40’s Better

I just posted to my facebook page "25 random things".  I started off with saying that "I’m ridiculous.  I feel like the energizer bunny without the energy. I’m propelled to keep going out of a fear of failure."  Whew, were did that moment of brutal honesty come from?

At 40 I’m much better and much worse at dealing with this than I was at 20.  In my 20’s I’d give up, guzzle a bottle of scotch and quit my job.  In my 40’s I take on more fitness clients/classes to work on top of my 40 hour/week job. 

I sometimes lose sight of why I do what I do.  I train because I get filled up by giving to others.  I teach because I grow from the experience.  I create physical challenges for myself to deny the fact that I’m aging. I’ve seen this quite often on bodyspace lately, it is about balance.  That is my biggest hurdle; sometimes it just feels like time is ticking.

I can’t sing….http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/video/18567507/index.html

I write 2 blogs. One here that is strictly for me.  I enjoy this website and enjoy reading the articles.  I am often inspired by many who have redesigned their bodies and their lives.

I also write a second blog on blogger.com for my clients and my students.  It’s my way of staying connected with them, sometimes rehashing what we covered in class and helping them to stay motivated.  I get such a kick when then quote things back to me from my blog.  Although I do feel responsible for keeping it updated and fresh.

More than anything my classes and blog have created quite a demand for my training business.  So many of the young women I teach want to train with me to go to the next level, which is awesome.  Unfortunately, I do have a full time job (which provides me with health insurance and 8% no contribute vesting) that requires 40 hrs. a week.  I’m really doing some soul searching to decide if it is time to cut back to working 4 days a week and committing the additional time to my fitness business.  I waiver on excited and scared.  I’d have to find a gym that I could train out of to which I could bring my clients.  Having a background in finance, I’ve already worked the numbers and to see what it would take without the hiccup.  I have to stay positive and believe that it’s just the beginning of the demand.  I sometimes will over extend myself due to the fear that it won’t be there tomorrow…that is not abundant living and I will live abundantly this year.

What would I do without Glutamine???? I’m sure I’d be hurting much, much worse.  I’ve taught classes every day this week and thrown in a couple of extra work outs for myself.  Back, shoulders, butt and tri’s a screaming.

I teach a cardio/sculpt/abs class on Thursdays.  The first time I taught I was wholey unprepared for it so yesterday I was ready.  It kicked my ass, I can imagine how everyone else felt.  That and the fact that I’m filled with antibiotics and decongestant, yum yum yum.

It’s not so much about me anymore.  I do what I do because I really enjoy and reap a lot of benefit by teaching and training.  I’ve gotten a couple of emails this week from students that really touched me.  They told me that I inspired them in my class.  That’s awesome.  If I can make it inspiring, fun and challenging then I feel like I’m doing my job well.

My day job is pretty thankless; I crunch numbers and in this economic environment it is all about the NO.  When I teach and train it’s all about the YES.  Yes, you are strong, yes you look great, yes you can meet that challenge…

It’s good, it’s really, really good.

I love to test myself. My latest challenge to tackle is yoga.  I’m dedicating 2009 to getting reacquainted with it and sitting for my instructor’s test.

I’ve challenged myself to master the crane pose.  I’ve spent the past several months working on my improving my spinning class and have a nice following for my class.  My upper body strength has seriously diminished.  I think this pose will dramatically help!

I hate to get sick, and I’ve got to be really sick to stop or slow down. My lovely little cold has moved into a full blown sinus infection.  I feel like my head is in a bucket of slime….gross.

In honor of my commitment for balance this year, I actually rested yesterday.  Luckily my boys were with their dad so I had the luxury of napping for most of the afternoon.  I even dosed for the 3rd quarter of the game.

I’m going to check in with the doc today and do my best to detoxify and clear out my system so I can get back to my workout plan.

Gotta love the black & gold!  I have a couple of favorites on the team~Hines Ward and James Harrison.  I love that the harder Hines hits or get hits, he smiles.  What a great way to view life!  Isn’t it all about perspective?

James Harrison is a beast!  The thing that I admire about him is humility.  There was recently an article in the paper about him.  He’s the  go to player off the field.  Charlie Batch has a wonderful charity in town and when no one else is able or willing to help out, Harrison always steps.  You never hear about this because he doesn’t want the publicity, he just wants to help. 

These guys remind me to be humble and embrace life.

I’ve been in the doldrums the past few months.  I’m starting to come out of it a bit.  I made the decision last night to put in my year as a yoga student and then take the teacher training course.  My goal for 2009 was to put more balance in my life and I like this direction.  It also makes me a multi faceted instructor and trainer.  I’m particularly a fan of bikram yoga (heated yoga)…it doesn’t hurt when it’s -2 either…gotta love Pittsburgh weather.

GO  STEELERS!!!!

Balance.  Why is it such a struggle.  I’m raising 3 boys, chasing 2 dogs and working 2 jobs.  We’ve also made the decision to reduce our spending, in light of the economic possibilities, by eliminating non~essential things:  cleaning help, gym membership (I have a gym at my work also) and a few other things.

So I wake up early to do a quick work out but the house is a disaster…so I clean instead.  I go to the fitness center at work for a workout for me (not to teach) and I see students who want to ask questions or work out with me.  I want to take a Sunday morning yoga but my husband wants me to stay home and spend time with him.

I get mean when I’m over extended, I’m not fully over extended yet but I’m starting to stretch. 

I was given a wonderful Christmas present this year; it’s a necklace with a graceful charm on it.  On one side it says GRATITUDE and on the other side ABUNDANCE.  I look at this and it reminds to be grateful for the abundance in my life, even if it sometimes overwhelming…..