Happy Sunday, Everyone! ☺
So... I created this blog entry all the way back in October.
Which I think is crazy because I had no idea that I would be going through the things I'm going through right now.... I share a lot with you guys... But some stuff has to remain private too. I do believe that everyone should keep certain things private. So let's move on... ☺
Okay... So it is now Sunday 1/12/20... I literally MOVED on on that Monday! Haha.
1/19/20
Alright you guys!!! Let's do this! Hahaha.
I apologize for this taking so long... Although you don't really know, because you won't see it until I post it. Ha.
3/21/20
Woah! Okay... So I definitely took some time for myself. I have posted a good bit of stuff on IG about my body image struggles. And I have been posting a lot of different quotes as well. All things that are real and genuine. Things that touch my heart.
So many people look at me and see the IFBB Pro, a Top 10 Powerlifter, a business owner, a coach, a role model... And all those things are great! I love that I am able to be those things... But I am also just a girl (well woman, ha!)... And if you follow my IG... Then you know that 2019 and 2020 have been huge transitional years for me as an individual!
"Creating Your Best Self and Life"
I read that title and wonder why I decided to title this blog that. Remember, I started this blog back in October of 2019... And I never finished and/or posted it. I'm not entirely sure if I had written something down and erased it... I don't think I did, because I normally don't do that... I like to just write and let it be... Mistakes and all. That way my readers (and myself) can see the REAL ME!
I have always been a pretty positive person. I tend to see the good in everyone. And I try to see the good in every situation. I try to learn from everyone and everything. Although... During this time of growth for me... I learned that I am not very positive towards MYSELF! (I'm pretty sure I have posted about this on IG, sorry if I'm being repetitive..).
I say not so nice things about myself. Whether that be I'm not smart enough... I'm not lean enough... Not strong enough... Blah, blah, blah... These things will normally come out as me joking... But deep down... Am I joking? Is it just a joke? Either way... I don't think anyone should really speak like that towards oneself. I believe that if you say something enough times, you will eventually start to believe. And those are NOT things that I want to believe about myself.
How am I supposed to create my best self and best life if I'm saying things like that?!
3/23/20
Happy Monday!!! I will finish this blog TODAY :)
Let's continue where I left off...
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CREATE MY BEST SELF AND BEST LIFE IF I'M SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT?! (negative self-talk)...
I can't.. If I continue being so negative towards myself! And neither can you if you aren't being kind to yourself. So with that being said... What I am I going to do to change..?
First things first... I need to focus on myself. I know that may sound selfish... But it is what I need to do. I am such a people pleaser... And I tend to forget about myself... Especially lately. As I have taken a step back from being super extreme in my sports (bodybuilding and powerlifting).. And have gotten more into the business side of things... I have let my health fall to the back burner.
I have cut back on how many days I go to the gym. My eating has become very inconsistent. As well as my water intake. This may be a TMI.. But I even forget to shave my armpits sometimes. (kinda funny typing that out)... But I have allowed myself to be so "BUSY" ... That I don't take care of myself.
My recovery score on my Whoop is around 13%. My HRV is 15 or lower... My resting heart rate the other day was like 90! WHAT THE HECK?! My health (your health) should NEVER be brushed off like I have brushed mine off... Like so many people do! And being the coach and athlete that I am... All of this has really been eye-opening. I now understand how people don't put themselves and their health FIRST!
But now that I have experienced this... I am going to help myself and you (whoever you may be)... Get your health back! Become your best self! So then you can live your best life & truly strive ♥♥♥
3/28/20
Okay, okay, okay... I know I'm a big slacker! I'm sorry you guys!
It is hard for me to blog when my mind is a bit of a mess... But hey! I cannot use that as an excuse... The world is a bit of a mess right now.
"Creating Your Best Self and Life"
Back on topic! What have I been doing to become better??
1. I have been sleeping in! I know that my lack of sleep was really starting to hinder my productivity & life. NOT GOOD! I started to have dizzy spells. I didn't want to do anything.. Even the things that I love. I started to create illnesses in my head so I could stay in bed... Or even go to the hospital, so I could just sleep and have others take care of me (this thinking was before COVID-19). So, needless to say... I know I needed to sleep more!!! I am in bed more.. And back on a regular schedule. I go to bed around 9pm and wake up around 5:40am... Unfortunately... My sleep quality isn't the greatest at the moment... So I am figuring that out...
