I'm not really sure how or where to start this. As I've been thinking about it in my head, I've had a couple of different angles come to mind, so we will see where this goes. I assume that most of you have had the pleasure of knowing both of your birth parents. You've known who they were, what they were like, what qualities of theirs you had, etc. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I'm guessing. Your parents might be divorced, but you still have likely known where {or who} you've come from. However, I didn't have that privilege/honor/situation {not sure what to call it} growing up.
See, my "real" dad died when I was 2. And it wasn't a death to cancer, a terrible disease, a car crash, etc. It was a murder. My father was murdered when I was 2. There was lots of speculation, I'm told around his death, but that's not what I'm writing about. However, due to the speculation, I didn't grow up with a very clear picture of who my father was.
To be honest with you, I'm not sure I ever wanted to know who he was. I'm not sure why, it just didn't occur to me, I suppose? But, with us moving back to Indiana, being close to where he grew up, where he went to school, and having a great friend and mentor encouraging me to find out who he was, I decided to go for it. I think, to be honest, I was scared. I was scared of what I would hear. Or wouldn't hear. What people would say he was like, or wasn't like. I was afraid to know who my dad was. I suppose it was more comfortable to keep things the way they were, ya know? But, I eventually decided to go for it.
Where to start, that was the question? With my dad being an only child and his parents being gone, there weren't a lot of family contacts to start with. I did, however, have his fraternity paddle from his days at Franklin. Being a sorority girl myself, and that was comfortable, I decided to start there. I sent an email to the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity headquarters and explained I was looking for information on my father, who was a brother and has passed away. I was thrilled when less than 24 hours later I got the most kind email from someone from their office. She included several email addresses for me as well! YES! My search was off to a great start! I then sent emails to those I had emails for from Lambda Chi and started to get responses! All of the brothers were very sorry to hear of my dads passing, and again, were very helpful in providing information about who my dad was. I reached out to a few more contacts and here is what I've learned about my dad. Based on those kind, generous and compassionate folks, my dad, Jerry Hurley was:
* Jovial
* Friendly
* Reasonably smart
* Easy to be around
* Happy
* Proud of his family and his business
* Loved people
* Willing to help
* Smiled a lot
* Caring
* Everyone liked him
* Good hearted
* Very involved
* Popular
* Well respected
* Kind
* Always tried to do the right thing
* A good man
* A great friend
* An entrepreneur
Huh. Who does that sound like? To be honest, I see a lot of myself in that list. Do you have any idea what that is like? See, growing up, I always thought I was a certain way because that was the opposite of how I was raised. For example, I'm a perfectionist. My mom is not. I thought I was a perfectionist because I went the other way. Does that make sense? However, after this journey of self discovery about my dad, I realized that isn't the case at all! I'm ME because I'm like my dad, who I never had the pleasure of knowing. See, he's a part of me! I just didn't know it because I never tried to find out who he was, what he was like, or what qualities of his I have. The interesting thing is my dad is left handed. Guess who else is left handed? Not me! Lauren is. When we discovered that, I knew where it came from! I think it is so great that part of him lives on in me and in her! I find that super redemptive! Thanks for taking time to hear more about my dad, Jerry. I wish you could have had the opportunity to have known him, too.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
The Price of Shakeology
Shakeology. It's something I've been drinking every day for over a year. At first, I intended to drink it until my bag was emptied, but I found that I felt so stinking amazing on it that I had to continue. True story - before I did the 21 Day Fix last February, Chad would come home from work and I would curl up in fetal position on the couch for at least 30 minutes to "recover" from the day. Since cleaning up my diet, drinking Shakeology and taking care of myself, I don't have to do that anymore. There was one day recently, where I forgot to drink my Shakeo {as I call it} and after dinner, I landed on the couch to recover. It took me back in time. Then, I realized why - I forgot my shake that day! I was on a call yesterday where the speaker shared some of her story with weight loss, including hcg drops. Long story short, shortly after going on the drops, she discovered a lump in her breast. She researched and discovered there is a link between hcg and cancer, so she stopped taking it immediately. She continued to research what she was putting in and on her body. In her research, she discovered Shakeology. She shared several benefits and reasons to love Shakeology and encouraged us to do the same. As a result, I found this handy chart that shows several of the benefits that Shakeology provides.
One thing I hear sometimes is the cost is too high. I agree, I thought the cost was high too. However, today, I went through and found what is in Shakeology and compared it with another high quality company that provides supplements and totaled up what it would cost to get everything in Shakeology from this company at the DISCOUNT price. Here is what I discovered {based on a 30 day supply of each of these ingredients, found in Shakeo}:
Amino acids - 17.25
Chia - 26.75
Amaranth - 33.50
Bilberry - 20.10
Ashwagandha {which helps adrenals, btw} - 19.55
Goji - 59.50
Maca root - 17
Reishi - 34.25
Flax - 22.50
Acai - 26.25
Acerola - 25.95
Chlorella - 25.50
Spinach - 18.25
Kale - 16.25
Astragulus - 13.15
Ginko - 21.60
Maitake - 17.95
Holy Basil - 41.95
Chicory - 33.50
Lacto - 24.95
Amylase - 17.50
Cellulose - 17.95
Lactase - 29.75
Glucoamylase - 20.75
Alpha-Galactosidase - 30.25
Invertase - 20.75
Total: $652.65
AND 28 different pills to take/day.
So, your daily Shakeology serving is worth $21.75/day, {based on 30 days/month}, BUT you pay no where NEAR that! For about the price of a Starbucks coffee, less than you pay for a fast food lunch, less than a Jamba Juice, you could have your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics and all that your body needs!
See, Shakeology bridges the gap in our food supply. Even the most clean eater would be lacking vitamins and minerals because of the depletion of these in our food supply, so our bodies are lacking as well. Shakeology bridges that gap and gives our bodies what they need, but aren't getting from other sources.
You WILL NOT FIND the following in Shakeology:
* Soy
* Artificial flavors
* Artificial sweeteners
It's NOT a protein drink. It's NOT a weight loss drink. Those are side benefits, but not the focus of Shakeology. So, why wouldn't you drink it every day? I don't really know, to be honest with you. You have one life, one body and one chance. Don't you want to make the best of it and do the best you can with what you have? I know I sure do. Don't take the least expensive route on your health, friends. It's your LIFE. There are no do-overs.
If you're curious about Shakeology, please let me know. I'd love to tell you more about it. If you'd like some samples, please click here for our sampler pack. I'd love to be your Beachbody coach if you don't already have one! To make me your coach, please click here.
