Deepening My Educational and Personal Journey

Imagine my surprise when this box showed up at my door! It wasn't like I didn't know it was coming; however, the overwhelming reality is I had no idea what I signed myself up for! This pile of books, CD's and DVDs is the American Fitness Professionals and Associates(APFA) Master Trainer Certification course! I have looked at their programs for a long time, as long as I looked at the ACE certification, well circumstances presented itself (thank you MyCaa) and I am now enrolled. I feel like I just went from Kindergarten to Grad school in one fail swoop!

The program encompasses a second(for me) personal trainer certification, a nutrition and wellness certification, a sports conditioning certification and one I am very excited for children's fitness specialist certification! After attaining these (how sad is it that I am going to have to enlist my elementary children's help to make power point presentations) I will do a series of practicals to get the master training certification! Wow.. lots of work ahead.

I have to remember to balance myself as I am still working on my Master's degree and that I am getting closer and closer to thesis writing time as the days pass! I still have no topic which I hope to render in the next few weeks as I have conferences scheduled with my professor. I also have a husband and 3 children, too many commitments to count and the UN-ability to say NO, which I am getting better at!

Also, some of you know that I have been trying to get paperwork (ie a name for a business) together along with the rest of the papers necessary... well I have decided that when the kids go back to school in a few weeks, I will get my insurance and begin training clients business name or not! Please contact me privately if you are interested! I am only planning to take on a few clients at first to gradually work into more work hours, and insure that my clients get the best possible trianing. I can not express how excited I am to help others embark on this path to a better and more healthy life! Are you next?

This poor neglected blog!

I will not say that I have neglected my blog on purpose. I miss it so! However, my brain has been reeling around so many things! First of all my kids have been out of school, and not that it is an excuse, but we have been busy! I spent much of July hanging out with them, or immersed in my studies! I also spent a few weeks busy making things for cub scout day camp, and a week 'working' on staff. I use the term work lightly as it is not a paid job, but a volunteer position. One in which I enjoyed beyond measure!

This group of kids was amazing! I worked in the Nature area, which in itself is funny because I had to learn, to teach the kids! Flying by the seat of my pants became my middle name that week but these kids and their curiosity and spirit won over my heart! I will be back for more next year! Trust me when I say, I learned WAY more about many things than I taught, either way we all came out with a smile on our faces! The cardboard horses were a huge hit... maintenance was fairly easy and Nikolas' horse "Deady" is hanging tough on the front porch! Too see the Entire collection of camp photos click here. On top of a joyful cub scout rodeo, we celebrated 100 years of boy scouting! I am so pleased that my family gets to benefit from scouting... It's a great thing. (and yes popcorn sales is coming, on their defense I have to say their popping corn is the best I have used) And I have been busy learning how to can, it's been GREAT. I SO enjoy it! Here is a few batches of blueberry and strawberry rhubarb jam I made. I have mad several since. I am SO happy to give my kids wholesome choices that do not have artificial chemicals added. They love it and so do I. Here is a batch in process! I can say that it's been great and fulfilling to learn, do and experience so many wonderful things in life! I suppose it is a great thing to be so busy and happy doing it!

I am happy to say that I am progressing well at school, I have 6 more classes left before writing my thesis (of which I have no topic) and I am cruising right along with my current class (with a push from MyCaa) either way the goal is to be writing my thesis this time next year, better get on the topic huh? Could I really be graduating by winter 2011? yowza! What's a girl to do?

Well no worries, I have big plans coming so keep tuned in for more information. I have been making plans and will spill that soon!

For now, I am getting ready to head out for run! I need it, Last week there wasn't much exercise aside from hauling myself around Camp Boyhaven! So I have a lot to make up for!

Things are looking up in many areas... Stay posted!!!

Oh June, Where did you go?

It's amazing, I caught 'The Teenager' on film(not exactly on film) but digital sounds ridiculous! He actually smiled too! There was the field trip to Howe Caverns (Brian went with Nikolas) There was field day... and more field day... What's with these big kids on these little hoppity hops?

The ever important crossing over to Weblos I! This is a big moment for Niko.

There was girls U-10 soccer.. and mixed U-8 soccer Sweat and more sweat. And of course more field days for Ariana. A trip to the state capital building and NY state museum. A chat session with Senator Farley, with some very interesting questions asked by 4Th graders! I loved it! They really challenged him!

And the celebratory birthday yell when on little girl opened her big "I am 10 now" gift! Lots of new scooter riding from one little girl that loved the gift from her Florida Grandma!

It's been a mammoth of a month.....

Comet has the right idea, don't you think so?

Getting Crafty!! and it's about time!!

Well everyone, I have seemed to 'misplaced' my nutrition book. (under a pile of yarn, laundry, or I am just not looking very hard for it, it just happened to show up as I was waiting for photos to upload) Too bad, I get to finish my post now!

I has been too long since I have posted anything much that is crafted. Not for lack of wanting to. I just haven't finished many projects until now... YEAH! and best of all I have MORE in the works!

