28. Perspective Half Way Through

At the Crossroads of Sunset and Moonlight

I watch early morning seagulls gliding through the sky to their flawless landing atop the lamppost of my San Luis Rey & Ocean Front signpost.  Six of them seem to be playing together as they dart from rooftop to rooftop, then burst off circling the beach, back to another rooftop, now swoosh up again o'er top of the serious 7:00 a.m. volleyball players, and finally line up on the arc of the lamppost. 


Perhaps they're resting, or napping--do birds nap?--as they sit side by side, silhouetted in synchronized perfection.  One breaks away to come perch on a ledge directly above my curious head.  She looks down, I look up, we share a moment, and she's gone. She doesn't join her five napping companions, but finds her own curved post on the beach's far end by the park.  When the five decide to take off swooping and soaring again, she remains, preparing for her day ahead.  As do I.


Half way through Fitcamp in San Diego, half way through living in a sun-filled paradise instead of Chicago's frozen winter wonderland, half way through whatever I hope to accomplish while I'm here...pause, deep breath...I ask what will my days ahead bring?


I'd imagined the daily workouts before I came.  Imagining and experiencing, of course are two very different things.  The first week I now realize was sheer will power, forcing myself to participate, to follow the trainers with my heavy, awkward moves.  The second week, promising myself to attack the workouts instead of simply experiencing them, again my head said attack and my body said, "Oh, alright, but up to a point."

I took a morning off here and there, to walk to the water's edge and bend down for this shell and that (discovering when done correctly, I was actually performing squat after squat anyway)  but never missed Fitcamp in the evenings and on Saturday mornings.

I learned about balancing my protein, carbs and fat, and to write every single item in a food diary.  I shared with friends--some who teach me much, and some I'm able to pass it on to. 

I had interesting discussions with my neighbor upstairs about artists and atheletes.  I accepted the generosity of the trainers driving me back and forth to Fitcamp. I tuned a friend's first Ukulele for him (and followed "Ukulele Mike" online learning to play "Amazing Grace".)

I brought together a friend from Phoenix with a San Diego friend who will now be able to work together in a portion of each's business venture, and, I discovered I could walk 2 -6 miles to get whatever I need to get done in a day!  Grocery store, post office, real estate office, drug store--all there waiting for a good walk.

I haven't written here in the blog for awhile...it seemed like so many details regarding push-ups, lunges, planks, lateral squats, every type of bicep/tricep/and all other muscle group resistance exercise, and on and on,  kicks, jabs, steps, knee-raises, and on and on...  my daily grind didn't seem like something to write about.

However, half way through, I've gained perspective. 

I turned a corner. 

My body isn't telling me what to do on the mat and on the grassy obstacle courses, I'm telling it what to do!  It's a new feeling, one which I believe is moving toward balance.  In the future I hope to continue working together, mind and body, toward accomplishing my goals.

In the future I hope to bring you along, bring my friends along, swooping and soaring together, finding our own perches when we need them, and lining up together when we need to share. 

If you could fly... 

You can.

One step at a time.



Discovered today in the preparation details for the "Hustle Up The Hancock" on Feb. 27th, that the 94 story climb has 1632 steps, but the 52 story climb, which I'm doing, only has 816 steps! Sounds like a piece of cake compared to the over-1000 that I previously thought it would be.  Still have a lot of training to go, but I believe it sounds manageable now.

Yesterday I learned my first Ukulele piece, discovering I'd like to purchase one and learn to play.  Unbelievably, last evening a friend back in Wisconsin invited me to go with her to a Ukulele workshop in August--out of nowhere--we'd never, ever spoken of Ukuleles before!  I'm in. 

27. Hearing the Difference

Oatmeal with Blueberries, Cantaloupe, and Sprouted Whole Grain Toast

This photo is the new wallpaper on  my laptop. 

Every reminder to stay on course helps.

After working out every day--most days twice--in addition to walking two to four miles, it would be self-sabotage not to eat healthy meals.  It would be self-sabotage to indulge wildly on some kind of sweets binge.  It would be self-sabotage to eat fast food, full of calories and high in fat.

That's why I flew two thousand miles, spent the year's vacation money for housing, dedicated my fifty-nine year old body to working out two times a day, and told everyone I know about it.  With all that at stake, there is absolutely no room for self-sabotage. 

I walk by pizza joints, taco stands, ice cream parlors, burger bars, and bars period, every single day--sometimes several times a day.  I think about stopping.  Once I did, for a taco, then proceeded to remove all the cheese, half the ground beef, and guiltily (which actually is a word, I looked it up) nibbled at the lettuce and tortilla.  It felt good to get back to my little retreat cottage and cut up fresh vegetables to eat with my chicken breast dinner that night.

Accountability is built into every aspect of this phase of my journey.  It's working.

A shift takes place when I'm in this zone.  I'm satisfied with small portions and unhealthy choices become less and less appealing. 

