NEW COACH!!!

NEW STAGE

NEW GOALS

NEW HORIZONS

NEW PATHS

NEW CHALLENGES

NEW FIGHTS

NEW       PERSPECTIVES

NEW LIFE!

… NEW COACH!!! J

Present from Santa

... So this Christmas, Santa showed a lot of empathy to me - and among several lovely presents, he brought me a nice pair of focus mitts!

Aren't they wonderful??? :)

Thanks a lot, Santa! I'm going to punch them real hard! I'll start training with them VERY soon!

Gonna get ready to FIGHT, ATTACK, STRIKE, BREAK, SMASH, SQUISH, PULVERISE, ANNIHILATE, TERMINATE!!!

"Whether you call them target mitts, punch mitts, coaches mitts, focus mitts or target gloves - if you are not training with focus mitts or "punch pads" as some coaches call them, YOU'RE WASTING YOUR TIME."

"As a fighter and trainer, there is not a more important training tool."  

"Punch with precision - start using focus mitts / punch pads."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WE TAKE NO PRISONERS

SPARTANS TAKE NO PRISONERS - or do they, Steve?

I give you my word I'll get ready for the battle! I promise I'll put up a good fight! 

NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER, NO MERCY! 

BACK TO TRAINING! (LIKE AN MF)

I'm not feeling sore yet.. Too soon for that... But I can already feel the endorphins. Wooohooo!

So I've finished my first serious workout in ages... Well, not ages - just 1 month 27 days. 

It feels GREAT to be back to training like an MF. It wasn't a WOOOW workout, but it wasn't a BLAH one, either.

Rate? "Quite good". Anyway - cheers, Spartan woman! :)

CIRCUIT TRAINING - December 20th

(Kb = Kettlebell; Bb = Barbell; Db = Dumbbell; Rb = Resistance band/s)

SERIES 1

Kb Side Step & Full Circle w/arms

Kb Plie Squats

Kb Swings

Kb Twists

Kb Side Bends

Kb Floor Lifts

Kb Squat & Press

Kb Tricep Kickbacks

Kb Cross Over Squats

10-15 reps of each, Series x 2 (Supersetted)

SERIES 2

Rb (w/bar attached) Front Shoulder Raise

Rb (w/bar attached) Vertical/Upright Row

Rb (w/bar attached) Bicep Curl

Bb Stiff Leg Deadlifts 

Bb Bent-over Row

Bb Vertical/Upright Row

Bb Bicep Curls

Bb Good Morning

Rb Standing Row

Rb Overhead Tricep Extensions

Db Front Shoulder Raises

Db Lateral Shoulder Raises

Db Overhead Tricep Extensions

Db Hammer Curls

Db Bicep Curls

10-15 reps of each, Series x 2 (Supersetted)

I know both series were a bit too long, especially the last one. I could have divided it into 3, or even 4 series. But I just wanted to move on to the next exercise, for the sake of... F-U-N!

So now I've had my whey with 0% milk and half a can of tunafish - all of them, A-grade protein.

I'm burning like T.N.T. (There's No Tomorrow)! Wooohooo!

PROUD OF MYSELF AGAIN

I'm proud of myself again, and it comes from the feedback I'm getting from fellows at the Inner Circle.


From Roisin in Ireland:

Thanks Nadina if it weren't for you I'd have no visitors but hey I am doing this anyway!


Chad's post:

Nadina - you're a rock for our team (thanks friend o muchas gracias mi amiga).


Roisin again:

You need a job as a motivation coach. I love the pic above it brought a tear to me eye!


From Karen in California:


Just what I needed to hear Nadina! Thank you!!! I agree, you'd make a great motivational coach. Today is a NEW day. This week is a NEW week! And we're all gonna be winners come January! 


From Steve, my "Spartan fellow":

Now, I'd never been called 'a heck of a cheerleader' before... But I like it! :)

I guess somebody "down here" (somewhere in South America) was needing these pats on the back...

Wanted: PT - Qualified, skilled, ecclectic, motivating, challenging, charismatic, friendly and reliable

Hi, "Jane Doe". Sorry for taking so long to reply. I've been thinking a lot about what I'm really looking for in a PT, and I've come to the conclusion I'd prefer to try to see if you're the one. 

