now she's drawing on my neck and pulling out a ruler. She finally looks at me, seeing the fear in my eyes to reveal that she's discovered the lump. I cry, instantly and I could feel my heart beating fast. And not in the 'I've just worked out kind of way',but the 'I'm really scared' kind of way.
Thankfully, the fine needle aspiration that was done shortly after the discovery revealed that the lump was benign and that it's something I will have to monitor to make sure it doesn't grow. My blood work also revealed my thyroid was okay, too.
I shared this information with some friends and asked them for prayers and was very appreciative of their concern.
Ironically, Hill Harper, an actor, author, and philanthropist reveals that he too had a lump on his thyroid; only his was proven to be cancer. He's written about it in his new book, 'The Wealth Cure: Putting Money In It's Place'. I can't wait to see what Hill has to say about his experience and discovery of thyroid cancer and learn his correlation between wealth and health.
http://www.eurweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Hill-Harper-The-Wealth-Cure.jpg
The discovery at my annual physical exam: A Lump on my Thyroid. Talk about changing the course of your day in 2 seconds! One minute, my doctor and I were talking and laughing; the next, she was dead silent as she examined my neck area. She stepped back and asked me to swallow. Swallow, again. She comes back to my neck area to further examine the front, back, and sides of my neck. Swallow, again. At this point, I'm freaked out because she's super quiet and focused and I immediately knew something was wrong. She still hasn't spoken a word and now she's drawing on my neck and pulling out a ruler. She finally looks at me, seeing the fear in my eyes to reveal that she's discovered the lump. I cry, instantly and I could feel my heart beating fast. And not in the 'I've just worked out kind of way',but the 'I'm really scared' kind of way.
Thankfully, the fine needle aspiration that was done shortly after the discovery revealed that the lump was benign and that it's something I will have to monitor to make sure it doesn't grow. My blood work also revealed my thyroid was okay, too.
I shared this information with some friends and asked them for prayers and was very appreciative of their concern.
Ironically, Hill Harper, an actor, author, and philanthropist reveals that he too had a lump on his thyroid; only his was proven to be cancer. He's written about it in his new book, 'The Wealth Cure: Putting Money In It's Place'. I can't wait to see what Hill has to say about his experience and discovery of thyroid cancer and learn his correlation between wealth and health.
http://www.eurweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Hill-Harper-The-Wealth-Cure.jpg
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Healthy Checks, part 2
It's that time of year, again. Time for my annual physical and mammogram, now that I'm 40. Awesome time, right?! Honestly, I look forward to going to the doctor because it's my time to discuss issues from years past that have improved or to address new issues that have begun during the year. I'll admit, since turning 30, new issues seem to arise, annually. UGH!!
I spoke with my friend, mentioned in my June 21st post, 'Healthy Checks' and learned that he did go to the doctor for all of his needs and thankfully, he got a clean bill of health. Another friend mentioned in this post , still hasn't 'found time' to visit the doctor, knowing, statistically, she's at a greater risk of discovering a problem and it could potentially be too late to treat.(http://jyoneserunner.blogspot.com/2011/06/healthy-checks.html). I became so frustrated and once again, mama j mode. I care about my friend and I want her to get her healthy checks.
On a more personal level, a health issue was discovered at my appointment, Friday that sent me immediately to the hospital for further examination. Am I frightened? Hell YES! At the same time, I'm glad I kept my appointment. You see, this appointment was originally scheduled in June, but because things were busy at work and I was preparing for vacation, I decided to put the appointment off until after I returned. I didn't want to go just as I was about to leave in the event some discovery was made. I also thought about postponing this appointment because I was just back from vacation and was concerned about the amount of weight I had gain. Thankfully, I only gained 4lbs and I told myself that I would accept the consequence as I couldn't put off my appointment any further. I'm glad I did. I don't know the results of my appointment, I will know more this week. For now, I'm trying like hell to not visit webmd.com to 'read-up' on the discovery.
I've had a wonderful weekend with family and friends. I've asked for prayers and that's about all I can do, right now. Of course, I hope my outcome is great and just something that will have to be monitored, but if it's something terrible, well, my hope is that by putting off my appointment didn't make the 'issue' worse.
So, visiting your doctor on an annual basis is important for the very reason of discovering 'issues'.
