The term starting over, to me, implies failure or having made a mistake. Like when you write a paper for school and the teacher says that is not good enough, now go back to your desk, erase that and start over. I choose not to start over and erase everything that I learned but to move from this point forward. Remembering what I learned and not erasing or glossing over it.
I spent the better part of the summer "playing" at running and allowing myself to fall out of my healthy routine and into a modified state of my old self. After running in my 2nd half marathon and (although I am proud to have finished) had a worse finish time than my first half marathon just a year ago I realized that my unhealthy lifestyle was having a negative impact on my performance and I was not going to allow that to happen again. But instead of "starting over" as I have done in the past...I am choosing to move forward!!
I am not forgetting all of the things I learned over the last 2-3 years (about both myself and healthy living), but I am applying what I have learned as I move in a forward motion.
I have said it before healthy is a lifestyle. It is not a diet or a once of year plan, it is about learning to make the right choice at least 90% of the time. No one is expected to live off fruits, vegies, and lean meat 100% of the time, but if you can make healthy choices at least 90% of the time....you can be "healthy". We all like the guilty pleasures of chocolate, ice cream, pies and cakes....and we can have them, WITH restraint. It is that restraint from sitting down and eating an entire bag of chips or cookies that gets me...If I open a bag then my brain says I should just eat the entire bag!! RIGHT?!?!haha...And we all laugh, but I really could and ashamingly did!!
So, as I challenge myself to move forward, my challenge to you (while I train for my next half marathon, cause I have to redeem myself) is don't let adversity, life challanges, or plain ole frustration get you down. Start making healthier choices for one meal, then two, then three and so on.....remembering that no one can maintain depriving themselves 100% of the time. You will be surprised what happens. You will start to feel better, maybe even a little lighter. As you feel better, then you can add on exercise remembering to make it something that you enjoy doing so that you will stick to it. And, when you begin exercising don't feel like you have to go all out.....as my favorite fitness guru says, "do your best and forget the rest"!!!
Don't keep starting over.....MOVE FORWARD!!
Until next time.....Isaiah 40:31!!!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
What to BLOG about?
I know it has been a while since I have blogged...and it is not because I have nothing to say...haha, but it is because I actually had been busy :0)
My story today is about a long-time friend of mine requested (a couple of months ago) that I start walking with her because she wanted to feel better and to lose weight. Little did she know I had more in mind that JUST walking!! hehe....
We did start out walking...but in two weeks I had her doing intervals of walking / running, AND we added weights, pushups, and squats into our routine! She has been amazing through it all, and has become such a blessing and an encouragement to me! She has improved her endurance and strength drastically over the past few months and I am so proud of what she has done!! I have so enjoyed being able to share with her my experiences and encourage her through the difficult times while at the same time, she has pushed and encouraged me as well!!. It is nice to know that others have been through the same things you have, such as; when you are frustrated and you feel like it's your first day running and not your 3rd month (or 2nd year)....when you hit that weight plateau and the scales will not budge.....when you wake up in the morning and have to MAKE yourself get up and go work out, and when you have to talk / coach yourself through an entire workout!!!
God has blessed us with time each week to workout, encourage each other, vent, talk about stupid stuff, laugh, sweat, and I think sometimes almost cry (due to the pain)...haha....and I thank Him for not only allowing me to "pay it forward" but to spend time with a great friend!!
If you want a blessing in your workout.....or in any area in your life for that matter....pay it forward....share with others what you learn and have been through, because while helping others....you get blessings in return!
My story today is about a long-time friend of mine requested (a couple of months ago) that I start walking with her because she wanted to feel better and to lose weight. Little did she know I had more in mind that JUST walking!! hehe....
We did start out walking...but in two weeks I had her doing intervals of walking / running, AND we added weights, pushups, and squats into our routine! She has been amazing through it all, and has become such a blessing and an encouragement to me! She has improved her endurance and strength drastically over the past few months and I am so proud of what she has done!! I have so enjoyed being able to share with her my experiences and encourage her through the difficult times while at the same time, she has pushed and encouraged me as well!!. It is nice to know that others have been through the same things you have, such as; when you are frustrated and you feel like it's your first day running and not your 3rd month (or 2nd year)....when you hit that weight plateau and the scales will not budge.....when you wake up in the morning and have to MAKE yourself get up and go work out, and when you have to talk / coach yourself through an entire workout!!!
