Lessons learned along the way.

Once upon a time this had such different purpose.  Maybe I was more passionate about it or maybe it was really just that I had that extra time or drive, but I feel rather lack luster about it in comparison this time around.

I’ve taken all the same steps, followed what proved once to be successful for me in terms of staying focused and tracking successes (and lessons).  This time around, it’s very different.  I care, I sense I do indeed have passion surrounding this subject, but not PASSION.

I’m okay with not always executing things as planned.

This is not like me, not at all like me.

What I am discovering about the evolving me is that I am perfectly okay with going with what feels like I should be doing in that moment.  Not being lazy, there is a difference.  I am not okay with not executing my workout plan to sit on my ars. Arses expand with lack of mobility, that’s not what we are talking about here. I am okay with missing my workout to play with the kids. I am okay with missing my workout to sit down and have an hour lunch break with my kids or my hubby or a good friend.  I find other ways to move around all the while maximizing on the moments I have, while I have them.

This does not lead to the physical results I have longed for in the time frame I longed for.

So here’s what else I have learned, who cares.  It’s falling off, an inch or half-inch at a time. It will continue to do so until there isn’t chunks o’ post baby making chub to rid myself of….but I’m really enjoying my life right now.  I haven’t felt this satisfied with my life before.

This is something much more meaningful.  I discovered this by accident while focusing on my workouts.  My very meaningful workouts have led to another chapter in my life. A satisfied one. One where in I feel like I am living on purpose. I am doing exactly what I should be doing in the moments I sense I should be doing them.  I’m seizing moments to socialize or network when I would normally isolate myself in the gym.  I’m walking outdoors more and taking in the fresh air vs walking on the treadmill.  I feel very connected, very alive.  Very full.  My relationships are deepening as I invest my time into them. I’m focusing on my studies, my personal growth.  I’m now working from home and able to use my time to create a new balance in my life. I feel so fortunate right now.  I am realizing just how truly fortunate I am.

I sit here reflecting on my day feeling full.

Here’s the thing I love most about working out. It always leads to a deeper connection with self.  Investing time in myself leads to this sense of self love that opens  me to a new level of appreciation.  I know what I am capable of, I know I am capable of more.  Every time I set a goal for myself in my workout and achieve it ( a specific weight or rep amount for example), I KNOW I can do MORE.  We limit ourselves with our minds and I am no exception.

I’m opening my mind to more and creating more for myself in my life.  This is my commitment to self. It reaches far beyond the gym floor.

Courtesy of Google

 

A 20lb success…meet Jennah!

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Jennah “before”

** Feature blog: Sharing in the successes of our community!

Once upon a time in Whitby Ontario, this was Jennah.  Like many, Jennah had struggled with maintaining the lifestyle she longed for. Noting that motivation was lacking, Jennah opted for change. 

Her final send off to the lifestyle she was leaving behind? A pizza. The entire thing.  Jennah shared she sat in the dark eating her biggest weakness and said her goodbyes. Things were going to be very different this time. 

So what worked this time around? BEING REAL.  Instead of jumping into everything there was a methodic approach to this new lifestyle.  She shared what she was undertaking with her family and friends.  She considered what she really could manage and built her lifestyle around it.  Knowing herself and being herself were her tools to success.  It’s working.

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Jennah today!

Twenty pounds lighter, here’s Jennah.    Combining a realistic nutrition plan (which includes pasta and beer), along with exercise has aligned Jennah with her ultimate goal; Health.  “Everything has changed!! I sleep better, I look healthier, my skin is better, I am more productive at work and I just feel better about myself overall.”

“I made an effort to surround myself with people who have the same goals as well. “  Jennah further supports herself by using social media sites to provide recipes, motivation, workout ideas and share in local events to stay on track.

“I have learned that I really can do it. I made an effort to put my health first but not miss out on the foods, drinks or late nights that I am used to. I just always try and make the best choices when I am out.”

So what’s next? “…making it this far has only made me wonder what else I am capable of!” Now looking to build muscle, Jennah’s journey continues.

To those just about to embark on their wellness journey she shares “..the hardest step is the first one. Once you get yourself moving, it’s like a chain reaction. I always tell myself that I only have one life to live and I want to live it feeling good about myself. Once you get into a routine and start feeling amazing, you will wonder how you ever lived your life on the couch with a pizza and ice cream. You CAN do it, you just have to find it within yourself to start!”

