Balance, Sweet Balance

This past Christmas I found myself at Dick's (Sporting Goods, that is) buying Bryan a North Face coat and some snow pants. When I was in line to pay I saw Power Balance bands; a lot of athletes wear them to improve overall balance. My step mom wears one because she's always up on what's hot, so I was aware of their existence. The boy working at Dick's said he thought it was all in one's head, and they probably don't work. I decided I was already spending enough money, and spending another $30 on something that might be a bunch of hooey wasn't such a smart move. So I left the Power Balance band on the rack and in the back of my head.

You may know that I have inner ear/balance issues. I've had to cut out lots of tasty things from my diet, and I was taking a water pill to help reduce the possibility of my inner ear holding excess water and causing the vertigo spells. Well, I stopped taking the water pill, but it makes me nervous if I let myself think about it. So when Bryan and I were out shopping this Monday, I decided to go back to Dick's (yes, still the sporting goods store) and buy a Power Balance band. I figured, it couldn't hurt, so might as well try it and hope for the best - the best being that my vertigo spells stay away and my overall balance improves.

I've been wearing my band for 4 days now, and believe it or not, this thing actually works. I can't really say for the vertigo bc I haven't had any for a while (knocking hard on big fat pieces of wood), but for my overall balance - totally improved. Small movements like turning around or going from lying down to standing or sitting don't give me little sways. I've been doing my exercise videos every night this week (that's a whole other post about my disappointment and disgust over my muffin top, and the positive thinking I have for the 2 bikinis I bought for the beach this summer) and going from the floor to standing doesn't take several seconds to adjust. No, I don't have any super human skills, but small differences are definitely noticeable! I'm super happy and excited about my Power Balance band, plus I totally look like an athlete with my rubber hologram wrist band...ha ha ha, I'm so hilarious :)

You might not have balance issues when you're just standing on two feet doing nothing or when you're doing your SHRED video like I do, but you still might like to try one. A few things to consider before buying:

• the mall supposedly has a kiosk with buy 2 for $30.
• Power Balance provides a money back guarantee with a receipt within 30 days if you do not notice any improvements, so I didn't really need to sweat the $30.
• They are a little cryptic on their website as to what a Power Balance band really is and does, but it does say each person will have different results.
• the website has all the colors and styles available (bracelets and necklaces)
• FAQs on the website too.

Today I am thankful for:

• the funny things Anna says!!!!
• Bryan made dinner for the 2nd night in a row!!!!!
• tomorrow is Friday!!!!!
• even though it rained all day, it was not snow!!!!!
• I only pack my lunch on Thursday nights. It's small, but less!!!!!
• proving to myself I could do my exercises all 4 nights this week despite fatigue, sinus headaches, and a mild cold (I know, I'm such a whiner)!!!!!
• exclamation points!!!!!

A few things that I've noticed...

1. I really enjoy my time with Anna now that I'm back to work. She is SO cute. Now when I read a book five times in a row it's so much more refreshing than 30 times in a row. I'm feeling tired after work, but I know that will get better. Work and family balance is key for me.

2. I mentioned how we are working on super-praise and happy faces for Anna's good choices. It's still in full swing, and it's forcing me to be a whoo-hoo girl. I will be a whoo-hoo girl if it helps my girl.

3. We went to the Woodland Art Fair yesterday. It was hot; I was sweating. All the art I like is ridiculously expensive. $1300 for some art to hang somewhere in my house? I just can't do that. I don't have it in me. I had $30 in my wallet. I think all I could afford was a funnel cake.

4. The attention span of 6 year olds after the summer is very low. I am struggling to keep the kids focused. I know this gets better, but it's so easy to forget.

Today I am thankful for:

• a grocery store outing by myself = very uneventful and low stress
• Bryan and I teamed together to clean up Anna's playroom. It's so much better when we work together.
• Hearing Anna say, "two dogs!" when she sees two dogs. Seriously cute.