The Adventure of the Personal Trainer and the Girl in the Red Bug

My newest adventure is working out twice a week with a personal trainer. I have been on this adventure about three weeks now! What an experience. I workout, relatively consistently, and have even worked out with a personal trainer previously, but I can honestly say it is/was NOTHING like I am doing now! Wow!

Some of the things I have learned in my adventure so far....you don't have to go to a gym to workout and get in shape. Our workouts are at a local park. A few tools are needed to complete the workout; some handheld weights, an exercise band, and a yoga mat! That is pretty much it!

Although, I workout at the gym, and am trying to get back into my running, it is nothing like having some one to drive and push you through an hour workout. I will admit that there have been a couple of moments that I have reached the point of wanting to shed a tear or two, but the strong words of encouragement and having someone investing in you, pulled me through.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I have learned that seeing the results of my workouts makes every "Mountain Climber" and "Suicide" that I do, worth it (ok, ok....I tell myself that through every workout!). But, in three weeks, I have lost an overall of eight inches and I am able to do things, physically, that I was not able to do three weeks ago - I am happy. I can't wait to see what happens in the next month of so!

I would love to hear what adventures you are having!

Until the next adventure.....The Girl in the Red Bug!

What is an Adventure?

After thinking about changing the name of my blog, I thought “What will others expect from my blog?” Then I thought, “What do I expect from my blog?” After all. I am writing this blog, it should be meaningful to me and reflect who I am. I mean in adding “adventure” to the title....does that mean I am going to have to go skydiving or something like that now?! Yikes! The answer to the skydiving question, in case you were wondering, is ummm....NO!

But, breaking my thoughts down a bit further, what is categorized as an “adventure?” The actual definition of adventure is,

an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous experience, or activity.

What I came to realize after revisiting the formal definition of adventure is...I think that life should be an adventure (well, maybe excluding the hazardous part). An adventure doesn’t necessarily have to be skydiving, or running with the bulls ~ although these certainly would be categorized as adventures. I believe an adventure can be the spirit, or attitude, in which we do something ~ how do we view, or “take on,” life? Life truly is an adventure. Each of our lives are unusual, our lives can be exciting and goodness knows they can be hazardous on many levels (physically, emotionally, spiritually). If we look at life as an adventure, if we make the small, simple things like a dinner with our family as “occasions,” won’t we make our own lives, as well as those around us richer? My thoughts are, “yes!” I am curious on your thoughts on this topic?

We only get one trip through this life, don’t you want it to be an adventure? I know I do! Enjoy!


A tramp, a gentleman, a poet, a dreamer, a lonely fellow, always hopeful of romance and adventure.
                                                                                                         ~~Charlie Chaplin 

My New Bug ~ My New Adventures

Most of you know that I recently purchased a red Volkswagen Bettle (or Bug as they are fondly referred to). I get the question that we all ask every new car owner..."How do you like your Bug?" Well, the answer is, I LOVE my Bug. I love my Bug almost as much as I love my iPhone, and for those of you that know me, even a little bit, know that I am a FREAK over my iPhone.

Along with the purchase of my Bug, comes a renewed spirit for adventure; the need to get away, to do things out of the normal everyday routine ~ hence the renaming of my blog, The Adventures of the Girl in the Red Bug. I'll be sharing my little adventures, hopefully you will find them entertaining, enlightening and you will be encouraged to share your adventures as well.

Stay tuned....

New Beginnings

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

Today was a beginning of a new chapter, for me, of sorts - I was baptized! It was an incredible experience that I was blessed enough to share with my sister (my bff), my brother-in-law, and my nephews Brady and Masen (double-gift getting to watch the boys be baptized). It has been something that I have always wanted to do, but my fear of water has always kept me from it, which sounds so ridiculous when I write it, or say it out loud. Talk about letting the devil dictate something to you. Thankfully, Dawnie set everything in motion and finally I did it! And it feels GREAT! My Lord is always there for me and as this next chapter on my life begins...well, only the Lord knows what will come next. I am excited and thankful that I can turn it over to Him and He will direct me. How refreshing!

My first 10K...well kind of...

Yesterday, I completed my first 10K.....well sort of.... I walked a big portion of it, but I finished it, which I think is the important part. But, it made me ask, "How do people actually get to the point where they can run six miles, or 13.2 for a half marathon, or 26 for a marathon?" Can I really do this? But, I feel like I need to keep working towards this goal. The easiest thing to do would be to say that running isn't for me and move on to something else. But, I don't want to quit. I want to have the satisfaction of starting out at something, not being good at it at all (ahhh...yes, flashbacks to high school and being horrible, HORRIBLE at cheerleading), but working hard and getting the satisfaction of becoming capable, becoming -dare one say- good at it. Do others get to the point where it is easier to say forget it and move on and not get the satisfaction of achieving the goal, or is it just me? I think that somewhere along the way, I have lost a bit of my "fight" or my "try." Maybe continuing to work towards my goal of running will help me rediscover that girl that worked so hard to make the cheerleading squad. I will keep you posted.

On a different note. London's Run was wonderful. It was incredible seeing so many people come together for such a wonderful cause, to see such unity and community support. The organizers of London's Run do an incredible job. It is a positive, uplifting experience and I am honored that I was part of Team Natalie. I am already looking forward to next year.

Blessings to you!

Ahhh....frustration...

Well friends, my attempt to start running and training for my first 10K, was sidelined on day 2. Needless to say, I am so frustrated. I started my training program this past Monday...I was so excited, it went so well. I am using a training application that I downloaded on my iPhone, and it is great. On Tuesday, I was ready for day 2 of my training. I headed out and am on my merry way and my foot and ankle start hurting. I finished my run/walk, going three miles, but was unable to train on Wednesday and have been sidelined, pretty much, since then.

Here is my question, to my running friends....what do you think caused this? I didn't twist my ankle or anything like that....and what are your recommendations to get back on my feet, or should I say foot.

Until next time...I hope that you are having success with your new years goals.

Traditions

Good morning,

As I get ready to make my grocery list, for New Year's Day, it made me think of family traditions....My Nan used to make black-eyed peas every new years day. You may be thinking, black eyed peas? Why? New Year's Day black eyed peas is a southern tradition; the black eyed peas are supposed to bring good luck and prosperity. I have had several people ask me, throughout the years, if I believe that black eyed peas really bring luck and prosperity and my response has always been...I am not going to tempt fate and not eat them...it can always be worse!

But in reality, I think the reason I continue to eat black eyed peas, every new years day, is that it is a tradition that was instilled in me from childhood. We lose so many things about young selves as we grow older, this is a little snippet that I can keep tucked away and bring out once a year. There is something in getting my pot of peas ready and the making of the cornbread that transforms me back to a different time and place. It brings me the hope of tomorrow, while thinking of years past...yes, I get all that from a pot of black eyed peas. I love traditions and sharing them with others.

What are some of your traditions? Let's make this a year of continuing traditions of years past and creating new traditions for the future. Wouldn't that be a wonderful gift! Until the next time....