Life Coaching

I'm super, duper excited!  SHE RESPONDED!  (Probably what it feels like to wait for a date call you for a second date LOL.)

We have a video chat this afternoon.

She has 2 coaching programs that seem interesting to me.  A 6 week Whole30 and a 5 MONTH group program for life coaching (healthy body stuff).  The W30 program is reasonably priced (whew).  I don't have the cost information on the 5 month, but it doesn't start until late August.  I want something sooner.

My guess is the W30 6 week and then consider the 5 month (after trying her out and pricing the program) will win out.  At least I hope so!

I've never had life coaching or therapy, but both interest me.  Improving (with help) is a good thing.  Therapy is hard to find a match (i.e. I want to look forward, improve ... not hash out past goop).  I consider life coaching a form of that forward-like therapy.

I have no idea if I'm right.

Paying money if I get results is well worth the wallet hit.  The 5 month program is group coaching where you connect with everyone - not just the coach.  It's designed for those who yo-yo (yep, ME).

The group stuff is also appealing because I miss my little lifting group.  People with similar goals, working hard together, connecting personally ... but only in one area.  Does that make sense?  It's the connection I miss from my last job.  You are super close, sharing lots of stuff, yet there is a distance.

I have a lot of eggs in this basket and I really hope it doesn't disappoint.  Please let her be able to take me on IMMEDIATELY!!!  I feel like I know her on a level since I watch her Instagram stuff.  I follow her because I like her approach and her philosophy.

Fingers crossed!!

On a quick other note - taking my big guy to the vet.  Diarrhea and throwing up all over my bedroom last night.  Poor baby.  I'm still working on the rug.  I lifted yesterday and now I can't move today.  That was fun scrubbing on the floor at 1 am.  I took it easy, but it's been too long ... so now the consequence.  Ooops.

Louie thinks he's a cat!

Poop

I'm up to my eyeballs.

Two dogs down and out.  Louie with bloody diarrhea - 10 days, 3 meds.  Big guy with the squirts too.  Up during the night.  Might need a vet visit for him too.

Did I mention Louie had a massive, watery, bloody stool in OUR BED yesterday?!?!  I found it when I went to make the bed.  Fun times.  9 loads of laundry later (we have a lot of layers on our bed) ...

And, today is the dentist.  Wow.  There are no words, Universe.  See - poop.  Even the universe decided to dump on me.

Okay - all my puns over.  I started out wondering how many poo synonyms I could get into this post. I have loads more, but, I'll spare the visuals.

Duke and I went for a run in the rain yesterday.  It was sprinkling with no thunder, so why not.  We were wet by the end, but it felt refreshing.  Today is a lift day.

I've lost my mojo for boxing.  I hope when I go again, I'll find it.  I have the membership for 2 months - June and July (because there's a 30 day cancelation).  It takes some time to adjust so I need to give it an honest try.

I'm feeling that slump of motivation for all things again.  And TRUE CONFESSIONS, I ate crap last night after a bummer day of cleaning up poop (carpets, bed, etc) and some continued family drama getting me undone.

I'm not sure how to get myself back on a good streak.  The boxing slump is related to my family drama a little.  My brother's company has fitted this gym with equipment and he's the reason it's on my radar.  We had an "incident" this weekend that upset me a lot.  Now there's a weird linked association.  Stupid.  I know.  But it's there in my mind.  I don't want to think about it, but when I think about boxing my mind goes to the family issues.

My eating issues seem to be about accountability. I emailed a life coach yesterday to see about some life coaching - duh (guess that's obvious).  She's also a Whole30 coach and I follow her on Instagram since she was a guest on the Whole30 account.  I'm curious if she will respond.  I sort of expected a response by now (impatient me).  I emailed early yesterday and thought I'd have some contact by today.  It's probably my desperation wanting some help NOW.  I want to know the cost.  If it's astronomical, I'll think twice.  I also feel weird about NEEDING to pay for accountability, but if it gets me results, then it will be worth it.

I've been screwing around this for OVER 6 MONTHS!!  Good lord.  I need to shit or get off the pot (one more poop reference for good measure lol).