God has blessed us with time each week to workout, encourage each other, vent, talk about stupid stuff, laugh, sweat, and I think sometimes almost cry (due to the pain)...haha....and I thank Him for not only allowing me to "pay it forward" but to spend time with a great friend!!
If you want a blessing in your workout.....or in any area in your life for that matter....pay it forward....share with others what you learn and have been through, because while helping others....you get blessings in return!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Inspiration
Inspiration......In looking up the definition for inspiration I found the following synonyms: encouragement, enthusiasm, motivation, and I thought about how those are all the things that I wanted to do for others when I started this blog about my journey.
When I began this journey, almost 2 years ago....my intention was totally selfish. I wanted to lose weight and become a more healthy person for ME. BUT, as I started on my journey, there were a few people that encouraged and motivated me along the way and it is through the encouragement that my focus changed. Although, it is MY journey...it is NOT about ME...it is truly about INSPIRING (encouraging, and enthusiastically motivating) others to become both healthy AND happy. It is not about being "high-school skinny" or about wearing a size 0....it IS about getting to a point within yourself that you FEEL healthy and you are happy with who you are....in your own skin! It is about being able to look at yourself in the mirror and be happy with what you see and the progresses you have made. THAT, my friends, is not size specific!!
I have been so blessed lately with stories of friends who have started their own journey's and thank God for using me to encourage and enthusiastically motivate others. Now the same people who tell me that sharing my journey has inspired them....have become inspirations to me!!
When I began this journey, almost 2 years ago....my intention was totally selfish. I wanted to lose weight and become a more healthy person for ME. BUT, as I started on my journey, there were a few people that encouraged and motivated me along the way and it is through the encouragement that my focus changed. Although, it is MY journey...it is NOT about ME...it is truly about INSPIRING (encouraging, and enthusiastically motivating) others to become both healthy AND happy. It is not about being "high-school skinny" or about wearing a size 0....it IS about getting to a point within yourself that you FEEL healthy and you are happy with who you are....in your own skin! It is about being able to look at yourself in the mirror and be happy with what you see and the progresses you have made. THAT, my friends, is not size specific!!
I have been so blessed lately with stories of friends who have started their own journey's and thank God for using me to encourage and enthusiastically motivate others. Now the same people who tell me that sharing my journey has inspired them....have become inspirations to me!!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Reality
This posting will be brief, but I think it is very important!
Whether you have been on a fitness / weightloss journey for a while or are just starting out, I think there are a few things that are essential to remember:
1. If you want consistent and permanent changes, you must committ to a lifestyle change and not just a "quick fix" solution. BELIEVE me when I say that, YES, you can do a quick fix diet and lose weight very quickly, but if you don't make the necessary lifestyle changes, you will (just as quickly) go back to your previous weight, or worse....heavier!! IT IS NOT EASY, but change never is...but it is so worth it in the end!!
2. You must make the choice everyday to commit to those changes AND recognize that if you "mess up" for a meal or a snack or even an entire day, you just move on passed it and recommit to make better choices for the rest of the day / week / month...etc. Don't beat yourself up for "mess ups", accept them and move forward! It is equally important that you allow yourself to have a "splurge" if you need to...if you don't, you will probably eat everything in your cabinets (plus what ever you can get your hands on) until you finally eat what you are craving. The key in splurging it to limit the amount and frequency of your splurge.
3. Exercise alone will not usually get you to your goal! Sure, it helps and will certainly improve your fitness level, but if you continue to make unhealthy food choices, you are going to have a difficult (if not impossible) time losing weight. There has to be a balance between the calories / fat you burn and the calories / fat you consume.
4. Making yourself accountable to someone (friend, family, facebook.....etc) will help you to stay on track AND will encourage you to stay focused. The more you surround yourself with supportive people, or those that depend on you to help them through the process, the more you will be encouraged to keep on keeping on!!
Whether you have been on a fitness / weightloss journey for a while or are just starting out, I think there are a few things that are essential to remember:
1. If you want consistent and permanent changes, you must committ to a lifestyle change and not just a "quick fix" solution. BELIEVE me when I say that, YES, you can do a quick fix diet and lose weight very quickly, but if you don't make the necessary lifestyle changes, you will (just as quickly) go back to your previous weight, or worse....heavier!! IT IS NOT EASY, but change never is...but it is so worth it in the end!!
