fitdiva83’s BodyBlog

It’s funny how things drastically turn for the better. I am paid, finally! Trip to Europe for the holidays, gratis! And my friends, colleagues and students are all phenomenal and I am BLESSED to have them in my life. Yesterday, between training and completing a three hour diagnostic test for the LSAT, I was feeling a bit exhausted. I am actually enjoying this academic year, surprisingly. After an hour long convo with my coach late last night, I managed to drag myself out of bed for a morning of sprints and the elliptical. She had reminded me of how pleased she was with my check-in pics and urged me to remain consistent. Before heading to the gym at 5 am, I wrote down my list of daily goals and to-do’s, which included no cheat snacks, an after-school meeting with the Robotics club, two 45 min cardio sessions. And still I had to include two hours of LSAT prep. And someone actually told me that I didn’t have the motivation and drive to succeed. I suppose graduating from Harvard and earning a master’s degree two years later while teaching full-time is a clear indicator of a lack of drive. Then again, everyone is entitled to their delusions. Kinda amusing to be insulted by people whose academic credentials pale in comparison to mine. Sorry, won’t feign humility on this one.
I do miss blogging and will try to post a couple times a week in order to stay on track with all aspects of my life.  Now to the gym for some boxing, jump-roping, shoulders and abs. Some interesting stats to note: This porker right here is down 5lbs from last week and is boasting a waist that is just shy of 27 inches…now if that is not motivation, I don’t know what else is . Time for some rounds. Let’s get it. In the words of Jay, I’m focused, man!

Until next time, train hard. Muchos besos.

At any given time, our perception of what an acceptable, attractive, fit physique can be altered provided our state of reference, mind or emotion. One day, ripped can become too lean. Curvaceous becomes fat or too thick. From desirable to repulsive, each human body part can be magnified or minimized to suit our preferences. Furthermore, these same body parts are very much scrutinized, especially when it comes to figure. Some are genetically blessed. Others fight genetics in order to challenge their bodies into places they never knew existed.

So why do figure? My friends and family constantly question my decision to foray into this underworld of female “physique” building, instead of pursuing my J.D as was planned originally or something “intellectually” worthwhile. What’s with the hours in the gym, wasting egg yolks for egg whites (my mother), and eating six meals a day (my Dad)? The same reason, I delve into a classic piece of literature to keep myself mentally stimulated, I use the weight room or the track to keep my body stimulated. In virtual years…due to my fitness levels and bodyfat, I am actually 19 and not 25. And as I have always been one to set mini-goals for myself, this underworld provides me with an uncanny balance of dark self-defeat and golden accomplishment. Oftentimes, you are alone in your journey. Other times, people accompany you, then leave unexpectedly. Then, you have your solid crew…who may not understand why you do what you do, but because they love you, will always be on the sidelines cheering you along even when you’ve reached rock bottom.

I am not sure where my forage will lead me, but recent turn of events this season have allowed me to uncover my own inner strength and resourcefulness. And maybe that’s all I need. As I lead my dance team through the new choreography that I am teaching them or highlight good and bad sportsmanship to the girls’ middle school basketball team, I understand the value of not only physical awareness, but also the mental strength to exist amongst your peers, withstand criticism and self-doubt, make mistakes and have the courage to learn from them. So what are my future plans? Well, that will be the beginning of another chapter….