Pants on the Ground

Some of you might remember the song Pants on the Ground from a popular search for talent show. I had my own experience with pants on the ground Thursday at the gym. Since I've started working out I haven't spent money replacing any workout clothes. Replacing clothes are expensive. There have been a couple of times when someone at work has mentioned my pants being too baggy and I have taken those out of my wardrobe. I've been vigilant about taking clothes to thrift stores as they become too big because I'm not going bak there. With my workout clothes, I pull the draw string tighter and roll with it. Thursday I was on the stepper forcing myself to do my four miles. It was hot outside and I wasn't really in the mood. The particular pair of pants I had on were really baggy. Somewhere in the third mile something didn't feel right. I'm glad I checked. My pants were no longer around my waist, but around my hips and slipping further. I grabbed the string very quick and had a moment of gratefulness that my shirt was so big and I had on a pair of good underwear (you know as opposed to old or in my case big and saggy. I have spent money replacing underwear along the way...) because there were people behind me lifting weights. I would have hated to have been the cause of someone's injury because of the moon which arrived in the gym! I finished my workout and went into the owner's office to share my story. Tears of laughter rolled down our cheeks. Sonya took a picture and made me promise I would purchase a some workout clothes which fit. We took before and after pics.

I went to Wal Mart (still not willing to invest a lot of money in workout clothing)and tried on a size which I knew would be too small. I don't know what the lady at the fitting room must have thought as I let out a scream and started dancing around. The pants weren't too small. They fit! When one is so used to wearing such baggy clothing one doesn't realize how much more comfortable and safe it is to not have to continually be tugging up your britches and holding them on. Are you ready for this? The new pants were 4 sizes smaller! 4!!!!

I wore those workout clothes all day yesterday. I went to dinner with a friend and still wore them. I wore them with pride. I have sweated and, as a result, earned the right! This morning I was up before the sun. My mom and dad arrived here at 6:15. Mom and I did the Julia's Warriors of Hope 5k in Smithville. This 5k raises money for breast cancer research. The walk went well. The last mile was uphill. I took a picture of a sign. The sign says a lot to me.

This month's challenge has been to incorporate strength training into the workout. I have to admit I have slacked on strength training. I gave myself the first week back from vacation off except for cardio (I'm determined to get my 100 miles in!). Last week I decided I would focus on abs for strength. The goal that some are hitting is 1000/1000/1000. You pick three strength moves and do 1000 of them each week. On Monday I thought I could hit 1000 crunches in a week. Tuesday when I went to get out of bed my abs were so angry. I'm at 300 crunches and 300 reverse crunches. Hoping to hit 1000 of each by the end of the month. This painful experience has reminded me that you can't neglect the strength training portion of your workout. It is so important. Hope you are taking care of you! I have added a new song to my playlist for this blog. It's called "Break My Stride". When I was so down because of my dissertation setback, my friend DB called me immediately upon seeing my post. She said, "Bunchy, you get one day. One day to feel bad about this and then you are going up and at em again." I was doubtful. I was devastated. DB said, "Bunchy, this is who you are. You don't let things get you down. That's just who you are." As much as I wanted to believe this was the thing that would throw me into a state of depression, the next morning I woke up brainstorming what to do. My mom called later that day to check on me and I told her I was coming up with some new ideas. She said, "I knew you would. Your dad and I knew you wouldn't let this get you down." A couple of days later my husband and I were driving down the road and Break My Stride came on the radio. Dave said, "This is your theme song." I looked at him perplexed. He said, "It's how you are about life. Your dissertation, working out, anything. You might have a set back, but you are going to just go after it harder." DB, Mom and Dad, and my husband are such VERY important people to me. All are so special. Their faith in me has helped create who I am. Thank You, All for always believing in me even when I don't. I love each of you very much.