Breezy Clouds

Yesterday was quite productive. I worked on school stuff and got pretty much all of the laundry done. Yay for clean pants! I also cooked up an awesome dinner (with my honey's help of course!). I didn't get as much school work done as I wanted but it was good progress and I devoted a good amount of time. Definitely no more lazy days allowed-- it messed up my schedule too much. I would say I blame having cable now but I still don't really watch it much. 

This morning has started off pretty okay. I only have a few minutes to write but it's something. I really need to get back to the gym because I'm tired of feeling tired. I don't know why I'm so good with school work at this new place but I haven't gone to the gym once since we moved. Maybe it's because I haven't actually done the ride from here to the gym yet. I think once I get my butt going it'll be cake. Also, I'll be getting my new bike soon so there will be even more of a need to get out. 

Well, I have to finish getting ready for work. Have a good weekend everyone. Have fun this mid-September; dance in the rain. 

Choo! Choooooo!

From: http://theadventuresofcassie.blogspot.com/search/label/Crochet

I've been absent on my blog for too long, yet again. Change really does effect me and I'm slowly working with it. We have the new place mostly in order. My parents come on Sunday to bring us a sofa, and Alex's parent's washer and dryer (thank you!).
I've been doing a good job at keeping up with my school work; now I need to get back into a good workout habit. My new complex is in the middle of construction for their new gym so I'm just relying on my yoga for the days I work. The other days, I really need to kick my butt out the house and get to the campus gym.
I also can finally set a start date for my everyday craftiness! Though I haven't heard back from the Crafting Club (boo), I should go ahead and get started anyway. I'm going to go ahead and start my craftiness on this coming Monday, September 15th. I'm going to start off by finishing up that cute apron I started last month. I really look forward to sharing my progress with sewing and anything else crafty (in all honestly it may be mostly sewing because I suck right now).
So coming up: more gym time + everyday craftiness.

Lift Those Books!

Big note to self: hall your butt earlier to the gym so you have less people to compete with (there were like a gazillion people hogging the workout mats trying to do weird bar-weighted moves-- and I mean the whole bar, not dumbbells or medicine balls). Despite that, I took my usual hour for arms and legs. I really need to get in some back workouts but the trouble is I'm dead after arms and legs. I know I could totally isolate different parts and do one for each day but I honestly like to get it all in in one day. I feel weird going just for arms or just for legs (honestly, I don't know how people complain about the time it takes to workout-- time flies when I'm on the floor). Perhaps it's people who spend their full 30 minutes of gym time on the elliptical or treadmill. I'm not downing on the elliptical/treadmill but, seriously, it's boring to just be on it for 30 minutes. I only do it when I need to or I'm too lazy to make the trip to campus; even then I still need good music to sing along and dance in my head to.
I'm not sure what else I'd like to share with you readers in this post. I almost have all my textbooks and doing okay with money to move into the new place and still buy groceries, thanks to my mom. The new semester is starting off okay. It looks like I have a weekly discussion for each of my classes so maybe that will keep me involved with all of them... I really hope I can keep up with my school work a little better this semester. I also hope my interests are restored once more with these classes-- I'm very hopeful for the History of Libraries and Teaching Information Literacy.

Spin To The Bed

It's been a month since I last did a group workout class let alone a high intensity one (and I still gotta get the last day of the cruise typed up!). I had originally decided to try yoga at 3:30 since my original Monday class was moved to 7:30. Then when I went to sign up I thought "why don't I try spinning at the rec?" And thus I sealed my fate of exhaustion. That ride kicked my butt and totally made me feel out of shape. I used to be really good with spinning-- well not like amazing but I did good enough to get through the class at a healthy challenging pace. I would go like once a week and even buddied up with one of my sisters, Danielle, to go to the class and do abs after. 

This new spin class was really tough on me and it's good because it's what I need to hop back on the bike, so to speak. It sucked just a little because I wasn't prepared. My body was just done after that spin class-- so done I just wanted to shlump and lay but for some reason my back was hurting. Thankfully the bicycle ride home is mostly down hill and only 10-15 minutes. 

So tomorrow I'm not sure yet what I have planned but I know I'm working out. It may just have to be arm day or something because I'm feeling so tired physically that my brain is running extra for it. Maybe it'll be a just Just Dance day. Probably not that though because Alex will need his rest when he gets home from his 4 AM. We shall see. 

And thus Monday says farewell. 

Yes, It Is.

