Christmas kicked my...

So I fell off the perfectly measured and prepared 6 meal a day along side killer cardio routine for three days.  I'm back on today, and I've learned its important not to let a few "non approved" eating choices throw it ALL off.

I'm from a big, loud, Italian family, we eat, tell inappropriate stories and live for holidays where the food is prepared for days in advance. Christmas Eve starts with my fathers Antipasto, not just a tray of some prepared meats you would find at the local grocery, but the finest meats, cheeses, (all imported of course) olives, roasted veggies you can eat, slathered in olive oil, accompanied by warm semolina Italian bread, stuffed bread filled with spinach, eggplant, cheese, arranged in the most perfect way. Oh, and the fish....we will get there. So I had to "pick",a little of this and that. Maybe a little too much this and that. Damn!

Next course, fish sauce, calamari, scungilli, shrimp in my moms delicious sauce, you're kidding right? Nope. Tomato is a fruit, not allowed after meal 4, but I ate it, and more than 1/4 cup. Opps. Over pasta. Just enough though, I didn't overdo it, but in my mind, it's less than perfect so it mine as well screw the whole process up. We skipped the after dinner treats, course three, clams, mussels, stuffed shrimp all prepared by my Dad is better than any restaurant could offer and it put us well over the edge of glory.

I hosted Christmas, so after cooking all day I didn't feel much like eating. So although I didn't eat much, I didn't follow the guidelines to the T. I did have my shake both days, it was my saving grace, it usually is when I bend the rules. 

As I write this, from my iPhone in the parking lot, because my sleeping toddler has the stuffies and wouldn't nap at home, I'm pondering how I'll make it to the gym today? Maybe I'll put her in the ergo carrier on my back and do the elliptical? Ha! Wonder if they would allow that? I'll figure it out, I always do!  All in all I'm proud that I'm back on track, meals already on point and I'll get that workout in somehow!

Staying on track. 

Half a cupcake

I ate half a cupcake today- a sugar loaded, non organic cupcake, and it was delicious. 

This is to prove that no one is perfect, and that when you see my result pictures in a few months, you'll remember that I ate a cupcake, well, half a cupcake.  Sometimes you just have to, give in to a little craving so you don't binge out. 

I actually felt an overwhelming sense of guilt after I ate it. Not good. Just eat the cupcake and be done with it, hmmmm? I get to take a look deeper into that, clearly it's not "just" about the cupcake. 

...then I remembered I sweat my ass off at Bikram this morning. I improved in many of the postures, and today was double hot because of the humidity. Not that this earns me a cupcake, but it made me feel a bit better about it. 

Sunday 7:30am does not sound like a perfect time to stretch in a 110 degree room, but there never is a "perfect time". I've learned you get to lean into the uncomfortable, do it, feel it, get results! 

This journey is certainly teaching me a lot about "leaning into it." Someone gave me an incredible compliment today "Raina, your my hero when it comes to the definition of commitment, you say you're going to do something and you do it, life doesn't get in the way...you're clear."

WOW. Life is always giving us feedback, it's not positive or negative, it just "is". Take it in. 

How are you showing up in the world? How are other people experiencing you? I've discovered so much of these little/big nuggets of knowledge, life tools in a workshop called Synergy Education.  I'm a graduate of their Basic, Advanced and Leadership Programs and it has had a profound impact on every aspect of my life. www.SynergyEducationinc.com

How did I go from a cupcake to this? Ha!

However it happened, I hope your enjoying reading my blog and I'm committed to continuing to divulge my inside voice to you!

Stay Focused

In the face of adversity is when you shine or crumble. It's circumstances that you can handle or have them handle you! One of my favorite books is the Adversity Advantage by Erik Wienmeyer, the blind man who climbed all 7 summits!

What's your excuse? 

Crazy right? Not really...he is an example of using Adversity to ignite himself.

My rest day was Monday, I over did it a bit on Sunday with my free meal, still had protein, but a few glasses of wine and some delicious Italian bread! Yum. Had I known the Tuesday would battle me to get to the gym I may have left the third glass of wine alone with the extra piece of bread.

