Friday, September 2, 2016

The Bump is Ever Growing.


Happy Friday Friends!
The Bump is Ever Growing and I am flowing right along with it as it does. It has not been an easy pregnancy by any means in comparison to my first. But the Ups & Downs of this pregnancy are a part of the journey. And as we know, the journey does not stop here!

We (baby and myself) made it safely into our second trimester and out of the first. I thought there for a while I was going to find myself lying in my own mess for the remainder of this pregnancy, but odds are no longer against us. I seem to be getting around a bit more, working a whole lot more, and eating more. I wish I could say this has been one heck of a healthy pregnancy (food wise) but it hasn't been in my opinion. I started off eating eggs, broccoli, greens, grains and the fruits, but that quickly took a turn around the 6 week mark. I couldn't stand the sight of or smell of anything remotely healthy. I went through this emotional episode of feeling horrible in my mind for the choices of food I was eating, but at the same time I was just grateful to be eating something, anything!

As a fitness instructor and lover of fitness, I felt guilty for these habits I had acquired. I felt as though I was neglecting my daughter and what her needs were as far as growing & developing properly. Then to hear I had lost weight during pregnancy. What? Really?
I had never anticipated losing weight, nor would I even attempt to try, unless the Doctor had recommended it. They say, no two pregnancies are alike. Isn't that the down right truth!!!

Oddly enough, I can't even remember what week I am right now. Why was it so easy to remember every stage of my first pregnancy with Whistler, and with my second I am having such a difficult time remembering almost anything. I know I passed though week 25, I think I am almost out of week 26, so I must be headed towards week 27 of my pregnancy. I'll have to ask my Doctor when I see her next week, just to be sure! Anyone else feel like they can't keep track of their pregnancy???

I can feel baby girl moving around in there more than I could a couple of weeks ago. I truly enjoy the feels of her flutters and the push of strengths against me. We were able to get her to give her daddy and her brother a sweet little kick or maybe it was an upper cut to their cheeks. That was fun for Whistler to experience. We try and talk with her every single day in hopes that she will get to know us a little before she arrives. We don't want to scare her away from our family, so a gradual introduction should help her ease into the Nelson/Myers family. LOL...

As I mentioned, I am working a whole lot more during this pregnancy, I just received a sub-request to cover two upcoming yoga classes during September. Ha! I'll cover and teach as long as baby and I are feeling good enough to keep going. This week I have already taught my own weekly classes plus the addition of two extra days (4 classes). Let me just say, September you are not slowing down for me this month, oh no you are keeping me one busy pregnancy mommy. I do love what I get to do, so I want to continue teaching classes as long as I can before the arrival of little one. (As most of you know I have already given up running for the most part, if any running occurs these days its short and super sweet or super short and somewhat sweet! Running just hasn't felt comfortable with the amount of headaches I get and slightly uncomfortable to the belly too.) Please know I am being safe and listening to my body and my baby the best I know how.

I have had many of you who follow or know me, ask me, when I am going to go on maternity and how long will I take after baby is born. Well, I don't have the exact answers to these two questions. I can say, as I have been saying all along, that I will continue to keep doing what I am doing until I cannot do it anymore safely. I obviously want to keep the interest of my babies health first priority and if she continues to be growing & developing without any complications, then I will continue my fitness journey right along with her. And as we all know, anything can change along the way... I still have a ways to go. We still have to early December before the arrival.

And so with Whistler, I had to have a cesarean delivery (also know as a c-section) and with Hutson (our daughter to be) we will again be having a c-section. My Doctor mentioned that this time around it will be planned so we will talk about a due date in the weeks coming and make plans from there. I will know more once we have this conversation in regards to exactly when she will be here. If you are wondering why I had a c-section the first time pregnancy, here is why: ( I did not dilate past 6cm, my water never broke, I was having severe back labor and eventually Whistler's heart rate was getting to high, so the Doctor at that time called for a cesarean. I should also mention Whistler had a pretty good size head, so a vaginal delivery could have caused for some extra complications.) Now I have heard about a VBAC (a vaginal birth after a cesarean), but I strongly choose not to go that direction. If I did choose that path, I would have to find myself a new Doctor and make a trip to Oahu where they perform VBAC's. I will stay here on the Big Island and deliver at Kona Community Hospital where I have two lovely labor nurse/friends/yoga students/run partner who will hopefully be working the same night I deliver and we can all share the arrival of Hutson together. You two know who you are:)

Where did we come up with the name Hutson Leone-Lynne Nelson??? Hutson is a family name on Nick's side (it was his grandma Sivia's last name) Leone-Lynn is a combination of Nick's mothers middle name (Leone) and my mothers middle name (Lynn) and Nelson well of course belongs to Nick! No need for Myers to be a part of our children's name (that's a story in itself, for another day another time.)

