Dancing in front of the mirror.

This morning, I got dressed into a pair of Dickies pants for work and who would've guess...they're loose! Now, these are the pants that a few weeks ago when I wore them, I had that gross "muffin top" stuff stickin' out the sides. But no more!! I have yet to take my measurements again, but a lot of times, your clothing and energy level are good indicators of how you are doing on your journey, and I think I'm doing pretty well.

As I've mentioned in a previous post or two, I had a small case of the stomach flu for about two days, and since then, have had a messed up neck that has taken me out of my routine. But not only has it taken me away from my P90X schedule, I have also been in not-so-great moods because I haven't had the chance to work out like I've wanted. It can be SO frustrating. However, I am taking back control. I have a follow-up appointment with the acupuncturist tomorrow, but I decided even though I have to go and get that taken care of, I'm starting my P90X TO. MOR. ROW. It's time. I've made the decision to, instead of restarting my Week 3, go back a week and start from Week 2 because I missed a little less than two weeks. I just feel like this will be the best for my body, self-confidence, and it will just help me all around.

Oh, and as for the title of this entry, when I looked in the mirror after putting on my Dickies this morning, I started jumping around and dancing! Cheesy, I know. But I don't care.

/R. Angelina

To coach or not to coach?

That is the question.

Now, this is something that has been on my mind for the past month and I still have yet to make a decision. But that's alright. Doing things in my own time - when I'M ready - will definitely be one of my keys to success. Coaching?, you may ask. What type of coaching? Well, I've been contemplating becoming a Beachbody coach. There are so many benefits to being involved in this program, such as meeting new people, helping others achieve their goals, keeping myself accountable, and of course, the financial benefits of discounts on products and making money while I do something I already love!

However, I've gone back and forth with this. One part of me says, YES! GO FOR IT! And the other is saying, Who is going to want you as his/her coach when there are so many others who have made greater strides/have better bodies/are more fit/etc./etc.? So this is where the conflict comes in. Now I know no one is perfect so I'm not striving for perfection. But at times, it does seem difficult to really see myself being able to guide someone when I do not have ALL the tools yet. This is why I'm taking my time to decide so that I am very informed on the business end and I am getting myself right on the fitness/nutrition end as well.

As of right now, I am 98% sure that by the end of this year, I WILL be a Beachbody coach. Now, I just have to take the steps to gaining the knowledge and continuing to better myself so that I can use my own example to teach and guide others.

/R. Angelina

Motivate, Aspire, Persevere

I definitely have ideas floating around in my brain of what I want to accomplish, where I hope to be in x months, and what I really want for myself. However, I know that getting them down on paper - or the computer for the purpose of this blog entry - can provide a much clearer and more focused image of one's goals. So, here we go. The following are my goals for this year, in no particular order:

+ Reach my goal weight of 145.
+ Complete a round of P90X and continue on to an even more intense program.
+ Continue eating clean 90-95% of every week.
+ Buy my dream Esther Williams swimsuit and wear it out in public.
+ Be able to do at least 8 REAL push-ups and 1 REAL pull-up.
+ Try 100 or more new recipes (and keep them for the future).
+ Help spread the ideals of clean eating to those around me, including my family.
+ Treat myself to some new outfits once I start developing my new body and lifestyle. 
+ Become a confident, inspirational Beachbody coach.
+ Continue to blog regularly.
+ Love, appreciate, and respect myself and my relationships.
+ BE THE BEST VERSION OF ME!

Remember what Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said:

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow. 

/R. Angelina

You can't always get what you want.

But if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need.

These are words I've been trying to replay over and over in my head the last nine days. Why, you may wonder?  Well, last week, I decided that I would re-do my P90X Week 3 because I had missed three workouts and it would just be better all around. Then I caught a small case of the stomach flu so I missed out on two more days. And to top it off, I've had this terribly stiff, sore neck since Sunday morning. I've tried heating pads, Icy Hot, ibuprofen, stretching, rubbing, sleeping differently, but now I'm at a loss. My neck step is either an acupuncturist or a chiropractor, but honestly, I was hoping it wouldn't get to that point.

