Who's coming with me ?

The past seven months have been nothing short of an evolution.  When I set out writing my blog while stranded in Hawaii, I NEVER dreamed it would really be the evolution of Elizabeth.  I have learned a great many things.  I have been training for the RKC since September after I attended the HKC.  I added Pilates on the reformer in January to my training to develop better shoulder mobility and overall flexibility.  I never believed I would have the strength, flexibility and over all body awareness that I now possess. The road to the RKC has not been an easy one but it has been an amazing experience.  I have learned the difference between just showing up at the gym and actually training for something.  I’ve learned what dedication is to my workouts, my nutrition and my life.  What’s so exciting on this journey to the RKC is it’s not over!  In a few short days I will fly to St. Paul, Minnesota and be forever changed.  Yes, I will be forever changed!  I will be a sponge and try to soak up and absorb every detail I can. I will keep my eyes and ears open and be willing to learn and have fun.

This past Saturday, 4/7, was my last group kettlebell class I will get to attend before my RKC.  At the end of class I thanked everyone for always working so hard and supporting me on my journey.  I started to get teary and almost began to cry in expressing my gratitude to my fellow classmates.  I told everyone that I would be taking them with me in spirit to the RKC.  They have all touched my life and given me strength and inspired me to want to be better. As I head out I will take all of them with me.  When I’m exhausted, overwhelmed or ready to give up I will think of how hard they work and how they push themselves, even after that buzzer sounds. Again, I want to thank everyone for the wishes of good luck and positivity that has been sent my way on my journey!  LET'S GOOOOOO! (I was unable to get a picture of all the wonderful people :( who have supported me )

Who's got your back ?

It is said you should surround yourself with like minded people that have similar goals and aspirations. In training for the RKC I have to constantly remind myself  to "believe I am stronger than I think". I write this on my forearm quite often and it helps. What also helps me is the small group class I take part in twice a week, aside from my other training days. This group of people are, in a word, awesome. Some have been in my life for years and others are fairly new to my life. They all know about my goal for the RKC and they push me and give me a pat on the back when I need it or a kick in the @ss when needed also. Don't we all need a pat on the back? I never realized that training for something would encompass both the physical and emotional.  I figured I'd just go to the gym and train, right? Easy enough. You don't think about the days you didn't sleep well the night before. Perhaps you didn't eat well or you had a stressful, crazy day at work. You still have to go. It becomes a second job. What do you do if you don't have a good support network? Aside from the kettlebell group, I have many friends on facebook from my HKC certification and there are many RKC's I've friended via the internet who constantly post blogs and inspirational thoughts on food, life and working out. These things absolutely help if perhaps your spouse, significant other or family don't help support your healthy eating or training.  This being said, I realize that despite all the awesome people in my life believing in me, at the end of the day I need to believe in myself first and foremost!  Who believes in you and your goals?


Elizabeth M

What I'm NOT anymore!

In the past year, I've tried to set several goals for myself, as far as working out is concerned. As women I feel most of us set goals according to the scale and what we plan on depriving ourselves of. Let's be honest, we pretty much worship the scale!  I admit I used too as well. I would always joke around and say, "I'd have so much more free time if I just stopped weighing myself!" I've also heard girlfriends, colleagues, and women on the street muttering about trying to obtain a body they will never have. EVER! If I ran everyday, tried every new fad workout and diet, I would NEVER look like Heidi Klum.  (Oh my goodness! How can she say that, lol.)  My parents weren't Heidis. Damn genetics, lol. We have completely different body types!  So many women don't understand you can't change your build. When I say this I am not suggesting that people should be unhealthy and over/under weight.  I'm saying strive to be fit and healthy and most importantly, STRONG!  Lift heavy things!  How much does your child weigh?  Can you carry him/ her and your purse? Ladies, if you went shoe shopping you wouldn't ask for a size 5 when your a 7 . So why do so many of us idolize sizes we can't possibly be? Listen, no one is perfect.  I'm far from it, but I realize I'll never look like Heidi Klum, but what's even better is I'm okay with that.  I'm happy with me.  The other thing I'm not anymore is starving. Yep, starving.  I would eat salads alll week long to indulge on the weekend.  Does this sound familiar?  It doesn't work!  Now I eat and eat I certainly do.  Don't think im going to McDonald's and getting a Big Mac though .When I say I eat, I eat lots of healthy vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, nuts and my favorite, BACON.  I love bacon but I heard bacon makes you fat, hahahah just kidding.  My goal is the RKC!  I know my body fat will be lower when April comes around but I will also be stronger! I'm not afraid to lift heavy weight and eat some bacon. What are you NOT anymore?

