A Misty Morning

Hiking at 6am means it's cooler out...

Granite was hidden this morning.

It was misting, and although I suggested other ideas on exercise, we still set out on the Williamson Valley trailhead.

The gray sky leant to the vibrant color on the ground.

And towering in the sky.*

Chris used the signs as an excuse to take a break for photos.*

There's always a dead tree around.*

Beautiful Arizona.

The hike took a little longer than expected, and I had to race to get to work on time.  Luckily, getting ready quickly is a specialty of mine.

Yep, it's the carrot dress!!!!

A great hike to start another day.

*Chris took the pictures with an asterisk, the rest are mine.  :)

The Wild Hussey - It has begun!

Back Story:  The Wild Hussey

So unlike Katie I have not been diagnosed as crazy despite what my friends will tell you.  However, my continued quest for balance in life has lead me to a crossroads.  I feel like the four pillars of my life Work, Health, Faith, and Family are pulling and at some point one of the connections is bound to break.

  So, having to be a single parent, business owner, and provider I sacrificed (didn’t care about) my health.  Fast forward 15 years from my Navy days and well I’ve let a few things get out of hand.  Now before anybody gets all bent out of shape I am happy with my life, love my kids, and enjoy my business.  I am not depressed and feel that I am a horrible individual because I have let my health fall to the wayside and no I am not under doctors’ orders to get my health in order (probably because I don’t go to Doctors) but I have realized that it has begun to put my life out of balance.

Now, because I do have a crazy friend and she has introduced me to her quest I felt there is not time like the present.  I have a health coach who I am sure we will discuss at length in future posts, I have three gym memberships because I just don’t want to admit to myself that I’m not going and they make it very hard to cancel (more on that frustration later) and I have trade with Crossfit Prescott but right now Joey scares me so we’ll ease into this little quest focused on nutrition and getting active but next week I will face Joey at 5:30AM and whine about it to y’all later.

So day 1 went well followed all the rules of my health coach and managed to drag myself to the Y for an hour easy cardio session of 

Row machine

Stationary Bike, 

and Treadmill.  

The trifecta of my dislikes!!!  However, it felt good to get a little active and the body let me know it’s been awhile so I think slow and steady is the recipe for success.  

Well it wouldn’t be truly a bare all fitness quest if we didn’t share some pictures and some goal pictures.  I was extremely happy with my health when I was in the Navy so that is where I would like to be again so that is the goal picture and of course we must have the beginning picture.

Before - Navy Day's

Today - The Beginning of the Quest

  Now, to get and stay on this quest until I reach my goals.  It is my hopes that as I share my journey you will also join me and discuss your journey as well.  Please don’t hesitate to comment and ask questions I would love to have an open conversation with y’all so don’t be a stranger.

The Quest has begun…

Rich Stuff

Happy 47th anniversary, Dad & Mom.

My parents, Ken & Linda.

Dad is 75, and has exercised every day of his life.  My mom is 64, and recent health issues have been tough.  Their legacy to me concerning exercise?  Slow and steady wins the race.

After work today...

Which is here, and is breathtaking, btw.

...we went to see a special 30th anniversary screening of The Goonies.

My children were not pleased.

I, on the other hand, wanted to do the Truffle Shuffle.

I resisted the urge to quote every line.

I still kept my eyes closed during the scary scenes.

Because I am a scaredy cat.  I've never seen what's behind One-Eyed Willy's patch.

To me, the appeal of the movie boils down to one thing:

Someday.

Pizza

I had a good workout:

My biceps are coming back!

Lad had a hard workout:

He said the cart was too heavy to push.

So I had to make my boy happy by feeding him:

So much for that workout, eh?

This is where I get super conflicted.  I rarely eat pizza, and am pretty good about my food choices in general.  But the King and others repeatedly tell me that I've "ruined it" for myself with an occasional indulgence.

BTW-that was breakfast.

What's a girl to do?

Hidden Beauty

I hiked today.

Watson Dam.

It's funny how with little sleep I still crave being outside, seeking the adventures of a good hike.

Or just the challenge of identifying the trail.

The King joined me in hiking the Flume and Watson Dam trails; it amazes me these trails aren't packed with people.  Hidden from view but easily assessible, I often marvel at what Prescott has to offer.

Plenty of shade, too.

The King hadn't been to this area; he called the experience "concealed beauty."  

It could also be called place of potential hoards of mosquitos or blooming allergy heaven.

We didn't chat too much; this weekend all we've done is talk.  It was good to just be out, doing something together that wasn't contentious.

There's a distinct lack of "usies" in my camera roll.

Prickly pear in bloom.

The three mile hike was a good one...hopefully it releaves the stress in more areas than one.

Early Bird

It's my first day at my new job, but I need my exercise first, right?

Let's start with leg press.  At over 100lbs because, why not?

I've found the answer to keeping the 80% engaged:  partnership.

My son and partner in CrossFit, Lad.

Learning form.

After all, why would I get up and leave my home before 6am to exercise before my first day of work if not to fulfill a promise  to my exercise partner?

The journey to fitness has not been fun; I am still awaiting the day (a full sixteen weeks later) that I wake up without pain or soreness.  What I have found is the enjoyment of being with other people far outweighs the trials.  What I love about hiking (having partners) has been the catalyst for the gym:  I simply do better with others.

He tips just like his mother.

These are the early days...and I'm delighted to watch him learn.

My new job is fabulous; my boss told me it was if I'd been there for years (unsurprising-I've haunted many a museum office!)

My view from my desk:)

As I transition back to full time, plus keep the job with eNews, I wonder what will happen in my fitness quest.

I have no doubts it will continue, my son by my side.

Rest?! Again?!

Only exercise three times a week??

Say what?

Today was BNI, then eNewsAZ work.  Home this evening, watching TV with the King.

Historical drama, of course.

Tomorrow I start my new job, which I am very excited about.  I'm starting early, heading to CrossFit Prescott by 7am to get in a workout before work with Lad.

Dang that easy form.

Despite yesterday's sugar dump (my own dang fault, I admit) I am excited to get in a workout before work.

This is SO NOT ME.

When did this happen?

I swear it's that dang three-song workout.

Dang it.  I have biceps from this.

I cannot understand the change of the past few weeks.  My hand is broken, yet I feel more intune with my body than ever before.  About a month ago, I started Bowen work with Nicole Charron.  I'm a huge skeptic, and placebo's fail when tried on me.  

I  amazed with the results.

Is it the Bowenwork?  Or is it a change in my perspective?

Today, the wind blew a painting off my wall.  It had been a gift, and while I didn't really care for it, I hung it out of love for the giver.  The frame broke in the fall, and for the first time, I noticed the matt was taped to the painting itself.  I pulled it off to reveal the original, full painting.

I love it now!

It's not a piece that compares with my other originals...its folk art in the truest sense.  One reason I disliked it before was it lacked perspective...with the frame and matt removed, it suddenly did.

Is my perspective on exercise changing?

Time will tell.