Getting Back in the Groove

My family was on vacation these last few days - lots of driving to and fro, which means lots of sitting for hours on end. We ate "out" every single meal. For about 48 hours we were staying at a theme park resort, so lots of yummy things to eat added on top of the lots of sitting for hours bookending the trip. Needless to say, all training went out the window - there wasn't time to squeeze anything into the already packed four days we had allotted for the trip.

Today, back in my cozy home, I started to catch up on things - emails, Facebook groups and friends, reading the news reports, and tagging and captioning uploaded photos. Happily busy, I suddenly realized that I would have to stop immediately and get ready for my Groove class. That's when the little voice inside my head said, "...or...you could skip it...just this once".

It was tempting. All of the things I could do instead of Grooving flashed in my mind and they looked good!

Fortunately, that other part of my brain - my positive motivation coach - jumped up and started waving her hands. "Hey, it's been nearly a week since you exercised - get back to work!" Then my imaginary coach flashed a visual - me doing the Frost Bite 10K and struggling because I wasn't training my body anymore. I didn't like that vision; not one bit!

So I pushed myself away from the computer, changed my clothes and drove to Groove. I threw myself into my workout and enjoyed the feeling of breathing and stretching, moving and grooving, and getting my body back to work.

Taking a short break from your fitness routines is fine, but don't talk yourself out of getting back in your groove!

Lifelong Health vs. Short-term Fads

Today I was joined in my Groove class by my 17 year old daughter, Kimi. It was a small class - only one other student besides us - which normally would make Kimi feel self-conscious but I think her concerns were set aside pretty quickly by our instructor, Leanna. A very good thing!

A predictable thing happened as we did our dance moves - Kimi & I played off of each other. Our normal goofiness reared its head including one amusing (to us, at least!) moment when we "challenged" each other & postured as if we were enemies. We quickly got back to business and had a great workout.

Kimi isn't new to group exercise classes - she used to do ballet, jazz, and gymnastics when much younger and, more recently, ninjitsu. She is actually quite strong, energetic, and very flexible - which might not be your first thought looking at her. While petite (pocket-sized, she likes to say), right now she is not slender. The girl's got curves...not excessively but more than she wants.

Since our move in October Kimi has embraced healthier habits. First, she changed her diet and became a vegetarian, something that's rather easy to do where we live. Now, she's seeking more opportunities to be physically active. The key here is she is choosing this - all of her motivations are intrinsic and come from a healthy place inside her. Too often motivations are too external - we do things because it's fashionable (do a cleanse, eat lots of protein, hot yoga is the best yoga....) not because it makes sense for us. Paying attention to what we want and what we need is so important for not only starting a healthy lifestyle but maintaining it as just that, a life style - not a diet, not a fad.

This is what I did three years ago when I decided I needed to change my habits. I lost 35 pounds over 6 months, focusing on quality and quantity of foods and on increasing regular activity, and I believe that my example helped Kimi see what healthy looks like.  No yo-yo'ing, no self-loathing, no deprivation - I still eat chocolate, drink beer, and enjoy myself at parties. I also stay mindful of what any given week's worth of eating and activity is for me and make sure that I am maintaining my sweet-spot of balance.

Lifelong health, not fitting into a too-tight outfit for a special occasion, should always be our primary goal.

Getting out of my own way

I've been quite jazzed since jogging on Monday - my first time since becoming a grownup! I noticed this morning that my arms are gaining definition, which is cool, too. I've been sharing my info via Facebook statuses on my wall and with my group of fitness gal-pals/support group Hot Chocolate Drops and welcoming the accolades with open arms. Overall, I've been feeling pretty good about myself.

Then, this morning, I went to my classes. I got myself settled into my usual spot for Zumba - near the windows so I can see outside, second row in (first row feels too on-the-spot still) so that I can clearly see what my instructor is doing. I felt good, strong and ready.