I am truly enjoying the ups & downs of this pregnancy. It is a beautiful journey that I love to share with all of you. I am happily taking on more the ups these days and eating a bit more healthy too, which makes my mental state more secure. I am just looking forward to meeting Hutson. I love how much I already love her and I haven't even met her yet. Motherhood is more than I could have ever ever ever imagined or dreamed of. Oh the wonders of being a mommy of two!!!





Here is a little bit of Name Fun - Nick found for me about our children's names:

What Does Name "Whistler" Mean

To express itself, you must follow the divine law of love. You have great persistence and hate to give up. You are a good mixer, charming, magnetic and intuitive. The spirituality is the key to success.You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.


What Does Name "Hutson" Mean

You attract success and money. You are a lover of nature and do not need others for your happiness. You are self sufficient. You strive for material success and power and have business sense. You possess strong organizational abilities, can be a good manager, and executive by nature. You are capable of great achievement in business and finance.Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.You are very intuitive. You have a reservoir of inspired wisdom combined with inherited analytical ability, which could reward you through expressions of spiritual leadership, business analysis, marketing, artistic visions, and scientific research. Operating on spiritual side of your individuality can bring you to the great heights, and drop you off if you neglect your spiritual identity. You are always looking for an opportunity to investigate the unknown, to use and show your mental abilities, to find the purpose and meaning of life. You want to grow wise and to understand people and things. You need privacy to replenish your energy. You have a unique way of thinking, intuitive, reflective, absorbing.



 Thank you Readers for sharing my journey with me....If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Love Always,
Brooke

@Breathebrooke via Instagram & Twitter
 

Sunday, August 21, 2016

That's a wrap & it's time to go back!

Let me introduce you to my 6 year old son, Whistler. He's adorable and I love him with all of my heart, but.....
This kiddo will not sleep a night through in his own bed....

 Yes, summer break has officially ended here on the Big Island. Kids are back to school, full swing into their 3rd week (Well at least my son is into his 3rd week already.) Waiting in long lines to pick up while your car sits in idle or parking almost a mile away to walk to pick up (it's quite a circus show at the elementary school to be quite honest.) Not that I didn't miss that, I didn't, but it sure is nice to have Whistler back in school
(where the teachers are smiling, making jokes, and most of all teaching our children (that part I always appreciate.))

Summer break was awesome & Whistler had the privilege of attending art camp for 5 weeks over summer. Something that was far out of our budget, but thankfully a scholarship made it possible for him to attend. It was by far one of the most rewarding experiences he has had opportunity to experience and appreciate himself.

Now it's time to sit down and get back into the school year habit. Staying up late is over kiddo!!! That's right, it's back to bed early!

Parents, here's where you come in: how do I get my 6 year old to sleep in his bed through the night? Something our son has never been very good at...
At times I've let it go and allowed him to come sleep in our bed, but being pregnant, I cannot take it anymore. It's enough I've got long arms that pretty much need a bed for themselves, but to add to it a little one in between us every single night. Come on already, just sleep in your own bed please!

I feel I've tried option after option, sometimes I start strong & strict, but that eventually fails and we are right back to "monkey in the middle."

I was chatting with my friend on the phone the other afternoon, asking for advice on how she got her kiddos to sleep through the night. "Sleep Chart" Fantastic Idea, I am going to give that a try. Right after I hung up, I googled &  checked out pinterest. There were all kinds of ideas that I thought possibly would interest my son. He's a Lego fanatic, so I eventually found a Lego Chart at www.rewardcharts4kids.com. I printed out  two different charts I thought Whistler (my son) would be interested in and collected my thoughts on how to bring this up to my 6 year old son. I've always been the mom that has " Real" talks with him, so I went with the straightforward approach. Or maybe I used the approach recommended - start with a 10 day chart, for each night your child sleeps in a row, child gets a sticker. 10 stickers is equal to one Lego Kit. After the 10 day chart is complete we move into a 20 day chart, which the reward increases. If the child breaks at any point, you start back at day one. It is pretty straight forward and easy to follow. I was concerned about whether or not my son was going to take it serious or not act interested altogether.




