Pilates Extreme?

SO this spring 2015, I'm only teaching one class. It was supposed to be called "Pilates" but because our whole fitness program decided to change its image to "Group X," the name of my class is now Pilates Extreme. Cray, right?
Anyway, I think that name kind of fits my class seeing that my class is far from traditional Pilates. Last week, my boss compiled anonymous evaluations from my students. She does this every semester and looks like I shared the comments from last year in an earlier blog post!
Here's the feedback for this year.

Class & Instructor: Krystle – Pilates Extreme

What did you enjoy most about this class?

• ·         Burn session
• ·         The format - one set per song and how Krystle changes which part of the body we work each week. The songs are great too.
• ·         The burn and intensity, abs/core work, and compound exercises.
• ·         The class makes me sore. It’s a good workout and Krystle is motivating.
• ·         The class makes me sore, but does not overwork me.
• ·         Krystle is super funny and motivating. The burn session is great and she mixes up working different body parts.
• ·         The burn sessions, and Krystle is really fun and enjoyable.
• ·         Krystle really pushes me.
• ·         Krystle’s energy and the level of difficulty.
• ·         The variety and Krystle is fun.
• ·         Fun atmosphere and the moves.
• ·         The energy and good muscle work. Krystle is great!
• ·         Fun, upbeat, and a good workout.
• ·         Krystle is fun and it was a complete workout.

What could the instructor have done differently to make this class more worthwhile?

• ·         Add a little more cardio time before the cool down
• ·         More strength exercises.
• ·         Tell us how long or how many reps we’re doing an exercise for.
• ·         Tell us how long we plank for and how many reps of an exercise.
• ·         A more energetic playlist – the slow songs don’t pump me up.
• ·         Less talking, hard to talk and workout.
• ·         More stretching. 

Gosh, I talk too much and suck at stretching.

Come check out my class on Wednesday nights from 7 to 7:45 and give me some suggestions! 
Please and Thank YOU :)

Round and round and round and.

When I think of you, I think of how simply complicated you are, or how you're imperfectly perfect, or the way you're so unsurprisingly surprising. You're a story that never gets old because my heart jumps with every touch and my mind wanders with every thought. Be courageous and take my hand because I yearn to be in your next chapter, and maybe even the sequels yet to come.

Flip to the first page. I'm ready.

Each and everyday that passes, is another day that I grow fonder and fonder of you.
and with this growth, I want you and only you.
and with this want, I become more and more selfish.
I need you. I want you and you know it. You're scared. I'm scared.

Don't lie to yourself and admit it, you need me too.

The thing is, that even though it hurts, it really hurts, the little bits of you make it worth it.
The way everything is better than okay. The crazy things you have me doing. The way you make me feel- the excitement, longing, butterflies, pure bliss. The way you make me want to try harder and be better than I am. The way, the way I can't even believe that you're real, that this is real....

it's all because of you.

I hope you believe me when I tell you that you're not just great, but you're amazing.
You've become a part of me without physically being here with me everyday.
and it's frightening. How is that even possible?
I'm hooked, but I'm not going to stand in your way. I'm so proud of you. Your heart is in the right place. I'm excited for the good differences you're making with every individual you cross paths with. 
You have all of my support. 
I just ask that you trust me without fear.

My dear, it's everything about you that I adore. I can go on and on for decades and centuries listing out everything I love about you, but
I won't because, gee whiz, that list would be overwhelming.
You have it great right now though. I mean look at you. Look at everything around you. Look at all those smiles of all those people you make so happy. And now, look at yourself. Look how happy you are; happiness- that's important and I'm not going to take that away from you.
Yes, you make me happy; actually, that's an understatement but there aren't enough words in the world to express how happy you make me.
In the end, I'm just one person who ends up being half the problem./jj
and maybe you're just looking for the easy way out.

You are so good. You are remarkable. You have a scent, a touch, a taste of innocence. You are a beautiful individual, extraordinary in your own way. I find myself at loss for words, tongue tied and stumbling over my own feet around you. There's something you do that I can't quite grasp; I can't seem to understand, but I am solemnly okay with it.
but until we meet again,
until our thoughts link again
until our understandings match again
and until our minds are coherent with one another again,
I want to promise you, just like the stars swear to shine no matter how dark the skies might be, that I will challenge myself to give you the real me, to break down the barriers that keep me closed off. And as continual as parallel lines float, I am determined to continue to keep you in my life.

