Thankful the glass is half full!

You ever have one of those weeks where nothing seems to go right? Like you are destined for bad luck? That was me this week.
Monday- woke up in a funk. Not in a bad mood just felt out of sync. And my eye… I swear there was something in it. Monday night into Tuesday, I was woken up 4 times between my crazy cat slapping me with her paw across my face and both my boys who had bad dreams.
Tuesday, I was a zombie. I am one of those who needs sleep or I am an idiot the following day. I literally had no idea what day it was. Coordination was not my friend. Yeah, let’s leave it at that. Tuesday night, felt like Ground Hogs day again except my cat didn’t smack me. She just ran around like a crazy thing so I finally had to get up and put her downstairs.
Wednesday, heating system in my house breaks down. The house is freezing! Thursday, I wake up again and my eye, my fricken eye is still killing me. I could swear I had something in it! I looked like a vampire or a one-eyed pirate. The house still freezing! Then, my husband and I went to the gym at lunch as usual to work out and for the first time ever we locked both sets of keys in our truck! Thursday afternoon, our heat is getting fixed but uh oh, it doesn’t look good. Might have to replace it because it is a dinosaur system. House is below 30 degrees! My family makes it through the night.
Friday, today, I finally go to the eye doctor. I re-tore my cornea in my right eye and that thing I swear that was in my eye was a piece of my cornea lodged up in my eye lid.
Yes, it had been a week but with all of this, I have so many things to be thankful for that never would have happened nor would I have discovered if these events didn’t happen. So here goes:
1- I have a great eye doctor who let me come in last minute and made my eye feel so much better! Thank you Dr.DeVleming!
2- The heating in my house was fixed but so thankful for hot water and a dryer that I warmed up my kids clothes in before they got dressed.
3- So glad that my husband let me snuggle up to him with my sub-zero degree hands and feet pressed up against him with no complaints.
4- I got to squat with weight this week!
5-Thankful that I have my beautiful boys who can wake me up whenever they want at night because I make them feel safe.
6- WSU parking services unlocked our truck for free and will do so for anyone on campus grounds.
7- I got to snuggle on the couch with my family to watch Kung Fu Panda in below 30 degree room temperature. We kept each other so warm we all fell asleep.
8- so thankful our pipes didn’t freeze and burst!
9-I got to run, really really run, at Physical Therapy today for the first time in 3 years!
10- So very thankful for my amazing husband who is so calm about everything and made sure that the heat got fixed!
This week has brought me love and laughter which are the two things in life that always pull me through no matter how frustrating things may get. In a snap shot this week could have been way worse but I didn’t freak out about it and I made sure I hit the gym to relieve stress.
All I can say now is I made it through the week and Thank God it is the weekend!
Karly Beth

Do the Switcheroo!

Do you find yourself in an exercise rut? Tired of doing the same old thing and not seeing results? Want to know why???
It’s simple, change-up your routine. Our bodies are amazing “machines” and they adapt to exercise. That’s why in the beginning you feel so sore and tired with the burning feeling in your lungs and feeling like you want to die. Then magically as each week passes it gets easier and easier. Your body is adapting to the demands you are asking of it. Once adapted, it doesn’t take as much energy from your body to perform the exercise so then you start to see less results. What to do? Change machines, change intensity, change reps, change weight and guess what? Results!!!! Magic? Nope, its simple science and how the body functions.
So the next time you decide to do the same old thing, don’t. Choose a different method of cardio, choose heavier sets of weights, change something and above all work hard!!
Heres to change that everyone can benefit from!

Karly Beth

When I Grow Up I Want to Be…

We’ve all said this at what one time or another in our lifetime and as children our hopes and dreams have no limits. So, why is it so many of us find ourselves as adults unhappy with what we have accomplished and doubtful of what we truly want to be?
This has been on my mind since, well, a long time and as I travel along in search for the pursuit of happiness I have realized I have forgotten one major and very important detail in this journey. Me.
I have been so focused on what is best for everyone else in my circle and constantly worried about making everyone around me happy that I have forgotten why I am even traveling down this path. Where did I go? I can argue that by taking care of others needs and wants in return makes me happy but I still end up against a brick wall doing so. I will also admit that while I know exactly what things make me happy, I still can’t tell you what I want to do when I grow up. Do we really ever grow up? And when we finally decide, what happens when we change our minds again?
What I do know is I need to decide for myself what I want to do, for me and not for anyone else. Easier said than done but I love a challenge so here goes nothing!

Happy Friday to everyone.

Karly Beth

Successful Surgery 12-14-2011

I will never forget yesterday for as long as I live. Yesterday was the opening of a new chapter in my life. Yesterday, I underwent surgery on my right hip to repair a torn labrum. I have been waiting for this moment for over 2 and 1/2 years so it was a dream come true to have had this surgery.

