12 Week Check-In and The Magic of Audiobooks

So, have I mentioned this summer, I discovered the magic of audiobooks?  I was kind of in a semi-writing funk.  After narrowly making it out of the traditional publishing limbo with my dignity, I needed to take a step back and really reconnect with my love of literature.  My husband is a librarian so I'd request book after book which he'd dutifully bring home each evening to collect dust by my bedside.  With the busyness of my and my kids summer schedule, I could barely keep my eyes open to write let alone read by the end of the night.  On a whim, I downloaded Audible on my smart phone and I have kind of been addicted ever since.  I listened to new books and old favs including The Bluest Eye as read by Toni Morrison, Kindred by Octavia Butler, The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Color Purple as read by Alice Walker, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, The Shining by Stephen King and The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (I also managed to read a few the old fashioned way including Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and currently, Dark Places by Gillian Flynn).  I can totally hear the pretentious college kid I once was judging me for this but audio books have been absolutely amazing!  They were perfect for those times when I took the boys to the park, that endless waiting in the car-rider line, or those long stop-and-go drives to work every morning.  I especially loved the experience of hearing the authors read in their own words.  Sigh.  Just hearing the slowness of meaningful words or the emotion behind loaded statements... letting someone else's thoughts and experience bounce around in the silence of my mind.... it became almost meditative for me.  It reminded me of why I love reading, why I love the art of story-telling, and mostly, why I love writing. I feel more committed than ever to truthfulness and honesty in my story-telling... no matter how hard... no matter how raw.
 
Well, as promised, here is my twelve week fitness update! I am actually smiling this time :-).  I am absolutely loving my fitness journey.  My goal was to look better but I didn't anticipate how much better I would feel.  It's amazing how restorative good health can be for your spirit.  Conquering my health has made me feel like I am strong enough to conquer anything.  That has spilled over into all aspects of my life.  A few people have asked me what I'm doing so here goes: I work out 5 days a week (would be 7 but I can't figure out how to get in those two extra days), I do 20-30 minutes of high intensity cardio each day and then I alternate between upper and lower body strength training.  I also meet with my trainer (hi Bishop!) once a week.  As far as eating, I am a vegetarian but I try to stay relatively low carb and I eat 5 small meals a day.  I eat alot of fiber (love my oats), take a multivitamin every day, and try to eat plenty of protein. 

Also, in January, I started the Couch 2 5K running program!  I think I've had runner envy for a long time.  We have this nature path behind our house that I have a pretty awesome view of from my favorite writing spot.  Every day, I watch folks run by.  For awhile, I have kind of secretly envisioned myself doing the same but I would talk myself down.  I was convinced I didn't have the stamina and I would look ridiculous running.  I have long limbs and a well-earned reputation for being clumsy.  The thing is, my dad is a runner and my granddad was also a runner.  I have the genes to do it - why not just take the plunge?  So, I did.  Thus far, the plan is super manageable (the smart phone APP is awesome!) and if all goes according to plan, I will be running my first 5K this spring.   More importantly, I will be bouncing with those runners outside my window before I know it.  Then, you won't be able to slap the smile off my face (but if you see me, please don't try).  Stay tuned :-).

Love and Light,
Faye