BFF Distance Training
Walked 2 miles the other day while texting my bestie! She’s been wanting to get back on track with exercise, so I introduced her to lolo beatburn, and we both went to the gym at the same time. She lives in a different city but we set up a specific time, and both started our cardio at the same time! We were texting each other periodically for motivation, and at the end it felt awesome because not only was I proud of myself - I was so proud of her, too!
The next day we had set up a time to work out, but I’m pretty sure I got food poisoning from something I ate the night before. I encouraged her to still go, and she did - and she killed 2 miles on her second day! I’m so proud of her for doing this. Half of the battle really is biting the bullet and just getting to the gym. It’s exciting once you get started, and it becomes a challenge to go just a little bit further, or to beat the time from before.
Anyway, if you don’t have a workout buddy at home - and you feel like you need that extra push, there’s no excuse! Meet a workout buddy on tumblr and exchange numbers! Or see if a distant friend would like to join you in encouraging one another. There’s something about having a text message right when you start saying “Have an awesome workout!” - exchanging a text in the middle of the workout saying “keep it up!!!” and exchanging text messages of encouragement and excitement at the end of a workout.
I totally understand this doesn’t work for everyone…but, for people like my bestie and I - who are just starting out exercising again, gaining endurance on a cardio machine is a great way to feel comfortable in a gym setting again, while still doing WAY more than just sitting on our butts at home, wishing the weight away.
Asthma…ugh!
I’m really proud of myself for doing cardio this week! I have done more than I have in…a long time, and I can definitely feel the momentum of habit pushing me in the right direction (if I keep doing this!) I walked a mile earlier this week, and my boyfriend went on a long bike ride with me :)
I have been sick/dealing with asthma/having to do multiple breathing treatments a day for the past few weeks (ugh)…but I’m not letting it hold me back. I need to be sure to get my inhaler from the drug store tonight so that I can get back to the gym tomorrow…I don’t want to end up in a bad breathing situation. (I thought I was going to end up in the hospital last night after spending time around dogs that I am allergic to)
Speaking of asthma: when I was walking the mile earlier this week, I started getting a little out of breath. My asthma is really bad, induced by anything from allergies, sickness, laughter, but ESPECIALLY exercise. Even when I was at my most fit, I had this issue - and it really sucks. Anyway, I could have quit once I felt my breathing become more labored, but I knew that it wasn’t horrible. I knew that if I could push through, and focus on breathing deeper, I could do it…and I did!
I told my boyfriend that I’m so excited/nervous for the 5k. I know that I’m capable of walking the 5k - especially if I have my inhaler with me/with the support of my awesome friends..I just know that I have this obstacle that has always been in my way (my breathing) - so hopefully I’ll be able to keep it under control.
Soul Collage/Vision Boards
Today I met with a women’s group that I have previously worked with doing Soul Collage! Today we worked on:Vision Boards. I highly suggest doing this! It’s very powerful, relaxing, and even exhausting (oxymoron, but really…it’s weird).
I mention Soul Collage because this is typically what we do in this group, but today we focused on Vision Boards. If you are interested in Soul Collage, let me know - but I suggest working with the Vision Board since we are in the first month of the New Year! Keeping your Vision Board in a place where you will see it on a regular basis is the best idea: we want to manifest these things in our lives within the next year - and the best way to do that is to see the visual!
The Vision Board you create should be a reflection of what you wish to see in this New Year or even what you wish to see in your life. Some people choose very concrete details such as “a new car, money” which is fine!!! Other people choose to create a Vision Board with deep symbolism reflecting values, or other things. Here is a great website with questions to determine your values - our Soul Collage leader read these to us today: Determine Your Values. Answering these questions may help you zero-in on what you wish to see on your Vision Board.
This process can be as natural, or as literal as you want it to be. It can even be a mix of both! My Vision Board that I’m working on is definitely a mix of both. Here is the general process!
