30, Thirty, XXX, Treinta, Trente, DreiBig

30, Thirty, XXX, Treinta, Trente, DreiBig

 

 Here I am, the first day in my 30’s;  Let’s reflect.

My 20’s were a roller coaster of emotions, successes and failures.  I met my husband a month or two before I turned 25, so the later part of my 20’s was great! Graduated college at 26, Married at 27 ½, Lost a ton of weight at 28, keeping if off at 29!

 

Here’s a photo Journey (10 for photos, 1 for every year of my 20’s)

20.  Blonde, Thin and Loved to Dance

Me and my little sister at a wedding *age not sure, but I was blonde!

21.  First Drink – Midori Sour

Swing Dancing in Vegas with my good friend Paul

22.  Competed & Taught in the Swing Dance Scene

4th of July Parade in Claremont, CA - The 405 Jam

23.  Many Road Trips taken with my Friend Paula

Paula & Me - Friends Forever!

24.  I reached this age and like it so much I still feel like I’m 24!

24 Years of age, on top of a Volcano in Hawaii with my dad, sister & mom!

25.  I fell in love

Christmas with my Boyfriend Dan (now husband)
*He loved the dress

26.  I graduated from college

BA - General Sociology, minor - Biblical Studies

27.  I got married

The Finkelsteins est. 4.16.2011

28.  I started working out at Chalk Fitness and changed my life

Hockey Jumps with Jazz hands

29.  Met a TON of new people I am so proud and happy to call my friends!

Peter's Canyon Hike 2013

30.  The year to come, adventures to unfold

Me - Now

I had an amazing birthday party this past Sunday the 28^th.  It was a Garden Party, full of friends, games and food!  Here are some images from the party:

Melissa, Me & Amy

Husband & Me

The Dining Table

 
On a serious and kind of sadder note: at age 26 I lost my father to ALS after 2 years of his diagnosis.  I miss my father every day and I wish he was here with me to be there at all my accomplishments.  The last and very important accomplish I made was Graduating College, and my dad was able to make it!




Happier Note:
 

I have a 5 year plan.  I’ve always had 5 year plans.  In 5 years barring injury, incidence or babies, I want to compete in a Triathlon.  This means I need to start training in swimming and cycling in addition to my running.  For more than just the feeling of accomplishing such a monumental task; I want to be physically fit, healthy and capable of doing a challenge of such magnitude.

I also want to start my family, bring babies into the world or adopt.  I hope my husband and I will finally purchase a home after 2 years of searching, putting down offer and being outbid.  I am ready, SO ready, to continue of this wonderful life journey I have been blessed with.

 

First Time Rock Climbing!

Well, for the first time I did it - I went indoor rock climbing!  I have always wanted to try out rock climbing because, well, let’s face it – I love trying new things and I love challenges.  For Christmas my husband had purchased a pair of passes to go rock climbing at Hanger 18 in Signal Hill (right by the Long Beach Airport) and we finally got around to going (in April).  We started the morning off with a visit to our CPA for 2012 taxes and to our dismay, we owe :(.  This was upsetting to us, but we had plans to have fun the rest of the day and rock climbing was the most perfect escape.


We arrived just in time to take the group class at no extra cost.  With 4 other couples we quickly learned how put our harnesses on, tie a figure 8 knot, feed the rope toggle and the proper use of climbing dialog “Climbing”  “Climb on”.  After the first walk through of the safety we were told to “put your lives in the hands of someone who just learned to rock climb” – nerves!  My husband started up the wall first and I was the anchor making sure there wasn’t slack on the rope, then it was my turn to climb.  I barely made it ¾ of the way up the wall on the first try, but the second shot, I made it all the way to the top.


We were the first ones to successfully rock climb safely and the instructors then set us free into the gym!  We came to the conclusion after roping in to every wall, that it was tiring and well, those harness aren’t that comfortable to begin with.  So, we then tried Bouldering – no rope, just you, the wall and the mat below you to fall on.  I had a blast bouldering – my inner monkey came out!  As I took on angled walls I felt strong and before I realized it, I was 15 feet off the air!  Climbing down seemed to be too much of a challenge, so I did what anyone else would do – I dropped off the wall and landed (like a super hero I might add) on the padding below.

We climbed and climbed for a couple hours and we decided to quit when it became harder and harder to climb the walls.  All in all it was a good day, a great experience and yes – I will do it again!

This is me about 20 feet in the air climbing a crooked wall with NO rope!

Even at an awkward angle, I must smile for the camera

Mr Foxtrot and Me!

It was really hard to reach at this angle

Aren't we cute?

A Little Blown Out, but That's alright!  Look how high I'm getting!

Mr. Foxtrot in is "Mission Impossible" I'm Awesome Pose

Cheers to Health, Fitness, Fun & Strength!

