The question

At 6:00am this morning, my aging white sneakers were coated in red clay dust, my heart was beating fast, my hot face crimson and damp.  I had just rounded the high school track after finishing six sets of stairs, 50 squats, and various arm/back exercises, when the rock-hard trainer asked me a question.  A question that made me smile from ear to ear...as sweat dripped in my eyes and I caught my breath.  The glorious words that fell from the sculpted-cardio maven's mouth were:

 

"Do you work out?"

Yes, a little.

"I can tell.  You look strong and have good form."

Thanks.

 

And then she ordered me to climb the bleachers for another round of madness.  My mind savored every morsel of our exchange.  Chewing sweetly upon the question and the fact that this woman without any visible body fat could tell that I worked out.  Her words quickened my pace and soon I was lying on my yoga mat, crunching towards a ripening pink-streaked sky (having come in 7th out of 16 women on the gauntlet).  A faint smile still painted upon my beet-red face.

Today I started a new bootcamp (Groupon ROCKS, by the way)...new trainers to push me to a new level of exhaustion that I would not reach on my own volition.  Sure there are shifting numbers upon the scale but, more importantly, the loose waists of the only pants and shorts (two of each, to be exact) that I've been able to squeeze into since having Noodle, now fit comfortably.  No more buttons digging in and leaving their lasting impressions.  Perhaps a few more items can soon be pulled from the dark and dusty closet...they have sat draped upon their hangers since the first trimester of my pregnancy.  I miss some of their patterns and textures.  The four items that I switch each day are tired.

I am proud.  I am stronger...and I can tell. 

 

*A HUGE shout out to Courtney, my best friend, who exchanges emails with me each day to keep us both inspired.  And of course, Kathy, my sister-in-law and dear friend who ALWAYS answers every question I have about food, nutrition, diet, and life that I ask (with patience and no audible eye-rolling, since I've asked them all a million times).  You both will be seeing less of me in just a few weeks! :)

Comments

[Susan Sanford Steyl]

Ok, Mama of a 6 month old who wakes you up at 4 am....then goes hiking stairs and does crunches....and cuts carbs??? INSPIRATIONAL!
so that gets me to a thinkin'

....maybe I need to move more and eat better??
hmmmm, especially if I want to keep getting on the floor with one said 6 month old, and. get. back. up.

[Aunt Kathy]

You Rock! And your questions are always welcomed, no matter how many times you think you've asked!