Enduring: Even When It is Hard

I am very proud of my man!
Hoss has lost over 60 pounds

Sometimes it is hard to change habits, and for a long time, I would do well for a while, then I would stop exercising and eating right.  This time, is the real deal.  I have been working very hard to instill better habits.  I have been exercising regularly for the past 3 months.  I have even lost 40 pounds!  In the past, I have never lost more than 20, so this is exciting and contagious.  My endurance has increased, and I am feeling better.  I have had many troubles with my knee, but since receiving some treatment from my orthopedic specialist, the swelling in my knee goes down on its own now.

What really irritates my knee the most you might ask?  Running more than 1 time a week (closer than 4 days apart), playing volleyball, jumping rope, and other exercises that are high impact.

I am learning, that when something gets so difficult I am unsure I can continue, I adjust and do something different in order to stay active.

In the past month, I have been organizing a gathering of volleyball players to play each Monday.  They have loved it so much that they requested that we play on Wednesday too!  We meet at my church, (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hobbs, NM), I set up, and we play!  It has been great fun.  However, I learned that I can only handle playing 1 day a week, so I am choosing Mondays.  My new volleyball friends were even requesting yet another day to play!  I told them that I could not commit to another day right now.  I feel bad, but sometimes we just have to say no.

Here is my week of workouts (they vary some weeks--of course due to my knee):
*Monday: Volleyball 2-2 1/2 hours
*Tuesday: Yoga
*Wednesday: Bike ride about 3-5 miles
*Thursday: Bodyrock.tv, which is now called the Daily Hiit
*Friday: walking/light jogging and housework
*Saturday: Is open.  We go to the park sometimes, swim sometimes, Its family fun day.
*Sunday: It is good to rest your body at least one day. What better day than the day God commands us to rest?

Some weeks, I do more yoga than anything.  The stretching really helps my sore muscles and my sore knee.

One very important thing that I have learned is that

Photo via

 it is not a good idea for me to jump in and work out in a way that I would have back 10/11 years ago, when I was in great shape (This is the style of workout that I started out with about 2 years ago, when I started this blog.  That is what got me discouraged.  This time around in January, I started out just increasing my activity levels just a bit.  I started walking every day or doing yoga.  Then I added in biking, and light jogging.  After that, I started doing bodyrock.tv again, and then I started up volleyball.  Like I mentioned, I really had to dial back how much volleyball I played, otherwise I would be down and out for a few days, while the swelling went down in my knee, getting no extra activity in.  Good times.  I know.  But it is what I have to deal with.  Ultimately, I am learning through trial and error how to listen to my body.

There is a saying I heard on a movie Little Cowboy (Baby K) likes loves.  It is called, The Little Engine that Could.  One of the bigger engines tells Little Engine the following:

"If you think you can, you can.  If you think you can't, you can't.  Either way, you are right."

So simple, yet profound truth.  This is something I have to remind myself of.  Last week, after volleyball, I started talking about how I want to be a runner... like, long distance 1/2 marathon type of runner.  This was at the height of my knee swelling and pain, and I was feeling very down, depressed and frustrated.  I caught myself saying.  "I really want to be a runner, but I can't.  I probably never will be."

If I keep that attitude up, I'll prove myself right.  So, I had to give myself an attitude adjustment.  I had to really think about what I want (which is many things), and I had to prioritize them into goals.  Short term, longer term, longer term, and longerer er term if needed.

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1. I want to make better food choices.  Well, this really isn't a want...although, I do want it.  It is a need.
2. I want to lose weight.
3. I want to be able to enter a bike race.  I want to be able to bike to a nearby town (20-30 miles).
4. I want to be able to run 1 mile.

I think that is enough for me to start with.  You know the great thing?  I am already in the process of accomplishing numbers 1 and 2.... and I feel so great!

There is an older woman that we buy our farm fresh eggs from (for $2 a dozen I might add).  She was telling me that she hurt her knee and needed to go and see a doctor that same day about it.  She was worried that she would need a knee replacement.  A viable option, especially since she has severe arthritis and has already had a shoulder replacement.  She has to be somewhere in her 60's or 70's.  I asked her a few questions about what her knee does.  She says it feels like it will give out on her (most likely due to the swelling--funny thing, swelling...making things feel unstable).  I asked her if it popped when she bent it.  She said yes.  I asked her if she did anything that she knows was the cause of her knee pain.  She couldn't remember.  A meniscus tear can be very subtle.  You could tear it and a few weeks later, you begin feeling the pain.  Or you could have a more severe tear and feel it immediately.  I mentioned it to her with the idea to look into it.  I told her if that was the case, orthoscopic surgery would be an easy fix... age not taken into account.  I was thinking about it, but I didn't want to say, "Someone your age might.... blah blah blah."

