You Can't Win Them All

I am having a poop day today. I know my comeback is in September, but I just have to blog today. I just have to share my feelings!

I feel like my body is to the point where drastic changes aren't going to be met unless I do more intense training more often and be more strict on my diet as far as getting more clean and more colorful. Things I haven't really been good at doing.

I have had improvement though in the way that my clothes fit and the strength gains in the gym. And even last week I even lost 2 pounds! While I'm beginning to let go of the scale as a motivator, it still feels good since I still have unwanted body fat on my legs and hips. Last week I took on a couple of gym classes and a couple extra cardio sessions. I also woke up early and got stuff done! I felt on top of the world!

However, in life, with the highs come the lows. This week has been a huge low. I have felt so void of energy, not in the mood to do anything, hardly eating or over eating, missed cardio sessions, a skipped class, and no studying at all! And it is only Wednesday! Today I even woke up at 1pm and was really mad at myself.

Then as I sat on my couch in the dark, fighting to make myself get up and putting myself down for not doing anything, I told myself, "Hey, it's okay! You can't win them all!"

You can't win them all. But that doesn't mean you have lost. It doesn't mean that it is all over. It only means that you are human!

I took a look back at last week when I felt so accomplished. I took a look back at the past year and the strides I have made in my body and overall fitness. I am proud of myself for not ever giving up. So what I am having a lazy day, heck a lazy week even! I get to have those days because I work hard!

Could it be that a poop day that makes us feel like a failure is really just a necessary refresh button? It isn't like I woke up Monday morning saying, "I'm gonna suck this week" did I? No. Not at all. I'm no failure at all. I just can't win them all! So it is okay.

It's a marathon, not a sprint. So what this week sucks? So what I ate way too many salty chips yesterday? I may not win everyday, or every week. But I'M GOING TO WIN THIS RACE!

So the next time you feel like poop and get mad at yourself for messing up or being lazy, tell yourself, "I can't win them all! Give me a break!" Then let yourself have the break without feeling guilty.

I will not feel guilty. I AM a winner.

Now that this is off my chest, how do you handle your poop days? What pep talks do you give yourself to get back on track? Feel free to comment here or on The STRONG Life's Facebook Page. Bring on the motivation!

Coming Soon!

I mentioned once on my Facebook page that I was taking a break from blogging and social media to focus on studying. My days consist of working out, eating, and studying. That's about it. With the hours spent everyday trying to prepare for the personal training exam, I decided to take the break. However, I realized that I didn't mention it on the blog!

I am so excited to begin a new chapter and a new career path and I have learned so much about myself during the transition. I've grown so much and healed so much that I can't wait to share all my experiences and new-found knowledge with you! I'm still going to be quiet here but I will still be posting on my Facebook page so be sure to Like The STRONG Life on Facebook to get the latest. :-)

I will be back in September with posts to help you become strong physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is a constant growing and learning process as we move through our lives and while I share my journey with you, it is my hope that you will join me, share with me and be inspired!

Here is what to expect:

• Continuation of The Wifely Life Series which shares my experiences, findings and the overall fun (or "fun") that comes with being a wife and military wife
• Inspiration quotes and scriptures that will sometimes come in the form of free printables
• Love Challenges! Not just on marriage but also focusing on loving yourself and God
• Pep Talks and Tips for motivation, inspiration and/or ideas to keep you on track of being STRONG
• Snippets of what I eat and collected recipes for getting on the clean eating track
• Workout plans for the gym, at home, and my own progress (did I mention that I want to compete someday?! Ahh!)
• DIYs around the home (decor and makeshift workout equipment) I got a fun project lined up for the first of this series! I gotta pretty up a bar my husband built!
• Sharing anything and everything I find that helps me learn and will help you learn too!

Now, I'll be back in September on a regular schedule but between now and then, I just know my blogger itch will need to be scratched and I'll probably post a few times. All this studying is turning my brain to mush and I need a break every now and then! So I'll see you soon! :-)

~ Melina 

My silly girl interrupting my studying time ;-)

Running, Relationship Status: On a Break

I love running. I don't even think about the benefits or even how it makes me a better person when I do it. I don't do it for the amazing high afterwards when I am sweaty and proud to have done it (okay maybe that is part the reason why I do) but the real reason I do it is because it really is the best therapy I can have.

I haven't been my best, and I do proudly admit that I talk to someone to help me through my issues, but running, now, that is where the true healing of my soul lies! I can hardly believe I say that because I used to be the person who looked disgustingly at runners thinking, "Why would anyone want to do something that hurts so bad?!"

Source: etsy.com via Melina on Pinterest

Now I understand that the hurt, the effort, the will-power, is what fuels the runner. It's what fuels our souls. I was the girl who would say that I didn't believe in running and now I'm the girl who can't live without it. I remember I had a bit of a shin injury after a serious Zumba workout and I was devastated that I couldn't run. I was off of it for 2 months before getting back to it but by that time the lovely weather of Florida's humidity and heat has hindered my running progress. I can still run but running the 4 miles I used to be able to get to? Not happening!

So I've made the hard decision of not making running my main cardio anymore. At least not until the fall. And here are the reasons why, well, the reasons why I have to take a break from the boyfriend a.k.a. running that I just can't live without. . .

1. I started adding more H.I.I.T. workouts (high intensity interval training) in the form of BodyRock and other interval exercises to challenge my muscles more. Because of this, my shins are feeling more challenged during a run. 

2. H.I.I.T is better for fat burning without compromising the muscle building I am working hard to gain. (I have Bikini Competition dreams in my head) 

3. My weak area and my most unappealing area is my backside. I have decided I want to focus my training more on my booty. Thank goodness for the Booty Beautiful Series from FitnessRX! I have learned from the Booty Beautiful Program that running is not the proper cardio for booty building. I learned that I need to focus my efforts more towards stair-steppers, incline walking/running and plyometrics (which I get from H.I.I.T) All of these are cardio workouts that works the booty at the same time!

Running is still a great workout. If I hated it, it would be easy to be like, "Hell yea! No more running!" But it really hurts me to not run as my primary cardio. If it weren't for the humidity and heat of Florida, I would be all about running a 10K every weekend! I love running and it really does heal me.

So I'll be backing off running, but I will still meet up with my run once or twice a week. When you are a mess like me, you just have to hang on to the thing that helps you clear your head!

Are you finding a workout or exercise that you love but have to give up due to an injury or are you like me having to give up a workout or exercise you love just because it currently doesn't fit in your workout goals? Or just tell me how much you hate or love to run! :-)

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