This was just too good not to share.
Happy Wednesday…I hope you make it a great one!
Wordless Wednesday
4
Author Archives: Peggy Nolan
A Weekend Respite
Richard and I spent the weekend away. It was his drill weekend, so although he was working, we were both at the same marriage retreat – Strong Bonds. We stayed at the Sheraton in Portsmouth, NH. Nice hotel, with a spa. So of course I booked myself a rose petal milk bath followed by an 80 minute Balinese massage. Heaven.
While he spent most of the conference making sure the attendees were taken care of, the equipment was set up, and the food arrived on time, I sat in the back. Sometimes I paid attention, like when we watched Mark Gungor’s “Laugh Your Way To A Better Marriage.” But I spent most of my time writing in my journal or reading “Under The Tuscan Sun” (again) by Frances Mays.
I’m working on my book, a joint effort with my friend, Teresa Thompson – and between the two of us, it really is turning out to be more of a collection of essays that reflect on love lost, love found, and blending families (and the trials, tribulations, and victories that come with it) We’re both excited in how it’s turning out and how our own writing is kicking it up a notch.
I’m fully over the February Crud. I heard from friends that their crud lasted 2-3 weeks. Mine? Five Days. I’m pretty sure my daily shakes and smart energy drinks played a part in my quick recovery because quite frankly, I don’t have 2-3 weeks to be The Walking Dead, (which by the way is my favorite show and I’m so excited new episodes begin airing tonight!)
I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Care to share? Just leave a comment!
Are You Making Your Milestones?
Birthdays, anniversaries, kindergarten, first grade, middle school, high school graduation. All important life milestones. We celebrate.
But so are the personal milestones. For me it was getting certified to teach yoga and earn my first degree black belt in Thai Kickboxing. I achieved both in the same year.
These days, with my focus on my own personal fitness, I achieved my first milestone.
On January 3, 2012 I started the Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge.
January 3, 2012 - 169lbs, 38", 38", 44" 
This is me 30 days later
Day 30 - 163lbs, 37," 33 1/2," 41" 
I went shopping on Sunday – Chico’s and JC Penny. I didn’t even look at size 12. Everything I tried on in a 10 fit. I probably shouldn’t have cleaned out the sales rack because I’m not stopping at a size 10.
I went home and as I was making space for my new clothes, I noticed two dresses with tags still attached. One of the dresses I bought to go to Key West last year. It didn’t fit. I couldn’t button it across my stomach. Guess what I can do?
It BUTTONS All the Way Up!
And this dress…I love this dress. When I ordered it (a size 12), I couldn’t get it to zip all the way up. Frustrated. I almost sent it back. But I love this dress. I tried it on and guess what I can do?
It Zips All the Way Up!
My size 12′s are too big. Size 10 fits comfortably. I can’t wait to say hello to Size 8 again. I said goodbye to 6lbs of unwanted weight and I kicked 10 total inches of unhealthy fat to the curb. I’m more determined than ever to rock the 90 Day Challenge.
Who wants to join me?
Sweat Does a Body Good
When my friend, Teresa, asked me to join her for a Bikram Hot Yoga class I said “yes” before I remembered how hot it really gets during class. It wasn’t until I opened the door to the yoga room that I remembered. At first I was greeted by the distinct odor of sweaty feet. Yes, that eau de funky smell is an intrinsic part of every Bikram yoga studio I’ve ever been in. And I’ve only been in two. But don’t worry. You get used to the smell pretty quickly. Well, at least I did.
After I got past the stink, I remembered how the heat grows on you. I breathed it in and let it linger inside and out. It tickled my skin and flushed my face. Two thoughts raced through my mind. “What am I doing here?” and “Why isn’t that man in front of me wearing a shirt?”
I looked around the heated room. More people were showing up and saving their spots with their yoga mats. Teresa was smart – we got there early so we could snag the spot closest to the wall. I only had to contend with one person next to me instead of two. I do the same thing in my regular yoga class as well. It makes me wonder how yogic is being a creature of habit?
Where was I? Oh yes. I was looking around the room. I couldn’t help but notice the other half dressed people. Men with no shirts. Girls in yoga bathing suits. Maybe I’m old. Maybe I’m fat. Maybe I’m closed minded but for Pete’s sake, put a shirt on. I don’t want to see your belly button.
Half way through class I wished, oh how I wished, that I wore a yoga bathing suit. I was dying in my capris sweat pants and I soaked through my tank top. I didn’t care if the girl next to me had to look at my flabby belly. I was hotter than hot and dripping rivers of sweat onto my mat. Note to self: Next time wear less clothing.
What exactly did I get out of this class? Why would anyone put themselves through 90 minutes of yoga in 105 degree heat? After I got over myself and my internal crotchetiness I remembered how much I loved doing hot yoga. It gives you that feeling of being wrung out and cleansed from the inside out. My muscles were lengthened and strengthened. My spine was flexed and twisted to release toxins and stress. I felt stronger, taller, and completely blissed out.
When class was over and I was laying in shavansana, I didn’t have to remember how good hot yoga felt. I got to experience it all over again for the first time.
My Word for 2012 – FITNESS
I stopped making New Year Resolutions years ago. As soon as I make them, I break them. Resolutions, in my mind, are too big, too rigid, too heavy. Like once I make a resolution I’m stuck with the pink elephant sitting on my lap.
A couple of years ago I adopted a word for the new year ahead. Last year my word was focus. Looking back at 2011, I think I did a fine job of focusing on what I wanted to accomplish so that I wouldn’t go bonkers while my husband was deployed. This year my word is
FITNESS
Life happens. I got older. I got fatter. I got (ahem) lazy. Richard came home from deployment and I was no longer eating salad in a bag. He loves to cook. I love to eat. We have a love-love relationship. Except my metabolism came to a screeching halt. My energy went south for vacation (and forgot to take me along.) I became a slug.
Too make matters worse, my boobs are woefully, pathetically, and embarrassingly lopsided. Most of you know that when I had breast cancer I surrendered my left breast. In its place is a lovely little implant. And right now, compared to my right breast it is teeny, oh so teeny tiny. I want my matching set back!
The new year approached, I knew what I had to do and the word Fitness chose me. Not just physical fitness but mental fitness, emotional fitness, and spiritual fitness. You could say I want to be well rounded.
To cover all my bases, I’ve implemented the following changes (and one reason I’m writing this post now as opposed to January 1, is because once in a row doesn’t count)
I’m on the 90 Day Fitness challenge at the dojo.
I’m on the 90 Day Body By Vi Challenge (super cool, super good!)
I’m on my yoga mat every single morning for 30 minutes BEFORE I go to work
I’m at the dojo 3 times a week for Muay Thai Kickboxing
I’ve eliminated coffee and alcohol from my diet. (And let me just add right here that I already notice a HUGE difference in how I feel. For now, no more Chianti or Malbec and good-bye Melita European Dark Roast. Hello green tea and lemon water…
I already feel skinnier
I want to look good. I want to feel good. I wish there was there was a slugbegone spray mist I could simply squirt on myself but this Fitness thing is all about being unlazy in all my habits.
In an effort to be honest, I started the year off weighing 169 lbs or 172 lbs depending on which scale I stood on, and my measurements are super wonky – 38, 38, 44. My goal is to be 135 lbs, 36, 26, 36. Once I reach that, I’ll reassess.
If you’d like to learn more about the Body By Vi Challenge, if you’d like to join me with a Challenge of your own, I invite you to check out my page. After five days of using the Visalus products, I’m so impressed that I signed on as a distributor. I’ll be posting my results every two weeks. With photos and everything.
