The carnival is coming to the end of our street!
I love this week.
On Monday, the rides appeared.
 |
| Zipped |
On Tuesday, they began to unfold...
I'm looking forward to a magical weekend.
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| Buddy G and Buddy J at the carnival in 2011 |
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
...and starts to sweat!
i did it! i went to the gym and i worked out! (I'm sorry if this looks like it was typed on a phone -- I'm typing one-handed because I'm holding a celery-and-peanut-butter stalk in the other...yum.)
I got weighed and measured and body-fat-indexed and generally assessed. Surprisingly, my cardio was rated higher than my strength and flexibility -- I would have guessed the opposite. Best of all, I have a benchmark, so when I'm feeling fabulous in the future, and especially if I work out diligently but don't feel fabulous, I'll be able to see how far I've come.
Then I did two sets of 10 strengthening exercises (yes, just two sets, but it was the first day) and 30 minutes of cardio. I tried something called an Ark, which seemed intense. And I used a reclining bike, which was not particularly intense but enabled me to read a magazine at the same time. I don't think I'll use the bike again.
Now I'm contemplating a boot camp, which would require me to get up at 5:30 twice a week. Hmm.
I got weighed and measured and body-fat-indexed and generally assessed. Surprisingly, my cardio was rated higher than my strength and flexibility -- I would have guessed the opposite. Best of all, I have a benchmark, so when I'm feeling fabulous in the future, and especially if I work out diligently but don't feel fabulous, I'll be able to see how far I've come.
Then I did two sets of 10 strengthening exercises (yes, just two sets, but it was the first day) and 30 minutes of cardio. I tried something called an Ark, which seemed intense. And I used a reclining bike, which was not particularly intense but enabled me to read a magazine at the same time. I don't think I'll use the bike again.
Now I'm contemplating a boot camp, which would require me to get up at 5:30 twice a week. Hmm.
Monday, May 28, 2012
A flabby girl walks into a gym...
I did something new today. I entered a gym. It's been a while since I've had any exercise. After a little running and a killer outdoor bootcamp last spring/summer, the naturopathic fertility guru blacklisted cardio, so I gave Ashtanga yoga a try. It was good for a while, but I never really got back on track after my trip to Vegas.
Then came summer weather and vacation planning.
A month ago, I asked my husband to add me to his gym membership, which he did. Then I did nothing.
There's never enough time for everything; how can I fit in fitness? So I asked him to cancel my membership; he steadfastly "forgot" to do so.
I kept reading and hearing (thanks to my inner voice) that fitness-time pays for itself in increased productivity. Today I realized that fitness-time might pay for itself another way -- more days on the planet.
So this afternoon, finding myself walking past the gym, I went in and scheduled an orientation. Tonight at 7:00 p.m.? Um, nooo...well...okay.
I went. I was oriented. I'm going back tomorrow for a fitness assessment and consultation.
On a related note, I started watching what I eat about four weeks ago. I lost a little over two pounds the first two weeks. Not exactly a stellar start (aren't the first five pounds just water???), and then I lost motivation and succumbed to the temptations of sangria, etc. This morning I weighed myself for the first time in two weeks and I was relieved to discover that I hadn't gained weight, although I hadn't lost anymore either. Hopefully going to the gym will help to build my resolve on the diet front too.
Motivations? Better health. More energy. More strength and resilience. And, absolutely, vanity.
Then came summer weather and vacation planning.
A month ago, I asked my husband to add me to his gym membership, which he did. Then I did nothing.
There's never enough time for everything; how can I fit in fitness? So I asked him to cancel my membership; he steadfastly "forgot" to do so.
I kept reading and hearing (thanks to my inner voice) that fitness-time pays for itself in increased productivity. Today I realized that fitness-time might pay for itself another way -- more days on the planet.
So this afternoon, finding myself walking past the gym, I went in and scheduled an orientation. Tonight at 7:00 p.m.? Um, nooo...well...okay.
I went. I was oriented. I'm going back tomorrow for a fitness assessment and consultation.
On a related note, I started watching what I eat about four weeks ago. I lost a little over two pounds the first two weeks. Not exactly a stellar start (aren't the first five pounds just water???), and then I lost motivation and succumbed to the temptations of sangria, etc. This morning I weighed myself for the first time in two weeks and I was relieved to discover that I hadn't gained weight, although I hadn't lost anymore either. Hopefully going to the gym will help to build my resolve on the diet front too.
Motivations? Better health. More energy. More strength and resilience. And, absolutely, vanity.
Friday, May 11, 2012
A soccer mom is born
I have been feeling a lot of gratitude lately.
Above all, I am grateful for these two wonderful people with whom I am privileged to share my life. Thank you both for being exactly who you are.
On a related note, thank you to my parents-in-law for all you have done for my husband and for our family.
And thank you to our soccer coaches and everyone who makes children's soccer happen in our neighbourhood, for bringing us this moment.
Before I became a parent, when I heard others moan about hours spent at cold arenas and damp fields, I wondered why they did it. Now I know. We watch our children play because it fills our hearts with joy.
I am so grateful to have this opportunity.
Above all, I am grateful for these two wonderful people with whom I am privileged to share my life. Thank you both for being exactly who you are.
On a related note, thank you to my parents-in-law for all you have done for my husband and for our family.
And thank you to our soccer coaches and everyone who makes children's soccer happen in our neighbourhood, for bringing us this moment.
Before I became a parent, when I heard others moan about hours spent at cold arenas and damp fields, I wondered why they did it. Now I know. We watch our children play because it fills our hearts with joy.
I am so grateful to have this opportunity.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Easter consumption update
Well, it's been three weeks and J has almost finished eating the Easter Bunny that he was holding here (the one without ears).
That's the Easter Bunny that we got for him. The rest of the haul came from grandparents and neighbours. It's still untouched, except for half a bunny that my husband ate (shhhh).
I try not to think about all that chocolate lurking in the house, especially the Lindt carrots.
I also try not to be judgmental about the (in my opinion) excessive amount of chocolate that others gave our son.
I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. I could say something to the others and feel mean-spirited. I could let him eat it all despite the fact that it makes him jittery and keeps him up at night, which I won't do. Or I can throw some of it away, and feel guilty for effectively betraying the donors. A little birdie suggested that I freeze it and use it in my Christmas baking. Two problems: my freezer is small and I don't do much Christmas baking.
Solution! We're having the family over for Mother's Day. Stay tuned for my Mother's Day chocolate creations...
p.s. My own Easter chocolate is of course long gone. It was delicious. Thank you K, J, and Godiva.
That's the Easter Bunny that we got for him. The rest of the haul came from grandparents and neighbours. It's still untouched, except for half a bunny that my husband ate (shhhh).
I try not to think about all that chocolate lurking in the house, especially the Lindt carrots.
I also try not to be judgmental about the (in my opinion) excessive amount of chocolate that others gave our son.
I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. I could say something to the others and feel mean-spirited. I could let him eat it all despite the fact that it makes him jittery and keeps him up at night, which I won't do. Or I can throw some of it away, and feel guilty for effectively betraying the donors. A little birdie suggested that I freeze it and use it in my Christmas baking. Two problems: my freezer is small and I don't do much Christmas baking.
Solution! We're having the family over for Mother's Day. Stay tuned for my Mother's Day chocolate creations...
p.s. My own Easter chocolate is of course long gone. It was delicious. Thank you K, J, and Godiva.
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