Last Saturday I was out on an early morning run and came across a Mom being followed by two elementary aged kids. The kids were obviously not too happy to be out - heads hung low, scowls on their faces and dragging ten paces behind their mom. The Mom was talking away, "You will NOT spend the entire day glued to the TV. You WILL spend some time outside. You WILL run around and play. And you WILL stop complaining about it!" I couldn't help myself. I circled back around and as I ran past the family again I gave the Mom a Hi-Five cheering her on with a loud "You go Mom!"
It was such a relief to know that I am not the only parent who struggles with getting her kids out of the house and in to the yard! Every evening after dinner I'm encouraging and pleading and yelling to get them outside. I must confess that at times I do enjoy the challenge of coming up with creative places to go and creative things for us to do.
I entitled my most recent successful attempt Playing with the Queen of Hearts. All you need is a deck of cards and six different stationary exercises (or however many you want to include!).
Using sidewalk chalk, I set-up six Exercise Stations - jumping jacks, squats, ab twists while holding a basketball, bicep curls holding bocce balls, jump rope and toe taps using a soccer ball- in a circle in my driveway. I placed the deck of cards in the middle of the circle. Everyone picked a different station to start at. We took turns picking a card. Whatever number was drawn was the number of times you had to do the exercise. Face cards were 10 repetitions. Aces were 11 repetitions. We counted out loud and did the reps together. Once done, everyone moved clockwise one station and another card was drawn. (I had removed the jokers, but my friend Dana shared the idea with me that if the Joker is drawn than you must do twice the number of reps of the next card.)
Trust me - my kids weren't jumping at the chance to try this, but once we got started we all had a GREAT time. Lots of laughter. Lots of moans when someone drew an Ace. Lots of sweat!
Playing with the Queen of Hearts was fun, easy to set-up and cost me absolutely nothing. SUCCESS!! I love the fact that we can pick different exercises and have the activity be different every time. This is one activity that won't get old.
Who knew a card game could include so much sweat!?! And the best part - everyone WON!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Finding My Self-Control
Yesterday was the first day of Spring Break for my husband and kids. I came home from work to find an empty bag of Snickers Minis on my kitchen table. Seriously?!? The entire bag? In one day?
My first reaction was to be angry. Guess who is eating straight lettuce with no dressing for dinner tonight? Guess who is heading to the gym immediately after eating that pile of lettuce and doing burpees till their legs explode? Guess who isn't getting a single piece of chocolate in their Easter Baskets? Don't try to hide in your rooms . . . you know who you are!
Then my mind went back to a time several years ago when I would have eaten the entire bag of Snickers Minis . . . all by myself . . . in one day. The one big difference is that I would have hidden the bag. I was a pro at gorging myself with sweets or salty snacks or fast food stops and then getting rid of the evidence before anyone saw it. I had zero self-control. There was no guilt or shame. I felt a sick kind of pride that I got away with it and nobody knew my little secret.
If I wanted an Oreo, I couldn't eat just one. I'd literally eat an entire row and then the entire package. If I was at a party and there was a tray of scrumptious appetizers, I would pop one in my mouth and then have another and another and another. After awhile I became completely numb to the harm I was doing to my body.
When I reached the point in my life when I wanted to start making healthy choices, I knew that my lack of self-control was one of the biggest hurdles I would have to overcome. After much trial and error, I discovered three tools that work for me:
1) EXAMINE why I'm eating. Am I eating because I am stressed out? I've learned that there are much better ways to handle stress than shoving chips down my throat! Am I eating because I didn't have time for lunch at work and while I'm cooking dinner there is a brand-new box of crackers sitting on the counter? I should put a handful of crackers in a small bowl so I know how many I'm eating. And while I'm waiting for dinner to cook I'll pack my lunch for tomorrow and include small healthy portions I can eat on the run. Am I eating because the food tastes so good and I simply want more? I need to slow down and enjoy it.
2) ENJOY the treat. Sometimes I don't pay attention and I'm truly inhaling the food. How easy is it to pop a mini Snickers in your mouth and swallow after a single chew or two? Your taste buds have barely had time to register the fact that there is food in your mouth! Stop for a moment and focus on what is in your mouth. How does it taste? Sweet? Sour? Salty? How does it feel? Smooth? Nutty? Hot? Cold? I find that when I pause and enjoy the food I'm eating, I'm likely to eat less yet feel more satisfied - both physically and mentally!
