Fallin' off that horse...

Hi my savvy readers!  How's everyone doing on their resolutions for health and exercise?  Are you still on it?  Have you lost?  Maybe gained?  Have there been blood, sweat, and tears?  My gym was packed until just recently.  It's hard work!!!  This winter has been especially brutal in terms of cold and snow (here in the MidWest) and finding the will to get out to the gym has gotten harder and harder.

Dear Hubby and I are trying to get our exercise on in the basement.  What I have found to help me get out and shake my booty...boutique studios.  No, not the ones that sell Gucci or Prada.  A fitness studio!  Here you have to sign up for classes in advance and if you don't cancel 24 hours in advance you get charged...OH SNAP!  I'm not a fan of spending cash and not getting anything for it.

I have fallen off my horse in more ways than one.  Don't tell anyone but guess what...I'm human.  But the thing I tell friends and family - it's all about getting back on it.  Life happens.  Just like taxes and death...it is inevitable.  But how you handle your struggles is what separates the strong from the weak.

My life is sometimes out of control, but prioritizing my health is at least one thing I do have control over.  So get back out there!  Don't fall into the predictable resolution crowd -- the go hard gym goers, fall off and wait until the next year to do somethin'.

Be like Britney and WORK, bitch :)

How do you stay motivated?

Health is a gift, not a given

My savvy hubby and I decided to go for an adventurous bike ride over the weekend.  After stopping for a bite to eat, we decided to go for another quick ride.  This time, instead of a bike path, we took to the side walks.  My spacial perception is not what it used to be and I learned, the hard way, wide open spaces work best for me...not narrow sidewalks.  Five minutes into the second leg of the ride, I went down.  I was not wearing a helmet, but fortunately my shoulder and knee took the brunt of the fall.

I didn't break anything, but putting weight on my legs wasn't happening.  I cut up my knee, bruised my shin, skinned my elbow and shoulder and now I'm down for the count.  I'm frustrated, annoyed and altogether grumpy.

I had to cancel all of my classes and tell my trainer I wouldn't be able to start the boot camp class for another two weeks.  What a major set back.  Her words to me, "EAT WELL."  I hung up the phone and took her message to heart.  As I lay here, allowing my body to heal, I can only consume calories and can't really burn any.  I cannot build any muscle.  I can just sit here and feel sorry for myself.  In the past this would have been my 'get out of jail free card' and I would turn to my good ol' friend...Kraft Macaroni and cheese, of course!

Thanks to my fabulous trainer, I got the message loud and clear.  Here's an excellent opportunity for me to practice what I've been preaching.  Carb overloading will not accomplish anything.  So I eat sparingly and make sure I'm getting protein, along with fruits and veggies.

I'm also taking the time to appreciate my health and realizing it's not a given.  Accidents can, and do, happen.  I'm investing in a bike helmet and trying to convince myself that I'll be as good as new in no time.  Here's to your health!

My right knee, with a healing balm

My injured left shoulder