Down The Bumpy Road Together on Thankful Thursday

This week was a little bumpy in every sense of the word for our little family. The weather hit hard, I came down hard at Netball, my daughter learned some hard lessons about friendship, poor hubby was pulled in every direction, and my son and our fur babies have been pushing boundaries. Even though, I feel there is much to be thankful for this week. 

• I have been injured and getting back on my feet this week, and although it is a slow process, I know I am making progress.
• The weekend brought some chilly weather, and a batch of snow which always brings delight to our household.
  

•   My daughter had a sleepover with her bestie. This was something they had been planning for a long time, but quite a bit has happened between them in the meantime. Miss 10 has learned quite a bit about friendship, the games that can be played, and about staying true to yourself in the process. They remain friends and she had a good time at the sleepover, but I think it has been quite a big growth period for her.
• Not only did hubby attend to his poor, injured wife in her time of need and ongoing disability, he also has been rounding up the children, attending to the family animals, keeping our home tidy and our bellies fed, AND responding in less than ideal conditions to calls of distress from the community in regard to the heavy rainfall, winds and flooding in the area. On top of this, he has understandably has come down with a cold of his own!
• Not to be outdone, Mr 6 is the usual ball of energy. He seems torn at the moment, after his recent Parent/Teacher/Student meeting and School Report, between wanting to move forward with his reading and writing, and not wanting to knuckle down to do the work required. Ho hum ..... how many more years of school left?
• Our dogs which you can meet here and here, have been having a ball in the backyard together, shredding the grass, getting muddy and generally enjoying life by making a mess in the rain as only dogs can. The guinea pigs seem quite oblivious to the rain, given there raised homes, but they have been consistent to letting anyone in earshot know, no matter which side of the fence they be on, that they love their food and are always happy for more. 

 Always eventful, but always full of lesson and laughter!

Down, But Not Out

I snapped my Achilles Tendon at the start of my first pregnancy. I was so grateful at the time that I didn't have children to care for as I spent that first trimester on crutches , unable to put weight on that leg at all. It took all of my energy just to go to work and make it through the day at my desk.

Eleven years have passed when I  find myself back on Crutches, again due to injuring myself at Netball. I am thankful to have not broken anything this time, and no cast required. 

Although it is tough not being mobile and needing so much help getting around, the kids are at a great age at 6 and 10 to pitch in and help their Dad  get things done around the house.

It will take some  strengthening and rehabilitation before my ankle is ready for full duty on the Netball court, but I will be back.

 

Thankful for Not Falling On My Face

Today I did great things .... at least by my standards. I had my monthly health assessment with The Personal Trainer, and she always gets the best out of me, whether I am doing boxing, routines with weights, treadmill or aerobic routines. I never know what to expect, as she is always pumped to get me moving and likes to mix it up.

I really think The Personal Trainer has been well worth the money My Workplace is paying her. If you want to know how this came about, then read here. My first assessment is here, and my post explaining what works for me is here.

So I am steadily losing weight, which is ideal, and I can feel I am so much fitter than 5 months ago. This is showing in my Netball games where I have moved positions, and am now enjoying playing two thirds of the court instead of struggling to cover one third. Also, there is no way I could achieve my milestone today, without my improved fitness.

We worked with some 1.5kg dumb bells today, doing a series of of squats, pumps and burpees. This is itself is a good workout. Here is the twist! Between each set with the weight, I got to have a quick drink before jumping on the Treadmill and jogging for 2 minutes. You heard it here first - I RAN ON THE TREADMILL! Wooooo Hoooo!

There is something about a trainer standing beside you, talking you through every step, encouraging you to go a bit more, and praising your achievements. I must tell you, there were a couple of high fives in the room.

Who gives you the confidence to try things? When have you thought yourself incapable, and been encouraged to push harder?

Finding my exercise mojo

When you are trying to get into exercise, or re-trying for the 10^th time this year, the first thing you try may not work. I don’t think there is any one exercise or method that will work and come easy for all people.

Part of our company’s Personal Trainers’ job is to get to know each person, teach them different techniques and try them out, and assess their progress.  Our trainer, Sherri from Energy Health Concepts, has come to know us a bit better over time, and is now recommending exercise and methods a bit more tailor-made for each individual.

For me personally, we have tried several things over this time, and one thing became clear for me and Sherri. Firstly I was already playing Netball with a team, and had a set roster for the next 5 months. Netball is once a week for 1 hour. This is a sport I have been playing since I was young, and one I thoroughly enjoy. Whilst it maintains my level of fitness, it is not enough for me to shed kilos or better my fitness.

The addition of exercise equipment at our workplace has been good, and I have made use of it by myself, and with another. This has not become a regular event though. At the beginning of the program, with our enthusiasm at a high, I suggested and started a walking group. This went well for a while until some members started to dwindle due to reasons like illness, the weather, work commitments and personal commitments. In the end I was going solo, every now and then. The fact that I am not doing any things enough or routinely means that I am not getting the results I want.

So in my last monthly assessment and training session Sherri, a plan of attack was made.

The plan consisted of:

• 1.       A group – formed for support, commitment and encouragement. 

