Loving & embracing my temple

Loving & embracing my temple

January 31st, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I wanted to write a long post about all the reasons why to love my temple (my body) in spite of not being at 100% but I couldn't get myself together.

I stormed back from the gym at 8pm.

I got a last minute brief editing work which I just got through with.

I was preparing a class I have first thing in the morning.

My thoughts are all over the place because there are a few issues lined up this weekend so I can't focus completely. The clock keeps scrutinizing me (it is now 10:45). There goes my failed goal to be in bed by 10pm.

Therefore, I will keep this as short as possible. Next time I will go into further depth 

The last twenty-one days have been a slow transition to shape and strengthen my body. I can sense more normality in my life due to all the moving around just like before. Traces of dormant muscles are starting to re-appear, I am sleeping better and longer hours, I am eating cleaner and I am more enthused physically every day that goes by. I am more confident and a little more energized. I still have not had enough energy to make my crack of dawn work outs yet though.

I left the gym full of energy after I chitchatted with the manager who asked me if I had any experience in Health and Fitness because there's a new gym inaugurating in April or May and they will need experts to train their staff or to give cross training classes. "Would you be interested?" She asked. My response was, "I may not fit the profile, you will more likely look for younger girls." to which she replied, "not necessarily." 

We will schedule a meeting before March to see how we can team up! Wow! I am radiating happiness right now!

Another friend of mine suggested a similar project (that has been lingering in my mind for quite some time now).

A current description of me would NOT be 'fit,' but I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, otherwise she wouldn't have asked.

In the same manner, a gym buddy who is very polite and honest, always tells me I am a genuine athlete who is in incredible shape. This was very flattering and boosting. 

These comments are my fuel considering that I still lack confidence (I do feel lighter but I haven't reached my goal yet). I don't dare snap any photos yet because it is consternating to reveal all the flab.

According to my standards, I am in my worst shape EVER!

In this arena I have always been very competitive, as a result, I don't allow anything or anyone to set boundaries upon me. Injuries can put a momentary halt but the combative me will never subside.

On the other hand, I need to embrace my temple for what it is not for the way it looks;  love, cherish, admire, and accept it, even the littlest scar as they are physical signs that I am Victory. 

 In regards to this self-confidence matter, men have it A LOT easier than women. Why? Because we have double layer of fat to protect our babies when we are pregnant and for numerous reasons. In general men have more self-acceptance than women. Men don't view their bodies (or anything else) as thoroughly as women. Men are more functional beings, they're more concerned about what their bodies can perform. Unlike us, women contemplate our body and  the zillion ways to decorate it…

Function vs. form

To women, almost 100% of the other women are fat.

To men, almost anything looks hot. LOL!

While women agonize about having TONS of extra pounds, and the pressure of the media doesn't mary it any better, men seem to enjoy it and appreciate it because the standards are a lot less smoother on them. 

Whatever differences between male and female, we as ladies have to care and nurture our body appropriately to feel happier and healthier but more importantly, shoot for acceptance because our temple will be our faithful companion from hereon. 

I got this from Natural Health Newsletter, an online health magazine I signed up for.

I do hereby declare that from this day forward I will choose to accept my body in its natural size and shape. I will celebrate all that my body can do for me each and every day. I will treat my body with respect, giving it enough rest, refueling it with nutritious food, exercising it regularly, listening to what it needs, and responding accordingly. I will choose to resist our society's pressures to judge myself and others based on body weight, shape, or size. I will believe that my self-esteem and identity come from within. And I will affirm that I am worthy and lovable, right now, exactly as I am!"

It is NOT tragic

It is NOT tragic

January 29, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

While I did a quick scan of the news earlier today, I bumped into an article about Dakota Fanning's interview for Glamour magazine. I frankly didn't read the whole interview, the only segment that captured my eye was her intake on relationships. 

"I don't really date," I have a weird vision of relationships because my parents have known each other since second grade, and they got married right out of college. I've always thought that's what it's supposed to be like, and if it's not, then I don't want to waste my time on it. Even when I was 14, I was like, "I'm not going to marry this person, what's the point doing it?"

What I admire about Dakota, is her entire outlook, focusing on the whole picture as opposed to living a limitless life, pleasuring her youth and jumping from one set of arms to another without giving herself a chance to assimilate things and allowing herself to rebound.

I was not as determined as her when I was 18, I wanted to meet boys, go out with many of them and "fall in love, fall out of love and fall right back in love.

