The list didn’t mention beer

Since completing my sprint triathlon 2 weeks and 3 days ago (who’s counting?), I have run only one time.  OK.  OK.  I had cut my foot during the race 2 weeks and 3 days ago, but that had healed, oh… about 1 week and 3 days ago.  I had followed a specific, detailed on-line training guide to prepare for my triathlon, and I know for absolutely certain that I need something bigger than me to keep on track to stay motivated to keep working out.

Yesterday, I was reading a post by one of my favorite bloggy friends Bacardi Mama, and she gave me the inspiration I need to get back on that track with exercise and healthy eating.  It’s a new challenge over at the Sisterhood called “21 Days.”

So… late yesterday afternoon, Barry called on his way home from work and said that he wanted to go to the beach.  It was a hot, sultry summer’s day, and sitting on my arse with my toes in the sand sounded perfect.  Yes, I had forgotten, for the moment, all about the 21 Days.  By 6:00, we were setting up our little chairs on a little patch of sand.  Then Barry said he wanted to go for a walk on the beach.  I thought to myself, “OK. But I’m going to sit here on my lazy arse and watch you.”

That’s when he MADE me look at the glorious sun.  “Honey,” he said, “look at the beautiful sun.”

How dare he.

“What a night for a walk on the beach,” he continued as he marveled at just about everything.  The sun.  The sand.  The surf.

Why was he taunting me?

He took my hand as I began my arse-plop into my chair.  “Aren’t you coming,” he asked.  Yeah.  Isn’t he so nice?

OK.  OK.  I stood up.

Well, we walked.  The sun was glorious and warm.  The wind was wonderful and warm.  The sand was spectacular and the surf was perfect.  We held hands and walked for about 15 minutes, and then the ah-ha moment happened.  I remembered the 21 Days challenge!  By then, I was so excited about being up and out and doing something that another 15 minutes of fast walking was like the greatest gift of all.

And that moment is when you begin to notice all the wonderful things.  Your heart is beating.  Your mind is clear.  You see with different eyes and hear with a different sense.  Kids laughing.  Seagulls squawking.  Waves crashing.  Tiny shells and ribbons of seaweed. Glistening sand.  Barry’s voice and the touch of his warm hand.  It was all so much better than sitting on that chair with my toes in the sand.

So… 21 Days challenge.  I may have started on the opposite side of the day, but I did get in my 30 minutes of exercise.  I took my multi-vitamin.  I substituted Stonyfield Farm French Vanilla yogurt for chocolate ice cream.  I drank 16 ounces of water last night, and I went to bed a tiny bit earlier.

I do need the inspiration of the Sisterhood and the concentration on that little list of things in the 21 Days challenge.

But I don’t remember the list mentioning anything about beer…

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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