Staying Fit for the Love of Wine

I agree with Fred Rogers. Today, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood” for a run. I’ll deal with the consequences tomorrow. This girl needs to train!

Back and chest day. It’s on the books for today!

And I love my new shirt because it literally describes how I’ve felt since I started running.

Love, love, love this protein coffee!

The more I lift, the more I love it. It’s not just about how I look. It’s about feeling strong, capable, and proud of what my body can do. Every workout is a little reminder that I’m stronger than I think.

I advocate loudly and love deeply. 💙

I will speak up for the people I care about. I will show up. I will encourage, defend, celebrate, and make sure the people around me know they matter. That’s just who I am.

But advocacy, for me, has never been about blindly taking someone’s side. It’s about believing that people deserve to be heard, respected, treated fairly, and given the same dignity I would want for myself. I will speak up when someone is being overlooked. I will stand beside someone who doesn’t feel strong enough to stand alone. I will use my voice when someone else’s voice is being dismissed. I will advocate for what I believe is right, even when staying quiet would be easier.

I advocate because I believe people’s rights, voices, feelings, and humanity matter. I believe kindness and fairness should not depend on whether someone is popular, convenient, or able to advocate for themselves. And yes, sometimes advocating means having uncomfortable conversations. Sometimes it means saying, “That’s not okay.” Sometimes it means being the person willing to speak up when everyone else is staying silent.

I’ve also learned that loving intentionally doesn’t mean losing myself in the process. I can have a huge heart and still have boundaries. I can care about someone and still walk away when something is no longer healthy for me. I can be compassionate without carrying what belongs to someone else.

I’m in my 50s 😉now, and I finally understand that advocating loudly for others also means advocating loudly for myself.

I deserve the same compassion, respect, patience, and protection that I so freely give to others.

So I’ll keep advocating. I’ll keep speaking up. I’ll keep loving deeply. I’ll keep standing up for what matters.

Love deeply. Stand up for what matters. Be kind.

Sunday Funday workout done. Now I’m ready for some Oklahoma City shenanigans!

Today is one of those days where if I change out of these clothes, I’m going straight to the shower and calling it a day.But it’s upper body day, and I cannot skip arms and shoulders. So here I am, showing up anyway. 💪🏼

Some days you’re motivated. Some days you’re just determined. Today? I’m definitely determined.

Who’s getting a workout done today?

I’m hopping on the treadmill, running a couple of miles, and calling it a day!

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is simply move your body. It’s not just about getting stronger or staying healthy. Exercise is so good for your mental health, too. It clears your mind, lifts your mood, and gives you a little time to reconnect with yourself after a long day of work.

Your mind will thank you, your body will appreciate it, and future you will be glad you showed up today.

Now… let’s move! 🏃🏻‍♀️

In a few months, I have a race that I really want to show up for, especially because I motivated three of my best friends to run or walk it with me. This time around, my training looks so different. But different doesn’t mean bad. Different simply means I’m doing what I need to do to make it possible for me to show up and finish the race.

I’m okay if I can run it. I’m okay if I can speed walk it. I’m okay if I have to slow walk the whole thing. This race is going to be totally different from all the others I’ve run. This one is going to be about doing it with my friends, crossing that finish line together, and, most importantly, enjoying the party afterward. ❤️🏃🏻‍♀️🎉

Working out just gives me wings. 🤪🪽I don’t need to drink a Red Bull to feel like I have wings. I love how my body feels, the energy I get, and honestly, how happy it makes me feel.

And the truth is, we don’t have to do that much. At my age, less is better. This is just what works for me, not me suggesting that it will work for you. I get at least a mile walk in at home because it’s just too hot to be outside. At work, I’m getting almost 10,000 steps a day. But lifting weights has become my new thing as I slowly increase my miles and hope my knee cooperates so I can run the upcoming race. 🏃🏻‍♀️