Whew. Just got done with my first weekend of yoga teacher training and what a weekend it was. I thought I'd take the time to just write a quick blog updating my weekend, but look forward to an upcoming PracticallyFit blog in the next week or so.
Let's just start off with the fact that teacher training is so much more than I thought it would be. There are aspects that are challenging, easy, interesting, educational, etc. all both physically and mentally. I am learning so much more about myself than I expected to learn. Now this is not to say that I thought teacher training would be all about students and just teaching, but I never expected it to effect all aspects of my life.
Now I could go on for days about everything that was amazing this weekend, but I'll spare you all the details and try to sum it up! Taking a look internally was the most insightful part of the training. Who do I spend my time with? Why? How do I react to different situations? Why? Why do I eat what I eat? How do I breathe? How do I move? Meditation, do I meditate? And those are just a few examples of the introspective questions and reflection.
All amazing introspective questions and really makes you examine your life. I left on Saturday night feeling like every person should take yoga teacher training just to become a better person and most of all a better version of themselves.
Most of all after this weekend I feel that I am doing exactly what I should be doing with my life in this moment. After the move and a job that wasn't the best fit I think I lacked direction. After this weekend I have realized that all of those changes have allowed me to do this teacher training. So not to sound cheesy but this teacher training was me following my heart and soul and taking a bit of a leap of faith. Just a testament to how rewarding it can be to follow your intuition. Try it! The reward is immense, trust me I feel as high as a kite after this weekend. Can't wait to see what's to come in the next 8 weekends over the next year!!!!!
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Snowed in & Sick.
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| PracticallyFit pups. |
So how do you battle a winter flu, winter weather and still try to continue your healthy lifestyle??? Well that is what I battled last week. How do I remain healthy while staying healthy?!?
My first bit of advice is to rest. If you feel that disgusting post-nasal drip and the congestion beginning then take a break. You may be running too fast and not sleeping enough! Catch some zzz's, the gym will be there tomorrow. And even while I was telling myself this I felt like someone was slowly killing me, but guess what?? I'm not dead! And I probably busted through that cold 100 times faster because I did rest my body for the better part of a week.
After the rest it's important to wean yourself back into your old routine. It's crazy to think that you NEED to do this, but trust me you do! It takes 6-8 weeks to build endurance and strength and only takes you about 10-14 days to lose it! So not fair...I know, but it's the way it is! De-conditioning sets in almost immediately. So guess what...after those 7 days spent in bed it is a terrible idea to think you can go pound out a 5 mile run!! This is how people end up with injuries and then you end up in my office and out of commission even longer....lame. So take it easy! For example, I returned to working out on Saturday where I did a 45 min spin class and took it easy on myself, just enough to break a sweat. Then Sunday a 3.25 mile run and some light lifting and stretching. Today, Monday, is a rest day, partially due to snow, but partially due to the fact that I'm still recovering. So then tomorrow a return to a full yoga class and hopefully a kick ass work out on Wednesday. You won't lose everything by doing this, but you will prevent injury and prevent your cold from raging on!!! PLUS this allows you to get back to full work outs instead of those half-assed ones you do when you're feeling under the weather!
Short and sweet but another thing to limit is your time outside. Enough said, it's f*cking cold out, so get your sick ass back inside and save the snow shoveling for your spouse or a nice neighbor!
Last but not least is your diet. When I'm sick I have a hard time getting myself to eat anything, which is terrible all I'm doing is depriving my body of all the good vitamins and nutrients it needs!! Try filling yourself with some great organic, low-sodium soups, a good chicken noodle or lentil. TEA, green, black, blue whatever you want, it helps! Aaaand it will soothe that aching chest/throat. Keep taking your regular vitamins and maybe add a probiotic. Probiotics are not only good for digestive health, but for overall well-being, they can help keep that cold tame. And probably most importantly is getting those anti-oxidants and vitamins, some berries, greens, etc. I sautéed some spinach/kale and had soup. The mix didn't overwhelm my not-hungry-self and it was warm, comforting, plus full of good stuff to fight that nasty-ass cold.
