In the last few days, I have felt so blessed to watch my hard work begin to spread out across my family. One of the main reasons I am doing this (besides to avoid expensive therapy bills) is to provide a good example for my children regarding living an active lifestyle. My joy and moderate success is beginning to spread across our family members - and that is by far my greatest reward.
First, last night we were checking out a new bike shop close to our house. The owner asked my 5 year old daughter how her summer vacation was going and what she was planning to do. She started by talking about her sports camp we were headed to after our brief shopping visit. Then, she told him she is doing a triathlon this weekend (she is doing a kid's tri after my race). But, what also just shocked me is she explained to him "Mommy is the first one to do a triathlon, she did one already and now I want to do one!" He responded, "wow, you are pretty proud of your mom, huh?" and she responded "Yeah, that is why I want to do one." My heart melted just a bit at that point.
My two year old is also picking stuff up as we go. The other day she was standing before me in a strange pose reaching down to her toe. I asked her what she was doing and she replied "stretching, mama, like you!" Loved it! She also has been focused on eating better to grow strong. I like that approach!
Then, today, my husband is all excited because he found the bike he wants. He wants the same version of my bike (just the men's version) so that we can ride together, even if just occasionally. I am so excited. He has some strange misconception however that he will "smoke" me on a ride. I will let him have that for now, reality will be harsh once he gets out there (can't WAIT to introduce him to the 28 mile course I rode on Sunday - hills and all!)
So, therein lies my joy these days - my hard work is rubbing off on my family and I hope and pray it continues so we can enjoy a family active lifestyle together. I KNOW many of my readers have been doing the same hard work and enlisting their families to join and support them - please share your experiences of how your hard work has set a great example for your family - I think it can be motivational for everyone!
Showing posts with label Motivation Limit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motivation Limit. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
New (Half) Year Resolutions!
Do you know what Friday is? It is July 1, 2011, the official start to the second half of the year! It got me thinking (what doesn't these days as I try to shun the vision of my bike crash on that one left turn.....oh, once again, I digress). I typically don't do New Year Resolutions. Well, not publicly anyway. Frankly, I think all too often we put too much emphasis on them, but I do, in my head, usually have some goals. But I have been thinking ahead already to the off season and what I would like to do to make sure I don't lose my training gains and can have an even better season next year. Plus, I have a half marathon to train for in May next year! Setting out my goals for the remainder of 2011 has had a much sunnier outlook than when I did them this past January. I think perhaps considering New (Half) Year Resolutions when it comes to health and fitness has some serious potential. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Everyone won't be asking you how you are doing on your New Year Resolutions unless you tell them you made New (Half) Year Resolutions! (Until this blog post rockets through the universe, right?)
2. If you are inclined to join a gym, many gyms have great deals on summer enrollment because their numbers decrease during the summer.
3. Facilities you may use will be less crowded. With the nice weather and vacations, etc, many facilities are much less crowded during the summer. So whether you are self conscious or just prefer to not wait for a machine, a swim lane, or potentially get bumped from a class at the gym, you will find much less crowding during the summer!
4. Daylight is on your side. First, the extra hours of daylight and sun always tend to give me more energy. And, if you are like me, you may want to do a run or a swim with daylight and warmer temps. Early morning workouts or late evening workouts are much easier during the summer!
5. Nutritionally, fun and exciting fruits and vegetables are much more readily available and cheaper during the summer. One of my goals is to "eat the rainbow" more consistently. What better time to find readily available fruits and vegetables, with increased variety, than during their optimal growing season! My guess is you find some choices you would not consider (or even find) during the winter. If you find something in particular you can not live without during the winter months, you can freeze, can, etc the item to have all year long at the best prices and highest quality!
6. Summer time allows you to find your bliss. The type of activities available to try during the summer - walking, running, biking, swimming, team sports, etc - are much easier to find during the nicer weather. Start sampling now and I bet you find your "must have" activity before the weather turns!
7. By the time the winter blahs roll around, you will be so entrenched in your new routine it will be a habit and something you just HAVE to continue to complete your day. Let's face it, when the alarm goes off on a cold, rainy (or even snowy) winter day at 5 am for a workout, it sure is hard to force yourself out of your nice warm bed. But by that time, if you start now, I suspect you will find you appreciate or even look forward to that time for yourself and it will be much easier to get it done.
7. Your Holiday 5 (you know, that 5 or even more pounds you put on during the holidays) will be much easier to avoid if you set up good habits NOW!
So, share YOUR New (Half) Year Resolution! What's in it for you, you ask? (well, besides a goal you can work towards?) How about a BONUS ENTRY into our Giveaway! If you have already entered our Giveaway, and comment here with a New (Half) Year Resolution, you will get an additional bonus entry! I will add all the separate comments here to the end of the comments on the Giveaway to assign it a number for our random drawing.
