Yesterday morning I took my dog Buddy for a morning jog and let me tell ya it was amazing! We haven't been jogging since it started getting cold...so like 2 months or so. And that's a long time when you really enjoy outdoor running. I'm a runner - ha! I may jog...but I'm a runner! Anyways, the feeling of just being out in the open air jogging down the pavement...there is just something about it. Holla at me if you feel me!
Anyways, my morning jogs are not just for exercise. That's a great reason to jog, but my NOW main reason for jogging in the early morning is to get my mind filled with the good stuff. The motivating and inspiring stuff. Now don't get me wrong...there are days when I like to blast DJ Khaled's Out Here Grindin' - that's my running jam!
I do this for the streets...the runners!
Sorry...got a little sidetracked! Anyways, so my morning jogs consist of listening to the good stuff. I like to fill my mind with goodness before it officially begins that way I can be more positive through out the day. But sometimes being positive is trying! My mornings are spent with Eric Thomas aka The Hip Hop Preacher. I never imagined myself someone who could run without listening to music but I now can. I love it. If you've never listened to him...check out his new mixtape. That's right a motivational speaker with a mixtape. The music that was put with his messages are so good. Go check it out here. I have both mixtapes downloaded on my IPhone plus a season of TGIM and anything FREE that I can find of his!
So, the point of this blog is basically to say that one thing I'm so grateful for is the ability to wake every morning and choose to go out in the world and fill my mind with the "good stuff". Ok...make it two things I'm grateful for...the ability to enjoy the beauty of the trees and inhale the crisp fresh air while I'm on my jogs. My jogs are now mediational for me...is that even a word?!
Last night and this morning I've done a lot of thinking while watching videos that "speak" to me. On my jog with Bud I was listening to the new Eric Thomas download I bought last night. This is what I listened to on my jog...
Now this is only Episode 1...make sure you watch/listen to the others too. These are mind-changing messages. We can all achieve greatness and we can all achieve our dreams...but we have to put in the work. We can't just sit on the couch hoping it'll happen. We have to make it happen. We can't just wish or dream for it to happen...get it done.
If you're like me and didn't have a clue who Giavanni Ruffin is...this vid is my fav and my first exposure to him. He too, is an inspiration. Take No Days Off.....
This hottie gets up at 3am to get his grind on. Seriously?! The rest of the world is still sleeping, but not him. He is on the road to making his dreams come true. You gotta put in the time if you want the success you dream of! Don't forget to watch part 2 of this vid. Also check out his YT channel.
I've been getting up for the last 2 weeks at 4am during the week. Not until today did I decide to do the same on the weekend. It's Sunday, but my butt set the alarm for 5am and let me tell ya my body was ready for it. I was eager to get up that I got up before my alarm went off. And I'm happy to say that Bud and I got a full 45 minutes of jogging in. It was great! During the week I sometimes can get in a good 30 minutes, but if I snooze then I try to get him at least 20 minutes. The boy is knocked out now! I finally got my mojo back when it comes to jogging. I push myself a little each time, but I'm still enjoying it. The wind in our hair...Bud's tongue hanging out with a big smile as we stroll down the road.
I'm sorry...but I have to put a little PSA in here - IF YOU ARE A DOG OWNER, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GET YOUR BUTT UP AND TAKE YOUR DOG FOR A JOG. DOGS NEED AT LEAST 45 MINUTES OF EXERCISE DAILY. IF YOU CAN'T JOG OR AREN'T READY FOR IT...START WITH WALKING. YOUR DOG WILL THANK YOU. IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE DOG (LIKE I DO) THEY NEED IT IN ORDER TO NOT GET ALL STRESSED OUT OR WILD. AND NO, LETTING YOUR DOG OUT IN THE BACK YARD TO RUN AROUND IS NOT SUFFICIENT. DOG OWNERS NEED TO PUT THEIR LAZINESS ASIDE AND GET THEIR DOG MOVING!
And now on to the rest....
Bud and I jogged for 45 minutes and had a nice little light show thanks to the Man above. We got back and popped in Insanity. I didn't work out yesterday so I did what was scheduled for that day - Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs. My total workout time was 100 minutes with a calorie burn of 996 calories! 4 calories away from 1000...
Oh and if you have a rough time getting some energy in the morning or just want more, I highly recommend Gaspari's Superpump Max. I've been using it for about 2 weeks now and love it! You're supposed to take it 30 - 40 minutes before you workout. I take it right before I go for my jog because I want the extra energy for Insanity. I hope I'm not hindering the effects of it cause I still feel really energetic when Insanity rolls around. I bet I wouldn't be as energetic if I didn't take it and still did the jog and followed it with Insanity. So I'm going to stick with it. BUT if you know for a fact that I could be hindering the effects...let me know!
And now on to RECOVERY! I made a shake with extra greens in it. Today's concoction was Vegan Chocolate Shakeology with 2 handfuls of baby spinach, 2 T PB2 (powdered peanut butter), 3 scoops of Glutamine, 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, 2 packs of stevia and ice. It was pretty tasty!
