Fitness Forum

It sounds counterinutitive when you are competing in a fitness contest, but it's true. There are many obstacles that we have to conquer throughout our journey, but you have to keep your eyes on the prize in order to become successful. Throughout the first half of the 30 Day Fitness Contest, every decision I made was influenced by the idea to graduate into a stronger and healthier version of myself. During the second half of the contest, I was met with obstacles that forced me to modify my plans. An injury took me out of my game. I took time away from the gym to recover, but continued eating clean. My diet included a half-bowl of cereal each morning. Great Grains cereal is packed with a healthy source of fiber. Without fiber, I do not experience regular bowel movements. My body became intolerant to the cereal and I had to switch to another source of fiber. Later, my second source was rejected and I had an intestinal obstruction. My stomach swelled up and I had pain and no bowel movement for two days. I experienced a total of three obstructions this month, which is a new record for me. Throughout the years, I would only experience one every two months. I had to make the decision to pull out of the contest. Because of my health issues and injury there was no way I could show my progress in 'after' photos. I was depressed for a short time. I wanted to lead by example and continue motivating each contestant. Then I remembered that 'ftness is not a race, it's a journey' and that this obstacle is apart of my journey. I believe everything happens for a reason and that all of this happened at the right time. If I don't receive proper medical treatment then my condition can worsen or it would happen during a more inconvenient time. This contest helped me expand my goals and find motivation again. For the first time, my gym routine wasn't about punching faces. It was about becoming stronger. I left my comfort zone and tried out a variety of gyms that challenged me athlethically. Before that, I never stepped foot outside of Evolution Muay Thai, unless I was on a vacation or working. Apart of me is bummed that I did not lose 10 pounds yet, but the other part of me knows that it will still happen. I found motivation again!

15. Yesterday after teaching my final 2 classes at Switch Playground (smh, Justin, LOL), I cranked out a solid super-set lifting day after a VERY stressful week. Our roommate found bedbugs in his room, which never spread from there, but nonetheless we ALL had to follow protocol to prepare for the exterminator, which meant packing up our entire apartment into plastic bags as if we're moving out. So yeah, I definitely needed to blow off some steam last night, and this workout helped: 7:30 mins elliptical warmup 3x Squats One-arm Cable chest scoops 3x Leg press Calf-raises on leg press machine One-arm bench row 3x Quad extensions Hamstring curls Dumbbell chest flies 3x Assisted pullups Alternating Jumping Lunges *** 16. Today at 3pm I'm taking a class at Flybarre near Lincoln Center. It's a free class (lead by my friend who's an instructor-in-training) if anyone wants to join!!

So haven't been on here in a min..figured I'd give everybody a quick update. Day 5..i messed my knee up and got this fancy fashion accessory. Had to wear it for two week to see if i got better..basically killing my cardio & fat burning workouts. It didn't so I have an MRI appointment tonight. Hopefully it doesn't need surgery..that would suck.