Materials Needed:
Magazines (Any are great! More magazines = more images to choose from. We use lots of National Geographic, Girly Magazines, Health Magazines)
Glue
Scissors
A “Board” of any shape to glue the images.
The Process:
Flip through the pages of the magazines. Tear out the pages of your favorite images. Let the process of choosing the images be very natural: While you may not understand why you chose a specific image - the reason may be clear once you look at all of your images as a whole.
Example: I was struck by this image of a cheetah with a baby deer in its mouth. Usually I would be repulsed, but I kept having a strong reaction when I saw this image. Ultimately, this image represents taking charge of my life and not letting people walk all over me.
Tear out an abundance of images, whether it’s landscape, people, words, WHATEVER…just tear out the images that your soul tells you to tear out!
It’s ok if you don’t use all of your images! You can save them for another collage project later on! (Soul Collage)
After you have collected your images, cut them out however you wish and arrange them on the board (DO NOT GLUE THEM). Let the images flow in the way that you want them to, do not be afraid to overlap/intertwine the images. This is your Vision Board, and the creativity is endless. Once you have determined how you would like the images to be arranged, glue the images down…and you have a Vision Board! This process can take as little or much time as you want. Some ladies finished their Vision Boards today (in 4 hours)…while others are going to continue working on them. Mine will definitely be a couple of days.
PLEASE try this out! PLEASE send me your results/a summary of what your vision board means to you and how the process made you feel. I would love to hear about it, and I know the ladies in the group would love it as well.
Quality Beauty Products
Hey everyone! I just signed up for something called Birch Box tonight! Here is the general idea: It’s a monthly “subscription” for $10/month, or $110/year…I’m so excited to get my first box this month!
Every month, you’ll receive a box filled with 4-5 beauty samples from luxury brands. Each month will include a different mix of product types, including makeup, skincare, fragrance, body, and hair care. All samples are generously sized, with enough product to allow you to figure out if they’re right for you.
Here’s the link below!
January Roll Call: Reblog if you’re still an active healthy weight loss blog!
(Source: inspiremethin)
Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe New Years Eve, as well as a great start to 2012!
My love and I spent the evening with my best friend and her man, and it was an absolute blast. I miss her tons, so whenever there’s a chance to see her it’s great…but it’s just hard because we want to keep partying all night! They’re actually joining us for the Austin Color Run 5k!!! My best friend and I have both been dealing with our weight within the last few years, and it’s so hard that she lives far(ish) away - because I knowwww she and I would be motivators for one another. I think this is definitely our year, though.
This afternoon was great. Boyfriend and I spent the afternoon with my parents, ate at a Greek restaurant, checked out the medical center where I’ll be attending school, and walked around the gardens. It felt productive, and it was nice to spend time with my parents and boyfriend all together. (Parents live out of the country so it’s hard to get that kind of quality time in with everyone at once).
Basically, Happy New Year everyone! I’m not making a resolution, I’m making a commitment to improving my overall health and wellness. I’m definitely going to need help and support along the way, but I am absolutely determined.
Day 13, 14, & 15 of Christmas Weight-Loss Pledge
Day 13 - Your Biggest Problem or Issue that is Delaying You from Losing Weight
- My mind. I have so many mental hurdles, and I just need to go, I just need to do it. I used to be quite fit, I was a dancer - I know that I am capable. My mind/emotions are holding me back, but I know that I wont feel any better by not doing anything.
Day 14 - What’s Your Current Weight: Did you lose anything these past 7 days? If you didn’t, what is your plan for the next?
- Ugh, no. I actually gained. My plan is to eat healthier than I have this past week, and to exercise….eek!
Day 15 - Junk Food: List All Your Weak Foods/Candies(be completely honest)
- Anyyything chocolate. Fast food is a weakness because it’s so convenient/addicting. It’s so terrible, though. French fries. I don’t have a ton of things that I love to snack on, or bad foods that I have to have…I really just need to watch my portions and not binge.
