JUST SMILE

LIFE has been completely insane!!!!!

but... in a good way.

I wanted to tell you about my morning yesterday.

I have been in the midst of so many changes in my life recently that its hard to believe its all happening at once! Yesterday, i had decided to take Jolie's 9:30 Soulcycle class. The time was perfect because i would get my workout in early enough, I wouldn't have to wake up early, and I would have the rest of the day to work on what I needed to.

Well, I left with what i thought gave me plenty of time to get to union square, but i was very wrong. It was one of those moments where my elevator made every stop in my building, then i ran to Grand Central in my winter heavy coat while holding my bag with changing clothes in it, then i got to the stairs and got stuck behind 2 older gentlemen moving at the most leisurely pace! I then get on the express 4 train which is just one stop to union square, and it was moving so slowly that the local train beat us there! I then ran as fast as possible to the studio and made it at exactly 9:30!

I got really lucky becasue the class just started right as i set up my bike!

So why do i tell you this...

As I was running like a crazy lunatic through this insane city, I began to laugh to my self. That entire moment mirrored the way pretty much everything goes in my life. Please don't mistake this as a complaint because it is in fact the complete opposite. I have realized through all of my challenges in my life i have had to really embrace perseverance and patience. With jobs, with weight loss, relationships, etc... I have always had to give 100% on everything i do. EVERYTHING!

I have never been a person who can just slide by, because when i don't give it my all, it shows. Anyway, everything came together in that class. I was on point. and i felt like i pushed myself even harder becasue i knew what it took for me to get there. I was taking that time for myself to better by being and i wanted to take advantage of every second.

A lot is happening right now, and i cant say too much at the moment but what i can say is that i have rid myself of a toxic environment and have not stopped smiling! I will keep you posted.

Just smile- You will be surprised how much you light up yourself and those around you.

Happy Friday! xx

BIG THINGS ARE IN STORE...

THINGS ARE HAPPENING!!!!!!

 

 

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A WHILE...

Hi Everyone!!

I know it has been a while since I have written a post!

 

Things have been so crazy!

 

 I will definitely be writing an awesome post soon but for now... here is the most inspirational ,amazing speech I have heard in a very long time!

 

Click the link-Enjoy!

LUPITA NYONG'O-BEAUTY

FIRST WEEK OF TRAINING-COMPLETE!!!

I got through my first week of real training for my half ironman!!!

Its a miracle!! That is all for now! Have a great weekend!

xx

SERIOUS FRIDAY INSPO

Hi Everyone!

 

I came across this video yesterday and found it to be so amazingly INSPIRING!!

 

It shows how mental the whole thing is-set your mind and you can do anything :)

 

Happy Friday-Go Kick Some Serious ASS!

THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE

This post is really important for me.

I kind of missed the boat on the new years resolution post and time got away from me, but I wanted to be sure to post tonight because...

Tomorrow is officially the FIRST DAY OF HALF IRONMAN TRAINING!!

I am pretty much looking at tomorrow as the first day of the rest of my life. I have set some serious goals for myself for this year, and its so important to keep focus on the prize. I am really nervous, but more importantly I am incredibly excited. I look forward to transforming and becoming a better, healthier version of my former self . Its going to get intense.

On a side note, I saw the movie HER today and it really got me thinking. Besides the fact that it was an excellent film, it makes you think about the people you have present in your life. I'm not going to bore with you with the infinite list of things i contemplated from the movie, but what i do know is my family and friends are a huge part of what is going to help me through the next six months of training. Be thankful for those in your life and never take anything for granted for you don't know how long anything will last.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

                    This is going to be your year

RISE AND SHINE

 

 

 

Serious motivation!!

BOULDER IRONMAN 70.3

 

 Officially Registered!

    Feeling Blessed, Excited, and NERVOUS!@#$

     #june15

YOU KNOW YOU'RE A HEALTH NUT WHEN....

I found this on one of my favorite blogs, fitsugar, and had to share-ENJOY and comment/like if you totally get it!

 

 

Of course, you've heard of seitan, tempeh, and tofu — who hasn't?

Source: NBC

You eat kale for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.

This is how you feel when you walk into a health food store.

Source: Camelot Pictures

You think eating enriched flour should be a punishable crime.

You feel sad for unhealthy eaters.

Source: AMC

Keep reading for more reasons you're a health nut.

Eat fast food? You'd rather stick your hand in your NutriBullet.

Your fridge is 90 percent produce.

Grocery shopping can be truly traumatic and take well over an hour since you read every. Single. Label.

At dinner parties, you show up with gluten-free crackers, kale chips, and homemade hummus.

There's nothing you won't put in a smoothie.

You've tried going vegetarian, vegan, raw, gluten-free, and macrobiotic at least once, and this is your signature phrase.

You use the words "organic" and "food" interchangeably.

When you're stressed, you emotionally eat broccoli.

                                    Source: FITSUGAR

I'M BACK!!

