Nightmares, Tears, and Football Pants

Friday morning and I feel as though I ran a marathon in my sleep.
We all know this is not true, and if that ever creeps into my dreams it will be a mini-nightmare.  Puffy eyes,...headache,...I think I went out last night and don't remember.  Geez...

My Thursday ended on a much different note than expected.  The workday was fine and flowed as usual, minus cleaning up someone's bloody nose.  Better that than vomit.
But then I had to get my typical Thursday night grocery shopping done.  By the time I hit the automatic doors I'm pretty much in a coma-like state, just going through the motions and in no condition to make any bigger decisions than to get red leaf or green leaf lettuce.  Its a sight, believe me. 
So there I am, the grocery store nomad, moving at a slugs pace down every aisle just ready to be done.  Apparently, half of Mebane had the same idea.  The place was packed. 
My phone rings.  Mom.
Ya know, there are certain times when an intense-mom-conversation just hits you like a sack of poo.  Honestly, I shouldn't have been allowed to speak to anymore human beings after 7pm. 
But not even 3 minutes into the phone call and there I am...in tears...in the meat department.  Holy crap, at least let me cry in the wine section, it just makes more sense.  But no, I had to drop some eye-water next to the frozen trout. 
Low point.
I had to get myself together before standing in line and making everyone feel awkward. 
Never a dull moment folks...

SO, here we come Friday.
Many of you are headed out for the holiday weekend.  Enjoy it.  I have many people mention that weekends are where they "fall off the wagon", especially when it comes to nutrition.  I understand, but instead of separating the week and weekend in terms of eating habits, treat the weekend as another weekday.  What I mean is, prepare a healthy breakfast and pack your snacks/lunch as you would for work even if you're running errands.  Preparation is the key.  THEN, if you're going out to dinner, fine, at least you didn't let the entire day of eating go to crap. 
We so often get in this weekend-mode where everything is spur of the moment and therefore leads them to making poor choices.
Its another day.
Another opportunity to improve and move closer to your goals.

And on an exciting note, college football weekend!! 
If you can't appreciate those spandex pants get off my blog...

Sniffing Novels and Dirty Laundry

The extra 45 minutes of sleep last night didn't prove to be as beneficial as expected.  I woke up at least 3 times before 5am wondering what day it was and if I was running late.  Just once I want to wake up like Cinderella, (minus the slave labor), and start singing like its the best day I've had since...well,...the day before.
That will never happen.
My mom used to wake me up by singing, and I'm pretty much scarred for life.  I can't face my day as a serious human being when the first thing I hear is "Good morning to you, good morning to you...la la la."  It was the first time I experienced dislike for my mom.....and it continued every morning around 6am from 1997-2001.

My morning was fairly normal and I rolled right into my workout, which today was only cardio.  Thankfully, it went by fast, and I was then headed to run some errands before my afternoon clients.  First stop was Barnes and Noble.  Every time I go in there the first thing I want to do is yell.  Yell, and then sniff the new books.  Its a weird fetish.  I don't have to read it, just let me smell it.
I spent 30 minutes in there and managed to do some serious people-watching.
My other hobby.

The afternoon brought an array of experiences...from tears to excuses, it was hump day at its finest.  One lady told me that she came to workout so she could eat whatever she wanted tonight at dinner, AND that I should be proud that she was squeezing in a workout.  Not going to lie, I wanted to hit her....and I mean that in a loving way.  Ok, here it is,...if you honestly think that working out allows you to eat whatever you want with no effects on your health/weight/body comp/etc, you have it ALL WRONG.  Hate to tell you, you cannot workout enough to make up for a crappy diet.  Period.
Furthermore, that entire mindset is completely screwed up because it creates a relationship with food that is on "deserve/don't deserve" terms.  Food should be free of any emotional value or dependency.  Its fuel.  And truth is, if you think you don't deserve something, anything for that matter, you are simply going to want it more.  Next thing you know you've got your head buried in Breyers cursing your lack of self control and fully aware that lactose intolerance is 2 seconds from rearing its ugly head.
Bottom line: respect your body enough to equally value each aspect of your overall health...activity, nutrition, rest, peace of mind, etc...

Tired...and staring at a pile of laundry that makes me want to say screw it and join a nudist camp.  How do we go through so many clothes by Wednesday?!
Now I see why my mom used to say "If you want a clean uniform for every game, you are in charge of it!"  Not only was she teaching responsibility, she was literally about to take a pin to her eye if she had to do one more load of laundry.
Thus, I wore dirty, sweat-laden uniforms every week.  I was disgusting with apparently no sense of personal hygiene.  I remember banging the dried dirt and sweat out of my softball socks, putting on a damp jersey from the day before,...my God its amazing I wasn't a walking staph infection.

