Rewind and come again...

In about six weeks I will run in the Iron Mom Half Marathon...and I'm starting to feel a little worried. I'm not concerned about finishing it because I know that I can cover the distance. My concern is how well I finish. I believe firmly in training so that I finish strong. In my humble opinion, you enjoy the race more if you feel strong throughout. Yes, you'll have tough spots and low points but overall I like to finish feeling like I conquered the world and can kick a little more chicken, as my Pastor would say. 

Currently I'm training for the half while also finishing up Jamie Eason's LiveFit program. My miles and my real life are suffering so I'm thinking I need to rethink my plan. I know part of the issue is that I'm not eating enough to fuel my body for everything I want to accomplish. Thirty minutes into a run I feel like every ounce of energy I have is gone. The longest I've run so far is a little over five miles. 

So, as much as I love lifting and love the results I've seen with the LiveFit program, I think I need to revise my plan. I don't want to lose the lean muscle I've gained so I will continue to lift, just not as heavy and not as frequently. Right now I'm lifting six days a week, running three days a week, cycling one day a week, and swimming one day a week. Plus softball (doubleheaders) once a week. The result is that I'm too pooped to be effective in other parts of my life, i.e. laundry and dusting. 

To keep myself balanced over the next six weeks I'm going to cut back lifting to three times a week on my non-running days, run three days a week (speed, tempo, and long run), cycling one day a week (on one of the lifting days), and swimming once a week (on Saturdays, after my long run). That means I won't be finishing Phase 3 of LiveFit, which sucks, but I'll pick it back up mid-May and continue to focus on cutting my bodyfat. 

In the meantime, I think I will take a CEU course on nutrition to help me with fueling adequately. Over the course of four years I've lost and kept off over 100 pounds but I still have about 30-40 pounds to go before I reach my tentative weight goal. This is probably the toughest part of the journey because the weight is not wanting to budge and I have to adjust my approach. The things that worked before don't seem to be working right now, so I need to rewind and come again. 

To quote Jay Z, "It's all about progression...can't be afraid to fail, in search of perfection." Not that I'm pursing perfection, but you get the point. Sometimes you have to tweak things and readjust along the journey, and that's okay. Just don't ever stop or reverse route. Move it forward!

Statement of the American Council on Exercise Regarding NBC’s The Biggest Loser®

A couple of years ago I stopped watching The Biggest Loser. I don't know why but it no longer had the same effect on me. Instead I started watching "Heavy" which seemed more pertinent to me. BL is great drama, but it is not a true look at the journey from fat to fit.

Statement of the American Council on Exercise Regarding NBC’s The Biggest Loser®

Standing in the Sun

There are some moments in life that you don't forget. One of my earliest memories is standing on the sidewalk outside my family's home in Chicago and just staring at the sun. I remember the brilliance of it. I remember it was just me but I wasn't afraid. I have no recollection of what I did before that moment or afterward or why that moment even sticks out.

Since then there have been a plethora of memories, some I would rather forget and some my mind has blocked out without my permission. For the past week one memory keeps coming back to me. I think it may have to do with a friend of mine and his recent struggle with diabetes.

Picture it. December 2007, I was pregnant with twins and in my third trimester. For those who aren't aware, anytime you're pregnant with multiples it's considered high risk so you have extra appointments and tests that are run...so much fun really. After one of these "routine" appointments I was told that I had gestational diabetes and was directed to admit myself into the hospital--like right then. I stayed in the hospital a few days while they played around with my insulin levels. Finally, on Christmas Eve they let me go home. But life did not go back to normal.



Preggers with my twins, 343 lbs



I felt like a prisoner in my own body. In the morning I had to prick my finger to take my blood sugar. I had to inject myself in the stomach with two different types of insulin and then I had to eat within a certain timeframe. I remember waking from my sleep with the shakes because my blood sugar had gotten to low. I remember almost crashing while waiting to eat at a restaurant--because I waited too long to eat after giving myself an injection.

Along the way the doctors would say, "You'll probably develop type 2 diabetes." Even after I had the babies they made this pronouncement and even supplied the tidbit that most babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes will develop diabetes. Every time they pronounced that sentence for me and my babies I would say, "No, we won't."

When I would wake up at 4:30am and walk the dark streets of our subdivision I would recall the knowing look on the doctor's face--and I'd walk faster. Every time I looked at a package of food I'd remember that 15g or carbohydrates is one serving.

