11 down, 19 to go

Today will be class 11 on day 12 of my newest barre challenge! My goal is 30 classes in 35 days. It's my goal to have 5 rest days, one of which is Sunday of last week. So far so good. I made it through the 11 days of INTENSE classes with one rest day. The only actual reason I took the rest day was because I had to work during the only two classes offered on Sunday. I got a massage on the rest day at the urging of one of my barre instructors because she said my obliques were so tight. I haven't actually built in another one yet and am going to try to make it to the 21st without stopping because that's when I scheduled another massage. If I can do that, it'll be class 20! I watch other women in the studio come every day in a row and I'm so jealous. So I'm going to try and kick it up a notch!

I must say I was very upset last weekend when I went to put on some jeans and they didn't fit. Then this past week I went to put on a skirt that was SUPER big on me a year ago and was semi tight. The funny thing is I haven't gained any weight but my muscles are starting to pop. My girlfriend swears I'm slimming down even more and look TINY in that skirt. The only logical thing I can think of is my butt....yes, my butt. It has grown. It's gotten more toned and that skirt, which I wore on my hips, can't fit there because my booty is in the way. Does that seem logical? I think so...



I originally was going to do whole 30 in addition to the barre challenge but I decided not to this go round and just focus on my 30 classes and not spend tons of money to do whole 30 when I can eat for free. I've also discovered whole milk yogurt! OMG. I haven't had yogurt in years and I found Noosa last week then Clover Organic Farms in Vons this week. I LOVE it. It's the best pre-barre snack.

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!

20 in 31 coming to an end rapidly!

I cannot believe March Madness, Pure Madness is almost over! I have 2 more classes and will complete my 20 in 31. I have learned a few things about myself:

1. I need rest days. Some folks in our studio haven't rested and are on like class 25 on day 29. I cannot do that right now. My body is sore and needs time to recover.

2. I'm stronger than I think, really. They weren't kidding every time they say "you're stronger than you think." I'm on class 5 in a row and I can hold my plank and not come out, I have increased weight, and I take the suggested challenges.

3. I have come so far at the age of 29 and I'm so happy to finally be able to move and work out in ways I wasn't/haven't before.

4. I can make a community with people I didn't know and they will cheer me on.

5. If I keep up this pace I could hit 100 by my birthday in June and that's my new goal! To hit 100 before my 30th birthday!

That is all.

Month 3 of Barre

Over a year ago when I joined Pilates, I finally found something that made my body tone, stretch, and move in ways I never thought possible. Growing up, I knew my body couldn't do what other's bodies could. I was in touch with my knees and my many aliments. I couldn't run fast, I could barely touch my toes, my joints swell at the sight of exercise or even heat. My body just isn't like others and I always knew that. I had weak knees and a weak back. I would get injured very easily after like a month of working out at the gym. I wasn't really loosing weight (which wasn't the goal but a nice bonus) but rather maintaining. Walking during the beginning of my Paleo Adventure was great but before that I wasn't really active. 

At age 28 (Dec 2013), my therapist encouraged me to look into something I could really get into and love.  As a result, I found Pilates and challenged myself physically in so many ways. Essentially, Pilates changed my life. Fast forward a year and a month later and I went ahead and researched new exercises to aid in my quest. Per my NYC friend's suggestion, I looked at Barre Method. The closest Barre Method was in Pasadena so I looked at Pure Barre, which has a location only 12 minutes from my apartment. I'm now in my third month. And my first challenge (20 in 31, I'm in day 10!)....which brings me to this post. 

I'm pretty excited to share the photo below. I was so skeptical (see previous Barre related posts) that Barre was going work. I was convinced at first that I hated it. And I kinda did, because I sucked at it. But now, I really see results not just in my body but in my endurance. I can hold my planks for almost the entire 90 seconds (but if it's 6AM that 90 seconds is a LONG time). My physical body actually looks different. My "seat" is lifted and my body looks tighter. My arms are defined. I have more energy during the day and can do things I wasn't able to do before! Now, Pilates does all this too but my butt hasn't looked like the below pic, ever. No offense Pilates, you will always be my lifesaver :D

I will say my confidence to enter the Barre studio came from Pilates. If it wasn't for Pilates, Barre NEVER would've been an option. My knees have been strengthened for a year and have been challenged by Pilates and now I feel secure enough with them that I can do new things, like Barre.