However, I've traveled in this zone before--many times.  The most recent, in 2009 as I prepared over a three-month period for my son's wedding, losing quite a few pounds and developing some fairly healthy eating patterns.  Three months later, it was business as usual, putting the weight back on and munching all day on whatever was at hand. 

Something has to be different this time

to

turn a zone into a lifestyle.

What will that difference be?  At first I was counting on the sheer sacrifice and effort of going through this fitcamp daily, so far from home, to be the key--the determining factor that makes this experience different from all others. 

Now I know it's more.  I haven't learned the full of it yet.  I feel the beginning though. 

It is tied into being myself--the true authentic self I was created to be.  It is tied into having removed myself from every possible negative factor and energy that could keep me from completing this journey to wholeness.  It is tied into meditating on God and a universe that is so grand, and yet knowing at the same time, I am part of that plan. 

It is grand.  Nothing petty.  Nothing pesky.

 

No part of sabotage is in God's plan.

I feel the beginning of this difference

which is tied into

my gut/heart/soul/spirit, you pick, 

telling me with every step I take,

"You experienced your workouts last week. 

Now this week you must attack them."

It is tied into knowing I have actually

not been down this road before,

ever.

26. By the Light of the Moon -- it's Silver Crescent Bright

TODAY'S BREAKFAST

"How nice it is for you now, to have such a change in your life!"

This was the response of my upstairs neighbor upon hearing of my severly unfit and overweight past, as well as my current goals of climbing/hiking a mountain and participating in the John Hancock stair climb.

I assumed she meant the change of having all my children grown and the time to spend on these endeavors.  However, she explained, "No, I mean the change for you--now you get to be an athlete."

Never had I heard the word athlete in reference to me.  Over the next few minutes I realized that, indeed, I am training to do something athletic--to be an athlete! 

Fitcamp started yesterday. Three outstanding trainers, people you want to know and have as friends, have a dream.  I have a dream.  It just so happened that the timing on both of our dreams coincided!

Rhonda, Carisse and Palani began their new venture called  fitcampSD  on New Year's Day, at least the part of it which entails the actual workouts.  Months of planning and years of preparation brought them to that moment.  Each is trained, skilled and certified in various physical fitness strategies.  They have years of experience in the field.  They also have a heart for people and for making the world a better place.

I began my fitness journey forty-two months ago.  For three years I learned what it is to experience going to a gym regularly, to follow a trainer's instructions, to step, lift, kick, lunge and stretch with a group class, and to pick myself up after falling off the proverbial wagon!  After ups and downs, gains and losses, frustrations and elations I kept coming back.

Long story short--when I contemplated turning 60 in Oct. 2011, I decided the time for ups and downs is over.  Now it's time for a focused "straight ahead."  Straight ahead toward a goal, each step I take informs me of the next, and prepares me for the mountain hike/climb in October.  More importantly, this is training to become all that I can be, not only for myself, but for my family, my friends, my community and the world around me.  A healthy body plays a most vital role.

Many think it strange to have flown from Chicago to San Diego to work out.  I see it as the next step toward a goal, just as Rhonda, Carisse and Palani see each workout as the next step toward their goals.  The paths to our dreams crossed, bringing us all to last night's stretches, lunges, push-ups and leaps in Mission Bay Park by the water, under a light, on the grass, on dewy mats, with increased heart rates and the joy of living.

This morning as I rose from bed to contemplate my morning workout, I'll admit I had to find the ibuprofen bottle first.  But then I wall-squatted and planked and was on my way again through another workout,  followed by my reward--a two mile walk along the beach with the sun seeping into my shoulders and back, and a clear blue sky above the tops of the palm trees!

The prospect of doing this over and over, morning and night for the next thirty days is a bit overwhelming if I don't think of myself as an athlete.  If I do, I'm simply burning rubber on the road to reaching my goal.

25. We All Watch the Same Sun

Sunday:  Walked the path along Mission Bay today, shopped at oceanside beach stores, talked with shop owners, walked the beach and made an appointment with my first sunset of this journey.

My deck, at home before I left Chicago.

I walked out of my San Diego place this morning, layered as if I was still in Chicago. Ten minutes into the walk, I  began removing them one by one.   San Diego has experienced record highs this time of year in the 80's, but over these next few weeks the highs forcast are between 64 and 68 degrees.  Considering the highs forecast for Chicago this coming week between 17 and 28 degrees, I am not complaining!

A handsome young Australian rang up my purchase this morning in his beachfront store.  I commented on how nice the weather was and how I'd worn too many layers thinking it would be colder.  He remarked that, he too, had done the same.  His next remark surprised me.

"Now I'm stuck though.  I made the mistake of putting on a tank top underneath.  So if I take off my sweatshirt, I'll have to hold in my stomach all day!"

I didn't think I'd heard him correctly.  It was exactly the kind of statement I might make.  I looked across the counter more carefully, and still only saw a handsome looking young man, certainly not overweight!  I replied something about men not really having to worry about that. 

