90 in 90

 

Back in May, I saw that my local yoga studio (Kula Yoga) was offering a couple challenges for the summer. One was a 30 day challenge, 30 yoga classes in 30 days, and the other was a 90 day challenge, 90 yoga classes in 90 days. I've done a few of the 30 day challenges, in fact I did one in January, but a 90 day challenge?? Could I do it? I doubted it, but I talked to the hubby about it and always the one to support my dreams, he said "If you feel it's what you need, then go for it."

I definitely needed it, but could I commit? I mean, it's definitely a commitment. Between travel time and class time it can be over a two hour commitment for just 1 class, plus working around child care, soccer schedule, work schedule, church schedule and so on.... However, I rationalized it by saying, "Well, even if I only go to 10 classes, I have more than made my money back." So that settled it. I signed up.

I'm going to be very superficial for a minute, I really did it to lose weight. I wanted to look better. Sure, getting stronger would be nice, being disciplined would be great, but I really, really wanted to look better in my skin.

What I didn't expect to find was community, not really anyway. I mean, sure I've heard the cliche about yoga communities and such, but I'm not in the "in" crowd. It's true, though, the more classes I finished, the more people I met and the more they rooted me on and checked on me each class. "How many are you at now?" "How are you feeling?" "You are doing so great!" "You look some much stronger in your poses!" Plus, the teachers are great. The come around in class and adjust your posture, they are fantastic encouragers and they know how to push you through the "discomfort"!

I've also heard yogi's talk about their "journey" and being present and I thought, "ok, whatever". But again, it's true. The more yoga I did, the more I could still my mind. I know how crazy that sounds. I'm focusing more on the positive and have been in better moods. I've been eliminating things that make me anxious and stressed and I find that I have more time and patience for the important things. Breathing.... Being still... Being present...

So, I know you are wondering, did she? Didn't she?? Did she lose weight? Does she even care about that anymore?

1. YES!! I did it!! 90 yoga classes in 90 days, even with a vacation squished in. I had to double up classes to meet the goal.

2. As far as weight loss goes, I've lost about 10 lbs, but the change in my body and my clothes is huge, far more than the scale shows. Take my advice, ditch the scale.

3. Nope, I don't care about the weight loss. Sure it would be nice to see the number move, but I have gained so much more. And I'm not just BSing you. I'm saying "no" to more, letting people walk over me less. I have more confidence and I am so much stronger in my practice (not perfect, but that doesn't matter).

That's it! Will I do it again?? Absolutely, if Jon doesn't kill me.... I'm even contemplating teacher training...

I can.
I will.
I am.

This was about 4 and half years ago at the first day of my first 30 day challenge, also my first yoga class ever.

to the moon and back,

Of love and loss and grieving....

Ok, I stole that title from my bosses blog, but it's fitting.

I could start this blog off with "Wow, it's, like totally, been a really long time since I last blogged. I've been sooo super busy with my crazy important life but I totally promise to be better about posting!" (please feel free to read that in your best Valley Girl voice circa 1983), but I won't. Truth is, life happens and while I love writing, and emptying my head of random thoughts (yes, thoughts, plural, I do manage to have more than one, however, trains of thought quickly derail), I also have family, friends, 2.5 jobs, running and the like that fill my days.

I have had a blog brewing in my little brain about the "Are You Mom Enough" article, but my luke warm opinions about most things coupled with the fact that I haven't actually read past the title of the article, have hindered me from diving into that topic further. I am fairly certain, though, that I am not mom enough when you take into account that my almost 3 year old watches TV, has had his vaccinations as well as tylenol & motrin, was only breastfed (and not exclusively, there was formula in the mix) until 14 months, has had (on occasion) a PB&J for breakfast and navigates my iPhone better than me. But that's beside the point, on to the task at hand.

Tonight, I write of love, loss and grieving...

Love... The love of a gracious God, the love of a remarkable mother, the love of humbled friends. First, there is the love of gracious God who gives peace to a family who needs all of the comfort they can get. He has laid out the plans for them and gives them strength though the pain. Then there is the love of a mother, a love that has no rivals. I don't think you can truly understand it until you become one. I'm not taking away from the love a father has for his child, but I am saying that it is a bit different when you have carried, nurtured and felt the child moving from inside you. We give them our bodies for 9 months and in turn they take a piece of our heart with them on the way out. Finally, the love of humbled friends, who no matter how much they do for their friends, no matter how much they give, they are humbled to have the friend who is in need trying to comfort them through her loss.

Loss... One of my dearest friends and her family is having to go through what no one should ever have to experience, the loss of a child. Just a few days ago, after giving birth, she lost her son (you can read about it here). Throughout the pregnancy and birth, she gave her worries to God and above all asked for His will to be done. God's will was done, and part of His plan for Emmett was unveiled as he was able to be an organ donor and has the opportunity to help save the lives of two babies. 

Grieving... I can never claim to know what she is feeling, but I know that since Thursday night, I have been wandering around in a fog with an emptiness in my chest. My heart aches for them and I hate that we (her friends) can't be closer to help her through this and to keep her mind occupied. It's a very helpless feeling to have so much distance between us and to not be able to be with her.

It's amazing how someone so little can fill your heart so much and how you can be filled with so much love so someone that you never got to meet, hold, talk to or cuddle with.

My prayers continue to go out to the Jackson family, I hope you will do the same.

to the moon and back,

Running Update

Since I'm blogging, I thought I'd give you an update on my running progress. Yes, I have stuck with it. I know, hard to believe. I still can't believe that I have stuck with it this long. But you know what? I love it and I hate it all at the same time. It's hard, it hurts, sometimes it's disappointing, but I ALWAYS feel better after I run and that make it all worth while!

I started running at the end on December and 6 1/2 short weeks later, I ran 3.1 miles with out stopping! I never thought I would be able to say that! Granted since then I have only run that distance 2 more times with out stopping, but I did it. I'm elated.

There is no way I could have done it with out my hubby who "babysits" while I run, my friend Lacey who twists my arm and pushed me to go just a little further, my little boy who (when he sees me running) cheers me along "Come on mommy, you can do it!", my family who is always supportive with all of my crazy ideas and my God who renews my strength everyday. There have been many times, while running, that I'm asking God for strength and endurance and to heal my sore body.

I now that to some, 3.1 miles isn't that big of a deal (I mean, really, my hubby just ran a 10K last weekend with out stopping and averaged a 7:55 min/mile) but to me, it's a goal reached. I'm hoping for a 10K  by summer, but we will see.

I ran my first official 5K last weekend, the Palmer Healthy Heart Run Walk, I came in 27th out of 34 in my age group. It's not that great, but I am proud that I ran the majority of it and didn't die at the end! Overall, I came in 328th out of 519 people.The Hubby finished 4th in his age group and 65th out of 269. Lacey was a trooper and sacrificed her time to turn around an come get me so we could cross the finish line together so thanks to me, here numbers aren't accurate.

I do have to say that for my first race, it was much different than I thought and it was very intimidating. To have everyone start at the same time, and everyone start passing you at the same time and not really having any idea as to how you are actually doing. I'll admit it, that all got in my head and I didn't run anywhere near as good as I should have, but there is always the next race... I'll be running the Disney Tangled Royal 5k this Saturday.