Uh, anyway, time for bed.  Laundry will have to wait one more day...

Workout,...party of 1

I genuinely hate it when I start to love a song. 
Sounds contradictory, but its at that very moment that I am compelled to play the stupid thing over...and over....and over...until my ears are practically bleeding.  Never mind the arthritis that has set in from hitting replay.  There I am stuck in 4 minutes and 38 seconds of sick euphoria and loving/hating every moment of it.
Just last week I did my entire cardio session to 2 songs.  TWO.  At some point a voice should come over my ipod, curse at me, and wish me deaf if I don't find another song. 
I get it.
Oh but its like a moth to a flame...

Workout today was hard.
Not that I miss Garrett's slow-jam-make-out-remix while I'm sucking wind and busting spandex, but lifting alone while he was laid up on the PT table watching reruns of Home Improvement was not optimal for either one of us.  He had minor surgery on Friday, and cannot lift for about 3 weeks.  So there we were...I was loosing my religion on leg extension and he's watching J.T.T. in his glory days.
Pretty sure everything with a vagina had a crush on that kid in 1997....highlight of my 14 year old life.  Sad, and yet true.

Good day at work...but...
It always amazes me when people cheat right in front of me. 
For those of you who come to me, I CAN SEE THE TREADMILL NUMBERS FROM THE DESK.  My vision is pretty much like Superman, so stop changing the speed and incline like you're about to pass out...you're not.  You're not bleeding.  You're not vomiting.  You're fine. 
Between changing the numbers and holding on due to pure laziness, I would owe one particular client an apology for the judo chop I was about to give her hands in mid-stride. 
I swear its as if some people think being uncomfortable is the HIV virus of the gym.  They fear it, don't want it, and will avoid it at all cost.
It baffles me.

I am drained.
45 minutes of extra sleep tonight is going to be amazing, and yet there is a good chance Oscar will climb on my face at 4:15 because he is hungry.
I have little sympathy for him right now.
He left a trail of vomit upstairs that I had to clean up when I got home.  It was warm.  Its at moments like that when I am fully aware that power/authority within the food chain mean nothing to a 15 pound feline with no concept of portion control.
Needless to say, he's one carpet stain from a diet and an outdoor fieldtrip.

Birthday Barbie

At 5:00 this morning I was standing on the kitchen counter trying to avoid a hip replacement while hanging birthday decorations.
Ryan turns 28 today.
Yes, I married younger.
Guess that makes me a cougar....minus the midlife crisis and excellent rack...which, I can purchase later...

So my morning was certainly not my usual morning routine, but I was happy to successfully start his 28th year off right.  Of course there was cake.  I figured I'd stick with the stripper theme...

My thought was that there was a 100% chance he'd want boobies and sugar on his birthday.  And for a total of $4.32 I satisfied both wishes.  Boom.

The best was when I went the the craft store to get the doll cake-topper.
I get to the register and the lady says "Aw, you're making a barbie cake?!"  Uh...not exactly.  Well, unless Barbie was easy with a horrible reputation, then yes.
I just smiled.
No way this woman would have appreciated the creativity involved in this particular endeavor.

It was a fairly typical Monday in the gym.  Well, until the power went out.
Thankfully, it happened after my morning clients, but made my personal workout dark and ridiculously hot.  We are totally spoiled with AC...which, I'm fine with.  After about 20 minutes of stagnant air, practically marinating in my own filth, I was ready for God to shed some light on the situation and relieve me from the Monday madness. 
But no, it continued until I literally had 5 more seconds of cardio left and then like magic, the power comes back on.  I kid you not....5 seconds...
Monday will kick you in the crotch every time.  Every single time.

I was also going through evaluation sheets today and under "Past significant medical history" someone literally wrote: jammed big toe.  Being the horrible person I am I laughed and then made a mental note to inquire about this later, and then proceed to drive a mac truck through this extremely low pain threshold. 
Just know that when you write something like that, whatever follows it on the list pretty much means nothing.  You could write broken jaw and a bulging disc, but the fact that its listed with a jammed toe means your judgment may be just as impaired as that left hallux.
Never a dull moment...

Monday done.  Here we go Tuesday.

Finding Motivation

When my day begins with a 5am nose bleed, I know its going to be an eventful 24 hours.  Here we go...

