Giving Thanks
While we spend lots of time on goal-setting and trying to smash records and reaching for new fitness heights, there’s a real benefit to stopping for a moment and feeling some appreciation for what we can do right now and how far we’ve come. I’m betting most people would not have imagined that they’d be shooting for double digit pull ups, or rousing themselves at the crack of dawn to experience muscle fatigue, or running without even being chased by tigers. This gratitudinal holiday season, what are you thankful for?
I am really thankful for Stevil and Mayahotmama and the fact that when I pick Ruby up I’m thinking about good squat form; and the Kellynator in all her wicked sadistic super motivating glory; and Juliet for being so strong and really nice to look at; and Mani for making it all look so easy; and Jessica for super-duper encouragement; and Tsan, Susan, Patty, Robyn, Miriam for picking up 20s when I was going to pick up 15s; all the Dark Siders (6am) for being awsome; Mary, Nani, Kat, Paty for being fabulous and loving on my Ruby; Tracy for blowing my mind with all the crazy sh!# she can do; Echidna for doing pullups when his arm is turning black and falling off; every brave but slightly crazy person who walks into the Ice Chamber for the first time; and Ben; and Ruby.
And cupcakes. I’m thankful for cupcakes.
love that encourages and inspires
I’m just thankful that my arm didn’t actually fall off!
Thanks for my family.
Thanks for Steve, Maya, Mani, Jess…
Thanks for Alan, Lily, Jude and Modern Combatives.
My Dinos!
All you nutty Ice Chamber folks.
Oh, and Bacon, I’m very thankful for Bacon.
i’m thankful for my little monster theo. boy am i ever. i am thankful for really good and funny friends. mmmmars makes me happy every time i see her. kelly, well, she’s my comrade of loveyness. steve and maya for understanding. mani, i appreciate more every day ‘specially since she has the same taste in books…and she cracks me up. key lime pie brings a tear to my…eye.
susan and tsan. most un-pc conversations EVER.
I’m thankful that I can still walk after Mani’s workout on Tuesday (there is a G-d).
I am thankful that Steven’s refusal to let me fail kept away the dreaded badonkadonk butt for another year. I’m thankful that Kelly’s blog occasionally makes me snort tea from my nose. I’m thankful to have had a money-be-damned artist for a dad (no, really). I’m thankful that Jessica Rabbit and I have the same reason for marrying our partners. I’m thankful that my people are not responsible for Lord of the Dance. I’m thankful that, if there is a hell, I’ll be there with Juliette. I’m thankful for telemark skis and for warming huts halfway down the mountain because of F&*cing telemark skis. I’m thankful for Bob Marley and John Barleycorn. I’m thankful for Nat Turner, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Rosa Parks, Yick Wo and Learned Hand (because, you know, they’re laugh riots). I’m thankful that January 20th 2009 is just around the corner.
…and Stephanie and Ndeshi for their amazing and inspiring transformations.
…and that nobody cares that I pee a little when I do double-unders.
uh, right?
I am thankful for my family although they get on my nerves sometimes, but no one will love you like they do. I am also thankful for finding Steve and Maya, two of the most dedicated and understanding people who have helped me change my life in many ways. I’m also thankful for all my new friends at the IC. I will also like to give a huge thanks to all of the peeps at the IC for being very patient with me when I kick them off the treadmill.
GIVING BIG THANKS for all the IC’ers who train with such heart week after week.
I’m also really thankful for my doctor’s decision to do a c-section. Woo-hoo! Diaper wipes and bibs–two of the greatest inventions ever. At the gym, I gotta give some love to KBs, jump ropes, barbells, sneakers, sports bras, and baseball caps. Oh yeah, and the anti-bacterial soap in the bathroom! …without you guys I’d be a mess.
I’m really really really thankful for my big strong little monster truck Mateo and for my beloved best friend (through it all this year) Stevie K. You’re HELLA fresh Steve. (I can’t believe I’m not sick of you yet
Last but not least, I’m full of gratitude for all the love (and help) grandmas provide for my family too!
Ahhh, dear sweet Mars…until now, I’m not sure anyone actually *knew* about you peeing a little during the double-unders. Now that we’re all in the loop, we can commence not caring.
I’m thankful for this kooky, sweaty group-hug of a blog. The stuff that everyone shares here is just hysterical, inspiring, motivating… You all keep me engaged in this fitness extravaganza I’ve no other I’ve ever embarked on before–and I’m VERY THANKFUL for that.
Steve & Maya: thanks for creating this amazing place and community and for setting a high bar for what we can all achieve. Kelly, Jessica, Juliet, Mani–thanks for pushing me to do stuff (like with 20 lb dumbells and monster kettlebells) that I don’t want to in the moment but am *usually* glad about afterwards.
Of course I’m thankful for my fam, friends, and this incredible area to live in. I’d also like to thank the academy…
Hey Steve, one question: gratitudinal? Party on, dude.
