29 Day Fix. Day 2.

I woke up with a huge smile on my face and a heart overflowing with love. It was • f r e e z i n g • in my apt, yet I was excited to start the day. 

I rolled out if bed and pushed play. It was upper body day!

I did the 10 Min Hardcore ab workout today. Oh man- those weighted hip drops still get me. Ha! One day I hope to master them...it definitely wasn't this day. 

The dolphin-to-plank move was my nemesis in Upper Fix Extreme today. My feet kept sliding out from under me. It was awkward.

I'm feelin' sore, yet good.

Ready for more!

I read through the meal plan books (21 Day Fix and Hammer and Chisel) and was so pleasantly surprised at all the veggie options presented for proteins.

I got a better idea of what items to but at the store...but am still stumped when it comes to creative/creating recipes.

Maybe I'm overthinking this.

I'll go to the store tonight and check things out.

• • Day 2: 02/02/16. D O N E . • •

29 Day Fix. Day 1.

Happy • F e b r u a r y ! 

Happy • L e a p • Y e a r ! 

I'm celebrating this leap year with 29 days of sweat and clean eating. 

Decided to put together a 29 Day Fix clean eating and workout group for support and accountability...but didn't get any takers. I'm doing this health and fitness thing on my own- I get it now. I really would like to find my fitness tribe, though...so many other people have one- I know I can too! I hope/wish/pray I can be part of one/establish/find my health and fitness loving people soon. 

Anyway...

I'm 33-years-old and I have a horrible relationship with food. 

As every relationship takes work - even relationships with food - I am determined to put in the work to repair this busted relationship, this year. 

So, for the next 29 days, I'll be following a fresh shopping list, meal plan, cooking at home, prepping meals, and watching my portions. 

I am terrified.

I've never done anything like this before.

...Yes, I love the Beachbody workouts and can sweat up a storm by just looking at a workout room, but I really struggle with nutrition.

...I'm facing a really big fear, here...so the road will be bumpy. I'm giving myself permission to be a beginner and allowing myself space for frustration and "slip-ups". I'm not perfect- these next 29 days will be a challenge.

...yet also, SO. WORTH. IT.

• I'm determined to undo some false beliefs that I have been coveting when it comes to food.

• I'm ready to build a new appreciation for the nutrients I put into my body.

• I'm eager to experience the freedom, pride, and independence that comes with cooking my own meals.

• I'm curious about and long to be humbled by the process of expressing authentic, sincere gratitude for the food I buy, prepare, and eat.

• I'm beginning this journey, so I will be successful in taking lasting, positive strides towards repairing my relationship with food.

For the workout portion of this challenge, I chose to revisit my favorite of the 21 Day workout programs: 21 Day Fix Extreme.

• I'm going to alternate between Fix and Fix Extreme ab sets every day, as well.

Today was 10 Min Fix for Abs and Plyo Fix Extreme. 

I loved every second of these workouts...they were hard, though- I'll be honest. I know they work, though...so I don't mind. :)

For the clean eating:

• I have my portion control containers, but not the meal prep containers- yet.

...found some 2-slot and 3-slot containers on Amazon. Wasn't sure which ones to get...decided today to get both.

• I am planning to read the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Hammer and Chisel, and PiYo suggested meal plan books tonight to get an idea of what to put on my shopping list.

...I feel really nervous about making a commitment like this to food. My fear is that it will be wasted when I buy it.

I must overcome that fear and express gratitude for the food and enjoy it as I cook it and consume it.

- - I don't really know how to do that whole heartedly, yet. I am open yo learning and I shall try my best.

• • Day 1: 02/01/16. D O N E . • •

Mindful America

Mindful America... what an incredible concept.

Went to my 1st town hall meeting on Sat night (01.30.16) at Wanderlust Hollywood. It was exciting, interesting, and overall: refreshing. 

Seane Corn was there.

She is just so freaking cool -- I can't even describe it/there are not enough words to expres my sincere appreciation for everything that she is. :)

Prince E.A. was there.

It was the first time I had the pleasure of hearing him speak. Wow! What an eloquent man. I am inspired by him.

Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) was there.

Pretty darn cool that a person in congress representing OH came out to CA to engage in a discussion of mindfulness.  I wish/hope/pray our CA congresspeople get the memo and will join in next time.

Mike De La Rocha was there.