One thing I hear sometimes is the cost is too high. I agree, I thought the cost was high too. However, today, I went through and found what is in Shakeology and compared it with another high quality company that provides supplements and totaled up what it would cost to get everything in Shakeology from this company at the DISCOUNT price. Here is what I discovered {based on a 30 day supply of each of these ingredients, found in Shakeo}:
Amino acids - 17.25
Chia - 26.75
Amaranth - 33.50
Bilberry - 20.10
Ashwagandha {which helps adrenals, btw} - 19.55
Goji - 59.50
Maca root - 17
Reishi - 34.25
Flax - 22.50
Acai - 26.25
Acerola - 25.95
Chlorella - 25.50
Spinach - 18.25
Kale - 16.25
Astragulus - 13.15
Ginko - 21.60
Maitake - 17.95
Holy Basil - 41.95
Chicory - 33.50
Lacto - 24.95
Amylase - 17.50
Cellulose - 17.95
Lactase - 29.75
Glucoamylase - 20.75
Alpha-Galactosidase - 30.25
Invertase - 20.75
Total: $652.65
AND 28 different pills to take/day.
So, your daily Shakeology serving is worth $21.75/day, {based on 30 days/month}, BUT you pay no where NEAR that! For about the price of a Starbucks coffee, less than you pay for a fast food lunch, less than a Jamba Juice, you could have your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics and all that your body needs!
See, Shakeology bridges the gap in our food supply. Even the most clean eater would be lacking vitamins and minerals because of the depletion of these in our food supply, so our bodies are lacking as well. Shakeology bridges that gap and gives our bodies what they need, but aren't getting from other sources.
You WILL NOT FIND the following in Shakeology:
* Soy
* Artificial flavors
* Artificial sweeteners
It's NOT a protein drink. It's NOT a weight loss drink. Those are side benefits, but not the focus of Shakeology. So, why wouldn't you drink it every day? I don't really know, to be honest with you. You have one life, one body and one chance. Don't you want to make the best of it and do the best you can with what you have? I know I sure do. Don't take the least expensive route on your health, friends. It's your LIFE. There are no do-overs.
If you're curious about Shakeology, please let me know. I'd love to tell you more about it. If you'd like some samples, please click here for our sampler pack. I'd love to be your Beachbody coach if you don't already have one! To make me your coach, please click here.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
My Experience with PTSD
Yes, I had PTSD. Do I still have it? I don't know. Does it go away? I don't really know, but I do know that some healing has taken place in me over the years. I'd like to share my story with you now, regarding PTSD. I didn't have the most wonderful childhood, due to a variety of reasons that really aren't necessary to get into now. As a result, I had PTSD.
I didn't realize I had PTSD until we were living in Illinois. I had just started life coaching with a gal who also happened to be a counselor {hello, God!}. We started with life coaching, but as she learned more about me, my history, etc. we went from life coaching to counseling, when she diagnosed me with PTSD. I remember telling her "I don't have PTSD, I wasn't in the war." Duh, shows what I knew, huh? Thankfully, she equipped me with lots of resources about PTSD. I eventually came to the conclusion that I did have PTSD and was willing to be counseled for it. Long story short, I wanted to try counseling, no meds, so we went that route for a few weeks. Then, one day, I knew I needed to try meds. {Little behind the scenes info - Chad was traveling frequently for work during this time. Landon was a newborn and Lauren was 2. She also had undiagnosed food allergies and sensory processing disorder at this time. Add a mom with anger issues and you can see the tornadic state our home was in!} So, I tried the meds for 2 days. They made me crazy. Like worse than I already was. By my own admission, I was pretty unstable, so for me to say that is pretty bold and accurate.
So, take 2....enter a holistic doctor and lots of testing. At this time, I was not taking care of myself at all. Stress eating junk all day. Think package of Oreos in one sitting. No exercise. Multiple diet sodas/day. I was not taking care of myself at all. I didn't want to. But, that's another story. So, the holistic doc takes all these tests - blood, saliva, etc. I learned I was borderline diabetic. No surprise, to be honest with the way I was eating and drinking pop, coffee drinks, etc. I remember leaving that appointment feeling encouraged and like I had a lot of vitamins and supplements to take! But I felt like I had some knowledge and a plan of attack, which I liked!
I started taking the vitamins and supplements, and slowly started to notice some changes. Around that time, we had a speaker come to our church, Todd White. If you don't know who Todd White is, I encourage you to check him out. He is amazingly powerful and shared some things I knew but in a way that made it "click" for me. God used Todd White to set a new fire in me, more so in the area of identity. Our church was also offering healing prayer rooms around that time, so I went and asked for prayer for my PTSD. I don't remember specifics of the prayer time, but they did pray that the chains of PTSD would be broken. I believe they were loosened, for sure, if not broken that night during prayer. I was doing well, trucking along, feeling better than I had before, which was encouraging. I also knew that around that time, we needed to move. Chad couldn't keep traveling with the way our family situation was. So, being the head hunter that I am, I began to look for jobs for him! I was on a mission. Specifically, for somewhere warm, but God had other plans! Sioux Falls, SD is warm, but NOT in the winter!
We ended up moving to Sioux Falls,where Chad would not travel for work and built in bonus - his family was there! His family is very stable and there was something comforting about being around family. While we were there, God hooked us up with an awesome mentor couple who came alongside us and helped us work out some kinks in our personal lives, our marriage and our parenting. A very great and deep healing happened in Sioux Falls and we are so grateful for that! Looking back, I believe our purpose in Sioux Falls was for that deeper healing.
As you know {likely}, we didn't stay in Sioux Falls long, because God had other plans for us and brought us to West Lafayette, IN. Ironically enough, this is my "turf," where I grew up, went to college, etc. We are actually attending the church I attended while I was raising support to go on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Madison, WI. While I was at this church, God spoke Isaiah 61 over me as my life verse, in regards to the calling on my life. After I finished raising support, I moved to Madison to serve fraternity & sorority students at the UW-Madison through InterVarsity. I was on staff, completely unaware of the PTSD. It was during that time that the Lord brought things to mind that needed healing. Then, we moved to Illinois, where the PTSD diagnosis was made and healing started. Then, we moved to Sioux Falls for deeper healing and now we are here. What I have struggled with the most being home is that the reason I have PTSD isn't because of choices I made, or things I did. Frustrating! A few weeks ago, our church had a healing conference. They talked about physical healing, of course, but also emotional healing. I went forward for prayer and the speaker prayed Isaiah 61 over me and explained the difference between a prisoner and a captive and it all made sense! A prisoner is someone who has been punished for their own choices. However, a captive is someone who is in bondage because of other's choices. Do you know how freeing that was for me? That was what I needed to hear! I loved it. God gave the speaker a word of knowledge for me. And, I received it. Love it how God works! This is just a short part of my journey, I'm sure I will share more as I continue down this road.....but, for now, that's a wrap!
