My Progress

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Want to RUN??

I have had a few people ask me lately how do you run? Why do you like it? What keeps you going? After some thought I decided to write it down, I will start from what first inspired me to run my first Marathon and what keeps me running. Also I will give you newbies to running some training advice. So where to start?? First of all I was a little over weight before I became pregnat with my son. I am 5'0" and weighed 150lbs, when I gave birth I weighed in at 182! That is a lot on such a small frame, to some it might not seem like a lot but on me I was huge. I decided after I got home from the hospital I was not going to be one of those moms who just lets herself go just because I had baby. That is just a copout excuse to be lazy and I knew I wasn't that kind of person. As soon as I got the o.k. from the doc to start exercising after 6 weeks, I had to have a c-section, I joined the gym and started running and lifting weights. It was really hard at first but I was so determined to lose the weight I had gained from pregnancy and more. I remember feeling my stomach, back, arms, butt and thighs jiggle while I ran on the treadmill at the gym. I had to get past my feeling of embarrassment and just do it. Hey at least I was doing something about it and not sitting at home sulking and making excuses. At first I could only run for short bursts and had to walk a lot, it was so hard to just get in 1 mile! When the weight started to melt off and I was becoming faster and was able to run longer I entered a 5k race and then I was hooked. The feeling you get from being there on race day and running and finishing is one of the best feelings you may ever experience. After that I decided I wanted to train for and run a marathon, and what better person to do it with than my dad. So when I asked him he was excited and we started running. I know I couldn't have done it without his support and encouragement along the way. So I ran my first marathon when my son was just 18 months old and I weighed in at 127! WOW! I was in the best shape of my life, and then I got pregnant again and again I packed on the pounds and gave birth weighing in at 185. YIKES! The second time around has been a lot harder, with 2 kids, then I went full time at work and finding the time to workout and eat healthy was hard. Then I came across the EAT CLEAN DIET and wow, talk about life changing. Eating clean is a way of life and it's one your family can do with you. I am not at the 127 marathon weight but I am close, I fluctuate between 130-135 and now I am ready to take it to the next level. I have 3 goals for myself in the next year. 1) to run my second marathon and beat my time of 4:35, 2) run the Ragnar Relay with members of my family, 3) reach my final fitness goal which is to look like an Oxygen mag cover girl! I know running paired with weight training and a good nutrition plan is the key to a happy, healthy, leaner you. It is not going to be easy, there is no magic pill and no quick fix. You need to be ready and willing to make the change for the better, because it is a lifestyle change and it is one only you can make. You will have set backs and downfalls but don't beat yourself up over them, get right back up and keep pushing forward. Don't try to over do it and go all out right off the bat, that will only set you up for failure. Take is slow and one day at a time. You need to set long term and short term goals to help keep you focused. Keeping a food and exercise journal are great ways to help keep you on track. Also put notes on your mirrors and your fridge to remind you what your goals are. So for all you beginners out there I hope I have inspired you in some way to get out there and run!

Training for beginners:
Start out with a walk/run interval mix. Start out with 3 minutes walking/two minutes jogging (not full out running) go for 20 minutes, it makes it out to be 4 intervals. Gradually ramp it up to a ratio of 4 minutes jogging and 1 minute walking until you are able to go for a full 20 minutes jogging. Then you can start increasing speed and time. Do this 3-4 times a week. Make sure to stretch after and drink plenty of fluid. This may take a couple of weeks to work up to but it is the best way so you don't over do it and you wont hate running if you start out slow. Be good to your self and listen to your body.

After you have done this and you think you are ready to try a 5k you can go to Salt Lake Running Co. for some free training programs like the couch to 5k, or a beginners training program for a marathon. If you have any questions for me feel free to write them in the comment section or message me on Facebook. I wish you all the best of luck in your training and clean eating.




Thursday, August 5, 2010

Food for thought.........

I just wanted to share this with everyone, really makes you re-think your food choices.


Now go workout!! :)