AND, PLEASE NOTE on the Giveaway page, each separate comment is only ONE entry. That is the best way for me to make it random with a random number generator, so if you posted all the WONDERFUL things you did in one comment, try to go back and separate each action into a separate comment so I can give you credit for all the entries you obtained. I will also email commenters separately to have them do that so they get the credit they deserve. I will be clearer next time to avoid such confusion!
1. Everyone won't be asking you how you are doing on your New Year Resolutions unless you tell them you made New (Half) Year Resolutions! (Until this blog post rockets through the universe, right?)
2. If you are inclined to join a gym, many gyms have great deals on summer enrollment because their numbers decrease during the summer.
3. Facilities you may use will be less crowded. With the nice weather and vacations, etc, many facilities are much less crowded during the summer. So whether you are self conscious or just prefer to not wait for a machine, a swim lane, or potentially get bumped from a class at the gym, you will find much less crowding during the summer!
4. Daylight is on your side. First, the extra hours of daylight and sun always tend to give me more energy. And, if you are like me, you may want to do a run or a swim with daylight and warmer temps. Early morning workouts or late evening workouts are much easier during the summer!
5. Nutritionally, fun and exciting fruits and vegetables are much more readily available and cheaper during the summer. One of my goals is to "eat the rainbow" more consistently. What better time to find readily available fruits and vegetables, with increased variety, than during their optimal growing season! My guess is you find some choices you would not consider (or even find) during the winter. If you find something in particular you can not live without during the winter months, you can freeze, can, etc the item to have all year long at the best prices and highest quality!
6. Summer time allows you to find your bliss. The type of activities available to try during the summer - walking, running, biking, swimming, team sports, etc - are much easier to find during the nicer weather. Start sampling now and I bet you find your "must have" activity before the weather turns!
7. By the time the winter blahs roll around, you will be so entrenched in your new routine it will be a habit and something you just HAVE to continue to complete your day. Let's face it, when the alarm goes off on a cold, rainy (or even snowy) winter day at 5 am for a workout, it sure is hard to force yourself out of your nice warm bed. But by that time, if you start now, I suspect you will find you appreciate or even look forward to that time for yourself and it will be much easier to get it done.
7. Your Holiday 5 (you know, that 5 or even more pounds you put on during the holidays) will be much easier to avoid if you set up good habits NOW!
So, share YOUR New (Half) Year Resolution! What's in it for you, you ask? (well, besides a goal you can work towards?) How about a BONUS ENTRY into our Giveaway! If you have already entered our Giveaway, and comment here with a New (Half) Year Resolution, you will get an additional bonus entry! I will add all the separate comments here to the end of the comments on the Giveaway to assign it a number for our random drawing.
AND, PLEASE NOTE on the Giveaway page, each separate comment is only ONE entry. That is the best way for me to make it random with a random number generator, so if you posted all the WONDERFUL things you did in one comment, try to go back and separate each action into a separate comment so I can give you credit for all the entries you obtained. I will also email commenters separately to have them do that so they get the credit they deserve. I will be clearer next time to avoid such confusion!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
A Look Back at Where I Have Been - It is NOT Pretty
I have been doing a lot of reflecting these past few days trying to convince myself I have come a long way and am ready for this weekend. It was interesting/scary/outright terrifying to really take a hard look at where I have been in roughly the last 15 years.
I went from 150something pounds, less than 10% body fat, a size 6/8, training 3-4 hours a day (yeah, single, no kids!) and feeling like my body could handle almost anything that came my way (except for perhaps those 26.2 miles of a marathon!) to, at my heaviest, 225 lbs (ouch, I actually WROTE that), Lord knows HOW much body fat, a size 16/18, aching feet and knees even when I got up in the morning from carrying all that weight, not being able to hoist myself up on a wave runner when fell off (that had to be one of the MOST humiliating moments of my life), depressed and introverted. It was at this time that I sat in a reproductive endocrinologist's office hearing her say "You know, if you just lost some weight, you might just get pregnant." I got angry, I was humiliated, I thought to myself "I have PCOS you B***ch, that is why I am fat, that is why I can't have a baby!" And, that night, I just cried. Looking back, it was partially the PCOS, it was the fertility meds, but is also was just such a deep hatred of all that was going on and of myself that led to a whole host of poor choices that manifested itself in my obesity (WOW, I just WROTE THAT!) and poor health (and don't forget self-loathing). There are so many things I can look back at and say "hmmmm, that was an issue" or "that was seriously a poor habit/choice." Those individual items are all posts on their own, and will be forthcoming.
But that Dr's words haunted me. I joined WeightWatchers at work and lost 22 lbs. And, suddenly, I found myself pregnant with my first little girl. I don't think it was purely a function of weight, but I do think it was one of the factors. I gained 60 pounds with my pregnancy. But once she was born, I focused on providing a healthy home for her. We were active (not training type active, but "family" type active), we ate right because, well, what I ate fed her through breast milk. And, surprisingly, by her first birthday, I was 12 pounds under where I started my pregnancy. By the time she was 18 months old, I was down to 160-something pounds. And, truly, it was all from a lifestyle change - not intensive training. That was 4 years ago.
