We Are Human

As recently I have been trying to get into a regular exercise routine, I think a lot about my body. I think about all the things I am grateful for about it, the things I wish were different, what it's capable of doing, and what it's not. Some workouts are incredible and leave me feeling happy and strong, and others tear me down. On the bad days I have to remind myself that WE ARE HUMAN! My body is not going to be able to work and work and work if it doesn't get proper rest and nourishment. 

I think about how grateful Jesse and I are to have the bodies we have. I know some people can't do the things they want to and it saddens me. I am grateful to the Lord for creating us and giving us bodies that can do what we want them to. Honestly, when I am in Zumba class, shakin' my bum, I think about how lucky I am that I get to move and dance and do something that brings me joy. When I am running and I think I can't run any more, I think about how strong our bodies are and what they are capable of. I am grateful for all those moments. 

I have mostly been thinking about how I need to not only take care of my body, but my spirit too. I try hard to nourish both every day. It's something I value and I hope I will never forget that they come as a pair; body and soul. Both need to be taken care of. 

And most importantly, my body will someday soon be a place where human life will grow! I want that baby to be strong and healthy, and there are so many things I can do now, habits I can create, that can help make that happen. It's all I think about, honestly. I try to think about it when I want to eat a bag of hot cheets or a totino's pizza… :) 

I am grateful for Jesse for teaching me how to take care of my body and for pushing me when I can't push myself. Sometimes I want to slap him or yell or cry when he tells me to run further or lift heavier or eat more fruit, but in the end, it's worth the hard work. 

We are human. We have ups and downs, flaws, strengths, and cravings. But we choose how we respond to all of those. I am working on better responses! Better food choices, better words to say, better attitudes, better time spent, etc. Here's to hoping I can keep it up! 

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 I've been up in the gym just working on my fitness… (insert musical note emoji) 

 I started regularly lifting in April and am actually really surprised with the results so far. I never thought I could build much muscle! It feels good to see hard work paying off. 

 He was born with muscles…not fair. 

 My poor little heart beats so fast all the time. I put my watch on to go to the gym and it says "95" hahah I wasn't even doing anything. Or I run up the stairs and it shoots up to 130. Bless my heart. I would think after exercising for so many years that my baseline would be lower but nope! Sure isn't. We got up to a nice solid 205 during my run the other day! 

 For some reason I hate lifting legs by myself… I like Jesse to be there with me and make me look like I know what I'm doing. So I had to send him a pic of me lifting legs without him… He was so proud :) And boy was I sore! 

 I take a lot of gym selfies… I have a problem. But this burpee and ball ab workout is NUUUUTS. Felt real good this day. 

 For some reason, Jesse thinks that running on a boiling lava hot summer afternoon is a good idea. And for some reason, I am always convinced to join him, which always turns out to be a bad idea. I don't do well on hot runs. This was supposed to be an easy, fun five miles, but boy was it the opposite. I think I cried like five times. Haha. It was hot, my body was extremely tired, there was pollen EVERYWHERE and I felt like my lungs were closing, blah blah blah complain complain. Jesse was sweet the whole time though… encouraged me to keep going but told me to take my time. I always feel bad when we run together cause I am so much slower than him. He is just telling me stories, singing songs, breathing like it's nothing, and I'm over here panting like a freakin dog, gasping for air. That's a nice visual, huh? Annnnyyyway. We did the five miles and I was proud. But I got a nice heat rash all over my face, my eyes were swollen from allergies, and the leg workout to follow at the gym was just icing on the cake. I am happy to know that there are good work out days that follow the bad. 

But, we did get to wear our new QALO rings we ordered! Nice rubber ones that don't bother us when exercising. 

 Hello heat rash, thanks for joining us. 

 After all my happy gym selfies, I thought I would share this one after that run. It was ROUGH, I tell you. I think I cried for a second in the bathroom… haha. I am a child. But like I said… human. 

 Plus, I came home and took my shoes off to find this! Oh, the joys. 

And on that happy note… the end!