No pain NO gain

No pain NO gain

September 30, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Román

The first thing I did this morning was call my sister, TRJ as she celebrated another year of life. Despite being grown women now, we probably have more than fifty years left to enjoy living and reminisce all the fond memories of our childhood.

Throughout our journey TR6 has taught me many important lessons. One of them is to give oneself up and look after one’s family as we do not belong to ourselves. Our body is our greatest ownership and it’s hard to let go but we can accomplish it just like she did the minute she exchanged vows twelve years ago.

Every sacrifice has to hurt (not necessarily physically or mentally) but somehow because we have to give up things we may be too attached to.

This made me reflect about the meaning of sacrifice which applies to every scenario in life. For example, when we learn to walk, we may bump into a few things here and there bruising ourselves, when we learn to ride a bike, we may run into walls or other impending obstacles, when we learn to drive, we may hit another vehicle, when we learn a new language, it takes time, money, effort and energy, when we are in a committed relationship we have to willing to give our best and put a great part of our effort, time and energy to make it worthwhile, when we are in physical pain, we have to be willing to pay the price to take the road to recovery, when we are heart broken, we have to allow our heart to heal, when we want to have a pet, not only do we have to give it love but we have to dedicate time to it, when we want to be successful, we have to invest our time, money and energy for a few years until our effort pays off, when we want to have a lifetime friendship, we have to put time into it, when we as women want to give life to another human being, we have to sacrifice our bodies momentarily, when we want to be in shape, we have to discipline our most powerful muscle; our mind, when we want to travel or buy something, we have to work to acquire

those rewards.

Sometimes we may want to take the easiest route but if it doesn’t hurt, it is not sacrifice, and if there’s no pain, there will be no gain. I am not talking financial gain. Perhaps that gain could be more knowledge, love, wisdom, or many positive things. 

Like French Artist Simon Beck who can no longer run properly due to problems with his feet and painting is the least painful way of getting exercise. For the sake of exercise he found the beauty he could create in other ways.

In spite of the pain of sacrifice, amidst his affliction he was able to find the gift God gave him.

When I go through moments of frustration like I have the last couple of weeks, I think of the sacrifice, therefore, if there’s no pain, there won't be any gain. 

Teamwork Makes the dream Work

Teamwork Makes the dream Work

Sep 29, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Román

From April 4 2002, to January 10th, 2003 I was an Office Manager at a Financial Services Company where I was in charge of the accounting, bookkeeping, managing, dealing with vendors and contractors, recording phone greetings, setting up voice mails, fax and phone codes to bill our agents at the end of each month. Among all those tasks my favorite one towards the end of every thirty day period was our One Team – One Dream newsletter that had to be sent to each of our 300 + agents to entice them and help them boost their sales.

Coming together and working as a whole was one of our key points to combat and annihilate our competitors and believe it or not, with this formula we witnessed an amazing outcome month after month.

From there on, I’ve tried to apply this principle to my day to day tasks despite of working independently a great part of the time.

As much as I love working alone, knowing that there is someone to reach out to for a quick chat when I am in the mood is a very warm feeling.

Like today, I did some house cleaning as volunteer work; M. G. a new parishioner at my church joined me to give a lending hand.

I was excited to meet and spend time with someone who understands and shares the same giving nature with me.

While we were cleaning we chatted on how self-fulfilling it is to see and help those in greater need as it distracts our minds from our narrow little world making us able to see outside our box.

Charity work has been TOP on my to do list since I was a teenager which goes like this: praying and attending mass regularly, working out (when I am in good health), writing, reading and doing volunteer work.

It can be fun to do it alone but when there is someone to help, it makes the moment more worthwhile.

One united team is better to seek for a daily opportunity and make the world a better place by helping improve the lives of the least fortunate ones.

Any task that is done together as the human fraternity that we are, makes the dream work because we are one team…sharing one dream.

Volunteer work can either be tedious or it can allow one to grow personally and spiritually. 

I won’t lose my mind

I won’t lose my mind

September 26, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Román

Friday it will be four weeks since I started physical therapy but it feels more like an eternity because I have not worked out consistently, I’ve been snowed under with work making it very difficult to even squeeze in a brisk walk. With this, many YUCKY feelings strike me abruptly: My hyped up self is long gone, the last drop of strength is slowly drifting and my dopamine is at its lowest ever!

Deep down I can guarantee that my body will eventually heal and I picture myself doing a thirty minute pain-free jog before the 2012 cycle comes to an end. BUT then frustration and negativity land, they keep haunting me and I lie in bed unable to sleep.

The stranger that gazes right back at me in the mirror is definitely NOT me!

