How to stick to an Olympic weightlifting program while traveling long term

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How to stick to an Olympic weightlifting program while traveling long term

I had been training hard for the past year and a half before I decided to leave home. I had just come back from a year off work and I was slowly getting adjusted to training and working part-time. My numbers were going up and I was finally beginning to feel like I knew what I was doing. The gym no longer intimidated me. I felt strong. I felt empowered. And most of all I could snatch and clean and jerk. I had a routine and I loved it.

And then I decided to go on a trip of a lifetime and long-term travel.

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A stand against self-hate: #projectloveyourbody

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A stand against self-hate: #projectloveyourbody

Selfies can be therapeutic. Especially when you are a recovering self-hating girl who’s trying to find the beauty within herself. That’s me, a girl who is trying to love herself, a girl who is trying to reclaim her self-esteem.

I have negative body issues that I battle with every day. I've often been told that what I see in a mirror doesn't match how others view me. It used to be the case that with every photograph taken of me, it could make or break my day. A bad photo would leave me feeling vulnerable and shy. Negative feelings would take over and I’d start to feel awful about myself. But a good photo would cheer me up. It felt as if finally my outside matched how I felt on the inside: beautiful.

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Adventures with my Bullet Journal

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I have officially re-entered the world of journaling. I have been a long time journaler and have experimented with old school mediums like pencil/paint/pen and digital mediums like LiveJournal/Xanga/blogs. Even though the medium might be different, the idea is the same: jot something down so that you can take note of it later.

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When I quit my first professional job, I was left with lots of time on my hands. After I got my sweat on at the gym, I spent the remainder of my days crafting up a storm. I stumbled upon Zentangle and instantly fell in love. Suddenly my house was full of acid-free paper and dozens of Micron pens. And out came my Etsy shop. The business was successful and I started selling my artwork locally in San Francisco shops. Fortunately, and unfortunately, after a year I found myself with a full time job and less and less time to dedicate to my artwork.

“Jot something down so that you can take note of it later.”
— BOLD+FIT (Jen)
October 21, 2012 - My first art show

October 21, 2012 - My first art show

I had already proved I could run a successful business and had what it takes to market myself. Now with my full time job, my priorities shifted. I was also focused on trying to live a healthier lifestyle which meant more time at the gym. My artwork got bumped. Over the next few years I kept trying to revive it, with little to no success. My heart wasn't in it.

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However, last week something unexpected happened. My sister-in-law came to visit and she had mentioned that she had gotten into bullet journaling. I remember the kickstarter project, but hadn't paid too much attention to it. After a quick glance at #bulletjournal on Instagram I had decided that this was for me. I knew that this was going to rekindle my love for ink drawings and all things geometric. And with this #nomadictravel happening, I knew that I already had so many collections and lists that I wanted to write.

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Finally, after a day of deciding which notebook, I finally settled on a Leuchtturm 1917 Forest Green A5 Hardcover Dotted notebook. It's practical and adorable. I also picked up a few other supplies to help me along in my journey. Now my full arsenal for bullet journaling looks like this:

  • Leuchtturm 1917 Forest Green A5 Hardcover Dotted notebook
  • Sakura Pigma Micron Pens
  • Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens
  • 6" steel ruler
  • White-out tape
  • Zebra NC5 Highlighter Mildliner
  • 4 large binder clips (black/white)
  • Pocket Moleskine Black Grid notebook (used for testing out ideas and handwriting)
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Travel Fitness Update - Keep Lifting, Keep Climbing

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Overlooking wonderland lake

Overlooking wonderland lake

“And one day she climbed up a mountain only to discover that the beauty she was looking for was within her the entire time.”
— BOLD & FIT (Jen, about herself)

All of 2015 was dedicated to CrossFit, Olympic Weightlifting and my epic journey to lose weight. I was off to a rocky start at the beginning of 2016. I was desperately trying to lose weight and nothing was working. As plans for nomadic travel starting coming together, my stress levels were ridiculous and I couldn't seem to control my sleeping and my eating.

Fast-forwarded to now: it's almost mid-September and I'm finally getting into a good rhythm. I've found a great gym here in Boulder and have even met some awesome people! But more importantly I've been learning to balance my love for the gym and my love for the outdoors.

When I first decided to venture out of San Francisco, I knew that I wanted to stay fit and get outside more. I also knew that as my priorities would change as I started traveling. My taste for the outdoors have gotten stronger and as a result my lifting goals have taken a back seat. And I have to learn to be okay with that. I've been lifting at lighter weights and lower volume, but I'm still training. I'm making sure that my body doesn't forget how to do these dynamic lifts. And I'm also making sure that I push myself with my hikes. And lately I've been exploring more local and experiencing the open spaces that Boulder has to offer. I have one more month here in Boulder and I'm excited where my adventures will take me.

Traveling is difficult, but preparation is key. As my time here in Boulder winds down, I've already started to plan ahead for Austin. That means looking for a gym and adding to my hiking bucket list. Luckily I think I've already found an awesome gym!

Kill Assumptions and Prove Yourself Wrong

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Kill Assumptions and Prove Yourself Wrong

Have you ever had someone tell you that you can’t do something? I have, multiple times. And each time my stubbornness has driven me towards action. It’s like someone lit a fire under my ass and I find the strength and courage to do what I have to do to prove them wrong. But when my own self-doubt creeps in, it is difficult to have that "prove ‘em wrong" mentality. Instead, I find my big ego cowering in a corner whimpering “I can’t.”

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Accepting Who I Am

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There are some days when confidence levels are at an all time low. Those are the days where I wish I had just stayed home. Those are the days when I avoid mirrors. Those are the days when beautiful women set off my insecurities.

I used to hide in my room and not leave. I used to avoid social occasions and turn down opportunities because I was scared I'd be too self-conscious. Sadly those days aren't over. It's a constant battle. But now I'm choosing to put up a fight. And it's getting better every day.

I don't want to be that girl anymore. That girl who has to give up on life because her insecurities are too loud, too overbearing, too painful. I want to be the girl in the photo. The girl that can stand up to the world. The girl who isn't afraid. The girl who isn't intimidated by beauty, but embraces it. I want to be better. And it starts with me accepting who I am now so that I can be a better person tomorrow. #loveyourself

Originally Posted on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJNgYR0DTQB/?taken-by=bold.and.fit

My Mom is The Original Bold And Fit Woman

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My Mom is The Original Bold And Fit Woman

"On this trip my mom reminded me that at any age you can surprise yourself, challenge yourself and even laugh at yourself."
- BOLD & FIT (Jen)

I honestly don't think my mom knows how truly wonderful I think she is. She worked her ass off to give me the life that she thought would provide me with the most happiness. She stressed the importance of honesty, kindness and a strong work ethic. She gave me independence at an early age and because of that I never wanted to let her down. And even though I've gone down a very different path than what she had imagined for me, she respects my decisions and knows that I'm happy.

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Personal Reflections on Mirror Lake

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Personal Reflections on Mirror Lake

I went on a backpacking trip and I cried in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.

Yes, that’s right. I cried. 1 mile in. We hadn’t even hit the halfway mark.

You see, this was only my second backpacking trip. My first was amazingly fun and pretty easy-going. So I had high hopes that this trip was going to be just as good.

“Every step felt like torture.”
— BOLD & FIT (Jen)

 

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Do You. Be You.

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Do You. Be You.

There is so much pressure to live the perfect life. But what is the perfect life anyways? The beauty of it is: you get to decide.

We all grow up with a view of what our lives should look like. These views are shaped by our family, by our friends, by our education, and later by our significant others. And as much as we value their opinions, your life is yours and yours alone.

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