Beachbody

The Journey: Day 2

Heeeeeey there! Welcome back. When we last left our heroine, she was setting about her day of doing IT stuff and stuff. As we’ve returned today, she’s doing the same thing! Imagine that. It isn’t always interesting, but it pays the bills and the people are nicer than Bob Ross and Mr. Rogers put together.

Let’s jump right into it. Today’s workout is done. Truthfully, something has to be really wrong where I don’t work out. Like an extreme amount of physical pain. I will work out through headaches and cramps and usually feel much better after in both cases, so a little bit of pain doesn’t stop the train. It wasn’t as sweaty as yesterday, but I know I still put in work. This is a whole new concept in working out, for me, anyway. It’s the way I wish I had always known or been taught to work out. Functional fitness is just everything that I need.

One of the things (a pair of things) that I am using to determine how my flexibility, strength, and mobility are changing is squats. The other is side lunges. Neither of these things is a strong point for me, however, I am certainly seeing some progress. Where I never could before, I can now sit all the way down in malasana AND I can stand back up without having to tip forward and use my arms. My squats have been shit for a long time, but I’m finally getting to a point of getting parallel to the floor without issue. Baby steps, ya know? Those side lunges? Hated them. Still do, but now a little less. Glute meds are opening up and I’ve gotta be breaking up some scar tissue around my hip.

I know you’ve been dying to hear about today’s shake. Well, wait no longer! It was, dare I say, tasty? First off, even though the instructions say use 8 to 12 ounces of water/milk, I didn’t do that yesterday. Then my shake was thick and gross and so whey forward that I scooped it like melted ice cream (but it wasn’t quite that satisfying). Today, I wised up and actually followed the instructions and whaddya know, not too bad. Now, truly, can you ever go wrong with the combination of peaches and crystallized ginger? I think not. Calling the shake a win today. The right amount of liquid plus fruit plus spice equals a tasty drink.

As I mentioned yesterday, mood and cravings are on the tracker. Again, not feeling really any different as far as mood. I have thought of something to be consciously aware of as far as mood goes, though, so I’ll keep an eye on that. No, I’m not telling you here because you don’t need to know every damn thing about my life. I mean, seriously. But seriously seriously, there are like 4 people reading this, so I could tell you where I buried all the bodies and no one would be the wiser.

DISCLAIMER: I HAVE NOT HIDDEN ANY BODIES ANYWHERE!! OMG

While the shake is supposed to curb cravings, last night I wanted something sweet from out of nowhere. We didn’t have anything so I didn’t eat anything, but I thought that was something of note. It wasn’t a level 10 get me cake or die craving, more like a level 2 passing thought of some cake would be nice. I can handle that.

ENERGIA!! (That is only funny if we worked together in Ixtapa…boobies boobies) Yup, plenty of energy. Possibly too much. It wasn’t the best night of sleep, but I’m going to go ahead and blame that on the storms that rolled in and stuck around a while. Somewhere in the middle of the night, there was thunder so loud it woke both of us up. Now, to wake Lovey up doesn’t take much, but I sleep through everything. Not that thunder. I wake up with plenty of energy and the levels stay high throughout the day unless I smoke my face off. Then I’ll be a little tired before 9, lol. But I’ll also be uber-relaxed. You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have us smoking weed on the couch. (Legally. If you’re so uptight. I have a medical card for my state.)

What’s left? Everyone’s favorite topic! Poop! I’m such a good pooper. That’s what I thought until this morning when I went to the well and the well didn’t produce much. Huh. Oh well. HAHA. Sometimes it just takes a workout to get things moving and move they did so again I’ll check the box for regularity. Smooth.

Legit other things happen in my life and maybe one day I’ll get back to writing about those too. Who knows. But until tomorrow, drink your water, say your prayers, know your role and SHUT YOUR MOUTH! Jabroni.

Get Up! (Get On Up)

Yep, this is what I had to tell myself this morning. It was more stay on the scene (sex machine) than it was get up though. When the alarm goes off, I have no problem getting out of the bed. Part of that is usually because I’m already halfway awake. The other part is that, even though Lovey says he doesn’t hear/feel my alarm (it’s on my Fitbit), I always feel like I’m waking him up and I’m trying to avoid that. He says he never hears me but you know in my head it sounds like I’m dropping grenades with every footstep.

