I Passed!

I'd been so nervous about taking the Group Exercise Instructor exam that I could've psyched myself out.  This was my first exam since 2005 so I hadn't a clue how to study or anything.  I think that's funny because I never had a problem before!

I arrived at the IvyTech campus on the south side of the beautiful Fort Harrison yesterday afternoon.  I hadn't been up there in years so I'd forgotten how peaceful it was.  The room numbers were a little weird walking down the hall (with completely empty/stripped rooms on the way).  I found the testing room and got all checked in.  They have you do a practice test to accommodate yourself with the program.  Man, those questions were hard since they were on completely random topics and I knew nothing about several of them!

You're allotted 2 hours to take the exam from the time you click the button to start.  The timer ticked away in the top left of the screen; that was a bit distracting to me.  You could mark the questions you weren't sure about and go back at any time.  I completed all 120 questions in just under an hour.  When I got back out to the car I shared a picture of the exam passed letter across social media.

I was strongest in domains 3 & 4 which I think is very appropriate for Wellness Coaching since I'm not planning on actually teaching any fitness classes.  Coaches need to be strong in engagement and leadership of their clients and be savvy in all the administrative and legal stuff.  Next up is getting my CPR certification before they'll send me the actual GEX certificate.  The Red Cross offers the classes with exam several times a month so I can schedule that any time.

Have you ever surprised yourself on an exam?

THURSDAY I did Jillian Michael's Body Revolution Phase 2 Workout 5.

FRIDAY I did Yoga with Adriane Yoga Camp Day 4 - I Awaken.

SATURDAY I did Phase 2 Workout 6.

MONDAY I did Yoga Camp Day 5 - I Am Alive.  I was alive with anticipation for the GEX exam.

YESTERDAY I did Phase 2 Workout 7.

When I went to Weight Watchers last night I had to pay for the first time EVER.  I was the same weight as the beginning of the month but over the system goal weight of 150 lbs.  I see no way that I'm going to lose 4.6 lbs over the next week to prevent me from having to pay another $15 next week so I might not be returning for a while.  I was on a high from passing the exam that I didn't tell anyone this at the meeting.

TODAY I did Cardio 2.

Linking up with

Jill for Fitness Health & Happiness

MississippiPiddlin & HoHo Runs

#MotivateMe Monday with Fitness Cheerleader, Running Rachel, & Run Mommy Run

Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup with Marathons & Motivation & IlkasBlog

Brand New ME Upper Body Workout

THURSDAY I did Yoga with Adriene's Yoga Tone - Yoga for Weight Loss session.

FRIDAY was Kelly Coffey-Meyer's Lift in Full Throttle Olympic Lifting.  Austin was dropped off as normal; it was like the ex's blow up (in front of him) never happened.  Will see what the future holds.

SATURDAY I mixed it up trying to do my own thing.  I picked some exercises from this upper body workout I created for one of the ladies in my fitness community.  It took me about an hour to get through only 8 because I had to change the weight plates on my adjustable dumbbells.  Instead of the groups as listed I jumbled them up and picked the 8 and did them as a drop set.

I've been playing with the Personal Trainer Plan App to play with creating strength training workouts.  It's in Beta testing so there's a lot of kinks to be worked out.  I couldn't get the sets to work or the print out to come out right so I put it all in Canva to make the image.  How does my first workout look?  Please try it out and let me know what you think!

SUNDAY I started studying for the GEX exam.  OMG I don't remember how to study!  I have no clue how to review this material to be able to remember it all.  Any pointers?

The ex picked up Austin like the annoying boyfriend, sitting in the driveway honking.  That'll get old fast so I may have to say something about it.

MONDAY I did Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution Cardio 1 workout.

The two Momentum Jewelry wraps arrived for me to give away to two people who're needing that little boost of inspiration.  I haven't decided how I'll give them away yet but I'm ready to help #ShareTheSpark!  If you'd like to pick up your own wrap visit their website and enter the code FFspark15 to save 15% off your order through the end of May.

