making {strides}

i just finished practicing a mini flow session.  it's after midnight.  and i'm at the beach.  

i am a new person.

the old me would use a vacation as an excuse to put whatever current stride i was in on hold.  i would eat a candy bar on the way to wherever i was going just because i could and had always done it, among other things.

this time, we bought healthy groceries, we've planned most of our meals, and we are going to MOVE.  

the beach is amazing.  and it will be amazing on our walks and bike ride.  and in the meantime, we will make amazing memories.

this is the new me, and i am looking forward to my future.

-until later, 
j

{I'M} Back!

i had been away from the yoga studio since february.  i know, i know.  it's hard for me to believe, especially as i read through my old posts about how much i love yoga.  i don't know why it took me so long to get back into the studio. 

i do believe some of it was ego.

over the past 4 months since i've practiced in the studio, i have continued (well, stopped, started, stopped, started) my journey. 

i really started again - for the final time - on 06.11.12.  over those 4 months that i was absent, i had gained back 8 pounds.  i did not feel good.  it's because i didn't practice yoga nor track what i ate.  i know it is, and i knew i would gain if i didn't.  i need to figure out why i let myself do that.  again.

since june 11th:
- - - i have decided to move at least 30 minutes 5 times a week
- - - i have decided to log what i eat
- - - i have fallen in love with green smoothies
- - - i have a husband and children who are with me during my journey (the kids love the smoothies!  and want to exercise!  my husband and i joined a gym and go together)
- - - i have introduced my mom to the yoga studio (it's amazing to share my experience with her)
- - - i have lost 8.2 (i have to count the .2!) pounds
- - - i feel stronger - both physically and mentally
- - - i have found ME again

I AM BACK.

nothing compares to how i feel after a yoga class.  now that mom practices, she can understand, but i don't think you can truly understand unless you try it. :)

i still have my moments - we all do.  i try to fight back the tears and anger i feel when i can't get into a pose because of my fat (yep, i know) or when i see myself in the mirror at the gym.  i am angry because i let myself get this way.  i am angry because i KNOW i could do it, if i weren't so overweight.  but, i'm THERE.  i'm working on it.  i'm working on ME.  i remember my strength.  and i remember that i'm a work in progress.

I AM BACK.  and i'm loving it.

until next time,
-j

(both photos from pinterest)