He assured me, "Oh yes we do.  Especially as we get older, you know?"  Again, something I do indeed know, but was quite amazed to be hearing it from him.

We continued our chat pleasantly and I was on my way. 

I'm always trying to remember how we are all connected, how we all have fears, anxieties, misgivings, and regrets, as well as successes, accomplishments and good fortune.  There is not one set of privileged people who get to skip over all the negatives. 

Why can't we each be more aware of our common traits and trials, and less strident about our differences?  Concentrating on the differences only builds up unnecessary walls that keep us from relating to each other and lifting each other up.

Maybe I'll say hello again on my next walk and tell him about FitcampSD!  I wouldn't have thought he needed it, but sounds like he could use the physical boost of confidence.

I learned sunset was for 5 p.m. today.  At 4:48 I made my way across the street and up the path to the beach, only to discover I was a few minutes too late to see the full effect.  In the future I'll give myself more time.  However, there was something uplifting about making that appointment with the sun.  At home, I have to say, I take the sun's comings and goings for granted.  

Tonight, my steps bounced, around a few blocks extra, on my way back from the sunset.  When I walked into my place, I poured sparkling water into a wine glass to toast the sun--a ritual I'm looking forward to repeating in these weeks to come. 

My patio just before sunset.

 



24. "Fly away, fly away, close my eyes and I can fly away..."

Joni Mitchell’s singing “Ca-li-for-nia…I’m coming home, I’m gonna see the folks I dig... " on my I-Pod, flying west, clear and bright with purpose.

Next Leslie and Steve sing about walking this world looking for light, “Where are the strong, who are the trusted, and where is the harmony…sweet harmony…” while I spoon up unsweetened applesauce and crunch “simply naked” bagel chips dipped in lemon and pepper tuna (United's “Lite Snack.”) I must mention, crunching bagel chips with earphones on, sounds like an army of boots marching through fields of broken ice inside my head!

I haven’t felt this exact exhilaration since my early twenties when I left college for a time, packed all my earthly belongings into my pale blue Volkswagen bug, and headed west-- destination unknown, just west. See you on the dark side of the moon!

The difference is, then I was trying to find myself-- searching by throwing myself into the world and seeing what stuck! Now, I know myself, I know life, love and sorrow.  I know what it is to give myself away purposefully, to accept responsibility, to be careful when necessary, to defer dreams, to live dreams, to share adventures, to build a life, nurture a family, and join a community.

Some of these lessons came more easily than others. Leslie’s singing, “…Whatever spins a grim tornado, can also turn a potter’s wheel…”  I’ve spun some grim tornadoes in my time, haven’t we all! 

This time I head west, not to find myself, not to “see what sticks,” but rather, to give and receive mutually, interconnected with the land, the people, the circumstances, and opportunities all around. Expressing love, becoming all I can be-- the whole self I was created to be, I’ll find direction one step at a time.  I'm awed by the love of my family and friends, the strength which holds me up, allowing continual discoveries.

Thank you!

In two more hours I’ll get out of a cab on San Luis Rey Boulevard, the driver will lift two heavy suitcases from the trunk and place them in front of a gate. I’ll use the combination given for the lock box of my beach rental in Mission Bay, San Diego. I’ll walk through the gate, across my patio and into the next five weeks of my life.

I’m coming to you from thousands of feet in the sky, dipping my naked bagel chips into the can of lemon pepper tuna which looks like cat food, and sipping my “Sunrise Sunset” cocktail, because I am celebrating the beginning of this journey-- flying west with the sun, listening to every note of inspiration.

Pink Floyd just said, “I’m not afraid of dying,” then (The Great Gig in the Sky) wails out the most inspired three minutes and thirty-six seconds of wailing, period, ever...  So glad I finally discovered this I-pod world.

The adventure begins.

Written Saturday, 1 p.m.

Once unpacked, walked three miles exploring. (As well as trying to find a "Trader Joe's" to stock the kitchen.)
Tomorrow is a day of rest, then two workouts/day begin on Monday.
Goals:
1) Reach the proper readiness level for the race up the stairs of the John Hancock building on Feb. 27th, 
2) Establish a healthy pattern of exercise, and a nutritionally sound, well- balanced eating plan as a new lifestyle.
3) Have fun doing it!

Dinner Tonight

23. A time to remember...

Preparing for Harold's mother's funeral tomorrow, I shopped for something to wear.  Though I rarely wear a dress, in Lucille's honor I bought a dress.  Though I never wear a hat, in Lucille's honor I bought a hat.  Then, as I was walking to the checkout, a young girl and her mother walked ahead of me and the mother could have been Lucille from the back.  She turned to the side, and it could have been her from the side.  The woman looked just like her, hat and all. 