Mid-way through the class our instructor repositioned herself at the back of the room. I was now about as far away as possible and had zero sight lines to her. She started doing new moves and I was lost. I kept trying to use the others in front of me for some guidance but they each were doing something a little different from the others - which way was the right way? I could not tell. Now they're spinning, now...something with arms? Crud! I was kind of bobbing and weaving, fully aware that I wasn't even close to what I was supposed to be doing. I felt so frustrated...with myself, with the other students (they could see her, right? what was their excuse?), and with the instructor (who I adore!). As my heart rate slowed, since I wasn't moving like I had been, I even felt cheated - I wasn't getting the workout I need or want. It was a pity party for one, right out there on the dance floor.

Finally, the thoughts popped into my head: It doesn't really matter. Stop trying to be "perfect". Just keep moving. Breathe.

I was so caught up in what I couldn't do that I let my emotions get the better of me. I lost enjoyment and I lost opportunity - all because I couldn't get out of my own way. Once I did...hey, look at that! I was back to finding a rhythm that was "good enough" even if it wasn't exactly what the instructor was doing.

So, I learned my lesson, right?

Well...

Following Zumba I go to yoga. It's a big switch in nearly every possible way. I walked into the room and set up my sticky mat in my favorite spot for yoga - right next to the window so I can see outside, first row (yoga isn't exactly follow-the-steps!). I put my extra gear away in a cubby and returned to find someone placing her mat rightnexttomine, which is kind of a no-no, since each yogi needs a little side space beyond the mat to stretch and extend arms and legs. I slid my mat away from hers to create more space and plopped down. That's when I noticed it...I was facing the wall now. My beautiful window view was in front of the other gal. MY view.

{grumble, grumble} Find your breath...
{grumble, grumble} Notice any tension in your body and breathe into it...
{grumble, grumble} On your next inhale gently open your eyes and take in the light

Oh.

I can see. I can let go. I can be in the moment and not dwell on the little things...little things that truly don't matter. I can get out of my own way...and discover what's waiting on the other side.

Bent Creek Trails

Bent Creek Trail Map, Pisgah National Forest

Today we hiked in the Lake Powhatan area of the Pisgah National Forest. We discovered that there are many great trails that loop around and from each other - so you can add as much milage as you wish for your trek for the day.

Our friends Gail and Broc joined us, so we had fun conversation throughout the hike. The trails are very popular with dog owners and mountain bikers - and they were out there! Broc kept surveying the trails and got jazzed thinking about being on his own bike sometime in the future.

We ended up hiking about 5 1/2 miles in 2 hours. Not too shabby! The terrain changed up nicely, some good steep inclines and declines with gentler ascents and descents mixed in. Kept us up at a good cardio level without stressing us. I know I could do faster and want to go back after I get some jogging miles under my belt so I can try some trail running. I know, who'da thunk?!

You Should Be Dancing, Yeah...

Thursdays have become my super-woman workout days. I start off with Dynamic Dance, which is just like NIA. If you've never heard of NIA before it's a blend of martial arts, dance moves, and healing arts with cool music. It is a serious cardio workout!

Right after DD is Dynamic Strength, which takes some additional dance moves and combines them with more traditional body weight strength moves. Some of it is even done using a partner's weight as resistance. There are a LOT of squats, lunges, pushups and planks!

By the time I'm done, I am DONE. However, in the 3 weeks I've been doing the back-to-back classes I've noticed that I am already improving my strength and endurance. I make sure I hydrate well before I get to class and then continue during the workout. I am realizing that as I am able to work harder I will need to have a second water bottle in the car to sip after the workout. I also have a protein bar in my bag to eat on the way home so that I'm not ravenous - that gives me time to make a good lunch rather than grabbing quick-to-eat snacks just to get something into my stomach. Today was a yummy veggie lentil soup with nutritional yeast sprinkled on top - very filling, and high in lean protein and fiber.

I track my workouts using the YMCA's fitlinxx program. I'm finding that my average calories burned per cardio workout this month is 580 - not too shabby! I know as I add my triathlon trainings to my workout schedule this will only increase. What I need to keep in mind is choosing nutritious meals and snacks for my extra calories (and not just add cookies or ice cream!)

Y is for Yoga...Z is for Zumba

Wednesdays I've been doing a double-shot of classes at the local YMCA: 60 minutes of Zumba followed by 60 minutes of "gentle yoga". Zumba is a Latin inspired dance class that uses international and pop music to keep a tempo for a very energetic cardio and strength workout. Gentle yoga moves more slowly than a typical Hatha or flow yoga class, with poses held longer than in these other classes.

