Earlier this week I came across a post by Lisa Byrne on how signing up for a bootcamp has significantly changed her health … and her outlook on life.
I was fascinated by Lisa’s story of how she got started on her new path, and how she kept going. And it made me re-evaluate the goals I’d set for myself at the start of the year, and ask myself whether or not I’d made any progress towards them.
Looking back, they were:
1. Give Waxing UnLyrical wings: yes, I think this is progressing as planned. I see more comments, traffic and greater engagement (certainly thanks in no small part to the Livefyre comment system but also to the consistency and range of content on the blog, much of which comes from killer guest bloggers, so this is not me patting myself on my back).
And you are a large part of that, so thank you.
2. Pay more attention to wellness: if I haven’t “slipped,” as such here, I haven’t made much progress. I do cook a little more (still not as much as I’d like to), but my exercise routine has become … shall we say … no, let’s not.
On the plus side, while my jazz dance classes came to naught, I did make quite a lot of progress in swing-dancing, and hope to take that up again soon. But I have a ways to go on the overall goal here!
3. Work smarter, not harder: this is a bit of a “yes and no” situation. I’ve been working very hard, and while much of it is smart (at least, I think so), it’s also been tiring me. Not tiring as in your run-of-the-mill get-tired-rest-and-feel-better tiring, but tiring as in am-I-really-cut-out-for-this? tiring.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking more about how to veer more towards the former as opposed to the latter (because I do think I am really cut out for “this”). I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel … and as soon as I know exactly what that is, and what shape it will take, I’ll tell you.
After reading Lisa’s posts, I realized the one thing I could do right now was get back to #2 (I’m working on #3, as I said earlier, #1 is doing OK). So I signed up with Grant Hill of My Bootcamp (they have a special deal for Lisa’s readers, which I was more than happy to take advantage of) to kick my butt into shape (pun intended). Our first session starts Monday.
It seems to have excited my Facebook friends, even John Falchetto (who is also an IRL friend), who very sweetly said:
This is a question I’ve been asked more than a few times since I announced I was doing this.
My answers to the “why?” question have been:
- Why not?
- I need to do this … if I don’t get my butt in shape now [pun intended], I never will.
- I want to look on the outside the way I feel on the inside.
That last answer might seem vain, but it’s true. On the inside I don’t feel old, or heavy, and I want to look that same way. The first one … well, can you give me a good comeback to that? But the second answer is, I think, at the crux of it.
We only have so much time on this earth. It’s far too easy to let life happen to you, as opposed to living your life.
I’ve been in the “letting happen” mode for a while. Now it’s time to reverse the charges, as it were.
So if I live to tell my bootcamp tale, I’ll give you regular updates. I don’t know if I’ll come up with videos as great as Lisa’s, but I’ll do my best. But I do know this: if I don’t know it now, I never will.
Send me a good thought or two, will you please?
[…] and she is absolutely right. When you start something – anything, whether it’s a wellness program, or work with a new client, you have to begin somewhere. […]
I can relate to it a lot. I’m feeling good inside but outside.. Hmm.. (Never mine) Anyways, I’m gonna try to find my boot camp because your article inspired me and i can’t even wait to start working out and get back in shape and show everyone accusing me that I’m overweight (though I’m guilty I’m still in denial stage lol)
@Shonali BAHAHA this made me laugh out loud!
@rachaelseda I think I played soccer once. It was enough.
@Shonali Hahaha I used to hate it too but I played soccer growing up and then ran track as a sprinter. I never wanted to run long distance but now I really like it, not competitively but just as a good exercise. I go through phases though, sometimes I’d rather do a work out tape other times I just want to run.
@Shonali@rachaelseda Haha one time is enough I agree with you. I only like to do some workouts in gym.
@rachaelseda Thank you! Heading towards the end of week 2, and though I still have days when I don’t want to get up that early, so far, at least, I’m doing ok. And I have to say that even though it’s been a short while, overall I’m feeling MUCH better. I will definitely keep you posted. :)
The one thing I don’t get about all you runners is… why running? It probably has its roots in the fact that I never was one, and I don’t know if one can become a runner if one hasn’t done that growing up. But I absolutely *hate* the running bits of my workout!
