Paleo Challenge 2013

It is so hard not to be suspicious of the dualities of my personality.  I so want a break from life and as soon as I do, I want my routine back.

That aside, it is time for Paleo Challenge 2013 to get started.  Should be easy though right?  If I want routine this is the ultimate in routinization.  I did a challenge back in September but didn't blog about it.  I find the beginning of the year challenge to be a little more difficult after a month of indulgences.  (Mostly alcoholic indulgences.)

Today at CrossFit a client asked if I had any resolutions.  2012 was one of the best years a girl could ask for but as things were winding down to holiday break, I found myself a ball of stress.  Things are going to change drastically in 2013 with the arrival of the bouncing baby boy and all the stressors that go along with it.  Additionally, my mom is having shoulder replacement surgery and Damema and I are finally going to tie the knot.  With that will come a name change for me.  I think at this point I am most nervous and anxious about the arrival of our baby boy.  I hate seeing Damema in pain and I know this is going to be one of those things that will be outside of my control in EVERY way possible.  All change is stress whether good or bad.  

I plan to get my eating and insulin response back on track with the paleo challenge in January as well as focus on a work out that will not increase cortisol levels too much.  With that I have a goal of a 200# back squat.  Breathing and taking care of myself are going to be the key to making this year the best yet.  In any case, I know the paleo challenge is boring to read about, but please bear with me while I take on the roller coaster ride over 30 days starting January 2.    

It's the end of the world as you know it.

Vacation.  Aaaah...the sun shining down on my face.  The sound of waves crashing against the shore.  I feel a little like this is it.  This is the end of my life.  At the same time I'm grateful and looking forward to the next phase.  I saw cute parents toting their young kids around Key West watching them transfer sea water and sand between locations.  I watched angry babies only wanting to hang tightly to their daddy's hands while strolling down the beach.  I listened to the excited cries of kids at the pool as their parents tossed them into the water.  Yes, life is going to change.  I'm anxious.  I'm nervous.  I'm excited.  I'm afraid.  Most of all, I can't wait to meet our little boy.

Bring on 2013.  This is going to be like no other year yet!

Responsibility. A letter to a son.

Dear Son,

We want you to experience love in your life.  We want you to become your own person.  However, having said that we have a few random thoughts for you and your life.  You will meet several milestones which will increase your responsibility over time.

For example, once you know how to communicate "hungry" it is your responsibility to let us know -- until you can go to the fridge yourself and make an elaborate meal.  (I hope you take after your mother and love to cook!)  Once you are potty trained, it is your responsibility to poop and pee in the proper receptacle.  Peeing in your pants because you laughed too hard is permissible.  Once you learn to ride a bike you must be careful and obey the biking rules which are not the same as pedestrian rules, but rather automobile rules.  Also you will need to wear a helmet.  (I didn't because my helmet was yellow, shaped like a mushroom, ugly and it was not "cool".  It is now cool to wear a helmet.)   You must take responsibility for this on your own because we mommies won't be there to guide you all the time. We will work very hard to make our home open and safe.  We hope you feel like you can communicate with your mommies.  We pray you feel like it is your responsibility to communicate with your mommies.  We want to hear everything about you and your day and your experiences and how you're feeling and what excites you and what makes you sad and....    

Some other milestones.  Because you'll take after me and will be athletic, you will likely sign an agreement as a high school athlete saying you won't drink or do drugs during the season.  This extends into the rest of your life!!  (Ok - well at least the drugs part - though marijuana is ok with us.)  Promise us that you will not drink and drive.  Your mommies will come get you wherever you are regardless, but PLEASE do not get behind a wheel drunk ever!  Which brings me to driving.  Once you learn how to drive your responsibilities increase.  You're responsible for you, all of your passengers and all of those other people on the roadways.  Please be careful and assess each situation.  Nothing is important enough for you to drive dangerously.  Next, you start dating and wanting to go "all the way".  USE A CONDOM.  This is YOUR responsibility and yours alone.  I don't care what the girl (or boy) says - USE A CONDOM until you are ready to raise a family or spend your life forever with someone.  I cannot reiterate this enough.  Next, you graduate from college.  It is your responsibility to find a job.  (You will always have a home with us, but you must have a job.  We will be proud of you no matter what you do for work.)

Yes, over time you will learn many different things.  We hope to guide you into becoming a responsible human being who makes good decisions (not the right ones, just good ones).  We are here to take care of you.  We are responsible for you and when your mommies get old, we will do our best to make sure we are not a burden.  But, please live close by... always.

We are so excited to meet you.

Love,
Your Mommies