Frame of mind could have stunted my training

If you read this week's pet column you'd know that last week was a hard one for me.

I had two family losses. Dealing with family sorrow caused an unexpected glitch in my workout. The weights seemed heavier and the will to work dampened. I knew frame of mind could either propel or hinder the desire to work out, but having frame of mind affect actual physical ability wasn't something I'd considered.

Still, I went through the motions over the weekend. It would have felt worse had I cheated.

I'm trying to incorporate small life changes into my training program. My kids now know that if I go to the grocery store, I try to do so on a bike. We've done this a few times.

One of my daughters wanted to get an entire watermelon so that we could have it for a picnic; it felt odd to tell her that we couldn't buy anything that couldn't fit into my bike's basket. Instead, we bought half a melon. That being said, I did find a way to strap a case of diet coke onto the back of my bike. I needed the caffeine to keep moving. Guilt brewed inside of me; I could buy soft drinks, but not a large fruit? I quickly consoled myself when we rode past the liquor store; I thought "It could have been worse; I could have shoved a case a beer on the back instead."

Reader tips have been good. I've followed a few suggestions for inexpensive activity-based options to do with my kids. One reader pointed out that I lived close to FortWhyte Alive. So, on Saturday my twins and I biked there.

Because it was the weekend, my husband and I had to fit in a plethora of other duties. By the time I was able to bike with my girls, the steam fizzled out of their excitement. We rode there anyway.

I'd enticed them by promising to stop at the local pet store so they could play with the gerbils. Not looking at the time, I didn't realize that the store would be closed. My girls were disappointed and grumbled as I asked them to continue to Fort Whyte. When we reached the gate, it was closed, too. Had my trainer been there, I could have salvaged the error by saying, "Well, at least we got a good workout." That statement did little to impress two 12-year-olds.

Reader tips are both helpful and interesting. One reader wrote that we should consider "why we eat." It was a good point. Many of us are driven to eat because of emotion rather than hunger. I admit to doing this. Now when I get upset I put on some nice jazz or have a favourite movie play while I work or prepare dinner. It's not as good as French bread, but it's better than tight shorts.

This week, I plan to take my husband to GoodLife Fitness. I can't wait to see him try the machines. Some of them look like torture devices straight from the Middle Ages. Personally, I think a few of them are. After recently arguing with him about which household projects to finish, it'll be fun to watch him grimace for a reason other than a lost debate.

char.adam@mts.net

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