What a Beautiful Weekend!

This past weekend has given us some of the most beautiful weather that I can ever remember. I did some yard work, walked my dog, and just thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors. Mike, one of my personal training clients was even willing to do an "impromptu" outdoors workout. We used a bench, a tree, a ramp, steps, and a wall which acted as a balance beam to get a really good workout in. Even the birds seem to be saying, "thank you". What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have--thank you for giving us so many beautiful things to enjoy!

Back from Boston

Boston is a wonderful place! The people talk with a funny accent, but are very friendly and helpful. The folks get around on an underground transit system called "the T". The Boston Marathon race day was not the best weather wise. The whole north eastern side of the U.S. was experiencing a "nor-easter" storm. Lots of wind, rain, and cold weather. On race day, we walked our friend and racer, Gina, to the long row of buses at Boston Commons. The runners are bused to the starting point of the race. I had my parka, rain-proof poncho, 2 layers of clothes and gloves on so that I wouldn't freeze to death. The racers contended with rain for the first 30 minutes or so of the race, then it tapered off and just had to deal with the cold. When you go to "cheer a friend on", you have to select a spot somewhere along the 26.2 mile course. One of the easiest places to get to, is mile 17 of the race. We took the "T" to our destination. With the Texas flag in tow, we calculated the timing of her arrival at the spot and waited. We ducked inside a nearby hospital to warm up and have a little lunch. We almost had cut it too close, but were able to get outside, unfurl the Texas flag, and look intently at the sea of bodies going by (over 30,000 people race!). Gina spotted the flag, then Linda, then Jack (her fiance'), then me. She gave Jack a big kiss and Linda and I a big hug, then she was off. We tried very hard to get back to the Finish Line from mile marker 17, but there were too many people and the streets were roped off in such a way, that it would have been almost impossible to make our way around in time. Gina finished the race in a little over 4 hours--quite a feat in that wind and weather!

God's fingerprints were all over this deal. To start off, we almost didn't make it on the plane to Boston. It was an early flight, so we knew we wouldn't get breakfast, so we sought out coffee and hot chocolate, then realized that the eating place only had muffins and doughnuts. I wanted a bagel instead. We walked around and found a Bagel place. There was a line and they were very slow, but I didn't realize how close to departure it was getting to be. To make a long story short, they were ready to close the doors, but I was able to get the bagels, find Linda, and make it back to the plane in time. Because of a mix-up, we were even up-graded to first class! I love the way God treats his kids! The ironic thing was, because of the bagel incident and the upgrade, we were served breakfast and didn't need the bagels at all.

To be able to find Gina in the sea of people was really a big deal! For the past 3 Boston marathons, Linda had looked for Gina, but had never found her, until this year. The hotel that we stayed in was very nice--when we arrived, they had upgraded us to a bigger, roomier room with no additional charge.

All in all, we had a wonderful time and I would definitely like to go back next year. God is good and takes care of his Kids wherever they may go!

Off To Boston

Tomorrow morning at 4:30AM, I will set my alarm so that I wake up in time to catch a flight to Boston. My mission: to route for a friend who will be running in the Boston Marathon on Monday. I have never been to Boston, and am excited about getting to go somewhere that I've never been before. I will be watching and learning--I don't know what God has in store for me, but I promise to come back and share--I know it will be fascinating and enlightening, because that's just the way God works. I won't be able to blog again until Tuesday--so until then, take care!

Way To Go!

Tonight, I am so proud. Proud of one of my clients who has worked so very hard during a fitness competition that we have at the Health Club Center. The "Shape Up and Ship Out" contest started in January and ran through April 17th. Linda (my friend and client) has done exceptionally well--overcoming some tendinitis and hip issues to score one of the best scores possible! She has worked very hard, she has been very disciplined, and she has "done what it takes" to get the job done. That kind of effort is rare, but I love it and admire it. The pursuit of excellence is an inspiring thing--not easily grasped but greatly appreciated by all who see it in action.

Jesus is our role model of how to act, how to be, and how to seek excellence. I love it when He lets us see our brothers and sisters reflect his awesomeness. It is so motivational! Who would you nominate for a "You Really Motivate Me" award?

100 Days To A New You!

I read a very interesting article in the Parade magazine about 2 or 3 weeks ago. It stated that our bodies are constantly renewing themselves at the tune of 1% every day. So, at the end of 100 days, you have a completely different skeleton than you did 100 days prior. You have a completely different set of cellular membranes than you did 100 days ago. Talk about getting a chance to start over!

It motivated me to really try and eat super healthy for 3 months to see if I can feel a difference. As a nutritionist, I tried for the most part to eat healthy, but I still love my sugar (whether it be in a Coke--I do limit myself to 8 oz. a day, or something like ice cream or a dessert). I do eat lots of fruits, vegetables, salads, chicken, salmon, and 15-grain bread. I also do take my vitamins and calcium supplement everyday.

If you tried to eat super healthy, what would be some of the things that would be hard for you to eat less of? Do you think giving up the stuff would be worth the feeling that you would get from making better choices?

I think sometimes that's what people think about Christianity. They wonder what they are going to have to give up and if it's going to be worth the "missing out". What do you think?

The Gift Of Health

I want to get out of double secret blogger probation, so here goes. (This is where Brent puts you if you don't blog for a long time.) I am finding out that if I don't write a blog everyday, it defeats the purpose of doing a blog and it disappoints a lot of people. It is kind of cruel to get people's hopes up and then....nothing. Then you wonder, "What happened?" So, my dear readers, I will do better because I must.

About a week ago, my allergies got the best of me and I came down with a really bad sinus infection. I did the usual--irrigated the sinus system, took a bunch of decongestant and pain reliever for sore throat. That did not do it. After a couple of nights coughing, with no sleep, I knew a trip to the doctor's office was in order. So, off I go, to Dr. Tim Shepherd's. He fixes me up with good old Keflex antibiotic and a very strong decongestant. Oh, I forgot to mention that I had the worst case of laryngitis for about a week, too. Not good when you use your voice all the time to teach classes and to personal train clients. Within 48 hours, my voice was back and I was a new woman. Thank you, Heavenly Father for the gift of health!!! It really is true--when you've got your health, you have just about everything. When you've got the Lord and your health, then you do have EVERYTHING!

See you tomorrow!