Mirror, Mirror on the floor!

     So there I was shopping my heart out at a great sale at Hobby Lobby.  You know the kind, the ones where everything is 50% off for the week and it is Satruday and they are closed on Sunday and you feel the absolute pull of the universe to be there?  It was such a day for me. I was going to enjoy my Saturday to the fullest. I had been working a lot and was getting ready to travel a lot in April so I needed this day just for me.  I had it all planned out.  I would get up exercise, eat breakfast, get a massage, go to Hobby Lobby, Target, Home Depot and then get my hair done before we went to church for the Saturday night service. I even had a list!
I woke and smiled at the day before me.  
     Ah this was going to be epic.  Two kids had already asked if they could go to town with me, denied!  the day was mine.  Ron had been in a basketball tournament at his old high school the night before and was sitting in the hot tub working out the beating he had taken from the young guys who were there (mind you Ron did great his team mates were old, imaging that), so I climbed in the hot tub on the deck for a quick dip.  Once done I did my work out on the elliptical and had just enough time to grab an orange on the way out the door to the massage.
     It was a great massage, you know the kind where the pressure is just right and the therapist is a delight.  It was one of those.  Once done I grabbed a quick glass of water and I was off to my shopping list.  It was about 11:45 and I had a Pot-O-Gold party to call. I called from the parking lot.  It was a lively group in California having a Saturday Morning Sip and Spa party they cheered in delight of my call.  What a wonderful morning it had been indeed.
     Sales flier in hand I entered the store and made my plan of attack.  Annya wanted to do her room in a Paris theme “It is for fashion MoooooM” emphasis on the o in Mom.  I was going to surprise her and I wanted a mirror for the front office that would be nice when Consultants came by and wanted to try out the make up. We had a long time Consultant and friend who had not been involved for some time with her Mom and daughters so I was thinking wouldn’t that have been nice.  I circled the store twice getting just the right cart filled and ended at the mirrors at last. I knew they would be too big to fit in the cart properly.  I also noticed it was getting close to 1:00 and I really needed to eat something and getting moving or I would be late for my hair appointment.
     The mirrors were beautiful and 50% off as promised. I went around the isles to see all of them twice and there it was, the one I knew was perfect for JECO.  It was a rather large square mirror with crushed silver mosaics around the to make a frame.   By golly it was heavy.  I was going to lean it up against the cart and step back and imaging it hanging in the office over the makeup table. I realized it was so heavy the cart would not hold it so I lunged for the mirror only to feel a pop and heat in my leg.  I put the mirror back and stepped back on my right leg and said out loud “Ow that really hurts.”  The woman asked me if I was ok.  I said no but she just walked away. I sat down for a moment and was a little woozey from the pain.  And then it hit me, I am not feeling well, I am not doing well and I have a cart full of treasures!  I leaned on my cart and decided to ask the clerk at the front to hold it for me as I headed for the door.  As I began to walk to the door suddenly I was waking up with a nice lady holding my hand.  her husband was in front on my face and a nice lady on the phone.  Wait who was she calling?  Yep, 911!  Could I breath, could I hear her?  “Yes, ma’am I am fine, I fainted and I have fainted before”
     To be honest all I could think about was how my perfect me day was ruined!  I was good natured and tried to put all onlookers at ease. The fire department and paramedics arrived and Ron just shortly afterward.  Yes, my blood sugar had gotten low, and I tore my muscle in my leg but I handed my credit card to the nearest checker and begged her to check out my cart so I could take home my goodies!  One week later I write this I am on crutches and my bruises are about gone but my personal lesson remains. I am not invincible, I can have a fun day more often so I do not try to cram so much in and I am much more adaptable than I ever thought I was.  I have rested, read, laughed, played games and enjoyed my family pampering me. I even took some pictures and worked on using our Mineral Make up as a tutorial for covering bruises. You start with the yellow concealer stick.  I found adding a little of the eye and lip primer made it last all day too. I then added the Tinted Moisturizer and finished with Mineral Powder.  Voila, no one was the wiser except the boot and crutches may give a few things away!
     When life gives you a curve ball, like a something you had your heart set on like a personal day of pampering gone wrong, you can see the sunny side!  My life runs at a very fast pace for the most part and I love it. I also love this slower pace where I have to heal up so I might as well enjoy that too!  I hope you have a personal day planned for yourself sometimes soon and take my advice do half of what you planned, take a snack and no matter what enjoy all the day brings!

