Today I must admit I had a meltdown at the gym. I was exercising on 4 hours of sleep and for some reason the weight of 2 years of efforts felt heavy on my shoulders. All of the trials of the last year hit me and I started to cry. We were actually just talking about a Christmas party tonight and trying to figure out food strategy when it all hit me- all the difficulties, all the pain, all the moments of denial. If I’m honest with myself I am not physically where I thought I’d be at the end of 2 years of training. My body takes it’s sweet-sweet time changing; however, I have done all I can do.
As I was tearing up a question came into my mind- Does the Journey Seem Long? Yes, it does! It’s a great journey but sometimes it does seem long. Driving home I realized this question is the beginning to a hymn I love. I started to sing it and felt immediate comfort. I think it was one of those tender mercies from the Lord. The fact that I would think of that song at that moment is one more example that Jesus Christ loves me intimately and He wants to help me with my journey. I’m so grateful for that. It’s beyond words.
Thank you also to my trainer Michele who has been there to strengthen me physically, spiritually and emotionally. She knows when to get a box of tissues and when to give a hug. I’m so blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord.
1. Does the journey seem long,
The path rugged and steep?
Are there briars and thorns on the way?
Do sharp stones cut your feet
As you struggle to rise
To the heights thru the heat of the day?
2. Is your heart faint and sad,
Your soul weary within,
As you toil ’neath your burden of care?
Does the load heavy seem
You are forced now to lift?
Is there no one your burden to share?
3. Let your heart be not faint
Now the journey’s begun;
There is One who still beckons to you.
So look upward in joy
And take hold of his hand;
He will lead you to heights that are new–
4. A land holy and pure,
Where all trouble doth end,
And your life shall be free from all sin,
Where no tears shall be shed,
For no sorrows remain.
Take his hand and with him enter in.
1. Got home yesterday. Long day at the airport (funny that when I’m volunteering my seat up the wait isn’t so bad because I get a free ticket but if I’m delayed its torture!). Fun trip visiting the fam and my parents. I particularly enjoyed spending 2 nights with my sister and her family. I find I get more out of one-on-one interactions rather than chaotic groups. Its hard to go from being the sole ruler of my roost to being surrounded by people. Does it seem selfish to say that? Oh well, its true.
2. Thanks to my Dad who gave up his bed and slept on the floor so I would have a place to sleep for 2 of the nights home. Thanks Dad! I had a great time at the Turkey Trot and totally want to do it next year but it was very exacting on my body. I had serious pain for 3 days. It hurt to sit up, move, walk, do anything. Having sleep on a comfortable bed was essential to my muscle recovery.
3. I am not good at hiding my emotions. Never have been. If I’m hungry, tired, upset, frustrated, or in pain most people know. I try to keep it inside and ‘be a trooper’ but I can never seem to pull it off. Thank goodness I have understanding family and friends. I suppose this is one benefit of living alone. I can moan and groan all I want to myself!
4. I must express my doubts about the sugar fast. It doesn’t seem to be changing my cravings. I still crave sweets bad and when I eat them they taste just as great as they did before…I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up! If I’m honest I really kind of hate it. I hate dieting in general because I feel it excludes me from a full life experience. Still, I suppose it is a necessary evil.
5. Good news on the Poler front! We had a very successful Black Friday sales weekend and are looking forward to a great Christmas season. There are still bugs to work out but congrats to my the Poler team for a great start! Particular shout out to my brother who has worked so hard on this new company.
6. I am setting up my tree tomorrow! Can’t wait. Its a tight squeeze with my new sofa but I will make it work.
7. Speaking of new furniture I made one black friday purchase- a new ottoman for my main room. Now I have one for each sofa. Isn’t it pretty and only $73! Thank you Walmart! (Yes, I am a Walmart shopper. In fact, I think they get a bum rap. They have reasonable insurance for their employees, livable wages and their products are in general good quality. I’ve actually been more impressed with their furniture/decor items than Ikea or Target and really are either of those 2 companies any less of a corporate giant?).
8. It has actually happened, my friends, I don’t have to convince myself to exercise anymore! For literally years it was a chore to get my but out the door. This week I realized I actually want to go and feel remorse when I can’t go. This is particularly true for swimming (which I haven’t done for over a week 😦 ). I really miss it when I can’t do it. I was going to swim on Thursday with my friends but then there ended up being work commitments and I can’t go. The person asked “Do you have to go swim?”. Its honestly like asking if I need to eat lunch. Well, technically I could survive without it but I will miss it!
