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Birthdays and Epiphanies

Hey, folks.  I know it’s been a long time.  I’ve been distracted by my jacked up wrist and hand from that accident.  Not to mention, the pain and swelling have hampered my ability to spend quality time with my keyboard.  It’s still swollen and hurts, but it’s getting better.  My orthopedic doc said use it as tolerated, so here goes…

I still haven't had birthday cake, yet.

I feel like I should open with a rap.  Those of you that know my speaking voice should be laughing by now because I sound absolutely crazing rapping.  Back to the point.  I recently had a birthday and turned 37.  The funny thing is this is the first birthday that I actually feel different.  I remember turning 16 and knowing I could finally get a license, but I didn’t FEEL any different.  I remember turning 21, and it not even being a big deal because I don’t even drink alcohol.  I remember turning 24, and not realizing how much of a blessing it was to then be eligible for lower rates on car insurance.  My birthday this year started off very much unlike any other day.  I woke up at 3:20 am in excruciating pain.  It felt like someone was cutting the fingers of my right hand with knives and trying to squeeze the blood out.  As I laid in the bed in tears, I just hoped it would stop. Eventually, it became bearable, and I got myself ready for work. The day included a trip to hand specialist, some Cuban food with a friend, and watching So You Think You Can Dance.   The day ended up with me taking myself to dinner at a cute little bar where I sipped hot mint tea, munched on upscale chicken and waffles while reading Breaking Dawn on my iPad. See, nothing earth shattering there.  Well, the other little fact was that I was totally moved the outpouring of birthday wishes on Facebook.  I’m finally getting to the real news.  I woke up the next morning FEELING different.  I just felt peaceful.  I felt like everything was all right…I was right where I was meant to be.  I felt…happy.  Now, that’s the best gift and blessing that I could ever get.

Fast forward to a few days later.  I was saying goodnight to my 21 month old cousin.  She was grinning at me with these huge eyes and this totally toothy grin.  At that moment, there was no way I could love her any more…even if I had birthed her myself.  I realized that I was okay if I don’t have children.  I can love other children.  They don’t have to be mine.  Some folks are sitting there saying, but you can have children for years.  For me, I don’t want to be Kelly Preston.  I have no idea to be in my mid to late 40s kicking out babies.  When my parents were my age, I was 13.  My uterus has a time limit, and I’m not going to go into a panic trying to make sure it bears some “fruit.”  I know 37 isn’t old.  I don’t feel old.  I feel wiser, and I recognize that I’m getting older.  I can’t honestly say that I feel like I have a big hole in my life.  My life is filled with so much love.  I have the skill and talent to make a difference in people’s lives daily by just going to work.  I am financially comfortable.  I have a great family.  I have some of the best friends in the world.  I just don’t have anything to really complain about.  I also feel like I can’t say that I believe in God and have faith in his plan if I sit around second guessing the way things naturally unfold.

I have a phenomenal life.  I have freedom.  I have love.  I even have some power.  I am the queen of my destiny, and I challenge all of you to claim your rights to yours.  As we all get older, it’s time to improve what we can and make peace with the things out of our control. Peace and happiness are truly priceless.  Happiness is a choice.  I hope you choose it.

Much nub (doing a one armed gimpy cabbage patch dance while listening to Stevie Wonder),

Dr. Ericka

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What New Year’s Resolution?

This year I came up with a brilliant New Year’s Resolution.  How do I know it was brilliant you ask?  Was it a moment of pure narcissistic bliss?  Nope, it’s seeing what happens when I stop doing it.  Rewind to January 1, 2010.  I had a heart to heart with myself and said, “Self.”  OK, just kidding about the conversation.  After turning over multiple ideas, I came up with the resolution to not snooze more than once each morning.  This would keep me from running late or missing workouts because I would snooze up to an hour.  Plus, I don’t know about you, but I don’t end up feeling a whole lot more rested from those 8-12 minute intervals of “bonus” sleep.  I started off great.  Then, it just crashed and burned after this car accident.  I’ve been snoozing and missing out on the time to complete tasks in the morning.  I snoozed and missed getting on the recumbent bike before work.  I snoozed and missed being able to do a deep conditioning treatment for my hair.  I snoozed and didn’t get in town in time to check into my hotel before work.  You get the point.  Not excessively snoozing is a simple intervention for a wide variety of tasks.  Time is precious.  There’s no good excuse for just wasting it.  Tomorrow, I will get back to my snooze only once lifestyle.  I’m excited about all the additional productivity that will come with it.  Wish me luck!

