2025 Coming to a Close

 As I reflect back on 2025, the highs and the lows, the positive and not so great, I have to step back and analyze. I tend to pull out the big moments and forget the small ones. I find myself being disappointed if something wasn’t a big win, or made a big difference. When really what I need to focus on is the small wins, the smaller steps forward, and the small progressions. Why should these be my focus instead of something bigger is what I often need to remind myself of. 

First, I believe the smaller steps turn into the bigger wins. Rome wasn’t built in a day, as they say. I also feel if I celebrate the smaller things it helps to keep me in positive spirits and not so down on myself. Second, I am learning as I age that big wins are not necessarily the important ones. Each week I get to spend with my mom, quiet days with family, new relationships and new friends, and small steps forward in my Kung Fu. These are what I truly treasure to name a few. Life is always changing, and tomorrow is never guaranteed. Live for today, be better for today, and grow each day.

Next year is going to look different for me, as is tomorrow. So I am celebrating today and all the small wins of the day. This doesn’t mean I won’t continue to improve, and won’t celebrate the big wins, it simply means I need to recognize more around me everyday and be more thankful. 

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2026

Push ups- 29,540

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 29,580

Form reps - Hand 702 Weapon 371

AOK’s - 898

Sparring - 530

KM’s - 1721

Blogs - 49

Merry Christmas

 I realized only today I hadn’t posted a blog this week. It’s been a crazy one so a simple numbers update, and a Merry Christmas to everyone 🎄

Push ups- 29,110

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 29,140

Form reps - Hand 693 Weapon 371

AOK’s - 877

Sparring - 520

KM’s - 1680

Blogs - 48

Tis the Season

 This time of year always starts to get busy with the holday season, and year end preparations. I'm sure the same for a lot of people. This year added a bit of extra with a 30th birthday celebration for my daughter. We had a special get together for her, which was great. 

It is a little extra stressful for me as well with work as we have a vacation planned at the beginning of January. I’m very much looking forward to some time away, but a lot needs to be taken care of before I go. Add the holidays in and my Xmas prep week I always take off in December and it can get a bit overwhelming mentally for me. From here on out until January 20th I am working 4 full days, one Saturday and two 3/4 days. Excited, but yikes! 

Push ups- 28,580

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 28,600

Form reps - Hand 693 Weapon 371

AOK’s - 862

Sparring - 520

KM’s - 1642

Blogs - 47

Stick’in’ It

 Spent some time tonight on my stick form. Only my stick form. It has been too long since I spent a decent amount of time on this form. Who am I kidding, I barely get a couple reps in a week if I’m lucky. This is on me and only me. Only way to go is up, get better, work smarter.

I also realized I didn’t get a blog posted this past weekend. So I’ll have a couple pretty close together. Numbers will be as of Sunday as that’s how I add them. 

Push ups- 28,010

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 28,080

Form reps - Hand 678 Weapon 344

AOK’s - 844

Sparring - 510

KM’s - 1606

Blogs - 46

Break it to Build it

 The last few weeks in the black belt class have been great mind twisters. Taking what we’ve learned and practiced in our training and breaking it. Time to break it, so we can build it. Make it our own, and feel and understand what our bodies and movements are doing. The last 3 weeks have been rough for me with a pulled muscle in my back, and then being online last week due to working late. This adds an extra challenge to not always physically be doing what is being taught. I am always trying to take away the most I can and doing the best I can to grasp a further understanding of the knowledge being shared and passed to us. I struggle a bit more and find it to be bit more difficult than actually being on the mats and participating in live time. Many takeaways, and lots to learn. 

My back is finally feeling better, and I’m hoping to not have work interruptions for the foreseeable future! 

Push ups- 27,490

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 27,610

Form reps - Hand 672 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 826

Sparring - 495

KM’s - 1571

Blogs - 45

Some Relief

 My doctor appointment was good this week. Appears to be as thought a pulled muscle in the lower back. And some other small issues taken care of. She advised to take it easier for the next couple of weeks to heal. A disease diagnosed in my lower back at 16 years old has not given me many issues over the years, but the doctor advised as I get older it will be easier to pull muscles and injure. I’ll need to stretch more and be more mindful, but nothing serious. 

I was able to also improve some modified numbers this week as well, so it’s coming along slowly but positively. 

Push ups- 26,870

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 26,990

Form reps - Hand 665 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 809

Sparring - 485

KM’s - 1537

Blogs - 44

Back Pain!

 My back was feeling better and seemed to be on the mend. Tuesday we took advantage of the nice weather and time together and did some yard work getting the yard ready for winter (again). Nothing strenuous, no heavy lifting but some bending and picking up leaves. 

I paid for that Tuesday night. By nightfall I was walking around like a 110 year old. It hasn’t improved much and it’s been constant stretching, voltaren, and Tylenol for a week. Not much relief. Sitting, standing up, twisting is all very uncomfortable, and bending is worse. Getting dressed and undressed is fun. 

I have a doctor appointment booked for Wednesday and will hopefully get some answers, and hoping it’s just a pulled muscle that needs time to heal. It’s in the kidney area so better to be safe than sorry. Numbers this past week definately took a hit with every movement uncomfortable, and I’m cranky. 

Push ups- 26,530

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 26,670

Form reps - Hand 652 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 792

Sparring - 475

KM’s - 1503

Blogs - 43