Are you living your fantasy?

When you think about your life, how close is your reality to your fantasy? Most likely there are aspects of your life that mirror your fantasy, but there are other aspects of your fantasy life that just seem too outlandish to achieve.

My life is fantastic. I have a wonderful husband who supports my dreams (and delves into my fantasies with me). He knows I'm weird and likes me that way. My passion is my work--and it's slowly (very slowly) coming to fruition. So my life is pretty close to a fantasy. But it's not my real fantasy...you know the Utopia you picture in your head of the perfect life. And that's partly because most fantasies would be impossible to actually live.

What's your fantasy life? And what can you do today to make your current life more like your Utopia?

I'm going to delve into the recesses of my imagination and share mine:



My Utopia would be a quaint mountain town with a green, liberal mindset (Asheville, NC comes to mind). Mark and I (and our many furry children) would have a beautiful piece of land. Part of it would be wooded, but there would be a big, sunny spot where I would have a magnificent organic garden. Most of our meals would come from that garden and I would have plenty of time to create delicious meals. Anything that didn't come from the garden would come from local streams (fish) or a neighbor's dairy (raw milk). And in my complete Utopia a stream (big enough to cool off in) would run right through it all.

I would have a small studio where I work with people on wellness. The studio would be a place of total peace. The look, the smell, the aura would be one of total peace and relaxation. In the studio I would help people with their well-being by designing exercise and nutrition programs for them. I would be able to do this on my own schedule, leaving plenty of time for exploring all the wonders of the surrounding mountains with my husband.

We would have several, adventurous, like-minded friends who were always gung-ho for adventure (camping, caving, hiking, climbing).

And while we would still work for a living, money wouldn't be an issue because we are living fairly self-sustaining lives. We would be comfortable financially without the stress of an 8-5 job.
I would feel free--free to look and dress as I please without worrying about others' opinion of me. I could have short hair, or long dreadlocks. I could wear long flowing skirts, shorts or exercise clothes--depending on my mood.

That is my Utopia. It's not completely unattainable. In fact, in retirement it's something I strive for (luckily, Mark's Utopia is very similar). Thoughts of my Utopia keep me going through the parts of reality that aren't so nice.

What is your Utopia and what steps are you taking to make it more of a reality?

Insanity?

Last we spoke I had just finished a full week of Insanity and was feeling very proud and strong. Well, week #2 didn't go so well. Let me explain:

After six days of the workout, last Sunday was a day off, and Monday (Labor Day) was slated for our long run. I needed to do six miles. Six flat miles. I've been running hills so I thought it would be a breeze. But even after a day of rest, my legs were so fatigued that the run was terrible. My legs felt like I had cement blocks as shoes!

I decided I would definitely have to cut the Insanity workouts for a minimum of two days before long runs, or I would never be able to build up for the half marathon that's only a month away.

On Tuesday, I put in the DVD and started the Insanity workout, but my legs were still exhausted. I made it through the warm-up (which is hard enough to start the sweat pouring), but as the plyometric moves started, my legs were still exhausted.

So I made the decision not to do the Insanity workouts until after the next long run to see how my legs would do. I did my long run (8 miles) yesterday and it went much better. My legs were almost back to normal.

So I think I've come to the decision that at 40 with bad knees (from previous marathons) I can't go full force into the Insanity workout until after the half. I'm not going to give it up entirely. I'm going to focus on doing two Insanity workouts a week until after the half. Then I will go full force again from the beginning. I think it will be a great winter program. And it will get my legs strong and ready for skiing.

But for right now my focus is my running. I don't want to risk injury or end up missing out on the race.

Week #1 of Insanity

Well, I've made it through the first week of Insanity. You get to rest on Sundays; however, we need to get a distance run in. But honestly, a flat 6-mile run will seem like a piece of cake after the last six days!