3) ESCAPE - When all else fails, run away. Just the other day I bought a bag of jelly beans. What was I thinking? I can mindlessly eat an entire bag of jelly beans in one car ride home from work. It only took me a second to recognize that I was going to have no self-control in this situation. So I enjoyed a few handfuls and then threw the bag away. When I am at a party, I stay as far away from the food table as possible. If we're having dessert and I'm too tempted to have more, I leave the room.
I didn't master these tools overnight. It took time and practice for me to learn what worked for me and how to use them. Just like me, my family will need time and practice to learn how to master self-control. They also will need a teacher. I guess that is me! And since I'm off from work today, class starts now!
My first reaction was to be angry. Guess who is eating straight lettuce with no dressing for dinner tonight? Guess who is heading to the gym immediately after eating that pile of lettuce and doing burpees till their legs explode? Guess who isn't getting a single piece of chocolate in their Easter Baskets? Don't try to hide in your rooms . . . you know who you are!
Then my mind went back to a time several years ago when I would have eaten the entire bag of Snickers Minis . . . all by myself . . . in one day. The one big difference is that I would have hidden the bag. I was a pro at gorging myself with sweets or salty snacks or fast food stops and then getting rid of the evidence before anyone saw it. I had zero self-control. There was no guilt or shame. I felt a sick kind of pride that I got away with it and nobody knew my little secret.
If I wanted an Oreo, I couldn't eat just one. I'd literally eat an entire row and then the entire package. If I was at a party and there was a tray of scrumptious appetizers, I would pop one in my mouth and then have another and another and another. After awhile I became completely numb to the harm I was doing to my body.
When I reached the point in my life when I wanted to start making healthy choices, I knew that my lack of self-control was one of the biggest hurdles I would have to overcome. After much trial and error, I discovered three tools that work for me:
1) EXAMINE why I'm eating. Am I eating because I am stressed out? I've learned that there are much better ways to handle stress than shoving chips down my throat! Am I eating because I didn't have time for lunch at work and while I'm cooking dinner there is a brand-new box of crackers sitting on the counter? I should put a handful of crackers in a small bowl so I know how many I'm eating. And while I'm waiting for dinner to cook I'll pack my lunch for tomorrow and include small healthy portions I can eat on the run. Am I eating because the food tastes so good and I simply want more? I need to slow down and enjoy it.
2) ENJOY the treat. Sometimes I don't pay attention and I'm truly inhaling the food. How easy is it to pop a mini Snickers in your mouth and swallow after a single chew or two? Your taste buds have barely had time to register the fact that there is food in your mouth! Stop for a moment and focus on what is in your mouth. How does it taste? Sweet? Sour? Salty? How does it feel? Smooth? Nutty? Hot? Cold? I find that when I pause and enjoy the food I'm eating, I'm likely to eat less yet feel more satisfied - both physically and mentally!
3) ESCAPE - When all else fails, run away. Just the other day I bought a bag of jelly beans. What was I thinking? I can mindlessly eat an entire bag of jelly beans in one car ride home from work. It only took me a second to recognize that I was going to have no self-control in this situation. So I enjoyed a few handfuls and then threw the bag away. When I am at a party, I stay as far away from the food table as possible. If we're having dessert and I'm too tempted to have more, I leave the room.
I didn't master these tools overnight. It took time and practice for me to learn what worked for me and how to use them. Just like me, my family will need time and practice to learn how to master self-control. They also will need a teacher. I guess that is me! And since I'm off from work today, class starts now!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Predicting a Victory in My Dodgeball-Themed Life!
Every Saturday morning I sit down and make a chart for my family. It tells us who is going where and when, any tests or projects for school, what day everyone has gym class, my husband's doctor's appointments, what we're having for dinner each night and my exercise schedule - basically our entire life summarized on an 8-1/2x11 piece of paper. Every Saturday morning as I hang that chart in our kitchen I expect that our week will follow the schedule that I have put together.
More often than not, the days and hours are very compliant with following my schedule. Then out of the blue I'll be thrown a curveball. I've gotten pretty good at dodging those curveballs - switching up a meal here and there, asking my parents to pick up a kid, throwing JJ's gym clothes in the wash at 11PM - I can be flexible!
Then last week happened. Curveballs were flying! A home improvement project that took two days instead of one. A pulled muscle that required an evening on the couch. An afternoon and evening in the ER after Jamison got rear-ended. A late-night trip to my parents to use their printer for JJ's research paper. I felt like I was playing a fierce game of Dodgeball!
