Each month as we complete our monthly OBC training, our team leaders host a graduation party. On that day early we complete a Physical Test showing the vast improvement to each camper. It is always so amazing to watch their faces when they see how much they have grown stronger. That evening is our party. The faces are bright and shiny; hair is fixed and the dress is perfect. We gather as a group of friends now. The process of the past month bonds us and forges our friendships. The room is filled with laughter of the memories of the past; our experiences, our accomplishments, our comedic moments.
I love this time, as each camper shares what the month has meant to them. At the end of the evening, I thank the Lord that He gave me these people to enter into my life. And I thank Him for allowing me to be a part of assisting their goals to be accomplished.
So on this day before Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for my family, extend family and friends. For without these people life truly has no meaning.
Happy Thanksgiving.....
Showing posts with label friendships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendships. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Hello again
It has been a while since I have written. I hate to admit this....but I fell from grace. As I wrote in July I was busy staying active. Then August hit and everything went to the wayside.
We had family deaths, family illnesses and I fell into a depression. I was no longer motivated to exercise, eat right or write. Thank goodness my OBC leader sensed that things were not going good and called to check on me. In a sense that simple phone call changed my life. We spoke and I was totally honest with her about what was going on. And thank the Lord, September a new bootcamp near my home started up. I quickly signed up and challenged myself to pull myself from the deep well of misery I had fallen into. With prayer and encouragement I was back on track.
The first month, I struggled. But I lost a lot of inches. The second month, I lost 7 lbs. And the third month, my thoughts (as expressed on earlier blogs) of becoming an instructor came to be. I am now an instructor in training. And this month I have lost 5 more lbs. to date and more inches. I am now down two dress sizes and one shirt size.
I am happier again and I see hope. It is amazing how exercise can change your outlook. I say "exercise" because those who are thin or at their desired size continue to exercise. They are happy and energetic. I think of one of my fellow instructor. She has always been a runner and has run in races across the country. She plays tennis....single tennis. She has probably always been at the perfect size she is. But she is there every morning at 4:45 am with a smile on her face. She is an inspiration to me. And I find myself drawn to her kind and sweet personality. I am very fortunate that the director and the two lead instructors are so uplifting and positive. Their energy radiates through their encouragement and their leading our new group to their new goals.
As December begins, I am also adventuring into a new career path. I will continue to do the one thing I love, but I wanted to spread my wings and try the "other" career of choice that I have always wondered if I would have preferred more. I am starting an internship a few days a week. I am excited with new body form. fitting in fun clothes and new challenges.
For me, falling off the wagon was devastating but as God promises there is always hope. Thank goodness, He put my OBC director in my path to guide me ever so gently to hope.
And with that said, my blogging will begin again with more variety and hopefully, insight that will help you along your journey to becoming fit and thin.
Til next week....I have class tomorrow and training for my first 5K.
We had family deaths, family illnesses and I fell into a depression. I was no longer motivated to exercise, eat right or write. Thank goodness my OBC leader sensed that things were not going good and called to check on me. In a sense that simple phone call changed my life. We spoke and I was totally honest with her about what was going on. And thank the Lord, September a new bootcamp near my home started up. I quickly signed up and challenged myself to pull myself from the deep well of misery I had fallen into. With prayer and encouragement I was back on track.
The first month, I struggled. But I lost a lot of inches. The second month, I lost 7 lbs. And the third month, my thoughts (as expressed on earlier blogs) of becoming an instructor came to be. I am now an instructor in training. And this month I have lost 5 more lbs. to date and more inches. I am now down two dress sizes and one shirt size.
I am happier again and I see hope. It is amazing how exercise can change your outlook. I say "exercise" because those who are thin or at their desired size continue to exercise. They are happy and energetic. I think of one of my fellow instructor. She has always been a runner and has run in races across the country. She plays tennis....single tennis. She has probably always been at the perfect size she is. But she is there every morning at 4:45 am with a smile on her face. She is an inspiration to me. And I find myself drawn to her kind and sweet personality. I am very fortunate that the director and the two lead instructors are so uplifting and positive. Their energy radiates through their encouragement and their leading our new group to their new goals.
As December begins, I am also adventuring into a new career path. I will continue to do the one thing I love, but I wanted to spread my wings and try the "other" career of choice that I have always wondered if I would have preferred more. I am starting an internship a few days a week. I am excited with new body form. fitting in fun clothes and new challenges.
For me, falling off the wagon was devastating but as God promises there is always hope. Thank goodness, He put my OBC director in my path to guide me ever so gently to hope.