Believe the dream,
Nanc

How do you define health?

Yesterday I had the privileged of spending my afternoon at our second  Jordan Essentials Wellness Clinic.  We have been organizing these events to add value and education to our communities.  Jordan Essentials sponsors the event with our local network of amazing Consultants and a one or two experts in a specific field of wellness.  I am happy to say I think I have learned more in the last two clinics about health and wellness than most people learn in a life time!  Originally I thought this would be cool because I am into wellness and now I am realizing we have a great service here.
Springfield, MO featured, Dr Julie Penick who spoke about hormones and showed us we are not crazy!  Dr Faith Nelson brought purposeful practice to our everyday lives using natural products like Jordan Essentials.

Columbia, Mo featured Dr Rose Chiropractic on whole health from structure to nutrition to avoiding toxins we put in our bodies and on our bodies.
Brenda Hoffestter was our reflexology.  Who would have thought you can do so much with your hands to help aches and pains?

My biggest ah ha moments have been:

1. Hormones can make you feel crazy, but it does not mean you are.  Jordan Essentials new Hormone Happiness line has been a wonderful success.  We cannot keep the hormone spray on the shelves!  5 essential oils to help get rid of those pesky symptoms.

2. There are many things I can do at home to alleviate stress and Jordan Essentials has many products to help with that.   Soaking, detoxing, skin rejuvenation and anti aging.

3.  Our hands, feet and ears are an interesting link to the rest of our body. You can use the Lotion Bar to massage pressure points and relieve pain!  Who knew?  I guess our ancestors did!  Long before pills, injections and surgery there were botanical, natural solutions God provided for us.  We have just forgotten.

4. This was my KEY lesson.  The definition of health is being able to function 100%.  We often think it is how we feel.  There is a lot going on under the surface that are a result of our daily choice.  We often get “sick” and then go treat it.  It is actually happening over time and by choices we make.  Jordan Essentials has so many excellent healthy choices for your family I am so proud of our company and our mission for health and wellness. I have to ask myself what am I doing each God given day with health and gifts.

If you cannot get to one of our wellness clinics, a quick in home consultant with one of our Consultants with personal service is also a way to help educate you and your family have better health.  Invite some friends and make it a party and get lots of free products too!

Before I close think about how many products you put on your skin each day, is it soap, lotion, make up, etc?  Each one of them has many ingredients, so why not be sure each one is beneficial and not harmful?  Take an inventory right now of what you use daily and then think about how you define health.

It has been an eye opening and enriching season with the wellness clinics, education and new friends!

Here’s to your health!,

Nancy

Yah Mule

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So there I was riding my old trusty trail bike on the Katy train in St Charles, mo.  It was a very pretty fall day out but I felt like we were not going very fast.

I knew we had planned a long bike ride but this was going to push me to my limits.  I had not rode 38 miles in one setting before.  I looked down at my Garmen speedometer and I was only going 7 miles per hour!  On my beautiful road bike I can do from 14 to 24 miles per hour.  I always felt swift on my road bike I named Sweetheart.  I decided to name my trail bike “Mule”.

 

Ron and I were taking a long weekend.  We needed it!  Since April I had been going nonstop at Jordan Essentials and a good friend reminded me I was a poor example of “living the dream”!  So we planned this get away in St, Charles, Mo where I had grown up.  I love the Katy trail it is over 240 miles of bike trails across the great state of Missouri.  The trail has some chat and gravel so my Sweetheart bike had to stay home in the garage and I had to blow the cob webs off the Mule.

 

The weather was just beautiful and the long lanes of trees just now turning autumn colors were breathtaking. I was very unsettled because we wanted to go 38 miles and at this rate it would take all day!  “Yah Mule, giddy up!” I kept pedaling but it just seemed like I was going slower.  Maybe I was not in my best shape I had been working a lot lately.

 

The wind picked up and then there were the walnuts all over the ground and I was grumbling a bit.  Ron kept asking if I was all right, I just smiled and said, fine dear!

