"Lance Chance Workout"

At nearly the last minute yesterday, I texted Alba and asked her if she was busy.  I felt a pressing need to get myself out and work out. I'd talked to my son in the morning and he somewhat expressed an interest in participating in the Rudolph Run on December 3.  That's not that far away.  I am somewhat interested in it myself, although I'm NOT going to run.  I'm too big and don't feel like having all my body parts jiggling and dancing as I attempt to move quickly through downtown.  Nope.  Not me.  I'll walk it though.  Alba says I need to get my hind end moving at least three times a week if I plan on being prepared for it.  I need to get acclimated to the weather, etc. 

I sent a text message to Alba at 3:00 and asked her if she was available at 5:30.  Fortunately for me, she was!  She came over and we went over to the park.  I can tell I'm not in shape because a simple quick walk (not really fast, just a good pace) had me huffing and puffing.  Alba pointed out that I'm stomping a little too hard when walking, so we worked on improving my foot position.  What was really neat was that she knew which foot was hitting wrong, even without looking!
She walked me through the park, had me do several squats, then we hit the stairs and did MORE leg-work and push ups against the rail.  My arms are sore today, as is another body part, but it's to be expected.  I feel pretty good, all things considered.  She had me step out of my comfort zone and step up on the second step from the bottom landing of the steps.  I was afraid of falling, but she kept encouraging and kept pushing.  I finally got a song on my phone that had me going (Oingo Boingo's No One Lives Forever). I like the pace and the lyrics, so I worked my butt off to get up on that step.  It was a lot easier on my left leg (pushing off with my right leg), which means I have to do MORE work on my right side.

When we came back, we planned on meeting tomorrow morning at 8:00 am.  I WILL be up and we are gonna work!  It's a shimmy day!  I'm looking forward to it.  I love dancing and this will be awesome!!

Positives

I'm back to working on being more positive. I cannot let myself be negative because all it does is add to an already stressed me. I'm not going to do that. To start that, I chose my clothes for work very carefully. I picked out a pair of black slacks (that are a size 4--and that's a story in and of itself) and a very pretty, purple sweater that has striped cuffs and collar. I feel great about myself in it. Our Admin, M, told me that the purple was a really good color on me.
I feel like I'm standing taller today. Maybe it's partly from the thinking I did over the weekend. I spent a LOT of time thinking. I have a Shape Magazine on my desk that has a really great article about body image in it. I also have a Weight Watchers Magazine that has an article about body image in it. It's time to stop thinking so negatively about myself. Instead, I'm going to go back to telling myself something positive every day.

Today, I feel like I can climb mountains (or at least ant hills to start with).

New day, new mantra, Thank you ML!

I'm trying something new in the way of my workouts and whatnot. I am going to start every day telling myself one thing I really like about myself. No more "Negative Nellie" for me. I've got a piece I wrote last June that I am going to re-type and share at some point. I was advised that it doesn't sound at all like what I've been saying lately. I really needed that advice and I am going to take it.

I got up this morning and looked at myself. Then I told myself, I like the fact that I'm caring and I listen to people.

I'll be repeating that to myself during the day. I AM capable of being a good martial artist. I wouldn't have a black belt if I didn't earn it somehow.
I earned it. Thousands of hours of sweat. I will earn my second Dan. I don't know when right now and frankly, after spending the weekend talking to a friend, I don't think I need to worry about the when. I need to worry about getting myself together, to getting what I need to accomplish done. I'm fine with who I am as long as I focus on the here and now and not the When.

A little positive reinforcement goes a LONG way!