Drawing Analogies

These last two days have been interesting ones -yesterday was a great cardio day with a NIA class in the morning, gyrokinesis in the afternoon and volleyball in the evening. I finished off the day with a massage - and was ready to collapse into bed last night.

I woke at 6 this morning with the realisation that I had not submitted my menu for next week yesterday. I had completed the hard copy on Monday -but had not made the time to do it online. I prefer to submit it electronically - as they will provide us with a hard copy for our own records. If you hand it the hard copy - you don't get a copy back - so meals become a bit of a surprise and runs afoul of the Structure House way!

One of the lectures today was on Food and Eating in Relationships. One of the things that I have realised since being here is that although the choices I have made this past year have not been the best - the relationship that I struggle with is work related. When asked about options re: food - I find that for the most part I don't have the same struggles that others may have - however, if I approach the very same question posed from a work perspective - my level of comfort disappears.

It's funny, I've had people describe me as a workaholic - and I have never been willing to admit that this was me and could easily point to others that worked harder than me. I know I worked hard - I was a little surprised when one of these individuals was quick to tell me that my relationship with work was like an addict - that I was addicted to work. I admit, I like to be busy - but am coming to realise that this need to be busy all the time is not healthy - especially when I use it to avoid taking care of myself.

In class when they talk about options - it all seems rather straight forward, almost easy at times. Putting it into practice will be the real test. It's one of the reasons why we are encouraged to create a plan now. I know I have some time before I am scheduled to return and a little nervous as to whether I will succeed. This nervousness is telling me that this is something I need to tackle - and now is the time to do it.

I've booked some time with two of the personal trainers. I am feeling a lot stronger physically than I was - but after playing volleyball outside on the long grass last night, I realised that I have a ways to go! It was hard work - it was interesting as the the younger folks were much more willing to throw themselves after the ball - and the rest of us older ones were willing to let it pass us by. I found playing on the long grass a challenge and exhausting - it is much easier indoors!

Today I had my first session with Randy on the strength training machines. I was pleased to hear that for the most part my form is good - there was only one machine that I needed to adjust my posture. What I did discover was that I am able to do more with the weight machines than I anticipated - so today we adjusted all but one. The great thing about working with a personal trainer is that he makes me stretch between sets (I tend to wait until the next day) and is showing me stretches that I can manage on my own. He threw in a couple of extra variations or super combos to improve my workout and removed one of the exercises that I was doing as it was one where there was a high risk of injury associated with it. My goal is to work with Randy to develop a training program that I can use when I return home.

The other trainer that I am going to have some individual sessions is my gyrokinesis teacher - she has a degree in dance - so we will work together on movement. I am not quite sure as to what it involves, but it sounds exciting as it involves movement, music - and homework! I wasn't expecting the latter ....but it's one that can be done in writing or through art. I've opted for art - and am looking forward to playing with the set that Katrine gave me before coming.

Well that's it for now! Happy Friday everyone!

Love,

Norma