I'm hoping to turn this day around after a good workout.  The junk food left-over from the weekend is gone (thanks to yesterday-ME).  Ugh.  Why does my good, nice life feel HARD.  It's frustrating how silly this is ... and yet ... here I am.

Later gators.

And the week begins ...

RAIN and more RAIN!  I'll take it.  Overcast makes it cooler and, as long as there are a few breaks, we can get our walks, runs, etc anyway.  Plus our sprinkler system is on the fritz, so rain helps while we wait for the parts to arrive.

The weekend was FUN!  Lots of good people time, yummy food and whatnot.

I have a tiny rant though - bare with me.  It'll be quick!  This year was so much SHAMING on Facebook over Memorial Day.  Shaming people for confusing the day with Veterans Day.  Shaming people for CELEBRATING instead of having a somber day.  Come on folks.  Get over yourselves.  You can educate without shaming.  You can remember in celebration too.  People being opinionated just to be opinionated (and superior) is such a trend now.  It bugs the crap out of me.  Rant over.

I don't use Facebook a lot (mainly for the rescue stuff), but I'm liking it less and less.  It gives a voice to people I don't want to hear.  (Ooops, I guess my rant had one more point.)

Today is lunch with a friend for some catch-up time and then a vet appointment for Louie (bloody diarrhea - that's been fun - poor guy can't catch a break).

I need to get a "plan" going for this week.  Exercise, self-care, etc but I'm not feeling it.  What the heck is going on with me?!?!  All I can think of is that I adjusted so fast to being home after vacation, hit the ground running full speed ... I'm now in recoup mode.

On one hand, I want to PUSH and get moving forward.  On the other hand, I want to be gentle with myself and listen to what I need.  I think gentle is going to win.  I'm going to pace myself this week, recover, relax with a dose of TLC.

Eat well, exercise (with no specific plan) and some self-care.  (I have a dentist appointment tomorrow - suck balls!  That is enough yuck for the entire week!!)

Later gators :)

BBQs to start the SUMMER

Today and tomorrow are BBQs.  Lots of prep and lots of cooking.  I've been hitting the InstantPot HARD this weekend and pulling my freezer stash back up with quick summer options.

Tonight is burgers (my favorite grill item), corn on the cobb, mac & cheese (my kids' favorite), grilled veggies and ice cream for dessert.  I'll partake in the stuff I can - should be fun.

Tomorrow is a grill out at a friend's house.  I'm bringing deviled eggs (thanks InstantPot), meat sauce for hot dogs (by request of my friend's husband) and rice crispies (because I'm the QUEEN of the perfect RC says EVERYONE).

I'm also meeting a friend for coffee.  She heads out of the county for 3 weeks and we haven't been able to connect for too long.  I love a good chat!

Little Louis is an awesome dog.  Housebroken, leash trained, crate trained.  He's having a horrible time with itchy skin where he was shaved (so severely matted).  He has to wear his neck tube to stop the chewing.  We have cream and meds to help him.  Poor little guy.  As usual, he has our heart already.

Furniture protected from his itch cream!

I haven't made a plan for next week yet (i.e. my FUN stuff and my workouts).  Best get on it soon.  Even though I'm technically caught up after vacation, I still feel like I'm not totally in a normal routine.  I think the kitchen cook-up and massive grocery store runs (in holiday crowds) are making me feel that way.  Youngest moves mostly back home today.  Plus, Monday being a holiday screws with my week.  Stupid - I know.  Not an excuse, but part of my wonky week feeling.

We didn't make it to the Farmer's Market.  Rain and more rain.  We did manage all the dog walks which is no little "feet" with the three of them.

I'm actually a bit happy about a rainy weekend.  I needed lots of time in the kitchen and this keeps us home.

Our thoughts are with those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and their loved ones.  Happy Memorial Day (weekend).

The WEEKEND!

School's finished for the summer.

It's HOT and HUMID and always threatening STORMS.

BBQs everywhere are firing up.

Watermelon in the grocery stores.

It must be MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!  Normally, I don't need a long weekend (since I'm not currently working), but it's nice to have the help around the house with the new foster and such.