Here's what we have experienced:

Day1: Whistler (my son) slept in his bed until what I thought was the morning when my alarm went off. It was 5:49 am and I headed up stairs to check on him, only to find his daddy sleeping with him. At first I smiled, but then shook my head in slight disappointment. Daddy claims he wasn't in there all night and Whistler claims he had no idea. Hmm!

Day 2: Whistler slept in his bed until 4:30-4:45am in the morning. I heard him using the restroom and could see his light was turned on. I to my surprise was shocked to see it was almost 5am. He then went back into his room (not to sleep) to play toys. I went upstairs and at that point said he could come snuggle with us for another hour before he needed to get up for school. Needless to say, I am happy with day 2.

Day 3: It's 5: 30am and Whistler is still asleep in his bed. Yippy for day 3!!!And mommy got some extra rest too! Now it's time to wake him up and get ready for another school day.

Day 4: Slept in his own bed through the entire night! Score!!

Day 5: Again, slept through the entire night!

Day 6: Whistler woke up about 12 midnight for a drink of water (I forgot to leave him a cup full in his bathroom for him) and then went back upstairs by himself to sleep. No fuss! He woke up at 5:30 again and from that point I heard him in the living room and asked if he wanted to come snuggle a bit with us. Sunday Morning Snuggles it was.
Whistler has completed 6 straight nights in his own bed, in his own room! I think it's working!!

I am learning that consistency is the key. I had to be strict if I thought perhaps this sticker rewards chart could be of any help at all. So far I would say it has! In the beginning I wasn't necessarily sure it would play out with Whistler, but his love for Lego's must be enough to convince himself to sleep in his own bed through the night.My child loves Lego's and has been saving his own money to buy the Volcano Lego Set, but now we can help him as a reward for his sleeping success.

A few more days left with our first real attempt at sleeping through the night, I am feeling very confident that our son will achieve the 10 days and begin our 20 day sticker reward chart as to follow. I will keep you all posted on how the rest of this experience goes. If you have any suggestions or comments in regards to your experiences with your children and sleeping in their own beds through the night, I would love to hear. I am always open to different ideas, different parenting approaches.






Thanks so much,

Brooke

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Let's Talk Inversions: During Pregnancy.






Okay okay, I know you're ready and raring to be the first to give your input ( opinion ), but please keep it fresh & friendly!

Inversions are often taken so serious for a number of different reasons. I guess just looking at a single body with its legs up in the air is enough to catch the eye.

I often go eyes wide like a "deer in the headlights" when I see someone upside down. It gets my heart pumping full of adrenaline. I become "inversion struck" you could say...

I'm not going to try and tell you how to invert or what inversions you should or should not being doing.

I'm not going to give you research by the latest OB/GYNOBGO&G or Obs & Gynae. 
No, you can go Google or YouTube or whatever in your own time. I'm simply going to give you my " I'm Not A Doctor" thoughts or opinion in regards to inverting during pregnancy.

Here I go:
•Do it already!
•Get upside down & get your legs up over your head! Just like that!
•Hold it as long as you can and don't come down until you are red in the face and numb in your toes!
•Don't Breathe.
•Get into the most uncomfortable inversion for the very first time. Yes practice something new.
•And be sure to not to fart!!! Passing wind during pregnancy is dangerous for both you and the baby... 

OMG I AM COMPLETELY KIDDING.. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS RIDICULOUS NONSENSE... I AM TRYING TO BE FUNNY!!!

My personal feelings ( truthfully ) in regards to inversions during pregnancy has to do with listening to your body. Yes, Listen To YOUR body... As with all yoga, fitness, exercise you have to learn to listen to your own personal needs. Your bodies needs. You newly growing babies needs. I believe your baby is smart enough to let your body know whether or not a typical or non typical inversion is right for you.

I always talk to my baby & my body. I listen when my body feels tired or down right exhausted. In cases of feeling exhausted, I may choose not to invert for not only my babies safety, but my very own. During the first few months of pregnancy, I was often nauseous & headaches galore, so inverting wasn't always an option for me or only lasted 30 seconds at the most.

