So who cheated in the past week? I'm talking about fattening foods, excessive eating, mindless eating, barely a vegetable in sight. It's okay - millions of people ate abnormally while watching the Super Bowl. I know I did, but for me, it was different - it was my birthday - and I barely watched the game (though I did catch the last 2 minutes and overtime - and you know how exciting that was!).
I started my birthday celebration on Friday with a fairly sensible meal followed by a piece of French Silk pie - a good 500-600 calories per slice, serious pie! I also had 2 glasses of wine. I went to bed full but not stuffed. The problem became apparent on Saturday when I had another slice of birthday pie as my afternoon snack. We had dinner at a friend's house and they made a baked Alaska out of brownie cupcakes, ice cream, and torched marshmallow fluff. It was delicious but very filling. I had overdone it.
By the time my actual birthday came on Sunday, I was still committed to celebrating with food. I had another slice of birthday pie after lunch, a truffle from a local chocolate shop as a mid-afternoon treat, because, hey, it's my birthday and I was out enjoying some much needed retail therapy. But I didn't stop there, I had to indulge in dessert after dinner at a wonderful restaurant, and while I didn't like the chocolate cake I ordered, I switched with my husband because his chocolate pudding s'mores concoction was hitting the spot. Even though I was full, and it was a large portion, I got it in my head that I needed to finish it. I'm not proud of my choices, but I'm being honest.
If I hide my poor choices, I can't be held accountable. I can't make changes in my life and my health, if I'm not honest.
So here I am, being honest. I will spare you the video of me working out this morning. I had fun and sweat like crazy doing the first CIZE video - crazy eights. I always thought I was a good dancer, not on a professional level, but I can hold my own on any dance floor. Then I saw myself and had a good laugh at my arms flailing all over the place. My husband had a good laugh too. I realized I'm not crazy enough to post the videos yet, and I do owe some people an apology for making fun of them doing the same video. Trust me, they looked a lot better than I did doing the dance moves!
So after several days of special treats, and feeling bloated from extra salt and whatever else I don't normally eat, I'm finally beginning to feel normal again. I need to get my chocolate habit back in check (I went without chocolate during the entire month of January - and that's a big thing for me!). I enjoy eating meals that follow the 21 Day Fix containers. But most of all, I enjoy watching my body transform. When I follow the meal plan, have my daily Shakeology, drink a ton of water, and exercise every morning, I see the results within weeks. I like how that makes me feel.
I am a work in progress, and while there have been a lot of challenges over the past years that haven't always brought out my best sides (a post for another time), I am learning, and growing, and I'm committed to making better choices, At the end of the day, my family and all of our health are the most important things to me. That's why I became an Independent Team Beachbody Coach. Health and family are important to me because when I make time for family and health, I see a positive difference in our lives. I want to bring that difference to other people. If I can help others find that balance, and achieve their goals, I will know that I'm doing my part to make the world a better place. I hope you can hear my sincerity and desire to help others. So leave a comment below, or send me an email and share what you want to accomplish. I give you my word that I will be there for you, through this journey, to improve your health and your family life. We will celebrate (without cheat foods) our achievements and be amazed at what we can do when we put our minds to it.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Monday, April 15, 2013
Oh where oh where did my will power go?
My will power was tested this weekend and I failed. I want to blame it on external situations, such as my husband or kids, but at the end of the day, I realize it is all me. When it comes to food, especially chocolate, I'm weak. My sound decision making skills vanish and my strength is gone in an instant.
This weekend, my husband made a great brunch for a friend who was visiting from the Bay Area. My husband had good intentions and made healthy items, however, when I added up all the calories I ate, it turns out I had 934 calories! Here's what I ate:
A glass of Orange Juice (this is a rare treat, 110 calories)
Poached eggs with garbanzo beans, tomatoes and spinach (very delicious and healthy only 259 calories. Click for recipe courtesy of Jenn Louis, Lincoln Restaurant and Sunshine Tavern, Portland, Oregon, Cooking Light DECEMBER 2012)
Half an English Muffin with Neufchatel cream cheese and Fig Butter from Trader Joe's (125 calories)
Chicken Sausage from Trader Joe's (about 110 calories)
Orange with Yogurt and lemon sauce (149 calories) from Jillian Michaels - probably only had half an orange, maybe saved some calories
Chocolate Truffle Brownie Cookie (about 180 calories) from Trader Joe's
Now that I write it out, it seems like a lot, but in reality, nothing was over sized, or appeared that extravagant at the time. I was full, not stuffed, and I felt the need to eat everything. Why? No will power. I could come up with a million external reasons such as, I didn't want to hurt my husband's feelings, it looked delicious, it tasted great, but if I'm being honest, simply put, I have no will power. I was shocked to figure out the total calorie count later. Was it worth it? Would I have been just as happy with just the egg dish? Yes. I honestly believe I would, and next time I'll do my best to understand what the best choices are to stay within my calorie guideline.
