Happy National Dance Day

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I love dancing so I wanted to wish everyone a happy National Dance Day today! The Dizzy Feet Foundation, a non-profit that "supports, improves, and increases access to dance education in the United States," makes every last Saturday in July a dance holiday and they provide routines to learn (check them out here) and then they even host dance events in select cities. 

I went to my 8 AM Zumba class this morning and celebrated National Dance Day. I danced my heart out and then, look what happened! Pretty crazy heart sweat mark, eh? It's also pretty gross and I acknowledge that! Haha.

In the spirit of dance, I wanted to share one of the routines we do in class, because although it's very ridiculous, it's a lot of fun! 

How will you celebrate and dance today?

xo

Work In Progress

Do you ever notice that the messages that keep you motivated are constantly changing? The things I take inspiration from are always evolving...like me.

For instance, a few years ago, I was really motivated by this quote: "a year from now you'll wish you'd started today." Truthfully, that idea still resonates with me constantly. Then when I started running, I would get geared up from the idea that "strong is the new skinny" (especially when I would start feeling weak mentally).

The last few months, especially when I hadn't been as active or as fit as I wanted to be, I would focus on the idea to "be forgiving of yourself" since I think everyone struggles with that. Whether it was eating too much, not working out for a while, or just being judgmental of myself, I'd try to remember that "it's not how you fall, but how you get back up" that matters.

Currently, my focus has been on the fact that I am "a work in progress." Although I've been feeling really energized, motivated, strong, and happy lately, I realize that some days will be easier than others. Despite feeling good, I also know that I can feel better (while also remembering that whole forgiveness thing). Life is always going to give you ups and downs, but the most important thing is finding peace and balance with it all. I suppose that the journey to being the best versions of ourselves shouldn't always be easy, because there sure is a lot to learn along the way.

After all, life is just a ride...

xo

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Eat Clean + Work Out Dirty

I've always really enjoyed being active, but sometimes I'll get into a rut and I forget how good it feels to eat clean and sweat it out. I've recently been recharged and have been working on improving my mind and body. The good news is that I really enjoy hiking, walking, yoga, and dancing; therefore, my biggest motivation in staying healthy is that the things I love come more easily for me and I can enjoy them to the fullest.

Right now my weekly workout schedule looks like this:

Monday

 Yoga (my work gym offers it during lunch on Monday)

Cardio Funk (high intensity hip hop dancing with some boot camp moves)

Tuesday

Zumba

Wednesday

Cardio Blast (7 AM high intensity circuit training class at work gym)

Long walk with Townes

Thursday

Long walk with Townes

Run 3 miles (unless I need to rest)

Friday

Zumba Toning (longer class at 75 mins with more weight training)

Saturday

Zumba (8 AM class)

Long walk with Townes (typically twice/ day)

Sunday

Long walk with Townes (typically twice/ day)

Run 3 miles (unless I need to rest)

I'd like to get more running days in soon and extend the length of the runs, but I'm still working on my running stamina. I also don't currently love running as much as the other activities, so I'm just trying to stay moving. This schedule varies some days, especially if I'm traveling for work (then I usually use the elliptical in the hotel gym). I've also been incorporating push ups into my routine daily.

Below is some of my favorite workout gear!

For the record, I'm feeling really great lately, but I am still a work-in-progress and still have ways to go!

How do you stay active? Are there any workouts you enjoy the most?

xo

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Runner's High

I have been adding new routines to my fitness regiment and it feels great! 

I have never been a runner - I have never enjoyed it and always been quick to give up/ walk. J recently started training for the upcoming Southern Odyssey Relay race that he is running next month with coworkers (it goes from Atlanta to Chattanooga). J's enthusiasm about running got me interested in giving it another shot and although it's still a struggle, I can officially run over 3 miles without stopping for the first time in my life! 

Last week, I ran a total of 10 miles! 

The Map My Run App is so user-friendly and helps keep me motivated (having good music on my iPhone and cooler weather helps too). Whenever I get tired and think I can't make it to the top of the next hill, I keep reminding myself that "strong is the new skinny!"

I still go to my weekly Zumba and Cardio Funk classes and hope to add some more Yoga and Pilates, but it's nice to add a new workout and see how it helps my body and my strength. 

This is a small victory for me, but I think it's worth celebrating every victory! Life is too short to focus on  shortcomings!

♥
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weight loss: 7 month check in

i wanted to take some time to share a bit about my recent weigh loss journey.
2011 was definitely a year of apathy for me - which is hard to admit since apathy is one of the absolute worst personality traits in my opinion. when it came to my health and weight, i was completely apathetic.
i ate french fries whenever i wanted and could easily tear through a whole pint of haagen-dazs rocky road.
i shouldn't have been surprised when my weight hit an all time high around the holidays. the worst part was recognizing what i was doing, but not wanting to do anything to change my ways.

finally a few days before the new year, i decided to make a change. it had to be my decision and i knew i needed to implement some small goals to make the long journey ahead seem less daunting. i started my 30 day challenge to get myself more active. along with the month goals, i started weight watchers online. weight watchers always has deals to get you to join (i.e., joining fee waived with purchase of 3 months) so i took the opportunity to join and i haven't looked back!

for those of you considering joining weight watchers online - do it! they have so many wonderful resources and their mobile app makes logging your food and progress so easy. plus, with weight loss, your diet/ eating habits accounts for 90%. it doesn't matter how much exercise you do if you eat cake afterwards!

with weight watchers, you get a daily allowance of points (based on your current weight), a set value of extra weekly points (to allow you some room for error), and you can earn more points based on your activity levels! plus, raw fruits and veggies have zero points which is great when you want a healthy and tasty snack.
as you log your food, it automatically calculates your remaining points!

one of my favorite features of weight watchers online is their daily health checks! this helps ensure that you meet your suggested/ required servings of water, calcium/ dairy, fruits/ veggies, multivitamin, healthy oils, and activity. it's nice to have this feature to help keep yourself accountable on such important needs for your body!

so far, i am down 36 pounds since i started in late december/ early january! 

as far as exercise goes, i've been very successful in maintaining physical activity, because i've found some things that i love! i walk my dog every day (minimum of 30 minutes), but i also go to the gym 3-4 times a week minimum. my favorites have been cardio funk and zumba! i'm still trying to incorporate some strength training, running, and restorative classes (like pilates and yoga) into my routine. it's a great feeling to actually love being active and to not be afraid of your body holding you back from doing things you enjoy.

7 months down, a lifetime to go (and i couldn't be happier)! i have some exciting news for later this week!

if you have any questions at all, feel free to email me njlehrer@gmail.com!
♥

"a year from now you may wish you had started today" - karen lamb