Sunday, February 28, 2010

Nice Handoff

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Worst is Yet To Come

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Boo Yeah!

Moving is NOT fun. It is FOR SURE a good workout though! We loaded {& unloaded} the horse trailer three times yesterday! We moved most of the heavy stuff {work bench, motorcycle, beds, dresser, table, tons of boxes...}. We emptied the garage. Lifting all those boxes and all that furniture is a KILLER workout! We were so bushed last night.

We've still got a few heavy things left: our bed, dressers, treadmill and SHREK... my piano. The store named it Shrek, it's the heaviest piano they've ever moved and the only piano they have named!

Last night my legs were really giving me guff. My right shin and knee were hurting something awful. It's been happening more & more often. I went to bed really worried about my run today. But I woke up determined to have a good run. And OUTSIDE run. So I strapped on my Green Pod {still need a good name... any ideas?} and headed out the door. It was the most awesome run I've had in a long time. My knee doesn't hurt, my toes didn't bleed, I pushed it but didn't feel over exerted. It was just a FABULOUS run!!

Three rooms left to box. I'm out...

Monday, February 15, 2010

Spoiled ROTTEN!

I don't know about you guys but my Valentine's Day ROCKED!! Seriously! I woke up to my favorite breakfast in the whole world... in bed!!! Eggs Benedict is positively sinful! LOVE IT!
AND he got me THIS:I still can't believe it! Granted, it isn't new but crud he saved a TON of money so I love him all the more for that! He set it to "Good Morning Beautiful" to wake me up {no it wasn't 10:36 when I got up... sheesh}. It's one of our songs and the whole deal totally made me cry.

I don't think I'll run with it all the time; I haven't ran with one before so I might absolutely love it but I still love running with nothing but me and the world around me. But my oh my, Green Pod {must find new name for her} and I going to have a wonderful time together!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Running is the New Currency!

Be Your Own Valentine!

A big part of taking care of yourself is loving yourself. It's HUGE! If you love yourself you have more confidence. You are happier. You are more able to GIVE to others, which in turn makes you even HAPPIER. This Valentines Day I want you to think about all the reasons that you love YOURSELF!

I'll go first:*I am talented. I love music and play a number of instruments. I love to act and sing. I am fairly crafty. I love to take pictures. And I love to learn new things all the time.
*I am loved. I have a great support group of family and friends who all love me. It doesn't get better than that.
*I am strong. I workout 6 days a week and though I won't be winning any body building competitions {nor entering them} I am getting stronger every day.
*I love my little red popped blood vessel located just below my eye. I've had it as long as I can remember. My Dr. think I should have it removed. I don't think I will though. Weird, I know, but I love it!
*I love my stretch marks. They remind me of the 4 perfect babies I helped create.
*I love my blue eyes*I am a fiercely loyal friend. *I am beautiful. Not necessarily the way the world would consider beautiful but I could give a rats *^%@* what the world thinks!
*I am thrifty. I've managed to feed my little family of 6 on a pretty skimpy paycheck!
*I am smart. I love learning, reading and having intelligent conversations.

What do you love about YOURSELF?!!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Operation Beautiful

I came across this website today and I spent the last 15 minutes looking at all the photos and crying. Oh My HECK!! Go to www.operationbeautiful.com; its seriously so AWESOME!

This is an amazing idea and I am SO on board! I could imagine myself in high school, walking into the locker room and seeing a note pasted on the mirror saying that I'm beautiful inside and out; I'm pretty sure that I could have used that a time or two! Or walking up to the treadmill at the gym and seeing a note telling me that I'm strong and beautiful... I can guarantee that I would have a killer run; proving to myself that I AM strong AND beautiful!

Post-It notes has just been added to my shopping list.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

THE Marathon

Lets go back to the year 490 BC. Northeast of Athens, Greece you'll find the Plains of Marathon. The Athenians were fighting the Persians. When Athens' victory was certain, the Athenian General, Miltiades, sent out a messenger, Pheidippides. As the story goes, Pheidippides ran about 24 miles to Athens to tell it's citizens the good news; upon his arrival he was able to eek out the word "Victory" just before he collapsed and died. And the 26.2 mile {42.195 kilometers} was born. Now isn't THAT motivating?!!

