Carter's Mom Dot Com //

Something about that saying stood out to me. I’m not sure why I love it so much. I am not one to say “I can’t do something” but this seems especially appropriate. I’ll explain.

So, I finished my last 90 day challenge not so strong…. in Las Vegas for a week, then home for a hectic week, then back to Vegas for another 3 days. I know it’s only 10 days total but it consumed my whole month of March. So, vacation mode means– pizza, soda, beer, burgers, wine, beer and more beer. And when I drink beer, it’s not Michelob Ultra– it’s 100% all yummy craft IPAs and Micros. The really nice, flavorful, fatty, high caloric beer is the kind this girl likes. Even though my vi-shakes make it easy for me to make sure that I am getting all of the nutrition I need, the hard part for me is usually choosing not to indulge in the things that I crave the most. Well, I’d say that I had enough of that crap in March to last me for the next 90 days minus a couple cheats here and there. I also really crave salty foods and snacks like chips and salsa, goldfish, crackers etc. So, those are the things that are going to be hardest to cut out since I can’t really fulfill the salty craving with a shake.

I am so lucky to be surrounded with such amazing and motivating people! My good friend, and fellow body by vi promoter, Lindsey just won first in her division at a bikini competition. She totally smoked the competition and she is a walking, talking, motivation stick! Every time I see her, I’m shoving my face with something– and I think, “Hmm- she probably wouldn’t be doing this right now…. oh wait, she’s here right now and she’s NOT doing this. That’s about right.” Well, the truth is, I don’t care how good it tastes– it’s not as good as being in amazing shape and feeling great! In fact, it will probably make you feel like crap in about an hour. So, Put. It. Down! Another friend is Sarah– her and I were good friends a long time ago. I’m talking a really long time ago! Like 15 years ago, we hung together all the time. We have stayed in touch throughout the years, and we live within jogging distance from each others houses so it’s really a shame we aren’t closer. Well, that’s about to change! Just so happens, she’s a health freak and gym rat too– in fact she’s working on her personal training certification right now and she seriously looks amazing! She has those lumpy things [muscles] popping out all over the place! So, turns out Sarah and I could both use a work out buddy and I really need help in the gym. Here’s where that poster ^^ comes into play. The gym thing. The weights and machine thingies. I don’t know much about that side of the gym. When I walk into a gym [until today] I would go immediately to either a group workout class or boot camp, the treadmill, or the bike. I never touched the weights. I ALWAYS knew that the weights are the key to fat loss and the body I wanted- but I was intimidated by them and the hard bodies using them around me. I would think, well– some day I’ll get a trainer and learn about the rest of the gym but for today- I’ll run a couple miles and do some crunches and call it a day.

I can’t do this. But I’m doing it anyway.

I’m going to be throwing down on this challenge and you’re going to be seeing a [another] whole new me each 30 days that this challenge progresses. I am setting aggressive and ambitious goals, following a strict diet plan by Sarah, Lifting 3 days a week, and mixing up my workout 2 additional days a week (with my other amazing friend, Danielle and her totally bad ass garage gym!!) while I also make sure to continue to get in at least 1 yoga practice each week. My goal is to lose 3% body fat every 30 days which will be a total of 9% getting me down to 16% by July 10th just in time for my birthday shopping spree :) All of these women around me that are doing fitness competitions and who are weight training have made me realize that there is a new goal in site for my body. I want to push myself… not only to lose fat- but to gain muscle. I don’t plan on actually losing ANY weight on the scale, although I will weigh in weekly. I always tell people to make “realistic” goals. Well, there’s a difference between realistic and making it too easy. I know that this goal is possible, but it’s not going to be easy. If it were easy, I would be there right now without all of this.

I can share my meal plan once I get into the flow of things if anyone wants to know. But I will be upping to 3 Vi shakes per day and eating around 1500 clean calories.

Thank you SO much Sarah for taking the time to help me. I am so excited, and I know you are going to push me to do this to my full potential!

I can’t do this. But I’m doing it anyway.

In my quest for fitness and living a healthy life, I have been trying all the different outlets I can possibly find. In the past couple of months, I have tried Boxing, TRX, Fight Fit, Pilates, and now Hot Yoga.

Now, I have NEVER done yoga before. However, I did dance for most of my youth and adolescence so I am still quite flexible. The dance background as well as snowboarding are to thank for my balance, and my ridiculously long arms come quite in handy as well when it’s no problem at all to reach the ground in standing position or to hold my leg out in front of me. Even though I seem to be able to get myself into all of the poses, I still have a LONG way to go. Looking around the room, I can see the dedication and years of practice that the others in the class have put into getting their poses to where they are today. I love the welcoming spirit and non-judgemental atmosphere at yoga. Everyone is at a different point. There are beginners like me, and masters all practicing together at their own pace, and with their own goals.

I know this sounds totally cliché, but you really do just forget about everything that is happening in your life for that 80 minutes while you focus only on your body and mind. Relax, stretch and challenge yourself.

I do still have one question that is yet to be answered… those masters I was talking about– the ones that practice 4-5 times a week and can fold their bodies in half in every which direction… the ones with the rock solid abs, butts, and perfectly toned armes and calves… did they get like that just from yoga?? If yes, then I’m totally in it for the long haul! Haha, jk– I am in it for the long haul either way, but serioulsy- forget about my pinterest boards and magazine cutouts on the fridge. All I have to do is go to hot yoga to see the kind of hard bodies I need to motivate myself!!

I would like to share my journal entry from the first day that I tried hot yoga- on January 28th, 2013.
Jan. 28th

Hot Yoga.

I was scared. The anticipation was unreal; I was psyching myself out and super intimidated by the other people walking into the class. I walked out of a 14 degree, snowy day into a tropical cell. 105 and humid beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. I said to myself, “What am I doing here? I have never done regular yoga before in regular temperatures. I have a history of fainting and asthma. I am obviously over dressed. Run! Get out while you can!” But, I stayed. I positioned myself in the middle of the class so that I could see everyone around me plus have a clear view of myself in the front mirror. We begin and the instructor bumps up the temperature even more.

Namaste!

I am going to Sumit’s Hot Yoga in Boise off of Broadway. The photo below is a shot that I borrowed from their facebook profile of the actual studio that I practice in.

Soo… today is February 8th. It’s been 12 days and I have practiced 8 times. Saying that I like it would be an understatement. I am excited that I found something that I love this much! I look forward to going to practice, and I feel awesome when it’s over. I sweat like a man- and I don’t ever sweat very much when I work out. That is really the only thing that sucks. You can’t plan anything for after class- you must go home and shower as your clothes are literally drenched in sweat. But, it’s quite amazing!

Stay tuned.