9. I decided during this trip that I am going to start walking/running once a week from now on. With how difficult my recovery was from the 5k I need to work out those walking muscles more often. Walking is such an easy thing to do while traveling and swimming is very difficult (at least in the winter). Anyone want to be my weekly walking buddy?
10. My friends are going to swim the Great Salt Lake through the Winter. They have a group called the Wasatch Front Polar Bear Club. They have already swam in 46 degree water! I think it would be a fun adventure to join with them but my fibromyalgia would be super painful. Its just not worth it for the rush.
11. Don’t get me wrong I’m grateful but having 4 mini-jobs can be stressful. I feel a little stretched each and every way. Especially coming home from a trip is always rough. I worked a lot this trip but it never seems to be quite enough. At least I don’t have to push myself like some of the other people in my company.
I used to think I wanted to be an ambitious business leader but I really am glad to be free from the stress and pressure. I am happy with my little roles and the difference I make. I will be grateful when the routine of Poler is set in stone and when other pending issues are finalized. (I have my employee review next Monday. Here’s to hoping I do well and maybe even get a raise! Haven’t had one in 2 years).
Do you think because I’m not the dynamic business woman or politician I dreamed of as a child I’m a bit of a sell-out? Are we not all sell-outs in one way or another as adults…?
12. Lately I’ve been fascinated with the Revolutionary generation. Last year I read a book called Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts and loved it. Now we are rereading that for my book club. I have also been reading Founding Brothers by Joseph Elis and am enjoying that. It goes into great depth into many things I didn’t know much about such as Washington’s Farewell Address, Benjamin Franklin’s support of abolition, the controversy of Jay’s Treaty.
It also elaborates on topics I did know about such as the friendship/feud between Adams and Jefferson, Jefferson’s strategy as the first party politician, James Madison’s skillful quiet power, Abigail Adams role in her husbands presidential cabinet and more. It is so interesting. As I’ve read I keep coming up with parallels to the issues facing politicians and the similar strategies used to win elections that still exist today. Its amazing how with all that’s changed some things never change.
13. Don’t mean to end on a somber note but I can’t begin to describe how disgusted I am with what’s gone on at Penn State. I was horrified to see people cheering for anyone even remotely involved in this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts should be on the victims, not on football. I love sports but let’s have a bit of perspective people!
14. Finally I am a little sad because I now have 2 months left in my current ward. In January I turn the big 31 and that means I am out of the single adult ward. I can either go to the midsingles or the family ward. Haven’t decided what I will do. Any experiences either way? I’d love to hear them. Our midsingles ward has over 600 people so honestly I’m afraid of getting lost with either choice.
I guess I will just have to be extra vigilant in making friends and being outgoing. (Maybe my new ottoman will help with that!). I’m sincerely sorry to be leaving my ward and particularly my calling. It has been a wonderful sanctuary from a year that has been one of the toughest of my life. I will always be grateful for home and visiting teachers, RS President and bishop who took care of me when I really needed it. Thanks!
15. I wish I could be in Hawaii right now…but that’s pretty much true of every day of my life!
16. Saw 2 movies over the break, Hugo and Muppets Movie. Enjoyed both. Hugo was a work of art in movie form; however, a little slow and I don’t know if I ever bonded to any of the characters. Movies are played as an unmitigated good in the plot and while I enjoy a good movie I don’t know if they are as important as Hugo would have you believe. Still, well worth a viewing. See it in 3D if you can. One of the best uses of 3D I’ve ever seen. It didn’t have the murkiness of most 3D.
The Muppets movie was GREAT!! I loved it. I thought it was funny, I loved the music, and the whole thing made me smile throughout. While I think children will enjoy it I think it is designed for young adults my age. There were tons of references to the Muppets I knew growing up and I found them all charming. I just really loved it.
17. No I did not see Breaking Dawn.
18. Best movies I’ve seen this year- The Help, Midnight in Paris and Harry Potter. Favorite performances so far Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain in The Help, Alan Rickman in Harry Potter, Corey Stoll as Ernest Hemmingway in Midnight in Paris. Best animated movie by far Winnie the Pooh (best soundtrack also)
19. Finally, I went speed dating a couple of weeks ago and actually had a good time. However, I definitely realized that my fear of animals is totally not normal! Btw, if that thing in Ohio with the exotic animals had happened by me I think I’d have a heart attack. There are 911 calls of people saying ‘I’m on the freeway and just saw a lion’. Can you imagine?