I feel clumsier than usual, I move in slow sequence, I’ve had MANY fat days, I feel weak and UNATTRACTIVE! I’ve been biting my tongue to say this but I couldn’t hold back any longer.

Despite all this I keep telling myself to focus on replenishing my body because pretty soon I shall return stronger. I try to feed my mind with positive thoughts because when there’s a goal to be reached, there’s a price to be paid which comes followed by sacrifice and the latter has to hurt momentarily to pay off soon… every single suffering moment will have its worth. That is where I stand now; I am working toward achievement to be whole again.

Willingly or unwillingly, I’ve been facing one of the most physically deteriorating and draining events but I trust my mental strength and will to overcome all the tiny matters lying ahead.

As the Cuaima I am, I am determined to have one of my victories; therefore I shall NEVER show fear or anger in the face of physical intimidation.

Leigh Steinberg

“When it’s darkest, men see the stars”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

One step closer I'm feeling fine
Getting better one day at a time
I'm moving forward it's all in my mind
I'm heading talk without new stay to mine

So I will hold back tears
Move in the right direction
Face my fears
Move in the right direction

I'm doing fine
One step closer every day at the time
I won't lose my mind, lose my mind, ah ah

Motivation a powerful strength
Hesitation was my first instinct
I got the notion that wickness was
Total devotion it's okay

Because I will hold back tears
So I can move in the right direction
I have faced my fears
Now I can move in the right direction

I'm doing fine
One step closer every day at the time
I won't lose my mind, lose my mind, ah ah

Keeping my head of, looking forward
Reminiscing will get you nowhere
Never say never, starting over
It's not perfect but it's getting closer

The Importance of Writing

The importance of Writing

September 23rd, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I’ve been very detached from writing because since mid August more responsibilities keep accumulating on my plate making it almost impossible to dedicate even thirty minutes a week to one of my greatest loves.

BUT that doesn’t mean  this matter has been completely ousted from my mind, it is indeed ALWAYS floating in my head leaving an empty void when I don’t reach out for it;  that’s why I am rushing now before I storm out to church.

Teaching is one of the most rewarding occupations which I love especially when I teach advanced writing. Playing with words and putting them on paper puts me in sync with an inner part of me; it is actually the most direct contact with the part of me that tends to stray but more so I love working with young athletes because NOT only is it thrilling as we share a passion for sports and we automatically click BUT because they learn how to write professionally.

Throughout the many years I’ve been playing with words, I was NEVER asked about the importance of writing so that thought has been revolving in my brain since I was asked to make a program about the importance of writing.

. I will ask my students to write one or two paragraphs about this topic to get feedback and different perspectives in order to see what kind of answers I get.

The importance of writing to Gina Yoryet…

Writing came naturally to me since I learned to write and traces of it have been left everywhere I’ve gone.

 Writing is a sanctuary, an escape from reality when I want to reach out for me.

Writing is one of the most creative, productive and self-fulfilling therapies.

Writing is one of the greatest blessings I can gift myself with.

Writing is one of my greatest loves in life.

And because words poignantly tell us forgotten stories and revive them again and again putting a legacy together of the woman I am now and of the scared and insecure little girl I once was (The real reason why I initiated a relationship with writing. Unlike now, I was always afraid to express my feelings and stand out for myself). 

BUT! The real importance of writing would be:

·         Writing is the primary basis upon which your work, your learning, and your intellect will be judged—in college, in the workplace, and in the community.

·         Writing expresses who you are as a person.

·         Writing is portable and permanent. It makes your thinking visible.

·         Writing helps you move easily among facts, inferences, and opinions without getting confused—and without confusing your reader.

·         Writing promotes your ability to pose worthwhile questions.

·         Writing fosters your ability to explain a complex position to readers, and to yourself.

·         Writing helps others give you feedback.

·         Writing helps you refine your ideas when you give others feedback.

·         Writing requires that you anticipate your readers’ needs. Your ability to do so demonstrates your intellectual flexibility and maturity.

·         Writing ideas down preserves them so that you can reflect upon them later.

·         Writing out your ideas permits you to evaluate the adequacy of your argument.

·         Writing stimulates you to extend a line of thought beyond your first impressions or gut responses.

·         Writing helps you understand how truth is established in a given discipline.

·         Writing equips you with the communication and thinking skills you need to participate effectively in democracy.

·         Writing is an essential job skill.

Source: 

http://www.marquette.edu/wac/WhatMakesWritingSoImportant.shtml

"Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else."
Gloria Steinem

Gotta Have some salt!

Gotta have some salt!