And with that said, my blogging will begin again with more variety and hopefully, insight that will help you along your journey to becoming fit and thin.
Til next week....I have class tomorrow and training for my first 5K.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Water Aerobics
These last few days have been filled with water activities. Yesterday I did run 3 miles which I was so excited about. I did note that to run in Florida you need to run earlier than 8:30 am. When I returned I was nauseated. Not sure if this was from a few sips of Gatorade before I left or heat. But tomorrow when I return to my run I will plan to leave earlier.
I have varied my exercises this week because the water in the pool or water park is so warm and inviting. I have thrown my 4 year old great nephew in the water that I honestly do not think I could lift a 5 lb. weight.
Family is so important. We have had the best time. With entertaining both a great niece and nephew I have swam more laps than I realized I could.
To keep up the energy needed to pull them in the oceans, fight the waves, walks down the beach and stairs to the lighthouse; I am thankful that I started OBC. And so glad that I now know how to fuel my body by eating every 2 hours. You can now set an alarm by my eating habits. My hunger bell goes off every 2 hours and just a small amount of food is enough It is so hard to really believe that you eat more to lose weight.
Til tomorrow....rest, sleep well and dream in brilliant colors.
I have varied my exercises this week because the water in the pool or water park is so warm and inviting. I have thrown my 4 year old great nephew in the water that I honestly do not think I could lift a 5 lb. weight.
Family is so important. We have had the best time. With entertaining both a great niece and nephew I have swam more laps than I realized I could.
To keep up the energy needed to pull them in the oceans, fight the waves, walks down the beach and stairs to the lighthouse; I am thankful that I started OBC. And so glad that I now know how to fuel my body by eating every 2 hours. You can now set an alarm by my eating habits. My hunger bell goes off every 2 hours and just a small amount of food is enough It is so hard to really believe that you eat more to lose weight.
Til tomorrow....rest, sleep well and dream in brilliant colors.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hello Monday
I hope everyone had a great weekend. I am on vacation, kinda. This morning my ole bad side almost won me over. How could I honestly ever fall for anything she says? She was very convincing. Enters my good side to save the day, or should I save the exercise plan
I was fortunate that this morning's run involved no hill. I began my run, my stretches and hit the beach. Yes, the beach. The breeze is blowing, the sun is shining and the beach we are staying on is a cape that has very little occupants. I am running. I spot the tracks from the beach cleanup truck and fall into these for my path. I can look down at the sand as there are definitely no trees to hit me.
Today I am not writing my blogs in my head. I am mesmerized by the rhythm of the waves. Entranced with only the clashing of waves, I can feel the imprisonments of life opening its gates to freedom. No responsibility, no deadlines, only the detox of me. With each step that I take I am running to a complete freedom , for a week.
I finally look up and I set my goal. As I reach it, I turn to head back to the house. I look forward to set my new goal and quickly realize that I may have overestimated my distance. I cannot see our house. I encourage myself and keep the steady pace I have set with the waves. Halfway back, my buttocks are burning. My calves are burning also, but I forge forward.
I finally reach the stairs that will lead me back to the road. As I top the stairs I can see grass. This is the place I usually long for but not today. I had noticed yesterday a sign near the ponds "Beware snakes". I think I will just stay on the landing and finish with push ups and cool down.
I walk back to the house, exhausted. I know that today I will be busy with my 4 year old great nephew playing on the beach and in the pool. I decide that tomorrow will be swimming to change up my routine. As I entered the kitchen I quickly grab the Gatorade and the rest is now history.
Til tomorrow....follow yourself to a place of relaxation and happiness.
I was fortunate that this morning's run involved no hill. I began my run, my stretches and hit the beach. Yes, the beach. The breeze is blowing, the sun is shining and the beach we are staying on is a cape that has very little occupants. I am running. I spot the tracks from the beach cleanup truck and fall into these for my path. I can look down at the sand as there are definitely no trees to hit me.
Today I am not writing my blogs in my head. I am mesmerized by the rhythm of the waves. Entranced with only the clashing of waves, I can feel the imprisonments of life opening its gates to freedom. No responsibility, no deadlines, only the detox of me. With each step that I take I am running to a complete freedom , for a week.
I finally look up and I set my goal. As I reach it, I turn to head back to the house. I look forward to set my new goal and quickly realize that I may have overestimated my distance. I cannot see our house. I encourage myself and keep the steady pace I have set with the waves. Halfway back, my buttocks are burning. My calves are burning also, but I forge forward.
I finally reach the stairs that will lead me back to the road. As I top the stairs I can see grass. This is the place I usually long for but not today. I had noticed yesterday a sign near the ponds "Beware snakes". I think I will just stay on the landing and finish with push ups and cool down.