I will make the choice to wait and be there for you as you figure things out because I can't just stop. You're so so so important to me. really. You have to understand that
my love is unconditional. You just have to accept it; let yourself take it. You have to believe it, believe me. You might question this truth which, in turn, makes you question yourself. What did I do? How does this happen? What does this mean?
How could someone love allofme without asking for anything in return? How could someone put up with allofmy shit and still see the best of me?
You see, there's only one of you in this universe. There's only one you who can do all this to me, for me, with me. and if I walk away now, I lose this piece of you, this piece of myself.
I adore you because you are you, nothing less and nothing more. I won't desert you because we're in this together.

I can't imagine letting go of you in this way, but if that's what you want, if that's what will make you happy, then all I can do is expand my imagination and respect you because what is love without respect? Tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it
because all I know is
gosh, you're fantastic.

They say "Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth fighting for." and I was so sure that I found someone worth fighting for,

but maybe I was wrong.

maybe I've lost this time.

Once upon a time, I fell for you,

and it was the best uncontrollable decision of my life.
Thanks for what was,
maybe this time, you've lost.

Me, Myself, and I.

It's kind of frightening to not know something, or to not have all the answers. We all want that sense of security, that sense of invulnerability, that comfort. But is it sometimes good to keep the unknown where it's at?

My mom once told me not to say "I don't know" but rather to say "I'm not sure" because not knowing is so definite. It puts you in a lower place and makes it seem like it's something you won't ever figure out. Being unsure about something, however, changes the game. It gives us a sense of wanting to be sure and wanting to figuring things out.

I don't know myself.
I used to think that I knew who I was, but the tables have turned. I don't. I'm not entirely sure what my purpose is right now, or what my goals might be. I'm unsure and I can't wrap my head around it.

I am afraid.
I am afraid of what's to come. I am afraid of not knowing. I am afraid of not being able to control things I should be able to control. I am afraid of losing hope in someone or something. I am afraid of losing touch with the people I love and care about. I'm afraid of drifting away, but sometimes it seems to be inevitable.

I honestly don't know where I am right now. Okay, I'm 106% sober and know that I am currently physically in IA, but what I mean is I don't know where my head is in this game. Is it even a game? I'm not sure of what I truly want or even need. I'm not sure if I'm ecstatic with where I am. I'm not sure if what I've built up is sustainable, and it's kind of scary sometimes, you know? At times, I want to drop everything, give up, and start all over... but where will that get me? Fresh starts are nothing if it means to drop everything you've worked hard for and have achieved. That just makes it a waste.

Life is hard, but I have it good. I have it really good and I shouldn't be complaining. I shouldn't be this nervous or confused. I should be reaching high, aiming high, shooting high, but why am I not doing that? What's stopping me? I feel like things have changed these past 6 months or so. I've lost some drive.

I'm really not that crazy.
I'm not an interesting person... I used to be though. I used to try harder, but now I'm slowly fading. I live my life day by day, going through the motions sometimes. At times, all I do is sit there and stare at nothing because I am lazy. I think I've developed a different way of interacting others, a different mindset. I don't live to be noticed anymore. In fact, I don't even care about that anymore.  What I found really matters to me is living for whomever I may be interacting with.
I want you to be noticed. I want you to feel like someone is paying attention to you and cares for you, because it's true. I want to hear about what you have to say about the weather or how your day is going or even what your favorite color might be. I may be a stranger now, but there's a possibility for friendship. I have no other intentions other than letting you know that you are important.

It's time I grow up and look at the bigger picture. Look at everything as a whole and be more appreciative. Patience is something that I need to develop and practice and if you could teach me how I could work on that, I would be very grateful.

But for now, let's change those "I don't knows" to some "I'm not sures." Because I want to leave the door open. I'm not sure who I am but I'm down to figure that out. I want to develop myself and live up to my full potential. I want to be the best me I can be, and the first step is to be a better person.

