Wow I guess I am different than that 22 year old.

 

 

Gym thoughts of this 60 years old, not the same as a 22 year old

 

Some of you may know I exercise on a regular basis. I usually go to the gym 4 to 6 days a week depending on what I’ve got scheduled. Allergies were pretty bad the night before this picture. I was glad the swelling around my eyes had gone down.

The picture you see above was after I did my weights for the day then 10 burpee box step ups every minute for 5 rounds with a minute break in between. I need to do more cardio, which was evident, after 15 seconds of jumping at double dutch last week. Boy was I winded.  

There are mirrors going across a wall at the gym where I was doing my burpees and box step ups. I see a I young lady, she’s 22 or 23. I’ve seen her before. Her hair is mid back, it’s wavy and looks nice. She puts her mat down, stands in front of the mirror, starts “fixing” her hair (it wasn’t out of place as far as I could tell.) I start thinking, honey you look beautiful. I look at my hair and think how grateful I was both pony tails stayed in with all my getting up and down with those burpees. I’m sweating, breathing a bit heavy and so glad when I finished.

She had her makeup on, I have none on not even lip gloss. I am glad I can get my self up and down off the floor. She doesn’t even think about that, I’m sure. Her outfit matched, mine kind of did.

I wouldn’t even look in the mirror if it wasn’t right in front of me. She liked looking at herself in the mirror.  Maybe if my hair looked as good as hers and my clothes matched, I would’ve been looking more at myself.

I really noticed the differences that day in this 60 year old and those in their 20’s. I go and want to work out, not really caring if my clothes match or what my hair looks like (obviously). I make sure I have my orthotics in and hope I can get my work out done in 45-60 minutes.

I’m happy to see people at the gym exercising. I hope that 22 year old will still be working out when she’s 60, with no need for orthotics. I hope her hair stays as beautiful as it is now.

I do notice other people’s shoes. I just had to take a picture of these. I did ask the guy if I could. I didn't want to be a creepy old lady.  I hope I can find a pair for me.

I enjoyed crossfit for many years but when my mom got diagnosed with cancer and my dad had “stuff”, there were quite a few doctor appointments I needed to go to.  I needed a gym I could go to anytime. For those of you who don’t know how crossfit works, they have classes and you need to go to a class. They do have a 6:30 am class but I needed my mornings to get other things done. I joined a gym called Eos, very close to the house. I signed up with a trainer for twice a month. Actually, I had no idea how to use most of those machines, so I was really needing the trainer to go over some with me. At crossfit people work out pretty intensely and they cheer each other on. It’s the only place I’ve been that when you are last you get the biggest cheers. Everyone else is done and hoping you get done soon too. I’ve never been to an “unfriendly” crossfit box. When traveling, my husband and I have dropped in to different ones.  It’s so different than an Eos or Planet Fitness gym.

The workers at Eos are so nice and welcome you in and tell you to have a good workout. I have met a few people. We chat about different things and even help each other modify or do a different exercise if “our” machine is being used. There’s a room without machines where you can get a mat and do some floor exercises, use a ball , kettlebells, bench press etc. it’s a small area. I was working on a hand stand pushup when I left Crossfit. There is only one small wall space at Eos, my current gym. If the space is open, I do handstand holds. I think I’ll get a punchcard and drop in at Crossfit a couple days a week.

I just had my 2^nd acupuncture appointment today and I found out my doctor went to crossfit too and she really misses it. We are trying to help my plantar fasciitis and WOW my back hasn’t felt this good in a long time.

I’m so thankful for the mobility I have and so thankful for the different treatments out there.

One of the most important things to do, at any age is keep stress to a minimum. I say minimum because we all have stress.

Not sure what you do to stay as stress free as possible.

I’ll share a couple things I do.

I’m finding IF I get up around 5:30am (happens about 3 times a week),  pour my coffee, talk to God, read His Word and other books good for my heart and brain, my day is less stressful than when I don’t do this. I do check facebook, emails and I’m starting to listen to some podcasts if I have time. Depending on how early I have to check in on clients, I may go to the gym before or after 9:30am.