I walk back to the house, exhausted. I know that today I will be busy with my 4 year old great nephew playing on the beach and in the pool. I decide that tomorrow will be swimming to change up my routine. As I entered the kitchen I quickly grab the Gatorade and the rest is now history.
Til tomorrow....follow yourself to a place of relaxation and happiness.
Friday, July 9, 2010
I Think I Can I Think I Can
Today I wake up at 4:58 am and am in a panic. "Oh my gosh, I forgot to set my alarm". I throw the sheet back and just as I start to get up, I remember that today is not OBC. It is too dark for me for run alone so I turn back over.
I wake up a little later and quickly arise. I am heading to get dressed when my bad side starts to say something. I abruptly turn to her and give her THAT look. You know the one. She turns and walks away. I dress and out the door.
As I start, my legs start to complain. "If you start in on me today, I am going to make this a two mile run" I say in an irritated voice. "Why can you not be like the lungs"? "They get just as tired as you but they have agreed to not to complain". I think my lungs just stuck their tongue out at the legs. Boy, my son is 26 years old but I guess Mother talk says with you.
The little speech must have worked because the legs are moving ever so quietly. I proceed through the warm up, stretches and now I am off to the mountain. I have decided to take a different mental approach toward my mountain. I am going to start with a slower jog and if I just have to stop for a moment than that is less than yesterday. I am making my way past my usual stopping point. I am past it. Within only a few steps, I am at a very slow jog. Okay, it is a walk. Virtual Dena is encouraging me "keep your arms moving wide and grab some fresh air". "You can do it". I gain my breath and I am back jogging. Yesterday when I almost had my head cropped off by the crepe myrtle, I learned my lesson. I am looking forward today. I see the crepe myrtle. *Hey people this is a sidewalk, cut back your tree" I would like to tell the owners. Since I am thinking about my conversation with of the homeowners I don't realize I have made it to the top of the mountain. I make my turn. My lungs are working great. The legs are still very quiet. But just to remind the legs to continue their silence I add the cul-de-sac into the run. I add it but not really because of my legs. My fellow camper has asked me to run with them on the weekends. They run 4 miles! So I have got to quickly add a little distance to my run. I want to be a bad mam-a-jam-a too.
I am making my second turn. I am really enjoying this run. Virtual Dena is jogging beside me. Today she is my running partner, it's nice. As I top the peak of this mound (or small hill) I look out of the mountains. I have been concentrating on just keeping my legs moving for these last few runs that I had forgotten how beautiful it is. It really must be better to look up when you run. There is such beauty that the concrete sidewalk just does not offer. Hey, I think that is the antenna of Sweat Mountain in Marietta. I used to live near it and drove up the mountain once. I remember thinking to myself, "if there was a loose railing on your deck, I just hope that someone would be coming home soon". "Because if it broke, the next time they might see you would be at the morgue". "It would take days to find someone". It is beautiful view off that mountain though.
I have made it downhill and am halfway. Back up a hill. I told you this subdivision might kill a newbie camper. And on the sidewalk, a fresh pile of yard cuttings. "What is it with the yard trash"? "I guess runners, walkers, maturing adults, and babies in strollers are just not important". "So what if they have to get in the street with oncoming traffic"?
I am once again so engrossed in my conversation with the homeowners in my head that I don't realize that I have now made it to the bottom of the hill. Alright, the last quarter of my run! I am in my zone. Dena is still keeping with my slower pace. I make it around the turn, the next turn and back to the homestretch. I turn the corner and THERE is the last hill that my mind freaks out on. Dena is watching my face. "You can do this, just one foot at a time". "I think I can, I think I can". "I know I can, I know I can". I am the little running engine and I am making it. I am at the top. I make that last turn. I can see my yard. My legs are now sprinting without me having to encourage. Ah, cool wet oasis of green. "Come to me, I will embrace you with wet dew" it seducingly calls to me. I am almost there. I leave the sidewalk and sprinting to the shaded cool area. "I love you cool wet grass" I tell it.
I lie for a brief moment basking in the dew. It is such a wonderful feeling. I start my sit ups, I am pushing hard. With a horrible grimace on my face I finish 42 boot camp sit ups. I now start my oblique sit ups, two different variations. I transition to my push ups. I complete 30 and have to move to modified ones for the wide arm push ups. I just am not yet strong enough for real ones.
And then cool down. Wonderful loving cool down. Today I am so proud of my legs, they worked with me. And I tell them. Now it is their turn to stick their tongue out at the lungs.