Anyway, what she said to me really pulled at my heart.  She said, "You know, I have been feeling so good.  I've been losing weight, working out in the garden and with the chickens.... and to have this happen to me now!"  She explained to me that she has had health problems off an on, and I just about cried for her, because I get it!  I might be a lot younger than her, but I get it!  And I told her that.  I told her that I couldn't count how many times I started feeling good and losing weight, when I was kicked back remarkably.  I could tell she was close to tears, and I told her the only thing that I know to be true:

God would see her through it.  It isn't easy, and our trials only make us more humble and better people, but He will see us through them.  If the only thread of faith that we have to hold onto is that God loves us, then so be it.  That thread will withstand anything, and it will be enough to pull us through our trial.

I so needed to see her last Friday.  I was feeling very miserable with my swollen knee.  My motivation was beginning to flicker.  I was contemplating just giving up.  Just giving in to the few food cravings that I still have.  But I went home and juiced some fresh vegetables and fruits, and I am so glad.

My goal this week?  Persevere!  I'm going to stick to my eating plan, even if it is so much harder than fixing with a lot less nutrition in it.

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What is your goal this week?  No excuses!  You can do something!

Love,

Evelyn Campbell Curtis

Tuesday Fitness: Setting Little Goals

This is a little late in the day.  I typically like to post in the morning, or in the early afternoon after we've had our school time.  Today was slightly different, as the lack of bananas, milk, cereal, and bread necessitated our taking school on the go, in learning how to navigate a store, and how to pick out certain produce etc.  Life skills... that's what I'm talking about!


Weight-loss can be a very VERY long term goal.  We establish how much weight we want to lose, and we make strides baby steps toward that goal.  It can get overwhelming and frustrating to get to that goal.  Heck, I've had to start over twice now.  Its not easy.  We've established that.

But what about those little goals?  I'm not necessarily talking about losing five pounds in two weeks.  Like I mentioned yesterday, I think it can be debilitating to be so dependent on our weight.  I'm talking about the fitness goals that we can see ourselves achieving.  A new runner might find it hard to run the full length of a block, or a track.  When I was running, I had a predetermined point that I was sure I could reach.  I would start out, and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to stop before that point... and there were many times that I did.  But the point is in setting goals.  As you consistently work at reaching that point, you will find it easier and easier, and then you will be surpassing that goal!

For me, I am not running just yet.  But I do have my bike.  I've set myself a goal to peddle 3 miles.  That doesn't sound like much... but for me, that was quite the achievement, especially since last Tuesday (my first ride), I barely made it 2 miles without dropping on the floor when I got home.  Oh wait, I may have.

Each day has been easier and easier.  I've been very VERY sore, but that is the feeling of progress!  My little goal this week is to bike that 3 miles in less time than I did it today, which was 25 minutes pulling Baby K.  Yesterday was faster only because I did not attach the trailer.  After I got home, I drank a lot of water (it was hot out this morning), and I did a great ab workout!

Well, my new activity has me beat, so I'm sure I'll be in bed in no time!  My second little goal is to get up earlier each day, and go to bed earlier as well... You kind of need to do the latter in order to do the first.

How are you doing?  You sore?  What do you like to do to mix up your workout?

Evelyn

Changes and a Lot of Time!

Hello my friends and family!

I have not posted in a very long time!  There came a time a few months ago that I realized that I cannot be a serious blogger and love it still.  I have to want to do it for fun.  So, I'm stripping down any schedules that I had, and I am going to post when I want and about what I want.  I do need to post more for my family's sake.

Hoss and Baby K at the park!

Anyway, all of that aside...

Hoss filling up his tire.

Hoss is still working at Leprino Foods.  He still has the same position, but he enjoys it.  He is hoping to move up in the company and is always vigillently looking for an opportunity.  He is now serving in our church as the young men's president.  He really loves serving the young men, and we are truly blessed to have some amazing youth in our ward!  Some recent ventures Hoss has taken on are biking to and from work (about 15 miles round trip).  We just need to figure out how to keep those goat heads out of his tires!

My boyfriend.  Don't tell Hoss!

The bike in the background.

Me!  Well, I quit attending school at Grand Canyon University.  The timing just hasn't been right.  I tried to force it, and I tried to make it work, but my more important duties, aka being a mamma, homemaker, and house wife, just weren't getting done.  However, I have decided to take it upon myself to educate myself for now.  Over the last few months of my absence from my blog, Hoss and I decided to pull our girls out of school and to homeschool.  This has been a very spiritual experience.  The Lord had testified to me that this was the right choice for my family, and I could not deny it.  We were going to wait for the end of the school year, but I felt the Spirit pushing me to pull them out sooner.  They were home just before spring break in March... their last day being March 2nd.  What a blessing it has been!  I am still serving in the young women's organization at church, but my calling has changed.  I am now the first counselor and responsible for the Mia Maids (14 and 15 year old girls).  I love it!  And I love those girls!  They are such good examples to me, and I am just blown away with how strong they are!