For the last 2 days I honestly cannot stop thinking about the whole concept of motivation.  I know, out of all the things in this world to contemplate....the 7 wonders,...Bradley Cooper,...why having a thumb is so important, etc....I am dialed in on motivation.
Perhaps some of it had to do with the fact that as I stepped on the treadmill yesterday to do my cardio, I literally wanted to say screw it, I'm done, I would rather give 4 pints of blood and risk a pass-out scene.  Why people think that trainers don't face those moments is baffling to me.  We are human, and some days training sucks.  Fact.  Actually, there are aspects of every workout that rank up there with taking a medicine ball to the face over...and over...and over. 
In moments like that, there is certainly no exact science to how I motivate myself.  I'm certainly not one of these people who has an internal cheerleader with pom-poms screaming "You can do it!  Great job!"  Yeah, definitely not me.  I might strangle her. 
If I say anything to myself its more along the lines of "Shut up and do it" (add explicit where necessary).   That pretty much gets me moving and leaves no room for excuses.  Honestly, we have none....at least none worthy of repeating.  I like the idea of simply being done when you're done, NOT when you're tired.  Thus, I had 40 minutes on that God forsaken treadmill whether I was tired, pissed off, or foaming at the mouth.

I asked one of our college lacrosse players yesterday if he had a favorite motivational quote or saying.  He thought for a second and just said two words: "Effort and Attitude......Its the only two things we can control 100% of the time in training and competition." 
I was blown away and totally engaged in a meat-head-bonding-moment.  Big words from a young player.  I loved it,...and he was completely right. 

The bottom line: what motivates us is beautifully unique from person to person.  And honestly, it can change on a daily basis.  The key is figuring it out, and start relying on yourself to overcome yourself and every temptation to give anything less than all you have.  We are often our greatest opponent and yet possess the very strength and resilience we need to fall down 7 times, but get up 8.

Sock Fetish and Baby-Makers

Hump day.
My Wednesday began with an early cardio session.  Not exactly my favorite, but it was the only time I could fit it in.  Even after sweating profusely on the treadmill and 24 ounces of coffee, I still longed for my pillow, socks, and fetal position.
Yes, I sleep in socks.
I don't care how hot it is, I have to have socks.  I will wake up in a mini-freakout if one falls off in the middle of the night.  And nothing's sexier than a nighty and a fresh pair of argyle footies. 
Apparently I have no shame....or game at this stage in my life. 

It was a busy morning and great to catch up with a few clients who have returned for the start-of-school-and-fall-routine schedule.  Pretty sure moms were rejoicing everywhere.  Not sure if my parents truly liked the start of school.  They were always running around everywhere trying to get all 3 of us to this practice or that game, yadda yadda.  I was actually left at school on a few occasions.  Where is that on the scale of neglect?
Not bitter, just saying KNOW WHERE YOU'RE FREAK'N KIDS ARE.  Good rule of thumb: If you can't keep up with 2, don't have 3.  If you can't keep up with 3, don't have 4.  If you have 10, keep your pants on.

Speaking of, two more women are pregnant in our cul-de-sac.  This will make a total of 9 kids.  Among other things in the Mebane water, perhaps they should check it for sperm.  The excuse "well everybody's doing it!" would honestly apply here.
Everyone is literally doing it.

Whew, I am spent.
Long day, and one more to go.  Cheers to a great hump day!  Night :)

Rough Start...

It takes exactly 24 hours to go from feeling like a million bucks to feeling like someone threw a million bucks worth of change at your face.
As I drove home listening to mom on the phone, I think I fell asleep once, daydreamed quite a few times, and perhaps even drooled a little at a stop sign.  I have no one to blame but myself.  I got all cocky with the whole I-feel-great-and-will-stay-up-and-be-productive thing last night and before I knew it the clock said 10:20...which is like 2am in my sad world.  That definitely set the tone for my morning.
I must have been in one giant mind-fog after that because I got about 5 minutes down the road and realized I forgot part of my 2nd meal...chicken.
Hell yeah I turned around.
Me without food for more than 3 hours is hazardous to everyone.  I don't play around when it comes to my poultry. 

I peeled back out of the driveway like a true gangster, only to see my neighbor (a cop) sitting in his car.
Awesome.
Not that I expected him to start his day off with that particular instance, but I'd have a hard time explaining my reckless driving and freak-out over a chicken breast.  But rest assured, I would do my best.

I finally get back on my journey and my gas light pops on with 22 miles to go.  I was 2 seconds from tossing the chicken, pulling over, and proceeding with the inevitable meltdown that was about to take place. 
Tuesday was bound and determined to make it rain on my face.
And seeing as I'm not a stripper, this was not a good thing.

By the time I got rolling with my day, it was honestly good.  I can't complain.  I had a great workout, many laughs, and only had to threaten a couple of people.  All in all, standard Tuesday.
One highlight was telling a client that her bodyfat was down 7%....pretty awesome.  She was thrilled, although admitted that lately her nutrition has been off and alcohol intake up.  Sounds like college.  I am always amazed by her honesty.  Don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily expect everyone to lie to me about their diet habits, BUT I have heard "My diet is good" a thousand times.  For the record, that statement means pretty much NOTHING in our society.  "Good" compared to the standard American diet means 2 debbie cakes shy of a heart attack.  And "good" accompanied by high blood pressure and 40+ extra pounds is a load of crap.  Sorry, I have to call it like it is...be honest, something is off.