If you're available next week on Thursday (29th), I'd be delighted to meet you and start doing something together, talking about my goals, etc. You fix the time, and I'll be there. Palermo Woods in Belgrano, close to Figueroa Alcorta y La Pampa (opposite the water plant) is my favourite place for training.

I'm going on holidays soon. And I'd really really love to meet you (I should say "again", in case we meet next week) when I'm back from the coast, and see if we can find a way together to work things out so that you can train me once a week. Monday afternoons in Belgrano would be great in the future - in case you have new openings then, please take me into account. But we can always work it out.

Well, that said, I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

All the best,

Nadeena.

Back to the fundamentals

I must get myself together. I'm supposed to be losing fat and building muscle at the holiday challenge. Well, I am losing weight as well as fat, but I'm not building enough muscle or shaping my body suitably, as I'm not training real hard.

So, it's time to get back to the fundamentals, right? 

I'm eating clean, having some treats once in a while - preferrably in the morning, and that's exactly why I've lost over 6 lbs in three weeks. Anyway, as my mentor taught me, there's always something you can improve. I know what it is: reduce my daily intake of dairy products, and consume only 0% stuff. There it is. We have a goal for next week, team!

OK, this is a solo team - IF such thing exists. If it doesn't exist, I'll make it up. Why not? Who said something like 'a solo team' could be invented? There was a team before, it comprised two people, they did pair work. Well, my pair and peer left the team. No doubt he's sadly missed - but I'm a team member here and won't let the team fall. Even if the team is just me.

I will keep up the great work this team was doing. That's exactly what I'll do because that's what I need, want and choose to do.

=== He would have told me, "I know you will bounce back. You will find your direction again as things are different now. The past is the past and we are looking at the future not past failures! We should only look to the past to gain knowledge about how we can improve not to dwell on what has happened."

Great. So it's high time I went back to training, isn't it?

Again: back to the fundamentals ASAP, please.

What shall we do today, team? Plan how to push ourselves real hard! That's what we'll do.

... I must get the team going. Get back into the swing of things. Get out of the pity pot. Not to look back, not to dwell on what has happened. Just try to move one step forward, half a step forward, a quarter of a step forward - whatever!, but forward.

The rest of the team would have wanted that for us! And for me.

Priority is to get myself fit! JUST WANNA GET FITTER!

KEEP YOUR CHINS UP, TEAM!!!

HAY EQUIPOOOOOOOOOO!!!

PS: I'm f-cking stubborn and I'M NOT MOVING ON. Not for a single second! Just taking a quarter of a step forward!, and that'll be all for the time being.

KINDA RELIEF

Hi Nadeena

From reading your posts and seeing the way you explain yourself it's apparent that you are a highly intelligent person who in no way deserves to be threatened or disrespected by anyone. 

I am sorry to hear that you are still suffering deeply from the effects of this very unfortunate situation as it really hurts me to see that people who were once close and cared about each other at some point in time, fairly recently at that, are now so angry and hurt by each other. And hopefully soon you will be able to resume both your home life and professional life as well.

You like every other human being on this earth have feelings and feelings are not something to be taken lightly. It's unfortunate that some people do not take feelings into consideration when they act out at others. I am glad to hear that you are healing, you will, each day going forward. When someone touches our lives and leaves a deep mark it's hard to erase them. Also when unpleasant events touch us suddenly they can also leave unpleasant and sad feelings behind. 

I truly understand what you are feeling, I too have been in such situations. I know what the loss of a friendship is, for whatever reason, can be painful and even devastating and whomever is at fault whether it be one or both can become a question for both sides. 

When someone decides to end a relationship whether it be personal, professional, or whatever kind, that is their right as a human being, if it "hurts" the other party well that is just unfortunate. It happens everyday and that is the reality of life. The other party does not have the right to go after them and try and destroy their reputation for it, or... (do) other things that you in your mind feel justified doing. 

There are always going to be problems in your lives of all different kinds. It's how you handle them that is going to determine how long they are going to last and how they are going to affect your lives going forward. A lot of what happened stems from immaturity or lack of experience, and when people are get defensive, whether it's justified or not, they can go ballistic, and not think of what consequences their actions may bring.

Whatever happened has already happened. It can't be undone.

Once again, I will tell you it's time to move on, as much as you don't like hearing that, it's the truth.

