The Plan is in place!

The new project members met last night and it was a wonderful kick off meeting. Chris did a great job and there were a number of the test pilots there too. I met one on one with Chris and my goals are in writing. No backing down now! I know where I am going and have the tools I need. The rest must come from within me! Looking forward to the eval on Sunday and might venture out with the brave souls for the mile walk which is part of the eval. Chris gave us the option to complete on our own due to weather .... I however have new fleece walking pants to try out! Thanks honey! Chat soon ....

What a range of New Year Emotions

We started off the New Year with my brother's wedding. It went off without a hitch and a great time was had by all! They are off in Hawaii enjoying the warm 80's weather while we are here with the sleet! It took most the weekend to recover from the two days of prep and partying with the wedding but it was all worth it.

I went from this high emotion to a low. I found out yesterday that a good friend of mine suffered a stroke. She is healthy and in her mid-40's! I am still stunned by this news and it is hard being two hours away where all I can do is pray. While I know that is what she needs as she undergoes tests and rests; it is still hard not to be by her side. The docs believe at this time that a small hole in her heart caused the stroke but they still have some tests results to read.

David and I will head north this weekend. My uncle is no longer able to garden and we have inherited all his stuff. We will get get stuff for growing to planting to canning. Needless to say David is really excited about this and I am too since I love to eat everything he plants! We had fun over the last week going through seed books as he wants to do everything from seed this year. It is a lot of fun for us! I will share the goods too which is fun as well!

We will make a stop to see my friend as well so that I can see for myself that she is ok. I guess God has his ways of reminding us every now and then to slow down, take care of ourselves and appreciate what we have right here and now. Take one day at a time because you never know what the cards hold for you or how long you will have with your loved ones.

I have devoted time to prep my mind for the upcoming weeks on the project. I will be at the Wednesday night meeting. I am having a hard time with our eval on Sunday since I have a number of things I want to accomplish up north. I feel in my heart that missing this is not the way to start the program however, I also want to have the chance to fit everything in up north. I also feel in my heart that a visit with my friend will help. She has always been motivational on my healthy lifestyle endevors and perhaps that is where I need to be at the start of this part of the journey. We will see .... I will meditate on this over the evening as it is a meditation day!

Take care and hug your loved ones often! Chrisitne

A New Tradition

I was north this weekend to celebrate an early family Christmas. I awoke on Saturday AM to find my niece and nephew up and ready to work out. Although the weather did not cooperate .... they had ice, cold and snow making outdoor exercise a hazard. We took our work out indoors. Friday night we discussed some of the activities that we would do and now it was time to do it ... no excuses!
We started on the eliptacle and jump rope to warm up. We each took turns picking what we would do ... sit ups, push ups, weights, planks .... we all had fun and it made 45 minutes pass quickly. Next it was into the shower and prep for our trip to the p's house. My sister noticed the sound of the fire truck in the neighborhood and thought that Santa must be onboard since the sound kept going and going .... sure enough he was onboard and passing out candy to the few kids that braved the elements to greet him. Mind you, my niece and nephew were in the doorway and I was the one on the street greeting him and picking up candy! A great holiday was had by all!

Found a new class

There is much to be said for all class instructors that are out there. They can make or break a class. I found someone that is up to the standards that Chris set for me in what I expect in an instructor. You know what I am talking about .... an instructor that is able to conduct a class but still give you personalized attention in class. Someone that actually cares and it not just pushing themselves through a work day. For someone that struggles, is out of shape and practice, it means a lot to have some attention while exercising! My new found class is pilates with Lindsey. I took it (meaning one class) a few years ago and about puked right in class! I had over worked myself and I think forgot to breathe! Somehow I always forget that part and am not sure when to breath in or out so it is also important for the instructor to remind you! I never went back until our adventure with Chris when Carrie led us in a short pilates class. I decided to give it a try at work. I have attended two classes and want to continue! I never thought that would happen with a pilates class! I am quite sore from yesterday's class but shall push on to the next class. Have a wonderful day!

Correction

I was not aware but ProMotion Fitness was the party responsible for my wonderful Saturday morning Zumba class. You are a GREAT group of people and I thank you all for your help and support with wellness!

I got the tree up and some other decorating done over the weekend. Most the gifts are wrapped, only a few more to buy.

My brothers wedding (Joe and Ashley) is on New Year's Eve so the count down is on! We will really have a great party this year. I am praying that our weather holds out so that freinds and family can travel safely to the big event and make it back home.

A number of years ago Joe's friend Pete came to our New Year's Eve party in Indy. Indy weather folks were forecasting bad snow storms for New Year's Day (afternoon). My friends headed back north but Pete did not. Needless to say he got snowed in and had to stay with us for about 5 days! Pete has the Best Man honors and has his doubts about traveling here for the holiday! Here's to hoping for safe travels for all this holiday season!

Zumba Baby!

What a wonderful morning. The snow was lightly floating. I knew Chris was off running through the woods and hoped he was enjoying the day. I was off to Delta for my first Zumba class. I walked into Delta and saw fellow project pal John and later Margaret and Matt joined us.

Delta offered a trial Zumba class with Cesar. For those of you that do not know what Zumba is ... it is aerobic movement to Latin, Salsa music. Some of the women that have been taking classes with him for the last year or so came out to support and help those of us that are not so coordinated. Now I took Jazzercise for some time but this was fast paced, wonderful movement. I have been humming the beats in my head all day. I wish I could sing the songs but they were most always in Spanish!

I was hot and sweaty once I was done and had met a new friend. Theresa takes classes with Cesar and teaches beginners. I plan to meet up with her and take a class of his at a club near my house. I might get hooked on this Latin grove and boy can Cesar shake! I am really looking forward to another class. More importantly, it seemed like the other Delta folks that ventured out enjoyed themselves as well so I hope to see the class on the schedule at work!

I walked out of work into a winter wonderland .... the snow had picked up. I came home to shower and put up the tree. It truly has been a wonderful day.

This year Santa is getting carrots and celery!

In an effort to fully embrace the program I have decided to leave Santa some raw veggies and if he is good, some of my famous chicken chili! Why is it that this holly, jolly cookie eating man is the man of the season? The man all want to befriend in December? This year, I am sticking with Coach Chris! I am turning in my Santa sleigh for a good pair of walking shoes ... turning in the cookies and milk for raw veggies and water ... lastly turning in the material gifts for the gift of eating healthy and exercise! I say Ba Humbug to the fat man in red!