The Joy of Strength Training

Yes, you read the title correctly.  It does say joy, and no, I have not completely lost it - yet.  Of course, those who know I enjoy to run probably already think I've lost it.

Back in January when I was setting some goals, I came to realize how weak I was physically.  Let me clarify why I think strength training is a joy, because I don't enjoy the actual activity of weight lifting, working biceps/triceps, lunges, pushups, and situps.  Oh, and how could I forget the planks?  If you're not familiar with what a plank is, let me tell you they're not fun.  They are a regular pain in the glutes!  I also get bored easily while I'm doing all this, and staying in the same place doing slow, steady repetitions does not appeal to my personality.  You can ask my family.  I don't like to be still.

But after three months of at least twice a week of strength training, I've started to see noticeable improvements.  Here are my top five:

• I didn't need the Home Depot employee to load the bags of top soil on my cart.
• I can carry several bags of groceries with one arm, including a gallon of milk (without straining).
• I spent over three hours working in my garden on Monday - raking, weed whacking, and planting.  The best part - I wasn't sore the next day!
• Load a case of water in the grocery cart?  No problem.

    And my favorite benefit of strength training:

• I can easily pick up my six year old when he falls asleep on the couch and carry him to bed.  I know my time is limited for this one, but I'm going to take advantage of every chance I have to baby my baby.  Even if he has to be asleep.

There's my continued motivation, and if I become a faster runner in the process then that's just a nice little bonus. 

How the Wrights Take a Break

Spring Cleaning Break

For the first time in four years, I was able to be home with the kids for spring break.  I was greatly anticipating catching up on housework (yes, I know I am strange) so I came up with an idea to motivate the kids to help.  On Sunday evening, I told them that if they would help me work on one room a day and get their own rooms picked up throughout the week, then we would consider getting satellite TV back.  Of course, that would mean we would no longer be weird, but it would free up some of my obligations, such as keeping the kids busy, for the summer. 

“The best laid schemes…”

Daylight savings time ruffled my schedule, and the end of the week left me with an unfinished to-do list, tired muscles, and a tilled garden that needs to be planted.  Even still, it was an enjoyable week and we were able to do enough different activities so my youngest no longer thinks spring break is just another synonym for spring cleaning.  He sure won't be coming to me like he did on that Monday morning at 8:30 when he complained to me "There's nothing to do."     

You may wonder, did they do enough cleaning out for me to pick up the phone and call the satellite provider?  Funny, they haven’t asked about it yet. 

I may see how long I can ride this one out. 

Howdy!

A few weeks ago, my husband and I took our oldest daughter (8th grader) to a college preview day at Texas A&M University in College Station.  Now before you think we're pushing college too early in our home, let me preface this by saying she decided several years ago where she wanted to go to college.  This trip was to help her have a better understanding of what courses she would want to take in high school to be prepared for whatever she pursues in college.

I think I did most of the learning that day, though.  Here's a few things I discovered:

1.      Don’t wear maroon if you want to be picked out of a crowd.  When we got separated from my husband in the school of engineering, I told my daughter to look for him in his maroon Texas A&M sweatshirt.  It was then that I realized, in the sea of maroon and white, that I could've worn my green UNT shirt so he could find us.  

2.      Don’t be the one leading the way to a building if you are directionally challenged.  I should’ve forced one of the other two members of my party to do this, so we could’ve avoided the phrase “you just took us in a big circle.”

3.      When someone says “Howdy!” to you on campus, the correct response to give is “howdy” not “hi.”  Yes, I was ignorant of this, and no, it won’t happen again.  I think I embarrassed my husband more than my daughter.

And most importantly -   

4.      It will take at least four years for me to get myself ready to let her go.  College Station is a pretty good drive from our home, so I have a few more years to persuade her to choose my alma mater.  It’s less than an hour and a half away.