From reading your blogs, I can tell you are a positive person, on a straight path to making yourself into the person you want to be and what can I say, keep your eyes on yourself, always love and put yourself first before anyone else.

I see you have put a lot of effort into self improvement and I congratulate you for that. I hope that you can reach ALL of your goals and that your life continues on a path which makes you happy with yourself and those that surround you. Look at this whole ugly episode as a bump in the road on your path to self improvement. Don't allow any of the poison that has seeped out of this to get in the way of your goals. Is this really that important, keep focusing on yourself. 

Nadeena, keep improving yourself, work towards your goals in life and forget about people who have caused you pain, I myself have had to do the very, same thing and after a while your human spirit will lift you up and the unpleasant memories of this situation will be left in the distant past. 

I wish you lots of success and all of the happiness in the world.

All the best to you,

Dave.

UPLIFTING

Hi Nadeena

I must say I understand why you are still in shock and I am sorry to hear that. That said I am sure you know I had my reasons to quit.

Things will resolve themselves in time if it was the right decision. These things are sad and some time is needed to recoup. I am sure you will bounce back. The thing is to not get dragged down by the negativity. Try and keep training when you berk up a little as it will make feel better rather than stopping completely and reinforcing the vicious circle of feeling bad. 

Its cool if things slide for a few days. Its human nature to pamper ourselves in times of emotional stress. But then re focus on your personal goals and start moving forward if slowly. I guarantee you will feel better when you start training again. Endorphins the best legal drug that exists. 

Really we achieved a lot in 8 months. You have already overcome a lot of obstacles. I guided you but you did the work! So far that you should feel proud of yourself.

I think you should take solace that you have made those gains and try and build on it. I dont want you to beat yourself up. You keep reiterating that its hard for you to find your direction again but things are different now. The past is the past and we are looking at the future not past failures! We should only look to the past to gain knowledge about how we can improve not to dwell on what has happened.

Well I am glad I could help some in the time we worked together and wish you luck in the future. 

Ok Nadeena, I have no doubt that you will be back on your feet again. Sometimes we have to get worse to get better. Try and keep your spirits up. Best thing is to try moving forward again when you gather your strength.

Until then take care.

Un abrazo

Bran

PROUD OF MYSELF

I'm feeling that blush in your face when you're proud of yourself. And it feels sooooo good!

Somebody at the Inner Circle is beating herself up all the time (and it's not me!). I can't believe we're weighing more or less the same, and yet we have such different attitudes!

She said, "I have this huge fear of failing", "I'm not working out enough", "I know I should be doing it, but...", "still only 1 pound difference", "I will not be the fat one", etc.

So I tried to make her see she was using self-defeating statements instead of being assertive. 

And after reading my comment on her thread in the forum, she posted this on mine:

Now, I've been called so many awful names recently, that actually, this is restoring my faith in humanity.

I think I should follow my own advice since now on and highlight everything I'm doing right, everything I'm good at, all I can really do well and all I'm wonderful for.

Sometimes life is sweet like chocolates... that are sweet! :)

PS: When we help somebody else, we're helping ourselves. Why don't we want to help one another more often?

NOT GIVING UP!

NEVER GIVE UP!

WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU...

IRONMAN - Till I collapse

I will run an Ironman at 45. I will!

DREAM BIG, FLY HIGH, BABE! Sky's the limit!

Ezeiza Extreme

My third ex personal trainer and I were going to run this cross-country race together.

What can I say? I'm still injured, but I'd have run anyway. I wish I'd have had the chance to consider it, to think and make up my mind about it. To discuss it.

Anyway, there are wounds that hurt more than a sprained ankle.

I know that some day, all of them (both my ankle and my pain) will heal...

Only time will tell.  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +

Mc Donald's 5K 2011 - Part II

Everything went wrong since the beginning. Like in the worst horror nightmare.

My right ankle was hurting like heck, despite that I had taken my meds, and I was in pain even before the run started.

I didn't know how to attach the running chip to my shoelaces, so I damaged one of the cable ties. My chip was not well fixed, and it just came off while I was running. It happened during the first kilometre. My shoelaces got untied, too, but I wanted to keep running because I knew that if I stopped, it'd be harder to start running again. But everybody who passed me kept saying to me, "Your shoelaces are untied", so I had to stop and tie them. As a result, when I carried on running, my ankle was hurting even more, and I began limping.