Now that I'm in my second trimester inversions feel quite wonderful to be honest. Well most of the time.Handstands tend to be my go to inversions during this pregnancy (which doesn't surprise me considering the amount of hand standing I practiced pre-pregnancy.)

Which brings me to the topic of: Do not be a fool and try something brand new to your practice during pregnancy. That's just common sense... Carrying a baby is more work for your body. Your body is working harder, don't forget that like I have!

I'd like to think I have a fairly adequate inversion practice. Therefore, I continue to invert during pregnancy. I practice anything from headstand with lotus legs, pincha mayurasana, handstand that meets scorpion, and on occasion the plow pose often modified into candlestick variation. Sometimes I like to just get my head below my heart with legs up the wall or uttanasana (standing forward fold.) It's a mood thing for me; what is my body feeling like practicing in the moment, what is my mood?


Candlestick Pose


pincha mayurasana / forearm stand



Handstand with a slight touch of 1/2 scorpion

Shoulder Stand



I do go through a series of warming up (that is the best for my body) before practicing inversions. I've noticed during this pregnancy my body is often more sore and needs a little more ground time stretching it out, so I stretch it out.

And you might notice my photos are using my good friend the Wall. Don't be afraid to use the Wall during your inversion practice. I don't necessarily need the Wall support, but in some situations I just want it. Yup! I just want it!! It's fun to change the shape of your inversions and relax a little longer when using the wall... Try it some time if you haven't already.

Now I've seen pregnant women at every stage of pregnancy inverting. I most recently came across a 9 month  pregnant woman practicing scorpion. I'm not sure my back will allow my body to practice such an amazingly intense back bend at 9 months, let alone 6 or 7, since I'm only at 5 months. Just the other week I was able to fully control my body from a press handstand into a gentle scorpion connection. I didn't feel the need to hold the posture for minutes, nope just a few moments was all my body needed. It felt great!!!

We are all different, each pregnancy is different ( I'm beginning to fully recognize) and really for myself I'll take it one practice at a time, one breath at a time... and I recommend you do the same. Remember what another pregnant woman can do, doesn't necessarily mean you can do.

You have to dig deep within yourself, respect yourself enough to know when enough is enough and most of all LISTEN. Listen to your body, listen to your baby. Listen to you and what feels good or right in the moment. How are you feeling? How does it feel on my body in this particular inversions? Take a moment to ask yourself questions in regards to how you feel.





Remember Not to Be So SERIOUS!!!
Have fun with your Pregnancy!!




If you still do not trust yourself with inversions during pregnancy, then go
do the research for yourself. Take the time to ask questions, read, and study. You will eventually come across something that strikes a nerve with you, resonates with you. 

I did the research, I still do. I read. I try and take time watching other pregnant yogi's via social media and in person when I can. If I don't like what I read or see, then I continue to research some more. Everyone will have an opinion. That is just the truth of it. Some individuals will even try and pass their opinions off as facts, but there will be no supporting evidence to back it up. 
Since this pregnancy, I have been told directly by a prenatal teacher that I should no longer practice inversions at 7 months pregnant. It kind of seems to be the common piece of advice given by prenatal teachers, if you will. I have heard from other pregnant yogi's, they too have been told this very same thing. Why? For there is a possibility of the baby rotating within the womb. Do you want to know what I am thinking??? I think I am more concerned with practicing the Goddess Pose or Malasana later in pregnancy due to the possible push of my baby out of my vagina. I had to have a c-section with my first pregnancy and will be having another c-section with my second pregnancy, so a baby coming out of my vagina in such poses as the two mentioned above, FREAK me out more than the idea of my baby flipping at 7 months. 

Let me just say, I love inversions and will listen to my body. I can assure you of this! I will not intentionally place my baby in harm, nor will I pretend to be the "KNOW IT ALL" of pregnancy, let alone, inversions. I am simply leaving you with my OPINION. For those of you who been asking how long I will be practicing inversions & yoga in general during this pregnancy: I say I would love to continue to practice all the way up to the moment I give birth. I can not give you an exact time frame, just my thoughts of what I hope to accomplish, what I hope my body can accomplish. I promise you this: I WILL LISTEN TO MY BODY ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS PREGNANCY and there after, just as I tend to do.

So yeah, Invert Already!! LOL

Much love & Respect to all of you and your (Opinions too!)

- Brooke

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Tuning in this Trimester: My Pregnancy thus far.


Meditating in the moment of my pregnancy listening to some soft tunes on my 66 Audio Wireless Bluetooth headphones.