Her tools for success: social media, weight watchers, spin class, Bob Harper workout DVD’s, Hot Yoga, NO RUNNING – despises it, recipes from Heart and Stroke foundation website, Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean book.

Congratulations on your 20 lb success Jennah! 

 

If you would like to share your success story, please contact me! Be well. 

Plyo Power!

I am sitting here at my desk wondering  how exactly I am going to stand up.  My legs are dead! A good dead, as in I killed my workout dead, but also as in I am totally incapable of movement just like I was after my very first workout. 

I’ve added in Plyometric movements in between sets to increase the intensity AND the results. It’s working, exhausting, but effective.

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courtesy of Google

 

I added these as my time hasn’t increased, I am still stuck with approx thirty minutes max to do the do. So, this is my way of getting the most out of it.  By the end I could barely squat, never mind jump.  I walked like a toddler to my car incapable of total balance. So awesome, not so attractive, but awesome knowing that I gave myself the gift of a challenging workout. 

What do you do to keep your workouts intense and effective?

A sweaty mess….

I have a tendency sometimes to over complicate things. I get this notion in my head as to whatever it is I am obsessing about having to do and I forget the alternatives.

This applies to workouts in addition to my usual doing the do.

Last night as the hubby and I sat outside (LOVE this time of year and how amazing it is in the evenings outside) yapping about our day over a glass of vino I started to think about this mornings workout.

I opted for something a little different, something simple.

In lieu of my usual bolt to the gym, I opted to cut the grass, rake the yard and weed the garden.

I was a giant sweaty mess.

It’s not like I don’t push myself at the gym, I do.  There is something about completely failing out in my exercises that gives me instant gratification.  That said, I sweat more this morning than I would at the gym. Resistance training or cardio, it’s not at all like I was!

So I decided to calculate my caloric expenditure :

Raking the grass and bagging it: 175 calories took about 30 min

Weeding the front garden and side pathway 150 calories ( also moved soil )

Cutting the grass: 160 calories ( although it doesn’t say how big a yard this is based on – only hourly? So note rough estimates here as per above highlighted calculator)

Watering the gardens: 45 calories.

TOTAL caloric expenditure: 530 calories

VS:

Vigorous weight training as per above highlighted online calculator: 350 calories burnt.

No wonder I was so sweaty!!!!

It’s worth it!

There are so many different possibilities in terms of workouts, it just boils down to completing one.

Be well,

N.

Rest on the weekend you say? Nay I say, NAY!

Once upon a time long weekends meant doing luxurious things like sleeping, crazy amounts of binge drinking and socializing like no-one’s business.

Fast forward a decade and now, it’s all about building decks in three days.

Did we succeed? No – but damn’t we tried, and tried, and tried. I’ve got the farmer’s tans to support this labor filled effort.

Where does one begin?  The equipment we rented to reduce the workload didn’t work. After mass amounts of swearing we reluctantly resorted to old school tools. What can you do? Either give up, or keep trying. I don’t quit. In this way, my hubby and I are the same. Once our mind is made up, it will be done.  We had baby sitters lined up and there was no way we were wasting the opportunity.

As the unskilled assistant, I got the shyte job. The gas-powered auger wasn’t co-operating and so I was the post digger. My shoulders still feel seriously jacked.  WHAT A WORKOUT!   I dug out eleven post holes, then re-dug them as the f’ers weren’t big enough.

We were only able to land baby sitters for the first morning and so by noon I was back on Momma duty.  Our helpers had long weekend plans and as the forecast was so unbelievably beautiful, we couldn’t even bribe them to stay. Can’t say I blame them, curse them sure but blame them? Nope….

As Momma on duty while the baby was awake I was with the kiddos, the second she napped I became joe-handy chick with two cheerleaders following me around. Thankfully for me my youngest opted for single naps in lengthy durations. I was able to contribute and be a part of the deck-building-team.

My husband is a custom cabinet-maker.  He deals with wood.

I am a virtual trainer, personal trainer, life coach and totally useless wood worker. I was fired as joe-handy chick.  The extent of my contributions became the lumber moving assistant and dirt mover (which was ok by me as I’ve been working on my strength and this was one of those moments that proved to me my efforts are starting to show).

I was also the bartender.  Something about hot sunny days really increases ones desire to have multitude of beer. It may take a few days to deflate from all the bloating but it was worth it.

So what did I learn this weekend?

