Joyful New Year!
Welcome Back!
First off, thank you for checking out the blog again. I know your time is precious, so I really appreciate you spending a few minutes with me! Let’s kick things off with a Joyful New Year! Every year offers a fresh opportunity to set new goals, so I’m asking you: What does that look like for you this year? Maybe it’s taking a trip overseas for the first time, reading a new book, reconnecting with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, or trying a new hobby. Whatever you choose, remember that the year is 365 days long—your goals don’t need to be accomplished by February 1st. Give yourself time, stay consistent, and keep pushing forward. I can’t stress that enough! I’m wishing you the best of luck with whatever goals you decide to pursue. And feel free to share any updates on your progress—I’d love to hear from you!
Fitness Check-In
It’s the first month of my training for the Murph challenge on Memorial Day, and so far, it’s been a solid start. The past two weeks have been EMOM-heavy, which is a great way for me to keep moving and get the pump I love. I’ve found that traditional strength training can feel a bit boring at times, but using EMOMs helps me stay engaged and lift for reps, which makes it more fun. Right now, I’m going lighter on my lower body to give my calves and achilles a break. I haven’t been diligent with resting these areas over the past year or so, so I’m taking this opportunity to prioritize recovery. Once spring rolls around, my training will shift to be more run-centric to prep for the 2-mile portion of Murph.
I was also gifted a weight vest for Christmas, so I’m excited to incorporate that into my training! It’s motivating to have something specific to train for—it definitely adds an extra boost to my workouts.
Diet Update
Snacking continues to be a struggle for me. I’ve been better about keeping fruits and veggies on hand, but I still tend to overindulge in processed snacks. On the plus side, I’m down a few pounds, which is progress. I’ll keep being mindful of when I’m snacking and work on avoiding mindless eating just because food is available. It’s a process, but I’m staying focused on improvement!
Magic Time!
Now, onto something a little different—Magic: The Gathering. After being in the game for about six months, I can confidently say I’ve found something I’m truly passionate about. Outside of the gym and reading, this has been an amazing outlet for me. The best part, though? The camaraderie. It’s been fantastic to connect with others over a shared love of chaos and strategy. I’ve built new friendships and strengthened old ones, and it’s been a lot of fun.
The game itself is such a creative form of expression, especially through deckbuilding and the individual playstyles of each player. Like most passions, it can be a bit consuming at times, but I know it’ll settle down eventually. I’m excited to continue embracing the Magic: The Gathering experience and see where it takes me.
My favorite deck to play is the food deck—it’s a surprisingly powerful and unassuming set of cards based around, well, food! The way it ramps up and becomes a threat to the table is awesome. Plus, it has a bunch of Lord of the Rings cards, which has inspired me to read the books. Who knew that a card game could lead me to explore something like that? I’m on book two now, so I’ll share my thoughts on the series once I finish.
Something to Ponder: Music
Now, a quick thought on music. I’m not claiming to be profound here, but I just wanted to share how much music has shaped my life, especially when it comes to fitness. There are so many artists—like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Bad Bunny, Big Sean, and many other artist —whose songs have carried me through tough workouts. Music has also helped me navigate through heartache and regret, reminding me that others have felt the same way I have, and that’s incredibly comforting.
Thank you to all the artists who create the soundtracks to our lives. I’ll leave you with a question: What’s one song that gives you that extra push during a workout, and what’s one that takes you back to a specific time or memory?
Here are my picks:
Travis Scott – My Eyes (straight fire in the second half)
Drake – Virginia Beach