Love it or Leave it!

Love it or Leave it

March 7 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Now that I am more in accordance with my morning routine, I am so out of sync with pm workouts. Since I can't seem to get pumped up enough later in the day, my time spent at the gym feels more like a drag that all I want to do, is get it over with.Yesterday, I was only able to work in a slow motion hour due to the throat infection  (it is debilitating me) that was finally alleviating and because of lack of energy. It's been rather hard to find my drive to get me moving the last few days that I've practically forced myself to stop obstructing my mind in order to avoid getting distracted and to stay focused. 

Last Wednesday, Feb 28, I started a knee strengthening routine in the pool that soothed me physically for just a little while. I could immediately tell the difference between calisthenics and running. What pushed me to get in the water, was the strong desire to speed up the healing process and be able to jog slowly for 20 or 30 minutes. 

The aforementioned is the best one can do for speedier recovery. The latter requires great intensity from most (if not) all of your body. I would most definitely stick to the second one! 

Anyhow, I was not in the mood of jumping in the pool and getting started on a knee strengthening routine but I went ahead and did it anyway. I stimulated my mind to shut down and NOT let myself get guided by the pessimistic little voice buzzing in my ear. 

Tuesday's pm workout didn't sound attractive either but I got it done regardless of the self-complaints. This time there really was another menacing factor - an allergic reaction to something which made me break out and scratch myself nonstop.  

Where I'm trying to get, is that 90% of the times I'd prefer to hibernate at home and be a couch potato to stuff my face with all the low quality food I can get a hold of.

Yet, I refuse to give in to those thoughts and feelings. If I ever let them surpass me, they will be in control and I am not one to give in to my self-destructive corporal craving demands. 

It's like they say, "Love it or Leave it." I have two choices.

Number 1:  Continue with the lifestyle I chose and which I love because albeit not being in the mood a vast majority of times, once I get my mojo going but more once I'm through, it is very self-fulfilling. 

Number 2: Forget the 18 year legacy I have built for good.This time I will lock grips permanently with the first option.

Sure, those 5am rises are tough!

Honestly, holding back on junk food can be very difficult (ONLY sometimes, once my body got used to eating clean, it doesn't react too well when I feed it with the improper fuel). 

Sure, keeping the consistency of a clean lifestyle can be annoying.

BUT I chose that and I am sticking with it…

Loving it is more powerful than forsaking it!

The Latina persuasion

The Latina persuasion

March 3rd, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

One of the most impelling pieces of being a member of Latina Leadership Network when I lived in Sacramento, was seeing many Latino women gathered fighting for the same dream: To be acknowledged and valued in society not only as women, but as Latinas, part of a minority group. 

Cypress Hill's Armada Latina video is among one of my favorites because it makes me reminiscence of the good 'ole days when my friends, sisters and I attended numerous car shows and Latino festivals all over the bay area. It hit right at home when I scanned the streets full of Latinos, the animated music, the bright colors everywhere and even more when savoring the exquisite 'antojitos.'

Coming to a place full of Latinas (I don't like the term hispanic because we are not HIS panic, HER panic, nor ANYBODY's panic) has always been very adrenalizing because no matter how different we may be, at the end of the day we are one mind, one dream, one culture, one whole, a sisterhood sharing the same goals and values. 

Those aspirations include, building an intact self-confidence, being healthy, fit, good-looking, attractive and sexy, yes even that! To this day, I've never met a single female who does NOT want to be THe flaming hot woman walking down the street with everyone's eyes locked on her.

Whenever I am lucky to meet a new Latina, an overly important MUST to discuss, is health and fitness. The how to's of adapting and holding on to a clean, light and transparent, permanent lifestyle, NOT only trying a momentary fad diet such as the South-beach, the Mediterranean and several other ones.  

For instance today, I got together with a Tequila guru who I will possibly work with in future events/projects. He brought a group of bar/restaurant owners and bartenders to visit his distillery. Amid the crowd, I met E. C., a radiant Latina who from the minute I spotted her, could tell she works out! After breaking the ice, we started talking about health…and fitness straight off the bat. Another wellness enthusiast, just like me! We exchanged contact information to send each other motivational messages to keep our drive. 

Meeting such well-kept Latinas is inspiring for my formation. It takes me back to my childhood and most of my adolescence. As the insecure, chubby and boyish looking little girl I was, I lacked self-confidence, self-acceptance, was very critical and self-conscious.

