There comes a time when you really have to stop making excuses. Week to week — month to month — year to year….the excuses end up becoming something that’s part of you. There comes a time when you have to be honest with yourself. One of the most difficult things in life is doing the hard thing, doing the thing we rather not do – in spite of our feelings. That’s true strength. You have that strength and you are stronger than you think you are.

Begin now. Don’t wait.

Fit by Raphael

A friend shared this story with me and it made me stop and think. What a busy world we live in. If only we would take the time to relax and enjoy “time”.  Read the following and if you get the same message from it that I did please take the time to post a comment and let me know!

“Thanks for your time”

A young man learns what’s most important in life from the guy next door.
Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.” Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
“Jack, did you hear me?”
“Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,” Jack said..
“Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,” Mom told him. “I loved that old house he lived in,” Jack said.
“You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she sai
“He’s the one who taught me carpentry,” he said. “I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important…Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture….Jack stopped suddenly…
“What’s wrong, Jack?” his Mom asked.
“The box is gone,” he said
“What box?” Mom asked.
“There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most,’” Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
“Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Jack said. “I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.”

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. “Signature required on a package. No one at home Please stop by the main post office within the next three days,” the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago.. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. “Mr. Harold Belser” it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.
“Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.” A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: “Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.” “The thing he valued most was…my time”
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” Janet, his assistant asked. “I need some time to spend with my son,” he said. “Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!”
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,”

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way..

2 A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

3 Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

4.. You mean the world to someone.

5. If not for you, someone may not be living.

6. You are special and unique.

7. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you trust God to do what’s best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

10. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

11.. Always remember the compliments you received.. Forget about the rude remarks.

12 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you’ll both be happy .

13. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

I’m trying to decide where to head with my training right now. After a disappointing few months of Olly training I have decided to regroup and go another way. Maybe that will help me be better focused mentally and physically.  The next few weeks will tell. I really wanted and planned to return to Savannah the end of March but that is up in the air right now.

I am excited about all the new opportunities at CrossFit Hanover. My Shape Up Hanover  weightloss group (www.shapeuphanover.com) continues to bring me so much satisfaction! Everyone in the group works so hard and they are being successful! I think I get as excited about their losses as they do! I am very proud of each one of them!

My newest project is perhaps the most awesome thing I’ve ever done. I just launched a new project called CrossFit Hanover Special Warriors. This program is targeted for special needs children. I work one on one with a special child in the gym with a program geared for their specific

needs and abilities! So  far the program has been wonderful and as word reaches the community I am hoping to see CFH Special Warriors become a huge success. To see pictures go to:

Well, as I sit here longing for a workout I guess I need to visit the laundry again. Folding towels must as least work the biceps……..right?

Till next time…………WOD like you mean it!

I am ready! As in Savannah, I have my driver and personal secretary ready. Actually it is my daughter, Carrie. Having her drive and taking care of all the extras takes the pressure off me so I can better concentrate on being nervous when I arrive! 

I am ready to go and compete in the Baltimore Olympic Lifting Open on Sunday. Joel Maher, from CFH will also be competing.  I am very excited to have a large group of friends from CrossFit Hanover traveling to Baltimore to support Joel and I. That alone makes the day extra special!

 Big morning at the box tomorrow. I have my strength class for my Shape Up Hanover group at 7 and then CFH team WOD at 8 and then my newest program…….CrossFit Hanover Special Warriors. I will be seeing Kaleigh and Caleb tomorrow! Lots of excitement then groceries and home to chill and rest for Sunday!

So with that I will say Good Night!

Today, January 8th, I celebrate my 4th anniversary. Four years ago I walked into a room of overweight people and vowed to do whatever it took to get my life back! Thanks to two very young and very smart people I have done that! Dan Sell and Brandy Schuster are responsible for my success. Dan was (and still is) my trainer and Brandy was my nutritionist. Both quickly became my friends and four years later still are. I never would have made it without their constant motivation and support. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart!

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A before shot!

What a difference 4 years makes!

Happy New Year? Seriously?

Excuse me if I do not sound excited or optimistic about welcoming a new year but honestly………………I was still enjoying the last year and I wasn’t finished with it yet!

2011 for the most part was the best year I’ve had in many, many years. I accomplished so much and came so far. I met new people, accepted new challenges, conquered old fears. I pushed through my comfort zone time after time and am confident that I grew every time.