Compare that meal with my lunch today: a frittata (197 calories), courtesy of Jillian Michaels, and an apple (116 calories). That's below my max of 400 calories and I'm still full 1.5 hours later. Am I eyeing those chocolate truffle brownie cookies? You bet I am! But, I haven't reached for one yet. I am craving one and doing everything I can to show my body, mind over matter wins. That I do have will power down deep in my soul. Writing this blog is also helping as it would be just pitiful and ironic if I couldn't make it through this post without "cheating".
I'm not even going to go into the details of my dinner last night at a deep dish pizza place for a kid's birthday party (which is a fairly frequent scenario given my pre-elementary kids' ages). I don't even know how to begin counting those calories!
Here's the funny thing, I don't really have any other vices. I haven't ever smoked, I don't do drugs, I'll drink an occasional glass of wine, head to the spa or go shopping, but the lack of frequency doesn't translate to a vice in my mind. Chocolate, however, is something I have come to rely on as a necessity, right up there with breathing. I have chocolate every day, sometimes multiple times a day, and I've even refused to share my chocolate on more than one occasion. So when I'm offered chocolate, at a kids party, for example, it's never been an option for me to say no.
I'm turning 40 next year and have a few major goals I'd like to achieve before that big milestone. One is the ability to find my will power, especially when it comes to food and chocolate. I know I feel better when I make better choices, and I know I'm working really hard with these Jillian Michaels videos, so why waste that effort?
It all sounds easy to follow, doesn't it? Is now my time to finally take control? What have you struggled with and how did you overcome your weakness?
This weekend, my husband made a great brunch for a friend who was visiting from the Bay Area. My husband had good intentions and made healthy items, however, when I added up all the calories I ate, it turns out I had 934 calories! Here's what I ate:
A glass of Orange Juice (this is a rare treat, 110 calories)
Poached eggs with garbanzo beans, tomatoes and spinach (very delicious and healthy only 259 calories. Click for recipe courtesy of Jenn Louis, Lincoln Restaurant and Sunshine Tavern, Portland, Oregon, Cooking Light DECEMBER 2012)
Half an English Muffin with Neufchatel cream cheese and Fig Butter from Trader Joe's (125 calories)
Chicken Sausage from Trader Joe's (about 110 calories)
Orange with Yogurt and lemon sauce (149 calories) from Jillian Michaels - probably only had half an orange, maybe saved some calories
Chocolate Truffle Brownie Cookie (about 180 calories) from Trader Joe's
Now that I write it out, it seems like a lot, but in reality, nothing was over sized, or appeared that extravagant at the time. I was full, not stuffed, and I felt the need to eat everything. Why? No will power. I could come up with a million external reasons such as, I didn't want to hurt my husband's feelings, it looked delicious, it tasted great, but if I'm being honest, simply put, I have no will power. I was shocked to figure out the total calorie count later. Was it worth it? Would I have been just as happy with just the egg dish? Yes. I honestly believe I would, and next time I'll do my best to understand what the best choices are to stay within my calorie guideline.
Compare that meal with my lunch today: a frittata (197 calories), courtesy of Jillian Michaels, and an apple (116 calories). That's below my max of 400 calories and I'm still full 1.5 hours later. Am I eyeing those chocolate truffle brownie cookies? You bet I am! But, I haven't reached for one yet. I am craving one and doing everything I can to show my body, mind over matter wins. That I do have will power down deep in my soul. Writing this blog is also helping as it would be just pitiful and ironic if I couldn't make it through this post without "cheating".
I'm not even going to go into the details of my dinner last night at a deep dish pizza place for a kid's birthday party (which is a fairly frequent scenario given my pre-elementary kids' ages). I don't even know how to begin counting those calories!
Here's the funny thing, I don't really have any other vices. I haven't ever smoked, I don't do drugs, I'll drink an occasional glass of wine, head to the spa or go shopping, but the lack of frequency doesn't translate to a vice in my mind. Chocolate, however, is something I have come to rely on as a necessity, right up there with breathing. I have chocolate every day, sometimes multiple times a day, and I've even refused to share my chocolate on more than one occasion. So when I'm offered chocolate, at a kids party, for example, it's never been an option for me to say no.
I'm turning 40 next year and have a few major goals I'd like to achieve before that big milestone. One is the ability to find my will power, especially when it comes to food and chocolate. I know I feel better when I make better choices, and I know I'm working really hard with these Jillian Michaels videos, so why waste that effort?
It all sounds easy to follow, doesn't it? Is now my time to finally take control? What have you struggled with and how did you overcome your weakness?
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
What's that I feel?
Right around my birthday last month, I was the designated child watcher so my husband could go to a dear friend's 40th birthday party celebration. I stayed home, watched a movie, and then got sucked into an infomercial. I think this infomercial is going to change my life - and I am already feeling the results.
