Why being last made me a winner

This morning I completed a 5k race for lung cancer.

My gym, Burn Fitness, organized a group to participate in the second annual race. And to be honest, I had several excuses along the way not to participate. But in the end, I got up and went to the race.

My challenge to myself was to walk/run. My last race was a half marathon three years ago. At that race, I walked and completed it with a smile on my face. This time I wanted to push my limits with adding in running.

Our group,  by our amazing trainer and motivator Kelly Heaven, gathered at the start line in our red shirts. We all had an energy and excitement. But to be honest, I was a bit nervous about how this would go. Afterall, I am not the fastest runner and there were 40 of us. I put in my Pandaora radio, pulled down my hat, and focused on finishing the race.

It was only 30 degrees and the first half mile was a huge hill. For those of you with asthma, you understand what it was like. Needless to say, I was already walking more than I liked. I kept thinking, this is so ironic that my lungs are unhappy during the Lung Run!

And then I remembered all those who have passed due to lung cancer or other lung issues, including my father. I pushed the excuse to walk out of my head and ran. Now don’t get me wrong, I still walked my fair share! I came in strong with a solid run the last half mile.

But I came in last. Yes, of my core Burn team, I pulled in the caboose. And I was happy! Why? The reason is… I didn’t let fear prevent me from registering, I pushed the “i can’t do this” excuse out of my head, and I trimmed 4 minutes off my mile (compared to my half a few years ago)!

I know a lot of us struggle with getting fit and staying motivated. Trust me, my overachiever personality does pop up from time to time as I struggle to get through an exercise. But then I remember, the only thing I need to worry about when I train, run or do anything else is me.

And the best part of this race was all of my friends at the finish line. We were all there to support each other and share the excitement of the amazing accomplishment we all achieved. For me, I definitely left feeling like a winner!

{Nicole}

Just got handed a pile of #$@!

I know what you are thinking… this is going to be a post about a bad day. All I can say is keep reading!

Today was a busy day but nothing out of the norm. I wrapped up the work day, ran to the   went to the neighborhood pub with a few friends.  Ok, that is a bit different, to actually make a few minutes to hang out with the girls. On my way home, I heard that Lauren was singing “twinkle, twinkle” so I could tuck her in for the night. Score!

I walked in to her room to find my little princess passing me a pile of shit. Literally. She had crap in her hand and had no idea what to do with it. My immediate response was not ideal, but I quickly realized this is one of those “informative moments” all parents warn me about.

We quickly ran into the bathroom, with an impromptu lesson that “poopie goes in the potty.” We clapped and waved goodbye. But then my little girl became embarrassed as she had to take a bath. She wouldn’t look at me and had the pouty lower lip. I realized it was time to plus up the love.

She demanded a snuggle and off we went. The entire family piled into bed and had a snuggle fest.

Getting a pile of shit handed to me is worth it, if I get to laugh with my entire family.

I think you will all agree this post belongs in my “Not Going to Complain Challenge” section.

{Nicole}

p.s. Please understand why there is no photo

Drop and Give Me Fiffy!

Yesterday, my bootcamp was a bit, challenging. It was a day of 50′s. Yes, that means we had to do fifty squats, push-ups, sit-ups, and some things I just can’t write down (because if I do complain, it might make it in the heavy rotation at class).

As I was going through my two-hour class, it was easy to wonder why I was here rather than relaxing at home. Sure, I know it is the right thing for the long-term  but a Saturday brunch would have been fun.

And then my beautiful daughter Lauren reminded me. See, she is my inspiration to get healthy. Or should I say, stay healthy!

She plays in the Kids Korner while I am at class and her little group came in to the last 10 minutes of the adult class. We were busy doing squats, sit-ups and lunges (yes, you read that correctly, we had to do more squats).  She ran over to me and started doing the exercises with me. She laid down and did a few crunches, she grabbed the jump rope and did the toddler attempt of jumping, and she sat on my bench while we stretched.

My dream for Lauren is for her to never think working out is optional. That this is just how we live. As we played at the end of our class, I realized this IS just how we live.

