Measureables

If only the flies on the wall in this house could talk, oh my the stories they could tell you! There is no subject that is off limits here, in fact there never has been. A time and place, at times for sure not age appropriate - but as we raised our children we did our best to teach them about honesty and respect. The golden rule, the things and perhaps a few other tidbits that “normal” parents did not feel comfortable with dear imaginary reader.

One thing that we tried and failed at is only being positive about weight and image.

Our kids and I (for a second a million years ago) were athletes, movement has always been our happy place. TLOMIL had a knee injury fairly young that limited what he could do to “play”. It has always been a bit of a joke around here that both girls were successful in their chosen sports to the Provincial or National Level. The boy, not so much. Though he did get a bit of a ride to go to College down south (ok, north from us but try to explain that one to an American, just sayin”), and went on to play hockey in Australia and France. Staying active while adulting for some is difficult. This is where my hand raises and I am doing the old elementary school oooohh ahhh pick me pick me!

I have had my excuses, difficult to find time for me while the kids were small, too busy with the kids during the school crazy sports years. Of course there was that whole thing of gainful employment thrown into the mix to add yet another layer to the I want to but just cant find the time mix. My throwing myself into my kids lives 150% was the right thing to do at the time. I am very proud to say that I believe that we have strong, loving, honest (sometimes perhaps to honest) relationships. But I have shown them some wrong ways along our journey as well.

Now dear imaginary reader we know that for almost a year now I have been struggling with back and hip issues, while I have had to be careful and I have over done it, they perhaps turned into yet another excuse for me. For the past few weeks mulching, weeding, canoeing and so on, I have been pushing the old envelope and have survived. In fact I believe just a smidgin flourished, now dont go crazy there is still plenty of fluff here to de fluff but progress has been made. (Did you hear the sound of the cork popping!?)

All of us are trying to move and get healthier whether by going to a trainer, using an app on our phones or just moving more in life. I had a conversation with LLB a little while ago about the benefits of taking before, during and after shots to check your progress through what can be tourture. For me, the torture begins at the first shot - would not want to look at that sucker if my life depended on it. I suggested that perhaps instead of photos to begin with she start by taking her measurements. By no means is LLB fluffy just not as “tight” as she was last year as she trained for and ran her first half marathon. Adulting can do that to you right dear imaginary reader? So, as she says she “no longer wants to be a skinny fat girl”, I know she and her app will make it so - and PDQ as my Mom would say.

I think I made a mistake. This week I took a couple of before and after shots of my back garden...

Ya know what? I didn’ want to peek at that either. Looking at that reminded me of all the sweat, bites, aches and pain - oh the hours it would take to get this right! But then I sucked it up and got it done.

Its not perfect but its better - just like LLB and I will be when we put the work in. It makes me feel proud when I look at these shots as I rub antinflammatory cream into my hip and tush! These photos show why I was wrong, you can remember but seeing is better my dear imaginary reader. LLB, the next time I see you we are going to break out the camera and get this party started, we have a wedding to get ready for kid!