I didn't know Lucille when she was young.  As a part of the "greatest generation" (though the phrase seems to have come from descriptions of, well... men... who went to war)...anyway...let's say... members of my parents' generation, she and her husband, Harold Sr., raised their children  in the manner of the day--their sons looked sharp, dressed sharp, knew their place in adult company, obeyed, deferred to and respected their elders, sat still in church, stood tall for their annual September teaspoon of Castor oil, and left the house each day knowing they represented their parents and the honor of their name in every thought and action... knowing they carried the Spooner name in each step they took.

We met on Valentine's Day weekend in 1974.  I didn't know what to expect.  All I knew was, somewhere in those fall and winter months of my senior year at Houghton College, I'd fallen in love with her son, Harold Jr.

Lucille and her husband had "moved on up" to Tracy Towers in the Bronx. Her Mom, Minnie, lived with them.  In fact, Lucille had lived her whole life with Minnie, whose husband had died when Lucille was young.  She and Minnie made their way from Mississippi to New York City, settling down in Harlem, where she later met her Harold in church.  But I digress...that Valentine's Day in '74 I walked past the doorman, into the elevator, and up to the twenty-sixth floor wondering what lay ahead.

I met Minnie (Grandma Jackson to us,) who was so very glad to see her grandson and his new girlfriend.  She slipped me some money and proceeded to ask me to buy her a new sweater and slippers the next time we went out.  I was only too happy to oblige.  I soon learned this was one of her idiosyncrasies, when the rest of the family heard this request-- laughter and explanations swirled around--they took very good care of her and would get her anything she ever wanted, and they did, every day.  Yet, when I met her, she'd asked me to do this as if it were the only way she could get new slippers and a sweater!  Lucille loved her mother dearly, but also lived with her attitudes that seemed to be growing in her old age.

We sat down to Lucille's fine homemade dinner of fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad, greens and rice, all prepared with much love.  Of course Minnie was called to come join us all around the table, but she said she wasn't very hungry.  Then she proceeded to sit down and eat a healthy plate of firsts, and seconds, ...of everything. The family knew this was coming, all joking and laughing as the ritual unfolded.

The next day I sat with Lucille, helping with the laundry duties, just the two of us.  As we reached down into the washer, pulling out tightly rinsed garments to throw into the dryer, she said, "When my son told me he was bringing home a girl for the weekend, I was very excited.  But then he said...'Mom, she's a white girl.' 

She went on, "At first I was disappointed, and said, 'Oh, a white girl??'  But then I thought about it.  I realized, this is the woman my son loves.  If he loves her, and she loves him, then...that's what's important."

She finished her story to me by saying, "...And I've been alright with it ever since.  I just had to think about it, that's all."

I will never forget those words.  I will never forget Lucille's voice as she spoke them.  I can see us both together in that laundry room 36 years ago, as clearly as if it were today.

I remember her voice calling to ask about each of our children on the phone over the years, her voice of advice and encouragement the first time I had to deal with a racial incident in my son's pre-school, her laughter and confidence when the four of us were playing cards together, her concern for the young people in her community, her pride and love for her husband, "Spooner," (who, by the way, is definitely in my greatest generation description, as he proudly served our nation at war in the Merchant Marines.) 

I remember her joy describing the cruises she'd been on, and I'll never forget the first time I saw Lucille and Harold Sr. dancing--they could have been on "Dancing with the Stars!"  I remember her love and care for her mother, her family, her church family, and her God. I can see her vividly, sitting each early morning with her tea and toast, and then reading her Bible.

No, I didn't know Lucille when she was young. And, many miles separated us for long periods of time as we both grew older.  However, I was privileged to have been touched by her life, privileged to have walked with her in the moments that were granted to us in time, in the life of our family.  I thank her (especially for her son, but for everything really) and, I pay tribute to her for her life of work, dedication, perseverance, consistency, loyalty, understanding and love.

22. On Vacation

Walking every day, also enjoying fine dining.  Going to the gym in the morning, also enjoying fine dining.  Hope it balances out.  Advice from a friend:  Find some steps!  Ok, easy to do...right next to "Serendipity!" (Known for their huge frozen hot chocolate drinks!!)

Pray for me :)   lol

21. Tis the Season

My goal was to get this done by Tuesday...just made it!

Thankful for this ritual which gives a glow to our evenings every year at this time.

Drinking lots of hot tea

with cinnamon & honey,

ordering gifts,

planning holiday events

and

thinking about what to write in our Christmas cards--

in this shimmered room

of expectation.

Snuggled

in

joy.



20. Back on Track

After losing track of my work outs for several days, after letting myself indulge in sugar and fat laden foods for a week over the holiday, after frankly not feeling very well as a result...I'm left wondering where I went wrong?

I missed Pilates when I drove to St. Louis for my uncle's funeral.  I managed to get in a couple cardio, workouts in the gym over the last eight days, and I did meet my goal of climbing 280 steps last Saturday (50 more than the week before.)  However, overall, these last ten days I've gone way off track.

To meet my goal for the year of reaching a whole new fitness level, there's no way around it, I have to change.  I can't become something different by staying the same!