I didn't realize I had PTSD until we were living in Illinois. I had just started life coaching with a gal who also happened to be a counselor {hello, God!}. We started with life coaching, but as she learned more about me, my history, etc. we went from life coaching to counseling, when she diagnosed me with PTSD. I remember telling her "I don't have PTSD, I wasn't in the war." Duh, shows what I knew, huh? Thankfully, she equipped me with lots of resources about PTSD. I eventually came to the conclusion that I did have PTSD and was willing to be counseled for it. Long story short, I wanted to try counseling, no meds, so we went that route for a few weeks. Then, one day, I knew I needed to try meds. {Little behind the scenes info - Chad was traveling frequently for work during this time. Landon was a newborn and Lauren was 2. She also had undiagnosed food allergies and sensory processing disorder at this time. Add a mom with anger issues and you can see the tornadic state our home was in!} So, I tried the meds for 2 days. They made me crazy. Like worse than I already was. By my own admission, I was pretty unstable, so for me to say that is pretty bold and accurate.
So, take 2....enter a holistic doctor and lots of testing. At this time, I was not taking care of myself at all. Stress eating junk all day. Think package of Oreos in one sitting. No exercise. Multiple diet sodas/day. I was not taking care of myself at all. I didn't want to. But, that's another story. So, the holistic doc takes all these tests - blood, saliva, etc. I learned I was borderline diabetic. No surprise, to be honest with the way I was eating and drinking pop, coffee drinks, etc. I remember leaving that appointment feeling encouraged and like I had a lot of vitamins and supplements to take! But I felt like I had some knowledge and a plan of attack, which I liked!
I started taking the vitamins and supplements, and slowly started to notice some changes. Around that time, we had a speaker come to our church, Todd White. If you don't know who Todd White is, I encourage you to check him out. He is amazingly powerful and shared some things I knew but in a way that made it "click" for me. God used Todd White to set a new fire in me, more so in the area of identity. Our church was also offering healing prayer rooms around that time, so I went and asked for prayer for my PTSD. I don't remember specifics of the prayer time, but they did pray that the chains of PTSD would be broken. I believe they were loosened, for sure, if not broken that night during prayer. I was doing well, trucking along, feeling better than I had before, which was encouraging. I also knew that around that time, we needed to move. Chad couldn't keep traveling with the way our family situation was. So, being the head hunter that I am, I began to look for jobs for him! I was on a mission. Specifically, for somewhere warm, but God had other plans! Sioux Falls, SD is warm, but NOT in the winter!
We ended up moving to Sioux Falls,where Chad would not travel for work and built in bonus - his family was there! His family is very stable and there was something comforting about being around family. While we were there, God hooked us up with an awesome mentor couple who came alongside us and helped us work out some kinks in our personal lives, our marriage and our parenting. A very great and deep healing happened in Sioux Falls and we are so grateful for that! Looking back, I believe our purpose in Sioux Falls was for that deeper healing.
As you know {likely}, we didn't stay in Sioux Falls long, because God had other plans for us and brought us to West Lafayette, IN. Ironically enough, this is my "turf," where I grew up, went to college, etc. We are actually attending the church I attended while I was raising support to go on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Madison, WI. While I was at this church, God spoke Isaiah 61 over me as my life verse, in regards to the calling on my life. After I finished raising support, I moved to Madison to serve fraternity & sorority students at the UW-Madison through InterVarsity. I was on staff, completely unaware of the PTSD. It was during that time that the Lord brought things to mind that needed healing. Then, we moved to Illinois, where the PTSD diagnosis was made and healing started. Then, we moved to Sioux Falls for deeper healing and now we are here. What I have struggled with the most being home is that the reason I have PTSD isn't because of choices I made, or things I did. Frustrating! A few weeks ago, our church had a healing conference. They talked about physical healing, of course, but also emotional healing. I went forward for prayer and the speaker prayed Isaiah 61 over me and explained the difference between a prisoner and a captive and it all made sense! A prisoner is someone who has been punished for their own choices. However, a captive is someone who is in bondage because of other's choices. Do you know how freeing that was for me? That was what I needed to hear! I loved it. God gave the speaker a word of knowledge for me. And, I received it. Love it how God works! This is just a short part of my journey, I'm sure I will share more as I continue down this road.....but, for now, that's a wrap!
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Thoughts on 21 Day Fix Extreme.....
Ah, here it is....the awaited thoughts on the 21 Day Fix Extreme. Let me give you a little backgrounder before I dive in. I did the original 21 Day Fix last February and LOVED it! I learned so much about clean eating, proper portion control, how much of what type of food my body needed, how to exercise effectively, etc. It was truly life changing for me! I have continued to eat this way since doing the program last February. {Yes, I still use the containers even!} I have modified my workouts to do other programs like TurboFire, PiYo, Insanity Max 30, etc., but my nutrition has followed the 21 Day Fix eating plan for the most part.
I was excited when the new 21 Day Fix Extreme came out, since I had such an affinity for the original program! I was supposed to start it a week earlier than I actually did, because I got sick. Had my original plan worked out to start the program on February 9, I might have had a bit more motivation with it. See, Chad had the Boilermaker Ball, for his work that we were to attend on February 28. My hope was to be a good two weeks into the program before going to the ball, to be in tip top shape. But, alas, that plan went astray due to sickness.
Going into the Extreme, I didn't want to lose weight or inches. I was actually content with where I was, for the first time in my life, I believe! So, I wasn't going into it with a goal of losing anything. Rather, I wanted to get rid of some foods I had let "grip" me & try a more intense workout. That was my plan going on. The months and weeks prior to the Extreme, I had been under a lot of stress and quite frankly, think I was headed into adrenal burnout. {I have had adrenal fatigue due to PTSD, but have never been aware or in touch with how my body responded.} So, keep in mind, that going in, I wasn't in peak condition, adrenal wise ;)
I started the Extreme and was super excited! It felt good to be pressing myself, challenging my body and trying something new. I loved it! I conquered the first week, no problems! I weighed myself at the end of the week and the number on the scale was a number I haven't seen since my anorexic days, so I'm sure that triggered something in me. Red flag, red flag, red flag! Plus, when I would sit down, I would feel a little more boney in my toosh than I have before and I didn't like that. So, I think right there, I kind of decided it was ok to go off plan a bit since I wasn't in it to lose weight. I did follow the nutrition 80-90%, I would say and I was getting the workouts in daily. I was feeling the difference in my body, I looked more toned and felt good. All in all, it was going well. Again, not doing it to lose weight or inches, but change a few habits......