You may have heard me mention previously that, over the last decade, I’ve been through many of the Beachbody programs and just recently decided to become a coach. What does that even mean? Well, to me it’s the opportunity to introduce folks to Beachbody and to encourage folks to walk with us at The Fit Inn. At TFI, we encourage each other and we laugh and smile while we work out. Nobody gets left behind. We all keep each other accountable. What does that mean to you? I guess it depends on the algorithms, really. You’ll see me post about it and I’ll show you videos of what I’m up to and I’ll invite you to join me. That’s it. I’m not gonna chase you down. I’m not gonna hound you. I’m just gonna be here for you when you are ready to invest in yourself. And yes, it’s an investment.

Anywho, at this very moment, I’m between programs (There are a ton of different programs on Beachbody for a ton of different ways you wanna work out) as the new launch is on July 19th. I have no schedule right now so I’m left to pick something. Now, when you’ve gone and joined me in The Fit Inn, you won’t run into this problem because we work out together on a calendar. There’s no more procrastination, no wasting time. You know what you need to do and you do it. Badda bing, badda boom.

I’ll admit that I spent a little too much time deciding on what to do today. That’s a problem that comes with having done many of the programs and having a lot of favorites. And that’s not a bad problem to have. It just isn’t a problem that YOU have to have.

Damn girl! Is this whole blog gonna be a commercial?!?! Uh, yeah, today it is.

– All 5 readers of this blog

Ok, so to end today’s informercial, it could be me, you and Amoila on July 19th. We’re working on strength and functional fitness. That’s right baby, let’s get that body moving nice and smooth (is funky). You want in? Click anywhere in this sentence to say so! The group is starting on July 19th and I cannot wait to get on it. But why?

Lemme tell you. I have finally shed some of the weight I gained since moving to Florida and now I’m ready to get back into pole shape. I want to move fluidly and I want to lift my ass over my head and this program is gonna help me get there. You got some goals like that? You better click that link. Did I mention it’s in your house? When it’s convenient for you? Well it is. Click it.

The Journey Does Not End

First off, I just love this song. Secondly, because I don’t really watch much TV any more and I didn’t know anyone still made videos, I had no idea that this existed. I also don’t watch movies so I don’t even know what, if any, movie this is from. Plus, it just went along with today’s theme.

And what is today’s theme, ladies and gentlemen? Why, fitness, of course. And I don’t mean fitness this whole slice of pizza in my mouth. I’ve been active ever since childhood. I come from that generation where in the summer, you got up early, ran around the neighborhood playing hard all day, probably stopped for a snack at some point but maybe not because there was just too much playing to do, and went home before the streetlights came on. Weight wasn’t something I ever thought about and that’s a good thing. Flexibility is also something I never thought about. That is not a good thing.

In early adulthood, I worked in a lot of jobs that kept me on my feet, be it working outside or working in a restaurant. That was in the days before Fitbit. I can only imagine how many Fitbits restaurant warriors are going through these days (or pre/post pandemic). Again, never thought about exercise. When I moved on from restaurants but stayed within hospitality, I did slip up for a little bit and put on some pounds, but I lost it all again and kept it off because we were hella active in our roles.

Once I left hospitality and ventured into, eww, corporate America, I stopped moving around as much. There were work lunches and snacks and all kinds of crap. I slipped again. It was the fact that I was going to meet up with some old hospitality buddies that had me look at myself and say, “Oh girl, we better do something with *points to my body* all of this.” And so I did. I saw an infomercial for a program that looked like fun. It said that it was full of dance. I didn’t have to get on the floor. It didn’t take super long per workout. I pulled the trigger and ordered it. That program was Hip Hop Abs. And that was thirteen years ago.

Fast forward a couple years and I’m still doing the corporate America thing. I haven’t fallen off the deep end by any means, but I’m getting married soon and of course I want to be on top of my game. I was willing to do what it took. And what that took was a 12 week program called P90X. I looked fan-fucking-TASTIC on my wedding day. It’s true!

