Make No Apologies

The last couple of weeks I've been slacking and not being very productive, especially in the gym. I dealt with the loss of my grandmother last week and took some time for myself. I shut everyone out which may not be the healthiest of ways to handle my loss, but sometimes it's important to let yourself regroup on your own terms.

My grandmother was a big part of my life from day one. She taught me a lot about being strong and independent. She watched me graduate from high school. She sat with me when I was sick or recovering from surgery. She took part in some of my physical therapy lessons. She always kept encouraging me, telling me I could pull through any difficult situation I was given and that I was a "tough cookie."

My grandmother was born in 1911 and went through many historical events that my generation and younger only have heard about in text books. She was supporting two children on her own during The Great Depression, she watched WWI and WWII unfold and remembered when JFK was shot, just to name a few. She didn't complain about anything she had to do to get by in this world. She worked hard and found enjoyment by working with horses and bowling. She made no apologies for who she was or how she lived her life. People loved her for her.

She taught me many, many life lessons throughout my growing up. So make no apologies for being you. Have your beliefs, live your life the way you want and don't listen when people tell you you can't do something.

I'll carry the memories in my heart and continue to remember life lessons that she taught me when situations come up during my life. I'll never forget the time 3 years ago when she told me I drove like an old lady driving her to my parents house for dinner and was actually going the speed limit. :)

Forever and always in my heart....

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Least Favorite Exercise

I love working out, but I always have those days where I’d rather forget about hitting the gym and would like to sit down on the couch with a huge piece of chocolate cake and watch TV. However, I’ve taken pride in looking and feeling my best over the last year and I always seem to find motivation to keep heading to the gym. BUT, I still have exercises that I absolutely would love to forget about and NEVER do.

I strongly dislike running. I LOVE cardio, but I’d rather hit the elliptical for a good 30 minutes or go hiking rather than run 5 miles. Although, once I get into the habit, running isn’t so bad. The other exercise I hate doing the most is stretching my hamstrings. This exercise to me is a little extra painful.

Having cerebral palsy, I’ve always had extremely tight hamstrings, more than the average person. When I was younger and going through physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week, my therapist would put a mini marshmallow in the “cup” of my ankle. (I had to turn my ankle in and make the tiny indent in my ankle). When I was able to make the indent my therapist would put the marshmallow in the indent of my ankle and I had to lean forward to get the marshmallow, which gave me no choice, but to stretch my hamstrings. As much as the exercise hurt, there was no way I was going to turn down that marshmallow! Ah, I kind of miss those days. I wish I had that kind of reward now when I hit the gym. J

What’s your least favorite exercise?

Sarah Laursen

www.slaursen.blogspot.com

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