Let's raise our glasses. Let's be a little more okay with leaving the unknown in the unknown and slowly figuring things out because that's what makes people think... that's what makes individuals, well, individuals. And that's why we keep on keeping on.

So hey, let's keep on keeping on.

You are what you make of it.

I first saw you in front of me in line on that Tuesday morning. Honestly, I didn't think much of you. It wasn't until a couple hours later, I spotted you again, sitting on your own to the side with a giant textbook in front of you, a pen in hand, and that eager, concentrated look on your face. Maybe I was curious about how one could be so focused on a textbook rather than dozing off. Or maybe, you just looked like an interesting individual, full of stories to share. Or maybe it was the way the sun hit you at just the right angle right at that very moment I glanced over. I don't know why I approached you that day, but I can whole-heartedly say that I have never looked back.

I see you as a captivating individual, quirky in your own way. You have no enemies, no problems, and no challenges that you can't face. You are carefree and really live your life the way you want to live it. You always amaze me with how smart you are, from throwing random facts at me, to being able to explain anything I ever ask. You make everyone around you comfortable and always seem to know what to say. You make me realize things.
I admire you. I think highly of you. I want to learn from you.

I would have never expected you to open up to me the way you did. I never expected those words that came out of your mouth, or those thoughts that you voiced that engulfed your mind the way a tornado would engulf lives. I never thought you would cry in front of me, or even how we we would cry together. I didn't know that it was possible for an individual, let alone you, to feel this way, to hurt this way, to break this way. These situations you told me about, I can't bear to imagine anyone face, but you faced them alone. You did it, you succeeded, and today you stand tall. You're a fighter.

You amaze me. You are so strong. You take adversities and hardships and learn from them. They don't take you down- they build you up. They made you titanium. They made you wiser. The made you, well, you.
Telling you that I am in awe of you would be an understatement. And if this means anything to you at all, I just wanted to let you know that I am so proud of you. I am so proud of what you've become.
I am ecstatic that you are part of my life and that I can call you my friend.

Take me back to the day when the sun was hitting you at the perfect angle, because I want to relive the beginning of the rest of my life.

I've only got forever and forever is fine.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

- Maya Angelou

Helloooooo there,

I thought I'd attempt to compile my thoughts into words...

To a friend, from a friend.

So this is for everyone reading, whoever you might be:

It's okay to feel.

It's okay to to feel vulnerable and to let that vulnerability show. It's okay to hurt and to express it. It's okay to scream and shout.
Just don't hide behind the curtains for the entirety of the show.

I want to know you. 

I want to learn about you. I want to dig deeper. I want to know what makes you tick. I want to know how your status, possessions, and power make you feel. And when you're given the chance to be set free from them, would you take it? I want to know how you feel when you find someone who you can relate to. I want to know about the way you breathe when you're out on a single patch of dirt surrounded by nothing but what this earth has given us. I want to see what gets you through the day.

You drive me insane- just like living on a never ending roller coaster. You make me think so hard that my brain just wants to slip out of my skull. You keep my mind floating in midair in a broken room. And yes, you say you want to talk, you say you want to know and that you care. You add on all this bullshit that keeps me hanging on a thread. I know it's all pretend, but I can't help but try so hard to keep grasp.

Let's chat.

Let's converse about your thoughts on nature? Politics? Life? What makes your heart jump and helps you fall asleep with a smile on your face? What makes you open your eyes a little wider or makes you raise your eyebrows? What tickles your toes? How can I bring out that half grin of yours?

How do you feel about pain? Let's share the hurt. Let's share the things that really bring us down and tips us over and runs circles in our mind while we pull our hair out. Open up to me and tell me what really rattles your bones and what makes each and every strand of hair stand up on the back of your neck. What are you afraid of losing and what would you do when you've lost it?

What about those real dreams? The ones that you think you're too short to reach. Do adversities and hardships ring bells? Let's discuss shame and those little things that you do that you find embarrassing, but I find alluring. Or those misconstrued meanings, or those things you think you should know, but truly don't. What about the false perceptions that breeze through the solemn air? And the standards you set for yourself or the expectations that others set for you to meet that overwhelm you? Because let's face it, we're always hard on ourselves.

