My son has a friend, and his mom dropped him off at the house the other night. We chat, she's nice, I used to see her occasionally at the gym, but I haven't seen her for a couple months. Anyway, we were standing on the front porch talking about other stuff and she said "Girl, oh my gosh, I can tell you've lost weight! Quite a bit! You look GREAT!" Then she just started spitting out questions a mile a minute. "are you still going to the gym? what are you doing? what do you eat? what...." It was fun.
We had the best time last night at Kings Island. At first I was a little worried because my son and his friends weren't real interested in hanging with me, so I was alone. (dh is in DC) They eventually started riding with me and we stayed together the whole night.
We went after I got off work and the boys were all kinds of nervous thinking they weren't going to have time to ride anything. They just dont' understand the wisdom of mama. I knew it wasn't going to be busy, as it was a Monday evening. I was right, and it was awesome! The weather was georgeous, and we walked on just about every ride we wanted to ride. (even the BEAST) Our longest wait was the SON of BEAST, and that was around 10 minutes. (because we wanted the front car. It's just so much fun on the front car) SWEET!
It was really cool too because we were on the Son of Beast when the park set off the nightly fireworks. As we were going up the fist hill the fireworks were going off. Granted, once the ride got going, watching fireworks was impossible, but we got to watch them going up the hill and when the ride was over. That has happend only one other time for us, and it was just as cool then as it was last night. *sigh* I love coasters and love the parks.
We had fun and made some memories!!
Eating was great. I ate before I went in, and what I had packed when I came out. Please don't pin a rose on my nose, that's more of an economic descision than a willpower decision. It breaks my heart to throw money in the trash, and that's exactly what you do when you pay park prices for food. My son gets one treat and that's it!!! I REFUSE to be taken for that ride.
I felt bloated last night. Not at all like the slim gal my friend spoke of the night before. Maybe because I was on my feet all day at work, then at the park? Too bad my last pedometer found it's way in the toilet, (that's so typical for me. you think I would learn) would have loved to know the number of steps I took yesterday.
Well, I gotta get moving. We are going home tomorrow and I have a TON of stuff to do. Can't wait to see the girls in my life. Grandma, mom, step-mom, sister-n-law, niece, and ladies from the church. Don't get me wrong, I'll be excited to see the men too, but I am really looking forward to some girl time.
Not a whole lot to update with BASE CAMP. Things are moving right along. I will share I've had the thought more than once that "this is hard!" (in the catagory of food) especially today, as it's normally my free day!!
It's worth it though, and I'm doing it. (in spite of it being hard.) GO ME! I can tell a difference in how I FEEL eating so "clean!" My mind feels a little more awake. My body feels lighter. It's interesting.
I have been exercising everyday. Am not going to let my VICTORY calendar average for the year slip away to do this. It's nothing major, mostly walks and bike rides. It feels good.
Am getting the house work done today because I have a very busy week ahead of me.
Dh is in Washington DC today. He will be working there for the next couple days. He just called and said he was headed out to do some sightseeing . *sigh* wish I was there. I LOVE all of the history and the monuments in DC. Maybe next time.
Ds and I are going to Kings Island tomorrow after work. This is what it looks like when you first walk in the gate. It's so pretty.
Kings Island is a big amusement park here. We have passes and this will make Aarons 5th visit for the year to my one, which will be tomorrow. We love riding coasters. The bigger the better. My favorite coasters are at a park called Cedar Point, but the ones at Kings Island will certainly do. I like the classic BEAST...
It's bumpy, but it's fast and fun!!! I like the very front car!
Aaron likes the SON OF BEAST...
It's not my favorite. Before they re-designed it, I actually thought it needed to be introduced to a match. (it's wooden) It was AWFUL!!! It would beat the living daylights out of ya. They re-designed the cars though, and now it's not bad at all. It's fun actaully. I love riding with him. He gets so tickled. It's fun to watch.
Should be fun.
