James Brown said, "GET UP OFFA THAT THING"

Today in the computer lab of my social media class I had an epiphany.

I looked around the room at everyone zoned out at their computer screens. Click. Click. Click. Type. Type. Type. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet. You get the picture.

I then realized that my neck kind of hurt and I was sitting sideways on my chair. I wasn't focused on anything but the screen in front of me. I recapped the past few months and thought of how much time I've spent clicking, refreshing, driving, taking notes, typing, watching and resting on my derrière.


I thought, JC (less offensive than the full version but still wrong, sorry Mom) I'm on the path to an early demise. Here I go being all dramatic again but Women's Health Magazine further confirmed my seemingly ridiculous statement. Scary!

It also feels like a million years ago that I decided to set that fitness challenge. The weather is no longer suitable for dog walking. My schoolwork has piled up beyond words. I'm stressed, tired and the last thing I want to do is get off my chair, couch, stool or recliner. I'd even take going to the dentist- because heck I even get to sit there. 

My reasoning is absurd and my body is actually showing me that it doesn't like me.  My sister dared me to pick up her boyfriend the other night. I refused (both out of embarassment- I mean how awkward is that?) and because I know I couldn't do it. She forced us by saying, "Why are you guys getting so awkward? It's not like I'm asking you to kiss!" Anyways, I tried and didn't even get him off the ground.


So today I came home and decided to face the elephant in my basement...the treadmill. All in all it wasn't so bad. I watched an episode of SATC while doing cardio, lunges, squats, weights and sit ups. 

And guess what? My body feels good. I know tomorrow is gonna hurt. But I say give me pain. I'll try to keep at it and give some updates.

Now back to the academic grind.

THE CHALLENGE

The Lululemon Manifesto is haunting me.

It appears on my lunch bag, my friend’s sweatshirt and even my classmate’s tea thermos. I love the inspiring thoughts but there is one that seems to stand out to me:

“Stress is related to 99% of all illness.”

I’ve mentioned that I’m pretty stressed out as of late. But am I really that narcissistic to believe people actually care? Everyone and their half cousin second wife third uncle removed are stressed out!

But my stress levels + my newly neglected fitness regimes = death. Okay, the combination isn’t quite lethal but it is worrisome.

So I’ve come up with a challenge! From now until December I will try to do some sort of physical activity 3-5 days a week.

The activity can be anything. Walk my dog for 20 minutes/ lift some weights/do a quick burst of cardio. Basically anything that gets me on my feet.

I’m sharing it here with you guys so I will be less likely to slack!

So weekly, I’ll try to share my updates/progress! I’ll try to be honest, and hopefully this will inspire you to set your own challenge in something that has been lagging in your life! Share your thoughts with me.

Cue the cheesy motivational line: There is no better time to start than right now!

CRANK UP THE HEAT

I’m stressed out. 

With crazy school deadlines, a new volunteer intern position and uncertainty in personal matters, my immune system has hit a breaking point. With a demanding schedule, and little time to relax the best solution to my frazzled life is: hot yoga.

In the past year and a half, hot yoga has become a personal saviour of mine. While I’ve tried regular yoga with little enthusiasm, I instantly became addicted to hot yoga otherwise known as Bikram/Moksha yoga. 

In hot yoga, the room is heated to help detoxify the body through your own sweat. While the heat can take some getting used to, your body really feels the results afterwards. The health benefits speak for themselves. Men and women enjoy it, and it is great for athletes, and stressed out students alike.
While I still haven’t mastered toppling tree, I am able to escape from my worries, calm my mind, and release all the negativity that I carry needlessly throughout the day.So if you’re looking for something new in your workout routine, find a location near you.

Happy Sweating!