New Name

I've changed the name of my blog because I can not only write about one thing.  It's too boring.  Not to mention, I do the same workouts pretty routinely.  So, what's new?  I've starting using My Fitness Pal, it's an app. on my phone and it's a great way to keep track of what I'm eating and how much I'm exercising.  I recently went to an AMAZING Nutritional Seminar.  I am changing the way I eat.  I am also taking a shot of Bragg's apple cider vinegar.  And I'm currently blogging because I'm trying to stall before taking it.  It's so strong!  I hate it!  And yet... it's suppose to have so many amazing results, so I am giving it a fair shot.  Ha, a fair shot... get it?  It's suppose to be anti-inflammatory, oh my!  I need that!  Also, it's been two WHOLE days without milk for me.  That is a big deal from this little lady over here.  I love milk, I love cereal and milk, I love milk with peanut butter sandwiches, I love milk with cookies or pie.  But, I've also not had any cereal, or cookies, or pie.  I've been really good since I started keeping my food log and I'm really applying some of the things we learned at the nutritional seminary into my life.  So what that looks like for me is eating my egg whites in the morning with tomato and red onions.  It means adding more protein into my diet.  It means taking my supplements, cutting out the dairy and wheat.  One amazing thing I substituted thanks to the advice from this seminar is Spelt tortillas instead of flour or corn.  OH MY... can yummy!  I love it.  I can only find it at Whole Foods though.  None of the other grocery stores seem to carry it.  I love Whole Foods, but they take all my money.  Well, I better go take my shot of apple cider vinegar.   OH, and please go out and buy the book, "Motiv8n You" by Staci Boyer.  It's packed full of amazing tips, quotes, information and inspirations.

Fail, Fail, Fail, and Win

Okay, so here is the thing.  This blog is going to fail if I can only talk about working out.  I mean, yes, I definitely want to blog about it, but I don't want to have to ONLY blog about that.  How boring.  And anyway, my routine is pretty constant, so every Monday is the same workout, and every Tuesday... yep... same thing! 

So, speaking of things that are the same, here is something that is different.  A few days ago, my husband invited me to go for a run with him.  NOW, we are both very slow runners, and we don't usually run outside.  Sooo, it took us 26 minutes to run 2.2 miles.  But you know what, I felt amazing afterwards.  It felt so good to accomplish something that I dont' usually accomplish.  I felt grateful for the energy to finish it without stopping, I felt grateful for my heart, lungs, and legs that could still push me to complete it.  I mean, one day I'm going to be 96 and well, let's face it, I may or may not be able to finish even two little miles.  My arthritis is getting worse and I'm getting mad at my doctor.  I just don't feel like she's working for me.  She doesn't want to try anything natural, holistic, or even remove my ganglions.  I'm losing strength, flexibility, and use of my hands.  You'd think she would want to do more than just prescribe me drugs, but nooooo.  I don't know if it's because I have cheap insurance or what.  But she doesn't even discuss diet with me.  Well, whatever, I guess I'll have to do my own research or switch doctors, although I will say, I've had over five doctors in the last eight years.  Not good.  Not good at all.  It's just always the same, they just want to stick me on drugs.  I'm 34, I do not want to be popping pills every day for the rest of my life.  The other day, I forgot I was 34.  I was typing in my options on an elliptical and I usually don't do an elliptical, but I needed to cool down and I was sick of the treadmill, so I jumped on there real quick, and typed in that I was 33.  I had to do the math with my fingers.  It was weird thinking I was 34 for a minute, that sounds so much older than 33. 

Anyway, back to what I was saying.  Then today, I didn't go to the gym because they're redoing the floors so all my classes have been canceled for the week.  I pulled in extra hours for work and had a girlfriend over for coffee and chit chat this morning.  Then the Jehovah's Witnesses stopped by, and I let them in - my husband thinks this is hilarious.  He says I'm the only one who does this.  I also let in the other people who believe in the Mother God.  I am not afraid of other people's opinions, and I don't mind hearing what they have to say.  I don't pretend to know much of anything, and I believe in what I believe.  But anyway, as you can see my day was jam packed.  Before I knew it my husband and son were home and hungry.  So, I made salmon a big deal since I don't usually cook so healthy.  Well, I don't usually cook, so just that is a big deal - right? 

