Strong Journey

A much needed break! Push hard and then take a break when one is needed.  These have been words that have been much easier for me to say than to apply.  The fear of loosing what little progress I might have made has time and time again caused me to continue on when a little time off would have served me best.  Even though it has been my experience that I am stronger after a time of rest I hesitate to stop. These past 2 weeks have been a time of rest for me.  It was more a forced break due to getting sick.  I didn't have a desire to workout until the 2nd week and even then it wasn't much.  As I sit and write this tonight I am looking forward to getting up in the morning and going back into my gym.  Though there will be a time of rebuilding I know that it comes back fast.  The renewed enthusiasm I feel, not only, for working out but for school and everything else I have to do causes me to be excited for what lies ahead. I pray that you wil...

So much to be Thankful for!!!! Monday: 10 minute warm-up 5 rounds: 7 clean and jerks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8miqQQJEsO0 10 ring rows 5 kick to handstand. Do these up against the wall 3500m row or 35 minute bike or eliptical Cool down - Stretch Tuesday: 10 minute warm-up 3-4 mile run 50 push-ups 50 bench dips    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0326dy_-CzM 50 dumbbell curls - Alternating (25 per arm)    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av7-8igSXTs Cool down - Stretch Wednesday: 60 minutes of yoga Thursday: 10 minute warm-up 5 rounds 20 walking lunges 5 box jumps 400m run Cool down - stretch Friday: 10 minute warm-up 6 rounds 10 Shoulder press  http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/shoulder-exercises/videos/dumbbell-shoulder-press 10 tri-cep extensions   https://www.muscleandstrength.com/exercises/two-arm-dumbbell-extension.html 500m row, or 5 min bike or elliptical Cool down - S...

"The Best Preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today" H. Jackson Brown Jr. It's easy to think that what you do today doesn't have much of an effect on tomorrow, but nothing could be further from the truth.  The amount of effort you put into whatever you have to do will be reflected tomorrow, the next day, and the next, and the next...  The thought that you can fudge a little here and there without making much of a difference can catch up to you real quick! Working out on my own I have the opportunity to go with the thought of, "what difference does it make, no one will know if I don't push."  There have been many times that I wanted so badly to either skip my workout or do it with half effort, but then I think about the results.  Eventually my best will be seen and I want that best to be a reflection of working hard. Give your best today so you can be prepared for whatever you do tomorrow! Monday: 10 minute warm-up 6 rounds: 5 cl...

This is one, of many, of the adorable kids that are in my PE classes.  Her entrance to class is one that is never quite the same because she is never sure how she is supposed to get there, by herself? With a teacher?  Will another parent be bringing her?... So, she will go to the office, where she is quite content, and visit until the question arises, "Where are you actually supposed to be?"  There are yet other times that she will show up with other students and on time!  But, no matter how, or when, she arrives she always brings a smile that goes from her face to mine. She has the cutest little face with beautiful blue eyes that are outlined by stylish pink/purple glasses.  Rarely does she wear anything different from her usual football jersey and jeans.  The exception would be on Halloween when she showed up dressed like a chicken!  I asked where she got such an outfit to which she answered, "My Mom made it!"  You can't see from this pictur...

Happy Fall - Happy Week! Monday: 10 minute warm-up 5 rounds: 10 bench press - Find a weight that you can complete all 10 without stopping 30ft crab walk forward and back 500m row Cool down - Stretch Tuesday: 10 minute warm-up 6 rounds: 10 Dumb Bell thrusters     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5gEwLTtWbg 6 Turkish get-ups.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bWRPC49-KI 800m run Cool down - Stretch Wednesday: 60 minutes of yoga Thursday: 10 minute warm-up 75 Walking lunges 75 Romanian deadlifts - With no weight.  https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/romanian-deadlift 75 Sit-ups 30 minute Bike at a moderate pace Cool down - stretch Friday: 10 minute warm-up 5 rounds 10 Shoulder press  http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/shoulder-exercises/videos/dumbbell-shoulder-press 10 Bi-cep curls.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO_CNYidOw0 1000m Row Cool down - Stretch Saturday: 10 minute warm-u...

I had the privilege today to run with Lauren - her first marathon.  To say she is amazing is an incredible understatement, but that's what she is!  The beauty of this course was at times outshined by the difficulty of the hills.  As I watched Lauren move ahead of me I was impressed with her steady press towards the finish.  Knowing the pain she was experiencing caused me to applaud her efforts even more.  On any day running 2 - 4 miles is not a really big deal but the final 2 - 4 miles of a marathon have the ability to be excruciating!  Calling on any mental toughness that one can find is a must and something not everyone can do.  I know that Lauren gave all she had for the goal she set out to achieve.  Her determination to finish what she started and the grit she did just that has most certainly given her a forever changed view of herself and all that she is capable of doing.  Crossing any finish line can be exciting but crossing the finis...

I'm not sure if there is really anyway to discribe how incredibly AMAZING this day was!  The weather was PERFECT, the event was AWESOME, and the finish line could not have been more meaningful.  The journey was different for each one but the end was the same - YOU DID IT! To say that I have been looking forward to experiencing this accomplishment with you is a great understatement and I can honestly say that my expectations were greatly exceeded because of your efforts and your hearts. I pray that you are now forever changed and that you set another goal, physical, intellectual, or other.  It's fair to say that you have realized there is so much more in you, give yourself the opportunity to use this strength and become an even greater you! When rough times come draw from what you did today.  Remember the pain, but more importantly, remember the finish.  The course might have become challenging but it came to an end and the reward was great.  The...