2013 Zooma

So here we are Friday afternoon at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis picking up our race packets/bibs.  I loved that Michelle and I went together and that we saw so many of the lovely ladies we run with (we call ourselves the Running Biznitches)  Here I am with Michelle and Kelly!  The race shirts are actually pretty nice and as always, I love going to the Expo and seeing all the running vendors!

Find Your Groove

I've talked to many people lately about finding the time and energy to workout.  Like most, many people tack exercise as the "extra thing" that if it can fit, they will get to it...however, when you're really trying to reach a goal and live a healthy style, it MUST be a priority!  Someone once said to me, "exercise is like bathing...it doesn't work if you only do it once."  It must be part of your daily routine and lifestyle.  I'm constantly telling others, I don't FIND time to exercise, I MAKE time.  

Earlier this evening I had a long chat with one of my challengers, and a dear friend of mine, about finding her groove.  She's just a few months postpartum and really struggling to get her exercise in now that she has two children (5 years and newborn).  I know that she is a very spiritual person and is completely devoted to her prayer time.  I advised her to use her exercise time as an opportunity to nourish her spirit and soul as well.  Often times when I work out alone, I refer to that time as "moving meditation"; it's when I pray or reflect on life and send positive thoughts to those I love and know need encouragement.  Exercise isn't just about getting fit.  It's about taking time out for yourself, feeding your soul, nourishing your spirit and growing stronger both physically and emotionally.  

As you know, my career is working with young children.  My entire philosophy focuses on the growth and development of the "whole child", meaning we put emphasis not only on their cognitive learning, but also their social/emotional growth and physical development.  Well, growth and development doesn't just stop when you reach a certain age...it is on going...obviously until the day you leave this earth.  So I put that same emphasis on taking care of yourself as an individual.  You don't just need physical care, you also need to focus on your mental well-being (be it social/emotional/spiritual), cognitive growth- meaning you need to challenge yourself and take every experience as an opportunity to LEARN!  Think about it...what gets in the way of our physical abilities??  STRESS and mental fatigue.  So when those are out of balance, we can't take care of ourselves physically; we eat poorly, we don't exercise, etc.  When we aren't physically well, we get depressed, stressed, gain negative self image.  It's all connected and feeds the cycle.  

So find your groove.  Focus on yourself as a whole person and look at the BIGGER picture of health!  It's not always going to be in balance, but every once in a while you'll hit that good groove of working out, eating right, feeling good and learning more and more...and THAT right there is an amazing feeling!  

Slacker!

So I've definitely been slacking off on posting to the blog, but don't worry, I haven't been slacking off when it comes to my health and fitness!  So much new stuff going on, I don't know where to begin; perhaps that's why I should be more diligent about keeping up with the blog- then I wouldn't have to play catch up so much!

I have a new gym buddy, Jamie.  We've been working out together for a little over a month.  We get along so well and it has been a tremendous amount of fun...too much fun!  She's got a goal to lose about 15lbs and I have no doubt she will get there!  We are working so hard.  It takes a huge commitment to get up at 4am and get your ass to the gym, having a partner meet you there makes a world of a difference.  We really push each other and set goals and help each other achieve them.  LOVE working out with her and I hope we're able to keep this momentum going!

Jamie and I have also been working out with a personal trainer at the gym, Maurice.  He's given us some great workouts, helps us push through our comfort zones, and has really helped target some areas we both struggle with personally.  I set a goal to do a pull-up/chin-up and he gave me some great tips on how to achieve it!  Well, last week I DID IT!  I was so damn proud.  There we were, Jamie and I,  at 5 in the morning screaming and clapping, jumping up and down like fools, but man it felt so good to reach that goal!  We have one more month with him and currently we are trying to think of new goals.  I'd like to be able to do 5 chin-ups (full ones- meaning going all the way down and coming all the way back up).  I'm working on it!  I'll get there!

I tried to do a vegan diet for 10 days.  I'm on day 7, but on day 5 I had to start incorporating more animal protein.  I just couldn't make it without it.  I lost 4 lbs, but I don't anticipate it will stay off.  Basically, I was eating grains, nuts, beans and fruit.  I just cannot live off that!  I will share some of the recipes (some were awful and I wouldn't subject anyone to that!) but some were really really great!  In fact, I'm about to have some Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats with Apple and Coconut!  YUM!

My weight loss group is going strong.  We are in week 5, and with 120 participants it has really kept me busy.  I'll use that as my excuse for my lack of blogging ;o)  There are some challenges to having a group this size, but I feel that I'm really making a difference and helping people out, so I deal.  This week, I'll be dividing the group up into smaller groups based on their goals and hopefully that will allow me to customize a challenge that best suits them. 

