Have you ever tried anchovies? Before last week I'd only heard of them being served on pizza and had never been brave enough to try them. It seemed as if they were either something that people loved or hated and I honestly couldn't think of anyone who loved them!
The latest issue of SELF Magazine has an article entitled The Pasta Lover's Diet with six guilt-free recipes. They all looked yummy, but the one that caught my eye was Rigatoni with Roasted Broccoli and Chickpeas. I love chickpeas! The high-fiber beans were highlighted as the star of the recipe. I decided to give this recipe a try; however, I was completely caught off-guard when I started to add the list of ingredients to my shopping list:
1 can (2 oz) anchovies packed in oil, chopped, oil reserved
What?? Anchovies??? Ewwwwww! I debated making the recipe without the anchovies, but after some thought decided to jump in with both feet. I always tell JJ and Ellie that you can't say you don't like something if you've never tried it. It was time to Walk the Walk and not just Talk the Talk. Bring on the anchovies!
RIGATONI WITH ROASTED BROCCOLI AND CHICKPEAS
Ingredients:
1 can (2 oz) anchovies packed in oil, chopped, oil reserved
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can (15.5 oz) chickpeas (liquid reserved), rinsed and drained
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 lb broccoli, cut into small florets
1/2 lb whole-wheat rigatoni
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, saute anchovies with oil and garlic until anchovies dissolve and garlic browns. Add chickpea liquid and bouillon to anchovies; cook, stirring, until bouillon dissolves. Pour anchovy mixture into roasting pan; add chickpeas and broccoli; stir to coat. Roast 20 minutes. Cook rigatoni as directed on package until al dente. Drain rigatoni, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Add pasta to chickpea-broccoli mixture; roast until pasta is completely cooked, adding reserved liquid a little at a time and stirring to reach desired consistency, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let sit 5 minutes; serve topped with Romano.
Serves 4. 450 calories, 7 g fat (2g saturated), 77 g carbs, 13 g fiber, 25 g protein
This pasta dish is SOOOO good! The recipe was fairly simple to make. I ended up putting the veggies in a roasting dish that wasn't big enough to hold the pasta, too. Instead of dirtying another dish, I added the veggies to the pasta on the stove and completed cooking it there rather than putting it in the oven. As it states in the directions, the anchovies dissolve as you cook them so it didn't really even feel like I was eating them! My family wouldn't have known either except for the smell that filled the kitchen (though my children are in that hormonal dramatic stage so their reaction was a tad exaggerated!).
Not interested in giving the anchovies a try? No problem! Ironically, my sister found this recipe at the same time and decided to try it, too. We were talking about these fabulous new recipes we had tried and discovered that we both tried the same one. Guess what? She left out the anchovies! Even without them, she enjoyed the dish as much as I did.
Anchovies or not, this is a healthy yummy pasta recipe. If you've never made anything with anchovies, I encourage you to experiment and give them a try!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
40 Days . . . Make That 38 Days . . . OK - I'm Shooting for 36!
Sometimes we have great ideas, great intentions of starting something, or great hopes of making a change, but then everyday life gets in the way. We unexpectedly have to work late. One of our children gets sick. The pile of homework brought home resembles Mt. Everest. Whatever "it" is, time runs out and our plans are shoved aside. The old me would have thrown my hands up and with a huff of frustration saying, "There goes those plans out the window! Just FORGET it!" The new me looks at those situations and says, "OK, it didn't work out today. What does tomorrow look like?" Sometimes I have to look at tomorrow and the next tomorrow and the NEXT tomorrow, but the RIGHT tomorrow often comes and when the time is right I'm ready to jump in. That's exactly what has happened with my plans for Lent this year.
Though I have never participated in the practice of giving something up for Lent, I fell in love with an idea that I read about in Guidepost Magazine (http://www.guideposts.org/inspirational-stories/inspired-give-instead-of-giving-up) - 40 Days of Kindness. Lent is about sacrifice. Sacrifice doesn't always mean denying ourselves of something. Sacrifice can be taking something that we have and giving it away - whether it's our time, our smile, our things . . . you get the idea. Plus, there are MULTIPLE health benefits to doing good deeds such as relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, improving school performance, reducing chronic pain and more! The website www.randomactsofkindness.org has a ton of information and a TON of ideas about good deed doing. 40 Days of Good Deeds - This seemed like the PERFECT project for The Jenkins Family!
The night before the first day of Lent seemed like the perfect time for me to introduce this new project. I selected one of my journals from my collection of blank journals (It's a bad habit - I can't pass a beautiful or colorful or sweet leather-smelling journal without buying it! I already have enough to capture a lifetime of words and ideas, but I just can't stop myself from buying more!) for us to record our Good Deeds every evening. I couldn't wait to see what ideas my family came up with of ways to give to others! Tuesday arrived - I and was ready to share the idea with my family over dinner and kick-start our Good Deed Adventure on the first day of Lent.