First, my marriage can survive anything! We’ve renovated a house together, landscaped together, lost a parent, experienced still birth, are dealing with his cancer and raising three monkeys in an urban jungle and even when the power tools fail or you are one board short from finishing the second set of stairs, we can spaz out completely and still laugh at one another.  I am so blessed.

Secondly, and this is a selfish moment of self praise….

I’ve realized I am STRONG enough to do these tasks.  It felt AMAZING to recognize my own power in those moments.  I don’t believe in playing gender cards and I am raising my children with the same philosophy. Work hard, empower yourself to do as much as you can and share your talents with others.    The more skills we have as individuals the more personal power we have over situations (as we become flexible beings willing to take on tasks vs shy away from them) and more natural resources to draw upon when we have things we want to do.

As I stare out my window at my unfinished deck I am feeling enormous pride. Doing things yourself and creating the home you’ve always dreamed of for yourself is very satisfying. Even though this is NOT where we will live forever , it is where we live now. We intend to live every moment to the fullest and so we enjoy investing our time and energy into creating our ultimate retreat. We have a few more weekends of seriously intense labour and then a summer of weekend “chill outs” to enjoy.

Ze deck, partially anyway...

A railing to complete, as well as, privacy wall to construct and then – voila – complete! The BBQ area will be ready to go….

I can’t wait to start building the gazebo for the bar.  That construction begins the moment the decks are complete.  We figure by July (aiming for a Canada Day celebration of no more weekend projects!), we should be able to relax on weekends and just enjoy our time with one another.

What do you like to do in your space to create your personal oasis?

The juggling act that is life as a Mom….

Seriously, how did I do this before? If my memory serves me correctly (and the chances of that are pretty low with recent increases in wine consumption), I recall balancing motherhood, work, my hubby, the kids with a little more grace than I have as of late. 

I had this “brilliant” game plan that involved my working out before the kids wake up. It seems, however, they detect I am up to something that MAY POSSIBLY be exciting to them and so they are waking up earlier and earlier.  So early in fact that today we were almost half way through the Princess and the Frog movie before our nanny arrived at 8am.  We’d eaten, dressed, packed our lunches, played and honestly I was so exhausted I did the ol’ “hey kiddos let’s watch a movie” and threw a cookie in there to boot.  Anything to keep them from doing anything anywhere other than beside me lying on the couch. I’m clearly going to be a huge contributer to the workplace today…..

So – where am I at goal wise? Moving along :)    The workouts are not as frequent as I’d like but the eating is bang on. I am still losing inches of blub, which is making this Momma happy. I will be listing my overdue measurements and photo’s this weekend.

After our shopping get-a-way my motivation has increased.  I’m down another pant size and am just at the cusp of being able to wear size “small” shirts again. If it weren’t for the boobs they’d fit. Although I recognize that many wear shirts that are waaaay too tight on their chests, I’m not into it.  I like people looking at my face vs talking to my chest. 

I have yet, however, to attempt trying on a bathing suit. I can’t torture myself with it YET.  Some Mom’s will know what I’m talking about here when I say the texture of my skin has changed. I sound hideously shallow at this particular moment but I don’t profess to be a deep person (all the time, I have my moments).   There’s something about feeling like an orange peel that just doesn’t make me want to reveal it.  I have Mom friends that have six packs ( I try only to hang with them in winter months LOL ) and they remind me that this can be achieved.   I will get there, just have to keep working for it.

So – what’s a Momma on a mission to do? Like everything else, work it into this, my new norm.  The upside is the great weather is coming. There is a park not far from here that has a great hill.  I will be running up and down it like a mad woman at lunch.  Then my lucky co-workers will get to hang with sweaty me in the afternoon BUT I am ok with that ( note that I didn’t ask their opinion ha ha) as it will get me one step closer to the beach bod I want to sport this summer. 

I receive my schedule today for the next several months.  Upon receipt of that I will be planning what gym to attend and when.  I have a few options in the area that are exactly what I am looking for – crap holes with awesome equipment and smaller crowds.  The one I want to go to most is the farthest away and so if I am really tight for time due to my facilitation schedule then it’s out. BUT if I am training west coast students….they start later in my day…..win win win for me!!! 11 am the verdict will be in. By 4pm today I will be registered somewhere ready to rock for next week.

So excited!

Stay tuned, the measurements and photo’s will be posted tomorrow.   I’ll have my modified game plan laid out as well.

Yay!!

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