I did it!!

After coming off a rough week or two - missing workouts, feeling distracted and not myself - I am so excited to say that I just did 20 pullups!!!  9 weeks into P90X, I made it to one of my goals! :) 

I've also been doing some thinking - I know that a goal of 20 pullups isn't a easy or even realistic goal for a lot of people out there.  I am blessed when it comes to strength.  I have strong, athletic parents.  This summer, my mom hiked Machu Picchu.  My dad pretty much played every sport possible...good genes!  I was a gymnast in high school.  I was awarded athlete of the year my senior year and voted best physique.  I was a cheerleader in college and spent my days being tossed high in the air.  I was a Marine.  I'm really lucky - strength is just my thing.  20 pullups is an important milestone for me - it means I can do as many as the boys.  As someone who takes pride in strength and fitness, this is a big deal.  I can remember each of the other times I've reached this goal.  The first time I did 20 pullups was in 2003 - I was a brand new Lieutenant at 2nd Radio Battalion in Camp Lejeune.  I had just ended a long relationship and I was trying to put my new crush (who eventually turned out to be my husband) out of my mind....so I spent a lot of time in Gold's Gym.  So thanks to my hubby for driving me crazy enough to realize I really really liked being strong.  :)

In August 2004, I deployed to Iraq....leading up to the deployment, I wasn't focused on working out (more focused on beer) and I lost my 20.  During the last few months of the deployment I was moved to a new base and in all honestly, to a position that was much much easier.  I had time on my hands and not a lot to do.  And I had a pullup bar right outside my office.  Once again, I got back to 20.

Then I went home....  Same old story - there is much much more to do back here.  Things that are way more fun than spending hours in the gym.  Needless to say, a few months after returning I couldn't do 20.  Not to worry....just 6 months after I got home, I was getting ready to head back over.  I was augmenting the other Radio Battalion so I didn't know anyone I was deploying with....when I got there, I set the goal of 20 again and before I knew it, there they were.  This time I even exceeded my goal by quite a bit - I got up to 25!  That deployment was the last time I was able to do 20.  A few months after I got home, I was pregnant with my baby girl.

So as you can see, 20 pullups is a big accomplishment for me.  Its something I take pride in and something that I have lost in the past few years.  Marriage, babies, work, school....everything in my normal hectic life has caused me to lose focus on something that really makes me happy.  I truly enjoy pushing myself and getting stronger.  I don't want to forget that again. 

I know not everyone can set a goal of 20 pullups but that isn' the point of this post - I'm sure any mom out there has something they used to really love to do.  Maybe you used to be crafty and make things.  Maybe you used to read more or go to yoga classes.  Maybe you ran 5ks, 10ks, halfs or full marathons.  Maybe you always wanted to get your masters or start a company (like my amazing friend Rachel).  We have all made sacrifices for our families but that doesn't mean we have to lose who we were or forget what makes us happy.  These past couple months I have realized just how much better I feel about myself while I consistently and vigorously work out.  I'm more focused, happier and a better mother to my children.  I'm not going to let go of that again. 

That being said, I'm setting several goals for the next year or so.... 
1)  Insanity - my next workout program
2)  May 2011 - Tough Mudder!!!  (I am super excited about this one...check it out http://toughmudder.com/)
3)  June 2011 - San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon
4)  Oct 2011 - USMC Marathon (with Rachel)

And a few others - not sure when but I'm going to do these too....
5)  Future of Fitness in Oxygen Magazine
6)  Compete in some sort of fitness or figure competition

I want to keep going, staying focused and motivated.  If I set goals, I know I'll push myself and continue what I've started with P90X.  I don't want to lose sight of the things I have always loved, the things that make me, me.  Just because I am a mom and a wife doesn't mean I can't take the time to feel good about myself and do what I enjoy.  I encourage you all to do the same - your goal might not be to do 20 pullups.  Maybe you want to learn how to paint or read War and Peace...we all have something that makes us feel good, something we've always wanted to do...so find whatever it is and go for it!

Oh and I recommended doing it with a yummy cup of Teamotions Tea :) 
~Kasey