We are headed to Cedar Point in a couple weeks. There are so many coasters I love at Cedar Point, but I have an all time favorite. It's called the Millennium Force, and it's AWESOME!!!!!! The 3 second view from the top is amazing as that first hill is 325 ft!!!!! It's fast and smooth too!!! I love it. I'm getting all excited talking about it! I can't wait to go!!!!
Has anyone ever been to Kings Island or Cedar Point? If so, what are your favorite coasters? If you haven't been to those parks, are you a coaster enthusiast too? If so, I would love to know your favorite.
Today was good. Got up after 8 hours of sleep. Went for a walk then did my workout of push-ups, squats, and crunches.
Drank 1 gallon of water.
Ate clean, lean and green. Struggled a couple times, and had to fight some urges with fruit, veggies, and water. I did it though and that makes me happy. Dh came home from work and fixed us the best smoothies and that satisfied the slight cravings I was having. It had 3 types of frozen fruit, whey protein, and water. Good stuff! I literally drank a full glass of fruit with absolutely no other sweetners involved and it was GREAT!!!!! How cool is that?
I am grateful for so much...
My son is healthy. (Mouthy sometimes, but healthy.) Not just healthy but ACTIVE. He plays his fair share of video games, but he spends a LOT of time outside riding bikes, skateboarding, playing tag, etc... I don't have to coax him to exercise at ALL. He just likes being outside.
I wake up in the mornings and my animals literally have me surrounded. The dog is on one side practically laying across my legs, and the cat is either on my chest or plastered to my side. Love those animals.
I have hope that Mary Kay can actually become something bigger than I initally planned. Not because someone is TELLING me to have hope, but because I am working and seeing results. I have been blessed with a dynamite leader (through adoption) and she is helping me every step of the way. She is becoming my mentor and friend. I am thankful for her.
Dh and I are doing so much better. Last year at this time I was oblivious to what was about to "rock my world." After it's been "rocked" I can honestly say that it's been hard, but things are better. God is definately working in that situation.
My parents are still living. My gram is still with me. (she raised me, so I think of her as my MOM) My actual Mom and I are really close. My step-mom and I don't talk as much as we used too, but we always just "pick back up where we left off". Dad and I could be closer. Am thankful for them all.
Ooops, I need to stop. I sure didn't mean to get so deep there, it just started flowing. Probably because I have really been thinking about things this week. I actually could go on, but I'm quite tired. I had a full day. Plus, I have a Mary Kay appointment early tomorrow and need to get some rest.
Thanks for listening. (or should I say thanks for reading?) Either way, have a great night.
I meant to get in each day with daily updates on BASE CAMP!! Will work to do better on that.
Things have gone very well. I love how it's simple, basic, wellness rules to live by.
Drink your water
Get your rest
Eat "lean, clean, and green"
Count your blessings
Don't over due it
This is basically Body-for-life, just minus the intensity. I've been doing most of it for awhile, but struggling in 3 areas.
sleep
eating "clean"
Over-doing it after little sleep. (I see a viscious cycle here)
Of course, no intensity has been a little difficult for me, but I am loving the early morning walks with no head phones or music for distraction. Just enjoying the sunshine and taking in the scenery. That's been nice.
I've had my eyes opened to the things I've added into my diet that are "convenience" foods. The things that are heavely processed that I was grabbing because it was quick, or when I felt I needed something that was a little sugary. (veggie burgers, bars, shakes, fudge cicles,wraps, market frest turkey sandwhich at Arbys with no mayo or special sause) ALL of that, although convenient, is HEAVILY processed.
That is showing me that preparation and planning are areas that need to be improved.
Getting the 7 hours of sleep each night has been W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!!! I've only done it for 4 days straight. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel doing this for awhile.
Since I'm not counting or tracking ANYTHING. (which is just all kinds of weird to me) I can't give you any specific numbers on what this is doing for my body. I normally don't count calories, and I step on the scale hardly ever, but...
I'm used to timing my meals
eating a certain amount of meals each day
working out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach
waitng 30 minutes after a workout to eat etc...
There is a big mental process that takes place daily. (which is now "normal" to me) Putting ALL of that aside and having the one rule of eatinng "lean, clean, and green" has been a breath of fresh air. I have eaten more fruits and veggies in the last 4 days than I have in WEEKS!!!!
