The scale is not the end all be all...

In my most recent "Biggest Losers" challenge I had them take body measurements.  For so many of the challenges I have seen people stuck at a certain number on the scale, regardless of their exercise and nutrition discipline.  I don't live with these people, nor do I work out with them or prepare their meals, but I have to believe that for the months on end that they have been working out and eating relatively better than what they were doing previous to the challenges there have to be SOME changes!  So, like I said, this challenge, I had them take body measurments. 

Four weeks, halfway, into the challenge, we remeasured and I have to be honest...the truth shall set you free!  LOL!  No really, every single person, regardless of how many lbs lost, if any, had lost inches!  1-2 inches was the norm, but some really lost INCHES, like 2-4 inches in their waist, hips, arms and thighs (God knows all us women want to lose inches in our thighs!)  Seeing these changes in measurements, I believe, really helped affirmed all their efforts.  It can be so frusrating to work week after week after week and see no change on the scale.  Do I know why this happens?  No clue.  I admit, even I get fixated on the scale.  But the really proof is in the pudding (what does that even mean?)  You cannot deny that your body is changing when you're clearly losing inches. 

So pay attention to the non-scale victories:

Clothes fit looser
Measurments are changing
your body is stronger
you can run longer
people tell you that you look like you've lost weight
you feel healthier
you enjoy exercise
you are more active

Don't let the scale dictate how you feel about yourself.  It is like age...it's just a number and as long as you're doing the best for your body, the rest will work itself out!

Mommy Guilt

Today we celebrate our daughter's 8th birthday.  We are visiting family in Seattle, WA this week and decided to make it a little family vacation.  My daughter thinks it is wonderful to be traveling on her birthday.  This morning, I geared up and decided to take a short run through downtown Seattle.  It was GORGEOUS.  Nothing like the Annapolis, Maryland muggy mornings we've been having. 

While on my run, I was thinking about my baby girl and thinking about how much my life has changed and how even more recently (these last few years) how I've really made my own health and happiness a priority.  I've heard so many moms say that they don't have time to work out; they are exhausted from raising children; they'd rather spend that time with their family etc.  I'm not going to lie and say that I've never been ridden with the "mommy guilt" and fallen victim (or martyr) to the "woe is me; there is never any time for me" mind set.  The truth is, moms have to take care of everyone...but who takes care of mom? 

So back to my run this morning.  I ran down by Pike's Market, at least it was the shell of Pike's Market; the vendors were gone, the streets were empty, but you could smell all the bakeries and small restaurants as they were gearing up for their day.  The air was crisp, the town smelled sleepy and new, I had 100% peace that my children were at the hotel with my husband while I was relishing in this time to myself. 

Does this make me a bad mother?  I don't think so.  When I got back from my run, I immediately went to weight room in the hotel; I knew my family was ok.  I lifted weights; my normal routine; and felt revived to have that time to renew my spirit and shake the travel fog.  My husband took the kids down to the hotel restaurant while I showered and dressed.  Once I finally sat down to breakfast with my family, it had been a full 2 hours since I had seen them.  I was rejuvinated!  I was cheerful!  My workout complete, I'm set for the day and we are all happy to see each other.  I didn't feel that I sacrificed any of my time, and therefore my time with them felt precious, sacred, nothing to distract me...

Let go of the mommy guilt friends!  Take care of you!  Give yourself the time you need to replenish yourself; fuel your body and mind and prepare to give yourself to your family!   Just food for thought.  Drop the guilt and pick up some free weights :)

I've been a terrible blogger...

I've been terrible at keeping things current and up-to-date.  It's far too long since I've given updates, so I'll keep this brief...

On June 2nd, I ran my half-marathon!  WOW!  Talk about exilerating!  It was amazing!  I cannot thank my friends Heather and Kathy enough for all the training and sticking by my side as a new (slow) runner! 

The race was hard, but it was fantastic!  I had the best time and I'd totally do it again!  In fact, I'm running 13 miles this Sunday; not even in a race! 

Here is something I wrote after the race:

Saturday’s race was amazing. It was a really tough course, lots of hills, great scenery, and awesome company (ran with my two running buddies) We ran a 10.5 min mile steady and I felt really strong. About 4 miles (mile 5-8) of the run was on a slant, and I think it put a lot of pressure on my left side, my knee and hip flexor were really hurting after the 9 mile mark. I took an Advil at 7.5 miles and it didn’t take long until I was feeling much better.

At 12.5 miles (I can’t believe I made it that far!) I got a HORRIBLE cramp in my right ab. I was running with my arms up trying to catch a breath and really focused on getting long deep breaths, stretching my stride and keeping a steady pace while getting heart rate down. Once I could see the finish line though, I didn’t even realize I was still cramped and the adrenaline just kicked in and finished strong. It was pretty emotional for me. Another check off my bucket list! Disney Marathon 2014 here I come! LOL!