I spoke with my friend, mentioned in my June 21st post, 'Healthy Checks' and learned that he did go to the doctor for all of his needs and thankfully, he got a clean bill of health. Another friend mentioned in this post , still hasn't 'found time' to visit the doctor, knowing, statistically, she's at a greater risk of discovering a problem and it could potentially be too late to treat.(http://jyoneserunner.blogspot.com/2011/06/healthy-checks.html). I became so frustrated and once again, mama j mode. I care about my friend and I want her to get her healthy checks.
On a more personal level, a health issue was discovered at my appointment, Friday that sent me immediately to the hospital for further examination. Am I frightened? Hell YES! At the same time, I'm glad I kept my appointment. You see, this appointment was originally scheduled in June, but because things were busy at work and I was preparing for vacation, I decided to put the appointment off until after I returned. I didn't want to go just as I was about to leave in the event some discovery was made. I also thought about postponing this appointment because I was just back from vacation and was concerned about the amount of weight I had gain. Thankfully, I only gained 4lbs and I told myself that I would accept the consequence as I couldn't put off my appointment any further. I'm glad I did. I don't know the results of my appointment, I will know more this week. For now, I'm trying like hell to not visit webmd.com to 'read-up' on the discovery.
I've had a wonderful weekend with family and friends. I've asked for prayers and that's about all I can do, right now. Of course, I hope my outcome is great and just something that will have to be monitored, but if it's something terrible, well, my hope is that by putting off my appointment didn't make the 'issue' worse.
So, visiting your doctor on an annual basis is important for the very reason of discovering 'issues'.
Vacation Adventures
I am about two weeks back from a wonderful vacation; Puerto Rico and 7-day southern Caribbean cruise. This wasn't my first cruise, but the expectation of eating great food and engaging in some physical activity were things I had on my agenda. Yes, I packed work out gear!
I had lots of challenges getting to Puerto Rico, so the most I did there was sleep and eat. I didn't see many of the sights or enjoy the mufungo that I looked so forward to having. I was bummed...Oh well....my goal was to get on the ship at that point....As mentioned, I had lots of challenges getting to Puerto Rico.
Huge sigh and lots of smiles, I am on Serenade of the Seas, ready to get my grub, drink, and lay by the pool ON! As I walk into the Windjammer for lunch, I am seriously overwhelmed with all of the food stations. There was a salad bar, fruit bar, American grill section, gluten free section, and ethnic food areas. It was a lot of food and too much of it as far as I was concerned.
Keeping my healthy goals in mind, I wanted to indulge, but in moderation. I also made a deal with myself to eat my fruit, first before every meal and to drink one-liter of water or more/day. Well, let me be honest...12 liters of water were ordered in advanced and I'm not a fan of waste; hence the drinking of water.
Once my first meal was over, I wanted to survey the gym and know the hours of operation because I packed my workout gear, so I wanted to use them. In addition to the gym, there was a small track on board (6 x's around the track = 1 mile). The gym also offered morning stretch, spin, and yoga classes. I opted to walk the track, but rather than try to count how many times I went around, I opted to walk for 45 minutes and than do the morning stretch at the gym.
I also opted to take the stairs (up and down) most times in an effort to keep the pounds at bay. I was eating foods I didn't normally eat on this ship, for example, fro-yo after most lunches, cakes, fried foods, and ordering two entrees at dinner-just because I could.
When selecting excursions, I wanted a mix of laying out by the beach, catamaran rides, and activity.
Itinerary of activities:
St. Croix: jet-skiing and laying out by the beach. I got an awesome bug bite that didn't seem to get better, so that sent me to the ships medical services for some benedryl; for purchase, of course.
Barbados: 7-mile bike ride through the most scenic route I could imagine. The ride was mostly down hill, but there were some moments of fatigue and walking that bike. The most important thing is that I didn't get on the 'sag wag'. Lots of fun and an alternative to swimming with the turtles as was previous selected.
St. Lucia: laying out by the beach-awesome!
St. John: hiking up the rainforest to zip line runs. I completed 5 of 12 lines and will NEVER do this again!
St. Maarten: ATV riding through the dutch and french towns of the city to the beautiful Orient Beach. Lots of beach walking...on the nude side. I assure you readers, I was in my bathing suit! But I was talking to a very handsome naked man. Fanning myself...I'm glad he was in the water....
There was lots of dancing on this vacation, too. 70s night was a blast!
At the end of the week, I had no regrets of my indulgences. I knew once back home, I would get back on my fitness track to undo the damage I had done the week prior. I kept my annual physical appointment with my doctor, too. Each year, I want to show my doctor that I'm making progress in the weight loss area.
