Looking Up From The Bench

Since Thanksgiving is coming up I thought it would only be appropriate to do a post about what I am thankful for. Living where I do, with the family and other relationships that I have, there are so many things I could focus on. But, I was struck by one experience this week that I wanted to share. As my last post mentioned, I had the opportunity to go on vacation recently. It was my first chance to do so in about four years. I got to see my very best friend (the most loyal, amazing person ever) get married. I got to visit where I grew up, and see others dear to me as well. It was pretty surreal. I also got to eat whatever I wanted (no food scale for a whole week!), and of course enjoy not having to deal with some of the stressors of normal day-to-day life. It was a great trip! Rachel and me. What I was struck by however, was how I felt coming home. On the flight back I was so excited to resume to my normal routine. Specifically, return to the gym. I missed it so much! And ...

When I found out I would have the opportunity to go to Florida this week I was immediately struck by the date range. I would be in the place where I grew up on the anniversary of my brother's passing. This wasn't saddening to me. I was more so grateful for the opportunity to visit the pier where we had his funeral and laid him to rest in his favorite place, the water. This seemed like a special circumstance to remember him in the spot so near and dear to his heart.  I honestly wish it would have turned out a little better. It was surprisingly cold!! And I was pretty uncomfortable which didn't allow me the time to sit and reflect as I had hoped. Apparently I should have brought sweat pants.. who knew!  However, it was nice to visit this place. It was special to go to the gulf where his best memories were made, and where he experienced some of the best moments of his life. Through the years, I continue to change and always wish he was here to se...

I am alive! I’ve been sitting around for the last three weeks hoping I would feel inspired to write a blog post that at least was somewhat meaningful or inspiring or informative, or something, or a new topic for me! However, that hasn’t really happened. So now, I’m just going to start writing and hope something comes to me.  So, let’s see how this goes.  What exercise means to me I’ve always loved exercise, since I was young. When I was a gymnast as a child, my favorite part was the conditioning aspect of training. I loved the presidential fitness test in fifth grade. I could do a pull up, it made me feel strong. Then as I got older; and started having some pretty big struggles I got away from exercise. I didn’t feel capable. I didn’t feel like there was a purpose to things. During that time, which was probably the most difficult of my life, everything I was going through felt insurmountable. Upon getting some much needed help and guidance, I was able to make exer...

Recently, in an attempt to have a more positive way to relax on the train besides looking at Instagram for 45 minutes… I have been reading. I just finished a book and in the epilogue the author gave a brief “what if” situation on what would have happened had one life changing event for a specific character not taken place. It was a super interesting perspective to think about. I began to think about about my own life and events that if they had not happened would have led to well, a completely different life. My brother loved to fish. For a birthday present one year he went on a 72-hour overnight fishing trip! Clearly he was good at it. :) One of those of course is the passing of my brother. His birthday is fast approaching on September 15. And inevitably his birthday leads to reflection and introspection. I wouldn’t necessarily say grief, as that has healed with time. But you can’t help but think what would he be doing right now? What would we be doing together? Would we b...

I finally had the opportunity to purchase a new computer. I am so excited because it is going to make blogging so much easier and more enjoyable. However, I have proceeded to have no idea what to blog about. One public service announcement I feel inclined to make is that Target already has pumpkin flavored everything! Waffles, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, granola, etc. I’m not sure how they arranged to get all the pumpkin stuff prior to the other stores, but they must be pretty powerful. So, if you love pumpkin like me, you can go and get some stuff! I guess the reason I’ve been hesitant to blog is because I’ve been in kind of a funk. I want the blog to be real, but still positive. So, I’m not quite sure what to say. I am kind of in waiting mode. My body is healing from my injury so in the meantime I’m just doing what I can. My favorite thing to do (training) isn’t really all that exciting. It’s not helping me become a better physical athlete. It’s kind of just me trying to maintain w...

It's times like these I wish I could have a computer in the shower. I wrote this whole post in my head while in the shower and now I just hope I can remember it! Ha. Personally it's been a rough week. I had surgery on my knee which went well and was the best possible outcome. This week has just been a whirlwind. I also think I physically just feel depressed because I'm not able to train a whole lot. It feels like I've gone off an antidepressant. Anyway, I really wanted to make this post a little light hearted. I thought I'd start with a story. My friend since age 3 My first athlete- Katie  A few months ago I was catching-up with a longtime dear friend. We were talking about our childhood and what we are doing now. She shared with me that when we were around 10 I told her I wanted to be a personal trainer and proceeded to make up a workout and force her to do it. I found this so telling. Even at that age I knew what I wanted. It wasn't until ...

I didn’t think I wanted/had anything to say in a blog post this week. Then I started to write a short little Facebook status that I wanted to make longer and longer and realized that perhaps I do have something to write about after all. I guess part of my hesitation with writing a post this week is that I honestly haven’t really had a very good couple of days. I wish I could say I was handling being injured again with tons of light and positivity but that hasn’t exactly been the case. I’ve kind of been all over the place. I realize that doesn’t help, and it’s kind of out of my control at this point, but I guess I’m only human and I have emotions. In trying to identify the hardest part of this, it’s not really my drive to train that’s the issue. I don’t suddenly not want to go to the gym or just want to take it easy. It’s not the fact that I feel like I can’t back to where I was, because I’ve been through this before so I know I can and will. I think the hardest part is this ti...

Well, I'm sad to report I've had another injury creep up this past month. I was in denial for quite awhile... And it's weird when I finally started to rest it, my discomfort and pain actually increased. Which is when I realized it was probably more than the muscle strain I was hoping for. So back in for a second knee surgery in a couple weeks!! Anyway, I didn't really want this post to focus too much on the injury itself. I have three things I hope to address. My feelings about the injury, what I've learned so far, and how I plan on getting through it with gains as an athlete.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling discouraged. This is my fourth significant injury in four years. I was really determined this year to stay healthy and was so excited to see what I could accomplish not spending so much time rebuilding to pre-injury levels of fitness. I felt like these last couple months I was making significant progress. And not just in the physical sens...