Trial, error and experience

Just wanted to touch base while I have the time. This time of year is typically slow for me because of end of summer vacations, kids back in school and trying to get back into a routine. I use to panic because I was pretty much flying solo before Chris. I'm still learning to relax and not freak out when I don't have a lot of business. Over time I have realized that the universe gives you exactly what you need when you need it. There is no use in trying to fight it or control it. It is what it is, period. So that being said (or typed), I have a little free time to catch up on some things. Very seldom do I feel comfortable sitting on the couch with Winston (our alpha cat) not doing really anything productive. Just kind of being, ya know? It's a foreign concept to me. I'm more of a doer, but every once in awhile I like to give being a whirl.

In my extra time, I've also found that I'm more relaxed when I'm training. Somehow that translates into being a little faster. My body also hurts less. The only thing I'm having trouble figuring out is how to keep my gut from rebelling on me after a long run. That's the only time it happens. Not riding or swimming. My guess is that it's because running burns more calories. So I should take in more calories - pretty simple. Or is it? When one takes in solid food, the digestive tract needs the extra blood flow to do its thing. The extremities also need that blood flow to do what they need to do. You can only take in so much gel before it starts just hanging out in your stomach and the same goes for fluid. There have been times when I could hear the fluid just sloshing in my stomach and not being absorbed. So what's a gal to do? Not sure, but I'll just keep collecting data from different people until I find something that works.

Summer is almost over and I really am looking forward to the off season. Even though training will never stop completely, it's still nice and necessary to give yourself a break. I have been doing P90X for essentially 5 1/2 months now and it has sincerely done wonders for me. I'm ready to switch gears and start integrating what I was doing before this program to see how much progress I've made. I like to do that with my clients. The look on their faces is priceless when I have them do something they were struggling with in the beginning and they realize they really have made progress. It sort of fires them back up. They are more motivated than ever at that point. It's so interesting to me how much negativity we are exposed to on a daily basis and how easy it is to turn people around with some positive reinforcement. I can't believe how many times clients tell me how grateful they are for my belief in them and the encouragement I give. Like they've been conditioned to that negativity. I don't know about you, but I respond much better to someone being sincerely supportive of me than if they tell me I'm just not working hard enough. So that's how I talk to and train people. I want people to succeed. If they don't do as well as they would've liked to the first time, I encourage them not to give up. Some things just take practice. It's important to not compare yourself to other people all the time. It's also important to have goals. Push yourself and try to find someone who is just a little faster than you on the days you don't have it in you to push yourself. Take rest days (personally I struggle with this one). Eat right, but allow yourself a little wiggle room. Remember that you can't be "on" everyday, so give yourself a pat on the back for just getting out there and doing it anyway instead of getting frustrated (calmly back away from the ditch and put the bike down - you paid a lot of money for that bike).

I could go on and on, but I'm tired and I really do have a little work to do. Otherwise, I could surely sit here and do this all night. The cats would love it. Cats got it going on! What a life....

To be is to do - Plato

To do is to be - Socrates

Do be do be do - Sinatra