In the last three to four years, my weight has gone up and down with two more pregnancies. But each time, for the most part, I have returned to the same lifestyle I had developed as a result of caring about my child's eating habits, and, for the most part, I have been able to control my weight within ten pounds.
I started training briefly after my second daughter turned one year old, saw some results, but quickly became pregnant with my son. Again, I picked up training when he was about 5 months old. Today I am down to 160-something pounds, verging on the 150's. I am once again a size 8. And, I FEEL good. But really, my training makes me feel great and strong, but is not the reason for my weight loss - in fact, I am gaining a bit as I gain muscle mass. The key has been lifestyle changes. Portion control, quality of food, looking at food as a fuel rather than a social event, controlling alcohol intake, cooking, and having a "family active" lifestyle. These elements are all the things I hope to share! All in good time, one post at a time.
For whatever reason, I felt it was time for me to put this out there. I know I talk a lot about my triathlon training - that is MY thing. It just IS. But that is not what this is all about - you don't need to do a Tri. [but if you want to learn more about it, bring on the questions, because YOU CAN do a Tri, just ask - and just believe it!]. But I want to share what I have learned, what I have seen, what I have suffered through and enjoyed, hoping that I can inspire others to have that "family active" lifestyles. Frankly, training for an event can come and go, but your healthy "family active" lifestyle is forever.
So, in short, I confess: all of the above. Thoughts and comments are more than welcome.
(WOW, I can't believe I just WROTE all THAT!)
I went from 150something pounds, less than 10% body fat, a size 6/8, training 3-4 hours a day (yeah, single, no kids!) and feeling like my body could handle almost anything that came my way (except for perhaps those 26.2 miles of a marathon!) to, at my heaviest, 225 lbs (ouch, I actually WROTE that), Lord knows HOW much body fat, a size 16/18, aching feet and knees even when I got up in the morning from carrying all that weight, not being able to hoist myself up on a wave runner when fell off (that had to be one of the MOST humiliating moments of my life), depressed and introverted. It was at this time that I sat in a reproductive endocrinologist's office hearing her say "You know, if you just lost some weight, you might just get pregnant." I got angry, I was humiliated, I thought to myself "I have PCOS you B***ch, that is why I am fat, that is why I can't have a baby!" And, that night, I just cried. Looking back, it was partially the PCOS, it was the fertility meds, but is also was just such a deep hatred of all that was going on and of myself that led to a whole host of poor choices that manifested itself in my obesity (WOW, I just WROTE THAT!) and poor health (and don't forget self-loathing). There are so many things I can look back at and say "hmmmm, that was an issue" or "that was seriously a poor habit/choice." Those individual items are all posts on their own, and will be forthcoming.
But that Dr's words haunted me. I joined WeightWatchers at work and lost 22 lbs. And, suddenly, I found myself pregnant with my first little girl. I don't think it was purely a function of weight, but I do think it was one of the factors. I gained 60 pounds with my pregnancy. But once she was born, I focused on providing a healthy home for her. We were active (not training type active, but "family" type active), we ate right because, well, what I ate fed her through breast milk. And, surprisingly, by her first birthday, I was 12 pounds under where I started my pregnancy. By the time she was 18 months old, I was down to 160-something pounds. And, truly, it was all from a lifestyle change - not intensive training. That was 4 years ago.
In the last three to four years, my weight has gone up and down with two more pregnancies. But each time, for the most part, I have returned to the same lifestyle I had developed as a result of caring about my child's eating habits, and, for the most part, I have been able to control my weight within ten pounds.
I started training briefly after my second daughter turned one year old, saw some results, but quickly became pregnant with my son. Again, I picked up training when he was about 5 months old. Today I am down to 160-something pounds, verging on the 150's. I am once again a size 8. And, I FEEL good. But really, my training makes me feel great and strong, but is not the reason for my weight loss - in fact, I am gaining a bit as I gain muscle mass. The key has been lifestyle changes. Portion control, quality of food, looking at food as a fuel rather than a social event, controlling alcohol intake, cooking, and having a "family active" lifestyle. These elements are all the things I hope to share! All in good time, one post at a time.
For whatever reason, I felt it was time for me to put this out there. I know I talk a lot about my triathlon training - that is MY thing. It just IS. But that is not what this is all about - you don't need to do a Tri. [but if you want to learn more about it, bring on the questions, because YOU CAN do a Tri, just ask - and just believe it!]. But I want to share what I have learned, what I have seen, what I have suffered through and enjoyed, hoping that I can inspire others to have that "family active" lifestyles. Frankly, training for an event can come and go, but your healthy "family active" lifestyle is forever.
So, in short, I confess: all of the above. Thoughts and comments are more than welcome.
(WOW, I can't believe I just WROTE all THAT!)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The 5K Run: A Universal Motivator!