I can’t believe I am just now reading this. YOU GO GIRL. Seriously. Sometimes I think to myself “I’m too busy I need to skip working out.” And I realize how silly this is. I grew up playing sports and being active, it makes me feel good and it’s healthy. Skipping it to sit on the computer for one more hour seems crazy – think about this way, if you’re hurting your health you can’t possibly be doing the best work. And if you continue putting off things like exercise to save time, in the end you actually lose time and may not be around or healthy enough to accomplish all the things in your life that you set out to do.
For me, I know I feel better about myself when I am exercising, even just 30 minutes a day. It’s a great stress relief, break and I enjoy being outside and getting some fresh air (when the weather allows). I also tend to clear my mind and come up/flush out ideas while I’m running which I love. Sometimes it’s hard but I have to remind myself that my health is a priority and it enables me to continue to accomplish my goals and be a happy person.
Now that I have gone off on a tangent, I just wanted to say again YOU GO GIRL. I look forward to hearing about your journey along the way.
[…] and she is absolutely right. When you start something – anything, whether it’s a wellness program, or work with a new client, you have to begin somewhere. […]
@HowieSPM A banana in your shoe?! Ugh!!!
@Soulati | PR Thank you, Jayme!
@weforgotyounot Thank you (re: my name. :)). And also for sharing your story, I really appreciate it. What a bummer there are no classes near you.
Here’s a thought, in addition to your possibly teaching – why not start a local “just for fun” dance group? Maybe there’s a gym or school whose studio you could use? That way you’d get your dance fix, have fun, and do everyone else a huge service too.
I understand about being scared. It’s scary for me to put myself out there like this as well. But so far, people are being very kind.
@Narciso17 You are in!
@Shonali
HA! Yes, Ibuprofen, Stretchinga nd Plenty O’ Water Will Be Your Buddy, Indeed :) And In Regards to the FB Group, You Bet! Point Me Where and I’m Heading’ That Way ;)
More power to you; amazing you’re embarking on this path. Hope it’s rewarding for you, Shonali. I’ll be your cheerleader!
@Shonali I will hold you to that, Shonali, and I will look forward to the crazy outfit….the crazier, the better!
Good luck @Shonali !
I made it through my fraternity hell week at Arizona State and it definitely proved I can do hundreds of pushups while laughing, learn skits, not sleep for 3.5 days, survive with a banana in my shoe for the same amount of time, and do the karate kid on my stomach with scrub brushes on the kitchen floor for hours.
Funny I can’t do martial arts considering how much karate kid cleaning I did when being hazed.
@Shonali I love your name BTW! I decided a year ago to get back into shape and set this summer 2011 as the goal-date to start dancing again even if it was just once a week (You KNOW that once a week is way too little for people like us! I need a few hours a day), but I was willing to start there. So I started jumping rope and getting my wind back. A few months in I started calling around for classes. There wasn’t even ONE class near me. I decided I’d have to teach if there is going to be one. But I HATE teaching. I’m too hard on everyone and I just want to be the one dancing! We’ll see. I also have a lot of home responsibilities, I’m 50 and I’m scared! Now THERE’S the TRUTH!
@Shonali I have no idea! It was/is a small family farm, only about 300 acres. Small beef cattle operation; 50-60 head of cattle and we grow 40 acres of organic soybeans each year.
I do miss it sometimes, but I’m incredibly glad that I grew up there. it instilled in me a work ethic that allows me to “turn off” at the end of the day. Essentially, I don’t feel like I have to be working all the time. When the day is done, it’s done. Period.
@weforgotyounot Thank YOU for stopping by and cheering me on! What is keeping you from dancing, Betsy, if it’s ok for me to ask?
@LisaByrne O.M.G. I *hate* that sandbag. I told Grant too – he just laughed!
@TheJackB@Al Smith@bdorman264 It always takes me a few moments to realize what y’all are talking about when you say “Bama”…
@Al Smith Well, now we’re all connected and in the Facebook Group and all… so you will see the good, bad and ugly! Thanks so much for the support.
