Follow Your Dreams. Do What You Love.

Lately the topic of discussion has been: "Follow your dreams. Do what you love."  I seem to always talk about dreams and being passionate about things.  But when other people begin to talk about it, it draws me in.  They have my full attention because I am interested to see what people believe about dreams, being passionate about something, and doing it whole heartedly.

In class and from professors, mentors, and people I care the most about they have advised me to "Follow my dreams by doing what I love."  The two things I have the most passion for are: fitness/health and helping people out.  This dream is easy to follow as long as I take the right steps towards that.  But one of my other favorite things that I have become a lot more passionate about is social media.  I want to learn more about what's behind it all and how you can best utilize it.  I love being connected to people, learning new things about people, and sharing my story with the world.

How do you follow this dream? A professor once told me, (please keep reading, I promise I'll stop being redundant.) "Follow your dreams. Even if you don't know what those dreams are, follow what you feel the most passionate about. Even if there isn't a job title to match your passions, one day there just might be and if not why not come up with it yourself!" What great advice!

However, fitness bloggers are all over the place, health websites pop up all the time.  But helping people via the internet is very motivating but there is no physical interaction.  To me, this step is extremely important in helping people out.  This world cannot be come so globalized that the only way people communicate is via technology.  It is completely inhumane!

So, why can't I just do both? I can get paid to help people in person as a fitness instructor or personal trainer and when I'm not doing that have social media to help back me up? Tons of people do it, why can't I? It's not much of an aspiration compared to some people's dreams and goals but this is my dream and what I feel led to do! It brings me complete satisfaction.  I believe that is one of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs :)

Here is what I hope you can gain from this blog post, if you aren't doing everything to fulfill complete satisfaction stop doing what isn't making you happy.  Try and follow what will make you happy.  It means more in the end of your life to know you did everything you wanted/needed to do.  You lived out your life to the fullest! So, Follow your dreams and Do what you LOVE!

Kayla

April: The Month of Change

Can anyone believe it's April already? And the 2nd at that? What happened to the first day of the month? That was a full day... it definitely didn't feel like it.

This month is going to be the month of change.  Well the preparation month for change.  I accepted a job as of last week that I will be starting May 14th.  I am so excited for this next chapter and relieved that the job searching process is over!

However, one of my other dreams is to be a fitness instructor.  This process has only just begun and it will definitely be a lengthy process.  I'm still working on some details then this process should be finished before the summer ends.

Another thing that is also changing is that classes will come to an end and school will be over.  Making the move from college to work life will hopefully be an easy transition.  It will definitely be a learning experience so I expect a lot of blogs to come from my many hurdles to overcome.

Also, I think it is time for another addition in my life.  NO! Not a kid! I have wanted a puppy, or as normal people call them dogs or pets, for quite some time now.  My parents deal was as soon as I get my first paycheck, I'm free to do as I want because they won't be paying for me to live.  I have started the search but I know I will need some time to get use to my new life as a working professional before an addition can fit in my schedule.

This is the month of change people.  I encourage you to change something in your life.  Don't get stuck in a rut! Switch up your workouts, eating habits, people you talk to, or activities you partake in.  Don't be afraid to do something new.  It will keep you fresh and more energized when you aren't doing the same routine everyday.  Please leave a comment and let me know what your changes are.  We can help each other through these times.


-Kayla

Lifting Weights

I am debating with myself about strength training.  Most magazines I read say that strength training is necessary to keep your muscles strong and growing.  After a certain age though, muscle density begins to lessen every year.  A lot of trainers say you cannot lose weight unless you add strength training into your cardio workouts.

I have lifted weights since the eighth grade.  Every summer my high school required student athletes to attend 30 workouts throughout the summer.  These workouts consisted of an hour of cardio (ex: sprints, stadiums, long distance, intervals, etc) and one hour of lifting weights.  I loved lifting when I was in high school.  Max day was my favorite.  I was so competitive with myself that I would push my body to limits it probably shouldn't have been going as a 15 year old.  My squat max as a 15 year old girl, 125 lbs, 5'4" was 185 lbs! I must say that is a little ridiculous for a 15 year old to be lifting.

