Warrior Within

Today I ran in the Wounded Warrior Project 8K—before you run off and do the conversion, that is approximately 4.97 miles. It’s probably one of my favorite races to run. Not because of the course, or the swag, or the entertainment. It’s one of my favorites because of the wounded warriors themselves.  While I am thankful for their service, what touches me more is their indomitable will to move forward. The soldiers whom I see running in the race or in the bike ride inspire me to push beyond what someone else may see as my “possibility.”

Around the 4 mile mark today I was passed by a soldier in a face mask and combat boots who was pushing another soldier in a wheelchair. Back at the 3 mile marker I saw the older man from last year pushing his walker along the course—head down, eyes focused, moving forward. Another team of solders had finished the race—carrying Old Glory—and ran back to escort and encourage others towards the finish line. Even at this event, they were giving their time in service to others.

This year has been tough. I've been told three times, by three different doctors to stop running. One told me to stop lifting heavy weights. Another told me to stop doing lunges and squats. For a minute I did heed their advice. And then my spirit started to question what was really possible. What more might I accomplish if I simply push past this moment?  Should I surrender to what they say is possible?

Don’t get me wrong, I know that we have to heed our doctor’s advice. I understand their reasoning. But I also know that their word is not law. Five years ago a team of doctors kept telling me that I would develop diabetes…yeah, NOT. Instead of letting their prognosis debilitate me, I take better care of myself. I make sure I take a rest day, stretch, ice as needed, get monthly massages, etc. etc. etc.

"Heroes" running for Heroes

So running among the warriors in this race this time around, I felt somewhat kindred. While our scars are of different origin, I understand a little bit about the spirit, the will, the vision, the courage it takes to move past “can’t” into “can.” I know what it feels like to conquer. Even as all my co-workers passed me, it didn't bother me the way it did a few months ago. Just being there with the ability to finish was enough for me. When I tell you that I took moments to enjoy the colors of the trees, encourage a few other runners, shout out to my co-workers, high-five volunteers...just being there was freaking awesome.

The icing on the cake for me during this race is when, at 4.39 miles in, a 60 year old gentleman with one hip and a survivor of a number of knee surgeries told me that I kept him pushing up the hills because I wouldn't stop. We made a pact to run the final stretch and not let each other stop. When he ran across the finish line I gave him the biggest hug. This life is magnificent! Use your pitfalls as opportunities to triumph and inspire others. Today I remember that all things are possible, if I have the faith to believe it and the will to move towards the vision. 

Your Cardio Routine is Making You Fat

Thank you!! I hope people really start understanding this. If you want to lose "weight," then yes, do two hours of cardio. But if you want to lose fat, hit the weights and scale back on the traditional cardio.

Cardio is for cardio-respiratory health, so yes, you should do it. But if you're talking about changing your body composition for the better, increasing your metabolism, and getting a hard body (look at sprinters versus marathon runners; look at crossfitters versus cyclists) then hit the weights, baby!

Read the article below by Jim Karas and share your thoughts.

Your Cardio Routine is Making You Fat | Yahoo! Health

Fueled by Victory

The day God gave the Amorites up to Israel, Joshua spoke to God, with all Israel listening:  “Stop, Sun, over Gibeon; Halt, Moon, over Aijalon Valley.”  And Sun stopped, moon stood stock still until he defeated his enemies. ~Joshua 10:12-13

Consistent. Relentless. Tenacious.



Some people don't believe me when I tell them that my fitness journey has helped me grow into a stronger Christian and a stronger person (mentally, emotionally). It sounds crazy considering I have battled with weight all of my life. But God used the one area of my life that had always been a struggle to be my ministry. Amazing...my purpose is rooted in my struggle. The principles and lessons I learn on my fitness journey help me along the other paths in my life. Principles, with their lovely selves, can be applied to anyone and just about any situation.

The other morning I was facing a personal crisis and wanted to crawl into a ball and just give up. I went through the motions of getting dressed and getting everyone out the door, all while fighting against the "take me now" screaming in my head. I got in the car and looked in the rear view mirror. I looked at myself and I look defeated. Me? Not Fit Girl? And then I recalled mile eight of the 2012 St Jude Music City Half Marathon when my ankle was on fire, my calves were cramping, and my pace was slipping. I remember telling myself, "It's not over. Finish strong." My gait changed. I was no longer whimpering. The only option I gave myself was to finish, and do it well. So, I fixed my form, stopped the whimpering and still hit a PR. But it doesn't' stop there.

With legs cramping and energy low, I changed and made it to my flag football game. I played a full game--offense (center), defense (defensive end), and special teams!! My very first play I dropped the ball because my hands were cramping. From that point on I told myself, "If you're gonna play, then play hard." No one watching that game would know that less than an hour beforehand I had done a half marathon. 

What point am I trying to make?

April 28, 2012

When you go into battle, you go with the hope of victory fueling you forward. If you don't have that hope of victory, why are you even fighting? And being Christian the fire is even bigger because I know with surety that I will be victorious--if only for the glory of God. 

