What does it mean to you to “try”?

I read a quote (somewhere, sometime) that really resonated with me, and that I think of often. In a nutshell, it says, “To try is to give yourself permission to fail.” If you say it aloud, it means one thing, and if you think about it for a bit, it means something else. Both, I think, pretty inspiring.
It’s written on the wall of the gym now, and someone asked about it the other day, saying, “well, I don’t agree- I think you should always try.” I agree wholeheartedly.
However, one of the discussions I often have with my seven year old son is that you should always try your best, but beyond that, DO your best. Sometimes I’ll say, “Make it a great day,” and he’ll say “I’ll try”. Well, okay. More frustratingly (for a mom) I’ll say, “Behave and use your manners,” and he’ll say, “I’ll try.” This is where I think that the one meaning of the phrase comes into play. By saying he’ll “try,” he’s basically, in my opinion (though I know he’s seven) giving himself an “out,” in case he doesn’t behave, and gets in trouble. He can always just say, “well, I tried.” Nice “try”. This goes back to the many conversations about who controls your body and your own behavior- that little thing we call free will, you know.
So how does this relate to me, you might ask? Well, I think the same thing is true of us “grown ups.” We sometimes do add that little loophole of “I’ll try” to give ourselves permission to fail. Think about it. How many times have you said, or heard someone say, “I’ll try…” to quit smoking, to start working out, to go on a diet, to get that done/ meet that goal… the list goes on and on. When it doesn’t happen, we can console ourselves with the idea that we “tried,” even though we may not have (and usually haven’t) tried very hard.
If we look at the same phrase another way, it becomes much less of a loophole and much more of a freeing ideal. Sometimes, the reason we say, “I’ll try” and don’t succeed is because we didn’t really try, because we’re afraid- of something, of ourselves, of the unknown. If instead of just “trying,” we make up our mind to do it, whatever “it” is, we don’t give ourselves an out. Don’t just try to start getting healthier, losing weight, or tackling your dreams. As Nike says, just do it. Don’t equivocate, don’t procrastinate- just get up, and get started. Only then can we say we really tried, and in doing so, we’ve decided that we’re stronger than our fears or hesitations; that sometimes it is indeed okay to fail, as long as we have tried. Give yourself a break, don’t wake up tomorrow and say you’re going to run a marathon if you’re not ready to start training right now. Get up tomorrow and just start training. Run the marathon, walk the marathon, or limp the marathon, but DO it, and actually try- don’t just say you did.

We’re Famous! (Well, kind of!)

So we had a great write up in the Richmond Times Dispatch today, so I’m attaching the link here. Luckily the online edition doesn’t have the photos that the print edition has. While I’ve definitely lost weight, I still can’t say that looking great while doing vertical mountain climbers is not my strong suit!

The Dietitian is coming, the Dietitian is coming!

I can’t even contain my excitement that we now have a dietitian at Styles Group Fitness Network! As much as I’ve been working out for the last few months, I think that’s one piece that I do still need help on. As much as I try to really mind what I eat, not only paying attention, but recording it daily, I know I could be doing better.
One thing I know is important is the fact that I stopped eating red meet and pork back in the early fall, and don’t eat much chicken, for the matter. I do try to eat as much fish as I can, but frankly, I don’t love to cook it at home, as even with my heavy duty exhaust fan, I always feel like I can smell it the next day, and that just grosses me out. Because of these things, I’m sure there is something I am lacking in my diet, whether it’s iron, protein, or something else. Even though I probably know more than a lot of people about food, and read a great deal about it, I know there is far more that I don’t know than I do! So count me first on the list of people in line to see Christine when she rolls out her program this month! Woo hoo!

Holiday Weekends and Summer Pitfalls

You know you’ve gotten on the right side of your exercise program when the thought of a four day weekend without a workout has you feeling lost. Party last night, party tomorrow, no camp Monday, what do I do?? For one thing, I’m not loading up on tons of “holiday food”. Admittedly, I don’t eat most meat, so it’s easy to avoid hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. It’s the sweets that get me. We all have a downfall, I suppose, and that’s mine. The important thing to do is know what yours is and have a plan before you get to the party.
My plan yesterday and my plan for tomorrow are both the same- work out before I go- so it’s fresh in my mind, in my muscles. When your abs are aching from a workout, it’s easier to take one bite of a brownie and stop. I’m not sure what I’ll do tomorrow- but I will start with a plan, and stick to it. Work out (whether it’s wii fit and a short run/ long walk, kettlebells or something else) and know what I intend to eat (and how I intend to reward myself so I can enjoy the cookout but feel good when I leave) and stick to it!
Have a great fourth of July!
PS- another incentive- my bathing suit is finally LOOSE! What a crazy thought, especially when last year it was so tight I could almost not get it on or off! Whoo hoo!

