2011 is coming!

Hi Everyone,
2011 is coming and Jill F. asked on FB how we were going to 'bring it' in 2011. Well, here's how I am going to BRING IT TO YOU in 2011...
I was just watching the preview videos for the upcoming season of The Biggest Loser. That show always inspires me and if you do not know the back story here it is:
I watched Season 1 basically thinking I'd be able to 'make fun' of the show in class. Boy, was I WRONG! That show inspires me as a trainer/instructor and, hopefully, helps me bring that inspiration to you in class.
Anyway, I've watched every, single season and I love it.
The upcoming seasons videos are inspiring and there are 2, new unknown trainers being added to the show. The new female trainer said she was going to teach the contestants how to fight, since it's obvious they gave up the fight awhile ago.
I concur.
So, here's how I'm bringing it to YOU in 2011:
I always tell you we're saving your life whether you like it or not, right?
Well, think about this-we're going to fight for you until you can fight for yourself.
We're going to continue to push the crap out of you in class so that you feel how good it feels to work hard and see what your body can do.
We believe in you and your ability to get yourself fit. Does that mean losing 100lbs? Probably not. Is it about being skinny? No. It IS about being healthy, extending your life and being able to get the most out of your life.
That's why we're here and, hopefully, that's why you're here too.
So, here's to 2011, the year we all fight to be fit together.

RSB Sr. July 31, 1933-Dec. 21, 1980

It's the first day of Winter (the season I like the LEAST) and also my Dad's 30 year memorial. Here he is pictured just before he passed away. He was only 47 years old.
It's hard to believe that I will be that same age next year. I have so much to do in my life, so many things I want to see and do. I can't imagine only have one more year of my life to live. I don't even feel fully grown up yet!
I remember when he had his heart attack, the night we had all gone out to a wonderful B family dinner and he thought it was bad indigestion. We all now know that if you feel like you have a crushing chest pain, it's not indigestion, it's a heart attack. Every time I renew my CPR and have to review those symptoms, I think of him.
I remember him going out on the stretcher and seeing him later in the hospital and him telling us "Your old Dad will be fine." He always referred to himself as "your old Dad"...I wonder why. Did he know he wouldn't be here a long time?
Then, a few months later, he was hospitalized in MT, we were hoping they could fix those arteries and he would be ok. Back then, they didn't do quadruple bypasses like they do now regularly. So, they tried, but he didn't make it through surgery.
We did see him in the hospital but he really couldn't talk to us. He cried, I know he didn't want to leave us...but he passed.
It was the first funeral I ever went to.
I was 16 and my brother was 13.
My Dad didn't know to take care of himself. Back in the 60's and 70's folks thought smoking was good for them or, at the very least, not that bad for them. They also didn't know how bad cholesterol was for them or how bad high blood pressure could be. I'm sure my Dad had all of those. They told us that his heart was that of an old, old man.
His heart MUSCLE may have physically been old and unhealthy but his soul was of a good person who taught me to keep my word. Who never said a bad word about my Mom through a lot of crap, who always kissed and hugged us and told us he loved us. He may appear (in the photo) to be tough and maybe mean, but he was a marshmallow underneath.
He stayed so calm when I was driving his car, at age 14 (got my license at 13 in MT) and slid, slowly into another car on a snowy, icy day. No damage-and he asked me if I got out, exchanged info...was I driving slow and careful? Did I pump my brakes? (No ABS back then) He didn't yell at me, he taught me and made me feel good that I had done all the things I was taught and that it was just an accident-no harm, no foul.
He always put us first and he loved us unconditionally. Thank God we had one parent who did that. Every kid deserves that and we may have had it a short time in life but we HAD it and I'll never forget it. My confidence in myself comes from him...from knowing that he may not be here but he still loves me.
I never got mad like some kids get when my Dad passed away. I knew he didn't want to go. We didn't have counseling but I would recommend it if it happens in your family. Kids just need someone to talk to.
I wonder what he would look like as a little old man. I wonder what car he'd drive now, at age 77. I wonder what he would say about our business and I wish my husband had a chance to meet him-they are SO much alike (yes girls, you always marry 'your Dad'). I think they'd play chess and talk about math (ugh) and all that. My Dad always said, "One day you'll hold a computer in your hand"...and we do. Cell phones, Ipads, he'd LOVE all that stuff. He'd love that Mr. P&P works with technology and I bet they'd talk for hours about different ideas and inventions.
I know I would be in the other room watching some crazy Real Housewives show and rolling my eyes but I sure wish I could experience it...I know they'd both enjoy it.
So, here's to my Dad. Missed for the last 30 years, to be missed for the next 30 and the 30 after that. I believe, one day, I will see him again.
I seriously want to be an old, old lady when that happens (and I believe I will be and always have believed that) but...I can't wait for that hug.

5 days and counting...

