How it's going with Curves? (Update 1)

I've been working out at Curves twice a week since the beginning of February. So it's been a month -- how's it going? I'll post monthly to let you know and hopefully encourage you if you're trying to add movement and exercise to your day.

My muscles are stronger and are growing. I was so sedentary before I started and was getting to the point I could feel the atrophy. After a day at my desk, all I wanted to do in the evening was sit some more. I feel stronger and also like that my muscles feel tired after a workout. My laundry is in the basement and our dressers are on the second floor. Taking four baskets upstairs was daunting and now it increases my heart rate, but doesn't seem like a drag. Instead of reminding me of how out of shape I am, taking my laundry upstairs shows me that I'm making progress.

I enjoy vigorous housework. Sometimes I pick up toys and clutter and clean as if it's a little mini-workout. Especially if I wish I had time to go to exercise, so I try to get a little movement into my day by taking the housework up a notch. All the minutes add up, right?

My imagination is broader. Don't laugh at this. But I'm serious, working out at Curves has boosted my imagination. While sitting on my coach, I imagine going for a run. Or going for a bike ride. Or a walk around the block with my son. And it doesn't seem like a painful experience, but I imagine how good it would feel. This is a change.

I lost four pounds and lowered my body fat. That weight loss is right at the rate I'm targeting and I'm pleased.

I still struggle with going at least three days a week. I'll tweet to let you know if I get there Friday. So far, no excuses so I should be there! If you're on Twitter, you can find me @schreiberwriter.

Thanks for following my journey!

Note: I have received a six-month membership to Grayslake Curves in exchange for blogging about my experience weekly.

It Comes Full Circle

I thought about my dad today while getting Jensen ready for preschool.

I remember my dad saying in an exaggerated manner when we were looking for our shoes, "Doh, doh, doh, where can they be? Let's look on the ceiling!" He was mocking us with the voice of a dopey Bugs Bunny character. I never thought that was very nice. I was trying hard to find those shoes!

This morning, I asked both of my kids to grab me the gray socks sitting on the edge of the table, which is at Jensen's shoulder level. Both of them looked all around the socks. Below the table. Around the table. On the other side of the table. But not in front of them.

I finally understood why my father mocked us. It's hard to hold back.

Children really don't know how to look for things. I don't know why. Someone explain the developmental reason

As I was driving him to preschool, it was foggy. Two memories smashed together. Riding in the front seat with Dad as he drove through the fog. I was worried about the fact that he couldn't see very far in front of him. That memory is mixed with another time when I sat in the front seat with him as we drove through the night to Colorado. I remember it being 5 a.m. and I felt like I needed to stay awake to keep him company. I was seven.

Being a parent reminds me of so many moments with my parents. I'm grateful that most moments are positive. Being a parent also helps me understand the not-so-proud moments and forgive. I'm fortunate and very thankful that I don't have much to forgive.

How Often Should I Be Exercising?

You're going to have to excuse me as I'm blogging while still on an exercise high. The question that has been haunting me, "How often should I work out?"

Last week I decided that going to Curves on Monday, Wednesday, Friday would work for me. I seemed to be on a roll and then my husband was really sick on Friday and I decided not to leave.  And Saturday, well......as I have discovered: Sitting on one's butt leads to more sitting on one's butt. 

Today I went to Curves and it was amazing how good it felt to challenge my muscles, to sweat and to move. And it reminded me why it's important to establish a routine and really try to stick to it. There are several benefits as I have discovered, one of them being: Movement leads to more movement.

I'm looking forward to moving this week!

Note: I have received a six-month membership to Grayslake Curves in exchange for blogging about my experience weekly.

Blogging in a Cloud

Do you ever feel disconnected from your blog?

Or you're writing, but you're not sure what it has to do with anything?

Or like you're blogging in a cloud, far away from someone, something?

Or feel like you're missing the point?

Sometimes I feel like I'm having a monologue or singing a solo. Only sometimes people join me and we sing a few lines together.

That's how I've been feeling. I'm pulled in a lot of directions as I ponder and explore what's next. It's an open road. But there are preparations to make as well as complete daily life tasks.

So I feel disconnected. And I am looking forward to my blog evolving and at the very least--getting a facelift!

And I think I'm going to end this rambling post now.

A Few Links for My Friends

Mark, you've mastered brownies. Your cousin made these Homemade Mallowmores and I want them. (and please forget that I want to lose weight and avoid sugar-induced highs/lows)

Christine, I know your 18 month old is having tantrums and I thought of you when I saw this post: Why Wait Until Two When You Can Be Terrible Today.  And I guess you might as well read the Toddler Ten Commandments. I need to put them on my fridge as Anna is almost there!

Mary, I know you just had a baby and this post is for you and your spouse. Like everything else surrounding your life with a newborn, postpartum sex gets better with time. Slowly But Surely. Blue Milk's post was supportive as well (My Year Without Sex). And check out this post (Supplemental Feeding Techniques) about alternatives to bottles. My son was syringe-fed by wonderful Bonnie. Sorry, I'm overflowing with advice and links. You have enough to manage on two hours of sleep.

Breastfeeding friends, I found Covering Up is a Feminist Issue to be thought-provoking.

Charity, check out these moose pictures (The Moose That Came to Visit) Did you see any moose when you lived in Alaska (besides that one the boys were carving up)?