@Narciso17 I loved reading this comment, Narciso – thank you! It was REALLY motivational. Fortunately I didn’t quit and at least right now (about 10 hours later) am managing the soreness. I suspect Ibuprofen will become my best friend for a couple of weeks, LOL.
You bet re: keeping each other posted – in fact, we set up that Facebook group… wanna join?
@Narciso17 I loved reading this comment, Narciso – thank you! It was REALLY motivational. Fortunately I didn’t quit and at least right now (about 10 hours later) am managing the soreness. I suspect Ibuprofen will become my best friend for a couple of weeks, LOL.
You bet re: keeping each other posted – in fact, we set up that Facebook group… wanna join?
@KDillabough I was thinking of you this morning, but didn’t have a crazy enough outfit to put on. Oh well… I’ll have to save it for another time.
@KDillabough I was thinking of you this morning, but didn’t have a crazy enough outfit to put on. Oh well… I’ll have to save it for another time.
@bdorman264 LOL! I don’t wear bikinis. Never have, probably never wil.
@bdorman264 LOL! I don’t wear bikinis. Never have, probably never wil.
@MattLaCasse You grew up on a farm? How did I not know that about you?! How neat. Do you miss it?
@MattLaCasse You grew up on a farm? How did I not know that about you?! How neat. Do you miss it?
@Al Smith@bdorman264 I have a very dear friend whose wife went to ‘Bama. At their wedding I discovered more than a few of her relatives were ready to lynch me for little comments about War Eagle. Or maybe it was for asking them if Bo and Luke Duke drove them to school. Hmmmm
@bdorman264 Dam, now I have to go back and UNfollow you ! Auburn ? Really ? It could be worse. They could have gone to Tennessee ! Ha ! Actually, that picture is with my dad and one of my brothers, at last years RE DIC U LUS game with that other school ! Ouch !
You are right, some people, just don’t get it. I have been a Bama fan since I was 8 years old. Roll Tide, baby. Can’t wait for the season to start.
Thanks again for the follow. Luv your humor !
Al
@Al Smith Dude, I just went over to your place to follow you; what’s with all the Bama gear?……………I just put both of my kids through that other school; I can say War Eagle for now unless they take it away, huh?
It’s a religion, right? People not from the south don’t understand.
@Shonali Just the bikini shots……………:)
I’d kill to “do” a bootcamp! I miss the irreplaceable high from dancing. Good luck. I also related to: ” Not tiring as in your run-of-the-mill get-tired-rest-and-feel-better tiring, but tiring as in am-I-really-cut-out-for-this? tiring.” and “I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel … and as soon as I know exactly what that is, and what shape it will take, I’ll tell you.”
Thanks for the inspiration!
Betsy
Woot! Way to go @Shonali – can’t wait to follow the madness :)
Thanks Shonali. I need to do the same (not getting any youger) Ok, dammit, after the new site launches (next week, Yeah!) and after i smoke this cigar (Bad habit, I know) I am going to get back on the old P90X.
Yeah, thats right, ok, I did the P40X, and I mean 40 minutes not 40 days. Maybe 20 minutes for 20 days ? Gotta start somewhere. Wow, I’m sweatin already, just thinking about it. Where’s my lighter ?
Thanks for the inspiration Shonali. Can’t wait for the before and after pics. U Go Girl !!
Al
@Shonali Sounds very similar to my younger years. Growing up on a farm in Iowa, my exercise was the work we did every day, so I took that for granted as I was growing up. I didn’t HAVE to make time for exercise because it happened every day.
As for your drama school and rope climbing; all I can say is that you are much braver than I. Heights don’t really freak me out unless I feel like one slip could send me tumbling to earth. Therefore, pretending to be some kind of monkey on ropes would scare the bejeezus out of me.
@Shonali Sounds very similar to my younger years. Growing up on a farm in Iowa, my exercise was the work we did every day, so I took that for granted as I was growing up. I didn’t HAVE to make time for exercise because it happened every day.
As for your drama school and rope climbing; all I can say is that you are much braver than I. Heights don’t really freak me out unless I feel like one slip could send me tumbling to earth. Therefore, pretending to be some kind of monkey on ropes would scare the bejeezus out of me.