Favorite things about my more fit life…

Well, the bad news is that it’s nearly one in the morning, and for some reason, I’m still awake. (Despite the fact that I promised Whit I would make every effort to get at least 7.5 hours of sleep every night for at least two weeks.) The good news is that I am wearing a pair of pants that I bought 15 years ago (CRAZY, I know!) and they are like new. Why? Because they did not fit me for, oh, 13 of those fifteen years! That, I have to say, makes me happy, even when my back hurts and I can’t sleep…

There are a few things I’ve  noticed since I’ve begun this awesome journey, and while weight and size/ inches lost was absolutely one that I hoped for/ expected and have seen, I’ve been constantly surprised by how many other things have come into my life as a result of this- nearly none of which would I have expected. Like what, you ask? Well, one huge one has been the fact that while I am admittedly sometimes sore after a workout, my general aches and pains (yikes, am I getting old? No way!) literally go away when I’m working out. I mean, I’ve heard that a million times, but I had never really experienced it. Of course, this week has been ridiculously out of control, and I ended up having to miss my work out for TWO days in a row! (Something I never do unless I’m REALLY sick…) Partly as a result of this, my back has been killing me today. I will be back at the gym tomorrow morning, though, and I know without a doubt that I will feel better.

What are some of the other things? Great relationships with some really cool, supportive women. Generally a great feeling of better health, and more motivation to eat better and live a more healthful life. A better sense of having ” an anchor” for myself- I don’t really know how to explain that except as a better sense of myself, and feeling like I’m worth the relatively small amount of time each day that it takes for me to help myself feel great. A reduced stress level. Being a better example for my child. Feeling stronger, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I really could go on and on- the funny thing is, fitting into the fifteen year old pants are on the list, but I never expected there to be so many others!

Reflections on 40

I honestly can’t remember if I have told this story here or not, but it’s that time of year when I get more contemplative, so please indulge me if I have. If so, hopefully there will at least be something new here to make it a bit more interesting!

Last year, just before my 40th birthday (in June), I went to my son’s school for the Mother’s Day tea. I had been feeling a little wonky, with some pretty bad back pain and a few sporadic stomach issues. Nothing big, and (I thought) nothing to really worry about. Anyway, fast forward to my sweet boy’s Mother’s Day party in his kindergarten class. All the moms were there, our kids had made placemats and they all got up to get our plates. I felt exceptionally strange and thought that while he was getting my food, I’d duck out to the bathroom and just take a minute. Feeling stranger and stranger, I couldn’t pull myself together, and a friend came and got me- before she could have me sit down, I fainted dead away, in front of all the poor kindergartners, moms, and everyone.

No one knew what was going on, least of all me, but I couldn’t get up, was dizzy and nauseous and apparently had gone from normal to seriously jaundiced in a matter of moments. Fortunately, my friend, another mom, is also a doctor, and while someone ran to get the school nurse, she had someone call 911. After I got to the hospital and had a CT scan, they determined that not only was my gall bladder completely full of stones, but I also had a 6mm stone completely blocking my liver. If I had gone much longer, or had that “episode” happended at home, I most likely wouldn’t have made it. My organs were starting to shut down. After 6 days in the hospital, I was able to come home, short a gall bladder, but feeling much better. I had ended up with severe pancreatitis, and they weren’t even able to take my gall bladder until that had subsided. Talk about something “scaring you straight.”

That’s not to say that I was, at the time (or ever really) living a terribly unhealthy lifestyle. However, I was definitely heavier than I wanted to be, didn’t eat as well as I should, didn’t get any exercise to speak of, and just was generally living a stress filled existence that had me with my head down powering through more often than looking up to see where I was going. Right on the heels of this, I turned 40, and it really did make me take a closer look at my life- where I had been, where I was going. I know, I know- deep stuff.