As of three, four years ago,  the more I pondered on dating and relationships, the less I understood the matter and it made me reassure what I always believed deep down. Dating is sort of like going to bed within the first or second encounter and sharing one another's body's occasionally until "THE" one is met. 

After one trial and error and another, I turned into a more confident woman who slowly started developing more boundaries to avoid putting unnecessary time into unsuccessful relationships. I say no right off the bat when I know that is not for me. Now that I am more at ease, I've evolved into a more selfish woman (This is perhaps not good and I am not proud to admit it, but I am) in many ways.

I long for my episodes of solitariness because that is when I get to know myself more, I do the things that I want to do and so forth.

Love and relationships are reflexions that randomly navigate through my mind; I believe in love and relationships but more so, I firmly believe in a monogamous life-lasting relationship, the way I was taught, the way I witnessed granny Hal and Mary Lou's marriage born and thrive till death did them apart. 

These life learning lessons made me take marriage seriously and NOT commit if I felt with the heart that that specific man at that particular moment was not the one. 

It is now very clear to me that a man should do his manly job at all times respect, provide, protect, listen, understand, guide his family and be a good example to us, love me and my body for what it can create, not for the way it looks, teach our children morals, values, respect, ethics, patience, loyalty, compassion and integrity in order for them to pass all of this on to future generations. 

And I will play my womanly role by listening, serving, comforting, being patient, nurturing, being a role model to the humans I will bear. 

These reciprocated gifts will be saved till l I meet "THE" one, if it is meant to be. What I know for sure is that I will NOT waste my time dating one man after another only for the mere fact of not being alone. I no longer believe in dating. 

I don't want to ever give room for the gap of lonesomeness to widen more. I don't want to use a man who I don't love to fill that emptiness. I'd rather be alone (but not lonely) because love can be manifested in many ways and there are many lonely souls hungry for love in this planet

Moenia

Moenia 

January 27, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Listening to British Dave Gahan, vocalist of Depeche Mode and Mexican Alfonso Pichardo, vocalist of Moenia, is like listening to the same person. Since Moenia emerged in the 90's, they have been compared with Depeche Mode because of the similarity in the two vocalists' voices. For my taste they are both very highly acclaimed musicians but I will keep Pichardo's voice because it is very deep, clear and manly unlike any other.

His firm voice is what lured me to go see him play at one of their concerts at some point but I was never able to for one thing or another until last night. A few weeks back I was filled with adrenaline when I found out about them coming and so I immediately told myself that now was the time.

I called a good friend of mine who shares a lot of the same likes and dislikes and so we did it!  Moenia played stunningly well. Forty year old Alfonso Pichardo is NOT only a physically gorgeous man but  he's also got charisma, an enchanting voice, energy and enthusiasm that make any woman drivel and drool over him. I could listen to him all day long. 

That is why I enjoyed every second of the long awaited event, except for them not playing long enough. I kept pleading with all my might for them to sing "Juegos de Amor, Llegaste a Mi and Sufre Conmigo," at no avail. Although those three songs were not sung, I have no major complaints whatsoever since they tuned, "Regreso a Casa," and "Quisiera Adivinar," which are amongst my favorites. 

In the 90's when I first listened to, "Estabas ahí, Terminales, Déjame Entrar, Color Melancolía, and No Importa que el sol se murex," I immediately became infatuated with the unknown voice. When I found out about this group called Moenia, I was not curious to find the meaning of the word Moenia until someone asked me a few weeks ago.

I don't quite get why they chose this name but that's what matters the least.

Here's the significance: Mural in latin.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: is a Latin phrase that means outside the walls or outside the walls of the city. The phrase is commonly used un reference to the original attributes of a building, usually a church, where it was built outside the origin city walls. Hence, when a city expands over time, a church which was originally outside the walls might end up in the center of the larger city.

As the music lovers we are and sharing the same taste, V, and I concluded that there are a few concerts lined up: Miguel Bose (I went to see him once before), Shakira (I got a chance to go see her play in Oakland), Paulina Rubio and Pepe Aguilar.

Turbulence

Turbulence

January 25, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Agitation, bluster, commotion, disorder, disturbance, fight, battle, struggle, fracas, frenzy, fury, havoc, tumult, turmoil uproar, confusion, fuss, perturbation, chaos, disquiet, doubt, anxiety, insecurity, indecision, self-doubt, uncertainty, skepticism, vacillation, irritation, torrent; these negative emotions hit me at once all through the week but more so this morning as a number of events didn't turn up the way they were originally planned.