Today's workout was actually the same as Tuesdays. I was happy to see that I did better this time. I still had to stop a few times and rest, but I actually made it through the first several intervals without stopping. So improvement after just a few days! Yeah!

Mark did the workout with me this morning. It was quite a sight watching us workout to a DVD in the living room while dodging the pets running around with their toy mousies. I was secretly happy that he also had to stop a few times and rest. Cardio seems to come so easily for him, I tend to get discouraged when he's so much better than me at athletic feats.

On day #15 you re-take the fitness test. I will also weigh-in and check measurements. I won't expect miracles after 15 days, but hopefully I'll see some changes! The program comes with a nutrition plan as well. I'm not really following it because it involves a lot of protein powder--and I'm not really a fan. I'd rather get my protein through natural sources (fish, nuts, flax, soy, beans, etc.). With the nutrition classes I'm taking, our nutrition is pretty solid right now.

I'm feeling great!

Insanity Day #2

I just finished my first actual Insanity workout (yesterday was just the fitness test and measurements). I started the day with a 3.5 mile trail run (as I mentioned yesterday, I'm also training for a half marathon, so I can't neglect the running). During the run my legs were actually a little sore from the fitness test (I'm not use to all the plyometric/jumping moves), so I knew it was going to be a tough workout for my first day.

Week #1 begins with a warm-up, then goes into three minutes of intense cardio followed by a 30 second break for water and to get your heart rate down. It follows that pattern until the cool down, with the whole program lasting 40 minutes. I can tell you just from the first day, this is not a workout program for a beginner or anyone with back or knee injuries. You need to have a decent fitness base or you won't even get through the workout (and you could really get injured).

The three minute intervals were intense. I didn't make it through a single three minutes without needed to stop and bring my heart rate down. My max heart (220 - age) is around 180 bpm. After about the first minute of intervals it would shoot up into the 170s (I wore my heart rate monitor), and I would start to feel kind of nauseous. So I'd take a break--get it back into the low 160s and start back in.

I felt pretty pathetic, but it's also my first day. Had it been easy, this wouldn't be much of a challenge!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's workout. It's not a running day, so we'll see if I have more energy without the run. It certainly made me sweat!

My 60 Days of Insanity

Everyone needs to mix it up now and then--push themselves in ways you haven't pushed it before. That's why I've decided to take the 60-day Insanity challenge. It's an intense 60-day fitness and nutrition program designed to take you to the next level of fitness.

Since I am now running The Fit Life, LLC full-time, the timing seems right for me to try this program. Since I left my full-time desk job, I've seen my fitness level increase. The next 60 days will be a great kick-start to my new career.

The first time I decided to make fitness my career I was in my low 30s. And I will say, at 40 it takes awhile longer to get the personal trainer body back!

Today is day #1 (probably the easiest day of the program). I weighed in, took my measurements and completed the fitness test. I even put on my bikini and took "before" pictures (I will not be posting those. I'm bold, but I'm not THAT bold)! I'll consider posting the "after" shots depending on how the program goes.

Tomorrow starts a week of plyometric cardio circuit training ("blast fat off your body with explosive cardio intervals - approx. 40). I'll let you know how it goes!

I'm also training for a half marathon. We'll see if the added exercise helps or hurts the training!

Reflections at 40

I decided that a blog was in order today because it's my 40th birthday. And, certainly I have some profound thoughts on turning 40. Hmmmm...profound thoughts...profound thoughts....

Well, there's this: One year ago today (my 39th birthday) I was at my desk job and the heaviest and most out of shape I've been. (Relatively speaking, neither my weight nor my fitness level were atrocious, but for me, they weren't where I wanted them to be). I vowed that in one year I would be 40, fit and fabulous. I had 365 days to accomplish my goal--and I didn't do too bad. I'm fit for 40--and I'm trying to be okay with that. It's different than being fit at 25. 40-year-old women aren't suppose to be built like 25 year-old women. We're not girls anymore, we're women.

