Last week was a long week. My friends mom was taken off life support last Sunday and passed away on Monday. The family allowed me to be there for a time in her last hours and it was so beautiful. We got to tell her how we felt, and she got to tell us thank you and how much she loved her family. We had communion around her bed with her and recited the 23rd Psalm. It was a humbling day. With the death came some schedule changes so I did not work out for a whole week. But Thursday, I knew I had to hit again...to keep up the momentum.
Josh, our marine man trainer, had knee surgery on Thursday so Michael, the new trainer, entered mine and Sarah's life. He is a sweet, curly headed 24 year old young man with an obvious passion for healthy bodies and healthy people!
We started our little circuit thing..with PLANKS for ONE MINUTE!! Surely this young, curly headed man had been hitting the old crack pipe because that one minute seemed like 10! I am thinking he had not spoken to Josh about our little 25 sec on 7 sec off circuit training. That became clear when we had to squat on the wall with the torture ball for ONE MINUTE!!! Everything we did was for ONE MINUTE. My arms were literally shaking...my legs were shaking and I thought I was going to throw up! Then, when it was time to schedule the next time...Michael said to just come back on Friday...we agreed..and then WE took a hit off the old pipe for agreeing to come after what had just happened!
Friday, we assumed the plank position to start..then did push ups, step ups, and what I thought was finally going to be some fun with the torture ball..I was incorrect. We balanced the torture ball on our shins and then did crunches. After those, 3 sets of 20 girly push ups, and 10 minutes on the elliptical, our workout was complete. My triceps are still a little sore to the touch but I am grateful to have them. I also have pectoral muscles. Totally awesome!
So, even in grieving and pain, I have managed to laugh and cry. As my friend and I sat around talking about her mom and our memories, its funny how what were remembered were not the bad things...just the good things. It taught me to try to think on the good things about myself and other people in a world where we tend to just see the negative..to not beat myself up because I didn't work out all week or because I didn't eat the way that I should have. .its called grace, and its all good!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Pressing on
Of course, I wrote this really great blog for my exercise week..complete with exercise details, etc...and then erased it all!!
So, let's try this again..Josh, the trainer, was able to train with Sarah and I this week...we did circuits.
All you fancy exercise people know what those are and now so do I. Just another level of torture!!! No, it was a fun way to do different things and work on different parts of our body. I still cannot convince Josh to have 'freestyle' exercise day...or do bouncy ball exercises...he just looks at me and says 'Ok Vesta' and says 'GO'!!
My heart was heavy which made it hard to focus this week. My best friends mom from high school, the 2nd mom for me, became seriously ill. The family isn't close in location so I got to spend some time with her and my friends dad. I have some wonderful memories of growing up in their home. Feeling loved and secure. I got to go on vacations because of their generousity. Her mom used to perm my hair. And my favorite memory, the black tea pot cookie jar always full of Oreo's! We never got those growing up but I always got them there. I am sure we all have the person or family who took us in from time to time. What an important part of our lives they are.
Another friend from high school found out her mom had a large mass on her lung this week too. So many hurting people. So many people wondering what next month will bring...seems insignificant that I should be worried about my stupid little workouts. But, it is a part of making me healthy..and no matter what happens with the people I love dearly around me, it will still be all good! Peace
So, let's try this again..Josh, the trainer, was able to train with Sarah and I this week...we did circuits.
All you fancy exercise people know what those are and now so do I. Just another level of torture!!! No, it was a fun way to do different things and work on different parts of our body. I still cannot convince Josh to have 'freestyle' exercise day...or do bouncy ball exercises...he just looks at me and says 'Ok Vesta' and says 'GO'!!
My heart was heavy which made it hard to focus this week. My best friends mom from high school, the 2nd mom for me, became seriously ill. The family isn't close in location so I got to spend some time with her and my friends dad. I have some wonderful memories of growing up in their home. Feeling loved and secure. I got to go on vacations because of their generousity. Her mom used to perm my hair. And my favorite memory, the black tea pot cookie jar always full of Oreo's! We never got those growing up but I always got them there. I am sure we all have the person or family who took us in from time to time. What an important part of our lives they are.