Like most people, I abhor bringing out my vulnerable side but I MUST release all the bad energy. 

1) I woke up with a sore throat, raspy voice, a runny nose and felt light headed the entire day.

2) One or two projects didn't comply with the set deadline due to unexpected circumstances. That only added on to my irritation because they have been put off since my physical health stumbled. 

3) I took a test to improve my professional profile but according to the chief editor who checked my work, I didn't pass. I was infuriated because there wasn't a chance to rebuttal that matter. I argued (I only take an issue further when I know I am right and there's backup information to prove my point, plus an editor colleague of mine double checked my work and corroborated what I already knew ). And that is exactly what I did, asked to let me prove them wrong, the disagreement was over-with shortly after. Needless to say, drop it, accept it, move on and forget it.

4) About 10 days ago, a client of mine asked me for an interpretation quote for an event taking place in February. Three days later after the third time I called at no avail, she finally emailed me and implied that they don't have a budget to pay for my services so this made me doubt my knowledge, skills and expertise. I've been questioning myself since Monday and wondering if it was really that or if she was not too happy with my previous work. Deep down it is only my mind torturing me because she wouldn't have called, I tend to dramatize. As the chicken little I tend to become, (Chicken Little is a folk tale with a moral in the form of a cumulative tale about a chicken who believes the world is coming to an end). Chicken Little's famous phrase, "The sky is falling!" clearly shows a hysteria or the mistaken belief that disaster is forthcoming. 

5) Another potential client requested an interpretation quote for a three day congress in February but she has not returned my call.

6) Another client I've quoted three other times before, requested a 145 page procedure manual. Three days later he has not returned my call which I didn't react too well since those things have to get done as of  yesterday.

7) I've been playing phone and email tags with another potential client who needs some personal documents translated. It just seemed like our agendas didn't coincide. Perhaps next week we'll have better luck!

8) I bought two tickets for Moenia's concert tomorrow night which almost made my thrill dissipate since ticket master was having some difficulties. I called yesterday and got it done without a problem until I picked them up today. The sales person on the phone neglected to let me know my cc is/was necessary when I picked up the tickets. After impatiently waiting for more than fifteen minutes I stormed out infuriated because my time was very limited and I was very behind as usual. 

9) Yesterday, I had an unexpected visitor who stirred fear. Not because I didn't want to see him but because there is a lot at stake…. every time I think of him, I loathe his circumstances and I wonder if his struggle is worth while. 

10) On my way to pick up the tickets for the second time, there was a shooting on plain daylight. I was walking right by cameras, journalists, armed police officers and federal agents. A vehicle was following another one to kidnap the victim. I must have been too caught up on my own misadventure that I was not fearful in the least. While I waited for the traffic to flow again, the meddling journalist I am/was,  got the full scope out of the store security man. LOL!

11) The project manager at the company who I do editing/translation work sometimes is out on vacation so I have not received any work from them in about two weeks. I am going bananas, cannot wait till I've got my momentum once again.

All these irritable little obstacles aligned to make me feel YUCK! until I went to church to help cleanse all the negative thoughts and feelings. Now I shall go to bed and rest without any concern because I am very assertive that when it all else fails, praying will be my most unyielding emotional sustenance….

and tomorrow will be a better day.

I Have a Dream

I Have a Dream

January 21st, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Obama's second term inaugural address made me reminiscence about one of the most influential African American leaders in U. S. history…

Martin Luther King, Jr. who fought incessantly for his people's rights till he was lamentably murdered on April 4, 1968. 

As President Obama proudly stood in the White House laying out a battle plan for the next four years, he made MLKJr's dream become reality.

Through his famous "I have a dream" speech MLKJr., envisioned his desires stir the hearts of not only a whole nation but an entire world. That illusion has been alive since and millions of African Americans and minorities in the U. S. have witnessed it. 

Today during Obama's second term inaugural address, MLKJr's face was outlined in my mind. The commotion of millions of people during such important event spread the euphoria upon my spirit and I immediately started daydreaming and came up with this idea of MY dream….

I have a dream that we will unite and be a healthier and cleaner world.

I have a dream that Mexico and the U. S. come together and lower their overweight and obesity rate.

I have a dream that our society stopped being sluggish and get moving.

I have a dream that we have a thin, healthy and properly nurtured country as opposed to an overweight and under-nurtured world.

I have a dream that we had a healthier and more aware society.

I have a dream that we stopped eating mindlessly, compulsively, impulsively, unnecessarily and emotionally.

