N O T A N Y M O R E

Happy Cinco de Mayo... May 5th is not really something we celebrate in my family... September 16th is when we really celebrate Mexican independence day.  For me, Cinco de Mayo is an occasion to eat Chips and lots of Guacamole...

 Our dinner included grilled shrimp along with these veggies.  For an added treat, we ate stuff poblano peppers with cheese... Super bueno.  Even though Mexican food can be loaded with calories, there are occasions where you can HEALTHIFY it..
.

Speaking of HEALTHIFYING.... Today I start another 6 week series at Kaia Fit.  Kaia is similar to Cross-Fit in that we do timed drills, lots of strength and cardio using kettle bells and BIG ASS tires. And every now and then we do a TRX session.  What is TRX? Well according to Google it's a form of resistance training that includes bodyweight exercises in which a variety of compound exercise movements can be performed. These are done with the aim of developing strength, balance, flexibility, and joint stability simultaneously.

\

Well, that's the WWW's definition. Here is mine. Don't laugh.

At the end of class, I asked one of the woman to take my picture doing this move. It's hard. You really engage your core and well.. it's just hard.

I felt intimidated by most of the exercises but I made sure I did each one.  I thought, I'm too heavy. I'm too ... you get the point. I had lots of excuses. But felt wonderful for giving it a try.  I can't believe I am doing some of these workouts.  I am so appreciative of what my body has allowed.

I continue to struggle with body image. At first glance, all I see are the many rolls on my body... Normally, that would side-line me B U T  N O T  A N Y M O R E!!

Feeling "uncomfortable" when it comes to my workouts is so much more rewarding. I used to do Zumba all the time and thought that was a serious workout. And it is... but doing functional intense training at my age is so gratifying. It's just me and the exercise. Am I going to push it or do what's comfortable? 

PUSH IT of course.  I wish the scale was going down.... sadly it has not but I did measure myself this past Saturday and guess what? I'm down 2 inches around my waist, hip, chest and butt...

It's nice when your hard work is rewarded...  My advise to you if you're struggling?  Keep pushing. Keep doing that which makes you feel uncomfortable. What's the worse that can happen?

Later gators.

Allow yourself to be a beginner

Hi friends, how's your week going?  I'm on week two of our BRIK session at Kaia Fit.  I do believe I'm getting stronger with each class.  Monday and Tuesday we did lots of burpees and push ups.   My arms are still on fire.  Sometimes, I feel silly taking these classes. After all, I 'm no spring chicken. I have to remind myself that I'm 51 years old.  I get competitive. I want to do as good as the person next to me. I forget they're younger and stronger.  I find myself looking at some of the women who are my age. I compare myself. I want to do better than they... Can you relate? 

It's okay to be a beginner. I don't have to knock each exercise out of the park. Hell, I'm ahead of the game just by making class.

This session at Kaia is called BRIK. It's a 6 weeks course.  Each week we turn in our food journals. My coach's comments were helpful. She gave me suggestions and commented on my fiber, sugar and protein intake. Having someone carefully review your food is extremely helpful. I'm thinking twice before I put anything in my mouth.  Again, I'm competitive. I want to do well.

This week we are doing a 7 day CLEANSE.  No processed foods, sugar, carbs, and alcohol.  Let me just say that not having flavored creamer in my coffee has taken the joy out of my morning ritual. But I am glad to say that Day 4 of no sugar hasn't been so bad. Today I actually enjoyed my coffee with a splash of soy milk. Removing sugar from my morning coffee has certainly reduced my need for food. I've heard others say the same thing, but it's something one needs to experience for themselves.  I'll continue to nix the sugar, carbs and processed foods in the weeks to come. Wish me luck okay?  Very curious to see how my body reacts in the weeks to come.

I  haven't weighed myself in 2 weeks.  I don't see many changes in my body physically and it's deflating to work so hard and not see fast results... I think I've sort of given up on losing weight... I keep telling self STRONG IS THE NEW SKINNY.

Maybe my body just likes 180 lbs.... or maybe i"ll see results a year from now.  We shall see, right?

Well friends. I gotta run. Hope your day is going well.

Later, gators.
PWC

HOPE. It's a glorious thing

Dear Paula,

Happy New Years.  Are you excited for 2014?  You should be!  Last  year was a bear and you now have an opportunity to rewrite the year.

Do I really want to re-write the year? Probably not.  Cancer was scary but I learned a great deal and it brought me closer to my loved ones and my Lord.  I've always looked to God, but I relied on him heavily this year and I don't think that will change. I'm happy that I have Hope.

Paula, I am proud of you for starting the New Year with a hike.

You felt marvelous while hiking the Sierras.  You even had a snow fight.  I think it's great how being out doors soothes your soul and has a way of putting things into perspective.  We are so tiny in the grand scheme of things.... I think you captured that wonderfully in the picture below.  However, Girl, you really should use more lotion. Your hands look old and dry.  Moisture should be your motto of 2014 LOL.

I know you were super excited to have Daniel join you on this hike... Even though he scared the bejesus out of you when he hid from you behind those big old trees.  That's a great picture of him walking in the woods. 

Paula, I know you absolutely love the warmth of the sun.  I think you said it felt as though the Lord was embracing you... Yes.  I think you find the outdoors healing and "church-like."  That's a good thing my friend.

I know you're extremely grateful to have good health this year.  It's written all over your face as you walk the river banks near your home. Your hair is growing and well, I'm not too sure I like your new highlights but hey, I get that you wanted to look like Toni Braxton... you crack me up.