We have mellow plans which suits me just fine.  A family BBQ, a friend BBQ (at their house), a visit to our local Farmer's Market and that's it.  Dog walks, dog runs, dog playing ... you get the idea.

Yesterday, I got most of the post-vacation mess finished.  My to-do list was put to bed and all that's left is some bigger grocery shopping (but that's every week).

Next week begins a more structured workout program.  Boxing, scheduled running days with Duke and some lifting.  I'm working on that plan.

Clotted cream fudge extras went into work with hubby - brilliant, if I do say so myself.

I'm also adding some FUN into my days next week - non food fun while I move forward with my HEALTHY return.  Pedicure (after walking in cities for 13 days - gnarly piggies).  Massage because boxing.

I've almost licked this cold too.  Life seems on an upswing.  I'll take it.  Later gators.

Well, that was quick.

Now it's hard.

That was quick.

Witching hours and I want to munch and munch and munch.  Bummer.  

All was (sort of) easy until I got out the souvenirs I brought back for my other dog sitter and his family.  Remember that clotted cream fudge I was on the hunt for?!?  I found it.  DELICIOUS and cheap.  I brought back lots of it.  Stupid.  He's getting a box as part of his gift, but I still have 2 more boxes.

Now it's haunting me from the pantry.

Live and learn (but, yet, I never really do).

Sweat

It felt orgasmically good to SWEAT yesterday!  My body shouted "it's about damn time!"  I can't believe how long I went without working out!!

This morning is the same.  My body is itching to sweat, itching to get a heart rate up.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder - even with the treadmill!!

The other sweat is not so fun.  SUMMER.  It's here.  Hot, humid and no fun.  Commence the 6 months of complaining.  Sorry, I'm born and raised in the northern states and this is yucky.

I'll need to modify running with Duke.  Maybe 2 times a week, up early and ready to go?  Not sure if that's even too much heat.  I'll have to see.  School is out this week so I'll figure things out for next week.

Eating was really good yesterday.  I craved veggies and veggies won the menu for the day (mixed with some lean protein).  Today is the same.  I'll be detoxing in the next couple of days.  The bright side is I already feel crappy from the cold, so maybe I won't notice.  Get it all over at once.

On the dog front ... meet little Louie Winston V (part French, part English and the 5 for his age). Then he can be called Louie V - so clever (you can tell my kid is in marketing).

Yesterday was crazy with him.  He was scared and fought with my dogs like crazy.  By last night things had settled down.  He had a good night in the crate.  Neutering didn't go well and he has a large incision.  We got him a ring (instead of that horrible plastic cone).  Poor little man.

The sad news is he has a pretty serious heart murmur that might be too serious for my kids to manage.  They love him already though.  Ugh.  Stay tuned.

Back to ME ...

There is something so nice about new beginnings.  I feel like NOW is a new beginning.  Sadly, I'm still an all-or-nothing girl so starting my big re-do when I had a huge trip looming doesn't work for me.  I have NOTHING big on the calendar all summer.  I can begin without a time table or a rush.  It feels good (and it will get hard, but today is just good).

I WILL GET BACK!

On that note, I better get to walking Duke before the sun's totally up.  Later gators!

There's no place like HOME!

Home. Sweet. Home.

We had a fantastic trip - from start to finish.  Everything went smoothly.  We rolled with the unusual AirBNBs, we navigated like the locals (thanks hubby), we ate AMAZING food (even in London), we communicated with the french (thanks Ms Lippany from HS French class), we were in awe of the history and we did some SERIOUS people watching.  Lots of laughable memories that we will tease about through eternity (that's what we do).

Food tours in local neighborhoods.
Skip-the-line tours to Louvre (best tour we had)
Pup History "Liquid" Tour (gin and tonic in London is an art - so many options ... it's a creation every time. Nothing like G&T in US)
Champagne day trip visiting vineyards and lunch
Champagne toast on the top of the Eiffel Tower
Day trip to the English countryside.
Speed boat ride down the Themes River
Special changing of the guards tour - we marched along side with them (on the sidewalk, of course)

And so much more!!

