the sweet misery of mornings

Mornings are the worst and the best. This morning was no exception. The bambino crawled into bed with us around 5:30am, and had a hard time settling down. I had to do everything possible to keep myself from dozing off again. I figured if I started running around 6:30am, I'd still have plenty of time to shower and get ready for work, but when 6:30 rolled around and the bambino was still addimently latched to me, I started to have some doubts. I tried to sneak out of bed around 6:40, but was unsuccessful. Mr. S sleepily grumbled, "what are you doing?" Nearly in tears of frustration, I tried to explain I was going for a run, it's Wednesday, I go for a run, I mean, geez, doesn't he read this blog?!?! 

By 6:49am, I was out the door, with Isla on leash. By the time I was running, the tears had dried and slowly woke up to a gorgeous sunny morning. I'm always grateful once I'm out the door. And because I was late, I ran a lot faster then normal.

So, two days of working out down. One more to go. I was talking to a patient the other day about setting goals and making lifestyle changes. I was reminded of an important concept. When setting goals you should only achieve them 50% of the time. Otherwise, the goals weren't challenging enough. This was such a relief to remember. And a way to remember to push myself a little more. 

"I don't know why, but I get this odd feeling that from here on out, I know I will make the right decisions."

Two heaping plates of pad thai were before us. The sweet, savory sauce glistened in the yellow lighting from the modest Silverton restaurant. My friend Dave gave me a quizzical look.

"What about you?" I asked, taking a bite out of my dinner.

He sighed and raised his eyebrows slightly while he chewed in silent meditation. "I don't know," he said after a while.

"I guess what I mean, is, I think I'll make more adult decisions, ya know? I don't know what it's going to be like after I leave, but I know it's the right thing. I mean, do you feel like that?"

"Hmmmm...I guess from my point of view, being in adult means doing things you don't really want to do."

I remember hearing that and thinking: Well there's an odd statement. Sounds a little like BS.

Looking back on this conversation three years later, I am beginning to see all the sense Dave made. Making decisions, those for our own good, sometimes means doing things we don't want to do. Sure, you can include getting up out of bed in the morning, washing the dishes and a myriad of other things.

When you look at the big picture, however, it's the little details in relation to the big ones that count.

I tend to have this thinking that one day I will change. Change what? Who knows. Somewhere deep down however, is this sensation that I will be a completely new man. I am fooling myself aren't I? I am realizing more and more that true change is in the here and the now. Every second counts. Will I choose to go for that snickers? or abstain in hopes that I will crave sugar a little bit less?

I guess what I am getting at is that I think I am reaching a point where I will stop waiting for tomorrow. Tomorrow isn't here yet, so why should I expect some big defining moment then? It's time to realize that those big defining moments are already here. It's in the waking up. In the choice to smile to a grumpy neighbor or letting things be for what they are.

It's in the doing.

I've decided that today, I will cut back on my lofty goal. I am going to take it a little bit easier on myself and set attainable goals. I am going to let the fact that I didn't workout over the weekend or the latter part of last week negatively affect my thinking.

I choose to move forward.

Mindfulness trains us to be awake and alive, fully curious, about now....It's no small affair, whether you're brushing your teeth or cooling your food or wiping your bottom. Whatever you're doing, you're doing it now. --Pema Chodron

Chest & Back, here I come.

-gabe

Weekend warriors

Weekends are easy for me to feel healthy and fit. Especially in the summer. Days are long and warm. It feelsl impossible to stay inside. And this weekend was no exception. We started off on Friday afternoon with some golf at mcmenanmins edgefield. Normally, I detest golf, even though I've never played more then mini-golf. But it turns out, I don't hate golf. I loved just being outdoors, soaking up the sunshine, and the golfing part was pretty fun too. 

Mr. S wins the award for most creative swing that day. 

On Saturday, we met friends in the pearl at the Mellow Mushroom for dinner. Instead of driving, we biked! It was so easy and our bambino was really enjoying the ride there. Arms spread wide, enjoying the breeze and waving to all those passing by. So cute. 

