Horsehows, Holidays and Fitness

This Thanksgiving weekend has consisted of a relaxing vacation, sprinkled with a little work from my laptop, at our family's cabin on Idaho's pristine Payette Lake. We have enjoyed roaring fires, football games on tv, big laughs AND I have also been tortured by my teenage step children to indulge in plate size deep fried "cinnamon rolls" at the famous Mc Call pancake house. Luckily, as much as these butter and sugar coated temptations might be, I am now much the wiser than to fall into a trap that I will later regret (as well as my chap maker)!

Prior to my horseshow "sabbatical", I had an active lifestyle, but not as regimented as it could have been. Not to mention, your body in your twenties seem to be a little more forgiving of a donut or missing a workout, altough I can't say that my body has been that forgiving, after all I was definitely part of the "freshman fifteen club." The introduction of grad school and a full time career depleted any time I had for working out-or so I thought. Extra pounds arrived without me realizing it and my clothes became a little tighter (or a lot). I thus realized that something had to change.

A good friend of mine and fellow AQHA competitor, Kim Blyth, had told me a couple years before (as my life seemed to be turning upside down) that a marathon would be an excellent goal for confidence building and mental discipline. Instead of starting with a small workout plan, I set my goal for the New York marathon. I joined a running club, started running at 4:45 am before work and I trained on weekends. I learned to eat a balanced diet and six months later I ran my first marathon (as well as my first 10k and half marathon along the way). Friends and colleagues noticed a difference in my appearance and my confidence shot up. I had achieved a large goal that used an extensive amount of mental preparation, but more importantly I learned the benefits of a healthy diet with exercise.

Since that first marathon, I have integrated a more "balanced" running schedule and I cross train with hot yoga and riding. I find that the yoga helps my posture and flexibility in horsemanship and equ. I am convinced that some people have an easier ability to pull their legs back...I'm not one of them! I now bring my running shoes everywhere I go- horseshows and business trips included. I find that it keeps my brain clear and my clothes fit better. Not to mention, it gives me the added strength for riding.

So this holiday season, remember that an occasional treat is part of enjoying the gatherings with friends of family, but make smart choices and integrate exercise. You will be thankful come January, the first time you have to zip up those chaps or the announcer asks you to post without stirrups!