Higher altitude, scenic drives, more sunny days than rainy, dog friendly, clean good food. These are some of the things I have enjoyed about being back in Colorado. In some ways it has been like coming back home. There is a familiarity about Colorado that probably comes from living here for five years nearly ten years ago. I don’t mind hearing the rumbling of thunder nearly every afternoon. Sometimes the skies break open and we have a small down pour other times its just a tease from nature. N was right it has been hot here but after our very hot humid month in Texas, Colorado just doesn’t seem so bad! Don’t get me wrong it comes with its challenges. The higher altitude has us breathing heavier, I am consistently wearing sunscreen as we are closer to the sun and there are different critters and plants to be aware of to safely wander while hiking and working.
Talking of working T and I are enjoying our group this month. We are at a small camp with a limited number of staff, so there is plenty to do. I have been busy with the ladies’ staining buildings, doing laundry tasks, cleaning windows, landscaping, moving and cleaning bedroom furniture as well as some gardening. T has worked on the camp bridge, installed some sprinklers, done some organizing, and helped with grounds maintenance.
Copper has had plenty to keep him entertained during the day while we are gone with the different groups who are staying here. A local church has been using the camp for its children and youth the past couple of weeks. Copper, so far, has enjoyed watching the children playing basketball, ga ga ball and tether ball all from the comfort of his magic house. It does seem like Copper has been sleeping more which makes me think he is affected by the higher altitude too.
I am still continuing with my workouts and trying to improve my eating habits along with my mind set. Its crazy for me to realize I am nearly done with my thirteen weeks of coaching. It has definitely been a journey. At times I have struggled with motivation, a positive mind set but especially eating larger portions of lean protein a day. There have been days where I just wanted to eat Weetabix with milk and a banana for breakfast, a cheese sandwich and potato chips for lunch and then have some kind of protein with veggies for dinner, but then I wouldn’t have made any of my provision goals for the day. I have noticed I feel better when I eat more fruit, veggies and larger amounts of lean protein. As the daily amounts have increased, I have had to be more intentional about what I am eating whether I am at home or eating out with our group to meet my goals. I have been utilizing more veggies in eggs in the morning for breakfast and drinking a protein shake with different fruit on the days I work out to help me get there. I haven’t been perfect and I still have much to learn. There is value to making extra food so I have leftovers for several days. That takes planning which when it comes to food, I am not great at implementing a meal plan/ menu for the week. I am working on this because overall I feel better when I do, but it takes work! I can also say that about working out. I need to set aside at least an hour to do a warm up, workout and cool down. On travel days I have had to be very intentional about when I am going to do this and there have been no room for excuses. I feel that is where I have grown the most because I would have nine times out of ten given in to the tiredness and said I will just catch up tomorrow. When you are being coached and have someone other than yourself keeping you accountable you can’t do that and really after a while you find yourself not wanting to do that. The excuses sound weak and honestly don’t make sense anymore.
As I finish my thirteen weeks of coaching at the end of next week I ask for prayer that everything I have learned I will continue to do because honestly I feel stronger mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.
How may I pray for you? Until next time Love Lou
