rowing = meditation

rowing = meditation

meditation = Zen

Zen = calm

calm = happy

happy = yes

I may have found a new favorite gym activity.

Changing strategy

This past week I took a quick trip (Mon-Sat) to Georgia to see the family. It was self-care heaven. Not only did I get to be with my family bit I got to invest in myself.

The week started off with a massage & pedicure (thanks to mum) and continued with daily gym visits and a trip to the driving range with dad. Although I've been enviously commenting on my wife's gym membership and midday buddy-runs for months now, I didn't realise how much I missed the gym and the fitness company of strangers until I was there.

In January I re-invested in Weight Watchers meetings, but have found myself unmotivated by their content. And, until last week, I struggled to prioritize and enjoy exercise. I've still managed to lose a few pounds but feel dissatisfied with my self and the process. So, now I'm changing my strategy.

This week I'm getting rid of my ww membership and joining a gym with the money I'll save. I'm going to visit the west roxbury ymca tonight. It has cardio & weight machines, pool access and fitness classes all for the sum of $50/mo. It's an investment but there's no contract so of something changes at work (like it did last year) I'll still be okay financially. It's also only 5-7 mins from the houseand has free parking...major pluses.

So, keep your fingers crossed that I like the ymca! I'll still need to work on prioritizing gym time, but I think that the fitness options and energy of my fellow gym goers will make that more of an excitement and less of a hassle.

And, I'm going to work on posting thoughts more frequently here!

Heartfelt thanks...

Today I have to pay homage to my heart. I've been thinking about the power and vulnerabilities of hearts a lot this year- with my mother-in-law, father and mother all having varying levels of heart problems/scares.

Today, after a terrible night's sleep and waking feeling exhausted, I took a day off to get myself on the right schedule before work's long days come looming. Aside from the 90minutes of "extra" sleep I had this morning, the most recuperative thing I've done today is to hop on the treadmill for a run. I decided to go for 3 miles at a steady 12.0mph. Nothing fancy. By the time I hit mile 2 my heart was pounding and I was focused on finding a steady rhythm for my breathing. In 3 counts, out 2 counts. Nope- not working. In two counts, out two counts. My heart rate quickened. In two counts, out one hard puff. Not quite right. Between miles 2 and 3 I struggled to figure out my breathing and my heart kept pounding along. And then something happened- I hit mile 3 and I kept going. And, in that moment, I smiled, my breathing slowed, and my heart (still pounding) became less frantic in its effort.

After 49 minutes and 4 miles finished, I took a slow 3 minute cool down. At my peak rate, my heart was about 168 beats per minute. Within no time I'd cooled down to 85 beats per minute and it just kept falling...

While stretching, I thought about my heart. There was something magical in paying attention to all the hard work my heart had done in that total 52 minutes of aerobic activity. I was proud of my heart. I was thankful for my heart. I felt protective of my heart- determined to take care of it so I could keep enjoying all of the activities that my heart helps me do. And, so I can continue to try new activities that push me and my heart further.

So thank you to every piece of that muscle tissue and fiber that makes up my heart.

Thanks: Day 3

Nov 3: I am thankful for my brother- who has always been my best friend (even through rough years). Thank you for being my active ear and silent shoulder, for teaching me new skills and old lessons. Thank you for driving my car to Boston and for driving me to and from the airport. Thank you for sharing stories over cold beers and for avoiding the topics we know turn into arguments. Thank you for being a brother every  sister would be lucky to have and for fostering a relationship any sibling would benefit from. I love you.

Thankfulness

On a blog that I've recently started following, the author is taking on 30 days of expressing her thankfulness in this month of November and Thanksgiving.

This year has been a ride, and I admit that I've not been as thankful as I should have been to the Universe for all of the people, experiences, places, things and beings that surround me and fill my life.

And, just as I need to focus more care on my Self, I also need to focus more energy to acknowledging and appreciating all of those blessings around me.

So, here are my first two posts for Nov 1st and 2nd.

1. I am thankful for my mother. For having me and raising me. For becoming my friend. For sharing cups of tea with me across kitchen tables. For fixing my kitchen table and building me side tables. For taking her time (and often time off work) to build our relationship. For trusting me to support her and challenge her. I love you mum.

2. I am thankful for my father. For raising me and teaching me. For letting me (still) curl up next to him when I need to. For showing me patience. For pushing me to push myself. For becoming my friend. For taking me on daddy-dates and teaching me (over and over again) how to golf. I love you dad.