Thanksgivings

Looking down at the metrics screen for the Adaptive Motion Trainer or AMT, the frustration I’ve been fighting over my injured heel and lack of weight loss vaporized, only to be replaced by happiness.

The first time Michelle showed me the AMT I was only able to make it through 3 or 4 minutes on the lowest setting. Begging for mercy, as I stepped down and tried to walk, my legs literally collapsed under me and it took several moments before I was able to steady myself and move with ease again.

My happiness now was in recognizing that even though my weight loss has plateaued and that I have had to relax the intensity of my workouts and the type of exercising that I can do (really, I shouldn’t do ANY time on the AMT so that my heel can heal) I am now able to work out longer, harder and faster than I hoped for when Project Purpose started.

It takes several minutes for my heart to reach the target heart rate and it drops almost immediately when I back off the intensity of my workout. It can be a challenge to remind myself that my project purpose was to gain health, and fitness, and be able to sleep well again. Weight loss was never a consideration – just an added bonus.

Otto, our snuffle-puff hedgehog.

We are 19 weeks into P2 with only six or seven remaining. My Achilles heel is doing a lot better, and I have come to terms with my body’s need to slow down a bit so that it can ‘catch up’ with where I want to be.

The holiday season is definitely underway, and with it an even busier schedule. I’ve been spending more hours listening to music for ‘The Nutcracker’ as my daughter rehearses for Canyon Concert Ballet’s performances at the Rialto and Lincoln Center than I have spent at the gym. Yet, the semester is winding down and we are all looking forward to having a bit more free time when winter break arrives.

I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Project Purpose. Thankful that I’ve been able to set aside time to move. Thankful to regain all that has been put on hold while my little ones grew old enough to have independence and the ability to care for themselves. Thankful that my little family encourages me to keep going on the days after a session with Michelle and every muscle aches. I am thankful for having such a fabulous team at The Coloradoan’s Mind + Body, at Miramont, at home, in work, and in life.

So we, Karl, Caleb, Meghan and I - along with big dog, little dog, and hedgehog wish you, Kind Reader, a very Happy Thanksgiving from our “House of Chaos” to yours.

It's HERE! Part III

This issue held a really cool surprise - I LOVE Jackie's coffee - so to find that the main story was about her and how she created a successful company was inspiring.

M+B Holiday 2014 Cover

Alicia's Intro's all around. Love this Gal!

Team Reality Bites

Team House of Chaos

One little bit of info that not many know or are aware of...

When P2 first started they told us we needed to have our photos taken in work out gear. I ran out and purchased this pair of work out/yoga pants and found that I was not able to fit in them.

Proof is in the picture - Hard work does pay off!

Words from the Experts - our team of Coaches! Thank you Kim, Brooke and Michelle!!!

Cat Lady

Well, the cricket died thankfully. I believe he may have been a victim of an equally persistent Beans. (In case you missed it - here's the story.)

Normally I'd be rejoicing at the prospect of a good nights sleep - but the same day that "chirps" as the kids so named him died, a relatively young cat in the neighborhood has decided that she likes our house, thank you very much, and she is now very vocal in her demands of food and shelter.

I first saw her as a streak in my vision - and wasn't entirely certain that I wasn't seeing things. When I saw the bag of dog food that had been dug into with teeth and claws, I was nearly certain that the black streak was indeed feline. Once you've been owned by a cat, you never forget what that sort of claw carnage looks like.

Charles saw her next confirming that I was not, in fact, seeing things.

She's taken to perching on the ledge of a window by our front door. At first she's not noticeable, but then as the house quiets and people fall asleep you can hear her faint Siamese-esk yowling. It's intensity deepens as the night grows darker or until the dogs wake from their food slumber and jar the house wake the entire house with their racket.

By the sound of our greyhound Squirt's barking, you'd think the poor cat was trying to heist gold or dog treats. Beans' sharp barks bring to mind the memory of an old 'Bugs Bunny' cartoon in which the house dog yaps at the highly anxious Sylvester - only I'm the poor 'Puddy Tat' this time around.

Somehow theb'Oy and Dot manage to sleep through the entire racket, and while Charles rustles a bit, he too sleeps through the racket.

It's no wonder why I coffee and I are fast friends.

Quiet Moments

Here at the House of Chaos, it’s not all about workouts, eating right, and taming the schedule.

Tucked in between the running and dashing, the constant clock watching, loud conversations, and laughter there are precious moments where time seems to slow and conversations drop to occasional whispers.

This past weekend had all the trademarks of a typical one; we tore out a deck to make room for a new patio, cleaned up leaves, turned over the garden in preparation for the spring, and everyone got to where they needed to go with time to spare.

But then the boy pulled out a puzzle that hadn’t been opened, commencing the start of a much-needed ‘pause’.

Squirt looks on the current puzzle we are working on.

It takes us longer to build puzzles nowadays - but that’s ok because it means that our bonding time lasts just a bit longer. It’s a tradition I grew up with, and one that my children enjoy so much so that they refer to sharing it with their own families some day.

With colder weather and holiday madness on the horizon, the soft moments are all the more important - and knowing that Caleb and Meghan are growing more independent and will soon prefer the company of friends over family - I’ll take every moment I can get.

On this transitional fall morning, I hope that you Kind Reader, are able to have a moment to breath just a bit deeper, play in the leaves and spend time with those you love.