I have a dream that we passed on clean eating habits to the many generations to come.

I have a dream that we stopped looking for excuses and blaming our genetics, family and lifestyle to reach our physical goal.

I have a dream that we ate smarter and cleaner.

I have a dream that people stopped dieting and held on to a healthy eternity.

I have a dream that we were stronger-willed, more disciplined and adamant to make health our priority and slowly converted it into a lifestyle.  

I have a dream that we treated our body like a temple.

I have a dream that we loved our bodies for what they are meant to accomplish and not forget about vanity issues. 

I have a dream that we stopped automatically assuming that working at an office and/or behind a desk/computer is the equivalent to becoming overweight and obese.

I have a dream that men and women competed more amongst one another to become healthier.

I have a dream that junk food disappeared.

I have a dream that there weren't so many social events to avoid stuffing my face with whatever I can get my hands on.

I have a dream that my emotions were always stable to better control them and not shelter myself on low quality food.

I have a dream that health and fitness is NOT classified by gender, color, age, social class, or life's circumstances.

I wish everyone sheltered themselves in a positive way like in: God, family, work and health and fitness

I have a dream that people ate when they are hungry, not when they are deceived by their tricky mind.

I have a dream that everyone had more incredible self-control with health matters.

I have a dream that one of my Victoria's-Victories is to set foot in this world in April 2013.

I have a dream that everyone is blessed with focus, amazing mental power, discipline, persistence, resistance and incredible healthy habits.

I have a dream that women stopped using motherhood as an excuse

I have a dream that people didn't excuse themselves with age, injuries and illnesses and not be distant with exercising.

I have a dream that tonight I will once again dream about my Victories

I have a dream that I will write, read and learn about health and fitness till I drop. 

I have a dream that I will NEVER tire and that I will be the hero and protagonist of that story and change the universe's life…

Romans 12:6-16

Romans 12:6-16

King James Version (KJV)

Fratres: habentes autem donationes secundum gratiam quae data est nobis differentes sive prophetiam secundum rationem fidei sive ministerium in ministrando sive qui docet in doctrina qui exhortatur in exhortando qui tribuit in simplicitate qui praeest in sollicitudine qui miseretur in hilaritate dilectio sine simulatione odientes malum adherentes bono caritatem fraternitatis invicem diligentes honore invicem praevenientes

 sollicitudine non pigri spiritu ferventes Domino servientes spe gaudentes in tribulatione patientes orationi instantes necessitatibus sanctorum communicantes hospitalitatem sectantes benedicite persequentibus benedicite et nolite maledicere gaudere cum gaudentibus flere cum flentibus

 id ipsum invicem sentientes non alta sapientes sed humilibus consentientes.

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

My coup de grace

My coup de grace

the killer bullet

January 19, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

When Easter break or summer approaches, gyms suddenly get packed with all of a sudden short-lasting jittery fitness enthusiasts because they want to get the long sought beach body. They deceive themselves and cram a two week 'intense' routine to shed the extra pounds and rip up almost instantly.

What they are afar from knowing is that nothing happens over night and everything has a long-term price to be paid. When I first meet people, they automatically think that my genetics make it very simple to reach my physical goals. Part of it is true but at the same time, I am not naturally thin, I am sort of broad physiqued, I can put on weight at the blink of an eye, therefore I have to keep moving constantly to control it.

Another fact some are more likely oblivious to, is that the first seventeen years of my life I was haunted with low self-esteem, skepticism and lack of self-acceptance for various circumstances that I much later learned to overcome. 

Those crippling issues were what led me to reach out to my shield and ally which have slowly adapted into a life style…

The result long after, are a healthier, cleaner and more confident me. Post repeated temporary physical or emotional pauses, breaks, gridlocks, obstacles, interruptions, discontinuances, halts, intervals, layoffs, rest periods, standby's, suspensions, recesses, retreats, halts, idle moments, stopovers, times off,  injuries, setbacks, my will has never subsided, I have instead overturned that to thrust me harder all through the rebound and terminate all the negative emotions. 

In consequence, I am more apprehensive  and careful yet even more willful and aware that there will always be one more beginning. True, right now I am not 100% physically according to my expectations but I will get there. Most importantly, I know that there's time, money, energy, effort, resistance, persistence, consistency, patience and a positive attitude to be be invested to get toned up and define my muscles but I firstly have to lose all the flab and body fat gained while on disability. 

