Sprinting challenge over!!!! Thank you lord Jesus (Praise hands) Ok but if I’m being 100% honest I flaked on the challenge. Weeks 1 and 2 went very well. I ran daily and stuck to a routine. Week 3 and 4 I realized I jumped in too deeply, even athletes don’t run sprints everyday. I was bugging thinking I could. I was getting spasms in my hamstrings so badly. I was actively stretching for an hour a day to keep loose , doing my yoga focusing on my hip flexors and legs, but I was still hurting. To break up all the running, but still utilizing my legs and my entire body, I decided to incorporate some Zumba classes. Luckily there are 6 Zumba classes in the evening every week that I have access to. I still was sweating crazy amounts daily even if not from running. Week 4 I primarily did zumba and towards the end of the week I came down with a sinus infection that caught me all the way off guard, and a double ear infection and took a mini vacay to ATL but I managed to at least go for walks and do a little bit while my body was recovering. Soooooo…… 30 days of sprinting was a bust but I switched it up and just got moving all month.

 

I managed to get my skin care routine on track. I was struggling with an oily smell on my skin and a bad case of bacne on my back but I’m glad to say I’ve sorted all that out. I have since changed my body wash, moisturizer, deodorant, and body butters and no more bumps and I smell glorious. (dancing salsa girl emoji) I can only assume my body was producing more oils due to a combination of things like sweating, bathing multiple times a day, more exfoliating, my skin was dry AF and it was trying to get regulated so I added more moisturizing agents into my routine and all my issues are laid to rest!

So now we hit Novembers challenge.

Novembers challenge was a sensual/Sexy challenge. People have always said that I have a certain energy that comes off very flirty and charming and although that’s flattering, but I’m not a child any longer and I wanted to exude sexiness and sensuality. No, that doesn’t mean showcasing my assets, but I did that a few times and it is liberating to show what you want (as little or as much) and own it. My body belongs to me, make no mistake about that. Starting off this challenge I really wanted to be sexier and just overall feel better about the skin I am in.

Coming from an emotionally abusive relationship I was always forced to cover up, was called a whore if I even exposed the lower half of my back. I honestly lost my self-value in that time frame and I had no clue where to start. Newsflash! Sexy and sensual are different. Who knew! I opted to take dance classes that allowed me to explore touching myself in ways that celebrated myself and moving my body in the ways I always knew it could but I never allowed it to. I really enjoyed them. I used to take belly-dancing classes in Florida and I have not been able to replace that here in NY oddly enough, but its all good because there are tons of other classes to try out. I’m not into strip clubs, so I instead I opted to do the cabaret clubs and I fell in love with it. I also opted to sleep naked this month. How can I expect to love the skin I’m in if its always covered up. Can we say confidence booster?!? Honestly one of the best things I’ve done for myself because the way I love my body now as opposed to before is on another level. My body is far from perfect but I am loving it, every inch of it, large or small. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want to make it healthier.

December, I opted for another physical challenge. This month I started boxing classes and I found out I really enjoy boxing. I don’t know if there are issues I’m working through with the bag but connecting my gloves with the bag is therapeutic. I enjoyed it so much I continued to box through January, I’m still in the classes. New fav!!

January, I took some time off from work to play a little before I really settled into the New Year stuff. I worked Mon-Wed and gave myself Thursday to Sunday to explore. I went to shows, self care retreats, did some deep self work. This year I needed to do some inventory on letting go, losing people and material possessions and really allow myself the space to play with some new ideas. My 30-day challenges have done, so far, exactly what I wanted them to do. I’m growing and achieving and now its time to really get back on track, get focused and really start to focus on this new version of life I’ve come to know. No longer a Miami girl, no longer a Cali girl, this girl is now a New Yorker and this time I’m owing that.

I will be switching up the site a bit so stayed tuned for that over the next couple weeks and I will be a ton more vulnerable, as that part of my 30^th intention so be prepared to see a lot more of me and my talents. Cooking up some things in the kitchen. Stay tuned!