So rest up this winter, kids, and if you feel that nasty winter cold setting in follow some PracticallyFit advice and chill. You'll still be you when it passes.
Below you can check out our frozen tundra!!!
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| This was only the beginning. |
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| The pups love the snow, especially Olive! |
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| Our snow mountain in the front yard, crazy! |
Sunday, January 11, 2015
New Year, new me.
Welcome to 2015!!! With a new year comes a new start, some changes and a new outlook. During all of the craziness and adjustments we weathered in 2014 I learned a lot about myself. The biggest thing that I learned has been that life is too short to settle for a life that doesn't make you happy. So as I sit here enjoying our last "Pumking" from the beer stash it's time to talk about what 2015 means for me.
We've had ups and downs in the past year, just like any other year, and really it's all about perspective. We've had good news and bad news. Bad news lately has been a close family friend suddenly passed away and my Omi may have a rare form of ALS not leaving us with much QT left. Good news is an upcoming trip to CalifonIA to visit my sister, good friends and do some great exploring! So with all this craziness that we call life, I have to think what the hell am I doing?
So with that I am happy to announce some big changes in 2015..... (drumroll puhleaseee!!)
First and foremost I have finally committed to yoga teacher training!!! (I know this is old news since I already announced on Facebook and Twitter, but still.....yay!!!). This is something I have been wanting to do, but just could never get the time to do, then with how well the move went (cough not cough)...ya know. Time to make time! Y'all know I love yoga and I really want to be able to share my yoga practice with others. I already love teaching related to physical therapy, so I think being a yoga teacher will be a great fit! Plus this will open new doors for me in my career down the road and allow me to do more of what I love!
Along with my quest to become a yoga teacher I am making some interesting, nerve-racking, but amazing career changes!! In Charlotte my career is something I had figured out and I loved the direction it was going and everything I was doing (outpatient PT, private treatment, etc), and then we moved...... Hey you gotta do what you gotta do!
I have met some awesome people at my current job, but overall it was not a good fit! I have realized this is the time for me to explore some other areas of physical therapy and finally delve into some better flexibility!!! Helloo flexibility! I will be working a combo of a couple different jobs, allowing me better flexibility and improved QT with my hubby and the pups! Overall a better quality of life in general (more time to PracticallyFit blog)! I'm nervous, but excited and I think once I'm in a rhythm it will be a great fit! Time to do what I want to do, and hopefully still pay the bills....haha
So although change can be stressful, ultimately it will be a good thing and I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store!!! How are you changing and adapting in 2015??? Cheers to the New Year!
We've had ups and downs in the past year, just like any other year, and really it's all about perspective. We've had good news and bad news. Bad news lately has been a close family friend suddenly passed away and my Omi may have a rare form of ALS not leaving us with much QT left. Good news is an upcoming trip to CalifonIA to visit my sister, good friends and do some great exploring! So with all this craziness that we call life, I have to think what the hell am I doing?
So with that I am happy to announce some big changes in 2015..... (drumroll puhleaseee!!)
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| Our lovely beach....doesn't get old! |
Along with my quest to become a yoga teacher I am making some interesting, nerve-racking, but amazing career changes!! In Charlotte my career is something I had figured out and I loved the direction it was going and everything I was doing (outpatient PT, private treatment, etc), and then we moved...... Hey you gotta do what you gotta do!
I have met some awesome people at my current job, but overall it was not a good fit! I have realized this is the time for me to explore some other areas of physical therapy and finally delve into some better flexibility!!! Helloo flexibility! I will be working a combo of a couple different jobs, allowing me better flexibility and improved QT with my hubby and the pups! Overall a better quality of life in general (more time to PracticallyFit blog)! I'm nervous, but excited and I think once I'm in a rhythm it will be a great fit! Time to do what I want to do, and hopefully still pay the bills....haha
So although change can be stressful, ultimately it will be a good thing and I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store!!! How are you changing and adapting in 2015??? Cheers to the New Year!