Plus

I will conjointly and progressively use my most beneficial tools: reading, advising others and hands on experience to boost me to practice what I have preached for a long while. I will execute my coup de grace (the best Christmas gifts I got) four or five days a week to keep my place on the minority list (the healthy group)…

My nutribullet which I call my killer bullet:
http://www.nutribullet.com/

So far, I've tried a few experiments but twenty something blends are aligned abiding for me:

1) The toxin cleansing blast

2) The immune booster

3) The vita-berry blast

4) The morning glory

5) The protein powerhouse

6) The nutty nectar

7) The peachy pick-me up

8) The tropical tonic

9) The energy elixir

10) The fountain of youth

11) The longevity elixir

12) The nature's candy

13) The get up & goji

14) The antioxidant fusion

15) The life boost blast

16) The digestive health elixir

17) The liver & colon tonic

18) The banana berry vitality blend

19) The kaleacado blast

20) The melon blast

21) The power booster

22) The swiss mix

23) The free radical fighter

Plus I will add more mixes that my brilliant mind will come up with and further fathom and fire up my body. 

The naked truth about health & fitness

The naked truth about health & fitness

January 17, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

1) "Take such and such diet pills and you will look like the advertising model."

My reason to debunk that is the following: Not a single woman or man has the same body or blood type. Another reason is everyone's metabolism digests the food differently.

Therefore I never underestimate my physical power, but I do get to know my body in depth, I try and play with my workouts and see which one gives me a better outcome. One of my most important rules is to NEVER try to look like other women nor compete with them (I am my strongest competitor) because I will never have their strength, abilities, obstacles, etc., or vice versa.

2) "Use this or that machine every day for only ten minutes a day for four weeks and you will burn all your body fat…"

Why unmask that? I am not keen at all about exercising every single day, my body needs to rest one day between routines. it also needs more than ten minutes of work and it's better to alternate with cross training, doing a circuit or cross fit routine, strength training, cardio and core training to tone myself up all around.

3) "This particular gel will burn your body fat if you rub it right before working out."

This statement is still rolling in my mind because according to what I know, there is isn't any evidence to back this up. The only attestation is that of the people advertising that particular product. 

4) "Eat anything you want and don't lose sleep over putting on weight because you are burning all the fat when you workout."

As a babe in the woods seventeen years ago, when witnessing my health and fitness relationship develop, there was a lot of trial and error; I applied the 'sea food diet,' = Eat everything you see. Little did I know that such mentality would draw me apart from my physical goal.

5) "Stick with diet soda, eat this light pizza, or oil free this, and you will get better results."

Here's how I battle that: I NEVER drink diet soda or light whatever product. Where's the sense of that? Less sugar, less calories? I don't cling on to deceiving myself, "It's a light soda so its ok to have one more, and another," because I will end up consuming double or triple the calories and sugar content than drinking only one regular soda. Plus, many health experts debate about all the downsides of consuming light or diet items. It could be counterproductive in the long run. 

6) "Buy the new jeans that will lift your butt or help you reduce cellulite," like the new Wrangler 'spa jeans.' or those specific but-lifting jeans. 

I am invaded with skepticism because is there real evidence to support that theory? NOTHING shapes up my body more than working out and complementing that with clean eating. 

7) "This routine and diet are going to give me the same results as so, and so."

My rebuttal to that is this: I got acquainted with my body type: Am I and the ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph type? I allow this defining factor to set what workout befits me. As with my blood type, I am in the O's so my diet has to be compatible with that in order to get more effective and rapid results.

In the last seventeen years I've bumped into many myths and lies just like in any other topic but I've done my homework and like I have always said, "an expert can give me advice according to his experience BUT said individual will NEVER get to know my body the way I do, therefore he/she cannot decide what my body needs." I get soaked in with plenty of information but I am the one who juggles with all the right tools that will lead me to a stronger, cleaner, healthier, happier more competitive and complete me...

Time will not delay

Time will not delay

January 15, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

For a mother about to give birth, a second is never ending.

For a toddler who is taking his first steps, a second is worth his life.

For a father who holds his child for the first time, a second is priceless.

For a bride who's about to get married, a second is worth dying for.

For a terminally ill patient, a second is a matter of life or death.

For a child who starts his first day at school, a second is worth everything when he doesn't want to let go of her mother's finger.

For an athlete, a second is worth gold...

Today is the 15th, eight weeks post surgery but it feels more like an eternity. The entire time at the gym I kept thinking that it's been ages since I broke a good sweat and was caught amidst anxiety and frustration after getting the eagerness to perform a hard core routine. That thirst will have to be quenched at another time.

