Tag: Exercise

Guess who’s back?

Published on by A Shi Life1 Comment

Okay, so I know I’ve been dropping in like a sack of potatoes and rolling out but after a long but much needed break, I’m back!

What have I been up to?

Well, I started taking care of myself much more than I ever have before. I’m navigating a new life of freedoms that I never really experienced before. I’m asking myself questions and putting them down to be answered and I am loving life. I have to admit, I never thought I would get to this point to where I just love who I am. I did not lose weight but instead learned to love the body that I’m in and when it’s ready to change (we are ready to change) mentally, I’ll be there.

I took a few trips and found love in them. I found that I love traveling and I love doing something new so that’s new. I’ve picked back up on reading books! I’ve finished almost 12 so far this year and I’ve ordered more. I’m so excited to share with you the books I have read and the ones I have in my stockpile. Also, makeup! Ugh, I’ve ordered so much and have been dipping my toes back into it. I love to transform myself. I love what it does.

Relationship? The relationship I had mentioned earlier this year fell though but from the ashes, a new and much better one formed. We haven’t officially met (our schedules have clashed and military life is unpredictable) but we’re finally meeting in December, which means we’ve “talked” for the majority of the year and that’s what made it so much better. I love his love of books. I love his mind. I like him as a person. So in December, maybe we’ll have an update.

Deserving of love…I had this long fought battle that I did not deserve love but when he came into myself. I questioned why I thought that and that maybe I do indeed deserve his ‘liking’ or his ‘love’ or whatever he has to offer but it took some self-reflection to get to that point.

Future traveling: his work is taking him to a new state so I will definitely get to visit and see a new place pretty soon. I’m thinking January or February for the traveling. I’m so excited to have him come here, possibly meet friends and family and then decide our next move.

Skincare? Now, you know I lovessss my skincare and that hasn’t changed. I’ve been faithful to Innisfree but I’m now looking to introduce some new brands into my routine. I’ve just places and order for a new brand. I’m going to try them out for a month and regularly give an update! And they’re #blackowned so I’m happy to see my money go back into my community.

Well, this is it for now. I do plan on updating regularly and switching up my layout to one that its who I am at this point in time.

Love, Ashilife!

Life Update!

Published on by A Shi Life1 Comment

Hello! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, so let’s chat shall we?

Job? I finally got a job and received a job offer in Charlotte, NC. I, unfortunately, have to decline the NC job due to making a much more financially sound decision. Working closer to where I live.

If I would have lived closer to Charlotte, I might’ve taken the gamble but metropolitan traffic is unpredictable and I didn’t want to risk being late to work. I’m taking a lower pay for safety that I can be home in 30 minutes versus 1-2 hours on the road every day after working 12 hours.

I’ve accepted a job helping people with their insurance. I’m about to embark on a journey to obtain my insurance license for all 50 states. Another credential to add to my resume which is an amazing thing.

What else? A good friend that I met in China is starting her own business and I’m helping her with it! I’m also looking at starting my own business soon. I want to become my own boss one day but it’s going to take money to start it and I’ll have to work.

Gym? I’ve added doing a HIIT class on Saturday’s and it’s been fun. I’m starting to define more of my arm and leg muscles. Hopefully my stomach and thighs follow soon.

Moving out? I plan to move out of my parents house by the end of the year. I would like to start the process of purchasing my own home. I’ve been working steadily for over two years but because I went to China, it may be difficult to prove I paid taxes (which is what one bank told me I needed it for).

My word for this year was: growth.

It took awhile for the cog to start to turn but growth is happening.

Minimalism update!!

I stopped buying plastic bottles. I now take the water from the tap, boil it, and “package it” in stainless steel and glass containers. I looked at how much I was wasting. I was doing terribly. It was actually a WASTE. I’ve juggled with becoming more eco-friendly but once I got tired of myself, I made the change, much like my weight-loss. I also don’t use plastic bags at the grocery store. I always have my reusable ones. When I get fruits and vegetables, I don’t grab the plastic to put them in. There’s no harm in my taters rolling around a bit.

Coming up?

I hope that everything goes well with the job and I can move somewhere soon. I want to start my own things. I want to be happy. And I’m reaching for happiness.

3 week fitness update

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So around 3 weeks ago, I had the urge to change my life. I knew it’d be difficult to join a gym and pay the monthly cost since I am still partially unemployed and what I do make can’t cover the cost of it monthly. I talked with my mom and she agreed to cover the cost until I get a full-time job. So on January 27, 2020, I signed up for the gym. I’ve been almost every day since I started (mostly due to PMS time). And I am starting to feel great.

