Glued To The Beijing Olympics

I have been pretty hooked to the Olympics this year.  Being an Atlanta native, I remember being 13-years-old when the games came to my hometown.  It was a pretty sweet experience (sans the bombing).  I went to see Rowing,  Basketball, Baseball and Volleyball.  I still have my Olympic tickets in my bedroom back home.  I wasn’t really that into the games when they were in Athens, minus watching part of the Opening Ceremony and thinking to myself, “Wow.  Athens is really, really old.  I want to go there!”  And then I turned on Family Guy.  But I don’t know what’s changed – this year, with the games further away than they’ve been since Atlanta, I am totally into it.

I watched every second of the Opening Ceremony with my grandma and made a healthy, low-fat, whole wheat pizza for us to share.  I think this is the sum of all cuteness.  And since then, I have been glued to my TV every night (Thank God for my ability to TIVO Project Runway) watching Swimming, Diving, Gymnastics, Beach Volleyball, Rowing, etc.  You name it.  It’s on Prime Time.  And I’m there.

I really think there’s some correlation between my weight loss (down 64-pounds!) and my tenacity in watching these games.  For one, I have found within myself the ability to succeed at something I have been trying to succeed at my whole life.  Much like, these athletes have been training for this moment their entire lives.

Also, I love seeing how my body is changing with my weight loss.  Both on a physical and mental level.  Yeah, there’s the hair loss when I shower and my soft belly (Read Previous Blog), but there’s also my ability to push myself harder when I exercise now.  Today, I gave myself one of the hardest workouts I think I’ve had.  I did a walk/jog around Piedmont Park but I made myself jog more than I usually do.  And I ran up and down the steps in the park, and there are 50 of them.  Which means I ran up and down 100 steps.  Then I did some yoga stretches in the grass.  Then I walked/jogged back home.  And did I mention it’s super hot and humid today?  So, I just see that my body is starting to be able to do more than it used to.  And I am excited to see how far it can go.  A Marathon?  Yes!  By the time I’m 30-years-old!  A Triathlon?  One day…I’d love to see how far I can push myself.

So, the Olympics for me are kind of a way to live vicariously through these athletes.  To watch them pushing themselves harder, faster, stronger and saying to myself, “Yes.  I can do that, too.”  Maybe I won’t beat the world record in swimming or do a double twist and 3 flips off a bar, (and who says I haven’t tried!) but I will remain competative with myself and show my mind and body what its capable of.

I saw this moment live and it was so awesome! Look at his muscles...holy cow batman!

In addition, these athletes have the most amazing bodies I have ever seen.  I just love to see how the body can sculpt itself into a machine.  And I am curious to see as I lose weight and then tone, how my body will be able to sculpt itself.  If you really look at Michael Phelps’ body or Dana Torres (who is 41-years-old!) you’re like, “Holy Cow!  That physique is INCREDIBLE!”  It’s just pretty cool!

Well, I am on my way out the door.  Heading to Los Angeles tomorrow to see my sister who is 8-months-pregnant.  Another example of how amazing the human body is!  I CAN’T WAIT TO BE AN AUNT!!!

FUN FACT!  I JUST REALIZED THAT THIS IS MY 64TH POST AND I HAVE LOST 64 POUNDS!  THAT’S A BLOG-A-POUND, HAHA.  HAS MICHAEL PHELPS WRITTEN A BLOG FOR EVERY LITTLE GOLD MEDAL HE’S WON?  I THINK NOT.  WHO IS HOT NOW?