Eldest's girlfriend got interviewed by ABC news out of LA about the Royal Wedding.  A start is born!

The ONLY downside is I was under-the-weather the entire time.  First my monthly.  Then I was clogged for 5 days (even with my monthly and magnesium).  Then I set my stomach off (something must of had hidden cream - I couldn't eat at all one of the days).  Then I caught a cold (so did my eldest).  UGH.  That was a struggle.

Feeling puny and no easy exercise options meant I didn't work out NOT EVEN ONE TIME!!  OMG. That has never happened.  I'm so excited to sweat my brains out this morning (even with my cold).  We walked so many miles everyday, but that's not the same.

Here's a quick preview of what's what for today:

Picking up Duke from the sitter (he did great, but chased their cat non-stop ... oops)
TONS of house chores from unpacking to bills to grocery shopping to laundry.

AND ....

We're getting little Louie today!  We are fostering a dog my eldest and his girlfriend might want to adopt.  The timing is a little pushed, but we'll figure it out.  More on him later.

And, Whole30 starts today (thank you freezer stash).  Not sure how long, but SOMETHING needs to happen.  Today, I can't wait!  I need to eat veggies and exercise and cut out sugar/alcohol/bread.  I will be so HAPPY today and then the detox will start and I'll be a bitchin' ... get ready.  You can't say you weren't warned.

Here are a few pictures.  I'm not organized enough this morning for too many, but I pulled these from Facebook.

Pup Crawl - acting goofy. 

The Interview!!  ABC news.

Buckingham Palace after our guard tour.

The family - quick lunch upstairs from pup. 

Day in the English countryside. 

View from our Paris flat.

Toasting atop the Eiffel Tower.

Life is good when you are happy to travel and happy to return.  Balance.  My favorite word.  Later gators.  I'm off to get my SWEAT ON!!!

Cheerio Mate

TRAVEL day is here!  I didn't think I could say 'hello' today, but hubby is getting a haircut and youngest is asleep.

Here's the what's what ...

Still no monthly friend.  Due to come as we board (no exaggeration - I should get it this evening). Ugh.  Mother Nature loves a quick jab here and there.  24 hours earlier and all would be well.

Packed and ready.  I can't stand packing (don't mind unpacking at all).  I'm actually getting good at packing for Europe in the spring.  3 black shirts, 2 white summer sweaters, 3 skirts, 2 workout outfits, 2 pairs of flip-flops, my runnings shoes, one travel purse and one travel backpack.  Done.  Detergent to wash stuff in the sink. (Although, this time we have washer/dryers in the units.)

I'm feeling sad for our little man, Duke.  He's going to a daycare in a home of a fellow foster and I know he'll be well cared for and loved ... BUT he won't understand we are coming back.  That kind of breaks my heart.  He's been moved around every month to 2 months lately and this is right on schedule.  UGH.  My big guy knows the routine and has a great time with his second family when we're gone!

My nails look FANTASTIC!  The owner selected a tech for me and I'm happy.  I got an American (french with a softer white).  I love everything except the price.  $64 - not even kidding.  I about fell over!  But this is a good option for travel or special occasions.  She said if I file them, I might get it to last a month - since the base is sheer.  That feels a bit better.

Something called Winks came in the mail yesterday.  It's a chewable melatonin.  It was recommended by an Instagram "influencer" and got good reviews.  I don't want to take something stronger for tonight, but this might help me sleep a little.  Flying Delta One again.  Surprising youngest with his graduation upgrade when we leave for the airport.  I love a surprise!!

I messaged an old friend from England yesterday.  This was my second family in grade school.  They moved back to England when I started middle school and I visited for an entire summer - so fun!  Anyway, they had the best candy that I always pigged out on when they brought it back from home.  I thought it would be fun to try again and see if it holds up in my memory, but I never knew what it was called.  They all remembered my love (aka pigging out) of this candy - clotted cream fudge.  You can get it in a drugstore in a box with "some pretty outdoor picture."  Ha - who knew.  I'll be on the hunt for it!

London first.  Paris to follow.  Later gators.