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| Our New Year's party! Cheesey! |
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| Harry is not impressed with NYE! |
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| Olive & her b/f Cooper! See we are all making new friends! |
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Talk, talk & more talk
Happy Holidays, readers!!! We had a lovely, busy holiday with family and friends galore, but now we are happy to have had a weekend to relax and spend time just the 4 of us (those goofy pups ;) ). It's been a relaxing weekend just in time for us to throw a NYE party and then hopefully to be followed by another relaxing weekend after.
Oh the holidays, another Christmas come & gone. The holidays can be stressful and crazy, but hopefully at the end they are fun and a great time to catch up with people we don't see very often. I spent a lot of this season working, while family was at my house. That can make for a crazy holiday fo sho. Lots of wine and good beer drinking to combat any stress....& the occasional run here and there too.
I spent a lot of this holiday observing...mainly observing how people talk. How they talk about themselves, others, situations etc. My main observation...why all the negativity?!?! When did we all start being so damn pessimistic about everyone and everything? I think it's easy to join in with the Debbie-downer crowd and then it's easier not to notice, but having tried to remove myself from the gossip-ring it's amazing how every conversation has a negative-air about it. Now this is not to generalize, certainly everyone I talked to over the holidays did not have a negative-tone, but I will say the majority of people did have at least one downer comment. And the winner for most negativity directed at is.......themselves!!
That would be correct. The most horribly depressing comments were always someone referring to themselves. "I feel huge." "I wish I could be as organized as you." "I just can't ever seem to get it together." When did we all start talking about ourselves like we don't matter? I heard a lot of self-destructive talk especially surrounding the Victoria's Secret fashion show. What's the point of even talking bad about yourself with something like that? I'm not a Victoria's Secret model, nor will I ever be, so what's the point in comparing myself to a 5'11" thin, beautiful chick with big boobs. Come on! My 5'4" frame is just as it should be, therefore me & Adriana Lima are not comparing apples to apples.
Negativity is contagious, we hear one person saying something and bam next thing you know everyone is agreeing. The other thing about negative comments is the more we say them, the sooner they become a reality. If you say you are fat enough times, soon you are going to believe it. That's just a fact, honey.
Talking about oneself in a negative tone spills into talking about others in a negative-light. It's also true that if you tear someone down enough your faults don't seem as noticeable.
My moral of the story today is...if you don't have anything nice to say....spin it into something positive about yourself. I'll bet you'll feel better than if you highlight all your or someone else's faults. So talk about yourself in a positive light, it's not arrogant or overconfident, it's a fact that you should love who you are. I'm not perfect and guess what? I'll bet Adriana Lima isn't perfect either. Embrace the imperfections and the perfections.
Oh the holidays, another Christmas come & gone. The holidays can be stressful and crazy, but hopefully at the end they are fun and a great time to catch up with people we don't see very often. I spent a lot of this season working, while family was at my house. That can make for a crazy holiday fo sho. Lots of wine and good beer drinking to combat any stress....& the occasional run here and there too.
I spent a lot of this holiday observing...mainly observing how people talk. How they talk about themselves, others, situations etc. My main observation...why all the negativity?!?! When did we all start being so damn pessimistic about everyone and everything? I think it's easy to join in with the Debbie-downer crowd and then it's easier not to notice, but having tried to remove myself from the gossip-ring it's amazing how every conversation has a negative-air about it. Now this is not to generalize, certainly everyone I talked to over the holidays did not have a negative-tone, but I will say the majority of people did have at least one downer comment. And the winner for most negativity directed at is.......themselves!!
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| Adriana Lima, obvi |
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| I'm no Adriana Lima, but I'll take it! |
Negativity is contagious, we hear one person saying something and bam next thing you know everyone is agreeing. The other thing about negative comments is the more we say them, the sooner they become a reality. If you say you are fat enough times, soon you are going to believe it. That's just a fact, honey.
Talking about oneself in a negative tone spills into talking about others in a negative-light. It's also true that if you tear someone down enough your faults don't seem as noticeable.
