Tag: fitness journal
Episode 45
This week’s episode sees a bad day amidst a beautiful setting as the fall/autumn season reached its peak. Check out my week of workouts and wellness!
Episode 44
I had to chop off my hair. It was just so thin and terrible. This week I got back to working out after having a cold, and we started decorating for Halloween.
Episode 43
This was the week before I got sick and also before I chopped off all my hair. It was a good week. I deep cleaned the fridge, reflected about the role of trauma in weight loss, and did my daily workouts.
Episode 42
I had a lot of reflection in this video about parenting, authenticity, and body image issues.
Episode 41
I’m still at it. I thought that I would quit, but something keeps me going.
Episode 40
Another week in the books! I keep wondering if should stop making content altogether, just because it’s so time-consuming. However, I realize, too, that I feel a lot more motivated to stay on my routine and work hard on my workouts when I am recording myself. I guess it’s a good trade-off. Maybe putting in the time to make these videos pays off. For now, I am going to keep them going!
Episode 39
This is my second vlog that encompasses a full week-ish of content. This is the week before we went on vacation to Maine. I actually did not record at all while on vacation, but my husband used my camera on his drone and got some footage that I ended up incorporating into the vlog.
Episode 38
I have noticed that many people who post weightloss | wellness | fitness vlogs tend to have pretty long videos — like, up to 30 minutes. I thought to string together several days’ worth of footage so that my vlogs can be longer. This is my first attempt, and the video only ended up being a little more than 5 minutes long. Oh well! Guess I need to learn to talk more, or record more…
But here is my first weekly vlog post, rich with almost a week’s worth of media.
Episode 37
I was a bit bummed to have lost so much footage from this episode, due to my computer crashing. However, I do feel lucky to have been able to recover what I did from the day. Today I hit a chest and triceps workout, spent some time at a local river, and also watered my plants. Fascinating stuff in the life of a middle-aged woman, for sure.
Today I also researched more successful YouTubers and I see that many of these weight loss and wellness episodes tend to be much longer and be comprised of much more talking to the camera. I think that I may try to shift into this kind of modality — but it won’t be until after Episode 40, at least, because I am still behind in uploading old footage.
Episode 36
I continue to play catch-up on processing videos from weeks ago, amidst trying to recover files from the latest computer crash. This heat wave is really getting to me. But, nevertheless, here is Episode 36 in which there was no heat wave, and I can look back upon that day fondly.
Episode 35
My PC crashed and I lost all my files; after four days of working on getting my computer back up and running, I am finally able to post my content. I was already two weeks behind on posting content, and now I am even farther back. I hope that I can catch up soon! Anway, in this episode I do some reflection on my journey, hit a legs and shoulders workout, and head to the beach for some reading after some delicious food.
Episode 34
A family day today full of fun with sushi, shopping, psychic, and more. But it all began by grounding with some yoga.
Episode 33
Got to celebrate those WINS! We had a date night out to dinner at a country club on a beautiful summer night after I crushed a full body workout and spent some time with the pup.
Episode 32
I have been feeling confident in my program and better in my skin, so this episode ends with a bikini progress pic…because I felt it.
Episode 31
We had a fun birthday celebration at Three Sisters Sanctuary. I hit a legs and shoulders workout in the home gym. And I reflected on how I handle stress.
Episode 30
Hit a milestone today with 30 episodes in my wellness journey A Body is a Journey! Yay! I am so proud of myself!
Episode 28
I have taken a couple days off and I am few videos behind on posting. Here is Episode 28 with reflections on my continued gut cleanse, a frozen yogurt bites recipe, and a biceps and back workout.
Episode 27
Episode 26
I wax poetic about taking responsibility for my reality as I float on the lake. Then, I crush a chest and triceps workout, and finally I bring it home with some time with friends.
Episode 25
The 4th of July weekend continued with lots of fun. My child joined me for a full-body workout, which was great.
Episode 24
I finally got my replacement GoPro and I am back with my daily vlogs on this wellness journey! I really missed making content. In this episode I take a walk, have a reflection, go swimming, do step aerobics, do yoga, and hit a fireworks show with the family. Summer doesn’t get better.