About two weeks into the fix, after doing very well at the Boilermaker Ball, thank you!, I started to think about what I was doing. What was my goal? What was the point of this? To get a 6 pack? Um, no, because, honestly, even if I had one or ever get one, I'm not one to show my midriff off, so my family would be the only ones to see it! That seems silly! Why am I depriving myself for this? I really had to ask. Not going for a 6 pack, not trying to lose weight or inches, so what's the point? By this time, I only had a week in, so I knew I had to finish.
Week three comes into the scene and so does PMS. So I might have lost it a little one day, blaming the hormones, LOL! But, back on track the next day, I went. By the end of the 21 days, I could tell my body was headed into an adrenal crash. See, with adrenal fatigue, excessive exercise isn't good for you. At least in the phase of it I was in at the time {remember the sickness and stress I mentioned before? Yup, took it's toll on me and my body.} So, with me being in the "Wired and Tired" phase of adrenal fatigue, excessive exercise does more harm than good. But, I finished. Not sure how strong I finished, but I did complete the program. Sadly, I didn't take measurements before I started {coach fail, since I tell all my customers to do that before!, but again, not my goal}. so I'm not sure if I lost inches. I didn't lose any weight, but I maintained where I was {which was the goal} and those pesky foods that had a "grip" on me, lost their grip. So, all in all, my goal was achieved.
My honest thoughts on the 21 Day Fix Extreme? It's extreme! It would be a great program for someone who had a short window of time to get ready for a big event - a wedding, vacation, class reunion, etc. However, for the normal person like moi who didn't really have a "reason," I don't think it is the best option. I much prefer the original 21 Day Fix, which allows you more freedom with your food choices in terms of treats, coffee, etc. It's more manageable, I believe, for this current season of life I'm in. I think the Extreme is a great program, hands down, but I think a lot of it also depends on the goal of the person doing it. Also, where they are at in life - is it manageable with a family? Lots of events you're going out to eat for? And, where you are at hormonally, can make a difference as well. I like the 21 Day Fix Extreme, I'm not saying that I don't. I just don't think it is as viable long term as the original 21 Day Fix is. Any questions? Hit me up, hopefully you know by now, I'm an open book! And, back to PiYo I go!
I was excited when the new 21 Day Fix Extreme came out, since I had such an affinity for the original program! I was supposed to start it a week earlier than I actually did, because I got sick. Had my original plan worked out to start the program on February 9, I might have had a bit more motivation with it. See, Chad had the Boilermaker Ball, for his work that we were to attend on February 28. My hope was to be a good two weeks into the program before going to the ball, to be in tip top shape. But, alas, that plan went astray due to sickness.
Going into the Extreme, I didn't want to lose weight or inches. I was actually content with where I was, for the first time in my life, I believe! So, I wasn't going into it with a goal of losing anything. Rather, I wanted to get rid of some foods I had let "grip" me & try a more intense workout. That was my plan going on. The months and weeks prior to the Extreme, I had been under a lot of stress and quite frankly, think I was headed into adrenal burnout. {I have had adrenal fatigue due to PTSD, but have never been aware or in touch with how my body responded.} So, keep in mind, that going in, I wasn't in peak condition, adrenal wise ;)
I started the Extreme and was super excited! It felt good to be pressing myself, challenging my body and trying something new. I loved it! I conquered the first week, no problems! I weighed myself at the end of the week and the number on the scale was a number I haven't seen since my anorexic days, so I'm sure that triggered something in me. Red flag, red flag, red flag! Plus, when I would sit down, I would feel a little more boney in my toosh than I have before and I didn't like that. So, I think right there, I kind of decided it was ok to go off plan a bit since I wasn't in it to lose weight. I did follow the nutrition 80-90%, I would say and I was getting the workouts in daily. I was feeling the difference in my body, I looked more toned and felt good. All in all, it was going well. Again, not doing it to lose weight or inches, but change a few habits......
About two weeks into the fix, after doing very well at the Boilermaker Ball, thank you!, I started to think about what I was doing. What was my goal? What was the point of this? To get a 6 pack? Um, no, because, honestly, even if I had one or ever get one, I'm not one to show my midriff off, so my family would be the only ones to see it! That seems silly! Why am I depriving myself for this? I really had to ask. Not going for a 6 pack, not trying to lose weight or inches, so what's the point? By this time, I only had a week in, so I knew I had to finish.
Week three comes into the scene and so does PMS. So I might have lost it a little one day, blaming the hormones, LOL! But, back on track the next day, I went. By the end of the 21 days, I could tell my body was headed into an adrenal crash. See, with adrenal fatigue, excessive exercise isn't good for you. At least in the phase of it I was in at the time {remember the sickness and stress I mentioned before? Yup, took it's toll on me and my body.} So, with me being in the "Wired and Tired" phase of adrenal fatigue, excessive exercise does more harm than good. But, I finished. Not sure how strong I finished, but I did complete the program. Sadly, I didn't take measurements before I started {coach fail, since I tell all my customers to do that before!, but again, not my goal}. so I'm not sure if I lost inches. I didn't lose any weight, but I maintained where I was {which was the goal} and those pesky foods that had a "grip" on me, lost their grip. So, all in all, my goal was achieved.
My honest thoughts on the 21 Day Fix Extreme? It's extreme! It would be a great program for someone who had a short window of time to get ready for a big event - a wedding, vacation, class reunion, etc. However, for the normal person like moi who didn't really have a "reason," I don't think it is the best option. I much prefer the original 21 Day Fix, which allows you more freedom with your food choices in terms of treats, coffee, etc. It's more manageable, I believe, for this current season of life I'm in. I think the Extreme is a great program, hands down, but I think a lot of it also depends on the goal of the person doing it. Also, where they are at in life - is it manageable with a family? Lots of events you're going out to eat for? And, where you are at hormonally, can make a difference as well. I like the 21 Day Fix Extreme, I'm not saying that I don't. I just don't think it is as viable long term as the original 21 Day Fix is. Any questions? Hit me up, hopefully you know by now, I'm an open book! And, back to PiYo I go!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Connected, Yet Detached?