That's when the obstacles starting rolling my way. Stomach Flu. Piano lessons running late. A Work day that would not end. I'm picturing the final obstacle course on the TV show Wipeout when contestants are climbing up the ramp and large logs start rolling down toward them. They either jump over them or get knocked into the freezing water below. Needless to say, it's Saturday morning and the fourth day of Lent. I've been knocked off course the last four nights, but I keep climbing up the ladder and facing the next log rolling my way. I'm convinced that today is the day when I will get to share my idea with my family and we can kick-off our 40 . . . 36 Days of Good Deeds!
There are two things that I hope you take away from reading about this experience of mine:
1) If you have an idea, a hope, a dream, an inspiration and an obstacle throws you off course, DON"T GIVE UP! Try again tomorrow. And if need be - the next tomorrow or the next tomorrow! Trust me, the right tomorrow will come. Two quotes that I love about perseverance:
Happy Good Deed Doing!
Though I have never participated in the practice of giving something up for Lent, I fell in love with an idea that I read about in Guidepost Magazine (http://www.guideposts.org/inspirational-stories/inspired-give-instead-of-giving-up) - 40 Days of Kindness. Lent is about sacrifice. Sacrifice doesn't always mean denying ourselves of something. Sacrifice can be taking something that we have and giving it away - whether it's our time, our smile, our things . . . you get the idea. Plus, there are MULTIPLE health benefits to doing good deeds such as relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, improving school performance, reducing chronic pain and more! The website www.randomactsofkindness.org has a ton of information and a TON of ideas about good deed doing. 40 Days of Good Deeds - This seemed like the PERFECT project for The Jenkins Family!
The night before the first day of Lent seemed like the perfect time for me to introduce this new project. I selected one of my journals from my collection of blank journals (It's a bad habit - I can't pass a beautiful or colorful or sweet leather-smelling journal without buying it! I already have enough to capture a lifetime of words and ideas, but I just can't stop myself from buying more!) for us to record our Good Deeds every evening. I couldn't wait to see what ideas my family came up with of ways to give to others! Tuesday arrived - I and was ready to share the idea with my family over dinner and kick-start our Good Deed Adventure on the first day of Lent.
That's when the obstacles starting rolling my way. Stomach Flu. Piano lessons running late. A Work day that would not end. I'm picturing the final obstacle course on the TV show Wipeout when contestants are climbing up the ramp and large logs start rolling down toward them. They either jump over them or get knocked into the freezing water below. Needless to say, it's Saturday morning and the fourth day of Lent. I've been knocked off course the last four nights, but I keep climbing up the ladder and facing the next log rolling my way. I'm convinced that today is the day when I will get to share my idea with my family and we can kick-off our 40 . . . 36 Days of Good Deeds!
There are two things that I hope you take away from reading about this experience of mine:
1) If you have an idea, a hope, a dream, an inspiration and an obstacle throws you off course, DON"T GIVE UP! Try again tomorrow. And if need be - the next tomorrow or the next tomorrow! Trust me, the right tomorrow will come. Two quotes that I love about perseverance:
Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. - Thomas Edison
When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”- Author Unknown
2) If you are feeling stressed out, over-whelmed or know that you need to do something to kick-start your Health Journey, I invite you to join me on this 36 Days of Good Deeds Adventure. I obviously don't know the outcome, but I have a feeling that it's going to be AMAZING! If 36 seems like too much, start with seven or even one! I'll keep you posted on our Adventure. Let me know if you start your own.Happy Good Deed Doing!
Monday, February 20, 2012
My Favorite Heart Healthy Breakfast
Last week one of my residents (I work in a Senior Citizen Apartment building.) brought me the latest issue of Taste of Home Magazine. He recently had a heart attack and purchased the magazine after seeing "Eat Your Heart Healthy" printed across the top. As we reviewed the heart healthy recipes together one of them caught my eye - Brown Sugar & Banana Oatmeal. One word . . . YUM!!! I made it for my dinner that night and it's so simple to make that I've eaten it for breakfast every day since. If you are a fan of oatmeal, you have to try this!
Brown Sugar & Banana Oatmeal
1 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 large ripe banana, sliced
Combine the milk and oatmeal. Microwave for 2-1/2 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and banana.
215 calories, 2g fat, 3mg cholesterol, 71 mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 10g protein
February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the #1 killer among women. Prior to starting my Fitness Journey I was living with many of the risk factors associated with heart disease - high blood pressure, overweight, being physically inactive, and family history. One in four women will die from heart disease - I didn't want that to be me. I don't want that to be you. Check out www.thehearttruth.gov for more information about heart disease and what you can do to prevent it. And while you read it - enjoy a bowl of heart healthy oatmeal!
