Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Welcome Yourself Home
Hi guys! 
I guess I flaked on the blog yesterday, eh? Well, to tell you the truth, the days since living here in Colorado are passing by at light speed, and that time has simply gotten away from me! It seems like yesterday I was in Florida, having cocktails with my parents on the patio:
I will tell you that I’ve been busy getting my work situation ready to go here. Along with training my online clients, I’ll also be working here at a gym as a personal trainer and small group trainer. I’m SO excited to be in the gym again and training. I’m loving training virtually more and more, but I seem to also need that counterbalance of 1-on-1 interaction. I’d probably turn into a hermit if I had to work at home all day every day!
Anyway, I’m super excited, and admittedly a little nervous, about starting in the new gym. First time meeting everyone at the new gym today!
So when I left Normal, every day for two weeks leading up to the big move, I realized each and every “last.” My last walk with Niko. My last drive to work. My last time getting ice cream at my favorite shoppe. And so on.
Now, I’ve been noticing I’m actively observing every “first” here in Colorado. My first snack. My first breakfast. My first FaceTime (the other night, with my parents.) My first (and second, and third) beer. And then last night, I took my first yoga class in Colorado.
Yesterday I signed up for a month membership at a local (like, a 5 minute walk, local – amazing) yoga studio. It’s mainly a hot yoga studio, which is funny, because I’ve never had the desire to do hot yoga in my life. I’ve just never seen the appeal of working out in 90+ degrees. Call me crazy.
But somehow, the sleek design of the studio and the visually appealing website pulled me in and enticed me to visit the studio. The next thing I knew, I was handing them my credit card and signing a waiver.
All day yesterday I’d planned on trying out the a hot vinyasa flow class that night, but then at the very last minute, I decided to go for the gentle yoga class, done in a regular temperature room. I’d had somewhat of an anxious day, and thought a more restorative class would be better for me (it was.)
During the class, we were in a heart-opening laying down pose (the technical name. ahem.) and the instructor was talking about opening our hearts and feeling love and what not. Then she said something that made my skin prickle:
Take the love you meet in your heart and welcome yourself home. Here, you are home.
Wow.
I know that it’s likely everyone in the class somehow related this declaration to their lives (omg that’s so meee!) but I seriously felt as if she were speaking to me. Yesterday I’d begun having anxiety and questioning wtf Shane and I packed up and moved across the country and if it really was the right thing for us*
*side note: when you falter and waver from being true to yourself and begin to follow the dogma of others’ beliefs and opinions, self-doubt takes effect. Be true to yo-self, yo.
In addition to the obvious literal perception of the message, I think the figurative meaning has a fabulous message as well. Here’s how I took it:
We are who we are. We’re unique, unparalleled, amazing individuals with talents, personality traits, and feelings God made for us and only us. For a reason. We need to recognize – and love – who we are, and welcome ourselves home.
At least that’s how I took it.
Take yesterday, for example. It was my first time meeting the owner of my gym, as well as the mock training session I had to complete for them. First impressions are everything, right!? Gotta impress people; gotta show them your best side! While that may be well and true, it’s even more important to show people – the universe– your real side. We are who we are.
And now that I’ve completely gone off the deep end with my crazy yoga speak, let’s lighten it up a little bit. Yes, I welcome myself home and I love myself. I also really love my new Colorado kicks I picked up yesterday.
I also really love this GF beer I’ve discovered since moving.
Ironically, it’s brewed in the Midwest. Go figure 
(Side note: a post-dinner blanket, beer, and housewives catch up? Amazing way to spend a Wednesday evening.)
The only thing I haven’t loved since moving is seemingly having to potty train Niko all over again, and subsequently, not having a fenced in yard anymore. Guffah.
All right. Time for some dead lifts, pull ups, and sprints for this girl. Now go love yourselves!
Your turn: Tell me one of the qualities you love about yourself!
Second question: Have you ever tried hot yoga? Thoughts??
PS – don’t forget to enter my giveaway to win one free month of online personal training from yours truly. Ends Monday!
I’m glad you’re settling in well!
And you’re going to have a great start to the new job! You’re such a sweetheart and a bad ass combined, so obvi you’re gonna rock it!
Amy @ Second City Randomness recently posted…New Year, New Chapter
My favorite quality about myself is that I’m an extremely determined and self-motivated individual. It sometimes can make me hard headed, but I think it’s a positive more than it’s ever been a negative.
And I’ve never tried hot yoga before. I just ragged on an old best friend of mine for going to her first class. I’m not big into yoga. I lack the patience. I want to do something intense…give me a boot camp class or some tabatas. I find my mind wandering too much when I do yoga. I sit there and think of what I got to do later that day. And I especially don’t work well in intense heat. I got heat exhaustion in 69 degree weather before. Granted I was extremely dehydrated as well, but none the less I do not do heat (not sure how I ended up in Georgia then!)
