I am so happy to hear that you guys found the strength training post useful. I am also excited that you still want videos – I am all about form so I can’t wait to get some made so I can coach you through the exercises. One of my biggest goals for Peanut Butter Runner is to do more fitness-focused posts that will hopefully be educational and motivational for you!
So while we’re on the topic of fitness, I’ve been hearing a lot of “I don’t know” comments lately. I don’t know if I’m ready to train for my first half marathon. I don’t know what to expect from my first BodyPump class. I don’t know if I am ready to move on from my beginner’s yoga class and try a harder class. I don’t know if I can go up on my weights.
My response to this? You’re not going to know unless you try. And what’s the worst thing that can happen? You struggle a little more than you had hoped? Most likely you will surprise yourself and rise to the occasion.
It’s so easy to get comfortable with what we know and what we’re good at. Get outside of your comfort zone and push yourself a little! Register for a longer race. Try a new group fitness class. Attempt a yoga pose you thought you could never do. GO FOR IT!
Now, go do awesome things!
And for today’s recap…I was up at 5:30 to head to the studio for an ashtanga practice. If you can’t tell, my yoga slump is over. (Thank god for the sake of my sanity!) For the past few weeks my practice has been feeling strong and I’ve been happy to be on my mat.
I had overnight oats for breakfast at work but do you really need to see another picture of them today? 😉 I had lunch of leftover quinoa and black beans at my desk after teaching my first yoga for athletes class at Flex + Fit.
Class went well and lunch was delicious. A win overall!
I had an apple as a snack later this afternoon before teaching BodyPump. I got home around 7:30 p.m. and Brandon and I got busy working on dinner.
Brandon grilled organic chicken breasts seasoned with Dizzy Pig Raging River and I assembled a salad – mixed greens, avocado, red pepper, carrots, tomatoes, feta, toasted pecans, dried cranberries and a lemon dijon honey vinaigrette. We had bread on the side.
Brandon just made me a warm brownie with a scoop of ice cream. Mmm…I am ready to hit publish and head to bed now.
Wednesday is my birthday eve! You’ll want to check in on Thursday for a special birthday giveaway! 😛
I totally agree that you won’t know until you try. That always holds me back!
Good post! I recently… well I guess a couple months ago… went up in my weights for my own personal Circuit routine. I really thought that I couldn’t do it until a friend of mine basically told me that she knew I could (even though we don’t workout together). I still went into it thinking that I wouldn’t be able to do the full 8-10 reps but turns out that I could! In fact, maybe I’ll try to go even higher during my next workout… we’ll see. Do you ever find that your forearms are just too weak to sustain the appropriate weights for your muscle groups?
Megan – that is awesome and motivational! Thank you so much for sharing. Yes, sometimes my forearms get a little fatigued when I’m doing a lot of dead rows or bicep curls. I try to focus on using the muscles I’m supposed to be using and not having a death grip on my bar! 😉
I ran my first half marathon a few weeks ago! Didn’t get to properly train, but I finished without walking once! I mean, it took me 2 and a half hours, but I did it! I am signing up for another one in the fall, which I will definitely take more seriously because I am dying to improve. What helped me greatly was the fact that I did not put a lot of pressure on myself. I knew I wasn’t 100% ready, but who cares? I did it, and now I know what to expect so I can totally kill it next time 🙂
This is so random, but my full first name is Jenilee too! I have never seen someone else with it spelled the same way. Too cool 🙂
OH MY GOD! I have only seen it with Jenilee Harrison which is where my mother saw the name. Very cool, our name rocks.
Jenilee – congratulations on your first half marathon! What an accomplishment to finish without walking once!
Now that you know what to expect, preparing for your next one will be so much easier. You WILL kill it!
Jen – yay for name twins! 😉
I love your “go for it” attitude! I used to be a bit scared to take on new challenges but I’ve realized that the challenges help me thrive and show just how strong I really am (both physically and mentally).