Get On With Your Bad Self, Shonali! I Have to Tell You, As a Person Who’s Been Through a Boot Camp Session for 3 Months Straight, that It’s Going to Be One of the Best Things You Can Do For Yourself! In Fact, I’m Going to Be Starting a New Boot Camp on Monday…This Time, My Aim Is to Get Back to My ‘Fighter’s Weight’ and Back on the Soccer Field to Play (On a Much More Serious Level…No, Not Professionally; But Back at the Same Level I Had in High School (When I Made All-State)…Believe It Or Not)!
I Can Tell You That It Is going to Be Hard That First Week…You’re Going to Want to Avoid It and Maybe Even Quit That First Session…But Stick It Out….You’ll Be *Much Happier* For It…!….I Know I Was….Even Though I Was Sore (to ‘Very Sore’) Week After Week, Starting Your Day With That Level of Exercise Does Five Key Things
+ It Clears Up Your Mind
+ It Gives You More Energy
+ It Gives You More Focus
+ It Naturally Lifts Up Your Mood
+ It Firms Up More Areas Than You Anticipate
You Get to a Point to Where You (Or At Least For Me) Both Love & Dread Each Session…Because You Then Realize That It’s Ultimately *You* Pushing Yourself to That Next Level :)
I’ll Keep You in the Loop With My Progress If You Do With Me…!…Sound CooL…? :)
Narciso Tovar
Big Noise Communications
narciso17
@Shonali@MattLaCasse@bdorman264 I certainly find that, become accountable to my running group is a big help on those days when I just don’t feel like running. We meet only once a week, but in order to keep pace with the escalating demands of further distance each week, I have to keep my daily running program in place.
So, here’s to group support! We’ll provide it online, Shonali, and the bootcampers will, I’m sure, provide the off. Have Fun! Cheers! Kaarina
@bdorman264 And if you came to my place I’d put you in bear-chasing bootcamp Bill:)
@Shonali@bdorman264 Yes, Shonali…before and after…wearing crazy outfits…and eating cake, haha!
@shonali You are most welcome, my friend:)
@shonali But of course…..
@bdorman264 But I can be grrrrrly, right?
@bdorman264 I know, I remember reading that post of yours. You’re exactly right – if you don’t have your health, you ain’t got nuttin’. I love “I eat, therefore I run.” I may have to borrow that.
I promise to keep ypu posted. I don’t need to do before and after pics, do I?
@bdorman264 I know, I remember reading that post of yours. You’re exactly right – if you don’t have your health, you ain’t got nuttin’. I love “I eat, therefore I run.” I may have to borrow that.
I promise to keep ypu posted. I don’t need to do before and after pics, do I?
@MattLaCasse Well, since you know you need to be chastised for it, I won’t. ;) When Grant asked me what time I wanted to work out, I too, like @bdorman264 chose the early morning. First, given how humid it is here, that’s probably when I’ll be able to “bear” it the most. Second, I know that if I’d chosen something around midday or in the evening, I’d get caught up with work or other stuff, and it would fall by the wayside. So even though that’s not my optimal “energy” time, it’s just going to have to work.
It actually reminds me of my drama school days, where we’d basically have some form of exercise – and OMG, some of that was SO bootcamp-like – from 6 – 8:30 am. Sometimes a class was working on ropes (yes, ropes, suspended in mid-air), sometimes it was yoga, sometimes it was dance, and sometimes it was a crazy aerobics/cardio combination the way only Indians can put ’em together. It KILLED me, but man, how fit I was.
Thank you for the good wishes!
@MattLaCasse Well, since you know you need to be chastised for it, I won’t. ;) When Grant asked me what time I wanted to work out, I too, like @bdorman264 chose the early morning. First, given how humid it is here, that’s probably when I’ll be able to “bear” it the most. Second, I know that if I’d chosen something around midday or in the evening, I’d get caught up with work or other stuff, and it would fall by the wayside. So even though that’s not my optimal “energy” time, it’s just going to have to work.