I now call a 5K run a universal motivator. Why? Well, it is simple - it is a motivator for so many people from varied backgrounds and at varied training levels, and, in my experience, one never regrets whatever 5K event they particpate in. Here is why I reached this conclusion:
1. Anyone can do this event. Seriously, 5Ks are generally low key, stroller and pet friendly, and a lot of people WALK. Now, you need to check all this out when you see an event you are interested in and if it doesn't fit for you, I am willing to bet you can find another 5K event that same day in your area that is a fit for you! Walk, run, or walk/run and you are moving - every step counts and it is a great start to becoming more active or even, gulp, a runner!
2. If you want to train to run a 5K there are lots of FREE options! First, if you have tennis shoes in a reasonably good condition, some pants you can move in, and a road/field/sidewalk/whatever you can train for a 5K. I know people who train for 5K's at the mall, in their neighborhood, at a lakeside trail, or strictly on a treadmill where NO ONE can see them! You can also search for training plans that take you from the couch to a 5K in small baby steps. Google "Couch to 5K" and you will find hundreds of free plans. One free plan I found and like is this free plan at Beginnertriathlete.com. Are you a tech junkie? I know people doing a Couch to 5K training program (C25K) on their iphones and ipods, and probably a million other tech gadgets I don't own. Googling "C25K podcast" or "C25K android" produced results, but I can't speak as to their value. As I understand it the program will run while you listen to music and will tell you when to run and when to walk over a specified period of time taking you through workouts that incorporate longer and longer bursts of running over a series of weeks until you are running the whole thing (or almost the whole thing). I wish I had an iphone or ipod! And then I wish I had the time to learn how to use it!
3. 5K events are often and cheap! Registering for a 5K is really inexpensive compared to other events. Many events are twenty dollars or less, or are available by fundraising for a particular charity. And, 5K events, at least in my area, are available (in multiples) EVERY weekend! If you need help finding an event, you can just search on 5K and your town, or look on sites that are used for registering for such events like Active.com. You can also look in your local paper, browse the bulletin board at your local sports equipment stores, or just ask someone at your gym. Many running oriented sports retailers have free fun runs on the weekends as well. One such store in my neighborhood is Roadrunner Sports.
4. Even if you are training for or running longer events or multisport events, a 5K event mixes up training and adds race day elements to your training. By adding a 5K event into your training, you can find race day motivation to push harder and just have FUN, which can be sometimes hard to do as you push toward increased endurance levels. Furthermore, during rest weeks or taper weeks in your training they can add some spice when you are frustrated by having to hold yourself back. I was talking last night with an individual who was on a taper week in preparation for this weekend's Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene. He was antsy to race and antsy about his taper week of training, but grinned as he said he PR'd his 5K this week. Even at his level of training a 5K was a fun and motivational element in his taper week. Furthermore, if you are struggling to reach a new pace level, like I am, running with others in a 5K race can allow you to mentally mark that higher pace for yourself so you can implement that pace in your training.
So, if you are looking to begin a more active lifestyle, but just need that one thing to help you take that first step, whether it be walking or running, I challenge you to look into a 5K event! Or, step back from your focus on longer events and spice up your training with a 5K event and you may add a new PR of your own! And, if you are so inclined, tell me about it here and keep me posted on how it all works out!
ALSO, if you are using a C25K app, as I know a few of my readers are, and can offer your review of the app, please share your views and recommendations in a comment or via email so I can share them on the blog!
And just a reminder, tomorrow I will fill everyone in on how my search for my perfect running shoe transpired and whether I fell off the treadmill at the store!
1. Anyone can do this event. Seriously, 5Ks are generally low key, stroller and pet friendly, and a lot of people WALK. Now, you need to check all this out when you see an event you are interested in and if it doesn't fit for you, I am willing to bet you can find another 5K event that same day in your area that is a fit for you! Walk, run, or walk/run and you are moving - every step counts and it is a great start to becoming more active or even, gulp, a runner!
2. If you want to train to run a 5K there are lots of FREE options! First, if you have tennis shoes in a reasonably good condition, some pants you can move in, and a road/field/sidewalk/whatever you can train for a 5K. I know people who train for 5K's at the mall, in their neighborhood, at a lakeside trail, or strictly on a treadmill where NO ONE can see them! You can also search for training plans that take you from the couch to a 5K in small baby steps. Google "Couch to 5K" and you will find hundreds of free plans. One free plan I found and like is this free plan at Beginnertriathlete.com. Are you a tech junkie? I know people doing a Couch to 5K training program (C25K) on their iphones and ipods, and probably a million other tech gadgets I don't own. Googling "C25K podcast" or "C25K android" produced results, but I can't speak as to their value. As I understand it the program will run while you listen to music and will tell you when to run and when to walk over a specified period of time taking you through workouts that incorporate longer and longer bursts of running over a series of weeks until you are running the whole thing (or almost the whole thing). I wish I had an iphone or ipod! And then I wish I had the time to learn how to use it!