I can tell you that I FEEL great!!! I feel rested. My body feels smaller some how. My legs feel a little lighter. My torso feels slimmer. My body is responding to this and I like it.
With all that said, tonight I put myself back to day 1. (LOL! Bet you didn't see that coming huh?)
Someone who is becoming a very dear friend cooked dinner, and I thought there were going be several more folks there (making it easier to just eat a salad because I would have sat away from the table) anyway...there were some cancellations and we were all at the same table, passing food "family style". She had cooked and prepared this meal and was so happy to be sharing it. I've passed up a pizza, muffins, and fruit drinks with her, but I was NOT going to pass up her home cooked meal. I honestly thought that sitting across the table from her, NOT sharing her meal, would have been just rude. (maybe I'm wrong, but I couldn't do it) So, I made the choice to eat it knowing what it meant. I din't have too much: 1 spoonful of pasta with sauce, salad, 1/2 piece of bread and fruit for dessert. It was yummy!! (and the fellowship was wonderful)
I don't feel bad about this. Yes, it's going to mess up my timeline. I chose to step away from the rules though, and I am going respect them by starting over.
I have eaten awesome this week.
I'm learning my weaknesses (which is ONLY going to help me in the long run)
I'm rested.
I'm hydrated.
I feel good.
I got to know my friend (friends) better over a home-cooked dinner.
I truly wasn't trying to be suspenceful. I knew that if I put all of the information about Base Camp in one blog, no one would ever get to the bottom. Or want to for that matter.
Anyway...
Here is the FULL SYSTEM REBOOT for Base Camp.
FIVE RULES FOR THE 12 DAYS OF BASE CAMP
Eat "Lean, Clean, and Green."
Drink water in abundance
Enjoy a minimum of 7 hours restful sleep each night.
Flex your muscle of gratitude and positive focus daily.
Recarge with the Base Camp Training plan.
Reboot rule #1: "lean, clean, and green" This is your only dietary guidline. You will remove a number of foods from your diet completely to cleanse and balance your body.
LEAN: enjoy an abundance of of lean sources of protein. Chicken breast, turkey, coldwater fish, lean beef, egg whites, and tofu. Consuming protein at every meal puts you on the fast track to strength.
CLEAN: means removing all forms of conventional fast food, heavily processed food, and other "junk" food. During this time I will consume no refined sugars. Twelve days away from refined sugars helps to stabalize your blood sugar and insulin levels and does wonders for the body on many levels. Also no dairy products, breads, or alcohol - including red wine. (which I don't drink at all, so that won't be a problem. It's the dairy that will get me. I add tons of dairy to my shakes)
GREEN: If it's a vegetable, especially if it's green, eat it early and eat it often.
Reboot Rule #2: Drink an abundance of water.
He suggests at LEAST 10 8 oz glasses. .
Reboot Rule #3:Enjoy a MINIMUM of 7 hours of sleep each night.
Reboot Rule # 4: Flex muscle of gratitude and positve focus each day.
Reboot Rule #5 Do the training plan.
Which is...
Mon, Weds. and Friday.
10 minute light warm-up
3 sets of 15 - 20 push-ups
3 sets of 15 -20 squats or lunges
3 sets of 15-20 crunches
Forgo any form of intense training and follow only the BASE CAMP plan for these 12 days.
The exercises are to be done with focus and intent. (explained in the book) He calls it doing them "from the inside out". (I'll have to read more on that.)
Here's the "catch."
There is one condition you must meet.... (taken from the book)
There must be 12 consecutive, successful days. If you succumb to one food that's not part of the program, start over. If you fail to drink an abundance of water each day, start over. If you have one beer on Day 11, you start over. If you get six hours sleep one night, start over. If you miss a training session, you know what to do. I'm quite serious. Why? It's simple. you cannot successfully challenge your body until it's in a positive environment first, and that's the goal with Base Camp.
That's pretty much it.
My days at BASE CAMP (Lord willing I don't "recycle" myself) are from June 9 - June 20.
