The first hole of golf I have ever played!

Exhausted from driving, stress with school and work. Working with/ supporting family during an intense scare regarding my Grandfather’s heath it was just a lot.

I did discover yin yoga while on the cape which was amazing. I hope to continue the practice as part of my regular routine, even if that means every other week. The class feels like a reset button for my mind and body. It is important to hit reset sometimes to avoid the pin wheel of death.

This week I have been back in action! August is going to be great, with no school slowing me down and lots of friends in town I plan on getting back to where i was before July.

I have been exploring some form of movement at least twice a day and have probably spent at mimimum an hour and half working out every day. Let me tell you it feels great! Saturday I am going to rest my body and Sunday I plan on walking all over DC with family! Life is good and now that classes are on a hiatus I plan on putting some of my complaining aside.

Life is easier when the positive is embraced.

Friday I went to the gym over the lunch hour as usual. Felt comfortable with my cardio and continued weight lifting on my left leg only. I would have liked to had a bit more time but I was happy with what I did in the time I had. Also, I was able to hold a squat for a minute thirty which is a personal record. YAY!

“If you don’t focus on your ass, no one else will.”
– Cristina Goyanes, 27, Women’s Health associate editor, New York City

But here is where I feel truly accomplished. Later that day I went to back to the gym and did laps for 20 minutes. I would have done more but I got to the pool late as a result of work conflicts. I was exhausted tired, it was Friday and I was done. But I made a point of getting the gym, getting changed and getting into the pool and doing laps. It took everything to do it but I did.

I hope this week continues on such a positive note. With two practices and a flexible schedule I should easily be able to get in at least 4 gym work outs!

He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Ideas for things I can do while on vacation? Yoga perhaps? Long Walks?

Friday Night, I tried to tackle a few of my challenges. First, my lack of upper body strength. Second, my fear of heights. I did all of this at Trapeze School. No, I am not looking for a new life as a clown. But I did want to see if I could it. Although not graceful, scared shitless, with slippery hands – I had a great time.

Trying to get the courage to jump

Sunday wrapped up the weekend with an intense stomach ache and lots of pain in the upper body. A few hours of R&R followed by an Epsom salt bath and I was at least functional again.

Note: If you check out the trapeze school in DC and if you have a fear of heights see if Mandie is teaching a class. She walked me through it, and I don’t know if I would have done it without her!

Functional enough to go to the driving range. Where I consistently was hitting between 100-124 feet. Seeing as how I am not a seasoned golfer I was happy with these results.

All in all it was a great weekend but as I sit at my desk all I want to do is rest my arms, back and abs. Sigh… perhaps that will be what next weekend is for? Nah…

How does one train to strengthen only one leg and not take everything out of whack? It’s the Left Leg Challenge.

Moving forward, I plan on training and practicing as much, as often and as hard as possible. No Pain- No Gain.

p.s. In the past I have commented about hamstring pain – well I am still working on loosening up my hammies – found these stretches thought I would share.

This allergy season has been brutal, especially to those of us in the Washington DC area. For me, someone who is allergic to the area I have had stints where I am floored. The pain, the pressure, the itching the annoyance sucks out all my energy and spits out onto the floor.

This has made it very difficult to get into any sort of rhythm regarding my work out routine. I am still trying to push myself to get to the gym, I feel that I am not pushing myself enough when I get there.

It’s like jumping over the log that is in you way then tripping and falling smack on your face.

Any ideas for pushing through the allergy brain to gain a more productive workout.

If I could binge and look like barbie it still wouldn't be okay.

I can’t quite figured out what has caused this binge, but I can tell you it is over. Tomorrow, I am back to the gym, back to practice, and back to eating healthy food in healthy portions!

Encouragement is welcome and for all those out there who catch this, stay strong!

On another note, a girl broke her ankle at practice this morning. What sucks is that she did it basically standing and falling straight down. On one side this made me realize how easily I could become seriously hurt. But that sort of negates the challenge of this all. So instead I will focus on how important it is for me to strengthen and stretch and do what I have to do to take care of my body to prevent injury.

At this point if you haven’t figured out what some of this Derby business is about here is a link.

And on a fun positive note I can do almost 20 push-ups with out wanting to die!

Well, today I am so tired and so exhausted from last night’s practice, my legs knees and ankles ache and I just want to nap. To make matters worse I have a tummy ache. But I really really would like to get the gym today, especially since my lunch hour is occupied tomorrow.

Any words of encouragement from out there in the world?
Also any solutions for toe pain would greatly appreciated.

While stumbling into a Starbucks in my usual morning stuper I ordered a low-fat banana chocolate chip coffee cake. Love how that low-fat prefix makes me feel better about ordering it. However, post consuming it I no longer feel better- why the hell did I order that.

350 Calories or 8 weight watchers points

44 calories or 1 weight watchers points

As for my fitness and healthy eating this weekend I could of done better. Friday afterwork, J and I went to Rays Hell Burger in Arlington. Rated the best burger in the DC area, we just had to try it. Why we decided to try it in the same week that Obama went there was not the brightest idea. The burger was good the cheese poofs were amazing but I don’t know if any of it was worth it.

Saturday was filled with Roller Derby Championship Fabulousness! And Sunday found me in a Bikram yoga studio and at Eastern Market as this was the first nice day it had seemed like weeks! Late afternoon found me napping and then cooking into the evening.

I find the more I can prep during the weekend the better I eat during the week. I did everything from blanching fresh string beans from eastern market, to cutting strawberries to making full on dishes like rosemary chicken in wild rice… Yum!

Today, with a stiff back I dragged myself to the gym. Did okay, especially considering my lack of motivation and the tightness in my lower back. I am pooped! And already ready for next weekend!