Going 1/2 Crazy!

My life has taken many turns over the last 3 years but this one is noteworthy.

Dating back to April 2011, I was crazy enough to do the Country Music 1/2 Marathon. For a gal that had rarely ever even walked a mile without feeling exhausted, 13.1 seemed a little hypothetical until I actually committed. I trained with Gilda's Gang in support of those that have struggled with the big C word also known as cancer. I ran in memory of my step-father along with a dear HS friend and in honor of my father-in-law and uncle. As part of the commitment to the Gilda's Club, we were to raise at least $750. I struggled to get donations and definitely didn't have the cash to donate from my own budget. An old HS friend of mine had planned to train with us as well but life's noise got in the way so she wasn't able to participate. She surprised me and rolled her fundraising into my account so I met my minimum with flying colors. Now that's just plain good stuff! Long story short...15 weeks was still not enough time for me to train effectively but I still gave it my all and completed that 1/2 marathon in just over 3 hours.

Over the course of the last 2 1/2 years, my uncle and father-in-law have succumbed to the cancers that they had battled; in addition, my mother-in-law had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and lost her battle within this last year as well. I still feel an emptiness in my life where these folks once inhabited but my memories are full of all kinds of wonderful as I remember how each of them touched my life individually. Leading up to this Fall/Winter season, I had contemplated running the Country Music 1/2 again but wasn't certain about the training plan just yet.

Fast forward to today...
That old friend of mine sent me a FB message to inquire if I might be interested in training for the Country Music 1/2 Marathon again. She mentioned that she had trained back in 2010 with Team Rio and would like to give it a shot again. This was definitely music to my ears! Ironically enough, Team Rio supports the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation in Middle TN, and I just happen to have someone to run in honor of this year. This little fella (now 13 years old) came into my life a little over a year ago and has continued to brighten my Sundays. He is my little angel that continues to remind me of why I became a nurse and encourages me to live each day to its fullest. So...I am honored to get to train with Team Rio for this 1/2 marathon in April 2014.
Sign me up!

"Bod"acious

Me and my guy waiting for the Bod Pod assessment

As promised, I am sharing my Bod Pod results as reassessed yesterday after approximately 2 months of continuing my pursuit of "figuring out fit." The truth is...I have been more reckless with my eating than I should have been since the last assessment. In the process of this 2 months, I went ahead and completed another 10 day Herbal Cleanse which definitely reset those cravings back to "could take or leave them" instead of "just one won't hurt." On the upside, I have really focused more on moving this bootie and toning up the flab with running/walking on the treadmill plus a little resistance training on some of the weight machines at our gym.  The scales haven't changed drastically. In fact, I have only reduced my total weight by about 5-6 pounds over the last 2 months.

So...without further delay:

Reggie explained that I had great results but not a true 15+ pounds of muscle building in 2 months. He clarified these findings more accurately as a recovery of my muscle loss that I had been left with after the 2 years of "dieting" rather than focusing on filling those nutritional gaps with supplements and eating cleaner all while balancing exercising. Regardless of the analysis, he wanted me to know that I was making great progress but it is time to get serious about reaching my goals. He said the key moving forward is to keep the Fat Free Weight (aka..muscle mass) in place while reducing the fat %. The recommendation of 1500-1600 calories a day and continuing my current exercise routine was duly noted and gives me a nice guide post for the next 2-3 months. With all this being said, I can honestly say that I am so very glad that I didn't let the scales dictate my mood or deteriorate my motivation.

Yes, I went there.

_______________________________________________________

I wanted to go ahead and include a little recap of my race today as well on this blogpost. My sweetheart, me, and my oldest girl (not pictured because she does not do cold nor mornings..hehehe) made our way down the road to Springfield, TN to run the Farm Bureau Holiday Run in Historic Springfield. We have watched the runners and cheered them in for the last 2 years but I wanted to be one of them this year. Sign me up...cold or not! The race was just the beginning of a day of fun since we also enjoyed the Christmas parade as it rolled through town and pigged out on a huge Thanksgiving spread with the family at my brother and sis-in-laws house (aka...The Carousel House).

Wowzers, it was chilly! The "coolest" part was that this was my first cold weather run EVER! I was a little concerned about how my lungs would fair but I was totally impressed that I didn't struggle with my breathing. The hills maxed out my legs so I had to walk briskly up 2 of the largest hills I have ever seen. If it tells you anything about the incline, my heart rate never dropped below 155. If you have ever run up a steep hill like these then you know what I mean when I say it felt like I was running in quick sand.