That is the main reason why I established a durable affair with health and fitness…

That is why physical wellness is an utterly important way of living that defines who I am…

Who I am, defines my knowledge and desire to help other Latinas and women in general, to reach their goal… that Latina persuasion is what helps me identify myself with other women and fight against all the impending mental obstacles floating inside that we have to battle against: Lack of self-acceptance, harsh criticism for even the most insignificant things…Accepting me for who I am and for what my body can do and create, and meeting more Latina warriors, is what makes me more determined to strive higher and get closer to my goal. 

My fitness ABC's

My fitness ABC's

March 1st, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Today marks exactly a ten week countdown to prove myself that I climb one step higher than before my physical breach.

Today also highlights day number two of my early workouts (Monday was number 1).

I amazingly don't feel tired at all. That is a good sign that my mind and body are slowly readjusting to my long and non-stop days.

My energy level is inclining little by little, I am sweating more at the gym, regardless of not doing any running (I had to stop because my right calf was tensing up more and the pain on my left knee was intensifying).

The overall results are gratifying, and they will soon be even more after the upcoming events lined up this year. It looks like I am being pushed to meet more talented professionals who are interested in working with me within the next couple of weeks.

Those are strong enough reasons to NOT permit myself being cajoled by my emotions into doing unnecessary, mindless, emotional, impulsive and compulsive eating. Today has to emphasize more discipline, focus, determination, persistence and resistance to get me closer to my goal.

Today I also need to start triggering my engine and mind with even cleaner substances (nutrition and fitness) to avoid distractions…

I must impulse myself to think crystal clear and spur my will higher! 

A = Amazing and attractive

B = Bubbly,  breezy & beneficial

C = Combative, cut, clean & competitive

D = Decisive, dynamic & devoted

E = Eager & endurable

F = Fast, fearless & fit

G = Gifted, given & gorgeous

H = Healthy & high-rendering 

I = Invincible & incredible

J = Jumpy & juvenile

K = Knowledgeable & kindhearted

L = Light & ludicrous

M = Magnificent & melodic

N = Nonstop & noisy

O = Overjoyed & outrageous

P = Powerful & pumped

Q = Quixotic & quiet

R = Radiant & resonating

S = Sharp & splendid

T = Tough, trim & talented

U = Unique & unbiased

V = Victorious & valuable

W = Whimsical & womanly

X = Xenomorphic & xerophytic 

Y = Youthful and yummy 

Z = Zealous & zesty

Motivation comes from within

Motivation comes from within

February 28, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

I'd been thinking about it for rather long but in reality, all I needed was a slight push to start integrating two weekly 5am routines. So far, one is nailed down, the second one is yet to happen (tomorrow). That light prod came to me unexpectedly but quite suitable last Saturday when I encountered a gym acquaintance who I originally met sometime last August. 

F, a young fitness enthusiast who is struggling to keep his weight down like many of us, commented that he is/was trying to get motivated to make his morning workouts as well but he has not able to get himself together.

Standing there chatting at the gym all to ourselves, we agreed to make that long-awaited come back last Monday. I was honestly not motivated in the least. The question was, what impulsed me to get on my feet that early once again? My competitive nature, the fact that I abhor losing, my womanly word, the compromise. 

At 5 am sharp there I was! I beat him to it. That fed my ego and rubbed it on his face when he arrived 15 minutes later. 

"What a nice way to get encouraged!" I pondered. Truthfully, deep down, I know that the minute I set my mind, heart and soul, I become very determined. So my thought was basically, "Motivation is internal, nobody can really motivate someone else, it comes down to just getting it down yourself."

Ok, when I can't seem to get a hold of myself (that is exactly where I stand physically as I type), I go through brief pity parties but once I'm on the rebound, I  get stronger, more decisive, constant and persevering. 

That is backed up with the perfect armor to nurture my most important spheres; my mind, body and soul.

To improve my writing and keep coming up with ideas and stay encouraged:

I drown in others' writing: Magazines, newspapers, books, internet articles, etc.

I thoroughly skim through their work and pay careful attention to their style, order and wording.

To avoid getting sad or lonely, to stay away from distractions and "bad influence," (I don't always succeed) and to avoid getting carried away in vanity, greed and empty and materialistic matters and to get motivated instead, this is what's worked once I'm focused:

Volunteer work, a great channel to pull me through.