Episode 23
This weekend while swimming in the lake, I thought to take some footage of swimming underwater and my GoPro drowned! I lost some footage, but here is the last footage, which is a back and biceps workout. A new GoPro should arrive tomorrow, so until then…enjoy!
Episode 22
Today’s episode was simple with leg day and some shoulders.
Episode 19
I take a hard look at what has made me unwell on this wellness journey, because acknowledging why I feel unwell is part of growing and learning. I hit a biceps and back workout after making space to care for my mental and emotional health.
Episode 18
We celebrated Father’s Day today after a great lower body workout, a jog, and some novel-writing time.
Episode 16
A simple day today and a simple full-body workout using dumbells and a bosu ball.
Episode 14
Following a shoulders workout and step aerobics, I confronted the same panic I have felt for 22 years after doing cardio. I include some reflection about panic disorder, weigh in, and then make some sage smudge sticks.
Episode 13
I got in a lot of movement today with house cleaning and leg day.
Episode 12
I had a busy today on my wellness journey with a walk, a triceps and chest session in the home gym, some self care, some writing, and a date night at home. It was a fun, fulfilling day.
Episode 9
I had a jam-packed day today with work, but I got it done and then made time for a back and biceps workout. I also squeezed in mowing the lawn and making some chive blossom vinegar.
Episode 7
I hope that this is the last day that I have to work around an injury. I feel like I am ready to do some light lifting and cardio again, and resume this journey the way that I envisioned it! In Episode 7 I do 90 minutes of yoga, some core work, and have a walk. I think I’m ready.
Episode 5
Today I was able to do 15 minutes each of cardio and yoga, but I did pay for it a little bit at night. I did not get much footage of the day, but did have some reflection about wellness: desiring wellness is a big deal in a society that values illness.
Legs & Shoulders
With my new home gym (still under construction) I am finally able to workout in a space dedicated to what I love! Check out today’s legs and shoulders workout.
Chest & Triceps
Working out in the new home gym space is amazing so far. Here is my chest and triceps crush.
April Update
Spring 2022 is off to an excellent start. I really feel as if I am coming out of hibernation in a lot of ways; the most significant way is that this past year I was able to truly be more authentic that I have been in decades — maybe ever. I’ve been standing in my truth, speaking what I believe, and showing my real self even to people in my community. I feel very free.
This spring is meaningful. Firstly, we used some our refund to continue working on our garage-gym space. Finally! We began the project last summer but only got as far as cleaning it out before we ran out of funds. Currently, I am in the process of sealing and painting the space. I purchased some equipment and also some inspirational decor. Also, an air purifier and dehumidifier. We got materials to build a wall and door, and to finish the ceiling. That may be the extent of our funds for this season, but working on the space is exciting!
We have been meeting our goal of going to the gym at least twice a week while we work on our home gym. I have been reaching or exceeding my 5-day-a-week workout goals every week. Posing on social media has helped to keep me motivated (FOLLOW ME @moonbodiesjournal and on Facebook).
FEATURED WORKOUT
Back Lunge and Step with single hammer curl
Compound exercises are a great way to elevate the heartrate and recruit several muscles simulaneously. This back lunge/single hammer curl combo is sure to ignite your quadriceps, biceps, and glutes — and don’t forget the core, which you need to stabilize.
Major Muscles Include
Quadriceps
Biceps
Glutes
Equipment needed
Dumbell
Wellness Diary: Week 8, Day 3
| Weight | Body Fat | BMI | Hips | Waist | Bust | Thigh |
| 140.6 | 27.4% | 24 | 38.5 | 32.2 | 38 | 21 |
| Movement | Duration | Burn |
| Yoga Step Aerobics | 60 30 | 215 251 |
Step aerobics was super fun! I did a new release on Les Mills on Demand (#119, I think), and had SO much fun!
