Onward and Upward

The competition came and went. I had new experiences and learned new things as I do at all of my competitions. I had some mixed feeling regarding my performance. On one hand, I did challenge myself and do routines at a level I had never done before. My instructor was really happy with my performance. I, on the other hand, didn't feel like I danced to the best of my ability. I placed well. Who can complain with that? Well, I know the technique and I don't feel like I danced up to my ability.

Now, I had a few things floating in my head as to maybe why that happened. But in reality, when I looked at how I placed AND when I recognized that I had not one set of Latin routines but TWO...I feel like I went up against that pressure and still stood tall.

So, I have a whole new set of challenges to overcome and grow with for the next 6 months until my next competition. I'm taking a few weeks to rest my knee and work with my physical therapist. However, I'll be more than ready to step up and face those new challenges when the time comes.

Once my therapy is done, I also will have a new tool in my fitness arsenal. Meet our new Elliptical Trainer. Originally, I had looked into getting a Treadmill. However, at the advice of my physical therapist, we decided an elliptical would be better on my knee in the long run. I was able to purchase it on a payment plan. I plan on paying it off with no interest just like I have done most recent major purchases. I've made the decision to be start making the move to do all of my workouts at home by purchasing the necessary tools and equipment over the next year and a half. I'm fortunate to be one of the lucky ones with the willpower to workout at home. I've really liked my Insanity DVD at-home use and also plan on getting additional DVDs just as intense as those workouts.

So I'm going to be focusing on my knee getting WELL. Then I'll be back up and running....and dancing.

Challenging Myself

I'm really challenging myself in my dancing in my next competition. I've got a competition next week and I'm doing routines that have really scared me this time around. They have scared me in that they are more advanced than anything I've ever done and in a higher level than I competed in previously. I know that my instructor believes in me more than I do right now. But I'm determined to have that same belief in myself. I LOVE to dance and I want to grow in it.

I believe that going up against your fears is the huge way to grow. I'm going to go out there and envision nothing but completing these routines and doing them better than I could have ever expected! I'm going to grow so much in the process.

I've found some quotes and scriptures that I thought were appropriate for this post. Maybe someone else can benefit from them too.

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals."
-- Henry Ford

"You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind." - - Dale Carnegie

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." - - Dale Carnegie

"Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears." - - Les Brown

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and of sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7

SO, here is a video of a fantastic Latin final for some additional inspiration!

Chondromalacia Patella

THIS is the knee ailment I am currently recuperating from. It's the fancy way of saying, "damaged cartilage under kneecap." The next step involves my starting physical therapy. My physician is currently in the process of setting this up for me.

Three Lessons Can be Learned from this:

1. No matter how long you have been working out, you STILL have to watch your form: If you're doing switch-leap-lunges and they remind you to watch your knee placement. Don't just assume you do this naturally.....MRS. MEL B! I'm not going to attempt to write this out because this is something easier shown than said. If you've got questions regarding what's correct and incorrect in regards to proper knee placement, I suggest you consult a physician.

2. See post on workout shoes below. I still can't comprehend on how I made such a mistake. I've been in sports long enough to know the correct information on which workout shoes to wear. Goodness gracious.

3. "Increase intensity gradually. Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of your workouts." - This is going to be my lesson going forward. This helpful information was found on www.mayoclinic.com. Once I get over this injury, I really need to HEED this advice. Normally, I'd jump back into my usual routine. I'm really going to have to work hard at maintaining a safe pace to get back to my normal level of activity. For someone who has been as active as I am for as LONG as I have...I need to be careful. Naturally, I've got some creaks and funny noises coming from my knees after years of wear and tear from sports, dance, cheerleading, etc. Going forward I need to adjust workouts slowly to avoid any sudden changes that could cause further injury.

PSA - Buy New Workout Shoes!

So apparently, there are stricter guidelines on what types of shoes are acceptable for certain workouts. I hate to admit that I've been really naive about what types of shoes I should wear for certain exercises. All my life I have worn shoes that simply LOOKED good. More often than not, these ended up being running shoes. Running shoes are fantastic....if you're a runner/walker. They're also OK for light aerobic exercising as well.