My mom got me a book called "How to Train For and Run Your Best Marathon". I am SO SO excited. I am going to be pouring myself into this book over the next little bit so I'll be sure to share any insight I get. To start off I wanted to share Gordon Bakoulis Bloch's 26.2 reasons to run a marathon!

* Run a marathon to have FUN.
* Run a marathon to give yourself a CHALLENGE.
* Run a marathon to improve your HEALTH.
* Run a marathon to get to know YOURSELF better.
* Run a marathon to raise your SELF-ESTEEM.
* Run a marathon to meet people and make FRIENDS.
* Run a marathon to be an INSPIRATION to others.
* Run a marathon to see the WORLD.
* Run a marathon to make BUSINESS contacts.
* Run a marathon so you can EAT more.
* Run a marathon to get back to NATURE.
* Run a marathon to spend more time with your DOG.
* Run a marathon to SLEEP better.
* Run a marathon to get over a DISAPPOINTMENT.
* Run a marathon to get to know your city or TOWN.
* Run a marathon to expand your WARDROBE.
* Run a marathon to control your weight HEALTHILY.
* Run a marathon to reduce your STRESS levels.
* Run a marathon to learn how to practice VISUALIZATION.
* Run a marathon to LIVE longer.
* Run a marathon to catch up on the news, READING, and listening to music.
* Run a marathon to get SMARTER
* Run a marathon to help save the EARTH.
* Run a marathon to channel your COMPULSIVENESS.
* Run a marathon to be a part of an ongoing REVOLUTION.
* Run a marathon to fulfill a DREAM.

I'm going to add MY reasons for running a marathon &/or other races {some are the same}.
* I FEEL better when I exercise, mentally & physically; running is my favorite form of exercise.
* I wanted to do something BIG with Hawkeye before he left for Boot Camp.
* I wanted something to help the time pass while Hawkeye is gone.
* I wanted to keep myself motivated to be SMOKIN HOT when he gets back.
* I want to be part of something BIGGER
* But it really all comes down to... BRAGGING RIGHTS... and the T-SHIRT! {I'm teasing}

What are your reasons?

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Intuitive Eating

This month is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month. Last year I had my awesome sister-in-law write up a contribution for me. She's worked at an Eating Disorder Clinic so she knows her stuff. Go HERE if you missed out last year. She was GREAT and agreed to write up another one; this time on Intuitive Eating. YAY! So without further adieu... welcome Jen...


Intuitive eating is best described as being a quick and ready insight into what you eat. Being intuitive…having intuition…direct knowledge without inference. How many times have you stopped to actually think what your body may want you to eat instead of just gorging on whatever is in front of your face??


I have had much interaction and influence with this topic. Spending 2 years trying to teach those with eating disorders how to make peace with food was a battle. Intuitive eating is a lifestyle…something that takes much practice. While trying to teach others to be intuitive eaters, I learned myself how to be one and I can attest that it works.


Why do you think that we become obsessed with food and have unhealthy relationships with it? I have one word for you-DIETS!! When we begin to have obsessive thoughts about being thin and eating only certain foods and restricting others we can hit what is called, “diet bottom”. Dieting can make us more preoccupied with food, it can make us feel guilty about eating non diet foods, it slows our metabolism and it makes food an enemy. Not convinced?? According to “Intuitive Eating” by Tribole and Resch:

· The mere contemplation of going on a diet brings on urges and cravings for “sinful” foods and “Fatty favorites”.

· Upon ending a diet, you end up going on a food binge and feeling guilty.

· Diets teach you not to trust your body or the food you put into it.

· Gives you feelings that you don’t deserve to eat because you’re over weight.