2. I started doing some cardio. I am in very poor cardiovascular shape... And since the gyms are closed at the moment... Now is the perfect time to work on that. My goal last week was to run 3x, so I did. And the next couple weeks my goal is to run 4x/week. I do a 4 minute warm-up. Then I walk for 1 minute, run for 1.5 minutes. Then cool down for 4 mins. Where did I come up with a total of 28 minutes? My first time out for a run... That was the amount of time I was out... So I just stuck with it. I am also doing cardio to get my Resting Heart Rate down. For as young and as healthy as I am... There is no reason why my RHR should be as high as it is. It is definitely time for cardio!!! I also believe that cardio will help me with my recovery. :)
3. I am dialing in my eating. I have been eating, kind or whatever I want... And I was very inconsistent with my eating. Some days I had a pretty good appetite, and others not so much. It is good to intuitive.. And I'm proud of myself for being about to listen to my hunger signals. I never thought I would actually be able to do that again... But I learned (still learning) a lot throughout my journey with disordered eating. I was having a lot of stomach issues... So I figured I should be better with my eating. And my training started to suffer a good bit, especially on the days I didn't really eat much. Food is fuel!!! I cannot forget that. If I want to be my best for my businesses, my training, and just life in general... I have to make sure I am fueling myself properly!
4. WATER!!! I used to be able to drink a gallon a day no problem... (not saying you need to drink a gallon)... But for me... That is what I drank... Sometimes I drank 2 gallons. I know that was also because I was starving, and now I'm not! But when I can barely get in 72oz of water (gallon=128oz)... That's a red flag for me... I'm not providing my body with what I know is best for it. So I am a lot more mindful of my water intake now. :)
5. I am slowly, but surely, starting to stretch and roll out more. Especially because I cannot go get a massage at the moment. I used to be really flexible. And I loved to stretch and roll simply because it felt good. But then when I got into powerlifting I learned that you don't want to be overly flexible because it can hinder your strength, because you will lack the stability and strength in those end ranges. Of course unless you stretched under load... But very few people would do that. So now... I am stretching to help keep my body happy and healthy. I do do some stretches under load (DB Pause Flys). And I try to always do some sort of movement with my stretches. It makes for amazing warm-ups too :)
A happy and healthy body is what I am aim for. I have definitely taken quite a few steps back from the extreme life of a bodybuilder.... After dieting and being 100% on all the time... I definitely was getting burnt out. And I don't want that. I love the lifestyle I have chosen. But I started to lose the fun in it all. & I was getting very unhealthy (mentally, emotionally, and physically).
Then on top of that you add on becoming a multiple business owner... Don't take this as a complaint! I love what I get to do day in and day out. I just tend to put a lot on my plate, and I don't ask for help. So now I am working on asking for help & helping myself!!!
Oh and... I almost forgot!
6. I am going to be starting therapy again. I am in the process of finding someone who I really like, and will be a good fit for me. I'm pretty sure I found her... :) I may or may not write more about this. Obviously, it is more private. But when all is said and done... I might share with you how it helped me :)
So... Let's wrap this up...
CREATING YOUR BEST SELF & BEST LIFE!
What does that mean?
That means you CANNOT forget about YOU!!!
You must take care of yourself, inside & out!!!
You must take the time to think about what YOU want!
Sure there will be moments where you have to do things you may not really want to do (like go to work when you're overly exhausted), but all in all.. Your life should consist of things you love, most of the time! #neversettle
I love you guys!!! Now go out there and live your best life!
Ps. Even with all the craziness in the world right now... You can still live your best life & become a better you! Take this time to read a little more. Journal... If you like that kind of thing (I sure do!). Go on walk (6 feet away from others). Nature is an amazing thing!!!
Take this time to try out new recipes. Let me know if you need some ideas. Have a good conversation with your significant other, or kids about something they have learned from all this... FaceTime with a loved one you haven't talked to in a while. Check in on friends. I feel like there is so much we all, now, have time to do. So do it! Get into drawing... Dance around the house in your pjs! You can make this time fun! You don't have to sit around and be sad that you are stuck indoors.
YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE! & you only get one! So make it as amazing as possible,
each and every day ♥♥♥