Keeping the Faith

Months. Yes, it’s literally been months since I’ve written a blog. It’s not because I haven’t had anything to say, because that is NEVER a problem. Saying things with perspective and positivity? That’s another story.

So here I am, at my favorite time of year: COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON! (GO NOLES!) My favorite team is of course on a path to defend and repeat last year’s National Championship, which makes for an exciting time here in Tallahassee. I am looking forward to much fun, friends and football over the next 4 months. However, I don’t work for FSU or the team and I’m not married to a coach. So what I personally am working towards is, improving my life and my family. This is a tough challenge. My husband and I have faced so many challenges the past couple years, but I think we are now on the right path. We still have challenges like everyone, but we are finally moving forward, and implementing long-term strategies that will strengthen us and our marriage.

After a year of unemployment he is working again, however it’s been 400 miles away for the past four months, and counting. During that time, his daughter graduated high school, I had shoulder surgery and his son started high school, just to name a few things.  I had to leave the state 3 times to even spend a few days with him. Sure it’s a strain emotionally and of course financially, but alas we finally turned to a third party to help us with the latter. Here’s the kicker, we are both in our 40’s, we should have developed a better grip on adulthood and money by now right? Wellllll, things don’t always work that way. 

However, like most things, it can change and be fixed; it just takes some soul-searching and willingness to make and accept some tough decisions. Reality bites, there is no doubt, but in the long run, I believe only good will come from it. Why? Because I have this never-ending faith that things will work out (THANKS MOM). This faith has developed not only from my Catholic upbringing, but from the also never-ending love, faith, and support of my family. 

It’s instilled so deep, that no matter how awful I might think things are, they manage to somehow always work out. Yes, Mother was right, as always! Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of it. 

Mayday, Mayday! Can we slow things down a bit please?

Once again I am wondering why my body is not cooperating with my brain. I'm sure it has something to do with this aging process, but I don't have to like it! 
About a month ago now, and not but days after I was getting back into my fitness groove, I suffered a semi-serious slip & fall at a baseball game, tearing up my left hamstring AGAIN, only this time it was the entire backside of my leg. Needless to say, that has derailed my exercise routine the past few weeks and put me back into physical therapy. 
I already had to bow out of two 5K's I was registered for in April, but with the Peachtree Road Race coming up in July, I have every intention of still participating, after all, our group was fortunate enough to win the registration lottery, so even if I'm not fully running by then, I'm willing to bet I can pump out that 10K with a walk/jog scenario at the least!

This year seems to  be flying by at light speed, with many joyous events though. My faith in the in future is feeling strong as everyone who can, seems to be getting married and popping out babies, and you know, these are the people that SHOULD be procreating and raising the next generation. Not the reality-TV idiots of the world. This make me happy!

We have also been blessed in my husband going back to work full time, which still gives us a challenge as it involves a lot of travel and time away from home. I hate when he's gone, but these are the trade-offs in today's economy. It has afforded me an opportunity to get even more involved with my support of Florida State Athletics, as I just became a member of the Extra Point Club and I am looking forward to making some new friends and learning more about my favorite university! 
GO NOLES!!!

Spring is here!

I find it utterly amazing how quickly motivation can take over your mindset!  It really just takes doing that one thing that gets you back on track to get inspired I guess. After a “fun” 5K at the Color in Motion Tallahassee event, I went ahead and signed up for the SpringtimeTallahassee 5K.  The big news however, is that I made it in the lottery with the Badass Fitness group for the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race on July 4^th! That will most likely be my first 10k ever, unless I find one in May or June to practice with. I am both excited and nervous.  Getting registered and creating goals for upcoming races, not only helps motivate my training, but gives me something to look forward too also!

Unfortunately the weather was horrible for the Springtime run, so while many folks showed up and ran in the rain, I was not one of them.  I’m sorry I missed out on that, but the day eventually cleared up and the hubby and I had a fabulous day with friends. Moving on though, next up will be the Red Shoe Run for Ronald McDonald House in April, so at least I have an immediate training goal. The training is easy compared to getting my eating habits back in line though. A few days I feel great and eat well, then totally fall off the good-for-you-food wagon. The battle is constant, but I refuse to give up! 

April is upon us, nothing like starting a new month with a fresh plan. Spring is in the air, and I for one, am ready to get out there and make the most of it!

The Fog is Lifting

The fog is lifting. There has been fog that has taken over my life the last few months. It has infected nearly every aspect of my life. I’m not sure if the cocoon it created was protecting me or just allowing me to figure things out, but it has definitely been surrounding me and all I can say is that it has totally sucked. Yes, I am grown woman and yes, I still say it sucks.

Repetitive injuries sidelined my workouts, and I let them! That is, I LET them take over and bring me down emotionally too. Which just started an avalanche of slipping into former bad habits and overall sense of melancholy and dare I say a little depression?  I am not able to pinpoint many specifics beyond that and I still went on my merry way, going through the motions of my life but not embracing it. I am well-educated in other activities I could have been doing while injuries healed, but I didn’t and I truly believe that one aspect just infected everything else and jaded my mindset on a daily basis.

Amidst all that, my very favorite pastime, attending FSU Baseball games has been in full swing, with the team kicking butt to boot. This week they even hit #1 in the polls and the series match ups have been outstanding. They have also been exhausting, or it could just be me, therein had been my dilemma. I hide out and play the avoidance game while I regroup, just feeling tired. However, I know if I just got back on track with my exercise and food & drink habits, I will probably start feeling better. If some of my ongoing medical issues crop up, I have ways to work around them. In the meantime, I will take some inspiration from the team and I will continue to embrace how well my team is doing and enjoy the fun with my fellow fans as we help the boys get to Omaha.

