Life's Too Short

It has been a really weird and emotional week.  Sudden deaths of former co-workers (yes, more than one), freak accidents and illnesses, strokes (yes that's right, more than one young person I know has had a stroke lately), friends dealing with family tragedies, and finally, the unexpected death of a friend's (newlywed) husband.  

All of these things have put me in that place that we all get to when things like this happen...we remember that life is too short. And we start to think of all the things we haven't done, and we start to pledge all of the things we will start doing.  Hold your loved ones close. Tell your friends and family you love them.  Put down your phone.  Take a risk.  Take an adventure. Live your life with no regrets. 

As silly as it seems, it has also made me think about my journey to a healthier lifestyle.  My goal for the past year and a half has been to be healthy, and to change my lifestyle.  For the past few months I have not been (consistently) living that lifestyle.  And like everybody else, I have vowed over and over again to "get back on track"....starting tomorrow.  Or Monday. 

But what happens if we don't make it to Monday? I would really hate it if my regret in life was that I never got to be the best version of myself.  Or if I felt like a failure because I never accomplished this goal. 

So today, on this Monday, I am choosing joy and positivity.  I will make sure my friends and family know how much I love and cherish them.  I will make the most of my time left here on this Earth.  And I will remember that I am an athlete, who only gets one body, and I will love and cherish that body as well, and treat it with the respect and care it deserves. 

I'm Back....and An Athlete!

So I've decided to resurrect my little corner of the Internet.  Some highlights from the past 10 months: 

• I've gained back a few pounds
• I'm now a R.I.P.P.E.D. instructor
• I'm training for a triathlon

These 3 things combined have led me to do a lot of thinking lately.  I still find myself in awe sometimes when I tell someone that I'm a fitness instructor or that I'm training for a triathlon.  It took awhile, but I'm starting to embrace that this is all actually happening, and I'm starting to feel really proud of myself.  I've even started practicing telling myself that I'm an athlete.  But lately I've been trying to add a second part to that sentence.  "I'm an athlete....time to start eating like one."  I've learned a lot about nutrition over the past few years, and I know how I SHOULD be eating.  It just isn't happening.  Which is what led me here. 

I'm hoping this blog will accomplish a few goals: 

• Keep me accountable:

• I have no idea if this will actually work, but it is worth a shot.

• Did I mention I'm training for a triathlon?:

• This is one of the craziest things I've ever done.  Even though its a super teeny tiny baby tri, who knows where it will lead.  I think it will be pretty fun to document my journey along the way. 

• Keep a record of what works (and doesn't):

• I know that I'm not perfect.  I'm still on a journey to better health (and yes, weight loss), and I know that sometimes I will stray from this journey.  So I'm hoping that if I can keep a record of when things go well for me, it will make it easier to figure out how to get back on track. 

As far as triathlon training goes, I'm not doing any sort of "official" training yet.  I'm essentially at a point where I'm learning to swim, bike, and run, and I'm trying to practice those 3 as much as I can.  Two other things I need to improve in my training: 

1. Nutrition
2. Stretching

I know how to fuel my body like an athlete, I just need to put it into practice.  As for stretching, I need to figure out a plan to spend more time with my foam roller.  I also really like the quick yet efficient stretching video from T25.  And of course, I want to try to make it to a BodyFlow class with my favorite instructor once a week. 

Weigh-In Wednesday

This week: -3.8

Total: -21.4

Life has been a little crazy lately.  Vacations and illnesses and crazy schedules and starting a new business! which led to poor food choices and a lack of exercise.  Which led to a 6 pound gain. 

Fortunately, I was able to get myself back on track and have lost some of that gain.  After returning home from vacation on Saturday I food shopped and prepped and got my mind ready for the week ahead.  And (of course) things haven't been perfect, but I have made some good choices, made time to work out, and have kept up with my water intake. 

As part of my lifestyle change I have also been focusing more on positivity.  And I'm back to blogging :)

Delayed Wednesday weigh in

This week: -1.4

Total: -22.2

I know this is delayed but I figure better late than never. I've neglected this blog and I think coming back to it will help keep me on track. This post will be short because I'm currently trying not to eat my way through New York. But I promise to be back with more real posts next week. 

Weigh In Wednesday

This week: -1.8
Total: -22.2

I finally got things moving in the right direction, which again is a direct result of food choices.  This time for the better.  I also started a new round of R.I.P.P.E.D. which helps me to keep my eating in check.  I know that what I eat will affect my performance during class, and I want to perform my best. 

Weigh In Wednesday

This week: + 1.2
Total: -20.4

This week's results are due to some really poor food choices.  Hence, the title of this blog.  I am still a work in progress.  The biggest change really needs to happen in my mind and how I think of food.  I am striving to remember that food is fuel (not feelings or comfort).  

Another mentality I am trying to overcome is the thought of "I'll just workout longer/harder/more."  I know that you can not out train a bad diet, but I need to actually remember that.  

Focus on Goals

It's Monday again, which means time to refocus again.  

We are all encouraged to set a goal when setting out to lose weight.  I have always related my goals to clothes, and set goals like fitting into a certain outfit for a special occasion or bathing suit for the summer.  When I would consider a "cheat" meal, or skipping a workout, I would consider the consequences of these actions.  In those circumstances, the consequence would be not fitting into the planned outfit.  Most times, that was not enough to keep me on track. 

This time around I am trying to really focus on my health and overall quality of life.  I want a healthier lifestyle, I want to just feel better.  More energy, less sluggish.  So when I consider throwing out my packed lunch in favor of fast food I think about the consequences.  I know that if I eat a huge processed meal I will spend the rest of my day feeling lazy, sluggish, and tired.  I will have a hard time focusing on my work, and may even skip my workout that day.  

I have been having trouble lately with eating things that will not help me reach my goal.  So I am trying to keep focused and remember what I am trying to achieve.  A happy, healthy life!