Tuesday morning was challenging and I had no one to watch my little one during my workout, so I missed it! My first missed workout! Damn it!  I also managed to screw up my meals, starch after 3pm, nibbling on things not approved by my coach. Get a frickin grip Raina.

Back on track Wednesday, actually had the best workout, felt amazing! This is why I go to the gym, the feeling afterwards, it's immediate gratification when it comes to working out and endorphins, and I like immediate gratification.

Staying focused is key, there will be ups, downs, roadblocks, naysayers, or I like to call them, dream stealers, rainy days, brick walls, and all of it is a lesson in commitment, keeping your WORD to yourself. YOU MATTER. 

Do it anyway. 

Results are Sexy

The tag line for a leadership team I was blessed to be a part of with Synergy Education in NYC was "Results are Sexy". They are, the results of smart work, in the gym, at the office, in your community, with your friends, your family, all of it. We don't do things to spin our wheels, we do things for results! 

We set our course with intention, speaking life into declarations.

What are you declaring? 

How are you declaring it? 

What I mean is, if you really want results in different domains of your life, you get to be rigorous around your language, it's powerful. Speak as if! I am a fitness competitor. I am 6 pounds closer to my goal weight. I am .... I am... I am.... Go ahead and declare something, outloud to the universe, now write it down, now move ahead, action! Go! 

Remembering that you don't need to know HOW to get to the end result we only need to know where we want to end up. 

You can drive all the way across the country only seeing 5 feet ahead of you. If we ever meet in person I'll prove this by doing my "arm exercise" with you.

Your mind is powerful, set it in motion, what do you want? Where do you want to be? Be specific and put a date on these declarations. 

I am 6 pounds closer to my goal weight by Dec 25, 2013. 

Get comfortable being uncomfortable and I promise you your results WILL BE sexy!

PUNKED or BOILING POINT?

DAY 13

I'm ten minutes into an intense interval workout, today is challenging enough due to the lack of sleep, but I braved the snow and here I am pounding out a great cardio session, when two women arrive and step onto the machines to my left and right.  My earphones are in and turned up, I barely notice them, I'm focused.  However, the chatter starts and doesn't stop, now I'm 15 minutes in and i'm pretty sure they would get a better work out shopping at Bloomingdales.

Do I say something?  I usually would, the only reason I didn't speak up is because I was in the zone, sprinting, resting, sprinting, working, harder, up the resistance and over and over again, no way these women are going to break my concentration.  They already have, I'm on level 18, climbing what feels like Mount Everest and I'm almost complete, heart pounding.  SHUT IT LADIES, no one cares about the pictures above your couch.  Can't you see I'm sweating, clearly I'm in the way of your conversation as you lean backwards to talk behind me, I'm almost giggling as the guy in front of me turns around and gives them the evil eye, thank God I'm almost done.

"I think we are really annoying that guy up front?" she says
"Oh, hmmm".... "Did you hear from Bobby?"

There is no hope for them.  Okay Ashton, where are you?  Remember that show BOILING POINT, where you win cash if you dont blow your top in annoying situations? 

I'm not cooling down, and I jump off the machine, I completed the workout, and I'm outtie like a belly button. (Well, not my belly button, I have an innie.)

My calves tighten up immediately when I step outside, ugh, I let those cooky ladies steal my power. I gave them energy. Remember the only thing we can control is our reaction to our circumstances. So I'm stretching, and looking forward to Bikram tomorrow morning, for so many reasons, mostly because there is no talking! 

A Million Reasons

Day 12

I didn't feel guilty resting today, my body needed it, especially since tomorrows interval is a challenging one. As I'm laying cuddled in bed, warm and snuggled next to my little angel, I'm reminded WHY I'm doing this.  

I deserve to be in my best, most healthy and fit body, and to get the results doing it in the healthiest way possible, for a million reasons. First is the example I get to be for this smart, curious, growing, little girl. An example of commitment, overcoming adversity, being open, loving, vulnerable. Yes, vulnerability is a strength.    That's a topic I'll save for an upcoming post.

This is much more than a journey to a six pack, and bigger biceps. It starts in your head and your heart. I'm connected to being in excellence in so many parts of my life that it only makes sense to have health be in excellence too.