 

1^st rest stop I wanted to kick the Mule to see if that helped at all. I told Ron I felt like we were riding in mud and I missed my Sweetheart.  He said enjoy the day and that we were supposed to enjoy the joy ride and it was not a race.  Was my competitive spirit getting in the way of a fun day?

 

Another 5 miles and one more rest stop this could be an all-day event at this pace.  Finally, Ron just could not take it anymore and asked just what my issue was. I said I was worried I must really be out of shape or I needed a new bike!  He was more than sympathetic but encouraged me to carry on and enjoy the day.  We would be back on schedule for dinner at the river front where they had music and food.  I though, how can we be on track at this speed?

 

Next rest stop I started to do the math again and Ron just started to laugh a little.  “What” I said! He said “Did you ever convert your watch from running to bike miles?”  I started to laugh too! I had not.  So of course the faster I went on the bike the lower the miles if my speedometer!  It thought I was running that whole time and that meant the speed would go down!

My paradigm shifted immediately.  We were making good time and close to my normal road pace!  The sun seemed brighter and the day much more fun.  Had anything changed?  Nothing but my mental attitude!  We did a record 38 miles that day but the biggest accomplishment was my attitude and how powerful our minds are!

 

Back at the hotel we crashed that night. I was so tired.  Ron asked if I wanted to go walk around the hotel. I was looked at the clock and it was 10 pm!  No way!   I was so tired I was going to bed.  He laughed again!  The clock was an hour fast it was only 9 pm and we were on vacation!  Perspective!  Shift! Laugh!

 

The next day I began to think about how my mental bearing shifted due to the information I had at the time. How often does that happen to us?  We think we look fat or we are not smart enough because something in that day made us think that.

Isn’t everything an illusion?
What if the only mental compass we had was the one we want to have?  I began to think of the things I tell myself.  I want to have a new compass about my personal strength, ability, and aptitude.  I once was a stay at home Mom and now I am a CEO of a multimillion dollar company, Jordan Essentials bath, body and spa.  What changed?  How I see myself!    How do you see yourself?

You think your outfit looks terrible and then 2 people tell you that you look great and voila’ you think you look great.  Your shoulders go back; you stand taller, and think I bet you think, I do look cute.  Why not begin the day telling yourself how you look?  Tell yourself how great you look!

Make a personal statement.  Mine is “I am petite, healthy, wealthy and wise.  Good things come to be through the Lord who loves me.”  There is power in your personal paradigm.

 

My Mom always said go with your flags flying! I hope you make your own personal statement today and go with your flags flying, you may be going faster and better than you think you are!

 

Believing the Dream
Nanc

tri, tri, tri again

Today was my 1st and possibly my only triathlon.  I got this crazy idea to do one on a long bike ride around mile 24. I thought how hard can it be?

It had been a very stressful couple of weeks with a new software launch and we were just fresh from our annual convention.  So let me set the stage; Long hours at work, little time to exercise and my stubborn nature to do a triathlon = one crazy experience.

This is a sprint distance triathlon; 300 yard swim, 12 miles on the bike , and 5 k run.

I had not been in a pool or done a lap since May. I started doing cross fit row class and hoped that rowing was like swimming without water.   Ron said sitting in the hot tub counted but it turns out that did not count either. I could bike and had loved to do long distances so that should be no problem. For the run I had some problems with my endometerosis and decided I would just walk it, if I lived through the swim and bike.I just thought because I had been working out I should be able to do this, right?

So I am waiting in line to jump in the pool.  A guy in front of us Ron knows says, “A triathlon is so hard because you need to not only be an athlete in one aspect but you have to be good in 3 areas and that is why so many people do not do them”. I bet my eyes were as big as saucers!  I had heard people in line talk about their best is the bike or my best is the run and we would just fake the rest.  Oh snap peas this was going to be one doosey of a day.

I really thought about bugging out.  I could have walked away but my fear is something I do not like to give any room in my life too.  I had not slept well at all the night before just thinking about it. I  was concerned about the swim and not being prepared.    That was my fault, I was so busy I just did not make the time to swim it out.  Was work and all of the long hours paying off now?  I was out of balance and I knew it, maybe that is why I decided to do the tri, to force myself to keep a focus on my health.

Number 222.  That was me today.  Hey 222 you are up.  Hey 222 keep going.  Hey 222 you are almost there.  My b day is the 22nd and I am the 2nd child so that number is significant to me.  I do not believe in luck but maybe today #222 keep me going.

