Lately, I've had a severe case of the lazies.  Technically, I want to climb, run and be the crazy active that is me.  However, there is one thing that is stopping me: the inner couch potato.  We all possess it, that little being inside us that says, "Sitting here all day, eating and relaxing is SOOOO much better than that invigorating workout you planned."

So, instead of partaking in a great early workout or a therapeutic  Yoga class you opt for the class of sitting on your ass.  Since I noticed that I was become bored and lazy, I decided a good slap in the ass was needed.  My form of ass slap?  VARIETY!

I was getting into a workout rut, running the same route, doing the same things over again.   Therefore, this week, I changed it up a bit.  I hit up an AMAZING Bikram Yoga Class at Orlando Power Yoga, did a little Elliptical Magic AND ran in the gorgeous fresh air with a new partner that pumped up my speed.  On the horizon: purchasing a bike with my tax refund!  

The morale of the story: if you're getting bored with your workout routine change it!  How you say?
-Try some new form of exercise each week
-Change the location of your workout
-Change the time you workout
-Workout with friends/new buddies!
-Challenge yourself.  Don't coast by with what you can do
-Make sure you enjoy it!

Well, I'm ready for a rip roaring week of changing it up. I have some lead climbing on the horizon AND some Bikram coming my way!

How do you change up your workouts?

While perusing fitness blogs I came across an article that asked this very probing question: "What does “getting fit” mean to you?"  And then, that feisty blog challenged me to post about it.  (And we know how I feel about any challenges!)

So, I've decided to dive in and explain how I have adopted "getting fit," into my every day. 

                Getting Fit by Teeny

As a female, I can speak for the majority of us and say there is always SOMETHING we don't like about our bodies.  Even at my smallest, I was unhappy and felt like I was "fat."  Yeah, classic stupid self loathing.  After looking in the mirror for years and grimacing at the image that stared back at me I was consistently annoyed!

Subsequently, I'd go through these random cycles of working out, eating healthy, then saying "forget it" (well close enough) and resume my lazy ways and eat whatever I wanted.  (Cake anyone?)  The lazy lifestyle, food and wine for fun slowly became my only form of entertainment.  I didn’t like how I looked but I could at least go out and ignore it right?  Besides, I mean, what else does one do for fun?  Happy Hour?    Dessert party?  OK!

My bank account was shrinking and I had nothing to show for it except my lack of money and the softer side of Teeny.  When I hit 25, the excess squish stayed and wouldn't leave.  My form of entertainment was making me fluffy!  GROSS!  And then it clicked, "there MUST be an alternative form of entertainment that isn't detrimental and doesn't revolve around forgetting."   (Booze=amnesia) 
 
And so I began to try other forms of entertainment: kayaking, running, rock climbing and yoga. These activities were engaging, became a form of socializing AND the effects were wonderful. I felt energized, excited, powerful and stopped caring about the number on the scale. When a personal trainer told me "Working out is about the having the strength within yourself to overcome any external obstacle.”  Officially, I was hooked to my new form of entertainment.

Now, I can't imagine spending a week without a mini run, climbing session or yoga.  The strength I feel and the smile that spans across my face can't be obtained by an evening of drinking.  

Getting fit is about making a habit that fits you and your lifestyle.  It fills you up, boosts your self esteem and is tangible evidence that you love and respect yourself enough to give your body what it needs.

I can't imagine my life without an evening run, a sunrise workout or an impromptu Yoga session.  It settles my mind, feeds my body and is a great way to make the quality of my years richer.  I love being fit and active.  Join me.

My entertainment is NOW being fit.

What does being fit mean to you?

Over a week ago I was covered in mud, slugging around a 20 lb bag, cinderblocks and sandbags all while running 25 miles.  Fast forward to the next week. After hours of cleaning mud and dirt out from nails, applying Neosporin to the plethora of scrapes I earned and icing my knees, I'm left GORUCK-less.  (No motivation)

To allow my body time to recover I took the entire week off, dabbling in my girly side by visiting the salon, shopping and getting my nails done.  I even had a nice distraction by hosting for the Florida Film Festival.  (Check out the clips here)

Enter this week when I'm supposed to be back on the wagon: nothing.  I don't want to do anything. Even with a great climbing trip and Monster Dash coming up, I STILL had no desire to pick workout.  Sigh. 

