Shocking!

There are no words for my lack of writing except Wednesday was the first night in a month and a half that I slept thru the night and Tuesday was the first morning that I went for a run in a month and a half. One was cause for celebration, the other, for taking half a bottle of Aleve. More celebration on Thursday when I did my first 5k run...in 31:38! Believe me, I'm just as shocked as you are. Especially when reviewing the run (I use the Nike+ app and highly recommend it...so far) and discovering that I did one of my miles in 9:25. *insert jaw drop here*

Now let's review. I started out in February with the Couch to 5k program and actually managed to finish it the same week that I delved into the craziness that is my new position. Between hirings and trainings and meetings and more hirings, the only exercise I've gotten regularly is taking the stairs daily because I've forgotten, for the umpteenth time, to give something to my boss. That's right, my ineptitude has helped my fitness.

Also take into consideration that I've added pizza back into my diet (so much so that the pizza place knows who I am just by our order) and the only lettuce I've been buying is for Bubbles the guinea pig, you would think my running ability would be significantly impaired; and for my first run, you'd be absolutely right. Not only did that Tuesday run leave me practically crippled, oxygen deprived and just generally sore, I was also very very slow. I think I was lapped by a grandma in a rocking chair.

So to go from that to two days later busting out a personal best was a shock. I may or may not have done a double take. Let's face it-this

is not exactly synonymous with speed. Or fashionista. Or anything that requires color coordination.

On the other hand, if purple leopard print leggings don't say "dedicated runner," then I don't know what would. (I double dog dare someone to find an article of clothing with the words "dedicated" and "runner" printed on them. There will be a reward).

Oh and I'm down three pounds from my last Biggest Loser Challenge weigh in. 130s here I come!

Perspective

RunnersWorld.com recently ran an article called "Running on Empty". As a female, I've been preached to on the hazards of eating disorders since I started wearing big girl underwear (which, in my opinion may be part of the issue. We focus so much on the problem and how to identify it than trying to prevent it in the first place). Paternal Unit is a therapist and I can't tell you how many times I caught him hovering, seeing how much food was on my plate. He needn't be worried as I have a love of all things alfredo and chocolate.

"Running on Empty" states that disordered eating doesn't always end up in a full blown eating disorder but eating disorders begin with disordered eating. To quote the article, "Manipulating one's food and body offers a sense of control and perfection, a substitute for happiness that may be absent when they're not laced in running shoes." I think that anyone even vaguely familiar with eating disorders is well aware of this. The article also states that disordered eating "refers to less-severe abnormal behaviors: eliminating food groups from your diet; regularly replacing meals with energy bars or coffee drinks; excessive weighing and calorie-counting; and tacking on extra miles as punishment for, say a cheeseburger the night before." It's more physical than mental or emotional.

While I don't feel that I am participating in any of these behaviors, I can see how easy it would be to slip into the mentality that the article is about. At one point it mentions how someone might begin to think "if a 1200 calorie diet get's me these results [less body fat, faster times], than a 500 calorie diet would be better." Running itself can feel almost like an addiction (and believe me I'm hooked), so to do anything to become a better runner makes sense. If you ask me, I will freely tell you that I have addictive tendencies. I probably wouldn't be as aware of that if Paternal Unit hasn't used psycho-babble on me and if there weren't a long line of addicts in my family, but I am and I live every day making careful choices.

Even those careful choices, though, can turn into their own form of addiction, so I can definitely say there are no easy answers. Information, though, is key and education is a powerful tool, at least it is to me, as I'm not the type of person to ignore either. This article made me look at my choice to be a part of the Biggest Loser Challenge and make sure it was in line with the other choices I'd made since then to lose weight. Because of that I've started to make food choices that are healthier and filling instead of what falls exactly into my little 1200 calorie bubble and I'm okay with having a rest day (or two). My mood has definitely improved and my tummy is way happier too. I'm more interested in a healthier me, rather than a skinnier me. Although, I'm hoping the healthier me can rock a bikini.


What kind of choices to you make to be a healthier you?

I'll Gladly Pay You Tomorrow for a Hamburger Today

It's almost eleven at night and while my little family is all snuggled up, visions of Harleys and Milk Bones dancing in their heads, I'm trying to get in at least ten minutes of exercise. Why didn't I get it in earlier in the day you ask? That is a very good question. Let's examine my day, shall we?

I try to sleep in on Mondays, since Tuesday at midnight starts my work week. Then there was a mandatory meeting at The Hotel, followed by grocery shopping for and making my recipe for the upcoming Crazy Cooking Challenge (PS I think I have this one nailed). Then there was the pulling out of hair and gnashing of teeth as I tried to decide what to make for dinner because apparently meal planning has taken a back seat to...everything. Once I finally decided what to make for dinner, I remembered there was laundry to fold and well, you can see where this is going.

Basically, I have an excuse for everything; which, ironically enough, is part of this season's theme for The Biggest Loser-No Excuses. As you can see, I am the queen of excuses. And procrastination. It's my only flaw (yes you read that correctly, I only have one. Don't think you can count my annoying habit of always being right). Husband has been asking me for over a week when I'm going to make my eye appointment, when I'm going to make Melodie's yearly checkup (it's almost three months late. Yikes!). When did I become this person? Let's face it, I can't blame it on working two jobs anymore or having a crazy schedule. I know what my schedule is going to be week in and week out. This is just plain Jane childish behavior. Might as well stomp my foot and cross my arms and shout, "You can't make me!".

So as we finish up the first quarter of the year, I've decided to make a new resolution (my previous one, in case you hadn't heard, is to run a 5k by the end of the year. I see a pattern of self-hatred). Resolution #2: No more excuses. No more putting things off for no apparent reason or even if the reason is apparent. No more being a slug. If I can drink 8 glasses of water a day, I can do anything!

What seems to be your hang up? Not cleaning up after you cut your toe nails? Or how 'bout always being late?