2013 May

My Photography Manifesto

May 30, 2013 by Lucrecer 8 Comments

The camera is a tool. It sees light. You see the subject.

The more you practice, the better your eye will develop.

Your vision is what makes your images unique. Trust what you see.

Imitation is flattering, but developing your own style is the most flattering thing you can do for yourself.

Equipment does not make you a better photographer. Telling stories with your images does.

Be your own zoom lens. Primes are the way to go.

When you think you are close enough to take someone’s portrait, take two steps forward. Get closer.

Shoot with film occassionally. It makes you slow down and practice the craft of photography.

Don’t miss the moment trying to compose the shot perfect. Capture the moment, damn it!

Filed Under: Photo Life Tagged With: brownie, camera, capture, develop your eye, digital, equipment, film, focus, imitation, manifesto, photography, portrait, starlet camera, tool, vintage, vision, zoom

Working on a Handstand, Flexibility and Fitness Update

May 26, 2013 by Lucrecer 4 Comments

I have a few fitness goals I would like to achieve by the end of the year.

Do a proper handstand.
Increase my flexibility.
Transform my body into a fat burning machine.

The handstand, while achievable, is a challenge, but one I am looking forward to practicing on a regular basis. On Instagram, there are numerous yoga challenges I have been participating in and each one of them offers up a different challenge daily. Some poses are easier than others and some I can not even attempt. If you are looking to start or get your yoga practice in order, you should definitely check out 30 Days of Yoga. It is one of the best things I have done for myself.

After doing my Revolt workouts, it is easier to stretch and practice the yoga poses. My body is already warm and it makes the stretches a lot easier. The handstands, on the other hand, offer one heck of a challenge for me. I remember doing handstands, cartwheels and all kinds of acrobatic moves when I was a wee girl. Now that I am older, I wonder how in the heck I did a lot of those things. I miss that flexibility big time now.

Now, for the update on the Revolt fitness plan, I am not losing pounds the way I thought I would, but I am losing fat and gaining muscle. The scale simply is not a reliable instrument for me when it comes to weight loss. Calipers and a plain measuring tape are my go to tools for taking measurements for body fat calculations.

I read something recently about it taking four weeks for you to notice changes, eight weeks for your family to notice changes and twelve weeks for everyone else to notice your weight changes. I’d say this is pretty darn accurate. Here’s to continued progress and success.

Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: 30 Days of Yoga, acrobatic, calipers, fitness, flexibility, handstand, healthy, measurements, measuring tape, pose, practice, Revolt, stretches, weight loss, workout, yoga

REVOLT Fitness Week 3 Update

May 19, 2013 by Lucrecer 6 Comments

Disclosure: I am a member of the Revolt Bloggers and was given a free membership to Revolt Fitness. All opinions are my own.

Sunday starts week 4 of the Revolt Fitness program for me and I am happy with my progress so far. It is a good thing I am not going by the scale only, because according to it, I have gained a pound and a half this past week, but my other measurements say I am losing fat and gaining muscle. My plans for week 4 are to step up my workouts, eat clean every day and drink lots and lots of water.

I do have some exciting news to share. If you are interested in giving the Revolt Fitness, I have good news for you. Monday, they are launching, for free, the Revolt Fitness program">1 Week Kickstart. You will have access to a 50 page guide, 1 week of videos, 1 week of workout (3 levels) and 1 week of meal plan (6 cal levels). This is a great way to see what the Revolt Fitness program is all about. If you like it, I encourage you to join me for the June 3rd Uprising. Each Uprising is six weeks long and we have a very supportive and dedicated group of Revolters to encourage you on the journey. I would love to put a team together to join me for the June 3rd Uprising. If you are interested, let me know in the comments below and sign up here! The cost is $10 a month, $27 for three months access or $50 for annual access.

It would be great to have you!

Filed Under: Fitness Tagged With: community, eating right, fitness, kettle bells, kickstart, measurements, Nichole Huntsman, physical health, progress, Revolt, uprising, water, weight loss, weight training, women weight lifting

An Exploration in What Drives Your Stories The Story of You

May 13, 2013 by Lucrecer Leave a Comment

I love stories. I love listening to them and I love telling them. When I give gifts, I always give them with a story. There is something about attaching meaning to giving. At least, it is for me.

Starting today, I am participating for the second time in a class led by two wonderful ladies, Jen Lemen and Ria Sharon. The Story of You is a five week journey (May 13 - June 14) of why we do what we do and what drives our stories. What I enjoy most about the workshop is you can do it at your own pace, but the workshop leaders also do the class with you. They actively participate and share their stories, because the group that participates is always different. Here is what you an expect to learn during the five weeks:

how to identify the story you are telling yourself right now
how that story is keeping you stuck
how your storytelling brain works
how your soul intervenes to make sure you get it right
how to use simple storytelling tools to open yourself up to a whole new world of possibility.

If you are looking to explore your story, write your story and go deeper, consider joining me. I would love to see you in the group. The first time I did it was great. This time, I am looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me.

Filed Under: Kindred Spirits Tagged With: be outstanding, Jen Lemen, Ria Sharon, story, storytelling, telling your story, the story of you, writing

Getting results with REVOLT, Week 2 Update

May 12, 2013 by Lucrecer 4 Comments

Disclosure: I was given a free membership to Revolt Fitness. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

I just ended the second week of the Revolt Fitness program and I can already see a difference in my stamina and my body. I have also come to the realization that the weight you see on a scale is not an accurate representation of the transformation your body is going through. The workouts have been instrumental in improving my moods and focus. Those days when I don’t feel like working out end up being the best days for me. My energy level instantly goes up, I am at peace and I feel good in general.

Today, Sunday, is prep day, which means I am preparing all of my large meals for the week. This part of the Revolt program has been great. Nichole supplies recipes and approved foods, as well as menus for the week. Typically, you eat from the same menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks each week. The menu changes weekly, as do the exercises. What does not change is that you get results.

I am not noticing much change on the scale, but I am definitely noticing changes when I take my weekly body fat measurements. Using calipers to check my real results is ten times more reliable than a scale. I have seen people get instantly discouraged by the numbers they see on a scale and they end up sabotaging themselves as a result. What the scale does not reveal is that muscle weighs more than fat and there is an exchange going on when you are transforming your body with clean eating and exercise.

So, I am sticking to the program, eating clean and enjoying the daily soreness I am experiencing. I know what I am working for and I know how to get the results. Knowing is half the battle, right?!