I bought Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution. How could I not after seeing so many convincing before and after pictures?! These included real people I could identify with, people who had bellies or love handles, but weren't hundreds of pounds overweight. I probably have about 15 pounds to lose. I have 30 minutes a day to exercise. So I bought it, and Jillian is kicking my ass. Daily.
I've been fit before, especially when I was training for the marathon in 2005. After my second son was born in 2011, I was walking 5-6 miles per day. I shed all of my baby weight, but my belly has just not been anywhere close to firm. I also had c-sections for both of my boys, and thought I would never be able to have a flat stomach (and the last time I had one was in high school).
I was able to stay home with my youngest for the first 13 months of his life. I walked him around a lot. Then he went to daycare and I started a job within 2 months. That was the last time I exercised on a consistent basis. Now, fast forward, 8 months, I am searching for a new job and have time to workout, and finally make the change I need to for a healthy body.
I'm proud of myself for taking action, following through, and keeping the end goal in mind: healthy body and longer life. I'm on week 3 of the program, and I have already seen my sleep improve dramatically, my energy level is up, my mood is much better, my period was even cramp-free. But today, I am feeling my mid-back muscles, due to several moves from her "workout 4" DVD...I'm just reminding myself that this pain is good, my core will be strong, and those big muscles will burn more calories.
Luckily, I don't have to workout those muscles for another two days, but I do have to complete the Cardio DVD today. I'm looking forward to loosening up my muscles, get the blood flowing, burning more calories, and trying to keep up with her! Showing up is half the battle, pushing yourself to your max is the other challenge.
I can't wait to see what my body will look like at the end of the 90-day program. It will be just in time for my youngest's 2nd birthday, and with summer just around the corner, I know I'll be thrilled with my toned, strong, and lean body. Sexy, right?
I've been cooking her recipes as well, and I am pleasantly surprised at how tasty they are, as well as satisfying. I'll admit, I'm not down to 1200 calories a day as she suggests, however, I am eating better (less cheats) and I'm trying to eat less.
Anyone else survive a Jillian Michaels program? I've heard from friends that it's the only program that actually works. What else do you do to stay healthy?
I bought Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution. How could I not after seeing so many convincing before and after pictures?! These included real people I could identify with, people who had bellies or love handles, but weren't hundreds of pounds overweight. I probably have about 15 pounds to lose. I have 30 minutes a day to exercise. So I bought it, and Jillian is kicking my ass. Daily.
I've been fit before, especially when I was training for the marathon in 2005. After my second son was born in 2011, I was walking 5-6 miles per day. I shed all of my baby weight, but my belly has just not been anywhere close to firm. I also had c-sections for both of my boys, and thought I would never be able to have a flat stomach (and the last time I had one was in high school).
I was able to stay home with my youngest for the first 13 months of his life. I walked him around a lot. Then he went to daycare and I started a job within 2 months. That was the last time I exercised on a consistent basis. Now, fast forward, 8 months, I am searching for a new job and have time to workout, and finally make the change I need to for a healthy body.
I'm proud of myself for taking action, following through, and keeping the end goal in mind: healthy body and longer life. I'm on week 3 of the program, and I have already seen my sleep improve dramatically, my energy level is up, my mood is much better, my period was even cramp-free. But today, I am feeling my mid-back muscles, due to several moves from her "workout 4" DVD...I'm just reminding myself that this pain is good, my core will be strong, and those big muscles will burn more calories.
Luckily, I don't have to workout those muscles for another two days, but I do have to complete the Cardio DVD today. I'm looking forward to loosening up my muscles, get the blood flowing, burning more calories, and trying to keep up with her! Showing up is half the battle, pushing yourself to your max is the other challenge.
I can't wait to see what my body will look like at the end of the 90-day program. It will be just in time for my youngest's 2nd birthday, and with summer just around the corner, I know I'll be thrilled with my toned, strong, and lean body. Sexy, right?
I've been cooking her recipes as well, and I am pleasantly surprised at how tasty they are, as well as satisfying. I'll admit, I'm not down to 1200 calories a day as she suggests, however, I am eating better (less cheats) and I'm trying to eat less.
Anyone else survive a Jillian Michaels program? I've heard from friends that it's the only program that actually works. What else do you do to stay healthy?
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Do what you love; love what you do
It's something I've heard throughout my life, and I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one. Yet, how many of us know someone who is not happy in their job. Sometimes the source of unhappiness is the company, the people you interact with, or even the role itself. But sometimes, it's more than that.
As a marketer, I am expected to be passionate about the product or service I am marketing. There were some roles in the past where I had to convince myself that it was okay to be passionate about the how of marketing, not what I was marketing. I didn't always have a choice of what I worked on, but I did get a lot of great experience from those products/services I was marketing.