To improve my teaching skills:

Hands on practice kicks in to help me learn by sharing my knowledge with others. 

To improve my translation/interpretation skills and to keep my enthusiasm going:

I attend workshops, get intake from other experts, do my homework to keep the flow going. 

My incentive to keep life as simple as possible and to keep my drive: 

Meet ordinary people, talk to them and learn from them.

Read successful people's biographies and/or blogs. 

Or simply meet people from all walks of life to induce myself even more and to be grateful for what I have. 

While working on those small details, I am biding my time, awaiting for what I like to call "my trial" to conclude. One day it will pay off every single suffering moment. I mean, if Mandela patiently waited 27 seven years in prison and Darwin's hope to prove what he believed in, the theory of relativity, never withered, I can compile all my work from 17+ years to be drawn together into one. All arduous work may not be immediately acknowledged but one day in the near future, it'll have its rewards. 

Why not be a Dolores Huerta, a Nancy Galan founder of the Adelante Movement, or a fabulous, intelligent, and talented Mexican Cuaima like Esmeralda Yesica Garcia or Olga Maria Morales?

Keep pushing it to be bigger and better every day!

God always forgives, humans sometimes forgive…time NEVER forgives

God always forgives, humans sometimes 

forgive…time NEVER forgives

February 25, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Just because our plans are to end something, doesn’t mean they are God’s. And just because we make mistakes -big or small- doesn’t mean He can’t fix them.

I do reflecting a whole lot, and often ask the purpose of each object, person and being in this world. One of the most tangled up topics, are relationships. It takes the littlest tension to destroy a lifetime's worth. 

We are fond of each other, yet we neglect to mend the small and insignificant matters. From own experience and others', I have witnessed one relationship after another being fragmented into tiny particles unable to be put back into its original shape. 

I don't like judging anyone because their reasoning is unknown to me but I do question, "what would it take to pick up the phone or do whatever it takes to reach out and drop nothing but caring words such as, "I love you, I want you back in my life?" It's like they said, it is easier said than done!

A million reasons and excuses: 

Pride, anger, resentment, hurt, disbelief, lack of trust, skepticism, fear of getting rejected, lack of faith, affliction, etc.

Last year I lost a very close friend of mine who for unexplained reasons decided to vanish. She was going through a very dark stage at that moment and as much as I offered to be there, she simply distanced herself. A few months later, I called her wanting to reconnect… that didn't happen. I still don't blame her but I do wonder what made her take the decision to eliminate me from her life. Perhaps I was not a good friend, not attentive enough. Maybe I was so involved in my own affairs, casting aside her suffering? I was given the benefit of the doubt and I accept it. There was never an argument, disagreement or tension between us, or so I believed. Regardless of all this, the times spent with her will be cherished for as long as I shall live. 

Relationships like this, are almost impossible to disregard because of such deep bonds. They can impulse us to make an effort and build the strength to try and re-establish them because even if we may not want them, that is NOT necessarily what God's got lined up for us. 

I would love our paths to reconnect to resume our friendship one day. More after watching "power to change," When there's true love and affection, I believe in second chances. It takes a lot of work, energy, effort, and will, to put the pieces back together. That's why  I never gave anyone a second opportunity before, but now I try to be reasonable to the ones I care about deeply and when I am given an opportunity because life is too short and tomorrow may be too late…

God always forgives, humans sometimes 

forgive…time NEVER forgives

Fitness w/out cruelty

Fitness w/out cruelty

February 24, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

The best thing for a runner, would be to never let go. That is exactly what I envisioned 10, 15 years ago when I was at the peak of my fitness career and injury free. I could not imagine life without running.

That fantasy vanished a few years back (It'll be four years on June 17 since I was forced to break off my affair with strolling, I hope not for good though).

Giving running a momentary break was NOT the end of my fitness career. Yes, running will always be my number one option but I've found other alternatives to stay lean, clean and healthy. 

On the same day, June 17 (2012), Jalisco held its very first women's 100 meter race at La Gran Plaza Fashion Mall. The first 150 meter race wearing 5 centimeter (at least) heels, took place in Mexico City, on the 27 of the prior month. 

The women who participated in these races came together to raise funds to fight against cancer, child malnutrition and other causes. 