I apologize for neglecting my blog!!

The past month and a half I would say has been been really busy and action packed. I moved into a new apartment, so between dealing with that and the holidays, its been a little crazy around here. Also my browser was giving me a hard time, but i fixed it!!

So to share some stellar news...I have made some big decisions for the up coming year. After watching the ING marathon in November I felt so inspired and like i was missing out. As a result, I joined New York Road Runners and plan to do the 9+1 program in 2014 to receive a guaranteed entry for 2015! I applied for the lottery to get in, but i wont know about that until March!

In the mean time, and most importantly i think, I am signing up for the HALF IRON MAN in Boulder Colorado!!!! Its on June 15th, 2014 and its my very first triathlon. The tri consists of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run! For the exception of the swim, i have done the events individually. The trick is figuring out a training a plan that helps me combine them all together. Its a massive undertaking, but its something to look forward to and something to really work for. Not to mention how much stronger I am going to get and a chance to go to BOULDER! I found out about this whole thing from one of my favorite soul cycle instructors, Emily Turner. She has been so inspiring to me during my rooster classes! She is actually doing the tri with her brother and her father-so awesome!

A few more highlights for 2014 in addition to all of this madness...the Lululemon Seawheeze half marathon in Vancouver in August with one of my best friends Kate, More/Fitness Half Marathon, and Cycle for survival.  Cycle for survival is a collaboration between Equinox and Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center to raise money to beat Cancer. I missed it last year since i didn't know about it prior to the event but this year I cant wait! I will be riding on TEAM SHIPPER!

As you can see, I am going to be really busy and probably really tired! Over the past few weeks I realized that its more important for me on a personal level to really find focus and direction. I'm a planner and like to work towards things. Having goals is so important for me and helps me keep my head up on days when i doubt myself or my potential.

For this post I leave you with wise words spoken from Nelson Mandela who died on Thursday. He was such a powerful, inspirational force in this world and he lived a remarkable life. His words left me unbelievably inspired and i hope they do the same for you.

SOMETHING SO RIGHT

 

 

 

HAPPY

 

 

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

Hi there! Today is the first day of November. The leaves are changing color and starting to fall and we are nearing closer to the holiday season! I decided that I am officially going to put my 30 day squat challenge into place. Here we go!!

Day 1!!

 

Have a great weekend!

xx

 

 

CHANGE YOUR FOCUS

TGIF!!!

xx

DONNA-INSPIRATION

M & D BUCKET LIST IDEAS

 

Mother Daughter Bucket List

 

Develop a signature family recipe

See a Broadway play

 Get in the car and drive somewhere spontaneous

 Take a mother/daughter trip abroad

Have a mother/daughter photo shoot

 Bury a time capsule

Complete a physical challenge – climb a mountain, hike a trail, run/walk a marathon, etc.

Write a list of qualities that your daughter should look for in a man

 Serve at a local shelter

Plan an outing for every holiday…pumpkin patch, Christmas tea, etc

Get a free make over at a department store

Plant a garden with your favorite flowers

 Go to a weekend craft/art class

Make homemade ice cream

See your favorite sport team play live

 Have a classic movie marathon

Go on a special shopping spree

Play in the rain

Redecorate your daughters room

Learn how to change a tire (hopefully not because you have a flat!)

Explore the local places you’ve never been

 Get up early and watch the sunrise

See both your favorite bands together

Go shopping and try on outfits you would never think of purchasing

Have karaoke night

 Update and paint a room in your house

Visit every local museum

Have a spa weekend- at home or out and about

 Visit a big city for a weekend

 Do something only your daughter has always wanted to do

 Do something only your mom has always wanted to do

HAD TO DO IT...

 

Really needed to see this-Don't give up!

 

 

TRAIN YOUR MIND AND MAKE YOUR SOUL SHINE

 

 

 

SECOND HALF

Hi Everyone!

Sorry for the delay-this past week has been a little insane but in a good way! Trying to keep busy. This is the first opportunity I have had to give an update on my second half marathon in Staten Island! I have to be honest-this one was definitely tough. It had its rough patches like... 

1. I thought that the course was going to be totally flat, but WOW was i wrong! It literally felt like a roller coaster with all of those hills. So that was definitely an interesting, and unexpected challenge.

2. My new outfit turned out to be a bit of an issue. My new soul cycle pants that i still love were falling down for the first 2 miles! On top of that, literally, my shirt was riding up! It was unreal. I was getting a little hysterical because i really didn't want to stop for anything. I thought it would be so ridiculous to stop a marathon because of my clothing!
 

3. I didn't train like i did for the first one. However, I have no regrets. I know that I did my best and the sun came out to become one of the most beautiful days. My parents were waiting for me at the finish line, I shaved a few minutes off my time, and I didn't stop once! It was a great! On to the next! 

Perseverance is strength & strength brings confidence and love!

Hope you had a great Monday.