I couldn't have done better at picking the most non ideal days. I have facials and skin care classes on 10, 11, 12, 14, & 17 (which always means food that I'm used to avoiding, but this is different) dh is leaving town for 3 days. ( he's our cook and keeps us going with the healthy foods. I can do it, but....) We are also going on a small vacation back home the 18th - 22nd!!!!!
I know it's going to be challenging, but there is no time like the present right? I want to do this. I want to challenge myself in this way. It's only going to make me feel better, have even more energy, and become more effecient. It's only going to help me prepare to have the best challenge I've ever had.
I'll share more as the days go on. Thanks for being here. Thanks for listening.
First let me share, that dh and I got up and went on the nicest bike ride. With this whole "needing to relax a bit", I put Cardio Coach 3 in and did just part of the challenges. When the trail got covered in trees I took Cardio Coach out of my ears and just took in my surroundings. It was cool, you could hear the water from the creek, deer were eating in the field, and the birds were chirping all around. It was so nice. I often miss all that as I am sprinting by. I enjoyed taking it all in.
Anyway...
a little more about BASE CAMP before I explain what I'll actually be doing.
Heads up, it's NOT just about taking 12 days off, and doing whatever. It's very specific. I've heard rumor that it's actually kinda difficult.
As stated in the last paragraphs at the bottom of this blog, it does "fly in the face about everything I know about getting things done and setting goals."
Here were some of my initial thoughts....
"you want me to do what? Take days OFF?
Are you kidding me?
What about my VICTORY calendar?
Exercise without intensity? What about Cardio Coach?
Are you kidding me?
What about...
This could be scary!!!
LOL!
You can bet my first thoughts were also of how I could be an exception to some of the rules.
*eiy yi yi*
I am choosing to trust it though.
After reading more and more, I am convinced I need it. I need it in a big way actually. I know Seminar is coming up, but I actually believe this is going to HELP me get the results I am looking for, not hinder me.
I'm going to share a little more from the book. I'm also putting some of this here for my referance as well. Dh and I are constantly taking the book from one another. He said this morning that he thought of going to buy another one because I always have it. It really is a great book.
Anyway, from the book STRENGTH for LIFE, Sean Phillips wrote....
BACK TO BALANCE WITH A LITTLE R&R AT BASE CAMP
"In order to fulfill your potential in the 12 weeks that follow, it is in your best interest to begin your Transformation fully revitalized. That's precisely what whese 12 days of Base Camp are all about - helping you get ready to START STRONG.
Appropriately named after the camp where the essential and final preparations are made by those seeking to scale the world's highest summit - that of Mount Everest - Base Camp is a period of preparation. It's a time to rest, recover, rejuvenate, and recharge your body and mind. It's not a time of more, but of less. It's a time to relax the sysems, not overwhelm them with new demands.
Getting back to balance begins with healing your body on the inside. When this happens, it's not unusual for your body to "super-compensate" by adding a small amount of muscle - for when you give it the chance to recover, it's likely to bounce back a little stronger. This may lead to a slight drop in body fat percentage, just as as Tom's client experienced.
It's not the numbers that are important here - it's the magic of setting the environment right for success, from the inside. In our attempt to focus on doing the right things, we often ignore our all-important physical state, which ultimately determines if the right actions produce the right results.
By now you may be feeling the draw to leap into your Tranformation. Perhaps you're inspired to embrace the benefits of Focus Intensity Training or to simply get on the the promise of a new, stonger, leaner you. To feel this kind of passion at this point is terrific. But now is the time where you must show the patience to make the right step first - not the one that looks right, but the one that sets you up for success.
Whether you're new to this sort of a Transformation program, a veteran of another, or perhaps you're getting back to training after a layoff, the 12 days of Base Camp are the right way to begin.
Take these 12 days now to rejuvenate - enjoy them. Watch for the signs of your body returning to full strength: Increased motivation, (this is what I'm looking for) sleeping better, being free from sugar cravings.
