We have a few Physios on leave at the moment. One of them runs the community exercise classes at three different retirement villages around our practice, and I tend to be the one to cover these classes when he does go away. These classes make my days pretty huge, so Monday morning I packed up everything I was going to need for the day and set of much earlier then I would normally ready to take on my seniors.
To tell you the truth, the thought of what I was taking on for the next 4 weeks was a little daunting and after a very unsettled and sleepless weekend, I was probably starting my week out on the wrong foot. I was tired before I'd even started.
I walked into the first of the classes I was teaching, and I was pleasantly surprised that a lot of the attendee's remembered me from the last time I covered these classes. I wasn't expecting that. It also turns out that the regular Physio had pre-warned them that I'm a hard task master. So they were pumped and ready to go.
As was the next big class of 14 for hydrotherapy. The participants were very high energy and chatting away, laughing and gossiping about the happenings around the villages, who had done what over Christmas and New Year and were happy to try really hard for me. By the end of my morning with these lovely elderlies, I was feeling better. More positive and optimistic about how the next 4 weeks is going to pan out, and they set me up for a better afternoon of treating my regular clients.
Although it may not be a big deal to some people, well probably most people, I have never been able to do a chin up but always wanted to. Growing up as a competitive swimmer, we were known for the upper body strength required to pull us through the water. I was an endurance swimmer, so my muscle endurance was pretty up there. My muscle strength on the other hand, not so crash hot.
I would always get funny looks when people found out I couldn't do a chin up....But your a swimmer?! they would say. Yep I know, a weak one! Since quitting professional swimming and changing my training program, I would like to think my strength has improved.
So one of my goals for 2014 was to be able to do a chin up. After doing a Crossfit event at the end of last year, where one of the workouts was to do a 1 RM weighted chin up (couldn't even do a body weight one), I, along with a friend who had been at the event also decided we were going to start chin up training. So I wrote us a program and we started it, this morning. At the end of it, she was like...go on, just try. Excited to say, I did one. So 6 days into the new year and goal is achieved....next is 10 in a row!
I have some big decisions to make. I hate making decisions almost as much as I hate change. And this decision is about change. Fantastic. Where I am right now, what I want to do and what I should do are not matching up and what I am currently doing is really meeting neither. So what do I do?
I am currently taking advice from anyone, even Instagram. This photo popped up and the first part really struck a nerve. Let Go Of What Doesn't Serve You. That reaffirmed that I do need to make a change. The bit I'm finding difficult...Do More Of What Does.
What I want to do, is more closely associated to my passion and is what I love to do every day, but what I want to do may or may not put me in a strong position for my future as there is currently a bit of uncertainty along that path. What I should do is in my mind, just ok. I don't mind that pathway, but I don't love it. However I may be better off in the long run.
So do I take a risk and do what I love and take the chance on not finishing off in a stronger position (but it could potentially end really well...its just so unknown), or do I take the sensible route and secure my future now? Any advice would be much appreciated.
I'd gotten some bad news today and was having trouble finding something to smile about. I tried really hard to remember all the positive things I have in my life, and things I am thankful about, things to look forward to....but nothing could bring about that smile.
So I did what I always do, went for a swim. I smashed through 5 km, shared my lane with a lovely guy who I have seen around the pool a couple of times before, who complimented my on my swimming speed and technique and said that I keep myself very fit. Small grin resulted. A good warm up, but a little more was required.
I then got back to my bag and checked my phone to see the screen shot above. About a week ago I downloaded the Smile More App. 3-5 times a day at random times, a text gets sent to you phone, the point to give you more reasons to smile. And after the news I had received earlier this morning, this gave me some hope...cue smile.
I find it very difficult to stay still. I get bored very quickly and think of other things I have to do which I get up and do right then are there. I have been told many times before that I need to learn to chill out a bit and slow myself down, but finding things to help me do that has definitely been hard!
People have suggested to try watching a movie, reading a book or a magazine...lasted around 20 minutes, then later two even less. I'm just so easily distracted and my mind is in a million places at once that I barely even notice myself getting up and going away.
So, someone gave me a puzzle. I was sceptical. But I had to sit down and use my brain to sort out pieces and work out where they belong. There was less opportunity for my mind to wander away from what I was doing and I didn't get bored as quickly because I was thinking so much about the task that was right in front of me. I managed to stay still for a whole 30 minutes before I was ready to get up and go do something else. Progress!
I don't know what I find so exciting about glow sticks, but I love them...almost as much as I love glitter! They are a pointless piece of glowing plastic that last 6 or so hours and then its all over. But how cool is the glowing?
Growing up we always use to snap glow sticks when we were going to watch fireworks, which brings back great memories of being amazed by the exploding glittery lights in the sky. It was either those days or at Leavers, sitting on the floor of the shack we were in at Rottnest, snapping them open so the liquid would come out which we would use as paint.
Both of which, fun times. Glow sticks remind me of great memories so when a 4 year old girl was walking around on New Years Eve handing glow sticks out to everyone...excited!
Welcome to 2014! How strange is that? I've only just got use to writing 2013 and now I have to change that last number again?! People often ask 'What is your New Years Resolution?', The one I hear most often, getting fitter and healthier, and it's normally by the same people every year...so how's that going for you?
Personally I don't believe in setting New Years Resolutions. What I do believe in though is making a change, not just for a year, for life. But it needs to be specific, just 'Getting Fit' is not enough. Try 'I'm going to run 5km three times a week' or 'I'm going to train for and complete in the Women's Triathlon'. So instead of saying this year I'm going to get fit set a gal and change for life.
For me? I won't let myself dwell on the past, not worry about what may or may not happen in the future, but take each day as it comes. Happy New Year and make 2014 your year!