By: Gina Yoryet Román

September 17, 2012

A MUST in my covert is these delicious salted almonds that I can NEVER get enough of. It is NOT a good idea to have or do something in excess but it is almost impossible to stay away from the salty flavor of those nuts so every stop at Costco I immediately pay a visit to that aisle where these delicacies can be found. 

Salt can be detrimental to our physical wholeness just like everything else when consumed in excess, so I’m better off keeping my distance from them at least until I recover because consuming too much salt will not reduce the swelling on my left knee.

According to what I know, some of the disadvantages of indulging excessively are:

1. It affects the digestive system, the production of digestive juices is slowed down which can lead to indigestion.
2.     Salt intake is linked with blood pressure problems, increasing risk of stroke. 
3. Salt increases obesity as it disturbs the digestive system storing undigested carbs and fats in the body. 
4. Salt also causes insomnia, arthritis and osteoporosis as sodium reduces bone density which creates joint problems. 

Although salt can be bad, it doesn’t always have to follow that rule. A good example is Epsom and Himalayan salts which I was first introduced to, fifteen years ago to use as a form of therapy when I was hit by a car while riding my bike in San Francisco.

The first thing to stop the swelling and alleviate the pain on my body, he recommended these wonderful sea salts. That is why I try to share them with as many people as I can (nobody seems to be familiar with them) who are suffering from some kind of physical injury or pain.

Some of the benefits and uses of Epsom and Himalayan salts are the following:

1. Relaxing and sedative bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of Epsom salt. 
2. Foot soak: Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry. 
3. Soak sprains and bruises: Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak. 
4. Splinter remover: Soak in epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.
5. Face cleaner: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.
6. Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. 
7. Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. 
8. Remove excess oil from hair: Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse. 
9. Remove hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup epsom salt. Combine, cover and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.
10. Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. 

Source:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/use-epsom-salts-13-wonderful-ways.html?page=1

No wonder why these amazing salts are a natural and one of the best alleviators to soothe physical pain as in Roman times, salt was precious. People were even paid in salt, the word salary being derived from the Latin word salerium, sel in French, salt to you and me. 

So to speed up the recovery process, salt will have to be a MUST but in a  totally different way from now on!

The Power of Healing

The Power of Healing

September 14, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Román

I’ve been amidst a whirlwind of emotions, caught in an internal roller coaster of sentiments which’s got me holding on to a fine line trying to keep my sanity. My mind was very disturbed that I didn’t set my weekly health and fitness goals.

Today was week number two of physical therapy but instead of putting me at ease, PANIC has struck once again since I still go through down moments. For instance yesterday my entire body was swollen and tense due to the lack of movement and because I couldn’t escape from unnecessary, mindless, compulsive, impulsive and emotional cravings. I stuffed myself without having compassion for my temple, causing stomach illness and guilt after the fact.

As I welcome the promise of a new day, I hop out of bed feeling undefeatable, like I could sprint a whole 42.1k as I did in the good ´ole days. I tell myself, “This injury and unbearable pain will only put a temporary halt to my life, I will not give this unexpected and unfortunate illness the chance to defeat the citius, altius fortius within.”

The next day, pain returns and I can’t even walk, causing more emotional pain and I cannot avoid recurring to junk food. Being a stranger in my own body and being unable to decipher the solution to alleviate the restraint that is robbing me from mental peace and sleep is wreaking more havoc. Sometimes I wish I could go inside it with a nano microscope to nail down the issue and stop the pain for good.

When pain hits, it interrupts my lifestyle, as the hyper active person who cannot sit still for a single second, I feel my soul withering. My crack of dawn workouts had to be put on the back burner at least until my therapy is over with. Despite those early rises being detrimental to my mental health, they were my morning coffee that wired me up all day long.

Unlike now, I felt very sleepy and my energy has plummeted to the lowest ever almost all week long. Despair, anxiety, lack of motivation and hope kept haunting me, which is why this led me to question the therapist, “Does this really help, and can you really see improvement in other athletes you’ve treated?” She said, “Certainly, but keep in mind that this process requires patience and consistence.”

I reckon that patience has NEVER been one of my traits consequently I am anxious to see the outcome. This thought keeps coming back, “How am I to help women get motivated to get into the sexiest shape of their lives?” When I can’t get all my small particles together and encourage myself?

Albeit everything being up in the air, at this precise moment I am feeling very positive because my knee didn’t throb in pain all day long. AND because when people get tired of hearing the same long and boring story over and over, when all else fails, I implore to God because I know that sooner or later my prayers will be heard and that he is holding on to me every single second.

