Is It That Time Again?

I'm happy to report that Santa brought me a

watch that isn't held together by safety pins.

The last week of 2010. Perhaps you're trying to find daylight if you're still buried underneath a mountain of gift wrap or simply continuing to be rapt with your children (for me and a certain 7-year-old this means playing Boggle or Banagrams over, and over, and over...) In these final days of 2010, I can't help but contemplate my goals for 2011. I want to be more organized. I really do. So I'm spending this week trying to get more organized to be more organized (it feels like a monolithic undertaking). If you're of the organized species, do you have a tip or two for the scatterbrained among us? Meanwhile I will continue to contemplate more 2011 goals while on my new snow shoes. Thanks for being a Mama Sweat reader and Happy New Year!

The Dance

When my friend Cindy asked if I'd be interested in dancing for the Christmas Eve service at her church again this year, I felt compelled to say yes. Sure there was a nagging voice that asked, "Do you really have time for this?" But my gut assured my frizzly mind that it was the right thing to do for the next four weeks.

Reason to Dance #1

Having just sent "Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom" to the printer I was mentally spent. I liked the idea of letting my mind focus on learning (and remembering!) choreography. When we're rehearsing I can't think about any problems I perceive in my life, my to-do list, or various minute concerns: it is serious "in the moment" time for me because if I allow my mind to wonder I become the fool on stage. (Or, as happened in yesterday's rehearsal, the dancer who yells out "CRAP!" during "Oh Come All Ye Faithful." Fortunately my kids were not around to hear this.)

Reason to Dance #2

As I pointed out in my last post about needing other workout options in the winter months, making time to dance twice a week has been a terrific Plan B. Because The Boy is the only kid at rehearsal he's welcome to bring his germs along. He's enjoyed the rehearsals as much as I have. Last time I danced, he was also with me--in utero--I was eight months pregnant. Cindy said, "It's as if he remembers the music." He does almost cock his little head like a little puppy trying to register what's going on. A few times he bolted right in the middle of the floor, to show off the steps he knew. It was a little reunion for us and I was happy to have him join me in these "work outs."

Reason to Dance #3

I didn't come across this reason until reading some comments on the Hot (Sweaty) Mamas Facebook Fan Page (you are a fan, right?) One of my former Texas training partners wrote this about a post my co-author, Laurie, started about "spiritual fitness."

My new sport is conscious movement, lots of free form dance, drumming, moving meditation. I'm unraveling lots of years of linear movement and trying to shake my booty...haha not much booty to shake but getting the swivel back in my hips. What is spiritual fitness? Daily soul sweat is going to be my new blog, when I find time to write.

That bit about "unraveling lots of years of linear movement," really struck a cord with me. Maybe that's why I feel the urge to spiral (and let's hope, not out of control)? And shake my booty? Who doesn't want an opportunity for that? I think any kind of activity can be good for the soul, but dance in particular does my soul good.

I've scouted out a few dance-ish type group fitness classes at the gym so I can keep up with The Dance post Christmas. I highly encourage it: Keep your expectations low and you leave having had a lot of fun. I hope to "unravel" more often as I pick up more linear workouts.

Trapped

I have no one but myself to blame when I choose not go to the gym. And then there are forces beyond my control that leave me pointing fingers.

Sick kids anyone? Apparently The Boy signed up for a virus-of-the-month plan this winter. I play by the rules: green boogers and a fever means no childcare for him, no gym workout for me.

And then I wonder... is it just coincidence that he came down with that nasty cold just two days after being in the gym childcare center? Twice? So I avoid the gym a little longer while I live in fear of bringing home something else for everyone to share.

Then there's the weather. Run outside? As I write this it's -9 degrees and feels like -22 degrees with the wind chill. I believe in outdoor winter running and I have the winter running apparel to prove it. But I draw the line at zero. Just say no to frostbite.

Weekend workouts at the gym work well when one parent can stay home with sniffling kids. But not when a once-in-a-generation blizzard befalls your state. "Snowmygawd," as I saw the blizzard affectionately named in the newspaper was, by this West Texas Girl's standards, awe inspiring. Not only did I wisely choose to stay home on a day when 18+ inches of blowing snow fell around us, but the storm was significant enough for my gym to close. Again, not my fault I can't workout at the gym (not that I would have risked my life to get there anyway).

While Saturday was most definitely a good day to bake cookies and decorate the Christmas tree, I realized I gotta getta on board with home workouts. A fit mama relies on them for her plan B, which due to so many factors out of her control (as if I ever had control since becoming a mother) can become the rule rather than the exception.

I need to embrace my plan B options:

More yoga in the living room

Set up bike for Spinnerval DVDs in the basement

Learn how to use the TRX equipment that's calling my name

What's your favorite plan B when circumstances require you to workout at home (of if working out at home is your plan A)? Help me add to my list so I have more options next time the icicles cage me in.

Rapt Not Wrapped (Love that... wish I had thunk it myself)

After reading a fantastic opinion piece in Saturday's Minneapolis Star Tribune by school counselor Lisa Valentine, I am giving myself permission to 1) not feel compelled to multi-task and 2) provide those around me with my rapt attention.

As a teaser, I provide you with this nugget in her essay:

A beautiful quote from Sue Atchley Ebaugh reads: "The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to one another's existence." Multitasking and rapt attention cannot occur simultaneously. Rapt attention isn't taking place between pickup from activity A and dropoff for activity B. Though four texts and two voice mails does constitute attention to your child, neither gets you in the same room at the same time. (At least I hope not.) This is what our children, our society need: our rapt attention. Nothing else matters as much.

Go read "Slow Down You Move Too Fast." Turn off your computer and give those around you your rapt attention.