Three years ago next week, I started a journey that has changed my life.
That’s no hyperbole, either. On Aug. 24, 2015, I had my first personal training session with Gerald Riggs Jr.
No lie—I thought I was going to die.
But I didn’t. And while I’ve felt like I was going to die many, many times since then in my workouts, I’ve never quit.
I was never an athlete growing up. I have always loved sports, but never played them. My physical activity of choice as a kid was spending hours swinging in the backyard.
As an adult, I never picked up an exercise habit, at least not consistently. I might get a whim and work out for a few weeks, but I never stuck with it.
Until three years ago. At that point, I made a commitment to myself. The years in between that first workout and now have seen a ton of changes—and some were very, very hard.
But I came through them. And in many ways, it was strength training that made that possible.
My workouts have taught me that I’m stronger than I could ever have imagined.
They have taught me that I don’t have any quit in me—I might curse my way through those last reps or pause before the next rep, but I will not quit.
I might hurt, but I will come back for the next workout.
I would absolutely never have believed a few years ago that I would crave working out. That I would rely on it to help keep me sane and my anxiety in check. That I would feel like a bum on days where I don’t get much movement in.
But all of that is true, and I’m a healthier, stronger person three years in.
Shout-out to Riggs for putting up with me this long—and for helping me make my goals a reality every day.
^^ Day 1 vs. three years in—Pretty amazing, huh?!
Best bite
Each week, I’ll drop in a pic and description of my favorite sip or bite—and a recommendation, too!
Yesterday, I tried something different at Bar Louie brunch—a breakfast flatbread with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, onion, and jalapeño. It was really good!
While it sounds like it could be really heavy and overly rich, it wasn’t. Every bite was light and fluffy and packed with flavor.
Favorite Reads
I’m still making my way through Two If By Sea by Jacquelyn Mitchard. It’s not one of those books that you can speed through, so I’m reading it in smaller segments. It’s pretty good, but a little confusing at times.
Once I finish it, I have a couple new books picked up at Costco that I’m looking forward to.
I finally finished listening to the “The Alice Network: A Novel” late last week. I reached the point last week where I threw my usual habit of only listening to audiobooks while working out and driving long distances out the window. I was so hooked that I listened every single time I got in the car, even for just a few minutes.
I absolutely recommend the book, whether you listen to it or read it. It was fantastic!
Auntie’s baby
Now surely, you didn’t think I’d create a blog without my baby love in it, right?!
This little pic delighted me this week, because look at how delighted she is!
Questions I’m pondering…
These things are on my mind—if you know the answer, please share! Sometimes these will be light-hearted, other times they will not.
- What do you do when you’re just feeling blah and don’t have any mojo to accomplish anything? Do you listen to your body/mind, or push through?
- Why do we sometimes get super random songs we haven’t heard in a long time stuck in our heads? (Yes, “Do your ears hang low,” I’m talking about you!)
- Is there an athlete in the world that captures attention (and drives up TV ratings) like Tiger Woods when he’s on the prowl? I think not.
Quote of the week
Wrapping things up
This morning, I read this thought from Robin Roberts:
“When you’re faced with a less-than-ideal situation, instead of thinking ‘I HAVE to,’ think ‘I GET to.’”
Is there a situation you can apply that mantra to? My goal is to give it a try at least once this week!
See you next week.
Grace Always Wins 