Anyway, I thought I was done for the day and I was ready to call it a day, until my husband said he'd like to go for a run.  Well, I am NOT letting him leave me behind, so of course I invited myself along (since that door has now been open).  It was amazing again!  I really really enjoy going running with him.  My son follows us on his bike... actually he leads the way.  Alex is slower than me at running, but he saves all his energy to sprint at the end.  I have to keep a constant pace or I won't finish.  Today we did 2.5 miles in 29 minutes.  Hey, we may not have gone any faster, but we went .3 miles longer!  LOL!!  Something is something, I'm celebrating every little accomplishment! 

haven't blogged in a while, and boy do I have drama.  My son has seasonal environmental allergies- BAD!  I have to tell you all about that next time.  Peace out!

<3, Dora

Hello from the Library!

I'm at the library today!  I had planned to meet my sister-in-law's husband here and we were going to do some English tutoring lessons, however, he's not here.  :-(  I don't blame him, we'd said noon was a good time, but he wanted me to call him to secure the appointment.  I didn't do that because I can't make outgoing phone calls on my cell. right now.  (Insert another sad face here.)  It's a long drive to make if you're not sure that the lesson will be going on.  So, here I am, blogging instead. 

Next to me is my son, who didn't have school today.  It's his fifth day home... spring break came early this year.  On Friday, classes were canceled due to the heat wave, then was the weekend, yesterday was Labor Day Holiday, and today was some sort of teacher institute day.  Alexander is using the computer as well.  He's on the coolmathgames.com website.  I figure it's educational and fun... a win-win for both of us. 

I was catching up with my daughter on Facebook, but everyone says I need to give her more space.  It's just that I freaked out yesterday because she hadn't been answering her phone, there haven't been any Facebook posts in days, and she is seven hours away.  I kept remembering a "48 Hours" episode where a college girl was kidnapped, rapped, and murdered at her school, and well... my imagination got away from me.  Is that right?  Got away from me?  Or got away with me?  Hmmm... help me out someone. 

I did workout this morning.  They changed the schedule up for the fall and took away one of my favorite classes... Muscle Max.  They replaced it with Step Jam.  The class was really tough for me.  I don't know the steps, have poor coordination, and the cardio was tough too.  So, I only did half a class of that, and half a class of Zumba.  I burned a total of 554 calories in one hour and three minutes.  You know what gets me... the turns.  I get all confused with which way I'm suppose to turn and jump over the step.  And the thing is, if you get confused you have very little time to catch up because they're not stopping for you, they're on the next move.  And if I got all confused and am facing the wrong way... well, it's just even more confusing.  But, I've decided that I'm going to stick with this and try to learn how to Step.  

I'm assuming that since my brother-in-law isn't here, and it's an hour after the time we originally had scheduled, that today's lessons are canceled.  I'll have to do better with my communication going forward, I don't want him to think I'm irresponsible. 

Now that I am here, I am looking forward to checking out books with my son and I'm going to take him for a walk around the lake behind the library.  Afterwards we're going to go for a walk to the pond in our neighborhood as well and see if we can find the koi fish (a big beautiful orange koi fish that someone must have released when it got so big), and Monster.  We let him go.  Alexander cried a lot, but it was the right thing to do.  It was a wild turtle and it would never have been happy in that tank at home.  When we let him go, he swam halfway into that pond!  And Churro, our dog, who hates getting wet, followed him right in!!  Churro sniffed around and looked for him everywhere!  He really liked that turtle!  It was kind of sad because I could see how desperate he was to locate his little buddy.  And in the meantime, Alexander was crying and crying.  Oh, we must have looked like a real sight!  Churro was all muddy and needed a bath when he got home.  But Monster, he just poked his little head out from halfway out there in the pond, and whenever I called his name, he'd duck down and hide.  He really didn't want to come back.  That just enforced my feelings and thoughts that it was the right thing for him.  Kassandra wanted to be let go.  Monster wanted to be let go.  But, Alexander... he says he's not leaving yet, but when he is ready to leave, he says, he's going to call me EVERY DAY.  That's why I love this kid!!

