Happy Wednesday!

Keeping your focus and making small changes will get you there.

Happy Wednesday!

Why didnt' you tell me???

I ran The Rodeo Run put on by HLSR today. Its a 10k that I love, and it's for a great cause. I've run it several times; 15,000+ people getting their run on is just awesome to be a part of. Best part was I did it in under 57 minutes... which is really good for me.



In the corrall

Over the years, I've done a half marathon, lots of 10k's and 5k's and now I feel like a pro, but it certainly wasn't always that way. When you're first starting down the running path, you learn lots about running and yourself. What you find out about yourself, well, that's up to you. But there's lots about running that others can share. So here are some things that I wish I would have know about running when I started.

1. Running is hard, it's really hard.

But the results you get are amazing. You'll be so proud of yourself when you've accomplished whatever your goal is.

For the gals....

2. Get a good sports bra. They're a life saver.

I've tried all kinds and have a preference for the ones that provide the most support (think of full armour). When you shop for one, they should have a guide to tell you what the level of support is. I prefer Nike and Athleta brand. But you be the judge.

3. Pee, a lot, before you take off for a run

If you've had one or more kids.... You know why!


For the guys.... (don't worry, I asked my guy runner friend)

4. Wear the right underwear.

This is the guy equivalent of "get a good sports bra". Nothing sucks more than having all your precious parts.... be not so precious.

5. Take care of your nipples.

Cotton shirts have a tendency to rub you raw. So find a good technical fabric shirt for your runs.

Back to everyone....

6. Get good shoes.

I've tried them all. If you're just starting out, you may have bought yours from a major dept store. That's great and may work just fine for you. But as you get more into running you should check out a speciality running shoe store.  They generally have a captive audience, and those guys can evaluate the way you walk and help you pick a shoe that's built (on the inside) for you. Mizunos are my fave. I'm on my 6th pair. But get your feet assessed, and see if you're in the best shoe for you. You'll be amazed at how much it helps.

7. Eating crap food makes for crap runs

After my second kid showed up, I was carrying around 10-15 extra pounds that never seemed to leave. I was eating and drinking... a lot, and when I started running, it was really evident. We'd go out for Mexican food and I would try to run later in the day and just be ill. So I started eating better, which helped my running. Not that my pace set the world on fire (it still doesn't) but I felt less like throwing up and more like finding an extra mile.

8. The first mile is always the toughest, but its so worth it.

The sense of accomplishment, the "free therapy," and the bond you get with your other runner friends is amazing.

OK Runner Friends... What did I forget? Help our new runner friends out!

Happy Thursday!

 

Keep Working Hard! It will pay off. 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

Back on Track

I'm pretty sure it happens to everyone, especially me. Lately, my kid, work, and travel schedule have gotten the best of my workout and eating plan. I think I say this a lot. Seems like every time I turn around there's another distraction or something else to do. Or there's no way I'm going to eat right because I managed to run out of the house with out my lunch kit. (I take my own food just about everywhere)

I'm pretty good about making my fitness routine a priority. I've managed to find a way to occupy the kids for my 40 minute run. They are used to going to the gym for an hour a few times a week, but even these days it's been tough. I know my schedule is getting the best of me when I'm "core flabby".

Make time!

I measure my fitness level based on how strong my core is; not a number on a scale, or the inches around my waist, or what size my pants are. I've found over the years that measuring my health that way is not good for my body image (which has really suffered over the years).

Note: I have a whole separate rant on the body image issues we (meaning society) creates for women and how we constantly tell them that no matter what size they are - its not good enough. But that's for a different day.

So my challenge is how do I get back on track because everyone falls off the wagon occasionally. Like when trying to get your finances under control, you analyze where all your pennies go, I have analyzed how I spend my time each day. There's the things we have to do, want to do, need to do, and then the things that just eat up time that we have no clue about. (I seem to have a lot of that. I piddle more time away than I know what to do with.) I've decided to cut down on the last one.

I'm back to my pre-coffee morning workout routine. I decided that a round of pushups, sit ups, and kettlebell squats is needed before I get my coffee. (Granted, all this takes place before the kids are out of bed). But I have some other good, short workouts posted on Be Fit Forever board to help you either start your day, or finish it. Some weeks are good; some weeks are not so good, but it's about finding a reason to stay focused. Whatever your fitness metric, keep your eye on it.

Does this happen to you? What's your get back on track plan?

