How Far We've Come...

Until I Collapse....

   I have fallen prey to the "Strong is Better Than Skinny" slogan.  Not the idea of it, but the images of it.  Ripped biceps, toned abs, stellar legs.  Oh yes, I look at all these images and think, "Hmmm, my legs aren't really shapely like hers, my triceps still are in desperate need of repair, and don't get me started on my abs; which the lower portion proudly bears the stripes of motherhood, however can never show the physical work put into them underneath.  I work out literally almost an hour everyday.  Sweat pouring, muscles aching, lungs screaming, yet I envision the images I've seen splattered all over the internet of the "perfect, strong female physique" and while some areas of my body are starting to change and resemble them, I look no where close to those images.  Enter a hanging head on top of this. 

Stronger....

   I have been honest with myself and have told myself that being strong is extremely important.  The most important thing I have to keep in mind when thinking of myself being stronger is that, while my muscles may not be bulging or ripped, they are in fact becoming stronger!  I have started doing things I only aspired to do while seeing pictures posted by other people.  And while my form is not perfect, I still was able to go farther in my training than when I started out, thus executing moves or poses I never thought possible.   On top of this, my stamina has improved as well, and I am keeping up during HIIT routines, even dancing in between sets due to so much energy.  Also a feat I never thought would be possible.

 Finally extending my legs out in Side Crow.

 

Not Afraid....

 

     I know I still have more goals out there I wish to fulfill, and you better bet I'm going to do just that.  When I was younger, I would finish one thing just to find something else to tackle.  Well, working out as a whole has been one of those things I've stuck with.  I just can't quit!  People really have no  idea how addictive it is and how awesome it can make you feel, for real.  But all of these little "tests" for myself, well, as soon as I achieve one, I'm off to the next.  I'm still trying to prefect my form, because that is the perfectionist coming out in me, but my "hummingbird" tendency has me eyeing my next feat on the horizon.  And what makes me ready to move on to bigger efforts?  Seeing what I've accomplished, which has eliminated my fear of trying new things.

 

Take a Bow....

 

     I am like most people trying to lose weight or better themselves; I keep peeking at what's ahead, or sulking over how far I have to go.  What I'm training myself to do is to look at how far I've come.  For strength training, I've increased weights.  (No better feeling than having to buy heavier dumbbells!)  For flexibility, my yoga/Pilates poses are improving.  Cardio/Plyometrics, I'm doing longer HIIT workouts without having to take breaks.  I'm jumping higher, and moving faster.  During a cool down with my favorite workout site, Fitnessblender, they wanted us to go into a back bend.  I breathed out, "Yeah, right," because I've never been able to get my head off of the mat before.  I decided to try it, and look what happened:

 



 

     Now, I know my form is off and my arms aren't straight, but that wasn't really the most important thing on my mind right then.  I was just elated that I crossed one more thing off of my list.  Take a bow, or a back bow. 



Keeping Those Resolutions

Great Expectations...

      The New Year celebrations have come and gone.  Millions upon millions of people have aspired to make those resolutions and stick with them, come hell or high water.  Among all those resolutions, losing weight is a major frontrunner.  So, how many people vowed to eat right and lose weight?  And how many have already smacked their foreheads and shook their heads in disappointment?  We've all been there, believe me.  But do you know why we fail?  Because we set ourselves up to do so.  Great Expectations is not just a book, my friends.  One thing I've learned is to set realistic goals, obtainable goals.  One can plan to shoot for the moon, and that's admirable, but maybe try shooting for the star right in front of the moon first, especially if you've never made a trip that far before.

The Grand Illusion....

     One year I made the resolution to run a marathon.  "I'm going to do this," I proudly proclaimed to my husband.  I was excited, and the excitement of that endeavor clouded my reality.  For one thing, I wasn't a runner, well, not long-distance anyway which meant learning how to run a distance over a mile.  I was (and still am) a stay-at-home mom to a preschooler and a toddler, which meant I was their babysitter, so I'd have to take them along on my runs.  (That was almost a combined weight of 55 lbs. that I would be pushing, and I wasn't used to that, let alone running by myself.)  The factors kept piling up against me and finally the voice of reason, aka my husband, said, "Honey, that is a really great goal to have, but maybe it's not a right now goal. Maybe once both kids are in school and you could train by yourself. That would be a better time to try that."  He had a point.  A very good point.  I was so disappointed and my hopes crashed down around me.  But I stopped wallowing in self-pity and made another resolution:  I would practice Yoga and Pilates more that year; I would work it into my workout schedule.  I was always interested in it, so why not try it more?  At the end of that year, I was trying more advanced moves than I ever thought I would when I started, I had more flexibility and was stronger! I felt proud and accomplished.  It was a practical goal.  Instead of stating, "I'm going to be a Pilates instructor," and not knowing the first thing about either being an instructor or the moves themselves, I made the goal of just trying it more and learning the practice. 

 

 



 All The Small Things...

    This year, I've elected to incorporate more strength training into my workouts and also to try some new routines, such as Booty Barre and CrossFit. It's baby steps to emerge me from my comfort zone. As far as diet goes, I am striving to cut down (not cut out yet) nighttime snacking.  That is one of my weaknesses, so instead of deciding, "No more snacks at night, nada, zip, zero," and setting myself up for failure (because who am I kidding), I've cut down my snack, which is usually popcorn, to two nights a week (as opposed to five/six), then it'll be one, and hopefully will result in zero.  It's realistic.  I know I can do that and I won't cheat.  I will be accountable. 



Just Keep Swimming...

     Each year the promise of a clean slate, a fresh start, has us all resolving to these grand plans and then a month into them, we slip because it's just too overwhelming and we can't keep up.  Big dreams are great, don't get me wrong, but for those of you out there who are like me, you have to tackle that big dream one piece at a time.  I'm an "instant gratification" kind of person.  I want results and I want them now.  But I'm grasping onto the concept that slow and steady wins the race.  I mean, Rome wasn't built in a day.  So why not conquer one structure at a time until that beautiful masterpiece is complete?

Here's to a Happy, Healthy, and Successful New Year!