Labor Day weekend was a blast!  We had a birthday party for Ernie and Jaime (my brother and my sister's husband) on Friday.  We had a bonfire and sweets.  Saturday we had a babyshower for my cousin Eli and his girlfriend Kelly.  We got rained on, and had tequila shots and drinks.  Sunday we had my father-in-law's company picnic, we danced, played Bingo, and rode a mechanical bull.  Monday, my sisters and their families came over and we watched Patrice O'Neal's comedy show, threw the football around, danced to LMFAO, and just had a plain good old time.  There are pictures, but I've posted them already on facebook. 

If you want to check them out, go to:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=720616718#!/profile.php?id=720616718.

Or just friend request me.  You can search for me by my name:  Doraluz Gallegos (Vargas) or by my email:  doraluz8@gmail.com.

Rundowns

No new posts since Monday, so here's the rundown:
Tuesday:  Muscle Max only, weights of only 5 lbs.; 30 minutes:  92 calories.
Wednesday:  Rest Day
Thursday:  Piloxing and Horizontal Boot Camp; one hour, 12 minutes:  574 calories.
Friday:  Pilates and Turbo Kick;  one hour, 54 minutes:  698 calories.
Saturday:  Treadmill; 3 miles in 37:08 and total of 4 miles in 50 minutes.

So, here is what that rundown doesn't tell you:
*  I had to take pain killers two days in a row.  It was only partly for my arthritis, the other part was definitely due to the workout.
*  Alex had to give me a massage twice this week!  That is how sore I was.
*  I woke up with knee pain and a leg cramp last night. 
*  I felt amazing after Friday's workout, I definitely struggled through the two classes, but it was a breakthrough to finish both classes.
*  Jogging the first three miles today, although I ran them slow, was also not as difficult as it once was for me.  When I first started running, my face would be beet red, and I even had to throw up once.  This was no where near the truth today.

Definitely I notice that with perseverance there is improvement both in my ability and stamina.  It is a boost in confidence and I've learned that maybe I do like to torture myself a little bit.  Also the guilt I feel when I don't workout is due to the fact that I am truly committed to a five out of seven workout week.  It feels amazing to get a good run in, or a good workout. 

Alex joined me at the gym today, I absolutely love working out with my husband.  As a treat after our workout we usually meet at the hot tub to talk and unwind.  Today, since we were both feeling like we needed something a little extra we met at the pool.  Alex did laps, but I basically just jumped around and floated on my back.  When we first started at the gym, we'd also sit at the juice bar afterwards and order protein shakes, and a trip to the gym really was like a date for us. 

This past week, one of my girlfriends joined me at the gym, she opened up a new membership and she's been such a good trooper.  She did Piloxing with me on Thursday and Pilates on Friday.  Way to go, Shaundra!  I'm so excited that you'll be joining me and that we get to be workout partners!  I'm also just excited for you.  I love when someone starts working out.  I know how great it makes me feel and how wonderful it's been for my life.  I truly believe that exercise has healing powers and even spiritual ones.  So I mean it when I say... congratulations! 

This has been a jam packed weekend.  Yesterday we celebrated my brother and brother-in-law's birthday with a bonfire at my parent's house.  Today we had a baby shower for my cousin Eli and his girlfriend Kelly.  It was so special talking with Kelly today and being a part of their journey and joy.  I can't wait to meet their beloved baby girl come Thanksgiving time.  Tomorrow we're joining Alex's family for his dad's company picnic and their 45th wedding anniversary.

As for now... I'm going to check my Facebook.  I have to see if Kassandra's school's football team won their first game, and see if Kassandra posted anything on Facebook.  Good night!  Sweet dreams!

Tight Schedule

I'm running far behind today.  I was famished after Core Commotion and thought I'd stop at the grocery store for a banana.  But once there, I started wondering... what am I going to eat for lunch when I get home?  I only have unhealthy food at home, so my pit stop turned into a full fledge grocery shopping spree.  When I got home and my phone was already ringing with a business call, and before you know it, I'm knee deep in work... without even putting away the groceries.  Now, I'm thinking I need to clean out the refrigerator before I put anything new in it.  But, that will have to wait because I still have work to do.  It's going to a long day for me.  Thank goodness I did all that prepping yesterday.  See, you guys thought I was crazy... but now I don't have to worry about my laundry, depilitating, or other chores and grooming habits.  I just hope I get a little time with my son before I have to rush him to bed tonight, because it really will be a long day for me.  I haven't even showered yet!  (Too much information?)   