Baby K getting ready for the bike ride.  He's sleepy.

I too have taken up biking again.  I like to hook up the trailer and take Baby K for a 10 mile bike ride!

Lovely.

Big T is loving being home.  She is growing very tall!  She is taller than most girls her age!  When she runs, she just looks to be all legs.... daddy long legs style!  She is playing soccer, and has rekindled a friendship from her school.  I prefer this friendship now that they are away from school, because the competition from other girls is not there...so it is a more relaxing relationship.  Big T has enjoyed her time with her friend at soccer much more than she ever did while being at school.  She got baptized on January 18th.  We are so proud of her!  She knows so much about our Heavenly Father and gospel principles!

Beautiful eyes!

Cute girl!

Here are some pictures of the two girls together.

I love this picture!

Valentines Day hairdos

Missing tooth!

Little H is also loving being home!  She enjoys riding her bike with Big T everyday.  Just a few days ago, Little H finally lost her first tooth!  When I pulled at it, she was so scared that she scream out loud! Then we had a good chuckle about it, because she realized that it didn't hurt as bad as she thought it would!  She is a very funny girl, always making us laugh!

So sweet!

Goofy!

She too, is playing soccer, and she is on Big T's team...since I am the coach (I forgot to mention that--I honestly hate it!  I have never had more trouble with soccer dads and moms...how many games are left??).  Hoss and I have seen the most change in Little H since she has been home from school.  While in school, she would come home and sport a certain attitude that was becoming difficult to deal with.  If something didn't change, it would get a lot worse, creating a stressed and frustrating home life.  Since she has been home, there has been a 180 degree change in her.  She is so much happier, and we don't have the same behavioral issues as before.  It has already been positive, and we've only just begun!

She might be sulking. :)

So beautiful!

Baby K!  He can walk...when he wants to!  He prefers crawling because he is very quick.  However, sometimes he will stand up against something turn around and take off!  He really concentrates when he walks, and he seems to think it is a lot of fun.  He opens his mouth in a giant smile, sticks his tongue out, and holds his arms out for balance.  It really is a sight (I'll look for a video).

He still is in love with his mamma, which I love, but I would enjoy him being able to spend time with others as well... maybe one day.

He loves to play in the dirt, mud and loves being outside.  He is facinated with trees, the stars ("tar"), and the moon.  He loves to push a ball or car or truck around the house as he crawls after it.  Baby K is enthralled with music!  When I sing, he quiets down and listens (it is virtually the only way I can wipe his face and hands clean after eating).  He LOVES the piano, and I think could play it for a full hour non-stop!  The thing about when he sits down to the piano, is that he is not like a typical boy.  He seems very calculated in his play.  He doesn't pound on the keys much, but places his fingers on the keys and...well, I half expect him to break out into Clare De Lune!  He might be my prodigy!

Picture taken today, 4-21-2012

Pointing to the tree... "tee!"

Does this really need an explanation?

They did this on their own.. Lol

Let's see, what else?.... He is going to be tall.  I'm sure of it.  That little boy has large hands and feet, and he is thinning out and he is already half of Little H's height!  Look out girls!  He's going to be bigger than you one day, and he'll get you back for putting him in that dress!

1st birthday!

He loved the cake!

Easter!

He's not so sure about the swings.

He lost his fingernail just before his bday.

Pointing at a car...another of his loves.

Mini-Hoss?

Sleepy!

Loving the outdoors.

More trees!

He loves his sisters!  They are the best!

And he loves his daddy! I love this picture!

We are dabbling in gardening.  But not in the traditional way.  We have plenty of room in our backyard to garden.  However, the soil... or should I say sand, is just not conducive to raising up a good bit of produce.  It would cost a lot of money to bring in fertilized soil from the dairy farms, and fence it off to keep Titus out of it.  So, we are opting for an experimental garden.  It is located in our front yard.  I just hope if it produces, that people won't steal them!

Peas, watermelon, spinach, and pumpkin!

Zucchini, tomatoes,  red peppers, and cucumbers.

Here is what I did.  I bought bags of garden soil from the local hardware store, poked holes in one side, flipped it over and cut out the top of the bag... in which I planted the plants and seeds.  I've heard of doing it, and have seen a few websites discussing it.  I'll let you know how it goes!

A Thomas Jefferson Education, nicknamed TJed is the program that I have prayed about and intend to use.  Check it out.  This is what we are doing, just so you know.

We have a limitless supply of gorgeous sunsets...and sunrises I'm told.  I'm usually asleep at that time. :)

As for where we are.  Hoss, the kids and I really have grown to love it here in Roswell.  It has its own charm, and the people are amazing.  However, we are very much looking forward to our visit back to Idaho!

My beautiful family on Baby K's birthday!

A comic I thought was cute.