Well, despite the laziness, I dragged myself to run Monday and Tuesday.  However, these workouts were TORTURE. Even after completing 25 miles throughout the night, running the 3 miles seemed insurmountable.  And then it hit me; the reason for my new found: I WAS WORKING OUT BY MYSELF!

Silly Teeny, you KNOW working out with others makes a world of a difference. Therefore, this morning I woke up at the crack of dawn and joined part of my Exercise Entourage and did 3 miles at the gym. And tonight, I'm heading straight to the climbing gym with pals!  PROBLEM SOLVED!

It is always important to be self aware of what you need to keep yourself motivated and push to keep it going strong!

I can't wait till my  climbing session this weekend and the boost of motivation, thanks to my friends!

How do you get yourself back on track when you've lost your steam?

This past week was a little different from the last.  Just a week ago I was covered in mud, carrying around a weighted rucksack all while running 25 miles.   In contrast this weekend I shed my usual workout gear for my familiar dress, heels and makeup.

On Friday, I was able to host the Opening Night of the Florida Film Festival and premier of Renee.  Throughout the evening, I had the opportunity to interview the director, producers, writer and actors part of the great movie Renee.  To make the evening even better, I was able to watch the movie.  (And tear up in the dark. Shh...don't tell)  The poignant and gritty movie, Renee was awe inspiring.   Based on the story of the Orlando native Renee, the movie follows her journey and 5 days prior to entering rehab.  Her story inspired friend, Jamie Tworkowskito, create the non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms.  If you haven't seen it yet, CHECK IT OUT!

But this is not the end of my hosting excursions.  Tomorrow, I get to host the FREE discussion entitled Perseverance: Women in the Industry.  To check me out, click here for live streaming of the event tomorrow morning.  Better yet, go the Enzian!
 
Don't think I'd leave you, my fellow reader, empty handed.  Below is a clip of my interview on Friday.    Oh goals and life, I like when you work!

Now that I have completed GORUCK, I'm left with this void.  Oh, poor little Teeny, nothing to train for. If only I had something to plan/look forward to.  OH WAIT, I must have forgotten! 

You see I don't need to miss the rock anymore.  Why?  Well, I have scheduled a climbing trip to Foster Falls, TN May 18th!

Yes, another 4 days of camping, lead and sport climbing.  To say that I'm thoroughly thrilled about this would be an understatement.  And since I'm not training for  the riduclously radical GORUCK,  I can focus on improving my climbing. Oh life, you take care of a Teeny soooo well.  Now, this wouldn't be a post about a trip/event if I didn't have a training plan!

                Foster Falls Training Plan
-Climb 3 days a week, lead climbing at LEAST once each time I climb
-Attend yoga 1 day a week to keep nice and limber
-Run/bike 3 days a week to keep my endurance

I'm pretty thrilled about this trip.  And after completing GORUCK, I've proven to myself that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.  That being said, I will no longer "fear" Lead Climbing.    Actually, it should fear me.  I'm rather motivated and ready to kick some rock!

I need to take a week off climbing this week to fully recover from GORUCK but next week, be ready Teeny; it's training time!

Do you plan back to back fun things to look forward to?  You should!

The aftermath is here; I'm sore, bruised, cut and walking is a chore.  And, yet I've never felt more accomplished in my entire life.  I'll give you the simple answer to my ailments: GORUCK Challenge.

On Friday around 10 PM, I embarked on a journey of a lifetime.  Driving to Tampa all by my lonesome, many thoughts were dancing in my brain,

"You can't do this."  "This is too hard."  "What were you thinking?"  Despite the battle within my mind, I stopped for coffee, soda AND ice cream (Carb load anyone?) and trucked on anyway.  When I made it to the beautiful Ballast Point Park at 12:00 AM I was instantly intimidated.  Scores of buff, fit people stood together, conversing and stretching.  The first thought: I was screwed.

When I hopped out of my little adventure mobile (Honda Accord)  I didn't even know where to go.  There were so many people that knew one another and here I was, this stupid girl in pink who signed up for a 12 hour challenge with a weighted pack.  However, being the ridiculous person that I am, I walked up to a group of women and introduced myself.  Without a second of thought, they welcomed me with open arms.  When they asked me who I was with, I sheepishly replied,
"Me."  In an instant, I was handed their group shirt (Crossfit Lakeland is awesome) and introduced me to their entire group.  At that moment, I knew this was going to be an experience.