My moral of the story today is...if you don't have anything nice to say....spin it into something positive about yourself. I'll bet you'll feel better than if you highlight all your or someone else's faults. So talk about yourself in a positive light, it's not arrogant or overconfident, it's a fact that you should love who you are. I'm not perfect and guess what? I'll bet Adriana Lima isn't perfect either. Embrace the imperfections and the perfections.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Settle.
The last 2 months have been full of change for us and our families. New house, new furniture, engagements, job changes...the list goes on and on. Now it's time to try and settle in....
Colin & I are settling into the new house and slowly things are feeling like home. The Christmas tree and decorations certainly help! Well, and the fact that we are finally done buying furniture. The house looks great, if I do say so myself!
I've got my routine and schedule down pat, which my type A-self loves. Finally found an amazing yoga studio, some great spin classes, and loving our new running routes along the water. But with all the settling down there is always some stress to go around and it's always beneficial to take a look around and say am I happy?
Stress and change can mask who you truly are and keep you from focusing on what's really important....your happiness. I've taken some time for self-reflection over the past few weeks as I noticed I haven't been myself the past couple months. I made excuses saying that it was the move, or financial stress or any other excuse I could come up with. But when I really got honest with myself I was able to target the lifestyle changes I needed to make. While I can't publicly share all of it yet (don't worry Colin & the pups are all good), my lifestyle adjustments made me think that the holidays are a great time for everyone to have some self-reflection. It's easy to get in the routine and just get used to the usual, but use this stressful holiday season to give yourself the gift of happiness, and make some changes that are going to lead to a better you in 2015 (cliche I know, but so necessary)!
Happy Holiday season, everyone, and look forward to some blogging coming up with some new announcements! But for now just enjoy the pics of the new house!
Colin & I are settling into the new house and slowly things are feeling like home. The Christmas tree and decorations certainly help! Well, and the fact that we are finally done buying furniture. The house looks great, if I do say so myself!
I've got my routine and schedule down pat, which my type A-self loves. Finally found an amazing yoga studio, some great spin classes, and loving our new running routes along the water. But with all the settling down there is always some stress to go around and it's always beneficial to take a look around and say am I happy?
Stress and change can mask who you truly are and keep you from focusing on what's really important....your happiness. I've taken some time for self-reflection over the past few weeks as I noticed I haven't been myself the past couple months. I made excuses saying that it was the move, or financial stress or any other excuse I could come up with. But when I really got honest with myself I was able to target the lifestyle changes I needed to make. While I can't publicly share all of it yet (don't worry Colin & the pups are all good), my lifestyle adjustments made me think that the holidays are a great time for everyone to have some self-reflection. It's easy to get in the routine and just get used to the usual, but use this stressful holiday season to give yourself the gift of happiness, and make some changes that are going to lead to a better you in 2015 (cliche I know, but so necessary)!
Happy Holiday season, everyone, and look forward to some blogging coming up with some new announcements! But for now just enjoy the pics of the new house!
Thursday, September 18, 2014
FALLish
My favorite time of the year is upon us...the fall! Now don't get me wrong I love summer (a very close second) and I have a certain appreciation for spring & winter, however fall is my favorite season. Not only is the temperature amazing, but the leaves become a beautiful array of color, the food is so comforting, there are many outdoor activities to be had and I love my choices of attire for the fall! Bring on the boots, jeans and scarves! With Labor day behind us I think it only proper to discuss the season change ahead.
Fall Fitness: Now one of the best things about the season is the weather! We get cool, crisp days and some cozy rainy ones mixed in. Perfect running weather! Time to bust out some trail runs and enjoy the scenery......the best part??? You can run at any time of day, no more trying to get a run in before the heat of the day! Fall is the time of year when I think I am in the best shape because I really enjoy running in the weather so I do a lot more of it. In addition, the cooler weather brings on more hot yoga sessions and the lack of beach days makes me more inclined to go to the gym rather than lay by the water.
