My mom can beat up your mom

Last week, my son and I walked into the L.A. Boxing gym near our house (the location in Rancho Penasquitos) for our first boxing class. We got there early to get our membership started.

The manager, Chris, gave us a tour of the facility, we checked out the boxing ring, treadmills, weight room and rows and rows of punching bags. Chris was kind enough to wrap my hands for me and got me ready for an hour of hard-core training. The instructors made me and my son feel very welcome and the music provided the perfect atmosphere to get through the workout without even looking at the clock.

My class started before my son’s so he watched as I started the vigorous routine of push-ups, running, jumping jacks, boxing and of course lifting with small weights.

When the children’s class started 15 minutes later, I was able to see my son in the mirror, as he began his own routine. I admired how focused he was the entire time, grinning like the Cheshire cat as he punched the instructor’s mitts and ducking and weaving along with the others.

We both had a great experience. My son had a blast, I worked up a sweat and we’re both looking forward to future classes. We will be going twice a week for the next month, boosting our energy and increasing our stamina, strength and confidence along the way.

I was incredibly sore the following day, but it was a good feeling, knowing that the one-hour routine worked every single muscle in my body, got my heart racing and left me feeling ready to kick some serious ass afterward.

The fact that my son can now beat me up is just one of the benefits of the class. The fact that we are both feeling more confident, in shape and getting fit for the summer is of course the greatest benefit of all. I didn’t weigh myself before our first session, but I have no doubt that after a full month of training, I will be much more prepared for bathing suit season.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Missing, Inaction

I have had no inspiration to write this past week. I was visiting Mr. Right and family in Minnesota over my birthday (two weeks ago) and since my return I’ve been speechless, unable to start a new project here.

I’ve logged into WordPress several times over these last ten days in an attempt to put something together but for some reason, I didn’t see the number until tonight. I’m not religious and certainly not superstitious (or am I?), but seeing that I have a total of 666 posts published (since 2007) kind of jumped out at me.

That number has been sitting there, unwavering, for over a week. I can’t let that affect me and it certainly hasn’t been the cause for my writer’s block (although missing my boyfriend & loved ones has been) but I’m hoping that being aware of this – as well as the negativity that’s taken over – will help get me back on track.

I have a lot to share, much to talk about and promote but I do need to address, first, my lack of activity. I mean, it’s not like I’ve been so busy with life that I haven’t been able to focus on writing. It’s been just the opposite. I haven’t been motivated to do much at all, instead dwelling on my “situation,” missing my boyfriend and loved ones in Minnesota, letting negative thoughts take over.

We all let that happen from time to time, but for me, this last week has raised a major red flag, alerting me that something needs to change. I need to change, start embracing the positive things that are going on around me, the wonderful ways in which my son is developing and growing, and make time to get active.

Tomorrow, I will be getting my membership set up at LA Boxing. They have kindly offered my son and I membership in exchange for a one-month promotion of their facilities and services.

My goal in these next 30 days is to not only get in shape, physically, but to keep track, monitor and share how staying active positively affects my mental health. I have no doubt that after I get some endorphins and adrenaline pumping once again – and on a regular basis – that my world will start to look different.

Wish me luck!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home