Even if you've been training for 20 years, you will find this period rejuventaing both mentally and physically. I realize this process might seem conterintuitive to you because it flies in the face of everything you know about getting things done and reaching goals. But I'm asking you to trust me on this; taking one small step back now will be a giant leap forward later.
Follow this simple guide and I promise that at the end of this brief 12-day Base Camp you will feel mentally and physically better than you have in years and be ready to get the most out of your Transformation. Feeling rested, recharged, and renewed at the end of your 12 days, you'll be popping out of bed full of vigor just like my son Nathaniel does every morning."
My first challenge this year was great! I was coming off of Christmas break and ready to start the New Year and a Challenge STRONG. Although now I am realizing that I can do much better with that preparation. I wasn't PREPARED then, I was rested. I'm learning there is a difference, a BIG difference.
Second challenge has been a train wreck. I explained that in my last blog. Sure, I've exercised. I've eaten well. I've not gained weight. I've not lost. I've not gained muscle either. I've actually gotten soft.
Where I'm noticing the MOST set-back is in my day to day habits. During the 1st challenge, I was up every day, at the gym at 0500, workouts were INTENSE, I felt AWESOME about what I was doing. I'd get home, the house was cleaned before work, I was more organized and effecient, things were just flowing.
In the last weeks, I get to the gym whenever. (mainly at night, after I've stressed about WHEN I'm going to fit it in all day) The early morning is inconsistant. I sleep in. I don't have the same type of energy. I'm not preparing in advance. Things aren't getting done with the same effeciency. I seem to always feel like I'm "behind."
Sure, I DO a lot and one would say "slow down." Here's my belief though, if you are healthy, strong, rested, planned, disciplined, and effecient you will be able to do more of the things you want, choose, and need to do. You will be MORE for your family. You will be MORE for you life. Having a healthy strong body, is essential to having a healthy, strong, well-rounded life. When those things are in place you "start driving your life, and stop just going along for the ride."
Anyway....I shared about my AHA moment when reading STRENGTH FOR LIFE by Sean Phillips. I'm going to share quite a bit of it with you here if you choose to read it.
Of course, I think there is application for everyone here, but if you are doing a challenge, have tried and didn't make it, think of doing one again, this is DEFINATATELY for you.
Sean Phillips wrote....
"When was the last time you woke up fully rested - eager and energized to start your day? Think back: perhaps it was day six of a seventh-day vacation when you were last in balance, enjoying your natural flow of energy.
As rare as a surplus of energy is for most, think of how a child awakens each day. My young son, Nathaniel, pops out of bed every morning with his tank full. No need for a grande coffee or anything to get him going. He's ready and eager to greet the thrilling day ahead.
What was the first sound you heard this morning when you awoke? Was it a radio station blasting or the screeching sound of an alarm buzzer tossing your cells into their own alarm state? For most of us, living the American Dream, it's a moderate-voltage wake-up followed by our favorite brew, a shower, and whatever it takes to get us back on the warrior path.
We've become so accustomed to living in a fatigued, compromised energy state brought on by chronic stress that we fail to consider that it could be any other way. It's become the norm. And many actually embrace it, using it to get them moving. This chronic stress drains us from the inside, stealing our energy and vitality. Combine this with poor nutrition and lack of sleep as it often is, you've got a recipe for physical, mental, and emotional depletion - a virtual house of cards ready to collapse at any moment.
Then one day, elevated by a sense of urgency, you decide from your overstressed, overcommitted state that NOW is the time to get in shape. You take on a fitness plan hoping to correct this physical wreck in mid-collision.
"Sure, you can do it all," you tell yourself. The big red S on your chest carefully concealed, you dive into a Transformation - like you'd dive into a swimming pool - although in your current state it's as if you're diving in with both hands tied behind your back and cement galoshes on. To your great astonishment, you sink like a rock, thanks to your compromised state and lack of preparation.
Enter into yoru upcoming Transformation physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, and you results will reflect your depleted state. You'll likely wind up another casualty of the mysterious"loss of motivation or discipline."