2. You must make the choice everyday to commit to those changes AND recognize that if you "mess up" for a meal or a snack or even an entire day, you just move on passed it and recommit to make better choices for the rest of the day / week / month...etc. Don't beat yourself up for "mess ups", accept them and move forward! It is equally important that you allow yourself to have a "splurge" if you need to...if you don't, you will probably eat everything in your cabinets (plus what ever you can get your hands on) until you finally eat what you are craving. The key in splurging it to limit the amount and frequency of your splurge.
3. Exercise alone will not usually get you to your goal! Sure, it helps and will certainly improve your fitness level, but if you continue to make unhealthy food choices, you are going to have a difficult (if not impossible) time losing weight. There has to be a balance between the calories / fat you burn and the calories / fat you consume.
4. Making yourself accountable to someone (friend, family, facebook.....etc) will help you to stay on track AND will encourage you to stay focused. The more you surround yourself with supportive people, or those that depend on you to help them through the process, the more you will be encouraged to keep on keeping on!!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Greatest Joy = Paying It Forward
I think I have said from my first post in this blog, that I hoped one day to be able to "pay it forward" and help others who want to improve their overall health through fitness and exercise. Here is my first story related to paying it forward....hope to have many more as time goes on!!
I had the honor (about a month or so ago) of a friend of mine asking me to start walking with her a couple of times a week to help get her started in a workout / walking program. We began a 3 day / week training program that started out with walking and has progressed into a walk / run program. Little did we know that about 5 weeks later, she would enter and complete her first 5K!! I have to say that it was not only an honor to be asked to help someone out...but it was an even greater honor to see her push through aches, pains, sweating and the "I can'ts " that creap in, to beat her personal record in her first 5K.
When starting out, it would take her an hour to complete 2.9-3.2 miles with her best training 5k done in 53.36, and on last Saturday she completed her first "official" 5k in 50 minutes!! She has worked hard and been dedicated to consistent training and it paid off for her! I am so proud of her!!
I told Frank the other day that I was more excited after coaching her through the 5k than I was after beating my own personal record! What a joy it was to pay it forward and help someone to push through barriers and "I can'ts" and recognize how strong she really is....
We all have it in us...you just have to find that thing from within that gets you up and moving, be it a friend, by yourself, an exercise video, a team...what ever it is, you too can find it if you want to...then you too can hopefully experience the joy of knowing that you can push through things that you never thought possible. Then maybe you too can experience the joy of paying it forward.
The Big Finish!!
Our Team! Angie in front next to me....and she's still smiling!! :o)
I had the honor (about a month or so ago) of a friend of mine asking me to start walking with her a couple of times a week to help get her started in a workout / walking program. We began a 3 day / week training program that started out with walking and has progressed into a walk / run program. Little did we know that about 5 weeks later, she would enter and complete her first 5K!! I have to say that it was not only an honor to be asked to help someone out...but it was an even greater honor to see her push through aches, pains, sweating and the "I can'ts " that creap in, to beat her personal record in her first 5K.
When starting out, it would take her an hour to complete 2.9-3.2 miles with her best training 5k done in 53.36, and on last Saturday she completed her first "official" 5k in 50 minutes!! She has worked hard and been dedicated to consistent training and it paid off for her! I am so proud of her!!
I told Frank the other day that I was more excited after coaching her through the 5k than I was after beating my own personal record! What a joy it was to pay it forward and help someone to push through barriers and "I can'ts" and recognize how strong she really is....
We all have it in us...you just have to find that thing from within that gets you up and moving, be it a friend, by yourself, an exercise video, a team...what ever it is, you too can find it if you want to...then you too can hopefully experience the joy of knowing that you can push through things that you never thought possible. Then maybe you too can experience the joy of paying it forward.
The Big Finish!!
Our Team! Angie in front next to me....and she's still smiling!! :o)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Finding Balance in the Journey
Some might not "get" where I am coming from....but I have found that balance is such an important aspect in my life! It is through finding balance that I have been able to become better at more areas of life and become less frustrated from the sense of spinning my wheels! It is about knowing when to be still and when to be active and finding that balance between the two that gets me through life!!