Sounds like you are starting to feel at home! I love that! I really want to try hot yoga. I think I would love it! Tony is pretty sure he would explode though. 🙂
I have been thinking a lot about what I like about me. The biggest thing is my willpower. Sometimes that can be a downfall, but I think it’s good for the most part.
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Friday Fodder!
honestly this was so great because i’ve been thinking like HOW DO YOU DO IT!? like just get up and go cross/midcountry and move your whole life?! You’ve been such a champ the whole way and Shane knows it too 🙂 You’re going to do awesome in Colorado! Yay for a new job and finding yourself through yoga 🙂 xoxo
juliegolean recently posted…chocolate chip egg nog muffins
I seriously love you with long hair and bangs – you’re too cute. I’m glad you’re settling in well in your new home! Hopefully Niko will get the hang of things soon. I’m sure she’s a little confused with everything going on! 😉
Thanks, Ashley! I keep on growing it out, haha. I’ll probably stop soon though.
I love your words of wisdom and I am so glad you are settling in so quickly! You have already scored yourself a job which is a great accomplishment!
What a great post! I love that message and that quote from your yoga teacher. What a beautiful way to look at life. I’m so happy to hear you’re settling in and hope you love the new gym!
Danielle (@CleanFoodCreativeFitness) recently posted…Another Year…A look back
Thank you, Danielle! Me too 🙂
I’ve only ever tried hot yoga once, but I enjoyed it! I really wish yoga studios were a bit more affordable, so I could go more often.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Six Months and Goal Talk–January.
Is it bad that I saw the TV in the background and could immediately identify not only the show (RHBH) but also the scene (Pilates)? Wait… Don’t answer that :).
Thanks for your intelligent words! As someone who hates change, I’m totally impressed with your smooth transition to another state!
Carly @ Snack Therapy recently posted…Cutting Out All Added Sugar
Ha! Awesome 🙂 I’m so behind on my reality TV.
I haven’t eve done hot yoga, although this summer it felt like it in some of the non-air-conditioned studios!
I love when a practice hits just the right spot like that – physically and mentally.
I love my open-mindedness.
Kacy recently posted…Comment on Non-holidays > Holidays by lowandbhold
Welcome home Paige:) I’m glad you are getting all settled in well! That is amazing you’ve already got a job set up, you rock! I’ve never done hot yoga, I don’t do well at all in extreme heat, probably because I have super low blood pressure…maybe, not too sure actually.
Lisa recently posted…Comment on A Follow Up by Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
Thanks, Lisa!
Wow, that phrase gave me such tingles! And this blurb from your post: “We are who we are. We’re unique, unparalleled, amazing individuals with talents, personality traits, and feelings God made for us and only us. For a reason. We need to recognize – and love – who we are, and welcome ourselves home.” <— um hi, YES YES YES!! He did make us this way for a reason, why are we not welcoming ourselves home more and more often?? LOVE this, LOVE that you went to THIS particular yoga class and heard THIS message just when you needed it most. God works in crazy ways doesn't he?
Jess recently posted…Run less…love it more?
Ha, I can totally relate to the ‘first’ and ‘last’ thing. I would get so emotional about every little last. Maybe because I was leaving my home country as well, so the effect was amplified. I know you will love hot yoga!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…The goal post
I have tried hot yoga and I was really nervous about it, but the heat didn’t really bother me too much.
Lee recently posted…Doing Nothing
Welcome to your new home! 🙂
I love this message. It means so much to me as my hubby and I just packed up our things and have moved from California to the DC area. I can’t wait to settle in and make this place feel like home real soon. I also feel we can begin to welcome ourselves home, even in the midst of all these changes. Finding comfort and peace within. Hope you enjoy your weekend in Colorado!
I’ve never done hot yoga, I feel like my yoga skills are not good enough yet to be able to handle the heat and the movements. But I’m excited that you feel home in CO! That state is so active, seems like a great place to live.
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
yes, I have tried hot yoga, i love it. My only issue was that it seemed that I was more flexible or able to push a little farther with the heat, so the following day I was sore in strange places, like the top of my head, but I do enjoy it
I feared hot yoga too..but decided to try it when a Groupon deal lured me in. I ended up loving it, the feeling of accomplishment afterwards….and like your entire body is just new to you somehow, it was great. I’m a fan of that GF beer too, it’s a good one!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted…A Body in Motion
Very cool that the yoga class SPOKE to you like that! Don’t you just love it when life sends you those signals loud and clear? 🙂
I did hot yoga once- back at the end of the summer. I had talked about doing it for a good two years, and then finally did. I LOVED it- but wouldn’t go in the morning again (I went to a 90 minute 9:00 am class). I was WIPED by the end of the day! Completely useless! I promise that I’ll go to one with you in Colorado. And then we can go drink some local beers.
I’m so excited for you and your new career- it’s going to be so great! People out there are just the best.
Something I love about me? The fact that as I’ve gotten older, I’m much more assertive and don’t take anyone’s sh*t. I go after what I want. And, I like my big strong legs. 🙂
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted…Resolution & Happy Things Jar
Deal! 😀 And PS you are awesome.