• 2.       A schedule was drawn up to suit all members and ensure we would meet twice a week.

• 3.       An exercise regime was introduced using circuit exercise. The circuit work would use different exercises using the equipment at our disposal equal to the number of people in the group. The group would move around the equipment in a circle, getting a good workout aimed at working the whole body and getting the heart rate up.

• 4.       The Tabata method would ensure a method of timing each exercise and allow time for rest. For example, I might start with a medicine ball and go from squat to overhead continually for twenty seconds, then a 10 second rest. This might be repeated 4 times before going on to the next exercise. 

• 5.       We have a group of about 5-6 usually so we start with a warm-up, go around the circuit 2-3 times, and then finish with a cool-down and stretches.

So what does this mean for me?

It means that I have a regular commitment of twice a week. It means that when I get there, I am with a group of liked-minded people. The group consists of girls I know and have worked with for a while and we encourage and praise throughout the session. These girls will also not accept excuses not to attend unless you are in hospital or worse, even if It means using the treadmill in the background on minimum speed whilst shouting out encouragement.

It also means that the exercise is fast paced, aimed at working my whole body, and exercise that is proven to get good results.

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Bright Side Up on Pinterest

So I want to know what works for you? Have you found your exercise mojo?

Maybe I should lower my expectations?

As if exercise comes naturally for everyone. As if I want to venture out on a cold night. Wouldn't you think that if a group of people are going to sign up for something, they would make an effort to know what time to turn up?

Having organised our dinner earlier than usual so I could digest before going out, I dressed in my netball gear that I had put on the airer in front of the heat pump to make sure it was dry in time. I checked the time once again and made sure that my bag was by the door, money ready, and drink bottle full.

I received a message from a team player on Facebook, letting us all know that, beyond her control, she was too sick to play. These things happen. It is team policy that players let others know if they can not play. Luckily, we had recruited more players than needed for a team for the Winter Roster, knowing that people get sick, as well as having work and family commitments.

The time had come to leave, so I psyched myself up to firstly, go outside in the cold to the car, and then, drive to the Sports Centre to play an hour of Netball in a t-shirt and skirt. This is the commitment I have made. A commitment to my health and fitness, to my team-mates, and to the group of ladies that make up the Winter Roster, including the umpires, the girls scoring, and the Vice-president who opened the Centre and set-up.

Imagine not only our disappointment, but also our frustration that only 3 members of the opposing team had turned up.

To me, this is inexcusable!
Sure we all make mistakes from time to time.
It is quite easy to mix up times.
We have all been there.
But when everyone else goes out of their way to make sure that rosters are distributed, that team members are kept up to date, that Social Media is used wisely, that baby sitters are arranged for children, that time is allowed for travel, that uniforms are ready to wear .... it is hard to smile nicely and forgive a team who have done this several times now.

Am I expecting too much? Do I need to lower my expectations of people? Do you notice more and more disrespect for others lately?

Ready, Set, It's my day off!

Today is my official one day off. When I say that, it means that I don't go to my place of employment. It sure as hell doesn't mean a day of leisurely pamper appointments and day time TV.

Today, for example:
Up for the morning madness. Organising lunches, breakfast, encouraging children through morning routines, checking school bags, ready and out the door. School drop-off.

Ventured 30kms with Miss 7 to buy her third guinea pig in a month.

Applied Nit solution to Miss 7's hair, waited, rinsed, painstakingly dragged a double-row nit comb through her long, thick hair. This took a good few hours!

Searched through freezer for inspiration for tonights dinner.

Searched online for a better Car Insurance Premium. Then called my current Insurer, who changed my address, and got me a better premium while still holding onto my Rating 1. Who knew that a change of address could save over $100?

Grabbed a bite to eat.

I called Family Assistance next, to check the current SchoolKids bonus. As it turns out, even though Master 4 is attending an education institute 3 days a week, where he is required to wear a uniform, and go on excursions, etc, we are not entitled to the bonus for him, as Kindergarten is not part of Primary School. I think there will be a few parents jumping up and down about the governments interpretation of "a child at school ".

Some basic housework

Before you know it, Master 4 is ready to be collected from Kindergarten.

A visit with Nan and Pop to wish Pop a Happy Birthday and have a well earned coffee. Is this the first one today?

Configure and register Nan's new iPad - so jealous!

Home again to whip up a dinner to keep everyone happy.

7pm - Netball

Thank God I only have Tuesdays off!

Are you a team player?

With the first roster done and dusted, I thought it about time I updated on my Team Sport effort. We had a great season and made it to the first final for our Grade, and were then wiped out. I looked forward to each and every game through the roster, even when I knew we would lose.

Netball for me, firstly is for fun and fitness, and secondly for competition. Everyone likes to win, undoubtedly, but as long as I felt good at the end from the exercise and social interaction, then it was a good game.

Playing one or more Team Sports is part of my 2012 TO DO LIST

If you read the post Painfully Obvious when I first got back into it after 8 years,  you may have thought that I would quit after a couple of games. I know hubby was shocked to see me go back after that first game. His exact words as I walked in the door that night was "wow, you look like crap". I probably did, but I had so much fun running around the court I didn't care.

