These last few days I've had to take it easy. My knees and body were telling me that I needed to rest. I continued to work out, but instead of pushing myself - I practiced listening to my body. I said no to a few classes that I would have done - not because I needed to but purely because I was there.
By doing this, I discovered that my ego was in the driver seat and was fixated on keeping up with my work out partner. We were running neck in neck into the weekend - but he pulled ahead over the weekend. My ego did not like this and found that I was beating myself up for not winning the competition. I admit - I like to win and if I have to lose, I want it to be a good fight. I will push myself to achieve success. I have done this at work for years - and was a little surprised to see that I am doing the same here.
I mentioned this to Rebecca today in our creative / expressive movement class and she encouraged me to use it in my dance. It was enlightening to play with this in my dance today and helped me to put it in a more positive light. I am really enjoying these classes and will certainly look to take up dance again when I return home or incorporate it into my weekly physical activities.
Our NIA classes have taken on a life of it's own. The gym was full of eager participants - all of the regulars were there -but we had an influx of new people as well. Apparently, they skipped out of the planned lectures to come to our NIA class! It's such a great way to start the day - I've ordered a couple of DVD's and the NIA technique book so I can do it when I get home. Plus if I'm going to go for my white belt - I will need to practice!
Now that I'm in week 5 I don't have to go to all of the lectures - I am enjoying this part. The lectures are good and very informational. I learnt a lot but am really wanting to put things into practice. I have adjusted to planning a week's worth a meals in advance and noting all that I eat. I can see the value of it - but the expressive in me ..finds it little tedious. As I picked up Menu D ... I couldn't help but sigh. It was much easier this time as I am now familiar with all of the selections. I am also getting really good at knowing the number of calories that certain foods have - and it's much easier to swap things around. There were some days where I swapped every item on the menu ...and only 2 meals were I accepted all items offered. I have no doubt that I will achieve mastery by the time I am ready to leave in a few weeks. That's when the true test will start!
Well folks - it's late and my body is saying that I should have been in bed an hour ago ....so sweet dreams from me to you!
Lots of love,
Norma
4 comments:
Hi, Norma,
It was so great to surf upon your blog the other day. I will be arriving at Structure House this Sunday and had a mental note to leave a message for you to say hello. :)
It sounds like you're making wonderful progress, and I got great inspiration from reading your posts about the experience. In fact, you've inspired me to follow your lead and start my own blog to keep my family and friends updated. So thanks all around!
Hopefully, we'll meet each other one day soon. Keep up the good work!
Take care,
Nadine
Hi Nadine,
I look forward to meeting you. All the "newbies" sit together a table 1 - so I'll look out for you.
All the best!
Norma
Dear Norma,
You are coming along just fine, aren't you?
As you face your competitive side now, I would like to challenge you to beat yourself! Ha! Ha! Here are a couple of things you might try (not that I am an expert, but just speaking as someone who cares):
1. Blow off the menu choices for one week. That would be one less thing to deal with, one less chore to take your valuable time away from you, and one way to "let go" and free your self. Yeah, yeah, the planned food is not much to your liking, but in the long run it is less important than your well-being.
2. Shake up your routines some more. You mentioned that you had to skip a class or miss a class. But everything is in one package, all paid for, so mix it up and follow your impulses! The swimming thing worked out fine, didn't it? As did the loving phone call, and so on. Play around with the classes and options. You may never have an opportunity like this again to be un-structured. Whoopee!
We are in the middle of our 4th typhoon of the season, and it's only May 31. Yuck! Mia's school sports day has been postponed. And it is actually cool enough for jackets. At least she is over her latest bout of strep throat. I have been helping some new people in our building this past week. They are adjusting to life here. The wife is from California, and the husband is from the Dominican Republic. He's a baseball player with our local team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. They have 5 kids, ages 4-15, so there are many questions to answer. It reminds me of when I first moved to Japan--totally clueless in spite of more than a year of preparation! You just have to be here to "get" what it's like.
Rock on, sweetie! Everyone is rooting for you.
Warm wishes from the other side of the planet,
Nancy & family
Norma,
Great to read that you are doing well. Give me a jingle when you get home as I have an interesting question for you. We do miss your humor, wit and knowledge. BTW this is the first blog that I have ever responded to.
Keep smiling.
Love and best regards
Barry
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