Working My Way Back ...

After finally being released from all restrictions and really being able to get back to exercise this week, I have made this determination ... I have a LONG way to go. Making sure I fit training, yoga and time to just BE  into my schedule is going to be a HUGE priority. With being off for about 7 weeks and being really busy at work, it has taken a toll on my fitness, my body and my mind.  

So, I am putting it out there ... Operation "Back to Healthy" is under way. I am not looking for a quick fix and it'll take hard work and dedication to get where I would like to be.  There are LB's and fat loss to get rid of, not to lose as I don't want to "find" them again.  There is yoga to be done.  There are fears to overcome within yoga ... I DO want to teach someday and need lose the fear that I won't be "good" at it. I will find my own style and will embrace that style. Hopefully others will to :-). I need to "practice" my practice more ... And have been really been missing it.  There are priorities that need changing and also there is that ever so evasive balance to find ... I am getting closer and look forward to what this transformation will bring. It won't all happen at once and I am good with it all taking time as I am willing to commit to making my life, the best for me and my family as those are the most important people to me. 

As a friend of mine just said to me yesterday, when you are ready, it will happen. I am ready and truly need this.  I would like my clothes to fit well and to feel confident in them, I would like to be more at peace with me, my life and how I live it ... Someone also said to me the other day that I was the busiest person she knew.  I don't want to be the busiest person that ANYONE knows. I really took that to heart and it hurt my soul. Changes NEED to be made. I do have to say that I have gotten better at saying "no" again, so that is definitely step in the right direction. 

I have a plan in place and in writing that includes mind, body and soul. Not just arbitrary goals but solid goals with plans to implement them. This weekend away has been great to put it all together, take the time and to really figure out what I am looking to accomplish and how I would like to live. As, I said before, there is no quick fix.  Whether it is mind, body and/or spirit, it is a process. If we look for the quick fix, it won't truly ever happen. 

We have enjoyed the weekend away. Fun and most of all relaxing. So blessed to have this retreat and happy to be able to spend it with those I love. I hope you have all had an incredible weekend, enjoy the night and remember ... Life is good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another. 

Nothing to see here ...

It's been an interesting week and I am tired ... That's all she wrote today. But please do remember that life IS good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another.  I'll be back next week :-). 

First Week Back ...

Well, back at it ... Felt great, sore and happy ... Then I got a cold. With a combination of work, training and personal Schtuff happening (I don't share EVERYTHING) ;-), my body finally said "when".  Not excited about it but I am happy that this is the first time I have been sick all winter as last year was a hat trick with bronchitis and pneumonia, so it is nice to just have a cold.  It is all above the neck, so I will continue, but just at a more relaxed pace and effort. 

In the self care department, the week started out well, but kind of fell apart. Continuing on making that a priority and ultimately letting some things go.  It's proving to be a challenge at 45 years young ... But, if I keep working at it, it HAS to sink in, right? ;-).  The photo attached was posted by a friend ... Great reminders for all of us!  Look for it in my office at the club ... It'll be hung on my bathroom mirror as well :-). 

This weekend was Sparky's play. Love watching the Milton Optimist plays. It takes a lot of guts for them to get up there!  I have also attached a photo of Sparky as "Queen of the North". So proud of my girl!  In other kid news, I have to say that I am also really proud of my jack, swimming 200,000 yards over the past 3.5 months for swim team!  I looked back at my yards for 2013 and he almost doubled what I had done over the course of the entire year in that short time frame!!!

Off to get some rest and knock this cold out of the park.  Enjoy your night and the 40 degree weather coming up this week! And remember, life is good, enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another.  

Tomorrow ...

The 6 week mark is finally here!!!  Cleared to do everything and couldn't be happier about it. I feel like I can actually put my race training plan together and get focused again. Hard to plan anything or focus on anything when you can't physically do it. I have lost ground but it'll come back so here is to being able to train again!  

So, self care this week has been pretty good although I was a bit cranky (just ask about anyone that I saw) ;-).  Continuing making self care a priority and determined to not always have a hectic schedule. There is something to be said about having a little peace in one's day EVERYDAY. 

Looking forward to the changes that will come my way!  

Have a great Sunday evening and remember, Life is good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another. 

Random Thoughts ....

All I can say us that it's been a LONG week with a few shining moments/times sprinkled in there. The stress level has been relatively high and the fact that I haven't been able to truly exercise/train the way I am used to is frustrating and plays a role in my stress as I don't have that release to count on right now.  In just a week will have clearance to do everything, but I must say that it is hard to work in the fitness industry when you can't participate in all that you would like to.  

With the lack of exercise, my mind, body and soul are needing another weekend up at the cabin as I sleep so much better and can truly decompress while I am there.  Plans are in place and it'll happen soon :-). 

I have been working on making myself a priority, but this week has been a bit of a challenge as I have been pulled in too many directions than I can count.  Some have been ones I have been ok with being pulled in, others have not.  It is hard being a people pleaser and I need to stop. In life we won't always make everyone happy and that is OK.  So, just an FYI ... The tiny two letter word NO is coming back into my vocabulary, so look for it ;-).  

One of the shining moments this weeks was that a friend of mine who I admire, respect and am grateful that she is in my life wrote the best thing today that really hit home: 

"To achieve my top three goals of the year, I don't need to be busier, I need to be better. I don't need more time to do more. I need to do more of the right things and less of the other stuff."  Thanks for that Christi. 

So, here's to makin yourselves a priority, here's to self care and here's to temperatures that will be above zero all week!!!  Woot woot!  And most importantly, remember that life is good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another.