And as always....til tomorrow...keep a smile on your face, a song in your heart and healthy food at your fingertips.
I wake up a little later and quickly arise. I am heading to get dressed when my bad side starts to say something. I abruptly turn to her and give her THAT look. You know the one. She turns and walks away. I dress and out the door.
As I start, my legs start to complain. "If you start in on me today, I am going to make this a two mile run" I say in an irritated voice. "Why can you not be like the lungs"? "They get just as tired as you but they have agreed to not to complain". I think my lungs just stuck their tongue out at the legs. Boy, my son is 26 years old but I guess Mother talk says with you.
The little speech must have worked because the legs are moving ever so quietly. I proceed through the warm up, stretches and now I am off to the mountain. I have decided to take a different mental approach toward my mountain. I am going to start with a slower jog and if I just have to stop for a moment than that is less than yesterday. I am making my way past my usual stopping point. I am past it. Within only a few steps, I am at a very slow jog. Okay, it is a walk. Virtual Dena is encouraging me "keep your arms moving wide and grab some fresh air". "You can do it". I gain my breath and I am back jogging. Yesterday when I almost had my head cropped off by the crepe myrtle, I learned my lesson. I am looking forward today. I see the crepe myrtle. *Hey people this is a sidewalk, cut back your tree" I would like to tell the owners. Since I am thinking about my conversation with of the homeowners I don't realize I have made it to the top of the mountain. I make my turn. My lungs are working great. The legs are still very quiet. But just to remind the legs to continue their silence I add the cul-de-sac into the run. I add it but not really because of my legs. My fellow camper has asked me to run with them on the weekends. They run 4 miles! So I have got to quickly add a little distance to my run. I want to be a bad mam-a-jam-a too.
I am making my second turn. I am really enjoying this run. Virtual Dena is jogging beside me. Today she is my running partner, it's nice. As I top the peak of this mound (or small hill) I look out of the mountains. I have been concentrating on just keeping my legs moving for these last few runs that I had forgotten how beautiful it is. It really must be better to look up when you run. There is such beauty that the concrete sidewalk just does not offer. Hey, I think that is the antenna of Sweat Mountain in Marietta. I used to live near it and drove up the mountain once. I remember thinking to myself, "if there was a loose railing on your deck, I just hope that someone would be coming home soon". "Because if it broke, the next time they might see you would be at the morgue". "It would take days to find someone". It is beautiful view off that mountain though.
I have made it downhill and am halfway. Back up a hill. I told you this subdivision might kill a newbie camper. And on the sidewalk, a fresh pile of yard cuttings. "What is it with the yard trash"? "I guess runners, walkers, maturing adults, and babies in strollers are just not important". "So what if they have to get in the street with oncoming traffic"?
I am once again so engrossed in my conversation with the homeowners in my head that I don't realize that I have now made it to the bottom of the hill. Alright, the last quarter of my run! I am in my zone. Dena is still keeping with my slower pace. I make it around the turn, the next turn and back to the homestretch. I turn the corner and THERE is the last hill that my mind freaks out on. Dena is watching my face. "You can do this, just one foot at a time". "I think I can, I think I can". "I know I can, I know I can". I am the little running engine and I am making it. I am at the top. I make that last turn. I can see my yard. My legs are now sprinting without me having to encourage. Ah, cool wet oasis of green. "Come to me, I will embrace you with wet dew" it seducingly calls to me. I am almost there. I leave the sidewalk and sprinting to the shaded cool area. "I love you cool wet grass" I tell it.
I lie for a brief moment basking in the dew. It is such a wonderful feeling. I start my sit ups, I am pushing hard. With a horrible grimace on my face I finish 42 boot camp sit ups. I now start my oblique sit ups, two different variations. I transition to my push ups. I complete 30 and have to move to modified ones for the wide arm push ups. I just am not yet strong enough for real ones.
And then cool down. Wonderful loving cool down. Today I am so proud of my legs, they worked with me. And I tell them. Now it is their turn to stick their tongue out at the lungs.
And as always....til tomorrow...keep a smile on your face, a song in your heart and healthy food at your fingertips.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
I Can Zip Those Pants
Hoorah!!!! Yesterday I took a chance and went for those capri pants that I have kept in my closet for the last 4 years. I use to love those pants but had pushed them to back because...well.. there was no way I could get them over my hips and Zipped. "You know it is okay if you can't wear them yet" I gently said to myself. Just take a deep breath, keep a good mindset. I pulled them out and slid them up my legs and my hips. Yeah, okay now the real test..button, yes...I am getting elated. "Now the zipper" I encourage myself. Ever so gently I start to pull the zipper up. Over the thighs it went. I keep moving it up til I reach the waist. I hold my breath and YES, I zipped it all the way up. I am giddy with excitement. " Oh, yea, Oh, yea" I am chanting out loud as I dance around the room. "Come here mirror, you are now my friend again".