Even with all of the curveballs, nearly everything on my weekly chart got accomplished. Except one . . . my exercise! Four days of training for the half-marathon down the drain. The question that pops into my mind is the question that most moms ask themselves at least once a week - "Why is it my plans are always the ones to be cancelled, changed or ignored?" I know the answer. Because I'm the mom!
As I sit at my computer this morning preparing my chart for the upcoming week, I catch myself teetering on the edge of a dangerous cliff. The cliff of an old habit that I have desperately fought to break over the past three years. The cliff of giving up. My negative self-talk tapes are playing at full volume. "You gave it a good shot Lisa, but you blew it. You didn't meet your training goal for this week. What were you thinking? You - complete a half-marathon? Ha! Ha! You are too tired. You don't have a good enough handle on your life to fit in anything else, especially exercising. You are destined to be chubby and super-stressed for the rest of your life. You need to take care of everyone else first. You come last."
As I listen I notice that that voice starts to sound garbled and warped - just like my Culture Club Colour by Number's tape after listening to Karma Chameleon over and over again while dancing and singing in front of my bedroom mirror back in fifth grade. I was so mad when that cassette tape snapped! (Sorry - I'll blame that thought on lack of sleep after my daughter's sleepover birthday party last night!)
That garbled and warped voice begins to be replaced by a strong voice reciting inspiring and encouraging quotes that I have collected throughout the years.
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. Epictetus
Be miserable or motivated. Whatever happens it's always your choice. Wayne Dyer
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Thomas Edison
With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. Eleanor Roosevelt
Finally, I am reminded of the scripture verse God gave me back in January of 2010 when I started my journey of running and trying to live a health lifestyle: Do not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9
God pointed out to me then as He has reminded me this morning - You HAVE to take care of yourself. It will be difficult and choices will need to be made to put yourself first, but do not grow weary. I have experienced some of the harvest - weight lost, cholesterol lowered, races completed, kids who ask to go to the gym. I have tasted victory.
So - I've made the choice to not give up. With a new day, a new strength and a new weekly chart in front of me, I am motivated to continue doing good for myself and in turn doing good for my family. I am predicting a victory for this next week of my Dodgeball-themed life!
More often than not, the days and hours are very compliant with following my schedule. Then out of the blue I'll be thrown a curveball. I've gotten pretty good at dodging those curveballs - switching up a meal here and there, asking my parents to pick up a kid, throwing JJ's gym clothes in the wash at 11PM - I can be flexible!
Then last week happened. Curveballs were flying! A home improvement project that took two days instead of one. A pulled muscle that required an evening on the couch. An afternoon and evening in the ER after Jamison got rear-ended. A late-night trip to my parents to use their printer for JJ's research paper. I felt like I was playing a fierce game of Dodgeball!
Even with all of the curveballs, nearly everything on my weekly chart got accomplished. Except one . . . my exercise! Four days of training for the half-marathon down the drain. The question that pops into my mind is the question that most moms ask themselves at least once a week - "Why is it my plans are always the ones to be cancelled, changed or ignored?" I know the answer. Because I'm the mom!
As I sit at my computer this morning preparing my chart for the upcoming week, I catch myself teetering on the edge of a dangerous cliff. The cliff of an old habit that I have desperately fought to break over the past three years. The cliff of giving up. My negative self-talk tapes are playing at full volume. "You gave it a good shot Lisa, but you blew it. You didn't meet your training goal for this week. What were you thinking? You - complete a half-marathon? Ha! Ha! You are too tired. You don't have a good enough handle on your life to fit in anything else, especially exercising. You are destined to be chubby and super-stressed for the rest of your life. You need to take care of everyone else first. You come last."
As I listen I notice that that voice starts to sound garbled and warped - just like my Culture Club Colour by Number's tape after listening to Karma Chameleon over and over again while dancing and singing in front of my bedroom mirror back in fifth grade. I was so mad when that cassette tape snapped! (Sorry - I'll blame that thought on lack of sleep after my daughter's sleepover birthday party last night!)
That garbled and warped voice begins to be replaced by a strong voice reciting inspiring and encouraging quotes that I have collected throughout the years.
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters. Epictetus
Be miserable or motivated. Whatever happens it's always your choice. Wayne Dyer
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Thomas Edison
With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. Eleanor Roosevelt
Finally, I am reminded of the scripture verse God gave me back in January of 2010 when I started my journey of running and trying to live a health lifestyle: Do not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galations 6:9
God pointed out to me then as He has reminded me this morning - You HAVE to take care of yourself. It will be difficult and choices will need to be made to put yourself first, but do not grow weary. I have experienced some of the harvest - weight lost, cholesterol lowered, races completed, kids who ask to go to the gym. I have tasted victory.