The good news was that she could clearly pinpoint trouble spots and we agreed on proactive steps to get her feeling healthier, confident, and meet her goals.
Very cool.

On a more random note, my tan is starting to itch.
It wouldn't be a problem except that I can't physically reach the middle of my back.  Thus, I have to back up to the squat rack and pull a Jungle Book move to actually scratch the one spot that is driving me nuts.
Some of you are too young to even get that reference.
I'm getting old.

Its 8:30 and yours truly is about to hit the bed.  Hump day here we come...

Sweaty Hands and Hickies

At 2am I was convinced I was going to miss my alarm and oversleep.
This feeling persisted at 3am...3:30....3:42...and 4.
At 4:16 I was hitting the alarm and crawling out of bed as if it were an intervention and I was headed to Palm Partners against my will.
Its a rehab center in Florida....I'm not sure why I know this.

Honestly, I was very excited to get back in the gym and get my hands dirty.  Literally.  I think I touched a few too many sweaty backs today in efforts to correct posture.  I get way too into what I'm doing and the next thing I know my hand is saturated in old man sweat.  Ha...sounds more gross when I put it like that.
It was a great day, and I was touched that clients were happy to see me.  Weeellll, some of them were.
Its fine, I get it.

Workout today was awesome.  I hit shoulders, biceps, core, and finished with some cardio.  Let me tell you how thrilled I was to walk on an incline instead of run on the beach.  I may not run for another 3 months. 
I say that, but by Wednesday I'm sure I'll be cursing that hamster wheel.

We had a young athlete come in today covered in hickies.
Not one,...not two,...no, it looked like someone busted a lung trying to suck out his esophagus.  For the record, hickies rank right up there with mesh tank tops when it comes to trashiness.  Girl, guy, it doesn't matter.  Stop being slutty. 
Free advice.
You're welcome.

On another note...
My sister-in-law and I had some great conversations at the beach in regards to goal-setting and lifestyle changes.  I was reminded that we ALL have improvements to make and are own our own UNIQUE journey.  I firmly believe the biggest first step we can take it to stop looking around at others and focus on our own path.  I get bombarded with questions on a daily basis about the latest diet trend or workout programs, and I find myself struggling to give any sort of short answer.  Because truth is, everyone's  goals and steps towards those goals look different.
For instance, I've got some clients who need to seriously detox from sugar and those few foods that are wrecking their progress because they have no control.  Then I have other clients who need to actually incorporate certain foods once deemed as "taboo" or "bad" to achieve a more balanced/healthy relationship with food and body image. 
Its such a wide array of personalities, strengths, weaknesses, struggles, and goals. 
At some point we all have to honestly assess where we are and where we want to go.  Focus.  Move forward.

Another Monday in the books.  Night folks.

Beach Recap and Monday Prep...

I've spent the last 3 hours in the recliner flipping through documentaries, Sex and the City, and bits and pieces of When Harry Met Sally.  Great movie....ranks in my top 5.  I would physically get up, but I currently feel incapable of such movement.  I feel like I just got beat up behind the slide on the playground of life.
How does this happen just one day after vacation?

We got home yesterday afternoon and you would have thought I was on a countdown mission.  I can't stand for stuff to just lay around for a few days after a trip, and a pile of beach-smelling laundry sends my OCD into overdrive.  Within a couple hours I was out running errands and restocking the fridge.  Speaking of, I made the mistake of going to Target on the Saturday before school starts.  Horrible idea.  It was like Christmas time in there only worse because it was NOT Christmas and I was dodging 5 year olds with scissors and college kids with oversize storage bins.  All I wanted was toilet paper, paper towels, and sponges.  I find a line with only 2 people in front of me, and before I was able to bask in my quick ability to locate a short line, the woman whips out her coupon notebook.  Oh for the love of God!  Couponers are multiplying like rabbits and it pretty much ruins my retail experience.
My mom would say its the perfect opportunity for me to practice patience. 
I say its the perfect opportunity for mom-of-the-year to practice saving trees, forget the coupons, and heaven forbid buy ONE 12 pack of toilet paper instead of 6 for the sake of 2 bucks.  Stop being a domestic hoarder.
I'll practice patience later.
Sorry mom.