Hawt

For a while I rotated between the programs I had. Then I joined a gym because it was SUPER cheap through my job for a REALLY nice gym. I stopped lifting weights and instead went to Zumba twice a week in the evenings and did yoga for 75 minutes three times a week. And pole, and trapeze, and hike in the summer and snowboard in the winter. Right, I was a little active.

I think it was about this time that I was introduced to Beachbody On Demand. I already knew that they had churned out a couple programs that I had already done. I saw that there were more programs by the people that I already had done their programs. That made it a pretty easy decision to go ahead and sign up. All of the signs were there: the per year cost was less than the gym even with the steep discount, no travel left a few more morning minutes, my favorite yoga instructor was leaving, I was already set up for a home gym that was collecting dust. It’s early 2017.

There is literally a plethora of programs that fit everyone and I’ve been running through them. I think I’ve gone through a total of 20 at this point, and they keep releasing programs. I’ll never be bored.

Over the time that I’ve been doing these programs, I’ve been on social media. Now and then I would post about doing one of the programs, and, inevitably, a Beachbody coach would reach out and ask me if I was interested in becoming a Beachbody coach too. Four years of no thank you to whomever asked, but I kept doing the programs.

Well, after all those asks, I finally said yes recently and now, I am a Beachbody coach. But what does that even mean? Truthfully, it means different things to different people. Some folks get in to have play money, some work at it to make it their full time job. I’ve heard people are making 6 figures at this. But that’s not it for me. I don’t care if I don’t make any money at all. I really don’t. I have a 9-5 that takes care of that. What I do want is to keep exercising and reaching my goals and I want to walk alongside you in your journey to do the same. I want to encourage you. I’ll kick you in the ass (virtually) if needed. You want me to nag you? I can. But none of it happens if you don’t take the first step and sign up.

Is it free? No, it isn’t. But it also isn’t over-the-top expensive. I bet that you go to Starbucks or McDonald’s or even WaWa twice a month. Yeah, so for the cost of that twice a month over the course of a year, you could be working out with me and a whole bunch of other people. You could be getting into the best shape you’ve been in for a while. You could be putting yourself into a position where, when you do go into Starbucks or McDonald’s, you won’t feel bad about it at all because it’s a treat from the work you’ve been putting in. And you’ll see results. You don’t need to be a slave to the scale. Your clothes will fit differently. You’ll have more energy. But you know, that’s just me talking after doing this for more than ten years.

Ok, last bit because I’ve gone and gotten long-winded. I just started as a coach and already, I have had an insanely cool opportunity. I got to chat with Shaun T, who created that first program I started with, Hip Hop Abs, and his hubby on their weekly Wine Night IG live. The fun levels are off the charts. So yeah, you could join me at the Virtual Fit Inn. Cuz the Fit Inn is where we get it in. And maybe one day you’ll be talking to a Beachbody trainer on IG live. Til then, lemme know if you’re ready to sweat. And here’s a chat screenshot.

Do It ALL!

Ohhhhhh, hai there! I know, I know. It’s been a minute. Sometimes life (or work) gets in the way of my scheduled blogging time. Dammit all to hell!

Anywho, let’s catch up. It’s been a busy few days. For whatever reason, work has been really busy recently. Either that or I’ve been unable to properly focus recently. I’d hate to say that it wasn’t proper focus when I’m three days into a regimen of gummies that are supposed to support brain health and function. (I also hate when I do something random and hurt myself and don’t know how but it coincides with taking these gummies. Do I really think that these gummies caused a pain in my calf? No. But it’s a coinkydink I don’t like.) So yes, let’s stick with work got busy there for a little bit.

Staying on the topic of work for a few minutes here. Like many to most of us, I’ve got this 9 to 5 job. I like it. I like the people I work with. My boss knows about my teaching after work and respects that. Just the other day, we were going long after 5pm and she interrupted to make sure that my time was respected and made sure that I didn’t have a class to get to. I mean, come on! How many bosses are out there doing that? Not a lot, I bet. So yeah, big ups to Sandy.

But am I ever content with just one job? No, I’m no lazy lima bean.

