iron

Well. A lot has happened since my last post. I officially packed up all my stuff and moved out of my old, little apartment and in to a beautiful 150 year old farmhouse in the middle of a nature preserve. The preserve is all grasslands and is surrounded by about 3 miles of walking trail which is perfect for Boo. I was a little hesitant about moving here initially because I have never lived in such an isolated location, but it seemed silly to pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity.

By far and away my favorite part so far about the farmhouse is the amount of activities we can do outside now. I bought boo a tether and she is loving the new freedom. We spent a good portion of th e weekend with her leashed up and my doing yoga or lying on my mat. She loves to just sit and bask in the sun and I can’t blame her. The views just make you want to sit outside forever and just stare.

My favorite form of exercise is the spontaneous kind. The kind that isn’t planned and just appears organically and feels so good. Enter saturday morning. It was my rest day, but I wanted to go for a walk around the preserve because I was still up early. I started walking, but then my legs and body were just aching for a run and I took off. I ran about a mile and a half completely care and time free and it was amazing. It felt incredible to not be bound to anything; my watch, the road, a machine. I plan on doing this more often, just going. I love working out, don’t get me wrong, but some days it can feel like a chore. I’m glad this move has helped to reinvigorate me and I’m excited to take on other new adventures fitness or otherwise.

-sj

I have officially completed Kayla Itsine’s Bikini Body Guide two times through. That’s way more burpees, push-up, and ab combinations than I ever thought I would do in my life. Having completed the guide twice has made me realize how much I am capable of.

Before starting the BBG, I worked out a whole heck of a lot. I spent hours in the gym slogging away on the treadmill and the elliptical. I would occasionally do some arm exercises at the end and then a plank while my oatmeal cooked. I always thought I was strong and fit, but I had no idea what I was really capable of. My first round through the BBG was cathartic. I started seeing changes in everything I was doing. I could open jars more easily, run a little bit farther and a little bit faster, food was no longer an enemy and I started actually caring about what went in to my body.

When I lived alone, I was a frequent fan of cereal for dinner. And for breakfast. And for lunch if I wanted it. I knew carbs were good for runners and I was running upwards of 25-30 miles a week, so it seemed like it fit. As I started into my BBG journey, I started realizing I needed way more protein and more balance all around. Nowadays, my dinners look more like the picture above. Fresh foods. Vibrance. True fuel.

I swore off cereal one day last year. I replaced it with oatmeal which seemed to do the same. I’ve since started adding egg whites and a side of peanut butter to the mix to make sure I’m getting a well rounded amount of carbs, protein, and fats. I’ve seen a huge change in my progress because of these subtle changes.

This time through the BBG, however, I have seen a different kind of change that has taken some getting used to. I haven’t gained or lost a pound, but my body is changing. I have always been quite small (sometimes smaller than I’d like to be honest) and have had immense pride in my petiteness. So, as my arms began to grown and my legs and my bum, I wasn’t the happiest camper. Yes, I know this was all happening because I was getting stronger, but it was just hard to see happen. Pants didn’t fit the same and neither did some shirts, but I just keep reminding myself that this is for the good of me. The changes I’m seeing are going to help me now and in the future and you know what? I’m proud. I’m proud of growing and becoming a better me. I can get through exercises I never thought possible. I can be proud of being stronger and healthier than most people I know. I can know that I worked for this. I earned this, no matter what shape I am now or may become, it’s only for the best.

-sj

Love & Lunge

guess who’s back, back again.

12 more weeks crossed off the list.