This year I made new friends all over the country; older, established friendships flourished! I became a CF Level 1 Trainer.  My dream came true and I became the coach of a very successful weight loss group called Shape Up Hanover.  I traveled, I flew in an airplane for the first time; I competed on a state and national level. I went rock wall climbing! I did a 100 mile bike ride. Jeeeesh, I even flipped a tractor tire for a 5K for my 60^th birthday!

I eat healthier than I have ever before and I feel good!

Maybe my desire to stay in 2011 is really fear. A new year brings the unknown. A new year, new beginning everyone says. I do not want a new beginning. I liked things just the way they were. So, I am NOT going to wish a Happy New Year! I am wishing for a continuation of 2011. I want more of that. In 2012, I want to travel more, compete more, and meet more people. I want to accept new challenges and be pushed further out of my comfort zone.

I am strong, I am happy and healthy and I am in control.

The date may change and I will be moving forward day after day but I intend to do it with excitement and with energy……………an energy for life. I intend to live life to the max no matter what year it is.

2012……….bring it!

On 1-11-11 I boarded a plane for the first time ever and flew to Savannah, GA. I was excited about going, both to fly and to compete.  I hired a personal secretary………okay, I asked my daughter to go along to handle all the worrisome details that I did not want to be bothered with. She booked the flights, the rental car, the motel……….yep, she did it all! I only had to fly there and lift heavy!

The flight was awesome! I was not scared, not even nervous. It was an adventure. We arrived safely and I was rested and ready!

Saturday morning arrived and we found our way to the gym for weigh in. It was there that I met my competition. Everyone was friendly and nice and I found out that they already knew who I was. It seems some of them had taken the time to look up my stats and then read my blog. I thought it odd that they would take that much interest in me but it seems that I was the newbie in the crowd and they wanted to know!

I hung out and stretched and paced and walked and talked. It was not uncomfortable. My PA friends arrived  and we began warm-ups. I was fairly calm. Much calmer than in York at my first competition.  I figured that competition at a national meet would be so strong that I would just enjoy the time and gain experience. 

Finally it was time. Everyone was introduced and the lifting began.  I was working on staying calm and just lifting heavy stuff! When it was my turn to attempt my first snatch I felt good about it. I approached the bar, squatted, set and pulled. It came up easy and it felt good.  In my delight at the sweet snatch I carelessly forgot to hold at the top for the judges signal to lower the bar! As soon as I moved I knew it and there were immediately three red lights……….no rep! How stupid I felt! I left the platform so upset with myself! How could I have been so wreck-less? Why hadn’t I been paying more attention? 

Everyone said to forget it. Mike said to think about the next lift. The others competitors said not to worry, My friends, Brandi and Cathy said to shake it off. I texted Dan and Jon and they both said to let it go and move on!

But, I didn’t, I couldn’t. I tried to relax and I tried to just brush it off, push it aside, sweep it under the rug but it didn’t happen. I paced and paced and beat myself up over one lousy mistake. I let it ruin the rest of the meet for me. I had lost my focus.

I made the last two snatches and the first two attempts at the clean and jerk were good, although I missed the third jerk!

Later that morning I stood on the podium and accepted the Gold Medal and also the “Best Lifter’s” award. Yes, I won the gold but for me there was no win. I, myself considered it a loss. I know that I could have done better. I should have done better. I blew it because I was not strong enough to get past that lousy one second  mistake!

However, it was not a total loss! I am going back to Savannah the end of March. This time I may not bring home the Gold but I plan to win. I will overcome the emotional weakness that kept me from having a good experience the first trip. This time I will hold that bar overhead all day if necessary! I will win! It may only be MY victory but it will be mine!

Please go to this link and read the story she wrote:

The MissFit Movement: December M.A.D. MissFit

themissfitmovement.blogspot.com

I am very thankful to all of those who put their life in danger to protect mine. May God watch over them and keep them safe. I am thankful for their families who are missing their loved ones today.

I am thankful for my health and so very thankful to Dan Sell and Brandy Schuster for helping me find my way back to the health that God had given me. I thank them for having faith in me when I had none and for showing me how to live again.

I am thankful for the opportunity to lead others to that renewed health! I pray that God will give me the ability to do so.

I’m hoping that you all will have a wonderful day spent with family or friends celebrating everything that you have to be thankful for.