Of all of my travel partners, I gained the least amount of weight of 4lbs. I've had a slow start, but I'm back on the fitness track of my zumba classes, I have a half marathon in October, so I will really be stepping up my game, and signing up for September boot camp.
Until the next vacation.....
I had lots of challenges getting to Puerto Rico, so the most I did there was sleep and eat. I didn't see many of the sights or enjoy the mufungo that I looked so forward to having. I was bummed...Oh well....my goal was to get on the ship at that point....As mentioned, I had lots of challenges getting to Puerto Rico.
Huge sigh and lots of smiles, I am on Serenade of the Seas, ready to get my grub, drink, and lay by the pool ON! As I walk into the Windjammer for lunch, I am seriously overwhelmed with all of the food stations. There was a salad bar, fruit bar, American grill section, gluten free section, and ethnic food areas. It was a lot of food and too much of it as far as I was concerned.
Keeping my healthy goals in mind, I wanted to indulge, but in moderation. I also made a deal with myself to eat my fruit, first before every meal and to drink one-liter of water or more/day. Well, let me be honest...12 liters of water were ordered in advanced and I'm not a fan of waste; hence the drinking of water.
Once my first meal was over, I wanted to survey the gym and know the hours of operation because I packed my workout gear, so I wanted to use them. In addition to the gym, there was a small track on board (6 x's around the track = 1 mile). The gym also offered morning stretch, spin, and yoga classes. I opted to walk the track, but rather than try to count how many times I went around, I opted to walk for 45 minutes and than do the morning stretch at the gym.
I also opted to take the stairs (up and down) most times in an effort to keep the pounds at bay. I was eating foods I didn't normally eat on this ship, for example, fro-yo after most lunches, cakes, fried foods, and ordering two entrees at dinner-just because I could.
When selecting excursions, I wanted a mix of laying out by the beach, catamaran rides, and activity.
Itinerary of activities:
St. Croix: jet-skiing and laying out by the beach. I got an awesome bug bite that didn't seem to get better, so that sent me to the ships medical services for some benedryl; for purchase, of course.
Barbados: 7-mile bike ride through the most scenic route I could imagine. The ride was mostly down hill, but there were some moments of fatigue and walking that bike. The most important thing is that I didn't get on the 'sag wag'. Lots of fun and an alternative to swimming with the turtles as was previous selected.
St. Lucia: laying out by the beach-awesome!
St. John: hiking up the rainforest to zip line runs. I completed 5 of 12 lines and will NEVER do this again!
St. Maarten: ATV riding through the dutch and french towns of the city to the beautiful Orient Beach. Lots of beach walking...on the nude side. I assure you readers, I was in my bathing suit! But I was talking to a very handsome naked man. Fanning myself...I'm glad he was in the water....
There was lots of dancing on this vacation, too. 70s night was a blast!
At the end of the week, I had no regrets of my indulgences. I knew once back home, I would get back on my fitness track to undo the damage I had done the week prior. I kept my annual physical appointment with my doctor, too. Each year, I want to show my doctor that I'm making progress in the weight loss area.
Of all of my travel partners, I gained the least amount of weight of 4lbs. I've had a slow start, but I'm back on the fitness track of my zumba classes, I have a half marathon in October, so I will really be stepping up my game, and signing up for September boot camp.
Until the next vacation.....
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Date to Spin
I have quite a few active co-workers. We often speak about our fitness activities (i.e. training for marathons, gym classes taken, work out schedules, etc.). Two of my co-workers speak about their spin class and how much they enjoy them. My response to that, 'can't do it, the seat will hurt my butt!'. Their response to me, 'ah...you're butt will get used to the seat!'
After many conversations about spin, my co-worker invited me to his gym for a lunch time spin class. I accepted the invite and I put it on my calendar in ink, too! I was excited about the class, he was excited about me taking the class.
Spin class day arrives and we're both excited, but I'm still concerned about my butt! For real, ya'll! I don't even ride the stationary bike at the gym!
I get to the class and take a bike near the back; in case I leave early. I would have hated to be tough girl on the bike in the front, but have to do the 'walk of shame' out of class because I couldn't hang. Anyway...I'm trying to figure out my bike. Thankfully, the instructor asked for newbies and who needed help. She got me all set up, yet I'm still worried my butt would hurt. She told me as long as I used proper posture, which she demonstrated for me, I'd be okay. I put two towels on my seat, just in case.
