Well, I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today was my 5K Race. My husband Mike and I got up before the sun rose, drove to Oak Park, IL, arriving by 6:30 AM in anticipation of my first fitness goal coming to fruition. I am so incredibly fortunate to have support in my life. In addition to my husband, two friends from grad school, who are far more fit than I, agreed to walk the Frank Lloyd Wright 5K by my side in support of my efforts. Another friend of a friend joined us. She had a similar goal of simply completing the 5K as part of a rehabilitation program in her own life.
The race began promptly at 8:00 AM and we were off. The runners were placed first, then runners with strollers, walkers, walkers with strollers and dogs. A 10K run was scheduled to begin at 8:45 AM and a Youth 1 mile run started at 9:00 AM. The walk went along very well but I quickly started to notice how slowly I was walking in comparison to others. I had not really noticed until I saw a group of older ladies, one who had to be well into her 80s, walking with us within the first mile. I remember thinking that it was great that they were participating in a walk at their age, but then I realized that I was at the back of the pack. In fact, we had a motor escort in the rear. I mean, we were dead last. Even the old ladies had moved ahead. (They had an unfair advantage though, one of the older ladies had walking poles and the 80 year old quit after 1 mile). I started to feel badly about my place in the pack, regretting all the years of poor choices, no exercise and wishing that I had gotten a clue sooner. There were so many things that were entering my mind about my bad habits, but one of my friends gently reminded me that the 5K was not about that for me. My walk goal was about finishing a 5K without feeling paralyzed. He reminded me that each of us has our journey within different times, and that this was my journey. It was not a day of regret, but a day of celebration of accomplishment and of a new phase in my life.
I adjusted my goal. I set a new mental goal for myself. I would feel better if I did not get surpassed by the 10K runners who started 45 minutes later than we did. (I didn’t realize that goal had to come to fruition as the 10K path took a turn at one point and even the fastest runner would not have finished the course in 20 – 25 minutes.) We were approaching the finish line at about one hour, six minutes when we saw the runners from the Youth Mile Run turning their last corner to the finish line as well. Thousands of encouraging parents and grandparents stood along the sides of the street as the kids finished their race. These were true runners in training as they approached a 7-minute mile. I was impressed by their enthusiasm, speed and excitement about their run. Our group crossed the finish line pretty unobtrusively. While there were lots of parents cheering the kids on, we didn’t have anyone waiting for us when we crossed. We had each other. My friends and I crossed with a final time of about 1 hour, 9 minutes. I was tired, but not so much that I could barely figure out how I was going to get back to my car. My friends and I shared breakfast and fellowship together at a local restaurant and the camaraderie that comes with this shared experience.
Now, it’s time for a new goal. My workout goal is to continue to work out consistently a minimum of 3 times per week, building to 4 in the next two – three weeks. At that point, Suzanne, my nutritionist and personal trainer, will work with me to really design a plan to optimize my workouts. In addition, I think that I am ready to set my first long-term goal. I am giving it thought, but upon achieving my 10% goal (30 pounds), I will set my first long-term goal on this blog.
Thank you, readers and friends, for your support, encouragement, prayers and helping hands as I continue to pursue a healthier lifestyle. It’s been a good day . . .
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Looking Beyond a Week
Dear Bleaders:
I am making progress! I woke up this morning and stepped on the scale (6 times) to discover that I now weight 283.8 pounds. That means that I have now lost a total of 23.2 pounds! I am so excited about this development and what it means. My next goal will be to surpass 30 pounds. A loss of 30 pounds will mean a 10% reduction in weight and a 50% reduction in health risks associated with diabetes and heart disease. Now that I have lost more than 20 pounds, this achievement seems within my reach.
This accomplishment is pretty significant not only for the amount of weight but also because I managed things well during my birthday weekend. I began my birthday with a 2.5 mile walk, followed by a healthy breakfast with my mom, playtime with my daughter, and then dinner and a show with my husband. The following day was very full. I was expecting an out-of-town guest overnight. I did not take a walk before picking up my guest for her visit; however, I kept my walking clothes on and remained dedicated to the idea of a walk later in the day. The old me would have said, “Oh, well, I will do it tomorrow.” I persevered. I started on my talk, tired from the longer walk the previous day. I honestly did not think I could get through my usual 1.75 mile walk, let alone the extended length. I prayed along my path, and, amazingly was able to walk my 3.1 miles. I did it! I discovered that I would be able to get through my 5K without paralysis! I made a plan to walk at least 3 days this week in order to keep up on my training. I have walked 3.1 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and plan to walk again on Friday. I might take a short walk on Saturday, but I don’t want to press to hard so that I am refreshed for Sunday morning’s walk.