I'm at a point in my career, and my life, where I want to connect with the product, and how I market it to consumers. I am proud that I am staying true to the title of this post and my current search has me focused on things I love, which lucky for me, I love many things, including: food, chocolate (yes, a separate category because I love chocolate that much!), cooking/baking (anything about a kitchen), family, exercise, outdoors, culture, travel, friends, learning, organizing, house hunting and the list could go on and on.
I am also at a point in my life where I'd like a little more stability. Stability doesn't mean lack of change, rather, opportunity for continued growth, a solid foundation. I would like us to buy a home close to my future employer as my oldest is about to enter Kindergarten in the fall. I'd like to know that the school he goes to is where he'll be for all of his elementary school years. He's already lived in two cities and a total of four homes, I feel a little guilt about his lack of stability since we became renters again when we returned to Chicago a few years ago. I'm also getting tired of packing and moving, although I am quite good at it!
I do get very excited when an offer is extended; it's a critical decision, a crossroad of life where you know if you say "yes!" your life will forever change. Except now, it's not just my life, it's my husband's life and my boys' lives that will also be impacted. Hopefully in a good way, but nevertheless affected. That is why it's so critical to do what you love and love what you do. Your job/career takes up a lot of time and if you are happy and love what you do, your "free" time will be a lot more fun, because you'll be happy. The people in your life will notice and they will be thankful too.
Have I oversimplified things? Yes, perhaps a bit, but I believe it really does come down to the ultimate goal of fulfilling yourself and doing the best you can for you, and those around you. What's your experience with jobs? Have you always loved your work, or do you believe in more of a punch-card mentality to show up, do the job, and live your life completely separate from work?
As a marketer, I am expected to be passionate about the product or service I am marketing. There were some roles in the past where I had to convince myself that it was okay to be passionate about the how of marketing, not what I was marketing. I didn't always have a choice of what I worked on, but I did get a lot of great experience from those products/services I was marketing.
I'm at a point in my career, and my life, where I want to connect with the product, and how I market it to consumers. I am proud that I am staying true to the title of this post and my current search has me focused on things I love, which lucky for me, I love many things, including: food, chocolate (yes, a separate category because I love chocolate that much!), cooking/baking (anything about a kitchen), family, exercise, outdoors, culture, travel, friends, learning, organizing, house hunting and the list could go on and on.
I am also at a point in my life where I'd like a little more stability. Stability doesn't mean lack of change, rather, opportunity for continued growth, a solid foundation. I would like us to buy a home close to my future employer as my oldest is about to enter Kindergarten in the fall. I'd like to know that the school he goes to is where he'll be for all of his elementary school years. He's already lived in two cities and a total of four homes, I feel a little guilt about his lack of stability since we became renters again when we returned to Chicago a few years ago. I'm also getting tired of packing and moving, although I am quite good at it!
I do get very excited when an offer is extended; it's a critical decision, a crossroad of life where you know if you say "yes!" your life will forever change. Except now, it's not just my life, it's my husband's life and my boys' lives that will also be impacted. Hopefully in a good way, but nevertheless affected. That is why it's so critical to do what you love and love what you do. Your job/career takes up a lot of time and if you are happy and love what you do, your "free" time will be a lot more fun, because you'll be happy. The people in your life will notice and they will be thankful too.
Have I oversimplified things? Yes, perhaps a bit, but I believe it really does come down to the ultimate goal of fulfilling yourself and doing the best you can for you, and those around you. What's your experience with jobs? Have you always loved your work, or do you believe in more of a punch-card mentality to show up, do the job, and live your life completely separate from work?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Truly Inspirational Story - Running
A friend of mine posted a video link called "My 120 pound Journey" on her facebook status the other day with the following message: Ah- this is so great.... to all my fellow runners out there.
Take a look and be ready to be inspired.
**Watch the video now or consider this a spoiler alert!
Pretty amazing, isn't it?! It turns out that Ben, the runner featured in the video, is young, just out of college, and was able to prove what our parents told us "You can do anything if you set your mind to it." He lost 120 pounds, gained confidence, happiness, health, and a relationship. Not to mention his supportive family was at his side through races, marathon, ironman, training, etc.
I started running on a regular basis in the summer of 2002. I was in Hawaii, and had the luxury of running near the ocean, looking out at Diamond Head, Waikiki, and surfers. Weather was mild, and 3 miles, almost daily, passed quickly as I chatted with a friend and we laughed the whole time.
When I went back to business school in Ann Arbor, MI that fall, I had good intentions of sticking with my running, but life happened. Projects, papers, job search, classes, partying - I mean networking -all became priorities. When the snow thawed and school came to a close, I was back outside, running, rollerblading, and increasing my pace (muscle toning and lung capacity). I was very active the summer of 2003, and when I finally moved to Chicago, a friend of mine from business school became my running partner. She was a great partner, very motivational, and would plant these seeds in my head:
"Maybe you'll run a marathon one day." - to which I replied "You're crazy!"
