I appreciate the encouraging words about my kipping pullups from yesterday’s video. It’s clear to see that I have a lot of work to do before my kipping even slightly resembles what it’s supposed to look like but as I mentioned in my post, I am really okay with that. To be honest, I kind of love to suck at things when I first try them. One of the reasons why I fell in love with yoga was because I was so bad at it when I started but each time that I came to my mat I saw the tiniest bit of progress. It was amazing to watch my body adapt, little by little, to the practice and new challenges that I was throwing at it. Sometimes I really miss being a “baby yogi” where everything felt foreign, different and hard. I remind my students all the time to appreciate wherever they are in their practice. Progress happens when you take it breath by breath, pose by pose, practice by practice.

(This was taken during my early ashtanga days…one does not look like the other! :))

The same can be said for running, making the commitment to train for a race is exciting. Whether your goal is to tackle a new distance or achieve a new PR, going through a training program and seeing improvement in your endurance and speed is satisfying. During tough training runs, I always visualize crossing the finish line of whatever race that I’m training for. It always gives me a little extra motivation to remember that awesome feeling of accomplishment that comes when you meet a goal.

Starting CrossFit has been fun for me because it’s a totally new challenge. I love feeling like a beginner and knowing how much improvement is possible. Every class is an adventure for me and I am really enjoying learning skills that are totally new to me. I’ve been sore in places that I didn’t even know I could be sore and I get such a rush from finishing a hard Workout of the Day, especially when it’s full of new movements or heavy lifts. I have to modify so many things by using lighter weights or using resistance bands but again, I don’t let that bring me down. Instead, I use it as motivation to keep working at it in hopes that I can do the full-on workout one day.

How do you handle new fitness challenges? Do you like to set new goals and try new activities? Are you okay with not being the best at something when you start?

Now for a look at a few recent meals.

My attempt to eat  a little cleaner is going really well. I was in serious need of a grocery trip so my lunch yesterday was a repeat egg scramble. Scrambled eggs, black beans, goat cheese, spinach, salsa and avocado. After an afternoon trip to Trader Joe’s (in which I somehow managed to spend $90 – how is that even possible at TJs?), meals should be much more varied moving forward!

Dinner out was a salad with bibb lettuce, grilled red onions, pecans and grilled chicken. Lemon-thyme vinaigrette on the side.

Breakfast this morning was great because I finally broke into a jar of Barney Butter that I have had in the cabinet for months. I am sad I waited so long to try it because it is amazing! Salty and a little sweet with a great texture. It was the perfect topping for my apple cinnamon oatmeal.

And that’s all I’ve got for you. Hope it’s been a good week.