First day back in class was.. uneventful. I only have one class a day, so I have nothing to complain about 
FITNESS
So much better! What can I say, fitness is like a drug and I’m a total junky! :p You crave it, have withdrawals without it, and once I have a little, I just want more! I hadn’t gone to Yoga since last Friday and I was really craving it.. no I didn’t have the shakes, but nonetheless. I love working from home and having a flexible schedule because I was able to head right from class to make it to 10:30am Yoga. It was fantastic. When I left, I was more relaxed, energetic and focused. Tonight was Upper Body and Spin. Nothing too interesting to report, it was just great to get moving and sweat it out!
How do you define yourself?
The hardest year I’ve had was my freshman year of college. It wasn’t for the standard reasons: I wasn’t homesick, I wasn’t scared, it wasn’t classes (though I’m sure all those things didn’t help).. it was because it was the first time in my life I wasn’t known as ‘the gymnast.’ I did gymnastics from 6 years old to 18 years old. Since I was 12, I worked out 5 days a week, for no less than 4 hours at a time. When I was in middle school and high school I usually ate lunch in the library while I did homework so I could get to bed before 2am. I never partied because I always had morning workouts the next day. But even at the time, I didn’t regret it. People have asked me if I thought I missed out on the ‘standard high school’ experience. My answer is always, ‘absolutely not!’ I loved what I did and wouldn’t change a thing. But as I’ve mentioned before, I can tend to be an all or nothing person. When I love it, I give it everything I have, but the moment I stop loving it, I’m done. This is certainly an aspect of my personality I’ve been working to evolve, to incorporate balance. But I digress.. as soon as I stopped loving gymnastics, I quit/retired. That was the summer between High School & College. Without gymnastics, I didn’t know who I was, I didn’t know what defined me. It took me a long time to sort that out and come to know myself outside of being a gymnast. A big help was realizing that even if I wasn’t doing gymnastics it didn’t mean I couldn’t still love it and be involved on some level (I know that seems obvious but it took me adjusting my thought process to get there).
So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to learn from past mistakes, and not let myself be defined by only one thing. I love competitive fitness, and with it being such an extreme hobby requiring a specific & demanding lifestyle, it’s easy to get sucked in and let it take over your life. But the truth is, it is a hobby. Unless you’re one of the very lucky few, it’s probably not paying your bills. Working out makes me happy and is an essential part of my daily life, however, there are lots of other things that I enjoy as well, many of which are set aside when preparing to compete… Or at least that was my experience. I think it’s easy to let it happen the first time around. Next time I go into competition prep, hopefully I’ll have learned a better balance.
Evolution
My dedication and sincere interest in the topics of health, wellness, fitness & nutrition have only intensified over the course of training last summer, into fall competition-prep and post-competition. The more I learn about different philosophies and approaches to these topics, the more I want to learn. Competitive fitness might be extreme, but taking on an active & fit, healthy eating lifestyle can be achieved by anyone. The crazy competition life got me started (or more accurately, reminded me, of my love for nutrition & wellness), but it’s blossomed into so much more. I am so excited for formal Integrative Nutrition classes to start, I’m getting my fitness instructor certification in the coming weeks, and I carry a notebook around everywhere I go because I constantly have ideas for stories, blog posts, tips, recipes, etc.
I haven’t let fitness define me, but instead I’ve allowed that interest to evolve and open my eyes & mind to new ideas, experience and potentially, life direction. I can’t wait to help other find greater wellness my sharing my experiences, lessons & knowledge.
NUTRITION
Breakfast this morning looked awfully similar to yesterday’s snack. Protein Yogurt (6 oz Greek Yogurt + 1/2 scoop PB Protein Powder), topped with 1/4 c homemade Granola and 1/2 Warm Maple Apple. This combination is filling but not too heavy.. just right..
Got home from Yoga around 12:30pm and was completely in the mood for Pumpkin Oats.. topped with a tbsp of the lovely no-sugar-added Pumpkin Butter Carrie sent me..