I really need to get some fabric and/or something to paint. Yesterday I spent hours watching Say Yes to the Dress and my brain feels fried. I also need to get back into the habit of laying down earlier. Alex's 4 AM's make it tough because we usually lay down at the same time but he's been napping during the day so by the time he's up again, I'm just starting to feel tired. I'd also really like to get back to my gym classes. I was supposed to start back again this past Monday but the schedule was changed for the new summer semester (which started weeks ago but I haven't been since after the cruise) and Cardio Craise, which was at 10 AM is now 7 PM. I know this is good for the instructor since more people will attend her class (when I went last semester, there was only ever like four other girls and I don't think one of them was a come back). It's just a bummer because I like to work out in the morning to get it out of the way and not worry about making time for it once the day really gets going. 

It may be possible to do later classes now with Alex sleeping during the day. That might be what I need to do. 

Speaking of working out, the gym is calling. I finished my banana so I'm going to head over to my apartment complex's gym. Snoozy elliptical but it's something!

I Am a Kitty, a Very Active Kitty

So I'm still awful at tennis. Alex and I went to play on campus and it went okay. We had fun and it's nice to be outside with him-- it's also nice to have an option other than the bicycle (give my knees a break). When we were bicycling back home from the tennis courts I realized that we still haven't made it to the pool since the start of  "summer". I think it's because we want to get out and stretch our legs. Since neither of us are swimmers, the pool is a source of relaxation not activity. 

I'm excited to say that I've been doing awesome with my workouts and activities. I told you about Soulful Yoga but I don't believe I talked about Muscle Madness. I kicked my own butt and did moves I didn't know I could do. Yesterday Alex and I went for our usual route bike ride (7 miles). Today was elliptical in the morning before work and then tennis when I got home. 

I must express how happy I am at the level of activity both Alex and I have been exhibiting this past week. I know I said before that the cosplay craftiness was helping our relationship but I definitely think that working out and doing physical activities together really makes a difference. I feel like this is why he and I work so well together; be both like to be active and do research but we have differences that make us interesting to each other. I can't imagine being partnered with anyone else for my life.

More Good Habits

"Maaaa'm! I want to do yoga, too!"

I figured you would all enjoy some Rinpoche cuteness after the first week of classes.

This week I went to a gym class at the USF Rec Center: Muscle Madness! It kicked my butt and boy were my legs sore after. This little guy kept me in check the morning after by making sure I didn't slack on my asanas. This class is definitely one I'll be going to again. Monday night? Sounds like Muscle Madness night to me!

Even though it's been cold, I've been pushing to do at least something each day (this week, I counted walking in the mall as something... it will not be allowed again). Looking back, I need to be more strict with myself about starches and portion sizes. I also need to try eating more frequently which is a challenge Friday through Sunday since I work ten to six those days. I can have snacks if I need to but it's tough when things are actually busy at the store.

I hope your semesters are all off to a good start. Here's how mine is right now: 

39.25" shoulders

33.5" chest

30.25" under bust

9.25" biceps

27" waist

30" belly button

36.5" hips

37.25" butt

22" thighs

14" calves

I'm doing my best to measure myself exactly the same way every time but there's always room for human error. Once I find that darn scale at the gym, I can include my weight to help better associate changes. Or I'll just have to use Publix's scale. 

No workout clothes for this one but, ironically enough, I'm still wearing pink. Alex says I'm going to have that indented V once I kick my lower abdomen's butt but idk. I'm just looking forward to my venus dimples being more pronounced. 

Race to Abs

So my boyfriend challenged me with a Race to Abs. The point of the challenge is whoever gets abs (ahem, or the 'best' abs) by June 2014, gets one wish-- absolutely anything and the other shall grant it. The prize isn't all that exciting or motivating for me since there is nothing I would need to use the wish for. My wishes are so small, if not nonexistent, that they're granted when it's the right time.

In order to whip up an exceptional amount of motivation, I'm going to use my blog to track my progress. My plan is to take a picture of myself once a week in my underwear and post it here. If you want me to include my meals and workouts, I can though they always vary. 

Now, you know Christmas is just around the corner and I'll be heading home to PSL on Monday and staying until Friday-- so that's a challenge in itself; being vegetarian in my parent's house is about as hard as getting Rinpoche to play with his plastic balls with bells inside (if it's made for a cat, he mostly doesn't want it). 

Thinking about it, this Race to Abs is a bit different for me. This sort of goal has never been on my list before just because I thought I'd have to give up my sweet treats entirely. Well, that and I've just never had the desire to actually go for a sculpted core. I've just always wanted to be healthy and fit (and I actually don't consider a sculpted core to be a mandatory part of the fitness image). 