On another note, 7:30am comes awful fast lately, so I'm going to take this time to be present with this sleeping beauty next to me, tomorrow is not a promise, live where your feet are planted.

Much love. 

Conviction of the Heart

Day 11

It was the coldest morning ever! At least it felt that way at 7:30am. Another long night with a teething toddler makes for a sleepy mama. But, I'm committed, and commitment, after all is doing the thing you said you'd do long after the feeling you said it in has passed. 

More interval cardio, seriously? Thank God I gulped my ionix! Ready, set, run!

My legs get right into it today, my mind took a moment to catch up, probably thawing out.

As I'm breathing through each sprint and recover I notice "the creeper". Every gym has one, or five, he comes in with his hoodie sweatshirt, hood up, and scans the room, not for the perfect spot but the perfect ass. I really hope he doesn't come my way because I'm pretty sure they'd suspend my membership for donkey kicking another member.  I still don't understand the creeper, but his obvious glares at everyone give my sister and I a chuckle.

I discovered that Gaga's Edge of Glory is THE PERFECT song for sprinting! I'm actually excited to do it the next set, and replay the song. Thanks Gaga you rock.

I'm sweating, and watching almost every minute today. It seems even more fluid than the last time, my body is getting stronger. When it's time to cool down the song that came of my shuffle reminded me of a friend who inspires me. Kenny Logins, Conviction of the Heart. Yea, I know, Gaga, PitBull, Kenny Logins? 

You know who you are, because this is "your song". Each word landed with me this morning, I needed this workout today! I needed this song today.  Sometimes that's all it takes to start the day right, sweat, adrenaline, and good tunes!

Thoughts to end the day with: 

My sister and I don't need to speak to each other during a work out, yet we know exactly what the other is thinking.

Tomorrow is rest day. Thank you baby Jesus because these legs are sore! 

I don't know what I'd do without my shake  and supplements, they make a huge difference in my body, my recovery and my overall mindset.

2 days till free meal! ...and wine. I miss wine. 

My 10 year anniversary is May 1, 2014, I'm going to be in my best body! Please reference picture above. 

Please pray my little girl sleeps tonight, mama needs some sleep.

Did Tony Little invent this?

Day 10

I'm excited about this post, I thought of it as I was struggling to figure out the monster cardio, hybrid elliptical, stepper, sort of like the Tony Little "Gazelle", machine. (I know your picturing the infomercial in your head! Ha!)

I'm sore, bikram 2 day sore, plus killer cardio intervals=body burn. My sister has a bright idea of utilizing the machine I referenced above, I will refer to it as "Mr. Awkward" for the rest of the post. 

Mr. Akward makes me feel weird, like when your watching someone make an ass out of themselves on TV and you feel embarrassed for them, that same feeling.  

I'm generally coordinated, I can hit a forehand down the line with precision, I can throw a baton in the air and spin 5 times underneath it and catch it behind my back, I can bounce a ball on the end of a tennis racket all day long, I can walk a balance beam with a cat like prance, but Mr. Awkward, I can handle him!

It took me 3 strides just to get the damn thing going. I'm strong, I can leg press more than the dudes, so strength wasn't the issue, it clearly was coordination today. I think it's because it was 5:00pm, I NEVER work out in the evening, especially in the winter, my body starts hibernation mode at 4:30 when the sun goes down.  After all that "getting started", I was afraid to stop, so I pushed and pulled and took long strides, and stepped and stretched, and Mr. Awkward finally delivered, a few long strides in and I feel the burn, I'm sweating and jamming out to Pitbull. (Why do all his songs sound the same?) 

Walking out into the freezing cold night air, my sister and I vowed to never do the 5pm again. You know what make 5pm even shittier? Tomorrow morning is interval training, or as we like to call it "running like a zombie is chasing you training!". That's not nearly enough time for my body to refresh itself! Nah, I'm sure it is, that just sounds like a good excuse.