Brown Sugar & Banana Oatmeal
1 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 large ripe banana, sliced
Combine the milk and oatmeal. Microwave for 2-1/2 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, honey, cinnamon and banana.
215 calories, 2g fat, 3mg cholesterol, 71 mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 10g protein
February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the #1 killer among women. Prior to starting my Fitness Journey I was living with many of the risk factors associated with heart disease - high blood pressure, overweight, being physically inactive, and family history. One in four women will die from heart disease - I didn't want that to be me. I don't want that to be you. Check out www.thehearttruth.gov for more information about heart disease and what you can do to prevent it. And while you read it - enjoy a bowl of heart healthy oatmeal!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Dessert with Breakfast???
My drive into work today started out as a torturous one! The residents of the apartment building where I am a social worker had asked me to pick up donuts to go with our morning coffee. So as I sat in Pittsburgh's nasty Parkway East traffic, I was stuck in a car filled with the amazing aroma of fresh baked donuts. The one cup of bran flakes with skim milk I had had for breakfast was not helping me fight the desire to pull over, throw the lid off the top box and just devour those donuts.
Then the DJ shared a health tip that he had recently heard - Individuals trying to lose weight who had dessert with their breakfast lost more weight than those who did not. WHAT?!? The rationale actually did make sense to me. 1) Eating the dessert in the morning gave you the entire day to burn off the extra calories vs. eating dessert after dinner. 2) Eating dessert in the morning helped to satisfy one's sweet tooth rather than fighting the sweet tooth all day before eventually giving in to the craving and eating way more sweets than you should.
I decided to put this tip to the test (after all - as my fellow Pittsburghers would all agree - Bubba from the 100.7FM morning show is a very reliable source!). Earlier today I sat down with my residents and slowly ate a fluffy vanilla cake donut covered with chocolate frosting and pink sprinkles. MMmmmmm . . . It was SO good! I purposely savored every single bite.
Here we are several hours later after a day that included the Food Bank bringing several full-size sheet cakes from Sam Club in their monthly delivery, multiple trips past the vending machine and an extremely late lunch. I truly have not been tempted once. When I see the cakes or the vending machines I automatically think back to the donut I enjoyed earlier rather than fighting with myself about sneaking a bite or getting a snack. On a day that would normally be filled with cravings, I haven't had a single one!
I'll report back to let you know how the rest of my day goes, but so far so good! I give this health tip a thumbs up!
Then the DJ shared a health tip that he had recently heard - Individuals trying to lose weight who had dessert with their breakfast lost more weight than those who did not. WHAT?!? The rationale actually did make sense to me. 1) Eating the dessert in the morning gave you the entire day to burn off the extra calories vs. eating dessert after dinner. 2) Eating dessert in the morning helped to satisfy one's sweet tooth rather than fighting the sweet tooth all day before eventually giving in to the craving and eating way more sweets than you should.
I decided to put this tip to the test (after all - as my fellow Pittsburghers would all agree - Bubba from the 100.7FM morning show is a very reliable source!). Earlier today I sat down with my residents and slowly ate a fluffy vanilla cake donut covered with chocolate frosting and pink sprinkles. MMmmmmm . . . It was SO good! I purposely savored every single bite.
Here we are several hours later after a day that included the Food Bank bringing several full-size sheet cakes from Sam Club in their monthly delivery, multiple trips past the vending machine and an extremely late lunch. I truly have not been tempted once. When I see the cakes or the vending machines I automatically think back to the donut I enjoyed earlier rather than fighting with myself about sneaking a bite or getting a snack. On a day that would normally be filled with cravings, I haven't had a single one!
I'll report back to let you know how the rest of my day goes, but so far so good! I give this health tip a thumbs up!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Master of Mom Guilt
When I first started adding exercise to my daily routine, I was worried about taking time away from my family. I had to work, make dinner, help the kids with their homework, spend time with my kids, spend time with my husband, clean, do laundry, pack lunches, pay the bills, grocery shop . . . and exercise??? How was that going to work? I had so little time with my family as it was that I couldn't imaging squeezing in one more thing. The simple thought of it sent waves of guilt running through me. My solution was to add exercise in at the very end of my day.
For Christmas my parents gave me a very attractive bright orange reflective vest with even brighter yellow stripes and I was good to go. I would get everything done that needed to be done that day and hit the street around 11PM for my daily run. Fortunately for me I found that exercising that late at night didn't hinder me from falling fast asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. This arrangement was perfect - no one had any idea that I was even gone since they were all sound asleep! Guilt-free running!
