Monkeying Around

The few days ago we (my little crew and hubby) went to the park so the kids could enjoy a change of scenry. While there, and in attempt to encouarge my oldest that exercise can be fun, my hubby challenges myself and son to hang with our chins above the monkey bars for as long as we can. (Mind you my hubby does pull-ups that are really smooth!) Did any of you have to do that when you were in HS? I remember having to do it and how awful I was at it. Well, things haven't changed much. Though I did put in a better effort it was still sad to watch. Not only that we were swinging rung to rung to get across and timing it. Yeah.....My hubby: 5 sec. My son: 9 sec. Myself: 28sec!!!! 28Sec?! %$#@! What the heck? I couldn't seem to get my body coordinated with my arms so that my swing would help propel me forward. What a sad representation for women! I obviously found something I need to work at. :)

Wishful thinking

The healing process seems so SLOW! I know that I only sprained/twisted my ankle but it feels like it's been forever and it's still not completely healed. Ok, enough whining.

Though I haven't been on the bike as much as I would like, I still have been trying to make sure that I boost my endurance and cardio other ways. Playing tag, though not good for my ankle, is great for that! I have done a lot of running around chasing the kids in the yard. It's been a lot of fun and a good workout, especially when I'm chasing them uphill. I have to say that I'm getting old though. I look at the endless amount of energy my kids have and they are hardly winded by it all. Once I catch them then they are squeling to do it all over again. I, on the other hand, could use a nap! When did that happen? I get the feeling that I'm not as fit as I once thought! On the plus side, it sure has made me more aware of what I eat and my activity.

So here's to wishing I was as energetic as kids and realizing that will never happen! May it continue to push me onward in my quest to find more ways to be healthy and active.

As a side note: For those who think gardening isn't a cardio workout, I beg to differ. Try clearing out land and then tilling it the old fashion way: with a garden hoe! If you aren't sweating when the job is done it's because you didn't do it!

Just call me Grace!

So this past weekend was a lot of fun! My oldest son and I went to a karate seminar in Toledo, OH. It was a lot of fun and a great workout! 6 hours worth! By the time I was done, I was tired. Now you would think that if I can do kata (granted, not very pretty yet), weild some weaponry, fall without causing major injury to myself, and perform some self defense that I would be a little bit coordinated. I can chew gum and walk after all. Sometimes I can even talk on the phone while doing that too! So what happens on Sunday? Well, as I was walking down the back porch stairs and fell as I was hitting the last step. How it happened for sure I don't know. All I know is that by the time I realized that I was going to fall it was to late to pull back my body becuase the momentum was already to far in the other direction. I landed on my right ankle. Initially I thought I might have broken it but fortuately that wasn't the case. It is surely sparined though. I have been hobbling around all week. UGH! I did do laps in the pool on Monday but found that I could only do the crawl and very slow at that. I had to skip karate on Monday, although I did try it on Wednsday. Still sore. Yesterday I thought I would just do a little garden work on our back hill. Bad idea, that made it even more sore. I just have to give it a little more of a break. How frustrating is that?! What makes me feel worse is that I have really been on a roll with my workouts. Been doing great and now I have to back it down so much that I'm afraid that by the time I get back into it I'll be starting all over again. Oh well. Can you say "Grace"?

Ode to Ben & Jerry

How cold you are, sneeking into my house
with all the grandeur your pint size can manage!
But alas I succumb to your sinfulness,
how you satifsy me so...your creamy texture is heaven.
One delicious bite after another is magic,
making me crave you more.
I relish each and every flavor realizing that it
is a perilous doom.
Knowing that every bit separtes me farther from
my goal, but I care not....I eat on in reckless abandon.
What power you have over me you
pint size saboteur!


Ok, enough! In my defense I have done laps in the pool for 1/2 hour, rode 5 miles (I know, I need to be going farther...I'll get there!) and 90 mintues of karate. And that was just yesterday. Today I've already been out for a brisk walk. I still have plenty of time to get more exercise in today! I know that it doesn't come close to working off the cals that I took in over the weekend, but it's a start. I'm not going to be inviting Ben & Jerry back into my house for quite a while!

Lovin' Spring

Ok, it's been a long winter and I am definately ready for this spring/summer. It has been so nice to be outside! I have been trying to get in some good cardio outside now as oppose to the gym. Hiking is wonderful!! In the last week I've hiked four days! It felt awesome! The warm weather, sun, nice breeze and a toddler on my back, what more can you ask for? Yes, spring has arrived!!

I've been trying to keep up on swimming at least once a week. It's easier now that my 3 year old has to go for a swim class. I can do 1/2 hour of laps while she is participating in her class. And because I don't want her to miss a class I will make much more effort to be there. Motivation comes in many forms. :)

On top of that I finally took my bike in to have a longer stem put on the handlebars. What a difference that makes. I took it for a short spin and I can already tell that my neck won't bother me as much. They tuned it up for me also. Now there are no excuses! I'm loooking forward to putting some miles on it now. Between the hiking, swimming, karate and bike rides I really hope to boost my fitness level. Now I just have to stick with it!

Shout Out...

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! To all those who made a donation for team 1st Century Riders in our quest to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We are so close to our goal of $1500 already! Couldn't have done it without your help! Thank you to all of you for the emotional support and encouragement not only to help with fund-raising but also for motivation in training. It really means a lot!

Another Rank

Yep. I am now officially a 2nd grade brown belt. So what does that really entail? Well, about 2 1/2 years of training, a bunch katas, a number of different kicks & punches, along with self defense, a handful of teaching hours and a couple of book reports, and some weapons training. When it's put like that it doesn't seem like a lot. Trust me though it takes some work. Which is why I'm excited to make it to the next level. It's kind of scary too that within a year I could actually be testing for my first black belt. This, of course means that I would have mastered being a student. :) Exciting. And in the process of doing something I really love I get a good workout.

Speaking of workout, I made it to the gym today. Yeah!!! 1/2 hour on the bike. It felt pretty good. I know that I really need to do more but with one particular child having some separation anxiety I really felt that 1/2 hour was a good length of time. So over all, I'm feeling pretty good about this week with the workouts I've been able to get in (karate 2x, gym 1x, 2 walks each 30 min, and some steps). Now as long as I don't sabotage it with the wrong diet....I'm hungry! :)