I registered for a six-week fitness camp in San Diego, to begin on January 1, 2011.  (I posted FitcampSD's link to their website at the right.)  This is a good idea for many reasons: 

1)  Weather-wise, who wouldn't rather spend Jan. 1st through mid-February in San Diego instead of Chicago?

2)  What a way to begin the New Year--six weeks of daily supervised and supported workouts!  If that doesn't set the stage for a year of dedication to my goal, then nothing will.

3)  The training instructors are people I know, admire, trust and find to be most inspiring.  The way they live their own lives, truly inspires and motivates others to join them in their fitness quest.  Six weeks with them is well worth traveling all that way.

4)  I will have absolutely no distractions.  I'll be single-focused for six weeks.  How often does that ever happen?  Never.

So why the tinges of anxiety, the wondering if I can do it, the moments when fear of the unknown grows?  I lose sight of my goal in the midst of to-do lists and expectations.  I stop trusting that there is a plan for my life and all I have to do is take little action steps each day.  When I let that lack of trust stop me from taking steps forward, I revert back to old comfortable habits and ways.  Doubt creeps in, then fear, then disappointment...a spiral downward instead of up! 

When I set the goal of climbing/hiking the mountain in October of 2011, new doors began to open almost daily.  I walked through them and now will climb to the 52nd floor of the John Hancock building on February 27th.  I will attend FitcampSD for six weeks at the beginning of the year.  This week I also discovered an opportunity to travel with Harold to Estes Park in Colorado in June (he's going for work.)  My next step is researching a preliminary hike/climb in the Rockies for June! 

All I have to do is keep taking steps daily.  If I'm not walking forward, I'll miss these doors of opportunity.  What good is an open door, if I don't walk through it?

It's time to get back to writing, to accountability, to taking the necessary steps each day.

We finished putting up our Christmas tree about twenty minutes ago.  I've put off my weekend climb up the stairs till now--Sunday at almost 6:00 p.m.  Adding 50 more steps this week--it's time to lace up my shoes and hit the 330 steps!

I'm out the door...

I'm back!


Cousin Carol, cousin Norma...I just checked and there are still openings for the "Hustle Up the Hancock" 52-floor climb.  Go to www.hustleupthehancock.org and register if you're coming along :)

Wednesday Woe

Woe is a bit strong.  My distress is not grievous, I have no deep misery.  However, some minor discouragement exists.

1)  The more I work out, the hungrier I am--seriously, sometimes ravenous.  It's one thing to watch calories when one is not hungry, or only mildly hungry, and another after expending so much energy.

2)  Picked up the results from recent blood work.  That pesky cholesterol!  I've been trying to get it down with diet and exercise, not wanting to take the prescribed Vytoren.  I even fell for an expensive "De-Tox" program.  The seller recommended two sessions of three months each on the supplements (of course.)  I completed the first three months two weeks ago and thought I'd at least see some improvement in my cholesterol and HDL count.  But no.  Now do I ante up the dollars to take the second three-month program and hope it works?  Or, given the results so far, realize this isn't working?

Really, is the only solution eating all those vegetables on the list that I don't like?  And taking more prescription medicine--chemicals?

I rarely eat red meat or fried foods. Cheese?  Yes, some, but I do not over do it.  We always buy whole grain products.  Do I have to adopt a severe diet?  It appears that I do.

Given my glucose and cholesterol counts, I have to become a person who does not eat sugar.  I tried it successfully prior to Harold M.'s wedding earlier this year.  It can be done.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Gym, hour workout, the usual.

18. What We Take For Granted--Material Possessions



Favorite Soap at http://www.mistralsoap.com/

 To think creatively,
we must be able to look afresh
at what we normally
take for granted.
~George Kneller

In addition to a roof over my head and clothing,  if I could only have 20 material possessions, what would they be?

A lap top, blank journal, good pen, comfortable bed, feather pillow, high thread-count cotton sheets, camera, blow-dryer, coffee maker, mug that feels good in my hands, a refrigerator, stove, hot-water bottle, car, garden shovel, jasmine candle, gardenia soap, spa tub, down comforter and a radio.

What are your top 20?  List them before reading further. 

When the hypothetical question came to mind, my first thought was, "If I could only have 5 possessions, what would they be?"  My first five did not include a stove or refrigerator--possessions so taken for granted.  I had to increase the number to ten.   A few more thoughts and I realized it had to be 20!

If a bed is on my list, what good is it, if it doesn't have bedding?  Sheets, pillow, comforter--3 more items out of only twenty!  However, they are musts.

Does the "Spa"  in Spa tub really make it two possessions?  Ok, take off the "Spa."

If a coffee maker is on my list, what good is it without a mug?  As it is, a blow dryer is on the list, but no hairbrush!  I had to eliminate the hairbrush in order to include the jasmine candle.  What kind of life would it be if nice hair took the place of ambiance and treating the sense of smell?  I'll settle for a blow-dry while running my fingers through it!