I tried to perform an arch like before but my arms are very puny and failed…

Running, spinning, jumping and sprinting are currently discarded. 

How much longer? That triumph is unbeknownst to me. I neglect to think about it any further, the matter is, how can that be avoided when the pain on my knee keeps throbbing? More so today, I cumbersomely counted every single second when being unable to withstand the physical strain. This time though, both knees were resonating as a reminder that THE time is not peering in my window just yet. 

A gym buddy told me, "Take it easy, you are still in excellent shape, your surgery is very recent" The truth is that every millisecond, second, minute, hour, day, week, and month being absent from my regular routine has been an infinity. 

A second is worth gold as it defines whether or not the pain will be more severe, a second will reaffirm my physical wholeness, a second will dictate whether my soul is at ease, a second will narrow the gap I've been looking to bridge since I broke down physically. 

Being in dire straits is not a fun position but in the midst of my physical limitations is when I have always forced myself to get a hold of me, to be stronger, more focused and cherish every second that goes by… because timing is everything.

Para un atleta, un segundo vale oro.

God always forgives, humans sometimes forgive…

time NEVER forgives.

Work is hard, distractions are plentiful. And time is short.

A  man who dares to waste one hour of time, has not discovered the value of life.
Charles Darwin

Why Workout?

Why workout?

January 11, 2012

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

From a potato couch's angle, I am best described as a gym rat.

From a hard core athlete's mindset, I lack discipline and I am not in good shape.

I contradict both outlooks because neither one befits me for the following reasons.

1) I am not a potato couch

2) I eat healthy the majority of times

3) I am always on the run

4) I don't watch TV

And because

1) I have not ran even a 5k for 3 years and seven months.

2) I no longer compete

3) I am not a fitness role model

4) I struggle with food just like or more than most women

5) I lack discipline and motivation many times

6) On and on…

When women ask how I can be so focused, the truth is unveiled but they don't believe me. I set loads of rules but I am the first one to break them. I face a daily struggle with negativity BUT when I lose focus, I counterattack those feelings by envisioning where I want to get in four, eight twelve weeks. I shield myself from being sluggish and write motivational post it notes to me, I read and write about health and fitness and I keep moving to shed off the pounds.

That's why whenever I am feeling unmotivated I think of the following reasons why I should keep working out.

1) It is energizing

2) It improves the quality of sleep

3) It is relaxing

4) It is THE perfect anti-stress, anti-anxiety and anti-depressive alleviator

5) It keeps you away from trouble

6) It makes me feel attractive

7) It is a good time to network with other athletes

8) It makes me feel happier

9) It makes me physically, mentally and spiritually stronger

10) It is self-fulfilling

11) It increases my endurance

12) It keeps me away from the doctor's office

13) It helps me look and feel younger

14) It speeds up my metabolism

15) It reduces my body fat

16) It keeps my bones strong

17) It makes me challenge myself

18) It improves my breathing

19) It reduces the risk of many illnesses

20) It improves my mood

21) It is fun and exciting

22) It boosts memory

23) It builds intelligence

24) It makes my body more resistant to infections, illnesses, etc.

25) It makes me long for my next workout session 

That's why I have always told myself that one of the best gifts I can give myself, is to keep working out until I'm eighty, or ninety years old.

I am looking forward to my power walk tomorrow!

Pain is temporary... Pride is forever

Pain is temporary…

Pride is for ever

January 9, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Fitness photo session II, 2012

Monday: Day number one at the gym was not as daunting as I imagined. Other than being fearful of physical pain, I was very insecure while doing this light routine:

1) 20 minute power walk on treadmill

2) 20 minute fat-burn on the elliptical

3) Leg-press: 3 three sets using both legs, 75 pounds. 

4) Leg-press: 3 sets using one leg at once (6 sets total), 40 pounds.

5) Seated leg-curl: 3 sets, 40 pounds.

6) Leg extension: 3 sets, 50 pounds

7) Abs, 3 sets using the medicine ball

Total workout time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Breaking a sweat was amazingly wonderful that made me long for my old high-intensity sessions but I kept repeating to myself, "self-control, self-control, don't forget that you cannot force your knee yet, NO jumping rope, No running, NOT EVEN jogging, NO spinning, or any hard impact moves that will your harm your knee. Just focus on endurance, losing body fat, gaining lean muscle, and strengthening your entire body."