"Let's run 10 more minutes."
"Maybe we should sign up for a 10k."
She did get me to do a 5k, then an 8k, then a 10k, and one day, before I knew it, I signed up for a half marathon. 13.1 miles. I figured if I trained properly and felt good after running it, then I would see if I wanted to sign up for the full marathon.
On June 6, 2004, I ran the St. Charles, IL half marathon. I finished in 2:10:32 (hours:min:sec for you non-racers). There were hills, trails, beautiful quiet neighborhoods, and I felt great! I loved it - talk about a runner's high!
I did have trouble walking up stairs for about 2 days, but then I felt great, so I signed up for the Chicago marathon in October. I trained again, with CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) and trained for months. I got to the half way point (13 mile run), and found out I needed some emergency surgery (non-running related). The good news was my body was in great shape for major surgery, and I was able to recover fairly quickly. The bad news was I would have to wait to run the marathon.
If I remember correctly, I continued to run the shorter, neighborhood races like the Ravenswood Run, Turkey Trot, Rudolph Ramble and Nike's Run Hit Wonder. It's a fun way to see Chicago, meet people, support local causes, and of course, keep a goal top of mind.
In 2005, I did the marathon training with CARA again. It was a fantastic program, and I still have friends from my running path days. People usually like to run with me, as I'm a chatter. I see a run as an opportunity to get to know someone, catch up with a friend, share my dating life, anything to help the time pass! We had a saying "What happens on the path, stays on the path." Most runners that I've encountered appreciate the entertainment I provide, and love to listen. I should explain that I never considered myself a hard core runner.
When I think of a hard core runner, I think of ripped abs, small body frame, long, lean legs, the kind of runner that zips by you and makes it look effortless. My pace was 9:30 or 10:00 for training runs (slower for long races), and my body looks nothing like a runner.
My friends called me a runner before I did. One day, probably when we were close to 18 miles in our training runs, I finally admitted I was a runner when I heard myself say "It's just 9 miles today." I didn't say it with any sarcasm, just factual and excited that I didn't have to be out running for 2 hours or longer!
The training was perfect timing for me, as my then boyfriend, now husband, had just moved to Miami, FL for a job. He was training by himself down there (it was his first marathon too), and I had the support of a training group in Chicago. I think marathon training helped me curb the stress of a long-distance relationship, and focus on completing the marathon instead of thinking about my move down there (I moved a week after the marathon).
Training went well, I did most of my long runs, and sometimes I did them with my husband in Miami. I remember we did our 10 miler on a treadmill because it was just too hot and humid to do it outside. I noticed the weight dripping off of me when I hit 16 and 18 miles. My pants were hanging longer as I lost weight in my waist and tush. I was eating healthy, training at least 3 times a week, stretching, and just enjoying the whole experience.
Race day came, October 2005, and I was nervous. I kept telling myself it's just a training run, but we had never done more than 20 miles. The marathon is 26.2 miles - but I knew mind over matter, and that I could do it. The weather was perfect, and the first 13 miles were a breeze. I felt something in my hip, but was able to run another 5 miles without any real issue. I think the road pavement affected my hip; normally we trained on a running path (sometimes dirt path) which is softer than road pavement.
After 18 miles, I was feeling the pain, but I continued. A friend joined me the last 5 miles or so. I had run the last 5 miles with her the previous year. She called me her running angel, and she wanted to return the favor. I was so thankful that she was there. I was spent, totally zoned out, looking for cheers from the crowd to help motivate me. I was pretty much walking at this point, although it felt like my feet were running. I was trying to listen to what my friend was saying as a distraction. It was the hardest 5 miles I've ever run in my life.
But I did it. I finished the Chicago marathon in 4:47:15. I was thrilled! Still have the medal to prove it.
After completing the marathon, I moved to Miami and continued to run about once or twice a month for about 6 months. I was burnt out and eventually stopped running. My body started to show that I stopped running. I never gained a lot of weight, but I've fluctuated 10-20 pounds over the years.
A co-worker of mine got me to sign up for the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon last year. I got serious about training one month before, and was lucky that I didn't injure myself. I actually had a great run, 2:22:33 - which would have been a few seconds shorter if I didn't stop to plant a big ole smooch on my husband who came out to cheer me on near the finish line! It was a beautiful day, perfect blue skies, and I had a great music mix on my ipod that had me pumped! I felt that I was again, a runner.
Once again, work hours got in the way of running, and I was lucky if I got a run or two in each month.
So here I am, more than a year later. I've been trying to start running again since the Spring, and without much success. I'm frustrated because I've had the time over the summer to get back into running - but my heart wasn't in it. I would notice my clothes were tighter, but I didn't want to admit that I was gaining weight. I've been watching Thintervention with Jackie Warner on Bravo, and eating ice cream. Terrible, I know!
