Energy: the greatest drug of all

I was home with both kids and it was pouring rain outside. Recipe for chaos. It was a crazy-busy day, to say the least. Lots of averting disasters. Lots of mopping up spills. But mostly, lots of laughing and cuddles.

Normally, when I'm surrounded by a ton of mess, noise, and chaos, I stress eat. I'm constantly grazing in the kitchen, and there's never any mindfulness as to what I put in my mouth. It's just the way I deal with stress, I suppose.

Yesterday, I didn't veer off track with my eating. Not once! Even though it took awhile to get the kids down for their naps in the afternoon, I resisted the temptation to consume a handful of goldfish crackers for lunch. I was starving, but I took the extra ten minutes to chop up a delicious green salad with red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and chickpeas. I remembered that I bought a delicious rye loaf from this awesome bakery yesterday. So I had some mashed avocado on a slice of it. I nourished my body with healthy food and it made such a difference!

This week has been really, really, really great. I've been active, eating really well, and my energy levels are soaring. Like, I can practically feel the energy reverberating from my body. Yesterday, I was "go go go" and it felt amazing. When I'm not taking care of my body, I feel sluggish and lazy. If only I could bottle some of this energy and conserve it! If only I could remember what an incredible feeling this is, the next time I feel like giving up. Perhaps I'll come back and read this blog post instead.

So. I know I need to stand on the scale. But I'm really loathe to do it! I'm worried that if the number disappoints me, I won't feel my efforts the way I do now. I don't want to be resentful of my body. Right now, I'm doing great and I want to enjoy it. My body feels so different after a few days of doing consistently well. Isn't that measure enough?

I haven't decided what I'm going to do, but I will probably weigh in at some point in the next couple of days. I'll give myself a huge pep talk beforehand to avoid any disappointment. I mean, I should see results from my work but we all know how fickle the scale can be.

Anyway, I'm going to go and enjoy some more of this energy before it dissipates from Friday fatigue. I honestly feel like I could run a marathon right now (if only my body was capable)! I feel like a fog has been lifted from around me. More spinning tonight (can you tell that I love it?), and a healthy weekend ahead.

Energy is a drug that I am quickly becoming addicted to. Who would have thought? Good thing I'm my own dealer.

Where to draw the line?

So I've been really adventurous this year, in trying new physical activities. I signed up for mom & baby classes when my little guy was, er, littler. We tried booty hop (hip-hop style dancing) together. We even did salsa dancing together. It was a fun way to stay active.

Then, I took up running (after a long time), in pursuit of the 5K race that I signed up for. Now, I've got a fire in my belly for Spring to arrive so that I can start training for another one. I've even got my eye on an 8K early next year.

Most recently, I tried my hand at spinning. It's hard work. My muscles cry out in pain. People are super fit in my class (waaaaay fitter than me). But for some reason, I love this form of torture! I've only been a few times now, but I challenge myself a little more each time. It feels like the sky is the limit, in terms of new heights I can reach. I can't wait to keep going!

My schedule is a bit wonky, because I'm a mom of two little ones. It's much easier for me to exercise in the evenings than during the day right now.

So, I paused for a moment when this popped up in my inbox:

Unleash your inner vixen with KAMA AEROBICS, a sultry new workout program designed to get your libido and heart racing

Join our fitness expert, trained dancer and former Miss Canada contestant, to introduce KAMA AEROBICS™, a sexy new workout program that combines yoga, striptease aerobics and dance.

The first KAMA AEROBICS™ class will be held tomorrow night at 8pm

I immediately discounted this. I'm a bit of a conservative girl, you see. The words, "kama", "sexy", and "striptease" made me blush profusely. If I was nervous to try spinning, how could I not be nervous to show up to a class like this?

The only thing that keeps nagging me, is that the class time is perfect. 8pm is guilt-free time for me, after both kids have gone to sleep. It's also a nice break from spinning in the middle of the week.

So, I'm on the fence. Well, I'm more leaning towards hiding under my covers at the thought of walking into this class! But is it worth trying, for the experience? I mean, if anything, it could be a good laugh! I don't have to go back if I don't like it - it's not like I'm committing to a bunch of classes or anything.