Another friend from high school found out her mom had a large mass on her lung this week too. So many hurting people. So many people wondering what next month will bring...seems insignificant that I should be worried about my stupid little workouts. But, it is a part of making me healthy..and no matter what happens with the people I love dearly around me, it will still be all good! Peace
Monday, July 25, 2011
You have GOT to be kidding me...
Are you ready for this? I go to work out today (the first time in 3 days..slacker remember?) and the trainer, mr. marine man, was running late. Why you ask? Let me tell you...he torn something in his knee and will be having surgery next week!!! REALLY?
So I make this commitment to a healthier, happy me and my trainer is out??????? Most would take that has a sign but not me...we must press onward!!! I worked out with Sarah today...proud to report:
20 mins on the tread mill w/a little incline
our usual upper body weight regime
our new torture squats with the big, bouncy ball
10 push ups
10 leg lifts
and 6 planks...those are tough..I could not do any of those last week!!!go me!
So, we will pray for Josh and his bum knee...keep on working out..and know that it will all be good!!!
P.S.: I am also proud to report I put on a pair of shorts I had not worn in two years...they still had the tag on them...it was a GREAT feeling...I may not weigh less, but there is a little change...YAY!!!!
So I make this commitment to a healthier, happy me and my trainer is out??????? Most would take that has a sign but not me...we must press onward!!! I worked out with Sarah today...proud to report:
20 mins on the tread mill w/a little incline
our usual upper body weight regime
our new torture squats with the big, bouncy ball
10 push ups
10 leg lifts
and 6 planks...those are tough..I could not do any of those last week!!!go me!
So, we will pray for Josh and his bum knee...keep on working out..and know that it will all be good!!!
P.S.: I am also proud to report I put on a pair of shorts I had not worn in two years...they still had the tag on them...it was a GREAT feeling...I may not weigh less, but there is a little change...YAY!!!!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Slacker...
Didn't go...didn't want to go...not Friday or Saturday. Feeling that 'is this really worth it' thought creeping around my head. You know those thoughts. The one that hits you when you are doing something then you decide you will just skip one day, then you tell yourself you really deserve a break...well, that is where I am today. So, I sit here, on my couch, watching 'Toddlers and Tiara's' sad to say, and enjoying a sonic dog and my diet coke with lime.
but you know what, there is tomorrow..and the next day..and the next day...and it will still be all good!
but you know what, there is tomorrow..and the next day..and the next day...and it will still be all good!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A little sore...
I have learned one thing in this weeks workouts...I HAVE MUSCLES! You know how I know? I am sure you have guessed...THEY ARE SORE!! But its a good sore...sick as that is.
The tops of my thighs and the shoulder muscles are stinging a little today. I went on to the gym with the theory that if I don't do something, they will be MORE sore tomorrow.
So, my gym check in today:
treadmill-10mins
bicycle ( never done this one before)-10 mins (1.5 miles)
2 mins of step ups
10 push ups
2 sets of squats with that stupid ball
10 step up w/hands push ups
and 3 sets of different exercises with 5# weights
The good news today is that I COULD do the push ups...I DO feel a thigh muscle :) and I got tp pray with someone today at the gym...so, no matter how sore I am today, its all really good!
The tops of my thighs and the shoulder muscles are stinging a little today. I went on to the gym with the theory that if I don't do something, they will be MORE sore tomorrow.
So, my gym check in today:
treadmill-10mins
bicycle ( never done this one before)-10 mins (1.5 miles)
2 mins of step ups
10 push ups
2 sets of squats with that stupid ball
10 step up w/hands push ups
and 3 sets of different exercises with 5# weights
The good news today is that I COULD do the push ups...I DO feel a thigh muscle :) and I got tp pray with someone today at the gym...so, no matter how sore I am today, its all really good!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Naked Truth
Today, Sarah and I met our new best friend. Josh, the EX-MARINE/Body builder/Olympic trainer, is our able bodied assistant on this exercise journey. He is seems like a pretty neat guy, bald, dry sense of humor and full of knowledge about one's body.
We started today with a few measurements. I am going to share mine with you in faith that you will not judge but have a greater understanding of the goals I am working towards.
