Chatting with Donna

I need a "re-do"!  I thought I started this journey in January then it turned into February.....  Now April 7 and I am serious!  I got myself a Beachbody Coach!  Alex is someone I had worked with and she offered.  I believe she said that she "could help get my body bathing suit ready..."  Something like that.  After I laughed I then listened.  I still pictured myself in a blue bathing suit and I would resemble a dolphin ride-on floating toy!  Every beach needs floating toys!

Why do I need a coach?  I am a coach!  But then again a surgeon probably never does surgery on themselves.....  So, Alex had better be ready to yell and challenge me into something more slimming than what I see!  I once liked what I saw on the outside but now....ouch!  We can't regret anything we did to get here but I do regret not listening.  A mentor of mine told me to make sure I exercise everyday as "this job" can start to control your time.  I believe she told me that in 1996.....  I should have listened!

So I have started in earnest to look better for myself and my family!  My four great kids and their partners and my three wonderful grandchildren!  My age I still don't willfully admit and my weight no way can I admit that one!  It is way less than when I was at my biggest during bed rest with my twins pregnancy.  That was my beached whale look!

So, whatever you do in life and whatever your goals - Don't Do Them Alone!!!  Share them with someone and get help, ask for help.  We all need some poking and prodding......

Week 2, Day 14, February 28

I look around me and I am reminded of all of my blessings and everything I have for which I am thankful.  Amazing how on Sundays after church I can smile just knowing how fortunate I truly am.  I worry about how I am aging and how my physical body appears.  I need to remind myself that the interior me is the most important part and that must stay healthy!

I helped a friend celebrate her magical 50th birthday on Friday.  I love how she embraces every change and sign of aging as a badge of honor!  What a fabulously bright look on aging!  I need to channel in some of her brightness!  Thank you for being my friend!

Today is my oldest brother's birthday.  His dedication to his life and his family's successes has always been an inspiration.  I am proud to be his (much) younger sister!

I posted a birthday card commemorating all of my family and closest friends who celebrate birthdays in February, the shortest month of the year.  Amazing how a month that changes days of the month in leap year is so full!  It is the "month of love"!

So, thank you to my siblings Ann, Rob and Bill who successfully celebrated their birthdays this month!  My friend Terri whose bright approach to life is so refreshing!  You all give me courage through the years past and those that are yet to come! 

Thanks for being part of my incredible journey of Life!!  I guess I should thank my parents.  My mom who still makes sure we all enjoy life!  My dad who we all miss but his memory shines bright in our hearts!

Day 5 & 6 February 19, 2016

That is right, my journey continues even if I missed chatting about a day.  I had intended on chatting last night until my son came home and said, "Mom, I think we need a new roof."  Not the typical, "How was your day."  So after the words  set in he took me outside to see about 8 shingles from our roof on the ground and pointed to the roof to see many more flapping in the wind.  So, no blog last night but I raised my heart rate.

That brings me to today.  All I could think of was how flexibility is important.  Physical flexibility is extremely important for muscles and joints.  Mental flexibility is extremely good.  So plan flexibility is extremely good.  Always be prepared to change your course, actions or behavior.  I did not have getting a new roof anywhere on my 2016 goal list but now it is.

The good news of having huge winds is I know exactly what physical work out I will participate in this weekend!  That is right, retrieving all of the branches and weeds that are all over my back yard and putting them back onto the pile.  Yes, it is the same pile we made last weekend when I tackled the 7 foot tall weeds.  Also the same pile I restacked just 2 days ago when our winds started.  Great feelings of self accomplishment when you tackle your acre large back yard and put all weeds and branches in a pile.....time and time again...

It reminds me of just how blessed I am.  I have a yard to work, I have eyes to see the weeds and I have the physical strength to move them (granted over and over again).  So I will always be thankful for the "winds of flexibility"!

Day 4 - February 17, 2016

Yep!  I did a push-up!  Well my type of "no abs involved" push-up.  It does take talent.  All the health advice is to work your core.  My "core" has a mind of her own.  So, I adapt and do what I can.  The most important piece is that I do, I continue on this journey.

I was talking to a new Representative today and it struck me that my personal "self talk" advice is the same that we give for anyone starting anything new.  "It will get easier".  So I tell myself work outs will get easier and I agree.  I then try to start an "inner" conversation with myself about my chronological age.  Nope, not there yet I remain with the philosophy of "where I want to see me" age.  Hopefully somewhere in between I will be....

Self question of the day:  When I walk at sundown do the coyotes ignore me?  I guess I better not trip and fall so I won't become a coyote temptation.

Day 3 - February 16, 2016

Ok, this is not my picture but my avatar.  She is leaps ahead of my in this journey!  I started this morning with a 2 mile walk.  Amazing how when I am in the moment of working out I do mentally see myself in a better shape.  Then I look in the mirror.  Reality hurts so I keep moving forward.  I will not settle until I see and feel what I want to be and that will be the real me.

I am realistic, mostly, the vision of where I want to be has work to be done.  When you start a self-improvement journey you usually start in one spot whether mental, spiritual or physical.  I decided that I had better attack the whole me together and no giving up.  So every step and every stretch I am determined to jiggle less!!

My job description changed one year ago.  I do have better work life balance however that means that I physically move less.  Yep, jiggle more.  I do exercise my brain more but I have new parts that jiggle and dance.  Unfortunately they do that all on their own while I am still, so tomorrow I need to rein in those jiggles!  Maybe it is time to utilize the neoprene or, there is always duct tape! 

Day 2 - February 15, 2016

All the posts and articles I read all remind me to get healthy and get moving!  So today I am paying the price for yesterday's attack of the weeds!  I referred to it as our "whim" to do yard work.  I guess I really was determined in weed removal.  I figured swinging tools to chop down 7 foot high dead weeds was working.  Today my muscles (at least I hope they are muscles) remind me that 3 hours on day one may not have been my best idea.

There is always a good side - There is about a two foot wide mostly weed-free corridor outside our fence!  No more tall dried weeds mocking me over the top of our fence!  Plus feeling pain in (what I hope are) muscles means I am moving and living!  Bonus was over 10,000 steps on my Fitbit! 

I call it a good start!  37 more days to conquer the "fear of aging"!  5 months before a family wedding! 8 months before my oldest son's wedding!  I am determined!  Today is not yet done I have more healthy choices to make.  Or, at least contemplate!

I  told myself that at some point I need to accept my true age.  I have always embraced a smaller number than the one I guess I own.  Since days do not gain in length or time I told myself that this year my journey begins!  January happened and my journey started a bit slow.  Then I started to see great Valentine's posts and articles that seemed to scream at me to begin!  And so I  am.

I guess I have a fear of my upcoming birthday.  Maybe not the day but the year I guess I will be so I start now to work on that acceptance of the whole me.  They say it does take 21 days so I am giving myself a cushion.

Day 1 - February 14, 2016 started off great! Yoga, coffee, church and wearing my favorite red lipstick!  A quick Valentine's lunch with my honey and then back home.  A wild whim to attack some yard work and 3 hours later I feel accomplished.  I guess that counts as my first official workout on this journey.  Since it is Valentine's Day I believe a glass of red wine and a bubble bath will be my treat as I prepare for tomorrow and Day 2!  I may even turn on the camera!  Inhale, release tension and smile.  I'm ready.