Tuesday: Day off at gym, 45 minute power walk to my morning class and back.

Wednesday: Day number two at gym. 

Routine:

1) 25 minute power walk on treadmill

2) 20 minute random routine on elliptical

3) 3 sets of 15 pound dumbbell curls

4) 3 sets of 20 pound preacher curls

5) 1 set of 18 military push-ups

6) 2 sets of 10 scorpio push-ups

7) 3 12 pound sets of arm curls 

8) 3 12 pound sets of reverse curls

8) Standing Abs: 3 sets of 30 using a 10 pound round weight

Total workout time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Adding to that: a cleaner diet, more protein shakes (using birdseed protein which contains 3 or more times protein than others) and green veggies.

I am not acquainted with the woman that is looking at me in the mirror right now but I will soon encounter her and be the same Gina Yoryet  (I will add 5 pounds at every routine till I surpass my last goal). All through my time at the gym I kept reminding myself that I should take a 'me' pix at the beginning, another one at the end of this month, and one each month to record my progress but I hate taking pictures. I don't know what's with me the last couple of years, I used to LOVE flashing my pearly whites for the camera. I will get better at doing that later this year when...

After workout Reflexions: Emotional pain bent me temporarily in the past. What I gained: to be stronger and more stable mentally and spiritually, accept that there's a reason why every person has come to my life and vanished. 

Professional pain made me weep endlessly when I lost a highly important project because of a minor and insignificant disagreement between my client and I. I was disappointed, and felt like a failure for more than a year. What I learned: to be sharper at doing business and closing deals. I took a course called, "How to be a better negotiator."

Physical pain. My pain tolerance is 500% so I tend to be a deaf and blind tenant when it comes to its needs. I let my injury run until I literally couldn't walk. Consequences: My ligaments were out of place, a cyst ended up developing in my meniscus so my knee had to be drained and stitched back.

What I learned: To listen to my body's pleas, to give it occasional breaks, to be patient and prioritize my health in order to be whole and treat it like my most valuable asset. Like the temple it was meant to be. And don't fret about all the money spent because in the long run, it will be an investment a lifetime investment. 

Any time of pain is consternating and sleep depriving but only temporarily. True, most of my muscle and strength have dissipated but that will come back. My pride is much stronger and life enduring than all those tiny obstacles obstructing my path which means that I will never let myself go. I would not be able let myself deteriorate to that point. 

Up to this day nothing has put a halt to this super woman who in reality is NOT a super woman, only an ordinary woman who likes to insist, resist and persist…

and be 'Citius, Altius, Fortius once again. 

Quality surpasses quantity

Quality surpasses quantity

January 6, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

One of my main New Year's wishes to all my single friends was, "I hope you find THE one, BUT he better NOT be gay OR married." 

Some single women I've known throughout life, have sadly created a kind of attachment with the wrong man. An almost unbreakable and abstract co-dependency is fabricated because there is a need to be loved, complimented and/or acknowledged without discerning that love can be expressed in numerous ways. 

It is human nature to be brought into existence, grow, unite and multiply but nowadays some find it almost impossible to encounter THE one. 

More so women who currently complain about the lack of men which makes their expectations plummet. 

For example, I once heard a woman imply, "I could care less if he's ugly, short, poor, if he's got a beer belly, as long as he is straight." 

Or particular friends have said to me, "The older we get, the harder it is to find a man, so I am lowering my standards."

Regarding this issue is not as bad as is they make it sound. 

Let's say, yes, I, like every woman, long for a loving and lifetime caring, supporting and successful husband, however, the older I get, the higher my standards rise.

Why? Because now more than ever, I am more self-confident, wiser, analytical, focused, independent, I've accomplished more and I know what I want. 

That is the reason why I don't want to ever be in the shadows and hide behind his accomplishments, I want to have and share mine with his. I want us both to be content and fulfilled the same way. 

According to our nature and beliefs, the man was meant to be the hunter, the strength, the provider, and the woman is to reproduce and be the main pillar of a home, yet I don't want to have regrets. When the right place and time come to be with the right someone I without a doubt, will stand by him and play my womanly role only with the security that he will step up as the male figure and do his job for me and his children.