I'm feeling great overall. Nothing in life is perfect, I ate 4 little organic cheddar bunnies today, and a bite of organic pizza. That's what happens when I don't workout in the morning, all hell breaks loose and I hear those little devil bunnies calling me from the pantry. Bastards! They won today, but tomorrow it's my turn.  I still did pretty well with my meals though, I'm struggling with all the meat, chicken grosses me out, I must incorporate more fish. Some shrimp, tuna...

Oh, and if your wondering, ill post a video  soon! Still get to figure that out!

See you bright and early, below zero weather won't stop me. Game on!

Hurt So Good

DAY 9

Sunday(Day 7), after my Bikram experience I went to dinner at my mother in laws.  Traditional italian, yummy food, eggplant parm, macaroni, sauce, bracciole, meatballs, the list goes on.  I drank an Isagenix Isalean shake.  I could dedicate an entire post to the reaction but I'll just say, I'm proud of myself!  

"No, I'm okay, thank you, I don't want any"

"OHHHHH, you're only having a shake, what about some vegetables?"

"I'm committed to sticking to my plan and achieving my goals."

"Are you sure you don't want vegetables, they are good for you."

Thank you for letting me know that vegetables are good for me, I had no idea, in fact, they AREN'T good for you AT ALL, your vegetables are GMO filled, chemical shit storm, frankenvegetables, and I eat organic. But I didn't share that.  

I remembered I had a free meal, and that supported me through, and boosted my will power!

French onion soup minus the bread! Delicious...and a glass of wine, and half a burger.  Yes, this vegetarian, ate half a burger.  I've been a vegetarian for close to 10 years, but after starting this meal plan I decided to eat some of my protein as lean organic meats.

Yesterday was a rest day.  Why is it that I feel guilty for "resting" my body?  It's a key part to rebuilding the muscle you tore apart the day before, get out of your damn head Raina!  I was so sore that when I bent down to clean up after my daughters toy tornado, I called out for the lord!  WHOA!  I love being sore, it hurts so good. First time back at Bikram creates a two day sore, as I found out this morning when I woke up to Day 9.

The snow was coming down and it would've been easier to just stay cuddled with my little angel.  My parents came to watch her so I could head out and brave the roads to get to the gym.  Interval again.  Before I ran out I chugged a huge glup of Ionix Supreme.  

I killed the workout today, yes, killed it, like slaughtered it, full out 100%, and I didn't puke. There was an ease at which my body responded when I pushed, I felt my recovery time was fast between intervals. The Ionix supreme drink is designed for that, these products amaze me. Partnered with my body getting stronger, I felt great about my workout.

I'm looking forward to connecting with my coach and sharing all my success, I can see my body changing already.

A few things I've discovered so far:

Spreading banana on my toast is yummy. 1 fruit serving, 1 starch.

I forgot how delicious turkey sausage was.

I don't have cravings, but when I do, a little Ionix or an Isadelight chocolate and I'm good!

Most people do way too much cardio! Cathy's program is so in tune with what works!

Most of all I realized that this is a lifestyle that I'll continue forever, it's not easy but nothing worth it ever is, it challenges you to stretch, literally and figuratively and, my friends will tell you, I love a challenge!

Off to prep today's meals! Yumo!

Japanese Ham Sandwich

Day 7!

One week in! Feeling great.

This morning I decided to go to Bikram Yoga- 110 degrees 26 poses, and 90 minutes of extreme torture...and I love every moment, afterwards. 

I know, I know, it's not part of the program, today is a steady cardio day, BUT, my body needed this, a shower like sweat session, mental focus, stretching and bending, like a "Japanese ham sandwich". That's my favorite line in the Bikram class verbiage.

For those of you that have not experienced this, it's a must for anyone who says "yoga schmoga"! I actually don't enjoy "regular yoga", for my body Bikram always gave me the best results. 

Today I started in the middle row, I'm usually in the front but after two years of no Bikram, it's best we don't throw the whole class off when there is potential of me falling on my ass.

Funny how your self talk is what guides you through the pain. 

"You got this Raina!" 

In the class they encourage you to quiet the mind, as your sweating through your clothes twisted like braided pony tail and balancing on one leg, looking at your third eye in the mirror. Whoa. That's work!

