On My Way

I am nearly 4 weeks into this lean-out challenge and for the most part, it is going well. I have dropped 6.5 pounds and, while my main goal is not to lose weight, I am not minding it a bit. My main goal is to eat clean and be able to double-up on my training while keeping my family intact, my love life alive, my job secure, and my body injury-free. It's going well! Ironman, here I come!

Accomplishments:

*husband likes me, even though I am busy, busy!

*kids are up-to-date with their schoolwork (not a small thing)

*got the fastest time for the day in a CrossFit workout (first time EVER!! including the guys' times!!)

*did not falter even once on my eating goals (clean, clean, clean!)

*lesson plans turned in on time w/tests written

*got my bike trainer, got it set up, and rode it all in one evening!!

*ran hills at a 7% grade (I thought I was going to die.)

*went snowboarding with my fantastic nephew and didn't hurt myself!

*got more than 6 hours of sleep 6 out of 7 days (that is amazing for me)

*pants are too big

Not-so-great:

*need to return phone calls

*paid one bill late :(

*got a dressing down by my boss (it's all good)

*spaced off a meeting about a relay I am running in June

*son wore a dirty uniform shirt because I have been behind on laundry

*have a pile of papers to grade that is 2 inches thick

*pants are too big

I am enjoying the process of living and am looking forward to what each day brings. Tomorrow, I hope it is sleeping past 7 a.m. Happy weekend!

ps: burpees, my fave thing!

The Rain Has Gone

It is now Day 7 of the leaning challenge. I feel pretty good and am eating dead-on, with one small exception. Yesterday, I participated in a CrossFit competition where participants completed three workouts, spaced and hour or two apart, over the course of 6 hours or so. I was going to say, over the course of the day, but with my first one at 10:40 a.m., and my last workout at 2:30, it wasn't all day. Crazy.

The workouts included running, rowing, lifting stuff (like 75 lb. barbells) as often as you can for 90 second intervals, jumping on a box (24" high), more running, throwing a 14-lb medicine ball 8 1/2 feet up to a target on a wall (called 'wall balls'), swinging 35lb. kettlebells (this is a roundish-shaped weight with a handle on the top for swinging purposes), oh, and walking lunges for 50 meters, while holding a 25-lb plate over one's head. Then, more running...it makes me tired all over again just typing the exercises! I didn't come in last place, which was my goal, and I had a great time hanging out with my hubby and my fellow gym buddies.

Usually, after a heavy competition (triathlon, marathon, whatever), I reward myself with relaxation and FOOD! As I am trying to lean out, indulging in the food thing that usually includes a gooey ice cream treat wasn't an option. So I got a frozen yogurt from our local Red Mango and it was heavenly! The yogurt itself is frozen tart yogurt with the live cultures and non-refined sugar. Topping options include fruit, nuts, granola, some sweet cereals, coconut, and mochi. My flavor of choice last night: pumpkin spice with sliced almonds. Eating clean sure has changed my taste buds! It was plenty sweet and creamy!

Do these things really matter in life? Is all this CrossFitting and eating a particular way really something I need to worry about? Well, yes: it keeps me fit and strong and, I may add, keeps a certain level of sanity going in my life. Added to that are those elements of life that are key: my relationships with my husband and children, my connectedness to God, and finding ways to reasonably put all these things in order on a daily basis. Oh yeah, and I have a job too. Therefore, my focus is this: balancing priorities + keeping sanity = joy, fulfillment, and survival!

As my body leans out, I feel my focus coming into line as well. It is as if I needed to clean out the sugar-clutter of my brain to see what's going on. I can see clearly now... :)

ps. This is a picture of me & my sweet grandbaby, Lily. She was born on September 10, 2009!

If You've Got Time to Lean, You've Got Time to Clean!

The title of this post is actually a catch-phrase from the restaurant business, meaning: "You'd better not just be standing there while you're on the clock!" Which is how I feel about most things. If I'm just standing there, I may get run over and, well, life will just pass me by. It doesn't need me. But I need it!

It is Day One of the "Get Lean Challenge" our CrossFit gym is promoting. The Challenge consists of eating whole, real foods that are as close to their natural state as possible, including nuts, seeds, veggies, fruits, raw dairy products, good fats, and lean meats & proteins. If I could hunt and gather my food, so much the better. I also need to go to CrossFit regularly (duh), sleep as much as possible, and drink plenty of water. Doesn't this sound like a good idea, regardless? Shouldn't we all do this anyway?

I believe so. If I lived on a farm and grew all my own stuff, baled hay, raised animals, and did my own farm chores, I wouldn't feel like I need CrossFit either. The result of living an urban life is that I have to find ways to stay "in shape," which my ancestors would find baffling. My food choices as of late would cause these same ancestors to cringe. I feel the need to take action because I'm convinced that at some point, I am going to have to rely on myself, my family, and our strength and skills to survive. So I need to get to it.

Ok, the soap box is over. Wish me luck on the Challenge! Actually, send me energy, because that is what I am usually lacking! haha!