Maybe having a second baby six years later isn't as easy as my first, but it's definitely worth every trip to the toilet. Yup that's right, second pregnancy has had it's occasional morning sickness, which isn't always in the morning, so why do they even call it morning sickness.

I'm now 15 weeks and thought it's about time I sit down and write a thing a two I've experienced first trimester. No this pregnancy hasn't come as easily as it did with my son. For one I was 28 years old, 29 when I delivered Whistler. I am now 34 and will be 35 when I deliver this new bundle of joy developing inside of me.

Not that I think I'm old by any means, just a bit less energy these days it seems. Maybe it has something to do with the fact I was in the midst of training for my 100 mile run when I got pregnant. Maybe my body was already physically exhausted on some level of running. Not to mention the headaches. I've always had headaches since I can remember, but this pregnancy seems to have taken them near (what I think would be a migraine) on the daily. Maybe not since the only migraines I've experienced are ocular migraines, different but painful. Anyways the headaches are there...

Beside the headaches and trips to toilet, which aren't even to the toilet because I can not stand my face down in the porcelain, so I opt for a stop to the kitchen sink; my first trimester has had an amount of newness for me. I am managing to teach yoga and my other fitness classes each week. I'm proud to say I have not had to cancel any of them due to pregnancy. Yay! I'm determined to teach throughout the remainder of my pregnancy ( with my son I taught spin classes up until 8 months prego and yoga almost 9 months or so.) I wasn't able to run with my first pregnancy and well unfortunately it's looking that way with this pregnancy. I really was hoping to keep up my running, at a didn't level and pace of course, but nonetheless keep running. Those headaches I mentioned had been so terrible that anytime I tried to get outdoors they got worse or they were already so bad when I woke up in the morning that going for a run didn't seem appealing. I still have a ways to go, so I never know maybe I'll get out for a run. During the first couple weeks pregnant, I was walking a little with a friend, but in between teaching, headaches, family and all else I felt overly exhausted and haven't gotten back to it consisting anyhow.

Right now as I'm writing, laying back on the couch after this morning's class, I feel mentally exhausted. We got notice from the owner's of the house we were living in that they were ready to sell the house; since we were on a month to month lease, we were given a BIG FAT 45 days to vacate. We wanted to move eventually now that we decided to expand our family, but not as quickly as 45 days. We went stir crazy looking for a rental property, thought of the idea to buy, and found us nowhere. In Hawaii, the rental market seemed to be so much higher than when we moved last almost 4 years ago. I looked at numerous rentals only to be completely disgusted by what was being offered in our price range, sucked into a fake property listed on Craigslist, and well beginning to lose hope. We were now only a couple weeks before July 1st ( our had to be out of the old house date) and finally found a home we are in love with. We find ourselves laughing at all the homes we lived in in the past 10 years together ( starting off in a small studio, sharing a twin size bed) and now finally 10 years later a home we are excited about. Life! Ia m very excited to announce I will be teaching yoga classes from my home on our new lanai. I will keep you posted on details in regards to classes. Now I lay here knowing how many more boxes I have left to unpack, but wanted to take a moment to catch up with some writing.

I'm 15 weeks, baby seems to being do well.. Not sure of the sex yet, but will be finding out in 5 weeks, so I will be sure to let you know! Either a boy or girl will create happiness, but this time we are slightly leaning towards hopes for a girl. Whistler always says he thinks I'm having a girl and he hopes he gets a sister. Too cute!!! According to numerous acquaintances I look as though I am already 6 months pregnant and I am asked by almost everyone if I am having twins.... LOL!


My 6 year old son Whistler Reef Nelson (soon to be a big brother)


What do you think???

*I started showing at 10 weeks.
*I seem to be getting bigger faster and wider.
*Babies heartbeat is above 140 for those of you who believe in baby myths that points to a girl. First checkup the heartbeat was 190 and second it was between 150-170
*I've been sick.
*No cravings really, not like with Whistler.
*My skin seems to be breaking out more.
* And I actually lost weight. 

What's your guess? BOY or GIRL!!!






***Any recommendations of sports bras to wear, I'm in desperate need of some new comfortable ones please? My boobs have seemed to grown way beyond what they were with my first pregnancy and keeping these boobies tucked in is difficult.  Again LOL!