It is quite obvious that God intended for us to not be sedintary. He purposefully gave us arms and legs so that we could move! Even in scripture, He tells us to be doers, take up the cross, exercise faith....and the list goes on!! But...with everyday life it seems difficult, at times, to get moving.
Then on the flip side the scripture also tells us to "be still"....hmmm.....so how do we find the balance between "being still" and "being doers"? I think that we each have to find that balance within ourselves!! You have to reach down deep inside and MAKE the time for both, because it is this balance and the peace that comes from it, that enables you to make it through the challenges of each day!! If you don't take the time to be still, you will not be rested and ready for doing....and if you don't engage in doing, then you will not build up strength to endure or be clear minded enough to truly rest and be still.
An overly sedintary lifestyle creates tiredness, ailments, obesity, anxiety and can create complacency in your life. While being overly obsessed with movement creates being over stimulated, exhaustion, and less time for being "still". Neither of these should become a single primary focus, but it our responsibility to find the balance between the two.
For example, start by taking 10 minutes in the morning (or evening...whatever your preference) to be still, read scripture, pray, meditate, read a devotional and then take another 10 minutes to do cardio, walk, stretch, or any kind of movement, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel in as little as one week!! As you realize how much better your day / week goes, you will start to find more time (even in small increments) where you can increase movement and even will learn how to combine quiet time with your movement!!
I sometimes even combine my "quite time" with my "moving time"....how you ask?? I quit using my headphones while running (because I spent so much time and energy trying to get them to stay in my ears that I became distracted and frustrated) and started really looking and listening to Gods creations, quoting scripture to get me motivated, listening to my breathing as it comes into rhythm with my running, focusing on relaxing and releasing the stressors of the day!!
So, I encourage you to take time this week to be still and to be moving!! Then let me know in a week or two what a difference it has made in your life!! I think you will soon find, that the more balance you have in your life, the more time you will find to help create that balance through quiet time and movement....
It is quite obvious that God intended for us to not be sedintary. He purposefully gave us arms and legs so that we could move! Even in scripture, He tells us to be doers, take up the cross, exercise faith....and the list goes on!! But...with everyday life it seems difficult, at times, to get moving.
Then on the flip side the scripture also tells us to "be still"....hmmm.....so how do we find the balance between "being still" and "being doers"? I think that we each have to find that balance within ourselves!! You have to reach down deep inside and MAKE the time for both, because it is this balance and the peace that comes from it, that enables you to make it through the challenges of each day!! If you don't take the time to be still, you will not be rested and ready for doing....and if you don't engage in doing, then you will not build up strength to endure or be clear minded enough to truly rest and be still.
An overly sedintary lifestyle creates tiredness, ailments, obesity, anxiety and can create complacency in your life. While being overly obsessed with movement creates being over stimulated, exhaustion, and less time for being "still". Neither of these should become a single primary focus, but it our responsibility to find the balance between the two.
For example, start by taking 10 minutes in the morning (or evening...whatever your preference) to be still, read scripture, pray, meditate, read a devotional and then take another 10 minutes to do cardio, walk, stretch, or any kind of movement, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel in as little as one week!! As you realize how much better your day / week goes, you will start to find more time (even in small increments) where you can increase movement and even will learn how to combine quiet time with your movement!!
I sometimes even combine my "quite time" with my "moving time"....how you ask?? I quit using my headphones while running (because I spent so much time and energy trying to get them to stay in my ears that I became distracted and frustrated) and started really looking and listening to Gods creations, quoting scripture to get me motivated, listening to my breathing as it comes into rhythm with my running, focusing on relaxing and releasing the stressors of the day!!
So, I encourage you to take time this week to be still and to be moving!! Then let me know in a week or two what a difference it has made in your life!! I think you will soon find, that the more balance you have in your life, the more time you will find to help create that balance through quiet time and movement....
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Addicted to Food / Control
I have come to the conclusion that I am addicted to food!!! :0) who knew!!??!!
I have learned I eat just to have something to do, at times....it is not always about being hungry, but about having something to do or even just eating something because it is in the house. When I eat, it is not always because my body needs it but because I am using my ability to eat what I want /when I want as a way of having a weird sense of control over something. I eat what I want, when I want.... What is that all about??