Still, maybe this is where I draw the line when it comes to new exercise experiences. Gosh! What would you do?

*

"One Step at a time" has been working well for me the last couple of days. It hasn't been easy, and I've had moments of weakness. But I've been doing well. If truth be told, I am exhausted! I gave Spinning class everything I had on Monday night. Last night, I did some "recovery" exercises. My eyes are welded shut the second my head hits the pillow at night. It's an awesome feeling.

It's gotta be one step at a time

Seeing as I'm a bit of a planner, I like to get ahead of myself. A lot. Sometimes I look ahead a bit too far, planning into the distant future as to what things will be like. But we all know that life throws curve balls our way, and it's possible to predict what will happen.

This is true when it comes to achieving goals, too. I like to think about how much weight I'll have lost in three weeks, six weeks, two months, etc. While it's motivating, it's not entirely helpful. Because inside, I think it has been overwhelming me. When I think about how much weight I need to lose overall, it starts to feel a bit impossible.

When I hiked the Inca Trail in Peru a few years ago, I remember it being one of the hardest physical challenges that I had ever undertaken. Four days of hiking mountains in really high altitude. I was probably about 40-50lbs overweight at that time, too. But it was something that I always dreamed of doing, and I didn't want to let my weight stop me.

We hiked and hiked and hiked - for about 12-14 hours each day. Every step, every climb, every slip of the foot was both amazing and difficult. I was at the back of the group, sometimes about 1-2 hours behind everyone. Taking my time, determined to get to the end. All I could think about was reaching Machu Picchu (the beautiful lost city at the end of the trail). I saw some of the most beautiful things in my entire life. But there were moments when I threw my sticks to the ground, and perched on the rocks, wanting to cry. I didn't have physical energy left at the end of a long day, and I didn't think I'd ever make it to the end.

There was a voice that kept me going for the entire four days. "One step at a time, don't focus on the end". "Concentrate on that next climb - don't worry about that next mountain ahead". "We'll cross the next bridge when we get there". "Keep your head down - don't look ahead". It was my husband. He kept me going when I had nothing left. There was one particular moment when I threw myself onto the ground, and surrendered myself to the mountains. It was raining, it was cold, it was dark. The rest of the group had already made it to the campsite. I couldn't take another step, I was exhausted. It was 7pm at night, and we'd been hiking since 6am that morning. I remember my husband telling me that we were going to count steps until we got to the end, and not focus on how many steps there were altogether. In the dark, we climbed the rocks one by one. I didn't think about the warm tea waiting for me. I didn't think about collapsing into a heap in my tent. I just concentrated on each step. One at a time. Soon enough, I saw the campfire at the top of the mountain.

I think about that experience a lot. It's nice to think about myself in a size 8 or 10. It's amazing to think about how I'll look, how many kilometres I'll be running, and how many clothes I'll have in my closet. But when I see myself now, it's just a reminder of how far I have to go. While I'll use the future as motivation, I need to remind myself that taking one step at a time is the key to succeeding.

So today: focus on eating well, and getting to my spinning class tonight. All of these days will add up very soon, and the light at the end of the tunnel will start to shine. Just like the sunrise over Machu Picchu the morning I finished the biggest climb of my life.

Blogging it out

I had a great date #2 with Mr. Spinning last night. Again, I didn't go ALL out, but I pushed myself a lot further than the last time around. I played around with the resistance a lot more. The music was really great, and I was on a high all the way home. In fact, my heart was beating quickly for most of the evening!

So, here's the thing that really sucks. After three great workouts this week, and a reasonable diet, I decided to weigh in. I am UP 3lbs.

I am really, really, really, irritated about this.

To be true to myself, my eating wasn't perfect all week. But it was very good. My exercise was amazing. Did I deserve a big loss? Probably not. Did I deserve a big gain? Heck, no!

So, here's the stuff that plays around like a broken record in my head:

• You're doing all the right things! Keep it up, and the scale will reward you in time.
• You need to tighten the belt (pardon the pun) on your eating habits. Snacking gets a little out of hand between the hours of 4 and 6. You didn't eat before 7pm on most nights last week.
• You need to exercise a bit more if you want to lose weight aggressively.