By the time I reached the 1K sign, I was incredibly exhausted.

At 2K, I just couldn't go on running anymore. But I'd never ever give up!

3K - I couldn't believe my eyes when I had a look at my watch. I'd never ever been so slow! Shame on me, I was the tortoise in the children's tale!

At 4K I wasn't only limping but jumping mainly on my left leg, cursing it, blaspheming. I shouted every now and then, just to encourage myself. I couldn't stand the pain! I felt I couldn't take it anymore - I could have thrown myself on the ground, right there, and died right then. And, of course, gone to hell.

5K - Finally!, I reached the finish line and I was suffering as if I'd been shot. Tears rolling down my cheeks. I grabbed a bottle of water and an apple. I was eating my apple and crying at the same time. Some people were looking at me. I prayed that nobody would dare to say anything to me. I just wanted everybody to leave me alone.

My personal trainer texted me 20 minutes before our date saying that he was sorry but he couldn't come. He was having marital issues, and decided not to show up to coach me - after taking part of the money he was going to get for this service (which, BTW, never gave me a refund for).

There was nobody else there to assist me. Or to comfort me.

My son had got lost and I had to search him everywhere. It took me forever to find him! Besides, he missed my arrival, so I've got no pics of me crossing the finish line.

Nobody to offer support and help me handle the terrible feeling of defeat.

I just couldn't share this, because nobody was there for me. Double grief. I felt incredibly lonely - abandoned. Hopeless. Wretched.

The pain was unbearable. Nobody would rescue me and help me get home, either.

There I was, injured, sad and depressed, and all by myself. A terrible moment. It's taken me a whole month to be able to talk about it. (And I know I'm speaking to nobody else but me.)

The burden of a broken dream is even heavier than the terrible pain caused by a sprained ankle after running a 5K. I know, I can tell.

No chip, no record. So I don't know what my position in the run was. Nevertheless, I didn't need to know. I was around the 500th woman in my category to cross the finish line. But there are no official records stating that I was there. And --- it took me over 40 minutes to complete the run. 

Yes --- a real nightmare.

I was feeling so much pain that I skipped the stretching. Bad move. My muscles kept hurting for many days.

So that's it. Nothing else to add. I'm still trying to get over it. It'll take a long time, though. My resilience has been compromised greatly by all these events, as well as by all the people involved in them.

Life can sometimes beat you up badly, can't it?

PS: Anyway, there's something good about Mc Donald's 5K 2011, and it's the following: I'm no quitter, I can be strong, and I will let NOBODY tell me I'm a pathetic, ugly fat woman, and get away with it. PERIOD.

Mc Donald's 5K 2011 - Part I

I spent a whole year dreaming of running Mc Donald's 5K in 2011. 

That's why in March, I hired the best personal trainer I could find.

He did a great job with me, I must say. He helped me lose over 10 lbs, and he ignited a sort of fire within me. Or I should say, he poisoned me with a fever for challenging myself and working out extremely hard. I caught the virus of exercising - the passion for training. What is more, before hiring him, I couldn't run 3 blocks altogether. By May, I was already running 3Ks. I had to stop running for several months, as my joints were hurting. But on October 2nd, I ran a 4K for the first time. And then, on October 15th, I ran my first 5K - Avon's 5K against breast cancer.

Mc Donald's 5K would take place on October 30th. I was incredibly excited! I'd have my first chip, I'd belong to a category of women in my age span, I'd classify!

My goal was to cross the finish line among the first 100 women in my category.

I was getting ready for this 5K. I was eating clean, I was training hard...

My personal trainer said he would be there for me. He would coach me during the run. Everything was perfect!

Until the nightmare began.

I sprained my ankle. Gosh, it hurt like heck! Anyway, my personal trainer was a specialist in sport injuries. So there was nothing to worry about - he promised to be there. He'd take care of me whenever I needed his help. I trusted him. I knew I'd be in good hands. 

Shit happens... Unfortunately, my personal trainer cancelled the appointment.

So I showed up on my own... And I stepped on the start line.

And then, I got ready to begin running...

KEEP AT IT

EPIC!