Here is the description of Core Commotion straight off the my gym's website: 
CARDIOVASCULAR

XSport® Core Commotion

This class utilizes hand held weights to simulate real life movement patterns known as functional fitness. Executing multi-movement patterns in a low impact manner, focusing on building core strength and increasing range of motion is surely a safe and effective way to workout.

Ha!  Let me tell you, simulating real life movements has never been harder!  I used 7.5 lbs as my heavy weight, 5 lbs. for my medium weight.  I also stayed for 20 minutes of Muffin Top Melt Away... isnt' that such a funny/cute name?  I had to stay, this class is a must for me right now as that is my current complaint.  And, according to my heart rate monitor, in one hour and 22 minutes, I burned 554 calories.  My shoulders and arms are really feeling the burn today, and I already know I'm going to be sore for tomorrow's workout. 

My sister inspired me yesterday.  She admitted that a few months back she made a goal for herself to go the gym every day, Monday through Friday.  She allows herself to eat whatever she wants, and doesn't feel guilty about it as long as she's done her workout for the day.  Her goal was to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight, and she successfully accomplished that after five workouts a week, for three months.  IF she can do it... I can do it!!  Thanks for the inspiration and motiviation, Adri! 

Here is the thing though, my advice for the day:  with so many different classes and sports and activities,  I really think that each person should find the workout that is the most enjoyable and fun for herself or himself.  There is not point in hating your workout day in and day out, when there are sooo many choices.  I mention this because I have friends who don't like to workout.  I know!  I've done things I hated, and guess what - I don't stick with it.  I think what I hated most was struggling through the classes, or failing at them.  I wasn't coordinated enough for step aerobics and I wasn't fit enough for it either.  I can't keep my balance or am flexible enough for yoga.  I might enjoy it every once in a while, but I'll definetely enjoy it more, once I'm better at it.  So either, stick with it until you like it, or try something else!  You may come back to it in three months and decide that now that you've built up your stamina or endurance or flexibility... you do love that class that gave you so much trouble before.  I told you guys yesterday that I hated my reflection in the mirror when I was working out yesterday and it really threw me off - completely!  I usually love that class!  But it killed my enjoyment and fun.  I don't want to see myself like that, and right now, that's what I'm going use and  hold onto.   

Know what I mean, jelly bean??

Viva La Woman!

Today was all about prepping!  I know I'm not the only one who does this.  I did all the laundry in the hamper so I don't have to worry too much about it during the week.  I cleaned the bathrooms so I'm free to work and workout during the week.  I depilated my legs, because who wants to do Pilates with hairy legs?  I conditioned my hair, because during the week it's just wash and go, and for my workouts it's always pulled back in a pony tail.  I polished my nails so I can look cute while I'm doing my barefoot Piloxing class!  I chose a fun red glittery color!  I'm so excited!

I did go to a Zumba class, but it was more for the fun of it than for the workout.  I hated the reflection in the mirror today and it kept getting in the way of the fun.  Boo!!  Some days are like that.  Some days, I love what I see, I love the improvement, I'm grateful for my body and health... and other days... I hate myself for eating all that apple pie! 

Celebrity Status

I may not even take the day off.  I am sore, but it feels so good!  I mentioned yesterday that I hadn't done Pilates in a while, and my body is feeling it!  It made me think of all the celebrities that love and praise this workout.  I've heard that there is nothing better to strengthen your core.  And the one celebrity that always pops into my mind who loves and swears by it is one of my favorites:

Jennifer Aniston!

I also read at one point or another that Pilates was developed for dancers and athletes to continue their workouts while they were injured.  "Pilates is a body conditioning routine that helps to not only build flexibility, but also strength, endurance, and coordination in the legs, abdominals, arms and back." - wikipedia.  It's very popular in the gyms and it seems like everyone is either doing Pilates, or interested, or at least tried it at one point or another.   

Michelle Obama, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lopez, Rebecca Romijn, Rachel Weisz, Brooke Burke, and Liv Tyler are among a few who've been spotted or been known to include Pilates in their workout regimen.  I'm sure if you asked some of your friends who workout regularly, they will also agree that they've at least tried it or are doing Pilates.

Here is a website with testimonials from other famous people: http://www.pilatescentral.co.uk/famous-pilate-devotees.html

Well, this was fun!  Maybe I should do this for all of my workouts!  Well, now you know what to expect for next week!

Pilates!  And the stars that love it.