Loathe exercising?  Keep starting and stopping?  Maybe you haven't found the right fit for you or maybe you are someone who NEEDS variety to keep you interested.  Exercise diversity is the spice of fitLife for me. 

Today, I started to fill my cup with some of the kettlebell "kool aid".  I got my assessment and "form" instruction as I prepare for my first session at Brian Wright - Personal Training -- so looking forward to swinging these cast iron cannonballs. 

Yesterday, I took on a ViPR class at Xtreme Fitness which exposed me to loaded movement training that integrates the entire body for strength, cardio and agility training using a hollowed weighted rubber tube. Today, I am sore so I must have challenged my body in a new way which is awesome.

While both ViPR and Kettlebells have a full-body training aspect, they are vastly different in execution which I personally like.  I'm ALWAYS on the prowl for something new... now I've got two new interests, two new challenges to master and can already see new fitness growth on the horizon. 

The fundamentals of what I do exercise wise changes very little, but my methods do - I lift weights to keep my body strong, I workout with intensity to burn calories and, when possible, I personally prefer full-body exercises to get more bang for my time investment.  Pilates and Boxing were also added to my 2013 exercise toolbox. I'm happy to have Kettlebells and ViPR as part the mix!  Overcome exercise boredom -- try something NEW! 

A picture is worth 1,000 words, but do you assign the right words?  A vision of complete health, but the changing season and cool air brings to the forefront a chemo side affect that I still deal with today -- Raynaud's disease -- where my fingers and toes go numb and turn blue in response to cold temperatures or stress.  Whenever my digits encounter a swift change in temperature they react and often times render me somewhat "handicapped."  An onset of these side affects is very painful and a pain in my butt because I can't do the simplest things like:  type on my computer, hold a pencil or pen or fork, or remove my credit card or money from my wallet after leaving the frozen food section.  Ever ask a complete stranger for help with paying while at the grocery store?  It is embarrassing and it sucks, but it is what it is so I deal with it knowing that I have so many other things to be thankful for. There is no real treatment so I endure and count the blessings of being here to "experience"  my pain. :-)

I used to have clothes in my closet that ranged from size 8 to 14.  Today, I have one size and I feel it keeps me accountable and on track. If my clothes get tight, I do not have the luxury to slip into a larger size from my closet. Instead it is a wake-up call that something is off-track -- not eating healthy, overeating, eating at the wrong time, not burning enough calories, ineffective exercise, etc... Basically, it is time to pull back from the table, reflect on what got me "here" and develop a "come-back" plan ASAP that includes sound nutrition and regular exercise on a consistent basis.

People have consistently asked me questions ranging from exercises to what motivates me as I progressed down my transformation path.  Sure I gladly share this information, but I would have never projected ahead to think I'd be doing "official" presentations about what I have learned during my getting healthy and fitness journey. 

Well, when I was asked to present to a group of about 10 women, I didn't think twice and agreed to share what I learned from my own school of hard knocks.  I shared my background with cancer, my surgeries and how I could not outrun my own genetics of cancer, high blood pressure nor diabetes without losing weight and getting healthy.  My presentation was to be 20 minutes, but it was so interactive and full of pressing questions from attendees that it lasted over an hour.  I spoke about doing what works for oneself when it comes to picking an exercise program because it is not one size fits all.  If you hate it, you are less likely to stick with it.  Goals, consistency and nutrition are also key to a successful program.  I shared what parts of "official" program worked for me and my lifestyle.  My 2-hour workshop ended with a food prep and tasting session where I shared my favorite healthy foods like:  rice cakes with almond butter and low fat, low sodium turkey and my take on a healthy turkey meal that is super spicy and super yummy.

My debut was well-received.  I was honored and felt blessed to spend my afternoon with such a wonderful group of women who have a thirst for health and fitness information.