Throughout my journey, I have been intentional in keeping my sights set on smaller, more obtainable goals. I have never looked beyond the next “0” on the scale and didn’t put pressure on myself when things have gone more slowly. I feel my body changing and becoming reliant on exercise. I am now feeling muscles that I didn’t even know that I had! I am heading into this weekend prepared and focused. I just hope that I can sustain beyond the week.
I am making progress! I woke up this morning and stepped on the scale (6 times) to discover that I now weight 283.8 pounds. That means that I have now lost a total of 23.2 pounds! I am so excited about this development and what it means. My next goal will be to surpass 30 pounds. A loss of 30 pounds will mean a 10% reduction in weight and a 50% reduction in health risks associated with diabetes and heart disease. Now that I have lost more than 20 pounds, this achievement seems within my reach.
This accomplishment is pretty significant not only for the amount of weight but also because I managed things well during my birthday weekend. I began my birthday with a 2.5 mile walk, followed by a healthy breakfast with my mom, playtime with my daughter, and then dinner and a show with my husband. The following day was very full. I was expecting an out-of-town guest overnight. I did not take a walk before picking up my guest for her visit; however, I kept my walking clothes on and remained dedicated to the idea of a walk later in the day. The old me would have said, “Oh, well, I will do it tomorrow.” I persevered. I started on my talk, tired from the longer walk the previous day. I honestly did not think I could get through my usual 1.75 mile walk, let alone the extended length. I prayed along my path, and, amazingly was able to walk my 3.1 miles. I did it! I discovered that I would be able to get through my 5K without paralysis! I made a plan to walk at least 3 days this week in order to keep up on my training. I have walked 3.1 miles on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week and plan to walk again on Friday. I might take a short walk on Saturday, but I don’t want to press to hard so that I am refreshed for Sunday morning’s walk.
Throughout my journey, I have been intentional in keeping my sights set on smaller, more obtainable goals. I have never looked beyond the next “0” on the scale and didn’t put pressure on myself when things have gone more slowly. I feel my body changing and becoming reliant on exercise. I am now feeling muscles that I didn’t even know that I had! I am heading into this weekend prepared and focused. I just hope that I can sustain beyond the week.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Excuses, Excuses, I Can’t Give Myself Any More Stinkin’ Excuses
My Dearest Bleaders:
Why is it that the moment things don’t go exactly the most optimistic way, we jump on the excuse wagon? As you know, I have been away from my blogging for the past two weeks. The complications of life have picked up again and I have once again slowed down my efforts toward my health goals. While I continue to make healthier food choices, overall, every once in a while I am seeing some old behaviors creeping back into my psyche. I am walking once to twice a week, but at this rate, I am going to be hurting after my 5K Walk on October 24th. I’ll be able to do it, but will probably be exhausted and paralyzed afterward. I wish that I could explain it, but I can’t. It is like something in my brain is telling me that it’s ok to slow down because life is a bit challenging right now or whatever the situation is at the moment.
I was inspired to write today’s posting after attending a session by writer Shauna Niequist. She spoke about many things, including the discipline of a healthier lifestyle. You see, she had several friends who inspired her to pursue a goal of completing the Chicago Marathon. For the past 7-8 months, she has trained rigorously for this goal. She dedicated herself to building up her stamina from starting out last March barely able to complete 2 miles without being totally exhausted. Slowly, she worked with a training team to build up to a goal of 12-minute miles. She completed last Sunday’s marathon in 5 hours and 38 minutes. By definition, that is not considered a speedy time, but it was about the journey and accomplishment for her.
Shauna also spoke about the discipline that she has in her writing. Since she is a writer by profession, she commits herself to writing every day without fail. When asked if she ever lacks inspiration or feels a “writer’s block,” she commented that because writing is her job, she needs to push past all of those kinds of thoughts. She explained that she takes her position very seriously so she lives in a way that feeds her needs of sleep, community, rest and exercise. She reads books that inspire her and she does all that she can to keep herself in a space of inspiration so that she can, in turn, inspire others.
