Discipline

Discipline is not my strong suit.  Especially when things are hard or different than "normal."  Any kind of lifestyle that is different or inconvenient past a certain point is hard for me.  I guess it's hard for everyone.  I do just fine with little tweaks, but big things don't always last.  For example, when I was in nursing school, I was not your normal college kid.  I didn't stay up late partying.  I wasn't in a sorority.  I even had to quit intramural sports.  I had clinicals at 6:15am.  Therefore I had to be in bed asleep by 10 at the latest so I could get up at 4:30, to be out the door by 5:45 to be at the hospital by 6:15.  The rest of my time was spent studying, sleeping, or working.  Many of those things overlapped.  My mom talks about my incredible discipline during that time of my life.  The thing is, I've never had much endurance in the discipline department.  I can maintain that type of kill myself schedule and get sh*# done.  But that super intense time in my life only lasted 3 years or so.  It was survival mode.  My lifestyle now is much different.  There is no super intense, do-or-die deadline.  I go to work.  I work hard.  I go home.  I try to exercise at least 3 days a week.  I try to eat clean.  I can get in a routine...a groove... and just keep going.  Discipline has little to do with it when it comes to routine.  But throw a wrench in my routine, and I'm done for.  This spring has thrown many a wrench my routine.  Deaths in the family.  Long planned trips.  New roommates.  These routine killers are what squash my discipline every time.  I will squander and hum and haw and make excuses.  All because I got out of my groove.  Since Grandmother died in April, I have had one hell of a time getting back to my routine.  I was working out at least 5 times a week.  I was going to the store regularly and buying yummy, easily prepared, clean food.  Not anymore.  Since that week long trip, and the subsequent trip for Aunt Flossie's memorial service, and a trip to Philly, I have been "so tired."  I hate that excuse.  I know it's a choice every minute of everyday to do what's best for my body and my mind.  That's where I lack the discipline.  The discipline to just make the right choice; to ignore my desire for the sweetness, or the 30minutes of pseudo-sleep, or to skip the store and just order take out.  I am re-committing to making the right choices for my body and my mind.  I need to dig deep and find that discipline that I can pull out in times of extreme need and stretch it out.  Make it last.  I never want to not feel strong.  I never want to not feel healthy.  The choices I make affect these feelings.  Having the discipline to make the right choices over and over and over again make all the difference. 

Day 2 of my five 5 star posts.

Today I post about...5 things my body can do.  I really love this one.  Only because, being a normal girl, I have body image issues.  My legs are too short and, um, thick.  My butt is just as thick as my legs.  I have line backer shoulders.  BUT what I perceive my body to look like is not what this post is about.  It's about what this body God gave me is capable of...

1.  I can throw like a boy.  My daddy gave me some important tools growing up.  To throw a punch and a ball like a boy was one of them.  I believe this ability hasgotten me several dates, and intimidated many a girlie girl along the way.  Awesome.

2.  I can over-head squat 130#.  I know a said something about this last week, but IT. WAS. AWESOME. And I still can't believe I actually did it.  You can go see it here.  I can also, do 3 pull-ups, squat clean 125#, do double unders, push ups, 1.5pood kettle bell swings, 20" box jumps, walking lunges, 85# power snatch....the list goes on and I'm forever thankful for CrossFit.

3.  I can two-step with my hubby like no body's business.  This includes the occasional flip, and even more rare jitter-bug shoulder stands.

4.  I can start an IV and you may not even feel it.  Starting IVs is a skill that involves, skill, knowledge, and instinct.  In the world of nursing, either you're good at starting IVs or you're not.  I am good.  I am very good.  I have the occasional bad day (who doesn't), but all-in-all, I can put a needle in your vein and almost invariably, you will say, "Wow!  That's it?"

5.  I have an Olympic immune system.  In 13years of public education, and 5years of college, I can honestly say I may have missed a total of 10days of school due to sickness.   Now I'm a nurse and am constantly surrounded with all kinds of infections; stomach bugs, pneumonia, skin infections.....  I  manage to stay healthy with only the occasional sinus infection usually caused by occasional allergies.   I'm constantly hearing about teachers getting sick all the time, or mommies getting sick from whatever their kids brought home from school.  So far, this hasn't effected me at all.  I guess I'm genetically blessed in the immune system department.  Thanks, Mom and Dad. 

What awesome things can your God given body do???