In today's world of technology, we are more "connected" than ever, right? After all, we have email, twitter, facebook, instagram, snapchat, skype, linked in and so forth. It is easy to feel very connected with all of these means of technology. BUT, my two questions about this are:
1. WHO are we connected to?
AND
2. Are we more detached than ever as a result?
So, let's dive in here......WHO are we connected to? I don't know about you, but I do know that when I am on my computer, phone, etc. I am NOT connected with those around me. That can be my kids, Chad, a friend I'm meeting, etc. You get the point. When we are CONNECTED we can also be detached. This is what I see happening with technology more and more. I remember when my grandpa died, the pastor who did his funereal said that my grandpa noticed people socializing less when certain things happened. There were three, I believe, but I only remember two. Those two things were the invention of television and the invention of air conditioning. Before those two conveniences, people used to sit outside, engage and build relationships with one another. Then, once television and AC came along, people were inside more, and interacting less. Interesting, isn't it? I see that happening more and more in today's society with the more technology that keeps getting thrown our way. We are engaging more with technology and less with each other. It is sad. There have been some nights, in all honesty, when Chad and I have both been on the couch, together, looking at our phones. {We have ended that though, thank you.} But, who are we connected to? If we aren't connected with our family and friends, who should be our priorities after God, who are we connected to? Which is another topic. {Are we crowding God out because of our techno use? Some extra food for thought.....}
I think you can kind of see where I am going with the second point here. So if we are attached to our devices, are we detached from those around us? I think so. I think sometimes it is easier to live in a virtual world, than a real one. In the virtual world, things are almost instant. No waiting. When you IM someone, you will likely get a reply right back. When you message someone on facebook, you can tell if they have read the message or not. It's easier to keep tabs on people and not have to wait, right? BUT do we live in a society where we don't have to wait? Is that what we want? I don't. I don't know about you, but I still have to wait at stop lights. I still have to wait in lines at the grocery store. I still have to wait on God's timing, not my own. Are we creating more tension on teaching kids how to wait in this virtual world? I don't know, just some things I'm pondering lately. Would love to hear your thoughts on this too, friends.
I'm not saying we should get rid of technology at all, but I think that like anything, having boundaries is key to this. Teaching our kids how to wait and that life isn't a virtual world is also important. We need to separate virtual from reality, for them as well as ourselves. Love to hear your insights too, please!
1. WHO are we connected to?
AND
2. Are we more detached than ever as a result?
So, let's dive in here......WHO are we connected to? I don't know about you, but I do know that when I am on my computer, phone, etc. I am NOT connected with those around me. That can be my kids, Chad, a friend I'm meeting, etc. You get the point. When we are CONNECTED we can also be detached. This is what I see happening with technology more and more. I remember when my grandpa died, the pastor who did his funereal said that my grandpa noticed people socializing less when certain things happened. There were three, I believe, but I only remember two. Those two things were the invention of television and the invention of air conditioning. Before those two conveniences, people used to sit outside, engage and build relationships with one another. Then, once television and AC came along, people were inside more, and interacting less. Interesting, isn't it? I see that happening more and more in today's society with the more technology that keeps getting thrown our way. We are engaging more with technology and less with each other. It is sad. There have been some nights, in all honesty, when Chad and I have both been on the couch, together, looking at our phones. {We have ended that though, thank you.} But, who are we connected to? If we aren't connected with our family and friends, who should be our priorities after God, who are we connected to? Which is another topic. {Are we crowding God out because of our techno use? Some extra food for thought.....}
I think you can kind of see where I am going with the second point here. So if we are attached to our devices, are we detached from those around us? I think so. I think sometimes it is easier to live in a virtual world, than a real one. In the virtual world, things are almost instant. No waiting. When you IM someone, you will likely get a reply right back. When you message someone on facebook, you can tell if they have read the message or not. It's easier to keep tabs on people and not have to wait, right? BUT do we live in a society where we don't have to wait? Is that what we want? I don't. I don't know about you, but I still have to wait at stop lights. I still have to wait in lines at the grocery store. I still have to wait on God's timing, not my own. Are we creating more tension on teaching kids how to wait in this virtual world? I don't know, just some things I'm pondering lately. Would love to hear your thoughts on this too, friends.
I'm not saying we should get rid of technology at all, but I think that like anything, having boundaries is key to this. Teaching our kids how to wait and that life isn't a virtual world is also important. We need to separate virtual from reality, for them as well as ourselves. Love to hear your insights too, please!
Friday, February 27, 2015
Another Lesson Learned From.....
David's Bridal, of all places. This is quite funny, now that I think about it. So, here's the dish. Chad has to be at the Boilermaker Ball tomorrow night for work. This is an event I would normally LOVE to go to. In fact, when we were dating, I dreamed of going to formals with him. {Don't judge, this is what the soap stars I watched at the time did, LOL! So, I might have been a little bit out of touch with reality then, LOL!} That combined with my deep Purdue passion would make it a no brainer that I would want to go, right? Normally, but no so much.
I'm not sure what it was exactly. Maybe the fact that I won't know anyone there. Maybe the fact that Chad will be working. Maybe the fact that I feel too old to go to grown up prom. Or, really, the reality being I didn't know what I was going to wear. Sigh. I had dresses from college {which represent old boyfriends, no thank you. No offense to them if they read this.}, old bridesmaid dresses, which were pretty old. I didn't want to go shopping because I didn't think I would find anything. I also didn't know what I was looking for, lol! Ever been there ~ need something, but ya don't know what ya need? So, that's where I was.
Enter David's Bridal on Thursday. With Landon in tow. This week has not gone down the way I would have preferred. See, in my ideal world, I would have shopped solo, but no dice. Little man had been sick this week so he had to tag along. Plus, I was running out of time! We went on Thursday, mind you, the Ball is Saturday. Yah, I may have procrastinated a bit. A-hem!
So, here I waltz into David's with my sidekick. The gal peppily asks "how can I help you?" I wanted to gag. First of all, I thought, I'm here as an older thirty-something, with a child in tow. I'm too old to be here. I'm not a bride. I'm not a bridesmaid. I'm not a mother of the bride. I'm not going to prom. This isn't my scene and I don't belong here. My hesitation about the Ball was increasing, can you tell? So I explain to Miss Peppy Pants that I'm going to the Boilermaker Ball on Saturday with my husband, I don't want to go and I don't want to spend a lot of money, so what could she do? I was totally expecting to leave empty handed. She shows me some options and leaves Landon and I to peruse the store. Surprisingly, Landon is well behaved, staying by me, being quiet. I was stumped and thought maybe this won't be so bad. I look through the dress racks, find some I like that aren't too expensive, because after all, I am not a ball going type of gal and am too practical to spend too much on a one time wear type of dress. Get me?