· The lifespan of a diet gets shorter and shorter. Slim Fast…”give us a week…and we’ll…”

· Every diet is preceded by consuming foods you won’t eat again.

· It’s hard to stay on a diet and go out to eat. It’s easier to have a social withdrawl.Each diet teaches your body to adapt better for the next self imposed famine (another diet).

· Metabolism slows.

· Eating Disorders.


Diets do not work! If I had a dollar for every time I’ve said that…


Only when you vow to discard dieting and replace it with a commitment to intuitive eating will you be released from the prison of yo yo weight fluctuations and food obsessions. By learning to intuitively eat, you will see a healthier, happier you. You will begin to find that your weight will be a healthy, realistic one that will be best for you body. You’ll be surprised to see that it will often be less than what your “ideal weight” is.


Principles to becoming an intuitive eater:

1. Reject the Diet Mentality-throw out the diet books. If you allow even one small hope to linger that a new and better diet might be lurking around the corner, it will prevent you from being able to discover Intuitive Eating.

2. Honor Your Hunger-Keep your body fed biologically with enough energy and carbs. Learn to honor the signals for rebuilding trust with food.

3. Make Peace With Food-Call a truce; stop the food fight! Give yourself unconditional permission to eat. If you tell yourself that you can’t or shouldn’t have a particular food, it can lead to intense feelings of deprivation that build unto uncontrollable cravings and, often, binging.

4. Challenge the Food Police- Scream a loud “No” to thoughts in your head that declare you’re “good” for eating under 1,000 calories or “bad” because you ate a piece of chocolate cake. This step is critical!

5. Feel Your Fullness-Listen to the body signals that tell you you are no longer hungry. Pause in the middle of eating and ask yourself how the food tastes, and what your current fullness level is.

6. Discover The Satisfaction Factor- We often overlook one of the basic gifts of existence-the pleasure and satisfaction that can be found in the eating experience. By providing this experience for yourself, you will find that it takes much less food to decide you’ve had “enough.”

7. Cope With Your Emotions Without Using Food-We all deal with emotions such as anxiety, loneliness, boredom and anger. Food won’t fix any of these feelings. You’ll ultimately have to deal with the source of the emotion, as well as the discomfort of overeating.

8. Respect Your Body- Accept the genetic blueprint! When you accept yourself, you feel better about yourself.

9. Exercise-Feel The Difference-Forget militant exercise! Shift your focus to how it feels to move your body, rather than the calorie-burning effect of exercise. If you focus more on how it feels to exercise instead of losing weight-it’s usually more motivating to get up and do it.

10. Honor Your Health-Gentle Nutrition-Remember that you don’t have to eat a perfect diet to be healthy. You will not suddenly get a nutrient deficiency or gain weight from one snack, one meal or one day of eating. It’s what you eat consistently over time that matters. Progress, not perfection, is what counts.

While I don’t intend on telling anyone what to do (people don’t usually like that ;) I can tell you that this intuitive eating process has changed my life. I am by no means a perfect intuitive eater. I find myself having to go back to some of the steps again and again. The key is to have a healthy mindset. It also requires a highly conscious decision and commitment.

This book, “Intuitive Eating”, is well worth your time and money. If you are feeling unhappy in any way with your relationship with food or your body, READ IT!

While it is National Eating Disorders Awareness month, I will put a plug in for all those struggling with eating disorders: “Eating Disorders are not just a fad or a phase. They are serious, potentially life-threatening conditions that affect a person’s emotional and physical health”-NEDA

Eating Disorders are one of the most selfish, self consumed things I have ever witnessed. They not only affect you, but everyone around you. Your family and friends will be affected greatly if you choose to take this path and not receive help. They are dangerous, serious and I have personally seen lives taken. They create a deadly path that only spirals downward. There are many resources out there where you can receive help.

Me again. Isn't she AWESOME?!! This stuff is legit. It's real. Intuitive eating works; I am still working on it but it's a process and I'm moving in the right direction. Thanks again Ms. Jen for writing this up. As my own side note, if you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder and you don't know what to do... let me know and I'll have Jen get some information for you.

