Part of this 30-day challenge is about tweaking my mornings to be more mindful. Specifically, it means incorporating a morning meditation in my routine.
After several days of trying different things, this is the routine that works for me.
Read MoreI picked up some beautiful portobello mushrooms at the store the other day and couldn't wait to slap them on the grill. They turned out delicious! They were a perfect lunch and the meaty portabellos were really satisfying. That could be in part due to the mindful eating part of my 30-day challenge, but I'm confident it's also because these are just effin' good.
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These are the things that helped me adjust as I gained weight. Fifty pounds later, I'm in a much happier place with my body. Yes, really. I'm not saying the adjustment was seamless and I loved every pound of it, but I've adjusted to my new body and am more comfortable in my skin.
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Lose 15 pounds. Lose 2 inches. Shed 5% of body fat.
Most health and fitness goals are number-oriented. Which makes sense. With numbers, you can accurately track progress and measure your results.
In my last post, I told you I was giving up on fitness apps and everything to do with health numbers. I had a case of number numbness and these numbers have nothing to do with my new health goals. In fact, the numbers were impeding on my goals.
So, what are these goals?
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When I was at my lowest point — in size and in spirit — I was a numbers addict. I tracked every calorie burned and every calorie consumed. This was before all the fitness apps that do that for you, so it was even more of a chore.
I had a little notepad I kept with me at all times. That notepad was my world. If I ate more than 500 calories, my day was ruined. But truthfully, even if I met my ridiculous "goal" for the day, my day was already ruined. Numbers ruled my life. (Which is kind of ironic because I'm a writer and now my world is words.)
Read MoreMy intention is to make this blog a positive place. But if it was just rainbows and unicorns all the time that would be boring and fake. (Well, if I really blogged about unicorns that would be pretty rad, but you get what I'm saying here.)
This post is about something negative that most of you have been affected by in some way.
The C word.
Cancer.
Read MoreI love running on trails. Mostly because it's the most immersed in nature I am on a regular basis. It's nice to be among trees, wildflowers, birds, ducks, deer and even a little beaver who makes an appearance from time to time.
Read More"Now, push your right leg on top of your shoulder."
Shoulder? Is that possible? Elbow maybe? Yeah. Definitely elbow.
"With your palms parallel at your sides, extend your left leg straight in front of you."
I'm still trying to keep this leg hoisted and now you want me to focus on the other leg, too?
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My yoga teacher said something once that struck a chord with me. So much so that it changed my perspective on fitness.
A student was really sore from the gym and was explaining the demanding workout regime that caused his bow-legged strut. "I stopped doing workouts that hurt years ago," my teacher said to him and the group. "I just reached a point in my life when I decided I didn't want to do anything that didn't feel good."
Read MoreHow I learned to love yoga, as told through GIFs.
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On Sunday, Husband went out of town for a few days. I guess his absence left my heart feeling empty, because this salad is full of hearts! Hearts of palm and Hemp Hearts.
If I had to describe the taste of this salad I would say it's spring-to-summer. The flavors are generally very springy but the lime juice and mango give it a little summer kick. Perfect for late May!
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That yoga body.
That bewitchingly beautiful, lean, bendy yoga body — perfectly positioned in a majestic pose; a goddess.
You've seen her. She's all over Pinterest and Instagram. She's stunning, isn't she?
Read MoreIf you read my story, you know I have a history with hating myself. I certainly don't hate myself now, but allowing myself to feel proud is still a challenge. The reason is two-fold:
1. Pride feels selfish. It requires filling up your self-love tank. It requires a certain amount of ego. It requires you to put yourself in the spotlight — even if it's only your mind's internal spotlight. You first. You.
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In 2004, I struggled through my first 5K.
In 2005, I ran my first 10K.
In 2008, I finished my first half-marathon.
In 2012, I hurt my hip.
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