I noticed as I found things I liked, my attitude was changing. Dare I say, I was having fun? Mrs. Frumpy Pants with preschooler in tow was having fun? HUH, I will be! I ended up with 6 dresses Landon and I took to the dressing room. As I tried them on and they fit {halleluiah!}, I realized that this wasn't so bad. Landon was having fun, helping zip me up, offering his opinion {he liked the pink one, but I didn't get it!}, asking funny questions {hope this isn't TMI but at one point said "are those your boobs?" Um, ok.} I would go out of the dressing room because they don't have mirrors in the rooms. What is that about by the way? And, I met a friend! Super helpful young 28 year old who actually told me the dress I liked was "too old." I appreciated that, since I was already feeling a little out of my league to begin with, ha ha! She told me her top two choices, so I tried those on again, made my decision and viola! The dress had been said yes to!
Next up, shoes. Ugh. Another sore subject. I have a foot condition that only allows me to wear flats, so fancy heels were out. Thankfully they had some cute flats that they could dye to match my dress for me. At this point, I was actually liking Miss Peppy Pants from earlier, and I could tell my demeanor had changed during my time there. I checked out, feeling ready and excited to go to the Ball, finally! A feeling I didn't think would come, but it did. So, my friends, what does this have to do with life? Let me tell ya:
* I wasn't excited about the Ball because I felt unprepared. I didn't have anything to wear and didn't know if I would find anything I liked. I think part of this was because I let my past dictate my present. For me having body issues/self esteem issues/confidence issues, shopping wasn't pleasant. I didn't feel good in anything, nothing ever fit right, which didn't make me feel comfortable in anything. Truth is I wasn't comfortable in my own skin, due to a variety of reasons. How many times are we unexcited, unmotivated or we procrastinate on things because we feel unprepared and we let past experiences dictate our present? Anyone?
* I didn't think I would find what I was looking for. I feared disappointment. How many times have you tried something and been disappointed because it didn't give you the results, or desires you thought it would? "What if" is a powerful voice of the enemy when focused on the negative. Instead of saying "what if I find the perfect outfit?" I was saying "what if I DON'T find the perfect outfit?" I was going in with fear already in my mind. Ugh. Not good.
* I had Landon with me. How many times have we used our children as an excuse for something? "I can't ____________, because I have kids." "I can't __________, because I'm a mom." What does that have to do with anything, really? Turns out, I enjoyed shopping with Landon and I was glad he was there!
* It was unknown. "If I didn't find a dress there, I would have to go to the mall, to how many other stores with Landon in tow to settle for something to wear?" Hear what I was saying to myself? Negative self talk going in. Defeated before I began. Not good.
Truth be told, none of those things happened. As my time went on and my guide helped me, I felt relief. I felt hopeful. I felt optimistic I would find something that I would love. Once I had selected my dress and shoes, I went to the bathroom. As I was walking to the loo, I felt relieved, thankful, hopeful and like a load had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt at peace. It was amazing.
I wonder what situations in your life are like that? What areas do you feel unprepared? Where your past dictates your present? Fearful of disappointment or bad results? It is unknown/you don't know what to do or where to start? Negative self talk gets you? I can think of several areas for myself where this has been the case. It has been the reason I have held off on things or not done things at all. What role did the clerk play? Quite a significant one, honestly. She showed me where to look, offered her advice and help and let me figure it out on my own, but she pointed me in the right direction and helped when I needed it. {I'm sorry, I have to say this, but does she sound like a coach or what? This is what I do in my challenge groups for my challengers.....but that is not what this post is about :) } If she hadn't been there, I would have wasted more time and energy which would have led to more frustration.
As I was leaving the store, all these thoughts came to me, then it hit me! This is life. This is what happens when people get stuck, they get caught up in things they shouldn't be, and so on. This is it. So, what if we all had someone like that clerk/coach in our lives to help us? How would that help you? Personally for me, God gave me an awesome mentor in Sioux Falls who did this for me as well. She spoke into my life and helped get me going in the right direction. What a blessing! So, friends, who has been in this role for you? Isn't it amazing the lessons we can learn from doing things like going to David's Bridal? I was out of my comfort zone, after all......
I'm not sure what it was exactly. Maybe the fact that I won't know anyone there. Maybe the fact that Chad will be working. Maybe the fact that I feel too old to go to grown up prom. Or, really, the reality being I didn't know what I was going to wear. Sigh. I had dresses from college {which represent old boyfriends, no thank you. No offense to them if they read this.}, old bridesmaid dresses, which were pretty old. I didn't want to go shopping because I didn't think I would find anything. I also didn't know what I was looking for, lol! Ever been there ~ need something, but ya don't know what ya need? So, that's where I was.
Enter David's Bridal on Thursday. With Landon in tow. This week has not gone down the way I would have preferred. See, in my ideal world, I would have shopped solo, but no dice. Little man had been sick this week so he had to tag along. Plus, I was running out of time! We went on Thursday, mind you, the Ball is Saturday. Yah, I may have procrastinated a bit. A-hem!
So, here I waltz into David's with my sidekick. The gal peppily asks "how can I help you?" I wanted to gag. First of all, I thought, I'm here as an older thirty-something, with a child in tow. I'm too old to be here. I'm not a bride. I'm not a bridesmaid. I'm not a mother of the bride. I'm not going to prom. This isn't my scene and I don't belong here. My hesitation about the Ball was increasing, can you tell? So I explain to Miss Peppy Pants that I'm going to the Boilermaker Ball on Saturday with my husband, I don't want to go and I don't want to spend a lot of money, so what could she do? I was totally expecting to leave empty handed. She shows me some options and leaves Landon and I to peruse the store. Surprisingly, Landon is well behaved, staying by me, being quiet. I was stumped and thought maybe this won't be so bad. I look through the dress racks, find some I like that aren't too expensive, because after all, I am not a ball going type of gal and am too practical to spend too much on a one time wear type of dress. Get me?
I noticed as I found things I liked, my attitude was changing. Dare I say, I was having fun? Mrs. Frumpy Pants with preschooler in tow was having fun? HUH, I will be! I ended up with 6 dresses Landon and I took to the dressing room. As I tried them on and they fit {halleluiah!}, I realized that this wasn't so bad. Landon was having fun, helping zip me up, offering his opinion {he liked the pink one, but I didn't get it!}, asking funny questions {hope this isn't TMI but at one point said "are those your boobs?" Um, ok.} I would go out of the dressing room because they don't have mirrors in the rooms. What is that about by the way? And, I met a friend! Super helpful young 28 year old who actually told me the dress I liked was "too old." I appreciated that, since I was already feeling a little out of my league to begin with, ha ha! She told me her top two choices, so I tried those on again, made my decision and viola! The dress had been said yes to!
