Resistance vs. Resilience

Well, I'm back in the Peloton party (not that I ever completely left)!!

And I've found a new favorite coach in Kirsten Ferguson -- it's probably early to say that definitively, but she's in my top three for sure.  Very encouraging and inspiring messages, and she plays several powerful Christian songs - I'm a fan!

I've rejoined the Hardcore group with assigned daily strength classes, and today's Arms and Shoulders workout was with Logan Aldridge, an inspiring amputee with a strong spirit and good sense of humor.  Toward the end of the class, he said something like, "I know this resistance is heavy, but your resilience is even stronger!"  

And my very immediate thought was "Blog-worthy metaphor!!"

YES, the resistance I'm feeling both internally and externally is intense right now.  The comfort zone vibes, the fear of all that could go wrong, the resistance to change, and the growing understanding that even with assistance, actively stepping into a new identity is still very difficult!  BUT the healthy changes I'm making are aligned with my God-given purpose, vision, and goals... so my resilience is resurfacing, along with some much-needed grit!  To quote T-Swift, "They count me out time and time again, but I come back stronger than a '90s trend!!"  ;-)

That's all I've got for today.  I hope this encourages others in whatever way you may need it right now.  Quiet the overwhelm by focusing on one day at a time, one task at a time, and remembering why it matters.  Go in knowing that the resistance you face will be heavy, but your resilience is even stronger!  (1 John 4:4) ❤

Friday Reset + New Goals

Happy Friday, dearest friends and fam!! ❤

I went to lunch with the Cleveland County court reporters yesterday... pic = me, Melissa, Tonya, Marla, Sandy, Victoria, and Jacinda.  I had a good talk with Marla and Melissa, and we all talked about how they can best handle the coming changes with two reporters retiring and Marla and I leaving next year.  (We ate at The Winston - I had half a grilled cheese dipped in tomato soup, and it was fantastic!)

Last night (20 days out from surgery) was the first time I have been physically sick and thrown up post-op.  Without shaming myself or blaming this on any one food, I will say that my fear-based thought process and indulgent food choices yesterday were out of alignment with my overall goals, and I am honestly grateful that it made me sick... as it felt like a good physical boundary and a needed mental/emotional reset moment.

This = my current screensaver, and yes, it makes me think of Mufasa. lol  But the message feels important and worth highlighting!

After a short workout and a morning Launch session, when I got to work today, I promptly registered myself for the Route 66 Half (exactly six months from my pre-op diet start date) and the OKC Memorial Full (on their 25th anniversary next April).  I printed off the happy training plans below, Googled the start dates, and decided to train to walk/jog a 16-minute mile on the Half and a 14-minute mile or better next April.  GET EXCITED!!  Completing a Full has been a long-term goal for me, and the timing on all of this feels right and feasible.  And if I can talk my close friends/fam into doing a 5-person Marathon Relay Team (maybe Dad, Triston, Kristin, JEM, and Chet) where I get to run with various people throughout the course next April, that would be EPIC, soooo be expecting that discussion -- unless, of course, you wanna join me for the entire course!! lol ❤  

These plans allow me to ease into it and commit to two shorter runs on weeknights and one long weekend run, and I'm going to be cautious and research the best way to train after bariatric surgery, as it adds some unique challenges.  It's only 14 weekends with double-digit mileage (including both races), so that feels manageable.  *I would still love to try a Disney half or full at some point, Lord willing... but the RunDisney system is surprisingly complicated and quickly sells out and getting a spot is very difficult, so I'm going with the races I'm already familiar with for these milestone goals - the full closer to home feels like a solid choice when I don't know exactly how my body will react to that!  Anyway, I start training for the Half around three weeks from now, then there is a delightful three-week recovery break around Thanksgiving, then I train for and complete my first Full Marathon next Spring (and run a 5K with Kyndal Faith the day before)... and then approximately two weeks after the Full will be my Graduation ceremony in Colorado.... umm, let's freaking go!! lol  The surgery is helping to reshape my physical body, and this training (+ HCOTF calendar strength-based cross training) will help with reshaping my identity and mindset.  As Alex from Peloton would say, "You're an athlete.  Act accordingly!"  ❤

I've been thinking about how true this is lately - hooray that I'll be cleared to swim and strength train a week from today!

