Working Out

Okay, so the average person doesn't understand what it means that I can workout again.  It has been three years of absolutely no exercise because of how badly my body reacts to it.  I don't mean getting flush and being sore but losing my ability to walk or other such fun side effects.  I quickly realized that one day of working out didn't equal three days of being in bed.  However, the medicine that I have been taking causes weight gain and I wasn't able to combat it properly.  It has really been a struggle for me.

However, some of my friends from high school were going to do a 90 day challenge starting in September and I didn't want to be left behind.  I didn't tell any of them that I was doing the challenge too but I couldn't stand being left out.  So I told Marc that I really wanted to do a modified challenge and then in 90 days I could start the real thing.  The first several days I took things really slow and I modified several exercises but I kept going.  I definitely needed DoTerra oils to get through the day (Lavender is my best friend!!!) but I could keep going.  Without too much time passing I was able to do the exercises for real and I started seeing results.  Today I completed day 47 of working out in a row.

Though I was seeing my size change I wasn't seeing the same thing happen on the scale.  So I started focusing on my nutrition and what was going into my body as well as my working out.  I have now easily lost over 5 pounds (after eating all day I weigh in at 5 pounds lost) and have been able to fit into jeans that I had given up on.  I still have a long way to go but I focus on today and what I can do in the moment.  Every night I check things off the list that I have completed and I have done a pretty good job of sticking to the rules that I have set.  It is really exciting to feel sore in the morning but from muscles growing rather than cramping all night long.  I am excited for this next chapter in my life and seeing what a difference it can make.  I can't wait to be in the best shape of my life!!!

As a side note, Marc started doing this challenge with me and was amazed at how hard it was!!  He has been the best supporter ever!!  However, now that he is working two jobs he doesn't do the workouts with me any more.  He does continue to ask about what I am doing and encouraging me to finish every day.  I sure love him!!

Loop Holes

Over the three years of our marriage (well particularly the last two and half) Marc has gone for different career paths with different departments.  We always prayed about each career move and felt really good about each one.  However, time after time we found ourselves going nowhere fast.  I was starting to question whether we were capable of getting revelation because we had clearly gotten it wrong so many times!  I mean how many times can you get turned down when knowing it was the right thing to do?  When Marc talked about wanting to go military I wasn't super thrilled but eventually got onboard with the decision.  I knew it was right for our family and though it wouldn't always be fun it would be worth it.  And the best part???  Once you actually sign the contract then it is a done deal.  Well Marc signed the contact and we just had to wait for the October jobs to roll out, waiting wasn't anything new so we waited.  And guess what..... the government shut down.  Seriously, it happened and guess what there were no October jobs.  I know that I can't take the credit for the government shut down but someone in heaven must think it is funny.  I must not have learned my lesson in patience and it must not have been highly looked upon that I was trying to find ways around being rejected again.  Really, all the shut down meant for us was more waiting.  Marc will still leave and this new life will still start.  However, I have learned that nothing is impossible.  So I will stop trying to find loop holes and maybe that will make things smoother in the future....

This ability to try and find loop holes also comes in us not having children.  All of our married friends that were married about the time we were either have two kiddos or just announced that their new bundle of joy is on their way (the last one announced tonight).  I am so happy for their families but I wish that I could have that same happiness in our home.  Marc and I have been married for three and half years now and thanks to my endometriosis we haven't had that miracle yet.  And in Mormon culture we have been married FOREVER and I constantly get asked about kids and our plans.  Now I can't express how grateful I am for the progress that we have made over the years.  Three years ago I spent most days in bed, unable to move, unable to care for myself.  I now am strong enough that I can workout again.  I won't be running any marathons any time soon but I can go for a run and not end up in bed.  Miracles have happened in our lives and progress has been made.  However, I am not patient as I wait for God's timing.  My heart aches every year as I watch the Primary Program (in fact some years I just stay home) or as Mother's Day passes (again the same thing!).  However, my little family is perfect the way it is and one day that perfection will include kiddos.  Until then, I will continue snuggling with the kitties and claiming other people's children as my own.  And I guess I should stop trying to find loop holes here too and find joy in the journey.