| Calorie Goal | Calories | Other Nutrition Goals |
| 1200-1300 | 1140 | No sugar, small portions |
| Self-Care, Parenting, Stress, Joy, Balance, Writing |
| Yoga, Blogging |
Wellness Diary: Week 8, Day 1
| Weight | Body Fat | BMI | Hips | Waist | Bust | Thigh |
| 140.2 | 27.4% | 24 | 38.5 | 32.2 | 38 | 21 |
| Movement | Duration | Burn |
| Spinning | 30 | 251 |
| Calorie Goal | Calories | Other Nutrition Goals |
| 1200-1300 | 1244 | No sugar |
| Self-Care, Parenting, Stress, Joy, Balance, Writing |
| Writing and Gaming |
Wellness Diary: Week 7 Day 3
Thanksgiving included a lot of eating, as expected. I started the day by eating cookies and then had a super delicious, healthy dinner, followed by pie. So, there were some good and some not-so-good choices for reaching my wellness goals. I did not get in any movement.
Today, the day after Thanksgiving, I have mixed feelings about how to move forward. A part of me just wants to focus on my eating, doing small portions and good protein and veggies. The other part of me feels that I should do this plus get in some exercise. But exercising while feeling chubby and full from the day before is not attractive to me.
| Weight | Body Fat | BMI | Hips | Waist | Bust | Thigh |
| 140.4 | 27.4% | 24 | 38.5 | 32.2 | 38 | 21 |
| Movement | Duration | Burn |
| Indoor Cycling The Trip #17 | 30 | 256 |
| Calorie Goal | Calories | Other Nutrition Goals |
| 1200 | 1165 | No sugar, refined carbs |
| Self-Care, Parenting, Stress, Joy, Balance, Writing |
| Blogging, Writing Novel, Time with Friends |
Week 7, Day 2
Today’s highlight was absolutely Irish Step Dance, as far as movement goes. The day was rainy and I did not get in the walk I had planned. But I had fun dancing.
| Weight | Body Fat | BMI | Hips | Waist | Bust | Thigh |
| 140.2 | 27.4% | 24 | 38.5 | 32.2 | 38 | 21 |
| Movement | Duration | Burn |
| Irish Step Dance | 60 minutes | 417 |
| Calorie Goal | Calories | Other Nutrition Goals |
| 1200-1300 | 1343 | No sugar |
| Self-Care, Parenting, Stress, Joy, Balance, Writing |
| Knitting and watching a show with my daughter; making a video blog post; singing Christmas songs; physical. |
Week 6: Days 1-5
This week I felt as if I was in a fog, literally all week long. I did not log in my food — not because I was “off the rails” but really just because I forgot. This was an auto-pilot kind of week, of which I have not experienced in a long time. I felt lethargic, disconnected, really tired. I had my period this week, so this may have been why, although I usually would get these symptoms during PMS, which is the week before my period hits.
It has just been a strange week, as if I have not been home.
I did a lot of introspection this week, and made some big decisions. I suspect that this emotional work was taxing on my physical aparatuses, and this may be why I showed up the way I did.
There haven’t been any negative feelings or struggles…just extreme tiredness and forgetfulness. Somehow, though, I managed to get in some movement, though as I write about it I can hardly remember what I did or how I felt.
Monday
On Monday I had a big epiphany about a situation that has been haunting me for 30 years or more. It’s always in the back of my mind and I never know how to deal with it. But on Monday, something really clicked for me and I dealt with this issue in a way I had never dealt with it before. I even made a video in which I expressed my feelings concerning this speed bump in my life. It was very exhausting and left me feeling quite empty for a bit of time, but I do feel that in the bigger picture, this was fruitful work. Now that I write out this reflection…no wonder I’ve had the week that I did! Oh my goodness.
I did a bit of yoga with Traci and it felt nice.
I finished the day with 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra/Meditation with Amy. It was beautiful and really helped me to assimilate the spiritual/psychological work that I did that day. But after the meditation I had a splitting headache for the night and had to go to bed early.
