Where Does the Time Go? and Beachbody Things

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There are ideas for new YouTube videos bouncing around in my head, but the day holds only so many hours. It'll take a while before I get another one made.

It looks like my focus will need to be shifted a bit. It has to do with some goals I made a couple of years ago, I never accomplished. Well, actually, I hadn't realized two years have passed since coming up with the plan. See? Time just zoomed by. Only now have I stopped spinning long enough to remember what it was all about.

One of the goals was fairly simple. Run a 5K. Doesn't everyone want to do that when they turn 40? I did. I was getting ready for it. Then, stuff came up. Thus, the 5K dream never materialized. It was on hold until the next year. The big 4-1. Somehow, it just wasn't the same. My birthday came and went. I barely noticed it. Seriously, it was almost completely forgotten! A dud, as far as birthdays go.

Now, I'm closing in on 42. Funny thing, I feel like I'm already 42, or more. I've this habit of rounding up. In my mind I'm almost 50. No worries, though. I'm enjoying it.

Anyway. The goals.

There were lots of other ones, of course. They fell by the wayside, too. I think this happens a lot to parents. The concern centers around providing for the children, laundry, cleaning things . . . the lawn.

Perhaps, I'm just a poor planner and haven't figured out the secret to fitting everything into the days. That'll be a goal. Be a better planner. Ha! No, really. I should work on that. Surely there's a bit of ADD going on with me. Too many irons in the fire will do that to a person!

Interestingly, I've noticed other people seem somewhat flustered, too. Must be in the air. Or perhaps, there is anticipation, nervous energy, that this year will be loads better than the last. Let's hope it is.

As for me, I'm working on that 5K. But not just to be cool. There's health at stake here. This seems to be the age some of us start to fall apart in ways more noticeable.

This time, I'm going to do something a bit more drastic.

A couple of years ago, I mentioned finishing P90X. Ouch! Well, I'm back at it. With a vengeance. It's serious this time. I've added some TurboFire. One word for TurboFire, "WOW!"

To prove it, the seriousness, that is, I signed up at Beachbody.com. Their stuff just works and it's fun. I'm taking advantage of their "coaching" opportunity, which will definitely hold me accountable. I intend to be successful at ridding myself of a roly-poly figure. I mean, I just don't need it anymore, cute though it may be. Gah! ((and eyeroll)) Egad. The coaching opportunity helps me share with other like-minded folks who want to learn more about Beachbody products. It also helps me focus on my fitness goals. And, I get a nice discount on this:


Today, I just received my first package of Shakeology. This stuff is loaded with all kinds of goodness. Beachbody offers it as a meal-replacement shake that provides energy and tons of nutrition. It's a touch pricey, but I figure good health is worth the investment. Now, I know, it's a shake. Fruits and veggies would be preferable. I tried that. I ended up buying a lot of fruit and veggies. I couldn't buy enough to compare to the nutrition in Shakeology. I'm vegan, so when I say I would need a lot of fruits and veggies to stay healthy, I mean a whole lot! Which is fine, really. But there are other mouths to feed in this house. And most of them don't care for so much green on their plate. It's difficult to afford all those separate meals, and it's very time-consuming to prepare them all. And my understanding about Shakeology is, one serving is like consuming loads of fruit and veg. It sounds like it would taste like yuck, but I just had a glass and it was actually pretty good! Surprised me even. Haha! The kiddos like it, too. In any case, I'm going to give it a go and just see what happens.

All of this gives me an idea. I think my next videos will be about this new program I'm involved in. Perhaps, a video of my workouts and some Shakeology recipes. Sounds like fun! I'll keep you all posted, in case you're interested.

Boy, talk about accountability. Now I have to get in shape! Haha!

More info about Beachbody workouts and Shakeology can be found here: beachbodycoach.com/sdchan
and here: shakeology.com/sdchan

Humility and Salad

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This beautiful big salad is my brunch today.

In it is a mix of romaine, kale, spinach, carrots, celery, orange slices, a touch of salad vinegar and a tiny bit of salt. It's pretty yummy actually, and no doubt full of nutrients. Though I might have been able to avoid the salt and vinegar altogether for an even healthier meal. It'll take me a while to finish, to be sure. That bowl is bigger than it looks!