I'll open the conversation if you say you'll try because I'm here to shatter those fears with you. I'm here to hold your hand and guide you through the burning room with your eyes closed. I'm here to face those situations you're trying to find the easy escape for because you're not going to do that. You're going to face them head on. And once you do really overcome the difficulties, you defy gravity. I know you can. There's so much I want to say but when the opportunity finally arrives, it's just a blank space.

You're one who I look forward to share exciting things in my life with. And when you speak, I'm quiet and calm because all I want to do is take everything in. And when we have that silence in our conversation due to the unnecessary need for words, I'm completely satisfied with just the breath between us. And when I make a fool of myself like I always do, please don't be afraid to laugh because I love that laugh of yours. I want to hear more. I want to see more.  I want to know more.

Forget safety because that would mean leaving behind this jungle gym in which we call reality. But don't forget my words because I mean every bit of it. And I have to admit, I'm to the point in which I don't care that you lie in another universe. All I'm asking for is a little piece of you; just a little bit of attention... Just a speck of dust- is that okay?

Open yourself to me. Open your heart- be brave and vulnerable and have the strength to trust me because that's all I ask. I promise that I won't touch a strand of hair, let alone break anything because I respect you. And when you need your space, just tell me and I'll be out of sight.

You have a beautiful soul (not quoting JMcCartney on purpose <3). I'd love to stick around and watch it bloom if you let me.
And you say you don't know yourself, so let's figure that out. And when we figure all this shit out, we'll wash ourselves in our tears for this new found realization is what we've been longing to discover.

I know that I am asking for a lot, but I'm ready whenever you might be, even if that's in forever because, well, forever is just a moment of time for someone you care about.
I just want to let you know that you're worth it.
The floor is open.
Care to dance?

Cheers,
Krystle ◆

P.S. YOU DA REAL MVP.

1st Marathon Recap!

So, today I ran my first marathon ever on Sunday (10/19) and it sure was an experience...

It may have been one of the dumbest things I've ever done, but it was so worth it!

TRAINING PLAN

To start, here's a look at how I trained for this marathon:

Mon, 6/30: 1 mile (in Vietnam!)

Mon, 8/25: 2 miles

Sat, 9/6: 9 miles (this is when I decided to buckle down and run once a week)

Sat, 9/13: 11 miles

Sun, 9/21: 9 miles

Sun, 9/28: 15.5 miles

Sat, 10/4: 22 miles

Those were literally the only dates since June that I slipped on my running shoes and went for a jog. Yep, 7 times. Evidence 1 of this being one of the dumbest things I've ever done.

I didn't go for a run the weekend before the marathon because I took a trip to Boston. There, I did a lot of walking in my heeled boots. That was until Tuesday the 21st. On Wednesday, my Achilles started hurting quite a bit when simply walking, but I just thought it'd heal on it's own since I didn't do anything to induce the pain. On Friday, the pain was still there and even worse. I went to see our athletic trainer and she told me that I had pulled something and it was swollen and to not do anything that would put pressure on it... like run, let alone run a marathon because I might rupture it. Of course, I'm kind of a rebel so I decided to play it by ear. Plus, I wanted to sport the orange (my fave color) marathon shirt that we got at packet pickup. I couldn't wear it if I didn't run it! Evidence 2. I got my Achilles rock taped on Saturday and that somewhat helped the pain.

GOALS

Because of my lack of training, my goal for this race was 5 hours. I just wanted to finish it whether I walked or ran. This was set before the Achilles problem. On race day, my goal was just to do what I could... I've run 2 half marathons before this. The last one was a fun one in the end of May that I passed out encouraging notes from our fanny packs and tweeted selfies at every mile. I wanted to do the selfie thing for this race as well, but I didn't even think I was going to finish so I decided not to. Plus, I obviously really suck at selfies- sad truth.

RACE DAY 

The course was a flat one. 

