We WILL

I was hoping my next blogpost was going to be on the "Maximize Your Life" with Jillian Michaels tour that I attended, but I have to vent out my thoughts/emotions on the Boston Bombing yesterday...

I truly cannot fathom what those runners/bystanders must have gone through, but I can only imagine.  I really took this personally, not only because I am (along with the rest of America) devastated about the sickening act that occurred yesterday, but I know what it's like to wake up in the morning, mentally and physically prepare yourself for a run, and then peacefully take on your course.  

You're doing this for you and not anyone else.  This is your time to relieve stress, kill time, get energized, and get healthy.  You mentally set goals for yourself to not give up, whether it be a tree 500 ft. away, or a stop sign not far from you.  You breathe in inspiration and breathe out frustration.  Temporarily, you don't remember how much debt you're in, how you're going to manage rent this month, or why things didn't work out with that one person.  You are completely tuned into your own little world, listening to music, and pretending you're the star of that music video.  You are superman/woman sprinting to save someone.  You see a mirage of loved ones that passed away and scrambling with every breath you have to get to them.  You are unstoppable and not a single thing or person can touch you.  You are a runner.  

This is your life, challenging yourself day by day to beat your previous mileage, and build up your endurance.  The countdown to the marathon becomes this loud, overbearing "tick-tock, tick-tock" that plays repetitively in your head from the moment you start your run to the moment you end.  You've been training every day, rest days included, for this moment... your moment.  

And then you hear a "BOOM!" and people are hurt and dying.  Some have crossed the finish line and now feel guilty for doing so, some aren't even near the finish line and won't be able to finish what they've started and trained for, and some will never be able to run again.  

Why?  Why does this happen for people that just want to simply and innocently enjoy their lives?  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Why are people killed when they are minding their own business?  I will never know.  No one will ever know why there is so much ugliness in the world.  But there is one thing I do know; we will not let this defeat us.  We WILL come out stronger than we were before.  We WILL become better people filled with compassion and be there to help our fallen friends.  We WILL still see the beauty and good in this world, and not be succumbed to the toxicity of it.  Boston Marathon runners, after completing 26.2 miles continued to run till they reached hospitals to donate their blood to those who needed it.  People that work for Google and American Red Cross took the time in helping people find their loved ones.  Donations are coming in from all across the world. Prayers are being prayed, help is coming in from all directions, and the people are standing together, not alone. 

In my eyes, whoever was behind the attack LOST.  Their names need not to be named, but all of those people behind these hate crimes within the past couple of years have lost.  We are all standing strong and will continue to stand strong.  We WILL overcome these horrendous acts and be the good the world needs.  Start with random acts of kindness.  An anonymous Starbucks drink for the car behind you.  A smile to a person that appears bitter.  Opening the door for a stranger.  These small, diminutive things can make a person have a different outlook on their day, so don't stop doing them, even if they seem meaningless.  I am not saying this is what it will take to make bad things not happen anymore, but it is what it will take for people to remember there is still good in the world.  

My deepest condolences and prayers go out to every single person affected.  Pretty soon, I will be able to start running again, and get back on track with my marathon training.  I will run for Boston, as I'm sure many others will be doing from here on out, too.  I will cross that finish line in October with honor for all of those that could not.  Let's stand together and be the good this world needs.  Moreover, never complain or dread a workout, because at least you CAN workout.  

Stay positive

-C

April Ambition!

We are in the midst of spring, friends!  Walk around, smell the flowers, and enjoy the breeze ;-D 

More importantly, set some rules/goals for yourself.  We're only a week into April, so I set a lovely goal for myself: "NO CHEAT APRIL" 

That's right... NO CHEATING! Try going an entire month with no sweets and see how it changes your body.  This shouldn't be too hard since we only have about 3 weeks left of April!

I've posted a few alternatives to sweet cravings on my blog thus far and I will be sure to post more throughout April to satisfy your sweet tooth, because if you're anything like me, you've got a bad one! 

Natural sugars are more than okay.  It is so good for your body to have one serving of fruit a day.  Mangos, my favorite fruit, are probably the most satisfying for a sweet tooth.  And homemade mango popsicles? Life changing. 

Try something this month that works for you!  Maybe "No cheese April" or "No soda April".  I promise that these small changes will greatly impact your health and body.  Maybe after this month you'll get used to those changes, and instead of going back to making them a part of your diet, they can be a treat instead!  

Need help along the way?  Help YOURSELF!  I now love leaving myself sticky notes throughout the house reminding me of how far I've come and to not give up.  Get creative with what you write on your sticky notes and where you place them.  I put one on my bed after I make it (yes, I do make my bed although it may appear otherwise in pictures) with a question, "Sure you wanna lay down and be lazy?" Instantaneously, I get up and start doing some home workouts!  Who would have thought I could get so much exercise in when originally my plan was to be lazy?  

Another help method: "bikini bff".  Take that cute, teeny bikini every where with you.  I'm not kidding.  Bring it with you to the bathroom, hang it on top of your drawers/closet, hang it in the kitchen while you cook, sleep with it on your bed.  It sounds sickening, but it actually works.  It forces you to have this unhealthy (yet ultimately healthy) drive that makes you obsessed with the idea of perfectly fitting into that bikini.  

Whatever "No Cheat April" you decide to do, remember you are doing it for no one else, but yourself.  Make sure you choose a cheat that you struggle with most; one that you feel your body would be healthier without.  That's the one that's worth it!  Now go take in the beauty of this world and have the happiest of Tuesday's.  I leave you with one of my favorite songs to get you in that happy, full of life mood-

JUST DANCE

 NEVER DREAD A WORKOUT! 

Rihanna

Working out should be something to look forward to.  But, being the ridiculous human beings that we are, we have days where working out sounds dreadful and quite frankly annoying.  Let's be honest, having to spend an hour with the bike or elliptical doesn't sound very exciting sometimes.  So what do we do when these emotions take over us? DANCE. 

Last night, my beautiful girlfriends and I headed south to San Jose and saw the one and only BADGALRIHRIH in concert.  Not only did we have the time of our lives, but we probably burned at LEAST 500 calories dancing our butts off. 

Dancing with my girl *pour it up, pour it up* 

Yes, I danced and duck-faced the night away. 

Don't feel like going for a run, or heading to the gym?  Call up your girls and have a DANCE party or just go out dancing!  You don't need to go to a Rihanna concert just to dance all night and you don't need to go to a club just to get wasted.  I need to start making a habit out of just dancing with my girlfriends to burn those extra calories.  Dancing makes you happy AND you're burning fat -- what more can a girl want? ;-) I drank only 2 drinks at the concert and guess what?  I don't regret it one bit.  Remember, it's okay to treat yourself sometimes, it actually helps you stay on track better as long as you don't overdo it.  I usually have one drink per week, which mainly consists of a glass of wine, and one glass of wine is good for the heart!  

According to this online health article, dancing tones your entire body, reduces stress, builds confidence, and increases stamina and flexibility!  So grab your heels, grab your girls, and get out there! 

SWEET CRAVING OF THE WEEK-

Homemade popsicles!

Prepare your fruit.  I used peaches, kiwis, and strawberries.  Juice whichever combinations you'd like and"juice it up" in your juicer. 

I bought these at the grocery store down the street from my house for a couple bucks.  Fill 'em up and stick 'em in the freezer for a few hours.

My strawberry and peach popsicle... DELICIOUS!  No preservatives and all natural sugar.  I'm officially addicted.  I also made kiwi lime, raspberry, and blueberry! So easy and effortless.

Stay euphoric! ;-)

-C