My husband has really stepped up with his health and fitness too!  That's been a big change in our home because his nutrition has really tightened up and he's working out daily.  He's always been pretty fit and active, but he's taking it to a higher level and it has been great to see him push himself and set some goals and achieve them.  He's in a "competition" with his best friend who is coming to spend a week with us in 4 weeks.  So when we see each other again, they will judge who got into the best shape.  I think that this will be very subjective, but hey...whatever gets them going, right?  LOL! 

So that's a mini update on what's happening, I've got to get better about staying on track here.  Stay tuned for some new recipes and workout tips!

Sweat in Style!

It's no surprise, I'll use any excuse I can find to shop! I needed a workout wardrobe wake up; so off to get new shoes and clothes I went! I'm loving the colors this season and everything just feels great!

Lululemon was having a great sale...of course, I didn't pass it up! I got some cute skirts and tops! Love the spring colors (even if I do look like an Easter Egg running down the road!)



My other purchase, that I just cannot rave enough about, are my new gym shoes! It took some convincing from the guy at Charm City Run, but he finally talked me into slipping a pair of Sauconys on my feet....AHHHHHHHH The Angels Sing! These things are like heaven! Where have they been my whole life!?!? They are amazing! I love the colors, the weight, the feel! I'm thinking I may be sold on this shoe!

Thai Chicken-Broccoli Wraps

OMG! I just made the BEST lunch! Since today is a very low carb day for me, I omitted the tortillas and used romaine lettuce as the wrap instead! I also don't buy packaged broccoli slaw, so I made my own using broccoli stems, red onion, celery, carrots and then subbed Mrs. Dash Garlic Seasoning instead of Garlic Salt. YUMMY!!!!!

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/7-fat-fighting-dinners/?page=6

Cherry Pit 10-miler

Today I ran a ten mile race with two of my dear friends, Kelly and Kathy. I was a silly lady and didn't do much training for the race; I haven't been doing any distance running lately as I'm trying to develop some muscle mass! I have however been doing some speed work, running at a 7.5 min mile or 8 min mile for 2-3 miles every few days. It paid off!!! I got a Personal Record today, coming in at under 1:40! That was a shock to me and brought me to tears as I crossed that finish line! I couldn't have done it without these lovely ladies, especially Kathy, who really pushed me those last two miles. She encouraged me, reminded me that I'm strong, that my mind was giving up before my legs had even considered it! Also, we kept repeating "JUST TEN MILES" as we carried our good friend Lara in our hearts as she was just finishing up her 100 mile endurance race at about the same time. Yeah, you read that right, 100 miles in 27 hours! If she could do 100, I could push to finish my 10!

Another huge success from today was watching Michelle, from my challenge, complete her first 10 mile race! We embraced at the finish line, cried, and my heart felt it could burst to be there as she reached the milestone in her life! What an amazing accomplishment! A year ago, she was 113lbs heavier, didn't exercise much, let alone run 10 miles and look how far she's come!

Time for You

 

 

This was the picture I posted today for my challengers.  Most nights I peruse the internet trying to find motivational pictures, quotes, jokes, etc that really hit home for me and that I hope reach out to them to keep their fire going and help them stay on track throughout the challenge.  I've had a few challengers that have really tugged on my heart this past year.  Jennifer, Renee, Aileen, LeeAn, to name a few.  I see these women constantly put others before themselves and they truly suffer from it.  They don't seem make the time for themselves.  They put everyone else's needs before their own and I can see the toll it takes on them.  I've been there!  I'm a people pleaser too, and I know how easy it is to push your own needs aside and focus on others.  Usually it has to do with not wanting to let others down; however, sometimes it's easier to focus on others' needs than your own because you feel overwhelmed by your own needs.  It's a terrible vicious cycle!

I remember years ago at a cookout, a woman who was recently divorced and I started chatting.  I don't know what came over me that compelled me to ask her what she think happened that led her to divorce.  Her answer shook me to the core..."I forgot to be a woman."  That sounds like such an odd comment, but let me tell you, it hit me hard!  I knew EXACTLY what she meant.  I was a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an employer, the list went on and on.  But who was AliceAnne?  What did I do for MYSELF? 

 

I wish I could say that the very next day I took charge of ME, but I didn't.  It wasn't until I was looking at my own marriage, my own friendships and work and life and not understanding why if I was doing so much for others, why was I so miserable...Why so resentful?  Why so tired?  The lightbulb went off and I was reminded what she said to me!  When I started my fitness journey, yes, I felt selfish.  People would ask me how I could devote so much time to working out.  I would hear, "I can't workout, I have kids; there aren't enough hours in the day; who has time for that?"  I would get looks and judgements about why I was putting so much time into myself...well, guess what?  My husband was happier, I was happier, I was more patient with my kids, I was more energized, I was organized...it all started coming together.  In taking care of myself, I was able to better take care of everything and everyone else.  If you're run down, unhappy and unhealthy, how much use are you to anyone else? 

So I'm saying it...TAKE CARE OF YOU.  No one else will.  Make yourself and your happiness and health a priority.  You get one life, one body, one chance.  Make it count!