An Unexpected Lesson

We all know that we need to move every day. Movement combats fatigue and depression. Daily movement improves sleep, digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar. Almost any one asked, “should you move daily?'“ will answer yes. However, when that same group is asked, “Do you move daily?” the inevitable answer is no.

I’m guilty of that lack of daily movement. And I surely know better. “When you know better, you do better.” FALSE!!! I just feel more guilt when I don’t “do” better.

Today, I chose to move. Well, movement chose me. Actually, the yard needed mowed. Though that’s not the entire truth. There’s a rain front moving in this weekend, the grass is unruly, my hubby likes a tidy yard, and I don’t hate riding around on the Cub Cadet ZT1. So, ride it around I did. Hey, it’s movement. Don’t judge.

My nemesis and teacher today, FS56RL.

When we mow, the edges need tidied up by a weed-eater. The Stihl FS56RL is my nemesis. It hates me, and there is no love lost on my side. A more devilish device does not exist in yard care.

Now, I love my husband (DH), and love doing things to make his life more pleasant. It’s a two-way street for us. One of the things the DH doesn’t love is weed eating. So I thought that running the weed-eater around the yard after I mowed today would be a nice way to make his life more pleasant. And, It would be an extra oomph in that daily movement I chose today.

There was no way this act of love was going to be a surprise. I had to text and ask which can held the mixed gas for the torture device, I mean, weed-eater. Then I texted to ask where the string was. At this point, DH calls and informs me about the string, then asks with no little amount of incredulity if I was sure I wanted to try this weed-eater thing. A cheery, "‘yep, I do!’ from me and I could almost hear him shrug his shoulders saying, ‘your funeral’ in his head. He did tell me to be sure to wear my safety glasses. Thanks, babe.

String located. Weed-eater gassed up. YouTube doesn’t know what kind of string-head there is on this thing. So back to its’ Master (DH) with a ‘how do I…’ question. String changed. YouTube does know how to start the thing, which is good because I didn’t.

The Stihl FS56RL is a straight-shaft beast and I’m now certain you need to be over six feet tall with orangutan arms to operate it properly. I’m no slouch at 5’6” yet I was not tall enough to let the instrument of torture fall at arms length and just swing away. DH makes it look so effortless and easy. And he does a nice, neat, straight job with it. HOW!?!

So I’ve made it up the sidewalk, around the house, and across the back of our detached garage. I’ve used two strings already. Weed-Master said I should only need one string unless I got into the wire fence around the property. I haven’t and yet two strings are already gone. I’m not defeated. No, ma’am. I just know when to take a good, long break and get an in-person assist from the Master of this device.

I’d say I got 20% of the necessary edges trimmed up. Not with any grace or professional finish, and I’m pretty sure DH will go back over them. But today I tried a new thing, and I’ll try the weed-eater again. Not bad for my first try. I hope.

Now there’s a lesson to be learned from this and if you’ve read this far, I want to share it with you.

In general, I hate asking for help. But today, I chose to embark on a task for which I was not equipped. So, I asked for help from the Master of the Weed-Eater. And I went to YouTube for guidance. I also stopped pushing the issue when I knew it was too much for me, and asked the Master for a lesson in order to improve my skill.

So many times in life, I’m not willing to reach out. If I think I “should” know something, I won’t ask for help. Pride, fear, and arrogance are terrible teachers and leave me paralyzed, unmoving. But the Master of my life, Jesus gently tells my heart, set pride, fear, and arrogance aside, daughter, and take my humility for it is a light burden and I will help you carry it. I lean into Him for the lesson and listen to Him for guidance. He has never left me paralyzed with pride or fear. Arrogance cannot exist in the presence of His humility.

So the movement I enjoyed today was not simply physical. The Lord moved my heart. I pray He moves yours as well.

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Push Ups aka Personal Training

After a six, no wait, seven... Okay. For real though, it was probably actually about a year out of the routine of three to four and sometimes five days of group classes each week at a cross-fit style gym. There were a lot of contributing factors with my hiatus, but that's for another day.

I've signed up with Amber at Rising Tide Fitness to help me get back into the swing and lift of a regular training routine. My focus is on retraining proper lifting form & technique, and core stability. Amber is a US Marine and has a teacher's heart. She pushes me further than I can push myself, and that is what I want in a trainer. She & I sat down and had a conversation before she ever asked me to move a muscle. I really appreciated that. She was prepared and had several questions for me, and listened to what I expected out of one-on-one training versus the class setting I had experienced before. 

Squat Form

I've worked with Amber before, but never one-on-one. Right now we are keying on basics like squat form & shoulder progressions. Here Amber is guiding me about collapsing knees and strong posture. It's like I'm starting over again but it's a good thing. 

Previously at Rising Tide, I attended the classes rather than going the personal training route. This decision was mostly based on the cost consideration and my husband & I attended class together a lot. However, no matter how much I loved the camaraderie of the class setting, it was too hard on me. I'm competitive and pushed too hard in classes to keep up with others or do the workout as prescribed (Rx). Autoimmune conditions require consideration when determining what physical activity will best suit. Working with someone like Amber who wants me to succeed as much as I do makes the needed adjustments easy.

Here are some things you should consider when determining how your own personal physical activity will look:

1. Cost. Yes, get the money question out of the way up front. You know your budget. Adding a cost that increases your stress can negate any positive results. Walking at the park or in your neighborhood is free. Gym memberships cost money. Personal Training can get expensive. Have that awkward conversation before you sign anything.
2. Time.  How much time do you have to invest? Be realistic. Realize something else will be compromised to carve out time for classes, training, or walking the neighborhood. Consistency equals results.
3. Personality. Should you choose to go the route of a personal trainer, as I have, you need to make sure that your personalities are going to mesh. Lots of things can be taught, but personalities in adults are usually pretty set.
4. Comfort. If you're interviewing a trainer who makes you uncomfortable, ask for a reference to a trainer who will make you feel comfortable. Trainers & trainees may cross some awkward personal space lines. 'Nuff said.
5. Listening. Amber listened to me. She heard what I said about pace. She listened to my goals and wrote them down. Don't use a trainer who wants you to follow their agenda rather than programming for you. The opposite is true as well. Your trainer is a paid professional. Listen to them! I'm not paying Amber to be my therapist, she's there to help me improve my physical fitness. I'm sure as heck going to listen to her.

I'm going to be able to do one unassisted push-up by the end of 2018. I will listen to Amber and follow her programming. We will evaluate progress and adjust accordingly. I will groan & cry out in frustration.  I'll show up. I'll work. I'll sweat. I'll be so much better for it.

Do you have anthing to be added to the list above? Have you had any good or bad experiences you would like to share? Comment below, I would love to hear what you have to say.