Last Chance Workout

This past weekend I taught my second cycle class and I am LOVING it!  I had several people come up afterwards and thank me for a tough workout.  I got thanked for making them work hard!  In that moment I felt so proud of myself, that I had gotten to such a level in my own personal fitness that I can push and motivate people to work hard.  24 Hour branded some of their classes on Saturday as Last Chance Workout (Biggest Loser Finale is tomorrow).  Although I thought this was great, it got me thinking.

Why last chance?  Why all or nothing?  Why are we all so inclined to say tomorrow is the day I change.  I was like that, everytime I made a bad choice I would say to myself, thats okay because tomorrow you'll start making better choices.  Tomorrow would turn in to next week, next month and so on.  It is such a backwards way of thinking about our health and well being.  Instead it should be I just made a bad decision, my next decision will be to do something good for myself.  It should be, I'll go to the gym today and tomorrow!  It should be, I want start my healthy lifestyle right now!

To me, the biggest culprit in why we think this way is mainstream media.  Everything related to health and fitness has a time table attached to it.  This causes us to either think its okay to wait until tomorrow OR set such unrealistic goals for ourselves that we're bound to fail.

I am not where I'd like to be right now, however I think a big part of why is because I set such unrealistic goals for myself, I set myself up for failure.  When I didn't lose that next 5 lbs I started to give up, give in.  I've focused so much on that stupid number on that stupid scale.  The batteries have been dead for 2 weeks now and I'm slowly learning that its okay not to weight myself everyday.  I'm looking in the mirror more, but rather than looking at my flaws looking for postive changes.  I'm looking to see results rather than looking to see where I failed. 

Teaching cycle classes has given me that next bit of encouragement and empowerment to become a healthier me.  I feel so strong after I teach, like I could do anything!  After teaching I've been going to FIT classes at Team Quest, which are VERY hard workouts.  I've been completing them and when I go home, I feel so accomplished because each week I find myself pushing myself that much harder.  I find myself looking to the gym and to physical activities as a way to deal with stress.  I won't have 6 pack abs when I go to Mexico, I likely will never have them, ever!  However, when I step out on the beach I am going to feel strong and beautiful knowing I've pushed myself to reach my best potential.  I will continue to push myself, to get in better shape, but not because I want to look like a model.  Because I want to go teach a cycle class and then go to a FIT class and then go play a soccer game, all in the same day, and feel great doing it!

PS - I ordered the Primal Cookbook and am hoping to get it soon!  I have been sticking to the paleo diet about 80% of the time and I feel great.  I have avoided getting sick, I have plenty of energy.  I just need new food ideas because I am in a food rut!  I'll post some ideas and pictures once I get the book!

You know you're on the right track when...

As I sit here at work, the only thing I can think about is, what are my workouts going to be this week, when can I get to the gym, what gym is it going to be, what should I do for cycle class this weekend.  I hit me, I am back on track because all I can think about is ways to be healthy, get moving, eat better.  I LOVED every minute of my weekend, even though I am extremely sore from it!  I pushed myself past self imposed limits this weekend.  When I thought I didn't have anything left, I found some extra energy and pushed through it.  Tonight I am going to FIT at Team Quest, followed by a soccer game at 9:10.  I can handle working out twice a day, and frankly it gives me extra energy and motivation to do it all over again the next day!

This weekend I will update my blog with the rides I taught and hopefully one of these days I can get someone to take a picture of me while I'm teaching!

Checking In

I can't believe how long it's been since I've had a proper post!  I have been so busy lately with work, school, remodeling our bedroom, working out, teaching cycle classes, so I figured it was time for an update!
School
I am so close to being done with school, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  I have 4 weeks exactly left and I am confident that they will go smoothly.  This last class is our capstone class and I am doing my project on Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center, where I am now a board member.  This will be my first class project ever that will be put to real world use when it is finished, which puts a little pressure on me to ensure it is great, but its an area of business I am very comfortable with, so I feel good about it.  I won't be going to my graduation because Matt and I will be in MEXICO! I can't wait, I just counted the days on my calendar and we are leaving in 30 days!! Which brings me to my next update topic - Fitness

Fitness

I posted before pictures awhile back with the intention I would have some update pictures to post before I left for Mexico.  However, I have to admit that I have no progress to show right now.  However, I am motivated, dedicated and a bit crazy right now and am determined to see at least one ab muscle by the time I go to Mexico!  Okay well at least to feel really good about myself.  I started last week with renewed motivation to get in better shape.  I worked out like crazy last week.  Monday I did FIT with Team Quest, Tuesday I practiced my ride for cycle in the morning and went the the Kettlebell Gym in the evening, Wednesday I did another FIT class, Thursday I cycled in the morning and swung bells in the evening, Friday I took a cycle class for encouragement and Saturday.....on Saturday I TAUGHT MY FIRST CYCLE CLASS!!  I had so much fun and it went great!  Everyone was covered in sweat and came up afterwards to thank me for a great workout, mission accomplished!  I even killed myself on that ride but my day was just beginning.  I then went to FIT at Team Quest where we flipped tires among other things (see below): 

That tire weighs 250 lbs!!!  Great workout!  After getting my a$$ kicked once again I then proceeded to play in our indoor soccer game.  I was WORN out by the end of the day but felt great.  My fitness has come such a long way and that is something I am very proud of!

As I mentioned, I'm also teaching cycle classes now.  I teach Saturday's at 9:00am in Hillsboro and in a few weeks I'll also be teaching Thursday's at 6:00pm in Hillsboro.  Additionally, I will be subbing a lot at the Tualatin gym, so look for me there as well!  I love it, it is such a rush to get up there and lead a group of people through a really tough workout!  It motivates me to push myself because I know everyone is looking to me for their own motivation and I don't want to let anyone down.

Life in General

Matt and I have been working on fixing up our bedroom, I'll post pictures once it's all done.  We ripped out the carpet and the old vanity and put in new floors and a new vanity, gave the room a fresh coat of paint, tiled the bathroom and are in the process of putting the doors and molding back in.  Its really close to being done, which is awesome!  Our Mexico trip is fast approaching so we're both trying to squeeze in every last minute of working out we can so we can look HOT in Mexico!!  We sold our boat and although we're sad not to have it this summer, we're excited to fix up the rest of the house.  Don't worry, we plan on getting a newer/nicer boat hopefully next summer.  Since there is no way we'll be able to sell our house anytime soon we figure its time to make it something we love!

On a more serious note, Matt's cousin Brett (so my cousin as well) was serving our country in Afghanistan when he was shot and wounded. Luckily he is expected to make a full recovery, however this is such a harsh reminder of the risk our troops take everyday to protect our country.  Brett was shot while on a mission to protect a group of 40+ troops.  He detected an ambush and while trying to alert and move everyone to safety, was shot several times, with one bullet penetrating his leg.  Brett, after being shot, moved a solider to safety while firing his own weapon to keep the enemy at bay.  Brett is now in Washington DC, has had three surgeries and we are all eagerly awaiting any news on his progress.  Brett is an amazing young man, who is the face of absolute danger, protected his fellow troops, even after being shot.  He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star of Valor, the Combat Action Award, and several coins. 

It doesn't matter if you're for the war, against the war or somewhere in between, real people, like Brett, are overseas fighting bravely for our country.  It is so important that we continue to support our troops and pray that they safely return home once their tour is done.  I just want to say thank you to all our troops who have served, are serving or will serve in the future.  It isn't said often enough, THANK YOU!