Today we took it down a notch and spent the afternoon on sauvie island beach. Followed by an afternoon siesta and a delicious home cooked meal by Mr. S. 

 Jam session on the beach. 

Delicious beets and green salad. 

And so begins another week. Again the goal remains workouts MWF. Here we go!

I did it {sort of}!

I have chosen morning time as the time to work out for a couple of reasons. 1) I don't have to worry about childcare in the morning. 2) It doesn't interfere with family time in the evening. However, I have never been super successful at doing a morning workout, without the accountability of a work out buddy. Whether its going for a run or a yoga class, I find it so difficult to get myself there unless I know someone else is depending on me to be there. But that's why I have you now, right? But, goodness, it is just darn painful to try to extract myself from bed when I have this little munchkin cuddled up next to me.

sweet excuses

But this morning I did! I was a little late, so I only had time for a 10 minute barre3 online workout and followed by 5 minutes of yoga. I am so grateful for these online videos. I love the selection and variety. Mostly I love that in my crazy life, I can feel good even if I can only fit in a 10 minute workout because they are focused on high efficiency and multi-tasking (i.e. working on arms, core, gluts and legs all at once!)

This is Sadie Lincoln, the founder of barre3, she is amazing!

So, while it wasn't the full 30 minute workout I had hoped for, I'll give myself a passing grade for making it out of bed for just a little exercise. Woot! Happy Friday Y'all!!

try, try again

Here it is, Thursday, and I'm just now getting around to writing my first blog post. FAIL.

However, this week got off to a great start. I attended Baby Boot Camp class on Monday morning. For those unfamiliar, its boot camp class that incorporates the use of a stroller. It's the perfect way to squeeze in a workout, without worrying about childcare. The other big bonus, is its held in Laurelhurst Park, and it just feels so darn nice to get outside and be amongst other mamas.

Then Tuesday happened, and so did this {not pictured: the maple bar I also ate that day}...

Which has led me to believe, I'm pretty good at the working out stuff, but not so good with the diet. I have pretty much always been of the opinion that it doesn't really matter what I eat, as long as I'm working out. Logical, right?

This is something I'm looking forward to about this blog,  the accountability. AND this is exactly what I'm dreading as well.

Aside from the eating poorly part, I have not done well with implementing a workout plan. Other then my boot camp class on Monday, I haven't done much at all. I have a million justifications and rationalizations for why this has not happened. But the reality is, I haven't put THAT much effort into it. It's time to get serious.

Serious and specific. Here is my plan for the next 30 days.
Monday: Baby Boot Camp {I have a month unlimited groupon I'm cashing in}
Wednesday: 20 minute run + 10 minutes of yoga
Friday: 30+ minutes of a barre3 online workout
Saturday or Sunday: Yoga, Run, Hike, Bike or some other recreational activity

Great set go!

Three days in!

Let's recap....

Monday was a bust....sort of.

Monday's dinner

I managed to keep my eating habits in check consuming mostly greens, protein shakes, nuts and shakeology for the entire day. For my dinner I prepared some steamed salmon and steamed veggies with some nutritional yeast and lime to top it all off.

I decided to work out in the evening as I am unable to get up early lately. I thought that I would eat first, wait an hour and then do the first work out of the P90X series "Chest & Back".

What a lovely idea.

I capped off the night by drinking beyond my limit (coconut rum, tequila, sprite and some lime juice) and puking all over my bed. Needless to say the next day was a complete haze. I did manage a 20 minute workout the following day.

Today has been good. I've mostly stayed on track however I did consume 3...ok 5...small reeses peanut butter cups. I consumed these towards the end of my work day. I felt energized and great the entire day until I consumed these little monsters.

This might sound a little crazy, but I noticed I sort of got the same reaction from eating sugar as when I drank on Monday.

Whatever that means......

I managed to get in "Shoulders & Arms" and baking some cookies. Dairy-free and Gluten-free. Almond Flour, baby.

I plan to do a round of "Shoulders & Arms" in the AM and Yoga X in the PM followed by some salsa dancing in the late eve. Movie time for now.

-gabe

I licked the bowl. 

Cookies!