Now fall in our new New England atmosphere is going to be very different than what we've been used to in Charlotte, but it also brings on new adventures....apple picking and hiking!! Now we hiked frequently outside Charlotte, but New England brings lots of new adventure to the table. New state parks, new mountain ranges & ledges where we can try rock climbing (probably indoors first of course). New England also has a larger variety of places and different terrains to hike...nice job, New England, keep up the good work! You can also enjoy many outdoor activities without the heat which can help keep you active, hence the apple picking mentioned above or the pumpkin patch and tons of other fall festivals! I find it easy to stay active in the fall between the great weather & variety of activities.
Football: My favorite sports season! Also a practically fit downfall! Sundays and Monday nights (oh yea Thursdays too!) become consumed with friends, food and sitting on my ass in front of a TV. I think I drink more beer and eat more wings during the fall compared to any other season. So fall is also a season of finding balance and being practical with my choices from day to day. With no more Panthers tailgates (boooo) I may be able to find more balance this season. And of course...
Fall Food: Should I be like every other girl in yoga pants and say I love a pumpkin spice latte? I mean I do, but it's not my #1. Apple pies, warm soups & pumpkin beer!! Hell yea that's my favorite fall beverage the transition into pumpkin beer and other darker, comforting beers. Southern Tier's Pumkin always a fan favorite, and this year Ithaca's Country Pumpkin is creeping high up on my list. Warm hot apple cider (sometimes with a lil splash of Captain Morgan's) and now that we're in New England cider donuts are back as well! Now on the healthy spectrum...we transition from grilling to indoor cooking. Let the crock potting begin!!! Lots of baked veggies and veggies/meat in the crock pot so we can come home to a warm meal.
Time to get used to shorter days and cooler weather, but the transition to fall is a good one. It let's me change up my work out to more outdoor activities, warm up with some comforting beverages & food, and also let's me have my food indulgences while watching my favorite Bengals win a few!
Fall Fitness: Now one of the best things about the season is the weather! We get cool, crisp days and some cozy rainy ones mixed in. Perfect running weather! Time to bust out some trail runs and enjoy the scenery......the best part??? You can run at any time of day, no more trying to get a run in before the heat of the day! Fall is the time of year when I think I am in the best shape because I really enjoy running in the weather so I do a lot more of it. In addition, the cooler weather brings on more hot yoga sessions and the lack of beach days makes me more inclined to go to the gym rather than lay by the water.Now fall in our new New England atmosphere is going to be very different than what we've been used to in Charlotte, but it also brings on new adventures....apple picking and hiking!! Now we hiked frequently outside Charlotte, but New England brings lots of new adventure to the table. New state parks, new mountain ranges & ledges where we can try rock climbing (probably indoors first of course). New England also has a larger variety of places and different terrains to hike...nice job, New England, keep up the good work! You can also enjoy many outdoor activities without the heat which can help keep you active, hence the apple picking mentioned above or the pumpkin patch and tons of other fall festivals! I find it easy to stay active in the fall between the great weather & variety of activities.Football: My favorite sports season! Also a practically fit downfall! Sundays and Monday nights (oh yea Thursdays too!) become consumed with friends, food and sitting on my ass in front of a TV. I think I drink more beer and eat more wings during the fall compared to any other season. So fall is also a season of finding balance and being practical with my choices from day to day. With no more Panthers tailgates (boooo) I may be able to find more balance this season. And of course...
WHO-DEY!
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| A few of the ones we are enjoying currently! |
Time to get used to shorter days and cooler weather, but the transition to fall is a good one. It let's me change up my work out to more outdoor activities, warm up with some comforting beverages & food, and also let's me have my food indulgences while watching my favorite Bengals win a few!
Friday, August 15, 2014
Shiny & new
An insightful blog ahead....
A move, or any big life change for that matter, brings on a flurry of new things. A new "home," new gym, new friends, new job....the list goes on. New things can make life adventurous, exciting and/or stressful. I generally find too many new things stressful. Even if I treat myself to a little shopping spree I usually find myself stressin' after realizing the damage I've done to the 'ol credit card, despite all my new found treasures. But sometime new things are coming whether you like it or not.