I would never consider myself fat in high school.  Yes, I had baby fat but most of all I had muscle mass.  So after high school, I banned weights from my workouts completely.  I ran occasionally, ate what I wanted to, and went to the student act once or twice a month.  So my workout routine went from working out everyday for 2 hours with cardio and weights to once a week just doing cardio.  Freshman year I lost 15 pounds of baby fat and mostly muscle mass.  I had no big arms anymore (my biceps actually fit in a fitted t-shirt), my tights finally fit in jeans without leaving lines on them when I took them off, and I was happy with the way I looked.

Until last year,  I was still eating whatever I wanted and doing the rare workout.  I decided I wanted to be toned again.  So I began training for a half-marathon.  My legs (I must say) were to die for! My calves were finally sitting up high instead of 2 baby calves looking for their momma cow! But I still didn't have the definition I wanted.

So I go back to my first paragraph where all of my fitness magazines tell me that weight lifting needs to be apart of your usual workout.  At least two times a week.  I tried P90X last summer hoping that would change things and I got huge (muscle wise).  I think some women gain muscle differently than other women.  There is nothing wrong with that but how do you determine what is good enough for your body?

Today I attended a BodyPump class by Les Mills at my gym (Gold's Gym).  I'm always afraid this class is just going to make me bulk.  I think I've decided to incorporate it into my weekly workout routine once a week.  I just want to see what it does for me and if it will truly help me tone all the places I want toned.  Give me your feedback on how you feel about lifting weights.  Does it help you, does it make you bulk, just tell me what you think.

Hope you enjoyed the blog,

Kayla

Understanding Health & Fitness Articles

Do you become overwhelmed by all the health information that is out there to read and implement in your life?  I know I do.  I read a lot of fitness/health magazines and Yahoo! articles that tell me to eat this and not that.  Don't drink that but drink this and every article says something different to substitute. How can you make sure you are doing all the right things for your body with so much information?

I take it one article/step at a time. Exercise is easy for me to follow.  If an article says try these new exercises to flatten your tummy or lift your butt and tone your legs, I try them at least once or twice.  Nutrition is where I fall short.  I have a mega sweet tooth and a fascination with drinking wine.  All the magazines say that you should do these things in moderation.  Then other articles say but only dark chocolate and only red wine.  Limiting myself to what I can eat and can't eat makes me fall of course even more.  So I do take in moderation but not to the specifics.... to anything I feel like having.  

Another article I read says to treat yourself nicely when you fall of track.  It makes it easier to get back on track.  I tend to be pretty hard on myself and tend to push it 100% harder in my next workout.  Or I lay on the floor and do crunches while I spoon feed myself ice-cream.  Another great article says to limit yourself 100-calorie intake of sweets a day.  A few years ago, I never ever could have done that.  But now with all the 100-calorie pack treats and super sweet yogurt that says it has 33% of your daily fiber but tastes like the fattening smoothies you use to drink as a kid, it makes it easier to do those sorts of tricks.

But instead of becoming overwhelmed with everything the magazines/TV/articles tell you about health and nutrition, implement one article at a time.  Soon they become habits and the rules are a little easier to follow.  Think of each article as a goal, reach it, and you will feel so accomplished.

Taking it step by step,

Kayla 

My Passion

Have you ever had that moment where you realized exactly what you were made to do in this life?  Have you ever had that moment and then realized it may be too late?

I was sitting in class the other day listening to my professor lecture on America's obesity levels and how food has such an impact on our lives.  And as I listened to this lecture I began to realize that I started to ache inside my body. I wanted to do something about these numbers.  I had a burn inside of me to make a difference.  So, I started to drift from the main point of the lecture and caught myself thinking, "What if?" What if I had come to college and known how to study and manage my time better? What if I didn't make the decision to switch majors? Then a huge cloud of regret began to weigh on me.  I love my major and the things I am learning but for the past couple of days I've thought what if I had stayed in Nutrition & Health? I could have easily fulfilled my passion.

If you haven't caught on yet, I have discovered that my passion is to inspire people, motivate people, and help people realize how important nutrition, exercise, and mental stability are.  To target my passion, obesity has weighed heavily on my heart. The Biggest Loser is one of my favorite shows (Thanks Mom!) and those people inspire me more than these super skinny models and people who have always been fit.  They make me want to be better because they are making themselves better.  I want to help people who are having trouble making it all "click".  I want to inspire people to make themselves better.  Is this still possible with the study course I've chosen? I sure hope so.