20. Do you like the cool new theme for the blog? Got to switch things up every now and then. I am trying to figure out why I got double the hits this same time last year? Tell me blog readers what have I done differently? 🙂
21. One last thing- a couple of weeks ago I gave my phone number out to a boy for the first time in my life. It felt totally cliched but I was proud of myself. He never called but hey its a step in the right direction! Probably sad that it took me to age 30 to do that. Oh well!
Happy Thanksgiving! In years past I have posted a blog of things I am thankful for. This year I have been updating facebook and twitter with things I am grateful for all month so I don’t feel a need to do a post like that this year. Let me just do a quick update.
We just finished a delicious Thanksgiving meal (we always eat in 2 phases meal and a couple of hours later pie!). Now we are sitting together chatting and sharing memories. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. I was in charge of the mashed potatoes- a food I have not eaten in months and yes it is just as delicious as I remembered! If anything absence has made the heart grow fonder!
I got a little over-zealous in the mashed potato making and you should have seen the giant bowl of leftovers (thank goodness I get 2 days off my diet, so I can eat some tomorrow! Yum!). I was also in charge of the pumpkin and lemon meringue pies. I purchased the pumpkin pie but the lemon meringue was from scratch and a lot of work (it has so many steps, zest and squeeze lemons, make crust, lemon curd and meringue. ). It was exhausting but a lot of fun.
Lemon meringue is my favorite pie and what I’ve had for my birthday for years and years. I like it with lots of lemon juice- very tart! After being on a sweet fast for the month it was great to have lots of pie. I know my trainer was hoping it wouldn’t taste good anymore. Sadly that is not the case! It’s still delicious but it is nice to know the pie was earned.
This morning started off with a bang. Trying to justify a day of bingeing I organized a group of us to go to the Folsom Turkey Trot. This was a 5k run/walk (I speed-walked it. 5k in 1 hour 27 seconds which I thought was pretty good). The proceeds from the race go to the local food bank and despite some rain it was a fun activity. It always warms my heart to think of all the volunteers and work that went into making a community event like the turkey trot happen.
I am very grateful for all who sacrifice to make our communities better. It makes me want to do more to contribute. It is also nice during this day of feasting to do something that helps those in need. Especially during the holidays those that do not have enough food to eat or money to buy presents feel it acutely. I loved participating in the race and I hope it becomes a tradition at our Thanksgiving celebrations.
Needless to say after a day with a 5k and then cooking all day I am tuckered out! My feet hurt and I feel like I could fall asleep now. Nevertheless my fatigue has not diminished my enjoyment of the day and my realization of the many blessings I have in my life.
I am so grateful for all my friends and family and their support. I am thankful for good health and a body that keeps allowing me to push it day in and day out. I’m grateful for the great and difficult experiences of the past year. My story feels different than ever before. I was a good person before starting my fitness quest but I am more vibrant, layered person now. I love that!
I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. Love you!
ps. I am doing a Christmas Swimfest on Dec 17th at 9:30 am at Gene Fullmer Pool. We will have Christmas swim caps and some games (I am renting 2 lanes) and then we will go to Golden Corral for breakfast buffet. It should be a nice chance to engage with one another and have fun. If anyone would like to come let me know so that I get enough caps.
Fa, la, la, la, la. The special time of the year is starting next week with Thanksgiving. I leave on Tuesday for California where I will be visiting my folks along with 4 out of my 5 siblings and their families.
It will be a challenging time for the diet (especially because I found out I gained 10 lbs in October 😦 I don’t know how that happened.). There is so much yummy food at my parents house and being away from my gym is always tough.
At least I get two days next week off of my sugar fast- Thanksgiving and the day after. I am so excited to eat pie! My mother makes the best pie in all the world (I defy anyone to go up against her pies!).
The only pie I’ve ever had that I don’t care for is rhubarb but my favorites are apple, pumpkin and lemon meringue. I can not make pies like my Mom. Her crusts are so flaky. Yum! (the sad part is my Mom can’t eat her pies any more because she is gluten intolerant. Sad story!)
Anyway, one thing that will hopefully keep my mind off of food and give me a break from work is the beginning of the holiday film season. I am an unabashed Christmas movie geek. I like all levels of seasonal films everything from sublime classics like Its a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street to Hallmark made for TV movies like The Town Christmas Forgot or the Christmas Shoes…
I think part of the reason I love Christmas movies is that I spend many holiday nights alone, which is fine with me but the holidays can feel a little lonely sometimes. It can be a little bit sad to not have a special person/children to buy presents for or start new traditions.
I have my own traditions such as going to Christmas Carol at Hale Theater or the Messiah Sing in but I still like the hominess and comfort that a Christmas movie brings. (Hopefully that doesn’t sound too pathetic!)