I can assure that I am in good hands. As a licensed Insurance Agent when I worked at Allstate, out motto was, “With Allstate you’re in good hands,” to gain our customers’ trust. With this in hand, I’ve been in two divine hands ALL my life, my faithful companion is always by my side working his magical powers, making amazing miracles that NO human being can.

So tonight my soul can be at ease because he’s got my back! And because I just came across this great website, Two Months to Better Knees. I will do whatever it takes to get my knee back in shape and to keep my right one injury free to perhaps one day in the near future do a pain-free thirty minute stroll. Forget the high-rendering competitions, I am quite satisfied that my body did its job for twelve years. Finally I can close that episode and say, “I’ve been there, done that, therefore my life is now taking a different route with the power of healing that can be miraculous!” 

 ‘I won’t leave you nor forsake you’

Simplemente Adriana

Simplemente Adriana

September 9, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Román

Adamant (unbreakable or unyielding)

Diligent (persevering)

Revealing

Intelligent

Affable (approachable)

Necessary

Acute (clever and intense)

While driving the other morning I got tuned in to the news and just as I was turning the radio on, the reporter was giving a run down on the suicide rate in Mexico

Another recent article in La Jornada newspaper reports that the suicide rate has increased from 38 in 2011 to 42 deaths this year.

During the first seven months of 2012, 124 out of 256 suicides were under the age of thirty.

Earlier today I read about a 29 year old man in Los Mochis Sinaloa who performed an act of cannibalism and tried to eat his intestines while screaming, “I want to die,” early Friday morning.

Tragedies like these always make me think on how some individuals can hit the bottom without giving themselves the opportunity to strive and reach out for the light at the end of the tunnel. Every human being goes through life’s ups and downs yet we only accept the good moments. As an adult, I believe that it is our outmost duty to seek for help and feed our mind and soul with positive people and energy but more importantly, to hold on to the faith in our hearts. 

A MUST in my spiritual daily diet is to listen to motivational talks on the radio or internet and one of them is Simplemente Adriana, 105.9, Monday trough Friday 7-9am who I listen to every chance I get. I met Adriana Corona Gil at the FIL, Feria Internacional del Libro (The International Book Fair) about three years ago and took a photo with her, I am certain that she doesn’t remember me. 

That same year, through her radio program I heard she was going to present one of her books at El Sotano bookstore in Chapalita where I went but I showed up two hours early so I could not stay. Last year I emailed her expressing my admiration and interest in her program but I never got a reply so I eventually gave up. 
Once again, on July fourth of this year, I made what would be my final attempt to build a bridge of communication and perhaps be invited to her program to talk about the overweight and obesity problem in Mexico. I’ve always wanted to manifest the importance of health and fitness in her program as the enthusiast that I am. Four weeks later I re-sent the email after not getting a reply. I recall that moment very vividly when I said to myself, “Yoryet, leave it up to God, if it’s meant to be, it will happen when the right time comes.” I’ve been trying not to fret and have applied this tactic in other personal matters.

The long awaited response landed this morning while looking through my email briefly; Saturday September 8, 2012, 08:24 p. m. I’ve been personally invited by Adriana to give a chat about the importance of writing well. I won’t get to talk about my passion my life: Health and fitness BUT I will be given the opportunity to talk about one of my other loves: Writing! I was thrilled and I can’t wait to be there, that is why I will do whatever it takes to give my most in that interview as one of my biggest concerns about Mexico is education.

Going back to the aforementioned topic, I’ve been down in the dumps at different stages in life but deep down I have always known that there is always a way out, I will bounce back sooner or later and what’s left is to fight, insist, resist, persist, hold on to the good in our lives, inject ourselves with a positive attitude, stay away from the mundane, materialistic and vain aspects of humanity and surround ourselves with positive leaders like Adriana.

Adriana always emphasizes the importance of morals, ethic, respect, faith, vision, persistence, sacrifice, focus, belief, focus, conquer, encouragement, inspiration, leadership, initiative, presence, essence, competence, gain, ability fulfillment passion, positive attitude, strength, faith, prevail and stewardship among many other values. She is always very concerned about her fellow country men, the city, and the young generations who seem to be dragging towards the opposite direction. As hard as the current may go, she never gives up. She goes by what the priest at La Crisitiada told Joselito, “Who are you if you don’t stand up for what you believe?”

“Victory is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.”
-George Patton

Realize your true inner M. E.

Your magical essence

First we make our attitudes

Then our attitudes make us.

Dennis Waitley

Attitude is a small thing that makes a big difference

The difference between success and mediocrity is in the way you think.

Your dreams and attitude will determine your altitude in life.

Success is having your best day every day.

Change your thoughts and you change your world.

