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.