As I’ve mentioned on this blog before I also LOVE any retelling of the Christmas Carol. From Mickey, to the Muppetts, to George C. Scott, I have never met a Christmas Carol that I didn’t love. I find the story of redemption and hope through Christ (in the form of Christmas) so moving. I even liked the most recent animated version with a very subdued Jim Carey (I had my doubts going into it but its great!).
I wager to say I have seen every non-R rated Christmas movie (sorry friends haven’t seen Bad Santa or the recent Harold and Kumar. You will have to go to another blog for those reviews). From all of those movies I have whittled it down to a top 10 list, so that you can easily make your Yuletide viewing choices. (Some of them I mentioned above)
1. Its a Wonderful Life- So moving. The classic of the desperate George Bailey who hates his job, is tired of his family and has just lost a great deal of money. As a youth he dreamed of doing something great and exciting but ended up saddled at his father’s business while his younger brother went off to see the world. I think this movie is so widely viewed because George’s situation is universally relatable.
I don’t care how grand your life is every one has days where they feel discouraged and frustrated with the course of their life. As we watch George get his gift of perspective (life without his presence) all of us take pause for a moment and remember how blessed we truly are and that we matter to the world. Make sure to watch it in the beautiful black and white- none of this terrible colorized print. Same is true for the next film
2. Miracle on 34th St- The classic tale of the little girl and her workaholic Mom who don’t believe in magic or Santa. Edmund Gwen won a best supporting Oscar for his portrayal as St. Nick as well as wins for the screenplay and story. Natalie Wood is excellent as the little girl and the whole movie has a depth to it not found in most holiday romance pictures. Its wonderful. (Is available right now as a stream from Netflix)
3. Christmas Carol (1951 and 1984). As noted above, I love any version of the Christmas Carol. My two favorite are probably from 1951 starring Alastair Sim and 1984 starring George C. Scott. In both of these versions the true Christian message of the book is brought out not just the cheerful holiday tone. Again, I love the story of redemption and that no one is a lost cause with Christ’s help. The Jim Carey version is available right now as a stream from Netflix and well worth your time)
4. White Christmas- I know the plot is contrived and ridiculous but who watches a movie like this for the plot? Its all about the wonderful Irving Berlin music from talents like Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney and the amazing, over the top dance numbers from Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen. So many classic songs like Count Your Blessings, Sisters, Best Things Happen While Your Dancing, and of course the title number White Christmas. So great!
5. Christmas Story- Some people in my family don’t like this movie but I think it is very funny. I like the sarcastic tone of the narrator as little Ralphie schemes for his Red Ryder air rifle. With all the laughs there are also moments of subtlety and tenderness particularly in the scenes between mother and son after Ralphie’s big fight with the bully.
6. Elf- A movie that should have been terrible but actually works. Enjoying this movie entirely depends on whether you think Will Farrell is funny. I happen to, so I love this movie. Zooey Deschanel is wonderful as the love interest and James Caan hilarious as Buddy’s workaholic father. Elf wrings out every possible joke it can and about 85% made me laugh so I’d say that’s a winner.
7. Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966). One of the few Christmas movies I don’t like is the live action version of this wonderful animated short, based on Dr. Seuss’s Christmas story of a monster Grinch who decides to ruin Christmas by stealing all the presents. Every attempt they have made of updating Seuss just doesn’t work.
First of all, his books are short and do not stretch to a 2 hour running time. Secondly, what is charming in drawing form looks bizarre and twisted in human form. For example, the Who’s in the book/animated short are cute and cuddly; where in the live action they look like strange deformed pigs. Anyway, the classic music from Boris Karloff makes this short truly memorable.
8. A Charlie Brown Christmas- Who doesn’t have a soft spot for the brood from Peanuts (a name Charles Shultz always hated)? Snoopy, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Linus and of course Charlie Brown are part of most American childhoods. This animated short is near perfect. Vince Guaraldi’s wonderful music is practically synonymous with the holidays and whether it is Charlie Brown’s love for a sad small tree or the work kids do to put on the yearly pageant this film is sweet and perfect for Christmas. (Its kind of sad that nobody would think of doing a Christmas pageant any more in a public school…)
9. The Shop Around the Corner- While not technically a Christmas movie, it is set during the holidays and selecting gifts proves a critical plot point. The story is that Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan hate working together but are secretly cherished pen pals to each other.
You’ve Got Mail was adapted from this movie and I love both versions. However, The Shop Around the Corner goes a bit darker at points than You’ve Got Mail. The incidents involving Stewart’s boss and a suspected affair are moving and balance out the witty, more frothy parts. These movies explore the idea of work and what value we get from our work and working relationships. I love movies about work.
