New Year, New You #4: I’m Back in the Saddle Again…

This episode of the New Year, New You series is all about movement.  I don’t want to use the “e” word because that word comes with way too much baggage.  I kinda fell off the wagon last summer when it got so hot.  There were other reasons, too, but I’ll talk about that another time.  Now with my Babygirl’s wedding less than five months away, I decided I had better get back on it.  I have a goal size for the wedding as opposed to a goal weight.  The particular workout that I use builds lots of core muscle density while burning off pounds, so you can actually weigh more at a smaller size.  I know, right?  “Sounds kinda hinky”, you might be thinking.  I don’t blame you.  I thought the same thing when I first heard about it.  Then after 30 days of doing the 15 minute workout I lost 2 whole dress sizes (almost three-I could get them zipped up but would likely have gotten arrested if I had left the dressing room 🙂 ) and only 2 pounds on the scale.  33 1/4 total inches lost.  Honest.  It really happened.  AND I didn’t even change the way I was eating.  Cross my heart.

This workout is called T-Tapp.  It was developed by Teresa Tapp, an exercise physiologist from Florida (and just a really great human being :)).  You can check out her website for yourself here.  I heard about it on Facebook and decided to give it a try.  I was skeptical at first.  I ordered her book, Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes, and read it 3 or 4 times before I ordered the workout DVD.  The book has the program in great detail in it, but I needed to watch someone do it.  I think I probably watched the workout several times and watched all the interviews with the people on the DVD before I ever actually did it myself.

The first day seemed pretty easy.  The second day I was pretty sore.  On the third day I though all kinds of bad things about her (and her little dogs too!) as I was trying to get out of bed.  The fourth day I repented.  🙂  It is indeed the “workout that works”!  Anyone, no matter your size, fitness level, or disabilities can do this because you do it to your best ability.  Need to stop and catch your breath?  No problem.  Need a drink?  Go get one.  Seriously.  I encourage you to check this out.  I am not an affiliate or anything and I’m not getting paid to say this.  It’s just that good.

And I’ll keep you updated on my progress.  Nothing like a little accountability to keep me motivated!

I shared this at Monday Mania.

Old Dogs, New Tricks, and Other Urban Legends

In my internet browsing recently I have been drawn to several blogs about families’ adventures in homesteading.  I just love the way they are returning to the land and learning about organic gardening, animal husbandry, and traditional foods.  One of my favorites is Katie Riddle’s blog, Riddlelove.  I am living vicariously through them all for sure.  Every time I read one, my heart aches to have my very own piece of land where anything is possible and everything is allowed.

As I was reading the other day, a very disturbing thing happened.  From the deep, dark, recesses of my mind came this ugly, mean, nasty voice.  It said things like, “Don’t you think you’re a little too old for that kind of thing?”.  And, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, ya know”.  After listening to that voice for a few minutes I got really sad.  Maybe that voice was right, maybe I was too old.  Maybe a single woman doesn’t have any business living out in the country.  Blah blah blah blah blah.  I almost started crying over all the reasons this deep, heart-felt desire of mine was a bad idea.

Then I started getting mad.  How dare that ugly voice try to steal my dream!  Just who did that voice belong to anyway?  I don’t believe I’m too old!  I’m not even 50 yet!  And this old mature dog can learn just as many new tricks as she wants to, thank you very much.

Here’s what I learned through this:

1.  The Bible warns us that the devil is here to steal, kill, and destroy.  That includes our dreams and passions,

2.  It’s important that you feed your dream and keep it in front of you, and

3.  It’s really important that you guard your dream and don’t let anyone talk you out of it.

So, next time you begin to hear that nasty voice trying to talk you out of your dream go get your pointy toed shoes on and kick some devil hinny!  And dream on, Baby, dream on!

Thankful Thursday #8

Today I am thankful for drains that actually, well, drain.  That’s not something I think about much really.  I just run water down the drain and assume it’s going to go where it’s supposed to.   Over the weekend we had a cold snap with a few inches of snow and everything.  So much for it being mild the rest of the winter.  🙂  Anyway, whether it was frozen or just blocked I don’t know, but last Friday night the large drain out to the sewer stopped draining.  Water backed up into the bathtub, flooded the garage, the whole thing.  Not a lot of fun.  Which left us with 3 stinky people, lots of dirty dishes, and no clean laundry.  And the potty situation was just, well, eeewwwww!

Monday evening the Roto Rooter guys were finally able to get to my house.  Bless them, they apparently had a very busy weekend.  And in a matter of 20 minutes from the time they got there to the time they left, they had cleaned out the pipe so everything could flow smoothly the way it was designed.  A. Maz. Ing.  The thing that was causing such a huge mess in my life was taken care of just like that *Insert finger snap here* by someone who knew what they were doing.  Pretty sure there’s a spiritual application somewhere in this little adventure of mine.  🙂

So what are you thankful for today?  If you have a blog link up your post below.  If not, share with us in the comments.

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