Hi Everyone,
Ok, this past weekend we attended a TOO MUCH FUN holiday cocktail party with our friends wherein we had the BEST eggrolls EVER! Eggroll Cafe in Lowell people, seriously. Get over there.
Since we do a very light, simple meal Christmas eve-we're doing salad and eggrolls from....Eggroll Cafe! WOOHOO! Thanks to J&J for introducing us to them and J&A for having the party!
I also got out our Holiday cards, get some of the holiday grocery shopping done (more Wednesday) and got some more organizing done at our house. We are purging and donating this year...and living more simply!
My holiday shopping is done, although I do have to go back to a store in Bedford where the girl left one of my items in a bag behind the desk-she never gave it to me so I'll pick it up tomorrow. Whoops!
Stockings are also done...just saying.
We do a huge meal on Christmas day and we are having our annual prime rib roast and homemade scalloped potatoes, veggie, rolls and fab desserts from Whole Foods. Hopefully, my pal will be feeling better so she and the family can join us!
Yes, Lilly gets presents too in her stocking...so there.
Tomorrow is a tough day-30th anniversary of my Dad's passing. I will post a photo here on the blog and on my FB page to honor him. I miss him...a lot.
See you all in class!

Twas the week before Xmas

Well, here it is, the longest week of my year.
Many people probably wonder why I am not the most Christmasey of people or why I'm such a drill sargeant when I'm teaching class...well IF you were wondering, here you go...if you don't care, please feel free to skip this post!
1. Not a huge fan of Christmas
No, it's not because we celebrate both Hanukah and Christmas in our house and I'm the Hanukah side. It's because, on December 21, 1980, my Dad died. The last thing he was able to say to me the week before, when he went into the hospital, was "I'll be home soon and we'll go Christmas shopping."
I know that may seem simple and not such a big deal to most people but it was a big deal to me. I was only 16 and I was always a Daddy's girl. I thought (and still think) my Dad was the smartest, greatest guy I'd ever met. He was the calmer (aka NOT crazy) parent and taught me lots of things in the short 16 years he was here parenting me.
So, I try and keep my smile and happiness during the holidays but it's a little tough, especially this week. I can usually make it fine until this particular week. I try and do fun, upbeat things, be really silly in class and laugh alot because it helps.
So if you were wondering why I don't relish hearing Christmas carols starting at Halloween or trolling the mall looking at Christmas decorations, that's why.
It's 30 years this year, it's a big one. Oh and in case you were curious...NO the hole in your heart never goes away.
And I'm envious (not jealous because that is ugly) of all the adult women I know who have their Dads to put together things, help in their businesses and homes and go to games with and all that. That's my wish every year but I know it can't come true.
2. Why I'm such a drill sargeant in class.
So that brings me to WHY I'm such a nutball about pushing you all in class and being so tough on you.
Please see #1 above. My Dad did NOT know that he had high cholestrol, high blood pressure and a bad heart. As noted, it was 1980 and there were probably 1-5 doctors in the WORLD doing the quadruple bypass he needed to live and those few were not accessible to most patients. And, back then, he was also smoking 2 packs of cigs a day. In those days, we still didn't know smoking was as bad for us as it is and most folks certainly didn't get regular physicals and the testing we get now, in minutes, in the doctor's office. (Blood pressure, glucose, EKG, cholestrol screening...)
I know FOR SURE that if he HAD known what we know today he would have exercised daily, gone to the doctor and done just about anything to stay with us as long as possible. He didn't get that chance...
So I'm giving it YOU every day in class. I'm saving your lives whether you like it or not-you've heard me say that before and it's true.
I had to save my own life-I had to read the writing on the wall of my family medical history and had to take care of myself. I had to learn that exercise and eating well help you live longer. I had to learn to NOT be afraid of going to the doctor and getting those diagnostic tests (I had having blood drawn but I learned to GET OVER IT!) you need every year to stay healthy and find issues EARLY, before they become life threatening.
If you won't fight for your family to have you in their lives for a good, long time then I will fight for you.
What you see in that drill sargeant is someone who lost someone they love and it could have been prevented in today's world. With all we know about NOT smoking, getting tested, eating well and exercising, YOU have no excuse to let yourself go. If you do, change it. If you keep letting yourself go and do NOT change it-then you will have to live with the knowledge that you made a choice. You cannot say you truly love your family (or yourself) if you do that to your body.
It's not about eating 'perfectly' and exercising EVERY day-but do your best. Try. Look at those kids, grandkids, nieces/nephews, friends, spouses, partners, co-workers, neighbors, dogs, cats...all the people who rely upon you and think about them having to live without you. Let me help you...it STINKS.
There will be a hole that can never be filled by anyone but you. Yes, they will live again, they will laugh again but it will always be there, in the background...forever.
So do yourself a favor, the next time I'm pushing around the J floor-remember where I'm coming from and try not to roll your eyes at me and dog it. I want to know you when you're 100 years old. I want to hear that you lived a long, healthy life and got to see every part of your family and your life and that, in the end, you felt happy and gratified.
That's the gift I try and give, every class, in honor of my Dad. I know he's proud of his little drill sargeant.
See you in class.