beautiful flowers in front of me from a dear and delightful neighbor,
and a fun weekend plan ahead. I have accomplished so much in these past weeks and am feeling very grateful for my life.
The best news is that I made myself a priority. I have started taking a class at The Bar Method, Berkeley. I swear this class kicks my ass each and every time. I've taken 5 of them in the past 2 weeks and each one (although virtually the same in exercise and pattern) is more difficult...probably because each time I get more precise in the execution of the exercise and can do more reps. It's exercise I like...excruciating, demanding, finite. One hour of prescribed physical demand. On several occasions I have ridden my bike there...add 20 minutes each way of sun and fun! The result is that I have lost one entire size (that happened in 4 classes), but gained 2 pounds. I am chalking that up to reconstituted muscle. So there. Interesting to me is that within 5 classes I can, once again, stretch myself into a forward flattish position. Once the belly is eradicated I will be flat on the floor. Nice to know that isn't lost to me and that my hip flexors are still my friends.
Something else has happened that is a deep joy for me...I have finally accepted the body I have. This is what I have to work with. I put it out there in my long stretchy yoga pants and oversized t-shirt and got it sweating like crazy. Willingly - and with full disclosure from the studio about what I was letting myself in for - I took my roundish self into a classroom. Not a yoga classroom with its own special type of beautiful, flexible bodies of all ages and levels of fitness who are there to breathe and meditate and accept in a place of no competition (which I totally love, btw). No. I put myself into a class with people who choose barre exercise...and I have to say most of these people are strong and already beautifully fit. But I chose it and chose not to be intimidated. And guess what? These superfit, super lithe people are just as lovely and non-competitive. How come I didn't remember that from teaching Pilates? People are generally cool. It's the media that fills our heads with negative impressions.
I am still eating well: lots more veggies and fruits, lots of water, and fewer desserts. I feel good - strong. I want to be fitter this summer. My "baby" is turning 21, so there goes the "trying to lose the baby fat" excuse. Ha! There are so many things I want to in the coming months - more hiking, finally going rafting, all things that need me to be more comfortable physically. Also, I have started a list of things I would very much like to be able to do physically...among them hike up the hill I can see from my house, perform a controlled handstand from standing (and without flinging), feel Gumby-like again. These goals make me smile.
In these past weeks my business has increased exponentially - as has my attention to it. I've had to be more organized than usual. Additionally, our start-up is moving into a new phase that is going to require my total devotion. Lots of writing and editing are is in my near future and I am feeling very excited about that.
However, we have also had serious health news about a family member and we have all rallied together to support each other. Whatever your personal beliefs, please feel free to send along any healing energies in our general direction. I don't want to expose this person's private matter, but I know how much the power of positive thought can influence lives. So send it on over.
I hope this entry finds all of you well, and profoundly grateful for your family, friends, health, and happiness. I know I am. Remember that love and hope are important and nothing is set in stone.
It's the weekend. Get out there and have a little fun.
Lots of love to all of you!
Shannon