I know this time in my life is like no other time. I am not holding a 40 hour a week job. I am doing what I need to help my 85 year old parents. I was reminded months back that the last 2.5 years my ministry has been my parents. My mom is now cancer free and as much as I don’t like shopping, I’m glad when she has the energy to go (for an hour or 2….before she was sick she could be out shopping 6 hours!)

Stay healthy for you…and that will bless others. Know where your strength comes from.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

 

 

 

 

First game 192, Second 105

 

First Game 192, Second Game 105

Proverbs 4:25-27

Let your eyes look directly forward and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil

 

What was the highest score you ever got when you bowled? Years ago, mine was 199. I have yet to bowl a 200 game. Some of you will be able to relate to what I am saying as far as the bowling goes. Others will be able to relate to the “feeling” I had when I bowled the 192. I’m not talking about the feeling of YAY, LOOK AT ME, ANOTHER STRIKE. I didn’t have that feeling AT ALL. This is the reason I am writing this and I can’t get “that feeling” I had when bowling, out of my head and I want more of it. It did not just affect my head but my WHOLE BODY. I’ll try to explain, the best I can, how I was feeling and the reason I bowled a 192 on my first game that day.

I went bowling with my husband and I admit we are a bit competitive. Through the years we (maybe I should say I) have learned to be “nicely competitive”. I think you know what I’m saying. I love cheering others on and it’s okay if they do better than I do. When playing a game don’t you play to win? You should. What that means to me is that I do my best…not “I will win at any cost” (you know …cheating…don’t we all dislike cheaters?)

We get our shoes, pick out a bowling ball. That sometimes is the hardest part of bowling, finding a ball that fits you. Finger holes aren’t spaced right, weight is too light, or too heavy, you may not like the color (but that’s the least of my issue…I like all the colors).

We start bowling. My husband always asks if I want to go first. I said “yes” this time. If he went first, I would know what score I would have to beat to win. I was NOT EVEN THNKING LIKE THAT. I believe that was the first reason I was able to bowl as good as I did. My heart and mind was not focused on what he was going to bowl or if I was even going to win or lose. I was focused on the right things without even knowing it. Love when that happens.

I start bowing. Strike! Okay. My body was very calm, very relaxed. There were no bowlers to my right or left for part of  that first game. Edward bowled, as I waited my turn. I was so relaxed, not thinking of anything. I walked up to the lane, not laser focused on the pins. I knew where they were. It’s not like the 10 pins are in a different place on the first frame of every frame. God’s consistent like those 10 pins….always there ready for whatever we bring. Many times we miss the mark and need to trust God to do something with an ugly split in our life. Oh I could get those wide splits if I had at least 2 tries. Thank God he gives us more “tries”.

I got up, my head was empty of “stuff”. I wasn’t thinking about clients, my parents, my children, the weather…NOTHING. I wasn’t thinking about ANYTHING as I walked up the lane to release the ball towards those pins. My body was really at rest. When I didn’t get a strike, I was picking up those spares like no bodies business. I would calmly walk back to the scoring table and look at Edwards face. He was happy for me. I wanted him to do as good as I was doing. I really did.

We finished the game and in the past my 2^nd game was always better. I started to think about that. Wow if I just got 192, I just may be able to hit that 200 today. I started THINKING. I let a lot of things get into my head, which then caused my body to react. People started bowling next to us about half way into our first game.  At the start of the second game, I allowed them to become a distraction. This was on me. They were not rude or loud. They were minding their own business.

As I walked up to the pins, the second game, my body was not relaxed. I noticed the changes after the 3^rd frame. I was trying harder and doing worse. I couldn’t get a strike like I did the previous game. I started thinking that I am losing this 2^nd game as Edward was doing better than the first game. About the 7^th frame I said “we are going by total pins to see who wins”. Wow, I really said that? He smiled. I was joking and thought it’s okay if I win one and he wins one. I lost my relaxed, focus state I had in my first game. Totally gone.

Do you get what I’m saying? I’ll just call it my 192 peace time. I’m so thankful I was able to experience and be aware of what was going on in my mind and body that day. It really allows me to see no matter what I’m doing to pay attention to what I let in my mind and how much it affects my body. I thank God for feelings, emotions, and a brain to think with. I’m most grateful for the Holy Spirit and His presence to guide and lead us.