The surgery I underwent is called a hip arthroscopy. Such an amazing procedure and very non-invasive. I was able to bear weight on my right leg after I woke up from surgery and got to go home the same day. Since we had to drive to Spokane, WA, to have this done, I was relieved that both trips to and from went quickly. On the way home, I slept in the truck and before I knew it, Manuel woke me up and helped my slowly walk into the house. My difficulties walking right now are the extreme numbness I have which is starting to go away a little at a time.

I am on strict bed rest for the next 4 days only being able to get up to use the bathroom, grab ice and eat. I can’t do stairs so I am limited to our main floor. Right now I am kicking myself for not pulling out enough movies from the downstairs family room so I will just have to use the laptop for my entertainment today.

I will continue to update everyone on my progress. I have a follow up/ post-op appointment on the 22nd of December at which time I will begin physical therapy. I am hoping that with eating healthy and resting, that I will recover quickly and will be back in the gym kicking some a$$.

Until next time,

Karly Beth

One Size Fits All- It’s a LIE!

We have all seen that infamous “one size fits all” label, but I have learned a long time ago, that it is a big lie! Just because it says “all” and just because you can fit into it doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for you. That same clothing item with that very same label for instance can be way to baggy on one person and just a bit to snug for another.
This whole thought came to me this morning as I saw my cat squeeze herself into a little basket on my bathroom floor. Sure, she got in but if you notice, her butt is bunched up and partially hanging off the end. Miss Kitty, clearly that is not a good fit nor can it possibly be comfortable for you.
So many people these days have sadly still not learned that one size truly does not fit all and this pertains to more than just clothing. This is the same for exercise, diet, rest, emotional well-being and so on. People must remember that what works for me isn’t necessarily going to benefit them. It is important to remember that each of us is unique so you need to be selective in what you chose to do for exercise, diet and so forth. It is that same theory that while one person needs only 6 hours of sleep to feel rested and ready to go in the morning requires me to sleep 9 hours in order to get the same effect. Or that person who can eat anything and everything and never gain a pound but if another person did the same thing they would be 20 pounds heavier in the blink of an eye. One size fits all does not exists people, stop thinking this way.
Until next time, cater to your specific needs, and listen to your body and mind. Once you do this, I believe you will realize that you deserve way more for your unique self than just a “one size fits all” label.
Karly Beth

 

Coffee in the Microwave and the Milk in the Cupboard

Tuesday nights are homework nights for my oldest son. I try to multi-task the prepping for the next day’s meals, and cleaning and wrapping up odds and ends while assisting him with his homework but tonight I was having a terrible time doing so! I had to just tell myself to sit down and focus on Felix. After Felix finished his homework, we ate dinner, then read a story and colored Sponge Bob pictures with my youngest, Fabian. Before we knew it, it was time for bed. I tucked the boys in their beds and as usual headed back downstairs to finish up what I hadn’t accomplished earlier. This is the point where I realized I had a moment just like the Man who mistook his wife for a hat (a book I read in my abnormal psych class in college). I had discovered that I had put the ground coffee bag in the microwave and the milk in the cupboard. What the heck was I doing earlier?
Then I realized that I was just doing way to much and that by stopping everything to just enjoy the company of my kids is exactly what I needed to do. I needed to SLOW DOWN!!

This is a reminder we all need from time to time, especially around the holidays. In this fast paced world we live in today it is no wonder we all do silly things every now and then. By slowing down, our bodies and minds can really benefit from it. Whether it is in the gym, cooking dinner instead of going through the drive-thru, spending quality time with your kids, going to bed early or taking a nap when you are tired, just slow down!
Your body and mind need rest in order to recover, feel refreshed and to stay healthy. It is not going to be the end of the world if some chores don’t get done right away. If anything, you will be more productive after slowing down because you will have a sense of clarity rather than a sense of a chicken running around with it’s head cut off.
So until next time, slow down, relax, and breathe for a calmer and happier you.
Karly Beth

She wasn’t the one that needed saving, it was me..

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Gomez family was on a Costco run as usual. We did our shopping and enjoyed lunch right after. We were ready to drive back home when my oldest son asked if we could go somewhere else before we went home. He tried to bribe us with the Home Depot and we instantly knew what he was up to. Conveniently, next to the Home Depot is Petco. Yes, smart boy. So we caved and said we would go and look at the animals but we were NOT getting a pet.
Of course, we walked in and the local Humane Society was there with over 25 cats and kittens just begging for a home. Of course we looked and loved on them but then decided it was time to go. As we were were leaving we noticed another adoption center in the corner of the store near the entrance containing a little black kitty with gorgeous amber eyes. She was sweet, curious and very playful. To make a long story short, we adopted that little kitty. Her name is Java.
I thought that I was the one saving her as she clearly needed a home and the poor thing was locked up in this little 2×2 cage, but after these past two weeks I have realized that she has actually saved me. She has brought additional love and laughter into our home and after a stressful day at work having her sit with me and cuddle while my husband works late at night has been a blessing. She is loving and crazy and everything in between, making her the perfect match for our family.
The lesson this little cat has given me is this- Sometimes, we don’t need to be the one saving others, sometimes it is others that save us when we least expect it but need it the most.
Until next time,
Karly Beth