My favorite pose by far is the bow pose, it's gorgeous. 3 years ago I could see my knee in the mirror backwards over my head, today I saw my heel and toes and fell out of the pose twice. I felt great about it, here is my starting point, pushing myself, challenging not only my body but my mind. 

The thing I love the most about the class is the energy of the class working together to breathe, hold stretches, listen to the instructor..(and not throw up). It's amazing how in sync we get with each other, I felt like when I fell out of bow pose I made my whole line of people fall like dominos, a break in the energy.

When I nailed triangle pose, the whole line did too. Interesting. We all have a common human thread running through us, no matter your weight, your athleticism, your skin color, we are all connected, in Bikram class and in the world. 

I am connected with a sense of peace and joy today.

PS: I'm also connected with the exciting "free meal" I earned by following this plan. Every 7th day my 5th meal is mine to choose. Oh, and a glass of wine! Hooray. 

Well, I did it anyway!

Day 6...update

Home from my workout. I hate running, the treadmill is my least favorite torture machine. 

I'd rather do 10 hours of Bikram Yoga, straight, next to the token smelly guy in class.

I'd rather do 200 Burpees.

I'd REALLY rather play a competitive sport, which is usually how I get my workout. But not today, not during my commitment to getting into my best body, for that I'll follow Coach Michelle, quietly eat my meals, drink my shakes and take my supplements.  Want a Savage Girl Body, follow what works!!!

Today I learned:

Rest is important

I need an arm band for my iPod, I tend to be a little spastic on the treadmill, and my sister, who is running next to me doesn't want a pink bedazzled case in the eye.

Even though it wasn't a perfect workout, because there is no such thing, I was able to connect with feeling a sense of accomplishment. I was reminded by my cool down song, Superwoman by Alycia Keys, "Everywhere I'm turning, nothing seems complete, I stand up and I'm searching for a better part of me." 

A reminder that my old "ways of being" (stay tuned for a blog post about this), would have me believe this workout sucked since I didn't perfectly run at the speed or distance or grade. 

Instead, in writing this empowered, joyful and grateful. 

That's what doing it anyway looks like for me!

Do it Anyway

Day 6:

I've been up all night with my daughter, she is getting her molars and wants mommy. I'm happy to snuggle, but keep thinking about my workout this morning. Being tired sort of melts away when you start moving in the gym, it's getting there that's challenging. 

Excuses only hold is back from moving forward, I can think of 100 of them as I'm cuddled with my angel.  But none of them matter, my commitment to getting results is bigger.

I've had the opportunity to be surrounded by many successful and grounded people, mentors, friends, family. I have all these nuggets of inspiration swirling In my head, ready to share and I feel as if I could write and write, blog and blog for hours. 

One nugget that I often remember is, let your dreams/goals be BIGGER than your excuses. Read that again. I often ask myself, when faced with a circumstance, is this moving me towards my goal or away from it? Great tool to keep you going!

I'm committed! Commitment: doing the thing you said you'd do long after the feeling you said it in has past.

I'll go, I'll unwrap myself from this comfy blanket, put my clothes on, brave the rain, the cold and go. I'll do it anyway because my goal is long term health, to be around for a long time for my daughter, and THAT is bigger than any excuse I could conjure up! 

Working like a finely tuned Machine?

Day 4

My sisters boyfriend who can eat 17 times a day and still stay fit and muscular never totally made sense to me. How is it fair that he needs to go to the gym to gain weight?

In the back of my head I know the answer but thought not everyone is like that! He may be the extreme, but it makes way more sense when you are eating clean 6X a day!  That's how we keep our metabolism moving! Eat up and move. That's the formula. 

My sister would joke that her boyfriend

Would eat a protein packed something and 20 minutes later hear churning in his belly, which he referred to as "his body breaking up the food as a finely tuned machine."

All kidding aside, he is right!  Calorie deprivation long term as a solution for weight loss is dangerous and not sustainable. I'm learning more about my body every day, responding quickly to my workouts and nutrition!

Today's workout was Interval, the same one that made me want to vom a few days ago. It felt more fluid today, my body was still challenged, but adjusted to the high intensity really well.

