Health & Fitness - Time to Fly Away!

Yeeehaw! I'm so glad it is vacation time. I'm also glad that I'm feeling so much better. My voice is 99% back but I feel 100% better. Time to enjoy! Then come Monday, it's time to get back to the grind of it all. Workout, work, school, etc. Can't wait!

Health & Fitness - It's Thursday

It's Thursday! My last day of recuperation before we head to Oahu for the weekend. I feel good. My voice is pretty much back to normal and I feel 95% healthy. YES!

Health & Fitness - Still Resting

Yes, I'm finally beginning to speak clearer and I can function so much more. I can't wait to be totally healthy.

Health & Fitness - More Rest, Less Voice

Although I'm starting to feel a lot better today, my voice is still pretty much gone. I can't speak an entire sentence without my voice going out. Not fun at all. I guess I have to just force myself to relax and stop trying to do anything until 5 out of my 10 days have passed.

Ok, I give in. No more strenuous tasks until Thursday.

Health & Fitness - Resting

Justen is currently resting...

Health & Fitness - Finally

I got up at about 8 am today and drove myself to the Pahoa Community Medical Center and had them do an examination on me. I was indeed infected with Strep throat. I spoke with a wonderful doctor and he gave me two options: 1 pill everyday for 10 straight days, or a shot. I opted for the shot. So I dropped my pants and expected the worse. It wasn't so bad. I barely felt anything.

At least I know what I have and have taken the precautions to get myself healthier and back on track. I don't want to fall too behind on my Power 90 workout.

Health & Fitness - Ewww

So today is my cousin's graduation ceremony and surprise party. I still feel under the weather but I can function normally until my temperature rises. I still have that nasty nasal drip in the back of my throat. It is so gross. I can't stand it.

My cousin was surprised and I had enough energy to enjoy a bit but retreated to my room to sleep. My temperature is still high, then drops, then rises again. I decided it has been long enough and used my insurance companies physicians online assistance where we can speak with a doctor and he/she can prescribe medication for us. It was a neat experience but was still recommended to get a face 2 face examination for strep throat. It is actually beginning to feel like strep tonight.

Health & Fitness - Bad Choices

Well, today was supposed to be spent finishing up the lawn, but unfortunately my temperature has not stabilized at all. It fell to 98 degrees and went back up almost immediately. I have this irritating nasal drip that seeps into the back of my throat and causes me to spit up all the mucus that is draining from my sinuses. How irritating!

I don't feel entirely out of commission until my temperature rises and I lose all of my energy. I actually have a full appetite and have no problems eating. I think I'll sweat this one out, and I don't mean with Power 90. I need to skip the workouts until I start feeling better.

Health & Fitness - Too Much

So, I do not know who gave me the idea that I was Superman (I prefer Batman), but I spent 6+ hours out in the yard using the weedeater and did my Power 90 Sweat 5-6. Wow, what a day.

Unfortunately, by the time night fall came, I started to feel a bit over worked. I came down with a temperature of 100.8 degrees. Not good sign at all.

Health & Fitness - Dare I Say It!?!

Hmmm, right now I'm holding back a word that is commonly used throughout our family for those pesky family members that spend hours upon hours sitting in front the damn TV playing that irritating Dr. Mario game. Was that jealously you were sensing? Hell to the YEAH! I can't seem to concentrate hard enough to come close to what they have accomplished. We just jokingly call them "addicted."

But, my "______" (still trying not to associate the word with myself) comes from my Power 90 Master Series workouts. I know, I know-it makes you f'in sick. But I can't help it! It's only day three and I love the burn, the pain, and the challenge. It just forces me to think harder, work harder, and push even further. Maybe because it's so unconventional, or maybe I feel like I'm in on some kind of secret. What ever the hell it is, it's making me feel good and I haven't felt this good in a while.

"a" word or not! I'm beginning to enjoy myself!

Health & Fitness - Get Into the Groove!

Today was day 2 of Power 90 Master Series. I was greeted by the pleasant sight of Traci Morrow joining in on the Sweat 5-6 routine. I had delayed my workout till later in the evening out of poor time management and a tinge of procrastination. I always get anxious when trying new things. This new workout was no exception.

Yet again, I was met with a fast paced routine of some new, some odd, and some familiar exercises. Am I complaining? No Way! I absolutely loved it! Huffing and puffing my way through this routine was a constant. Made me feel like I was on day one of the old faithful Power 90 original. I'd have to say that I did pretty good if I should say so myself. Not trying to toot my own horn - or maybe I am. Either way, I have to say for doing this routine for the first time, I did great!

Well, I enjoyed a brownie, but I ain't hating myself for doing so. It was one measly brownie and it actually fit into my nutritional intake...so there! The rest of my meals were great. Simple and easy. Just the way I like it.

Health & Fitness - Ummm, What Just Happened?

Ok, the first day of Power 90 Master Series has just passed and I really don't know what the hell just happened. I have been twisted and turned, jerked and stretched in ways I never knew was possible. I'm officially a newbie again. This workout was so new and mindblowing that I really did not know what just happened.