Once I began to run 5k's, I realized that I had another perfect arrangement. More often than not, I'd get up, go run the 5k and be home before my family was even awake (Yes, I am blessed with kids who have always been excellent sleepers!). Once again - guilt free mom-time. Love it!
Then one day it dawned on me - my kids had absolutely NO idea how hard I was working and how much I had achieved. They had no idea because they were sleeping through my entire journey! One of my reasons for starting this journey was to be an example to JJ and Ellie. I wanted them to see how when you set a goal and work hard you can do it! I wanted them to see how exercising on a regular basis impacts your body and your mind. I wanted them to see how exercising is fun. Instead, they could see that I was losing weight and that I was less stressed out and grouchy (at times!), but they had no way of answering the questions of how or why.
I started to run earlier in the evening while the kids were doing their homework or taking showers. I started to wake them up on Saturday mornings to go with me to some of the 5k's. I started to take a Zumba class one or two nights a week.
Did my family automatically embrace my new love of exercise? No. You would not believe the whining and complaining and carrying on that occurred when I left the house. Man - did that Mom Guilt kick-in strong! After all, I am the Master of Mom Guilt. And I learned from a pro - right Mom?? (Ha!Ha!) How could I take this precious time away from my family to be so selfish and do something for me? That just wasn't right. So, I started to skip Zumba class and I started to not run as often and I . . . started to feel lousy and lethargic again. Mom Guilt was paralyzing me! My family was definitely not getting the message now!
Three things happened to help me conquer Mom Guilt when it came to my exercising:
1) I had to believe that I was a good example for my family. I was no longer a Chubby Mama dragging herself around the block every night. I was a success story! I had tackled health and wellness and I was winning! My family could look at me and visibly see the physical difference in me. I started to believe that about myself by making sure that my self-talk was positive (self-talk is a very powerful thing!) and embracing the compliments that my family and others gave me.
2) I had to realize that by taking an hour out of my day to exercise, I was not taking away an hour from my family, but rather giving them an important gift that would last a lifetime! I was giving my family the gift of my health - a healthy mom will be around a lot longer to torture her family than an unhealthy one! I was giving my family the gift of their own health! I was giving my family the gift of a more pleasant mom who had pounded a lot of her stress out on the street! Who doesn't like to receive a gift?
3) I beagn to include my family in my exercise. I didn't have to run every day. Exercise could be going outside and playing basketball with JJ. Exercise could be going for a family walk in the woods. I took JJ and Ellie to a Zumba class so that they could see what I was doing when I went to class. It's nearly impossible to feel guilty when your family is sweating right next to you! And I think that my kids are actually starting to "get it!" - they ask to go to the gym now. How cool is that?!?
I'm not perfect - Mom Guilt still rears her ugly head occasionally. My family still complains at times when I head out the door or drag them with me to an early morning event (though the promise of pancakes at Kings' has helped in this situation). But Mom Guilt no longer paralyzes me and stops me from exercising. Mom Guilt is no longer the master of me!
For Christmas my parents gave me a very attractive bright orange reflective vest with even brighter yellow stripes and I was good to go. I would get everything done that needed to be done that day and hit the street around 11PM for my daily run. Fortunately for me I found that exercising that late at night didn't hinder me from falling fast asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. This arrangement was perfect - no one had any idea that I was even gone since they were all sound asleep! Guilt-free running!
Once I began to run 5k's, I realized that I had another perfect arrangement. More often than not, I'd get up, go run the 5k and be home before my family was even awake (Yes, I am blessed with kids who have always been excellent sleepers!). Once again - guilt free mom-time. Love it!
Then one day it dawned on me - my kids had absolutely NO idea how hard I was working and how much I had achieved. They had no idea because they were sleeping through my entire journey! One of my reasons for starting this journey was to be an example to JJ and Ellie. I wanted them to see how when you set a goal and work hard you can do it! I wanted them to see how exercising on a regular basis impacts your body and your mind. I wanted them to see how exercising is fun. Instead, they could see that I was losing weight and that I was less stressed out and grouchy (at times!), but they had no way of answering the questions of how or why.
I started to run earlier in the evening while the kids were doing their homework or taking showers. I started to wake them up on Saturday mornings to go with me to some of the 5k's. I started to take a Zumba class one or two nights a week.
Did my family automatically embrace my new love of exercise? No. You would not believe the whining and complaining and carrying on that occurred when I left the house. Man - did that Mom Guilt kick-in strong! After all, I am the Master of Mom Guilt. And I learned from a pro - right Mom?? (Ha!Ha!) How could I take this precious time away from my family to be so selfish and do something for me? That just wasn't right. So, I started to skip Zumba class and I started to not run as often and I . . . started to feel lousy and lethargic again. Mom Guilt was paralyzing me! My family was definitely not getting the message now!
