This week was the culmination of one special boy running in a fun run. I work with my special friend who has cerebral palsy and gets around in an electric wheel chair. He dictates his math strategies to me and I walk with him in his gate trainer, a large walker type contraption.

We’ve shared a lot of laughs as I talk like Elmer Fudd instructing him to us his right leg, left leg (wight, weft). Sometimes, he kicks me when I walk backwards, facing him. I often jokingly say, “Hey! Do I look like a soccer ball?!” which only encourages him to try and kick me more.

Our school just participated in a Boosterthon Fun Run where the kids had to get pledges for each lap they ran. It’s an awesome program and it certainly motivated my special friend to get pledges and be determined he was going to run five laps in his gate trainer.

He and I were so thrilled when his grade level was scheduled to run at my designated time of day with him. I wish I could’ve taken pictures and shared them with you but, of course, I cannot do that in a school setting.  So I will try to paint a picture with words.

The lap course was set-up outside in the grass, so he couldn’t move too fast in his gate trainer but his exuberance was there, none-the-less. As other classmates ran around and around the course, my little friend kept plodding along. He stopped a couple times to rest his body, we gave him drinks of water, and he wanted us to pore the water on his head like the other kids were doing. When he looked weary, I’d hop in front of him and talk like Elmer Fudd which brought smiles to his face. And he’d try to kick me like a soccer ball. As kids ran by, they’d cheer him on and teachers/staff cheered from the sidelines.

His goal was to run five laps while the other kids could run 30+ laps. His therapist said for every lap he runs, he would expend an equivalent to four of the other kids’ laps. And that’s exactly what he did. He met his goal of five laps and we cheered, clapped, and praised our special friend.

As we helped him into his electric wheel chair, and I pushed the gate trainer back into the building, a lump began to form in my throat and mist in my eyes. I thanked God for choosing me at that time of day to walk with a special boy, cheer him on, make him laugh, and accomplish his goal.

I’ve learned from my special friend the following ways to train for a fun run:

1. Train with a friend.

2. Don’t be discouraged by other’s successes around you.

3. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

4. Have fun!

Since I started working a job outside the home, I’ve had to find a new normal for dinner time. I went through a period of taking care of the urgent when I got home then vegging on the couch the rest of the evening, as well as on the weekends.

The little ant reminded of the verse in Proverbs 6:6-8 that says,

“Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.”

In conjunction with my husband, we’ve figured out how to do dinner less complicated by cooking, grilling, or smoking extra meat on the weekend and either reinventing it on Monday and Tuesday or just freezing it for another week. I will often double cook taco meat and freeze the other half, reinventing it into Sloppy Joes on another night.

As a side note, I typically make a healthy taco salad. My family eats warm tortillas (I usually sneak one ). And for Sloppy Joes, I typically don’t eat a bun. I make a side of new potatoes and pile the meat on the potatoes with a small amount of shredded colby jack cheese, along with a side of green beans–somewhat healthy.

We’ve learned to be like the ant and store provisions for those especially busy or tired evenings. This also helps in calorie control. I find that when we don’t plan ahead, we tend to make unhealthy choices but when we have our stores of food options, we continue to eat healthy.

Recently I reinvented leftover pork chops and broccoli into Pork Fried Rice–very fast, delicious, and healthyish.

“Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer.”

Proverbs 30:25

What are some ways you plan ahead to stay on a healthy eating plan?

During and after my water aerobics class today at the YMCA, I eaves dropped on the very animated swim instructor who looks a bit like the musician, Carlos Santana. So imagine Carlos Santana teaching a swim class to college students for the local community college. I couldn’t help but eaves drop! I was waiting for him to break out into some cool guitar riffs.

After class I swam a few laps using a kick board. As I was side kicking with a kick board, I heard “Carlos” teaching a student on a proper side kick and water posture with the kick board. So, of course, I obeyed his instructions for myself and tried to make my side kicks, with a kick board, look the best I could. Then wouldn’t you know it, he pointed to me and said, “That’s the perfect side kick…do it just like her.” Of course, I smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

After I got out of the pool, I sat and watched “Carlos” continue to instruct in his animated way, showing the student proper swimming technique as he stood on the deck of the pool, moving his arms and legs about. As the student practiced, he asked if I was just chilling to the music that was piped into the pool area. (But not Santana music). I admitted that I was eaves dropping on his teaching, trying to pick up pointers.