It's good to eat slowly. It's the best way to get the good out of good food and it gives a person time to think.

Yesterday, a good friend of mine said some things that struck a chord. He said it in a video he posted--he's been vlogging his raw foods weight-loss journey. Which, by the way, is going pretty well. Anyway, he mentioned how he felt the people around him seemed to be moving slowly, while he was speeding right along. He was irritated by it, I thought. Though, in some way, he seemed surprised at his irritation. I sort of understand what he's talking about. I used to live in that town. It's small, so things flow without urgency.

He remarked about an experience he had, whilst buying produce. The cashier, a slow one, an apparently largish one, set a bag of organic apples down rather harshly after ringing them up. He was rather annoyed by it. I suppose I don't blame him. Often cashiers are numb to the tedium of scanning hundreds of odds and ends of stuff. I know, I used to be one. Haha! The monotony sort of makes the eyes glaze over.

There were more things said in the video about shopping experiences and about the whole of the public. To sum it up, he was dealing with zombies. People walking around in a daze, who appear to have no idea what's going on around them and could care less to change it. It's more noticeable, perhaps, to a former zombie. Or even to an outsider. A tourist. He's become an unintentional tourist in his own hometown.

In the beginning, I found the video off-putting. I thought my buddy came off as slightly arrogant. It surprised me how uncomfortable it made me feel. And since yesterday, when I watched it, I've been trying to discern why that is.

So far, I think the reason is, I see myself in what my friend said. Not only am I the half-asleep cashier, but also the annoyed customer. No different than anyone else.

There have been many times I've made remarks about the lackadaisical behavior of the public. To be sure, an article or two about the subject can be found on this blog. Particularly in the early days, when the town I'm in was new to me. It appeared everyone was oblivious to one another. They seemed to shop that way, drive that way. Blind to the existence of other human beings. This was shocking to me. And a simple misunderstanding. Because now, since I'm no longer a tourist, I see something else here.

I see busy people. Troubled, cranky, normal people. Like me. We are in the same boat. And since there are so many of us here, all going with the flow, it is difficult to focus on just one or two at a time. Even so, when one of us has car trouble or gets hurt, many will stop to lend a hand. There is kindness behind those seemingly empty eyes. It's a bustling town and a big one. One in which, basically, we are all doing the best we can.

And so, when I feel like uttering a foul thing about another of us here, I have to remember my own imperfection. For certain, my attention is not always focused, nor am I always the kindest person there ever was. Being a better human is a bit of hard work, at times. When you make some progress at it, you just sort of want to shout it to the world, share the knowledge, teach the other humans.

I think that's what my friend's goal is. Sharing what he's discovered about truly living and feeling alive. Perhaps, he's a bit impatient about it, because it's become so obvious to him what needs to be done. No time to waste. Each and every moment is to be savored, appreciated... noticed. "Start living NOW!" in flashing neon lights.

He's right, you know. But, not everyone is ready. The work that needs to be done to achieve such clarity is not easy. Some may never reach that "A-ha!" moment.

Perhaps, what is needed is a bit of patience. And a modicum of humility. Remember those times before your enlightenment. Lest you risk alienating those you could teach. In my rambling, it would seem that is the point. At least, I think so.

Even so, my bowl is empty...
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My friend's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gillgamas

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Atmosphere

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It's one of those strange days again.

This morning, the mood was set. The air was misty. The bare tree limbs were softened by the fog. And the sound of rain drops could be heard coming from the ground, though at that moment, there was no rain. The earth must have been sucking up the moisture, dew drops filling the voids that popped like bubbles.


The peculiar feeling has been building for days. I can't put my finger on its cause. Maybe it's the weather. At least, the blame usually goes there, rightfully or no.


Indeed, we've had one of the oddest winters I can recall. If one could even suggest it has been winter at all. One of the few winters we were actually prepared for. The first time we've had winter boots and proper snow gloves on hand, and no snow, scarcely enough cold to require a glove. Several days of warmth with rare moments of rain.


Let's hope for a bit more rain. Last summer's drought cast a pall over much of the region. Sour moods erupted from the dry. At least, the damp will green the earth, perhaps, spreading some cheer.


In the meantime, I'll work on shaking this weird feeling. And it's not just me. Others have mentioned it, too. Must be the weather...

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