The Middle

I'm learning to love the middle.
It's pretty easy to start something, whether it be a new routine, a meal plan, or the start of a transformation. The energy and excitement of it get you going. But it's a lot tougher to enjoy the middle of your journey.

This summer, I started a new program called PiYo. After four months, I had to ditch all my jeans because they were now too big. I bought six new pairs of jeans that were all a size lower.
A week ago, I started a 21 day journey of clean eating, portion control, and simple 30-minute workouts. I've already lost 3 pounds. The jeans I bought are now starting to have a little "room" in them.

It's easy to reward ourselves with food. I'm a big believer in rewarding yourself with tangible items that let you see each day how far you've come.

But to get to that point, you have to get to the middle ... the middle of your transformation. That's where I am now. The middle is not some glamorous place to be ... in fact, it's uncomfortable at times ... but it's where we learn what we're made of. Is this the time that you quit again or are you going to push to the end? It's up to you, but I can say that enjoying the middle will propel you to that finish line.
And that finish line, that feeling of achieving your goal ... well, that's just an amazing place to be. 

Post-Workout GLORY

Happy Friday, all!!!

So I've been diligent this week with all my PiYo workouts and marathon training. I usually split them up during the day, so I'll usually do one of them in the morning and the other at night. Running usually gets shuffled to the evening, which makes for interesting moments when I'm running on gravel ...

Anyhow, today was a day that I couldn't split them up. My schedule won't allow for it. However, that didn't mean I was going to skip one of them. Instead, I did them back-to-back, which is pretty difficult.  This is not the first time I've done it, so I knew what I was getting myself into. But that doesn't mean the effects are any less ... devastating on my body.

Five mile run versus PiYo Full Body Blast with strength slides. My legs felt the BURN!!!! They are like jello now. Glad I have the tools to help with a good recovery. Not to mention that my body is stronger and can deal with it way better than before I started PiYo.

Do you have workouts where your face ends up looking like death??? I can't be the only one. :-)

Tomorrow I am doing another PiYo workout. Sunday is my long run (13.1 miles this week). I'm sticking to my goals, even on the weekend ... and even after a tough day of working out!!! 

What are you doing to stay on track this weekend?

Have a great one!!!

PiYo Certified!

My PiYo Certification is in the books!!!

On Sept. 27, I spent the entire day doing, training, teaching, and loving PiYo! It took place in Bloomington, IN at IU and was taught by my coach and PiYo Master Trainer Julie Voris. The day was hard ... we were moving the entire day. I thought for sure my body would rebel at some point.  But it didn't and left feeling refreshed and uplifted in the PiYo glow. 

The day was spent breaking up the different sections of a PiYo live class. Julie also led us through an entire live class. We broke up into small groups and taught the "flow" section to each other. We ended the day with more working out, discussing teaching and formats, and then we were all certified! 

I am so excited to finally be able to bring this in a live format. The first group of people getting this experience from me will be my music students! They will thank me later :-)

I thought for sure the next day I would be completely sore head to foot. I also had to run 10 miles the following day for my marathon training. I was so scared. SCURRRRED. 

BUT my body was only sore a bit in my shoulders and upper biceps (probably from all the planks and down dogs we did). My hamstrings were only slightly sore, too. Other than that I felt great the next day ... and I ran the BEST 10 MILES EVER!!!

Thanks to doing the PiYo program the last 3+ months, my body was much stronger than I expected and barely blinked an eye by doing it all day. I'm so thankful for the program and that it has not only helped me lose weight and gain strength, but it has also helped me become a better runner. PiYo really is for everyone. 

If you're interested in it, let's connect and start livin' it up!!!