While my main fat store is indeed my lower abdomen, a small portion of sweets once a week won't hurt-- as long as I portion and balance my meals for the rest of the week.

So, challenge accepted, baby. Challenge accepted. Here's my photo for this week. Day 1.

Annnnnnd there's Rinpoche wondering what I'm doing. Hehe I guess I'll be taking pictures of him as well. He never allows me to go to the bathroom without him. 

I'll only post these measurements now and then at the end. I'll keep a record in Excel just to see my progress and give me that push towards the end. 

40" shoulders

33.5" chest

29" under bust

9.5" biceps

27" waist

31" belly button

37" hips

38" butt

21" thighs

13.75" calves

Alright let's do this! 

Adaptation

When you don't have a gym with access to machines and weights, everything changes.

I've learned that, like any other routine, a workout must be flexible. We often rely too much on ellipticals tredmills and anything that is a product created by corporations to gain the focus of people in the workout community. 

I have loved the gym for some time now-- the atmosphere and all the equipment needed for easy dummy-proof fitness is available. But what happens when the gym is taken away? What happens when the person who is best at buying real food (produce-- the food earth provides for us) is stripped of their funds and they must rely on others who have the money but lack the understanding of the difference between food and a product?

In America everything has a price: fitness, food, and over-all well being. This is against the natural order of life yet Americans solute themselves with their negative nutrition meals and artificialized lives. 

At school I was in prime position for a healthy me-- I had the money to buy my own food and the schedule and location to workout. Now that I'm home I see I must be ever more flexible in my life. Life is change and diet and fitness are no different. 

If we are to survive and thrive as we choose, we must adapt. Adapt as creatures of earth are meant to. 

It's been tough dealing with less energy rich foods filled with simple carbs and sugars, while lacking the opportunities to burn it all off. I don't own a bicycle and I am literally about to step through my sneakers. On the occasions I have to lift at Alex's house, I do it wearing socks because my shoes provide instability as opposed to support. 

It's a big change and I need to create and force things if I have any hope of working towards where I want to be physically. 

Luckily I do have Alex and Colie, along with others, who support me in my decisions. I also have yoga. My mat may be physically falling apart but every time I step on and breathe, I feel the connection, the drive. I just have to find the way. 

As for food, I need to be more stern with my parents about what I actually eat. 

I hope your rainy Tuesday evening is going well. Maybe the sky will clear up for the stars tonight. 

Fitness Junkie-- And PROUD!

So I'm anxious to get this semester over with because my classes have been fairly stressful. Only three projects, three exams, and three papers to go and I'm complete with my senior year and ready for graduation!
Oddly enough my finals week only has two exams so much of the week will be free until the day of graduation when my family and soul-mate join me here in Tally. What should I do all week? Oh, I don't know... GYM TIME!!
I'm happy to see that the Leach's schedule includes a wide range of classes, including my favorite Power Yoga class that Sunday and I can finally attend the Tuesday one. Now the tough part is deciding which classes to go to... I've been super curious about the Barre Lean class, and Tabata Boxing and QiForce sound awesome too. So many choices!
I better get back to being a good student now.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Midterms then Spring Break

Hey there,

sorry i haven't been posting as often as I was. School is taking me by storm and although I manage to squeeze in my workouts, I have such little time for the blog. Spring Break is coming up so soon I'll have a little time to breathe and share more with you. Alex and I still have our make-up Valentine's Day to do so I'll most likely be cooking up a few things and doing something.
The gym has been going very well despite my levels of stress; I think everything would be worse if I wasn't going. My knees have been feeling great and I haven't even bought a split. I've started using the treadmill more and I've found I prefer it over the elliptical or bike now-- just because I get to feel my feet pound, I guess. It's also exciting that I've been doing good with my breathing-- no asthma attacks for two or three weeks now!
I hope all is well with you, readers. I'd love to hear from you to see how your own practices are going. Keeping up with the yoga? Starting a new good habit? Send me an email :)

Namaste

It's an I-Feel-Like-A-Bad-Ass Morning

I hope everyone's having a lovely Friday!

It's the start of another weekend and, while mine is sure to be laden with studying for Midterms, there's  no need to neglect our best friend, the gym.

Yesterday was a rest day for me but I found that I regretted not going to the gym. I was so antsy that the first thing I did this morning was head on over to the Leach. No more gym-skip days. I must do something every day-- can't allow myself to count going to class.