Let's Move

I read about First Lady Michelle Obama and a new program she is spear heading in the paper today and HAD to find out more. It's called "Let's Move" and it's a program to give the tools to families to work on the problem of obesity, especially in children, in this country. The website is www.letsmove.gov and here is the video from that site:


So... I LOVE IT!! We have a major problem in this country with obesity in both adults and children/adolescents. I think it's super important to teach our kids how to make healthy choices. But I love that this covers nutrition AND fitness! I have high hopes for this program!

There is a link for "Healthy Choices" and there you can find all kinds on links for making healthier choices. Things like eating, shopping, cooking, living and general information. And YES, a I've got some of those links already here on the sidebar but I'll probably add some of theirs as I am able to check them out.

Another link is for "Healthier Schools". I am glad to see this. She really wants healthier foods offered not only for breakfast & lunch but in the vending machines. Our kids spend SO much time at school and they have a lot of crap available. I hope to see some great changes here!

The next link is "Physical Activity". BOO-YEA!!! Kids have NO idea how awesome it is to be active. They are too busy sitting in front of a computer, TV, cell phone or game system! It makes me CRAZY!! Great ideas here.

And the last one is "Accessing Healthy & Affordable Food". There are so many in this country who struggle to keep food on the table. This is there to help find places and programs to help. But it also has info to help increase farmer's markets and coalitions... gotta love THAT!

So regardless of your political opinion on the Obamas, this is a FANTASTIC tool. One I am really excited to find more about!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

I had a dream...

This is the first of many weekly running videos. This one is AWESOME!!! I love it!! I dream of running! Do you?

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Got Toenails?

My friend told me about a shirt that she saw that said, "Got Toenails?" and she thought of me!! I don't know if I should be flattered that she thought of me or embarrassed about my toenails. I know no offense was intended so I'll take the flattery; heck maybe I'll even buy me one of those t-shirts!!!!! Yes I have all 10 toenails BUT they aren't exactly the most beautiful nails in the world. One of them is horribly afflicted and another {despite my meticulous clipping} loves to dig into it's neighboring toe, so unless I tape it up really good you can bet I'll have bloody socks after every run!

Like today, we went on an AWESOME 5 miler. It was just cold enough to make you want to keep moving. We have quite a little running group now and it is so much fun to run and train together. Anyway, we pushed it hard: 45:57. And it felt GREAT! So back to the toe, I look down at my shoe and I could see a red hue to my shoe right where that blessed toe is. GREAT!

UGH! I really just need to go to Costco & buy a great big huge box of band-aids!!! That or dig out the duct tape and use it again. Now that I think of it, duct tape worked great. Scratch that mega box from Costco, I'm pulling out the duct tape!!!

Please tell me I'm not the only one with toe woes!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Fad Vs. Forever

I have BIG issues with Fad diets. I have issues with "diets" in general. There are SO MANY who will jump on the newest fad diet; taking pills or shots, drinking special mixes, cutting out food groups entirely... you've heard of them... I'm not going to name names... yet.

THEY DON'T WORK!! Yeah, maybe you'll lose weight. Maybe you'll lose A LOT of weight. But these "diets" mess with your metabolism! And once you get to your ideal weight, you quit the program and guess what... you put all that weight right back on!

The ONLY {in my HUMBLE opinion} sure fire way to do this is to make healthier choices in EVERY aspect of your life.

* Exercise. Make the time to do something physically active EVERY day {okay, I take Sunday OFF}. Park your car farther away from work or the store. Take the stairs. Go on a hike. Try a new sport. Remember to let your muscles rest... don't work the same muscles day after day! Trust me. You will have MORE energy, you'll SLEEP better, you'll FEEL better!