Raelert vs. Macca. Andreas Raelert and Chris McCormack running side by side. 
Macca shares his sponge with Andreas - and they even shake hands.
How inspiring!

MY FIRST 5K

I wasn't in the best possible conditions. Call it 'some emotional upheavals', and what is more, I hadn't been able to prepare myself properly for it - I hadn't even taken some good rest.

But I'm no quitter. I had enrolled into the event, I had paid for it, I wanted my T-shirt as well as to take part in this run in favour of the fight against breast cancer.

So I showed up. October 15th, 2011, 10 am. The sun was shining furiously. The organisers kept us waiting for half an hour. I was dehydrated. I drank too much liquid and then couldn't find the toilets. But the countdown started, and I stood near the start.

0:00. I started... walking. Walkers and runners were placed together, so it took me some time to avoid and pass walkers. Around 0:30, I could start jogging. I followed other runners who had to leave the pavement and run on the side grass. And then I could join the runners.

500 metres. I had to put up and deal with side stitches. Phew!

No signs for kilometres, no distance markers. I was running blind.

About 2K. I could see runners coming back from the opposite side. So the road had an end, and then runners and walkers were supposed to do a U-turn and come back, as undoing the way. I could already see runners coming back, but heck, I couldn't see the end of the road...

... Oh heck, when I got there... Now I am supposed to undo ALL OF IT (so so so so SO LONG), and by the time I reach the beginning/end of this segment, I still have another kilometre to go? I'll still be far from the finish line? Oh, heck, no!!!

"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" "Freebird", by Lynyrd Skynyrd sounding in my headphones... Time to speed up. Oh, I can already see the finish line!

OH MY GOD I DID IT!!!

I'VE RUN MY FIRST 5K!!!

I CAN RUN 5K!!!

... I don't know what else to say here. I'm overwhelmed!

(Thanks, Bran, for training me for this!)

4K - SUCCESS!

I've run my first 4K. 6:56 min/km. 1 minute less per kilometre, and 1 additional kilometre, as my last run in June was a 3K.

I CAN DO THIS!!!

And I will run a 5K in 9 days. I will get to the finish line running. And I will be successful! Victory will be mine!

I GO FOR IT AND I GET IT!

Thanks, Bran, for empowering me to achieve this... And thanks, Pre, for all the inspiration I've got from you!!! PRE LIVES!!!

Running tomorrow

... So tomorrow, it's gonna be THE day. I'm running again! And this time, I'm flying higher. On my last run, New Balance 3K, June 12th, I ran a 3k. Now I'm going for the 4K. Boy, how bold and self-determined can I be!

So this time, I'm giving everything I have, everything I am and everything I can be, for the sake of my dreams. I'm not weak, and I'm not unconfident, unsure, insecure, hesitant or diffident. Not anymore. I can do this. I can run 4K! 

... Yes, it's been a while since I last ran. No, I haven't run over 1K in several months. So what? Of course running is about agility, optimum heart rates and lung capacity, endurance... All of these are elements you can only acquire through training. Well, I may not have trained to be more agile, as my knee has been bothering me a lot lately. But the thing is, I've been training to get stronger. That has implied working out to expand my chest and raise my heart rate. AND, what's even more important, I can endure longer and tougher workout sessions - I can even exercise twice a day! 

That's why I'm certain I'm going to make it to the finish line tomorrow. Because I've got the guts to do it, I'm self-determined, I'm strong and I JUST CAN DO IT. I know it from the bottom of my heart. The odds might be against me, but I don't care about it. I've got the passion and the will. I'll find the way. I'll find my pace, I'll command my body not to stop, I know the route and my personal trainer will be there. I'll be running around the spot where, by coincidence or not, we train twice a week. I'll feel at home there. And I'm a warrioress - I'm not quitting.

So, runners - let's meet at the start line tomorrow, and let's go for it! GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!!! 

To Andy Whitfield. Spartacus.

Andy Whitfield (1972-2011)

From nowhere you sprang to embrace us with your talent, charm and inspiration.
 

A Conqueror of Men, you now walk with the gods...
 

"You were destined for great and unfortunate things."
 

No one could ever fill your sandles - footprints in the sand...
 