My lip is almost completely healed.
Remember when I mentioned my brother tossing shells/rocks at me on the beach?  Yeah, well apparently he felt the need to continue his sister-stoning attempt on Friday. 
I'm walking into the ocean and he's out just a little further, and as I see him pick up some object from the water, there is a brief moment that I think holy crap, I'm about to get hit in the face.  He winds up, tries to skip the object on top of the water, and after one bounce "Wham!" I took it straight to the mouth. 
All of a sudden I was 10 years old again and wanting to punch him in the face.
Naturally, he was laughing....but also apologizing.  Not sure why he thought it was a good idea, but I left the water with a slightly swollen lip and ready to fire back with a conch shell.
Apparently there is a fine line in family bonding and domestic violence.

Tomorrow is Monday and I am ready to get back in the gym.
4:16 will come extremely early, but if I'm not fully rested after a week off and a lazy Sunday, I deserve whatever crotch-kick life throws tomorrow.
I need a heavy lifting day as well.  I was able to get to a gym twice while at the beach, but I felt sluggish and my "best" those days was probably more about 85%.  Game time tomorrow folks.

I will leave you with a few pics from the family-beach-madness-of-2012....

Recovery...

My head is still recovering from last night.
Not from keg stands or too much wine, but from a tilt-o-whirl and rollercoaster.  We took Payton to an amusement park for her birthday, and the next thing I know I'm upside down with a giant shoulder restraint digging into my bladder.  Its at moments like that when I question my decision making abilities....especially when the operator resembles Willie Nelson and is sipping a sprite bottle that obviously is filled with something other than sprite.

Payton and I went on a giant slide, and once we got those foreheads moving I'm pretty sure we exceeded the speed limit...

It was an eventful 3rd birthday to say the least. 
I am paying for it today though.

After this stiff cup of joe we're about to hit the gym.  I'm sure by Sunday I'll be ready for my home away from home....familiar dumbbells, the one treadmill I've nearly busted the motor on, and the smell of the break room.  Ah yes, the stinch of dirty gym clothes and chicken...

Time to get this show on the road.
The plan is to workout and then layout.  My favorite spot has been sprawled out on a raft right where the tide comes in.  I generally fall asleep until water takes me over, OR my brothers find it humorous to throw shells at me.  That's right, even at 31 and 24 they find entertainment in annoying their sister.  Shocker.

Here's to one last day at the beach!

Birthday Girl

Today my sweet niece turns 3.  Surprisingly, I was not the first one up this morning...she was.  At 6:30am you would have thought she snorted pixie-stix.  She was jumping around on a bouncy ball having way more fun than me standing there half asleep, twitching violently as the coffee brews.  I am secretly envious of her energy...especially since it has nothing to do with a coffee addiction.

I'd say she's pretty pumped about her Curious George party this evening.  Not gonna lie, I am too...I need a good theme party in my life.  The last theme party I attended had nothing to do with a 3 year old or concern with being appropriate...
We spent a solid hour decorating last night and nearly lost a lung blowing up balloons.  I have a new appreciation for clowns...sort of....minus the creeper-factor.  

Ryan and I went to a local gym yesterday for a little meathead session. 
I needed to get my fix.
I felt a little sluggish since I was out of my normal routine, but got it done.  After a workout the girls and I shopped for a solid 5 hours...gym...retail therapy....great day.  Plus, I needed a little break from the sun.  My ethnicity is slowly changing over the course of this trip and changing clothes is a painful process.
I need to swim in aloe.

I've been in vacation-mode for 5 days now and honestly, I've been able to calm down and keep the OCD in check.  Beach vacation and no set schedule is like rehab for my type A personality.  But rest assured that by Monday I will be in rare form and ready to roll at the gym.  I'm sure some clients are glad I'm out of town....its fine, I get it.  But like a bad rash I shall return...

Ok, time to get my run in and then get my mind right for some beach action and birthday celebration.  There's a 100% chance I will try out that bouncy ball and risk a shattered hip. 
Definitely worth it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAYTON!!!!

Bubble-guns and More Running

What possessed me to get up even earlier this morning is beyond me.
My attempts to sleep past 6:30am have pretty much ended in a fail, so I figure when the 'ol lids open I might as well crawl out of bed and head straight for the coffee maker.  Its like a moth to a flame.

My calves are killing me from all this running.  Ryan and I are headed to a local gym tomorrow morning so that will be a nice relief from these ridiculous 6 mile repeats.  I'm still waiting to experience this whole runners-high,...as of right now, there's been no high to my run.  The only entertaining thing has been the few morning smokers yelling at me from their balcony.  Just know that when you're sucking on Marlboros at 8am and then choose to waste your precious oxygen to yell at someone actually making a healthy decision, I will have little pity if you either choke on the cigarette or a lung gives out. 
There are moments my honesty appears more brutal once on paper...

