Another challenge is coming!

Barre is having another challenge!!!! Starting September 1-October 5: 30 classes in 35 days. If it was 6 months ago, I'd probably scoff and say "yea right" but I'm not. I'm accepting this challenge despite September being a very busy time AND I'm on call for the last week of it. I got this. I just have to build in rest days and make sure to take lots of Epsom salt baths.

Part of me also wants to try and do whole 30 again. Now this might be a HUGE challenge considering September is mostly open houses around the Colleges filled with free food and the most delicious gluten free desserts. It's kind of the worst time to do such a challenge but it might be the best.

I certainly haven't gained weight but I am drinking coffee every day and ingesting kombucha with added sugar and all around not at all paying attending to my sugar intake....I write as I patiently wait for my FABULOUS gf so we make gluten free brownies....

So I'm contemplating this additionally challenge. It's a decision for sure to do it again in combination with the barre challenge but how cool could it be to do both? I've done it before which means I can most definitely do it again. And if I can knock 30 classes outta the park, I'm that much closer to 250!

I really enjoy the challenges because there is a community aspect. It's not just me, it's the studio and in term the whole PB empire. I like not feeling alone because there are others out there! It keeps me motivated by looking at the hashtags and knowing I'm doing this along with so many others.


So that's my ramblings for tonight. I'm looking forward to class tomorrow. Had a rockin' class today and am going to try and figure out a good schedule to get my 6 classes a week in!

Good night!

Long time since I've been here. So updates are in order!

I haven't written an entry since March! I cannot believe that! One of my instructors at the studio yesterday said she stumbled upon my blog and I can't believe people still look. It's been too long since I've said anything so here I am!

My last post was all about what I learned during the 20 in 31 challenge. I really wanted to hit my "100th class" by my 30th but I hit it yesterday. WOOOO HOOOO.

100 classes since January. Maybe this isn't a huge deal to some and the ebb and flow of my attendance wasn't so great, if I was able to continuously go, then yea, I would've hit it faster but I was battling some illness, enjoying vacation, enjoying travel for work, and enjoying rest time! Also, I can't believe I've stuck with something so long. I use to consider myself a quitter. That might be weird for some to hear but I've ALWAYS battled the inner monologue of being a quitter. Since I was young....I don't know where this comes from but I'm still working on not thinking that.

It's a cool feeling knowing I reached a goal that I've wanted to hit since January. I'm really glad I stuck with it because there were moments that I definitely wanted to quit but there's too many positives for me to quit. The community is awesome. The idea of women supporting women; sure, men attend, but most classes are full of people who identify as women (I think) and all the instructors identify as women, as far as I know. I love the community aspect. When I hit my 100 yesterday, I was cheered and applauded. It feels so good to have a community behind you even though the work outs are solitary. It was a cool feeling! Below is the picture I posted on facebook and instagram.

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Let's talk Endo...

I've had 5 periods on my new pain management plan. And let me tell you, 30 years old, 21 years of periods and I've NEVER had it this good. My doctor is amazing. I'm shocked no one thought of this before. It's so simple and easy. I take 800 mg of ibuprofen 3 times a day for the 5-7 days of my period and NO PAIN. I did accidentally forget to take it last week and woke up in the middle of the night due to pain but it wasn't so bad I was doubled over in pain but it cut into my sleep. I'm so glad too because Jan, Feb and March, I couldn't work out during my period and I haven't missed a beat these past few months because of my period. I am elated! 

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My Paleo Life....well, I can honestly say, I'm not as strict Paleo as I would like to be but I'm happy. I'm less concerned because I've gotten other aspects of my life under control: my digestion and all things associated with my gut; my health for the most part is good; my sleep is good (except when Ernie yells at 2:30am); my body is moving and shaking (literally from Barre); and my hair, nails, and skin are all awesome. I'm pretty happy with how I'm eating and drinking (yup sometimes I drink!). I do want to be "more" Paleo but I really enjoy feeling "normal" when I'm out. Last week we had a retreat for work and went to an Italian restaurant and I wanted pasta. A strict Paleo would not have gotten gluten free pasta but I wanted it so I got it. I don't regret it.

Let me tell you about the most amazing meal I have ever had. In honor of my birthday while we were in vacation, my sweetie found an authentic Italian restaurant in NYC in which ALL, yes ALL, items on the menu are gluten free: Senzia Gluten. It was the most AMAZING meal of my life. It was the first time since switching to gluten free that I haven't had to ask if things are gluten free. I was able to eat bread with olive oil. I was able to get dessert (my favorite-Tiramisu). I couldn't believe how amazing it was. I'd go back in a heartbeat. I was so impressed. If you want to check it out, I posted reviews/pictures on yelp! :)

I do have thoughts about how I'm not really living Paleo and I should call myself gluten free but I'm Paleo most of the time. And I've finally figured out what works for my body and that's all I care about! My health is good and my body is even better and that's all I care about!

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Okay, I'm done rambling for now! Thanks for reading!