Number 222 your up in 3-2-1 in I jump into the water. I can hear the water rush around my ears. Up I go for air and then reality hits, if row class was NOT the same as swimming…. no it is not.  Just in case you ever wonder, there is no substitute for swimming laps but laps!  Whew that is settled!

10 down and back laps and because you people swimming in front and behind you there is no faking it, taking a beak nothing. You have to swim.  I was glad Ron was behind me but I was still not happy about this row class realization.  I was winded and a little wounded in my pride but I climbed out of the pool glad that part was over.

Onto my bike dripping wet and ready for my best event of the day. I named my bike my sweetheart.  It was nice to be on something much more familiar except something was not familiar.  Was it that I was soaking wet? Was it that the roar of the crowd?  Or was it the fact that my head was full of water and I could not breath?  Oh yes that was it!  I did not think about getting out of the pool and getting on the bike.  That one unprepared swim was plaguing my bike ride but not for long.  It was one silly, hilly course and I was able to pass a few people so that was fun.  12 long miles and back to the transition are where I threw off my helmet and knew it was not going to be a walking 5 k. I was feeling strong and wanted to really give it my best.

I had a nice little wog (walk jog) going on.  The funny part is my doctor was in the race and as she passed me she said “Are you suppose to be running”. I said “I am not running I am wogging and you can help fix me up next week”.  She just laughed and then passed me!  I did not see her again the rest of the day.  She smoked me!

What I did see was my man, my coach, my BFF coming back to run with me to the end!  Ron was surprised I was jogging to in my last mile.  He took my pic I still had a smile.  Then who did I see?  My son Alex coming back to run in with me    Alex and I did the 1/2 marathon in March he has been a great encourager.  Now he was telling me “Come on Mama you got this” as we ran in together.  It was quite a feeling to reap what I had sown into this amazing young man all these years!

And so I crossed the finish line of my 1st triathlon.  Tired, happy and proud.

Maybe I watched too many Olympics, maybe I was to adventuresome, maybe I just wanted to see what I was made of. I had to TRI!  What will you TRI today?  Make is something big you may just surprise yourself!  I did.

Believe and Succeed,

Nanc

 

A pair of calves + 53 miles make for 1 Happy Annversary!

So here we go biking!  Like running was not enough.  We have to have new frontiers you know!  Ron’s philosophy is it is better to wear out than to rust out.  He has shoulder surgery later this week to prove that I guess!

Post 1/2 Marathon I had been feeling not quite myself.  I do not want to discourage anyone who wants to run to try it but I think I shook something loose.  After some time off from running I had to snap myself out of it and move forward.

Have you ever had to snap yourself out of something?  I think I got a little depressed after the big event.  That happens sometimes.  After a big Jordan Essentials convention where I pour 110% of myself into I the day after feels like the day after the marathon.  A little like “Ok I poured everything into that I had and now what?”

I love events and often live my life from event to event.  Ron and I take a big anniversary trip each year. Now it might not be big like Hawaii but it is big to us.  We pone off our 4 kids, get someone to watch the pets and get out of town away from distractions.  Ron has always seen us as an active fit couple. I am not sure where he gets that because somewhere in my mind I still sometimes see myself as a chubby, unfit teen.    (snap out of it moment). I have to admit when we met I was teaching a circuit training class at a women’s college and was an adaptive PE teacher major. Maybe that gave him the impression I was into fitness!  LOL!

And so here we are 23 wedded years later on our anniversary ready for a new adventure. I have always like to bike. I rode my bike everywhere as a kid.  I rode my bike at college (not the same bike silly, traded the banana seat for the 10 speed don’t ya know).  Ron gets the idea we need to bike. I have a mountain bike, but he did not feel that was befitting my calf’s!  Ok, so here is the story on my calf muscles.  They are obnoxiously fit, it is hereditary.  I have my Dad’s calf’s, nice mental picture huh?  Ok, so what woman wants her best feature to be her calfs?  for Pete’s sake they are covered up most of the year!