Eating on vacation has been fairly standard.  I've splurged a little, but for the most part my habits stay the same.  I think the biggest difference has been hydration.  Baking in the sun all day leaves me feeling dizzy and sluggish by the afternoon.  The coffee consumption in the house is unbelievable.  We go through at least 24 cups before 9am. 
My addiction is in good company.

Highlight of yesterday was going to Broadway at the Beach and watching mom spend 10 bucks on a bubble-gun.  Personally, I was hoping she'd go for the 5ft light saber, but the bubble gun was a great second choice....less likely to end in injury.  My dad probably thought he was sleeping with the female version of Willie Wonka last night.
Bless his heart.

Time to get going.
I have a feeling this morning's run is not going to flow as easy as the past 2 days.  If you hear about some meat-head passed out in spandex on the beach, no worries,...just me...
Have a great Tuesday folks!

Monday Grit...

Monday morning and I am not in the gym.
This feels weird.
Instead, I am watching the sunrise, drinking coffee, and watching cartoons with Payton.  This is the educational highlight of my day....much different from Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner I used to watch.  By the time you figure out Wile E. is an idiot and never going to catch Roadrunner, you're already 12 years old and trying to embrace the fact that you've wasted 6 years of your life in the hopes that a bird gets caught by coyote.  Sad.

I got my run in yesterday morning, and about to depart on today's jog.  I had to forgo the iPod so I could hear cars coming, which threw me off a little bit.  After about 40 minutes in the rain I might have welcomed a little bump from the front of a mini-van.  Today's run will be in the blazing sun with no wind.  The amount of sweat will be great,...and by great I mean absurd. 

The beach has been so relaxing. 
We spent the first full day playing with the girls and having an intense family corn hole tournament.  After a legendary comeback, the Falcon household was wrongfully accused of doping by the Parker clan.  Rest assured, the day anyone dopes for the sake of corn hole, is the day any intervention involving a few punches and a judo move is totally acceptable. 

Tan is coming along quite nicely.  The freckles are getting out of control and I sort of feel like Punky Brewster...minus the smoker-voice.  She was the only 14 year old who sounded like she'd been puffing on Newports since the 3rd grade. 
Today I may need to opt for the 50spf on the face...

Time to get moving.
Happy Monday folks.  I'll be enjoying it on the beach ;)

Day 1 of Vacay...

Its 6:30am on the first full day of my vacation and I am up sucking down coffee like the true addict I am. 
I passed out on the couch last night after a family shrimp dinner and was practically crawling to the bed by 9pm.  That was some serious sleeping.  I haven't experienced a solid 9+ hours in awhile, and pretty sure I drooled all over the place just before I hit a coma-like state.  Give me any kind of horizontal surface and I will figure out a way to get in fetal position, ignore the back pain, and meet Tatum in dreamland. 

Getting to vacation was half the battle.  It was an absolutely full week that literally did not end until Friday afternoon.  By Thursday clients were just staring at me as if at any moment I might spontaneously com-bust or go off on someone.  Both were accurate predictions.  And the truth is, it was not them at all.  It never really is. 
I had a client ask me a few days ago out of all the people I work with how many do I truly not enjoy training.  I had to laugh....I've never been asked that before.  Then of course I told her I was not going to honestly answer it.  Ha.  Truth is, when you're working with so many types of people you are never going to click perfectly with every single human being.  That is ridiculous and unrealistic.   And I look at it as a matter of energy...some people just require more energy than others.  To put it simply, my energy tank was pretty dry by Friday afternoon. 

We hit the road yesterday morning and I was napping by 9am.  That was nap #1.  Somewhere between Mebane and Myrtle Beach I regressed to a 6 year old and napped about 3 times and whined about needing to use the bathroom at least twice.  For future reference, if you ever want to torture me, put me in a car with 3 bottles of water, an out-of-tune singing driver, and tell me no restroom stops for 200 miles.  Either my ears will bleed from the American Idol reject sitting beside me, or my bladder will explode.  Its a lose/lose.

My coffee has set in, headache is gone, and I'm starting to sweat.  I've got about 20 minutes before I need to get moving on this pre-beach jog.  I'm not even going to think about the amount of jogging I will do this week...gotta do what you gotta do.  I'll find a local gym to go to for a couple of days, but honestly I am in much need of rest and a few days of just cardio won't kill me....so positive...I must have hit my caffeine high...

Time to get rolling...Have a great weekend folks!

Long Day, Late Dinner

Dinner at 10pm.  Long day.
It was my last official day in the gym before vacation and I felt like a teacher preparing for a substitute.  There were papers everywhere as I nearly gave myself trigger-finger writing out workout programs.  By 2pm I was pretty spent and found myself slipping into beach-mode.  Honestly, I can tell I am borderline burnt-out and need a few days to regain sanity....(its a process to say the least)...