10. So many I could pick for the last spot Polar Express, Scrooged, Meet Me in St. Louis, Love Actually, Little Women, Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone, Christmas in Connecticut, Christmas Vacation and even the trite but fun The Holiday (and don’t forget those stop motion shorts- especially the one about the island of misfit toys).
All good picks but I will chose a lesser known films, Joyeux Noel. This beautiful movie tells the story of a ‘Christmas truce’ between the Scot/French troops and their German enemies in WWI. This begins as a German opera singer starts singing Silent Night for his troops and others join in.
Eventually the soldiers meet and agree to a Christmas cease fire zone where good wishes and Christmas treats are shared between opposing sides. It may sound cloying but its not. Its beautiful and tender and does not necessarily have a happy ending. However, to be catapulted back into the realities of war does not disturb the power of one moment of peace. Very good film that originally had an R rating (crazy!) but it was changed to a PG-13.
So that’s my list. I hope you all have as much fun watching holiday movies as I will. In fact, if you are in town join me for a viewing! I can’t promise the treats will be good but we can enjoy some wonderful, faith-filled, Christmas films.
Today was the last swimming event of 2011. 😦 What a great year it has been! I seriously don’t know how I would have gotten through all of the challenges this year if I hadn’t rediscovered swimming. It has been the avenue to so many wonderful friends and (forgive me for sounding corny) but the emergence of a swim family in my life. I am so grateful to everyone that has volunteered, encouraged, befriend and swam with me!
The meet today was in Bountiful at the South Davis Recreation Center. What an amazing facility. The pools (yes, pools) are massive and there are racquetball, basketball and volleyball courts, as well as fitness equipment. Pretty great! One nice thing about Utah is most towns have these rec centers and for a small fee you can use all of the centers in the county as much as you’d like. I don’t know where the local municipalities get the money but they are fantastic! (Talk about a great way to encourage athletic activity in your town!)
So, this meet was the biggest of the season and definitely the most crowded. I think there were 5 or 6 heats for the 50 free! It was great seeing a bunch of my swim friends; although, I wish more of the open water community came out for the meets. We miss you! I got to carpool up with my friends Kate and Erin. I should have taken a photo but it was wonderful to visit with them. It was also fun to see Josh (and win a free cap) and meet Matt fro the first time. I even was able to introduce myself to some new friends.
I particularly love when people are swimming in their first race/meet. I feel almost like I did as a missionary welcoming a new investigator to church. I just want them to have a great experience and be welcomed by me, like I was welcomed by others.
This meet was special because my sister Anna came up for it from Provo. She stayed the night in my guest room (which is open for any of you who want to visit!) and then she drove up for the meet. It was one of the first time’s that any of my family have been to a swim meet/race. Even in high school with a new baby it was hard to get family members out to my meets. It really meant a lot to me to have family cheering me on. She said it was one of the first athletic events she has ever been to where she’s been cheering for someone. I guess that says something on how athletic my family is! I was grateful for her presence. Thanks!
I swam in 3 events and was nervous about my performance as practice has been quite brutal lately. Between my business trip and the tonsillitis I had gone 2 weeks without a swim. I was also taking a strong antibiotic called clindamycin which caused my blood sugars to be high and my whole demeanor to be low energy (not to mention my body was fighting off tonsillitis.
When I went for my first swim last Friday it was brutal. My arms felt like weights, the water like glue. It was so hard to even get through a 200 m. Nevertheless, I pushed forward and swam/worked out every day this week. I am proud to say I had a 4 swim/5 workout week! I say this with particular pride because never were the routines more difficult to get through. At times it was very discouraging but I persisted on.
I was still unsure whether I would have the energy to get through my races today. I didn’t’ want to re-injure myself as I am just today getting off the antibiotic but I wanted to do my best. Fortunately the first race was my 50 free. I was unaware my heat was starting and had to dash to the diving board. As I was climbing up they blew the whistle making me a few seconds behind on my start. My ending time was 52 seconds which I am happy with given the circumstances (my best is 49 seconds which I think I would have matched without the slow start).
Next up was the 50 fly. I really had doubts on my ability to finish a lap of fly but I pushed through and completed my swim 5 seconds faster than my previous time!
My last race was the 500 meters. It is the longest race of the day and a huge challenge. It may seem odd that a 500 would be hard when I’ve swam 1.2 miles. The pace is much faster and the addition of flip turns, which sap energy, makes it actually a little bit more difficult in some ways. Anna was my counter and I think I felt everyone’s encouragement. Still, by about lap 13 my legs were burning and my lungs felt heavy. I said to myself 3 laps left. You can do this!