And we're off! I'm spinning...following the instructors direction. Turning my tension up, doing sprints, normal pace, turning the tension down. Off the seat, going up hill, sprint, normal pace, etc...I'm spinning and yes, my butt was a bit uncomfortable, but it was such a great workout. I really enjoyed the class. After, my co-worker smiled and congratulated me. He said I did a great job.
What a great lunch date....a spin class!
Thanks, Amiy!
After many conversations about spin, my co-worker invited me to his gym for a lunch time spin class. I accepted the invite and I put it on my calendar in ink, too! I was excited about the class, he was excited about me taking the class.
Spin class day arrives and we're both excited, but I'm still concerned about my butt! For real, ya'll! I don't even ride the stationary bike at the gym!
I get to the class and take a bike near the back; in case I leave early. I would have hated to be tough girl on the bike in the front, but have to do the 'walk of shame' out of class because I couldn't hang. Anyway...I'm trying to figure out my bike. Thankfully, the instructor asked for newbies and who needed help. She got me all set up, yet I'm still worried my butt would hurt. She told me as long as I used proper posture, which she demonstrated for me, I'd be okay. I put two towels on my seat, just in case.
And we're off! I'm spinning...following the instructors direction. Turning my tension up, doing sprints, normal pace, turning the tension down. Off the seat, going up hill, sprint, normal pace, etc...I'm spinning and yes, my butt was a bit uncomfortable, but it was such a great workout. I really enjoyed the class. After, my co-worker smiled and congratulated me. He said I did a great job.
What a great lunch date....a spin class!
Thanks, Amiy!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
'I need some ME time'
I've had recent encounters with ladies who've been too busy to work out. Both responding they've been, 'too busy', 'too stressed', or 'trying to get back on track'. I'm just as guilty of all of the listed excuses, but my response to that? Make time and get back to 'ME' time.
I say often at work that, 'it's in your (referring to co-worker's) interest that I work out. I feel better about myself and I'm taking care of me'. It's also in the best interest of myself that I take care of ME. Additionally, when you're feeling better about yourself, it's easier to care for others in your life, especially if you're a mom, spouse, or partner. When you feel good, those around you feel good, too. It's just great positive energy that's flowing.
When you're feeling stressed out or too busy to work out, it's probably really the best time to fit it in; even if it's 15 minutes. That's better than zero minutes in my book. Think about how good you will feel and how those around you will feel, if you do.
While the lyrics in Heather Headly's song, 'Me Time' refers to her needing her 'ME' time to hang with her girls and not with her man, use the lyrics to refer to yourself. Take your 'ME' time to take care of yourself. Sit quietly for 15 minutes if you can't get that 60 minute cardio workout in. What ever you define to be your 'ME' time, just make time for it. You'll feel so much better if you do.
** my disclaimer: (She is in no way saying she' not feeling her man, she just wants to hang alone or with her girls.)
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/heatherheadley/metime.html
I say often at work that, 'it's in your (referring to co-worker's) interest that I work out. I feel better about myself and I'm taking care of me'. It's also in the best interest of myself that I take care of ME. Additionally, when you're feeling better about yourself, it's easier to care for others in your life, especially if you're a mom, spouse, or partner. When you feel good, those around you feel good, too. It's just great positive energy that's flowing.
When you're feeling stressed out or too busy to work out, it's probably really the best time to fit it in; even if it's 15 minutes. That's better than zero minutes in my book. Think about how good you will feel and how those around you will feel, if you do.
While the lyrics in Heather Headly's song, 'Me Time' refers to her needing her 'ME' time to hang with her girls and not with her man, use the lyrics to refer to yourself. Take your 'ME' time to take care of yourself. Sit quietly for 15 minutes if you can't get that 60 minute cardio workout in. What ever you define to be your 'ME' time, just make time for it. You'll feel so much better if you do.
** my disclaimer: (She is in no way saying she' not feeling her man, she just wants to hang alone or with her girls.)
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/heatherheadley/metime.html
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
'Sometimes you wanna go, where everybody knows your name'
I have two East Bay Lounges I frequent where it feels like 'Cheers' when I go. It's always a welcomed feeling, but my most recent visits came with, 'hey where ya been?'. I had to let Ben and Chris know that I've been working on my sexy and that I'm not drinking as much these days.
Bijou Restaurant and Bar and Mimosa Champagne Lounge are my spots! I love going there and being greeted with warm hugs from the owner Ben, Chef Christian, or Alfred the bar manager at Bijou. Or a big hug from Chris & JP, owners of Mimosa or a hug from Tim the bartender. By being that frequent customer comes a few perks that I admittedly enjoy.