Next up, shoes. Ugh. Another sore subject. I have a foot condition that only allows me to wear flats, so fancy heels were out. Thankfully they had some cute flats that they could dye to match my dress for me. At this point, I was actually liking Miss Peppy Pants from earlier, and I could tell my demeanor had changed during my time there. I checked out, feeling ready and excited to go to the Ball, finally! A feeling I didn't think would come, but it did. So, my friends, what does this have to do with life? Let me tell ya:
* I wasn't excited about the Ball because I felt unprepared. I didn't have anything to wear and didn't know if I would find anything I liked. I think part of this was because I let my past dictate my present. For me having body issues/self esteem issues/confidence issues, shopping wasn't pleasant. I didn't feel good in anything, nothing ever fit right, which didn't make me feel comfortable in anything. Truth is I wasn't comfortable in my own skin, due to a variety of reasons. How many times are we unexcited, unmotivated or we procrastinate on things because we feel unprepared and we let past experiences dictate our present? Anyone?
* I didn't think I would find what I was looking for. I feared disappointment. How many times have you tried something and been disappointed because it didn't give you the results, or desires you thought it would? "What if" is a powerful voice of the enemy when focused on the negative. Instead of saying "what if I find the perfect outfit?" I was saying "what if I DON'T find the perfect outfit?" I was going in with fear already in my mind. Ugh. Not good.
* I had Landon with me. How many times have we used our children as an excuse for something? "I can't ____________, because I have kids." "I can't __________, because I'm a mom." What does that have to do with anything, really? Turns out, I enjoyed shopping with Landon and I was glad he was there!
* It was unknown. "If I didn't find a dress there, I would have to go to the mall, to how many other stores with Landon in tow to settle for something to wear?" Hear what I was saying to myself? Negative self talk going in. Defeated before I began. Not good.
Truth be told, none of those things happened. As my time went on and my guide helped me, I felt relief. I felt hopeful. I felt optimistic I would find something that I would love. Once I had selected my dress and shoes, I went to the bathroom. As I was walking to the loo, I felt relieved, thankful, hopeful and like a load had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt at peace. It was amazing.
I wonder what situations in your life are like that? What areas do you feel unprepared? Where your past dictates your present? Fearful of disappointment or bad results? It is unknown/you don't know what to do or where to start? Negative self talk gets you? I can think of several areas for myself where this has been the case. It has been the reason I have held off on things or not done things at all. What role did the clerk play? Quite a significant one, honestly. She showed me where to look, offered her advice and help and let me figure it out on my own, but she pointed me in the right direction and helped when I needed it. {I'm sorry, I have to say this, but does she sound like a coach or what? This is what I do in my challenge groups for my challengers.....but that is not what this post is about :) } If she hadn't been there, I would have wasted more time and energy which would have led to more frustration.
As I was leaving the store, all these thoughts came to me, then it hit me! This is life. This is what happens when people get stuck, they get caught up in things they shouldn't be, and so on. This is it. So, what if we all had someone like that clerk/coach in our lives to help us? How would that help you? Personally for me, God gave me an awesome mentor in Sioux Falls who did this for me as well. She spoke into my life and helped get me going in the right direction. What a blessing! So, friends, who has been in this role for you? Isn't it amazing the lessons we can learn from doing things like going to David's Bridal? I was out of my comfort zone, after all......
What Exercise Has Taught Me About Life
Wow. This is kind of a deep post. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, so am ready to share some thoughts on this topic. Exercise has truly taught me a lot about life. Let me explain my relationship with exercise to you, so you will have a frame of reference as to where I have been. In elementary school, I would say I was a pretty sedentary kid. I don't remember playing sports or anything, was usually one of the last kids picked for the sports team in gym class {Remember that? Ugh.} In fact, I really enjoyed junk food, Doritos and Coke were my daily after school snack. Add that to watching t.v. and that's where I was. In middle school, I became a bit more active with cheerleading. Didn't make the volleyball team {more rejection}. I did dance all through school, though, I suppose. But, I don't remember any additional activities during middle school. In high school, I really kicked it into gear because not only did I do POMS {dance team}, but I also did tennis and my senior year I added on swimming! WAHOO! Go me! Also, during that time I decided I was overweight so used to dance for what seemed like hours, who knows how long it was, at night to burn off the big cookie I ate for lunch. {Notice my nutrition might be a SLIGHT bit off here?} So, that is my school age experience with exercise.
In college, I lived right across from the co-rec and remember working out several times a week. I'm not sure what my goal was, but I did enjoy working out. In fact, I remember very clearly one night, I had some conflict with some friends. Looking back, I was likely having an anxiety attack because I was short of breath and felt like I needed to escape. So, off to the gym I went. That is the first real memory I have of turning to exercise for stress relief. That was my first semester of college. Over Christmas break that year, I had jaw surgery where my jaw was wired shut for a few weeks. I didn't work out during that time. Once my jaw became unwired, I started to exercise again. Looking back, I'm again not sure what my purpose in exercise was, but I did it.
All through living in the sorority, I was a faithful gym go-er and in the summers, I would exercise by walking. I still continued to eat poorly though since I knew little about what I put into my body and how it affected me. Fast forward to life after college....again, joined the local Y in Chicago and worked out faithfully after getting off of work. A move to Madison, WI for a call to ministry.....again, faithful at working out. I even did some group fitness classes and enjoyed them. BUT, once I got pregnant, I did not exercise. I didn't exercise the whole time I was pregnant with Lauren. I think that is when I took a turn downhill, with exercise, looking back. Once we had her, we would go for regular walks, but that was about it. Going to the gym with a baby was too hard and those Madison winters....brrr! Once we had children, going to the gym for me was about my "me time" and utilizing the childcare, nothing more, really. Just a break.
Fast forward to February 2014 when I did an in home exercise program {the 21 Day Fix}. Wow. That was tough. I was sweaty. {I should tell you I don't like to sweat, which I will elaborate on later.} I was using parts of my body I hadn't used in years, well, ever really. I was sore in places I didn't know I had muscles. I was relieved when the 30 minute video was finished! I did it. I had a small taste of completing something and I liked it! The pain felt good. I liked feeling like I was going to get results. I liked how I felt about myself. It was exhilirating.
The long story short of that 21 Day Fix is I became a coach and have continued to exercise 5-6 days/week faithfully over the last year. I've learned what type of exercise I enjoy, what type I don't enjoy. I've learned what exercise does for me and it is amazing. It boosts my mood, changes my outlook, burns off stress and makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. So, I'd like to share with you some lessons exercise has taught me about life:
* I don't really like to be pushed outside of my comfort zone. Eek. Exercise pushes me. Truth be told, I don't really like exercise. I like what it does for me, how it makes me feel and the results, but I can't say I'm a fitness fanatic or anything like that.