I've had a few people asking me about this past weekend and how I bring food for a plane ride and weekend away.  Well, I basically go anti-green and use as many plastic bags as possible:

Entire weekend in Atlanta and I only had to purchase 2 meals.  Not bad.  And you better believe that when that bag went through the airport scanner they studied it like I was already guilty.  Either they thought something else was in that chicken, or were baffled by my OCD tendencies and the fact that I had 2 pounds of chicken laying on top of my underwear.  "Sanitary" is not my first thought when I pack...

Workout today was awesome.  I was able to get in a true meathead session with all the Zimmerman brothers, even little Nelson.  At one point I look over and Garrett is legitimately arguing about Duke/Carolina with this kid....Garrett = 23 years old...Nelson = 13.  This seemed slightly unfair and yet I was completely entertained by it all.  Overall, great lifting day.  I can't feel my chest, but whatever. 
Story of my life. 
Hell, I'm still waiting on my growth spurt.

Whew, I am tired.
My day concluded with coffee and a friend.  I opted for only 12 ounces instead of 32 this time and sat and talked until the sun went down and the bugs came out to feast on our thighs.  Sweet meat.  I was a great way to cap off my Thursday.

More to come tomorrow.  I am pooped.  Time for some shut-eye.

Bocce Ball Gone Wrong...

Ah yes, ground turkey, squash and cottage cheese. 
I will pretty much eat any combination if the texture is good.  Ironically, plain yogurt grosses me out, and I cannot remember the last time I ate it voluntarily. 
My mouth, my rules.

It was a pretty typical Tuesday with clients, interspersed with moments that I honestly considered beating a couple of teenage boys with medicine balls.  They are a different breed.  I understand that its "cool" to complain about certain things at that age, and everything appears to fall into the "sucks" category, but at some point shut up and figure it out.  You want to talk about playing at the next level, being the best, and dominating the field or court, then do whats necessary.  You have 2 choices: continue to improve or get out of the way of those who do.
I had one kid continue to text during a workout and it was literally all I could do not to break his thumbs and then practice my curve ball with the stupid phone.  Unbelievable.  It bothers me enough when the adults do it, but some own their own business or are doctors and on call, so I get it.  But when you're anywhere between the ages of 12-18 and living with mom and dad, nothing is that important.  You own nothing.  That phone is not yours and neither is the underwear you are sweating in. 
Its safe to say that is a pet peeve of mine....one of the many...

My own workout today was great.  I had to hit shoulders, biceps, and quads so it felt like it took forever.  It didn't.  Tyler was there to keep me company as we discussed college life between sets.  Yes, I realize for those of you who witnessed bits and pieces of 2001-2005 there is great irony in me giving college advice, but hey I made it in 4 years, have a great career, avoided substance abuse (coffee doesn't count), and no std's.  Where are the honorary ropes for that?
Point is, I had a great workout, and thank you Tyler for the brief distractions from my lactic acid cesspool that seemed to be overflowing in my thighs.

 My day concluded with an ongoing game of "Would you rather...?" with Garrett.  If you've never played here's the deal.  You give someone 2 equally horrible options and begin it with would you rather...?  Its pretty much a lose/lose every time and yet I am always entertained by the creativity of it all.  I was laughing so hard I could hardly get my questions out.  Classic end to a Tuesday.

On that note, I am pooped and need to get geared up for Wednesday.  Two more days and then I will be laying on the beach sweating (a given), and contemplating turning bocce ball into a sick form of dodgeball with my brothers. 
That place will never be the same.

Night folks!

Back At It...

Well, I'm back.
What a weekend.  It was a whirlwind trip to Atlanta for a Titleist conference, but absolutely worth every second.  My brain is fried, my butt slightly flatter from sitting for 8 hours straight each day, but the amount I learned and experienced in 2 days was unbelievable.  Pretty much makes me reconsider that whole 4-years-of-college thing. 
Only kidding mom and dad.  I promise every time I decided to go to class it was worth it.

Surprisingly, my airport and flight experience was pretty normal.  Shocking.  Not going to lie though, as I watched 7 kids under the age of 3 board my returning flight I was certain my ipod would crash and I'd sit through 7 different screaming variations while little Johnny practices tae bo moves on the back of my seat.  Just know that when I turn around and stare you down, I don't hate your child.  I hate his rapid knee extension abilities into my vertebrae as I sweat to death between 2 people who apparently expel body heat like spooning Inuits.
Nonetheless, smooth flights.