Today was arm and abs day for me at the gym, though, any day could be ab day.
I did biceps, triceps, shoulders (from all angles), ab-twists, weighted side bends, lower back lifts, and everyone's best friend, plank.
Since I've added weight training into my routine, I've noticed everything from yoga to doing a plank is easier. I carry my laptop in my backpack with significantly less struggle than before. I'm only a month or so into my new habits and I'm already feeling more confident, energized, and focused.
If you want to make a change in your life, this is definitely one to make. Start with just a quick workout or yoga routine every morning for 15 minutes. Yes, just 15 minutes. This will help you transition into a healthy motivated mind set.
Give it a try and let me know how it works for you.

Food (because I can't not talk about it)

• Pre-workout Fuel: Water + Hummus on Whole Grain Toast
• Recovery: 1 yolk & 2 egg whites, scrambled +  my fancy oatmeal

Fancy Oatmeal Recipe (as pictured in my Wake Up Call post):

1/2 cup instant oatmeal
cinnamon
honey
pinch of salt
Tbs ground flax seed
1 sliced banana
Raisins (optional)
Almond Milk (just about drown everything in the bowl)

Microwave for 2 minutes and let sit for a few.
Dig in and Mmm!

Intimidating machines

I conquered the treadmill this past week-- sort of. I know it sounds silly but weren't you initially intimidated by a specific machine, or a new machine that doesn't look quite natural?
A treadmill may be far from out of the ordinary but for a woman who's found endearment with her elliptical, it's hard for me to go to something that simulates a much more natural form of movement. The pounding of my feet on the tread and the actual bouncing of my body is very different from the swish swish of the elliptical. I'm really bad with controlling my breath while running so, naturally, the treadmill led me to an asthma attack. Boo.
For my gym buddy, every weight machine looked like a torture contraption. After the initial novice feeling, she became adventurous and even tried out a controlled weight system all on her own. The instructions are on each machine but, come on, they are not always the easiest to simulate properly. She did good. My only worry is that she's bored or that I'm not guiding her properly.
Form is of high importance, especially when using a machine: not holding your elbow to your side during a tricep pull will cause different muscles to be used instead of the backside of your guns.
I'd love to hear your moments of intimidation with machines and new exercises.

Goals

I've been realizing just how important goals are in life. Why are you doing something? To achieve something: discover, create, observe, analyze, be a part of-- the list goes on.
In order to make a thought a reality we need to make it a goal. Instead of thinking on it we need to act. One step at a time, and you'll get there.
With fitness, I'm at a spot where I need to make changes and add and learn new things. With each workout we do, our body adjusts and adapts to it so we must always be changing it up.
Since I'm already at my healthy weight, I need to tone it up and Body Tone once a week isn't enough. In addition to keeping healthy eating and cardio habits, i believe it takes lifting weights a least three times a week for you to notice a difference.
The FSU Leach offers free BMI(body mass index) exams so once that opens ill go and hopefully have a little more information to work off of. BMI is a test where they pinch your skin and calculate your body fat percentage. Body fat is good as long as its around a certain percentage. Ill find out more about where I stand and how it's determined once I get my BMI.

You Can Be As Happy As You Want To Be

Yesterday, although I did no school work, was a big success. Morning yoga is a great way to wake the body up and get the blood flowing after curling up in the cozy sheets all night. Its going well and i think its helping me feel more energized-- at least in the morning. I still have to try and kick my siesta bug in the afternoons.
Afterward my morning yoga I had spinach onion garlic scrambled eggs with a piece of whole wheat toast and then raced off to catch a class at FSU Leach Center: Body Tone. The title matches its functionality and gosh am I sore! I haven't pushed myself like that with weights in a long time! I definitely plan to keep it in my weekly schedule-- gotta strengthen my muscles so they can help eat away a my fat stores (my problem areas are the lower abdominal and thighs). Body Tone will make sure I don't neglect the rest of my body while I try and kick these trouble areas to the door!
It's actually best to work your whole body when toning up-- with a special focus to the core to create the most foundation support for the rest of your muscles.
Believe it or not the day was not done after Body Tone. I felt pretty tired afterwards so I let myself rest and caught up on some Lost Girl. Then a few hours later I headed back to campus for a second round at the Leach: Yoga. Since its the beginning of the semester instructors go easy; it was pretty much sun sals and warriors with extra stretching.
Not much later that evening I found myself a workout buddy. Turns out one of my friends was hoping to get to the gym more often. I hope she's ready because I don't let people give up when they've revealed a goal to me. Today I'll start her off pretty easy since I'm already sore.
Maybe we'll just go on the elliptical followed with some stretches to get her started. Any workout suggestions for a beginner?