Baby Shea on the way!

A good day!

It's amazing what exercise can do! I have so much energy and positive emotion right now. I was able to enjoy today for what it was and appreciate the moments I had with friends, think with more clarity and I even had a cool song idea! It's a feeling of euphoria that I often forget when I just don't feel like working out...but I never regret working out. Funny, huh?

I did Yoga X today and it was so much harder than I ever expected. Of all the dvds, I thought Yoga would be the one I could enjoy and get through with more ease... but um...not so much. I realized how inflexible and clumsy I am right now. Tony Horton, the trainer and creator of P90X, says that I shouldn't expect or push myself to do more than I can safely at the beginning and over time my body will adjust, get stronger, and be able to do so much more.

Beyond that, I spent time at the Hospital today with my friend, Katherine. I walked in while she was finishing up her daily physical therapy. Her therapists said frequently "You are doing so well!...Slow down, Katherine, you're going too fast.....Do you remember when you couldn't do this? Look how far you've come!" Finally, they told her she needed to rest. "I know you're willing, Katherine, but your body needs to rest now. You've worked so hard today and we'll do more tomorrow. Be proud of what you've accomplished today." It was wonderful to watch." She was tired and got into bed, but still wanted to visit and catch up. Our friend, Anna, who is 7 months pregnant came in and we talked about her baby registry and preparations. Katherine's little sister, Grace, brought baby James in to see Katherine and he was so precious and sweet. Now that he's crawling, he's all over the place, but he loved looking at a picture of him and Katherine, his mommy, together. It was sweet to watch her stroke his back and chunky little thighs.

She is doing so well and advancing so much more than her Doctors ever imagined! Praise God!! They believe she will make a full recovery in 2 years and soon the trach will be removed so she can get closer to speaking and drinking/eating. Her doctor explained that her entire right side is weak right now, though improving, and therefore her right vocal chord has weakened. He said vocal chords are not only for speaking or singing, but also to protect your lungs from saliva, food/drink, and stomach fluids. In her case, she is not protected while it is weak, so she's unable to drink any water (has not had a drink or ice chips for 70 days!) and if her stomach refluxes, it will go into her lungs - they suction all fluids from her lungs several times a day. It's a humbling process to watch. Her chords are healing slowly and will soon be strong enough to protect her again - and allow her beautiful voice to be heard again! She is cognitively all there - making jokes frequently today and talking as much as she could through sign language, mouthing words, and typing on an alphabet board. She does get frustrated not being able to say all she really wants to say. Her family always called her, "Chatty Kathy." No doubt when she can talk, she'll have such a reserve that we'll have to tell her to slow down so she doesn't hurt her chords.

I sang Katherine a few of my new songs and also a song I wrote for her, called "Rise Up." I plan to record it soon so she can have a copy to listen to. She cried and thanked me for the song and signed "I love you." It's the most moving moment I've had in a long time. She inspires me to no end.

If you want to know more about Katherine, check out her website: www.katherinewolf.info
There are frequent updates, videos, audio of her speaking, and pictures. It's a moving site! I'm thankful it's there when I'm in Nashville and can't visit her. Her family is so positive and encouraging and Katherine is fighting this fight and keeping the faith. God is doing amazing things and I can't doubt His hand in this!

It was a good day.

The next 90 days...

Last week, Brandon and I were spending time with the Shea family in Kiawah, SC. It's a beautiful place to visit or live! We lounged at the beach, by the pool, played with our niece and nephew, rode bikes everywhere, and ate lots of yummy food without a care for calories. Ahhh, the good life.

Well, now that I'm back, I've begun a new phase - kicking my butt into the best shape of my life! I've never been a structured person - artists typically are go-with-the-flow types - and going to a gym is a chore for me. BUT, I'm willing to try something new to see where I can push my body and enjoy the results when it's through.

You may have stayed up late at night and watched the endless info-mercials about gadgets and fitness equipment that you have no idea where to put in your house. There's one info-mercial that caught my eye and was recently proven to be a success by a few friends who've succumbed and made the 1-800 call.

P90X (x for extreme) is a serious workout program that pushes you for 90 days until you are ripped. It's not something to start unless you already have a good level of athleticism. My cousin, Valerie, who is already a very fit person (Doing a half-ironam soon), came to Kiawah after training with P90X for a few weeks and already her arms, abs, and legs made me jealous! Brandon, my hubby, is an Ironman triathlete and he is excited to do the program with me to take his training to a different level. (I totally feel like I'm talking like Hulk Hogan here. I promise I'm the girliest girl you'll meet.)

I started yesterday with the fitness test - which I passed (yay!) - and the before pictures and measurements (worst part of it all, but necessary). Every day you do a video routine that lasts 1-2 hours (12 videos in all). You are encouraged to have bands, dumbbells, a pull up bar, yoga mat, and follow a diet plan. Today, I did the Cardio X routine and loved it! Southern girls don't sweat, they "glisten" - but this routine will leave you soaked! It starts with warm up, yoga, then Kempo karate, then plyometrics, core work, and cool down. My heart rate skyrocketed through the routine. I'm a runner, but this was tough. I felt great afterward and can't wait for tomorrow!

I figure by confessing my new routine to the world by blog, it will keep me accountable to finish it. It will involve a structured schedule and strict diet, but I feel it's worth it. So, for the next 90 days I'm committed to "Bring It" (P90X talk) and get my booty - and abs, arms, back, legs - into fighting shape!