Motivation From Unexpected Places

This week has been full of ups and downs. A play date on Monday, toddler music class on Tuesday, followed by what can only be described in exorcist proportions. The flu or bad food reaction had blanketed CeCe's crib and a majority of its contents. Only her muppets and handmade blanket were spared.

After a long evening of teaching a toddler how to throw up in a bucket (a throw back to my sorority days), she slept soundly while I was half awake all night, listening to any signs of illness over the monitor. The next day there was no workout, and I felt it. I was dragging all day while CeCe, though lethargic was basically back to her normal self.

Backstory: When I married Cory, I encouraged him to get back into his Catholic roots. I had never been a "fan" of the religion, but I knew it was important to him. So many signs from God later, I found myself going through classes and making Catholicism my own

Yesterday evening, longtime friend Chris Lovett called me. We talked for about forty minutes about our kids, our lives. Then he asked, "I was wondering if you would like to be Ben's godmother." I was speechless. Holding back tears, I said, "Are you sure?" Chris said, "You've been on an incredible journey with your Catholicism. I cannot think of a better person to be my son's role model."

I went to bed and woke up feeling invigorated. I decided today was the day to tackle the elliptical. Last attempt only lasted 10 minutes. This time? THIRTY! It's amazing what makes you go and what keeps you going. Wherever you find your motivation, hang onto it and GO!

The Word "Can't"

Cory not only got me up at 6 am to work out, he was also my cheerleader. I truly appreciate his unconditional love and his confidence in me to make positive changes.

He is a good cheerleader - 95% of the time. And I am not dogging him in any way. He has been diligently exercising for several months. He is leagues ahead of me. I appreciate that he has so much confidence in me he thinks I can be at his level. But I am not. And him telling me I should exercise this way or that, do this much time, this much weights, etc. frankly ticks me off.

So today I explore the word "can't". You watch Biggest Loser and you see the trainers screaming at crying contestants as they utter, "I can't."  But can they really can't? You know they've gone through a thorough health screening. Those trainers know exactly what their bodies can handle. They aren't going to push them beyond what they can do physically. Mentally, yes, but not physically. What those contestants mean to say is, "I won't".

There are physical things I literally cannot do. My knees, my muscle tone will not let me. Physically, it isn't possible. But someday, it will.

Example. We have what we affectionately call the CeCe Corral. It's a multiframe baby gate that stretches across our living room. It keeps her from getting into Cory's computer, the wood pellet fire place, the dog food. When we first got it, I couldn't climb over it. I was not limber enough. But I lost weight and got in better shape. Now I can nearly hurdle this thing. I was physically limited, and now I am not. I went from "can't" to "can".

So many people, when they start their fitness journey, try to meet the abilities of their peers. Many of those goals are physically out of their reach. They get discouraged and they quit. Today I couldn't full body plank or do a side plank. My muscles aren't strong enough yet. Instead I planked with my knees down and did squats during the side planks. I still got a good workout and I didn't feel like a failure.

Someday I WILL full body and side plank. And I will celebrate and shoot for the next goal.

One goal at a time.

Crap eating

I had the craziest dream this past weekend. I dreamt I was running errands and saw cheese puffs on clearance.

If you know me, you know I love cheese puffs. The big, greasy ones that coat your fingers with processed cheese goodness. It is difficult for me to resist cheese puffs, especially in a dream state. So I added to my purchases and plowed into them as soon as I was on my way. I was slamming them down without looking.

When I finally did notice them, they were clear. And each one had a live bug in them. They were on clearance because they were a failed product of a tequila company. I realized in horror I had just consumed live bugs without even knowing.

How often I have done this in real life! Not eating the bugs, mind you. But made a last-minute purchase of chips or a candy bar or Hostess product (RIP) and consumed it in the car on the way home without thinking or enjoying. In reality, the bugs are probably healthier than the crap I have eaten.

I believe in signs, and being open to God's message. If I ignore this one I choose not to love myself the way God loves me. So far I have done really well at resisting. The 20+ cheese puff addiction is strong in this young skywalker, but I need to stay strong in my convictions to getting healthier. I've got amazing support from friends and family. And my life is worth so much more that a fleeting bit of instant gratification, even a cheese puff.

Unconditional love

I met Trena my freshman year at Butler University. She saw my poster in the mail room: Gas money for a ride to Ball State. My roommate at the time and I did not get along and she made everyone in our hall know how horrible I was. Trena thought to herself, 'It's an hour trip. How bad can it be?' and took me up on my offer. The hours there and back, she discovered I wasn't horrible and we've been friends ever since.

Nearly 20 years later (Holy crap, 20 years!) we continue to be a strong presence in each other's lives. Cecilia and I took a trip to Indy for a relaxing visit with her and husband RoudyBob. I returned refreshed, renewed and inspired.

