Category: Wellness Diary
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Episode 49
In this daily vlog, see 10 days of a RESET fitness and wellness challenge toward better self-care and health. #restart#fitnesschallenge
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Ready-For-Spring Self Care Routine: Episode 48
This week’s self-care routine focused on grounding down in the last remnants of winter, trying not to escape it in my hopes for spring. I did plenty of yoga, some strength training, creative work, and I ate some delicious, healthy meals; also, I spent some quality family time. What did you do this week for…
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Episode 46
I have not been recording very much during the winter, but here are some shots of how I’ve been staying focused and healthy during the winter.
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Episode 45
This week’s episode sees a bad day amidst a beautiful setting as the fall/autumn season reached its peak. Check out my week of workouts and wellness!
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Episode 44
I had to chop off my hair. It was just so thin and terrible. This week I got back to working out after having a cold, and we started decorating for Halloween.
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Episode 43
This was the week before I got sick and also before I chopped off all my hair. It was a good week. I deep cleaned the fridge, reflected about the role of trauma in weight loss, and did my daily workouts.
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Episode 42
I had a lot of reflection in this video about parenting, authenticity, and body image issues.
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Episode 40
Another week in the books! I keep wondering if should stop making content altogether, just because it’s so time-consuming. However, I realize, too, that I feel a lot more motivated to stay on my routine and work hard on my workouts when I am recording myself. I guess it’s a good trade-off. Maybe putting in…
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Episode 39
This is my second vlog that encompasses a full week-ish of content. This is the week before we went on vacation to Maine. I actually did not record at all while on vacation, but my husband used my camera on his drone and got some footage that I ended up incorporating into the vlog.
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Episode 38
I have noticed that many people who post weightloss | wellness | fitness vlogs tend to have pretty long videos — like, up to 30 minutes. I thought to string together several days’ worth of footage so that my vlogs can be longer. This is my first attempt, and the video only ended up being…
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Episode 37
I was a bit bummed to have lost so much footage from this episode, due to my computer crashing. However, I do feel lucky to have been able to recover what I did from the day. Today I hit a chest and triceps workout, spent some time at a local river, and also watered my…
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Episode 36
I continue to play catch-up on processing videos from weeks ago, amidst trying to recover files from the latest computer crash. This heat wave is really getting to me. But, nevertheless, here is Episode 36 in which there was no heat wave, and I can look back upon that day fondly.
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Episode 35
My PC crashed and I lost all my files; after four days of working on getting my computer back up and running, I am finally able to post my content. I was already two weeks behind on posting content, and now I am even farther back. I hope that I can catch up soon! Anway,…
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Episode 34
A family day today full of fun with sushi, shopping, psychic, and more. But it all began by grounding with some yoga.
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Episode 33
Got to celebrate those WINS! We had a date night out to dinner at a country club on a beautiful summer night after I crushed a full body workout and spent some time with the pup.
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Episode 32
I have been feeling confident in my program and better in my skin, so this episode ends with a bikini progress pic…because I felt it.
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Episode 31
We had a fun birthday celebration at Three Sisters Sanctuary. I hit a legs and shoulders workout in the home gym. And I reflected on how I handle stress.
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Episode 30
Hit a milestone today with 30 episodes in my wellness journey A Body is a Journey! Yay! I am so proud of myself!
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Episode 29
I took a few days off from my exercise program and decided to do a 3-day fast and just focus on the heavy emotional stress that came with a very stressful situation lately. The video includes a lot of reflection, and a trip to the aquarium.
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Episode 28
I have taken a couple days off and I am few videos behind on posting. Here is Episode 28 with reflections on my continued gut cleanse, a frozen yogurt bites recipe, and a biceps and back workout.
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Episode 26
I wax poetic about taking responsibility for my reality as I float on the lake. Then, I crush a chest and triceps workout, and finally I bring it home with some time with friends.
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Episode 25
The 4th of July weekend continued with lots of fun. My child joined me for a full-body workout, which was great.