William James

The greatest mistake a person can make is to be afraid of making one

M. J. Babcock

Always there

Always there

ER12

September 6, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Román

http://ya-somos-tapatios-wey.blogspot.mx/2012/09/always-there.html

Guapo and I had a phone conversation about sports the other night. At 16 (He’s on a count down to adding one more candle to his birthday cake). I love talking to him and that feeling is reciprocated because when he visits, there is always a lot to do, places to go, people to meet and so much to talk about.

One of the loves we share is sports. We can talk about running, biking, martial arts and now even wrestling as he just joined his High School’s wrestling team and another team of high regime workouts. He excitedly told me about how hard he trains and as the amateur he is, he wants to put his skills and strength into practice with a real flesh and bone being as opposed to a dummy… therefore, he concluded that I am the designated one.

In other words, he wants to practice his wrestling techniques with me! He thinks that I am as youthful as he is, little does he know that I am falling apart. Ha, ha!

Another thing we share is our love for music, Tiesto is among one of our favorite DJ’s. When he was last here, we lay in bed to watch comedy films or to listen to music like we did many times while he was growing up. One of the songs by Tiesto he was not familiar with, was “I will be here,” which talks about love but I am putting emphasis on these particular words because on October 5^th when he welcomes another year, I want him to have these words listed on the top of his glossary: BELIEVE, WHAT LIES BEHIND US AND WHAT LIES BEFORE US, ARE TINY MATTERS COMPARED TO WHAT LIES WITHIN US, and THE WORLD IS IN YOUR HANDS and highly important, I want him to know that I will always be there...
 

You know when the moment comes To be strong, show resistance And that's what Will lead you to believe
When the big world falls apart And you think that the feeling will linger You need somewhere to start I will be here And when it all seems to fall apart You can't breathe You don't know what you're thinking You need somewhere to start I will be here

When the big world falls apart and you need somewhere to start I will be here And when it all seems to fall apart You can't breathe You don't know what you're thinking You need somewhere to start I will be here
You know when the moment comes To be strong, show resistance And that's what Will lead you to believe…

With this in hand,  I want him to know that he can always rely on me when he goes after his dreams and to always maximize his potential spiritually, emotionally, professionally, physically and morally because sooner or later every single suffering moment will be worth the effort.

I want to teach that cute little toddler who I witnessed becoming a little boy, then blossoming into a handsome young man full of life to ALWAYS take the less traveled road.

E. R12

(Dado R12: number one of the second generation of the Romans).

Defeating my physical limitations

September 2nd, 2012

Defeating my physical limitations

By: Gina Yoryet Román

It’s hard to set fitness goals with physical limitations but at least it won’t be forever. Today I strolled around for about an hour and a half feeling very little pain so if I continue to feel this way, I will schedule five power walks plus work on my upper body and abs for two or three days. BUT don’t pressure my body for the time being, I really need to play it by ear depending on the intensity of the pain. Therefore I am envisioning this upcoming week something like this:

Diet goals:

1)     Stay clean: junk free; only have one free day but watch the portion since I am not doing a whole lot of moving so I am not worthy of splurging!

2)     Stick with fruits and veggies.

3)     Eat more protein

4)     Spend some time in the kitchen and try some recipes from my amazing athletic recipe book, ‘The Athlete’s Palate.’

5)     Bring my own lunch to work.

6)     Only eat out once or twice a week to avoid consuming extra calories.

Fitness goals:

1)     Monday, Thursday and Friday: Go to my fifty minute physical therapy sessions.

2)     Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: Do a thirty minute physical therapy at home.

3)     Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: Do a twenty-thirty minute session of upper body and abs at home.

4)     Saturday: Go to the sauna for twenty-thirty minutes right after my upper body workout session.

5)     Saturday: Try a twenty-thirty minute calisthenics session (a form of exercise consisting of a variety of simple, often rhythmical, movements, generally without using equipment or apparatus. They are intended to increase body strength and flexibility with movements such as bending, jumping, swinging, twisting or kicking, using only one's body weight for resistance. They are usually conducted in concert with stretches. Calisthenics when performed vigorously and with variety can benefit both muscular and cardiovascular fitness, in addition to improving psychomotor skills such as balance, agility and coordination) in the swimming pool.

6)     Start looking into Bikram yoga.

7)     Continue with the home remedy I started last Wednesday to reestablish the ligaments and cure the cyst that is robbing me from many nights of sleep.

8)     Stay at 52 kilos and NO MORE!

9)     Get my abs back,start gaining leg strength and tone up my arms by the end of the month.

10)INSIST, RESIST and PERSIST to restore my body and defeat this temporary limitation.