A big shout out to Steve and Maya for conceiving of this place and carrying it out, day after day. And for finding trainers that are strong and funny and upbeat, even at 6am when some of us (okay me) are miserable at that hour. And for coming up with new and different workouts every day so that the voice in my head that wants to stay in bed can’t actually pin down what I’d be missing. And for my workout partner, Joe, who drives me back and forth every day, and is tough as nails. And for my healthy body that allows me to do strange things with kettle bells. And for my husband who stays in the warm bed guarding the kid so I can brave the cold for my morning torture. Wait – that can’t be right… And especially for the 6am regulars who help me get up every morning because I know they are doing it too – and I’m not alone. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I’m thankful that the Ice Chamber is so un-boring I look forward to working out. I’m also thankful my husband put Ice Chamber monthly fees in our budget *forever*. And, of course, I’m thankful for my 3-year-old daughter, for whom I’m trying to be a good role model. She now insists on working out too! Good habits start young.
I am thankful for being able to fit back into my old pants again! And I am even more grateful that those old pants are getting too big! Now I am grateful for after thanksgiving sales so I can buy new pants that fit!
I am thankful for Steve and Maya’s determination to make strong athletes out of folks who walk in their door. I am thankful for finding them and their fabulous trainers and the fun community of people who all have the desire to be better than they are now, which is way better than most people.
I am thankful my husband loves to cook for everyone (AND clean the kitchen), my kids love to laugh and have adventures, and my dogs will always love me for rescuing them from the situations they were in before.
Oh, and I am thankful for chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all!
I am thankful for a Thanksgiving workout tomorrow morning! Wooooo Hooooo!!!! A great way to start a day of thanks with this great new crop of cool people who motivate and inspire me. You guys rock!
Many great thanks to our group of very special trainers and trainees. It’s almost unreal that I get to spend everyday with such a unique, inspiring, and lovely group of people. Talk about a dream team!
Mega thanks goes to M&M for keeping our house the most fun and delicious place to be (aside from the Chamber).
I will thank each and every one of you individually tomorrow. Love you all!
Corner brownies
Spinning cement trucks
Flannel sheets
My red plaid pants
Matinees
Waterfalls
Singing along REALLY loud in the car
That my 4 1/2 year old says, “I love you, mommy” out of the blue.
Finding the Ice Chamber
The view out my bedroom window
My parents
Getting mail
Jon Stewart
My #12 piping tip
Crossword puzzles
The most supportive husband in the world
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am thankful for my family, my friendship with maya and steve & for the opportunity to be a part of the IC and truly live out my passion for health and fitness, being around such a loving and supportive group of trainers and trainees, being married to jeff, having a “bear bear” for a best friend, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (every once in a while):) my health and the journey …..
I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
I am thankful for my family. My husband is the coolest guy…EVER. My twin sons are super sweet. They bring so much joy to my life and inspire me to become a better person.
I am thankful for friends who make me laugh and share my dreams.
Steve and Maya, thanks for creating a community that fosters self-empowerment.
I’m thankful I found my way to CA…. fell in love with a wonderful, passionate person – Douglas, and on this day 7 years ago we embarked on an incredible journey of PARENTHOOD. What a journey it has been – watching the incredible transformation of the helpless infant to a strong and wonderful Rylee River Reeves! I know that this is the very journey of a lifetime and we are enjoying — and struggling — through every minute of it!
My gratitude runs over with…
-Thanks to IC for a wonderfully diverse and fascinating program – and community. A completely life changing commitment.
-Thanks to those of you who support and push me by just being present, and AWAKE, at 6 am. I’ve never felt so intrigued by a group of people – like I wanna sit and talk with EVERYONE and understand who they are and WHY they, too, make such a commitment.
-And Thanks to my family and friends made throughout life — as I get older and more jaded… I believe this is what it is truly all about. (and I second the Jon Stewart mention above!!!!)
mmars… you are right… let’s not let that stop us, who cares???? We’d care more if we DIDN’T get to see your double unders! damn girl you can DELIVER on those!!!!
mmars, given all of the other mamas at the IC, I bet you are not the only one. Did anyone really think Serenity pads were for the elderly?
I am so thankful for Steve and Maya for creating the IC and drawing an amazing community of people. Self-empowerment is an important step towards self-actualization and it is so exciting watching people transform their lives.
I am thankful that my body craves a tough workout and can get me to the gym, even when my head is having its doubts. I am also thankful that the critics in my head have been cheering a lot more than undermining lately.
I am thankful for my family because they love you no matter what. And I love them too. I am grateful for my ever-expanding community of friends, who keep me sane, call me out and lift me up.
I can not even express how thankful I am for my husband Steve. He is incredibly patient and encouraging. He never lets me wallow in self-doubt and he always always makes me laugh. And he takes me on these sick bike rides in the hills that make me not want to do squats ever again.
Finally, my cup runneth over with gratitude for the miracle of my big (little) girl. Her love unties all of the places I had tightly bound.