Tuesday
The only movement that I got in on Tuesday was walking the dog for 30 minutes and then a 15 minute excursion down to the lake with my daughter for a homeschool project in Geology. I managed to burn a little over 200 calories. This was a heavy flow day and I wanted to do yoga but I just did not want the back-flow in my Diva Cup, so I avoided it. I logged food in the beginning of the day but then just forgot about the rest of the day.
Wednesday
By Wednesday, I was feeling a little bit more present in my body again. I had a 40 minute walk and burned 228 calories. And then I went to Irish Step Dance that night and danced for 60 minutes to burn 346 calories. It was a big burn day for me, and active. The dancing was really fun.
Thursday
On Thursday I did a nice power yoga session with Lisa. I have not done a class with her since March. It was so nice to connect with her and her style again. The yoga that I’ve done this week helped me to connect a bit more, but I continue to move toward integrating my big movements from Monday.
Friday
I woke up feeling the heaviness/disconnect/whatever that I’d been feeling since Monday. But I tried out Les Mills Body Jam in the morning, doing the techno release. It was so much fun that I felt, for a few minutes, that I was releasing some “gunk” (Lisa’s work in yoga from Thursday). I did 20 minutes of dance followed by 5 minutes of core to burn 218 calories.
I am not sure what more — if anything — the week holds for me, but I hope to bring my goals into focus next week, carrying forward the work I did on some long-standing issues at the start of this week.
Week 5, Days 2-5
This week was a mess in terms of getting in time to reflect, breathe, or sit down to write a blog post. Somehow, even with my quadriceps injury continuing to heal, I managed to get in some movement almost every day. The week was full of moments in which I had to “pop the hood” and examine/identify my emotions so that I could make a more conscious choice to overeat or not.
Tuesday
Tuesday I went for a walk in the forest for 30 minutes and burned 184 calories. The weather was beautiful and I spent some time at the beach with my daughter enjoying the sun.
I had an excellent day nutritionally, eating well and mindfully and even coming in a little bit under my calorie goal.
Wednesday
Wednesday was a rough one emotionally, as my daughter had a lot of struggles that affected me. I did some self-care with 45 minutes of yoga (127 burn) and then I did my Irish step dance class for 60 minutes with a burn of 316. I had so much fun and even though I could not lift my heels as high because of my injury, I loved it.
Nutritionally the day was great and again I came in a little bit under my range.
Thursday
On Thursday I wanted to give my quadricip a rest so I did BodyPump upper body only, for 26 minutes with 127 burn. I picked up Pho takeout and was still able to stay only a tiny bit above my calorie range. I was happy about that.
Friday
On Friday, the day really got away from me. I did not make one entry in my food journal, but I believe that I stayed within a healthy range despite that. I began the day with some BodyCombat for 28 minutes with a 218 burn. It was a fun workout.
Overall, I did not expect much from this week but ended up doing better than I expected although not as great as would be ideal for me.
Week 5, Day 1
Well, I have had a revelation that I have reached a low place at which I feel there is an opportunity for growth and for learning. I made a post earlier today titled ” Food and Other Addictions” that explains this.
Every Sunday when my daughter leaves to go with her father, I spiral out of control with my eating. Obviously it is related to my emotional relationship to food.
I no longer wish to have this relationship.
I seek something healthier and more functional in my life. Of course, I realize that this takes a lot of time and that I have already spent more than 25 years on working through my food addiction/emotional associations. But the work is never done, and when the cycles repeat, there is an opportunity to reach higher and learn more.
| Movement Activity | Duration | Burn | Notes |
| Spinning Weights | 10 10 | 50 59 |
| Calorie Goal | Calories | Notes |
| 1200-1300 |
| Daily Self Care | Notes |
| Facial Waxing Facial Moisturizing Yoga Nidra Journaling Gaming |
| Bowel Movement | Notes |
| 1 |
| Goals | Mini Goals |
| Reach 125 pounds | Lose .5-1 pound per week |
| Be more present with parenting | Make mental and emotional space, spend quality time |
| Manage stress better | Use meditation and affirmations; feel feelings |
| Balance work/play/family life | Do all things, every day, rather than bingeing |
| Feel more joy | Discover new passions and feed established interests |
Moon Bodies 