Despite this chilly, Fall day and all the hills, I still managed to score a new personal record for a 5K. My average HR was about 165 with holding an average pace of 11:08. I went back to look at one of the last 5Ks I did recently in my home town and realized that it was not measured correctly by the race/timing officials. I was puzzled that I had completed a 5K in under 33 minutes when my previous best had been over 36 just a few weeks prior. So...I went back and reviewed my Garmin and the Booby Bolt race was only 2.96 miles instead of 3.12. My last true timed 5K was in Nashville (listed below) with a pace of 11:47 and total time of 36:34 which dates back 2 months ago. As I shave off almost 2 minutes of my 5K and increased my pace by about 40 seconds, it looks like I have made progress not only in the Bod Pod but also on the pavement in the last 2 months. Hallelujah! AdvoCare Performance products are really showing their stuff in this fluffy body as it figures out fit. O2 Gold, Arginine Extreme, Spark, Muscle Strength, and Catalyst are my new best friends.

After feeding my face with all my favorites including mom's oyster casserole and dad's turkey cooked in the Green Egg, we have made our way home for a relaxing evening at home. A perfect ending to a great memory making day...VANDY WINS over UT 14-10. Sweet dreams folks. :)

Hanging in the Balance

After losing right at 80 pounds and finding that you can shop in the "regular size" department after about 20 years in the "plus size", that you can now do most anything you desire including RUNNING and that you feel pretty stinkin' amazing for owning your place in the "over 40" crowd, it's extremely easy to get comfortable and complacent. It seems easier to focus on how far you've come because that number is bigger rather than on how far you still want to go in this journey before you get to that "happy place" on the scale and in the jean size that you would love to feel amazing in without waiting on them to stretch to fit. You know what I'm talking about...those jeans that will fit better once you make the car ride into work. Heck, some days I just need that immediate reward and just want them to feel awesome right out of the dryer.The truth is that 80 pounds always seems to look better than the 25% more effort that will be required to get to goal.

That all being said...just know that I am avidly working and balancing self-acceptance with self-improvement. Love this reminder from a friend: "So why is a car's windshield so large, and rear view mirror so small? Because our PAST is nothing compared to our FUTURE. Look forward and move on."

I have scheduled my recheck in the Bod Pod for this Friday. Honestly, I am super excited and scared to death all in the same breath. Reggie will deliver the good, the bad, and the ugly all together with his analysis of body fat % and lean muscle mass as I sit in my skibbies in the egg.

After we joined Planet Fitness about a month or two ago, I have made it a point to be more active and more dedicated to weight/resistance training. My UPband trending results show that I have averaged over 300,000 steps in September and October which is up from around 250,000 in the previous months over the summer. This crisp, chilly Fall weather is not holding me back because I am on track to knock out about the same for November or better. My eating habits have been less than desirable but I have managed to drop about 5-6 pounds in the last 6 weeks and my clothes are fitting less snug in some of the right areas..namely my bootie and mid-section. I am hell bent that I am not going to be held captive by the scale but it is still a nice reminder on occasion that we are accountable at many different levels in life...even those below our feet..hehehe

Last but not least today...I MUST SHARE this clip with you.
We are given the opportunity to reset our thoughts each day that our feet hit the floor. Without much thought, I choose happiness! However, I still struggle on what I see in the mirror and how my afternoon happy factor may take a nose dive if I allow myself to count the wrinkles around my eyes or on my neck let alone the bad hair days that end up making me have that "fresh out of bed" look no matter how much product I use.
So...take about 3 minutes and follow this link. We all owe it to ourselves to view ourselves through the eyes of others. A big thank you to my dear friend, Linda, for sharing this with me this morning even though it started my water works before the work day had begun.
http://www.upworthy.com/2-people-described-the-same-person-to-a-forensic-artist-and-this-is-what-happene?g=2

Finding myself renewed

I am...
   a conqueror, fearless, more, the answer, chosen, changed, a leader, a teacher, a mom, destined, decided, a daughter, a sister, whuth speaker, a wife, a truth seeker, alive, radiant, loved, brave, real, motivated, a champion, a fighter, disciplined, resilient, a believer....

There are not enough words in Webster to describe what my eyes and ears experienced this weekend, but I MUST share just a piece or two that started a rumbling inside of me that simply won't be settled.

Just a few of my favorite people that I had some face time with  this weekend.