Three things happened to help me conquer Mom Guilt when it came to my exercising:
1) I had to believe that I was a good example for my family. I was no longer a Chubby Mama dragging herself around the block every night. I was a success story! I had tackled health and wellness and I was winning! My family could look at me and visibly see the physical difference in me. I started to believe that about myself by making sure that my self-talk was positive (self-talk is a very powerful thing!) and embracing the compliments that my family and others gave me.
2) I had to realize that by taking an hour out of my day to exercise, I was not taking away an hour from my family, but rather giving them an important gift that would last a lifetime! I was giving my family the gift of my health - a healthy mom will be around a lot longer to torture her family than an unhealthy one! I was giving my family the gift of their own health! I was giving my family the gift of a more pleasant mom who had pounded a lot of her stress out on the street! Who doesn't like to receive a gift?
3) I beagn to include my family in my exercise. I didn't have to run every day. Exercise could be going outside and playing basketball with JJ. Exercise could be going for a family walk in the woods. I took JJ and Ellie to a Zumba class so that they could see what I was doing when I went to class. It's nearly impossible to feel guilty when your family is sweating right next to you! And I think that my kids are actually starting to "get it!" - they ask to go to the gym now. How cool is that?!?
I'm not perfect - Mom Guilt still rears her ugly head occasionally. My family still complains at times when I head out the door or drag them with me to an early morning event (though the promise of pancakes at Kings' has helped in this situation). But Mom Guilt no longer paralyzes me and stops me from exercising. Mom Guilt is no longer the master of me!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
My Story Part Three - 5 Lessons Learned
"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Marie Robinson
Soon after I received the e-newsletter from Prevention Magazine about training for a 5K, I decided that this would be the path I would travel to create a new end to My Story. I didn't have a lot of money, but all I needed was a pair of running shoes and a watch with a timer on it. That was financially manageable. I didn't have a lot of time, but I was able to run when I could fit it in, which more often than not was late at night. That fit into my life without causing too much extra stress. It had been a long time since I stepped outside of my comfort zone and tried something new. This seemed like a safe choice. I could do this!
These are the lessons I learned during the three months I spent training for my first 5k. (In case you are interested, here is the link to the 5k training program I followed: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/sofa-to-5k-training-tips)
Lesson #1 - Write your goal down and post it where you will see it on a regular basis.
Once I made the decision that I would train for a 5K, I had to find one. I picked my starting date as January 2nd and counted fifteen weeks on the calendar which put me in mid-April. There are numerous websites that list 5K's and other running events. I went to http://www.runhigh.com/ and and found the Genesis Riverside Run on Saturday, April 10th, 2010. I wrote down my goal and posted it in multiple places - inside the cereal cupboard, inside the front cover of my planner, by my desk and tucked inside the visor of my car. I will complete a 5k on Saturday, April 10th.
Lesson #2 - Share your goal with others.
I probably took this one to the extreme. I told EVERYONE that I came in contact with that I was planning to participate in this 5k. As a lifelong people pleaser, my thinking was that there was no way I would humiliate myself by backing out and not completing this challenge. People I knew did me a HUGE favor by remembering my goal and asking me about it often through those three months. They truly pushed me to work harder and keep going. I was shocked with how many people encouraged me at work or on facebook or through e-mail the week before my big day.
Lesson #3 - Make your exercise schedule work for you.
At one point in my training I became very frustrated because I was always too busy and tired on Tuesdays and kept skipping the workout. I was ready to give up. Talking to my mom about it, she asked me "Who is telling you that you have to run on Tuesdays?" That question made me stop and think. "The schedule on the paper," I quietly answered. "The paper? Do they have a day to rest on the paper?" she asked. "Yes, on Sundays." I replied. "Why don't you rest on Tuesdays and run on Sundays? Don't give up. Just make a simple change to make the schedule work for you." I always knew my mom was a wise woman! Making that switch was a huge mental turning point for me. I had been trying to fit myself into the training schedule, when what I really needed to do was fit the training schedule into my life. It worked - I didn't quit!
Lesson #4 - There is truth to the statement that your body with become addicted to exercise.
During one of my annual doctor visits my doctor started in on her annual "You Should" lecture. I remember her saying that if you push through the initial hurdle of exercising on a regular basis and wanting to quit, your body will become addicted to exercise. Your body will CRAVE exercise. Seriously?!? Like I believed that one! Then one night about half-way through the training program, I decided that I was too tired to run and I crawled into bed. I couldn't relax. I couldn't fall asleep. My brain was going over my day trying to figure out what was wrong. I wasn't necessarily stressed out about anything specific. I hadn't had any caffeine late in the afternoon. I definitely hadn't had time for a nap. Why couldn't I fall asleep? Then it dawned on me. I got out of bed, put on my running clothes, ran a quick mile, came home, hopped in the shower, crawled back in bed and fell fast asleep. I was addicted! My body couldn't relax and rest until I had exercised. I was so excited to go back to the doctor and tell her that she had been right!