Ah but here I was outfitted on my new bike ready and equipped with all of the gear and my calf muscles (insert sounds of cow mooing here).  We started last weekend with a 30 mile bike ride an organized red ribbon ride.  Oh the hills, they were brutal but the scenery was gorgeous.  We finished and my thighs were on fire!  Not my calf muscles mind you but mashing up the hills were tough.  Two ice bags and a dead salt soak with Jordan Essentials.  

Now here is the crazy part!  The following weekend on our anniversary we decide the Tulsa bike trails would be nice.  I also decided, not Ron, that we should do 50 miles.  Why be a slacker at this point? I could not run a 5 k right now but I can ride, and ride we did.  Day one we did 33 miles.  Not bad for my second weekend and yes I could walk afterward.  Thank heavens for my cool bike I named Sweetheart, and padded shorts if you know what I mean.

Day Two is always the hard part.  You have to push past the wall.  The wall of “Hey I did pretty good yesterday no one will know if we just go home”. 
Well I would know! I had set a goal. I had a dream and it was up to me to make it happen.
When you own your own goals you do not finish them for anyone else but you!

We had to warm up and I had to give my legs a pep talk.  You guys know how to do this, turn the pedals, the burn will go down you can do this!  And do it we did! I have to say I had hoped we would take it easy on day two but I felt great after about 5 miles.  We went up Turkey mountain and on the way down I hit a groove and 23 miles per hour!  I felt as though I was flying through the air.

Had I gone home I would have missed day two. I would have missed that feeling deep inside me that I did it.  I am stronger than I thought I was and I set some new distance records! Who would have thought me, Nancy Bogart would be powering through 53 miles on our 23 rd anniversary?  Ron and Nancy who used to eat his and hers pizzas!  I know if you have a desire in your heart, face it, do it and achieve the greatness that is inside you!!!

Believe and Succeed my friends,

Nanc

Today I can say “I ran a 1/2 Marathon”

Last night I was feeling pretty nervous. I was trying to analyze why I was feeling this way.  I was out of my comfort zone.  I also knew this was not something everyone does nor should they.
I read a shirt that said “There will come a day when you cannot run a marathon, but today is not that day”

All pepped up in my running outfit from shoes to new hat I was ready to roll.  When we arrived downtown the streets were packed with people.  All kinds of people!  You could not tell looking at anyone if they were fast, slow if they were running 10 K, the 1/2 marathon or the full marathon.  Some were dressed in tutus, some in wild prints and skin tight, well tights.  I could tell this was a group of people with one common goal… to finish!

We pressed into the group to get a good spot closer to the front.  Ron’s niece Alexis was a fast runner so we got her placed in her category and then the rest of us filed in with the general public.  Alex, my 18 year old son was there with Ron and I ready to take off for our13.1 mile trek through Little Rock.

Anxiety had given way to excitement!  Well, that was a better feeling I guess. Sometimes you have step out into the unknown (pardon the pun).  As we began running with the pack it looked like waves on the ocean as we all began to run slowly from the starting gate.  It was wall to wall people.  I began to tell myself over and over “I belong here, I can do this.”

My fear had been that I was an imposter and that I would be found out.  I was not a part of a running club and running had always been hard for me.  I was always the chubby teen who had the pretty face.  I was never thought of as athletic by any stretch, that was until I met my darling husband Ron.  For some reason he always thinks I can do or be whatever I want to be.  He does not believe any of the junk I tell myself and he has no interest in letting me hang out in the past.  So here I was running next to my best friend, coach, trainer and husband who believes I could do anything. It was a bonus to run with Alex although he did leave us mid race to finish before we did.  I loved it when he said “Mom I am so proud of you.” on the way home.