This morning when my alarm gently sang to me at 4:50 am, there was no bad side speaking to me. I am heading on this journey to fit and thin and I have kicked my bad side to the curb. Well, at least for this morning.
I wash my face and brush my teeth; quickly dress and off to OBC I head. As I start up the stairs there for my fellow campers. I love their faces. We start up the hill I love (yes I have decided to change my attitude about that hill). I am running up it...can you believe it? Half way up, Dena tells us to head to the lower hill. Yea, I am running up this baby....I quickly make my turn and head back down.
At the lower area, our other instructors are waiting. We start our warm ups and stretches. Our male instructor is telling us what we are going to do today. I am blowing through the stretches so proud that I actually can still breath after the run. He started telling us that today we were going to work on strength, agility. After that I don't remember a thing. Agility. I am horrible at that. It is going to be a long workout.
I try to keep my brain off because if I think about this workout, I might have to leave. We begin the exercises and of course, it moves to sprints and jogging. I keep encouraging myself because three of my fellow campers are next to me. They encourage me. One runs 4 miles on the weekends, and two just ran the Peachtree (which a 10K). They are my inspiration as I finish each set of drills that lead to the sprints and runs. After each set of these, we head to the curb for push ups, side planks, triceps. I am tiring but surprisingly, I am still running...a very slow run but a run. My instructor that was with me for my first PT is running beside me. I love the sound of her voice. She is reminding me of where I came from and where I am today. "Please stay next to me because I am really wanting to give in" I am thinking to myself.
We finish all the drills, runs, sprints, sit ups, push ups and head to the wet cool grass for cool down. My favorite part. I can talk during the cool down. This is a first, usually I am so out of breath that it is a miracle that I can even perform a stretch.
We are leaving and I am walking with my fellow campers. Each encouraging the other. As I pull out of the parking lot, I smile to myself. "I wonder how people you have only known for a month and have no background history of, you can love so much" I reflect. I miss them when they are not here and I hate that we do not leave in the same neighborhood. These are people I want to hang with. As I drive away I realize that I have gained so much more than just getting healthy, I have gained friends.
Til tomorrow....... keep your chin up, smile on and remember it is a great day!
This morning when my alarm gently sang to me at 4:50 am, there was no bad side speaking to me. I am heading on this journey to fit and thin and I have kicked my bad side to the curb. Well, at least for this morning.
I wash my face and brush my teeth; quickly dress and off to OBC I head. As I start up the stairs there for my fellow campers. I love their faces. We start up the hill I love (yes I have decided to change my attitude about that hill). I am running up it...can you believe it? Half way up, Dena tells us to head to the lower hill. Yea, I am running up this baby....I quickly make my turn and head back down.
At the lower area, our other instructors are waiting. We start our warm ups and stretches. Our male instructor is telling us what we are going to do today. I am blowing through the stretches so proud that I actually can still breath after the run. He started telling us that today we were going to work on strength, agility. After that I don't remember a thing. Agility. I am horrible at that. It is going to be a long workout.
I try to keep my brain off because if I think about this workout, I might have to leave. We begin the exercises and of course, it moves to sprints and jogging. I keep encouraging myself because three of my fellow campers are next to me. They encourage me. One runs 4 miles on the weekends, and two just ran the Peachtree (which a 10K). They are my inspiration as I finish each set of drills that lead to the sprints and runs. After each set of these, we head to the curb for push ups, side planks, triceps. I am tiring but surprisingly, I am still running...a very slow run but a run. My instructor that was with me for my first PT is running beside me. I love the sound of her voice. She is reminding me of where I came from and where I am today. "Please stay next to me because I am really wanting to give in" I am thinking to myself.
We finish all the drills, runs, sprints, sit ups, push ups and head to the wet cool grass for cool down. My favorite part. I can talk during the cool down. This is a first, usually I am so out of breath that it is a miracle that I can even perform a stretch.
We are leaving and I am walking with my fellow campers. Each encouraging the other. As I pull out of the parking lot, I smile to myself. "I wonder how people you have only known for a month and have no background history of, you can love so much" I reflect. I miss them when they are not here and I hate that we do not leave in the same neighborhood. These are people I want to hang with. As I drive away I realize that I have gained so much more than just getting healthy, I have gained friends.
Til tomorrow....... keep your chin up, smile on and remember it is a great day!
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