I am hoping to make my first move towards this goal by becoming certified in a spin class or aerobics instructor.  After graduation, I hope I can find a career that stays within the boundaries of Hospitality Management because quality service is another huge passion of mine but staying parallel with nutrition and health.  I don't like to say that I have regrets so I am going to make the best out of everything I have.  I may not have chosen to study Nutrition & Health but taking Food & Beverage Management courses and Food Production classes, I have a feeling my major is going to help me find exactly what I need to do.

Reaching for the stars,

Kayla

Fitness Instructors

For the longest time I have thought about becoming a certified fitness instructor.  I worked at the front desk of a YMCA for a year because I thought they would eventually promote me to class instructor.  I had no idea you actually had to take a test, take a few classes, and then get your certificate.

Fitness instructors aren't there to just teach a class.  They are there to inspire you and keep you motivated.  Without them, would you really go to a class? Some people would say yes, I would love it if I could take a class without an instructor but most people (I believe) would say, no, the instructor is the only reason I go.  If you said yes, then you probably are meant to be an instructor.

I love taking fitness classes.  Working out with other people keeps me going (because I'm so competitive) and it makes me know that there are other people in this world that want or are trying to do the same thing as me; lose weight or burn calories so they can eat whatever they want (let's be honest, that's what I workout for!)  Whatever the reason people come to fitness classes whether it be to get enjoyment out of a workout, try something different, become inspired, or be surrounded by people who want the same thing as them, none of it could happen without the fitness instructor.

In January, I realized that I was meant to encourage people.  I was put on this Earth to serve people.  Whether that be in hospitality, working out, helping others with problems/projects/etc., I have a desire to help them.  Watching the Biggest Loser, inspires me to do something with my life.  Reading about other peoples success makes me want to do better.  Being around certain people makes me want to be a better person.  I think it's time for me to take that extra step and become a fitness instructor.  I am already crazy busy but I think it is important to be somebody that someone else can turn to or confide in.

You don't have to be a fitness instructor to do that.  You can just be a positive influence in someones life.  Keep that smile on your face and show people how awesome it is to walk through life happy.  Be a light in someones life.  You matter even if you think you do not.  I promise there is someone wishing they could be more like you.

Smiling a little bigger,

Kayla :D

Back at Square One

I am embarrassed to be typing this blog post but I believe it is necessary.  I have completely fallen off of my pedestal of running and staying focused on being in shape.  I cannot seem to get the motivation I need to workout and eat healthy except that my body feels awful so I go out to get a run in just to feel a little better.  It seems I cannot find the motivation to run unless I have something to run for.  Without a race, or someone to share the same passion with, what do I do?

I have been in search for a 5-K, 10-K, Half-marathon, or Full-marathon ever since I posted my blog, "Post Race Blues".  I found quite a few but haven't picked one to actually run in.  I'm running in a 5-K in August with one of my dear friends but other than that I don't have anything else to do.  I can still run a 5-K but my time isn't what I want it to be.  I am putting that on myself because 1. I haven't been running like I should and 2. I haven't been eating like a should.  And I won't be running the race in August for time so I don't see the point in practicing speed.

But in reality that is exactly what I should be doing.  Since I'm bored with myself and my workouts, I need to incorporate speed work to keep myself entertained.  But more importantly I need to change my diet.  I have never been able to grasp the concept of diets.  If I workout, why should I diet? Well, going on my run today made me realize that I have to give my body the nutrients it needs to function.  If I feed it all this bad stuff my body rejects it and cramps up.  

I feel like everyone losses focus every once in a while.  Maybe not as often as me but I know Jillian Michaels has to slip up sometimes and so do you.  It's okay as long as we realize what we are doing wrong and fix it.  I am trying this new app on my phone called MyFitnessPal.  It is keeping me accountable to what I eat.  You can add friends on it so they can keep you accountable too.  If you find yourself having trouble, add me.  I'm the worst when it comes to sweets which I'm realizing now needs to be cut out of my diet completely.  My body does not like sweets, even though my mind and mouth thoroughly enjoy them.  Try and regain focus even if there is nothing you have to work for.  Work on yourself.  Stay focused on yourself because in reality working out and dieting is all for you.  The only way you can continue a diet or exercise is for yourself.  Just know that everyone slips up.  Don't let yourself slip up so much that you can't regain control over yourself.

