Skinny Bitch Manifesto

Skinny Bitch Manifesto

August 22, 2016

I’ve been staying motivated by working out more often, eating cleaner, more veggies. Nonetheless I still have splurge moments. I was checking out some encouraging nutrition and workout tips and found this great manifesto! I am not skinny, but I do my best to stay healthy.

Skinny Bitch Manifesto

  1. I give a shit about what I eat, even when it takes effort. I make very informed choices about what I choose to put in my body on a meal by meal basis. I’m always aware of what I’m eating and how much I’m consuming. I recognize that my body is an instrument and that food is its fuel. I’m honest with myself when I eat like crap. And instead of feeling guilty, I admit my pleasure in the moment. I know that what other people eat is not my business. Everyone’s is struggle their own, and I’m not here to proselytize.

2. I own it. My lifestyle is my responsibility and mine alone. My health and well being are in my hands, and I don’t make other people responsible for meeting my nutritional needs.

When I engage in bad or lazy habits, I acknowledge them freely. I readily concede that I’m consciously choosing to do something that’s bad for me. This allows me to avoid the cycle of guilt that leads to more bad choices, and I’m able to correct course within a day or two

3. You don’t scare me. I’m never ashamed to speak up and express my feelings about something. I don’t talk about people who aren’t present and I don’t misrepresent myself or others. This allows me to have a deep-seated inner confidence that few possess. The confidence of a skinny bitch. I guard my heart so my words reflect my values. I have nothing to fear and no need to explain myself. When I do hurt someone, I apologize right away and clear up any misunderstandings or bad feelings.I’m not afraid of admitting fault. Try to top that

4. I have freaking high standards. I know I’m the average of the 5 people I interact with most and I don’t take that lightly. My circle is full of awesome and inspiring people. They get me. They love me. And I love them back with all my gusto.

I only have room in my schedule for projects and people that inspire me and make my life better. No exceptions. If you’re a person who brings me down—in any way—don’t expect to spend time with me—even if we’re related.

5. I know how to SHUT IT DOWN. I say no to things I don’t want to do. Even when I feel like I should do them or could do them. I don’t agree to anything I’m not comfortable with. I don’t hang out with people (including family members) who belittle me or disrespect my time in any way. And I don’t have to be aggressive or confrontational to achieve this result. I have my own methods.

6. I am NOT fake. I don´t need bravado to feel strong. I won´t bend myself to fit it. I won´t hustle for your approval. What will I do is stand calm and firm in my own shoes, on my own sacred space. You´ll have to take me as I am-flawed and vulnerable. If all my realness makes you uncomfortable, you´re probably not ready to be my friend.

7. I don’t do drama. My goal is a great life full of great people. That leaves little room for your crap. I don’t put up with problematic people or situations. Period. When I find myself tolerating something or someone, I find a way to resolve it as soon as possible.

8. I’m a skinny bitch, not bitchy bitch. On a daily basis, I strive to leave people and situations better than I find them. We come in all sorts of beautiful colors and shapes and lifestyles and histories. We all have something meaningful to contribute, no matter how different we may be.

For the skinny bitch, kindness reigns supreme.

Faith ALWAYS Prevails

Faith ALWAYS Prevails

The “Impossible” Can’t challenge God

August 19, 2016

By: Gina Yoryet Román

THE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE MOST PAIN TEND TO BE THE ONES WHO ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE OTHERS SMILE

I broke a real good sweat at the gym today, it feels sooooo good to run on the treadmill and feel hardly any pain. I thought that I would never be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. For starters, the sprain on my left shoulder that runs through my neck and my right shoulder sometimes gave me hardly any issues today!

Being able to run albeit physical pain and chronic fatigue, is very motivating for my body as it is soothing for my mind. This week my self-esteem was elevated when I was asked to give my expert advice on a health and fitness platform. I was contacted by the founder of Hábitos Saludables. It made me realize about all my knowledge that had been left on the back burner. I also read encouraging stories of profesional athletes like that of Sister Madonna Buder, an Unyielding Amazon that helped reignite the flame of my fitness affair.

