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breathe

There are several things that our trainer, Justin, tells us all the time. There are two things in particular that I've noticed he tells me. The first is to overarch my back and keep my shoulder blades together. This is because I have poor posture and slouching is a good way to get injured. The other thing is to remember to breathe.

I forget to breathe sometimes.

Not in everyday situations. As I sit and type I'm not overly concerned that I'm going to suddenly stop breathing. I suppose I could stop- but it's not a big concern. I forget to breathe when I'm exerting myself. I forget to breathe when I'm worried at times.

Today Elizabeth and I were swimming laps. This is in an attempt to compete in a super sprint triathlon this May. I have terrible form. After 45 minutes I wasn't much better. A considerable problem is that I won't put my face underwater. I tried. I forget to breathe. Inhale water, exhale panic. Inhale more panic. Arms splashing everywhere.

The first thing you do is take a breathe. The last thing we talk about people doing is "breathing their last breathe." In Genesis, God breathes life. Yet, I don't always have this mastered.

Maybe it's all psychological. I don't like not being in control of myself. At times I think I want to be hold on so tightly to being control that I forget the most basic function of living. I push and pull and inhaled but don't exhale. But I have learned that I can be mindful of this. Yoga has been amazing because it is so focused on breathing. We don't move from one pose to another without noting the breath we are on in a pose. I balance. I stretch. I breathe. That hour is one of the few times a week that my mind is quiet. It's also one of the only times during the week that I'm aware of myself.

Aware that I need to breathe.

Weekly Goal Update

I took pictures, but none of them are very good. I might get some more at church or at life tomorrow and post them later. On Monday I attempted to quilt while watching the Bachelor (JP is a super tool, btw) with Mel but lost my needle. Today I acquired new needles and some yarn for the scarves. Woo crafts!

Today began training for the super sprint, which is going to be brutal y'all. Brutal.

Unofficially, Jack and I had three dates nights in the last week- Lego Movie (go if you haven't, it's hilarious and cute), Rice v. UT baseball game, and a wonderful dinner at Seasons 52 and watching Election tonight. Our schedules are ridiculous at the moment so it's nice to have had some time together.

Wednesday starts Lent and I'm giving up reality television. Everyone I've told this to have given me a face which says, "are you serious?" I'm getting in my last fix this weekend.

Today I also removed most of the foods with processed sugar from our kitchen. I have a new shopping list with a bunch of high protein, low carb foods to restock tomorrow. Woo protein!

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