Now I'm wondering if running water is a possession? What good is a tub without it?  How about a toilet?  More I take for granted.  I'd have to remove the coffee maker from my list, to get the running water, take off the candle, to get the toilet.

What about a chair?  Or chairs for guests?  Better to have the bed and bedding.  We can sit on the bed or the floor, using the pillow and comforter somehow for seating.  We'll  take turns sharing the coffee mug for any food or drink, since dishes don't fit into my top 20!  Therefore, probably need to drop the "Gardenia" in Gardenia soap since the soap will be used to wash the mug too!

I take so much for granted.  Is electricity a possession?  A furnace?  There goes the journal and pen.  What about wireless Internet access?  A possession?  Without it the laptop is useless.  Have to give up the blow dryer for wireless.   And what about gas for the car...a possession?  There goes the garden shovel.

Radio is an old habit, totally not necessary with Internet access. Take off radio.

What about a pot to cook in?  Take off the camera...and a utensil to cook with?

What's left of my 20 possessions?

1.  Running water
2.  Toilet
3.  Tub
4.  Soap
5.  Electricity
6.  Stove
7.  Pot to cook in
8.  Utensil for cooking
9.  Big mug
10. Furnace/heater
11. Refrigerator
12. Wireless Internet access
13. Laptop
14. Comfortable bed
15. Feather pillow
16. Down comforter
17. High thread-count sheets
18. Car
19. Gasoline
20. Hot water bottle for aches & pains

It just occurred to me,  take away 18 of those 20, and that's what the villagers in the Congo have left (where my husband visited last month.)

Creativity,

as has been said,

consists largely of

rearranging what we know

in order to find out

what we do not know.

~George Kneller

Monday, November 14, 2010
Cardio warm up, 30 weighted wall squats, 30 squats with side kick, 30 squats with front kick, step workout with leg lifts and kickbacks, chest and shoulder weight work and seated rows--all 3 sets of 12 reps each, plank, ab work, stretches

Tuesday, November 15, 2010
Light stair workout--80 (Calves just recovered yesterday from the 233 steps last Friday!)

17. Moving!

Decisions, decisions.  "Is it life-giving, or life-taking?" 

For instance, fried foods--life giving?  To some extent, one can find some nutritious value.  In another vein, the emotional attachment to good times and comfort can feel life-giving, and, a well-prepared fried chicken leg or breast can provide a life-giving smile and sense of satisfaction from the delicious taste. (Believe me, I experienced this last weekend!)  However, in another vein--one's actual veins--it can lead to clogged arteries.  The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease!

Many days I have the will to pursue healthy eating. 

Many other days, I use my will to bring me back to a healthy eating plan which I've departed from! 

If I am not doing one or the other, I eat the wrong foods, often too much of them. I go with the flow, eating whatever comes my way.  Where is my will on those days?  Am I using it?

Some would argue, yes of course--I'm using it to willfully overeat unhealthy foods!

I would argue I've turned off my conscious thought process, my conscious will, and let my sub-conscious rule the day.  That place in the sub-conscious which controls involuntary actions (like breathing) and which stores countless messages and patterns from my past, is incredibly willful!

Becoming aware is the first step. 
Step two is quieting the sub-conscious. 
The goal is moving from desiring with great intensity to do what's right (regarding food choices and every other kind of choice,) to simply doing what is right. 

Many years ago I was raised with the idea that, "practice makes perfect."  Through elementary, junior high and high school, I practiced the piano many long hours.  I experienced the result of all the practicing, when performing in recitals or passing performance exams.

I'm practicing again. Practicing in a very concrete way, I will move from the intense desire to climb the mountain next October (and the desire to climb the steps of the John Hancock building Feb. 27th) to simply climbing--physically moving way beyond the desire, to the doing.

In the moment, consciously involved and fully aware, life-giving decisions take place, as one foot rises to take the next step.

 

16. ...There's a Way

As I left her office on Wednesday afternoon, my chiropractor's last words were, "I'll let you know, but I'm thinking of joining you in the Hustle Up the Hancock!"

While the reality of walking up 52 flights of stairs is sinking in, at the same time, the desire to meet the challenge is growing stronger.  Further, the desire is spreading.  Cousin Norma in Florida wrote that she is also thinking of making the climb!


Sweet Cousins!

My fitness quest is not uncomplicated however.  Three years ago I was diagnosed with a degenerative arthritis called Facet Joint Disease.
Facet arthritis refers to the inflammation of one or more of the facet joints, which are the linking joints positioned along your spine’s vertebrae. The role of facet joints is to provide stability and motion between the vertebrae. With age, facet joints can thicken and their protective cartilage can harden, leading to pain, swelling and tenderness.

Facet joints are located behind, and between, your spine’s vertebra and are responsible for your spine’s motion and flexibility. After undergoing millions of turning motions every year, however, these joints and their layer of cartilage can break down as you get older.

Contributing causes of  facet disease can include general wear and tear, genetics, poor posture, age, trauma, and obesity.