It's common even among those who most eagerly dive into a Transformation to hit an invisible wall. It may arise as low motivation, which is the fatigue taking over. It's like an inner intelligance saying, "enough already." For adding more stress, even a "positive stress" like a Transformation, only further compromises an already overloaded system.
If you are one of the many who have lived the story of having "failed a transformation", here's some good news: What you actually failed to do was prepare. It's not that you failed to close strong, but failed to START STRONG!!!!
The reality is that the intensity and demands of a Transformation are often too great for those who enter unprepared. The credit for uncovering this weak link in Transformtion program goes to ......and he goes on to explain of a gentlemen who did studies between two groups to see what was happening.
When the body becomes overloaded, your body bogs down and starts running in a compromised fashion - much like when your computer is overloaded. You don't notice it until out of nowhere your operating system starts to respond slugglishly, costing you time and frustration. It simply has too many demands and too little processing power. There's no need to scrap your computer - it's just time to reboot, perhaps defrag, and whatever else it takes to clear the slate and get it running at full operating speed.
Likewise, you need to regulary take a step back, recharge and reboot your body's systems. You'll notice once you do, you'll be stunned to discover just how sluggishly your system was operationg. "
That's the start of where all of this is coming from with my talk of needing to Rest, renew, reboot. Monday I head to BASE CAMP. Will share even more in the days ahead.
... a couple of them actually, and I'm going to share it here.
Get ready, this is long. My fingers are FLYING as I'm typnig so fast because I am so excited.
First...as many of you know I love and follow a program called Body-for-Life!! Love it, love it, love it!! Bill Phillips is the author of this program and in 1999, he came on the scene with a whole new state of mind about wellness and fitness. I can just imagine him saying...
He said, in the 90's mind you, to....
NOT count calories,
do NOT diet,
start looking at food as FUEL!
do short / intense cardio and strength training sessions 6 days a week
Take a FREE DAY. Eat what you want, don't exercise, etc...
Put the scale to the side, track your inches, and watch your body get tight and small.
Do this and you will build strength and transform your body in as little as 12 weeks. (become that compact car Tatumsmom has spoken about)
I will give you prizes if you do it best. BIG prizes!!!!!
Since that time MILLIONS have accepted the Body-for-Life challenge. I just read last night that BFL stayed on the New York Times best seller list for 352 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why? Because it works!!! Why? Because it makes sense!!! Why? Because it's simple!!! Why? Because it's backed by science Why? because it's an incredible way to learn how to transform your LIFE. Your habits. The things that you do on a day to day basis that help you gain strength in every area of your life. Even if you don't win the challenge, you are left with so much when you finish!!!!! It's NOT about the scale, and just taking up less space on the planet. It's about SO MUCH MORE!!!! Is it for everyone? Of course not. Am I trying to "sell" you on it? NOPE!!!
I LOVE IT!!!
I'm sure that's not shocking to any of you who have followed my wellness plan here on EP. From day one I came on the scene LOVING Body-for-Life, and it hasn't changed.
I did, however, do a few things wrong. Please know I am NOT beating myself up about this. Mistakes happen. The key is to learn from them and make changes where changes need to be made. I am actually REJOICING at the fact that I read something that put it all together, and let me have my *Aha* moment. Just reading this fresh new information has me feeling estatic.
The fresh new information comes from a new book. Recently Bill Phillips brother, SEAN PHILLIPS, has written a book called STRENGTH for Life. My copy arrived yesterday, and I am loving it. This book is different, yet it takes some of the BFL principles and explains why some people have HUGE success while others are left frustrated and discouraged with the program. Even though it's not from the same program, it pulls from the same science that made BFL successful.
Anyway....Sean talks of preparing your body before a challenge. Taking 12 days at BASE CAMP, to get your body ready. Challenges can be stressful (postive stress, but none-the-less stressful) and if you enter one with an energy depleated body, you are setting yourself up for failure. BASE CAMP is the name, because he says that if you were to climb Mt. Everest you would spend time at "base camp" getting everything
ready to go.
You would not just run up to the bottom of Mr. Everest and start climbing without that time of preparation. So he suggests 12 days to prepare. I will explain more of that in the days to come.