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Episode 24
I finally got my replacement GoPro and I am back with my daily vlogs on this wellness journey! I really missed making content. In this episode I take a walk, have a reflection, go swimming, do step aerobics, do yoga, and hit a fireworks show with the family. Summer doesn’t get better.
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Episode 23
This weekend while swimming in the lake, I thought to take some footage of swimming underwater and my GoPro drowned! I lost some footage, but here is the last footage, which is a back and biceps workout. A new GoPro should arrive tomorrow, so until then…enjoy!
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Episode 21
I begin an 8-week soft cut today to get me through the summer, and reflect on my fear of losing weight. I crush a chest and triceps workout.
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Episode 20
A big cardio day today with 60 minutes of learning a new advanced step routine, followed by a reflection about embracing the joy of being on a wellness journey.
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Episode 19
I take a hard look at what has made me unwell on this wellness journey, because acknowledging why I feel unwell is part of growing and learning. I hit a biceps and back workout after making space to care for my mental and emotional health.
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Episode 18
We celebrated Father’s Day today after a great lower body workout, a jog, and some novel-writing time.
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Episode 17
Today was a beautiful day on this wellness journey with kayaking, tacos, chest and triceps, and some cardio.
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EPISODE 15
Today was one of my favorite days on this journey so far. I feel that I checked all the boxes, including back and biceps workout, a run, yoga, kayaking, good food, and time with loved ones. It was a win!
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Episode 14
Following a shoulders workout and step aerobics, I confronted the same panic I have felt for 22 years after doing cardio. I include some reflection about panic disorder, weigh in, and then make some sage smudge sticks.
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Episode 12
I had a busy today on my wellness journey with a walk, a triceps and chest session in the home gym, some self care, some writing, and a date night at home. It was a fun, fulfilling day.
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Episode 11
Today’s crush is a full-body workout, joined by my family in the weight room. It was a nice workout, and a beautiful day.
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Episode 10
Episode 10 sees a legs and shoulders workout, some dinner, and a solo kayak paddle with reflection.
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Episode 9
I had a jam-packed day today with work, but I got it done and then made time for a back and biceps workout. I also squeezed in mowing the lawn and making some chive blossom vinegar.
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EPISODE 8
I was so excited to hit our new home gym yesterday. I went light and did a full body workout. Check out Episode 8 of my wellness journey, which features the workout, a weigh-in, and a reflection.
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Episode 7
I hope that this is the last day that I have to work around an injury. I feel like I am ready to do some light lifting and cardio again, and resume this journey the way that I envisioned it! In Episode 7 I do 90 minutes of yoga, some core work, and have a…
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Episode 6
Oh! The thrilling life of a 42-year-old woman! In this episode I go for a walk, do some gardening, make dinner, and mourn that I still cannot lift weights due to a back injury. It is — in short — precisely what is expected of a middle-aged life…at least today. I hope tomorrow I can…
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Episode 5
Today I was able to do 15 minutes each of cardio and yoga, but I did pay for it a little bit at night. I did not get much footage of the day, but did have some reflection about wellness: desiring wellness is a big deal in a society that values illness.
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Episode 4
Today was a struggle. Another day without being able to exercise sent me into a spiral and having a small treat of chocolate triggered me into old patterns.
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Episode 3
Today I tried my best to completely rest. It was very challenging to not do the things that I wanted to do, but I tried to keep my back in a resting mode throughout the day in hopes that I can return to exercise again soon.
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Episode 2
In Episode 2 I try to keep my movement to a minimum due to a back injury, but I end up causing more pain.