I would have been happy just to finish but I improved by about 20 seconds off of my last time! I’m so thrilled!
this may be my favorite photo ever. I think it is such a genuine smile because I am so genuinely happy!
Originally I had thoughts of doing the 200 meters but after the 500 I felt spent and I didn’t want to push my luck. Anna and I drove home and went to Cafe Rio where I downed a whole wheat chicken burrito (no rice, double beans!). It was a lunch well deserved. What a wonderful day with friends, family, and swimming. Perfect!
I look forward to the QUAC meet in February. Wish there was one in January but I’ll have to make do with practice. Thanks again to everyone who helped with today’s meet and all of the Utah Masters and Utah Open Water events I’ve participated in. It is great!
Excuse just a little bit more venting. My trainer and I were talking today and she told me about this trainer that she knows who was spouting off about how we should ‘look at food as a survival tool, nothing more.” We both agreed that this is the stupidest thing We’ve ever heard.
It may be true that food should be less important, more neutral in our lives and that emotions attached to food can often be dangerous; however, to pretend that food should have no impact on our lives is just denying reality.
It is impossible to talk about any culture without discussing food. Most historical events are tangled up with food. I can’t think of a single tradition that does not involve food or food traditions. When was the last time you saw someone blowing out a pile of rocks? No, its cake people! Every culture that I am aware has food involved in the celebration of weddings, birthdays, Christmas, harvest etc. To pretend that this connection is unnecessary is stupid and naive.
Some may argue that we put too much of an emphasis on food, or that we don’t appreciate it enough because of our lack of farm to table produce. To these people I would heartedly agree. We use food as a reward too frequently and we could tone down the number and boost the quality of the food celebrations we participate in, but to pretend like this is not a part of human nature is ridiculous.
The thing that gets my goat about is any trainer or health professional who is preaching this type of lifestyle to his or her patrons. They are setting them up for failure. Its like the people who push the green drink (or any other radical change diet). Yes, you will lose weight, yes it may even be healthy but it does not work with the culture we live in. It does not accept reality, work with it, and create a real solution. I am so glad my trainer gets it.
You may ask- what about my sugar fast? Is this not denying reality? There is some truth to that, and I have struggled with such a drastic lifestyle change (and not been perfect I might add); however, it is not a permanent fix. We are attempting to change my habits and cravings so that when I immerse myself completely in my world I can make better choices. I am also just trying to get through the holidays with as few cheats as possible. I have no delusions that this is a better way to live or that I would even want to keep it up for an extended period of time.
If someone was planning on doing a sugar fast long term I would strongly discourage them. We have an entire organ in our body basically designed to taste food- all types of food. That’s why we have sweet, salty, bitter taste buds and we should engage all of them. Food is part of the human experience and as healthy individuals we simply have to learn to control the times we do engage and keep a healthy overall lifestyle.
Its like people that argue we should only live with the bare essentials. If that was the case I suppose we don’t need music, art, theater, or literature to survive. The difference between humans and animals is that we don’t just survive, we don’t act on mere instinct, but we engage socially, politically and culturally on a daily basis. Someone like a Mozart or a Julia Child may not be necessarily for human survival but I sure am grateful for them!
Ok. So, in conclusion- food is a real part of our lives. To deny this fact is foolish and to teach it is irresponsible. We must learn to work with food and create a dynamic interesting life. It is difficult to do but with the support of loved one’s, competent trainers, health professionals and friends I am confident each of us can find that balance by enjoying food but not frequently overindulging.
As I mentioned in my fall TV review I have gotten totally hooked on this season of The Sing Off. It is an acapella singing competition where the singers have to be everything- the band, accompaniment, leads, everything with their voices. This is the third season of the show but I had never watched it before but this season they got a new judge- my favorite Sara Barielles.
They also got my old favorite Vocal Point- a BYU institution for 20 years. I used to love going to Acapellafest on campus each year and hearing Vocal Point among other talented local acapella groups. Now they have made it on to the show, the Sing Off on NBC. Each one of their performances (with possibly the exception of hip-hop week) has been great! They are fun, energetic and can’t help but make you smile.
In my opinion I think they are much better than any of the other groups. Certainly more entertaining! Petnatonix is looking strong but I prefer Vocal Point. The truth is I am completely partial to anything BYU. Just like with the American Olympic team, I want us to win everything! The thing I wish I could tell people is there are tons of groups like Vocal Point in Utah (they had an entire Acapellafest every year if that tells you something!).