***A huge thanks goes to my partner in crime Nick Nelson... In between running our Velofix Hawaii  Mobile Bike business and unpacking the majority of our boxes, packing most of Whistler's lunches for art camp (because I want to gag being around food most of the time), this family is functioning as well as it is. Thank you love for all you do, you do more than I give credit to you for. We love you!





Monday, May 23, 2016

Kids and Fitness.

When adults think about fitness, they imagine working out at the gym, running on the treadmill, or lifting weights. Wrong!!! Not anymore. Adults have expanded their way of thinking when it comes to fitness. They want more variety and with that variety better results. When children think of fitness it usually involves having fun, playing outside, being physically active. More adults want to involve their children in some kind of physical activities and more children want to get their parents involved in some kind of playing outside. Right? I believe so. I believe now a days adults and children just want to have fun. Fitness can be fun!

We don't hear young children saying I need to workout today (some, but not that common) instead we hear them talking about playing outside with friends or going to ride bikes to the park, etc... Children just want to have fun no matter what it is they are doing. 

When we talk about Fitness, it should be fun and exciting, especially when it involves children. We know there are millions of overweight and under-educated children in the area of fitness, but it doesn't have to be that way. If fitness didn't come full force at children like a chore or something they have to do, they wouldn't be so opposed to doing fitness. When it is entertaining and the approach is less directed at the child, it becomes more fun. 
We as adults need to take responsibility for creating a fun, safe, welcoming environment for all children no matter their size, color, shape, etc...

If we, as adults, become lazy and nonproductive, and complain about having to workout today or do fitness today, how are we supposed to get children active? Tell me?? It is just the way it is, but come on adults we are role models in the eyes of children to some degree. We can help get the show started and eventually the child can become responsible for his or her own well being. There are plenty of children out there who need very little to no motivation when it comes to fitness. They are their very own self motivators. But what about the children who aren't so good at getting started on their own? What are we to do? We as adults are to help them.



Helping children is exactly what LavaKids is all about. Having Fun with family and friends. Having fun in our community. “We want kids to take control of their own health. Many kids have become sedentary and unfit, leading to a lack of self-image, among other health issues. “There is a great need for programs that can inspire kids to take their health and fitness into their own hands and motivate them to stay 
Child at heart and Hydrated!
active and reap the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle. Positive self-image will help kids not only through their school years, but their entire lives.” Lavakids

"Not only through their school years, but their ENTIRE LIVES." That is exactly what we should want for children whether they are our very own or belong to someone else. As a community we can come together to support one another and encourage a healthy mind and body approach to fitness. That doesn't mean there can't be a treat to go along with it. That doesn't mean that it can't still be fun.


Look at those smiles.

It gives me great joy to see these children excited about fitness. Oh my goodness how excited do these children get when they receive a medal!!! The medal means so much to these children, like they just accomplished one of the greatest tasks in the entire world. Heck! I get so excited when I see a child finish their run and get the medal around their neck. Then wait for it.... they run to the mom or dad saying " look look what I got, I got a medal."
I see smiles.





LavaKids provides such a positive environment for all children of all ages. There is a little something for everyone at the Family Fun Runs and Clinic on each 3rd Saturday of the month. These events are Free! Free snacks, nutrition, games, hydration, and much much more...
Snacks can taste good too!










I am blessed to have this opportunity to take my 6 year old son to these events. He started off running only the 100 yard dash and has now finished the 100 yard dash and the 1 mile run. He feels so proud of himself after accomplishing a task such as this. He is tired, sweaty, and happy. On the ride home, he smiles and always says " Mom that was fun."
My son Whistler.

I was excited this month to bring to the event Kona Deep water. Thank you Kona Deep for trusting me to share your product at an event. I truly agree with and and support Kona Deep product. It is a naturally occurring electrolyte filled water derived from deep deep below the oceans surface. No artificial ingredients, no added anything. Kona Deep is just pure goodness bottled up at the source! And I was happy share with the families and children because we all know how important it is to hydrate! 
Kona Deep.

Hydrate Kiddo








Too thirsty to comment!

Little guy with a big jug to hydrate after his run.


Even the dog wanted to drink from the source. Kona Deep that is...











A fun filled day and what a great family fun event! Again super excited to have been a part of this FUN! Fitness is Fun!!



















