The Benefits of being truly 'incapable'

So as most of you know I had struggled through patellar tendonitis in both of my knees (and some still to this day but only when pressure is applied to my knees) a year ago.

For someone who struggled with not having a gym membership at all and trying to find OTHER ways to do exercise and still eating how I normally ate, to add any kind of tendonitis on top of that? That is an immediate 'hi! I'd like to gain some weight, please!' invitation.

This isn't to say I haven't tried to do something, because I do: My mother-in-law and I walk together, twice a week around this HUGE lake at this park called Mt. Trashmore (I call it Mt. TrashCAN, all the locals laugh when I say this...) so it was something, however because I LOVE food and I love trying new foods all the time and I love chocolate, I need MUCH more exercise than what I have been getting. I need your standard 30-45m/ day type of exercise regime and THIS can just be cardio and I will be doing great! However, like I said 30-45m/day was not possible this past year- and since I have not felt safe in the neighborhood we live in, I have no ventured out much on my own at all (hopefully this circumstance will change).

Anyway... as some of you know, last week I was trying to sit-up in my bed and as I pushed back onto the bed with my fists (vs. my flat-hands) my left wrist rolled up and down really fast in a snap-like action and before I knew it, 2 hours later it was swollen. Within the next few days a knot formed and this knot still has not gone away (the Doc said if it didn't I have to go back in this Friday *sigh* awesome) When I walked in, the took all my information, my weight, blood pressure, etc etc etc. I heard everything they said, but I only remember my weight. It is the heaviest I have ever been in my life and I KNEW that this was the cause of my wrist's weakness. The numbers 1-8-8 rang SO loudly in my ears, I knew at that point that IF THIS wasn't good enough to FINALLY convince my husband that I really needed that gym-membership I had been talking about all year, NOTHING would be. However, I had NO clue what I would do if I this situation still did not convince him. I immediately started thinking of manual exercises I could do and decided that my poor mini-cycle would get worn down (it's a bicycle, with no seat, just the pedals-I actually sit on it and read for the book club while I read!).

So there it is, out in the open, 188. You know what I weighed when I moved here? (I was also single and a gym-junkie, but STILL) I weighed 160. 188 is so dangerous-sounding a number to me, I have officially committed to my previous lifestyle, and it has to be no matter what time of night it is, it has to happen that I go to the gym.

So, good old 30-45m/day at the gym, how are you doing? It's been a long time since I've seen you, I am pleased to make your acquaintance again :)

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alright, Here is the main reason I am sharing this so openly with everybody. When I was FIRST told about the patellar tendonitis, I was told that I would never be able to run again, when I broke (actually fractured, but that is still a break) my ankle when I was younger, I was told I would never be able to run again---BOTH times, I have gotten up and build myself up to running 5mi/day and have a 'marathon-training-mindset' sure, someday I would LOVE to do one of those marathons, but right now, I am just glad that there is a gym in my life, a place of accountability.


And I went alone..... THIS is the best part, the whole year I have been far too shy to go on my own and somehow, for some strange reason, God gave me confidence to go yesterday! And now? I feel quite at home here in my own little space, at the gym. :) So get out there and claim YOU'RE very own piece of space at your local gym!
Be encouraged ya'll! I hope this post made somebody feel encouraged.

-Keren

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert Introduction

Hello All!

Well as I have, I am sure most of you, if not all of you, have received your books or will be receiving or purchasing or borrowing your books sometime in the near future (hopefully you have it in hand).

As I picked the book up to flip through the pages, the first thing I noticed was the texture of the floppy cover and realized just how thick this book was. I was almost immediately captured by the introduction and I hope you all are as well!

Elizabeth Gilbert's personal account of her travels, depression and life stories seems will be revealed in the most realistic of forms. I really hope we can all take something away from this read :)

Happy Reading Ladies!

The Reward

Ok, I have to state, hands down, the best part of any exercise is the reward.

I went on my bi-weekly walk with my mother-in-law today. When I got home, I felt all grimy, so I got a good, nice and hot shower in before bed.

I gotta say, for everyday life, that was a NICE reward :)

A tip:

give yourself a reward for every 2-3 times you exercise for 30m per time (mine is a pedicure--besides the fact that I actually have to get these for medical reasons, so add a spa touch, although extra money it is SOOOOOOO relaxing) - this will keep you motivated, the more times you exercise, the more you will feel like you can splurge on YOU :) as you should!

The Desire

You know when you are on such a great work-out streak and then out of nowhere BAM it hits you, life. Something comes up and changes your entire routine. This week has been one of those weeks for me.

Here is my thoughts on those situations:

• You can only do what you can do: If you're trying to do exercise here and there, do not beat yourself up because you can't get to it 30m everyday. If your life only allows for an hour to 2 hours for week-take it! I read an article a few months ago that was really focused on weight loss and it stated that any bout of exercise was important.
• Exercise is a tool for health; not beauty: This is a revelation that took me 24 years to come to. I don't exercise because it will make me look a certain way (but many people do). Exercise is a tool to a better life of health, when you are healthy, you are healthy in heart, in body and mind; if mind is healthy, personal outlook is healthy. We view ourselves as beautiful.

So, this is what my week has looked like this week:
Monday- walked with my mother-in-law around our local track
Tuesday-nothing
Today-nothing
Tomorrow- walking again with my mother-in-law
Weekend-hopefully either swimming or a couple walks

I am attempting to get back on a weight training schedule as well, I need to figure all that out as soon as I get level with the walks/cardio part of it all :) anyway-all that stated for accountability purposes, of course!

Hopefully this post was encouraging :)

Todays Tid Bit: Vitamin C!!

We all know how beneficial Vitamin C is for our bodies. It's SO important in maintaining a strong immune system, it also helps your body absorb iron.

Fun Fact: Oranges are not the #1 source of Vitamin C! One medium orange contains 70 mg of Vitamin C while 1/2 a cup of a Guava fruit has 188 mg! You can eat it as is or try it in a super yummy smoothy :)


How did you get your C intake today??

Welcome!

Hello, ladies! Welcome to the blog section of our club! Here is where you'll come twice a month to review our books. You'll come prior to actually reading to get to know the author and background a little and then again once we're done with the book to read our final blog and give your final opinions and comments. We'll be sending you "update" emails once we've got those blogs up.

Also! We'll be putting up daily tid bits and tips on healthy eating as well as blogging on our daily exercise so feel free to check back as often as you'd like to join us and be encouraged as well!

We're excited to share a couple of our favorite hobbies with you ladies and hope you find our Cozy Corner a nice place to kick up your feet and relax a little...you deserve it!

Jennifer and Keren