I’ve fallen into the side hustle world. This keeps happening to me so I’m gonna go ahead and assume that it’s just part of my grand scheme. I mean, teaching pole is SH #1 which isn’t really a side hustle. I mean, yes there is a monetary exchange, but the mental health benefits I get from being able to throw myself around the pole without being concerned that it’s going to come loose and crash through the front window of our rental, yeah, those outweigh everything.

I’m still (working on) learning WordPress. What does that mean? It means that I got started and was on a roll but then I went on vacation and then work got nuts and I fell all outta my schedule. Case in point, this is not my scheduled blogging time, but I did still want to get it done, so everything is wonky. I do feel that I’ve retained most of what I’ve gone over so far although it has been more review than new knowledge. I would truly be some sort of computer powerhouse if I could really knuckle down and go in-depth with what I know a little bit of. CSS, HTML, PHP, SQL. Hell, I’m already a web developer, I just don’t know it. Ha! But yeah, come on through, focus. I do enjoy doing this stuff too. I’m just weird.

Right, so I don’t just teach pole dancing (and handstands), I teach FabPole, which is the combination of aerial silks and pole. So, I like to put out videos (which I should do more regularly…see schedule issues) showing what FabPole is and whatnot. I’m also an ambassador for them. Speaking of being an ambassador, I’m also one for Namaste As Fuck. That one doesn’t require any work, I just wear their gear and post pics when I do. Discount codes are available! I’ve had a couple ambassadors from other companies reach out about doing this sort of thing for them too, but my plate is kinda full because….

After over ten years of doing the programs (and at least 5 but probably closer to 10 others asking me), I decided to hop on the Beachbody Coach train. A lot of people have a lot of different money goals with the company, but that’s not where my stream of income originates. I won’t be mad if some money comes through, but I won’t be the pusher that folks who are making the big bucks will be. And OMG speaking of Beachbody, this past Friday, no bigs. Just got to talk to Shaun T and his hubby Scott on IG live. I’m hoping someone will send me a screenshot because, you know, can’t really screenshot yourself like that.

Yep, so that’s all the things. When I write them out here, it doesn’t seem like so many. Even if I add flow arts it seems manageable. Until I try to put it all into play. Then there’s a fly in the ointment and he got mushed between some gears and he’s slowing everything down. Gross, right? I know! That’s where I’m trying to avoid…again. I can pull myself out, but I need to not get there in the first place. Ok, I’m gonna start that by finishing this, lol. See ya tomorrow.

Unrelated

I need this outfit.

I know that I’ve said it in the past, but it bears repeating. I want one of these outfits and I want two people to learn this choreography with me so we can recreate this. Roller skates and all. Oh shit. It’s the time of TikTok and Reels and remixing shit. Goodwill here I come! Other than just wanting to hear it, this video isn’t related in any other way to what I’m rambling about today. Oh, in the same vein of music, treat yourself to this. And don’t forget the rebuttal.

I am not getting much writing done right now because I’m too busy dancing in my chair. Those 80s jams really slap! Any ole excuse will do, right? LOL. I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole again. That has to be the absolute time suckingest website that exists. It does serve my purposes now and again though.

Can you believe that we are almost at the end of May?!?! It’s hard to believe that we’ve been back in Florida for almost three years now. It’s been quite the ride and no, it hasn’t all been enjoyable. The real estate roller coaster was a shitshow which threw me into a depression. See where I added about 30 pounds to my frame. Ugh. Fucking Florida. But I guess that I’ve resigned myself to the fact that this is it so I might as well not be happy with my location and my body so I had to start working out hard and paying attention to my food. It’s taken a year, but I’m down 20 of the 30. I’m on the fence as to whether I “need” to lose the last 10. I kinda like where I am, but I also like old pictures of where I was. (Why have I watched a FOURTEEN minute MC Hammer video?!?!) So yeah, I am going to keep going.

I mean, who quits using the program they’ve been using for over ten years when they just became a coach, right? Yup, that’s right, I jumped in. So, I’m not teaching anything but I’m there for moral support and kicking your ass when you think you’re gonna get away with not working out. Not on my watch, honey! Once I’m fully set up, I’ll be blasting my info all over the place, of course.

I didn’t have a focus for this post today, and it shows. So I’m gonna just go ahead and wrap it up. Every day’s blog post ain’t gonna be a winner.