The Graduate

Yesterday was a proud day.  Our youngest graduated with honors (there were so many times we didn't think he'd make it through K-12!!).  Political Science major with 2 minors.  We are so proud of him.  He's on the hunt for a job for a year or two before graduate school -- excited to see where life takes him!

The graduation was in the morning.  Bingo was fun, but with no student speakers, it was a bust for actual B.I.N.G.O.  I "won" since I have three lines with 4 ... just couldn't get a 5th! We had a take-out lunch on our deck with a couple bottles of bubbles.  Followed immediately by a day-drinking/food coma.  Dinner out with the 5 of us and it was a fun night - laughing, celebrating, excited for the trip.  PS the gag gifts his brother and girlfriend gave him were so funny (but the real gifts were super generous)

Today is all things PACKING!  It shouldn't be horrible.  I have most of it listed out and some things already gathered.  We travel to Europe in the spring with carry-ons only.  It makes travel so much easier.  Spring clothes are light and easy to pack.  If I go away for the weekend, I need a 50 lb checked bag, roller carry-on and a big purse LOL - I'm the queen of overpack.  This is my ONLY packing pride moment so I tell EVERYONE!!!

I'm getting powder SNS on my nails today.  Will see if I regret it.  I need polish to stay on the entire trip and that's the only type that will.  It feels weird and thick.

This is a quick hello.  Lots to do.  Fingers crossed for safe travels (if you never hear from me again ... my travel nerves are running amuck LOL).  But, assuming all is well, see in a couple of weeks.  Later gators.

Big Week Ahead!

This is our biggest week of the year!

Youngest set to graduate on Wednesday.  Off for a family trip to London and Paris on Friday.  Fun stuff happening.

As usual, lots of work before the fun can begin.  And, as usual, I'm getting nervous about the trip.  It happens every trip.  Ugh.  I'm a grown woman and I need to put my big girl panties on!!  Did I mention there is a transit strike the day we get to Paris?  Ugh.

AND this week is PMS.  Oh boy.  The trifecta.  Watch out.

It's actually the trifecta plus one.  Don't know what that's called.  On top of it all, family drama.  Specifically, my mom is back to some serious mean behavior.  It's disappointing.  I thought she was finished with the nastiness toward me (and some others).  I can't talk to her about it without throwing some other families members into turmoil with her.  It's a stress I need to offload.  I'm working on it.

I started writing this yesterday and then dogs, phone calls, contractor, last minute lunch date with a friend - all stepped up and I never got back to it.  It helped distracted from the family drama - thanks Universe.

Not a lot to add today.  The to-do list continues.  I'm on it and well organized (thank God for small favors!).

If all goes as planned, I'll have a graduation post on Thursday and then it's see-ya for a couple of weeks.

A quick update on the book I read about Paris - The Sweet Life in Paris (David Leibovitz).  Don't read it if you are traveling to Paris.  He loves Parisians and living in Paris, but he paints this picture of rude, horrible people.  I think this was exaggerated to glorify his adventure - at least I hope it was.  It was so unnerving that I contacted a number of people who I know travel to Paris and asked them if we'd every be allowed to enter a store or restaurant!!  If our experience is MUCH better than his, I think I'll add a review to the book on Amazon.  The writing was nice, the book was entertaining, recipes fun ... but it was a big WARNING to never travel to Paris.

Another quick update - I'm not boxing at all this week.  May is my bonus, free month.  My back is feeling wonky and I don't want to risk setting it off.  I'm on caution mode (which means no romaine lettuce either).  Running and baby spinach for the win.

Later gators!!

Little Things Updates

While I still have ups and downs on my eating healthy (more downs than ups - crap), I AM engaged in getting things done.  This is a good step for me to get back to the GOOD STUFF.

When I'm in a funk, I have ideas and then let those ideas fade away to nothing.  When I'm out of my funk, I actually DO things - imagine that!!

In order of my brain thoughts this morning:

GRADUATION BINGO is designed, printed and bingo pens have arrived.  I saw this on Facebook 8 months ago and saved it.  It's a fun distraction during a long a boring ceremony!  The prize is a box of chocolate smores candy from Trader Joe's.  Yum!!  I saw it and thought - so fun, so perfect.  The fact that I'm actually doing it is a yea-me moment.