So, next time you feel a bit unmotivated, just imagine Lauren next to you saying “Drop and give me another fifty!” Or maybe she would say “Fiffy!”

French Fries are Vegetables

As some of you know, part of my blog is creating “Moments of Pause.” It is really those things that make me take a few minutes and well, pause.

I just received this article and I had to share it. It is a great story about how Americans believe french fries are vegetables. Now don’t get me wrong, I have dreamed of a headline that would justify my indulgence. But really, who thinks this way!

I guess we do.

It is so important that we begin to chat about healthy living so we can set a good example for all of those around us. So what moment of pause will you create for yourself today to make a good health decision??

New York Times Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/25/health/policy/25vegetables.html

Not Going to Complain Today {More Sweet than Bitter, Bitter Than Sweet}

Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves change, pumpkins decorate our doorsteps, football dominates our Sundays and we have the perfect weather.

But for the past five years, it has been anything but perfect for me. In fact, this time of the year has been a bittersweet experience. For those of us with asthma, rag weed season in the midwest locks us into our houses as we watch everyone else run outside. Generally at this point,  I am on a serious antibiotic and my annual prednisone pack.

I had been doing well until last week at the gym. And then it hit me. A brick wall. After my struggles last year with er visits, prescriptions on quick dial and never playing outside — I immediately thought “here we go again.”

To say I was  disappointed is a HUGE understatement. I am so proud  of my fitness progress and I was about to slide back. But I took my own advice, and decided to focus on the positive rather than complaining. I focused on the workout and it worked. I am so happy to say that I ran three miles this evening. Me. Three Miles. I have never accomplished this before, let alone during the danger danger asthma season.

For me, this fall is definitely more Sweet than Bitter.

{Nicole}

P.S. It is so important to listen to your body and not push yourself too much with your asthma. Trust me when I say, my asthma does stop me before my body gets tired. Can you tell I am married to a great respiratory therapist?

I have communicationitis

Yes, I self-diagnosoed myself with communicationitis. Sounds serious, huh?

I was driving to work the other day and saw a delivery truck with “knead bread” on the back of the truck. I immediately thought, “Clever tagline. A bit over-the-top, but love it!” And then I looked around the intersection and realized there is probably no one else even thinking this. In fact,they are all dreaming about their coffee or that this light is taking entirely too long.

It has been years since I was able to watch a movie or tv show without thinking, “I wonder how much that integration costs!” or “Why is this commerical on right now, we don’t even have an H&M!”

And now my husband is catching this. This is serious stuff with my respiratory therapist husband watches Mad Men and makes observations about agency life.

So, is there a cure for this condition? Will I ever be able to enjoy tv or enjoy a simple drive to work?

Sometimes You Just Need to Cry

I lost my “I am not going to complain today challenge.”

I admit it, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t climb out of my stresfull world. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE what I was doing. But the stress was there all day and it just kept growing. In fact, I felt like a good cry was just minutes or an email away.

So I had a tough decision at 4:30. Stay at work and show my task list who was boss. Or, go work out, have dinner with the family, and then snuggle back up with the forever-growing to do list.

,Which one do you think I picked?

Yep, I chose to leave early and go work out (how many of you thought I stayed at the office?). As I drove home, I could feel the tension rising in my shoulders. Who was I kidding– working out was so not on my fun list. And during the work out, I still felt those tears inching their way into my eyes, but this time on behalf of my hamstrings and triceps.

I headed home. Proud that I got some calories burned but I still wasn’t relaxed. As soon as I walked in, I saw my beautiful baby with watery eyes telling me “potty mommy, potty!” Not exactly the welcome home I was hoping for when I pulled into the garage.

Of we went down the hall, in a mad dash I might add. We did our normal routine, sat down on the potty and started to read books. Yes, all you moms know this trick. The little ones figure out this is how to trick mommy into paying attention to the baby on the potty. One book down and we were off to read the second one.

And then, we had potty. Actually potty! Lauren’s look on her face was priceless. Deer in headlights would be the best description. And she cried. And I cried. And Pete cried. We were so proud of her!