3. 5K events are often and cheap! Registering for a 5K is really inexpensive compared to other events. Many events are twenty dollars or less, or are available by fundraising for a particular charity. And, 5K events, at least in my area, are available (in multiples) EVERY weekend! If you need help finding an event, you can just search on 5K and your town, or look on sites that are used for registering for such events like Active.com. You can also look in your local paper, browse the bulletin board at your local sports equipment stores, or just ask someone at your gym. Many running oriented sports retailers have free fun runs on the weekends as well. One such store in my neighborhood is Roadrunner Sports.
4. Even if you are training for or running longer events or multisport events, a 5K event mixes up training and adds race day elements to your training. By adding a 5K event into your training, you can find race day motivation to push harder and just have FUN, which can be sometimes hard to do as you push toward increased endurance levels. Furthermore, during rest weeks or taper weeks in your training they can add some spice when you are frustrated by having to hold yourself back. I was talking last night with an individual who was on a taper week in preparation for this weekend's Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene. He was antsy to race and antsy about his taper week of training, but grinned as he said he PR'd his 5K this week. Even at his level of training a 5K was a fun and motivational element in his taper week. Furthermore, if you are struggling to reach a new pace level, like I am, running with others in a 5K race can allow you to mentally mark that higher pace for yourself so you can implement that pace in your training.
So, if you are looking to begin a more active lifestyle, but just need that one thing to help you take that first step, whether it be walking or running, I challenge you to look into a 5K event! Or, step back from your focus on longer events and spice up your training with a 5K event and you may add a new PR of your own! And, if you are so inclined, tell me about it here and keep me posted on how it all works out!
ALSO, if you are using a C25K app, as I know a few of my readers are, and can offer your review of the app, please share your views and recommendations in a comment or via email so I can share them on the blog!
And just a reminder, tomorrow I will fill everyone in on how my search for my perfect running shoe transpired and whether I fell off the treadmill at the store!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Turning It Around and The Things They Say
I am the queen of negative self-speak - meaning most things I think in my head about myself are negative. I always take the glass half full approach in evaluating myself. It is not healthy, and has been something I have struggled with my whole life. It can, and often does, sabotage my goals. So, in an effort to not do that, I am practicing a little "turn it around." I am going to post some of it here to get it out there and keep myself accountable. I would love to hear some of my readers do the same in comments below! Turn it around is to actually write out (or say) that negative thought and turn it into a positive one. When I do that I can usually turn the negative attitude or thought into something that motivates me onward toward my goals.
1. My training is taking away time from my family and that makes me a bad parent. Turning it around: Yes, I do lose some time with my family, but the positive impacts have been enormous and measurable. For example, my oldest daughter, now 5, wants to do a kids triathlon this year. My youngest daughter, now 2.5 years, sat down next to me while I was stretching for my run last weekend. After coming out of my stretch I look over and she is doing the exact same stretch as I was doing, and correctly I might add. Children learn by example, and what a great example I can provide. And, I am much more patient, happy, and available to my children when I am with them when I feel energized and mentally rested from a good workout.
2. I didn't plan my summer/season well enough and now am left with a gap and lack of motivation to carry me through to my first race. Turning it around: I planned my summer conservatively and with a respect for my time and physical abilities at the time I sat down to plan. I have actually exceeded the limited expectations I had for myself and now may be able to throw in an early race. I should be proud of working so hard to do so and look for the best way to adjust the season to get it done!
3. I STILL haven't broken the 30 minute mark on the 5K and probably never will at this rate. Turning it around: I have come a long way for this non-runner. And, I am soooooo close to breaking that time and just need to keep working at it. My form and endurance on a run (read: my joint pain) is so much better and I actually almost like it now. By my first race I am sure I will be there, if not well below there. And, I have no where to go but faster, right?
So, those are the top three for me today - the list is long, but I will leave it there. Anyone care to join me? I would love to hear you all "turn it around." It is a fun exercise really, and hopefully will become a habit for me so I stop sabotaging myself!
AND - another one of my favorite things: The things they say! By that I mean the things my kids say, which usually crack me up. Here I will pretty much keep this to the subject of this blog, or else I could spend hours writing out all the incredibly insightful, and hilarious, things my two oldest kids say!
Anyway, I told my oldest daughter I was going to train again for a race this year. She complains "awwwww" as she hugs my thigh - "then you won't be squishy anymore!" I just busted out laughing. I promised her that I would probably remain somewhat "squishy." I mean I AM 40! Anyway, it just made me laugh. (of course I was also thinking "SERIOUSLY? I have somehow been blessed to get 15 lbs UNDER where I was when I got pregnant in less than 7 months and she calls me 'SQUISHY'?") Gotta love the kiddos! Feel free to share some of your little ones' insights!
1. My training is taking away time from my family and that makes me a bad parent. Turning it around: Yes, I do lose some time with my family, but the positive impacts have been enormous and measurable. For example, my oldest daughter, now 5, wants to do a kids triathlon this year. My youngest daughter, now 2.5 years, sat down next to me while I was stretching for my run last weekend. After coming out of my stretch I look over and she is doing the exact same stretch as I was doing, and correctly I might add. Children learn by example, and what a great example I can provide. And, I am much more patient, happy, and available to my children when I am with them when I feel energized and mentally rested from a good workout.
