So many adventures. So few times.

My photo
My life is pretty dull. I play with a toddler, watch a lot of Yo Gabba Gabba and experiment with the crock pot. I have no bed time and I find humor in Laffy Taffy jokes. Conan O'Brien is my anti-drug.

Monday, October 21, 2019

That Workout Thing

I stumbled on this article today while trying to find a single new workout move to inspire a class. But, it was this article that I clicked on, and it clicked with me, and I won’t even try to rephrase it. 


As a fitness instructor (only a year for me, as of November 1st) I’ve already had so many people my class is too hard, too intimidating. 
I’ve recently had people tell me they are “too chubby” for my classes.

Guys, stop. No, stop. Listen. 

It’s about movement. It’s about bettering oneself. It’s about setting an example for our littles, or grandlittles, or having the stamina to go for a walk with our pooches at the end of the day (or cats, but I swear I’ve never seen a cat on a leash that was happy). It’s about heart health and mental health. 
2014 Buffy, post-Tommy
Me in 2014, after the Moose was born and I was cleared for activity and I decided to document my state-of-the-body
.
 
When I see this picture, I didn’t always see a newly-postpartum woman who just carried a stressful pregnancy almost to term. I didn’t always see the almost 3-year-old that ran her ragged while the young mom was trying to not go into labor at 29+ weeks. I used to only see those wide hips and back rolls and love handles and soft triceps. All I could see is what I wasn’t: Skinny.

Now? Now I see my own body and all its badassery, ready to be loved, ready to be pushed, but also ready to snuggle kids and a neglected husband. 

For full disclosure, here I am 5 years later. 


Me on October 21st, 2019 after a fun Saturday night with beer and bbq food and friends that I don’t even slightly regret.. 

I still have thick thighs and the cellulite is forever; and I rock large calves that only fit in plus size boots. Technically, I’m chubby. When I’m not flexing my triceps flop around like chicken wings trying to fly away. I’m not at my lightest weight post-kids. I like pizza and beer and pizza with beer. But after many, many years I realized it’s less about being a skinny supermodel and more about being a super me. I’m a pretty fun mom these days. My anxiety is slipping away with every class I teach. I’m strong as hell. I have endurance beyond anything I ever dreamed... less when I’m running, but I digress. Am I the fittest in the classes I teach? Definitely no. It doesn’t matter. More than anything, I’m moving, and I want you to move, and I can help you move. 

Feel free to come sweat with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 am at Four Lakes Athletic Club in Elkhorn, WI. 

This didn’t start out as a plug for my gym or my classes, but I promise I will be so truly happy to see you!

tl;dr: I love you and I love me and I want to make everyone sweaty.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Butt Padding

Disclaimer: I’m known for my bluntness (although I bite my tongue more than I get credit for. Just saying.) and I make a point to not mince too many words when it comes to my blog. 

Here we go. I am on a toilet for the 10th+ time today, just after writing a horribly mean and brutal workout for tomorrow’s class, and I’m mulling over getting certified in becoming a spin instructor yet again. We have so many instructors at my gym, but I truly love the formatting and how the music works for you and how a class can change so quickly by just changing the tempo or resistance or whatever. Bla bla bla. 

So I’m shitting and mulling and I think to myself, “I know! I’ll buy myself a spin bike for at home to help me decide!” Two seconds into that endeavor - because, let’s be honest: the best research is done on the toilet - I’m changing course because 1. It costs less just to get certified and 2. We have bikes at the gym that are barely touched outside of classes as it is. I can utilize those at any time. 

I finish up for the 97th time and wash my hands and then a lightbulb! I should buy padded leggings for spin so I can enjoy a few classes more before deciding!
This seems totally obvious. Can you imagine contemplating a quick $200 spend plus 8+ hours of lecture and exercise on a tall, skinny bike while NOT having a padded butt?! Off to my good friend Amazon.

And then I find these. 




The end. 
No, seriously. I have nothing else to say. I’m crying on so many levels.


Friday, October 11, 2019

Blooms in the dark



The weather has turned in Southeastern Wisconsin. It’s gray and drizzly, with a bone-chilling breeze. Trees are getting an orange hue and my garden, or what remains, is rapidly rotting away into the fall season. I’ve recently caught wind of some shade being thrown my way behind my back, and it almost (almost) cut me deep. I almost allowed it to hurt me.

And yet this vibrant bloom emerged somewhere in the last 24 hours in my backyard, with a reminder to find the bright amidst the dreary. I hope all of you find a moment today to discover that bright spot in your life, a reminder that you ARE enough, you CAN. We are all fighting this battle together, and we can’t let the negativity win. You can create change, you can be change; you are a brilliant flower amongst weeds. 🌸