Doing what I was most afraid of helped me find my voice

Sleepy eyes, tightening laces, walking out into the fresh morning quiet before the world is awake (and my mind knows what I'm doing), breathing in the salty air, filled with a mixture of dread and pure bliss. . .I love running.

I will tell you first hand this has not always been the case. Back to the days of the Presidential Fitness test I hated running, I was so slow I couldn't stand the thought of being the caboose of the line while everyone else waited around having zoomed through their mile. My lungs hurt, my knees hurt and my head pounded, how could anyone find it fun? Well guess what, all those things still happen but it's all part of what I love. I love the challenge each run brings me, and the fact that when the run is over I have completed something. I am still not the fastest runner, although my times have improved dramatically, but ever since moving to a place where I knew no one and joining a group of like minded runners I now call friends- I found myself. There is such a peace in my mind being outside and experiencing whatever company, view or setting the day has to offer, it's a weird zen I just find amidst whatever pain I have going on.  

How did I start running, and how could you? Start small! I began with a 5k Turkey Trot , I apprehensively signed up and I trained for months mixing a combination of running and walking. . . a 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 miles. . .and I incorporated cardio classes. I believe cardio outside of running like DanceFIT Bootcamp or BalletFIT Cardio is integral in helping your lung capacity and speed, it doesn't hurt that I also love mixing up and think it's important to mix up a fitness routine. 

Race Day. . .Nothing makes me feel more proud or accomplished than finishing a race, they still scare me. . . even this past Saturday as I lined up for Market Square Day 10k my heart was pounding, but as I reached mile 5 I thought "I've got this! I did it!" Grab a friend and sign up for a race, challenge yourself. . .surprise yourself! Most importantly STRETCH. 

I am horrible stretcher, I have all the foam rollers and massagers a proper athlete should have, but I never use them enough. This past week the focus of 6FIT was stretching, and it actually held me accountable. Instead of sitting on the couch when I was dead tired after a long day I put my favorite show on and plopped down on my yoga mat for some much needed stretch sessions. My all time favorite DanceFIT class is Morning Stretch. . .you know why? Because I HAVE to stretch for 45 minutes and my body so needs it, if it were up to me to do that on a Thursday morning on my own I think I would last 10 minutes, so I owe my success Thursday night at the Hollis Fast 5k to that class! 

As fun as last week was, I'm glad I don't have two races this week! What race will you sign up for?

Achieving 80/20

Week Two, Reflecting and Living 80/20

Well I don’t know how everyone else feels, but I think week one had the most energy I’ve seen in any 6FIT so far! I am loving the warm weather and all of the great outdoor workouts and fun meals I’ve seen popping up on our Facebook group. I especially enjoyed our virtual run date, which I followed up with a protein and veggie packed yummy post run frittata and salad.

Just yesterday I was driving down I-95 to my 10-year college reunion, and it really made me start thinking. I like most of you am my toughest critic, I began wondering what I had really accomplished in the last 10 years, what I was going to say to people when they asked what I'd been up to? To be honest I didn't really feel I had done a lot, but since I had an hour to kill on the drive I pushed the rewind button in my mind and quite a few achievements began to surface. I have not only done a lot in 10 years, I have grown, experienced and learned a lot! I've visited a few places on my bucket list, supported myself and moved into my first apartment straight out of college, lived in Boston for 8 years and found communities of people that I joined and built my faith, and health and fitness goals with. Most recently I moved to my dream location and purchased my first house, and found my running niche, not to mention completed my first 1/2 marathon on the other side of the country in Vegas!

Of course reunion came and went, and I had nothing to fear about explaining the last 10 years, but fast-forward to this evening and I was still fighting with myself.  To be perfectly honest I sat eating jellybeans as I began this blog post.  I debated them all afternoon, thoughts running through my head " I am in 6FIT, I am a spokesperson, I could have 5 extra points for my team if I don't eat them, I don't want to ruin my progress" but I realized as crazy as it sounds . . . they would help my progress.  

As much as I believe in and want to have an 80/20 approach to life, I find myself resembling an all or nothing approach. Through trial and error, I've found balance in eating healthy Monday- Friday and allowing myself to have a few sweets on the weekend. Even with my plan I usually still end up beating myself up about whatever I indulged in however big or small. But I learned something today, if I can enjoy some jellybeans and I mean really enjoy them since I wanted them so badly, it is a healthy thing, It means I have achieved balance- I can have a treat once in awhile and be happy about it, and then continue on with my healthy habits. In the big picture, I ate lots of fruits and veggies, drank over 64oz of water, and ate maybe a 1/2 a cup of jelly beans in a day? Big deal!  

 

"Queen of the world"

I didn't think I accomplished a lot in 10 years, but when I thought about it I accomplished a lot . . . I thought I would be a bad spokesperson and a failure if I ate jellybeans, but in reality having the ability to treat yourself and move on is success. I know a lot of you were sharing some of these feelings about treating yourself and feeling guilty, so hopefully we can learn to grow in the 80/20 life style together, treat ourselves, and "treat treats as treats" :) - Michael Pollan

Well, I am off to meal prep and get ready for a great week . . .looking forward to hearing about and seeing everyone's experiences week 2!