2. I didn't plan my summer/season well enough and now am left with a gap and lack of motivation to carry me through to my first race. Turning it around: I planned my summer conservatively and with a respect for my time and physical abilities at the time I sat down to plan. I have actually exceeded the limited expectations I had for myself and now may be able to throw in an early race. I should be proud of working so hard to do so and look for the best way to adjust the season to get it done!
3. I STILL haven't broken the 30 minute mark on the 5K and probably never will at this rate. Turning it around: I have come a long way for this non-runner. And, I am soooooo close to breaking that time and just need to keep working at it. My form and endurance on a run (read: my joint pain) is so much better and I actually almost like it now. By my first race I am sure I will be there, if not well below there. And, I have no where to go but faster, right?
So, those are the top three for me today - the list is long, but I will leave it there. Anyone care to join me? I would love to hear you all "turn it around." It is a fun exercise really, and hopefully will become a habit for me so I stop sabotaging myself!
AND - another one of my favorite things: The things they say! By that I mean the things my kids say, which usually crack me up. Here I will pretty much keep this to the subject of this blog, or else I could spend hours writing out all the incredibly insightful, and hilarious, things my two oldest kids say!
Anyway, I told my oldest daughter I was going to train again for a race this year. She complains "awwwww" as she hugs my thigh - "then you won't be squishy anymore!" I just busted out laughing. I promised her that I would probably remain somewhat "squishy." I mean I AM 40! Anyway, it just made me laugh. (of course I was also thinking "SERIOUSLY? I have somehow been blessed to get 15 lbs UNDER where I was when I got pregnant in less than 7 months and she calls me 'SQUISHY'?") Gotta love the kiddos! Feel free to share some of your little ones' insights!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Power of a Uniform!
As some may remember, I joined a Triathlon team in 2010 but two months in I found out I was expecting my third child. Well, to make a long story short, I joined again this year. Being part of that network has been so inspiring and led to some great opportunities to learn, workout, and just break out of my shell with regard to training. It has been the best decision I could have made, for my personality, for training for multisport races. The goals I have through this team keep me going and keep me accountable. Being part of a team is priceless for me.
Well, my uniform arrived today. My wonderful husband was kind enough to send me a picture at work to keep me motivated, and I can't tell you how excited I am and how proud I will be to wear it. Here it is in all its glory:
Maybe I will have enough courage to get a picture of me in it to post as well (I am still working on coming out of that shell!)
For local readers who are interested in joining a fun group of people interested in multisport, check out Raise the Bar!
Well, my uniform arrived today. My wonderful husband was kind enough to send me a picture at work to keep me motivated, and I can't tell you how excited I am and how proud I will be to wear it. Here it is in all its glory:
Maybe I will have enough courage to get a picture of me in it to post as well (I am still working on coming out of that shell!)
For local readers who are interested in joining a fun group of people interested in multisport, check out Raise the Bar!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
I'm BAAAAAACK!
Happy New Year Everyone! I am ramping up to more substantive posts now that I have had my little boy (born October 29, 2010 weighing in at 10lbs 2 oz and 22.5 inches long!). I wanted to make everyone aware of some deals I saw this past week! First, Costco had a whole host of Jillian Michaels fitness dvds for 7.99. I picked up the 30 Day Shred and 6 Week Ab DVD. I like Jillian Michaels and LOVE the fact that her workouts are 20 - 30 minutes long so they are easy to fit in.
Second, in the Northwest, Fred Meyer had some really nice hand weights (coated with handles) on sale this past week. I suspect nationally you can find similar sales in the new year. Investing in some cheap handweights will allow you to expand your workouts at home for cheap. Of course, you can also use soup cans, canned fruit, etc, as handweights for almost free if you keep a stocked pantry! I just decided to splurge on some weights with little handles that are easier to manage!
I look forward to catching up this New Year as I once again begin my journey from the Glider Rocker to the Finish Line!
So, in the spirit of finding more excellent exercise DVDs - what are your favorite DVDs?
One other idea: Have a weekly or bi-weekly workout girls' hour - get together with friends and try out each other's exercise videos - we all have them, and joining in with friends and making it a social event will cause us to actually USE them! And, maybe share a healthy recipe as a post workout snack!
Second, in the Northwest, Fred Meyer had some really nice hand weights (coated with handles) on sale this past week. I suspect nationally you can find similar sales in the new year. Investing in some cheap handweights will allow you to expand your workouts at home for cheap. Of course, you can also use soup cans, canned fruit, etc, as handweights for almost free if you keep a stocked pantry! I just decided to splurge on some weights with little handles that are easier to manage!
I look forward to catching up this New Year as I once again begin my journey from the Glider Rocker to the Finish Line!
So, in the spirit of finding more excellent exercise DVDs - what are your favorite DVDs?