As we stood around, conversing about active adventures of our past, we were plucked out of our comfort zone when Lou, our Cadre for the evening made his presence aware,
"Hey, sign your waivers and don't f*** them up .  If you do, I will throw them.  And it's windy as shit."  It had begun.

As we made our 4 lines of 8, our bags were inspected for the proper amount of bricks and fuel.  When two gentlemen noticed my less than stellar bag (a 2007 Jansport) they asked permission to lend me a bag.  This was the second time I knew  it was going to be a great experience.

And then it started. As Lou started to bark orders with every expletive known to man, I knew this wasn't going to be easy.  In our rows of 8 we started with 20 pushups.  Then, we had to run to the frigid bay, line up in rows and dunk ourselves in.  Upon being welcomed by the cold water, we had to then crawl on all 4's back to our pushup spot.  Now, we had to complete squats entitled "Monkey F***ers."  And then?  Dead man's carry to the water, dip and do crab walks back.  After completing a cycle consisting of a set of a physical workout, crawl, dip into the water and return to our initial spot, we were lined up in 2 rows of 15 to begin.  This was just the warm up.

Running up beautiful Tampa Bay, I couldn't help but smile. Here we were running past gorgeous homes covered in mud, slugging around a 20 lb backpack (30 for guys) at 1 AM for fun.  It was hysterical.  I laughed throughout the duration of our challenge! 

Before we even got the chance to "enjoy" our run, we had to slug around a 6 foot long log we found in the water before our run. Indian Drill style, we had to run in a line with the log leading the way and rotate running with it. When we finally hit a rest point, Lou asked up the simple question,
"If you need to relieve yourselves, do it now."  Looking around Hyde Park, I laughed.  Then, 20 people scattered to the darkest corners and went.  Insert more laughter and smiles from me.  We signed up for this. 

As the day/evening progressed, it got harder. We were never allowed to set our bag on the ground yet we constantly were introduced to cinderblocks, logs, sandbags, and weights to carry as a group during our entire challenge.  We ran up 5 flights of stairs 5 times for the wrong answer to questions, crawled on all 4's while pushing a log, had to jump in the bay and silently walk amongst sewage, complete inchworm pushups for not working as a team all while running throughout Tampa.  Our manic menagerie made our way from Ballast Point Park through SOHO, Hyde Park, Riverwalk, Channelside and Bayshore in an organized fashion all while lugging around logs,  weights and our fellow teammates when "casualty" was called.

Despite our self inflicted torture, there was a definite comedic element  to our challenge.  At the beginning of our challenge Lou, Special Operations alumni warned us of "threats."  These threats were men in skinny jeans and spandex.  When we spotted one, we had to yell "threat," take a knee as a group or there were consequences.  Nothing compares to running around Channelside with 30 people covered in sewage and hearing us yell "threat" as an innocent biker made their way on the morning jog.

Hours went by as we completed more and more physical activity.  We caught the sunrise and enjoyed the scenic view of beautiful Tampa all while lugging having our asses kicked.  To say it was easy would be a blatant lie.  But what made it possible was the unwavering camaraderie and teamwork.  Knowing that you were part of a team who was willing to help you make it to  the end made it all seem in reach.  This amazing team that I was a part of helped me make it the 20+ miles  to out endpoint MacDill Air Force Base.

When we made it to our destination, a wave of relief, pain and success washed over me.  I was GORUCK tough.  I was victorious.  Scratch that, WE were victorious. We completed something that was seemingly impossible and experienced it together as a team.

As we were sat and gladly plopped our bags on the ground, we were graced with the presence of a Special Ops veteran as he explained the Memorial.  I developed a new found respect for anyone willing to defend our country. 

Overall, GORUCK was an experience that can not be replicated. It was amazing, awful, exhilarating, hysterical, difficult, rewarding and one of the incredible things I've accomplished in my life.  I "embraced the suck" and will now wear my patch with a sense of honor.  GORUCK was an adventure I will remember forever.

Have you ever completed something you never thought you could?