There is so much musical talent at BYU. All the choirs, musical theater, acapella, battle of the bands are great! I feel privileged to be an alumni of such an awesome school with so many honorable, wonderful people. I am sure every school has their bad apples but so many of the BYU graduates I have interacted with over the years have been awesome, outstanding individuals. (we also have created a few good football and basketball players over the years!)
Plus, how terrific is it that they have group prayer and express their faith on national TV? So great!
This was from the most recent episode:
Singing Elvis! (I swear they get the best song choices each week).
My favorite of all their performances. I was swooning along with Sara!
Footloose! Kick off your Sunday shoes (ironic for a BYU group!)
I never thought I would like a Justin Bieber song but I just love this!
If you haven’t gotten into it watch the Sing Off on Monday evenings. (It broke into my Monday slot. That took some work!). My only criticism is all the judges are so nice. It can be a bit startling when they vote someone off because they have just said all these nice things about them.
I was going to entitle this post “Things I Hate” but then backed down from it. Let’s just say I want to share some things that irritate me. Please don’t be offended or take it too seriously. It’s all just little irritants.
So here goes. Things that drive me crazy:
1. People that assume obese people just need to ‘get up off their buts’ and all their problems would magically melt away.
2. People that assume skinny people are healthy
I hate dieting
3. Anyone who makes exercise seem easy. If I lost a pound everytime someone said ‘lose 10 lbs in 10 days’ I’d be half my weight.
4. Anyone who makes dieting sound easy.
5. People who feel sorry for me because I am single and oh wouldn’t I be happier with a man.
6. People that assume I will meet someone just because I lost weight. Tell that to all my married plus size girlfriends and my single skinny friends.
7. People that assume I have tons of free time because I am single.
I hate dieting
8. People who think I don’t work as hard because I telecommute (try having your job staring you in the face 24/7)
9. People who think a single woman over 30 must be a lesbian if she doesn’t date.
10. The stereotype of the bitter, lonely, cold, icy, working woman. (Seriously, how many movies do we have to see that in?)
11. That an overweight person is somehow less intelligent, caring, diligent or thoughtful because of their weight.
I hate dieting
12. That diabetes is the fault of the individual not genetics. Really isn’t stigma just another word for stereotype? How about instead of treating someone as less because of their disease we support them.
13. People who lump the tea party in with terrorists, extremists, fascists. Disagree with their ideas fine but let’s only call actual terrorists, terrorists.
14. People who cant rationally discuss a topic without getting defensive or resorting to name calling. (I hate it when the only thing people will talk about is movies or gossip. I like talking about movies but have something to say about them and be prepared to discuss your opinion.)
I hate dieting
15. People who flake out on group projects, callings, assignments. I hate it when I have to babysit or micromanage others.
16. People that are compliment ruiners (“Its no big deal”).
17. Also, one-uper’s. Meaning someone I tell I swam 1.2 miles and they say “I backpacked 20 miles for 10 days in the desert sun…”)
18. People who spend more time reading about Kim Kardashian then actual important issues such as the problems in Europe or Libya.
I hate dieting
19. People who talk during movies or criticize what I’m watching on television while I’m watching it. I don’t need the audio commentary!
20. People who tell me I’m throwing my money away on rent. Tell that to all the people in Vegas who have seen home devaluation by 66% since 2007!
Anyway, that’s off my chest. What things drive you up the wall? Most of these items are culturally based stereotypes or assumptions. This makes them especially difficult to counteract.
Oscar Wilde said “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” Do you think that is true?
I used to think I was an exciting and adventurous person. As a child I could see myself traipsing off to Paris, Rome and the tropics (I evidently also saw an unending bank account!) and trying new and daring things like scuba diving, mountain climbing and cliff jumping (scuba diving is still a goal of mine). I also thought I would be living in New York, DC or possibly abroad….
While I think there is value in new experiences, I have learned as an adult that I am the near-opposite of the vision for myself I had as a child. I hate surprises, am completely unspontaneous and will always take the sure thing over an unknown. Perhaps this is a safe way to live life but if it is what gives you happiness can that be bad?
Rather than being safe I look at it as knowing what I like and being confident in those choices. For example, I have read North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell at least 3 times a year for the last 4 years and I probably will continue reading it over again for the rest of my life. I love the experience of reading that book and have yet to find a replacement that is as satisfactory. (I was just talking to a girl who said she has never reread a book in her life. I wouldn’t read much if that was my philosophy!)