Taking the reigns,

Kayla

Post-Race Blues

Hey everybody!

What a week!  I don't know what to do with myself.  Last week ended the most stressful thing I have to do this semester.  Two weekends before that I finished my first half-marathon.  My schedule is pretty boring right now.  Weird, I know.  I catch a break and I don't know what to do with myself.  I'm still studying because I had a few tests and quizzes this week but other than that work is all I do.  My boyfriend kindly pointed out that I haven't seemed as happy as I was before I my race.  And he's right, I haven't been myself.  Even weirder, I know.  I'm having withdraws without running. :/

Yesterday, I was so determined to start training or just running again, I pulled out my Marathon Training for Dummies book that I got about three years ago.  Before I pulled out the book, I went for a much needed run which was the right first plan of action, but unfortunately found out I've lost my strength.  I only ran three miles yesterday and it was a struggle.  So training is going to kick me in the butt the first two weeks, again!

After my run, I began skimming through my book and noticed things I had highlighted in the past.  As I got halfway through the book the highlighting stopped.  I never finished the book.  So I turned to the back where all the marathons are listed and what happens after a marathon.  Since I already finished my first half I figured I'd see what it said.  Swear to goodness there is a chapter that is called Working Through the Post-Race Blues.  B was right! For the past three weeks I have been experiencing the post-race blues.  In this chapter it tells me what I'll feel like, what I need to do, and how to work through them.  SO I need to set another goal and continue running. 

As soon as I finished that chapter I moved on to the list of races.  There are so many that sound so amazing.  Did you know there are over 400 marathons held in the United States in one year?  That's MADNESS!  I also got a list from the fabulous Schwyn girl that listed the Top 10 races for First Time Marathoners.  I've narrowed it down to a few but I'm struggling with the time.  Both races I'm thinking about for the fall, fall on weekends that there are HUGE football games.  I know, it's just football but it's my senior year.  Making all the games is crucial to this season! (haha) So now I'm faced with picking one in the fall which is the perfect amount of time to train or wait until January or February to run the two races I know I can go to and have plenty of time to seriously prepare.  I just can't decide.  SO, in the mean time.  Training will begin.  Whether I have a race to run or not, I've got to keep running.  Who would have thought that running could make a girl happy? I thought it was only diamonds! :)

Until next time,

Kayla

Dedication and Determination

Hello friends.

It has been quite some time since I last posted.  Spring Break is this week and I completely isolated myself from computers and Internet access.  The reason I am on the Internet now is because I'm back to reality with school work, work work, gala planning, training, and everything else that goes on in my life.  Full force will hit Monday.  Especially since it's the day after my first half-marathon.  I could not be more excited about finishing this race.

I watched a few shows over break and some of the people in the shows lacked dedication, determination, self-awareness, and confidence.  While I was watching the episodes, it occurred to me that not everyone has the same characteristics as everyone else.  It is so hard to think that there are people in this world who do not have the drive to get up in the morning and do things for themselves or other people.  It is crazy for me to think about people not having confidence in themselves and awareness of how they control most aspects of their lives.  Then as I was shopping today it dawned on me how I obtained my strong characteristics of dedication, determination, self-awareness, and confidence.  I was mainly brought up that way but it took a little bit of myself to make those decisions for myself.  I was raised to be dedicated to everything I did 110%.  I was never allowed to quit teams and I most certainly never missed deadlines for projects.  Determination came from my skills in gymnastics and my father because he is so competitive.  I always wanted to be better and learn more.  Confidence could not have come from anywhere but within myself.  I was very awkward growing up and high school was not my finest moments.  Learning how to deal with rude/mean people and clothes never fitting and being the black sheep of the family made my confidence sky rocket when I came to college and found who I was.

Dedication and determination are such a natural thing for me now that I can't imagine not having it.  I always strive to be the best at everything I do and never let anyone down.  I set way too high of expectations but it keeps me on my toes.  If you don't have that natural drive, find something you are good at and reach for the stars.  Having confidence will only help with dedication and determination.  Like I've stated before my training has been difficult but I have been completely dedicated because I'm running for someone other than myself.  My determination can only come within myself to complete this 13.1 mile run and say to anyone who asks, "I completed my first half-marathon in 2.30.00."

Stay strong,

Kayla