Thank you for making us feel again... For bringing the joy of the rain to all of us. For letting us dream your dreams. For teaching us about the sense of honour and the meaning of freedom. For showing us how true love can raise a man from the mud, over the skies, beyond the limit between fantasy and reality, out of a thick river of blood...

Andy Whitfield. Spartacus - the only one.

Forever loved ♥ RIP

(You will always live in my heart.)

No, not Andy!

I was training when I heard the news. My personal trainer was throwing a med ball to me in the park. Nice afternoon, the sun was shining, spring almost here.

Bran told me something had happened. Normally, I tend to worry every time somebody utters the words 'something happened'. I guess he saw it in my eyes, because he added 'It's peripheral, it doesn't affect us'.

So what is it then, Bran?

"Andy Whitfield died."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooh!!! Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaartaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus!!!

I stopped throwing the ball. I... I... I was totally speechless! It couldn't be possible! Not Spartacus! Not Andy Whitfield! Oh, God, no!

One of those things that makes one believe that God doesn't exist. And that life sucks, death sucks, cancer sucks... 

Oh my, oh my, oh my!!!

I just couldn't go on with the workout for a while. I had to re-situate myself - I was in the park, I was supposed to be working out with my personal trainer, I had to throw the ball back to him... Now M-O-V-E!!!

But I was... paralysed!

Not Andy Whitfield... Not Spartacus! Not my hero!

WHY? WHY? WHY?

WHAT THE HECK...?

.......... (SILENCE FOLLOWS) ..........

... And now can we please have a moment of silence in memory of Andy Whitfield. 

(R.I.P. Andy Whitfield. May the gods be with you and take your soul home. Long life to Spartacus, magnificent and irreplaceable - Andy is, and will always be, the only one!)

+++++++++++++++++ I'll be back.

45 DAYS LEFT

... 45 days left until my run. I'm trying to do as much as I can every single day. 

Some days I eat cleaner than others; some days, I train tougher than others. I know it's normal, the only thing I must do every single day is just try to do something of value, as regards nutrition and training, before I go to bed.

No matter what it is - the vibration platform, a series of strength training exercises, or just walking - I MUST do something every day. I'll live by this rule or die like chicken! 

That's how I'm taking this: one step at a time -baby steps- and doing things 'just for today'. Every day when I wake up, I've got 12 hours ahead - I try to seize it (CARPE DIEM).   

I often look at the calendar and think, "If I don't do this now, tomorrow it might be a bit late..." So it's got to do today!   

Only 45 days left. I'm getting rid of the obstacles that have been blocking the road beneath my feet, one by one, with great effort - and a sense of consistency.

I am mentally ready to go for it. Yet there is still a lot of work to do. 

I've found out the motto of the Olympic games; it's "Citius, Altius, Fortius", which is Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger". In the fitness jargon, the motto is "fitter, faster, stronger". 

By Day 1, I must get there. AND I WILL!

I won't deny it - I'm nervous, anxious, and a bit scared. But I won't slow down. I trust my trainer, and I've decided to believe in my potential. That's how I'm living now. 

... Obstacles, roadblocks, are unavoidable. Sometimes we crash and sometimes we go through them. BUT WE MUST NEVER QUIT! 

As Tom V. would say, "Train hard and expect success". NIKE, JUST DO IT!

McDonald's 5K-3K

 

I was there last year. My first 3K. But I didn't run. It was a family event, a 'correcaminata' -you could either run or walk- and everybody walked, so I walked.

There were no official T-shirts, numbers, chips, timing or places. I got one of the hundreds of finishers' medals, like everybody else.

And I promised myself I'd be back this year...

 

I've enrolled, so I'm in! I'll have a chip, a T-shirt and a number. I'll be in a category with other women my age. I'll be in a list of finishers (in my category), with my official timing and my position among finishers.

I MUST LOOK GOOD. MY NAME HAS TO BE BE AMONG THE FIRST 100 NAMES. I WON'T ACCEPT DISHONOUR. I WON'T TAKE FAILURE. I'M GOING TO DO THIS!

... RUN, BABY, RUN!!!

Off The Tracks For Some Time

I injured my left knee while I was training to run New Balance 3K. My personal trainer isn't to blame for that - actually, he warned me beforehand that this could happen but I just wouldn't listen to him. 

I'm having a lot of pain on my knee right now. Both my bone doctor and my coach have told me not to run for some time. It's really hard and it's kind of bringing me down, but I know that if I run, it'll just get worse. So I've had to stop running.

