Tag: SweatPink

I. Am. Ready.

Published on by Amanda FakhreddineLeave a comment

For those who have been with me since this was “The Road To A Healthy Life”, you’ll remember that I started my fitness journey by lacing up some white sneakers and heading out for a run.

Well, last May, my running came to a screaming halt, thanks to earning a stress fracture during the Brooklyn Half Marathon. Hobbling through the last 4 miles of that race on a technicolored foot was a stupid thing to do – but you would have had to pull me from the course screaming to get me to stop.

I crossed that finish line, and I knew something was wrong.

So, from May 2016 until today, I’ve been on a running hiatus.

Yes – I HAVE run. Three months after my doctor cleared me to run, I walked hesitantly into an Orange Theory Fitness class, nervous for the treadmill portion. My base pace hovered at 5.0, a full 1.5mph below what used to be my easy comfort pace.

Was it an ego crusher? Yes. Was it necessary. Absolutely.

Today, I told myself that I was going to break my running backpack out of hibernation and go for a run to the gym. I packed it late last night, with my work clothes, hydration, granola, protein shake, keys, cash, and teaching clothes. I was ready.

This morning, I stepped outside in pea-soup humidity and felt nervous.

What was I doing?

Was I going to hurt myself?

Maybe I should go back inside…

But I snapped a photo, posted it to my IG story and tagged two peeps that I knew were going to be at the gym. I hit “go” on my Nike Run Club App (which I haven’t logged into since May 2016), and went.

By the time I was a half a mile in, I was pouring sweat.

A little over a mile in, I stopped to snap this photo.

This was the reason I fell in love with running in Wakefield in the mornings – the sunrises over the lake. It was quiet. The town was waking up. It was just me, my thoughts and the sun… reminding me that it really was a brand new day.

A day that I was ready for.

Seeing that familiar sight added a little pep in my step, as I cruised over the small North Ave hill, crossed the street at the Subaru dealership, and headed to the third light to make a left. Funnily enough – that’s where my google map had left it. 2.3 miles. Turns out, there is a good .4 miles left to run from the driveway off of Walter Brooke Ave to the back end of the shopping center to get to Golds Gym.

2.75 miles later I arrived, dripping sweat with a goofy smile on my face.

I had done it.

While it was not a speedy time, but it was a good run. It was a run my heart and soul needed. It was a run that showed me that I CAN do it. That I WANTED to do it. That my body was really healed and arguably stronger than it has EVER been.

That by listening to my body, I was able to heal it properly.

So sweaty peeps – I. Am. Ready. Are you?

Also, shout out to Greg who snapped this while I was walking/dripping into Golds this morning. Watch and enjoy!

<3

The Sweat Life

 

Then & Now

Published on by Amanda FakhreddineLeave a comment

“I love the person I have become, because I fought to become her”

In 2012, I was exhausted.
My default face was the one pictured. That screenshot actually came from a VIDEO that I STILL can’t bear to watch. I went on CAMERA with that scowl.

In 2012, I decided I had enough. I wanted to make a change
I signed up for my first 5K.

I had no idea what I was doing (which you can see… I wore a race shirt DURING the race).

But I finished.

Every single day, I have worked to be a little bit better. I worked my way from Ramen Noodles, to Spaghetti Squash and from 5Ks to marathons.

I worked on my self… because we all know you cannot serve from an empty cup.

It isn’t easy.

Five years later, my face isn’t always in a scowl.
I smile.
I work hard, and understand that change comes with discomfort.
I want you to realize that YOU can do it… and that I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Whether it’s on a rower or in one of my online challenge groups, I want you to know that I’ve got your back.

I still have a couple more spots left in my upcoming challenge group – so if you are ready to make a change, all you have to do is reach out.

<3

30 days later

Published on by Amanda FakhreddineLeave a comment

It’s been a little more than 30 days since I took the PiYo challenge.

In total I lost 9 lbs, and a bunch of inches (including 2 from my waist), but something more important happened – I re-sparked my passion.

After hurting my foot, I was disappointed in myself and in pain. My body failed me, after so much training – physical & mental – my body broke down. I gained weight. I pretended to stop caring. I had no way to manage my stress since anytime I did a workout my foot would hurt. I turned into a mean human, and my reaction to benign things would sometimes shock me.

So, at the height of my frustration, I signed up for the 30 day challenge, and figured the cost would hold me accountable.

Quickly I realized, it was the community that came along with it.

I woke up, unrolled my yoga mat, and popped in a DVD the first day, and got surprisingly sweaty in my living room. I never knew that an at home workout program could do that. Thanks to the B You Fitness group, I was able to chat with people every single day and share a #sweatyselfie and chat about the craziest moves we learned that day.

Soon after, I fell in love with how I was feeling. I cared more about what I was eating. I was able to calm my mind a little bit more. The more I checked in, the more I kept MYSELF accountable. And with that, the more I saw results.

I’m currently right now in the 2nd 30 days of PiYo (the full PiYo program is 60 days) and I am so grateful to Julie for introducing me to it. It’s truly allowed me to start my day on a positive note, and once that happens, it’s hard to ruin the rest of the day.

Interested in learning more? Send me a note!