However, my research on what has been causing my knee pain, has led me to the discovery that I was wearing the wrong shoes. Now, there are a few other things that probably aided in the knee pain like using the wrong knee placement in certain exercises like squats and lunges. However, I remember being warned about making sure I bought the proper shoes when I started this Insanity workout program. I also discovered through my research that you are supposed to change out your workout shoes at certain times in the year depending on your level of activity. According to my level of activity, I need to purchase new workout shoes a MINIMUM of twice a year. I am embarrassed to admit that I have owned my most recent pair almost 3 years. My back-up pair was almost SEVEN years old. WOW, I was WAY off!

SO, I did a ton of research on what type of shoes I should buy. I ended up buying a pair of cross trainers, (Nike AirMax Trainer I) that would support the lateral movement and high intensity of my workouts.

I couldn't find a picture of my exact shoe, but here is something that looks similar.



Obviously, the shoes aren't a magic fix to the current knee pain I have. BUT they are going to help me have proper support in the future. My doctor said my x-rays looked fine and that I needed to take it easier for the next two weeks. I initially took one week off from my normal program. Now that I have resumed exercising, I make sure to ice my knee after workouts and take anti-inflammatory aids to help as well. I'm currently having to do alternative exercises instead of the jumping in some of my workouts for another week. My knee is getting better even though the healing has been slower than I prefer.

I was able to find some good online resources about workout shoes. However, one link I recommend is http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art30184.asp .

Christmas Clearance Savings Continued....

Let me start off by citing my own belief on lunch breaks. I'm way busy at work (and life in general!). However, on occasion, I am able to take a lunch break. Normally, I eat at my desk while I'm going through emails. So, when I get a chance to take a lunch break, I try to run quick errands.

We are running slow today so I was able to take a lunch break . I used this break to run to Pier 1 to look at their Christmas decoration clearance sale. My reason for going there was that I had a gift card to Pier 1. Last year, my brother got me a $50 Pier1 Gift Card for Christmas. We weren't able to cross paths for a while so he wasn't able to give it to me until later in the year.

While at Pier 1, I was able to use my gift card to purchase 5 Christmas stocking holders (that normally would have cost a total of $89) for only $45! I liked them because not only do they serve as Christmas stocking holders, but they are also nice for added decoration. No, we don't NEED 5 Christmas stocking holders. (it's just J and I). However, I plan on using some of them to hang other Christmas items.

Christmas Clearance...I finally get it.

I never shop. I'm not a smart shopper when I do. However, I'm working hard to get better at it.

So, when J wanted to take our $50 Wal-Mart gift card (Christmas gift from my parents - Thank you!) to Wal-Mart last night and see what we could get in their Christmas Clearance decorations aisle....I finally got it.

For under $60 we got:

* 12 Red chargers

* Christmas Tree Jar to put ornaments in

* Mini Christmas ornaments for above jar

* Linen Table Cloth and napkins for a table that seats 8

* Smaller Christmas Table Cloth for our round table.

* Pre-Lit Christmas Wreath to go over fireplace

* 2 Christmas Kitchen Towels

Honestly, I don't have pictures of these said items because last night was also our night to put up all the Christmas decorations....just thought I'd share. I'm learnin!

Christmas 2010

It was our turn to go to my family's state for Christmas this year. We drove down the night before Christmas Eve into my hometown.

Christmas Eve - J and I spent time with my closest and oldest group of friends. Not everyone could attend, but we had a good turn out. One of our friends and gotten engaged, another was expecting her second baby girl with her husband, and another brought in their new baby boy. It's such a blessing to remain connected with such a GREAT group of people after all these years! We have all remain good friends since elementary school. It's simply amazing!



Christmas Day - We enjoyed a nice lunch and presents at my parents home. It actually snowed at Christmas. It was our hometown's first white Christmas in 20 years!



Later that afternoon, we drove south to my brother and Sister-in-Law's house. We had a really great Christmas dinner at their home. Good food, pretty decorations, and presents filled the house! We got to see the pretty furniture they got for their first baby's nursery as well! We had a house full of uncles, cousins, siblings, significant others, and parents. As you can see....J really likes my sister-in-law's dip.



However, our Christmas isn't over for J and I. We will be visiting some of J's adopted family in another city this weekend for a late Christmas and early new year's celebration.

I pray that 2011 is a year of blessing for my family and anyone else who might be reading this!