Elizabeth M

Happy birthday toOoOOo ME!

What's the saying, another year older and hopefully wiser?  It's amazing the changes we can make physically, emotionally and mentally in one year.  A year ago on my 28th birthday, I had touched a 10kg, 12kg and maybe a 16kg kettlebell. I had probably whined that they were so heavy too.  At this point, I really didn't get "it". What I mean by "it" is that as a women you can move and lift REAL weight and not turn into a man. I also learned food is not the enemy! Imagine, eating! I know that some of you are laughing but a lot of women avoid foods because they have fat in them. I  learned more about fats and realized its okay to eat nuts and bacon .:) In the past few months I adopted more of a paleo or primal diet .The biggest change I've seen in me though, is my training. There are several reasons I say my training changed more than anything else.  I always went to the gym and worked out but I never "trained" for something. I decided to sign up for the RKC in August, after experiencing my bf's graduation workout in San Diego.  We were stuck in Hawaii when I tried to book my spot. I will admit, begrudgingly, when I first looked on dragon door's website and saw full, I flipped out as though I wouldn't have a job or home come May if I did not attend this RKC. So I emailed dragon door and to my delight they had opened more spaces. Phew, I was almost RKCless hahaha.  

I look back to videos of me performing swings, cleans and TGU's from last year and can't believe how my technique has improved. The most valuable lesson I feel with technique is always being humble and knowing it can be improved. Looking back at myself a year ago, seeing the girl I was who just "went to the gym” to now, looking in the mirror and seeing a tough @ss chick!  A chick that wants to get stronger and better with everyday I train.  I've learned so much about ME and how hard I want to work and how much I'm willing to put into something.  I'm looking forward to this 29th year. I can't wait to see how my evolution continues to unfold!  Stay tuned. The sky is the limit! 

Elizabeth M

It's COMING !

Most of us are concentrating on the upcoming holidays. The food, drinks and don't forget the presents. Oooh and let's not forget my birthday. ;)  Yes I have all these things on my mind too and my training as well.  When I signed up for the RKC in August it seemed so far away but it's already December! So what's in store for me this month?  Well aside from my training designed by the coach to help me work on technique and getting stronger, Im challenging myself to do pullups/chinups for the enitre month of December (yes everyday). My standing Nov 30 was 2 chinups 1 pull up. On December 31 I’ll retest for how many of each I can do. The evil bf/coach challenged everyone to get better this month. He told us to pick one thing to really focus on just oneee thing.  It seems so simple, right? Its very interesting that most of us try to get better at five things at once and end up not accomplishing any of them! I will take on the challenge and get better. That being said off to do more chin-ups. =)

Elizabeth M

Go sit in the corner !

In this day and age it seems people are always on the go. We all have lists of chores and things that need to get done two days ago.  I find myself to be  included in this generalization. Most importantly, I find I do this in my training. I never take the hint from my body or my evil boyfriend/coach, to take a time out. Approximately three or four months ago I hurt my right shoulder.  At this time I started seeing someone for structural integration ( if you're interested, check out Alyssa Dodson's website  www.alyssadodson.com/.testimonials.com) and it really started helping. What's that you say? Did I ease up at the gym?  Of course not! That would make sense. "Hey, you're injured. Take a break, dummy."  Slowly, my shoulder felt better as I continued to work out.  About a month ago, the boyfriend asked me to perform a move checking my shoulder mobility. Just as I feared, the verdict was, "Your mobility stinks, to put it nicely. No snatches or presses for you." Being the brat I can be when being told I can't do something I start whining, "What this? Can't be. I'm gonna do it anyway." After hearing this I had a thirty minute ride home to let this sink in. Hmmm, maybe he's right. Maybe I should listen this time before I really get hurt.  So, I decide to listen to him. Ooohhh unbelieveable!  I took it easy for about two weeks.  It was easy enough until I realized I had to get in 3,000 swings in three days to complete my 10,000 swing challenge for the month of October. Well I finished it.  Usually I'd say, 'woohoo!' or something to that effect. Not this time, for several reasons. One, I did not plan this challenge out well. I knew I was going away in a few days where I had no acess to kettlebells and I knew my shoulder wasn't feeling great. Sometimes it's okay to throw in the towel. "The goal is the goal", and my goal is the RKC, not to do x amount of swings.  So, the coach wrote me an email advising me to go home Monday night. No gym until friday :(.  I was sad but I know it's in my best interest to rest and do a lot of mobility work.  I guess sometimes even as adults we need to be put in time out :)