Bust: 44"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 49"
Right arm: 13.5"
Right thigh: 21"
Right calf: 16"
There you have it..the naked truth!! I am the 'pear shaped woman' obviously. And as I discovered in this process, I have no core or upper body strength. BUT, if I could use my legs in a fight, I could take you down.
The exercise assessment consisted of 3 minutes of stepping up and down on a platform, doing as many push ups(girl style) as we could (sarah did 25..I only negotiated 20 since I wasn't lowering myself down to the floor far enough), these torture squats with a big ball against the wall squatting for 1 minute( which felt like 3 minutes), step up push ups(this was a good one...push up position excepting walking your hands up the platform), push ups on the wall with the big ball, and lunges to end 30 minutes of fun.
Josh seemed to chuckle each time we did something new, especially when I commented that I didn't like each new exercise we learned and thought we should not do that one anymore...but clearly, he did not listen to me and we pressed on! I really enjoyed just bouncing on the ball!!! Now that was fun!
It was really hard to go today..not sure why. Guess because it had been a pretty rough week personally and at work. As I began to attempt some of the exercises, I really had to focus to complete them. And some, I could not do very well at all. But that was ok. I WILL get better at the exercises...my body WILL get better...my mind WILL get better. Its all about the mind, body, soul and spirit...all getting healthy at the same time.
Sarah and I laughed at ourselves.....and, all in all, hearing the truth about my physical body, learning my body strengths and weaknesses really wasn't so bad at all..matter fact, it was all good.
We started today with a few measurements. I am going to share mine with you in faith that you will not judge but have a greater understanding of the goals I am working towards.
Bust: 44"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 49"
Right arm: 13.5"
Right thigh: 21"
Right calf: 16"
There you have it..the naked truth!! I am the 'pear shaped woman' obviously. And as I discovered in this process, I have no core or upper body strength. BUT, if I could use my legs in a fight, I could take you down.
The exercise assessment consisted of 3 minutes of stepping up and down on a platform, doing as many push ups(girl style) as we could (sarah did 25..I only negotiated 20 since I wasn't lowering myself down to the floor far enough), these torture squats with a big ball against the wall squatting for 1 minute( which felt like 3 minutes), step up push ups(this was a good one...push up position excepting walking your hands up the platform), push ups on the wall with the big ball, and lunges to end 30 minutes of fun.
Josh seemed to chuckle each time we did something new, especially when I commented that I didn't like each new exercise we learned and thought we should not do that one anymore...but clearly, he did not listen to me and we pressed on! I really enjoyed just bouncing on the ball!!! Now that was fun!
It was really hard to go today..not sure why. Guess because it had been a pretty rough week personally and at work. As I began to attempt some of the exercises, I really had to focus to complete them. And some, I could not do very well at all. But that was ok. I WILL get better at the exercises...my body WILL get better...my mind WILL get better. Its all about the mind, body, soul and spirit...all getting healthy at the same time.
Sarah and I laughed at ourselves.....and, all in all, hearing the truth about my physical body, learning my body strengths and weaknesses really wasn't so bad at all..matter fact, it was all good.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
It's all good...even the bad is good..
I have this sign hanging in my kitchen so it must be true! I started using this phrase when I lived in Lakeland, Florida. It began to have meaning when I realized I didn't have a lot of control over things around me but that Someone else did...hence the rest of the phrase 'even the bad is good'. I realized that even when things may not be going the way I clearly thought they should be, it was still good because I was certain to experience growth in my own life if I learned to let go. There, that being explained, let me tell you why I decided to start this blog.
Last week, I worked out at a gym for the first time in years, well, if we are being honest, it has been since 'Jazzercise' was the big thing..remember that? And that was a long, long time ago. I have to admit, I enjoyed the challange. Day one, I thought I would never be able to do anything but would humor my sweet second daughter, Sarah, and go. Not only did I walk through the door, but also had an hour with a personal trainer. The sweat poured but I made it! I left, took two Aleve and arrived at my home to excitingly explain my evening.
Day two arrived...Sarah and I were just going to walk on the treadmill or ellipitical but the trainer didn't have anything to do and decided he would work with us again. How kind of him! I bragged how I wasn't quite as sore as I thought I would be. He just smiled and commented how good that was. Then he said maybe the third day would be different. And he was correct. I was up to three Aleve by then and making that 'oo' sound everytime I stood up! But you know what, I went back. For the past week, I have walked, stepped, and treaded on the machinery for at least 30 mins.