Despite the fact that I've been up before 5am for the last 10 days straight, I was ready to get rolling at the gym this morning.  It was a great day with clients, a new evaluation, and only one face-plant on the treadmill.  Seriously.  Poor kid tripped up and then it was like a domino effect...knee, hand, chest, face,...pride.  Man down.  He was perfectly fine, just hate we didn't catch it on video. Eh, don't act you wouldn't laugh,...100% chance if your best friend caught a bottom lip to a moving treadmill you'd help, yes, but just after you point and laugh...

Well, its late and I've got to pack the 'ol gym bag.
It smells horrible right now.  Its like a cross between a onions and sweat.  Sweaty onions. There are days I question my own hygiene....

Treadmill Tears

Its 8:00am and I've managed to clean the house, cook chicken, pay bills, and fold enough laundry to make me want to go commando until October.
No, I don't like folding clothes.  I am OCD about many things, but neatly folded t-shirts is not one of them.  Not to mention my husband folds better than I do, so I just assume go for the silver because my goal in life is not to win the perfectly-domesticated-award.  I lose in that department,...which is fine.
Ironically, I stayed up until 11pm last night cleaning.  This place smells like lemons....and toilet cleaner...with an overriding scent of lavender/vanilla.  I'll probably break into a rash at any moment.

What a week.
I was absolutely drained at the end of my Thursday.  After 13 hours of sweat, body odor, and reminding people that a squat is more than a 6 inch butt-drop-tease, I got in my car and just wanted to put the seat back and sleep.
I've had 2 days in a row where my 22 minute commute had to be in silence.  It was for the sake of my sanity as well as everyone else on the road.

My afternoon was quite interesting.  Its been awhile since I've seen tears in the gym.  Yes, every now and then someone will break down because they unleash everything else going on in there life, and it boils to the surface.  I completely understand.  But yesterday was different.  The tears were solely based on the workout.  I'll be the first to admit when I am absolutely pushing someone to their limit and making it extremely difficult on them, but in all honesty, it was NOT that bad.  Poor girl has just never struggled through a workout, and combined with a very apathetic attitude, any amount of push outside of her comfort zone would throw her for a loop.  I get it.  BUT, when you tell me your goal is to play at the next level, understand that it takes much more than comfortable to get there.
As she cooled down on the treadmill tears are just rolling down her face, and in that moment it was truly a delicate balance between assuring her its OK and helping her see that its not always a hand-holding experience in training.  In fact, I firmly believe we do an injustice to athletes and deny them tremendous growth opportunities when we let every single emotional moment dictate our instruction as trainers.
Honestly, I think I prefer cleaning up vomit off the treadmill rather than tears...

Well, I'm getting packed and ready to head to Atlanta.  Even though this is work-related, I am looking forward to getting away for a couple of days.  I will honestly admit that I am in much need of some vacation.  Mentally, physically, and emotionally I am beat.  I've learned to value my "recharge" time, and the beach is calling my name.  I want the smell of sunscreen and even the sand in the crotch of my swimsuit.
I might leave it there.  Cheap souvenir.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.  Keep pushing, stay focused, and allow yourself some me-time knowing you deserve to feel rested and ready to face life with your best self.

GOLD

This is the earliest I've sat down for dinner in several days and I seriously want to saver every minute. 
I can't even handle my normal jazz music serenade right now.  I like it.  Don't judge me.  I've been on sensory-overload since Monday morning and not quite sure I can take anymore noise at this point.  And if my phone rings again 'ol Blackberry may have to take a field trip to Oscar's litter box.  Yes, there are days I contemplate letting my cat crap on my phone.

Today started with an early cardio session.  Not ideal, but it was the only time I could get it in.  Honestly, my legs felt pretty good and the time flew by.  No complaints about that. 
AHHHH...my phone just rang.  You've got to be kidding me.

I had a client this morning continue to remind me of each exercise they "did not like."  I had to laugh.  Seriously?  As if I'm going to take notes and make sure we never do those again...?  If I did that every time someone didn't like a particular exercise, I'd run out of ink just before my hand collapsed from severe arthritis.  Give me a break.  Why do we expect every aspect of training to be "fun"?  And by fun, I mean methods and exercises that play to our strengths...because for whatever reason, the vast majority of people associate a good or fun workout as one with little struggle.  For us meatheads this is bazaar, but I would attest that it applies to the majority of people.
Consider this: Struggle yields the opportunity to build strength mentally and physically.  In the gym, it is a GOOD thing.  Embrace it, learn from it, and feed off the confidence it produces.

Along those same lines, way to go US gymnastics team. 
I stayed up watching flips, twists, and dismounts until my anxiety couldn't take it anymore.  The balance beam freaks me out.  Its like a near-death sobriety test.  I'd fail...just after I busted a hip.  Not my thing, but very impressive.

8:40...I'm done....need sleep...and get my mind right for tomorrow.  Night folks.