And to push me even more, I thought of this story I read two weeks ago. This is one of the most impacting stories I had ever read about all through my health and fitness career.

18year-old Yusra Mardini, a young refugee that saved the lives of many others by pushing a boat for about three hours. She joined the Refugee Olympic AthletesTeam along other refugees and competed under the International Olympic Committe flag.

According to Wikipedia, (I am quoting it as is on this website)

Mardini's house was destroyed in the Syrian Civil War.^[4] Mardini and her sister Sarah decided to flee Syria in August 2015.^[5] They reached Lebanon, and then Turkey, where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece by boat with 18 other migrants,^[5] though the boat was meant to be used by no more than six or seven people.^[2] After the motor stopped working and the dinghy began to take on water in the Aegean Sea, Mardini, her sister, and two other people who were able to swim^[2] got into the water and pushed the boat for over 3 hours until it reached Lesbos.^[5] They then traveled through Europe to Germany, where they settled in Berlin in September 2015.^[2] Her parents also fled Syria and live in Germany.^[6]

This story is worthy of NOT only one gold or silver medal, but of many.

What amazes me the most, is that all these powerful athletes use their pain to help others and to spread kindness to our world.

There should be more young and promising young athletes like Yusra Mardini that helped me envision hope very clearly and directly.

She reminds me that faith ALWAYS prevails!

An Unyielding Amazon

An Unyielding Amazon 

Sister Madonna Buder

Faith ALWAYS Prevails

August 15, 2016

I had to go M. I. A. for a couple days because the last eighteen to twenty-four months have been brutal. It’s been either work (I am not complaining), family issues, personal issues, a never ending hiatus (two injuries that seem to get the best of me) that seems to prevail. I won’t let it predominate me, I am stronger than that. However I have to admit that at times I am about to throw in the towel. The intended plan during this interim was to take time to reflect and resonate with my life vision, dreams and goals, to take action upon my return. One of those plans was to do my best to regain physical strength and resiliency (keeping in mind that perhaps I may never be able to get the same results with these injuries that have become my most faithful companion).

One morning when I woke up my entire body was sore, I panicked and asked myself, “What is going on, what is wrong with me!?" I felt as if I had been struck by a train or some sort of strenuous impact! I was emotionally and physically broken for a few days convinced that my training days were over. I was hounded with all kinds of negative emotions and thoughts,  I am falling apart, I can’t do this anymore, I am too old, and so on.

Then today I was finally able to get a hold of myself and got motivated after reading about an unyielding amazon. The perfect shot in the arm, right what I needed at this time and place. 

Sister Madonna Buder, an 86 year old nun, a runner, a swimmer, a cyclist. She trains hard and keeps herself very active for a reason…

She trains for Ironman competitions, she’s pulled through 45 of them so far!!!

WOW! WOW! WOW!

She really put me to shame. Here I am having a pity party, dealing with the pounds I voluntarily and willingly put on during this summer lapse.  L

This brass-bound amazon is coming close to her ninth decade. She was born in St. Louis Missouri in 1930. Despite not being athletically active during childhood, she was always very determined from the get-go. At 14 she decided to be a nun, and when she was 20, she joined the convent. It is no mistake that faith has kept her mind, heart, body and soul very resilient and focused. Through resistance, persistence and insistence, she's preponderated and remained healthy spiritually, emotionally, personally, physically, professionally and financially.  

Here’s the full story of this iron woman, a Nun, Author, Motivational Speaker, Triathlete. 

Faith always prevails!

"It's not what you say, it's what you do; don't pay attention to how old you are, only focus on how old you feel"

and

"Determination is the mind willing something to happen by the grace of God"

No excuses to break a sweat at the gym at least two days this week!