November 27, 2012 – End of and Era, Beginning of a New

All,

I am starting a new blog. Similar to this one (still 90% funny, but also raw), but more dedicated than I have been over the past year. I am torn as I write this post because I am not sure how much detail I want to go into when ending this blog and starting the new. I decided that I can be as detailed as I want because it is MY blog and many of you told me that you often have the same feelings and emotions that I do in similar situations. I know in my life it really helps if I know someone else is going through the same thing.

When Dr. Pita left I was not ready (or so I thought). Honestly, he knew how to motivate me. He was tough, but firm. He truly was a mentor. I admit that I know several people that knew him and/or were also patients and did not have the same reaction. However, his methods worked for me. Those that have known me for a long time could write huge testimonials to this fact.

Over the past couple of years I have tried to fill that void. I expected anyone I met in the health industry to fill that role. I have been disappointed. Deeply. I also have been unfair to those around me because they do not meet the same expectations. The person that is damaged by this most is myself. I never gave myself enough credit for what I learned and my own motivation to be a fit person in mind, body, and spirit. I looked way too much to others to pull me along. Dr. Pita never did that. He coached. He NEVER pulled me along.

One of the things that keeps running through my mind is a comment that Dr. Pita gave me one time. He was comparing me to a person on the Biggest Loser. He watched it one night and said he thought of me because this girl was pulling tires(?) up a hill and ignoring all the noise around her. She just kept moving. Everyone said she needed to do it different in order to get up the hill first, but she knew all she needed to do is keep moving and she would make it up that hill. She did and she won. Dr. Pita is right that is the essence of who I am. I firmly believe in anything in life you just have to keep moving (my father taught me well). Cut out all the noise and listen to your own instincts, try what others suggest, but if it doesn’t work for you try something else until you find it.

To be fair to myself, I didn’t stop moving. Last week was the first week I did not workout at least 3 times a week in 2 years. How many people can say that? Not many. Where I am primarily failing is eating right and working on my spirit. I also spent too much time helping others with their goals and not focusing on my own. In some way, I think I felt that if I helped others with theirs it might help me with my own. I was wrong. It did not work that way. All it did was create noise that prevented me from working on my own needs.

We sometimes enter into toxic relationships with our friends. These people are your friends and always will be, but if you allow others to help dictate your personal goals it can create a bad situation. You want the best for each other and you fight about it because you do want the best, but you have to sometimes back off and let people find their own way. That is what I am doing now with some of my friends. No worries. I have had this discussion with these friends before I typed this. I will always be there for these friends in time of need, but like an alcoholic I will have a hand out, but I will not be pulled off the wagon. I was pulled off the wagon. Not on purpose, but because advice given is not what was best for me and vice versa. I am back on the wagon.

I do want to say that I am proud of myself. The past year has actually been a difficult year for me in many ways. A lot of stuff has happened in the past year outside of my control, but I kept moving. I am currently working on learning to deal with things that are outside my control and learn to “go with the flow”. Right now, I am reading Dr. Weil’s book called; “Spontaneous Happiness”. There is a lot of good stuff. I highly recommend it!

I knew I was off track when a friend described me to his girlfriend as; “She is a really nice person. I think you will like her a lot. She doesn’t smile a lot, but she will definitely get all the sarcasm you dish out.” It shocked me. I have never been told I am a person that doesn’t smile. It set me on this path to determine where did my smile go? I figured out it was not my job or any other external stressor like that. It was the fact I was doing things for others that didn’t make me happy. Granted, we will always have to do things for others that we do not like, but this was a bit excessive. It also was cutting into the time I could spend on the things that keep my healthy in mind, body, and spirit. The 5K walks is a good example. Honestly, walking a 5K or 10K gives me the same contentment that many people get from hanging out with friends in a bar drinking. I like to do both, but I would choose the 5K walk with friends over sitting in a crowded bar 90% of the time.

So what have I learned ?

*Take care of me first. I can’t help others if I am not taking care of my own needs.

*Learn to only worry about changing those things I have control over at that time. Recite the Serenity Prayer, if necessary.

*Surround myself with people that have the same or similar goals. We are all in it together to be the best we can be!

*Surround myself with people that support me in my goals.

*Keep tracking progress even when the progress shows a negative or doesn’t move at all.

Where do I go from here? Well, I do know that the blog benefits me and holds me accountable. So, I am going back to blogging, but not only that I am making it a second job, so to speak. Expect to see the following things on the new blog.

-List of upcoming 5Ks. Feel free to join me at some of them!

-A list of that year’s goals.

-On the first day of the month you will see that month’s goals. At the end of the month you will see how I did.

-Daily food and exercise logs.

-A monthly video update.