My Paleo Diaries Part 2

I am on Day 26 of my Paleo Diet and I have to be honest - I have been cheating just a little bit.  I find that working long hours does not cater itself to health food, but instead comfort food.  Just an example, I work at a DoubleTree hotel which key symbol is The Cookie - a 1oz, 320 calorie, buttery, nutty, chocolate goodness.  WAIT - Just to be clear I have not had a cookie.  It is however very hard to stick to a clear diet when those around those who are eating The Cookie.

At our mid-challenge weigh in at Chalk Fitness on Saturday, January 26th I was surprised by my results!  I lost 4lbs of fat!  Wha?!?!  Way too cool!   I am a little worried about the final weigh in this Saturday the 9th!  eep....I hope my results are even better or at least the same as my last weigh in.  :)  We'll See!  But hey, I lost 4 pounds!!!!!!!

More over, I am interested in seeing how the final work out challenge will go for me.  4 weeks ago on our initial weigh in and work out:

30 straight minutes
5 Burpees
10 Swings - 18lb Kettlebell
50 Meter Shuttle Run
*Repeat*

I was working out next to these 2 girls, which I like to call "The Power Twins" (they are totally not related but competative and ambitious!)  They called themselves Pace Partners and while I was next to them I tried so hard to keep up!  I acheieved an amazing number of 20!!! WOAH! Man o Man was I one tired little girl.

I initially wanted to "leave room for improvement" on my first go at it, but those Power Twins inspired and challenged me!  On Saturday, I hope to at least get 1 more rep in there but I want to get 25, we'll see, those burpees are killer!

I leave you now with this - the shirt I will wear on Saturday for my final weigh in & final challenge!

Thank you for your continued support!  I encourage everyone to work out and sweat - it makes you feel better in SO many ways!

If you're Orange County, please come visit us at Chalk Fitness - The Friends that Sweat Together, Stay together!

My Paleo Diaries

Health and Fitness has been a sincere goal of mine for that past year.  From joining a privately owned gym, to becoming a 'Founding 15' member, to changing my diet drastically - I have developed this passion!

Since beginning my workout regimen, I have gown down 3 dress sizes! HOLY COW!  In perspective, I was at the upper end of a size 12 trying to squeeze my way in to a size 12 dress or pair of pants.  Today I am at the lower end of a size 6!

My transformation took place over 7 months of working out 3-4 times a week at Chalk Fitness, and changing my diet to 6 days of no bread, starches, fruits (sugars) and other carbs, with the 7th day being my "Cheat Day", meaning I can eat anything - usually started the day off with a cheese everything bagel, topped with a doughnut dessert, burger or sandwich for lunch, icecream or candy afternoon snack and for dinner anything!

See my reader's digest version of my transformation:
This is me in 2011 - Size 12

                This is me working out - Hockey Jumps>


 Hack Squats









This is me October 31st 2012 dressed as Sarah Palin - Size 6

2012 was an incredible year for me!  My health has improved my body has improved and I am geared up for a lifetime of fit!  I began my certification process with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a personal trainer and will taking my final test next month, following that I will be take a course to become a Fitness Nutrition Specialist and eventually I may become a Holistic Health Coach through IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition)! 

For the next week  4 weeks (28 days starting from Saturday, January 12th and ending on Saturday, February 9th) I will be following a strict Caveman Diet - I'm going PALEO!  As a member of gym pronounced it - Pall-eh-yo, I am excited to take on this new adventure.  While on this diet I am exercises twice as hard and throwing in Yoga to really enhance my results.

My goals for 2013
- loose 20% Body Fat
- Gain 9% Muscles
- Be Fully Hydrated Daily
- Get to a size 4!

So far, I have eaten quite a few seeds & nuts to snack on along with fruits and veggies.  I have tired a couple recipes I found on Pinterest that have helped me be creative with my food choices.  I've learned that I really LOVE Sweet Potatoes - Who knew?  I always hated them at Thanksgiving - probably because they were warm and mushy and I don't like marshmallows - unless they're in a S'more, which I tend to pass on.  Anywho - 3 days down, 25 to go of this crazy way of eating!

I will try to keep posting on my blog my update and follow up with pictures. 









Here's a toast to Health & Fitness!

Being the Fitness Bee

Today I begin to blog about my fitness journey; As a Fitness Enthusiast, Certified Personal Trainer in progress, Fitness Nutrition Specialist in progress and a short of health nut.
Fitness Bee...

bzzzz...

I work out at a great gym known as Chalk Fitness in Placentia, CA.  It's a group exercise, personal training atmosphere with exercises close to the style of cross fit.  Since beginning my serious work out there, I have lost 10 pounds of fat, gained 5 pounds of muscle, lost 1 dress size, feel great and even cut my hair!

Fitness to me has become not only important to my daily life, but has become my way of life.  I have created this blog so as I embark on finishing my certificate program as a personal trainer, you can go along with me!  And who knows where this all may go!

I leave this poster with you in closing: