Embracing Change!!!

Wow…seems forever since I’ve written…it’s nice to have days off… But Writing is one of the ways I keep myself in check…emotionally, mentally and physically motivated. I think my hiatus has gone on long enough!

 The last few weeks have tested me in ways I could not have imagined.

Can I remain dedicated?!? To keepingskinny?To being the change I wish to see in the world?!?

Two weeks ago I taught my 1st Kick Boxing Class in 3 years.  I felt like a million dollars…I bragged to friends I had no symptoms and couldn’t wait to run the next day! It was one of my favorites.  I had forgotten how much I love cardio like this and how cathartic punching/kicking for fitness can be. Truly a healthy way to let go of anger, sadness, lethargy… It was perfect…except for how sore I was for almost 3 days after!  Test 1: could I stay positive about myself if my body was repairing itself slower?

Then it started the negatives…I’m not sleeping as well, eating as much, can’t cook, I’m sneezing all the time (Test 2,3,4…Test, Test, Test!)

and well…it is all changing my mood!!!Ahhh!!!

At least I’ll have my runs?? Right?

Then, as if my world was falling apart…

My runs got super hard too!

2 miles felt like 10…I was sweating more, it was harder to breathe…Test 4,000…I CAN’T TAKE IT!!!

Get a grip URSULA!

Coping Skills are so important!!!

And I am learning the hard way that fitness and diet can’t solve it all always! (learning new things always)

Yesterday was my 1st real run since I learned I’m expecting(yes, a baby).  I have walk/run a few 1-2 milers, but yesterday was different…I felt good, I felt like myself, I ran 3 miles in-spite of the nausea…No excuses Ursula! Positive Attitude helps on good days, but sometimes the feelings are out of our control?

Whether your preggo, Recovering from an injury or illness…

Change can be super scary…or…or super Exciting! (Really it can be!)

It’s a choice!

Pregnancy is no picnic for most in their 1st trimester, but it’s still a choice…I can choose to sulk, stay moody and dwell in temporary sickness…WTF…no way! Or…

Be my true me!!! I want to push ahead…do my best to be excited!

Honestly, for me…Exercise is always gonna be my 1st choice for preserving my mental health! That said…Journaling, reading positive books/affirmations, art, thumbing through magazines, walking with Tommy, there are so many ways I can stay upbeat and balanced!

Do what brings ya joy…if ya can’t run do yoga, if ya lose a relationship rebuild a better one with yourself, in other words…when/if life tosses ya a curve ball hit it out of the park and run all the bases.

Embrace Change and become a better U!

Namaste’

So Much To…SAY…So Much to…

I used to be the BIGGEST Dave fan!  Kinda sad how we out grow some of our childhood loves…I am rambling because this title got me singing…Seriously, like 35+ shows I went to…even named my pet iguana after him…ANY WAYS…great song!!

As I ran yesterday, to Rap(not Dave) I thought about how some days I drive to work early and see others running and get SOOOO jealous! Seriously!  And I smiled as the wind almost blew me over as I thought about those drivers envying me:)

After a good long run nothing seems to shake me.  I am calm, focused, centered…it is too cool how exercise can be medicine…of the very best kind. My runs saved me again this week! I love yoga! But in truth there is a feeling ya can only get from a run!

I run for my life!!!

So, like I said lots to say…

Tuesday the world lost HEIDI(insert heart break, tears and well pain)She was taken from us ! What a loss it was…I was only just getting to really know her after 10 years of us passing each other in brief conversations(about awesomeness!) at parties at Sue and Tara’s. She was vivacious,stylish, savy…a hot granny for sure only 48…looked 28…and well in short a great girl!

In recent month’s She blew up FB with joy, quotes, and hilarious ness!<3

What can I say ?? already so missed?!? Heidi taught me:

Love as much as ya can while ya can!

I am trying to love my work!  I am busy still and blessed with wonderful clients this  Season”)

I am learning lots about myself this season, lots about balance! I work, I play and I pay others to help! Thanks god for my amazing FRIENDs!

I’ve let go of things that didn’t pay me  enough emotionally or in funds. Proud!

I’ve learned to say no and let go!

Finally! YES!

PurePracticewithUrsula.com

Launches next week and I am so stoked to be adding fitness clients and classes into my life”)

Saturday I have a huge event and I am on schedule! Ahh, Ursula, Learning!

What have ya learned recently? Share it with someone and let’s

Grow into Who We Truly Are!Together!

Xo

Ursula

Invasion Of the Body Snatchers…Part ??? The Brightest of Us have Dark Days Too!

 

Last night was pretty close to awful!!! Part of the reason I am so crazy about exercise and clean eating is because for me it’s medicine.  I was diagnosed with mania several years ago after a series of tragedies”(  To me at that time Devastating! A life sentence of highs and low with drugs as a fix-Umm-yeah Not for me!!! I have remained mostly positive and now even help others create a life of balance. That said, I’m human!

So I have worked hard for myself too; to find a balance with yoga, food and of course running!  Sadly, this is not always enough! Taking care of me means to have balance at work and play also…Too much of either is no help and things can get out of control…if I let them”(

Yesterday, was an invasion of the body snatchers kind of a day”( those of y’all who have experienced this type of episode SO know what I mean. Your heart and mind can’t meet in the middle, all balance and rational is out the window and it’s as if your body has been invaded by…well…something awful!!!  Anger, Pain, Sadness, you name it!

I could live with this now once a year meltdown; if I could control my mouth!! I tend to be mean and/or lash out at those I love around me?!? (So sorry!!!) This is often the reason sadness can last days?!

I’ve worked long and hard and kept many a journal to try to pinpoint triggers, reasons, we all ask Why Me?

For me it can be as simple as being spread too thin(guilty) having liquor(guilty)or eating junky(guilty)…this weekend consisted of all of the above 3″(

And I knew it…so…

I ran yesterday am and taught yoga, eat well, but the damage I suppose was already done…

What’s my point?

We all have hiccups in this road…even people who are not clinical have tough days! All we can do is be sorry to those we hurt(including ourselves), and get back on the healthy track.

I’m not one for excuses or sulking-thank goodness…

But I am for sharing, growing and learning how to lessen these invasions.

Brain chemistry is sensitive, we should respect this and treat our bodies as temples…all good things in, and then good things will come out.

Negative in/negative out!

I am living/surviving proof that even the brightest people have dark days.

Seek balance, peace and patience with yourself…remembering this too shall pass!

Xoxo

Ursula

Be More in Tune with Yoga!

 

 

We’re Already 20 Days In…What To Do In 2012!

 

Must Do 2012…

Health:

Drink plenty of water (but not out of plastic bottles)

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.( no processed junk!)

Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

And the 3 P’s- Passion, Patience and Perseverance

Play more games.

Read more books than you did in 2011. (starting one tonight)

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Meditate!

Sleep for 7 hours each night.

Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily with Tommy, And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. Om Shanti!

Don’t over do. Keep your limits. But don’t fear movement in the universe either.

Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.( if ya talk about others, they’ll talk about u )

Dream more while you are awake.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.(really)

Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. To hold a grudge is to drink poison and expect the other guy to die.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others!!!!

Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you. NO ONE!!!!

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Smile and laugh more.(hehe)

You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. With Grace!

Society:

Call your family often.

Each day give something good to others.

Forgive everyone for everything.

Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. They are closet to the other side”)

Try to make at least three people smile each day.(or 33)

What other people think of you is none of your business. Think highly of yourself!

Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. (always!)

Life:

Do the right thing! Karma’s a Bitch if ya are!

Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.(NOW!)

However good or bad a situation is, it will change. (that’s the only constant)

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. (yolo)

The best is yet to come.(4 sure)

Your Inner most self is always striving to be happy. So, be happy NOW!!!

Xoxo

Urs

Making the Fork in the Road a Spoon…

I’m at a fork in the road of life! Sound familiar?

Frankly; either path could workout just fine in the end(that knowledge, attitude is power!) 

Still, I’m human and want to make the better/best decision for my future.

Whenever I am faced with opportunities I make a pro/con list.

I know it sounds so elementary…still how often do we ask advice of other people who love us, but are not us…and don’t have to deal with the outcomes!Why not use this list to advise ourselves? Step outside yourself and look in as ya would for a friend!

Advice: I give a lot more than I should! Do you?

Could ya be living your own best life instead? 

Today stop for a minute and pledge to invest love and kindness in you!!! Y’all be a better friend/spouse/worker bee for doing it! And who knows that fork might just become a spoon to scoop up your dream life!”)

This The Life That Everybody Ask For…

I’m on a runner’s high…only an easy 3 miler this am and I feel like a million dollars! HAPPINESS!!!

The last few days have been über full, and are inspiring me to talk about happiness!  Busy can equal stress, but does not have too!

I went to Louisiana to meet Mathieu( my totally silly and handsome new nephew) who is content as long as someone is singing to him! BOY, does he have the right idea already! Happiness can come from the lil stuff and should!  Our needs are so few then…what happens??

In group at the clinic yesterday we read about excitement verses happiness(Thanx Martha Beck)…as in happiness doesn’t always mean the winning lottery ticket or a 3 day wedding extravaganza!  That excitement is usually followed by a crash! Bummer…True happiness can be a contast!!!

Where do ya find happiness?(think about it…look for it!)

Yesterday one of my favorite people got a clean bill of health on her yearly cancer screen”) happiness! Yesterday I taught yoga”) happiness! Yesterday I had one of my childhood besties in town from all the way around the world”) major happiness!

Today is Jessica’s Bday…another year…Happiness!!!

Happiness is everywhere we seek it! Happiness is a choice!

I know…easier said than done ya say…not really… We can’t control traffic, other’s attitudes, the fact that we have to work, clean the house, etc…

But Happiness is yours for the taking! This does not mean we’ll be bouncing off the walls with excitement…it means we’ll have contentment…inner peace even.

I’m always brought back to Ryan at times like these…he’d be living it up with a smile if he were here…I always want to honor that happiness and his memory!  Who do ya honor? Who can be your happiness role model???

Even this am when I was dreading my short run start…I thought of my friends who’d love to run daily…if not for new babies, MS, car/motorcycle accident injuries…etc…I run for them…for myself and for my HAPPINESS=Sanity”)

We have so much to be happy about…THis is the life that every body asks for…

LIVE IT…HAPPY!

XO Skinny

Are You Unintentionally Sharing Sh*t Energy! Own The Energy You Bring into a Space!

I am tired! There I said it! …and I can take responsibility for that energy; I can own it…even though I don’t love it…it is in fact how I feel today.

It does not, however; mean that I am can take out my sluggish energy and try to spread it around to random strangers. We all have rough days, hard times, wild emotions…on any given day our mood can be off. Quit sharing SH*T energy.  If anything; I’d like to receive some good energy from someone else.”) when I feel this way and if I’m negative who will share joy with me??

 I’m good at absorbing happiness! But I must be open to receive it!

What I am not so good at is ignoring others who don’t understand the energy connection they have to the world…or the SUCKERS…ya know the type…they take good energy, great energy and give nothing in return.”(

I can’t wrap my pretty lil head around the concept of take, take and take some more…

I suppose we are all guilty of putting out bad vibes sometimes…but If we’re present we can correct these things timely…learn something…hopefully and move on…Smiling!

I remember looking back at the old me…like 8 years ago Ursula…I did not always take responsibility for the energy I put into a space?!? 

Heck, I was up in the clouds…energy…what energy?!? Boy, have I ever learned!

Vapid as I was I wasn’t evil?!? I was just too hyper focused on stupid lil shit!

Sound Familiar? If it does don’t fret!

The bottom line is we can control, own and fix our own energy! So let’s quit wasting precious time and live life to the fullest. Share our passions, spread happiness, love, and empathy!

Let’s practice owning the energy we bring to a space and making sure it’s worth sharing!

Xoxo

Ursula

Slowing Down to Get Faster

It’s been 8 days since my last post!  And it feels like 800!  Funny how habits(even great ones) are hard to take breaks from…I consider this blog/diary/inspirational haven a fun habit, but it’s nice to get a rest once in a while from almost anything these days. Life is busy…yes I schedule it and love it this way…but even I can admit a break was nesscesary:)

This Saturday I managed to pull off a fabulous surprise party for a client’s best friend, with some amazing help from my now (as close as it gets) to perfect staff:) After 8 years in business I finally have a handle on placing people in a position to use their skills and talents to help me, and keep them positive and motivated for themselves.  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sher says I’m fianlly a great manager.  (always learning curves:)

And while preparing for this special event over the last 3 weeks, I cooked for all my private chef clients, taught yoga and cooking classes, ran, lifted, and well lots of other fun and not so fun stuff………So……unfortunatly KeepingSkinny got a back seat for a few days.

…Felt a lil guilty and missed yall, but a girl’s gotta sleep right? hehe

Why is it that we feel so guilty slowing down these days?? I mean as a society life is getting faster and faster.  My friend Shara and I were walking and chatting this am.  I have to admit it was nice to walk.

…She says, “you love FAST”…”Sometimes”, I said; “but mostly I just want to run fast; to feel like an athelete…life can be slow… or slower:).”

That made sense to her, and Shara, your points about walking for fitness make sense to me too!”)

Today I walked 2min, ran 2min, sprinted 2min…for 40 mins…all in an effort to slow down…to get faster!  I was in 11th place for my age group at my last race, I can do better:) With practice I believe we all can.

Life is not unlike this training.  If we want to get ahead in life sometimes we just have to slow down to see the whole picture(like I did with my staff)…this makes us better managers of our time, businesses and selves…which in the long run makes us faster.

Getting to the finish line faster will continue to be a goal of mine…still focusing on slowing the journey to the starting line it’s such a bad idea either!

So whether ya started Pure Practice with me today, are logging in with Aisa or Stephi through their 100 days or you’re just a continous work in progress as we all should be…be kind to yourself, take it slow and yall get faster and keepskinny!

xoxo

Ursula

Don’t Resolve…COMMIT!!!!

 

The new year for most is a time to reflect…what can I do better than last year? What change should be made? It can be a stressor, all these resolutions…let’s continue to focus on the positives!

How about this year we stay the course?!? Forget what’s wrong…focus on what’s right!

Take a minute think of all the good ya did last year…now continue with that!!!

I am so grateful that I truly learned to love exercise, healthy food and my physical self last year!!! If this is your goal again this year: YA CAN DO IT!

Take small steps…like today clean out all the junk/processed food from your house, and walk 2 miles briskly in your neighborhood… And be kind to yourself!!!!!!!!!

Today I was up and out the house early…in-spite of military trail being a less then scenic road, my log your run app not locating me on gps, and the berrrrrrr(cold morning)…I managed a great time for my 6 miler”) New Year yes, old Ursula…nothing wrong with that!

Being kind to yourself is never a negative…being a quitter, an excuse maker or just plain lazy is the problem…this year resolve to keep your commitments to yourself daily.

Last night I made a Monday todo list and I am proud to report it’s already a 3rd done…who cares what’s on the list…the progress is that we’re able to stick to it…finish things!

Finishing feels good! So we still have two more sections in our 30-30-30 energy blast!

Section Two:Mental Energy…

Those of ya who are yogis or yoginis know what I speak of…and are hopefully on the path to owning your energy in a positive way!

Change your thoughts; Change your life!!!

So, it does not happen over night; but turning mental energy into positive energy is easier than ya might think!! 

Today’s Activity:

Strengthening Mental Energy

Supplies: one note pad/writing tool

1. Think positively about your year ahead.  Anytime your mind presents a negative draining thought…brush it gently away and write 2 positive responses to this thought!

It will get easier as the day goes on…try to stick with this for 3-5 days or until less negative thoughts are bothering ya!

Keep Up All the Great Work from Last Year and Keep Skinny!

Xoxo