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Episode 1
I decided to start a YouTube daily vlog to reflect on my wellness journey of diet, fitness, and mindfulness. I am already four episodes in, but did not post on this website yet! So, stay tuned for the first few episode saturating this site for a moment. Please follow on YouTube if you would like…
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April Update
Spring 2022 is off to an excellent start. I really feel as if I am coming out of hibernation in a lot of ways; the most significant way is that this past year I was able to truly be more authentic that I have been in decades — maybe ever. I’ve been standing in my…
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Free Class @Meta: Brainiac Step | Monday September 13 | 5pm EST
At Meta I offer one free fitness or yoga class per month, available streaming live. Free access to fitness and wellness classes encourages stronger community and also helps members of that community to feel braver in their bodies. That’s what Meta/Physical Studio is all about! Join me on September 13, 2021 for 45 minutes of…
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The Pleasure of Creating for Yourself Rather than for Others
There are so many wonderful aspects of creating in order to please, entertain, or otherwise serve somebody else; however, creating strictly for your own purposes, to serve yourself, is a function with which many people lose touch as they grow. When one no longer creates for herself then a quest for acceptance from others that…
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Wellness Diary: Week 9
I am not sure that many can relate to freaking out when the scale goes down; most people celebrate weight loss. But for me, when I see the scale move down I begin to panic. The reasons for this are manifold as all reasonings for complex reactions are: they relate to trauma and, of course,…
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Wellness Diary: Week 8, Day 3
I tried yoga with a new instructor today and I have say…I HATED the whole class. That is a rare sentiment for yoga, for me…but…there it is.
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Wellness Diary: Week 8, Day 2
Today was a lovely day of movement! Yoga with Emily is a weekly favorite. It left me with tingles in my body. The walk was really nice out in the cold with the dog.
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Wellness Diary: Week 8, Day 1
Weight Body Fat BMI Hips Waist Bust Thigh 140.2 27.4% 24 38.5 32.2 38 21 I continue to not lose or gain any weight. I remain around the heaviest weight I have been in my life. Movement Duration Burn Spinning 30 251 I did not want to workout today, as it is my “day off,”…
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Wellness Diary: Week 7 Day 3
Today, the day after Thanksgiving, I have mixed feelings about how to move forward. A part of me just wants to focus on my eating, doing small portions and good protein and veggies. The other part of me feels that I should do this plus get in some exercise. But exercising while feeling chubby and…
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Week 7, Day 2
I ran into a situation today in which I felt really strung out. The thought of homeschooling today was causing stress, and despite getting 9 hours of sleep I felt really tired.
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Week 7, Day 1
I realize that my plan for weightloss is not going very well. I am 7 weeks in and have not lost one pound, in fact I have gained weight. Of course, the plan is not just about losing weight but also about getting in movement, taking time for myself, eating the right foods, staying hydrated,…
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What is Karma, and Why Can it Feel Heavy?
I am so excited to release my first video blog post on my “Heavy Karma” YouTube Channel! This week I present my understanding of “karma” because I wanted to explain why the channel is named “Heavy Karma,” and also the foundational idea that drives the creation of ths channel and the process.
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Week 6: Days 1-5
This week I felt as if I was in a fog, literally all week long. I did not log in my food — not because I was “off the rails” but really just because I forgot. This was an auto-pilot kind of week, of which I have not experienced in a long time. I felt…
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Week 5, Days 2-5
This week was a mess in terms of getting in time to reflect, breathe, or sit down to write a blog post. Somehow, even with my quadriceps injury continuing to heal, I managed to get in some movement almost every day.
