Pains of procrastination & new found determination ~Day 41

Today, as I slipped into the water and began to swim,  I began to feel the pains of procrastination.

For the last week, I have forgotten or found many reasons to miss or postpone my dates with the pool.  I did somehow manage to swim 3,300 yards (almost 2 miles), but instead of it taking the hour and 25 minutes that I had planned, it took almost two hours.   I wish that I could push the rewind button and make my lazy days productive ones, but as we all know, (some better then others) life is not like that.  You have to deal with the choices that you make, and my muscles are dealing right now.

My big swim is in exactly three weeks, I am resolved to be proactive in completing every practice swim with an enthusiasm, drive, ambition and unbridled determination that will advance my growth, awareness and improve my productivity.
How is that for positive thinking, and turning procrastination upside down!

Day 40

\prə-ˈkras-tə-ˌnāt : to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done. 

Yup, that there pretty much sums up my post.  

Day 35~ Go big or go home

Day 35

I attended an open water swim clinic in Lake Washington yesterday. It was interesting and I am really glad that I went.  I learned some valuable information that I would like to share with you.

1. Parking anywhere near Madison beach is just about as easy as touching your nose to your elbow.  I drove around for 25 minutes looking for a spot.  Finally I found one, and was only 10 minutes late. 
2. Open water swim clinics start on time even if half of the class is late due to parking difficulties. 
3. The instructor is going to ask everyone to tell what they are training for and if this is their first open water swim.  This is done in the first 3 minutes of the class. 
4. If arriving late the instructor will ask you what you are training for and if this is your first open swim. When you tell the class that it is your first swim and it will be a 2.5 mile swim across the lake, everyone will gasp and stare at you like you are insane
5.  The participants will begin to talk to the person next to them quietly all while smiling politely at you and nodding as if to say "poor girl doesn't stand a chance" 
6. The tips that are given during the clinic are very helpful but do not need to be heard more than once. 
7. You will only swim about 300 yds in the open water during your clinic. 
8. At the end of the clinic the instructor is available to talk to you about your chance of actually surviving the swim that you are attempting.  

I have to admit that, although I believe that life is too short to waste on mediocrity, (which may be why I've always liked the phrase 'Go big or go home')  I had no clue that a 2.5 mile swim was considered an extensive swim and not a good starting point for a newbie to open waters.  Everyone else in the class was doing either a a .5  or .75 mile swim with the exception of two girls who were doing a 1 mile swim.   

At the end of the class the instructor told me that I was in good shape and should be just fine.  He gave me a couple of tips on working with the wake of boats and sent me on my way.   He also told me that I did not need to attend another clinic.  

So, now what do I do?   #1 goal is to attend 3 open water clinics?   I would like to replace it with something in the category of Health and fitness, I am open for suggestions about what to replace this with.  

I guess I could always change it to  #1- Attend 3 open water clinics, or attend 1 and realize that 2 more are unnecessary, and call it good. 

Ta-Dum

That is the cool sound that my husband makes whenever he fixes something.  He gets this lovable little grin and then in a sing-songy voice says "Ta-Dum".  It happens to be one of the zillion things that I adore about him.

Today (day 27 of 1001) I am down10 pounds, which means that it is my turn to proudly sing

TA-DUM!!!!

I am proud that I have made it to this milestone. I know that in the end, the real goal is not weight loss but rather living healthy.  

Thanks for all of the encouragement.  It is amazing how a simple "atta-girl" helps to motivate.  There have been several times where nothing in me wanted to get off of the couch, but then I read a comment or got an email that makes me want to keep on going.   This has helped me to see that I need  to be more of an encouragement to those around me.     

Can we skip day 25 & 26?

Yesterday, I went to swim even though what I really didn't want to.  I though that once I was in the water I would feel better and get into my groove.  What I failed to realize is that my groove was not in the mood to be gotten. 

I barely made it 24 laps (1200yd) before striking up a conversation with the swimmer next to me who also had a misbehaving groove.  We spent the last 10 minutes talking instead of swimming. 

When I went into the locker room, I was greeted by a cold shower and an obnoxious lady who  was 'joking around' with another lady.   This poor woman was nearly in tears and obviously did not appreciate the teasing. I hate teasing and I am now upset with myself for not saying something or in some way trying to make that poor girl feel better.  

On my way home my car just stopped in the middle of the road.  I was less than a mile from my house, but come to find out I left my cell phone at home. Called Brent from the pay phone, he came to my rescue, which was by far the best part of my entire day.   We were able to push the car into a gas station parking lot.  Brent fiddled with a few things under the hood, but was not able to diagnose the problem.  The funny thing is Brent & I had a conversation earlier in the day about how much we liked our car and how reliable it had been. 

So, today I was planning on taking the boys out but instead we are spending the day here at home in our jammies and waiting and praying that day 27 is better.  

Now on the bright side, I know that everything will work out and that in all of this there is a silver lining (or at least a bronze one).  God has not brought us this far just to abandon us, He knows what He is doing even if I am totally clueless.  

Day 21

I went to the pool today to clock my 600yd swim time (approx. 1/3 mile).  I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my time was just over 14 minutes (timed it twice just to make sure that I was right the first time).  

I went into the pool anxious that I had gotten in way over my head (pun totally intended) and came out happy and really looking forward to the next of 6 weeks of practice swims.   

When I got home, I looked at my 101 list and decided that #14 (track progress by taking before, during and after photos) is a STUPID goal.  The before picture of me in a swimsuit, was taken tonight and may or may not be published, ever.   My happy and positive mood in a flash turned sour (I am so punny tonight, get it camera....flash...).   


If liked the way I looked in pictures than I wouldn't want to lose a bunch of weight.  I think that taking a picture of # on a scale is much nicer, don't you?   

going... Going... GONE!

I have quite a few things that have left recently, most of the things I was glad to see go with the only exception being  my car keys.  I will admit that I sometimes misplace things, but I usually find them fairly quickly.  I know that this has nothing to do with my 101, but I am hoping that blogging about it will help to relieve some of the pent up frustration and allow me to write about what is on my list.

A whole lot of miscellaneous stuff that was taking up space in my garage is now someone elses and is taking up their space instead of mine.  Some of those items include but are not limited too;
~ A full size mattress and box spring which had not been slept on for more than 2 years
~ Enough clothes to keep a size 7-10 boy clothed for a year (including undies & shoes)
~ A very cool, but much too big for my house, Gazelle exercise machine
~ Books covering a variety of subjects from Thomas the Train to how to maintain your psychological well being.

You may have guessed it, I had a yard sale on July 3rd (the day before entertaining 30+ people, what was I thinking?).  Our prices were cheap and I encouraged people to make an offer if they didn't like the price. We sold, gave away or donated everything,  #57 is half way done!

It is officially day 20 of my 101 project and I am proud to announce that 7 pounds are GONE!