As a health and fitness advocate, I support this good deed. On the other hand, I am all for fitness without cruelty. Perhaps I am not looking at the whole picture but I don't get why women have to put themselves through such ordeal, running in heels! 

On a daily basis women look stunning wearing those amazing stilettos but at the end of the day, is such torture really worth the effort? It's like they say, beauty has a price BUT heels bring more disadvantages than advantages. 

Pros:

1) They make women look sexier

2) They help petite women add a few inches

3) They are an automatic male magnet

4) They make us look more feminine 

5) They are stylish

6) They help bring about an attractive posture

7) They are elegant

8) They complement clothes: outfits, dresses, skirts, pants, etc.

Cons:

1) They make walking difficult

2) They tense up and pressure the entire body, especially the lower back. 

3) They cause blisters

4) They develop red and yellow patches on feet. 

5) They can cause deformities on feet and legs

6) They cause leg sprain

Surprisingly, the female gender will never give them up and the male kind will always support us wearing them because ladies all for beauty and sex appeal and men love that. To the point that prior dancer Coryelle Abney came up with, Hop Heel last year, a type of gymnastics or dance routine wearing heels.

In Kansas City, Stiletto Fitness Classes have also become very popular. I wonder why these tendencies are increasing quite rapidly if traumatologists contradict such practices?

I am not against them but I only wear them very sporadically, on special occasions. Simplicity is closer to my slogan. Yes, men prefer heels, yes, they help women look like bomb shells, and all those goodies but why make my feet suffer? 

My point is, that fitness and suffering don't go hand in hand. Why wear heels during a work out session when there are hundreds of comfy, stylish, soft and supporting trainers to perform a good fitness class without cruelty? 

Focus & discipline

Focus and discipline

February 23rd, 2013

By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Five weeks after dragging a throat infection, I am finally reaching the end of it. It was very bothersome because a throat virus had never been this long lasting. Finally on Tuesday morning I came down with a cold, had a stuffy nose, watery eyes, felt lightheaded, and puny and my cough was non stop day and night. 

I was not in the mood of going to the gym due to insufficient strength and motivation.

But I set my mind and forced myself to JUST DO IT!

I only managed to do a 30 minute power walk, 10 minutes on the elliptical and a few abs here and there.

40 minutes later I went straight to shower, checked out and came right back.

On Thursday I felt somewhat better so I drive to Sports Fitness (which is a bit further out), the other gym where I train only to find out my membership expired on the 18th! In less than five seconds I came up with an excuse to be let in and so it happened! 

I was still not that motivated to work out, was more lured to step into the sauna and interested in saying hello to the trainer, a friend of mine I met there last August. My time there was more productive than Tuesday.

Total time: 1hr, 10 minutes.

30 minute power walk

10 minute bike

Knee therapy and strengthening exercises, plus abs and stretching.

Today I almost skipped my session again but despite that, I hopped out of bed without a problem because I am marking my time frame, getting physically and mentally ready and make the transition to my early am routines as of this coming Monday. My goal for March is to do two early and two pm routines to make sure I am well rested and to avoid looking like a zombie. 

The last few days made me reinforce my mental state and push myself since I am on a kickoff till May. That's about 10 weeks to be exact. PM workouts just don't do it for me for numerous reasons:

1) My gym is a tiny little boxing ring which is packed, suffocating and smelly. Some people don't even bother wiping their sweat off the machines. YUCK!

2) Too many distractions; I either catch myself talking to a cutie for too long, or I end up lingering around for someone to get through with their workout so I can use the machines.

3) I can never seem to get my full mojo going because everyone stares through the mirror and that really makes me uncomfortable.

4) It is harder to get motivated, my workouts are longer and I waste a lot more time than in the morning.

Hence, I concluded that where I stand now,  motivation, focus and discipline is what I need to shoot for. Why? I am feeling the pressure (the good kind). I mean, my body has changed A LOT since I last did a sporting event or any professional photo shoot that I don't know how the whole me will react. 

I will have to push myself like I have many times, but what dispirits me (stress wise, not sadness wise) is my knee. It's been three months since I paid a visit to the slaughterhouse and there's still pain, throbbing and swelling. I wonder how much longer it'll be before I can start feeling normal again and when will I be able to perform at my max.

I'm wondering how to juggle those small issues against me to give it all I've got, and get motivated, focused and disciplined. On the other hand I am really looking forward to THE day!