Being on the same page with my couple is a HUGE factor. If we are not, it will more likely turn into a deal breaker. Per se (Per-say) earlier last year when I excitedly came close to 'alpha,' - the beginning of a new life with him. All of a sudden I was hit with skepticism  about the young retiree I was to be with, (He hasn't even reached 50). He had envisioned a dream to travel the world after succeeding and reaching financial freedom. I was invited to join him…

At the beginning temptation hit strong but one night I was awakened by an ice-cold bucket of water questioning myself, "Will you be pursuing your dream or someone else's?" It took all but ten-seconds to become aware of the naked truth; that was followed by the end of that episode. 

It would be nice to have everything paid BUT at what price? When the opportunity knocks on my door, it will be through my or our own means, there's no turning point.

It could be cold and unbending from my end but I don't want to rent-lease my 'services' temporarily and then what? "Thanks for the great moments but you are not the one, we were not on the same page after all."

Sure I could've played Elizabeth Taylor's game and acceded to one proposal after another but marriage to me is a lifetime sacrament, therefore until this moment, I will continue getting mentally ready. 

I don't want to ever give up who I am to follow his dreams, I've chosen not to ever again wait for him to be "ready" for me, I don't want to ever be with a he who is not on the same chapter and who doesn't have the same religion, dreams, goals, principles, values, ethics and physical goals. I am not head over heels for a he that is not self-driven, innovative, good natured, responsible, honest, or initiative taking. 

If he suffers from the STD'd of a relationship: awful credit, reckless driving record, shady background, ambiguous credit history, and if he's developed a dependency on drugs, drinking, he wouldn't linger in my life. Vanity, self-centeredness don't fall under my category either. 

The thought of having a child with someone like this, lessens my desire even more to consider him daddy material. I am much less game for a man who can't figure out what he wants in life. Why not keep it as simple and captivating as: a very hard working he and even better if he's got a habit of reading, writing, doing charity work and being aware of our community's needs?

It is a two-sided coin, the same way a man must carefully and thoroughly choose his future wife and mother of his children, it's got to be likewise for a woman. 

I want to fulfill my (our) dreams guaranteeing the security that he will step up and do what corresponds to him.

There's a reason to everything and if it's meant to be, our roads shall cross one day. if it is not, my love can be manifested in different ways. 

True, I've been through trial and error. With this said from here on, even being blindfolded, quality will always overweight quantity, the rambunctious lady within, is only looking to live the simple life and be 'Semper Fidelis with the right someone at  the right time and place.

Nothing can console me more than running

Nothing can console me more than running

January 5, 2013

By: GIna Yoryet Roman

Entangled amidst frenzy and bliss after hearing the long awaited news, my therapist finally broke them to me, daringly enough, I made a bet with an amateur runner I met late last year. I was told that I will most definitely be able to run once again BUT my selective ear only got a glimpse of, "Yes, you will be able to," without considering the following points:

1) That I am a runner in the make (My muscles will react immediately but after not running for 3.5 years, that makes me a babe in the woods right now). 

2) It will be about 12-16 weeks post surgery before I can begin to barely trot.

3) How much longer will it be before the pain subsides?

4) Will my wound re-open if my knee is forced too much-too soon? (More likely not, i am just being paranoid). 

5) How soon can I start integrating strength at the gym and how much weight will be just right without straining my body?

6) Can I pull off many other 21k's, the Chupinaya 13.8k in August, (and only one 50k, the annual El Amigo de Los Amaneceres' in April or maybe the 50k from Mexico City to Cuernavaca?)

Being realistic, I'll skip the 50 and 42.1k's and stick to NOT force my body oath made in the midst of that acute pain I felt like never before. I'll take my love-hate relationship with running to eternity, that's why I will take it slowly and smoothly to make it long-lasting. Some assume that running is a torture so might as well get crucified but it can be otherwise. 

No wonder the first reaction I get from those who don't like running is, "You are crazy!" "Even after what running put you through?" I am not expectant to gain their understanding, only another REAL runner shares the same passion and will fight like a true warrior. 

I am doing my part so what now? YES! Be at ease and get consoled by one of my greatest loves. I can barely hold still to feel the wind slapping my face when I finally leap on the treadmill or on dirt roads on a good day. 

Why not be like Darlene Goode who took on the Boston marathon only a couple of months post degenerative disc disease surgery?

After all, I know my body …It has always been my best ally by reacting very rapidly to physical therapy. I don't ever want anyone setting limitations for me. I will worship my temple like I said and give it lots of TLC. At the same time it needs to be challenged to avoid it from falling into a comfort zone. 2013 will reconcile us, since the first dawn of this promising year, that far away mirage keeps getting closer and more real thanks to me insisting, resisting, persisting and NEVER giving up.