Fitness Friday

Today was a really rough day for me. I was obsessed, yes, obsessed with food thoughts today. I wanted fast food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I didn't feel like working out.

I'm tired and stressed. When I am tired and stressed, I like to use food to soothe the edges. Well, today, I did not give into those old impulses. I ate my planned meals and I lifted weights and used my foam roller.

The only way I am going to be fit enough to complete the Peachtree Road Race is to do what it takes to reach my goal, one day at a time. I can make excuses and tell myself that one day is not going to hurt. This may be true. However, the junk food junkie in me will turn one day into two days and the next thing I know it will be July 4th. I want to feel confident in my training when I stand at the starting line on July 4th. I want to give myself the best opportunity to meet my goal.

I know I have a huge fear of failure. More than that, I have a huge fear of success. Today one of my favorite fitness quotes sticks out. I am not sure who tweeted this so I can give proper credit:

"Never let fear get in the way of your path to better fitness."

Motivational Monday

Couch to 5k: Week Six, Day One

As soon as I got out of bed this morning, I repeated my new favorite mantra:

Because I'd had three days off, I have to admit I was a little nervous about today's workout. Remember the quote above reminded me that the hard part was over. I walk out the door and started to smile as I felt a cool breeze rush across my face. As much as I hate getting up at 5:30 am, I often enjoy how the morning greets me. My perfect weather conditions...cool with a light breeze.

For the most part, it was uneventful. I did get another little sign from nature as this rabbit dashed across my path. The last two minutes were hard but I kept telling myself, you can run for two minutes, you can run for one minute, you can run for 30 more seconds.... Two thumbs up!

The disappointing part was looking down at my app and seeing I had barely ran two miles and my pace was 15-something. I realize I can't get too hung up with those numbers or else I will get discouraged. Right now my focus is on being able to run a 5k without any walk breaks.

Day Six -- 30 Days of Yoga

“ If I'm losing balance in a pose, I stretch higher and God reaches down to steady me. It works every time, and not just in yoga. ” ~ T. Guillemets

Day Five -- 30 Days of Yoga

“ For me, yoga is not just a workout - it's about working on yourself. ” ~Mary Glover

Day Four -- 30 Days of Yoga

“Remember, it doesn’t matter how deep into a posture you go – what does matter is who you are when you get there.” ~ Max Strom

Day Three -- 30 Days of Yoga

“ Do your practice and all is coming. ” ~Sri K Patthabi Jois

Motivational Monday

Motivational Monday

"Success is 90 percent physical and 10 percent mental.  But never underestimate the power of that 10 percent." ~Tom Fleming, two-time NYC Marathon winner (1973, 1975)


"As I get older I see that running has changed for me. What used to be about burning calories is now more about burning up what is false. Lies I used to tell myself about who I was and what I could do, friendships that cannot withstand hills or miles, the approval I no longer need to seek, and solidarity that cannot bear silence. I run to burn up what I don't need and ignite what I do." ~Kristin Armstrong

I am a real runner

Our slowness is not a measure of our value.  Not as individuals, not as runners.  We are slow, but we are real. ~ John Bingham, The Courage to Start

While I was reading The Courage to Start today, I was struck by the quote above.  It comes right on time.  Saturday I was working on increasing my pace and decided later on that day I should consider working on building my endurance.  For me, endurance is more important than speed. 

The issue is that there are some that have been asking me about my pace and how much distance I’m covering in the 30 minutes, etc.  I need to dismiss all the internal chatter than says I should be fast enough or that prompts me to compare myself with others.

To compare myself with others or worry about how fast (or slow in my case) I’m going is to set up me for defeat. 

C25K: Week Two, Day One

Just finished Week Two, Day One…when my alarm went off at 5, I immediately hit snooze.  This is a huge no-no for me.  I quickly reminded myself that this AM would be the only opportunity for me to complete my C25K workout.  It is supposed to get up to 106 degrees today.  It was already about 76 degrees so I needed to get up and out.  As soon as I got out of bed, I thought of the following verse:

I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. ~Psalms 34:4

Talk about nerves! I drank some water, prayed, turned on my tunes, and headed out the door.  My goal today was to finish all the runs without stopping, focus on my form, and enjoy my workout.  All this work is not worth if I’m not enjoying myself.

I did it! I was sooooo elated! The only downside was my heart rate monitor.  I finally remember to wear it so I can track how many calories I’m burning….the battery died!

Motivational Monday

I had a great workout on the Elliptical today - 17.5 mins 2x. I also did 25 mins on the stationary bike. My knee feels pretty good. I have to keep up the stretching too. I decided I'm going to start posting motivational quotes each Monday again. I also started working on a vision board this weekend. I completed an online version but I think I'm going to like having one that I can display in my office. I'll post a photo once it's completed.

This week's quote:

The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start. ~John Bingham

Motivational Quote

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily." Zig Ziglar

Another C25K Week Three Quote

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer is usually: 'Yes'."  ~Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner

C25K - Week Three Quote

My body takes me from A to B, but the real journey is in my mind. ~Unknown

C25K Week One Lesson: Stay In Your Own Lane

To get to the finish line, you'll have to try lots of different paths.  ~Amby Burfoot

As I approach Week Two of the Couch to 5K running plan, I have been reflecting on what I learned during Week One. First and first most, my training is unique and individualized. I’ve received a lot of advice, encouragement, and even some discouragement. Ultimately, it is about me and what I want from this experience.

Nothing shows you just how unique you are as fitness. I learned this lesson when I first began this journey. The worst thing I can do is compare myself to the person next to me, ahead or behind me. All I thing I need to do is start and finish MY race.

I can learn training plans, stretching routines, and correct form from others. However, how fast I need to go, what I need to eat before and after exercise, how long I need to train, what gear I need, and where I need to train are all questions only me and my body can answer. The bottom line is that I am so happy and proud to be out there trying.

Fitness Quote of the Week

We all need a little discipline. Exercise is my discipline. --Jack LaLanne

Fitness Quote of the Week

That which we persist in doing becomes easier - not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fitness Quote of the Week

Fitness to me isn't about a crunch or a push up, it's about taking your power back. ~Jillian Michaels

Fitness Quote of the Week

The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It's yourmind you have to convince. ~ Vincent Lombardi