I'm so happy that I went out on a limb to find something that can challenge me in different ways. 

Specialist for my uterus (Some gross stuff mentioned)

So let's recap: I tried to work out yesterday and that didn't fly. I worked out tonight and as soon as we were done...bring on the cramps! I got home, and let go of some HUGE clots (sorry). well, I guess exercise is out?

Today I went to my new doctor (who I love). She told me a few things:
1. there is no cure for endo. Okay, okay, I knew this but was hoping there would be some sort of cure.
2. There are only a few people in the COUNTRY who could operate on where my endo is located.
3. It sounds like in addition to my bladder and ureter, I have patches on my BOWEL. So really no way to remove that.
4. "It's a shitty disease." Docs don't know much and it causes a lot of patients a lifetime of trouble.
5. We have a few options to manage it: a) pain management, b) hormones, c) full hysterectomy (she doesn't really want to do this because it doesn't mean the endo is gone and I'm only 30)
6. She was appalled  at the course of treatment my old gyno took and said I was took young for such an invasive hormone therapy. Which has scared me so badly, I down right refused hormones again.

So our current plan is to try and cut the pain off at the start. When I start to feel symptoms of my period, I'm to take ibuprofen (500 mlg 3 times a day) and Norco (combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone) as needed. We will do this for 3 months and see how it goes. After three months we will assess and see if we need to move to hormones. I'm tempted to try whole 30 again for 3 months before doing hormones. I am so afraid of hormones again and it's just so bad for the system. I would rather eat whole 30 for the rest of my life than deal with hormones.

Yup, we are that desperate. I can't even imagine taking pills every day that suppress my periods and to be frank, sometimes I'd rather just deal with this pain than think of putting those chemicals inside me. I'm so not into it. I have to say though, I trust this doctor. She was pretty amazing and I'm very impressed so far. So I might give her way a shot longer than I'd really care to admit.

I'm going to give the cutting it off before it begins for 3 months and go from there. No harm in trying right? For this moment, I'm going to enjoy my chocolate.

I do have to say I'm disappointed I can't go to Barre tomorrow because I'm afraid I'll upset my uterus. This challenge is important to me and I feel like I'm failing my team. I'll get over it I guess.....

Now onto relax and take care of my uterus. Until next time!

Day 3 of doubled over pain, Vicodin, and no work

Yesterday, I was out of work, sleeping most of the day. Went into work to go help select next year's staff. I was on Vicodin but did it anyway. I was less foggy because I was at the end of the cycle. By the end of selection, it was time for more and bed. I promised myself I was going to go to Barre because of the challenge. So I got up this morning, feeling great. I got good sleep. Felt no cramps and got dressed and went to Barre. I got there and let my instructor (she's also the owner) know that I had my period and it was a bad situation. She was helpful with some stretches and even though I started out really strong (got multiple compliments from her!!!) by 8am (45 minutes in) I felt it. The sharp, intense, alive pain down my leg. I was pressing hard into my left leg and Ashley came over and showed me what I could do knowing that the current exercise was probably too hard. I tried it out. I felt hot and like I needed to take my tampon out. I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face and took a minute to breathe. I decided I had to leave. Which sucks because I've never walked out. I told her and she said it's totally good. I got in the car and the pain got more intense. I have no idea how long it took for me to get home because I was not happy, in severe pain and begging to get home (by the way, I only had 15 miles of gas left). I got home and I went into the hot bath my amazing girlfriend had ready for me. At this point, I was crying and shaking. The pain was so intense I could barely see straight. This is always so hard because I wish my body would just give out so I could find some relief. I took my Vicodin, willingly, and got in my bath. I'm currently, at home, again (which drives me up a wall), on my couch, eating some Paleo goods (whole me clusters and live soda) because I'm hungry and don't feel like cooking.

I hate this with a passion. I'd much rather be at work than doped up on my couch. Because honestly, I don't remember why I started writing this post. It's kinda frustrating.