It's funny how I really want to go bowling more. They have great prices for seniors on Friday mornings. ( I’ll proudly show them my ID and take all the discounts I can…except they don’t seem to need proof , whatever!). I want to do better. I want to hit at least 200.  I find the more I’m in Gods Word, the more I want to do better as well. The more I want to be in it.

How about you? What are things you want more of? May we all desire more of what God, our heavenly Father desires for us. Remember Psalm 4:25-27 as you seek your desires from the Lord.

Now go get those strikes! May God be glorified in our “strikes” and show up in our “splits”

              

When the Rubber Meets the Road

 

When the Rubber Meets the Road

 

I was thinking about this saying as I was driving. I was thinking about how I, as a Christian live. What happens in my life as I venture on “life’s highway?

I got to looking at tires on the cars in front of me. I started to think about my tires as they went along the road. I couldn’t tell from driving my car if other people’s tires were bald, or even how much tread was on them.

That’s like life. It isn’t always evident how much wear a person has had on their life. Should I care if anyone’s tires, or life for that matter, are bald? If it rains and a person’s tires are bald it could become my concern if I am near them. They could slide into me and possibly injure people around them.

Yes, I should be concerned when I see people worn down by life. Life is hard and at times very dangerous. Dangerous to those on their last tread. Emotionally they may act out in dangerous ways. They may hurt themselves or others. It happens. What do you do when you encounter someone like this? Maybe you are that person? What would you like someone to do for you? What would be helpful?

Do you know who the Michelin Man is? When tires are bad, he’s a great one to go visit. When I’m on my last thread or tread I know the Great One to Visit. His name is Jesus. I know I need to pray to the God who sees. (Genesis 16:13). You might want to read the story of Hagar.  To know a God who loves me like no other who is ready to help anytime I call out brings such comfort. He knows how to safely get me back on the road. I know I shouldn’t wait until I’m on my last tread…..but it happens sometimes. He always has what is needed. He should always be my first go to.

I will admit, I speed at times. I may take corners a bit fast, which I’ve been told will wear my tires out faster. My tires will no longer meet the road like they did before. My tires may become unbalanced.  I could slow down around those corners. I could just slow down period. Is that you?  Speeding along life’s highway, getting worn out faster than you should?  If so, what do you do about it? What could you do about it?

I know for me I have learned, most days, to pace myself. When I can’t see beyond that corner or past the next light it’s okay. It’s so easy to get out of balance. If I take one day at a time, trusting the God of all creation to get me balanced, I know He will. I just need to ask.  Oh but I better believe and not doubt. (Matthew 7:7, James 1:6-8)

In Las Vegas the roads are pretty bad. There are a lot of bumps in the pavement and also a lot of construction going on. Roads are blocked, detours abound making errands difficult at times. My tires do their best to get me to where I need to go. They don’t like bumps, potholes (that I usually hit) or the lanes that aren’t marked clearly to show them what lane to stay in. My tires, that rubber, has no say in what happens along the routes we must take. Oh how pleasant when the rubber meets a smooth road.

There are so many external things in our lives that we have no control over. We must go over some bumps, hit a few potholes, not even sure at times what lane to stay in. Are you with me here? Do you get what I’m saying? What happens when the road of life is less than smooth? What do you do? Do you question why? Do you get angry? Do you blame others? Sometimes it’s nothing we have done to create the rough road. Sometimes it has everything to do with what we’ve done to create rough spots in our lives. What I do know is there is a God who sent His Son Jesus to help us navigate through the rough spots AND EVEN WHEN WE CREATED THEM OURSELVES, HE IS WAITING FOR US TO GO TO HIM AND ASK FOR HIS FORGIVENESS.  He does what He says He will do, because He is faithful. (Romans 5:8, Psalm 46:1-3, Numbers 23:19)

When the rubber, of my life, meets the road, I want it to lead to life. (Matthew 7:13-14)

I’ll seek God to keep my tread on, balance me and get me through all the rough roads ahead. I will be praising through it all and smiling BiG when I hit the smooth parts of the road knowing He’s with me ALL THE WAY! He’s also with you.

 

May you feel His presence on the road with you!

Eva Popek 

(3/8/2024)