YESTERDAY I did Body Revolution Phase 1 Workout 1.

TODAY I woke up tired and Benny could see it so I went with Yoga Day Camp Day 3 - I Embrace.

Linking up with

Jill for Fitness Health & Happiness

MississippiPiddlin & HoHo Runs

#MotivateMe Monday with Fitness Cheerleader, Running Rachel, & Run Mommy Run

Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup with Marathons & Motivation & IlkasBlog

Cincinnati, Custody Issues, and Certification, OH MY!

THURSDAY I did Jillian Michaels' Killer Body Lower Body workout.  That afternoon I finally decided on fitness goals for the year.

A photo posted by Cassandra Schmigotzki (@longandwindingroadtowellness) on Mar 2, 2016 at 1:49pm PST

FRIDAY I did Killer Buns & Thighs Level 1 again.  With 2 leg days in a row I thought it would be a problem but it wasn't!

SATURDAY we picked up a Volvo from Enterprise and drove to the West Chester, OH (AKA Cincinnati), IKEA store to check out some shelving for the front room (where I workout).  We went with the intention to get one line but Benny decided on another line.  It looks like this but one of the doors is wood not glass.  Ordering the setup online is actually cheaper for shipping than having the store ship.  So Benny has to finalize how many we need and get them ordered.  I wanted to stop by Jungle Jim's afterwards but we were exhausted so we headed home.

SUNDAY I did Amy Bento-Ross' Drop Set Strength workout, the chest, back, and shoulder portions.

When my ex picked up Austin, Benny was trying to find out why he wasn't signing the IEP.  My ex got pissed off and stormed out saying that he might not be letting Austin come back to my house again.  Does anyone have any experience with custody modification involving a teenager?  Please email me and let me know your story as we may have to go this route.

MONDAY I woke up sore in my shoulders and upper back so I did one of the Yoga with Adriane videos.  This one happened to go with the #ChooseSelfLove concept.

My ex texted me on his lunch break saying he was leaving it up to Austin whether or not he's coming over and that Benny has no right telling my ex what to do in regards to Austin, especially since he's not working.  My coworker said to not respond to that so my response is only where he won't see them (i.e. private online groups and this blog).  I have a feeling that Austin may say he doesn't want to come over because we don't have the gaming systems to play with.

I have scheduled my Group Exercise Certification Exam for March 29th at 1:30 pm!

YESTERDAY I did the biceps, triceps, and core portion of Amy's DVD.

TODAY I did the legs portion.

Linking up with

Jill for Fitness Health & Happiness

MississippiPiddlin & HoHo Runs

#MotivateMe Monday with Fitness Cheerleader, Running Rachel, & Run Mommy Run
Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup with Marathons & Motivation & IlkasBlog

Dream It Real 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Looking back at the goals I set for 2015 I feel that the only thing I accomplished was maintaining weight, and that was a struggle with all the health issues that decided to pop up over the year.

This year I've decided to try out Monica at The Yogi Movement's template for setting my 2016 goals.

Here are some highlights of things I accomplished this year:

1. I maintained my goal weight by continuing as I have been.  I ate a little more, allowed a little more splurges, committed to at least one rest day a week, and switched the focus of my workouts more to strength training than cardio.
2. I walked my first two 5Ks this year (weather prevented the 3rd).  I now have no problem walking this distance during my lunch break if there's nothing to pick up at the farmer's market.
3. I had the hysteroscopy with polypectomy (my first surgery) with no issues or need for post-op medications.

What's not working?  What do I need to let go?

Here are a couple of things that are holding me back from living my dream:

1. Too much time online and not getting ANY customers.  I had no sales whatsoever in Beachbody products this year.
2. Not enough self-care. My nightly reading isn't enough. I need to get out in public and do more things like those TORC treatments Benny and I did.
3. Not remembering my accomplishments.  You'd think this would be an easy task. For some reason I just can't recall much.