READING.  I'm on a roll.  Reading is different than watching.  There is something about it that gives me the feel-goods.  I'm reading a book about Paris life and the author's adjustment to the Parisian way of living. He's a pastry chef, so lots of information and recipes on all yummy french pastries!  I figure this is a good idea heading to Paris.  I didn't love it the last time I was there - the snooty stereotype was alive and well.  Maybe it was ME, not THEM.  When in Rome ...
"The Sweet Life in Paris" -- David Lebovitz

CROSS TRAINING.  You know all about my boxing effort.  I learned a lot lifting and doing tabata.  Some stuff to take with me, but life pivoted and changed again.  So I'm continuing on ... trying and trying until I find IT.  This might not be IT, but it will surely give me some learning and steps forward.

LEARNING.  I'm on the hunt to learn new things.  Little things, big things, whatever.  Documentaries on Netflix, asking questions when I'm out-and-about, looking up things I wonder about, listening more to people ... brain food. I forget this sometimes.  It adds a whole bunch of interest to my day.

BEING FLEXIBLE.  This is a new project for me.  I tend to get an idea and then want it to flow PERFECTLY as I imagined it should.  If it doesn't, I get pissy or upset or give up on it.  I'm embracing the path (as best I can - it's not easy LOL).  Embracing and (sometimes) even welcoming a different direction.  Very zen-like of me.  (I can do this for awhile and then I have a fit ... and then zen-ME comes back.  It's an endurance issue LOL!!)  Practice, practice, practice!!

ADDING to the CALENDAR.  VARIETY - my old friend, glad to have you back.  I'm a CERTAINTY girl, but too much is too much.  Adding some fun to the calendar, out of the box stuff, doing it NOW (not waiting until the next time), asking different friends to come along, fitting it in to my schedule.  It all is good. I do this and then I fade back into my CERTAINTY role of same-same.  I'm focused on this balance and it feels good.

Now the HARD part - my dang diet!!  Trip to Europe and then I must get things in a better place (where have I heard this before?!?!?).  Have a great weekend!  Later gators.

Tis the Weekend!

I made it to boxing yesterday, but not without a bit of crazy.  I watched the youtube video on wrapping and wrapped both hands - success.  Then I checked out the class schedule to see who was teaching it AND, oh no, class was 30 minutes earlier than I thought.

I raced through getting dressed, running a comb through my hair, taking dogs out ... all with my dang hands wrapped!!  That was an adventure.  But I made it to class - by the skin of my teeth.

At first I really liked the class.  She had simpler move combinations which gave ME a better workout.  Then it got complicated.  Then I got exhausted.  Then my arms wanted to die.  I was struggling with the complicated foot work and I didn't get any instruction help.  I was bummed.  While I was actively dying, I decided when we get back from our trip, I'll take a private lesson to see what's what.  As I was leaving, the owner asked how it went ... I mentioned I was totally confused (I almost said fine).  The instructor heard and gave me a private 10 minute lesson.  She said to come a bit early next time and she'd help.  I felt much better.

Speaking up.  Solving a problem.  Sometime I don't do it - but it works when I do.

Tried another Jim Rohn CD and it's doing that too.  Maybe they all are formatted that way?  I'll listen to them at home.  I got to hear most of one yesterday on my drive to lunch with my youngest.  I'm not overly impressed.  You can see where Tony Robbins took his material and ran with it.  It seems basic and a bit boring actually.  Probably the price should've clued me in ... 6 CDs for $40.  The single CD I have is $38.  Anyway.  I'll poke around with it here and there.

Today is a full day.  HAIR DAY!!  Now that I'm the shade of blonde I want to be, there is no anxiety LOL.  I get a mini-keratin treatment that stays on until tomorrow so my hair has a thick coat of greasy film on it (picture unwashed hair for a month).  It needs to stay for 8 hours.  I usually hide for the rest of hair day.

BUT ...

We are going out tonight.  Yep - bummer.  My hair will look like dirty yuck.  It's not about having a bad hair moment, it's about a DIRTY looking hair moment.  Oh well.  I don't want to miss out on tonight.

