2013: Renovations...

Wonderful Mother's Day weekend

I had the nicest mother's day weekend this year.  Friday night we started out with Kenzie's volleyball tournament, which they won!  YAY!  Then she had a birthday party overnighter to attend and Jake slept over at his friend's house so it was just Frank and I.  Boy I relish alone time with my man.  We watched movies (Silver Linings Playbook and The Impossible - both were pretty good). 

Saturday we woke and had to get Kenzie and then get her over to her afternoon tournement.  They put up a good fight both games, but ultimately did not win the 2nd round.  They were super disappointed, but Coach was great and gave them a pep talk about how great their year was overall.  They really did learn a lot and played very very well. 

Saturday night I headed to bed early and Sunday we played hookey from church.  The kids greated me with super sweet cards and my favorite candies and Frank made me breakfast in bed.  After which we then went and climbed Castle Rock.  You know, in the 11 years I've lived here I've never hiked the rock.  I've had the opportunity to do it, I just never took it.  So, this was my choice for Mother's Day.   The sites were beautiful.  The peaks all still have snow on them and it was a nice clear view from the Rock.

Afterwards we hit Target so I could get some workout clothes and then we headed to lunch at Chili's.  Caribbean salad - one of my fav's.  Then we came home and I got in a 2-hour nap.  Delightful.  Later that night we ate cookout food that Frank had prepared and watched an older movie (Moneyball) that I love. 

This morning cold, hard reality hit -- back to the gym.  Last week was such a bust that I went with trepidation...but Amy is awesome as usual and we got right to work.  I'm sweating a lot more, and earlier which she says is a good sign.  That girl knows how to work me, that's for sure.

Anyway -- my weekend was perfect.  I loved every minute of it.

In need of a walker...

Now I understand why I pay a trainer for my workouts.  Seriously.  I would never work myself as hard as Amy does.  I would never push beyond the point where I thought I could do no more.  But Amy does.  I would never continue to hold plank long after my shaking body gives out and I fall face first on the mat, but Amy does.  She knows what I'm capable of -- not just what I think I'm capable of.

Yesterday was a real treat.  We worked legs.  And boy o boy did we ever work 'em.  Heavier weights, more reps, the works.  That after I had jogged on the treadmill (finally, I am jogging again...not for the whole workout, but for much of it).  Then, later on last night, for "fun" Jeff, Kenzie's coach thought we (the parents) should scrimmage against the girls since it was their last practice.  And it was fun.  I haven't played volleyball for YEARS.  But OMGosh - my legs. 

I woke up this morning and tried to get out of bed.  Tried to walk to the bathroom.  Tried.  My legs.just.wouldn't.go.  Seriously stuck. 

I've worked to stretch them all day long.  Not much luck.  I'm okay once I get my shuffle going, but honestly, if I had a walker, or a shopping cart to lean against today I would be so grateful.  Sheesh! 

I complain but I like it.  I am finally at the point where I'm starting to enjoy the working out.  Starting to look forward to it.  Pain and all.  I'm amazed.  I didn't know if I would arrive here from where i began.  I am glad to I called on Amy.  She's wonderful - in so many ways.  She's my kind of people, for sure!

First ride of the season...

What a gorgeous day!  Woke up, went to my WW meeting (lost 1.2#), went to Kenzie's volleyball game, came home, went on the first bike ride of the season.  And kicked butt.  Now, by no means can I do what Frank does, but in my head I took about a 3-4 mile bike ride today.  When in fact, I rode 8.1.  I was floored.  I just did a nice even pace, got my heart rate going.  The way out was a lot harder than the way back even though the hills were much steeper coming home.  Just caught my second wind I guess. 

Now I'm having lunch and then Jake and I are going to go help Eyan's family pack their truck for their big move this coming Monday!  They built a new house over where my dream house is.  I'm so happy for them!  Really I am.  Couldn't happen to nicer people.  They are so excited.  I called the Missionaries to lend a hand on Tuesday (since Monday is their "P" day). I'm so happy we have helping hands -- service is such a great thing to give...and to receive. 

That's about all for now.  Feeling good.  Feeling empowered.  It's been a long time since I've felt those things. 

Working with a trainer...

So I started working with a trainer about a week and a half ago.  I am so glad I did. 

I've worked with trainers before.  With some degree of success.  Generally I went to them for the physical push.  But this time, it's more about the mental push.  I was stuck...mentally.  Feeling week and fat and tired.  I needed someone to talk me through it and remind me that though my body isn't strong yet, my mind is.  That I control my thoughts, that I decide to push through or relent.  So though Amy is pushing my body in ways I didn't think it could move anymore, she is really helping me check my attitude!  And for that I am thankful.