-Twice a month a new recipe I tried.

-Posts two to three times a week.

-Mileage tracking

-Progress reports on fitness and weight loss goals.

I want to strongly point out that I am not starting over. There is no need to start over. I am starting a new era. I eat better than I did years ago, I am a lot healthier in mind, body and spirit than a few years ago. I just feel I have some improvements to do. In some ways I have slipped in other ways I have improved. I just want to be the best I can be!

I also am reminded constantly from my blog readers that I have helped all of you by sharing. I want to continue to do that. It helps me to help you. It makes me feel in a weird way that I am making a difference in a small way. I will "pay it forward" with my continued experiences.

So, starting tomorrow feel free to start reading the new blog at http://www.mustkeepmoving.com . I kept the same banner and I have some work to do to make it pretty, but it will come along in time. Right now, I just have to get started and keep moving!



Take Care,

Kristi

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

July 15, 2012 - What Have I Been Up To?

Hi All,

I have some EXCITING news to share. As you know, I strongly believe in building an army of supporters to help in whatever goals I strive to achieve. I also strongly believe that we all need to KEEP MOVING. It doesn't matter what our chosen activity is (for me it is walking, personal training, and boot camp), but we gotta KEEP MOVING.

Sooo....I came up with this idea for a web site and mobile application that does not currently exist. I am hoping you all will help me flush out the various ideas I have for my vision.  I think it will probably take over a year to flush out just the first stages of my plan as it is a huge undertaking and does not currently exist. Bits and pieces exist, but not all things.

For the first phase I am asking for no more than 10 particpants to agree sign-up for the following "features." Right now, a lot of these features will be manually done by me or bites and pieces from various existing applications.

The features of this first phase include:
-Daily reminders to attend/do your favorite moving activity.
-Check in to your daily activity
-Weekly status reports

So, I would like all of you interested to sign up by completing the form below.


Thanks everyone!!!




Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

May 28, 2012 - Rebirth

All,

Yes, three months since I last posted.  As those that have read most of my posts know, I get in some deep funks sometimes. This was one of those times. I was/am really struggling this time. This struggle has continued for close to six months. I tried to tell myself to; "snap out of it" which only makes it worse. I feel a failure. There were even times I said to myself; "what is there to live for?"  Fortunately, I have strong faith that things will get better. They always do.

Normally, I can snap out of the funks relatively quickly by eating right and exercising. A lot of this is due to the fact that my funks can be attributed to physiological causes. However, this time it was also caused by external factors as well. I was betrayed by a friend. One that had always supported me in the past. One that supported me in my healthy lifestyle activities.  Alas, that friendship is over because when you betray me my friendship is over. That is it. I will never trust you again. I have moved on (for the most part).

The loss of a friend and the physiological causes of my funk coupled into a huge mess. I gained weight. I would workout, but only at half capacity. My lowest came just two weeks ago. I really did wonder why I was on earth, why people were so cruel, and why life was so hard.  I kept moving even though I felt (wrongly) that I did not have the support of family and friends.  The concept of "keeping on keeping on" was something I could not do in the past. This is something I have developed over the past few years.  For this I am proud.

One night, I was crying. I was beating myself  up over losing my "spark." The spark that once had me wanting to do 2-3 half marathons a year. The spark that once had me wanting to inspire others to just get off the couch and move. It was gone and I couldn't find it until I got the following message.

"Hello! You have no clue who I am but I found your blog while nervously debating on whether or not to buy the Living Social for boot camp. After reading your inspirational and comical posts, I jumped in and bought it! You are an inspiration and I love your blog/tweets!!"

I cried again, but this time the tears were different. They were cleansing tears. They were tears of forgiveness to myself. Tears that said; "enough is enough." I sat down and reminded myself what I needed to do to get back to where I need to be in order to be the best person I can possibly be.  I was helping others and I could continue to do so. I just needed to get back out there.

I am thankful to the person that sent me the message. It arrived in my inbox at a great time. It was/is the catalyst for snapping me back.

I will continue to write about what is happening in my efforts to live a healthy lifestyle. Most of my stories will be humorous because life needs to be approached with a grin on our faces.  Occasionally, like today's post I will write about the down times too, because I want others to know they are not alone.

All stories I hope will inspire others to be the best they can be, too.

Til Next Week (or Tabata Tod does something that makes me mad in Boot Camp),
Kristi

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

February 25, 2012 - I Admit Nothing

Hello All,

Since I started my new job I have not had as much time to post, but we made it through our implementation so I should be back to posting on a regular basis. My Facebook friends get a few more updates than my normal blog readers, so be sure to friend me on Facebook, if you haven't done so already!