While visiting Bijou, I noticed they changed the menu and didn't see my panko shrimp I often ordered to enjoy with my basil gimlet. I asked the server about the missing item and he informed me the item has been removed from the menu. In jest, I asked to speak with Ben. Not in an angry way, of course. I asked Ben if it were possible to ask Chef to make the shrimp. He honored my request without a thought or a question. I loved it!
This past weekend, I visited Mimosa. A place I've not been to in months! It was great to see everyone and was even asked where I'd been. My response, 'drinking is counter productive to bringing sexier back'. While hanging at Mimosa, I tried two new mimosas on their menu, blueberry-limon and pineapple. YUMMMMM!! Both were very refreshing. Our server Tim pops by to check on us and brought a round of apple-pie mimosa-for us to 'sample'. YUMM, again! Bar Manager, Amy pops over to say hello and than asks, ' have you girls tried our white chocolate mimosa?' Next thing you know...here comes white chocolate mimosas. Not my favorite, but appreciated the 'sample'. Chris stops by our table to say hey and to see how things are going, etc. He walks away and returns with amaretto mimosas. Now that I'm full of mimosa's, next on my conversation list was the after drinking food fest! I wanted a cheeseburger and fries or just fries to ease the hangover I was sure to have the next day. My sister was the driver and declined my requests to make those stops. I settled for waffles with butter and a tall glass of water.
In thinking about my drinking experiences, I always pair drinking with eating. My post drink meals aren't typically healthy choices, either. It clicked even more for me why I cut back significantly on my drinking. I can't physically afford to drink and eat as often as I did. As I mentioned above, it's counter productive to bringing sexier back.
Yes, I love going to Bijou and Mimosa, but I have to learn to exercise a drink limit. I can have a great time hanging out with friends. I can also have a great time by drinking a glass of sparkling water after I have one adult drink.
If you're ever in the East Bay, check out Mimosa or Bijou.
Cheers!
http://mimosachampagnelounge.com/
http://www.bijouexperience.com/
Bijou Restaurant and Bar and Mimosa Champagne Lounge are my spots! I love going there and being greeted with warm hugs from the owner Ben, Chef Christian, or Alfred the bar manager at Bijou. Or a big hug from Chris & JP, owners of Mimosa or a hug from Tim the bartender. By being that frequent customer comes a few perks that I admittedly enjoy.
While visiting Bijou, I noticed they changed the menu and didn't see my panko shrimp I often ordered to enjoy with my basil gimlet. I asked the server about the missing item and he informed me the item has been removed from the menu. In jest, I asked to speak with Ben. Not in an angry way, of course. I asked Ben if it were possible to ask Chef to make the shrimp. He honored my request without a thought or a question. I loved it!
This past weekend, I visited Mimosa. A place I've not been to in months! It was great to see everyone and was even asked where I'd been. My response, 'drinking is counter productive to bringing sexier back'. While hanging at Mimosa, I tried two new mimosas on their menu, blueberry-limon and pineapple. YUMMMMM!! Both were very refreshing. Our server Tim pops by to check on us and brought a round of apple-pie mimosa-for us to 'sample'. YUMM, again! Bar Manager, Amy pops over to say hello and than asks, ' have you girls tried our white chocolate mimosa?' Next thing you know...here comes white chocolate mimosas. Not my favorite, but appreciated the 'sample'. Chris stops by our table to say hey and to see how things are going, etc. He walks away and returns with amaretto mimosas. Now that I'm full of mimosa's, next on my conversation list was the after drinking food fest! I wanted a cheeseburger and fries or just fries to ease the hangover I was sure to have the next day. My sister was the driver and declined my requests to make those stops. I settled for waffles with butter and a tall glass of water.
In thinking about my drinking experiences, I always pair drinking with eating. My post drink meals aren't typically healthy choices, either. It clicked even more for me why I cut back significantly on my drinking. I can't physically afford to drink and eat as often as I did. As I mentioned above, it's counter productive to bringing sexier back.
Yes, I love going to Bijou and Mimosa, but I have to learn to exercise a drink limit. I can have a great time hanging out with friends. I can also have a great time by drinking a glass of sparkling water after I have one adult drink.
If you're ever in the East Bay, check out Mimosa or Bijou.
Cheers!
http://mimosachampagnelounge.com/
http://www.bijouexperience.com/
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