Where should I focus my goals for 2016?  Ranking the areas from 1-10 (1=worst, 10=best) on whether or not I'm happy where things are currently:

Physical Health     9

Mental Wellbeing     7

Environment     3

Finances     5

Family & Friends     3

Husband     3

Career/Purpose     5

Growth/Continuing Education     5

Pure Joy/Hobbies     3

Spirituality     3

Goal #1:  Group Exercise Certification by 31 March

To accomplish the goal of earning my Group Exercise Certification from NETA by the end of March I need to:

• Convince Benny that this is the best route for me. He's not convinced but OK with the expense.
• Contact NETA to obtain the authorization to take the Group Exercise Instructor exam at a Comira testing center and pay the $239 fee. - called 2/22, received paperwork 2/27.
• Purchase study materials (pick one)
• Basic Group Exercise Package $79 (manual & workbook)
• Premier Group Exercise Package $129 (manual, workbook, practical skills, education department support, & $10 voucher for CECs) - ordered 1/15, received 1/19
• Contact Comira to schedule the test at a time that's convenient. - scheduled 3/7 for the 29th
• Pass the exam. - DID IT!
• Go through CPR certification. - Scheduled 4/4 for the 21st DONE (waiting on card to be mailed)

This goal feels like Neil Armstrong taking that step onto the moon - "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Goal #2:  Wellness Coaching Certification by 30 June

To accomplish the goal of earning my Wellness Coaching Specialty Certification from NETA by the end of June I need to:

• Accomplish goal #1.
• Contact NETA to obtain the authorization to take the Wellness Specialty Coaching exam at a Comira testing center and pay the $329 fee.
• Purchase study materials
• Keep manual from goal #1.
• Gavin, J. & McGready, M. Lifestyle Wellness Coaching $69
• Clifford, D. & Curtis, L.  Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Wellness $30 - Recommended not required but on my wishlist for the Nutrition & Fitness portion not covered by the book below.
• Miller, W. & Rollnick, S.  Motivational Interviewing:  Helping People Change $65 - Ordered from Amazon, saving ~$17
• Practice Exam $10
• Contact Comira to schedule the test.
• Pass the exam.

This goal will make me feel ready to step into coaching for profit instead of doing everything pro bono.

Goal #3:  Attend and Enjoy FitBloggin'

To attend my first blogging conference - FitBloggin' (since it's here in Indy) in July.  Because I bought my pass before the end of the year I saved 50% from being a SweatPink Ambassador!

This goal will make me feel knowledgeable and hopefully also come away with new friendships for regular meet-ups that I have wanted for quite some time.

 Goal #4:  Purchase a Laptop by 30 June

Since my laptop is on it's last leg I need to purchase a new one.  To buy one by the end of June I need to:

• Save ideas to an Amazon wishlist.
• Set a budget.
• Research and determine all my must have features.
• Decide if I want just a laptop, a 2-in-1, or a separate laptop and tablet (leaning more towards this option to use the tablet for personal and laptop for business). - Got the tablet already but no laptop yet.
• Order it!

Goal #5:  Start Earning Money from Coaching by 31 December

To start earning money by the end of the year I need to:

• Develop and price fee-based packages.
• Add this information to the website and various online profiles.
• Promote my services across social media.
• Promote the free Brand New Me Facebook community as a part of my services.
• Set a goal income figure for coaching.

Goal #6: Living My Word of the Year

I've never gone along with choosing a word before so this will be an experiment.

I'm finding that one time I find something makes me happy then the next time I experience it I feel something other than happy. This makes me question whether or not the previous experience truly brought me happiness.

To live my word of the year I'm going to:

• Make a happiness "jar" to record the good stuff happening in my life. The ones I saw on Pinterest were for a daily record but I think that would be too stressful for me. I'll do weekly sheets and note what happened.
• Read books focusing on happiness. There's actually a Self-Help category on Amazon for this so it'll be easier to discover the right books for me - Discovering Your Happy.

How was your 2015? What are you looking forward to in 2016?

Linking up with Jill's Living a Life of Fitness Health and Happiness.