It actually reminds me of my drama school days, where we’d basically have some form of exercise – and OMG, some of that was SO bootcamp-like – from 6 – 8:30 am. Sometimes a class was working on ropes (yes, ropes, suspended in mid-air), sometimes it was yoga, sometimes it was dance, and sometimes it was a crazy aerobics/cardio combination the way only Indians can put ’em together. It KILLED me, but man, how fit I was.
Thank you for the good wishes!
@KDillabough Of course it compares to what I’m doing! We’re both getting ourselves out of our comfort zones, and you’re already halfway to your goal – so neat. Thank you so much for the good thoughts, and sending a gazillion back to you!
@shonali Can’t be girly; have to be grrrrr …….:)
@bdorman264 LOL. Let me start the bootcamp first! I just hope @GrantHillFit doesn’t shudder when he sees me.
I’ve done real life boot camp. Whereas learning does not stop when you graduate from school; I figure one boot camp is all I need…………..:). You don’t have anything if you don’t have your health. It is so easy to get caught up in the other stuff like making a living and volunteering and it is easy to put the physical aside; it’s work, right?
Fortunately, the physical part is something that is important to me and I’m very consistent with it. Granted, sometimes more energy is expended than others, but I’m typically doing ‘something’ 5-6 times a week. Unfortunately, I have to do most of it first thing in the morning when I am not at my most energetic but know that my calendar is usually open.
My mantra is ‘I eat, therefore I run’…………I know you like to eat well, and so do I. I’m not as disciplined as I need to be on proportion control at times, but fortunately I don’t have any dietary restrictions and can eat just about anything that doesn’t move………….
Good luck, let us know the progress. Just be consistent and it will become habit………
Best of luck Shonali! My wife and I try to eat as healthy as we can, but we still don’t always do so well in that department. Exercise is what really gets me. I know I need to do it, and that I SHOULD be doing it, but carving out the time kills me. That’s an excuse, not a reason, and I fully expect to be chastised for it. :)
@KDillabough Thanks so much, Kaarina!
You go rock it, Shonali!
This by no means compares to what you’re doing, but a month ago, after almost a 2-year absence from it, I started running again, with a local running club. I set a goal to run a 5K (yes, a very modest goal) on September 5th, so I’m half-way there. And although some mornings I don’t feel like tying on the shoes and getting my butt out the door, once I’m running, I’m free:)
So have a blast…sending a good thought…no 2…no 3..no, a gazillion:) Cheers! Kaarina
You go rock it, Shonali!
This by no means compares to what you’re doing, but a month ago, after almost a 2-year absence from it, I started running again, with a local running club. I set a goal to run a 5K (yes, a very modest goal) on September 5th, so I’m half-way there. And although some mornings I don’t feel like tying on the shoes and getting my butt out the door, once I’m running, I’m free:)
So have a blast…sending a good thought…no 2…no 3..no, a gazillion:) Cheers! Kaarina
You go rock it, Shonali!
This by no means compares to what you’re doing, but a month ago, after almost a 2-year absence from it, I started running again, with a local running club. I set a goal to run a 5K (yes, a very modest goal) on September 5th, so I’m half-way there. And although some mornings I don’t feel like tying on the shoes and getting my butt out the door, once I’m running, I’m free:)
So have a blast…sending a good thought…no 2…no 3..no, a gazillion:) Cheers! Kaarina
You go rock it, Shonali!
This by no means compares to what you’re doing, but a month ago, after almost a 2-year absence from it, I started running again, with a local running club. I set a goal to run a 5K (yes, a very modest goal) on September 5th, so I’m half-way there. And although some mornings I don’t feel like tying on the shoes and getting my butt out the door, once I’m running, I’m free:)
So have a blast…sending a good thought…no 2…no 3..no, a gazillion:) Cheers! Kaarina
You go rock it, Shonali!
This by no means compares to what you’re doing, but a month ago, after almost a 2-year absence from it, I started running again, with a local running club. I set a goal to run a 5K (yes, a very modest goal) on September 5th, so I’m half-way there. And although some mornings I don’t feel like tying on the shoes and getting my butt out the door, once I’m running, I’m free:)
So have a blast…sending a good thought…no 2…no 3..no, a gazillion:) Cheers! Kaarina