The thing I love about team sport is being accountable to the rest of the team. So, even when I am all cosy at home and we are scheduled to play a 9pm game, I have the knowledge that the rest of the team are counting on me to turn up. Accountability is important if, like me, you can find an excuse to not exercise.

We finished off the season with a Dinner and Presentation Night, which was just what we needed. It was lovely seeing all the girls tizzed up and letting loose on the dance floor.

The Winter roster starts this week. Whilst I am grateful that we play inside at the Sports Centre, it can still get very cold. A great excuse to warm up quickly and run harder.

Cushy Butt Appreciation Week

This week, the extra flesh on my behind has reaped loads of appreciation. Who knew!

My first incident was at a game of Netball. I'm a defender so I was doing my defensive thing as the ball came toward the shooter. In my dynamic footwork I managed to trip backwards, and braced myself for the inevitable thud as my behind hit the ground.

I expected to hit hard and a possible jar to my back.
I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting the worst, and my eyes popped open in surprise when I bounced nicely, and felt no jar at all. I didn't hard as hard as I had expected. Obviously, the extra flesh I am currently carrying on my behind was beneficial in this instance. I gave my behind the credit it was due.

My daughter also bestowed appreciation on my behind toward the end of the week. I was bending forward, when I felt her arms wrap around my middle. She layed against me and said with great love, "Mum, I love cuddling you bottom because it's soooo cushy." I thanked her for the compliment and squeezed her back.

Sometimes you just have to work with what you've got.

Rehydrating

Welcome to 1 November, the first ever Me and YOU Monthly.

I have never been a big drinker ... of water that is. It is something I always have to work on and do better. Since getting back into Netball, I am aware of how important it is to keep hydrated (from past experience). It's not only during sport that I need to be consuming water though.


I was using a drink bottle at work, filling it up at the water dispenser that is supplied there. I then got on a little fitness kick and decided that if I used a glass, instead of my drink bottle, I would physically need to go downstairs more often to fill it up. Great in theory. The problem is that some days get really busy at work, and I was finding I was not drinking as much after a while.


So I would like to go back to the drink bottle and make a better effort at keeping my water intake up.


Have you got any little tricks to drink more water? I'd love to know.

This great link was created over at The Mother Experiment
All you have to do is pick one area of your life that you want to change. Make it something personal to you. Make it that little thing that has been niggling away at you and you just can't seem to shake it.

Painfully obvious

This week I took a big step that I have been working towards for 8 years. I wish I had taken this leap sooner, as the longer I waited the harder it was.

There are several things that I have learned from my little adventure this week.

1. Don't put things off! The sooner you you jump back in the less daunting it will be. It's amazing how we build things up in our heads the more we are away from something.

2. I move around a lot in my day.  This became PAINFULLY obvious after I first sat down. I played my first Netball game in 8 years this week. My muscles let me know how long it has been and that I am that many years older now.

3. Warm-up and cool down are crucial. I already knew this. My Netball career ended with a ruptured Achilles tendon. I was aware that I should take extra measures to warm up this area of my body. Somehow, I forgot about the rest. I was also so keen to get home and collapse in a heap, that I didn't do a cool-down. Big Oops! Today is the 4th day after the game and I am back to walking properly now.

4. If you enjoy doing something, keep doing it. I had played Netball since 1983 until 2003. I really enjoyed it. The running, the skill, the teamwork, the friendships. Giving it up after 20 years was just plain silly.

photo source

Me, just me

Age: 36 and 3/4

Breakfast regime: Yoga or walk, shower, Uncle Tobys Oats with honey and lite milk, Green Tea with Jasmine

Can't Live Without: Family, Internet connection, hugs, creative outlet

My first nomination! The Versatile Blogger.

Thank you so much to Lene @ musings of another mother for nominating me for this award. It's my first nomination for any blogging award and I am very honoured.


Now, to accept one of these awards there are certain rules you have to follow;

1) thank the blogger who awarded you and link back to them (see above!)
2) share 7 interesting facts about yourself
3) pass the award on to 15 newly discovered blogs

So here are 7 interesting (or boring, depending on how you look at it) facts about me;

1.I have never been tattooed or in jail
2.I AM addicted to chocolate
3.I will choose comfort over fashion most of the time
4.I like to eat Cashews
5.I have been playing Netball since I was 9
6.I like my music LOUD
7.I have lived in 10 different houses, all in the same town

and now you MUST check out these blogs which are favourites of mine (in totally random order, of course) and are my nominees for The Versatile Blogger Award;

Jodi @ The Scribble Den 
Michelle @ A Red Envelope
Sam @ At Home With Sam
Kim @ Faith, Grace & Giggles
June and Bear
Life 4 Me by Me
Sarah @ Molly's Maison
Nicola @ Nurture The Little People
Chantel @ Pink Elephants And Lemonade
Kelly @ Our Foot Prints On The World
Our Gang of 7
Natalie @ Winter Love
Sarah @ Oesch and Doots
Jen @ JemiKaan
Zita @Matt and Niamh