And then I saw the video "My 120 pound journey" and I got inspired. I only have 15 pounds to lose. That's nothing compared to what Ben has done. It was time to just do it - stop making excuses, and just get out there and do the tough work, no matter how long it takes. Yesterday I did 4 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes. Today I did 4 miles in an hour. I realized talk radio is not good for me to run to - I need a good fast beat. Tomorrow I have plans to walk with a friend, so I may not go for a run in the morning. I'm going to take each day one at a time.
I am sick of working hard, seeing results, and then getting lazy. It's not worth it. So this is the final time that I'm going to work really hard, and then I'll figure out a maintenance mode because I know I'll need to keep exercising, and I'm committed to it. This is my health, my energy, my well-being, and my body. I need to take care of it now, so that I have a long, healthy life ahead of me for many years to come. I am the only one that can make that change, and I know my family and friends will support me in my own journey.
Maybe one day I'll have ripped abs and breeze past you on the running path - making it look so easy!
Tell me what works for you. How do you stay motivated to work out? What inspires you to keep your body healthy? What has worked for you in the past? Are there any aspiring marathoners out there?
Take a look and be ready to be inspired.
**Watch the video now or consider this a spoiler alert!
Pretty amazing, isn't it?! It turns out that Ben, the runner featured in the video, is young, just out of college, and was able to prove what our parents told us "You can do anything if you set your mind to it." He lost 120 pounds, gained confidence, happiness, health, and a relationship. Not to mention his supportive family was at his side through races, marathon, ironman, training, etc.
I started running on a regular basis in the summer of 2002. I was in Hawaii, and had the luxury of running near the ocean, looking out at Diamond Head, Waikiki, and surfers. Weather was mild, and 3 miles, almost daily, passed quickly as I chatted with a friend and we laughed the whole time.
When I went back to business school in Ann Arbor, MI that fall, I had good intentions of sticking with my running, but life happened. Projects, papers, job search, classes, partying - I mean networking -all became priorities. When the snow thawed and school came to a close, I was back outside, running, rollerblading, and increasing my pace (muscle toning and lung capacity). I was very active the summer of 2003, and when I finally moved to Chicago, a friend of mine from business school became my running partner. She was a great partner, very motivational, and would plant these seeds in my head:
"Maybe you'll run a marathon one day." - to which I replied "You're crazy!"
"Let's run 10 more minutes."
"Maybe we should sign up for a 10k."
She did get me to do a 5k, then an 8k, then a 10k, and one day, before I knew it, I signed up for a half marathon. 13.1 miles. I figured if I trained properly and felt good after running it, then I would see if I wanted to sign up for the full marathon.
On June 6, 2004, I ran the St. Charles, IL half marathon. I finished in 2:10:32 (hours:min:sec for you non-racers). There were hills, trails, beautiful quiet neighborhoods, and I felt great! I loved it - talk about a runner's high!
I did have trouble walking up stairs for about 2 days, but then I felt great, so I signed up for the Chicago marathon in October. I trained again, with CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) and trained for months. I got to the half way point (13 mile run), and found out I needed some emergency surgery (non-running related). The good news was my body was in great shape for major surgery, and I was able to recover fairly quickly. The bad news was I would have to wait to run the marathon.
If I remember correctly, I continued to run the shorter, neighborhood races like the Ravenswood Run, Turkey Trot, Rudolph Ramble and Nike's Run Hit Wonder. It's a fun way to see Chicago, meet people, support local causes, and of course, keep a goal top of mind.
In 2005, I did the marathon training with CARA again. It was a fantastic program, and I still have friends from my running path days. People usually like to run with me, as I'm a chatter. I see a run as an opportunity to get to know someone, catch up with a friend, share my dating life, anything to help the time pass! We had a saying "What happens on the path, stays on the path." Most runners that I've encountered appreciate the entertainment I provide, and love to listen. I should explain that I never considered myself a hard core runner.
When I think of a hard core runner, I think of ripped abs, small body frame, long, lean legs, the kind of runner that zips by you and makes it look effortless. My pace was 9:30 or 10:00 for training runs (slower for long races), and my body looks nothing like a runner.
My friends called me a runner before I did. One day, probably when we were close to 18 miles in our training runs, I finally admitted I was a runner when I heard myself say "It's just 9 miles today." I didn't say it with any sarcasm, just factual and excited that I didn't have to be out running for 2 hours or longer!
The training was perfect timing for me, as my then boyfriend, now husband, had just moved to Miami, FL for a job. He was training by himself down there (it was his first marathon too), and I had the support of a training group in Chicago. I think marathon training helped me curb the stress of a long-distance relationship, and focus on completing the marathon instead of thinking about my move down there (I moved a week after the marathon).