We are headed to a local polo club that hosts outdoor concerts once a month over the summer.  It's hidden somewhere in our town!  I had no idea this existed.  We have lawn tickets - bring your own chair, cooler, etc.  The performers are songwriters from Nashville.  I'm really looking forward to the night.  We'll hang out for a bit, enjoy our picnic and sit and listen to music ... all with great company.  Sounds kind of perfect (except for my 'dirty' hair!!).

Tomorrow, hubby plays Wimbledon tennis playoffs so Duke and I will go and watch.  It's the never ending tennis talk channel this week.  It's the first time they've made the playoffs.  I'm proud of him.  That said, I thought the days of watching family play sports was over - I'm not such a sports girl.

Sunday is shopping for our trip.  I need a few tops and that's it.  Fingers crossed for good shopping karma.

Ellie is adjusting well to her new home.  Duke is adjusting to missing Ellie.  Things feel easier, but I miss that little spitfire!

That's all from here - yea weekend!  Later gators.

Boxing Stuff Today

Some literal, some metaphoric.

First the literal ...

I'm up early-ish to head to a boxing class.  I think.  I'm sitting here trying to decide to go or not to go. Not going might set a bad precedence for my future of going.  Here's my dilemma.

I don't know what I'm doing. I have no idea how to wrap my hands (heading to youtube to watch a demo).  I don't know what this class is like - different instructor.  I'm out of my element, out of my box (almost a pun) and a regular run instead feels "safe."

The first class was a brand new experience.  I wasn't self-conscious or nervous at all.  I don't have someone holding my hand this time.  Now I feel uncomfortable.

But that's the point.  Do something different.  Now some metaphoric boxing ... I can't keep doing the same, same, same.  I need to move and change ... like a boxer.  Ta Da!  Literal and metaphoric.  LOL.

Anyway ... I think I'll wrap my hands before I go.  Can I drive with the wraps?!?  I think so.  That will eliminate the big issue - I don't know how to wrap my hands and without a step-by-step in front of me, I won't be able to do it at the boxing studio.  I actually don't know if I can do it at all!

Another lesson from boxing in the metaphoric sense ...

My Jim Rohn CDs are "off."  The second one works for the first track and then plays, but doesn't move through the tracks.  The problem?  Every time I start up the car, it goes back to the beginning and there's no way to move ahead.  I have an old computer that plays CDs, but that's it.  My first thought was to return them and GIVE UP.  But I'm going to move with the problem and try another angle.  I'll return, get new and if those don't work, I'll listen to them at home on the computer - allowing enough of a chunk of time to get through each CD.  The set was about $40 - not a wallet buster.

Okay - time to wrap my hands.  I'm probably the only one in the universe who is more concerned about wrapping my hands than the workout.  Maybe I'll LOVE this class.  It's a Schrodinger’s cat  moment.  At this very moment I simultaneously love and hate this boxing class.  Won't know unless I open the box. (I'm full of this stuff this morning - ha - at least my brain is ready!)

Fingers crossed - later gators.

Picture Worth a Thousand Words ...

I get all mushy with dogs.  I don't feel the same about kids.  I like kids, but I don't often go ga-ga over them.  Another Releash foster posted this picture yesterday and I can't stop looking at it - both the dog and the little boy!  This dog was hours from being euthanized when Releash and his foster grabbed him.  This is beautiful.  Love in it's sweetest form.  They will grow up together loving each other.  What an amazing family to trust and love a dog in need and give this gift to their child.  *sob*

Ellie McBelly went to her new home yesterday.  She did well and I hope overnight was good too!  I'll find out later.  She meets the grandkids and grand-dog today and I know she will love that social time.  It's super quiet without her.  I miss her little face and spunky personality.  I'm only sad because I worry she thinks I abandoned her - ugh - that's the hard part!

I started listening to my Jim Rohn program and the first CD is damaged.  I'll try the next one (6 in total).  I only took one in the car yesterday.  If that's a bust, I'll have to return it.  I'm disappointed.