And then I was denied life insurance. Not because I had any medical problems. Not because I lived a wild and crazy life. I was denied because of the probability that I would die prematurely. There I was 300+ pounds at 32 years old...with a history of gestational diabetes and a "normal" blood sugar level of 112.



My babies, all healthy weight ranges and diabetes free



I would love to send a letter with pictures to my former doctors and insurance agent thanking them for helping me set my will. They will probably never know that their sentences helped me find a road to freedom. It has not been easy. I've taken a few detours. But always when I want to quit, I remember those sentences and the depth of the hopelessness I felt. And then I remember me today and I look at my healthy babies (now big boys)...I can see the brilliance and I'm not afraid.

Proudly Peculiar

I'm different. 

And no, I don't like the song; I'm just stating a fact. Not only am I a different person than I used to be, but I'm a little different than those closest to me. It makes life a little uncomfortable sometimes. There are times when it seems like I have more in common with my faraway Facebook and Instagram buddies than I do with those closest to me. It sucks not having a friend to meet me at Planet Fitness at 5am. It sucks not having anyone at the finish line cheering me on. It sucks...but it's made me stronger and I've grown to like working out and running alone. Not everyone understands my motivation. And that's okay. Until I traveled this road I didn't understand it either. I was reminded of my differentness recently when talking with two of my friends about my upcoming cruise. 

In ten days my family (basically, me and my three little boys) will be setting sail for the Bahamas. Am I looking forward to the relaxation, festivities, and food? Of  course! But I'm also going to stick as closely as I can to my plan. I've already printed out my workouts for the day and plan on checking the policy on bringing food on to the ship (who does that??) so that I can bring my protein powder, bars, and pre-workout powder. I already know that some of my allowable 12 beverages will be almond milk for mixing with my shakes in my shaker cup. 

I haven't always been this diligent. 

                                                  

Carnival Cruise Dec 2009

In 2009 when I cruised with my Mom and my aunts I didn't even bring sneakers. When they went to the sky deck to workout I walked around the track in my flip flops. I remember that I signed up for a yoga class and did it in my denim skort and flowery (non-activewear) tank top. Fitness was not a factor in my packing!

My second cruise was after I caught the fitness bug and completed a half marathon. That time around I packed workout clothes and actually worked out while on board. The only time I ever enjoyed running on a treadmill was onboard that cruise while looking out over the ocean. Talk about motivation! My eating on the cruise, however, was not the best.

Carnival Cruise 2011

This is cruise number three and I'm in the midst of training for another half marathon and finishing up Jamie Eason's LiveFit program from BodyBuilding.com. Since January I've been working my tail off and  seeing results, so I don't want to blow it for four days. I'm in phase 2 of the LiveFit program and will be in week three of my half marathon training--and it's only a ten week schedule so every run counts.  

Going on vacation does not mean you take a vacation from exercising. Exercise is not something that I do just for poops and giggles. I do this because  my body needs it, it makes me feel better, it makes me look better, and I like it. Do you take a vacation from eating? Do you take a vacation from smoking cigarettes? Do you take a vacation from breathing? 

It's okay if people look at you like you're peculiar when you do things differently. It's okay if they don't understand. Have grace with them, but keep on practicing healthy behaviors and doing what you need to do to stay the course. Once upon a time you didn't understand. My hope, my mission in life is that those around me grow to be as peculiar as I am when it comes to their health. It's my peculiarity that keeps my blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose in the "desirable" range. It's my peculiarity that allows me to switch between misses and juniors department versus the plus sizes. It's my peculiarity that has me steadily making progress while those around me have gained or stagnated. It's my peculiarity that inspires those around me to lead healthier lives. Being peculiar rocks ;P

Busted: The Truth Behind 10 Common Food Myths

The truth will set you free!!! I have a snack basket near my desk and so often people ask, "Is this low fat?" It annoys me, but I have to remind myself that they don't know the truth yet. A balanced diet means you have a mix of carbohydrates, fats, and protein daily. Some people may opt to go with more protein because of their goals. Others may need more carbohydrates because of their activity level. Your balance may not look the same as the person next to you. Educate yourselves, try a few different options, and do what works best for your body. Happy reading and healthy eating!!

Busted: The Truth Behind 10 Common Food Myths

#fat2fitposse