Rest, Regression, and a Rant

Guess what? Today is Wednesday, which means that by last year's standards (and the few years before that) I should be a sleepy, weepy, grumpy, dopey basket case. Not this year though! The Dwarves of Misery have been evicted from my psyche, and all it took was a New Year's resolution. I only made one this year, and it goes like this:

My health and fitness comes first.

I still get a twinge of discomfort from typing that out or saying it out loud because it feels very weird to not put everyone's needs ahead of my own...but really, what good am I to anyone if I haven't looked after myself? If I'm not practicing what I preach? So this year, I've resolved to be better, and what that means is I must learn to sleep. So far, it's going pretty well - I love being able to think clearly! Who'd have thought that having a fixed bedtime would make such a difference? The trick I haven't been able to nail down yet is actually getting to sleep when I go to bed...but that's coming.

Day 3, Workout 3 - Tuesday night taekwondo class

This one's for my daughter #1, Shannon. I get unlimited inspiration from both of my kids (Sarah will get a workout later on too), but this one's for Shannon because she is a mini-me: we share the same kind of temperament, the same worries and insecurities, and...the same body type. We are in taekwondo class together largely because I want her to love her body, to enjoy being strong and fit, and to get good at a sport she's physically suited to. I love working out with her, and I am so, so proud of her. Oh no, tears! Tee hee! Moving on to today....

Day 4, Workout 4

Light arm work/cardio
45sec work/15sec rest
1. Jump Rope
2. Dumbell Bicep Curls
3. Overhead Tricep Extensions
4. Kettlebell Swings
5. Dumbell Lateral Raises
6. Stability Ball Mountain Climbers

Argh. Okay, this one was not a huge challenge, which is both good and bad. It's good because really, I probably shouldn't be working my arms at all, and I didn't feel like I did any further damage to my left arm today. Also, today is Wednesday which is typically a rest day so it was good to do something that made me kinda sweaty without leaving my old booty too worn out.

Sounds like there's a 'but' coming...and here it is:

Ha, just kidding. All booty jokes aside though...
 Dealing with a long-term-ish injury has been frustrating at best. Watching my upper body atrophy has been driving me bonkers, but has also provided me with the opportunity to test my tolerance (mentally and physically) of regression. I'll talk about this more as I get into building back up again, but for now I have to say a huge thank-you to Georgie Fear, my nutrition coach! She has really been the voice of reason throughout all this. She has helped me let go of the aggravation of not being able to train at the level I'd like, and re-focus my energy on more constructive efforts...so this one's for her. Check out her website here for some great recipes and awesome articles on nutrition. Georgie's the bomb!

And now it's time to sling some shit. Seriously. I am so, so disappointed in Lance Armstrong! Part of me wants to just let him disappear because he doesn't deserve any more media attention...but before he does, he must withstand a tantrum from me. Cause I believed in him! Even when people started to suggest that he might be doping, I was just starting to figure out this getting-fit business, he was one of my greatest inspirations, and I defended him to the last. So to all the people that I argued with, I'm sorry. You were right. And Lance? You suck. That is all.