And so the countdown begins

It really has been a countdown for over 2 years but it is truly now only 10 days away. On Wednesday, December 14th, I will be going under the knife for a hip arthroscopy on my right hip.
I am filled with different emotions. Excitement, anxiety, calmness, panic, happiness, frightened beyond belief…. Every emotion has been at my door step. I go through my head over and over again the pros and cons of having surgery. I know the facts, the risks and the most important, the benefits of having this procedure done.
The thought of being able to simply walk without pain is something I can’t even remember. Every day when I wake up, I step out of bed hoping it will be pain free only to be dissapointed again and again. Then, just as I do every day, I put on my big girl panties and a strong face and I go about my day convincing myself that I can do this, and I have.
I am not going to lie, this injury has taken a lot out of me. Living with constant pain wears on a person and takes a person who once could do everything and challenges them just to get a smile in their face and tell others that they are doing fine. The energy it takes to do this day in and day out is exhausting. I am not in the clear yet as I realize I will have recovery time to get back to the top, but hope is in my heart and mind 100%.
Although If I could turn back time, I would but having this injury has made me a different person. It has taught me patience, forgiveness, appreciation, inner strength, and led me down the journey to weight train, eating clean, and competing. All things that I am so very grateful for.
I will keep you all updated on my progress and hope that what I have experienced can help and teach others all the things I have learned through this difficult journey.
Until next time,
Karly Beth

I Was Lost, But Now I Am Found…. I Think??

I am sure this pretty much happens to everyone at some point in their lives. You are right on track, accomplishing all your hopes and dreams, and all in your world looks good. Then, you suddenly lose your way and you can’t seem to get motivated to get back on track. Yes, I, Karly Gomez, lost my way, but now, I am finding myself again.

I believe I began to lose my way after Nationals this summer. I had accomplished my biggest goal that I set for myself this year. Going to Nationals. It was amazing. My body and mind had reached levels I never thought possible, and then, just like that, all that hard work I had done, was over in just one short day. Kind of like all the preparations we do for Christmas and then just like that, it’s over until next year. Depressing? Completely!

I found that I was asking myself constantly, “What the heck do I do now?” Sure, I have other goals to attend to, and I have lots of other important roles to fill in my daily life, but none seemed to drive me the same as prepping for competitions. Even harder, is when people ask me what is next. I have some answers, but still, lack of motivation has been my obstacle. Honestly, I don’t know what is next, or at least I didn’t, until now.

This week I went to see the surgeon who will be operating on my hip. Yes, you heard right, I have yet to have my hip fixed due matters I could not control. Now, things are looking up again, and I will be able to have my surgery done hopefully before the end of the year. Now with one thing back on track, I can slowly begin to pick up the other pieces.

I have still been training and eating well. My biggest challenge in the gym is getting my strength back since I was sick for 3 weeks and strained some muscles in my neck and upper back. Now with that behind me, all I can do is look for ways to motivate myself to push harder. Easier said than done, but I am working on it.

This morning, when I woke up, I felt a little like me again. The one who wakes up, and instantly wants to be creative. I went to the store, grabbed some things I needed to cook and went back home to create a delicious breakfast. I ended up making omelets with spinach, swiss cheese, avocado, and sausage. It was delicious. But I wasn’t done there. I love pumpkin, and with it being the season for the flavor, I made pumpkin muffins. It was nice to branch out and eat something a little different out of my normal day-to-day routine of food. I am sure my husband and kids appreciated it too.

So what now? Well, that is for me to know, and for others to eventually find out. I am not going to put pressure on myself by telling others what my plans are. It really is just up to me, and if I really want to accomplish what is on my list of things to accomplish, I need to just focus on knowing what my plan is and getting it done.

Remember, losing one’s way can happen to anyone. The important things I have made myself search for within, are who am I, what makes me happy and to remember that I will find my way back, even if it takes a little longer than I hoped it to.

Until next time, may you stay on track and reach your goals.

Karly Beth

You Can Change- Just Put Your Mind to It!

This past weekend, I had the honor of competing in one of the biggest NPC Division shows in the Nation.  The WA Emerald Cup.  It was amazing fun and I came out in 3rd place.  All in all, felt great and even more so, when I looked at my first picture competing and then compared it to now.  In just a year’s time, I have realized that I have made amazing strides!  Just take a look!!!  The difference is truly amazing!  I was just a tiny thing when I first started out.  It is just mind-blowing to me!

Empire Classic 4-24-2010 1st Competition

  

April 15th, 2011 Emerald Cup- 3rd Show