I love doing the gentle yoga class after Zumba - the breath work and asanas provide an excellent post-cardio stretch, increasing my flexibility after working my muscles so intently. The relaxation at the end ain't bad either!

I plan to continue these classes as I incorporate my triathlon training, rather than supplement them. I want Groove, Zumba, and Yoga to be a part of my baseline activity to counteract my more stationary hours in front of the computer. They help me feel strong and centered, and I find that my creative juices are bubbling after working out. Guess getting oxygen to the brain is a good thing!

Now the trick is creating space in my day-to-day life for everything I want to do. I'm trying to schedule blocks of time on my Google calendar to help keep track of them - time to write, time to research, time to play, time to read, time to cook, time to indulge my creative urges with art, photography, or music. All of these things are important to me but it's easy to lose track of time and end up getting a lot less done than you thought you would. Goodness knows, Facebook alone can suck up more time than expected - some days there is so much gabbing and sharing! Creating a schedule to guide me (not shackle me) brings structure where I need it.

So that I can keep on track!

Groovin'

Went to my Groove class today - 60 minutes of music and movement. Today's focus was shoulders and arms. As I moved about the room I could catch glimpses of myself in the mirror and was pleased to see some muscle definition in my upper arms.

Following class I went over to the nearby tea house & noshed on a very filling hummus with warmed pita and fresh cukes, carrots and celery, all liberally sprinkled with herbs, and washed down with Staroborshov, a cold shaken dark oolong tea. It felt good sitting quietly on the cushions, enveloped by the warm air, after all that movement.

Take at Least One ... a Chance!

A couple of months ago, right after moving to my new town, I met some gals who were planning to do a 10K charity event. Technically, the 10K was a race, but most of them were walking it instead. I was invited to join their group and with little hesitation I said "Yes"!

Thus began my two month training period to build up my strength and endurance so that I could: 1) walk a 10K, which is the US equivalent of 6.2 miles, and 2) not feel like death afterwards.

I am very happy to report that I succeeded on both counts. I'm less happy to report that during the entire event rain poured down upon us. For nearly two hours we slogged through town, spanning massive puddles that flooded our shoes just as completely as they flooded the streets. We were a chilly drippy bunch at the end.

And yet...

...and yet we loved it!

And now a bunch of us have gone and done something crazy. Crazy with a capital C. We've registered (aka committed perfectly good, non-refundable money) for a Triathlon! In May! We have 16 weeks to train ourselves up so that we will be able to

1. Swim 1/3 of a mile
2. Bike 19 miles
3. Run 3 miles

...all one right after the other.

For those of you who are into this kind of thing, this probably seems like small potatoes. For someone like me, however, this is a Big Deal.

1. I don't run. I mean, yes, if the zombies are coming I will run - but truly, why run when you can just walk - then you can keep talking and not spill your chai latte.

2. I do like to bike, but I haven't used my bike in a couple of years, so those particular pedal pumping muscles might be a bit, well, "under utilized". Around here there are mountains aplenty, so there isn't any easy level area to start bike training. I'm a little freaked concerned about looking like a prize idiot crawling up the hills slower than a bumblebee in the summertime. So, I also have to work on protecting my ego...

3. I can swim, but not like with any decent form. I can tread water quite well (ask the U.S. Coast Guard - they may still have records about that little accident adventure way back in the 80's) and we had a swimming pool at our previous house. One third of a mile, without stopping to hang out at the pool edge, is, for me, a significant distance. Living on the edge of a mountain, we don't have a pool for me to practice in, privately and with no fear of being seen distractions. Guess I'm going to have memorize the open swim schedule at the local Y and learn to stroke, stroke, stroke (breathe), stroke, stroke, stroke (breathe)...

To help me stay focused on my fitness training schedule and healthy eating I decided to create this, my Kick-Butt Fitness Blog. I will be chronicling the ups and downs as I train my way towards becoming a triathlete and will happily hear from any of you who are also on a transformation journey.

Welcome!

...now, let's kick some butt!