One other idea: Have a weekly or bi-weekly workout girls' hour - get together with friends and try out each other's exercise videos - we all have them, and joining in with friends and making it a social event will cause us to actually USE them! And, maybe share a healthy recipe as a post workout snack!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Where did YOU go for lunch today?
I know some of you are cringing at that question because perhaps your answer was "I hit the drivethrough on my way to run an errand during my lunch hour!" Or maybe your answer is "What lunch? I had two screaming kids wanting to be fed and I ate cold spaghetti out of the fridge in between serving them!" Hey, it happens right?
I had an exceptional lunch today. I am allowed an hour for lunch. I don't always take an hour because I can shave off time at the beginning or end of my day by working through lunch, and sometimes that is necessary to care for my two children. But today I ran the emergency stairwell in my building for 20 minutes (and, my quads don't like me very much right now!). I can't do this every day, but every day I can is definitely ONE STEP (or several steps) in the right direction. It is hard to find the time to workout, but if you think about it, I just made the time. I brought my lunch (and many healthy snacks, but I will describe what works for me on eating at a later time). I ate a healthy light snack about an hour before my "lunch." Then I exercised, and followed that with a more substantial lunch. In just roughly 40 minutes I exceeded my Time Limit AND my Money Limit. The Time Limit is fairly straight forward - I fit in exercise, but instead of heading out to lunch, I also used the time I would take to go and get that lunch (drive time) and turned it into quality exercise time.
I also saved a TON of money. I typically, if I went out to lunch, would spend anywhere from $5 - $7 on a lunch. If I make lunch and bring it from home I typically spend $2-$4. So, I save anywhere from $1-$5 a day by bringing lunch. Do that one time a week and you save roughly $4-$20 a month. Or even $52 to $260 a year! Do that two times a week and you save $104 to $520 a year! And so on, you can do the math. the numbers are staggering. I almost NEVER go out to lunch, so I figure I save over $1000 a year! And, when you bring your lunch, YOU control what you eat. Furthermore, my workout was FREE! I didn't need to go to a gym to hit the stairs in my building, both saving on a gym membership fee AND gas money!
Now if you don't work during the day and typically don't hit the drive through on a regular basis, your savings will obviously be less. But planning a healthy lunch for yourself at the beginning of the day, maybe before the kids get up, to fit in between the "I want" and "I need" from your kids can help you be sure you are fueling yourself as well as you fuel your kids. And, if the weather permits, maybe you can all go for a walk AFTER lunch. I know my pre-schooler has a hard time sitting still long enough to eat a meal - but when I promise a walk if she eats a good lunch, well, it is amazing what that motivation can do!
So, what is a healthy lunch? I hope to bring you more ideas on that this week, but don't let that Knowledge Limit hold you back, I am sure you have some basic ideas of your own you can draw upon. So, where are YOU going for lunch TOMORROW? Leave a comment if you wish, it will help you feel motivated to do something other than the drive through if you post it for yourself, and others, to read! (Hey, that is exceeding that Motivation Limit too!)
For now, my lunch break is over!
I had an exceptional lunch today. I am allowed an hour for lunch. I don't always take an hour because I can shave off time at the beginning or end of my day by working through lunch, and sometimes that is necessary to care for my two children. But today I ran the emergency stairwell in my building for 20 minutes (and, my quads don't like me very much right now!). I can't do this every day, but every day I can is definitely ONE STEP (or several steps) in the right direction. It is hard to find the time to workout, but if you think about it, I just made the time. I brought my lunch (and many healthy snacks, but I will describe what works for me on eating at a later time). I ate a healthy light snack about an hour before my "lunch." Then I exercised, and followed that with a more substantial lunch. In just roughly 40 minutes I exceeded my Time Limit AND my Money Limit. The Time Limit is fairly straight forward - I fit in exercise, but instead of heading out to lunch, I also used the time I would take to go and get that lunch (drive time) and turned it into quality exercise time.
I also saved a TON of money. I typically, if I went out to lunch, would spend anywhere from $5 - $7 on a lunch. If I make lunch and bring it from home I typically spend $2-$4. So, I save anywhere from $1-$5 a day by bringing lunch. Do that one time a week and you save roughly $4-$20 a month. Or even $52 to $260 a year! Do that two times a week and you save $104 to $520 a year! And so on, you can do the math. the numbers are staggering. I almost NEVER go out to lunch, so I figure I save over $1000 a year! And, when you bring your lunch, YOU control what you eat. Furthermore, my workout was FREE! I didn't need to go to a gym to hit the stairs in my building, both saving on a gym membership fee AND gas money!
Now if you don't work during the day and typically don't hit the drive through on a regular basis, your savings will obviously be less. But planning a healthy lunch for yourself at the beginning of the day, maybe before the kids get up, to fit in between the "I want" and "I need" from your kids can help you be sure you are fueling yourself as well as you fuel your kids. And, if the weather permits, maybe you can all go for a walk AFTER lunch. I know my pre-schooler has a hard time sitting still long enough to eat a meal - but when I promise a walk if she eats a good lunch, well, it is amazing what that motivation can do!