You feel very fortunate and want to be a blessing to those around you.  If you see a need. DO WHAT YOU CAN. If someone needs encouragement, SPEAK UP.  Put yourself out there my friend.  A smile is something that doesn't cost you anything and has the capacity to lift someone up. Practice it wherever you can.  Find a way to give more this year.  Give of your time and your resources.

You also started your Revolution Boot camp series last night. What is your goal?  I know the weight has been slow to come off but that's okay. You're living in the moment. You're pushing your physical envelope and that my friend is worthy of celebration.  Remember, Strong and Fit is the new Skinny.  Strive for that okay?

Yes, Paula, hope is a wonderful thing. Hold onto it... because it's always the last thing to go...

Que dios te bendiga mi amiga.

12 day challenge

• Our Kaia coaches challenged us to do this 12 day challenge. Sadly, I did not partake. But to my credit, my co-worker and I did a 40 minutes workout at lunch. The weather was gorgeous and we worked out by the pool. I decided to take my own advice and use the gym at work. Time to let go of being self-conscious.
• Another item I want to work on his monitoring my food more closely.  I was keeping a food journal but fell out of the habit.  Time to be more mindful of my eats. I'm even thinking of doing a fast 1 day out of the week.  
• Here is why I need to track my meals.  My co-workers have been indulging in bagels and cream cheese. I am guilty of doing the same. I used to eat a bagel every morning and sadly, I weighed 213 lbs when I did that... TIME TO NIP THAT BAD HABIT.
• My house is decorated for Christmas. It feels festive. A far cry from last year. :-)
• I've been suffering from headache since Thanksgiving. As a precaution, my oncologist scheduled a CT scan for tomorrow. Please say a prayer for me if you have a moment.  I'm trusting in the Lord, but I still need to ask him for good health. So if you'll stand in agreement with me, I'd really appreciate it.
• Well, that's all I got folks. Just wanted to share this 12 day challenge. Let me know how you feel after doing these exercises.  

Later folks.

keep on, keepin on

Exercising after a double mastectomy sans prosthesis.

Hi friends.  Can you believe I did a warm up that included 100 jump ropes before starting boot camp? Man, it felt great. I've not jumped rope since I was a kid.  I am not fast but the fact that I can do them is pretty significant. At least for me.  I asked Daniel to take the picture above when I got home. I left class feeling strong and thin.  I know the picture is not great but I am not thin by any meas.  I felt thin because my t-shirt felt longer.  Looser.

I wanted to share something about  this picture. I am not wearing my prosthesis. It's been 13 months since my double mastectomy.  It's been a tough year is not surprising if you've read PWC for any length of time.  I have felt insecure being in a gym without the prosthesis. It sets me apart.  I've had to check "self-conscousness" at the door when walking into a gym, or the boot camp class designed for woman. Luckily everyone is very supportive.  I know they are because when I'm last to finish a set, I have the coach next to me doing the exercise along side me, with the class rooting and counting down as we finish. Everyone cheers.  Yea, it makes me uneasy but at the same time. I'm here. I"m living this moment. I'm doing my best to live my life.  I want to define the quality of life.  Don't get me wrong. There are moments where I feel sorry for myself, but then I check self because I know it's up to me to make my moments GREAT.  And it's up to you to make your moments great despite your insecurities or what life has dealt you.  Does this make sense?

If you are reading this post and feel self-conscious about going to the gym. Please get over it.  If you feel you are too fat to take a zumba class, You must GET OVER it. Life is short.  Enjoy each day as much as you can. As soon as you wake up.  Decide. Decide right there what kind of day you are going to have. For me, it's calling on God. I remind myself that this is the day the Lord has made for me.  I will rejoice in it... I'm going to have problems. That's a given. But it's up to me to stay calm. Stay out of fear and to keep on keeping on.

Don't let the small shit keep you from missing out.  That's what Cancer has taught me.... keep on, keepin on. I hope if you're reading that you hear what I have to say and do your best to let go of your fears.  Don't let it stop you from enjoying what life has to offer.  Keep on keepin on, okay?

Later gators.
Paula

Time to dip deeper

Happy Friday all.  Do you have any special plans for the weekend? I'll be working on Saturday. I'm proctoring a Professional Responsibility exam.  We are all doing more at work with the recent staff reductions. I'm blessed to have a job given the state of legal education today.  Many law schools are accepting fewer students and reducing their staff.  Whew... where did that come from?

Anyways, can I show you my recent workouts from Kaia Fit Sacramento? I absolutely love this gym and the workouts.  The woman are super supportive of one another. 

For example, this Super Speed nearly killed me.  I made it to the Kaia Builders and next thing I know, the coach is counting down along side of me, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and she calls time. Everyone starts to applause and it's then that I realize I'm the only one that hasn't finished the set.  I am pretty sure I wasn't doing the exercises correctly but when I could, I called out to the coach for corrections. I gave it all I had. The coach and the class knew I had it in me.... Isn't it odd how we don't know we have it in ourselves? Does that make sense?

Last night, we did a Fit Test. I was able to run the 800M spring in 5.27 minutes.  I've shaved 30 seconds from my first Fit Test four weeks ago. It's not great but it's an improvement.

Burpees remain a challenge.  Any suggestions on how to do them correctly? 

I've been thinking about why I have not lost a single pound in the last 4 weeks. If I'm gong to be honest, I need to examine my portions. Am I being precise in my calorie counting?  I think we're all a little guilty of massaging the numbers as we log them into our journals.  Time to get real with myself.  Bottom line is I NEED TO EAT LESS and not underestimate what I can accomplish.  After all, I did 45 seconds jumping rope last night. I've not jumped rope since I was a kid.

Time to dig deeper on all levels.  If you're up to the challenge, let's do the Super Speed workout in under an hour.  Let me know how you do?

Best,
Paula