So - I've made the choice to not give up. With a new day, a new strength and a new weekly chart in front of me, I am motivated to continue doing good for myself and in turn doing good for my family. I am predicting a victory for this next week of my Dodgeball-themed life!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The Moment of Choice
I'm sitting here after a long draining day and I want nothing more than to crawl into bed, shut out the world and sink into a deep sleep. But this hasn't been a very healthy day. I didn't make very wise food choices. I didn't drink enough water. And I've had ZERO physical activity. I should really change into my workout clothes and go to the gym. But it is snowing outside, which means that it's cold outside. BBbbrrrrr! I hate being cold. That's not a good excuse. I'll warm up soon enough. I should really change into my workout clothes and go to the gym. But I feel like I haven't spent much time with my kids today. Maybe we should play a board game or something. But it's getting close to when they should be in bed and neither have showered yet. I could go to the gym for a quick workout while they are showering and packing up for tomorrow. So I should really change into my workout clothes and go to the gym. But I'm really tired . . .
This is the discussion I have with myself nearly everyday. The easy decision would be to stay put and not get ready for the gym. I could sit on the couch and argue with myself all evening long. Eventually that internal discussion will quiet down and I won't even be thinking about exercising. It takes more mental and physical energy to drag myself off the couch, change and workout than to stay put.
However, the funny thing is that the minute I step out the front door and am greeted by a rush of fresh air, I feel invigorated and so excited to get to the gym or my Zumba class or to start my run around the block. If that's the case, why am I even wasting my time debating the choice to workout or not?
The good news is that I am making a good decision more often than not when faced with that moment of choice. That wasn't always the case. It's taken time for working out to become a healthy habit.
To workout or not to workout . . . that is the question. Today my answer is to workout! What's yours?
This is the discussion I have with myself nearly everyday. The easy decision would be to stay put and not get ready for the gym. I could sit on the couch and argue with myself all evening long. Eventually that internal discussion will quiet down and I won't even be thinking about exercising. It takes more mental and physical energy to drag myself off the couch, change and workout than to stay put.
However, the funny thing is that the minute I step out the front door and am greeted by a rush of fresh air, I feel invigorated and so excited to get to the gym or my Zumba class or to start my run around the block. If that's the case, why am I even wasting my time debating the choice to workout or not?
The good news is that I am making a good decision more often than not when faced with that moment of choice. That wasn't always the case. It's taken time for working out to become a healthy habit.
To workout or not to workout . . . that is the question. Today my answer is to workout! What's yours?
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Celebrating March Fourth!
I'm spending this afternoon getting ready for tomorrow which is one of my favorite days of the year - March Fourth. In celebration I'm re-posting my blog entry from last year. I hope you'll pause tomorrow, reflect on where you are in life and think about what direction you want to be MARCHing.
One of my favorite days is coming up . . . March Fourth! Our family has been celebrating March Fourth for the past several years. It is the only date on the calendar that is a command . . . March Fourth . . . March Forward . . . Move on. It is a great day to set a personal goal for yourself and begin to teach your kids about goal setting. By this time, if you set a New Year's Resolution there is a good chance it's been long forgotten. This isn't about resolutions. It's about a goal . . . a measurable, achieveable, pleasurable goal. Or as my friend Emily Jackson shared with me SMART goals: S=small, M=measurable, A=achievable, R=realistic and T=time specific.
Over the years my family has celebrated with games involving Tootsie Rolls (tootsies, toes, feet, marching forward!), yummy dinners with moving-themed food (wagon-wheel pasta, Rocky Road ice cream and "sneaker"-doodle cookies) and talking about goal setting. For the past six years we've traced the kids feet onto paper and then written our individual goals around the drawings. Each year we can review the goals from the year before to see if we accomplished them and see how much our children have grown. We started this when JJ and Ellie were 6 & 3 . . . you're never too young to start learning about the importance of goals! You're never too old either! I'll be celebrating March Fourth with my senior citizens at work.
The celebration doesn't need to be expensive or extensive . . it can even just be a conversation over dinner! Or it can just be something that you do for you. Take a moment and think about what you want to achieve in life. To be healthier? To write a book? To learn a new language? To go to bed with a dish-free sink every night? Get more sleep? The possibilities are truly endless! What can you do THIS YEAR to MOVE toward reaching that goal?