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Week 5, Day 1
I seek something healthier and more functional in my life. Of course, I realize that this takes a lot of time and that I have already spent more than 25 years on working through my food addiction/emotional associations. But the work is never done, and when the cycles repeat, there is an opportunity to reach…
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Week 4, Day 5
Somehow I actually got in 5 days of movement despite my healing quadricep. On Friday I did a morning yoga class with Katy. There were times that the movement was too much on my leg but I was able to modify some postures. Weight Body Fat BMI Hips Waist Bust Thigh 138.8 27.3 24 …
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Week 4, Day 4
Movement Activity Duration Burn Notes Weight Lifting 24 123 I forgot how much I have always loved weight training. I laid out some weights and did a great session, including triceps press, dumbell flys, triceps dips, resistance band pulls, crunches, hammer curls, wide rows, and overhead press. It felt really good. The triceps dips…
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Week 4, Day 3
Weight Body Fat BMI Hips Waist Bust Thigh 140.8 Weighing myself this morning was disheartening. When the scale creeps up, I feel depressed because I associate parts of my worth with my weight, despite decades of trying to undo that association. I know that my lack of bowel movements…
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Week 4, Day 2
Weight Body Fat BMI Hips Waist Bust Thigh 139.4 27.4% 24.1 38.5in 32.2in 38in 21in Today, the stats did not move from yesterday. I wonder if I am going to be able to lose at least .5lb a week. Movement Activity Duration Burn Notes Yoga 45 min 95 I took a risk today and…
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Week 4, Day 1
Well, last week finished poorly despite my very strong efforts. On Friday I knelt down to put a jacket on my dog (first snow and cold weather) for our walk, and I tore a muscle in my quadricep. That the muscle tore was not surprising since it was sore already for over a week, and…
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Week 3, Day 4
Today’s Movement I was extremely sore today from dance last night. This old body requires a lot more stretching before dancing than I did, and my quadriceps are feeling it. However, I did 27 minutes of step aerobics because I love it so much. 220 calories burned. I was jumping all around and had a…
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Week 3, Day 3
I think that today, this third day of Week 3 is kind of like the first day of the program. I finally got up the courage to weigh myself this morning. As I suspected, I had gained back almost all of the weight of my heaviest weight of all time. I just 2 pounds lighter…
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Week 3, Days 1 and 2
Week 3 began well with a no-sugar day after I had spent the last week eating a lot of Halloween candy. After the challenges of Week 2 I was ready for some grounding and recentering. Day 1 Movement Mondays are currently my “days off” from parenting and they tend to be challenging days. I do…
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Week 2, Days 4 and 5
I am honestly surprised that I HAD a days 4 and 5 this week! Go, me! If you have been following along in my Heavy Karma blog then you know that this week has been one of the worst weeks emotionally and food-wise (of course, because I am an emotional eater) that I have experienced…
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Week 2, Day 3
Today I was still feeling some of the residual effects of the retinal migraine I experienced earlier this week. I felt ready to push in a workout but I decided to hold back for one more day and just focused on yoga and meditation. Today’s Workout As usual lately I practiced yoga while my daughter…
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Week 2, Day 2
Yesterday was to be Day 2 of the second week of my wellness program, but I was hit with a rare retinal migraine, which I have not experienced for over a year now. There was a time for a span of almost 20 years, during which I experienced these debilitating migraine attacks frequently. They always…
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Week 2, Day 1
I intended to take two days off from fitness in a row at the end of Week 1, but that did not happen. The weather was too beautiful and I ended up going out for a walk with friends on Saturday and a super long hike with my husband on Sunday. So, Monday was my…
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Week 1, Day 6
Today was a day off for me. The majority of movement for the day came from housework and walking with some friends around the lake. We had a little fire in the backyard while our girls did some Just Dance inside. It was really nice. Today’s Workout I would not call the walk today a…
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Week 1, Day 5
I embarked on a new dance journey today! I signed up for Irish Step Dancing at my friend’s studio and had a private lesson before I join the regular adult class (which has been underway for two months already). I loved learning how to dance; it was so much fun and such a challenge. Today’s…
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Week 1: Day 4
Emotionally, today was a drain. There were a lot of challenges to confront in different areas of my life. My goal was to just try not to binge eat, because that is my default for all things uncomfortable. Today’s Workout For the workout I did 20 minutes of tap dancing. Tap dancing is an unfamiliar…
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Week 1, Day 3
While my daughter worked on some math this morning (we are homeschooling this year) I got in some movement. True, that I had to be available to help her while she worked through some complex problems, but I certainly worked up a lather. Feeling like I have my priorities straight helps a lot. Every morning…
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Week 1, Day 2
The second day was easier than the first; perhaps this is because I did some dancing today and dance is something that I really love. Fitting a workout in on Tuesdays can be tough because the day is so varied. Even though I had to pause in the middle of my warm-up yoga to bring…
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Week 1, Day 1
A little movement goes a long way! – Today’s Focus Today is a day off from parenting for me, as all Mondays are right now. It is my only “day off” from this mode and so offers some unique considerations. One is that I tend to have big emotions because my child is not here…