I'm having physiotherapy. I'm also applying some Chinese patches on my knee. That's all I can do for now. We'll see how my joints evolve. I'll have an MRI taken soon.  Then my doctor will prescribe some meds for my osteo-arthritis.

I'm a bit afraid of regaining weight, as I'm not using my legs too much. My trainer says it won't happen. Training me in a healthy and thorough way is his job & concern right now.

I've always trusted my trainer, in spite of my own stubborness, and no matter how many times I've questioned him. He's simply outstanding.

I guess there's nothing else I can do for the time being...

V-Day

So today is V-Day. And the 'V' stands for 'Vegetarian'. 

(BTW, I really look up to true vegans - yes, they may seem a bit freaky but they're worth of respect for what they believe in, as well as for their way of sticking to those beliefs.)

It's V-Day for me today, June 24th, 2011 b-e-c-a-u-s-e my new lifestyle, as regards nutrition, is starting. Since now on, I'll only be eating vegetarian meals.

In fact, I'll be a semi-vegetarian: an ovo-lacto-pollo-pesco one. Translation: I won't be consuming any red meat (no beef, lamb, pork, ham, sausages, hot dogs, barbecue, etc) but I'll still be consuming eggs, dairy, chicken and fish. I don't really feel very comfortable about eating chicken, but as it tackles the issue of loose skin and as it helps boost your metabolism, then I'll keep having chicken once in a while, at least for the time being.

What inspired me to choose this path for myself... I was having lunch in a vegetarian restaurant with a person about whom I should say he's become a positive influence in my life lately, and suddenly I asked him why he'd turned a vegetarian. His answer was VERY inspiring. It was a sort of empathic experience, actually. I felt what he was feeling when he decided to quit on red meat. And that made me want to follow his steps and start this vegetarian phase in my life. 

Well, I'm feeling great about my decision - in fact, I'm a little euphoric. This is one of those things that make me feel happy with myself. And I want to cling to it. Feels good!

Yes, BJ, now I'll be able to look at your rabbit Ralph without feeling bad (lol).

 

From LOSING IT! With Jillian Michaels

Friday, June 24, 2011

Overcoming a Setback

It happens — you miss a few workouts and you feel like you've fallen off the weight-loss wagon. It's tempting to mentally slap yourself around, right? (Or head for the fridge.) Before you start, I want to remind you of something: Being hard on yourself is the Old You.

The New You knows how to deal with setbacks and get back on the wagon. And after all, there are no mistakes, just learning experiences. Weight loss is a process — it takes time. You will encounter small failures — everyone does — but every pound you gain can be lost.

And if you miss a workout, it's not the end of the world! Get to the gym the next day and continue to focus on your short-term goals. Just because you made bad choices today doesn't mean you can't start over tomorrow. New day? New beginning. And don't you forget it! 

She's my hero!

It should be illegal

It should be illegal to utter discouraging words and address them to the people who are working their asses off in order to become fit. That act is no different from discrimination. Yes, I'm fat and yes, I don't look like a fairy tale princess or a top fashion model. Well, that's MY problem and not anybody else's. And there's something called freedom of speech, so I can talk about fitness, exercise, workouts, as much as I want and whenever I want. And I can dream, can't I? Dreaming is not prohibited by law. 

I can become whatever I want to become. Why not? It's my choice. I'll make my own decisions and, if I should end my days eating clean, exercising and running, until the last minute of my life, then I'm not to blame for that. I can turn into whatever I want to turn into, whether they like it or not. It's my life, anyway! 

So it's high time you put your guns down - stop criticising me, buddies. Come on, if fitness has corrupted my mind, so be it! I'm happy this way, and I'm not going to change. You think it's a bad thing that I let my fitness journey define me? Well, again - that's my choice!

And this line goes to so-and-so... Come on, buddy, whose side are you on???

Call me self-assured, arrogant or whatever you want. Well, take me or leave me - but don't bother me!

I know some day I will get there... You may not see me then, but I promise you WILL hear my laughter...

That's all I've got to say. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

New Balance 3K

 

I DID IT!!!

(Thanks, Bran!)

2 days left...

... and I'm freaking out.

