It's the WEEKEND!

HEY GUYS!!
I hope the past week was a successful one for ya!
It was pretty good for me! I got in a couple great workouts! I lifted, did Zumba(x2) and Yoga. I'm still lacking that morning cardio I love soooo much! Perhaps its the new down comforter/duvet we got........it's so luxurious--I can't hardly get out of bed!!!!!!
Now here's something interesting--I MUCH prefer the DOMS "muscle" soreness as opposed to "sleeping too long in funky position" soreness. You know the difference, one simply needs a nice warm-up & workout....the other needs a massage or chiropractic visit........I firmly believe I function better on 7-8 hours of sleep...when I go past 8 I start getting sore. I need to remind myself that...

I've been reading "The Energy Addict" by Jon Gordon before I go to bed. It has some pretty great tips, including:

*PRACTICE THE 90-10 RULE: Depriving doesn't work because it doesn't flow with natural lifestyles & rhythms.

*ELIMINATE CLUTTER: INSIDE & OUT! It blocks precious new energy from flowing into your life by filling up your space with old stagnant energy.

*RELAX INSTEAD OF TALKING: The diff. between talking unnecessarily & relaxing is the diff. between having energy & losing energy. -Try this next time you drive. Shut your phone off and focus on relaxing & positive thoughts while you drive-

*THE GIFT OF PAIN: There are 2 ways to process energy during difficult/painful situations; either though TRUST & LOVE or thought fear & doubt. Richard Bach quotes, "Every problem has a gift for you in its hands."

That's only 4 of the 101 physical, mental & spiritual ways to energize your life. I really enjoy the book-it's great to just flip though daily!

Well, after a relaxing morning, I'm about to tackle laundry, dusting, bathrooms and get my massage room all set for tmrw-I'm doing 4 massages!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for reading, and thank you all for your super nice comments, I really appreciate it! XOXO
EM :)

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicole & I finally made our 6am YMCA workout. We've been trying, boy oh boy we've been trying......... :)
It was SO nice to knock out an awesome workout first thing. And it's always nice to watch the sun rise on my way there!! We did chest & tri's and I did about 20 mins. of upright bike intervals. Felt Goooooood!
This evening we're going on a bike ride after I teach cardio bootcamp. My group fitness schedule at my studio is so awesome right now! Everything from Cardio bootcamp, to butts & guts, zumba, yoga....much to offer! Between that and personal training clients-I'm staying plenty busy. And like always, I thrive on being busy---downtime is actually when I find it hard to stay motivated-but when you're go go go, it's easy cuz you have to!!! :)

I'm finally at full dose for my meds. I don't know if it's mental or not, but I have felt a little more tired. (or was I feeling tired because I wasn't getting my workouts in and fueling my body properly...) probably the latter..........
Anyway!
My G'ma & her twin bro celebrated 80 years this past weekend---how freakin cool is that?!? I wanna be healthy and surrounded by family when I celebrate 80 years!!! (LOVE YOU G'MA!!!)
Well, back to work, hope you all have had a productive and enjoyable Monday!
I'll add some recipes I've been fond of lately, and perhaps some pix! Yay!
Much love~
EM :-)

Thankful!

HEY ALL! I hope this week has been treating you well!!!! I've decided i have GOT to keep this blog updated. How many times do I say that? Well....all the time, but What I've decided will work, is to just text my post from my phone. I intend on tracking workouts, mood/feelings, and general stuff! :)

SO, while this isn't' your typical "CONTEST PREP" blog, i do hope to offer some insight and HOPEFULLY some inspiration.

What's been bothering me the past few weeks (well, since PCOS diagnosis) is I've forgotten this is LIKELY something I've been "conquering" for a while now. SO, why would my feelings/actions/demeanor change simply from a diagnosis? Okay, maybe I can explain this better (bear with me, I'm just thinking as I type...)

I perhaps have done myself some disservice by OVER RESEARCHING & OVER ANALYZING this disorder. My head was so full of the negative parts--the symptoms, the fertility issues, the long term effects.....when REALLY I just need to focus on the now. I pride myself on being one of the most positive people I know, so I will continue that no matter what!
My poor husband even said, "Em, I don't like having to be the positive one, you're so much better at that!" :) Bless his heart, he's been awesome through all of this!

So i guess my point is that I've let PCOS hinder my physical/mental outlook in a not so good way. I wallowed. Yep, I wallowed and sulked. I didn't workout. I ate randomly and crappy (?) I didn't enjoy it. I was tired (perhaps the new meds?) and lackluster. But again, I'VE LIKELY BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR SOMETIME!!!!! Shit, I did one MAYBE 2 contest preps with PCOS, why would living a healthy lifestyle (being fit) be any different now? In fact, it should be BETTER with the meds that will help regulate my hormones!!!!!

In conclusion, (or in restarting?) Okay, I have PCOS. I've probably HAD PCOS. I contest prepped with PCOS. I got trim (took a while!) and felt awesome! so, I intend on getting trim again (because right now I feel anything thing BUT trim) getting trim will only help my symptoms and I need to be the healthiest I can for a future pregnancy! (GOD WILLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Alright, if you're still with me, bless you! :)
I'm out, hope you feel thoroughly updated! :)
Lots of love~
EM

New challenges

Well, for the time being, I'm putting competitions on the back burner.
This will now be my journey with PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
I was diagnosed this past week-- although I've known for some time that something wasn't exactly right with my hormones. I'm hopeful and excited to begin my new treatment plan and feel that because of my healthy lifestyle, I will have great success. I will try and blog about my experience and will give more details about my symptoms and how I eventually was diagnosed. Perhaps my journey can help other women!!!
I'll leave you with some pix from when my folks were here.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, I'll update more tomorrow! :)
Love~
EM