Downfall: Running late. It doesn’t bother me much when others run late to things, but for some reason it drives me batty when I personally am late. Even by just a few minutes, like I was for my lunch date with Lee.

Bright Side: I was late because I plowed through a productive morning with a 7 mile run, getting grocery shopping finished, and taking care of little ones.

Downfall: A mad sunburn. On one arm. Oh, the attractiveness.

Bright Side: Sitting outside for a fabulous lunch to celebrate Lee’s birthday.

I couldn’t make her birthday party last weekend since my parents were staying overnight and it was the only night Peter & I could have our date. I knew I wanted to spend some time with her for her birthday though, so we planned a lunch get together. We met at the World Peace Cafe – a vegetarian cafe with great food based off organic, locally grown products.

I ordered a grilled veggie sandwich with the sun salad on the side.

And an unsweetened raspberry iced tea to drink.

So, so, so good! The sandwich was light tasting but filling and the salad had all the necessary items (fat, fruit, nuts) with avocado, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. The food and, most importantly, time with a good friend certainly justify my lobster arm.

Downfall: Black Swan.

Peter & I watched Black Swan on Saturday night. I kind of hated it. I understood the underlying messages in the movie, but it all bored me and just seemed too weird. Plus, I would get the chills seeing all the ribcage action. I know that is part of the ballerina thing, but it still bothered me.

Bright Side: Having a simple, relaxing night with my husband. This little treat we picked up didn’t hurt either…

Downfall: The weekend is now over.

Bright Side: I have a busy, but good, week ahead and feel refreshed going in to it after some yoga and quality discussion yesterday in church. God showed me, for the umpteenth millionth time, that His understanding and wisdom far exceeds our own. That great things are possible when trusting in Him. That following Him always leads to a bigger, brighter side of life. Now, hopefully, that refreshed feeling will last me. For at least a day or two. 😉

• Have you seen Black Swan?
• What bright side have you encountered recently? 

I know I caught your eye with that title, huh? Just hold on to your antsy pants a little bit for me to explain at the end of this post. I have some venting to do first.

Yesterday at the gym I did something to my back. I completed my hamstrings, back, & biceps workout. During deadlifts, I felt like I may have gone too heavy on my last set. Once I finished the set, I felt fine and completed my workout. Then, a little later on it hurt pretty badly to bend down to pick up Braedon. My back continued to feel more and more messed up as the morning went on. In fact, it hurt so bad I spent almost the entire day with a heating pad laying on the couch. Well, as much as that’s possible as a mother of two little ones.

I consoled myself with one of my favorite lunches – a sandwich with egg, goat cheese, spinach, and tomato with a hefty serving of mango, grapes and cucumber slices.

I also turned to natural medicine. Chocolate, of course. For my snack, I continued my love affair with Love Grown Foods granola and poured a small bowl of their Cocoa Goodness granola with almond milk and a sliced banana.

If only that really helped the discouraged feeling. Back pain always makes me so nervous because you never know how long it will affect you. I hope to feel better very soon!

Now back to the title of my post. I want to end on a high note and what better way than sharing about going topless at the gym? 😉 During spin class on Monday I ended up without a sweat towel. All of mine were in the wash and I figured I would just get one of the ones offered in the class at the gym. Well, the towels in class ran out and I was left with no towel. About two songs into the class, I was dripping sweat and constantly trying to wipe my face with my tank top. Eventually I decided to just say “screw it” and took my top off to finish out the spin class in my sports bra.

Normally, I would never think to do this thanks to worrying what others thought. Of my body. Of being dressed “appropriately”. And so on. It hit me though that in all honesty no one pays that much attention to others at the gym. I think we’re all concerned with our own workouts and, truth be told, our own bodies. I didn’t need to worry what others thought. All that mattered is I would physically feel comfortable managing to wipe away all my sweat.

Then, I got to thinking a little bit deeper. I sat in that class sweating away because I was challenging myself with a great workout. My body can DO great things. I should take pride in my body and its strength. That includes no embarrassment on working out in just my sports bra for this class. I feel good and that is all the confidence I need. That is all the confidence we should all need. I’m not saying you have to bare your belly, because I even don’t plan on habitually working out sans shirt. I’m saying not to worry about how you look. Worry about how you WORK. Let that fuel your confidence because you rock!

• Do you ever workout in just a sports bra?
• Any back pain remedies to share?