Let's try this again for another week, shall we? Spinning has come into my life, and I'm sure that the sweating will eventually pay off. It has to!

p.s. Know what else really irritated me? There was a couple in front of me at spinning yesterday, who tried to "reach out" and hold each others hand several times during the class. Now, I can be a big romantic when I'm in the mood. And I don't mind a bit of cheese every now and then. But, this? During a Spinning class? Come ON! Hardly the place or time. I must have muttered "Get a room!" at least twice.

Crush

You know what it's like when you catch yourself thinking about someone and smiling? Or the very thought of someone makes your tummy fill up with butterflies? Or how you can't wait to see someone again, and start to count down the hours?

I can't wait to go back to my spinning class tomorrow night! Haha. I've been thinking about it since Monday night, and I wish there was a class that suited my schedule before Friday.

I think I might have a crush on spinning. Who would have thought that I'd have fallen for that kind of guy? I'm even thinking about buying sexy new shoes for him. Just not sure if he's a long-term relationship yet, and will need to assess whether it's worth the investment.

Sigh. Oh, spinning. We are so in the courtship phase of our relationship, and I am going to enjoy it for as long as it lasts.

Weekly Favourite - jazzed up!

I had this for lunch last week, but was craving it again.

A whole wheat tortilla wrap with hummus, cherry tomatoes, and fresh avocado. I sliced up some cucumbers on the side.

But do you know what seriously spiced up this wrap? Hot sauce! From this book, to be exact.

Here are the ingredients: : scotch bonnet peppers, red onion, green onion, garlic, ginger root, thyme, rosemary, tamari, balsamic vinegar, lemongrass, Dijon, curry powder, cayenne, crushed chilies, oregano, cinnamon and ground cumin.

It is divine.

I was still feeling peckish after lunch, so I sliced up an organic fuji apple. It was crisp and sweet, with a slight tang.

Body is nourished. And ready to attack my ridiculously long (and probably ambitious) "to do" list.

Gosh, I love good food.

Spinnerina

I must admit: all these years, I just never understood the people who went to spinning classes. I would be at the gym, plugging away on the elliptical machine (staring off into space) and would watch the people coming out of the spinning studio after their class, looking like they just ran through a waterfall. And I'd think, 'What a waste of time! Sitting on a stationary bike for an hour while someone barks at you to increase your resistance. Bo-oring.'

I couldn't have been more wrong.

I got there a few minutes early, and the instructor helped me adjust my bike. I picked the bike in the very back of the room (but of course!). The class was almost full, and people were spinning away and warming up. Everyone in the class was seriously fit. And then I reminded myself that perhaps at one time, some of those people weren't in great shape and started out just like me.

The hour just flew by. The instructor did speed intervals, power intervals, and some resistance work. The best part about the class was that I went at my own pace, and my own comfort level - I didn't go crazy on the resistance at all, because it was my first time. I just wanted to get a feel for the bike. The music was a good mix, but there were some songs that left a little something to be desired. I'm not into working out to blues or jazz music, but it was fine. I was concentrating so hard on not falling off the bike!

Oh, about that. I didn't realize that my feet had to be all the way into the pedals. My ankles were very wobbly about half-way through the class, and I was starting to feel pain. I looked around, and realized what my problem was. I had to stop in order to adjust my pedal straps. As I was doing that, one of the clips on the pedals spun around and gashed my leg pretty badly. Nice chunk of skin flew off. I just kept going.

I came home, and my hubby winced when he saw my wound. I just laughed! It was so worth it, honestly. Some antiseptic cream and a band-aid later, and I was good to go again.

The calorie burn must be crazy. Because it's interval training, the heart rate is going up and down. I read somewhere that it's possible to burn up to 900 calories in a 45-minute class! Talk about big bang for the buck when you're working out.

I'm a bit sore today (but not crazy sore, because I didn't go gangbusters with my resistance dial) - but I will say that I've asked myself why that bike seat couldn't be more cushioned quite a few times this morning. I am walking a bit like I've just gotten off a horse. And I've never ridden a horse before.

So, verdict? Clearly, I loved it! I'm going back on Friday. And I might get a little more adventurous with that resistance dial.