Victory. I cannot even describe what it feels like to someone who hasn't tasted it. But once you know victory in any area of your life, it spurs you forward to the next conquest, the next challenge. I imagine the Israelites felt that way as they defeated thirty plus (32??) nations on their quest to claim the Promised Land. Joshua was so sure of victory that he had the audacity to ask God to let the sun stand still so he could keep whooping tail. What?! Ooooo weee!! When you know the taste of victory,you are not easily defeated.

As you gear up for your workout or preparing your meals, or even just facing your life, ask yourself if you are fueled by the hope of victory. Is that illustrated by how you carry yourself and go through life? Or are you limply fighting, awaiting defeat? Be fueled by VICTORY!

Seeds and Soaring...They're Related

Gardening is not my thing. Ask any of the plants I have killed...including the cactus. My lack of gardening skill noted, this morning I woke up thinking about planting and seeds--but not vegetation. The musings on planting, seeds, and harvest led me to thinking...

1) Do I seek to plant seeds in fertile ground?

2) Am I fertile ground, ready to receive seeds from others?

Before you mosey on to the next running blog thinking my laces are too tight, humor me.

Do I seek to plant seeds in fertile ground?

It's been my experience that people make a show of seeking answers. Some people ask you the "how" when they haven't discovered for themselves the "why" and aren't accepting of your "how" when you tell them. I can see the "what you talking about, Wills?" look on your face.

If you've lost weight, think about the number of people who ask you how you did it. If you tell them it took a lot of hard work, eating right, consistent decisions, and time they don't really want to hear that. They move on to the gimmick or quick fix. They, my dears, are not fertile ground. Or perhaps, you share something and they negate everything you say or keep saying "I can't" or "I don't like." Again, not fertile ground. With these types you will have to let time and experience wash away the pebbles that prevent the seeds from taking root.

You know fertile ground because they accept the seeds and you see evidence of growth. They start thinking about their choices. Or they follow up whatever seeds you gave and request more seeds. They put action to words. This, my dears, is fertile ground. As a coach, when this happens I am ecstatic because it tells me that something inside has changed. And no matter how much people focus on the exterior, lasting changes are born from within. Think about it. The exterior beauty of a tree doesn't last long once disease sets in at it's roots.

When people I've coached text, email, and call me while they are grocery shopping, I know that's good ground. When they make a choice to walk while their kids are at baseball practice, I know that's good ground. When they ask about the benefits of strength training or even what is strength training, I know that's good ground. I know that person is taking those seeds and nurturing them in order to see growth.

Feb 2007 to May 2013

Don't exhaust and deplete yourself throwing seeds around. Those seeds are powerful and should be planted with care. Use discernment to determine if it's good ground. Listen to what people are asking you. Listen to their answers. Observe their actions. Is this the ground in which you want your seeds planted? Will this person nurture the seeds? I share information and am willing to help anyone, but the level of my help is dependent upon the type of ground I perceive them to be.

Am I fertile ground, ready to receive seeds from others?

A few years ago I attended a women's conference at my church. One of the nuggets that I keep from that conference is "spend time in the company of eagles." At the time I felt more like a chicken pecking around on the ground, but now I understand. When you are in the company of eagles you get excited--excited by the site of them soaring and excited at the possibility of YOU soaring. You learn from other eagles the skills needed to lock your wings no matter how strong the wind or when to stay put and fly later.

 

Wait, wait, wait. I went from seeds to eagles. They're related.

 

The point is, as much as I think I know how to traverse this journey, am I willing to receive direction and knowledge from others? Do I take the seeds they give me and DO something with them? Do I open myself up to "watering" and growing?

 

As great as Serena Williams is, she has a coach. She has a team of people who are there to help her be the best athlete she can be. I recall reading a quote from Ryan Hall when he realized that perhaps being his own coach wasn't the best way to progress. God designed us to need each other. When we make ourselves good planters AND good ground it's a beautiful thing. It means that we continue to grow as those around us blossom.

 

All this talk about planting and growing in the midst of Spring has me considering the gardening thing again...Lord help the world of flora. Maybe I'll just stick to fitness :) 

Undigested Knowledge

"The great end of life is not knowledge, but action. What men need is as much knowledge as they can assimilate and organize into a basis for action. . ." ~Thomas Henry Huxley

Losing weight is not rocket science. I've lost weight by taking diet pills, following diet fads, attempting to starve myself, wearing contraptions and devices, even weight loss surgery. All these methods can work to lose weight, but once you get back to real life you tend to find all that weight you lost. The problem then, is not losing the weight (I actually prefer the term "shedding" instead of "losing" because when you shed something you don't get it back). The problem is maintaining a lifestyle to never get it back.

I remember back in the fall of 2009 I had to make the hard choice to give up my YMCA membership because I just couldn't afford it anymore.  At that time I was about six or seven months post surgery and was probably around 280 lbs and I was scared of gaining back whatever weight I had lost. I was also scared of not losing anymore weight. It seemed like everytime I got into a stride with the whole fitness thing life would throw me a curveball and I'd end up back in the dugout (I know nothing about baseball so that's the end of that metaphor!). I thought about how I could be active without depending on a gym, an instructor, any eqiupment, etc. The answer: running.