First of all, Trena is the most committed philanthropist I know. How Michelle Obama hasn't discovered her yet I have no clue. Second, she and Bob took to a very active toddler into their home like she has always been there. Third, I discovered so much about our friendship that somehow I never noticed before.

Trena has loved and supported me through so many life changes, good and bad. She knows me better than I know myself. She has always been my cheerleader, my voice of reason and my ass kicker. I aspire to be like her every day. And she aspires to always continue to learn and grow.

I can be fat, I can be thin and she will always be there. She is a major part of why I will be successful. I hope other people have Trena's in their corner. Their journey would be so rewarding because of it.

No real exercise in two days

Maybe you all can help me. I completed the first round of circuit training and felt great. The next two days I limped on both legs because of extreme thigh soreness. Do I power through the pain next time or was rest the right choice? Am I pushing too hard? Not enough? Not discouraged, just the opposite. Probably too eager. I don't want to hurt myself.

Beyond Excited

I am beyond excited. My dear husband Cory found this for me and I just love it. It appears to be a really good circuit. It maximizes your effort in a minimal amount of time. Instead of instantly training for the Warrior Dash, I need to train my body to just be active. Plus, this will help tremendously in eliminating body fat. That is what I need right now anyway. Get excess off then really hit toning. Can't wait to see how well this works.

Gym Junkies - Workout for Beginners

Week One

What I did right: When I did exercise, I gave it my all. I wasn't lazy, I didn't half-@$$ it. Best part was, I looked forward to it.

What I need to improve: I did not do any exercise on the weekend. I really want to get up to exercising every day. I also didn't follow my Wheat Belly exactly. Places I slipped up were eating a graham cracker or too much fruit. But with a seven pound loss this week, I don't think it was terribly detrimental. Maybe I can pursue a Paleo/Wheat Belly hybrid.

Adventures in Wii Dance

I love Wii Dance. I'm not about the points, I'm about just grooving and having a good time.

I started with Elvis' A Little Less Conversation and immediately hit myself in the head. No one should be surprised. One of my nicknames is Helmet.

Half way through there was another head hit; my daughter. I beamed her hard. She stood up and her little lip started quivering. Spent the rest of the song holding her in one arm and doing the movement in another. (She's fine. She has a hard head too)

This time I didn't skimp on the movements. It felt like a real workout. Saving my upper body workout for CeCe's nap so there are no more injuries to her.

Two days in

I woke up at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, January 2 and began my journey.

First, Cory took the before photos. I adore the skull pants. They have been a staple of mine for over a year. And I look forward to the day they are too big. After the back shot, Cory informed me I had back boobs. Looking forward to those going away too.

Why did I post my weight? Because I have to be honest with myself. And what better way to be honest than to put it out there for everyone to see. Imagine me 50 pounds heavier. It blows my mind!

I completed fifteen minutes on the elliptical doing cross training then another fifteen minutes working on my upper body. I was ready to quit the elliptical after five minutes but kept pressing. I hope to up my time by five minutes every week or two until I can do 30 minutes without a problem. The upper body was a lot harder than I thought, but didn't leave me too terribly sore.

Today I was with the kid, so no elliptical. She is prone to explore and is fearless. Didn't feel like a call to the fire department to untangle her from the machine. We attempted Dance Party Wii but the controllers were all dead. So I spent a half hour working on my lower body. Abs, butt and legs. CeCe bounced between watching Super Why and cheering me along. Yes, she is carrying one pound weights in that picture. I don't need a personal trainer/drill sergeant when I have her yelling in my face. At one point she climbed on top of me while I was doing sit up. Tough cookie that one.

I am glad I am starting small. I don't feel discouraged or hopeless or in pain. I hope all men and women embarking on this journey know that exercising every day, regardless of the amount, is such a tremendous step.

How to get started

I've been trying to figure out how to start and not get overwhelmed. My fabulous husband (whose brain works when mine doesn't) suggested I look up videos on YouTube. 1) Duh. 2) What did we do before YouTube? I found a great series that isn't perky jerks in tight, colorful clothes shouting affirmations at you. Normal people giving instruction. Hooray!

Check out the video here.

So tomorrow I start with a 30 cardio on the elipitical, tackling a more hilly setting and ending with this exercise plan, adding in squats and lunges to do a little lower body.

Thoughts?

Starting off the new year

Once again I find myself on the couch. This time CeCe is with me. We are reading books and playing with her LeapTop and Santa hat. She has become a snuggly one lately and I'm not complaining. Its a relaxing morning after pretending I was 21 again. Cory is still asleep.

Tomorrow is the day I start my training. And I'm excited. But not obsessive excited like I get sometimes (all the time). This isn't a resolution. I feel those are for things you need to change but aren't ready to. Its more like the excitement I get when I get CeCe up in the morning. I do it every day. Its part of my life. But its something I love.

Happy New Year friends!