Throughout the day I snacked on the rest of the Sweet Potato Cheetahs and Kale, and later mixed up Vega Protein Pudding topped with a couple tablespoons of Granola pre-workout..
For dinner I threw together a Mixed Greens & Spaghetti Squash Salad using random leftover odds & ends (TJ’s Chickenless BBQ, grilled Portobello Mushroom, Pinenuts, Dried Tomatoes)..
I’ve loved trying various vegetarian & vegan protein options lately. I was pleasantly surprised by Trader Joe’s BBQ Chickenless Chicken, and love their Savory Tofu. I don’t plan on going vegetarian/vegan but it’s wonderful to have more protein options!
FUN
Yoga Journal had a great article today that reference the study I talked about a while back examining the impact yoga has on a woman’s self esteem.. Happy in Your Own Skin
Another interesting article, “America Wasn’t Born Fat”
Yeah for Hump Day.. my favorite workout day.. legs with my trainer then Spin & Flow Yoga in the evening. Have a wonderful day!
If you had to pick 5 words to define yourself, what would they be?
Fun Links
Here I am crying for the millionth time today! Your “How to do you define yourself” section hit me hard. I think up until now, I have always defined myself as a student. For me, I always wanted to have the highest grade, the highest rank, everything high when it came to academics. Now that I’m in grad school… I’ve let the student part of me REALLY slide. Like you, if I don’t love it, I S-U-C-K at it! I don’t love grad school (actually I’d venture to say it’s the opposite of love)… so I’m an awful student. I’ve had the worst time coping with this, because before these last couple years, school was my thing. I was always an athlete too, but school always came first.
Without my “student” status, I have been dazed and confused. Although it has been really rough for me re-defining myself, values, etc., I think it has been good because it has made me realize who I am and what my passions are. For the longest time, I thought it was school. I always told myself that I had to go far in academics in order to be successful (i.e. med school, law school, PhD). Now I know, it is NOT for me!
I really like your post. I know I’m still on that journey of finding balance in my life. Maybe I just need some yoga!
I loved reading this post. It’s so well writen and I enjoy the fact that you put all these ideas out there for us to think about.
What defines me? It’s a tough one. I spoke about this the other day with my family as I started feeling that one aspect of my life was taking over everything else. I think my five words would be: family, health, animals, sport (mainly tennis) and day-dreaming.
I have been overcoming the same mindset with putting my all into something and letting it overcome me. That is actually one of the reasons I don’t foresee myself ever competing again. I really let the prep overcome my life and that was something I was not comfortable with, as a mother. Kudos to you for working towards finding a balance to let it work in your life. I am still very passionate about fitness, health, workouts, etc and that won’t die. I soooo want to work towards becoming a personal trainer and wellness coach one day. Sorry for rambling. I just enjoy your blog
Awesome post Alyson. I did something similar with ballet. When I stopped dancing, I felt completely lost. I think it’s great that you are using your passion for fitness as a way to find new areas of interest. Maybe you should be a trainer or coach! I know that a lot of people put me into categories too. Like exercise fanatic, skinny vegetarian, shy/quiet. Yes, I exercise regularly (addicted like you LOL), I am vegetarian but that’s not why I’m thin and I don’t preach it to anyone, yes I am shy/quiet around new people. But none of those singularly define me.
If I had to define myself I’d say:
1. loyal
2. honest
3. strong
4. sensitive
5. dedicated
I think what defines you “now” is that you are an athlete and an informed fitness and health person. You should go with what you love. Over time that focus may change. We change all our lives, in a few years who knows where it will take you, but I think that what you love now will always be a part of you. I was never athletic in my childhood or HS years, it wasn’t until I hit my 20′s that I realized I actually did have some athleticism, surprised the heck out of me, but I love it. Wish I knew it sooner.
I used to be gymnast too! It definitely didn’t define me…I was not very talented but boy did I love it.
I’m not sure what defines me at the moment. Nothing. I hope something comes along…anything!
thanks for the article links! kept me entertained today