* I don't like messy things, or to be messy, thus the I don't like to sweat comment. True story, I get up daily, shower, put on my make up, do my hair and THEN exercise after that! Wow, huh? I wonder if this is part of not liking to be pushed outside of my comfort zone? Being messy is for sure that to me.
* I am a driven, yet lazy person at the same time. I am driven to do the exercise, because I like the feeling of accomplishment, but I am somewhat lazy during the exercise. EEK! I know I could be more effective if I chose to be.
* I am impatient. Truth be told, yet again, I can't wait for the exercise to be finished. I watch the clock like a hawk waiting for it to be done.
* I lack focus. I have been known to actually check things/do things/multi task during the breaks on the video. Oye.
* I don't like to be interrupted. I have learned that childrens shows are really not 30 minutes, because Landon ALWAYS comes in before my 30 minutes are up. I just want to finish and not get ANOTHER show for him.
* I am disciplined and when I set my mind to something, I will do it. I can be focused when I choose to be.
* For me, exercise is a wonderful, awesome, incredible form of stress relief. It is my "me time." It gives me the energy I need to be the best wife and mom I can be. It is also showing me the areas I can grow in for sure {see the list above!}
* I have learned I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I am capable of doing things I never thought possible.
* I have learned the power of self talk, what you tell yourself, what you put into your mind affects you and your outlook. If I'm in an exercise saying "I can't do this anymore," do you think I will finish strong? NOPE. But, if I say "I can do this. I'm stronger today than I was yesterday," I will likely finish. I've learned how to be nice to myself.
* I am learning how to become the type of person I always wanted to be, but didn't think was possible. It's been pretty powerful to overcome some roadblocks I've had.
For me, the benefits outweigh the other things I've listed. It is something I have to discipline myself to do daily, as with other things in life. There is always going to be something you don't want to do/don't have to do/don't like to do, but sometimes you just need to DO IT. Exercise is teaching me how to push through and do that in all areas of life.
So, now it's your turn....what has exercise taught YOU about life?
In college, I lived right across from the co-rec and remember working out several times a week. I'm not sure what my goal was, but I did enjoy working out. In fact, I remember very clearly one night, I had some conflict with some friends. Looking back, I was likely having an anxiety attack because I was short of breath and felt like I needed to escape. So, off to the gym I went. That is the first real memory I have of turning to exercise for stress relief. That was my first semester of college. Over Christmas break that year, I had jaw surgery where my jaw was wired shut for a few weeks. I didn't work out during that time. Once my jaw became unwired, I started to exercise again. Looking back, I'm again not sure what my purpose in exercise was, but I did it.
All through living in the sorority, I was a faithful gym go-er and in the summers, I would exercise by walking. I still continued to eat poorly though since I knew little about what I put into my body and how it affected me. Fast forward to life after college....again, joined the local Y in Chicago and worked out faithfully after getting off of work. A move to Madison, WI for a call to ministry.....again, faithful at working out. I even did some group fitness classes and enjoyed them. BUT, once I got pregnant, I did not exercise. I didn't exercise the whole time I was pregnant with Lauren. I think that is when I took a turn downhill, with exercise, looking back. Once we had her, we would go for regular walks, but that was about it. Going to the gym with a baby was too hard and those Madison winters....brrr! Once we had children, going to the gym for me was about my "me time" and utilizing the childcare, nothing more, really. Just a break.
Fast forward to February 2014 when I did an in home exercise program {the 21 Day Fix}. Wow. That was tough. I was sweaty. {I should tell you I don't like to sweat, which I will elaborate on later.} I was using parts of my body I hadn't used in years, well, ever really. I was sore in places I didn't know I had muscles. I was relieved when the 30 minute video was finished! I did it. I had a small taste of completing something and I liked it! The pain felt good. I liked feeling like I was going to get results. I liked how I felt about myself. It was exhilirating.
The long story short of that 21 Day Fix is I became a coach and have continued to exercise 5-6 days/week faithfully over the last year. I've learned what type of exercise I enjoy, what type I don't enjoy. I've learned what exercise does for me and it is amazing. It boosts my mood, changes my outlook, burns off stress and makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. So, I'd like to share with you some lessons exercise has taught me about life:
* I don't really like to be pushed outside of my comfort zone. Eek. Exercise pushes me. Truth be told, I don't really like exercise. I like what it does for me, how it makes me feel and the results, but I can't say I'm a fitness fanatic or anything like that.
* I don't like messy things, or to be messy, thus the I don't like to sweat comment. True story, I get up daily, shower, put on my make up, do my hair and THEN exercise after that! Wow, huh? I wonder if this is part of not liking to be pushed outside of my comfort zone? Being messy is for sure that to me.
* I am a driven, yet lazy person at the same time. I am driven to do the exercise, because I like the feeling of accomplishment, but I am somewhat lazy during the exercise. EEK! I know I could be more effective if I chose to be.
* I am impatient. Truth be told, yet again, I can't wait for the exercise to be finished. I watch the clock like a hawk waiting for it to be done.
* I lack focus. I have been known to actually check things/do things/multi task during the breaks on the video. Oye.
* I don't like to be interrupted. I have learned that childrens shows are really not 30 minutes, because Landon ALWAYS comes in before my 30 minutes are up. I just want to finish and not get ANOTHER show for him.
* I am disciplined and when I set my mind to something, I will do it. I can be focused when I choose to be.
* For me, exercise is a wonderful, awesome, incredible form of stress relief. It is my "me time." It gives me the energy I need to be the best wife and mom I can be. It is also showing me the areas I can grow in for sure {see the list above!}
* I have learned I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I am capable of doing things I never thought possible.
* I have learned the power of self talk, what you tell yourself, what you put into your mind affects you and your outlook. If I'm in an exercise saying "I can't do this anymore," do you think I will finish strong? NOPE. But, if I say "I can do this. I'm stronger today than I was yesterday," I will likely finish. I've learned how to be nice to myself.
* I am learning how to become the type of person I always wanted to be, but didn't think was possible. It's been pretty powerful to overcome some roadblocks I've had.
For me, the benefits outweigh the other things I've listed. It is something I have to discipline myself to do daily, as with other things in life. There is always going to be something you don't want to do/don't have to do/don't like to do, but sometimes you just need to DO IT. Exercise is teaching me how to push through and do that in all areas of life.
So, now it's your turn....what has exercise taught YOU about life?
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