In other news, I finished up my largest Biggest Loser contest at the end of June.  My winner lost almost 40lbs and I could not be more proud!  I have a couple people that have dropped a lot of weight, over 60lbs some of them!  I'm impressed and inspired!

In July, I started a Biggest Losers Bootcamp.  We are just into week 2 and it's really going well!  The group is relatively small (25 contestants) and they have challenges every week!  Everyone is working extremely hard, and while the challenge is only 8 weeks total, I think they will all see huge results!

So there's my update.  I really need to be better about keeping up with the blog :)
 

Perspective

Today I was asked the question of whether or not I ever get frustrated with my journey.  Most people think that this has been easy for me.  Here was my answer to her:

There are definitely times when I have been in a "funk". I would miss workouts, be only at 50% or less, be grumpy, unmotivated, t...ired, etc. I also get a sweet tooth, or a carb overload and sometimes I skip eating all together. Sometimes, I get burnt out. I get tired of measureing/weighing/counting. I get tired of getting up and going to workout…

Just this morning, I overslept and missed my workout. I'm not beating myself up though. My body is tired. Missing one workout, even a week of workouts (although I don’t recommend it if you’re just starting out), does not equate to failure. It is only when you don’t lace those shoes back up and get back out there when you’ve really quit…so as long as you get back on it, you’re still in the journey.

You have to view each day as part of your fitness journey; your life. Every day of our lives is not easy. We have ebbs and flows and trials and tribulations. It’s only the sum of all efforts (good and bad) that give us the final result. Know what I’m saying? A bad day, a bad week, a bad month, does not make a bad life.

My fitness journey hasn’t always been about my weight and my looks either. Some of you don’t know me well, but the truth is 3 years ago, I found myself unhappy, overweight, struggling with my business, my marriage, motherhood, etc. I was STUCK. IN. A. RUT. Absolutely miserable with myself and everyone around me and just clawing to get by at life; ugly but true. When I hit the bottom, I looked around and saw what I really had, and let me tell you this WE ALL HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR. Then in November 2011, I received yet another lesson. My dad died tragically. So young and still so much life to live.

So over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot; about who I am, the life I want to live, the example I want to be to my children and the person I want to be to others. I’m not perfect, nowhere near it, but I definitely take every single day of my life as a gift.

I get mad. I get depressed, I get frustrated, demotivated, you name it. I’m human. I’m a working mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend. I’ve learned to cut toxicity out of my life as much as possible. I’ve learned when to step back and let others make their mistakes and even better, let them show me that by trusting in them they won’t fail (like that one Jessica?) I’m a huge control freak and I’m learning to let go of that which I cannot control nor change.

No, none of this came naturally. Actually it all came very UNNATURALLY. I have worked so hard and made it a daily goal and a daily habit to get up and put one foot in front of the other. Because the truth of it is, NO ONE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU BUT YOU. I don’t mean you can’t rely on others, God knows there have been a handful of people that have really been there for me; but people can only support you. You have to make the choices to be a better you.

So, don’t mean to get on a soap box, but you asked Yes, I’ve gotten frustrated with my weightloss journey, but when you focus on just being a better YOU…it all works out. One day of frustration does not break you. Look at yourself, your own worth and decide what you’re willing to invest in. If you don’t invest in you…who will?

I hope that made sense.  I tend to ramble when I get emotional :)

Catching Up

I was so excited to post about my 11 mile run, that I forgot I had so much more to share!  Last weekend, I ran 2 separate 5Ks, one on Saturday (which I ran with Heather and proceeded to run 5 miles immediately after for a total of 8) and one on Sunday (with my daughter and my good friend from highschool who flew in to spend the weekend with my family)

Saturday's run was hard!  The hills were brutal and I think both Heather and I were extremely wornout.  We did complete the 8 miles, but I did not feel well after the run and I honestly don't know how we finished the 5K let alone add the extra 5 miles to boot!  We started later in the morning, it was hot and I think it was just an "off day" for us both.  However, we did it, and we don't regret it!

Sunday's run was emotional.  The run was organized by my friend Heather for a child of a friend's who had passed away and we JUST attended his funeral the previous Monday.  It was all so fresh.  I got to hug his amazing mom and throughout the run I thought of their strength and love.  I was happy my daugther was able to run it with me; although she surprised me in that she had a rocky start.  I think she mentally scared herself and made herself believe that it was too hard.  Around the 2 mile mark, the got a little pep in her step and finished strong. 

I cannot thank my good friend, Morgan, who also ran in the race, enough for helping to cheer her on and give her some friendly competition.  My friend, Jennifer, flew all the way in from Kansas City to spend the weekend with my family and participate in this run.  She JUST took up running and had been experiencing some shin splint pain, so I think it was smart that we did walk/run at my daughter's pace.  It was just nice for us to be out there together, even if the weather was less than stellar, and help support the family that had just suffered such a loss. 

At one moment in the race, I looked back and saw my friend, who had just lost her son.  She was runinng the race.  She is so amazing.  No parent should ever have to bury a child; but I hope that she and her husband know that through their love, courage, strength, and loss, they have inspired so many and touch the hearts of more than they can count. 

