How many times can I be the come-back kid?

Since I have been teaching more and more group fitness classes at TWC and have been working various other places in the community, my personal training and small group training has picked up (Praise God!).  As well, I am more active by . . . default?  I don't know about that, but I am slowly gaining muscle endurance and s-l-o-w-l-y gaining muscle strength.  (Unsure what is going on but my body still won't tolerate strength+endurance physical activity for very long without pain.  Interesting.)  One of the small groups that I am working with is a 'Beginner 5k' training group!  Therefore, I am holding myself accountable for running the route 2 days before the training group runs it so that I know approximately how long it will take to complete and what the terrain is like.  Got my behind out there this morning, despite wanting to "skip it" due to Minnesota's ever-changing climate (last week: 60-70 degrees, sunny; today: snow/sleet). 

I continue to come back to blogging when I "feel" like I am getting back into "training" :-p I do have some goals and even some upcoming events that I plan to participate in, so I suppose this may translate into more frequent blogs in the upcoming months. *insert applause, hoots and hollers*

Has anyone else been using foam rollers?  I have been using mine daily and have been encouraging just about EVERY client/patient/friend to utilize one!  Foam rollers are somewhat "trendy" right now, but I will say that I started using them nearly 15 years ago when I had access to one at home (dad was rehabing from a vehicle crash and had one).  The rollers can be used to massage muscles and break up scar tissue - really effective for Chronic Myofascial Pain, injury rehab, muscle tightness, etc. 

Another note - I have been experimenting with making kale chips and "ice cream" (not mixed - ew).  When I get recipes that I like A LOT, I'll share!  Meanwhile, I'm also going to start experimenting more with the juicer my housemate has . . . and figure out ways to use the 'fibrous leftovers' [because it is very nutritious and it is wasteful not to use!].

Okee-dokey then.

Are you training for anything?  Training yourself to be more physically active, in general, perhaps?! :-)

Boom-Diggity-Boom

Wassup?

While working (yes, working) on a project at work, I came across this blog/something-or-other that I think is pretty awesome . . . however, please beware, if you are sensitive to swears, the title of this link begins with a naughty word.

That said, CHECK IT OUT! --->  human bodies are AMAZING

P.S. This week is going well for exercise . . . Mon run, Tues yoga, Weds took dogs on a snow-hike in field/woods area, today led/did fat burner circuit at TWC.  However. . .my FEET and HIPS hurrrrrrt! Uggggh.

Doggies playin' in da snowy woods!

Keep on keepin' on.  Need some fun, motivating tunes?  Check out Escala - saWEET!

The Matter of "Size" . . . does size matter?

Good day to you :)  Thanks for reading - whether for a first time or "n"th time, welcome!  This is a place where I log my physical activity, sometimes vent :), offer advice and links to research or products that I have found to be useful, and sometimes ask for advice! 

Recently, I blogged about not fitting into a dress for an upcoming wedding.  This was a frustrating experience for multiple reasons: 1) physically not fitting means either paying for alterations or needing to lose weight, 2) mental angst that comes with unwanted weight gain/shape change, 3) mental lashings when I feel incredibly hypocritical and unworthy of calling myself a health educator/health coach/personal trainer!

At the bottom of this blog, I have listed a few interesting links that I really enjoyed and that made me think about my current 'predicament'.  A few things that I need to gain a little perspective on include remembering that I am pretty darn healthy, for the most part, and my body does pretty much everything that it is supposed to do.  Granted, for some reason, my brain likes to take little sidetracks and try to convince me that I'm not worthy of other people's time/affection/what-have-you or that what I am doing with my life is ridiculously inept.  This has been diagnosed as Dysthymia.  Granted, for some reason, my body feels a lot of physical pain for no "known" reason/apparent cause.  This has had several diagnoses, the latest and most accurate (I think, from my research in the area) is Chronic Myofascial Pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome).   Granted, I have some variation of early-onset Degenerative Disc Disease and an annular bulge.  BUT - I am still able to feed-bathe-dress myself, I am still able to drive, walk my dog, enjoy funny movies, read books, learn new things, conversate with friends, meet new people, travel the world, exercise, try new activities, paint, write this blog . . .

SO!!!  Let's focus on happy thoughts!!

Yesterday, a good friend sent me a text while I was at work.  Would I want to go for a walk or to a park since it was such a nice day?  Thoughts that went through my mind: I'm soooo sleepy, I have a group project meeting after work and I need to get more of my part of the paper done, blah blah blah.  "Yes, I'm done with work at 5, how about 5:30?"  She was able to come over around 6pm and my roommate joined us!  We walked my doggy to the dog park and let her romp around; such a nice night and had fun meeting and playing with other dogs (and people) at the park!  The park is just over a mile from my apartment, so we had a nice distance to-from the park and then the dog was able to run around to her hearts content while we chatted and enjoyed each others' company in the nice "cool" Florida fall weather! 

I am working at *always* saying yes to a walk or bike ride with a friend; if there is not something else imminent that needs doing, I can always use the company and the movement :)  I encourage you to do the same!  And, sometimes, be the person that asks others to join YOU for a walk!  Being in the fresh air (or even walking up and down the stairs at work if you have 10 minutes) will get blood pumping and fresh oxygen circulating :)

Here are a couple of interesting reads, if you have the time:

http://theinsider.retailmenot.com/trend/vanity-sizing.html
http://alwayssick.com/2011/08/09/are-womens-clothing-sizes-getting-smaller-a-trip-to-tjmaxx/