Happy March Fourth!
One of my favorite days is coming up . . . March Fourth! Our family has been celebrating March Fourth for the past several years. It is the only date on the calendar that is a command . . . March Fourth . . . March Forward . . . Move on. It is a great day to set a personal goal for yourself and begin to teach your kids about goal setting. By this time, if you set a New Year's Resolution there is a good chance it's been long forgotten. This isn't about resolutions. It's about a goal . . . a measurable, achieveable, pleasurable goal. Or as my friend Emily Jackson shared with me SMART goals: S=small, M=measurable, A=achievable, R=realistic and T=time specific.
Over the years my family has celebrated with games involving Tootsie Rolls (tootsies, toes, feet, marching forward!), yummy dinners with moving-themed food (wagon-wheel pasta, Rocky Road ice cream and "sneaker"-doodle cookies) and talking about goal setting. For the past six years we've traced the kids feet onto paper and then written our individual goals around the drawings. Each year we can review the goals from the year before to see if we accomplished them and see how much our children have grown. We started this when JJ and Ellie were 6 & 3 . . . you're never too young to start learning about the importance of goals! You're never too old either! I'll be celebrating March Fourth with my senior citizens at work.
The celebration doesn't need to be expensive or extensive . . it can even just be a conversation over dinner! Or it can just be something that you do for you. Take a moment and think about what you want to achieve in life. To be healthier? To write a book? To learn a new language? To go to bed with a dish-free sink every night? Get more sleep? The possibilities are truly endless! What can you do THIS YEAR to MOVE toward reaching that goal?
Happy March Fourth!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
My Goal Bracelet
I'll admit it - I'm an emotional eater. Having a rough day? Let's stop at the store and pick-up a pack of Double Stuff Oreos! Up in the middle of the night stressing out about something? Where are the chips and pretzels? Have something to celebrate? Let's bake brownies!
I'm also a visual person. There are signs and post-it notes all over my house, car and office to remind me of things that I need to do. When there is a special event in my life I like to buy or keep a small object that I can look at to remind myself of that great moment. I have inspirational quotes and Bible Verses posted in prime spots for me see daily.
When I saw Tara Costa, former Biggest Loser contestant, on Dr. Oz's show sporting her Goal Bracelet, I knew I had found a great tool to help me on my journey towards Pittsburgh's Half-Marathon and ultimately an overall healthier lifestyle.
I'm also a visual person. There are signs and post-it notes all over my house, car and office to remind me of things that I need to do. When there is a special event in my life I like to buy or keep a small object that I can look at to remind myself of that great moment. I have inspirational quotes and Bible Verses posted in prime spots for me see daily.
When I saw Tara Costa, former Biggest Loser contestant, on Dr. Oz's show sporting her Goal Bracelet, I knew I had found a great tool to help me on my journey towards Pittsburgh's Half-Marathon and ultimately an overall healthier lifestyle.
Tara Costa from Season 7 of The Biggest Loser
A Goal Bracelet is simple and inexpensive to make. I bought a pack of beads at the craft store for $4.99. The packet included beads with letters, spacer beads and the string. The great thing about making your own Goal Bracelet is that it can say whatever you want. My bracelet says "I <3 RUN PITTSBURGH" to keep my half-marathon goal fresh on my mind. Your Goal Bracelet can have your goal weight on it, the name of a loved one that you are getting healthy for, the date of an event, a single inspiring word . . . whatever will remind you to make wise choices.
My Goal Bracelet
A great suggestion that Tara shared on the show is to wear your Goal Bracelet on the wrist of your dominant hand. That way any time you reach for something you see it. When I'm reaching for or doing something unhealthy, I am reminded to make a healthier choice. When I'm reaching for or doing something good, I am encouraged to keep going.
Not a wise choice Lisa! You Go Girl! Give me 5 more reps!
Eating has been one of my stress coping skills for so long that I often would be halfway through the bag of chips before my conscious brain would catch up and realize what I'm doing. Over the past several years I've gotten a lot better at dealing with stress in a healthier way, but I still catch myself falling back into old habits. Food is my comfort zone. The Goal Bracelet has helped me catch myself when I'm ready to put my money into the vending machine or reach for the snack cupboard door late at night.
Another great benefit of the Goal Bracelet is that people ask me what my bracelet means. This gives me an opportunity to share with them what I'm doing. Hopefully, through our conversation, I can inspire someone else to think about their health and the choices they are making!