The Work Is Cut Out

I have decided that I need a farm. I need to grow stuff. I'd like to raise animals. I keep dreaming of green places. Is the Utah winter getting to me? Perhaps, yet I'd like to think of this thought process as a clue phone to finding a balance between work and play. 

R-r-r-r-i-ing! R-r-r-r-i-ing! (says the clue phone)

"Hello?" I answer.

"Yes, this is your life calling. Stop running in circles and do something. Find a patch of earth and grow stuff. Bring your family to green pastures."

"Uhm, ok. Let me figure this out. Give me a little time."

"Yah. Don't take too long! Your children are growing and they need this." (clue phone rings off)

 

Can this bring sustenance and fulfillment in a worldy sense, yet in a spiritual sense as well? I'm looking into it...wish me luck. I've got a lot to do. 

Well, now.

I must say, I am a lame blogger. It has been several months since I posted, even though I thought for sure I would get to this more often. Let's just say a few things have changed since July. Then again, a few have not...

1. I do not teach first grade anymore. In November, I was moved to the middle school when another teacher had to move because her husband got transferred. So, now I teach 6th, 7th, & 8th grade literature, composition, and grammar. I also teach 8th grade economics and US history. I teach a combined speech/debate class for these grades as well. It has been a good move for me and I am really enjoying my classes. I don't know if Noah is as happy, as I am now his teacher for a few subjects! 

2. I am an avid CrossFitter and have allowed running to take a back seat in my overall fitness goals. I am still running 3 times a week, and I admit that my priority is my CrossFit workout each day. I am soooo much stronger, both physically and mentally, and have leaned out a bunch without really changing my eating. Plus, I can do pull ups! 

3. I am a grandma. Yes, it is true. Little Lily Ann Goodwin was born in September and is a lovely addition to our family. It is so much fun to spoil her with loves and new dresses! hee hee! When she grows up a bit, I will ply her with sugar and send her home with annoying electronic toys!

Things that are the same: I am still planning on doing the Ironman in May, we still live in American Fork, my children are all healthy & happy and doing well in their areas, and I am still at Challenger School.  

My challenges for the next few months are to get enough sleep to be a decent (even good!) wife & mom, to stay on top of things at work (it sure takes longer to grade compositions for 8th grade than it did for 1st grade!), and to get training time in for that Ironman.  Can I do it? Yah, sure! Why not??

What I've Learned Recently...

I have to say that this won't be a comprehensive list, but I do have a few things I'd like to share. Here goes:

1. If your socks get eaten by your shoes, but you don't want to stop to fix them because you are running quite smoothly and nicely and things just seem so right (other than the socks, of course), stop and fix them anyway. Blisters are terrible things when you've still got 4 miles to go!

2. When something is bothering you, say so. If you can't make yourself say so, don't let it bother you. Easier said than done, I assure you, but it is soooo worth the effort!

3. A time may come, perhaps, when you need something. I believe there are two options on this one.  You can (a) figure it out, or (b) ask for help directly.  So, if you cannot bring yourself to ask for help, you have the other option. If you cannot figure it out, really and truly, then by all means, ask. The worst thing that can happen is that the person you ask will say no.  Not the end of the world. Bonus: both options are better than just staring at said person until they guess what it is that you need.

4. Just because a person can run marathons does not necessarily mean one is in shape. Things like pull-ups (even jumping ones), burpees, and deadlifts can bring tears to the eyes!

5. Root beer kombucha is gross.

Well, that is about the size of it.  This may not mean anything to anyone else but me, but I am so okay with that!

P.S. Classic picture: Dave & I on our honeymoon, 13 1/2 years ago! Go us!!!!

I'm Sore!

Oh my! I know that people work out all the time, and people do lots of hard things that make them tired. But I gotta tell you, I did a new kind of workout on Monday and I am STILL sore. The bummer is that the parts that are sore are the ones I use all the time! Yah, it's true: my arms and shoulders are dead. Still.

Writing on the whiteboard at school. Ack. Pulling staples out of the bulletin board. Wince! Putting on sunscreen. Yikes...and all I did were a few push-ups, dips and fake muscle-ups! And now, I am a doddering old lady! That means I am out of shape in more ways than I care to admit! 

Today, we did front squats. Dave called my workout "an old, fat man's workout." So, I guess my new persona is an old, fat man. 'Cause it kicked my bum. Literally!  So, now, besides my arms, shoulders, triceps, biceps, and RIBS being sore, add to that my bum, quads, and hamstrings! I stumbled around today, running into things and moving ever so slowly.  But here's the weird part: I want to go back for more!!  

YAH!

BRING IT ON, GRANDMA!! (that's me, by the way. In just a few months now!!)

Oh, wait! I am an old, fat MAN, remember???? So, 

BRING IT ON, GRANDPA!!

(tee hee!)

ps. that is me, on my wedding day, in 1995. How does one go from that to an old, fat man? I ask you...