I just need to do what I need to do, and not worry about the negative aspect of all of this. I know that this happened for a reason, and I am constantly telling myself this so as not to go insane. I used to workout regularly at the gym and attend kickboxing, step, and Pilates classes and would definitely miss them when I wasn't able to attend. However, since starting P90X, I realize now exactly how much I miss it when I can't do it. I guess I'm addicted :)

I was planning to do my 3-day Shakeology cleanse during my recovery week, but I've decided to take advantage of SOMETHING with this neck situation, and start my cleanse today instead. So, wish me luck, blogging world!

/R. Angelina

Is "healthy" always healthy?

Right now, I'm taking two women's studies classes, and really enjoying learning so many things. It's interesting, though, how much we already know but have not attempted to change because it has become the norm for us. I sometimes find myself feeling sad or discouraged in my classes, but there are even more instances where I feel motivated to help create change.

Thomas Jefferson said it wonderfully:

Every generation needs a new revolution.

So, with that as my preface, I'd like to talk about something that we discussed yesterday in my psychology of women class.  The reason I feel so inclined to talk about these things is because it is so extremely important to remember that while many of us are working hard to change our lives and create healthier bodies and minds, there are those among us who believe they are being "healthy", but, in fact, crossed that line long ago and are nearing a dangerous zone.

There was an experiment done with 6-year old girls and the majority of them answered that they would rather be dead than fat.

95% of those suffering from anorexia nervosa are women, and 5-10% will die of anorexia.

Individuals with a binge-eating disorder have at least 2 episodes per week for at least 6 weeks of uncontrollable binge-eating.

At any given time, roughly 40% of women in the United States are dieting. Yo-yo dieting can have severe repercussions and can sometimes affect one's body more negatively than if he/she had never dieted in the first place.

Now, don't get me wrong - I am ALL FOR a healthy lifestyle. But this can be different for different people. Some need to exercise more often or more intensely, while others may be set just by taking walks a few times every week. There are those of us who have a much faster metabolism than others (I am definitely not in that group :/), so they may have an easier time with things when it comes to food and nutrition. We are all different and that's so important to keep in mind.

I want to always have a good life filled with exercise and great eating habits, and to do this, I must constantly remember how fine the line is between thinking we are healthy, and actually BEING HEALTHY. There are the over-eaters, under-eaters, over-exercisers, bingers, purgers, and everything in between, and to say they are unhealthy is an understatement. I just wanted to bring this to light because, while we are all on our own paths to becoming our best selves, being aware of what is going on in our society is so, so important.

I'll end with one of many prominent Buddha quotes:

To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. 

/R. Angelina

Sometimes you'll just have those weeks.

Despite how excited I felt at the beginning of the week to nearly be done with Week 3 of P90X and be able to do my cleanse during my recovery week, I've made a decision: I'm going to re-do my Week 3. I've missed 3 workouts in a row (horrible, I know) partly due to my hectic work schedule and being so tired afterwards, partly due to the laziness that comes after work, and I missed yesterday's because I woke up with something resembling the stomach flu, along with a horribly stiff and sore neck. In the past, I may have felt bad, like I let myself down because I'm going to repeat this past week, but I'm NOT going to beat myself up about it. I'm doing what I know is right for me, and that's all that matters.

On another note, I've been eating clean for about a week now, and I'm officially addicted! It's the looking up new recipes, researching new foods and products, and just realizing how good I feel now that I'm putting the right things into my body :)

/R. Angelina

I never thought I'd find myself here...

As some of you may know, I have been doing P90X for 19 days...and I have loved every second of it! Even the times I've hated it, I've loved it. I feel so great knowing that I'm sticking to something that, in reality, is actually pretty challenging overall.

But not only have I been working out, I started eating CLEAN. At first, I admit I was unsure about the whole thing. I was so used to the convenience of a taco shop burrito, or the caramel syrup on a frozen coffee drink that I didn't know if I wanted to change those things. But I decided (after some nudging from friends who are clean eaters) that I would buy Tosca Reno's "The Eat-Clean Diet: Recharged" and give it a go. And what do you know! I loved the book! It was not only easy to read, follow, understand, and enjoy, but it made me feel so excited to start a much healthier lifestyle. As of right now, I have been going at it full force, and I feel fantastic! I have recommended this way of eating to several people already, including my boyfriend who recently bought "The Eat-Clean Diet For Men" :)

I have so much to be thankful for in my life, and things are so amazing! I cannot wait to see what happens in these next few months, and how much better my life will continue to get.

/R. Angelina