I Am An Athlete

Ok... I'm not.

But my muscles THINK that I am. They conk out too fast like a marathon runner who is a professional body builder on the weekdays. Given that. I need to eat like a professional athlete.

I'm not talking about the 5,000+ calories a day. I'm talking about all the supplements, protein and muscle support foods that I can get. That means the very best breakfast I can have is a protein shake.

I don't always do this because:
1) It takes a lot of spoons to make (metaphorically speaking. Not literally.)
2) It requires a lot of ingredients = $$$$$$$
3) I don't always feel like drinking my breakfast. I girl likes to chew every once in a while.
4) It can be high in calories.
5) No matter what I put in, it doesn't taste amazing.

Here are the basic components I put in mine to feed my muscles and my body:
1) Some kind of frozen fruit. Typically mixed organic berries. Between 1/2 to 1 cup.
2) Some kind of oatmilk or juice. Between 1/2 to 1 cup.

3) Some kind of organic protein powder. Typically chocolate or vanilla. 1 scoop.

4) Powder fiber (I tend to run constipated thanks to all my pain medication.)
5) 1 tsp ground flax.

6) My recent addition to the mix, organic Inulin.

7) Filtered water.
8) Unflavored European style yogurt (if I have it on hand). 1/4 to 1/2 a cup.

Then I just blend the crap out of it and drink it. I splurged last year and bought official shake cups that come with those little metal balls in them for shaking. I find it really useful because try as I might things tend to settle fast. So unless I chug it like the athlete that I am, I tend to want to shake it a little.

I've also switched from my usual coffee brimming with barista style oatmilk and brown sugar to British tea with just a dash of honey. I'll still have coffee on the weekends. And you'll never see me without a massive cup of water. 

Here's my ideal breakfast

Something new that I'm trying also as a coffee replacement is sipping barely sweetened cacao. Just hot water, cocoa, a tiny bit of sweetener (your choice what kind), some Mexican vanilla, a dash of salt. Voila! You can add cinnamon if you like as well. 

The Cacao Powder I enjoy

You can learn about the differences in Cacao and Cocoa here. 

I am Miss Piggy! I am!

I'm Not That Person... Yet

In my dream life... 

I'm up with the sun at 6AM. I start the day with a protein smoothie (not a giant mug of coffee). I pull on my workout clothes, kiss my dogs and head to the gym. After an hour of yoga or swimming I come home, shower and dress for the day. It's now around 9AM. I take my puppies out for a walk or adventure in town. They come home pooped and we're all ready for some food. I have a healthy little cup of yogurt, blueberries and gluten free granola (or some hot oatmeal). 

It's now around 10:30. Time for some art! I work on a painting, or drawing, or just play around. Maybe I even have a pottery studio? I throw on my apron and do some sculpting. Or perhaps photography? Art till 12 my dear.

I break for a small lunch with my honey. Maybe a chicken salad? Light, healthy and filling. Protein to keep me going through the day. In this dream life I have no cravings and am satisfied with what I have. 

Look at everything I've accomplished and it's only 1PM!

Now I work from 1-3PM. Maybe it's writing a book, paperwork for my support groups, volunteer work or just reading a good book.

3-4 House time. I work on a house project, garden, meal prep, do laundry or clean something up. 

It's already 4PM and now it's time to walk the dogs again. After another adventure they're ready for their dinner. Lucky dogs. I play with them after dinner. 

5-6 I'm on my computer. Blogging, e-mailing friends, posting pictures of my art. Whatever I choose.

6 We start making dinner together while talking about our busy day. We're both tired, but happy.

7-9 TV while getting my feet rubbed and petting the dogs. I'm sandwiched between them loving life.

9 is bedtime. I'm exhausted after such a busy day.

Although this isn't my life yet, it's pretty close. I still rest most days in the middle of the day. Like 3-5PM if I do. I also tend to sleep in almost every morning. Some mornings I even sleep till 10AM. I can't tell you the last time I was up at 6AM.

I haven't been back to my gym in two weeks. Something I want to remedy. A long time to go without vigorous exercise or yoga. I'd like to be more consistent.

Life happens. Things get in the way. I want to learn to pivot better and stick with what really matters to me. Art, health and happiness.

Finding A Rhythm

It has been a month now since my mom and I joined a gym together. We've been going regularly four days a week. That's a lot for bodies that up to now have only been in the pool with water weights. I say "only" but girl we slayyyyyyed in that pool! 

It still feels so strange to be able to do "normal" activities WALKING!

We're game for a change and tried most of their classes together. I was able to go back to doing zumba (HUGE YAY!) My big love from before I became disabled. My mom found out she loves water zumba. We are women who love to dance. 

I have discovered that right now I can really commit to three days a week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I need some recovery time and time to walk. I'm still working on my walking muscles too. Our gym has a fantastic track that goes through the second story. It reminds me of the train ride at Disneyland that takes you through all the lands. I can see the pool below me, see people behind glass taking a fitness class, others doing machines and weights. That makes it fun. 

But nothing beats walking this love bundle...

Max has been left at home while I'm at the gym. He was home when I would swim before, but it feels like a longer amount of time now (even though it's not). Most of the time he's not even alone. My husband works from home all but two days a week. We're talking about getting him a little sister next year. We'll see. Pets are expensive no matter how small they are.

In the meantime I'm finding my new rhythm knowing even this phase won't last forever. I'm just here, doing my best, enjoying each moment at it comes.

Habits

My mother and I describe ourselves as the "Queens of lists". Every week we sit down and make a list of things we've been talking about. Usually something on a deep level or something we'd like to explore and grow in some way.

Last week we were discussing habits. Specifically things we'd like to become more of a "good" habit. Here's what I came up with:

Of course I also listen to my body. She comes first and sometimes habits fall by the wayside. Like this morning we were going to go swimming together, but my body just screamed "NOPE! No spoons for that today!" And I listened. Not something I used to be able to do at all, so I guess it is a new habit after all?

Here's me participating in some new weekly habits.

My new habits combined with my refusal to compare myself to my "old" self have resulted in something I really needed. A new routine in my life. A new way of living and being in the world. Which have resulted in this!...