Summer begins

Having just come home from the gym and had the opportunity to greet almost everyone in the group, it was again brought home to me how important is not only the mutual support in the group, but the opportunity to encourage and compliment each other as well. Each person's success, each person's report of progress is a little success and progress for the rest of us. So everyone, keep on doing what you're doing, and taking us all along on the ride.
It seems as if the wellness kitchen was a great success this week, and getting to know each other's families gave us an additional measure of support as well. Since we have no future wellness kitchen event on the immediate calendar, and since we all liked them so much, I have offered to have one at my house. Of course we won't have the chefs and the pre-measured ingredients, so we will have to work all of that out, but it is something I am sure we can do. Summer will give us the outdoors to spread out into, and the many kids can enjoy the pool and getting to know each other. And of course, our mentors at CHLI will be welcome (if they don't already get too much of us). So everyone, be thinking of and perfecting your family's favorite recipe to share with everyone else. Kasi is going to give me a couple of Sundays that she will be off so that we can plan a date and then it is up to everyone to gather up family members and ingredients for a dish, and come and cook or grill or assemble or whatever, and enjoy.
I hope that you all had a good Memorial Day and that you remembered the many who gave their lives so that we could enjoy this great country of ours. Yes, I know that it is not perfect, but for me, it is a damned site better than where the folks came from, and I am very grateful. I am grateful to the families who have lost loved ones in the many wars, both declared and undeclared, in which we have had a part. From them has been exacted the ultimate price, the loss of someone dear and close who can never be replaced. I continue to believe that we must support our troops with all we have, whether we support the war or not. Don't we all wake up every day, hoping to do our best? But in the case of our service personnel, doing their best could mean surrenduring their lives. So let's not forget to support the VA, and call them to account when they do not hold up our end of the bargain that our troops struck when they agreed to defend this nation, to act as agents for the peace that we all pray and hope for. The errands that they are sent to do are not of their making, but they go all the same, leaving loved ones behind, parents and children, spouses and lovers, brothers and sisters and sometimes grandparents. I pray that the day will come when not one more life has to be lost in the name of war, and when people can dwell together as brothers in peace.
Well, to change the drift of this blog, we have arrived at the official beginning of the summer season. So everyone, stock up on sun screen, and don't forget to apply it to yourself as well as the kids, Kasi. Eat your fruits and veggies, remember 7-10 servings a day--1/2 cup cooked and 1 cup raw is a serving. Get plenty of rest and shut eye--you night owls know who you are. And have a great time out there in the warm California sun.

Well, Hello and Happy Friday. This has been an eventful week, full of meetings to attend, workouts to accomplish, and the regular stuff of life to fit in around it all. To anyone who reads this and is a Mom, greetings and salutations in advance of Mothers Day. To all of you who manage to do your best by your families, who try to do your best for yourselves, and manage, against all time constraints, to make the world a better place by spreading love, soothing hurt feelings, maintaining yourselves, and trying to be good to your friends and co-workers, you are a fabulous bunch and deserve hugs all around. So I hope you feel my arms encircling you and pulling you close for a moment. You make the world a better place.
Some of you may notice that my picture has changed. Please take a moment to take a good look at it. It was an early Mother's day present. You will note it is a frog in workout duds--athletic shoes, wristbands, and a towel to wipe away the sweat. The perfect accompaniment for this bit of fluff. This frog appears to already be in much better shape than I am in, but I am working my way toward those trim legs. So take a moment to get acquainted with my stand-in, making her image big enough to see in detail. What a find!
Just as I manage to conquer the workout that Laurie assigns me, there are new things to add, new weightier weights to use, new routines and machines to get acquainted with. What makes it easier to adapt is that Laurie, while dispensing grueling workouts, also dispenses smiles and encouragement and tells me that I did well. I really don't want to disappoint her, so I keep doing what I'm doing, and attempt to make her proud. Wishing that she had been around earlier in my life does not make it so, and that was yesterday. I am learning that it is never too late to get into better shape. I used to take the same walk around the park with Lucy every morning, at the same speed and intensity. Since I have been working out, I take the reverse route, just a bit more up strenuous, more uphill, and a bit faster than before. And it is easier and I am less out of breath. The last hill that I used to walk down on the other route, I now walk up at the end of the walk. At first it was a bear, and I stopped halfway up. This morning, I noticed that for the first time, I didn't really notice the incline and I wasn't out of breath. Definitely progress, no? Then later, after I plan the weekend, I will go to the gym, walk another mile and do all the upper body strengthening routines that I still have to do. However, I have been paying so much attention to the workouts, that I have kind of lost my attention to the nutrition part of the game.
So, today, I will start again to record my meals and water. It makes one more mindful. I realized that I have forgotten to take in any liquid during the day except what I drink after my workout. This is not good. Making time for the physical part of the program and attending to them has diverted my attention. Now I have to get back on the nutrition bandwagon. After all, it was Paulette who started this whole thing. I have remained faithful to the promise to stay away from bread for awhile, but I have to admit, that now and then a sweet creeps up and jumps on board. So mindfulness is the name of the game, and writing down what I eat, recording good days and maintenance days, as opposed to binge days, is really important. Breakfast is not a problem and since I don't seem to crave variety at breakfast, the oatmeal with berries and almonds is fine for the long term. Even dinner is OK. It's the rest of the lunch and post lunch day that seems to be more problematic. So I will follow Casi's lead and pack a lunch. It makes the most sense. Last weekend, I got so over-hungry for lunch, that I couln't stop eating all afternoon. But while my weight has remained stable, I am thrilled to report that my body is changing shape. I am fitting into things I have not worn for a couple of years and were languishing at the back of my closet. (The next step is the give-away pile) I am even developing shoulders! So all of you "mature" ladies out there, there are biceps and triceps in there just waiting to be discovered, not to mention abs. All we have to do is look for them. So jump on that treadmill that is functioning as a clothesrack, unearth that Nordic Track, take a walk, get a balance ball, just do something that you didn't do yesterday because you were too stiff. Start light and work up and don't forget to stretch afterward, and be sure to BREATHE. I tend to hold my breath, so I am reminding you.
Again, Happy Mother's Day. Give yourself a pat on the back, or take a walk in the gardens that are all around us, take a hike, make a healthy meal, just treat yourself well. You deserve it!
PS Get a buddy who encourages you and cheers you on. It really helps. Thanks Laurie.