On Sunday morning, I told myself I was feeling good. I knew I could drop out if the pain became unbearable. I popped 2 ibuprofen tabs and was off to the start line. It was painful but I told myself to suck it up until mile 8 cause I had buds with more ibuprofen waiting for me there. Luckily, by mile 6 the meds kicked in. I felt good other than the pain in my arches due to running in weird ways trying to keep myself off my right Achilles. I never got the mile 8 ibuprofen :(  I fueled with 1/2 a banana at mile 13.1 (2:02). My goal was to get there by 2:30 so I was going faster than I had planned. By mile 14 the pain killers wore off. It was worse than before and I was desperate... and stubborn, so I kept going. I asked a lady cheering on the street if she had any ibuprofen. Surprisingly, she ran to her purse and busted it out. I basically took drugs from a stranger on the street. Evidence 3. I popped a tab at mile 16 and fueled with red vinesssssss YUM. I was feeling good until mile 23, when I hit the wall. Downed 1/2 pack of GU there. Gross, but my legs were giving out. I decided to walk/run the remainder of the race. Bummer. At about 0.2 miles left when I could SEE the finish line, my left leg, the leg that took most of the run, started cramping and tightening up like crazy. I had to step to the side. I ended up finishing at 4:18 which was below my goal of 5:00. The last 3 miles slowed my overall time down like crazy, but it just had to be done.

In the end, I finished and it now sucks even more to walk. The end.

Basically... I trained for my first marathon in 7 runs, pulled my Achilles 2 days before race day but still ran it, took drugs for a stranger on the street, and finished under my goal time and now am legally allowed sport my orange 26.2 quarter zip!! Alright, when's our next one?? haha... not. Well, maybe.

Crock Pot Magic: Spicy Pulled Chicken

So apparently there is an egg white shortage in America. Companies and corporations are now requesting egg whites and adding them as an option on their menu. Is this America's effort in becoming "healthier"? Being scared of yolks? I don't think that's a good first step, but it's somewhat of a step!




Guess what? I whipped out the crock pot today!

And what did I make?

Some spicy pulled chicken! I'm amazed by how easy it was!
Boy, was this spicy! It was a really nice kick though! The cilantro gave me a nice fresh relief and made the dish smell fantastic!

Spicy Crockpot Pulled Chicken 

Ingredients (6-8 servings)

• 2 lbs chicken breast
• 1 tomato on the vine
• 1 can (14.5 oz) fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 can (4 oz) diced green chille
• 1/2 onion (can add more, that's all I had on hand. I used red.)
• 2 celery stalks
• 3 cloves of fresh garlic
• 2 tablespoons of chili sauce (I used Sambal Oelek) <- that stuff is amazing.
• 1 Tbs coconut oil
• 1 Tbs chili powder
• 1 Tbs cumin
• Adobo seasoning or salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Garlic & onion powders to taste
• Costco no salt seasoning (optional, I just like the flavor and am not watching my sodium intake)
• Cilantro (to garnish)

Instructions

1. Chop up the onion and garlic and sautee them for a bit in a pan with some oil until the start becoming brown. This is to bloom them in order to get the flavor out.
2. Dice tomatoes and chop up celery into bite sized pieces
3. Throw (not literally unless you're good at aiming) all ingredients into the the crock pot and give it a quick stir.
4. PLUG YOUR CROCKPOT IN and turn it on to low. 
5. Leave it alone for 9-10 hours.
6. When finished, take 2 forks or a fork and spoon or chopsticks or  and just shred the chicken. I was so amazed by how easily it shredded.

I precut anything that needed to be precut the night before and put them in containers. At 8 AM, I opened cans and containers, threw everything into the crockpot, plugged it in, turned it on, and went to class. When I got back at around 6 PM, it was ready to DEVOUR. Garnished with cilantro, dinner is served. 

Enjoy!

How much did this recipe cost me?

• 2 lbs chicken x $1.90/lb = $3.80
• 1 tomato ~ $0.70
• 1 can of tomato ~$1.00
• 1 can of chille ~$1.00
• 2 Celery Stalks ~$0.50
• 1/2 Onion ~$0.50 (red tends to be pricier)
• Garlic ~$0.50
• Spices ~$1.00
• Cilantro (bunch) ~$0.50
• Total = $14. This should give me around 8 meals ~$1.75/meal
• Good deal bro.

Have you invested in a crockpot yet?

What's your favorite recipe?