In the end, I did need a cry, but not the one I had planned on. And I showed my to do list who was boss. Lauren.

Chipping Away at Bad Habits

My name is Nicole and I am a stress eater.  Or should I say, stress muncher?

Last week was a one of those week’s that each day I said, “There is no way I can get through this day!” And honestly, I knew this week would even more challenging.

In an effort to prepare for my week, I turned to the chip aisle of my Hy-Vee. See, I am not picky about my type of chip or dip. Just the process of dipping with crunchy chips has brought me happiness during times of stress.

But now I know— that wasn’t happiness, it was just heartburn.

 I actually found myself eating my go-to food yesterday and picking carrots rather than my wavy potato chips. Yes, I do call this an out-of-body experience. But my nutrition friends would call it a reality check.

For the past year, I have made gradual nutrition and exercise changes that have yielded great results (about 30 lbs to date). The best part is I didn’t make a drastic change, but just inched my way closer to my goal weight by chipping away at my bad habits.

I am not sure what step I am on with my stress muncher anonymous program.  But I am going hurry and  to put these chips in the calorie bank before I change my mind.

You Can’t Make This #$@ Up!

I have to admit, my “Not Going to Complain Today Challenge” is challenging me today.

I have had one of those weeks. You know, the kind that each day you say “I have no idea how I will get through today!” But I have managed to get most of my things done and a little sleep here and there.

Today was the payoff. A great day of working from home, with no distractions. And we were off to a good start. Lauren slept in which allowed me to jump into work early and even do a load of laundry. I went into her room with smiles and songs.

And then, CODE BROWN!

Do you know what a Code Brown is? Well, let me explain. That is when you walk in to get your daughter out of her crib to find out that she has a “stinky” diaper that has left the so-called building. By her hands. Yes, I know, gross. But I knew that it would happen someday. I was thankful it was a morning of no client meetings and I was dressed for my day at home.

So off we went to the bath, got ready, and somehow managed to get her to school in time for breakfast. As I drove away from her school, I told myself, “I am not going to complain today!” After all, it could be worse.

Then I came home. Opened my computer. Settled down with breakfast. And let Bauer, our golden retriever, outside for some extra play time. After all, he should get to celebrate my work-from-home day too, right?

I went to let him in and then, CODE BROWN!

See, I can’t make this #$@ up!

Bauer didn’t want to be outdone by his little sister. So off I went to clean up the second code of the day.

It is not even 10:00 yet and I am repeating to myself “Not going to complain today!” And if I can manage to stay optimistic today, I think we should all be able to handle whatever #$@ is thrown our way.

{Nicole}

Go Jump Off a Cliff

My inspiration for this blog was sparked during my recovery from a concussion last month. I learned that bad stress and good stress impact the body in the same way. This might not be news to you, but it was for me.  

I was encouraged by a few people in my life, including my doctor, to learn how to slow down and reduce stress. I agree, getting a prescription would be easier—at least in the short-term! Then my amazing massage therapist said to me, “Nicole, you need to learn how to be. And stop doing.” What did this mean? I had no idea. But I wanted to find out.

Hence the inspiration for this blog. My trainer uses the word “just” anytime we have a difficult exercise. And learning how to “be” would definitely prove to be a difficult exercise for me. So, Just Being {Nicole} was created.

And last week I got my first glimpse into Just Being {Nicole}. My hubbie and I decided to do a day trip of river rafting on the Colorado River during his family reunion. Yes, I was nervous. But then we started to float. As we moved down the river, I felt my stress roll off my back with each rapid we tackled.  The quiet, peaceful scenery reversed my tension that had been building for weeks.

Then, we pulled up next to a 30 ft cliff for all of the adrenaline junkies. Needless to say, that wasn’t me. But before I knew it, I was hiking up this cliff. As I stood at the top, about to jump, I kept wondering. “Why was I doing this?”

After my cold plunge into the Colorado, I knew the answer to that question. Because I could. This was the most spontaneous thing I have ever done. And I loved it.

Sometimes all you need to do is go jump off a cliff. (But don’t forget your life jacket!)