He also says that doing back-to-back challenges is like "doing the Tour de France then turning around and doing it again!!!!!" No athlete in there right mind would do that.
Hence...
MISTAKE #1
I didn't take any downtime. (which a week or two is suggested)
I actually hired a personal trainer and started with her BEFORE My challenge was even over!!!!! That leads to
MISTAKE #2 (I actually realized this one on my own awhile ago. I'm just now taking the time to write it out)
I hired the personal trainer. Even though she has completed multiple BFL challenges, and looks great, what I was doing was NOT Body-for-Life
I didn't eat with my family for WEEKS because my diet was "special" Plus they refused to have fish AGAIN!!! Ug!
Made the Eating-for-Life cookbook seem like it was Free day food.
Which, I so admire folks who can do that.
For me, it took me back. Back to the girl who OBSCESSED over eating and fitness. It truly "fried my wires" and there was a time, just a few short weeks ago, that I was contemplating throwing in the towel. I wanted to binge, I was going crazy!!!! If this was what it was going to take to get to the next level, then it was soooooooooooo not for me, and I CHOSE to not continue on. Could I do it? YES!!! Did I want to do it? NO!!! Not just NO, but H *#$! NO!!!
It also re-affirmed my disrespect for the scale. The number went down, but my peace of mind was compromised. Was it really worth it to find that "magic number?" I'll stay 154 for the rest of my life if I have too. I'm not doing that kind of stuff EVER AGAIN!!!! (i've done other extreme stuff MANY times and I'm now concrete with my original conviction that it's not for me) I wouldn't quit with her until my time was up though. I didn't want to throw my money away like that, and I was thinking that maybe my feelings would change if I just continued on.
At the end I was frustrated and confused. I questioned my ability to make sound descions about my fitness, and I truly have been just "going through the motions" ever sinse.
Until now!
Now I get it!!
These two things tripped me up. These two things were my mistake.
I didn't take any down time
I stopped following the program, and turned toward something that had every one of my senses screeming NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I'm going to add another and will discuss it later.
I didn't and don't get near enough rest. THAT too, leaves your body stressed and unable to transform.
Now I know WHY I've felt so "blah" about it all since my challenge ended. Now I know WHY it's been so hard for me to exercise the same type of discipline that I was enjoying just a few short weeks ago. It's like the veil has been lifted from my eyes and I can see clearly. I see my mistake! I get it!!!!
So, what do I do?????
Monday morning I am going to BASE CAMP! I am going to take 12 days to rest, renew, reboot.
Has been a very nice weekend, although Friday night was a bit scary.
We had some seriously wacky weather. We were woke up at 1:30 am to the sound of the tornado WARNING going off, and instructions for us to take cover immediately!!! YIKES!!!!
It took a minute for my brain to process what was going on. I soon realized that they don't run drills just for the fun of it at 0130, so it must be real. (plus the "this is not a drill, take cover immediately" gave me a clue. Pretty smart huh?)
Shock soon turned to complete terror realizing that Aaron, my son, was across town. (of course I knew he wasn't at home, but when your woke up like that you just don't think the same) Yes, my baby boy was across town (yes, I know he's 14, not really a baby) spending the night with a friend on the top floor of an apartment builiding!!! Aaak!!! What if they don't sound the sirens in town? What if he doesn't here them? What if he doesn't have anywhere to go? What if the roof gets ripped off and he gets sucked out into the night? (I've seen Twister 1 too many times) What if, what if, what if, my brain was spinning.
I didn't take complete cover. I went downstairs and kept pacing the floor trying to call Aaron. I kept calling and texting, texting and calling. My hands were shaking, and I dialed the wrong number I don't know how many times. (I woke a couple other people up too....oops) I was a complete and total mess.
Finally, when I took a second to breath, Bible verses (to song) that I have learned and taught others came to mind. I just kept saying "what time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" I started praying. Lord, please wake him up, please keep him safe, please help him think clearly, (and I guess He realized I needed a little of that thinking clearly too as I soon calmed down) I was truly afraid.