* Eat Healthy. Eat a balanced diet; rich in fruits, vegetables & whole grains. Get plenty of protein to replenish those worked muscles. Check out the links on the side: My Pyramid is a great place to start. If applicable: quit smoking &/or drinking. Ditch the soda... completely {I am happy to say that I've finally done this! All but on rare occasions anyway}. Opt out of chips, and other "junk" food. Don't buy any of it... you can't eat it if it isn't there!!! You'll be GLAD that you did!!

* Mental Health. Relax and take time for yourself. Learn something new. One of my favorite quotes is, "There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them. ~Sylvia Plath". Think positive thoughts and let go of negativity. Surround yourself with positive & motivating people. Be HAPPY! This is a huge part that people overlook. It goes a long way, I promise!

There. That's it. I know there can be extenuating circumstances but these changes should be made regardless! There is no quick fix. There is no final destination. It's a constant journey and process. So even if you've made it to that magic # {I'll delve into my opinion on THAT later}, that doesn't mean you're done! You will ALWAYS have to make choices for a better life, a healthy life.

But the good new is... it get's EASIER to make those choices!! If you listen to your body, you'll know what it needs and wants... and it ISN'T CRAP!!! Your body WANTS to be pushed physically. Your body NEEDS good foods for fuel. Your mind CRAVES happiness. So what are you waiting for?! GET OFF YOUR BUTT & give your body what it wants, needs & craves!!!

**off my soap box... for now °Ãœ°

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Run a Mile in My Shoes

I have needed shoes for MONTHS. With Christmas and kid's birthday's it's ended up on the back burner. But I'm starting to shop and hopefully will have a new pair of shoes on my feet within the month... or so.

I am a FIRM believer that you've got to find the best running shoe for YOU! I have loved my Nike Alvord trail runners. But since I'm doing a lot more road running than trail running I am on the hunt for MY best shoe.

I started out yesterday by talking to someone at a shoe store. I figured if that's all they sale, they should know what they're talking about right? We talked about my feet and what I need these shoes to do. I tried on a few pairs, tried some inserts and went home with a few options. EXCITED!!

Today I got online checking out more about this shoe: Asics GT-2140. I found a GREAT tool on their site: go HERE for an easy foot analysis. So I checked out the newer version {the GT-2150} and I think we'll be a great fit; especially with an insole. BUT then there is the Kayano-15 that is "supposed" to be THEE shoe. I think I'll see if I can't find someplace that has it so I can try it on. My running shoes are one thing I will NEVER buy without trying on first! The Kayano-15 is last year's model {they now have the Kayano-16} so maybe I can get myself a DEAL?!!

Any suggestions? Seriously... I want the best shoe I can find for ME... even if I have to try on every shoe this side of the Great Plains {give or take 100 miles... wink wink}!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Tread to the Mill

I wish I had a route that actually went from Tread Rd. to Mill Ln. but unfortunately that’s just my snarky way of saying a treadmill run. This last week I spent a good share of my fitness time on this particular route because it’s been so cold outside. Here’s my update for last week.

Marathon Training Week 8: Yeah! Finally a longer run. I never thought I would say that but by the time Saturday rolled around my legs were absolutely aching for a hard run. Monday and Wednesday were good runs. I’m approaching four miles in a 30 min. time frame but not quite there, at least on the treadmill. On Saturday I really asked a lot of myself though and I’m so glad that I did. I completed the 7.5 miles in 1:03:54. My legs thanked me all day.

100 Push Ups Week 2: This routine is just starting to get really tough. I’m approaching it with a no fail attitude but if I need to repeat a week I’ll do it. On the Saturday push I didn’t maximize like I had hoped. I had to get 20 and I got in 23 but after four sets already with a minimum of 14 I’ll take a measly 23.

200 Sit Ups Week 3: It’s always nice when your workout carries over to your real life isn’t it? This week on Tuesday I went snowboarding and after maxing my sit ups that morning at 36 I felt it all day as I was trying to bust through the powder. It was such a good ache! By Saturday I only maxed at 32 but there was an extra set thrown in there by the routine. Sneaky sneaky.

Hawkeye over. Line secure.

Nike Trainer

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