I'm writing this cuddled with my 17 month old gorgeous little daughter, reminding me WHY I am taking this journey. I get to be around for a long time for her, I get to show her that when you are committed you go for it no matter what. Health, fitness, determination, all of it, I get to be the difference. 

 

Tomorrow is a rest day, obsessive Raina asked if she could work out anyway, Coach Michelle checked me. I know, I know!

My Inner Beyonce

DAY 3

Day 3 of my training and I'm feeling energetic, I'm sure it's because I am finally eating enough to sustain my lifestyle and workouts.  6 perfectly selected and measured meals a day, startch, protein, two-three are my Isagenix shakes, and I'm working hard focusing on some intense cardio.

Today I woke up feeling hungry, I never wake up feeling hungry, my metabolism has been given a serious JUMP START!  I am LOVING this entire plan and my coach!  When I stepped on the elliptical this morning, I was excited that today was a steady state (no interval), just medium intensity for the whole time.  In my head, the obsessive workout girl is thinking "maybe I'll just do interval anyway?" But I check in and realize that the SAVAGE GIRLS have the look I want, and I'm copying what they do!

Cue up Pandora, Beyonce station, WORK IT!  I notice the soreness more today, and my feet fall asleep sometimes on the elliptical, but keep it going.

Thoughts I connected with today:

The girl in front of me working her ass off on the ellipitical, backwards, forward, high intensity for what seems like forever started somewhere, those perfectly striated muscles in her legs didn't just pop out over night!  I'm inspired.

Every day is a new challenge to quiet the mind and focus, take the time to be grateful that I have the time to do this, the energy, the will power, and a determination similar to that of a boxer on fight night in the ring.

I ended my work out with ALYCIA KEYS "SUPERWOMAN", a song that I discovered and connected with when I did some life changing personal growth work at Synergy Education, I've decided to cool down to that song for each work out.

I get to mind my mind, energy follows thought, YOU BRING ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT. I am open, loving and vulnerable and ready to share so much more with the world.

I'm loving this journey so far, and I'm excited to coach others in getting results too!

The Beast

Day 2

Wow! This elliptical workout is amazing, challenging and I almost threw up!

I learned that I push myself hard, I can conquer that feeling of "I want to slow down!". 

I talked to my coach today who reassured me that interval training is where it's at for cardio workouts! When I stepped into the gym with my sister this morning I headed straight for the elliptical, hopped on like I was doing this for years, after all muscles have memory right?

Armed with my Beyonce, let the sprint begin, then a little more resistance, then more sprinting, then again, rest, again, again, rest, again, whoa I'm tired, again, I'm thirsty, again, I wonder if my ass looks big in these pants? Why didn't I wear black? I hope I don't throw up, rest, again, Jillian Michaels would tell me to suck it up and keep going...looking at my sister with that dramatic "I'm dying look".

Whew! Cool down.

"Raina, it's your first workout, you're a frickin' beast, you had your resistance on super hard for the hard parts."

She knows me, go big or go home, I'm playing to win, full out, whatever it takes!

That felt awesome! Throw up feeling and all!

Walking out of the gym and heading home to prepare meal 2 of 6 today, I felt that feeling of accomplishment, every journey starts with the first step!

Welcome! Here we GO!

Welcome!

I'm excited to share my fitness journey and motivation to create your own success story of health.
I know there will be breakthroughs, breakdowns, success, road blocks, determination, fear, courage, tears and joy, and I'm going to share them all...hopefully through a video blog on here too! I'll just have to figure that out.

I started my road to health a while back, learning about organic foods, holistic health, and implementing them into my daily routine. I've had my ups and downs with body image, and today I'm proud to say that I'm in a place where i'm working towards an even healthier lifestyle for me, yes, ME,  and not to "look good" for the world.  I'm excited to share insights that I've learned, and will continue to learn on this journey with you, my promise to my readers is to be authentic, vulnerable and courageous with every video and every post.

Today I'm utilizing Cathy Savage Fitness Coaching and Isagenix Nutritional Cleansing to achieve the best health I can.  I have a fitness coach from Cathy's group, and she is guiding me through this next level of fitness, incorporating Isagenix and a workout plan I'm READY to achieve results!

GAME ON!