I am writing today because I need a lawyer. Someone that can fight an injury attorney. You know...those ones that advertise on TV late at night?  Yeah, one of them. You see, I injured someone in Boot Camp.  Unfortunately, it was NOT Tabata Tod (he's been asking for it all along, but he's quick to get out of the way).

I might have INNOCENTLY thrown a piece of equipment in this poor guy's direction. In my defense I did mention to him that I was going to throw it. I didn't realize he would take a step toward me to get it!  So...

****SPLAT****

Right in his shin

***OUCH***

Let's just say....NO ONE will be messing with me in Boot Camp anymore.

BOSU----my weapon of choice!

Til Next Time,
Kristi

P.S. New to the blog? Take Boot Camp? See the complete Boot Camp blog listing here.

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

January 17, 2011 - Just Because I Different Doesn't Mean I Am Wrong

Hello All,
My weight loss has slowed. In fact, I gained weight last year. Of course, EVERYONE has an opinion on what I should do now. Here is some of the advice I have received and my response.

Skinny Friend; “Well, maybe you should consider weight loss surgery. Surgery is now available even if you only have 50 pounds to lose!”
Me; “No. I have been just as successful as someone with lap band. Thanks for the advice though.”

Friend That Doesn’t Exercise; “You are not exercising enough. You need to work out every day.”
Me; ‘Ummm. No. It is not calories in versus calories out. It’s hormones, too.”

Friend With No Patience; “You need to do a liquid diet. You will lose the weight REALLY fast.”
Me; “This is about a lifestyle change not about losing weight quickly.”

I love the feedback. Someone might actually have a good idea that works. However, if I do not take your advice that does not mean I am an idiot or that I do not care. It just signifies that your idea is not something I will explore at this time.  Just because I am doing my weight loss differently from the norm does not mean I am wrong.  Dr. Pita told me one time that I reminded him of Tara from The Biggest Loser (the Biggest Loser that Helen won) she just kept going and did not let the external noise distract her from her goal.

I repeat. I love the ideas, but I don’t have to take every proposal and run with it.  

The lesson I am sharing today is that in EVERYONE has an opinion about how we should live. We should appreciate that people have an opinion because you never know when there might be a good one. However, accepting the opinion does give the advice giver permission to ridicule the individual for not accepting their counsel. The person that ridicules when you don't accept their advice is the idiot...not the person in charge of their own life.

And if the advice and ridicule continues...LET YOUR HATER BE YOUR MOTIVATOR!

Til Next Time,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

January 4, 2012 - I Hate Boot Camp

Hello All,
I awoke this morning 10 minutes before my alarm was to start blaring its obnoxious sound.  I woke up MAD! I do not want to wake any earlier than necessary.

Confession: I always set my alarm 1 minute past the time I actually want to get out of bed. For example, this morning I wanted to be out of bed at 4:30 so I set the alarm for 4:31. It is my hope that one day I will wake up peacefully at the PERFECT time. Yes, I am aware this is crazy. Don't judge me because I am a genius.

My mood did not improve. I REALLY did not want to get out of bed today!  I grudgingly got ready for Boot Camp and headed out the door.

The only reason I went to Boot Camp this morning is because I made a "deal" with myself. (In reality, I also clued Tabata Tod in on the deal, too.)  Basically, if I do not show up for Boot Camp I have to donate 20 dollars to the Saturday morning Boot Camp charity. Now, the toughie is not going to be the problem of not showing up for Boot Camp, per se. Historically, I miss very few Boot Camp sessions BECAUSE I can also go in the evening. I know this about myself so I also stipulated if I do not go to the 6AM class I have to donate 10 dollars.  Knowing that it was only the second session of the year and I already would have to donate prodded me to the car.

Once I was in the car the whining started. ALLLLL the way to class I wimpered and cried. Seriously, I did cry. I was tired. My body hurt. I could not see the purpose of Boot Camp AT ALL! More than once I thought; "I hate Boot Camp!"

So...Boot Camp went like this...

Tabata Tod; "Warm Up!
Me; "I hate Boot Camp."
Tabata Tod; "Kettlebell swings and Pull Ups"
Me; "I hate Boot Camp."
Tabata Tod; "Blah, Blah, Blah"
Me; "I hate Boot Camp. Have I paid for this already?"

I did finally perk up toward the end of Boot Camp.  I was glad I managed to get my lazy patootie out of bed and participate.  I was smiling and laughing. Something that seemed impossible just 90 minutes earlier.

The moral to my story is that we do not always LIKE exercise or anything good for us, but if we stick it out the endorphins really do kick in and help us make it through the day. We all need to remember this when the initial motivation for our resolutions starts to wear thin!

Til Next Time,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com