Monday Monthly Mission #22

September 5th, 2011 - filed under: Furthermore » Monday Monthly Mission

On the first Monday of every month, we take on a ‘mission’ – a shift or habit or inspiration – to work on together. There’s strength (and support) in numbers! On the last Thursday of the month, we reconvene to see how far we’ve come.


#22

Oh man, I am SORE!

Today, for the first time, I did a real work out. None of this cutesy “happy healthy mama” stuff. No way. Today . . . I met Jillian.

I’m a pretty dang active lady. I do my little videos a few times each week. I walk the dogs almost every day, while wearing a toddler on my back. I go for a bike ride almost every afternoon, while carting a toddler on my handlebars. I walk said toddler to sleep every night, for about 45 minutes, while wearing him on my chest. And you know, this particular toddler never. stops. moving. so I’m also running around constantly, in between all those activities.

So I maintain my weight pretty easily, I have some lean muscle, and my heart is fairly strong, I think. But still, I’m not necessarily toned. I’m not even as strong as I’d like to be. Mostly, I’ve never, in my whole life, attempted to get “cut”. By which I mean, to *really* get into shape.

But lately I’ve been thinking a lot about health outside of diet. About wellness beyond nutrition. About holistic healing, and whole-person happiness.

This month, I’m going to focus on fitness. I’m going to strive for strength. Build muscle. Feel my body become powerful. Challenge my own physical limits. Heighten my metabolism . . . and my abilities. Sweat out some toxins. Increase endorphins. Combat cortisol and, hopefully, help to manage my stress.

I’ll be working through Jillian’s 30-Day Shred, – a serious ass-kicking of a workout – with the end goal of completing level 3 without stopping, at the end of the month. And I’m really excited for this one, guys!

So what about you? Do you accept this mission? Do you already have a fitness routine that you’re ready to take to the next level, or will you be starting from square one and jumping in for the first time?

***As an aside, remember you can always hit your local library for awesome workout videos/dvds without spending any money. Or, check out tons of great options on youtube.

~~~

Next month will be the second installment of the Bonzai Book Club, which switches off with the Monday Monthly Mission, alternating every other month. I know that reading can be time-intensive, and we’re a very busy bunch of movers and shakes around here. So I always give you the reading assignment a month ahead, at the end of the MMM post, in case you want to get a head start:

Our next BBC selection is Ellen J. Langer’s Counter Clockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility. I’m so excited to read this book! I’ve been dying to get my hands on it ever since I heard the author interviewed a few years ago. She’s brilliant and whip-smart with a wonderful sense of storytelling, and I think we’ll all learn so much from her. See you next month!

If you want to support the work I do here, please consider purchasing Counter Clockwise through my Amazon Store. Buy used to go green!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    That’s so exciting! And I’m really confident that you will see your medical issues improve by adopting a plant-based diet. Seriously!

    My book has a lot of great general nutrition info, but it’s definitely targeted at pregnant women. Right now I’m actually reading Colleen Patrick Goudreau’s 30-Day Vegan Challenge, and I think it’s a spectacular resource with tons of practical, “how-to” type information. Obviously it’s structured as a 30-day plan, but you can just read it straight thru (I am) and soak up all the info at once. ANd in line with that, I cannot recommend Colleen’s podcast any more highly. It is probably the single greatest resource for new veg*ns, in my opinion. The topics range all over the place so you can choose which ones seem most in line with what you’re looking for. It’s called Vegetarian Food For Thought and it’s free on iTunes. Great listening for when you’r cooking dinner, or cleaning around the house, or exercising!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    “I swear at her a lot, but I bet she likes it.”

    Ha!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    “I swear at her a lot, but I bet she likes it.”

    Ha!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Have you tried it yet??

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Oh my god, that’s amazing! Congratulations!!!

    I am super interested in crossfit. I actually just found an old old acquaintance and it turns out she recently opened a VEGAN crossfit gym in SF. So cool!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Oh my god, that’s amazing! Congratulations!!!

    I am super interested in crossfit. I actually just found an old old acquaintance and it turns out she recently opened a VEGAN crossfit gym in SF. So cool!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    YOU GUYS!!!!!! I love all the enthusiasm here, so much more than I expected. So awesome!

    So, how’s it going for everyone so far? Getting our asses kicked? Having fun? ARE WE SORE YET??? =D

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    The shipment is delayed!! I took out my frustrations in a power yoga class this morning. That should hold me over until I can start shredding tomorrow night!

  • Kathryn B

    That’s awesome! Is there anyway I can make a request for you to add an item to the list? I’m looking to buy the diva cup (size B since I have kids). I would love to buy it through your store to help you out!

  • Kathryn B

    Vegan crossfit? That’s awesome! I’m not following the food plan just the workout program. I’m so excited to get going!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Ooh that’s a great idea, I’ll add it today!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

    Added! On the “featured” page. =)

    Thanks so much lady, that’s really sweet of you to go through me!

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    WHAT IS CROSSFIT? I can’t believe I haven’t heard of this. Someone asked me at the mud run if I was interested in helping them start a kids’ crossfit in our area, but I had no idea what they were talking about! Off to put Google to good use . . .

  • Kathryn B

    Go to devildoggcrossfit.com This is the local one that I’m doing. My fitness goal is to do our local mud run next summer. I was sad I missed this years so I’m looking forward to being in shape for next year.

  • Kathryn B

    THANK YOU! I can’t wait to shop on Friday when I get paid!

  • Erin

    Thankyou Sayward! I am downloading the 30-Day Vegan Challenge to my kindle right now! ;) This is EXACTLY what I needed. Eeek! excited.

  • Kathryn B

    I just ordered my Diva Cup! Hmmmm….Now if I can only figure out how to go through you for all of my online shopping. :) Enjoy your weeekend!!

  • Kathryn B

    I just ordered my Diva Cup! Hmmmm….Now if I can only figure out how to go through you for all of my online shopping. :) Enjoy your weeekend!!