Changes I Never Saw Coming

I have to take a break from the trip recap to catch up with things since I've been back on the west coast for nearly 2 weeks now.  Life is still incredibly busy. I've been burning the candle at both ends, as usual. It's definitely teaching me the value of a good bubble bath, glass of wine, and my bed. But even that has changed.

Tonight, it dawned on me how much my life has changed, and how much I love the changes.

Let me shoot a few examples (both fun and serious) your way -

I NEVER thought I'd actually ENJOY wearing pigtail braids in my MID 30's!
Turns out, they are the perfect hairstyle for a fun, hot summer's day, no matter the fact that I'm not exactly a 'spring chicken' anymore. They look better now than they did when they were (perhaps) more age appropriate.







I NEVER thought I'd look forward to the challenge of new physical activities as much as I do now.  

Sure, I still get that little ball of anxiety. Sometimes it's louder than others, but there is something irreplaceable about feeling physically capable of just about anything. I recently had the chance to go Stand Up Paddle Boarding for the first time ever. I went with a small group of 4 girls - 1 of whom had been doing it once or twice a week for about a month. When it came time to get on the boards, the two other ladies were waiting for someone else to go first. 

Me? Well, I know how to make an impression apparently. Bocking like a chicken, I walked down the pier and started the journey. I had no idea what I was doing, but I know that (worst case scenario), I'm a very strong swimmer. So I might as well give it a go. I knew it was a challenge.  In case you're just tuning in to my blog, I'm not a small woman. I'm about 5'8" tall, and weigh in just shy of 200 lbs. I have flat feet, turned in ankles, and a million reasons why this should have turned into a swimming lesson. Instead, it was a great 2 hours paddling around the inlet, riding the wake of passing boats, spotting wildlife, and chatting with some cool ladies.  Now, I feel that familiar fear and anxiety and I embrace it - acting on it and focusing through the fear. A year ago (or less) I would have probably have been making an argument over why I shouldn't be the first one out... Now, I couldn't find a reason why not.

I NEVER thought I'd look FORWARD to vacation WODs. But the truth is, I do when I travel. I have a great time meeting up with people and working in a run, finding a local gym or Crossfit box and exploring it.  The crazy thing is - well, enthusiasm is contagious.  Now, when I travel to with friends or to visit family, I'm already asking, "Where is a local gym? Want to come play with me?" Some folks are a tad reluctant, but most just dive in when given then opportunity to come 'play' with me.  This past trip, I met up with a Facebook buddy (a bride who had finished running the Boston Marathon only a few weeks before) and got to put her through the paces. We had a great time and it was truly a highlight of the trip. And TheNurse is a great travel partner - always down for a run, handstand, tire flip, whatever. Now, I look for active things to do before I even start booking my trips.

 
I NEVER thought my body could, would, or even should look like it does today.

Progress photo time is coming up in a few weeks. Now, all that said, I was never training for a certain 'look'. That's more the body building world. It's a very specific subset of the fitness realm.  The point of my training when I started was to 'lose weight'. I haven't met the poundage goal I set then, but honestly, I couldn't care less. That's right - if I never lose a single ounce more, that's just fine by me. Why? Because I've NEVER been this healthy. I didn't see that coming. They body I thought I wanted isn't the shape I have. My shape is stronger than I ever gave my frame credit for. Yes, I still love my curves, but I have different curves then I did when I started. They are even drastically different than they were at the beginning of the year. I am surprised on a near daily basis looking in the mirror - as if I'm waiting for the fluff to magically reappear. But it isn't. Not because there is a 'magic' to it, but because I've changed.

I NEVER thought I'd TURN DOWN a theater role. I recently had the chance to be involved in a local musical theater production. A role was assured. No audition necessary. But I turned it down. Why? My life is already really hectic. I know I can adjust my schedule right now - especially should My Sailor return. But a show (requiring weekend rehearsals all summer long) would force me to make sacrifices I'm not ready to make right now. While I do look forward to performing now and then, my venue has changed. Instead of a stage, it's a platform. My props? Heavy bars. I'm not really 'trading' one for the other. I still plan to support and volunteer with the theater whenever I can, but I like the flexible rhythm I'm in right now.

I NEVER thought my Highlight Reel would be so quickly outdated.
My Sailor barely got the chance to see it, and within a few weeks, it was outdated. When I compiled it, I was just figuring out my handstand. Now? I'm figuring out handstand push ups. I'm getting the hang of complicated lifts like the Snatch and I'm working on stringing together my double unders... Though it's a great way for My Sailor to catch up on what I've been up to since he's been gone, I'll have a lot of new tricks to share by the time he does return as well. With so many things to excel at, it's never dull. The goal is a moving target.

I NEVER thought I'd LOOK FORWARD to getting up early on WEEKENDS!In fact, I have to wrap up this blog so that I can catch some zzz's before heading to an Olympic Lifting Class in the morning... And tomorrow morning? I get up at 6am to join a great group of folks for a Crossfit style class... While I don't think I'll ever 'prefer' early morning workouts, I look forward to these mornings and miss the people and the classes when I can't go to them.

I NEVER thought people would find ME 'inspirational'.  Truth be told, everyone has a story. NO ONE thinks their story is special. There is something to be learned from everyone. I love hearing that my journey has helped someone else. It's a great honor to get to meet and work with these folks and watch them trade the scale in for weights and dethrone the scale as the measure of their self-worth.

The crazy thing about all of this stuff?
As much as I never anticipated any of this, I'm constantly surprised at the natural evolution it seems to be.