And I just have to ask: do you have a permit for those guns? 😉
hahaha! 😎
I can’t wait for some video blogs! I’m going on vacation next week and need some weight training ideas! I went heavier on my weights finally at bodypump tonight and it kicked my butt!
holly – awesome job going up on your weights at bodypump! proud of you!!! 😀
That’s an AWESOME attitude!! I love it!! Haha ‘just do it’ is one of my life mottos!! Getting out of your comfort zone is the best feeling ever! 😀
And Happy Birthday Eve!! 🙂
P.S. I want your guns.
you are sweet! keep up with the bodypummp, girl!
I love this, Jen! I am so guilty of those “I don’t know” comments right now. You’re totally right, you’ll never know unless you try. Thanks for some wonderful motivation 🙂
Oh I’m so excited to get back to ‘going for it’!! I feel like I say the same thing everyday, but I really miss pushing myself.
Happy birthday eve 🙂
I think I really needed to read this post! I started getting up at 5:30 am this week, to work out. I’ve never done that before and have always made excuses when I thought about changing my routine. I can’t believe the amount of energy I have all day now. I feel kind of lame for having not done this sooner. It should teach me not to make excuses from now on.
Happy early birthday!!
I’m excited for the videos! And great advice on just going for it. I recently borrowed some weights from a friend and doubled what I had been lifting. It was a good reminder that I can do more than I give myself credit for sometimes.
Happy birthday eve!
Hi Jen,
Happy Birthday eve! Your birthday is on my wedding anniversary! Tomorrow my hubby and I celebrate 10 years!
Love your recent posts and your attitude. You’ve helped me fall in love with yoga and I look forward to class tonight. It is so challenging for me but with your help and adjustments in class I will continue to get better!
I started serious weight lifting in January and it has made a HUGE difference in my body. Excited to learn more of your weight lifting routines and the videos.
Have a great day!
Diane
I absolutely agree, you never know until you put yourself out there and try! I am currently training for my first half marathon and I read your blog everyday to keep myself motivated 🙂
There is nothing like a warm brownie and ice cream! All time favorite! 😛 And thank you for the “I don’t know” encouragement… definitely needed that today.
I am definitely interested in you giving us a move by move (videos what not) on how you get those arms!
awesome attitude, helps me think positively! great motivation and inspiration for sure!
Check out those arms! Awesome attitude, Jen. 🙂
I totally agree with you on trying new things. My graduation speech in high school was all about the big three letter word…TRY. If you don’t know, try. If you wonder, try. If you are interested, try. That is my word to live by. Loved this post!
I like the idea of more fitness focused posts.
And I agree you’ll never know unless you try. Last Dec. I walked a half marathon in Jamaica (hey that pool looks familiar by the way LOL)and never in my wildest dreams thought I would make it but I did. Came in last and was so darn proud of that. If things would have worked out where I could have run it, life would have been better but it didn’t so I had to walk it. Kev (hubby) stayed by my side every step of the way and was so supportive.
I currently have a 30 day better healthy living challenge going on my blog and the whole goal of it was for everyone to just step out of their comfort zones (try new foods, recipes, exercises, etc.) and I have had a ton of positive feedback. I have been down with a back injury and they have all totally inspired me so I can’t wait to get back to my usual workouts and try new ones.
Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for your birthday!
Hi Jen,
I am a frequent lurker on your blog. Actually I look forward to it every day. You have such a wonderful attitude towards life and you are really inspiring me to be a more positive person. I used to run A LOT. I was on the US Cross Country team for a while. Then I got hurt (multiple stress fractures and tendonitis) and gained about 30 pounds and gave up. You have inspired me to start running again and to train for something. I have 2 kids now and will never be fast again but it’s so fun to get out the door in the morning. I am also taking a yoga teacher training course (from Rolf Gates) so I relate to so much of what you shared. AND you have gotten me hooked on overnight oats and green smoothies.
I have about 15 more pounds to lose … do you have any suggestions? I am trying to model my diet on yours because it is so healthy. Question – do you drink coffee? How often do you drink wine or alcohol?
Thank you again! You are such an inspiration!
Love,
Pamela