Hope, Weirdness, and a Good Pathology Report

We got the pathology report today from my husband’s cancer surgery and it was probably about the best a report like that could read. The tumor they removed was much smaller than it was before treatment. The margins (edges of the tissue removed) were clear of cancer, meaning they got it all. Of the 27

Your Body Isn’t a Mistake…or a Curse

I have spent a large portion of my life wishing my body was something different than what it is, comparing it to the bodies of other women. It started as a child. I wanted to be taller, thinner, more delicate. Instead, I remained on the shorter side, with a stocky build. I wasn’t gifted at

When I’m Shaking…Lessons Learned From the Barre

There are moments in life where I feel I can’t hold on any longer, when I feel like I don’t have the strength. Moments when bad news hits me in the gut suddenly or stress and pressure mount up to the point I feel like I will fail under the strain. Moments when I am

Cultivating Joy in Rocky Soil

I don’t know a single person who has had an easy year this year. Most families I know have had health challenges of some kind. Others have had employment challenges or financial woes. Everywhere, there are additional stresses of remote work and learning and the pain of isolation from our usual social outlets. More personally,

Morning Exercise and Quality Sleep – A Powerful Connection

Does it matter WHEN you exercise? Well, when you get down to it, if you’re really pressed for time ANY time you can fit in your workout is better than missing it, but there’s some really powerful reasons why working out early is better for your body. Especially if you’re struggling to get good, DEEP

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Facebook reminded me yesterday that it was one year ago this week that I went back to work after surgery on my neck. I had suffered for almost a year from nerve pain and it had gotten to the point all I could do was lay as still as possible in my bed…and even then

Sweating the Stress Out and How Working Out Helps me Lose Weight (Hint…it’s not about calories burned!)

It’s been a stressful week…month…year? Ok, let’s just settle on that it’s been particularly stressful this week. My husband just had cancer surgery yesterday and, while he’s thankfully doing really well, that does make for a stressful and emotional time. Today, I had one of those mornings where it just seems like everything I did

And then Came Covid…

On August 8th, I began having a sore, scratchy throat and I was just tired. By August 13th, I had a positive Covid-19 test and a bunch of other symptoms. I had been training well. The day before my Covid test, I did 2 workouts, but didn’t feel right at all during them. I had

Have You Edited Yourself Out of the Picture?

If you look at my family’s pictures over the past 10 years or so, you’ll notice something is missing…me. I used so many excuses to avoid being in front of the camera. After all, somebody has to take the picture, right? The truth is, though…I didn’t want to be seen. I was afraid to be