My first attempt at running was based on an article in Muscle&Fitness Hers that talked about interval training. I made up my own version of interval training and would hit the pavement in the evenings after putting the boys to sleep. . .then it got cold. It would be another six months or so before I ventured back into the world of running. I didn't know much about running so I read a few articles on Runner's World website and put together a training plan based on Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway's plans. With my goal in mind and a little bit of knowledge I set off to make it happen.  Along the way I have picked up nuggets of knowledge and put them to use.

Why am I telling you this? I'm telling you this because the lesson I learned is that knowledge is useless without the application. I also learned that you don't have to every detail in order to DO something. So, again, why am I telling you this? Because too often we start our journey at a breakneck pace and get all this information on exercise, dieting, superfoods, supplements, etc and we go hard for a week. What is the use of all that knowledge if you're not doing anything with it?

The most effective thing you can do to get on the right track to fitness is to GET ON THE TRACK. Once you're on it you will pick up nuggets along the way to help you move more efficiently. So what that your sister is all into eating clean. For now, you just need to focus on eating better and clean it up as you go along. Mature in your journey before you start getting fancy. So what that your cousin does Crossfit five days a week. For now, you just need to focus on being ACTIVE on a consistent basis before you drop the deniro for something like that.



(No, this is not my foot.)



Do what you can with what you have, right where you are. My first jogs were in shoes that I bought from Goodwill that were about a half-size too small for running; my toenail turned black and fell off. Freaked me out! But from that I learned the importance of proper fitting running shoes. My first forays into preparing healthy meals for my family included a lot of processed foods. But along the way I've learned how to make better choices and how to eat healthier on a budget.

Your actions will net you results. If you stay on the track you will get better at it. I have people asking me for help all the time and my first suggestion for them is to exercise 3-4 times a week for 30-45 minutes a day for three weeks and track what they are eating (with adjustments made accordingly). Why? Because I want to see if they line up their actions with their words. I want to see if they are willing to invest the time in themselves. Are you ready to do something different to BE something different? It's not rocket science. . .it's applied science.

My "Why" Remembered

"Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more." --Tony Robbins

People use blogs for different things. I started this blog as a way of staying accountable but also with the hope that somewhere someone would read it and relate. My blogs mean something to me. I feel like a little piece of me is in each one. For the past couple of weeks I've been trying very hard to come up a topic but so far none of the outlines resonate with me. They come across as "preachy" and removed. If you wanted to learn about goal-setting you could go buy a book or Bing/Google it the same way I can. What I bring you here is snapshot into my journey in the hopes that it gives you fuel to continue your own. This weekend I was reminded of my "why" for starting this blog and the whole coaching initiative in the first place.

For those who have followed the Chronicles, if you recall I started a run/walk group called Fit Girl Posse back in September of 2010. It started off slow--one person showed up (love you Rhonda!)--but I've kept pushing. In January I renewed my efforts and streamlined some things. At the first scheduled meeting zero--yes, zilch--people showed up. At the second meeting my heart was full because six people showed up, including my best friend who is not into sweating, especially on a Saturday morning. In the few weeks since then I've seen one lady just absolutely rock the house (Casey, I'm talking about you!) and another begin to wield her influence to get those around her active (MP, that's you!).

This weekend I saw a friend who has battled weight right along with me run/walk 3.4 miles--EASY. I saw a mother, who is fighting to get fit, encourage her daughter along 2.4 miles. I watched that same daughter, in spite of her pain, finish every inch of the course--not taking the easy way out or bailing on the task at hand. I saw a little girl with asthma run alongside her mom instead of opting for her scooter. I heard a friend, with aching shins, thank me for getting her to come out. I saw a woman, who an hour earlier didn't want to part from her blanket and pillow, run ahead of everyone and finish an extra lap. I saw women who moments earlier had been strangers, encourage each other on to victory.


Fit Girl Posse @ Cane Ridge Park (2-26-11)

These women and girls reminded of me of why I chose this course. They reminded me of the vision God hid in my heart. Yes, as a Beachbody Coach I would love to earn an income. Yes, I have personal fitness goals to meet. But I believe with every thing that is within me that when you allow yourself to be used to bless others you CANNOT fail. Some people don't get it. Some may call it Pollyanna or Utopian. Whatever. As much as people tell me that I've inspired them, I am spurred forward by the evidence of success I see around me.

In twelve days I will step onto the course of the Tom King Classic Half-Marathon, ill prepared and nervous. When I hit mile 6 and think about turning back, I will see Rakeyya and keep pushing. When I hit mile 10 and think I can't go on, I will think of Bailey's little lungs and keep pushing. When I have conquered 13.1 miles I will look back on the course and know that I did not do it alone.


To become a member of Jenita Lawal's team, please visit www.beachbodycoach.com/fitgirlposse and sign up for a free membership. To view the Fit Girl Posse run/walk schedule, visit www.fitgirlposse.com. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fitgirlposse  Be Fit4Life!!