This is a close up of the needle felting I did for my neices slippers... My first needle felting project These are a photo of the slippers. They were knitted and felted. They were a fun project to work on. The pattern was from a kit from knitpicks. This is my second needle felting project. Did it like a paper piecing project but with felt and then needle felted the penguins on the slippers. I love how the penguin turned out. Thanks to Brian for helping cut out the tiny tiny pieces! Here's the completed slippers. I debated about putting laces in these guys and decided not to. I can if you girls decide you want them! Just let me know! Here is Sackboy. I have never seen the game. My youngest has played this game with his friend, and since his friend is moving away, it's his gift from us as a going away present.. Shh don't tell.. ha ha Nikolas already told him before I got the yarn! What a stinker! Here's Sackboy in pieces... my first knitted toy, so much fun to make. I will definitely be making more knitted toys in the near future! I already have plans for some more things! For now they are a secret! Not entirely crafty, unless fixing the hole in the wall and painting is crafty; however, I did sew up the curtain. One more bathroom to go and then we have to get painting outside and pretty much start painting the inside all over again. (sigh)

So any of you crafting anything fun out there? Please share!

Chi Running Clinic

I had the privilege of attending a chi running clinic this past weekend. I had read the book a few years ago, and have tried to follow the principles in the books as much as I can. I am excited to say that one clinic wasn't enough, however it was excellent! It was led by Ann Margaret McKillop of My fitness Recovery. I can't say enough good things about Ann Margaret or her clinic!

Chi running principles are focused on injury free running, utilizing good posture and the strength of your core to keep strength through your core. Keeping your core strong to be able to relax the rest of your body will help you remain injury free when running. I can see that this process can take years to master just as it would if you were to take Tai Chi or another martial art form.

First she walked us through some great postural exercises, some felt really weird as I suppose I really don't have perfect posture (sigh). I have to say, it is amazing how strong our bodies are when they are in alignment! That would be the chi part of it. Strength and alignment. The strength comes from the core. She explained so many things about posture and injuries and how they interrelate to each other. I am sorry to say that I can not remember all the things she said.

I do remember the practice of walking we did lifting our knees and letting our ankles relax! Yes, we need to relax our ankles when we run, who knew! Ann Margaret says this is how knee injuries are born! It amazed me the difference I feel already, even just walking focusing on relaxing those ankles! We sort of joked about feeling like zombies doing this exercise, however I can see with practice the difference it is going to make in my body and my running.

I will be reading the book again to be sure that I refresh my memory on posture, gait etc. She was unable to got into much more detail because it was a large group. I am excited to have new things to focus on with my running and that my running buddy was there with me so we can help each other out with the techniques we learned yesterday!

Thanks to Ann Margaret for a great class and to The Hudson-Mohawk Road Runners Club for sponsoring it!

Weight loss and the stress of it the scale

So I saw this video in a newsletter and really wanted to share it with everyone. I know that the weight loss journey seems like a forever battle and the scale isn't always gracious no matter how hard we feel we are working at it! This video is a reminder that things within our bodies change rapidly. A whole pound this lady gained in a matter of minutes just by drinking water!

My point is, that we can't just measure the number on the scale because it is forever changing, if we are working out, we are sweating out water, if we are drinking or eating, go to the bathroom etc. Now I am not saying that you shouldn't ever pay attention; however, it should be a guide and not gospel!

When I lost the bulk of my weight, the measurements were very important. I think I had lost over 88 inches (That's over 7 feet!) in girth! I knew that I had lost fat! I didn't fit in ANY of my clothes I could move and for longer! Health was the key, I was and am healthy! So to those of you that get on the scale constantly, if it works for you, great, just don't base your day and how you feel about yourself on the number. I can get on my scale four times in a row and it could be .2 or .4 different each time. Take your measurements, and see how your clothes fit that is the real test! Even more real, how do you feel and what are you capable of doing now that you couldn't do before!

Live your journey today no matter what your size or shape, if there is something you want to do, do it! Don't wait until you are (________) just work towards the goal and get it done.

We are here for the journey and not just the destination! Always have a goal, away from the scale. If you want to walk, run, ride, create art, learn a new skill don't let yourself wait because of how you feel about yourself and your size.

The REAL change is on the inside! Accept yourself and love yourself not for a number on the scale but for the wonderful, creative person you are, this will ensure your success!!

Have a great day all!!

Why Can't You?

So today I was in the grocery store, nothing new with my big hungry family! However, I have never had the cashier say, gee I am so jealous of the healthy organic foods you are buying! I didn't really think they ever noticed or cared, just rang up your stuff and hoped to get you out of there as quick as possible!

Well I thought it was interesting because she said working here and having 4 room-mates makes it impossible to eat healthy? She went on and on, well the truth is, there was a time 100 plus pounds ago I would have had a million excuses why I couldn't eat healthy too... No time, too busy, to expensive you name it, I could have give all the excuses in the world!

Despite the 100 people in line behind you, I asked her as I was walking away to let her help the next customer, Why can't you eat healthy foods?

And now I am asking you, Why can't you eat healthy foods? Really what's your excuse? Let's bust it right now! You deserve to have a healthy life and a fulfilling one too. It starts with nourishing yourself from the inside out.

So let's have it and bust those excuses!