Usually the Lenten season will inspire me and give me the boost I need to purge, reflect & renew my life goals, but this year has been a bit tougher mentally and I have been struggling with it. This always brings me to the saying my dad used: Mental Toughness! Normally, I think I have that in spades! No matter what stupid crap life throws at me, deal with it and move on, live & learn: all that good stuff. Every now & then though, I just wallow. I believe there is definitely a time and place for wallowing, the key is to not let it take over, but I have. Now I’m over it, time to get back in the game.

Let the games begin!

Time, weather & baseball

No matter our good intentions, or lack of planning, everyone gets the same amount of time to use everyday. Unfortunately, time seems to slip away quicker and quicker lately. I had a birthday in January, I have always LOVED birthdays! I mean it's the one day to just celebrate your mere existance in the world and be happy your parents found each other, right? Of course, now that I'm in my 40's, I may not look so forward to my actual age increasing, say...like I did approaching 21. Still, many life lessons have been well-earned, millions of great memories made (and many forgotten too I'm afraid). I remain ever grateful though every day I woke up to a new opportunity for another fabulous day on this earth as many are not so lucky. I find myself praying more often and just happy to be with my family and friends at any given moment.

Welcome to 2014

We are two weeks into 2014 but I feel like this week is the real start of the new year. The last few months seem to have vanished into thin air! I have not had a chance to write anything in ages, not even a review and reflection on 2013!
It was definitely a roller coaster of a year in just about every aspect of life. Some things have worked out better than I expected and some struggles continue to exist. I believe I deepened my inner faith and strengths, which is very gratifying. I embarked on a new spiritual journey as it were, with the help of some super fabulous ladies who are about the most encouraging people one could ever meet!

Therefore, I enter 2014 with optimism! If you know me at all, you know I LOVE my alma mater, Florida State University! The Noles did us proud this year winning the BCS National Championship with an undefeated season! Congrats to the team!

Undefeated and unconquered are words I think we should all embrace. Despite setbacks and struggles, here I am, still standing, facing another day, with a new opportunity to get out there and reach for success. I have never been much for new year's resolutions, maybe because in my head, the new year really starts in the Fall with a new football season, but I digress.

I have seen some of my fellow bootcampers make "determinations" instead of resolutions this year, and I really like that concept. I have a few determinations in mind myself. One fitness goal I had, of participating in my first half-marathon, had to be pushed back, but I feel confident I can make it happen, just a bit later this year. Other determinations I have revolve around quality of life and personal relationships. In the long run, I think all these things feed off each other. The key is to avoid being overwhelmed, (which I can be guilty of) by being impatient, or frustrated, or trying to do too much at once. This year's determination is to truly build off the little successes! We all know every solid structure starts with a solid base, the comparison works for life too, start solid and build up!

Welcome to 2014, embrace the opportunities and remain unconquered!

Mental Toughness

I have always found it interesting that the things I feel like I need to devote more attention too, but somehow don’t, still find a way of coming around again and again until I finally start paying attention. Why is it always so hard to dedicate yourself to things that you know in your heart will improve your life?

For me, exercise has been an on and off habit my entire life. The health benefits are well documented of course, which had nothing to do at all for why I’d slip away from regular exercise. It’s not even logical! I have always enjoyed sports & exercise; from ballet, track and softball as a kid, to those aerobic classes in my 20’s, to all The Firm, Abs of Steel & Reebok Step videos in my 30’s. Now in my 40’s, I find myself branching out with bootcamps and jogging (maybe a little running). I only did my first 5k a couple of years ago and now in 2013 I’ve already got 6 under belt, with more on the horizon.

The interesting thing is that since turning 40, all sorts of mostly-minor medical issues keep popping up. What I find incredibly annoying is that in MY head, I think I’m pretty healthy no matter how long of a break I’ve had from regular exercise. Oddly enough, whatever stupid medical thing throws itself at me, I seem to recover strong. I’m extremely sensitive to it all, after watching my mother live in a wheelchair for some 30+ years. She was still the strongest person I have ever known in my life…but she couldn’t walk. Mental toughness is a phrase my Dad uses a lot and I like to think he has instilled that in me. At the same time, I still fight for a healthy physical self. I accept my age and my basic body-type; in addition I am well aware I will never be one of those tiny little women. This does not stop me from knowing I can still be strong, fit and healthy.

My mental toughness is not just a product of my awesome parents, it also stems from a strong faith instilled in me having been raised Catholic. My Mother and Grandmother were very devout Catholics. Unfortunately, when my mother was paralyzed at the young age of 30 with 2 little girls to raise, we got away from regular church attendance. As the years passed my mom used to worry about that, but she had no need. Our family had built a strong foundation. So even throughout my adulthood, I’m still pretty erratic in attending church. I’m kind of a Holidays & Lent person, but I have my faith and my beliefs that she taught me and I know they are incorporated in my daily life. However, I recently took a new step; I joined a bible study group with some incredible women I have attended bootcamp classes with. As far as I can tell, they attend different churches, be it Baptist, Catholic, Methodist—honestly I don’t know. But they all seem to be warm and loving people, who just want to live, learn and love in faith.

I have been struggling with my spiritual life and I have been trying to find ways embrace it more. I think I have struck gold with this group and I am so looking forward to what we can learn and share with each other.