Anyway, that was when I really started trying to pay more attention, put my focus where it needed to be, and make sure that I at least had more control over my health. I certainly understand that you can’t totally prevent things from happening, but it seems at this point in my life that I am absolutely sure I need to do everything I can to make sure I’m living the healthiest life I can.  And that I’m helping my family do the same.

What does that mean, as I sit here, just over a year from my “episode”, and just a couple of weeks shy of 41? I have committed, and remain committed, to working out on a regular basis- at least five times a week. I’ve managed to stick with this pretty well for the last 6 months or so. I plan to do even better this year. I drink less (almost not at all- to the dismay of friends), though I don’t feel any need at all to do it, and feel so much better when I don’t. I eat better, and in fact totally stopped eating red meat and pork, most fried foods, and try to limit my refined sugars. Again, I feel SO much better by doing this. (I’m not saying I don’t eat sweets anymore at all, I mean, that would be crazy talk. I do control myself better though.) My plan is to continue to be better at this as well.

In a nutshell, this year of 40 has been a totally crazy one, but one that I think for all the trials and struggles, was well done, overall. My plan- as much as I can control it- is to live this year better (and to do that with every coming year, whatever that may mean).

Of course, (and this is for you, Whit) I would love to have Michelle Obama’s arms, Gwen Stefani’s abs, etc. But at 40, now almost 41, I’m okay with not having either. Having my family, and living my life to the best of my ability, is the most important thing.

LONG Overdue Post and Update!

Well, I really have to apologize, since it has been a ridiculously long time since I’ve posted anything. Things have been absolutely crazy for me lately, with both my real estate business, my retail business, getting my little guy signed up for summer camps, etc. One thing that I haven’t stopped or lagged on, though, is my working out.

I think by now, after nearly 6 months (yikes!), I am totally addicted to working out. Not in a weird way, but just in the sense that if I don’t do it, I definitely miss it. Now, I have to admit, I don’t always have the best time when I’m there, but I never fail to feel awesome when I leave, and I really do feel crummy when I don’t go!

I’m sure you’re thinking, “yeah, but what about the results?” Well, I must admit that the scale has not moved as quickly as I would like it to have, but I have definitely seen huge results in other areas-

I have a great friend who is a trainer in Chicago and her response was, “Answer to your pants.” That really is the most important thing. I feel better, have more energy, fewer back problems, and just generally feel great.

For the looks- or rather, the numbers…here they are:

Since I’ve begun, I’ve lost (in inches):

Arm  1 inch

Bust   nearly 2 inches

Waist   6 inches

Hips    nearly 2 inches

Thighs   1/2 inch

Now those are nothing if not results. I’m still trying to build my strength, and reduce my overall waist and size, but I think that is pretty awesome. I never thought I could do that much!

Combatting Girl Scout Cookies

Oh no- it’s that time again. Girl Scout cookie time. I’ve done pretty well so far, diet wise, and I NEVER buy processed foods, especially cookies and sweets. But the downfall every year is Girl Scout cookies! We have far too many Girl Scouts in our neighborhood, because every time I turn around, the doorbell is ringing with another batch of cookies!! ARGH!!! Samoas, Do Si Dos, Tagalongs, and of course, the ridiculously addictive Thin Mints. It’s awful!
All the while, though, I’m still working out- thinking that I’m at least balancing out the effects, somewhat.
Come Monday, though, I’m cutting refined sugar out of my diet. Ha! I’m a little afraid, because I really do have a crazy sweet tooth, but that’s why I need to do it.
Since November of 2009, I’ve been pretty religiously working out at least 3, and usually 4 times per week. I have definitely gotten alot of compliments, and people have taken notice. My clothes are definitely fitting looser, and I’ve definitely lost inches. However, it is infuriating how the scale seems to be stuck. It doesn’t really matter how many times my husband tells me I’m “reshaping” my body, I want to see more movement on the scale!!! I have to break through, or just go crazy!
I’m going to keep up the workouts because I know they’re working, but I really need to shake up some other things, I think, so I can get my metabolism boosted. I will get that number to change (down, not up!) And I WILL get through Girl Scout cookie season!