I don’t think I’ve lost any weight in almost the month I’ve been going but I’ve been learning about myself. I know that I can absolutely do whatever I put my mind to. When I did weigh myself, I had gained a few pounds and I think that was mostly because I was trying to control my eating entirely too much and it backfired. I was actually under-eating according to MyFitnessPal. And then I realized that I…didn’t need to try to control my eating too much or I would become obsessed with the number and making sure the number almost put me under so I could burn more calories and lose weight faster.

And I get it. Numbers are obsessive. They can start to control your life if you let them but I refuse to. I have to stay strong and do this process right or it won’t work. The number one thing I’ve been trying to do is incorporate more vegetables/fruits into my diet. I’m experimenting with new recipes and still trying to learn what my body really likes.

I have to say, this beginning journey has taught me that I am stronger than what I think I am and I will always overcome whatever obstacle may be in my way.

This journey isn’t going to be easy and I know I won’t really make a dent into my weight loss until I speak to someone who knows more about eating ‘right’ and ‘for my body’ than I do. I went for an interview and I should be hearing from them soon. Hopefully, I get the job and then soon after, I’ll have insurance and the ability to go see a nutritionist and mainly, a therapist.

After a few months, I’ll be able to finally move from my small town and closer to the big city. If I do get this job, and I’m hoping and praying that I do, I’ll also be able to continue my craft of writing and become more environmentally friendly.

Here’s to hoping and praying! If you have any recipes or additional information for losing weight (not anything too dramatic), please leave some comments below!

Exer-Soul

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A week ago, I decided to get a reign on my health and I signed up for a free trial at a gym. The feels were there…being overweight and going to the gym has such a negative association that I often avoided it like the plague. When I lived in Shanghai, I joined a group called FitFam (this group can be found in major cities in China) and I started doing yoga. At least a few times a week. I remember my first class, it was 6:30am and I was scared and excited. I almost didn’t make it on time because China! And if you’ve lived in a monstrous city like Shanghai, you know it’s easy to get lost when biking or walking but not so much if you hail a taxi or call a driver.

I couldn’t believe I had gotten up at around 5:00am, got dressed and took the first train of the day to the inner city. I lived in Yangpu, a district south of Jing’an (city center), so it often times took me 30 minutes to an hour to commute, and this often meant a line transfer as well. But I made it! I did it! Every Monday and Tuesday for more than a month before I left, I went to yoga classes. I practiced and Joyberry studios (if you have a chance, please show your support for such an amazing space!), we practiced outside in Fuxing Park and at WeWork on West Nanjing. One day, I definitely added too much to my plate. I did 2 hours of dancing took a train to my 1 hour yoga class. That was the first time I’d ever put in so much effort to exercise.

What I’m saying is…find something you like to do. If you like to dance, go to a dance class. No matter what size you are! If you like yoga, go to a class. There are other people who have been in the same position. Shoot, I was in that position. I was scared of being judged because…here’s this fat chick trying to exercise. But I realized after watching a few YouTube videos, that it’s not about that. It’s about me! Everyone at the gym is there for almost the same reason. To get fit, lose weight, or promote a healthier lifestyle. But we all have our reason. Find out yours.

I’m not going to lie and say “oh, this is easy” or “oh, I just did it” because that’s not enough. Find your reason. If you need strength find it. Motivation can come from anyone and anywhere. If you even that the people closest to you won’t help you, look for an online community. Sometimes, they hold you more accountable than the people who you see everyday. My community is YouTube. My community is my best friend who went the same route. My strength comes from a promise I made to myself.

And talk to someone about it! I plan to see a dietitian, nutritionist, and a therapist because I know I am weak at points. I know that I’m not always self-motivated or enjoy the judgment that I believe working out can conjure inside my mind. My problem has never been eating, but it’s how I eat. What I eat. It’s always best to talk to people who are not on your side. That’s what important about therapy and speaking to someone. They’re unbiased. They’re trying to help you with a problem. They haven’t known you since you were born and see your countless “failures” (I write with quotations because every experience makes us who we are).

I hope that my words resonate with someone out there. If you need motivation, I’m here. You can message me on IG, YouTube, and basically anywhere. Let’s form a community. Let’s inspire.

Here is a wonderful YouTube video I found while at the gym. You’ll have to get past her workout routine if you want to hear her talk but she’s amazing and her words found a place in my exercise soul.