Another goal of mine during this year-long decluttering process is to get off my butt a little bit more than I generally do. So since today was a national holiday on which I had absolutely nothing planned, I decided to go for my normal walk.
I've been considering the Couch Potato to 5K Running Program.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
A number of my friends have tried it and successfully found themselves running 5Ks or even doing triathlons. I've toyed with the idea of doing it, but never been able to really commit. (This is normal for me.) So a few days ago, I decided I'd never EVER commit to running if I didn't wear a sports bra while I was walking, so....sports bra: check! This morning, I had everything I needed: baby in a good mood, socks and running shoes, water bottle, loose-fitting but moderately attractive workout wear, and the all-important (some might even say "sacred") sports bra.
On my way to my running location, I noticed a small group of about 7 people running. Another block of driving and a glance to my left showed me that there was a full-fledged event taking place and those runners I had just seen were part of it. This was my sign, I thought. It's time to get my butt moving. Today. Looked up C25K on my smartphone and started running for 60 seconds, walking for 90, alternating for 20 minutes.
Long about minute 15, I was pretty sweaty. I stopped at a stop sign to let a pick-up truck pass (I never ever want them to let me go first, because then they'll have to wait for my sad, lumbering self to run across the street...) so I waved the driver on. Pretty sure there was nothing close to a smile on my face as I did this. And then, lo and behold, a sparkling silver moment in my day. A smiling man leaned out the window and said "Keep it up, mom. You're doing great!" Big smile. "Thank you!" Motivation to finish the last five sweaty minutes: check!
Funny how sometimes the right thing comes along at the right time just when you need it. Everybody needs an "atta-girl" sometimes.
Dear Mr. Pick-up Truck Man, Could you please come out on Friday and say that to me again?
P.S. You made my day.
Multnomah Falls
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
A hole in my yoga mat
Years ago, I had a PM Yoga program on a VHS tape that I loved. A soothing female voice told me how to stretch and relax at the end of the day while I watched her do those stretches in the middle of a calm desert scene. It was absolutely lovely. And every time I did the program, I felt like I had done something wonderful for myself. I started wanting to do more yoga. I bought a lovely deep-purple yoga mat. And I used it. For a while.
And then life happened. I moved the yoga tape with me, every time I moved, and it sat with all the other unused workout tapes. Same story for the yoga mat.
Recently I've noticed that my temperament is not where I'd like it to be. I feel myself getting angry over small, stupid things. I yell easily. I say horrible things to myself in the mirror about my expanding body. In short, I don't like the state of my spirit. I want to feel more joyful, more buoyant, more like me. So, I've been trying to do some little things to help.
I tried to find my beloved PM Yoga on DVD, but no luck. So, I took a wild risk and found a new one.
The new DVD has a different scene: a lush garden with an ocean vista in the background. Purples, pinks, greens. More like me than the last one, for sure. Similar soothing voice. Similar program. Similar feel-good-feeling when I'm done. Nice. Just one problem. Where is the yoga mat? I remember it got put downstairs with all the fitness equipment. It's got some crud on it, so I throw it in the bathtub to bring it out of retirement. I spread it out to let it drip dry and what should I find?
A hole.
A hole in my yoga mat.
A hole that I can only imagine was chewed into being by one of the tiny critters that occasionally stops into our home for a break from the outdoors.
I don't like what a hole in my yoga mat says about my fitness regimen. I think it's saying not only has my purchased equipment been getting rusty and moth-eaten, but my body's equipment has been doing the same. Clothes aren't fitting. Muscles are feeling stiffer and unused.
So, I'm doing my PM Yoga as a single step toward a better me. If you think this has nothing to do with a spiritual decluttering journey, think again. Two nights in a row, I did this soothing evening meditation, complete with pleasant feelings that go with looking at a lush garden with an ocean in the background. Good stuff.
Last night, I got ready for company. I got some clutter stacks out of the way that I've been trying to go through, dusted, laid out the ingredients for making dinner the following day, bookmarked the recipes I was going to use, and even set the table the night before. This is the kind of thing an organized person does.
Behold the power of a little PM Yoga.
So...there's a hole in my yoga mat. It's probably going to get put in the trash, because I'll never be able to do yoga and not think about a mouse hanging out right where that hole is....but maybe that little hole is the springboard I needed to remember not to let caring for myself be low on the priority list. After all, I'm worth more than a yoga mat. So are the people around me who have to deal with Grouchy McCrankypants whenever she shows up. So, here's to a new day full of soothing music and mindful breathing. Namaste backatcha, yoga lady.
And then life happened. I moved the yoga tape with me, every time I moved, and it sat with all the other unused workout tapes. Same story for the yoga mat.
Recently I've noticed that my temperament is not where I'd like it to be. I feel myself getting angry over small, stupid things. I yell easily. I say horrible things to myself in the mirror about my expanding body. In short, I don't like the state of my spirit. I want to feel more joyful, more buoyant, more like me. So, I've been trying to do some little things to help.
I tried to find my beloved PM Yoga on DVD, but no luck. So, I took a wild risk and found a new one.
The new DVD has a different scene: a lush garden with an ocean vista in the background. Purples, pinks, greens. More like me than the last one, for sure. Similar soothing voice. Similar program. Similar feel-good-feeling when I'm done. Nice. Just one problem. Where is the yoga mat? I remember it got put downstairs with all the fitness equipment. It's got some crud on it, so I throw it in the bathtub to bring it out of retirement. I spread it out to let it drip dry and what should I find?
A hole.
A hole in my yoga mat.
A hole that I can only imagine was chewed into being by one of the tiny critters that occasionally stops into our home for a break from the outdoors.
I don't like what a hole in my yoga mat says about my fitness regimen. I think it's saying not only has my purchased equipment been getting rusty and moth-eaten, but my body's equipment has been doing the same. Clothes aren't fitting. Muscles are feeling stiffer and unused.
So, I'm doing my PM Yoga as a single step toward a better me. If you think this has nothing to do with a spiritual decluttering journey, think again. Two nights in a row, I did this soothing evening meditation, complete with pleasant feelings that go with looking at a lush garden with an ocean in the background. Good stuff.
Last night, I got ready for company. I got some clutter stacks out of the way that I've been trying to go through, dusted, laid out the ingredients for making dinner the following day, bookmarked the recipes I was going to use, and even set the table the night before. This is the kind of thing an organized person does.
Behold the power of a little PM Yoga.
So...there's a hole in my yoga mat. It's probably going to get put in the trash, because I'll never be able to do yoga and not think about a mouse hanging out right where that hole is....but maybe that little hole is the springboard I needed to remember not to let caring for myself be low on the priority list. After all, I'm worth more than a yoga mat. So are the people around me who have to deal with Grouchy McCrankypants whenever she shows up. So, here's to a new day full of soothing music and mindful breathing. Namaste backatcha, yoga lady.
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