Oh, the informercial I was thinking about is the one for the Shake Weight.  I am sure that I’m not the only one that sees that commercial and thinks about something better suited for a bedtime use than home fitness.  I see the demand to target that resistant flab under the arm, but that visual just is too much for me.  I find it hard to take it seriously.  Let me know if you have used it and have had great results.  Maybe, I’m wrong to be distracted by that repetitive up and down motion.  LOL.

I’ve got to get that beauty sleep, so I can wake up bright and bushy tailed ready to take on the world tomorrow.  Sweet dreams to you, too.  Good luck on getting closer to your goals.

(Reaching to set my alarm)

Much nub, fitness, and health,

Dr. Ericka

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Off Day

I’m thinking today is going to be my off day.  I’m realizing that I’m totally exhausted.  Seeing patients during a power outage was a bit much, but I’m fortunate to have been able to make a difference.  Now, I just need to continue to make a difference in my own life.  I’m worth it!  By the way, you’re worth it, too!  I can work out Thursday and Friday to still hit my 4 day of week goal.  I’m going to get my beauty sleep, so I can be ready to kill spin class tomorrow.  My new goal is to be ready to attack a non-beginning spin class by the time I go on vacation in February.  Wish me luck!  My butt’s ready for class tomorrow, too.  I’m ready to leave it all on that bike!  Oh, if you’re wondering, the healthier eating plan is still going well.
9 days down, 12 days until it becomes a habit.
Much nub and fitness,
EG
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Return of Jelly Legs

Whew!  I made it through spin class.  I started it off with my legs and booty a bit sore from the treadmill the night before.  I am beginning to believe those Reebok Easytone shoes do make you work harder.  I’ll definitely be wearing those to the treadmill in the future.  Back to spin class.  I peddled almost 2 miles further than last Thursday (today 10.3 miles).   I worked that bike harder and faster.  I honestly felt like it didn’t work me.  I can’t wait to go back.  I’m falling in love with spin class.  My man better watch out.  LOL.  Just kidding:)  I believe he enjoys seeing me be determined and proactive.  I had to make the decision to get healthy for myself first, but turning him on is a huge bonus.  I’m truly seeing how having a support group can keep you motivated.  Between my friends, co-workers, and all of you, I just don’t have an option not to follow through.  Keep holding my feet to the fire.  Thanks!
We’ll see what tomorrow holds.  8 days down, 11 to go until it’s a habit.
Much nub and fitness,
EG
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Late Night Treadmill

I started this day off at 4 am getting ready to come back to work.  After a 2.5 hour drive and 9 hour work day, I arrived back at my hotel exhausted.  My good friend called and said she was on the treadmill.  This got me up out of bed and on the treadmill at the hotel after 9 pm.  I’m proud.  I even jogged for part of it, which is huge for me!  I hooked it up while even watching CSI Miami.  On a side note, it was a good episode:)  I can’t believe I finally got that workout in.  Woo-hoo.  Now, just 3 more to hit 4 workouts this week.  Let me start winding down for spin class in the morning.  I believe my booty is ready!
7 days down, 14 days until it’s a habit.
Much nub and fitness,
EG
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Temptation Island

Have you seen that show Temptation Island?  That was theme of the day.  I had to avoid the pitfalls of the yummy doughnuts and gourmet cookies.  For those that don’t know me, I have a huge sweet tooth, so this was huge.  I walked through the door at my mom’s house and was greeted by bacon and potato chips.  I briskly turned on my heels and walked past them.  I am proud.  I avoided all of it!    People keep saying “nothing tastes as good as being lean feels.”  I guess I have to get lean to see if it’s true.  Thanks for all of your help.  I had extra willpower because I didn’t want to admit to all of you that I was eating calorie/fat laden sweets.

I need to make a correction.  I double checked and keep seeing 21 days to create a habit.  So it’s 4 days down, 17 days until it’s a habit:)
-EG
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