A Healthier Me

Time for a health update!

• My anxiety has been under the radar now for most of the last 3.5 months since I started Cymbalta. I can tell a HUGE difference in how I feel. I didn't realize how depressed I was until I started to feel genuinely happy again. I don't cry as much and the fears I have (and acknowledge) are realistic. I've had a few moments of panic due to some big life changes going on right now. But I feel those have been okay moments to have a little freak out over. ;)


• Running has been going well. It started out terrible. I thought I would run in the early AM before I got ready for work and I had to be serious with myself--I hate getting up earlier than I have to. So I did it one time and my initial thoughts were a) I hated that run and b) well at least my run is done for the day! I can see how many people enjoy this time of day for a run, it's just not for me. Since that run I have been out 3 other times. Twice for runs and once for a very long hike. We did a 5 mile hike on Monday and it was rough! Quite steep in many areas and another testament to my being totally out of shape. I actually told B that I hoped this hike would help condition me for my next run. And it did! I ran last night 2 miles in 17:15!! I was shocked by how great I felt! I had the early burn that I pushed through and only walked twice for less than 30 sec each, then sprinted the last block and a half home. I wish every run felt that great!


• Goals: To run a 5K by the end of the summer AND meet my goal weight at the same time.


• My weight is getting better! I have gained 5 pounds in the last 5 weeks, which is what I was aiming for. I have to eat over 2000 calories a day to ensure that I gain a pound a week. I will continue to do this until I have reached my goal weight which both my nutritionist and doctor have agreed on.


• The lactose intolerance is under control. If I know I'm eating something with cream or milk in it, I take 1-2 lactaid pills and I don't feel a thing! I was not able to do this 6 months ago as my system was too sensitive. The GERD and IBS are still hit and miss thing.s..sometimes I can have a red sauce with my pasta, and sometimes I can't. I still take a med for that which certainly helps.


• Overall, I feel like I can eat more of the things I like and have a really good understanding of the things I just can't have, period. Coffee, onions, and acidic foods are no good, no matter the medication. I miss red onions! I used to cook with them all the time!

How is your health? Any summer goals?

Hello, Twenty Twelve

I cannot begin to express how excited I am for a new year. It's an odd feeling, starting out the last day of the year knowing it will all be behind us, but how different is that day than the rest of the year? I mean, every day we wake up and start something new but there is something fresh, exciting, and unknown about a new year. Twenty Eleven was a tough year, as most of you loyal readers and friends know, which is why I could not wait to shut the front door on it.

I started out this near year by sleeping in. Is there a better way to greet the new year? I think not. I slept in and spent some lazy minutes on the couch holding onto my sweet boys. The sun was shining and without another thought we decided today was a great day for church. Logan and I try to go a few times a month, but rarely does B get to join us due to work. While the service was not exactly what I had been hoping for, I did take away a few things worth noting:

1. Know where you're going.


2. Start your journey.


3. You will arrive at your destination. The universe will conspire to make it happen.

These three points spoke deep inside of me. B and I have many goals we hope to accomplish this year and we are thrilled at the possibilities of meeting those goals. We know where we're going. This is the easy part. Starting that journey, however, is the hard part! B and I are weak in the self-discipline arena and we both have to hold each other accountable to get certain things accomplished. Arriving at the destination, the goal, is what makes starting the journey easier and more exciting.

So this year, I have a few goals, er, resolutions (whatever). With B's help, I know I will achieve these goals.

1. Make ME happy. I am a people pleaser/do-er. I am always anticipating others' needs and making sure those are met well before mine are and most of the time, mine are left on the side. Rarely are they met when I want them to be met.


2. Do yoga 3x a week. This is both for my physical and emotional health. I hate running. When I've done yoga in the past I've loved it and there are many benefits for digestive health.


3. Read The Bible to Logan. I've wanted to read the Bible front to back for many years and want to include Logan in that journey as well.

So, friends, what are you new year resolutions?

Running Goals

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Becoming a runner is in and of itself a goal. Within that I have many short and long-term goals for getting me to that place. I do not feel like a true runner-yet. But I want to be. Here are the goals I have set for myself.

Short:

1. Run three times a week
2. Run a mile without stopping
3. Run two miles without stopping
4. Run 30 minutes without stopping
5. Buy runners socks (2 pair)
6. Drink four 32oz bottles of water a day

Long:

1. Run the Horsetooth Half next spring (it’s coming up the end of this month)
2. Collect some awesome running gear other than shoes
3. Run five days a week for at least 30 minutes without stopping

None of these goals have a real “deadline” as to when I want to meet them. I have a new running buddy from swim class and we may be getting together in the next 3-4 weeks. I would really like to be able to run two miles without stopping at that point, and I think I can, I just don’t want to push myself too hard to get there. Obviously, in a year I hope to run a half marathon around one of the coolest landmarks in our town. It’s beautiful and hilly. Makes my calves burn just thinking about it! Everything else is flexible. The ultimate goal here is to get into shape. I am not trying to lose weight. In fact, if I gain a few pounds in muscle weight, then that is awesome. Otherwise, I just want to better my health. Being a positive influence to Logan and our future children is very important to us and I want Logan to know that an active lifestyle is healthy. I am sure Logan will have no problem with that! The moment he learns to walk he will be all over the place!

What are your fitness goals?

Week Two: Running Update

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This week of running has been pretty good! I feel like I have climbed that beginners hurdle. You know it. The one where the voices in your head tell you to stop, that you can’t do it, that you’re too tired, etc. All those silly excuses for shortening or not even participating in your desired workout. I have a serious mental bully in my head and it is all I can do to block it out.

I put my new running shoes on THREE times this week for a total of SIX miles ran/walked!! I know for most this is nothing. I have a friend who runs 20-30 miles at a time and an eight mile run is short for him. Ugh. My long-term running goals are NOT to run that much at once. Here is a quick recap of the week:

Monday: I ran on the treadmill and kept with the plan for week two of the eight week running program. I ran two minutes, walked 1 minute. I was feeling great for most of it until I started to feel faint. I stoped just after I hit a mile. Then was lectured by B and Heidi to drink more water. Go figure.

Tuesday: I turned on a Pilates video and did a 30 minute buns/thighs workout. It was great! I have always loved yoga.

Thursday: I ran a mile again on the treadmill and because B had been pretty sick the last 24 hours I was exhausted. It was all I could do to get to that mile.

Friday: I walked with the dogs and Logan around the neighborhood. It was a beautiful day.

Saturday: Bestie was in town. She is one of my key motivators to run and I could not wait to have a running buddy. The morning was beautiful. We hit it with Logan and ran/walked almost three miles! We stopped at the store to get a few things and a movie. Best weekend in a long time!

Overall I am very proud of myself. I am proud that I was able to stay motivated to make the time to workout, no matter what I was doing. This is a huge feat for me. As I have stated before, I have never been a very athletic person. Now I know that I don’t need to be athletic to be a runner. I don’t need to be athletic to practice yoga or do the 30 Day Shred. I was putting myself in a “non-athletic” box which meant there was no way I could become a runner. The blinders are off and I am rearing to go! Sundays will always be my day of rest. I have not worked up to a five-day a week workout plan yet. I am pacing myself until I feel ready to do that. Also, things will change once I start my new job in a few weeks. If anyone else out there needs some motivation let me know! The positive reinforcement and encouraging words are sometimes the ONLY thing that keeps me going. Oh yeah and drinking TONS of water. Per Heidi, I am working up to four 34oz bottles of water a day. Yeah, that’s a GALLON. I’ve reached three the last two days. Coming up: GOALS!