I also admitted that I’ve always regretted not pursuing swimming when I was asked to be on the swim team in High School. I had absolutely no confidence that I could do it, so I opted to be the swim team timer, traveling with the team to time their meets but never actually competing. I think I looked a little pathetic when I shared that with him.

“Carlos” then asked me the most profound question. He asked, “Why are you beating yourself up over such a small thing?” I was taken aback. I figured because he’s so passionate about swimming, he would say something like, yes, you certainly missed the mark on that one. This is the greatest sport in my opinion… How could you have had such little confidence… However, he didn’t feed my negative self-talk.

He then went into a 15 minute animated mini sermon about not looking at life’s shoulda, woulda, couldas as missed opportunities but just as timing issues. He went into scenarios like maybe I would’ve become a great swimmer, but I could’ve become big headed and wouldn’t be where I am today. He went on and on about not looking at the past and beating myself up but making the most out of the present and continuing to pursue those things that interest me…

“Carlos” then offered for me to basically audit the class in the mornings at no charge. He said he likes to live the golden rule, “Do unto others as you’d have them do to you.” By the way, he lovingly mentioned his wife a few times in the conversation, so I know he wasn’t making any moves on me in my svelte Speedo bathing suit.

But you see, this was a revolutionary conversation for me because I have many shoulda, coulda, wouldas in my life and I often beat myself up about them. My self-talk becomes so negative and I go as far to think I’m not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, fit enough, etc.

I walked away with my head held high, no regrets, and plans to master swimming in my future.

I really enjoy the water and with the extended summer season in Texas, I can enjoy the water almost year-round.  I’ve tried working out with weights, spinning, martial arts, yoga, pilates, but I like nothing more than water aerobics and swimming.

And today especially proved to me that it’s a great exercise for me.

The YMCA I attend usually has a “mature” woman lead the aerobics class, so many “mature” (ok, Seniors) attend the class. But the instructor is a great instructor and she makes it challenging for the young and old alike.  However, the class has gotten a reputation that it’s for older people.

On Fridays the Y has assigned one of the younger instructors in the 9a water aerobics slot. She also teaches spinning and a cardio class. Therefore she’s drawing several of her very fit students. I’ve seen several of these women in the weight room and they are serious exercise enthusiasts. In fact, one of them is a trainer.  However, they’ve only taken the water aerobics class a few times but I’ve taken the class for several years.

Well, guess who left them in a water wake today? ME! I couldn’t believe it! I could really tell a difference in my swimming stamina compared to their fit selves. I enjoyed the competition of the younger crowd though. I have to keep up the work so they don’t pass me up!

After class I felt so great I swam laps for another 20 minutes. Goes to prove that you should really enjoy your exercise, even if it’s not the most popular training. The only thing I would advise, is to have some sort of strength element to your exercise and make sure you stretch.

Get going! Move it or lose it!

Many people in the neighborhood have discovered the duckling families. Neighbors come on foot or bike with bags of bread in hand. In fact, this evening I took pictures of both duck families together (and a few stray birds) because of people tossing bread. (Tomorrow I’m taking my real camera. These shots are taken with my phone. With some post processing they’re not bad, but now I’m on a feathered mission!)

After the ducks eventually stop eating and the fish and turtles start feasting, I hear neighbors say, “They’re full. They’re not eating anymore.”  Hmm, a lesson learned by my feathered friends. Stop eating when I’m comfortably full. Somehow nature nows how to eat but not humans.

However Miss Sadie Mae, pictured here, has it just as skewed as humans. She’s not interested in the ducklings in the least. She wants bread too! In fact, she made small children cry this evening because she snatched bread right out of their hands. Hmm. Another lesson learned. Don’t be so greedy with food that you make small children cry when you eat it all.