It was my first time hearing him speak. Wow! He is so knowledgeable about the issue of mass incarceration. I am inspired by him.

Marianne Williamson was there.

It was my first time hearing her speak. She's not my favorite. Very passionate- which I respect, but disconnected in a way. She thinks we abolished white supremecy... this is not true. She lost credibility in my mind/eyes/heart when she said that (and repeated it more than once.)

I am grateful that there are concered and connected yogis taking political action. I definitely want to get involved somehow. 

I am inspired by my experience at the townhall meeting. :)

I am grateful that Wanderlust is providing a safe, cinscious space and platform  for us to engage with each other, like this.

New Year, New Me

Oh, hey 2016.

There's something so new about you.

Something different.

Something promising.

I find myself giddy and hopeful and optimistic when I think of you...moreao than usual.

You're calling to me.

I'm listening.

I long for love...and adventure...and to fulfill my purpose. 

You're going to grant me these opportunities, aren't you?

I enthusiastically welcome all the blessings and challenges that await me.

I am going to do better and be better this year.

I am strong.

I am courageous.

I am in a good place.

I am happy.

I have experienced joy and peace from the depth of my soul...I will feel it again.

I am love...I am loved. I will find love and be in love, this year. If only with myself, it will be enough. Because I am enough. And I deserve it.

I will have a new job, this year.

And a new body, this year.

I will let my light shine, this year. Bright, radiant, blinding; without hesitation, doubt, shame, or fear.

I will be my authentic self. I will be and feel proud.

I am okay.

I am good.

I made it through last year.

I am a 200hr registered yoga teacher.

I am a CIZE Live group fitness instructor.

I am a PiYo Live group fitness instructor.

I feel good. I feel accomplished!

I paid off my car.

I did it!

I did good.

And I will continue to do good; and be well.

Oh, 2016...we're gonna do big things. And we're gonna be great together.

I'm so happy to see you! :)

...let's do this.

"When the student is ready, the teacher appears."

...I wonder who my teacher will be.

I hope she/he is awesome. 

I'm a little weary about dreaming of my teacher...but I heard somewhere that new moms can dream of their fetuses/babies before they are born. Maybe it's kind of the same thing...? When you love something so much and you put yourself out there, and you vibe with positivity and gratitude so hard, the Universe (...or God... Jesus... Spirit... Great Mystery...) can't help but grace you with your heart's ultimate desire... A Yoga Teacher!

[...or whatever it is you're praying/meditating/yearning/longing for...]

Oooh, I hope I can meet my yoga teacher soon!

* correction: I hope I am ready to meet my yoga teacher soon!

http://www.yoganonymous.com/ready-set-attract-the-right-teacher-for-you

Turning In

Transitioning back to life in LA after yoga teacher training (YTT) weekends in the mountains is proving to be an interesting part of my journey. 

• I am beyond exhausted, yet I still feel so grounded and centered. 

• I can stay calm and peaceful and ride my yoga euphoria/ high anywhere from 1-7 days post-return. • I cling/clench (unnaturally...?) hard to the very present mindset and feelings of tranquility and knowing and peace longer than I probably should...

Waking up to the sound of rain this morning made me feel good. I felt so blessed/grateful and wicked connected with the earth. It was in a beautifully unique way that, until now, I was only able to experience when deeply integrated/ in tune with the nature that engulfs my YTT weekends. 

I had a very strong urge to honor and acknowledge Mother Earth for the rain and the plethora of abundant blessing she bestows upon me. I didn't quite know how to go about doing so- my prayers of gratitude just feel like enough. So... I busted out my Sacred Path and Medicine Cards... 

...and these are the cards I drew today: 1- PIPE. And 5- BEAR.

Perfect. :)

First of the month

It is pretty freaking awful to work really hard for a ridiculously small paycheck.

I age myself with anxiety at the beginning of every month because of money worries/woes.

I should be celebrating and enjoying the newness of possibilities and beginnings that I  am blessed with.

I know this.

Yet it still takes me a couple days... until all my bills/checks clear... to calm down and smile a sincere smile and relax.

I am tense and nervous.

I love seeing my bank account grow!

I hate seeing it shrink. :(

It won't always be this hard. 

I know this.

My hard work * W I L L * pay off and I will reap all the benefits of my efforts!

I know this.

...this journey sure is humbling, though.

Praying... Hoping... Wishing... Grinding... Every day. 

amen.