Lesson #5 - It is important to have someone to hold you accountable.
I knew that my brother-in-law, Chris Tomley, had run 5k's in the past. I asked him if he would run my first 5k with me. This was one of the best decisions I ever made! On the day of the 5k I was SOOOO nervous! We gathered with the other runners at the starting line - my heart was racing. I looked around and saw all of these thin people in their spandex running pants and fancy running watches. There I stood in my capri sweatpants and ball cap. I definitely did not look like I belonged with this crowd. The starting gun sounded and Chris and I took off. Everyone seemed to be bumping into me as they tried to pass me. After about 100 yards, I came to a complete stop and burst into tears. I was saying to Chris, "This was a HUGE mistake. I can't do this. I'm not ready. Let's just go." I am so thankful for what Chris did next. He took me by the arm and pulled me to the side of the path. "We're just going to stand here and let everyone pass us. Then we are going to get back on the course and we are going to run and walk and run and walk until we reach the finish line." I got myself together and when the last of the crowd had run by, Chris and I started to run. We did just as he said - we ran and walked and ran and walked until we crossed the finish line. Throughout the course Chris encouraged me and joked with me (My favorite was when a young boy passed us running the other way toward the finish line. Chris said, "Just ignore the fact that the little 7-year-old is running faster than you." Ha!Ha!). If Chris had not been there with me, I would have given up! I needed him there to push and encourage me.
April 10, 2010 was a HUGE day for me. My goal was to finish in under 45 minutes. Chris and I crossed the Finish Line in 43:16. The feelings that I had when I crossed that Finish Line are nearly indescribable - extreme joy and pride are what comes to mind. I was SO happy! I had set a goal for myself. I had stepped out of my comfort zone trying something that I had never done before. I had been ready to give-up and quit on a couple occasions throughout the three months of training and on the course, but I hadn't . . . I kept going.
These five lessons that I learned spurred me on to continue this journey of health and wellness. I had been at a point in life where I didn't like where I was, something needed to change. I needed to start working toward a "new ending." This was my first step in that new direction and it was AMAZING!
Soon after I received the e-newsletter from Prevention Magazine about training for a 5K, I decided that this would be the path I would travel to create a new end to My Story. I didn't have a lot of money, but all I needed was a pair of running shoes and a watch with a timer on it. That was financially manageable. I didn't have a lot of time, but I was able to run when I could fit it in, which more often than not was late at night. That fit into my life without causing too much extra stress. It had been a long time since I stepped outside of my comfort zone and tried something new. This seemed like a safe choice. I could do this!
These are the lessons I learned during the three months I spent training for my first 5k. (In case you are interested, here is the link to the 5k training program I followed: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/sofa-to-5k-training-tips)
Lesson #1 - Write your goal down and post it where you will see it on a regular basis.
Once I made the decision that I would train for a 5K, I had to find one. I picked my starting date as January 2nd and counted fifteen weeks on the calendar which put me in mid-April. There are numerous websites that list 5K's and other running events. I went to http://www.runhigh.com/ and and found the Genesis Riverside Run on Saturday, April 10th, 2010. I wrote down my goal and posted it in multiple places - inside the cereal cupboard, inside the front cover of my planner, by my desk and tucked inside the visor of my car. I will complete a 5k on Saturday, April 10th.
My son, JJ, cheering me on as I head out for my first training run.
I laugh now at how bundled up I got - four layers!
January 2010
I laugh now at how bundled up I got - four layers!
January 2010
Lesson #2 - Share your goal with others.
I probably took this one to the extreme. I told EVERYONE that I came in contact with that I was planning to participate in this 5k. As a lifelong people pleaser, my thinking was that there was no way I would humiliate myself by backing out and not completing this challenge. People I knew did me a HUGE favor by remembering my goal and asking me about it often through those three months. They truly pushed me to work harder and keep going. I was shocked with how many people encouraged me at work or on facebook or through e-mail the week before my big day.
Lesson #3 - Make your exercise schedule work for you.