Today is a REST day and my old body needs it.  Running, boxing, more running - I can't move without hurting LOL.  Long walk with Duke, foam rolling and that's it today.  Tomorrow, I'll take my second boxing class and do the Duke walk.

I'm looking for some fun in my day and I think a pedicure for the WIN.  My toes are a mess and I need them ready for the trip and a picnic concert this weekend.  I'm very toe vain!  They are so bad, I don't even know if they can be totally fixed this time.  I had 2 nails rip low and uneven - one is practically missing!  I'm thinking about getting SNS powder for the trip to Europe.  We are gone for a long time and that's the only thing that will last on my nails.  I'll wait until next week for that though.

Maybe I should book a massage for next week too.  These sore muscles could use some TLC.  Brainstorming hard this morning LOL.

Have a happy hump day!  Later gators.

I still CAN'T move and other interesting facts ...

Maybe a little exaggeration, but my arms want to stay hanging by my side and my hips don't want to walk.  It takes a herculean effort to comb my hair or sit on a chair.  All sore, not injured.  Big distinction.  I was careful yesterday to be moderate and modify the core workout in the end (my lower back hates the twisty moves).

SIDE NOTE ... spell check isn't getting me today.  One vowel off and it's like "I have no idea what the other 10 letters in perfect order could mean."  We go through this sometimes.  I think it's just moody today.

I have 2 revelations (yes, spell check, got me again ... it's an 'e' ... I see how it's confusing) to tell FUTURE ME about today.

The first is a workout revelation.  Annissa (my former instructor) is in a league of her own.  What a difference in HER classes vs a general class at a gym.  There was a reason I stayed for over a year with her.  INTENTION in a workout is so important.  Good form vs pure speed ... totally makes a difference.  I had a great time and a good workout, but I took a page from her book and did some things differently.  I slowed down.  I added INTENTION.  I added BALANCE.  I MODIFIED risky moves.

The reason I'm not following her to the other gym (at this point) is the results I got (and I got results) weren't exactly the results I wanted.  She LOVES muscle - that's her main focus.  I wanted something different - strength.  I know you need muscle for strength, but I wanted leaner strength (think yoga body vs body builder).  She works toward MUSCLE.  Even before I put on some weight (fat, not muscle), I had bulked up my arms to the point where my shirts didn't fit in the bicep area.  Not my goal.

What I want from an outside workout is VARIETY.  I over-cardio by nature and I need some cross-training and balance.  Working out at a gym forces me to do that type of workout.  I was spotty, at best, trying to manage it myself.  I want to see what boxing does for my body.  Will it give me the changes I want?  Time will tell.  2 months and I'll re-evaluate (unless my body says 'no' sooner).  Boxing has been on my radar for years.  So many people sing it's praises.

My other revelation comes from a Instagram gal I follow.  She's 'hollyfisherhiggins' ... she's a life coach and Whole30 coach.  Anyway, she had a super interesting story yesterday.  You know I love me classic Tony Robbins (for over 20 years) and a big thing for him is affirmation stuff.  He likes to exaggerate for inspiration and exaggerate for motivation (make the good bigger, make the bad worst).  Trick your mind.  This doesn't work for me - never has - I "complain" about this every time I listen to his programs.  I know I'm lying to myself (i.e. my life isn't going to end up in the gutter, broken and miserable because I ate crappy this week).  Sure, it's not my BEST life, but it's not the end either.  See what I mean?

Holly talked about baby stepping your affirmations.  Start small and build so your brain believes it!  (i.e. I'm open to the idea that it's possible to heal ... not I AM healed.)  Your brain knows it's not healed (yet) and it won't feel better pretending it is healed.  You might actually feel worse.  INSERT your own stuff ... I'm open to the idea that eating healthy is worth the effort.

Wow - nice distinction.  This makes so much sense to me.  It's BELIEVABLE and it's PROGRESS!  She says you up the wording, up the affirmation as YOU build up.  I'm totally trying this new way of affirmations!

Whew - this was a long post.  Time to get my bottom up out of the chair (wish me luck) and start the day.  Today's Ellie's adoption day and it's happy and sad.  Big emotions today.  Wish us both a good transition.  Later gators.