My personal trainer has just done something amazing for me. He's kinda 'run a sim'. Two days ago, he told me: "On Wednesday, I want you to run for 18 minutes." After running the 3K at the May Celebrations on 05/25, we discussed how long it'd have taken me to get to the finish line if I'd run all of it (I only managed to run 60-65%). We agreed it may have taken me 18 minutes, and that's why he came up with this brilliant idea: I was going to run for 18 minutes today. Well, I couldn't help screaming when he made the announcement. I knew he had a good point so I couldn't find any good reason to object, but of course my inner voice told me, "You know you can't run for eighteen minutes, so what's the point???" I was so shocked that I didn't even utter a 'yes' or a 'no'...

"... and I'll be running with you", he said. Wooooooow!!! That was really awesome! Branwell hurt his knee about two months ago, and he's been taking good care of it since then - he's even had to stop playing football, something he's found particularly hard to do because he really LOVES football. So running together somehow implied that he was making my needs a priority, even if this meant that he'd have to commit himself to force his knee a bit here. And no doubt he was pushing me to run 3K without stopping, but at the same time he'd be there to encourage me all the way. Yes - truly amazing.

So we ran together. Well, I should say we jogged, and sometimes I nearly walked, but it was still moving as if I was running. Or something like that. Wow, I was so tired after the first 4 minutes, having a look at my watch every 20 seconds... The way my trainer backed me up was more than impressive (thanks, Bran!). He just wouldn't let me fail. He kept telling me "You're doing good" all the time. He also asked many times how I was feeling, if my bad knee hurt, if everything was OK. 

And he let me take control of the timing. So I'd stop when I needed to stop. And I just DIDN'T WANT to stop, so when I passed the pain threshold, he explained how our bodies worked and how I should feel afterwards. So I DIDN'T stop until I felt I'd had enough. AND THAT WAS 24 MINUTES AFTER STARTING JOGGING. Unbelievable!!! I beat my personal best... wow, that couldn't possibly describe it; the last time I'd run, I'd only jogged for 10 minutes! And, WOW, that was only 15 days ago! It was... it was... CRAZY! Not only had I passed the 12-minute running test - I'd doubled the bet and done it T-W-I-C-E!!!

... Now my trainer is taking for granted I CAN run for 20 minutes, so I'm supposed to do my 3K running without stopping. I mean, it makes sense, why wouldn't I be able to run all of it, if it might take me 18 minutes (or at least, no more than 20) and I can run for 24? Well, it's hard to figure it out, to picture it in my mind. I still believe I can't run over 300 metres (0.33K). Sometimes I just have to take my trainer's word for what I can or can't do. He knows better than I do!

And he tried to tell me that, anyway, it'd be OK if I didn't manage to run the whole distance on Sunday. I just couldn't hear him. I don't want to fail. I need to do this! And so I'm calling all angels for help. H-E-L-P!!! Preeeee!!! Preeeee!!! Help meeeeeeee!!!

3 days left...

... and it's so hard to know what to feel!

I'm totally in panic but also on autopilot.

4 days left

So difficult to rise today...

I'm incredibly sore, and my back is hurting a little.

Yesterday's session was tough. Branwell broke me emotionally.

"We're dealing with pain here", he said. And pushed me real hard.

No worries, I'll be fine.

Well, it seems I'm still in one piece...

Smile in the face of adversity... or face adversity with a smile (whatever).

Yeah, smile and keep going for it!

Life is like a cup of tea

I can see life at the bottom of my cup of jasmine tea.

And life is perfect like the leaves of a jasmine flower...

5 days left...

I'm running New Balance 3K on Sunday, June 12th.

I've got some last minute doubts. I know it's normal. I'm starting to panic. I know it's normal. I'm nervous, anxious and affluter. Again - I know it's normal.

I say to myself, "Nike, just do it". Just get up, get dressed, go out, stand on the starting line, and then - run, run, run. That's all. Switch off your mind. Feel your breath, listen to your heart beating, lift your feet off the ground, step on the road under your soles, keep an eye on the horizon... and run.

What else is there? What else do I have? Just this passion for running, for challenging myself, for proving my strength and determination, for pursuing my dreams...

Just run, gal. Just run. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fate?

... I keep training!

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS...

... and it's truly a GREAT thing to discover where your heart beats.