At one point in my training I became very frustrated because I was always too busy and tired on Tuesdays and kept skipping the workout. I was ready to give up. Talking to my mom about it, she asked me "Who is telling you that you have to run on Tuesdays?" That question made me stop and think. "The schedule on the paper," I quietly answered. "The paper? Do they have a day to rest on the paper?" she asked. "Yes, on Sundays." I replied. "Why don't you rest on Tuesdays and run on Sundays? Don't give up. Just make a simple change to make the schedule work for you." I always knew my mom was a wise woman! Making that switch was a huge mental turning point for me. I had been trying to fit myself into the training schedule, when what I really needed to do was fit the training schedule into my life. It worked - I didn't quit!
Lesson #4 - There is truth to the statement that your body with become addicted to exercise.
During one of my annual doctor visits my doctor started in on her annual "You Should" lecture. I remember her saying that if you push through the initial hurdle of exercising on a regular basis and wanting to quit, your body will become addicted to exercise. Your body will CRAVE exercise. Seriously?!? Like I believed that one! Then one night about half-way through the training program, I decided that I was too tired to run and I crawled into bed. I couldn't relax. I couldn't fall asleep. My brain was going over my day trying to figure out what was wrong. I wasn't necessarily stressed out about anything specific. I hadn't had any caffeine late in the afternoon. I definitely hadn't had time for a nap. Why couldn't I fall asleep? Then it dawned on me. I got out of bed, put on my running clothes, ran a quick mile, came home, hopped in the shower, crawled back in bed and fell fast asleep. I was addicted! My body couldn't relax and rest until I had exercised. I was so excited to go back to the doctor and tell her that she had been right!
Lesson #5 - It is important to have someone to hold you accountable.
I knew that my brother-in-law, Chris Tomley, had run 5k's in the past. I asked him if he would run my first 5k with me. This was one of the best decisions I ever made! On the day of the 5k I was SOOOO nervous! We gathered with the other runners at the starting line - my heart was racing. I looked around and saw all of these thin people in their spandex running pants and fancy running watches. There I stood in my capri sweatpants and ball cap. I definitely did not look like I belonged with this crowd. The starting gun sounded and Chris and I took off. Everyone seemed to be bumping into me as they tried to pass me. After about 100 yards, I came to a complete stop and burst into tears. I was saying to Chris, "This was a HUGE mistake. I can't do this. I'm not ready. Let's just go." I am so thankful for what Chris did next. He took me by the arm and pulled me to the side of the path. "We're just going to stand here and let everyone pass us. Then we are going to get back on the course and we are going to run and walk and run and walk until we reach the finish line." I got myself together and when the last of the crowd had run by, Chris and I started to run. We did just as he said - we ran and walked and ran and walked until we crossed the finish line. Throughout the course Chris encouraged me and joked with me (My favorite was when a young boy passed us running the other way toward the finish line. Chris said, "Just ignore the fact that the little 7-year-old is running faster than you." Ha!Ha!). If Chris had not been there with me, I would have given up! I needed him there to push and encourage me.
My Coach, Chris Tomley, and I at the Starting Line of my first 5k.
April 10, 2010
April 10, 2010 was a HUGE day for me. My goal was to finish in under 45 minutes. Chris and I crossed the Finish Line in 43:16. The feelings that I had when I crossed that Finish Line are nearly indescribable - extreme joy and pride are what comes to mind. I was SO happy! I had set a goal for myself. I had stepped out of my comfort zone trying something that I had never done before. I had been ready to give-up and quit on a couple occasions throughout the three months of training and on the course, but I hadn't . . . I kept going.
These five lessons that I learned spurred me on to continue this journey of health and wellness. I had been at a point in life where I didn't like where I was, something needed to change. I needed to start working toward a "new ending." This was my first step in that new direction and it was AMAZING!
Are you where I was? Are you in need of a new direction toward a new end? I invite you to hop on the path of health and wellness that I'm on . . . there's plenty of room!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
My Story Part Two
Where were we? Living life I had dreamed of . . . rug pulled out from under me . . . weight sky high . . . stress sky high . . . walked out the front door.
I didn't have a plan when I left my house. I just started walking and then began sprinting down my street. I ran as hard and fast and far as I could. Soon my lungs were burning and I thought my heart was going to explode. I stopped right in the middle of the street bent over with my hands on my knees sucking in the Fall air. I picture it now like a scene from a movie - deserted street, a black sky filled with hundreds of stars, I stand alone illuminated by a single street lamp (I know - way too dramatic! But this is my story!). I looked around and realized that I made it about two houses down from mine, which in my Pittsburgh neighborhood is not that far. Not ready to go back inside, I stood up and continued to walk around the block. With every heavy step I stomped out my stress: the financial stress, the stress caused by lack of time and sleep, the stress of being a caregiving spouse, the stress of being a working mom, the stress of lost dreams and unmet expectations.
When I had circled back to my house I paused in my driveway and realized that I felt better. My thoughts had cleared. My lungs felt crisp from the cool air. My shoulders didn't feel as tight.
