Pilates or Yoga...or Both!

Hey, all.

Recently, I've been going through a Fitness Revolution. I've been working out well for the last two weeks. Although I am happy pounding the pavement (or conveyor belt of a treadmill), jump roping, and elliptical-ling to my heart's desire, I feel as if my fitness is one-sided.

I've steadily avoided weights (after reading that my body shape shouldn't add weights until I lose weight...irony!), but I know that strength training and cardio are just two pieces of the puzzle.

The last remaining factor is flexibility. I may be fit, but ask me to reach my right arm over my shoulder to touch my left hand and we've got problems.

As such, I've resolved that I want to start incorporating Yoga and or Pilates into my fitness regimen.

I've always hated Yoga. Ever since my gym teacher played the DVD non-stop in Body Shaping (thanks Ms. Herr!), I've been convinced that Hell is comprised of Downward Dogs and Warrior Poses. However, I cannot deny the beauty that constant Yoga does to a body. Look!

Bundchen Yoga">

In addition to giving people hot bodies, Yoga is great for flexibility. I can't wait to see what my body is capable of after STICKING to a Yoga routine.

Not only that, Yoga fanatics can make one go glassy-eyed over their descriptions of how at peace they feel when they do Yoga. And as much as I'd like to say they're on something, I can attest to that fact.

During one of my numerous dalliances with Yoga, while I was wishing my instructor death in the most horrible way for putting my very inflexible body through the thousandth Downward dog, I could not help but admit that when I stopped focusing on my rage, I felt a connection with my body. When I close my mind and focus on my breathing, my mind isn't wandering as it usually does. It is focusing on each inhale and exhale and time stops.

We'll see. Hopefully I can do both Pilates (which I don't hate at all) and Yoga at the same time. It'd be nice to start the morning off with Pilates and cool down with Yoga before bed.

Awesome body (and spiritual awareness), here I come!

Until Next Time!

Why I Love to Exercise

Hello, all. I hope you had a "Happy Americans Who Didn't Want to Pay Taxes Day", or Independence Day, as it is commonly known. I had a surprisingly chill one myself, which is really weird, since I am the daughter of immigrants. On the other hand, "Happy 4th of July" was not explicitly expressed, we just happened to have a barbecue that same day.

Regardless, after stuffing my face (and stomach) with countless rolls of bread (I'm gonna pay for that later), I woke up this morning with the resolve to go to the gym. I surprised myself with sticking with it (I usually talk myself out of it before rising from the bed). I went to the local gym and busted out a 20-minute treadmill workout at about 6.5mph.

This is great news for me, because it is helping me reach my goal of running straight for 30 minutes. I'm trying to get back into soccer shape, so the more I run (and faster, too), the better shape I'll be in for tryouts in the fall.

I was feeling full of cheer, so I decided to dedicate this post on why I love to exercise. Check it out:

1) I get to escape the stress of the day and just focus on one thing: my training.

2) My body image improves (I look at my legs and am pleased to see the muscles in my quads working as I run)

3) I feel more confident and proud knowing that I'm working to chisel a body that I will be proud of later.

4) I actually feel energized and ready to go about my day's activities

5) I eat less, knowing that I can't overeat and waste the calories I spent so much time burning.

6) I guzzle so much water during the day after I exercised.

7) I sweat and I actually feel pretty sweating :)

8) People see me as a healthy individual, and although you shouldn't care what other people think, it does boost your confidence.

9) I feel good knowing that I'm losing inches and buying smaller sizes in clothes.

10) It just makes me happy.

I posted it here, so next time I think of a reason why I don't want to workout I have proof of my euphoric feelings later.

Until Next Time,

S.

She's the Man

I'm sitting here with my little bro watching She's the Man. I got inspired to watch it for two reasons:

1) I wanted to see someone go through the same struggle as me as they reach their soccer goals (I'm trying to make the club soccer team at my school)

2) I watched Coach Carter for a hot second and remembered what a hottie Channing Tatum was.

Anyway, here's an ode to the hottie that was Channing Tatum. He used to be super hot. Observe:

He's sort of lost his...edge recently, but who can blame him? It must be hard work making a body like that, and even harder work maintaining it. Either way, his six-pack is forever branded in my mind's eye.

Until Next time,

S.

P.S. I'm kinda sad that Amanda Bynes retired from acting. She's a natural. At least she left at her peak rather than her downfall.