Mile 1-2; The first two miles were really fun.  People were all happy and unassuming of what horror was to come, they were just enjoying themselves.
Mile 3: Mile three of course if my fav and we walked a bit and did my Ginstinger gel and some water.  The weather is beautiful!
Mile 5: I actually said “Ron I have to admit this is really fun!”
Mile 6: My ankles are starting to hurt but I am still running and enjoying the day
Mile 7-8: My knee is doing great but my gut is starting to hurt worse than my ankles.
The musical groups along the route were so great and refreshing.  Lord I lift your name on high was playing and we ran with our hands held high in praise.
Mile 9; “I know I have run this far” I think to myself but I am struggling with the pain in my gut, and ankles.  I know I can do it and so I begin to go through my list of people I pray for. I know there are some great needs out there and I know I am blessed to be healthy enough to run.
I had prayed for others though my back surgery and it has done wonders for my stress, I thought it would not hurt now right?
Mile 10: Double digits.  The streets are lined with people and that helps.  Ron keeps telling the crowd to yell “Go Nancy!”  I have worn a blister on my baby toe on my right foot.  Some little kid blesses us by offering a band aide we stop quickly.  I feel we have lost a lot of time because I have had to stop at porta potties 4 times already! I am not sure what was up but my body was on mutiny and I am blaming my children at this point.  4 kids and 3 pregnancies have taken their toll and it is, what it is.
A nice lady on the side of the street gives us a small bottle of Gatorade, I believe it saved my life and she was an angel.
Mile 11- 12; These miles are a little blurry. I  have a very high tolerance for pain but I was really slowing down. I had heard this is where you have to push past reality and into your Moxie, your hootspa, your inner chi, whatever you call it you better call it up in times like this. I was thinking the last time I was in this much pain and joy at the same time I was giving birth to Ben 13 years ago.
Mile 12.5-13;  We can see the crowd is starting to get thicker and there is a lip stick stop about mile 12.5. I of course has brought my own!  Jordan Essentials, Ready, Set, Go Red  was my choice for the run.  Bright and fresh I was ready to bring it home but my body was not so cooperative.  Ron began to chat with me about how we would cross the finish line, would we hold hands, both raise fists in victory, did I want him to run head and take my photo? Boy was he chatty, did he just run the same race I did?  We agreed on the holding hands high.
Mile 13- 13.1; I can see it and there was my family with cow bells yelling, go Nanc!!  We chugged across the finish line smiling. I also crossed it thinking I would not ever do this again!!!  I know I will run again, just not this distance. I know I am capable and I know I am strong and today I ran 13.1 miles.

The things I learned in my weeks of running are:
I am stronger than I think I am
I can belong as long as I believe I belong
I can become whatever I set my mind to, even a marathon runner
You have to have great support for big goals, my hubby has been the best.
Good gear and equipment is really that important
You have to learn to spit when you run or it looks like drool
Always take a potty break if you think you need one, you probably do (tip for post baby friends)
You can have back surgery and go on to be a runner.
Runners come in all shapes, sizes and distances
And I am a runner…

Alex and I pre-race- Mile 3, 6, 9, 11 and big finish
Finish time for those who care 2 hours 51 minutes

4 miles of smiles… 1 week to go!

Today was my last run before I rest for a week.  Weird to think you work that hard then rest; then run your brains out!

As we took off for our 4 miles of smiles (So much easier than 12 I might like running after all this).  It was actually fun.  The sun was shining and the weather was nice and off we went.  I was feeling pretty good.  The knee was holding up pretty good.  Ron and I began to talk about my journey.

I had joined the gym last February.  One year ago this month I had made a commitment to do something for my health.  I had some bad blood work come back and I was scared that I would be unhealthy and unfit for the rest of my life if I did not do anything.  I started out at the gym where Suzie, my trainer, put me on a treadmill for 20 minutes and elliptical for 10 minutes. I thought I was going to die that first day.

3 months later I took my 1st spin class. I remember walking into the parking lot and I thought I had stepped into a pot hole but alas it was my legs giving out.
2 Months later I was  coerced and encouraged, to do boot camp.  That 1st day after my 1st set of push ups my arms were shaking so bad I could not lift them to wash my hair in the morning. I just tried to splash the water high enough that it washed out the soap. I felt like someone had ripped my arms off with a tow rope!
By the end of summer we were running 5 k races and I felt stronger than I had in my life.

I was getting close to the dreaded holiday season and I was concerned about my over all health.  I started South Beach and quit all white flour, potatoes and sugar at Labor day.  By Christmas one casual comment at a family dinner and we had decided we would do the Little Rock Half Marathon on March 4th and that, my friend, is next weekend!  My son, husband, niece and I began our training that has culminated to where we are this weekend.

It has been a long journey and I am excited about blogging about the race after we are done next weekend.  I hope you have been inspired to take a new journey in your life.  One year ago I just wanted to join the gym to get some exercise.
The dream came one goal at a time, one step at a time.

Keep dreaming and keep moving!

Nanc