I headed out for a walk again the next night and the next and the next. As I walked I thought about all of the "you should" statements that people had made. I thought about the health classes that I taught my senior citizens at LIFE Pittsburgh and our talks about not letting life pass you by, living on purpose and doing that by setting goals and constantly learning. I found that after a few days I was feeling better physically and mentally. Having a little bit of time alone at the end of the day was a real treat. These walks were making a difference in my life. Maybe there was something to the idea that exercise helps to relieves stress!
A few days after I started taking my late night walks I received an e-mail at work - Prevention Magazine's e-newsletter. I didn't recall signing up for it and it wasn't forwarded from anyone. How did it end up in my in-box?
The lead article was "Sofa to 5K Training Tips." I was instantly reminded of my high school classmate Jodi Barber. She had begun running within that past year and was now running in 5k's all over New England. Jodi looked fantastic and her pictures on facebook showed her having an amazing time at all of these events. I began to think that it had been a long time since I had stepped out of my comfort zone and set a goal for myself. Time was flying by and I was missing everything. There was no excitement, no adventure - just BLAH! My stomach began to stir with that feeling of excitement that you get when you are heading up the hill of a roller coaster - you know that you are in for an exciting ride, but have a twinge of fear mixed in there, too.
I made a decision. I was going to run a 5K. Who cares that I hadn't run since running the mile in my high school gym class (and even then I don't think I ran - just kind of stumbled along in the back of the class complaining the whole time!). Who cares that I couldn't think of the last time I had done any type of physical exercise that caused me to break a sweat. I was going to do this.
Remember that quote that I have hanging in my office - "No one can go back and make a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new end." I was going to make a new end for myself . . . and I was going to do it wearing a pair of running shoes!
I'll share that part my story with you in My Story Part Three.
By the way - I'm still not sure how I got that e-mail. I like to think that God sent it to me to push me into motion. Thanks God!
I didn't have a plan when I left my house. I just started walking and then began sprinting down my street. I ran as hard and fast and far as I could. Soon my lungs were burning and I thought my heart was going to explode. I stopped right in the middle of the street bent over with my hands on my knees sucking in the Fall air. I picture it now like a scene from a movie - deserted street, a black sky filled with hundreds of stars, I stand alone illuminated by a single street lamp (I know - way too dramatic! But this is my story!). I looked around and realized that I made it about two houses down from mine, which in my Pittsburgh neighborhood is not that far. Not ready to go back inside, I stood up and continued to walk around the block. With every heavy step I stomped out my stress: the financial stress, the stress caused by lack of time and sleep, the stress of being a caregiving spouse, the stress of being a working mom, the stress of lost dreams and unmet expectations.
When I had circled back to my house I paused in my driveway and realized that I felt better. My thoughts had cleared. My lungs felt crisp from the cool air. My shoulders didn't feel as tight.
I headed out for a walk again the next night and the next and the next. As I walked I thought about all of the "you should" statements that people had made. I thought about the health classes that I taught my senior citizens at LIFE Pittsburgh and our talks about not letting life pass you by, living on purpose and doing that by setting goals and constantly learning. I found that after a few days I was feeling better physically and mentally. Having a little bit of time alone at the end of the day was a real treat. These walks were making a difference in my life. Maybe there was something to the idea that exercise helps to relieves stress!
A few days after I started taking my late night walks I received an e-mail at work - Prevention Magazine's e-newsletter. I didn't recall signing up for it and it wasn't forwarded from anyone. How did it end up in my in-box?
The lead article was "Sofa to 5K Training Tips." I was instantly reminded of my high school classmate Jodi Barber. She had begun running within that past year and was now running in 5k's all over New England. Jodi looked fantastic and her pictures on facebook showed her having an amazing time at all of these events. I began to think that it had been a long time since I had stepped out of my comfort zone and set a goal for myself. Time was flying by and I was missing everything. There was no excitement, no adventure - just BLAH! My stomach began to stir with that feeling of excitement that you get when you are heading up the hill of a roller coaster - you know that you are in for an exciting ride, but have a twinge of fear mixed in there, too.
I made a decision. I was going to run a 5K. Who cares that I hadn't run since running the mile in my high school gym class (and even then I don't think I ran - just kind of stumbled along in the back of the class complaining the whole time!). Who cares that I couldn't think of the last time I had done any type of physical exercise that caused me to break a sweat. I was going to do this.
Remember that quote that I have hanging in my office - "No one can go back and make a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new end." I was going to make a new end for myself . . . and I was going to do it wearing a pair of running shoes!
I'll share that part my story with you in My Story Part Three.
By the way - I'm still not sure how I got that e-mail. I like to think that God sent it to me to push me into motion. Thanks God!
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