Category: bucket list

Woohoo! I just finished my 5:15am workout at Orange Theory. For me, this workout is better than coffee to make my little old lady self feel like a badass. But this post isn’t about working out, it’s about change and motivation.

I am not a natural morning person. I tried so many strategies to wake up and work out before 5am and failed. I would hit the snooze button 6 times, and say, “Just kidding,” to the alarm clock each time it buzzed.

Then I found Mel Robbins’ The Five Elements of the 5 second rule. I read it and thought that it sounded way too simple.

When the alarm starts buzzing, say:

Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Launch

Then roll to sitting, swing your legs to the floor and slide out of bed. Then keep moving.

Her method sounded way too good to be true, but I tried it, it worked and I’ve used it every day since. After 6 months, I began waking up on my own at 4:30 am. Now I am kind of a morning person and my workouts are done by 6:15 am.

To me, a sunrise signals an opportunity for new beginnings. A morning person is lucky enough to see unlimited possibilities every day. The picture is on a morning back country ski outing a few days ago, not outside of Orange Theory. The winter sunrise is so beautiful in the mountains that I had to share.

I am grateful for Mel Robbins. She took the time to share her simple method to change and it worked for me.

Reflecting …

I hadn’t dated in 23 years and had no idea what to expect. My girlfriends convinced me that online dating was the best option. During my 6 month pause I read, “121 First Dates: How to Succeed at Online Dating, Fall in Love, and Live Happily Ever After (Really!)” by Wendy Newman. Her stories gave me the courage to give online dating a try and not take each date too seriously.

Still, the thought of making my profile available to the public was terrifying. I pictured all of my co-workers gathered around a phone laughing at me. Worse, I worried how uncomfortable I would be if I received unwelcome advances from a co-worker, friend or neighbor. I was scared that I would meet a serial killer. I was worried that no one would want me. Being vulnerable and rejected online was nerve wracking.

I paid Bumble for a premium feature that gave me visibility to the men who had already swiped right on my profile. I decided only to look at men who liked me first to save some of the stress of being rejected.

Writing my profile was harder than I thought. I tried to write something clever but they all made me sound like I was trying too hard. Instead, I described what I was looking for and shared basic facts about myself. I held my breath and began my online dating experience.

Seeking a LTR (friends first) with a kind, generous man who can make me laugh. Bonus points if you like the arts and can do more push-ups than me.

Me: 5’5″, 135 lbs, 2 grown children who live in LA.

Please no drugs or smoking. I only date in Colorado.