Becoming.........

We are always becoming something until the day we die. I have been thinking about this a lot lately and I began to think about what I am becoming. What am I working on during my short time here on earth? What am I becoming?

The first thing that comes to mind is fit! I am becoming healthy and fit by working out and eating well. I am also becoming stronger in body and in mind. On this fitness journey, I am soon to become a kickboxing instructor to help others become healthy.

My journey to becoming is not only physical but mental and spiritual, as well. I am becoming a better student of life and people and the needs of people around me. I am ever mindful of how others are feeling and what circumstances have brought them to this point in their life. I am becoming more giving of my time to help those who need it most.

Through this journey, called life, I am becoming more beautiful. I do not mean physically beautiful but in terms of my compassion and caring nature. So to commemorate this "becoming" journey, I got this.....


What are you becoming?

Runny Nose and All

So it's concession time here and I hope I'm not alone in this malady that plagues me daily! Here goes nothing: my nose runs when I workout. I'm not talking just a little drip but a bonafide river coming from my nose type of thing.

The other day I did a burpee and had the inevitable river running rampant! During the next burpee, I wiped out! I pretended it was from all the sweat pouring from my body but, the likely culprit was probably my river of snot! Seriously, it is THAT bad!

I carry tissue but a whole box per workout is redonkulous so I started taking my own towels to the gym. I didn't think they would appreciate my snotting in their towels! Besides, no one gets paid enough to wash a strangers snot ridden towel! Just sayin'!

Add seasonal allergies to the workout snot problem and you have a huge snotty mess! I started Claratin today and may add Zyrtec to the mix if that doesn't work!

I took two days off of my normal workouts to get my symptoms under control but tomorrow I will be running and I'm sure my nose will be running with me!

Just Call Me Coach!

My past P.E. teachers would never in a million years believe that I have added a new title to my resume! I am now a Coach! Eeek! I will join the Coaching staff for the Girls on the Run fall session! I will be teaching girls about self esteem while training them to run a 5k.

I never was very athletic in school. I was a dancer and singer and an actor but never an athlete. In fact, I considered myself to be overweight as a result of the uber skinny, popular girls. In hindsight, I realize that I was a healthy weight and not fat at all but perceived myself as so!

Today, self perception starts very early among girls! I'm talking 3rd grade here folks and, unfortunately, that is the age when other kids start mocking kids who are different from them! Yikes! I don't remember going through this until Middle School!

The purpose of GOTR is to teach girls to love themselves and that beauty comes from within all of us! Hopefully, the girls who participate learn lessons that they can apply to every day life and the bullying situations they encounter.

I am just so excited to be a part of this program and to be able to help girls overcome the problems they face. What an amazing organization to be part of! If you would like to know more, you can go to www.girlsontheruneic.org !

52.8

No, that is not the number of miles that I run in a week but it is the number of pounds that I have lost in 11 months! The weight is coming off much slower now that I am within 10 pounds of my final goal but I am still pushing forward!

I get lots of questions about how I did it and where to start and my answers are always the same! First, see your doctor for a complete physical to make sure your body is ready. Second, start eating better! I go by the 90/10 rule. I eat perfect 90% of the time and allow myself to eat what I want 10% of the time! No food is taboo in my world! Third, put one foot in front of the other! In July of 2011, I started walking/running and in January of this year I added cross training at my local YMCA! This includes: cycling, kickboxing and strength training. Last, NEVER GIVE UP!

I know that the last one is tough but it really is important since you didn't put the weight on in one day do it will take time and work to take it off! I have persisted and I will soon reach my goal! Has it been easy? NO! Has it been worth it? YES! It has become a way of life for me!

There are some great benefits too! More energy, small clothes (from a 16 to a 6/8) and tons of compliments! The best benefit, however, is seeing my 5 year old daughter make smart eating choices! I hope that she never has to struggle with her weight because I was proactive in the things that I have taught her!

Here is another benefit: crossing the finish line in a 5K or better yet, crossing the finish line with my running buddy and her dad during Girls on the Run and having my little Diva there to witness the awesomeness of the moment!