So, what is a healthy lunch? I hope to bring you more ideas on that this week, but don't let that Knowledge Limit hold you back, I am sure you have some basic ideas of your own you can draw upon. So, where are YOU going for lunch TOMORROW? Leave a comment if you wish, it will help you feel motivated to do something other than the drive through if you post it for yourself, and others, to read! (Hey, that is exceeding that Motivation Limit too!)
For now, my lunch break is over!
Monday, February 8, 2010
For the LOVE of Chocolate!
Did you know that eating a 1.5 oz bar of dark chocolate over the course of a week is about the right amount to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease -1/3 for women and ¼ for men? I knew there was something good about chocolate.....now to master the 1.5 oz bar part! (Source: GNC's living well magazine, Well Bella, you can read the premiere issue here!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
What are your LIMITS?
Frequently what stops me from succeeding at a goal are what I like to think of as my Limits. I don't mean my physical limits, but the more practical, mostly mental, Limits that allow me have excuses or allow me to rationalize why I didn't take that first step towards success. We all have them, and they are very personal. But at the same time, I have found them to be very common, in a general sense, to every person. You can't move forward until you recognize what has held you where you are for however long you have been stationary in that one place. My theme has become "Exceed your Limits, one step at a time and one day at a time!" I want to start by sharing my Limits, and ask that you share yours.
1. Time. I am a mom of two kids under 5. I also work full time. My time is limited for finding time to work out, time to plan meals, time to think about choices (whether it be food, type of workout, or just how to spend the little time I have that is not accounted for by kids or work).
2. Money. Let's face it, times have changed for almost all Americans. I am no exception. Gone are the days of reckless spending. Gone are the days of not worrying about where the money will come from for next week's groceries, next month's mortgage, or that random purchase of some luxury item, big or small. Gone are the days of purchasing something without a small thought of whether your paycheck will be deposited next month. Now, I plan every purchase, from food to clothes, to the occasional fitness gear purchase, to a penny. I use coupons, I read money saving blogs, and, I forego a lot of things or find perhaps a less expensive, and usually a compromise in quality, alternative.
3. Motivation. This is always an issue. Sometimes it is about being selfish, because I can usually find a reason to avoid taking that first step because it takes away time or effort from my children, from my job, from managing the family finances, from whatever someone else needs from me. Other times it is just a plain inability to realize that even one little step (e.g. going for a walk even if it isn't a 5K run) is a step in the right direction. Motivation is also inextricably linked to accountability for me. If I am not accountable for taking those steps, day by day, to someone other than myself, I can rationalize letting myself down (perhaps another Limit is self respect?). I need to be accountable.
4. Confidence. This is perhaps, for me, where my current physical limitations factor in the most. I can't run 8 miles on a group run, so, I don't go. I am SLOW.....so I am embarrassed to let others see how slow I am. When I can overcome my own lack of confidence, though, and actually SHOW UP I find it was NOTHING to be worried about. There is usually someone I can maintain with, and even if there isn't, pushing to do what I can usually reveals I can do a lot more than I thought! It is a daily struggle, one step at a time, one day at a time.
5. Knowledge. Sometimes I examine my choices and I just don't know enough about each choice to make an informed decision. For example, I need to get out on my bike to train. I want to explore purchasing a used bike since my current bike is really undersized. I am paralyzed because I don't know where to start. I struggled and struggled, and actually avoided the issue because, well, I just didn't know how to even take the first step. I then had the opportunity to speak to a bike rep recently who, in 15 minutes, answered some questions and sent me in the right direction. I don't have a new bike, but just knowing the direction I want to head, has moved me past paralyzed and has me looking forward to getting out there on my current bike until I can find what I want (of course, I still need to exceed my money limitation, but that is the next step!)
It is from these Limits that this blog was born. I have learned many ways of dealing with these Limits that I believe, if shared with others, will be helpful to promote success in healthy living for others and, honestly, our children. I can predict that every post on this blog will somehow be related to how I exceed my Limits that I shared above. This blog is, itself, a way I deal with a Limit. By sharing and putting a burden on myself to share and help others with the same struggles in everyday life, I have added motivation to keep me moving forward and accountability to fuel that motivation. In addition, if we share money saving ideas, we can all exceed the Money Limit. I plan to share healthy deals on this blog either from my readers or from my own research.
So, here is where YOU come in. I need to know YOUR Limits. Why, you ask? I truly do want this to be a resource for my readers, not a personal story of my journey. Everyone has different Limits and I want to know yours so I can perhaps add to our collective community Limits and become a resource for exceeding Limits that perhaps are not on my main list.
So, Welcome! And Please Join In- leave a comment with your Limits and briefly describe them so I can see what Limits you, my readers, are facing. This is an open invitation to leave these comments at any time, it is an ongoing process. Not able to exceed the Confidence Limit yet and post a public comment, email me at brickstrainingmomma@gmail.com. I can't wait to hear from you and learn more about what Limits you will exceed, one step at a time one day at a time!
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