Don't Stop Believin'

Today was by far the most challenging. It began with yoga - a little difficult to do anything on my knees since my right knee is still very sore and bruised from the airport fall. Also, I had acid reflux and it’s not easy to do downward dog with it. So I didn’t burn as many calories as I would have liked, but I still finished the class.



Then I rode my bike to the gym and immediately joined Jonathan the trainer for an hour of circuits. He had me on and off the elliptical the entire time. I didn’t step on the treadmill at all today. Wow.

With no rest, we jumped right into a bike ride. We rode from the gym to Venice Beach (aka Muscle Beach) and onto the famous Santa Monica Pier.

It was truly a gorgeous ride. The beach is very deep with crystal white sand, the water is a deep blue filled with endless waves, the boardwalk is alive with skateboarders, inline skaters, runners & bikers. A few people in our group went all the way to Temescal Canyon - 20 miles roundtrip. I was slower so I only did about 6.5 miles out, then back. I enjoyed being outside and had a light bulb moment. It’s a great way to force yourself to exercise.

Think about it. We get on a cardio machine at home or at the gym and we get tired and decide we’ve done enough. Basically, we psyche ourselves out. But when you get on a bike and head out until you’re tired it forces you to do so much more because you have to come back. Essentially you’ve doubled your workout - something most of us would never do indoors.


After I returned to the gym I jumped in the van with a bunch of others and we headed out to Culver City to Black Tie Catering & Events’ kitchen for a cooking lesson. The kitchen was great and the meal was delicious. We cooked a side of quinoa, a South American whole grain, with veggies and feta cheese & tilapia en papillioute (steamed in parchment paper) with spinach, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes. The only downside…we ate standing up. There were no seats and after the bike ride my body needed a rest.


As soon as we returned to the gym I was back in the van headed out to Marina Del Rey Beach for 90 minutes of volleyball…much to my chagrin. At this point I just wanted a little bit of downtime and I wasn’t getting it. We started out with a bunch of drills which were very demanding and pushed me to my limit - especially since my partner was Eric the trainer. But playing the actual game was fun. We laughed so much and bopped each other in the head and dove for balls and fell in the sand. Yup, we played barefoot and I can’t wait to do it again!


By this time I had used up everything I had in me. We got back to the gym and I had a whopping 20 minutes to rest before I got back in the van yet again and headed to Admiralty Park for boot camp. I really didn’t want to go. I really didn’t think I had anything left in me. But the trainer was my coach Arleigh and I really didn’t want to disappoint her. So I went. Sometimes my 100% wasn’t my usual 100%, but I gave it all I had nevertheless. I even ran on and off during the suicides. I actually ran!


Getting back in the van to head back to gym so I could home I was so emotional. I’m exhausted and I really miss my husband, but I’m accomplishing things I never before thought I could. And that’s why I’m here.

So to everyone out there who is trying to change their lives I say You Can Do It!

Don’t stop believin’.