Like many, I often suffer from anxiety. Some times are worse than others, but regardless, they happen and it’s an evil thing. I get it when I have to go to the dentist; I get it when I’m in an elevator; I just get it from time to time.
So the question lies – what do I do to combat anxiety?
Easy answer – yoga.
No joke. When I’m consistent with my practice, my anxiety is less. When I’m consistent with my practice, I can handle my anxiety better. When I’m consistent with my practice, anxiety has no place.
So with that, I’m re-committing to my practice; I’m re-committing to yoga; I’m re-committing to me.
It’s Sunday and that means it’s time for another one of my favorite posts – Sunday Confessions.
-A few weeks ago one of our patients heard me say something about living in Southern California and asked if that’s where I’m from. Apparently I lost enough of my Chicago accent and picked up a few SoCal-isms to sound like it…While I understand it wasn’t meant to offend me, but I was not okay with that.
-Speaking of work, a few weeks ago the weather was absolutely gorgeous and a patient called to reschedule her daughter’s appointment. She apologized profusely but said she just couldn’t get her daughter off the swings at the park. It was a BEAUTIFUL day outside – warmer than it’s been and the sun was shining brightly. That burst of Vitamin D was probably just as good for her daughter that day as her adjustment would have been. Besides, if I were the little girl, I wouldn’t want to get off the swings either.
Don’t judge me…
-I’m totally the girl that wore makeup to run her half marathon. I kept it light with a little concealer, powder and mascara but I wanted to look good when I crossed the finish line. Judge me if you’d like.
-I decided to forgo girls night with the ladies from the office Friday night. It was a long week and after an extra long Thursday, I knew the only thing I wanted to do Friday was go home, put on pjs and relax. So I did and it was glorious.
-Speaking of Friday night, I also did yoga for the first time in weeks. I was surprised how easily I was able to relax, be present and boy was it a beautiful thing.
-This may not be so much of a confession, but I’m more than ready to move back out of my parents house again. I’m so grateful for them allowing me to come back for the last few several months but I miss having my own space and my life not half in boxes. With that said, I’m waiting on a few important details before I can start the search…that’s easier said than done.
This is one of my beautiful friends I met while living in New Jersey, Ida. She is so incredibly beautiful and talented. This also happens to be her YouTube debut!
A Discussion Worth Having:
My good friend and BLEND, Amanda, wrote this great post on her thoughts about weight loss contests. When we write these kind of opinion related posts, we’re really putting ourselves out there and I really respect her for that, but even more, I couldn’t agree MORE with Amanda’s views. Check out this post!
A Discount Worth Using & A Race Worth Running:
I’ve mentioned a few times that I’m running the Chicago Pretty Muddy run later this year. I’m so honored to be one of their ambassadors so I wanted to make sure to pass this discount code along to you! And even more, if you’re in the Chicago-land area and want to run WITH me, let’s team up!
An Office Worth Getting Comfortable:
Starbucks seems to be my new favorite Friday day-off habit. I get to enjoy a cup of coffee and get a LOT done just by changing up my scenery. And thanks to the fact that there are multiple locations in my area, I can change it up even more.
A Workout Worth Repeating:
Just in case you missed my Trainer’s Tip on Thursday, don’t forget to add this circuit to your routine this week! And if you tried it, don’t forget to let me know what you thought!
An Article Worth Reading:
A couple years ago, actually in the early days of this blog, I took a 30 Day Yoga Challenge. I had purchased a GroupOn for a month of unlimited yoga at a studio down the street from my job and figured there was no better time to challenge myself to 30 days of yoga – straight.
I went to classes of all different sizes, different teachers, different types and different levels. One of the instructors really hit a chord in me – her name was Gigi Yogini. Her Wednesday class became a routine part of my week, well beyond that month. She would become a friend, confidant and while there were talks of me working for her, sadly my health at the time got in the way. Regardless, she was this rock in my life constantly bringing me joy and encouraging me to follow my heart.
In fact, I specifically remember a class where I was in a severe amount of pain but really didn’t want to miss her class, her healing. She came over during one pose, put her hand on my side and I could feel the positivity, love, and healing she was trying to send to my body. I will never forget that.
I am going somewhere with this. This woman is incredible and one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met – on the inside and OUT. And she wrote this beautiful article worth reading from top to bottom.
How was everyones Valentine’s Day? It’s really not my holiday (whether single or in a relationship) but my dad made us spaghetti because he knows how much my mom and I love it. I can’t complain there!
Anyway, I’m moving my way through my 1/2 marathon training and surprising myself by how well I’m doing and how great my body is feeling. Even through some harder runs, I can feel my lungs getting stronger and my body able to better deal with the new stressors being placed on it. It’s really a great feeling.
Speaking of my training, tomorrow I head up to Madison for a 5k race as part of my training (and part of my goal to run at least 1 race per month this year). I’m really excited!
So as for this week’s training, here’s what it looked like:
Don’t freak by the lack of “official” rest day – that’s TODAY! With my race tomorrow, I had to switch things around, including my rest day. Have no fear, I feel great!
Okay, first of all, how did no one notice this last week? Did you still not notice? Someone get me (and maybe you!) another cup of coffee…we’re LONG past August…!
Second, can you believe it’s officially FEBRUARY?! January seemed to fly by for me, which was both good and bad I guess. I’m definitely still working towards living my healthiest and happiest year yet.
Anyway, I decided I wanted to do something fun for February – change things up a bit. A couple months ago, Tina did a fun core challenge which I absolutely loved because my core is definitely my “trouble spot” or the point where I feel the most self conscious. When I’m consistent with working out these muscles, I feel like there’s a difference – both visually but also with how I feel about it (which personally for me, is the most important).
So for the month of February I’m going to focus on strengthening my core, on working my core musculature and most important, learning to love my core! And I’m calling it Love Your Abs February!
You can feel free to join me or you can take it as motivation to spend the month learning to love your “trouble spot.” If you want to join me in loving your abs, be sure to tune in each Tuesday for a few of my favorite ab exercises and workouts (some may be mine, some from friends or other sources and some may be new to all of us).
Now, on to my weekly workouts:
I have to admit it was a kind of rough week for my training. Each workout felt great but I had to do some major shifting. First I pushed back Saturday’s long run to Sunday; which meant I pushed back Sunday’s strength training to Monday; Monday’s run was tough so I pushed back the strength training again to Tuesday; Tuesday’s workout was awesome – no complaints; Wednesday’s workout was cancelled due to a severe headache; and since Wednesday became a rest day, Thursday’s rest day was supposed to be Wednesday’s workout but after an asthma attack at work, it stayed a rest day and Wednesday is lost in the shuffle. Did you follow all that? The person in me that wants to stick to a schedule just finds that difficult, but I was listening to my body and honestly that’s the most important thing!
Join the #fitnessfriday conversation:
How were your workouts this week?
How are you doing with your goals, resolutions or commitments for 2013?
Good news! I finally got around to fixing my social media buttons on my sidebar!! So if you’ve been trying to be my friend, follow me, like me or stay connected, you no longer have to go on the hunt. They work! With that, won’t you be my neighbor friend?
Good news! It’s FRIDAY!
I’m sure I’m not alone in this statement when I say I love Fridays. They bring me so much joy, especially since lately I’ve been off work on Fridays and Fridays mean I get to play catch-up, relax, and get some things done. Currently, Thursday afternoons have also meant productivity. At least once I get home from work, eat lunch and possibly pass out on the chair while watching EveryBody Loves Raymond.
Trust me. It’s happens.
But a cup of coffee, afternoon snack and my to-do list, meant it was time for a comeback! And that’s exactly what I did. I came back and tackled a few things that have been lingering on my to-do list for quite some time. Longer than I’d like to admit, actually. But they got done and that’s all that counts in my book!
Anyway, it was another great week of workouts and I’m pleased to say that my 1/2 marathon training is going well so far. I’ve had some tough runs but they just make the good ones that much better! I also think I’m in major need of changing up my playlist. Music really has the power to push me through some tough workouts so if I’m not really into it or sick of hearing the same songs, it does nothing to help me. Time to change it up!
I’m struggling with yoga still (re-occurring theme here?) but I’m trying not to be so hard on myself for it, especially since I’ve been doing more reading. While I love yoga for stretching out my muscles, I also do it to clear and relax my mind. If I’m getting the relaxed mind from reading right now, then I don’t need to be so hard on myself for skipping the yoga. I still love it but I think my routine needs to be shaken up a bit so it might be time to try some new classes and make sure I’m stretching out my muscles in other ways more.
That could be one way to stretch…not really. Don’t try this at home.
Join the fun!
How were your workouts this week?
What are some of your favorite workout songs? Help me build a new playlist!
Yep, there’s still hardly any yoga in my life. And I promise I’m still working to fix that, despite how it seems. The thing is, I have to make it a habit again and once I do that, it becomes so natural. I know how much better I feel when I have a consistent practice (physically and mentally), so I just need to get back into it. And with some stress going on in my life right now, it will be very beneficial.
You know what else is beneficial? Massage.
And lucky for me, as part of my chiropractic care, that’s just what’s on the agenda for this afternoon. I don’t anticipate it will be very long or the best massage ever, but it will be nice to work out some of the tension I’ve been holding between my shoulders.
Is it still okay to be saying that?! I’m feeling so optimistic that 2013 will be great, I guess I’m still living in the new year, new you glow. Though it’s not really new me, it’s more improved me.
I had a great week of workouts this week but I’m wondering where all the yoga went? Thankfully I got in a great 50 minute YogaDownload session – Qi Yoga 2 which was fantastic. I downloaded this session months ago but this was the first time I actually did it. It was fabulous and right up my alley – very flowy with a great tempo. If you’re looking for a great at-home flow, I highly suggest checking it out.
Anyway, besides for sharing my workouts this week, I want to also talk about my fitness goals for 2013…at least some of them. This list will probably change throughout the year with more things being added or changed, but for now, these are some of my main fitness goals for 2013:
Run 12 races (a variety of distances)
Run my first 1/2 marathon
Successfully complete a head and/or hand stand unassisted
That day off I had today; gone. That movie I had planned to see last night; didn’t happen. But the additional hours at work I needed; received. I just can’t go to an after 9pm movie and make it to work to open the next morning. And since some coworkers are sick, gotta help out. We call that karma.
But I must also admit, I’m ready for a day off but it is going to be a few days so until then, I’m going to try and soak up the extra hours, save some money and use my moments not at work as efficiently as possible.
Some of that time not at work will include more yoga because it keeps me centered and happy. It amazes me how centered I am when my practice is more regular vs. more sporadic. And as you’re about to see, I got my yoga on this week!
Happy Friday – don’t forget to grab a button and link-up!
How were your workouts this week with the holiday?
How are you able to stay motivated through the holiday season?
I have a fun story for you all today because really, who doesn’t love a good story?
You see I spent the majority of my weekend pushing off my “long run” or rather, trying to find the right day to do it. After having zero motivation to run on Monday (and a few other things), I decided Tuesday would be the perfect day. Knowing it was going to be cold didn’t have me scared as I’m working up my cold-weather running tolerance. And it was cold.
So I went on my way and despite wishing I remembered that kleenex or brought a pair of gloves, I was doing good. I was aiming for 4 miles but if I was feeling good was going to push for 4 1/2 or 5 and I even took a new route to change things up a bit.
I wasn’t even a mile in when a few random flurries came down from the sky. I got all excited and thought “well, this is fun!” By the time I hit a mile, those random flurries turned into full on flurries which just kept progressing and falling harder. At the end of the 3rd mile I turned the corner towards my house and knew it was time to end my run. I was having fun; I was laughing and giggling like a little kid while running (I’m sure I looked rather strange to those driving by in their cars), but it was full-on snowing and every time a snowflake went up my nose, it made it that much harder to breathe with no tissue.
When I walked in the house, my dad was standing in the living room, looking out at the snow through the front window. His response: “it’s a bit cold out there for running!”
Squinty eyes from snow falling in them!
This story isn’t my cutting my run short – I don’t care; I still had a great run. This story isn’t about my first time running in snow – even though it was. This story is about the little things in life and just how much joy they can bring.
I swear if this wasn’t how I looked, it’s sure how I felt! (but obviously in girl form…)
Without further adieu, here’s my week of workouts:
And don’t forget to join the party and spread the word! Share your week of workouts, how you’re doing with a training plan, a new fitness routine you’re loving, or whatever other fitness-related thing you want this week.
How were your workouts this week?
When was the last time you truly enjoyed the little things in life?
