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Orangetheory LIVE

woman lies on an exercise mat doing a workout and there's a small dog sitting on her chest

Jan 11 2021

I enjoy orange. Pumpkin pie, ginger cats, sunsets, and my favourite, orange splats! I’ve been an Orangetheory Fitness enthusiast since 2016. I wrote a bit about that “journey” HERE. Right up until the first lockdown here in Ontario, I was OTFing four times a week. When the gym re-opened I was desperate to return, but my daughter’s underlying medical conditions put her at risk of Covid complications. My girlie comes first. Always. So I committed to working out at home. At first I was one of those “I’m totally gonna glow-up!” people. I was up for all the Tiktok challenges. I started running. I ordered a yoga swing (Yes, that’s what it’s for!!). I tried the Orangetheory fitness At Home videos. I vowed to move my body every day. But then one day I just stopped. I don’t even know why. I just lost all motivation. I’m certainly not beating myself up about that. These are stressful days. But sometime around October I decided enough was enough. Enough junk food. Enough wine-o-clocks. Enough pretending that perimenopause “made me do it.” I started seeing a holistic nutritionist who opened my eyes. And shut my chip scarfing mouth. I’m kidding. But she definitely[…]

boy on his knees on backyard skating rink shooting a puck

Jan 03 2021

We wanted our kids to learn to skate. I mean, can you even call yourself Canadian if you can’t glide on “blade boots?” For several years we constructed a practise rink in our backyard. Sadly, that ended after what will now forever be known as, “The Great Thaw and Neighbour’s Yard Flood” of 2012. Our son enjoyed the rink while it lasted (though mostly on his knees which will make sense as you read on). His little sister longed to join him on the ice. However, teaching her to skate wasn’t a priority. We needed to get her walking without falling down all the time first. She tried skating for the first time with a local organization called ErinOakKids in their skating program for kids with disabilities. I wrote about that HERE. Let’s just say, skating with Avery aka “Spaghetti Legs” had its challenges. My husband didn’t skate as a child. He taught himself just a decade ago. He won’t win any medals, but he’s decent considering he learned so late in the game. Avery’s older brother never excelled on the ice either. But it wasn’t from lack of trying. We signed him up for lessons when he was four[…]

Dec 11 2020

The hashtag #disabilityawareness is a curious one. I mean, if you have a disability or love someone who does, you are well aware. But alas, making others aware is the point of such social campaigns. You might think you understand what it’s like living with an intellectual or physical disability. But, unless it’s your reality, you don’t know. Not truly. Last week was the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” It’s a day, primarily on the internet, created as a means to celebrate differences and to educate about life with disabilities. It’s also an opportunity to discuss what it means to be ableist. As the parent of a child with a disability, I’m learning to embrace the words disability and disabled. I’m of the “special needs mom” generation. But, it turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks. Yes, I referred to myself as an old dog in this scenario. Avery’s class honoured the day by each sharing a bit about their particular disabilities. Here is what my daughter proudly shared. While you’re here, I wrote this a few years ago about why disabilities are not “special needs.”

Nov 28 2020

I’m all for holiday magic, but I’m also a fan of practicality. So I guess I’m looking for some practical magic this year. And I don’t mean the 1998 film starring Nicole Kidman. My daughter put a hover board, roller skates, a caster board, and a “big” bike on her wish list. What’s up with this kid’s obsession with wheels?? As much as I’d love to give her anything she asks for, my priority is to keep her out of the ER. So, I’ve had to think outside the gift box this year (this weird online-shopping-because-of-a-freaking-pandemic, year) to come up with holiday gifts that are maybe not as fun as being on wheels, but enjoyable (and practical and accessible) nonetheless. Before diving into this list of ‘practical magic’ gift ideas please note… If the item was gifted to me by a brand, I’ll state that in the description. For some gifts I’ve included an affiliate link to the item on Amazon—where you can check the price, get more details, and most importantly READ THE PRODUCT REVIEWS. I never buy anything online these days without checking reviews first. HOWEVER, if you can find the item or something similar from a local[…]

Oct 19 2020

She didn’t always dance or sing. Until now. She dances and sings with joy. And very recently, with some self-awareness driven modesty.

Orangetheory LIVE

Awful Skater, Awesome Brother

Disability Awareness

Practical Magic—Holiday Gifts For All

Modesty—A Milestone