❤❤  Love them!  And their parents.  And their pool. lol

The Myers celebrating Jessica's birthday (on the 13th)!

I try to remember this with counseling... to bring my God-given energy and light into the room rather than empathetically merging with the client's distress in a way that makes it harder to help.

Focusing on the protecting my peace mindset.

And that's probably plenty for today. lol

I love you and believe in you, and I believe in your ability to reset and remember who you are... and to live in better alignment with your values and God-given strengths!! ❤

Winds of Change

 My current screensaver:

Instagram's suggested posts have been on point lately.

I feel like my energy and clarity have been hypersensitive and off-kilter lately, (and I have extra grace for that as I've been doing my best to adjust to massive changes internally and externally + navigating other people's reactions).  But I am stepping back today and turning down the internal-anxiety loudspeaker that really ramped up post-surgery.  Calm and confident - choosing joy and faith.  I am intentionally shifting my energy and attention to enjoying the process of change + trusting God's protective strength, trusting the work He has already done in me (remembering how far I've come), and trusting others (the supportive people who have earned that).  God is with me and for me, and I'm genuinely excited to make the most of the second half of this year!!

Phase 2 of Launch begins today.  That break came at the perfect time for my physical recovery, and this new phase focused on Mindfulness is pretty perfectly timed, as well.  This week = teaching videos, then next week begins another 30-day Project Sprint on Monday, July 1st.  I will do our group Mindfulness activities as well as establishing a new workout routine through the month of July - so excited about getting back into the Peloton momentum!  Since this is a Leap Year, July 1st marks the exact halfway point of the 2024 calendar (183 days before and 183 days after).  As someone who enjoys those details, I really love knowing that!  School will be on break the week of July 4th, then classes will ramp up for six intense final weeks of summer Internship, Residency III, and Research! ❤  So I'm preparing myself for what lies ahead this week and already feeling grateful for the shift in focus and energy.

Yesterday was a down-and-back Tulsa trip where I stopped by to see Chet's Open House event and grabbed a photo with our favorite car salesman, Aaron Little (Lexus of Tulsa)!  It's freaking hot outside, so Chet's new personal fans came in handy. =)  I met the Wilsons and Fultons for dinner at Red Rock at 5:30.  It's good for my soul to spend time with them, and we had a good talk about boundaries, stressors, personal growth, and chosen family. ❤

Afterward, I had a fun photo calendar, wood panel, and other small gifts for Sarah's new at-home study space... along with a summery thank-you gift for the Wilson fam.  My card read something like, "Thanks for changing the course of my life! Here are some fun beach towels in return. lol" ❤

Earlier that morning, I completed my 350th Peloton walk and got a live shout-out from Rebecca Kennedy during Cowboy, Take Me Away -- FUN!!

Lindsay and Wavy enjoying a Sunday afternoon by their amazing new pool!  It makes me happy to see them so happy, and I need to catch up with Lindsay in person soon!

Okay, friends.  Happy Monday!  And now I'm appropriately shifting my focus back to actual work... boooo. lol  I was *fully caught up* as of 9:00 am on Thursday morning last week, and I now have five transcript orders.  What on earth!?  I also will be leading the virtual grief group on my own for the first time tonight... and need to prepare for a virtual session with a client after that!  Plenty to do, less time to ruminate  or revert to old thought patterns - all good things to be grateful for!

"The winds of change are blowing wild and free."

We're choosing joy and faith - God is doing a new thing! ❤

Be patient and have grace when becoming someone you haven't been before. ❤

And in case no one else tells you today,

I love you and believe in you, and Jesus does too! ❤