For me repetition does not diminish a good experience. The things I like I could do again and again. I honestly think I could eat a jamba juice every day of my life and never tire of it, or spaghetti, or subs. I love Hawaii and really feel no desire to vacation anywhere else. I think about going somewhere new and while that sounds exciting my heart keeps tugging me back to Hawaii. Its what I know I will love and just like Gaskell or jamba juice there is some comfort in a sure thing.
I have always loved to swim and whether it be boating, open water, ocean or pool, I love being in the water. I could swim every day for the rest of my life and never tire of it. Sometimes I wonder if I should take up other sports just to keep challenging myself but there isn’t anything else I feel a desire to do. All I want to do is swim! (In fact, every other athletic activity is somewhat repellent to me including things everyone loves like hiking or dancing).
With movies and television you can see this personality trait. I’ve seen Bringing up Baby, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and You’ve Got Mail untold numbers of times and I still love all 3 and could watch them again right now without any reduction in viewing enjoyment. The other day I watched the new season of the Simpsons and it is still making me laugh after 22 years. Same basic gags but if they work, they work.
Other examples are in music. I’ve had a playlist I made a year or so ago that is my go-to. It has all of my favorite songs and I put it on recycle and listen to it again and again. The other day I was driving with my sister and she said “Can we listen to something other than the playlist that you have on all the time”. Sometimes I forget that not everyone enjoys repetition the way I do!
In the first area of my mission there was a sandwich shop we would frequent and every time we went I got a reuben sandwich. Finally my companion in frustration said “try something different why don’t you!”. So I did and you know what- it wasn’t as good as the reuben and I left the store wishing I had gotten the sure thing.
What do you think of this trait? Some might say “I’m in a rut” but I see it as being self-aware and cognizant of what makes me happy. Besides, isn’t there a point in life where you stop trying to figure out what you love and just love the things you have? But on the other side I sometimes worry that I don’t push myself and end up as a boring person, which is not what I want.
A few years ago my friend Camille did a post of things we may not know about her and despite knowing her for years and living with her for 2 as a roommate, there were several things on the list that I didn’t know. I tried to come up with such a list and it was an epic failure. I couldn’t think of anything about myself that my friends didn’t know. Not one thing! I am the lamest person to play truth or dare with because I really have nothing interesting to tell! Being so predictable and open seems like a bad thing?
My friend Raelene has this bucket list of all these things she wants to do in life- the places she wants to go, experiences to have, possessions/homes she’d like to gain. I have never been this type of dreamer. I am content with what I’ve got and honestly feel no desire to have much more. If it happens that’s great but I could live in my apartment, by myself, with an occasional trip to Hawaii and be perfectly content for the rest of my life.
Most girls I know hate being single and daydream of a different life. I really don’t. I like my life. Its a sure thing and in some ways getting married would be super scary (although if the experience happens that would be great but adapting to a whole new life would be hard). If it happens that’s great but if it doesn’t I’m fine too.
Thoughts? Do you think consistency is good or bad thing? Should I feel compelled to ‘break out of my shell’ or am I fine just the way I am? What do you think about your life and being ‘in a rut’?
So I have to admit I have been feeling a little down the last few days. Its just hard to have a sore throat and I feel like this whole year has been so chocked full of challenges. It just seems such a cruel trick that the year I try the hardest to get in shape is the year my body falls apart on me. In one year I’ve fallen down a flight of stairs injuring my spine, had surgery on my eye, been diagnosed with diabetes and fibromyalgia and had tonsillitis repeatedly.
I know I’ve had many triumphs including finishing my races, making tons of new swim friends, downgrading diabetes diagnosis to a less than pre-diabetic level, but it has been a tough year. Let no man deny me that! Anyway, I was driving home from taking my brother to the airport today stuck in bumper to bumper traffic feeling sorry for myself when I turned on the radio to hear a traffic update. The traffic reporter got on and for each area he had the same diagnosis:
“It’s not as bad as it could be but plan on extra time.”
For some reason this struck me as hilarious, particularly for a traffic reporter. How is it helpful for me driving to know it isn’t as bad as it could be? That doesn’t tell me if there is construction or an accident or if there is an alternate route to take but in a way it is helpful. As bad as life can get “its not as bad as it could be”.
It just made me laugh and count my many, many blessings. Its funny how a little thing like that can pick you up and make you think isn’t it? Tomorrow I have to get back to work on the Poler products because people are waiting for me to learn how to invoice and create purchase orders (it really was a bad week to be sick). I hope I can keep this positive message in mind as I am sure it will be a long day. “Its not as bad as it could be”
Rachel's Musings 