As the feathered families began packing it in for the night on their respective rock homes, people continued to toss bread, distracting them from bed time.

You can see the other duck family in the background, as they snack on the moss on the side of the pond and rocks, eating their vegetation, of course.

Now that the sun has set, both families have packed in it for the night. Notice a white spot between them in the water. It’s an actual hamburger bun that someone threw in the water. The fish and turtles will peck at it until its gone because the ducklings know when they are comfortably full, under their mamma’s wings.

Today I texted my physical trainer and said, “My buttocks is sore because of u.”

She texted back with, “That makes me happy <:)>”.

To which I said, “I thought it would. ”  But I really wanted to stick my tongue out at her!

Yesterday one of the exercises she had me do was three sets of 20 squats with arm curls using a medicine ball.  And today I’m feeling it!

Recently, I heard a friend say, “We all have knowledge of how to lose weight and live healthier. But wisdom is actually applying what we know and doing it.”

That quote has played over and over in my head for the last couple weeks.

I looked up “wisdom” on Dictionary.com and it said:

“the quality or state of being wise;  knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.”

So there you have it! Wisdom is actually coupling knowledge and action. That’s not to say we can’t hire a trainer for some help and motivation. But if the finances just aren’t there, there’s enough knowledge in books, on the internet, and with successful friends that can help motivate us into action.

Sure, I’ve hired a trainer to keep me accountable and teach me some strength training exercises. My husband graciously agreed to budget it for me. But I’ve also lost 20 pounds in the past just counting calories and using walking as my main form of exercise.  I didn’t just know what to do, but I used wisdom in daily applying what to do by journaling food intake and moving.

This time around has been more difficult for me to use wisdom. For one, I really got out of the habit of food journaling. And quite frankly, the little girl in me wants what I want and now! She also wants to stick her tongue at her trainer. But honestly, that thinking is immature. It’s not using wisdom.

It’s time to grow up, put on my big girl panties, and use wisdom to apply the knowledge I already have, sore buttocks and all!

Are you this excited about eating your vegetables?

Miss Sadie Mae loves her some carrots!

Every time I open the vegetable drawer she’s right there anxiously awaiting a carrot treat.

I made her patiently wait here, as she gave me her puppy dog eyes.

Ahhh! Finally, her reward! I certainly don’t give puppy dog eyes for carrots or eat them as voraciously as Sadie–maybe a cookie, or some dark chocolate but certainly not carrots.

However, we should aim to eat a minimum of five servings (average of 1/2 cup) of fruits and vegetables a day. I ate four servings today. And I caved on my chocolate Lent fast as well, and ate a couple of chocolate chip cookies.

Confessions, confessions.

Another health habit to aim for when determining true hunger and cravings is to put your craving (i.e., a candy bar) next to an apple or other healthy option. If you’re truly hungry, the apple should seem good for eating. If all you crave is the candy bar, then you’re probably just giving into a craving and not true hunger. Drink a full glass of water and move on. If you think you’re truly hungry but still want the candy bar over the apple, you’ve probably trained your taste buds to choose sugar over natural foods even in hunger.

Try this exercise, begin to choose the healthier option, and retrain your taste buds.

Tomorrow’s a new day and I believe the more I eat fruits and vegetables, the more I’ll beg for them, like Sadie Mae.

My son takes half hour saxophone lessons on Friday afternoons at a nearby middle school but not his own school. It’s far enough away not to make it worth going back home. Sometimes I run an errand or just wait in the car writing on my laptop.

But lately I’ve slipped on my walking shoes, loaded the dog in the car with us, and walked at the park next to the school. I took this park picture today with my phone thinking of Fitness Friday. I’m so glad I didn’t miss this opportunity to fit it in. The weather was perfect and the teacher taught a full hour because we missed last week, so I walked for a full hour.

Also, yesterday I needed to do a lot of reading. Although I couldn’t really bang it out on my home treadmill at a high walking speed, I walked at an incline while I read.

Think about ways you can kill two birds with one stone when it comes to exercise. Who knows, you could burn at least double the calories, opposed to sitting.

Fit it in, my friend! Fit it in!