Flashing back to the August AdvoCare Success School in Texas, I purchased my ticket to attend the AdvoCare Ladies Alive 2013 event here in Nashville as scheduled this weekend. I knew that I would need a renewal of inspiration about this time of year given all the pressures of work, family, finances, planning holiday celebrations, etc. so I didn't even hesitate to pay the $29. AdvoCare never seems to do anything half way so I was sure the money would be well spent. However, as Friday rolled around, I found myself wishing that I had not signed up to go. The voices in my head kept repeating, "It would only be $29 wasted and I could spend those 8 hours with my family. After all, I rarely get a whole weekend free to enjoy them so that's what I need to do." But...I knew that my friends were counting on me to be there, and I was not about letting them down. The truth is that those friendships that I have developed and rekindled in the last 9-10 months mean the world to me, and I wouldn't want to lose what I had gained all because I was being a bit lazy and feeling withdrawn. I mean seriously...I recognized that about myself back in August when I initially purchased the ticket. I need inspiration poured into me routinely, and AdvoCare events tend to do just that. SO....I put on my big girl panties and made my way to the front doors of Two Rivers Baptist Church just in time to see hundreds...I mean hundreds...of women filing in to register and get their goodie bags filled with great gifts such as a bracelets with "Powerful" and "Empowered" stamped boldly on them. As I was snapping this picture of my keepsakes this morning, I realized that I had one of my other inspirational pieces stacked with them..."The journey is the reward." How very true that is!

1,200+ women with similar goals in life all gathered in one place to allow hope and inspiration to be poured into their hearts. Yep, that's exactly what my eyes experienced within the first 10 minutes of my arrival.

Friday night was filled with story after story of success with weight loss, overcoming financial struggle, and the affects of believing in yourself.

I learned that I must possess 4 weapons for battle in this life.
1. DISGUST (with my current situation)
2. DESIRE (for a better life and for change)
3. Be TEACHABLE
4. Possess the WILLINGNESS TO WORK

The honest truth is that I am disgusted with the time that I must spend away from my kids and the man that I love on the weekends. I have realized that my weight loss efforts are truly part of a journey. I have the desire for relief of these circumstances and need for change. I feel that I am teachable. I am definitely not afraid to work.
However, there must be a 5th weapon that is the very key to being a difference maker. That 5th attribute is definitely....DON'T FEAR STEPPING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

Now those that know me would probably agree that I am pretty outgoing and not afraid of change. I will not hesitate to start something new and encourage others to jump in feet first with me. My fear lies with acceptance. I want the likability meter to be pushing toward the top when folks think of me. I have tried to adopt the attitude of "who cares" but I just can't seem to completely take ownership of that idea. My sweet husband tells me that I fret too much about making everyone around me happy. But...maybe that's what makes me who I am. I think most people have a desire (some deeper than others) to be accepted and needed. Now all that being said, I have had some real personal growth over this last year that has allowed me to appreciate what I am today rather than mourning over what I am not.

On a side note...
At this very moment, I am sitting up in the bed typing these words while my hubby is laying next to me listening to his music through his headphones. I have to giggle as I overhear "Better Class of Losers" playing. Brilliant words spoken by that 'ole Randy Travis. Ok, ok...I know you think...this chick is crazy. And...you may be correct :). Now, back on task to sharing...

As the conference reconvened on Saturday morning, I can't describe the feelings that were stirred in my gut as I heard women sharing from their heart about the challenges that they face in this life. Being the CEO of your own company is not without challenges, fear, and frustrations. Along with their honesty and transparency, they were quick to share that we must be careful not to compare our backstage with the highlight reels that were being shared from that very stage, on the Facebook pages of our friends, and in casual conversations in our daily life. Struggles are abundant in everyone's life. The real challenge is being transparent about those struggles but not letting them hold you back from building a better life for yourself and breathing life into those around you.

If I am completely honest with myself, the fear of being "that girl" that walks around talking about vitamins or chatting it up about the importance of healthy lifestyle is what keeps me locked in that boxed comfort zone. I would rather people come to me for those answers rather than me offering them an opportunity like what I have my hands on. Crazy, huh...I know. But...that all goes back to the fear of people not liking me. The truth is that we should all be into taking better care of ourselves with better nutrition, intentional exercise, and adding the best supplements on the market into our life to fill those nutritional gaps. After all, we are only given one vessel to carry us through the storms of life.

All this talk makes me reflect on a conversation that I had with my teenage girls not long ago. One of them asked me if I was popular in school. I replied, "Well, no, not really. I just had a group of friends that I hung out with that accepted my average." The truth is...AVERAGE is sufficient...but finding my AWESOME would be stinkin' amazing. That leads me to one of my favorite lines shared from stage yesterday. "You will become most like the 5 people that you share the most time with." Guess what?! How very true that is. Just know that I am bent on surrounding myself with positive, motivated people that hold me accountable and challenge me to find my awesome. Thinking outside of that comfort zone is right up there with exercising and eating right everyday for me because it's the only thing that will make a difference in my tomorrow.

