Ten Tunes Tuesday (Overtime can suck it)

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." -- Michael Jordan

I feel like all I do is work and workout lately. I know, I know... it could be worse! Still, this new routine has me torn between enjoying my new, fitter lifestyle and mourning the lifestyle that I used to have. I honestly didn't love my old routine, but sometimes it's nice to just come home, make dinner, and go to bed. I'm hoping that my workload lessens once our new team member arrives... maybe then I'll regain some semblance of work/life balance, and can enjoy my evenings again. This 13-hour workday business gets old really fast, especially when you're forcing yourself to work out another hour to hour and a half afterwards.

Speaking of my workouts... Running is getting easier day by day, and I think my new strength training routine is helping that a lot. Since rejoining the gym last December, I had largely relied on the same strength training routine that I had known and used since college. And why not? It had proven results (once upon a time), and I was comfortable doing it. But... it's always dangerous to get too comfortable, especially when you have big dreams. To quote the great Jon Bon Jovi, "Don't get too comfortable with who you are at any given time - you may miss the opportunity to become who you want to be." Incredibly wise words, especially when you're trying to fight for a dream. 

Because I love this quote so much, I thought it would be fun for this week's Ten Tunes to be centered around the music genre that made Bon Jovi a household name. So here it is - a hair band / 80s rock band tribute playlist to help you rock out while you work out!

1. Bon Jovi - "Livin' On a Prayer"
2. Joan Jett - "Bad Reputation" 
3. Guns N' Roses - "Welcome to the Jungle"
4. Sammy Hagar - "I Can't Drive 55"
5. Motley Crue - "Dr Feelgood"
6. Twisted Sister - "I Wanna Rock"
7. Metallica - "Enter Sandman"
8. Pat Benatar - "Heartbreaker"
9. Poison - "Nothin' But a Good Time"
10. Aerosmith/Run DMC - "Walk This Way" <-- You didn't think I could have a whole list without a little hip-hop, did you? Haha.

My niece is visiting for the next couple of weeks, so it'll be interesting to see how well I hold up my fitness commitments while she's here. We're off to a good start - she woke up Monday morning at 6am to run a morning mile with me! It's so good having her here... 

Well, keep on rockin' this week, friends! Don't let the upcoming holiday derail your fitness goals. Incorporate your fitness commitments into your plans, and stick to it! I believe in you!

Cheers!

Becky

Ten Tunes Tuesday (I think I can, I think I can...)

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." -- Tommy Lasorda

See that face? That is the face of a girl who worked too late and, as a result, is late posting her Ten Tunes Tuesday blog... again! Ugh! I'm so sorry for that, friends. I had a busy and fit weekend, which I'll blog about later. For now, here's the ten tunes that kept me pumped during my workouts yesterday and today! 

1. Dami Im - "Super Love"
2. New Politics - "Girl Crush"
3. Bonnie Anderson - "Blackout"
4. Major Lazer and DJ Snake - "Lean On"
5. Passion Pit - "Lifted Up"
6. Imagine Dragons - "I Bet My Life"
7. Fergie - "Glamorous"
8. Outkast - "Hey Ya!"
9. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - "Can't Stop"
10. Iggy Azalea - "Fancy"

In other news, my recent half-marathon registration has definitely motivated me to go at the gym harder and longer lately.  I'm exceeding every goal I set for myself in June. I need to work on the diet part, but the workouts are going great. Let's keep this momentum up! What are you doing to challenge yourself this week?

I have a couple of ideas for upcoming blogs, so hopefully I'll find time this week to get to them. In the meantime, have a happy, healthy, safe, and fit week friends!

Cheers!

Becky

This Girl Can Too!

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." -- Confucius

I love the above video. Although I had watched it a while ago, a friend's recent post of the same this week reminded me to share it with you here. "This Girl Can" is a terrific campaign out of the UK that strives to help people overcome their insecurities so they can work out without fear. They have some great role models on their website and in their videos to help this campaign - I highly recommend you checking it out.

Friends have sometimes asked me how I overcame the fear of judgement by the meatheads at the gym when I started hitting the weight rack hard last winter. For me, this was easy... I honestly just don't care what people think, especially when I am working out in the gym. But I get it... It's easy for me to say that because I have worked out before. I know how to workout, and am not afraid of messing up when it comes to the gym. For many of you, however, I know it has to be hard to go to the gym when you're new to the gym scene. There's a fear of looking "stupid." There's the fear of looking fat. And lord knows that those of us with ample tops are concerned with bounce! Just keep in mind that everyone has to start somewhere. Even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson had a day one at some point.

Don't let the fear of other's opinions keep you from your goals. This is easier said than done - I totally get that - but fear is keeping all of us from living the best lives that we are totally capable of achieving. Women have curves... and curves jiggle. And that's ok! Move your body anyway. Be glad that you have a body capable of moving!

In other news, I signed up for a half marathon today! Hurray! I will be running (or walking... whatever) the Star Wars Half at Disneyland in January. This will be my first long haul race since college. I'm both nervous and excited! My main goal is to finish at the required pace - I'm currently running a 11-12 minute mile, and average a 14-15 minute/mile walking, so I think I'll be ok. That said, I haven't been able to maintain that pace so far much further than 3-5 miles, so endurance training will be key for me in the coming months. If I can finish the race at a 12 minute mile, I'll be happy. If I finish faster, I'll be overjoyed! Either way, I'm just glad that I have the will to try in the first place. If you'll be there too, let me know! I'd love to see you and maybe run or walk with you for a bit while we are there.

That's about it for me tonight, folks. Hope y'all have a pleasant weekend! Keep up the good work!

Cheers!

Becky