In 1987 I trashed my right knee in a cycling accident.  By the look of the scars you would think it was a motorcycle accident, but nope, just a biking injury.  I tore the ACL and PCL clear from the bone.  Job done well.  It was repaired by the orthopedic surgeon of the Bears football team.  He did a great job.  That knee is in better shape today than my "good" knee is.  Honestly.  But I still protect it.  Mentally I am resistant to pushing it.  I'm afraid.  Afraid the ligaments will just snap.  It's been 25 years and narry a problem, and still the fear.  Probably because it took me a full year to rehab it at the time. 

Today we pushed my knee.  We worked my legs.  Amy is a stickler for form and she's reminding me every step of the way to dig in my heels to relieve the stress on my knees.  And you know what?  It's working.  It's amazing.  I am able to do lunges and squats and all sorts of things I didn't think I could do.  And it's working my muscles around my knee so my knee is feeling like it's getting more support in general throughout the day.  Amazing. 

At the end of the workout I asked Amy to show me some stretching I could do, because really I've neglected it and I know it's important.  So, she stretched me today.  Including my "bad" leg, which I would NEVER have put in the position she did.  And you know what?  It stretched.  It stretched and it felt GOOD.  I can't begin to express how exciting all of this is.  I have a long road to go.  And lots of challenges and successes in the path before me I'm sure.  But I'm thrilled at what I'm experiencing at the start.  Even my cardiovascular is clicking into place.  My heart rate has dropped 20 beats/minute during the same level of activity in just 2 weeks.  Truly amazing.  The body is a wonderous thing.

On another note...I also started working with the Core products by GenesisPure.  There's a rebuilding formula (liquid vitamins), a balancing formula (liquid super fruits drink) and a gentle cleanse produce.  I have to say, overall, in just a few days, I'm feeling better.  I have more energy, I'm more alert and I feel like I'm processing my foods better.  I'm interested to see how I'll feel in say a month.  I'm a little headachy - which is normal with the first few days of the cleanse from what I hear.  But otherwise, I feel good.  I know even though I try to balance my eating I don't get all the nutrition I could stand to use so I feel like this is a good way to do that.  The products are natural, lots of fruit and vegi components.  I'm sure it is a lot like "juicing" which is so popular right now, but for me, this is much smaller doses (an ounce of liquid here and there) which for me is so much better.  I just can't down a whole glass filled with Kale.  :)  Anyway -- just thought I'd track all of my progress in one place.

Week 2 and a little kick

This morning starts week two working out with Amy, my friend and trainer.  We did Core.  Wow -- I was shocked I did as well as I did.  My muscles, deeply hidden, seem to remember when I used to use them so long ago.  I tackled the Bosu ball this morning and stayed on it for the most part.  Yay me! 

My friend Alison shared with me a health supplement product she's been using that has given her serious relief from her symptoms of Lupus, which really, if you knew Ali, you would know how miraculous that really is.  So I had her come over to tell me all about it.  She looks so wonderful.  She's lost 15 pounds (in like a month), her skin looks good, she's smiling.  Her pain is under control.  My interest is picqued.  I decided I would try their core products which are good for all types of people, a gentle cleanse, a mood balancing formula, and a rebuilding product.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

But this morning, I tried the energy drink before I went to the gym.  I go at 5:30 a.m. so I'm up before 5 and I usually drag through my routines and then I want to sleep by 11a.  Today, not so much.  There's no caffeine so I wasn't jittery at all.  I just felt like I could tackle the world and here I am, 1:20p and I'm not in a slump quite yet.  Pretty exciting for me.  So that's one product I think I'll keep working with.

Lost 3 lbs this week at WW.  It was my first week back, but from my home scale the week before, that's where I'm at.  So, yay me...again.  Drinking water today like crazy.  Like I can't get enough.  Which is good.  Hydration is something I slack on all the time.

Work was busy this morning -- Mondays always are.  I've caught up to Friday now, so I'm back on task.  I had a little lull so I thought I would catch up my blog as well.

I'll post how the supplements go after I get them.  They're on their way...but if this energy drink is any indication, I can't wait.

Party weekend...

