Friday, September 19, 2014

I always said I'd end up a teacher

A few years ago I taught developmental classes to children ages 6 months to 5 years.  This fit in perfectly since I was an education major at the time.  I used to have to lesson plan and come up with clever transitions between activities.  I loved seeing their faces light up as they discovered a new concept or connected a new idea.  I would leave almost every day feeling a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

This morning I taught my first Spin class. Needless to say, I was nervous and anxious and excited all at once! I couldn't wait to see how my ideas turned out and whether or not it would be a tough class.  My goal was to design something doable but challenging that could get even the more advanced spinners sweating.  My first class this morning was small and mighty as we powered through two hills that I know I'm proud of.  I felt a part of me come alive as I talked them through this routine I had orchestrated in my head.  I loved being able to look up and see them sweating just as much as I was.  Some of my songs weren't perfect and my explanations aren't second nature (yet) but each and every spinner said it was a great class.  I loved being able to share my passion for fitness with this enthusiastic group!  I still haven't come up with my catch phrase yet, but I know it's out there.  I want each of my spinners to leave my class feeling accomplished and that they were able to reach just a little bit further and learn how strong they really are.

I'm still amazed every day at the new things I am able to do.  Throughout this journey I've found a new strength within myself where I feel unbelievably able to conquer anything that crosses my path.  I love being able to create new Spin routines that are full of new possibilities and ways to sweat!

Tomorrow I finish PiYo officially and I can't wait to take my measurements.  I definitely feel leaner throughout this program and my clothes have started to fit significantly better.  I'm hesitant to step on the scale because I know the way I feel is so much more satisfying than any number.  I love that this process has stopped being about the numbers on the scale because I've reached a point where I know I am the healthiest I have ever been and as long as I keep doing what I'm doing I know I'll get where I want to be.  I've been reflecting a lot about body image and I definitely feel a blog post coming one day as soon as I completely organize my thoughts.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Emily

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

"She's on some crazy fad diet."

"She feels awful all of the time." "She can't have X, Y, and Z and she's miserable."

As much as I believe that everyone needs to find whatever works for them when it comes to health and fitness, those are words that literally make me want to jump up and scream.  I feel like I could jump on a soapbox and never get down.  I promise I'll keep this as calm as possible. :)

My dad is my number 1 fan in all that I do.  Naturally whenever I started on my lifestyle change he's supported me 100% along the way.  He even changed his own eating habits and bought one of the Beachbody programs once he saw how well it was working for me. (He's almost as excited as I am about the new P90 program for those who are looking for a way to ease into exercise.)  A few nights ago he started telling me about one of our family friends who just started a new "fad diet".  He started telling me about how she's miserable and she literally cut out food groups from her diet.  Before I could even say a word he told me how he started "bragging" on what I've done and telling her how important moderation and balance is in everything that you do.  He told her all about eating real food and how small changes make all the difference.  He told her about the significant difference he feels whenever he eats right and moves his body.  Hearing my dad talk about his health and fitness in such a positive light makes me feel like the proudest daughter in the world.

I feel incredibly empowered to help when she thinks she has to feel miserable before she can feel better.    I know you can't help someone who doesn't want it though.  Exercise and nutrition are supposed to be something that makes you feel whole and shouldn't be something you struggle with or make you feel awful.  If I can help relay this simple message to one person at a I know I will feel accomplished.

Today I went shopping and bought my first pair of jeans in my goal size.  I know I still have more I want to accomplish but I've never had so much fun trying on clothes before! These clothes fit and some size small dresses were even too big.  I NEVER thought I'd have that problem.  I am unbelievable thankful that I started my journey a little over a year ago and I can't wait to see where else it takes me!

Show me your strength!

Emily

Saturday, September 6, 2014

See that challenge? Time to conquer it!

There are a few things I truly struggle with and consider to be my weaknesses.  One of those things is ironically named a rest day.  I'm addicted to the post-workout high where you've exerted every ounce of energy you have but feel so incredible that you can't wait to do it again.  I also know that after whatever I've just accomplished I tend to make better and healthier decisions in the kitchen.  Rest days a few months ago seemed ridiculous and unnecessary.  I get so excited about my hour of "me" time where I get in a good sweat that I overlook how desperately my body needs to recover from everything else that I've put it through throughout the week.  I don't like doing things half heartedly no matter what is it and somehow a few months ago I viewed rest days as doing it half heartedly.

When I first started taking rest days I felt that I was cheating on my new lifestyle.  I thought that I had to workout every single day in order to get any kind of result and that one day off would immediately reverse all of my hard work.  The more I've learned and grown throughout this journey I've learned that is completely the opposite.  By giving my body time to recuperate and rejuvenate I allow my muscles to rest so that they are able to perform the way I want them to.  I feel stronger after a rest day not only physically but mentally as well.

My challenge throughout PiYo has been allowing myself to truly have a rest day.  With 2 weeks left I finally feel that I have the ability to enjoy my rest day because I've earned it.  I've also learned that my rest days help me push harder throughout the other 6 days of the week.  I saw my challenge and I'm conquering it.  Turning my weaknesses into strengths is one of my favorite parts of this lifestyle change.

So rest days- I've conquered you and I'm going to rest the heck out of you! My next weakness is running further than I've ever thought possible.  Slowly but surely I know that in time that will become one of my strengths as well.

Here's to being consistent and reaching your goals one step at a time!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Selfish Superpower

I was raised to be the type of woman who selflessly drops anything whenever a friend or family member needs something.  It is something that I happily do whenever the circumstances arise.  I genuinely love taking care of others and doing things to make them happy.  Seeing a huge smile on a friend's face makes any amount of hard work worth it.  This has always been one of my characteristic strengths that I am incredibly proud of.  This past weekend I traveled to watch my favorite tigers play in Houston and spend the weekend with my family. I was incredibly excited to spend this precious time with my entire family (which only happens a few times a year), but I knew I wanted to try and stick to my routine as much as possible.  My brothers were down for Sunday Funday at the gym but nutrition was my biggest concern.  I like being home where I know exactly what is going into my body.  Every time I visit home it seems easy to slip back into old routines.  As a Louisiana native I was raised on excellent but generally fatty cuisine.  I'm not saying that kind of food doesn't have a time and place, but special occasions and in moderation are the best way to consume them.  I used to eat out quite a bit and I always feel guilty whenever my old friends want to go eat somewhere we used to love but I know I won't find the kind of food I tend to crave. 

Ever since I started feeding my body real food to fuel my goals, my perspective on food has changed.   During the football game the smell of french fries and fried chicken almost made me want to vomit.  My family mentioned dessert at a restaurant and all I wanted were my almonds.  My youngest brother has been incredibly influential and supportive throughout my lifestyle change and it's comforting that he believes the same thing.  Throughout the entire trip it felt like I wasn't being selfish alone but we were being selfish together for making healthier decisions.

Part of me felt guilty for not going with the flow the way I usually do.  Looking back I know I shouldn't feel guilty about making those decisions because I know that what I put in my body directly affects my mood.  When I take care of myself with real food and having my time to exercise, I'm better at taking care of others.  Because I am able to be selfish and take time for my health I'm better able to keep having my superpower. Taking care of myself is the best way to take care of others and taking care of others is my favorite superpower.  

Here's to rocking the rest of the week and making good decisions!

Emily