Symptoms mimic stress fractures, strained muscles and slipped discs, and can include inflammation, lower back pain, muscle spasms, swelling and joint or muscle stiffness.

Isn't that a lovely series of facts! 

My diagnosis coincided with the first time I began going to the gym, the first time I became serious about addressing my fitness.  Not great timing, to say the least.  It has been important to trust my trainer, physical therapists, and the chiropractor over these years, as they have each guided me step by step in a quest to strengthen and align everything around the problem areas, in order to function at the best possible level.

This included setbacks, time-outs, discouragement, and not a small amount of discomfort, but most of all, I learned to work around it all.  I approach preparing for this challenge as one more step in this process. 

While I may be sitting here typing

with a hot water bottle on my back,

while I may have perfect posture some of the time

yet I hobble around stiffly at other times,

 while I may be unsure

how the training to climb almost 1,000 steps will go,

I know what I've learned. 

I can carefully push through it all,

I can rebound

and

I can meet my goals.

While I can,

I will. 

...and anyone who wants to join me --one step at a time--is most welcome, most welcome indeed!

15. "Hustle Up the Hancock"



From "Hustle Up the Hancock" website.


One thought, one second in time, one conversation, one click...that's all it takes, to walk into the next challenge!  To change your life...to change anything.


It was a beautiful sunny morning after a great weekend with friends, my home was completely cleaned up, everything in order. I was one step away from going to the gym.  All I needed to do was change into workout clothes.


But no, it didn't happen yesterday.  One hour passed, then two, and I knew I had to do something.  "Ok, I'll work out at home," I told myself.  Weights?  No problem--have those.  Ab work and stretching?  Have the mat--no problem there either.  That left the cardio workout.  I was feeling very silly trying to jog in place in my living room, and sillier yet, trying to jog around my coffee table....when I suddenly saw our flight of stairs in a new way.  They became my cardio workout.


Seventeen steps, I trod down and back up, down and back up, down and back up.  Then at the top I added a quick walk around the unit, then down and back up--till I completed 120 steps up.  It felt like an accomplishment.  However, I also thought, "Perhaps this is really just a meager workout.  I'd better think of it only as a start.  I'll add more steps/flights each day."


Later that afternoon, while describing the Eiffel Tower in great detail, one of the facts my French teacher mentioned, jumped out at me--the steps to the second level of "la Tour Eiffel" number just a little over a thousand.  I thought, "Oh, there it is!  I'll set my goal at being able to climb 1,000 steps comfortably."


Until yesterday I'd never given stairs a second thought!  This morning I found myself googling "stair races in Chicago," and discovered a race up the stairs of the John Hancock building.  Set for February of 2011, the race to the 94th floor is already sold out! (1,000-foot vertical climb up 1,632 stairs.)  However, the race to climb the tower steps half way--to the 52nd floor--still has openings.


I registered.


February 27, 2011 is the day I will climb 52 floors of stairs in the skyscraper known as the John Hancock Center.  In the process, my goal is to raise at least $200 for lung disease research and programs (and anything over will be great too!) 

Though we take it for granted most of the time, I believe we should be thankful for every breath we take.  So, while I can, I'm going to be sucking in that air and climbing those stairs for a good cause, while I use this opportunity to keep on track with preparation for the mountain next October...

...one step at a time, literally!

Link to more information: 
http://my.imisfriendraising.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=289102&langPref=en-CA


Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Worked out at the gym--elevated treadmill, weights, squats with med ball and lunges.

14. There will be times when...

                                                    (Stock online photo)

Abundance, it happens!


Long animated discussions into the night, gift catalogues in my mailbox, selections on a buffet, 17-year cicadas in Illinois (one year estimated at one million and a half per acre)...there will be times when we accept the unusual, embrace the unexpected, or enjoy a fullness of blessings.

Last Friday morning was the beginning of  72 hours of  abundance--time uncluttered by routine or responsibilities, shared with two friends I've known since elementary school.  Conversation and laughter definitely reached the abundance level.  When the plethora of food options did also, guilt began to creep in. One friend leaned over, earnestly advising,  "There will be times..."

She did not need to finish the sentence.  Immediately and peacefully, I accepted the situation for what it was, and proceeded to enjoy the cheesecake.  We still have a life to lead, even when working toward a goal.  When  fitness routines or healthy diets are thrown off track by something as wonderful as the love and suppport of close friends who only get together once a year having so much fun, then so be it!
 
So be it, that is, as long as some adjustments are made.  For instance, visiting the hotel fitness room first thing in the morning for a workout before breakfast will serve much better than not!

And, so be it, that is, as long as the revelry is followed by getting right back on track. 

For me, it was briskly climbing 120 steps today, alternating brisk walks or weight work on each landing.  For me, it is knowing that even though I will eat steakhouse leftovers tonight, tomorrow it's back to granola, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, turkey and chicken... most importantly, not in huge portions and not all at once!