Training went well, I did most of my long runs, and sometimes I did them with my husband in Miami. I remember we did our 10 miler on a treadmill because it was just too hot and humid to do it outside. I noticed the weight dripping off of me when I hit 16 and 18 miles. My pants were hanging longer as I lost weight in my waist and tush. I was eating healthy, training at least 3 times a week, stretching, and just enjoying the whole experience.
Race day came, October 2005, and I was nervous. I kept telling myself it's just a training run, but we had never done more than 20 miles. The marathon is 26.2 miles - but I knew mind over matter, and that I could do it. The weather was perfect, and the first 13 miles were a breeze. I felt something in my hip, but was able to run another 5 miles without any real issue. I think the road pavement affected my hip; normally we trained on a running path (sometimes dirt path) which is softer than road pavement.
After 18 miles, I was feeling the pain, but I continued. A friend joined me the last 5 miles or so. I had run the last 5 miles with her the previous year. She called me her running angel, and she wanted to return the favor. I was so thankful that she was there. I was spent, totally zoned out, looking for cheers from the crowd to help motivate me. I was pretty much walking at this point, although it felt like my feet were running. I was trying to listen to what my friend was saying as a distraction. It was the hardest 5 miles I've ever run in my life.
But I did it. I finished the Chicago marathon in 4:47:15. I was thrilled! Still have the medal to prove it.
After completing the marathon, I moved to Miami and continued to run about once or twice a month for about 6 months. I was burnt out and eventually stopped running. My body started to show that I stopped running. I never gained a lot of weight, but I've fluctuated 10-20 pounds over the years.
A co-worker of mine got me to sign up for the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon last year. I got serious about training one month before, and was lucky that I didn't injure myself. I actually had a great run, 2:22:33 - which would have been a few seconds shorter if I didn't stop to plant a big ole smooch on my husband who came out to cheer me on near the finish line! It was a beautiful day, perfect blue skies, and I had a great music mix on my ipod that had me pumped! I felt that I was again, a runner.
Once again, work hours got in the way of running, and I was lucky if I got a run or two in each month.
So here I am, more than a year later. I've been trying to start running again since the Spring, and without much success. I'm frustrated because I've had the time over the summer to get back into running - but my heart wasn't in it. I would notice my clothes were tighter, but I didn't want to admit that I was gaining weight. I've been watching Thintervention with Jackie Warner on Bravo, and eating ice cream. Terrible, I know!
And then I saw the video "My 120 pound journey" and I got inspired. I only have 15 pounds to lose. That's nothing compared to what Ben has done. It was time to just do it - stop making excuses, and just get out there and do the tough work, no matter how long it takes. Yesterday I did 4 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes. Today I did 4 miles in an hour. I realized talk radio is not good for me to run to - I need a good fast beat. Tomorrow I have plans to walk with a friend, so I may not go for a run in the morning. I'm going to take each day one at a time.
I am sick of working hard, seeing results, and then getting lazy. It's not worth it. So this is the final time that I'm going to work really hard, and then I'll figure out a maintenance mode because I know I'll need to keep exercising, and I'm committed to it. This is my health, my energy, my well-being, and my body. I need to take care of it now, so that I have a long, healthy life ahead of me for many years to come. I am the only one that can make that change, and I know my family and friends will support me in my own journey.
Maybe one day I'll have ripped abs and breeze past you on the running path - making it look so easy!
Tell me what works for you. How do you stay motivated to work out? What inspires you to keep your body healthy? What has worked for you in the past? Are there any aspiring marathoners out there?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
"I never thought my life would be like this"
Last week, we visited my husband's family in New Jersey, and stayed with his 90-year-old grandmother. She spoke those words to me a few times, as she shook her head and looked down in sadness. Her husband is in a convalescent home, and she can't hear anything unless we shout something to her (she refuses to get new hearing aids). It's sad, and then I thought, well, we all make choices in our life and we have to understand that there are consequences, some good, some bad. What really saddens me is she couldn't hear little C say "Good morning Great Nana!" or anything else he said to her. I'm not sure why she is so stubborn and set in her ways (I'm guessing it's a mix of her generation as well as her age), but she is not happy. She says she doesn't want to continue living like this, but yet she won't make any changes.
Benjamin Franklin is credited with this quote about insanity, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
I think that sums up her situation perfectly. I also thought about my life, and how I had no idea it would be like this. I've said time and again, I'm lucky because if I keep perspective, I realize that we (my loved ones) are in good health and only have to deal with minor illnesses. I have a friend that is battling cancer several times (and he's younger than 40), I know many friends who are in the process of understanding their autistic children, I have friends who have parents that are battling cancer, or worse, have lost their parents for many years now. This perspective helps keep me grounded, and reminds me that my situation may be challenging, but it's not life threatening.