Thanks so much to LavaKids.org for all you do in the community for families and children and fitness. Thank you Kona Deep for trusting me to share your product where it would be appreciated! These athletes know the importance of hydration.... Be sure to keep an eye out (across my social media accounts), as I will be having my second Kona Deep giveaway within the next month or two and you could win a case of Kona Deep all for your self! 



Be sure to buy Kona Deep near you or at http://konadeep.com/locations/
 

What do you do to stay fit? How do you get your children involved in Fitness? Please share, I would love to hear........



Thanks so much,
Brooke Myers

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Running a 100 Miler (Update):

"I want to run 100 miles and nothing is going to stop me!." My exact words only a few short months ago. I still remember that exact moment I woke up, with this incredible feeling in my heart. I could feel this insane, intense feeling in my chest. That type of feeling that makes you question whether you are okay or not. Remember me saying that? I do.

Since that very moment, training had been exactly where it needed to be. I was putting in the mileage without over doing it. I was experimenting with back to back runs, carbs-depleted runs, longer runs, and walking. I had been practicing with different nutritional ideas that would be more sustainable for these longer runs. I would even get outdoors in the middle of the afternoon (our hottest points of day here in Hawaii) to go put in the miles. During the month of March, Nick's business (Velofix Hawaii) began to increase and my mileage seemed to decrease. I cannot blame him for my lack of training because our business is more important than me running. We have to work right, to pay the bills! I started to question how I was going to accomplish the training that is required in order to have a successful 100 mile run. I didn't tell anyone some of my deepest thoughts I was feeling because I didn't want anyone to think I was trying to make excuses. I wasn't making excuses! I realized I wasn't questioning my capabilities; I knew and still know I have what it takes to begin and finish a 100 mile run. I knew I wanted to run an out and back run here on the Island, No major race, no flight, no medals. I wanted to be here on Island where I am familiar, with friends and family. I wasn't questioning my capabilities, I was more or less concerned about getting the proper training without getting injured. I started to play around with different schedules and fine tuning details to get things to flow a little smoother. I was fine with the change. 

As far as my personal life goes, a conversation had come up between Nick and I that has come up in our past. Well shoots, let me just come out with it already and save you all the details: I AM PREGNANT. Surprise! Six years later and I finally decided that I too, would like to have another baby. Finally Nick, you get to have another little one! Sorry love it took so long for me to be on the same page as you, but thank you for being so patient and allowing me to be me along the way...

Come December we will invite our second child into this world as a part of our family and we couldn't be more excited. 

As for my 100 mile run, it will have to wait. Yes, I am completely fine with waiting. I will try and continue to run during my pregnancy, but if it is anything like my first pregnancy, I will be saying goodbye to running for a while. Running did not feel good for me my first pregnancy, but I am hopeful that it will this time around. Either way I am happy and I know I always have my yoga practice to rely on if running doesn't fit. 

I will be posting and updating throughout my pregnancy, so if you would like to stick around to keep an eye on me, I would be so happy to have you...

Lots of love,

Brooke  

Instagram @breathebrooke 
Twitter @breathebrooke  

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Ready For a GiveAway?

Hey Hey, We all Love a good Give Away right? Well good because I got one for you: Kona Deep give away!

As you all know, I have been drinking Kona Deep for the past couple of months (as a daily part of hydrating and training) and I want you to drink it too! I have partnered with Kona Deep and they are willing to send ONE lucky winner (chosen at random, U.S. residents only) Kona Deep: Deep Ocean Drinking Water, Case of 12, 1L Bottles no cost to you...

" Electrolytes and minerals are essential to the function of our cells and organs. Kona Deep has a unique blend of naturally occurring deep ocean electrolytes and trace minerals that help keep your body deeply hydrated, balanced and performing as it was meant to." Kona Deep.
 
Kona Deep: Deep Ocean Drinking Water, Case of 12, 1L Bottles
  http://konadeep.com/
  
For your chance to Win: please head over to @Breathebrooke
via Instagram and/or @Breathebrooke via Twitter for your chance to Win.


Rules:
1. Look for this picture floating around via MY: Instagram & Twitter & FaceBook page.





2. Check out the Kona Deep Website to learn something new.

3. Come back to my Instagram and/or Twitter and/or Facebook post to leave me a comment with (One Fact you learned about Kona Deep.) It's as easy as that!


You have TODAY (April 2,2016) to Participate, so you better Hurry for your chance to Win!!! 

Winner will be picked at random and announced tomorrow( April 3, 2016)