I began to share on my facebook post how I was doing and within the week and over the weekend, several people commented how they enjoyed reading my status updates; how it had encouraged them. An old friend from high school who lives in another state said that she started to work out too and felt like she had a kindred spirit back home. Pretty cool. That is when my husband suggested this blog.
He knows I much I love the 'Julia & Julia' movie. It's about the girl who blogged her year long quest to cook through Julia Childs cookbook and he thought it might be a good idea to blog my workout experiences. I could not decide if he just didn't want to hear about it everyday or if he really thought someone else might be encouraged by reading my victories and my trials. So, I thought I would see for myself!
Now, what else you must know is that I am a 5'6'', 46 yr old woman, I weigh 201, historically been diagnosed with asthma that I treat with inhaled steroids, high blood pressure and ADD. I also struggle with an issue that most females that have had children struggle with, urge incontinence. I am not ashamed of any of these statistics of myself as they are just the facts. I will also be happy to share that I eat for comfort when the stress level gets high, and that when I look in the mirror, I don't see what is really there because I guess I never really like that person! It has been a long journey towards loving myself but I am getting closer everyday. And I am alot closer than I was several years ago!
The scoop is this...beginning July 18th, I will be joining the gym and beginning a new journey in my life. I am making a 6 month commitment to exercise and work with someone who is going to help me with the right exercises for my body. I will be sharing my ups and downs here...my thoughts on what is happening, the physical facts on how my actual weight and inches are doing and whatever is going on that day...because, no matter what happens tomorrow, one week from now, one month from now, six months from now, ITS ALL GOOD!
Last week, I worked out at a gym for the first time in years, well, if we are being honest, it has been since 'Jazzercise' was the big thing..remember that? And that was a long, long time ago. I have to admit, I enjoyed the challange. Day one, I thought I would never be able to do anything but would humor my sweet second daughter, Sarah, and go. Not only did I walk through the door, but also had an hour with a personal trainer. The sweat poured but I made it! I left, took two Aleve and arrived at my home to excitingly explain my evening.
Day two arrived...Sarah and I were just going to walk on the treadmill or ellipitical but the trainer didn't have anything to do and decided he would work with us again. How kind of him! I bragged how I wasn't quite as sore as I thought I would be. He just smiled and commented how good that was. Then he said maybe the third day would be different. And he was correct. I was up to three Aleve by then and making that 'oo' sound everytime I stood up! But you know what, I went back. For the past week, I have walked, stepped, and treaded on the machinery for at least 30 mins.
I began to share on my facebook post how I was doing and within the week and over the weekend, several people commented how they enjoyed reading my status updates; how it had encouraged them. An old friend from high school who lives in another state said that she started to work out too and felt like she had a kindred spirit back home. Pretty cool. That is when my husband suggested this blog.
He knows I much I love the 'Julia & Julia' movie. It's about the girl who blogged her year long quest to cook through Julia Childs cookbook and he thought it might be a good idea to blog my workout experiences. I could not decide if he just didn't want to hear about it everyday or if he really thought someone else might be encouraged by reading my victories and my trials. So, I thought I would see for myself!
Now, what else you must know is that I am a 5'6'', 46 yr old woman, I weigh 201, historically been diagnosed with asthma that I treat with inhaled steroids, high blood pressure and ADD. I also struggle with an issue that most females that have had children struggle with, urge incontinence. I am not ashamed of any of these statistics of myself as they are just the facts. I will also be happy to share that I eat for comfort when the stress level gets high, and that when I look in the mirror, I don't see what is really there because I guess I never really like that person! It has been a long journey towards loving myself but I am getting closer everyday. And I am alot closer than I was several years ago!
The scoop is this...beginning July 18th, I will be joining the gym and beginning a new journey in my life. I am making a 6 month commitment to exercise and work with someone who is going to help me with the right exercises for my body. I will be sharing my ups and downs here...my thoughts on what is happening, the physical facts on how my actual weight and inches are doing and whatever is going on that day...because, no matter what happens tomorrow, one week from now, one month from now, six months from now, ITS ALL GOOD!
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