Reaching new "mile"stones

Yesterday I reached 11 miles!  I cannot believe it!  I ran 11 miles!  Wooohooo!  It was honestly the best run I have ever had and I felt pretty amazing during it and afterwards.  I'm not even as sore as I thought I might be today.  I feel awesome! 

I met my good friends Kathy and Heather in the mall parking lot and we headed out on our run.  It was really neat because about 3.5 miles into it, we found ourselves right where the cyclist were for the local TriRock triathalon.  We decided to run along side them and cheer them on.  It was amazing.  Amazing is actually an understatement.  It was inspiring!  I could not get over the variety of people participating in the triathalon.  People of all ages, shapes and sizes.  I felt extremely proud and I admit a little envious. 

We made our way through the Navy yard and out into the city dock where we were able to see the triatheletes begin their 5K.  Again, we ran alongside them on their route and cheered them on.  It was a huge distraction on our run as we shouted words of encouragement.  There were a few bands playing at various distance markers.  When we parted with the racers, we still had about 3 miles to go to get back to our cars.  I admit to feeling like I was hitting a wall at our 8 mile mark, but we pushed through and finished strong.  Keeping an 11 min mile pace and finishing right under 2 hours.  I felt so strong and so "high"!  I was extremely proud of myself and inspired by the run.  I've decided to go ahead and train for a triathalon and participate with my friends Kathy and Heather in FL this October!  Yes, I'm really going to go for it! 

Wow!  Some huge goals for me this year, a half marathon and then a triathalon!  I'm loving it!  Loving setting the goals and working hard to meet them.  I feel so good about where I am right now and I can see all the positive energy pouring into ever facet of my life.  I'm so thankful for the support and love of my family and friends and I'm overwhelmed with pride as I watch my children respond and participate in our healthy life style.

Not the greatest picture, but we were having fun and the morning was gorgeous, we had to take a quick snap shot :)  Me, Heather, and Kathy

Just when I think my life could not get any richer...I have days like yesterday and I realize that every day that I have good health, a fit body, a great attitude and positive energy I grow to be better and stronger than I ever imagined!

Balance

"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life — learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some."
– Robert Fulghum

My life is very compartmentalized.  I really need for it to be that way because I am someone who wears many hats.  I thrive on having a routine; a schedule; consistency.  In order for me to participate in the things I love, I have to have a plan and I need to schedule my life so that I MAKE time for the things that are important to me.  People are forever asking me how I'm able or why I even want to be involved in so many different things.  The answer is pretty simple:  balance. 

I feel good when my life is filled with a variety of activities.  We are all complex people with many different interests, who says we have to limit ourselves to eat, sleep, work, rinse, repeat?  I have strived to fill my day with meaningful things; my family, my friends, my work, hobbies, volunteering, etc.  Of course, my health is absolutely necessary for me to give any energy to anything else, so I've learned to make exercise part of my routine (just like showering, brushing teeth and eating!  It's a must!)

I found the quote by Robert Fulghum and it really rang true to me.  I thought about my day today.  I chatted with my husband while I ate my breakfast, then headed out the door to meet my friend, Heather, for an 8 mile run.  After our run, we had "coffee talk" for about an hour.  I came home, and spent several hours with my family; we had lunch, went to an Earth Day festival, then rode bikes in the park.  Once we were home, my husband and I had time to ourselves to chat and plan our week (the normal husband/wife chatter; afterschool schedules, t-ball practice plans, dinner menu, etc) but we also nourished our friendship and focus our efforts on keeping open communication and enjoying each other's company.  That may sound silly, but how many people do you know carve out time out of every day (even just 15 minutes!) to talk...really TALK...to their spouse?  I then had quiet time to myself.  I took a short nap, made myself a snack, and checked email and Facebook.  :)  My day was busy, but I found time to do thing things I love and spend time with the people that are most important to me.  I made time for myself, my needs. 

My work week isn't much different.  I know when it's time to shut out the world and focus on my work, and I'm able to turn work off and focus on my family.  As a business owner, that has been a hard lesson that I've really had to practice a lot.  It would be very easy for me to check email at all hours of the day and night; through dinner and piano lessons.  However, then I'd miss out on my family and I'd miss out my young children's precious moments.  There's a reason why I'm that "crazy lady" that goes to the gym at 4:30 am.  That's MY time.  In having that time to myself, I'm charged and ready to go when my family and work need me. 

There's time for everything that is truly important to you in your life.  Time isn't found, it's made.  Carve your schedule, make your routine, pick up your briefcase, put down your cell phone, turn off the computer and pick up a book, laugh and dance and play and then close the door to the world and feed your soul. 

Health is all about finding balance.  Every day is a new opportunity for me to find that balance, some days are better than others, and some days are a complete cluster of chaos, but I'm learning.  Do a little bit of everything in a day so that you don't get several days down the road and realize that you forgot to nurture something and you missed out on something great!