I am renewed and have a "decided heart" to be a difference maker. I will seize each day and accept responsibility for my future. (Thanks to Brooks Reid)
My "minds eye" tells me to step out of the comfort zone and not limit myself to only what my eyes see but to allow myself to dream again. Allowing myself to do things that are uncomfortable is my new challenge.

This Daily Affirmation  is a quick clip that everyone must experience. Just click and watch.
We all need to take some pointers from this precious blonde-haired beauty.

Final words...
I am working to believe in myself and all that I am meant to be.
I refuse to be trapped by small minded thoughts of my own and of others.

A quote that a dear friend shared with me during my struggles last week.

I am ALIVE and POWERFUL!

I must say NO!

Who's with me? Are you ready to commit?
I decided to say "NO" this month. This is a...
NO excuses
NO cheating
NO quitting
NOvember.

I woke this morning with the burning desire to make a stronger commitment to myself. Being a better version of me is what I have been working on for 3 years now but in all honesty...I kind of envisioned it as a marathon rather than a sprint. I catch myself making numerous excuses for this meal or that treat or for not exercising as I play the old saying in my mind, "I have the entire week to work this off."

Even after spending 2+ hours at the gym last night, I returned home and shoveled fresh salsa verde and Baked Scoops in my mouth until I was stuffed. What the heck?! Why didn't I just come home and fix a protein shake and call that dinner? It's because I have endless cravings that seem to never get satisfied. And before you even think it, it's not because I don't give into those cravings on occasion. Actually, it is more likely that I see those extravagant expenditures of calories as opportunity. Opportunity to indulge after I have battled hard to bust that fat in the gym just hours before. The truth of the matter is...this must stop if I am ever going to feel my best and look my best in a realistic amount of time. Now...I am not talking about the saggy tricep area or my kangaroo pouch of a belly that is residual of 2 C-sections and years of obesity followed by 80 pounds of weight loss. Those areas will take time to mold and sculpt into "my awesome" but I am talking about getting off of that roller coaster of high salt and carb-laden foods that tend to bloat me up like the Michelin man.

Therefore, I will be taking small steps toward correcting my over-indulgent behavior all the while focused on feeling and looking my best through these holidays. After all, I have goals in mind. Initially, I had hoped that the scales would reflect me reaching my goal weight by Turkey Day. Well, that's not gonna happen but I WILL be closer than ever before. I really don't even know what that "perfect" number on the scale will be because I don't ever remember seeing muscles under that adipose tissue in my entire adult life prior to now. Even at my smallest adult weight, I was still not in shape. SO...if I had to guess, I have about 25-30 pounds left to lose but I am not staking a claim on a number until I get closer. Those darn BMI charts are full of bull for the most part but they can at least give me a mile marker to shoot for potentially.

Oh, before I forget, I must mention that I am getting super excited about continuing my running/training in the cool/cold weather this year for the first time since I completed the Country Music 1/2 Marathon back a couple of years ago. I tend to get lazy over the winter and let all that conditioning go to waste that I would spend building on through the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Not this year dang it! My hot, bald man and I have registered for several chilly 5Ks and a 15K leading into February so warmer clothing purchases were a must. I went online today and made a few selections. www.bondiband.com has some of the most awesome wicking headbands that I love to wear so I picked out a new pink one. In addition, we both wanted to try the compression calf sleeves for running so I added a couple of pair to the cart along with a couple of neck gators to keep the warmth tucked in nicely. I offered to get the hubby the bright fuchsia pink sleeves but he so gracefully declined. I mean seriously...have you seen that man sport a tutu? He can rock some pink!

I suspect you are thinking about that leftover Halloween candy that seems to be calling your name after last night's festivities. If you think you have it bad, we still have our stash because the inclement weather warnings prompted our Mayor to reschedule the Trick-or-treat plans for tonight instead. But we are ready for all the princesses, goblins, super heroes, and such with all 13.2 pounds of sugary goodness.

Once the last doorbell ringer trots through our yard and the porch light dims, the rest of this "junk" will need to find a new home because I am starting my Herbal Cleanse on Monday. Cleaning out this gut with good fiber, better nutrition, and probiotics is what I am preparing to do with those next 10 days. Yes, I am ridding this body of those cravings like everyone should. Fluffy or fit...we all need a good flush about every 60-90 days. Stand by and watch the inches melt away and the scales to shift over the next 30 days of November.

Happy Fall y'all. 

Don't forget to TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK before you head to bed on SATURDAY NIGHT.