Days 273 & 274: Loss

Day 273:  Yesterday I went to a local yoga studio for a 75 minute vinyasa flow and expected to come out stretched and relaxed.  What I came out with was way more than that.  I left class with a heart full of love, gratitude, sadness and definitely some anger.  All of which took me by surprise and led me to some peace.

The instructor started off class by saying, “I am going through a very difficult time right now, so please, please stick with me.”  I was not sure what was going on, but I could hear the sadness in her voice.  Immediately, I devoted my practice to giving her strength and love.  Eventually she shared with us the very sad news of losing her partner last week and the pain she was feeling.  Throughout the class she talked to us about what grief looks like and how we can prepare ourselves better for loss by becoming strong individuals that know how to look inward during rough times.  She then gave the metaphor of life being like a water balloon, when the balloon pops, the water is soaked up into the environment.  When the vessel leaves, we take in the essence of the person and they live on.  I was left breathless in class that is supposed to bring breath.  This woman just lost the love of her life and she’s teaching us how to deal with the pain.  She took selflessness to a level I have never experienced before.

After hugs at the end of class, I went out to my car and cried.  I cried for her,  for everyone I have lost in my life and everyone that anyone has lost.  The tears just kept flowing.  They must have really needed to flow out because they kept coming back all day and teaching me something with every new flood.

Thankfully, they stopped and I was able to piece together what the sources were.  Sometimes things happen or people get put in our path for a reason.  Not only is this amazing instructor in my life to teach a practice, she is also fiercely helping me clear my path to find focus on things that actually matter.

My heart is with her as she heals and I am ever grateful for that path…

Day 274:  Today I used my first class of unlimited yoga at Core Power to try our their Yoga Sculpt Cardio class (no weights, just cardio).  Oh. My. Goodness.  I know that I say this quite frequently, but I am going to say it again, that might have been one of the hardest classes I have ever been to.  I suppose the light-headedness might have had something to do with it, but it would have been challenging regardless.  If you’re looking to get into shape quickly, then I highly recommend adding this class to your regimen.  I am actually getting tired just thinking of it…phew.

Days 233-236: Calf Muscles: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Day 233:  It’s becoming apparent to me that I need some help with time management.  Lately, I feel stressed all the time due to lack of hours in the day.  I am guessing that 99.9% of the world can relate to this.  I would love to hear any time management suggestions and how you fit in your workouts on those days.

On Thursday, the only workout that I felt I had time for was to ride my bike to and from work.  Round trip it takes me 40 minutes, which feels like a nice workout for a normal day, but since I have tried to ramp up my workouts lately, I felt as though that was a bit of a slackjob.

Day 234:  On Friday morning I woke up at 6 a.m. to fit in a TRX workout in my family room/dining room/kitchen.  If you’re wondering why there are so many slashes, then I invite you to come check out our 550 sq ft two bedroom apartment!  I hit walls, couches, tables and cabinets with every TRX workout I complete.  Have I mentioned how excited I am for our soon-to-be house to be built?

Day 235:  Yesterday I helped out at the Great West Insurance tent at the American Heart Association Walk and gave away some on the spot coaching tips. It was an awesome event filled with people so full of life.  At one point, I even got to coach Peyton Manning!  Well not really, but I did see him from ten feet away (see picture above).  Same thing, right?   After six hours there I went to work at lululemon for the next seven hours and used my bike as my form of transportation to help me squeeze in a workout on this packed day.  I also spent 30 minutes wandering downtown at 6 a.m. for a cup of Joe, can I add this in as a workout?  Seriously…

Day 235:   I just got back from the Denver Athletic Club and my body is so happy with the workout I was able to complete.  I have not run in quite some time, so I figured I should try out the ol’ IT band on the treadmill before heading outdoors.  The treadmills at this gym are actually touching mirrors.  Have you ever run while staring at yourself for the whole time?  I’m not sure I have.  It’s  an eye-opening experience.  Try it out, I bet you’ll be more impressed with your body than you think.

As I was pounding away at the hamster wheel I thought back to five years ago when a rather mean ex-boyfriend told me that my calves had “zero definition or muscle.”  Three days after that comment, I threw half of a Subway sandwich at him and asked him never to contact me again.  All rational people have their irrational moments- that might have been mine, but his meanness deserved a little chicken teriyaki to the head!

Fast forward five years, add in some experience with a good man, 236 consecutive days of working out and  a running mirror at the DAC and what do you get?  A Betsy with a sense of body pride that has never been felt before.   I saw muscles that I never knew existed in my legs and there was even a rather large muscle bulge protruding from my calf.   There have been many things that I have been proud of throughout this challenge, but seeing the results in my body has become my favorite part.  I was tempted to ask the man behind me to take a picture of me running on the mill, but I thought he might try to get me kicked out.  I did promise some readers that I would post some more body pictures along the way and I will get there…I still promise.

After my three-mile run I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical, followed by an hour of weight lifting and arm work.  Don’t you just love taking your time at the gym?  What a luxurious day to finish out a busy week.