Apologies

I have not been posting in almost a month! I didn't realize so much time had passed! I've been busy with end of school year stuff and looking for a summer job. I don't know about any of you, but I've also been experiencing horrible sinus symptoms! My nose would be stuffy, I barely could breathe, and working out just made that worse. During the last two weeks I just felt horrible from sinuses and lazy. My workouts were non-existent.

I am turning things around. I'm working on a project that's fitness related. I'm just not ready to go into details yet. I've been more focused on my diet the last couple days and have been working out too. I feel fantastic. Night and day different from just two days ago.

Life comes with many obstacles. It's up to you how you handle it. I choose to handle life as it comes and look at the world with a positive light. When I fail or haven't been doing what I want (the parts of my life that make me happy), I make a decision to stop. I stop, stand up, and do what makes me happy. In this case, I've been feeling lazy, fat and like I was letting my life pass by. I made the decision to stop and be active in my life once again.

I will be starting posts again soon.

What are you doing to be active in your life?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles

My dad got me a ticket to go see Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles as a gift. I heard good things about the show but it wasn't on the top of my list for shows to see. My parents had gone to see it and they both loved it. I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it might be similar to Jersey Boys or Million Dollar Quartet where it has a concert feel but at the same time has a story incorporated.

The show ended up being like a concert. It was very entertaining. The actors were extremely talented and sounded just like the Beatles. I enjoyed the second act a lot better than the first. I especially loved Let it Be and Hey Jude. The audience was wonderful. They were very into it and it was obvious that the actors were getting energy from us. It's always fun when everyone is having a good time.

What have you done this week? Anything fun?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Tropical Smoothie

Since I am trying to consume more fruit, I decided to have a smoothie as one of my meals during the day. Recently, I haven't been very hungry for at least one meal. I think it's due to the warmer weather. 

I normally drink a mixed berry smoothie made with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cherries with almond milk and chia seeds. I wanted to try something different. I decided on a tropical smoothie. I got a frozen tropical fruit mix with pineapple, mango, strawberries, and papaya. I made the smoothie with about a cup of fruit and about 3/4 to 1 cup of almond milk. 

So delicious!  I wasn't sure if I'd like it but it came out great!

Have you tried anything new this week?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Zumba

This past Saturday, my circuit training class was cancelled because the trainer was out of town. So I went with a woman from the group to a Zumba class.

I've only taken one formal Zumba class and played my Zumba game on my Kinect. So I was excited to take another Zumba class. This one had a twist because the instructor added weights. She said to bring 1-3 lb weights. I only own 3 lbs weights, so I brought them. I didn't think it would be too difficult. Boy was I wrong! I was only able to use the weights once. It was a bit much for me. I didn't use them again the rest of the class because I didn't want to hurt myself. Since I'm so out of shape, I'm treating my body as a beginner. I take my time and listen to my body. When it says to slow down or stop, I do. I loved the class. I was soaked by the time it ended. 

Last time I took a class, I was more out of shape than I am now. I was barely able to get through a class. I'd get out of breath so bad that I had to stop in order to breathe. I guess I've improved since then because I was able to get through this class. I only had to stop once to stretch out my knee (I've had knee problems since I was fifteen). If my circuit training is ever cancelled again or I want to do something different, I think I'll go back to this class.  Definitely a good time.

What workouts have you done this week?

"Keep Moving Forward"

What You Think Matters

This is very true.  As I started out on my journey to become vegan and be the healthiest version of myself, I worried about what others thought. The more I focused on what makes me happy and healthy, other people's opinions became less and less important. What I thought mattered more.  The less complicated life became. Now if someone has a different opinion than mine, I'll listen. But if I disagree, I'll either voice my opinion or shrug it off. What I think of myself and my personal beliefs is more important than what others think of me.

What do you think of yourself?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Gratefulness

This week I am grateful for...

May 19 - I am grateful for a wonderful day at work, for getting a "warm fuzzy" from one of the teachers, and for amazing friends.

May 22 - I am grateful for knowing what I need versus eating my feelings. I came home from work irritated.  I was tempted to go to the store and get junk food. Instead, I played a dance game on my Kinect, ate what I had at home, and did some art while watching a movie. I went to bed happy.

May 23 - I am grateful for going to Zumba today. Yesterday, I agreed to go with a woman I met at my circuit training class. I was tempted not to go because I was tired. But since I agreed, I went anyway. It was such a great workout. Since I went, I made better choices during the day. I went grocery shopping and picked healthier options. Then enjoyed the rest of my day with movies, organizing and relaxing. What a great day.

What are you grateful for?

"Keep Moving Forward"

Circuit Training

Last Saturday, I went to a group circuit training class.  I signed up for it through a meetup.com group. I'm hoping to meet new people and make friends. 

The class was a good price.  There were only five of us including the trainer. I liked the small group atmosphere.  It was a great set-up as well.  I loved the variety of the workout.

I had never used weights as part of my workout before.  It was wonderful.  I was so sore the next day, but it was well worth it. I have been in a workout rut. I'd workout here and there but I haven't been extremely driven.  I needed a push in the right direction. I knew that joining a meetup where I can socialize and get a good workout in would benefit me.

Since last Saturday, I have eaten healthier, made better choices and exercised more. I think I've felt more accountable. I'm meeting with a group and am motivated to be in the best shape I can be. 

I had a goal to workout three times this week.  I accomplished this goal. I did circuit training, did my elliptical for twenty minutes, and played a dance game on my Kinect.  It's a start. I'm the type of person who gets addicted to exercise once I get the ball rolling.  I feel like the ball has been put into motion. I look forward to the next circuit training class.

Have you tried a new workout lately?

"Keep Moving Forward"