Happy Wednesday!

A dream without a plan is just a fantasy.

 

 

Happy Wednesday!

A runner in Zumba!

At my core, I am a runner and a yogi. I love everything about it. The workout I get; the way it sheds off my days, and that it's my therapy. But I promised to try new things and tell you about them, so off to ZUBMA I went.

This was the first class I've been to in a while where you just show up; you don't have to bring anything but yourself (in workout clothes/shoes, of course). It was nice to not have to carry yoga mats and resistance bands, or whatever else. Before class started, there were about 30 women and 1 man, and everyone was chatting and welcoming the new girl (me). Its like any other group fitness class I've done, you build a bond with the others that love your activity as much as you do.

Class started, and off I went to figure out what ZUMBA was. This instructor was Latin and played ALL salsa music. I salsa danced for an hour. Lets just say that I am not the best Salsa dancer. (omg I was so lost for a while.) But I eventually caught on.  And it was salsa... so there was definitely some shaking of all my parts going on. I'm going to guess that other instructors play different kinds of music, but that will take me trying another class to figure that out.

The instructor did a couple of warm up songs, and then got into the workout. She played them as songs, and at the end of each one you got a breather before the next one started. There were "micro-breaks" throughout the hour so you could get water or towel off. The music in this class was really a tool to help manage your workout, unlike yoga where the music is more of a distraction to take your mind off your muscles catching on fire.

The workout itself was fundamentally based on old school aerobics that has been moderized with dancing. If you have ever done Jazzercise or aerobics in the 1990s you know what you are getting yourself into. There was some old school moves mixed in with a lot of dancing.They have done a good job of updating it and making it fun and new. If you love dancing, you'll love this.

It's a great cardio workout with a little bit of toning. I was sweating pretty good at the end of class, and a good cardio workout can help melt off the pounds. I'm going to stick with running and yoga, but ZUMBA was fun.

Have you tried ZUMBA lately? What's your take?

Happy Wednesday!

Just keep going! Happy Wednesday!



 

 

 

How's your week?

Planning Your Way to Healthy

Its that time of year again when the cutest little girls show up on your doorstep and want you to buy Girl Scout cookies. And who can refuse them? So we buy... and buy A LOT! And then, of course, we must eat them... all! I say Girl Scout cookies because I'm the troop cookie mom and there's over 1000 boxes of cookies in my house this time of year, but it can be any kid/school fund raiser food.

Note: If you want to be supportive of a kid's activity, but don't want the calories, they are just as appreciative of donations. Whatever you would spend on the cookies, give that amount in a donation.

The mecca of football events is today.... Super Bowl Sunday.  We treat this as another major holiday to overindulge. All of the insanely rich, really good snacks everywhere. We all know I love Pinterest, and it is full of great Super Bowl Party food right now. It's just too hard to resist.

There are always plenty of "events" that get in the way of our plans to eat healthy and manage our diets. It seems like we are just getting past eating from the holidays, and now we're moving on to new "holidays". It's important to give yourself SOME indulgences, but in moderation. Complete deprivation doesn't make it sustainable.

You can manage it if you have a plan.

 

Here's my plan for days like today, and when I have events.

#1 rule is... Don't show up to any place hungry. I eat something small, healthy, and filling before I head to any event. Remember in high school when you would eat before going out on a date so you wouldn't stuff yourself in front of your date... do that again but for a different reason. (I know may be breaking the "girl code") If you're not starved when you get there, you won't be tempted to eat whatever is in front of you.

#2... If I'm not sure of the menu, I usually offer to bring something. It's helpful and normally welcomed by the host. This way, I can be sure there's at least 1 healthy option. Or I bring some Girl Scout cookies (or whatever you have) to share.

#3... squeeze in a work out. Today I'll spend an hour in yoga to make sure I get in some exercise. (plus I need it after my run yesterday) You can go for a walk/run, or find some time at the gym before all the pre-pre-pre game hype starts. (We all know it's going to be on all day.)

#4... Set limits and use self discipline. Make one plate; set a certain number of cookies for the day; whatever the limit is. Then I stick to it; mindless eating can get us all in trouble. Good thing about Girl Scout cookies is they freeze. I'm not tempted to over eat because they go bad, and I am sure the hostess has a plan for any leftover food.

There are plenty of ways to survive whatever "event" you have coming up. You just need to be aware, have a plan, and good execution. So that's my plan... What's yours?