With the move we certainly had a choice to move or not, however with Colin being offered an amazing step for his career, how could I/we say no to that?!? So we accepted the move and here we are in Connecticut. I haven't moved in 3 1/2 years, which is the longest I've lived anywhere since high school. So now I have found myself in an explosion of new! New things are definitely exciting and can bring on new opportunities, such as Colin's job & his budding opportunities because of that new job. But with this new overload I have found myself yearning for the "normal" I'm used to and feeling little overwhelmed by the new. I mean come on you can even sense the dogs' anxiety when there's too much change!
In the past month I have started a new job, moved to a new state, tried new running routes, made some new friends, bought a new car, tried various new yoga studios & gyms and that's just to name a few. In another 5 1/2 weeks (not like we are counting ;) ) we will move to another new house. Then BAM another new commute and new daily routine. Life keeps changing and you have to embrace the new normals. I have stress with most new things that I try. But once I fall in love with the activity, food, job (whatever it is that happens to be new) I can't believe I didn't do/try it sooner. New things can enrich your life immensely. I finally reached a goal of achieving forearm headstand in yoga...AMAZING! New pose = new limits. Or even something simple, like hello why didn't I start watching House of Cards sooner??? Because we make excuses in order to not scare ourselves with something unknown. I think the new stuff is what keeps us growing and becoming more of who we are.
In addition, I believe that embracing the new normal can also be accompanied by missing the "old normal." Just because I make new friends, doesn't mean the ones I've had prior get left in the dust, right? Right. I believe the same applies to all areas of my life. Things don't always have to be replaced with the new, just substituted.
Although new can be scary and stressful, I challenge people to try something new at least weekly. Scare yourself! It keeps you growing and learning. Plus we all can't just stay the same...that would be WAY too boring!
A move, or any big life change for that matter, brings on a flurry of new things. A new "home," new gym, new friends, new job....the list goes on. New things can make life adventurous, exciting and/or stressful. I generally find too many new things stressful. Even if I treat myself to a little shopping spree I usually find myself stressin' after realizing the damage I've done to the 'ol credit card, despite all my new found treasures. But sometime new things are coming whether you like it or not.
With the move we certainly had a choice to move or not, however with Colin being offered an amazing step for his career, how could I/we say no to that?!? So we accepted the move and here we are in Connecticut. I haven't moved in 3 1/2 years, which is the longest I've lived anywhere since high school. So now I have found myself in an explosion of new! New things are definitely exciting and can bring on new opportunities, such as Colin's job & his budding opportunities because of that new job. But with this new overload I have found myself yearning for the "normal" I'm used to and feeling little overwhelmed by the new. I mean come on you can even sense the dogs' anxiety when there's too much change!
In the past month I have started a new job, moved to a new state, tried new running routes, made some new friends, bought a new car, tried various new yoga studios & gyms and that's just to name a few. In another 5 1/2 weeks (not like we are counting ;) ) we will move to another new house. Then BAM another new commute and new daily routine. Life keeps changing and you have to embrace the new normals. I have stress with most new things that I try. But once I fall in love with the activity, food, job (whatever it is that happens to be new) I can't believe I didn't do/try it sooner. New things can enrich your life immensely. I finally reached a goal of achieving forearm headstand in yoga...AMAZING! New pose = new limits. Or even something simple, like hello why didn't I start watching House of Cards sooner??? Because we make excuses in order to not scare ourselves with something unknown. I think the new stuff is what keeps us growing and becoming more of who we are.
In addition, I believe that embracing the new normal can also be accompanied by missing the "old normal." Just because I make new friends, doesn't mean the ones I've had prior get left in the dust, right? Right. I believe the same applies to all areas of my life. Things don't always have to be replaced with the new, just substituted.
Although new can be scary and stressful, I challenge people to try something new at least weekly. Scare yourself! It keeps you growing and learning. Plus we all can't just stay the same...that would be WAY too boring!
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