Shauna’s talk got me thinking. Yes, my life is a bit of a challenge right now. Yes, this weight and exercise issue is the biggest pain to deal with now or at any other time. Yes, life could be easier. Yes, the weather could be warmer or cooler, sunnier or rainier. . . Do you see where I am going with this? My nutritionist Suzanne is a truth teller. She tells things as she sees them, but tries to break it to clients like me gently so that we don’t totally lose faith in ourselves or our capacity to change. I thought about Suzanne a lot tonight because she is the only person in my life who gently and lovingly tells me truth while encouraging me along the way. Thank goodness for her! I DO need to be like Nike and just do it! As I think back on my journey thus far, it is full of excuses without much marked progress. Don’t get me wrong, I think that I’m working it, but very SLOWLY.
Tomorrow is an important day for me. You may recall that I made a goal that by October 14, 2012, the day before my 49th birthday, I will have completed the yeoman’s share of my weight loss. There is much work to do and it is time for me to get to it. I’ll be walking more, eating less, and being mindful of my actions anew as I head to yet another beginning. In addition, I will not keep you hanging, my dear bleaders, as I’ve made a commitment to you to keep you in my loop. I’m glad that you’re here with me.
Why is it that the moment things don’t go exactly the most optimistic way, we jump on the excuse wagon? As you know, I have been away from my blogging for the past two weeks. The complications of life have picked up again and I have once again slowed down my efforts toward my health goals. While I continue to make healthier food choices, overall, every once in a while I am seeing some old behaviors creeping back into my psyche. I am walking once to twice a week, but at this rate, I am going to be hurting after my 5K Walk on October 24th. I’ll be able to do it, but will probably be exhausted and paralyzed afterward. I wish that I could explain it, but I can’t. It is like something in my brain is telling me that it’s ok to slow down because life is a bit challenging right now or whatever the situation is at the moment.
I was inspired to write today’s posting after attending a session by writer Shauna Niequist. She spoke about many things, including the discipline of a healthier lifestyle. You see, she had several friends who inspired her to pursue a goal of completing the Chicago Marathon. For the past 7-8 months, she has trained rigorously for this goal. She dedicated herself to building up her stamina from starting out last March barely able to complete 2 miles without being totally exhausted. Slowly, she worked with a training team to build up to a goal of 12-minute miles. She completed last Sunday’s marathon in 5 hours and 38 minutes. By definition, that is not considered a speedy time, but it was about the journey and accomplishment for her.
Shauna also spoke about the discipline that she has in her writing. Since she is a writer by profession, she commits herself to writing every day without fail. When asked if she ever lacks inspiration or feels a “writer’s block,” she commented that because writing is her job, she needs to push past all of those kinds of thoughts. She explained that she takes her position very seriously so she lives in a way that feeds her needs of sleep, community, rest and exercise. She reads books that inspire her and she does all that she can to keep herself in a space of inspiration so that she can, in turn, inspire others.
Shauna’s talk got me thinking. Yes, my life is a bit of a challenge right now. Yes, this weight and exercise issue is the biggest pain to deal with now or at any other time. Yes, life could be easier. Yes, the weather could be warmer or cooler, sunnier or rainier. . . Do you see where I am going with this? My nutritionist Suzanne is a truth teller. She tells things as she sees them, but tries to break it to clients like me gently so that we don’t totally lose faith in ourselves or our capacity to change. I thought about Suzanne a lot tonight because she is the only person in my life who gently and lovingly tells me truth while encouraging me along the way. Thank goodness for her! I DO need to be like Nike and just do it! As I think back on my journey thus far, it is full of excuses without much marked progress. Don’t get me wrong, I think that I’m working it, but very SLOWLY.
Tomorrow is an important day for me. You may recall that I made a goal that by October 14, 2012, the day before my 49th birthday, I will have completed the yeoman’s share of my weight loss. There is much work to do and it is time for me to get to it. I’ll be walking more, eating less, and being mindful of my actions anew as I head to yet another beginning. In addition, I will not keep you hanging, my dear bleaders, as I’ve made a commitment to you to keep you in my loop. I’m glad that you’re here with me.
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