A quick side note: I do still enjoy a bowl of ice cream and other treats now and then, but I eat in moderation. A single scoop instead of three. One cookie instead of four. I have learned that MODERATION is the key. Depriving myself of a treat when I really want one only leads to eating way more than I would have or a very grouchy mommy!
Time for this goal-focused mom to lace up her running shoes for a five-mile training run. If my kids ask you where I am, please tell them that "Mom Went Running!"
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Accepting a New Challenge
"There is more work. You're not supposed to get comfortable. You're supposed to progress. You are supposed to continue to be challenged. It is going to continue to be hard." Jillian Michaels, Biggest Loser, February 11, 2013
That's what happened - I got comfortable. Lacing up my running shoes and pounding out my two-mile block got easy. I accepted going to my Zumba class once a week instead of two. My turkey burgers began to taste routine. Without my recognizing what was going on my energy level dropped, I began to eat three slices of pizza instead of two, I gained eight pounds and grouchy stressed-out mom was showing up more often than happy-creative-isn'tlifegreat-Mom. My journey of leading an active, healthy lifestyle had stalled.
Thank goodness for supportive people who see us from the outside and are willing to intervene when they recognize we have veered off our path and are heading in the wrong direction. Thank goodness for my sister!
Meg: Happy 40th Birthday!
Me: My birthday is still months away.
Meg: I know. But I just bought your birthday present and I need to tell you about it now.
Me: Oooooo . . . I like surprises! What did you get me?
Meg: I just registered us for Pittsburgh's Half-Marathon!
Me: . . . . . . . . .
Meg: Isn't that exciting?!? You know you can do it.
Me: . . . . . . . . . .
Meg: You've been talking about running it. I knew you were too nervous to sign yourself up, so I did it for you. It will be great! You'll be great!
I was truly speechless. And completely freaked out!!!! But after letting the idea soak in for a couple of weeks, I was ready to accept this new challenge. I have more work to do when it comes to pushing myself to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. So training officially starts today. This part of my journey is not always going to be comfortable. It's definitely going to be a work in progress and it is going to be HARD. But I can do it. I will complete the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon.
Has your journey stalled? Are you still waiting to get started? Challenge yourself! I'm not suggesting that you sign-up for a half-marathon - everyone's journey is different. Look outside of your comfort zone and set a goal for yourself. Strive to take a walk three nights a week. Try a new exercise class. Determine that you will try a new health recipe once a week. If I can get back on track, then I know you can, too!
Here I go. I'm putting on my running shoes and heading out the door for my first official training run. What are you going to do today?
That's what happened - I got comfortable. Lacing up my running shoes and pounding out my two-mile block got easy. I accepted going to my Zumba class once a week instead of two. My turkey burgers began to taste routine. Without my recognizing what was going on my energy level dropped, I began to eat three slices of pizza instead of two, I gained eight pounds and grouchy stressed-out mom was showing up more often than happy-creative-isn'tlifegreat-Mom. My journey of leading an active, healthy lifestyle had stalled.
Thank goodness for supportive people who see us from the outside and are willing to intervene when they recognize we have veered off our path and are heading in the wrong direction. Thank goodness for my sister!
Meg: Happy 40th Birthday!
Me: My birthday is still months away.
Meg: I know. But I just bought your birthday present and I need to tell you about it now.
Me: Oooooo . . . I like surprises! What did you get me?
Meg: I just registered us for Pittsburgh's Half-Marathon!
Me: . . . . . . . . .
Meg: Isn't that exciting?!? You know you can do it.
Me: . . . . . . . . . .
Meg: You've been talking about running it. I knew you were too nervous to sign yourself up, so I did it for you. It will be great! You'll be great!
I was truly speechless. And completely freaked out!!!! But after letting the idea soak in for a couple of weeks, I was ready to accept this new challenge. I have more work to do when it comes to pushing myself to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. So training officially starts today. This part of my journey is not always going to be comfortable. It's definitely going to be a work in progress and it is going to be HARD. But I can do it. I will complete the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon.
Has your journey stalled? Are you still waiting to get started? Challenge yourself! I'm not suggesting that you sign-up for a half-marathon - everyone's journey is different. Look outside of your comfort zone and set a goal for yourself. Strive to take a walk three nights a week. Try a new exercise class. Determine that you will try a new health recipe once a week. If I can get back on track, then I know you can, too!
Here I go. I'm putting on my running shoes and heading out the door for my first official training run. What are you going to do today?
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