Woot!  Congrats, Paula!

Cheers,
Julie

Thanks for all your support. 

So far, I haven’t been paid to teach.  Occasionally I’ve gotten a tip for the classes where I’ve assisted - that helps cover the gas money to get to the place where I’m teaching.  I’m teaching because I really love the sport, and I love to share my excitement for a healthy physical activity.  I hope that we can develop a Woman’s kayaking program so that people taking the classes understand that you don’t need to be a young, strong, super athlete to enjoy the sport, and to learn all of the skills.  Technique and fineness over muscle. 

Maybe someday I’ll be able to charge a lot for lessons, right now, I’ll be happy getting the pro discount on all the equipment I buy.

I know this is a month later but I’m so happy for you.....Yeah Paula!!!

Another Personal Success -

Last week my weight session with my personal trainer was canceled.  I was already at the gym, ready to go.  Great excuse to do lots of cardio (I love cardio) and leave.  What I did - just a short warm up on the elliptical, then off to the weights.  I managed to stumble my way through legs (what was scheduled that day) without my Personal Torturer standing over me.  Not only did I do a weight workout in my home gym.  I was so motivated by my success with weights in the gym that I did a shoulders, back and chest workout in the hotel gym.  I guess I’m on a roll now - no more excuses.

In 2007, I set a goal to walk everyday for at least 10 minutes.  I kept that up for 3 months, then at the beginning of April life got in the way (I don’t even remember what it was).  I ended up stopping and didn’t do anymore for the rest of the year, I just gave up.

So in 2008, I was tired of being tired and out of shape so I decided to try again, this time I told myself I would do 40 minutes 3 or 4 times a week.  After a month of that I rewarded myself with an iPod.  And that made all the difference because I found MTM land.  If it was not for the encouragment and accountability of the forum I am sure I would have quit again when life got in the way.

Instead I have now reached 6 months of exercise.  And as Scott says, it will be with me for life.  I am doing 60 minutes 5 or 6 times a week.  I have added resistance training.  I am eating more gooder than badder and I have lost 23 pounds.

Thanks to everyone in the forum.  Your words of encouragement or just reading that you are going through the same things that I am have helped me tremendously.  You will see me around here for a long time.

Great job, Eileen.  Let me pat you on the back. 

Another Milestone - Last week I taught my first solo kayak class, followed by an advanced rescue / recovery clinic.

It was really fun to take a group of people and introduce them to the world of kayaking.  The class went well and the most rewarding part was to be a role model for a group of women in their 40’s and 50’s and to show them that they are very capable of participating in a physical outdoor activity. 

The advanced recovery class was also a challenge.  I stayed with the people who were more fearful of cold rough water.  My greatest success was assisting a person who was very fearful of capsizing.  That fear was preventing her from fully enjoying the sport.  We worked most of the day and after lunch, she finally allowed herself to be upside in the kayak.  Of course I was holding her hand so she knew that I would not let anything happen.  The trust involved was very powerful.  It was a baby step for her - someday she will do this alone, but it was at least a step towards overcoming a fear she wants to overcome. 

It’s funny that my biggest accomplishment was not with the person who did everything well - it was with the person who accomplished the least (based on the objectives of the clinic) but was also the person who accomplished the most in terms of personal challenges.