So what to do now that I have admitted that I have a problem?? Here is my plan:
1. Devotion: Not only does this word mean that I am going to devote my time to determine why I eat when I eat, but I am renewing my devotion time with God. I started my day today with reading scripture and here is what I found...(I don't think God was originally talking specifically about being tempted with food....but it spoke to me, and it fits for me). James 1: 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation.....vs 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He Himself tempt anyone. vs 14: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. What did I learn: God does not tempt me with food, it is my desires that cause the temptations....I will grow and become a better person for resisting the temptations. It is my desire for control that leads me to eat when I am not hungry and to make unhealthy choices! WOW....
2. Journal: I am going to start journaling my eating. Not just about what I eat, but why I am eating it! I will also celebrate the times I choose to do something other than eat!! My hope is that I will learn to eat to live and not to live to eat!!
3. Continue: I will continue to share my story / journey in hopes that it will encourage / motivate / inspire others. It is through journaling and sharing my story, that I have learned many things about myself and I hope that others have / can learn through my experiences. I want this journey to have a positive end result on me AND on others!!
4. Learn : I want to learn to not only make healthy choices, but to be able to eat things I enjoy, in limited amounts. I currently don't know how to make myself stop....when I am eating something "bad". I have not figured out how to eat one cookie or one serving of any kind of "treat". If I don't want to STOP eating then I don't.....because I want to be in control. Someone says I need to eat 1/4 cup then I am gonna eat 1/2 cup because I can...:0) I know what I should / should not eat, but my desires outweigh my knowledge and the "control" factor takes over!! It is control in reverse...I don't have "self control" to limit what / how much I eat, but I take "control" and eat as much as I WANT to eat!!
I hope, if you have had challenges with being addicted to food or the control you feel by over eating...I hope that you will share your stories here!! It is my hope that we all can help each other learn, overcome, and grow through the journey!! I know this is not going to be an easy journey for me, but my hope is to learn, grow (mentally not physically, haha), and help others.
I have learned I eat just to have something to do, at times....it is not always about being hungry, but about having something to do or even just eating something because it is in the house. When I eat, it is not always because my body needs it but because I am using my ability to eat what I want /when I want as a way of having a weird sense of control over something. I eat what I want, when I want.... What is that all about??
So what to do now that I have admitted that I have a problem?? Here is my plan:
1. Devotion: Not only does this word mean that I am going to devote my time to determine why I eat when I eat, but I am renewing my devotion time with God. I started my day today with reading scripture and here is what I found...(I don't think God was originally talking specifically about being tempted with food....but it spoke to me, and it fits for me). James 1: 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation.....vs 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He Himself tempt anyone. vs 14: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. What did I learn: God does not tempt me with food, it is my desires that cause the temptations....I will grow and become a better person for resisting the temptations. It is my desire for control that leads me to eat when I am not hungry and to make unhealthy choices! WOW....
2. Journal: I am going to start journaling my eating. Not just about what I eat, but why I am eating it! I will also celebrate the times I choose to do something other than eat!! My hope is that I will learn to eat to live and not to live to eat!!
3. Continue: I will continue to share my story / journey in hopes that it will encourage / motivate / inspire others. It is through journaling and sharing my story, that I have learned many things about myself and I hope that others have / can learn through my experiences. I want this journey to have a positive end result on me AND on others!!
4. Learn : I want to learn to not only make healthy choices, but to be able to eat things I enjoy, in limited amounts. I currently don't know how to make myself stop....when I am eating something "bad". I have not figured out how to eat one cookie or one serving of any kind of "treat". If I don't want to STOP eating then I don't.....because I want to be in control. Someone says I need to eat 1/4 cup then I am gonna eat 1/2 cup because I can...:0) I know what I should / should not eat, but my desires outweigh my knowledge and the "control" factor takes over!! It is control in reverse...I don't have "self control" to limit what / how much I eat, but I take "control" and eat as much as I WANT to eat!!
I hope, if you have had challenges with being addicted to food or the control you feel by over eating...I hope that you will share your stories here!! It is my hope that we all can help each other learn, overcome, and grow through the journey!! I know this is not going to be an easy journey for me, but my hope is to learn, grow (mentally not physically, haha), and help others.
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