It started Wednesday with my Pampered Chef party - which was a success in all ways.  About 10 people joined us and we had a good time chatting and catching up and well, eating of course.  Then Friday I joined my friend Deanna, Jake's best friend's mom, for her business launch of "Body by Vi", a line of fitness focused drink supplements (some help you lose weight, some are for the already fit, etc.) if it didn't contain whey I probably would have gotten started on some.  Everyone who tasted it said it was "yum".  From there I went to Mel's book club night. 

We read the Night Circus, which was a fun story to read.  I read half of it in about 1/2 a day - it was very "Prestige"ish.  Two magicians doing "battle" so to speak -- but it was creative.  She had decorated around it and made food around the theme.  The best part is, being my bestie she made sure even I could eat the desserts!  Gotta love that.  I can never eat desserts out of my own home.  There's always some kind of dairy in them.  So, thanks Mel!

Saturday started with Kenzie's volleyball game.  They got crushed by a team of great servers.  That was a bummer for them, but it helped them play harder, which is always good.  Mel's husband, Jeff coaches the team and he is truly wonderful.  He's totally encouraging to the girls and very specific with ways they can improve.  He's been especially good with Kenzie who can be really hard on herself, especially when she misses a serve or a return.

Saturday afternoon I joined Deanna once again for a Premiere jewelry party.  Small world, my friend Marla who is in my church ward was there.  This is a new neighbor of Deanna's (they are building a new house currently and this lady lives next to the new house) but used to be a neighbor of Marla's.  I fell in love with several necklaces and options.  Of course.  Marla booked a show so I'll have another chance to get more of what I liked.

Then finally, last night we went to dinner with Deanna and her husband, Kelly.  We love these two.  Kelly is hilarious.  We went to PF Changs and sat and talked and laughed for three hours.  Almost felt bad for the poor waiter not being able to turn over his table.  I tipped well, though. 

So now it's Sunday and we'll be heading to church which will be restful, thank goodness.  I'm exhausted! :)  I didn't get my bike ride in yesterday because things were so jam packed so I'm hoping to do that today.  Though it had a light dusting of snow last night.  I'm hoping it warms up by the time we return home. 

It was a good weekend, albeit a busy one.  Nice to spend time with so many friends.

Gorilla arms

no, no...not in size.  More in the fact that I've been dragging my arms behind me since my upper body workout on Thursday.

I met with Amy at 5:30a at her gym on Thursday and we sat for a while and talked.  About my goals, what's been holding me back, why I feel I need her.  She was wonderful.  She said some things I already knew, taught me some things I did not, and reassured me that my fears were valid and something we could get past, together.  I feel so much better I can't tell you. 

Then we worked out.  Well, then I worked out and she directed me.  Holy crap.  It's not that I pushed a lot of weight, it's that I pushed it using muscles I'd forgotten about.  Or more like I used parts of my body where muscle should be but really isn't at this time.  Waking up those places has been well, painful.  I know I'm supposed to say the "good" kind of pain...but really, it's just pain right now.  I'm proud of the pain I feel - it means I did something right, but man, it hurts.

Today is Saturday.  A day I'm supposed to be active outside of the gym.  I think after Kenzie's volleyball game I will go for a bike ride.  It's supposed to be darn near 70 today, if the weather forecasters are close to their mark (not that I'm holding my breath).  It'll be good to get outside.  I'll be in the gym 4 days a week and that I think is enough time spent in doors when the weather is nice.

I'm glad to be moving down the right path.  And I'm glad for the assist from Amy. 

Crack of Dawn...

I am not, by nature, a morning person.  But I am determined.  Determined enough to call my friend, Amy, who owns a gym and is a trainer and ask her to help me reach my fitness goals.  The only time that worked well for both of us is 5:30 a.m. Monday and Thursday, so 5:30 it is.  And boy am I feeling it now!  Whew.  But it's all good.  My attitude is in check and I'm proud that I made it through today. 

We worked upper body this morning, and I know, if she hadn't been there pushing me, I would have quit.  I never used to be that girl, quit when it gets hard, but the last few years that's been my mantra.  But today, with Amy's help I pushed through.  And I have been rewarded with muscle aches (already)...which is exactly what I was going for. 

Tomorrow is my rest day, as is Sunday.  Saturday I'm to be active, with my family in some way that will get my heart rate up for 20-30 minutes.  I can do that.  Mon - Thr it's gym time.  I feel like that's doable. 

I don't have any big goals this year.  No races or triathalons, though I think both will be much more fun when I'm in shape to do them.  Just simple goals.  Being able to fully participate in our vacation come July -- zip lining, horse back riding, everything and anything we choose to do.  Fitting into a closet full of clothes in smaller sizes that just hang there for now.  Feeling less tired and more healthy. 