Fitness at 40 definitely isn't as easy as it was at 30! But I think you appreciate the small changes in your body more at 40 because you have to work so much harder to achieve them! Plus, you just don't sweat the small stuff so much. Remember back in high school when you'd be mortified because a big pimple popped out on your cheek? Now you just laugh at the fact that you're still getting pimples, along with gray hairs and wrinkles!

I made my passion my career (again). It will take a year or so for business to get where I want it to be, but luckily I have a wonderful, supportive husband who is willing to support my dream.

I have many, many cool friends (old and new) on Facebook, and a core group of really good friends that are my anchor in every day life. I think as a person ages, their core group becomes smaller--but that's okay. It's not like college when you had a list of friends you could call when you wanted to go out, but that core group is there for you through thick and thin. And I love and trust them dearly.

The older I get the drier I like my wine and the darker I like my coffee! And the more I realize I need to drink both in moderation--both for my health and because I don't like the cheap stuff anymore! Which leads right into: The older I get the more I care about what I put in my body. Ramen noodles and other boxed delights just don't cut it anymore. I try to eat as pure as possible.

As I get older I get more and more comfortable with who I am as a person. I don't worry so much about gaining approval from others. I am who I am! And I'm excited to see what comes next.

At 40 I still love adventure. I celebrated my 40th by taking a tree climbing class. And next weekend I'm participating in a 100-mile charity bike ride.

The older I get the more I love my pets. The love of a pet is pure and unconditional. There's just not an evil bone in their little bodies. I will never understand how someone could wish harm upon an animal. Losing my kitty, Bricklee, about a month ago was one of the biggest heartbreaks of my life. He was my friend and confidant for 18 years, and he will not be forgotten.

Turning 40 isn't so bad. Okay, so we bought an air mattress for our tent because over the years the ground has become so hard! And roller-coasters seem to jostle parts they never jostled before. That's okay because we still camp in our tent and we still hit the occasional amusement park. Age is just a number. Living life to its fullest is what counts.

Day One of The Fit Life: The Best Laid Plans…

I’ve been so excited for today. Today is my first official day of running The Fit Life, LLC full-time. I made a list of everything I want to accomplish. The plan was to get up and run around the Sugarcreek Metro Park, then lift weights, and do a really good stretch out. I needed to finish reading my chapter in nutrition and take my weekly exam.

Next, I was going to organize my little office. It not only has papers EVERYWHERE that need filed, but the carpets need cleaned (sick kitty had an accident on it a while ago and despite my best efforts, I can still smell it). Then I was going to unpack the boxes from my day job office and make my home office look really nice. Organized. Organization is not my strong suit, so it was excited to start my new life very organized.

Next I was going to design a business brochure and flyer, write a blog, and prepare a delicious, healthy dinner for Mark and I.

Well, the best laid plans often go astray. Instead I seem to have a case of food poisoning. We went to a picnic yesterday afternoon, and my stomach and I have been battling it out ever since—all night and all day. I’m blaming the pasta salad. It’s the only thing that I had that Mark didn’t—and he’s fine today.

So there certainly wasn’t a run or weight-lifting this morning. I did read my text and take my exam. I did manage to file all my paperwork between bolts to the bathroom. I vacuumed. I went out to the shed to get the carpet shampooer. I lugged it up the stairs. I’ve never used it before and there were no directions, so I tried to run it on common sense. Unfortunately, I failed to notice that a mouse had made a rather large nest in the head of the vacuumed. I quickly discovered it when I turned the shampooer on and mouse nest blew all over the room (luckily the mouse wasn’t in there at the time). What a mess!

And I am writing a blog. Not the blog I intended to write today, but there’s always tomorrow.

The blessing in all this is that I have a great new boss (hee hee…that’s me!), and she is trying to be very understanding about me being sick on my first day of work.

Tomorrow is a brand new day, and I will start at the top of my list!