Inspiration

Posted some pictures from a trip back in January 1992 this morning for a friend looking to travel. While I was 3 months pregnant, I was definitely at my healthiest, lifting weights, swimming, etc., the peak of my physical health. Looking at those pictures was such an inspiration.

That is the ME who is hidden under this extra weight. I love being physical. I love exercising. It's so hard for me now, at this weight, that I've forgotten that feeling. I started to feel it earlier this year when I was doing an hour a day on the elliptical, and then I got sick.

So I need to do something with this picture. I am the one on the right. We are at the top of Iguazu Falls, on the Argentine side.

This was at a time in my life when I didn't even THINK about being healthy, I just was. I'd gone into college at 230 lbs., and after three and a half years, looked like THIS - even at 3 months pregnant. I was physically active every day, ate a well rounded healthy diet, just because that's how I lived my life. I hadn't even been trying to lose weight, it just happened, as I started being physical and realizing how much I enjoyed it.

So THIS is my inspiration folks. She is waiting to come back. She is ready!

Fueling my body.....

I think our society has gotten away from the need for food, to a want for food. I often eat for no reason at all, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone...

boredom

anger

depression

nervous

There are so many reasons. And none of them are the RIGHT one! We need to look at food as the fuel our bodies NEED. With every bite, what are I adding to my daily needs? Is it balanced? What is missing?

We've all read that people who journal what they eat lose weight. I'd like to put a different twist on it. Start with a log of what our bodies need - in particular vitamins, fiber, protein, etc., and then log to see that I'm getting what I need.

Now I'm a foodie, so this doesn't mean I won't be cooking amazing food. But with each meal, I want to make sure that I am adding essential fuel to my body - through whole grains, veggies, etc.

Today's breakfast - 2 cups of assorted fresh fruit, consisting of blueberries, apple, and pineapple. I'll look them up - and see what each is strong in, so I can mentally "marke them off the list" for the day.

I'm going to work up a way to log this... make it my goal to find amazing foods - and combine them in the right way - to ensure my body is fueled for LIFE!

the HEAT~!

Oh, the heat. We would never believe that today is only May 27th. High temperature today - a whopping predicted 93 degrees. Broke down and put in the A/C. But I'm not letting it stop me completely. Every half hour or so, I head back out to be physical. I weeded my small herb garden. Hung two loads of laundry out, and even did light weeding on the white rock. I am determined to keep being physical as much as possible, ALL summer long! Baby steps!

frustration

Had a heart to heart with the DH last night. About how frustrated I am with my health. Not being able to be my normal self has been so humbling for me. I get absolutely worn out - and cannot stay ahead of yard work, gardens, house, and family. I'm trying, but it's SO hard.

But I'm doing my mini walks. And the miles are adding up. Today I'm gardening, so my walk will have to wait. But it will happen! Staying as active as possible, without forcing a bad cough. I'm trying. Frustrated, but trying to stay grounded and focused!

cough cough

I am SO tired of being sick. Two days short of TWO MONTHS of this. Just when I think I've gotten to a point where I can start driving again, I have another synchope episode and realize it's too dangerous.

I'm tired of not being myself. I can't go 100 miles an hour all the time. I can't do three things at once. I'm behind on housework, gardening, work, everything. And it drives me crazy when my body just starts to shut down. I hate how much I have to sleep.

I know this is all healing, and hidden in here somewhere is a lesson from God.

I still get to be frustrated, right?

Progress

I love that I've found a positive in the horrible negative that was my car accident. I'm walking ALL over the place, logging miles every day. I run all of my errands on foot- - walking to baseball games, the grocery store, the bank, the library, you name it.

So lucky to live in a town where this is possible, I know. And finally taking advantage of it!

I walk every single day. Many days, more than once, each time over a mile, some as much as three.

So while I'm not running a marathon, what an amazing change of lifestyle. And so much better for the earth. Watching that carbon footprint shrink people!

God's gift

Took a morning walk today - just a mile and a half - no record time, but feels so good just to get my heart pumping first thing.

I realized today - that I have been given a gift - the gift of time - and that I've not been taking advantage of it at all. Shame on me.

So I am devoting a couple of hours each day - in broken up walks - to start getting healthy. It's been 20 years since I've been healthy (HOW SAD), and I'm ready.

God gave me the one thing I didn't have before - TIME. And I've been laughing in his face, not taking advantage of it at all. Oh for six weeks I was great, but that wasn't until January - having had all of Nov and Dec! And then I got sick, and that was the end.

So while I'm nursing my broken rib, and still coughing, I will not be making any time speed records. BUT. I WILL be using up calories on several walks a day. I will have 10 miles in this week. Shooting for 20 next week. I don't have to run yet. I have time. Walking will be just as good.

Once the calories are burned, muscle built, and the weight starts coming off, I'll try to run. I'd love to run a 5k yet this summer. And I totally think I can do it. I have a 1.58 mi route from my house to the highway and back. I'd love to be running that by July 4th. After I can run that entire thing, I will find another route that gets me to the 3.2 miles, and I'll start working on that.

The goal: 25 miles a week average from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Running 1.58 miles steady by July 4th. Running a 5K (3.2 miles) by Labor Day.

Day One of The Gift Challenge: 1.58 miles (some jogged). I can do this!