Thankfully, I got a hold of Aaron, and the warning sirens went off. The small tornado had touched down not far from here. It was the scariest 20 minutes I have experienced in a very long time. Hope that doesn't happen again any time soon.
Don't ask me what I'm going to do when Aaron eventually leaves home. As for now, he is officially on lock down and no longer allowed to sleep over ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, EVER AGAIN!!!! LOL! Just kidding!
The threat of a natural disaster really puts into perspective how very little control we have over many situations. So thankful this one turned out ok. *sigh*
On the fitness front May was the least disciplined of any month this year. I already shared how exercise was kinda lame. My VICTORY calendar shows 3 misses in exercise, giving me an average for the month of 88%!!!! I missed 1 day in January, 0 in February and March, 2 in April, and 3 in May!!!! That's better than last year, but I missed the same amount of days in one month that I have missed all year. Around here, that is what we call UNSAT!!! (unsatisfactory)
Am happy to start the month of June. Although it started on a Sunday, which is typically FREE DAY for me, dh and I took a 10 mile bike ride this morning. We would have gone farther, but we had to get back for church. Felt wonderful and we started the month strong!!!! Tomorrow is upper body and I'm looking forward to hitting it HARD!!!
Groceries are bought for the week, food is prepped, and meals are planned.
I have 56 days until seminar and it's time to quit playing around!!!
Wishing you all the very best of success!!! Alicia
My MIA status has been nothing more than weather related. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside and I've been enjoying lots of outside activity.
I did kind of relax on the wellness front this week and it was something that I needed to do I think. I exercised each day, but didnt train. (there is a BIG difference) I've eaten well, just not super scheduled. I've not gained, and I've not lost. Well, I have lost some muscle defintion. (It's amazing how fast that goes away.) Our muscle have excellent memories though, and getting it back shouldn't be a big problem once I hit the weights hard again. Has felt good to just kind of relax a bit though.
Dh and I have been taking bike rides and I'm loving it. Tomorrow morning right at dawn, we are headed to Dayton. We are going to pack a lite breakfast and have breakfast down in the city on the waterfront. There is a super cool park there. Should be fun.
I probably already told ya'll this, but we have the coolest trails here. They have taken the railroads and turned them into walking / bike trails and they go for miles. They are called "rails-to-trails". They are super nice, and I'm looking forward to our longer ride tomorrow. (which will be about 20 miles)
Of course, there is also Zumba at 11:00. Sure don't want to miss that.
Well, I need to make some MK deliveries and go buy some more plants. Dh and I spent the morning at the yard sales and now I have some cool plant stands to fill. I found an old wooden ladder for just $1.00!!!!! YES!! It's going to be a super cool plant stand for the porch. I won't use white pots though, something more rough and rustic. I am loving working with the plants and have to exercise some serious restraint when at the store. It's a sickness I tell ya.
I knew it wasn't going to be busy, as it was a Monday evening. I was right, and it was awesome! The weather was georgeous, and we walked on just about every ride we wanted to ride. (even the BEAST) Our longest wait was the SON of BEAST, and that was around 10 minutes. (because we wanted the front car. It's just so much fun on the front car) SWEET! 
That has happend only one other time for us, and it was just as cool then as it was last night. *sigh* I love coasters and love the parks. 
would have loved to know the number of steps I took yesterday. 
(it's wooden) It was AWFUL!!! It would beat the living daylights out of ya. They re-designed the cars though, and now it's not bad at all. It's fun actaully. I love riding with him. He gets so tickled. It's fun to watch. 
Am thankful for them all. 
I sure didn't mean to get so deep there, it just started flowing. Probably because I have really been thinking about things this week. I actually could go on, but I'm quite tired. I had a full day. Plus, I have a Mary Kay appointment early tomorrow and need to get some rest. 
Aaak!!! What if they don't sound the sirens in town? What if he doesn't here them? What if he doesn't have anywhere to go? What if the roof gets ripped off and he gets sucked out into the night? (
I won't use white pots though, something more rough and rustic. I am loving working with the plants and have to exercise some serious restraint when at the store. It's a sickness I tell ya.