I'm 43.  My dad died at 63.  I feel the clock ticking.  Not to be fatalistic.  I could live to be 96 like my Aunt Alma did.  And if I do, I want to do so in good health.  So baby steps for now, and today was the first of many to come.

Conference Weekend...

I had the opportunity to go to Salt Lake thanks to Denise and her whirl-wind trip Friday - Sunday.  I haven't been since 2007.  For such a short trip I packed a lot into it and had so many great experiences.

We arrived Friday - only took us about 8 1/2 hours to get there.  Kenna had her car at the SLC airport and they were nice enough to let me borrow it for the weekend since they would all be together staying at her oldest son, Kasen's house.  I on the other hand was staying with my friends Julie and Chad in South Jordan.  I arrived at Julie's about 10:15 on Friday and of course we all stayed up gabbing past midnight.

Saturday I got up and got ready and headed down to Temple square to be there at 11:30 to meet Dee and the girls.  They got a late start so I wound up sitting there for a bit, just being peaceful, listening to Conference on the loud speakers which was pretty cool.  There's something so serene there.  The Spirit is  definitely strong.  After the morning session ended I walked across the street to the City Creek mall, an outdoor mall that is AMAZING.  It's huge.  Like Park Meadows without a roof.  It just goes on and on.  I hung out at Deseret for a while where John Bytheway, an LDS youth author was signing books.  That was pretty cool.

Dee and the girls finally arrived and we hurried over to the conference center.  We got seated and everyone was all a buzz, chatting and taking pictures.  And then, the door opened and President Monson entered and the quiet that came over the center was amazing.  Power in numbers, I tell you.  It gave me chills (in a good way). 

My favorite talk of Saturday afternoon was Elder Bednar's on chastity.  He did not mince words, did not leave gray areas.  He was direct and specific and I love that about him.  They released the General YW Presidency and I was sad.  I was just getting to know of these ladies.  But I'm sure the next set will be wonderful, too.  I can't wait to learn more about them, especially having a daughter in the program.

I got back to Julie's around 6:15 and we met Jackie Stapley for dinner.  Jackie lived in Castle Rock when I first moved in and was there for a few years before she moved back to Utah.  I adore both these women.  It was so good to just hang out and talk and catch up.  So funny.  We laughed so much.  But did we take a picture?  Nope.  Craziness I tell you!

Sunday Julie made a wonderful breakfast and we watched morning session of conference together with their children.  I felt so spiritually full.  I loved every minute of it.  After it ended I got ready to hit the road and meet back up with Dee and Amanda for the long ride home.

On our way we caught weather something fierce in Laramie (we went back I-80 b/c of weather in Vail) major blizzard.  Once we passed through that it was smooth sailing.  It was late when we got home, but I guess it could have been worse! 

I'm so glad I went.  It was good to see everyone and even better to enjoy conference in person.  What a treat.

Road Trip...

I am so excited.  Denise is driving to Utah with her girls to return McKenna to college after a whirl-wind trip home to get all her ducks (and paperwork) in a row for her mission to Brazil.  I'm super excited for her and this new adventure.  Though she leaves in August there is a lot for her to do between now and then just to clear and be able to travel (Visa, passport, etc.).  Anyway -- she is home briefly and Denise and Amanda are driving her back to college in Utah so I asked if I could join. 

This is a big weekend for us Mormon's - it's our Conference weekend - where we get to hear leaders from the church speak on a variety of topics.  It's truly a spiritual experience.  Just to be in Utah during this time brings me peace.

And....as a super bonus...I will get to see Julie and Chad Madeiros and family.  Julie was kind enough to host me.  She is just one of those people who when I met I knew we'd be friends.  She's smart and sweet and funny...and talented!  And Chad is just the nicest guy.  He was so very encouraging to me while we were on the many-year journey to Frank's conversion to the Church.  I haven't seen them since our last visit to Utah in 2007.  Far too long. 

Julie is an amature photographer, who has every bit of the talent required to be pro if she so wanted to be.  She has a shoot on Saturday that I might attend with her - we talked about it for a good half hour yesterday - the ups and downs of the business.  It was fun to chat about photography again.  It's been so long since I've been able to talk shop with someone.  Made me miss it just a bit.

We'll be coming back on Sunday -- a marathon weekend - but that's okay.  I'll take it.  A road trip is a road trip and I love 'em all!