So I popped in Power 90 MS Scuplt 5-6 and I didn't expect what I got. It was like an amped up Power 90 with a twist. I mean if this was Power 90 MS, then the original Power 90 should be called Power 90 Lite.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I'm actually excited about the challenges that this new series is bringing. I just need to figure out a tracking method that I can utilize. Anyone used Power 90 Master Series and developed an excel transformation tracking spreadsheet? Let me know!

Health & Fitness - A Few Hours Left

I sit here alone, the house is quiet, the day has passed. The week of "rest" is all but a few hours left. I'm entering this new week with mixed feelings. I can't say I have renewed energy, nor can I say I am extremely excited to get this new week started.

What I am excited about is discovering the new and exciting ways that Tony Horton has crafted into the Power 90 Master Series. I really don't know how to explain it, but Tony is a genius when it comes to building muscle strength and endurance. Keep pushing us Tony! You are the best.

Health & Fitness - School

Have you ever felt inadequate? Unworthy? Lost? Beaten down?

I have! Although the picture that I present may often be shiny and happy, I, like many others, face the treachery of life and life's choices. You see, I have never really known what I wanted to do in my life. I never really understood myself entirely. I knew what made me tick, but I really did not know what made me happy. What is it that I truly enjoy with all my heart? What's out there that will drive my mind so crazy that I can't wait to do it again? What puts a smile on my face?

You see, I got the awakening of a lifetime from a very unlikely source. I was caring for a youth that has a series drug addiction problem, combined with some mental health issues. Now although the majority of the words that he spoke could not be taken serious, he brought up a an observation that hit a nerve in me. I almost felt like I was sitting under an interrogation lamp, placed alone in a dark and damp room. I could feel my body quake as those words left his mouth and reached me unprepared ears. He said, "You are unhappy! You are so series! You never smile!."

Now why the hell would I take such a statement so seriously, especially coming from a drug addicted teenager? He was right!

I had just been through a slew of life's challenges and I wasn't enjoying myself or my life. I can't truly say I am enjoying myself or my life at the moment, but I'm trying everyday. I look at myself in a different way now. Not so critical, but more observational. I look at others in the same way as well.

Come Monday, I am going to try and enjoy every moment of working out. Stop dreading it and start appreciating the small and steady successes that I have earned. And as I finish up my last four classes for my Business Administration degree, I'm going to soak up as much information as I possibly can. Engulf myself into each and every moment and slowly begin to enjoy life again.

Health & Fitness - Props

I just wanted to take this time to so a little appreciation to the many Team Beachbody message board members that have helped me achieve a long and often sought after goal: being healthy and fit.

Without your guidance, support, and motivation, I know this journey would have been a chaotic and disappointing process. Each and everyone of you helped me push through all of my challenges that I faced throughout this process and because of each and everyone of you, I am living a better life.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all! I now truly understand why Beachbody strongly supports it's message board use and community based support. Simply put, it just works.

Thank you again!

Health & Fitness - Bad Food Good Decision

If you have ever seriously gone through a health and fitness transformation, you tend to miss certain foods. Every now and then you crave a burger or fried chicken or anything else that was an everyday food. So we had been talking about McDonald's Big Mac meal and how long it has been since we had one. I actually could not remember the last time I consumed a Big Mac. My visits to McDonalds have always been a side salad with a grilled snack wrap.

Tonight, after doing some errands, we searched for something to eat. Couldn't find anything that we wanted and ended up at McDonalds. Ok, here was my chance to have a Big Mac meal, and I did. It went down so easy, but it really was not as good as I remembered it to be. The fries were salty and oily, the burger was for the most part bland, and the only real flavor came from the "secret sauce."

Interesting experience to say the least. That burger that I used to crave no longer measures up to my level of satisfaction. ODD! Considering I am eating a lot healthier, you would think I would have LOVED the taste. Am I mentally associating my food intake with overall substance? Have I really found satisfaction through consumption of healthier alternatives? I often boost about finding healthy foods that you love!

Well, either way, I'm glad I made the decision to eat it. I probably eat another one in the future (distant future), but my curiosity has been quenched and I have realized that I can find the same satisfaction of off a healthier alternative. Isn't that a shocker!

Health & Fitness - Recovery Week Continues

Hey everyone! I hope you are all continuing to push play and enjoy the wonderful results of living a healthy and fit lifestyle. With this week's recovery week, everyday brings me a little bit of insight on my own personal journey.

I am so grateful to be able to take this time to rest, recover, and reflect. I have made it through the grueling 90 days and boy oh boy was it a journey. It definately was not easy and I can't believe I am standing here able to look back and appreciate the steps that I have climbed to arrive here.

Today, I came to the realization that I am enjoying this recovery week. Not enjoying in the sense of indulging, but enjoying the self-awareness that this week is bringing me. This week is a test of my abilities to "maintain" a healthy and nutritional lifestyle on a "normal" basis. So far, so good. I have allowed my self to indulge a bit, but I have found that we need to allow ourselves that extra room to enjoy a little or we will never be successful.

Recovery Week is in full effect and I am glad to be here!

Health & Fitness - Recovery Week Begins

Hell to the YEAH! It is recovery week and I am loving it. How nice it feels to just relax. Feels GREEAAAATTT!

Today was a simple day. I did my work, tried to get more organized, cleaned up a little, and relaxed. Absolutely lovely! I think by the time this week is over, I will be begging to get back on the health & fitness grind. Or maybe not! We'll just have to wait and see!