Looking forward to increasing the number of steps with each workout.  This is just a start.
Learned in French class today that the steps from the base of the Eiffel Tower to the second level, number just over 1,000.  My first goal for steps--to comfortably climb 1,000 steps.

13. New Thoughts Thursday

First New Thought:

Second Pilates session today. Imagine such a strong core that everything above it simply sits on top of it...the core does all the work. Head, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, upper back, mid-back, lower back, just relax--NO leaning, no slumping, no twisting, no clenching, no straining--simply resting there in perfect posture, while your core does all the work!


Of course one needs a strong core, or the wrong areas try to take over its work.  Whew, new concept!

Even newer for me...actually isolating the function of all these muscles in an awareness of each one and what it does (or shouldn't be doing!)

Second New Thought:

This thought is actually a few days old, but fits in with Thought #1 today. One day years ago, a co-worker came up to my trainer, Donna, and said, "You greet everyone with your chest!" Then she demonstrated how she perceived Donna walked, by proceeding to walk while leaning forward, slanted from the waist up.

Even an ever-so-slight lean forward, not only ruins your posture, but puts the work of walking onto the wrong muscles and can (will) hurt your back. She then told Donna to concentrate on her glute muscles doing the work of bringing each leg forward when she walks. When you concentrate on your walking coming from your glutes, suddenly your back straightens up.

I see this tying in to Thought #1--back and upper body positioned straight and simply sitting on the core (working) and the movement coming from the glutes (working!)  Your back is free and unharmed!

Third New Thought:

My son, Matt, had several friends participate in Chicago's "Urbanathlon" this year.  Now he is planning to train this coming year to join them in the event next year! 


I had never heard of it, but evidently they run a course through Chicago, completing challenges--obstacles set up at Navy Pier, DuSable Harbor, Soldier Field (the Bear's stadium) and McCormick Place.  http://www.menshealthurbanathlon.com/obstacles.cfm

Yeah Matt!  Go for it!

12. Rally: The Event

I won't try to explain Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert. If you know, you know. Comedians, entertainers, they put on a show--good music, interesting comments, in part serious, in large humorous. Irony is their tool and they are especially appreciated by the young, but also admired by the old. The in between are just as avid fans.

One poster said, "I get my comedy from Fox News and my news from Comedy Central." Another, "Where are the moderate Muslims?"--with an arrow pointing down to the two sign holders that said, "Right Here!" Another said, "The People Behind Me Can't See," and another, "Where's the bathroom?" The signs expressed "...humor, frustration, hopes and dreams." Some were brilliant, some to the point, but all were tame and civil.

The music was varied, with John Legend and The Roots, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Mavis Staples and Jeff Tweedy, Ozzy Osbourne, The O'Jays and the controversial Yusuf, formerly known as Cat Stevens. If one googles "The Rally to Restore Sanity" one can read numerous articles about the program, or review hundreds of the signs. One can learn that no litter was left behind, at Jon's bidding. And one can listen to Stewart's final speech of the day.

He begins the speech thanking everyone for coming, even though no one knew exactly why, or what they were coming to. He ends saying the only thing he'd ever wanted for the day, was for people to come. Comedy Central estimated an expected 60,000 attendees on their permit application. Over 250,000 came.

His words mirrored my thoughts--not necessarily knowing why I went, I simply knew I wanted to be there. One can also read criticism of the rally, of Stewart, Colbert, and the crowd. Some are disappointed they did not urge the attendees to vote, others express inaccurate descriptions or less polite negativity.

I suggest listening to Stewart's speech if you haven't already. (A link to the speech is posted on the right.)

No matter which side of the political aisle one is on, no matter what you think of two comedians drawing 250,000 people to Washington last Saturday, you can find a very reasonable inspiration in his words. We all live together each day, working side by side, to do what needs to get done. We simply need our politicians to do the same. We need our media to calm down. That's the sanity we rallied to restore.

The rally came to an end around three p.m. only to have the monumental disbursement of the crowd begin.

Everything was over. Or, was it....

The next morning on my plane, the first question I posed to the passenger on my left was, "Did you go to the rally?" He began to tell his story, about coming from New England, getting caught in the mass of walkers moving forward at the rally, but then deciding to turn around to attempt finding a seat on the grass. He and his friends made their way further back, then found themselves too far back. They actually ended up so far back in the crowd that they could not hear or see anything. But they sat with everyone around them who also could not see or hear, for the full duration. He shared how glad he was to have been there. He said every minute was worth all their effort.

Today I read an account about busloads of people from New York City who were two hours late for the rally and only caught the last hour. They could hear and see very little, and even they, were very satisfied to have taken part in something that made such a worthwhile point.

250,000 people (the population of Madison, Wisconsin, or St. Petersburg, Florida, or Birmingham, Alabama) are now telling their stories from last weekend. At least 250,000 people walked together, laughed together, jumped, clapped, sang and reasoned together.

They now... again... hope together.

A step in the right direction.



Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Weight training, core work and stretching at home today.