At the end of my life, which I hope is a long time from now, I want to look back and think about all the wonderful people I've had a chance to love, engage, teach, play, laugh, and explore places. My husband is a great man who has incredible patience, a love for social interaction, pop culture, and family. He has his qualities that could use a little work as well (we all do!), but he reminds me that as a team, we are much stronger and we can get through some very tough situations. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that, but I've been working hard on improving myself for me, for him, for our family - and it's starting to pay off. On our road trip back to Chicago, we passed by an SUV that had a propeller on the tail gate hitch. I looked at him and said something like "He must be a boat enthusiast" which I quickly followed with "Wow - I'm such a marketing nerd!" and we both laughed. I had a few other comments which had us both cracking up, and I realized it had been a long time since I made him laugh. It felt so good to be able to get a real laugh out of him, and I hope that I'll continue to crack him up daily!
Change is a funny thing. People often say they embrace it, but when push comes to shove, change makes people uncomfortable. People like routines, knowing what to expect, and often get comfortable in their lives. This economy has shaken us all, and even if you are lucky enough to have your job, you know someone, probably many, who have been affected. Here's the tricky part, most people are not going to share how much they have been affected - some may hide their struggles, some may show a happy face, but no matter how people deal with their new reality, there are internal struggles happening daily. Maybe it's at the grocery store, where you are no longer buying organic items or special treats. Maybe you haven't bought a new pair of shoes in a long time, because your old shoes will get you through another season. Maybe the little luxuries, such as mani/pedis, are much less frequent. Whatever is changing for you, the real question is, what have you learned from this economic climate, and what are you doing to change your situation? I'm talking about long-term strategic fixes, not band-aid solutions. Yes, you need the short-term plan as you need to keep the roof over your head, but you also need to paint the picture of what you want your life to look like.
That's not an easy thing to do, but it's critical for you and your significant other to discuss and get on the same page now. I know that if I am lucky enough to be 90, I don't want my husband in a home when I'm still healthy enough to live alone (with some assistance). If I'm growing old with him, we're doing it under the same roof. Maybe I'll be sick of him by then, but I can't imagine spending 50+ years together and then being apart, only to see each other a few hours a week. No thank you - not for me. I vowed to share my life with him, and that's what we'll do - no matter what it takes.
Easier said then done, but really, if we paint the picture of what we want to achieve, all we need to do is figure out the many steps it takes to get there, and then do it. Every time you get pushed down, you just have to get up and try again - but this time, try something new.
I think it's time for my daily gratitudes:
1. My health. Even though I'm not in the best shape of my life (once upon a time I ran a marathon), I'm healthy. Remember those goals of working out? Now is the time for me to act!
2. My ability to realize that every day is a chance for a fresh start. This has come in very handy during the tough times.
3. My husband's odd jobs. I don't know what we'd do if he didn't take all these random promotion jobs the past few months. He's been working hard and often long or odd hours. He's napping now because he got up at 5:15 am.
4. Little C's language development. He is a non-stop chatter box with full sentences, stringing logic together, and an ever expanding vocabulary. It is so much easier to deal with an irrational toddler when they can tell you what is upsetting them by using words.
5. September. I am glad that the summer is winding down. It was fun, and we had many great adventures, but it's time to get back to work! I just hope the winter isn't brutal this year!
What do you want your life to look like? What are you doing about it?
What makes you insane and are you going to do something to change the outcome?
Benjamin Franklin is credited with this quote about insanity, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."
I think that sums up her situation perfectly. I also thought about my life, and how I had no idea it would be like this. I've said time and again, I'm lucky because if I keep perspective, I realize that we (my loved ones) are in good health and only have to deal with minor illnesses. I have a friend that is battling cancer several times (and he's younger than 40), I know many friends who are in the process of understanding their autistic children, I have friends who have parents that are battling cancer, or worse, have lost their parents for many years now. This perspective helps keep me grounded, and reminds me that my situation may be challenging, but it's not life threatening.
At the end of my life, which I hope is a long time from now, I want to look back and think about all the wonderful people I've had a chance to love, engage, teach, play, laugh, and explore places. My husband is a great man who has incredible patience, a love for social interaction, pop culture, and family. He has his qualities that could use a little work as well (we all do!), but he reminds me that as a team, we are much stronger and we can get through some very tough situations. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that, but I've been working hard on improving myself for me, for him, for our family - and it's starting to pay off. On our road trip back to Chicago, we passed by an SUV that had a propeller on the tail gate hitch. I looked at him and said something like "He must be a boat enthusiast" which I quickly followed with "Wow - I'm such a marketing nerd!" and we both laughed. I had a few other comments which had us both cracking up, and I realized it had been a long time since I made him laugh. It felt so good to be able to get a real laugh out of him, and I hope that I'll continue to crack him up daily!
Change is a funny thing. People often say they embrace it, but when push comes to shove, change makes people uncomfortable. People like routines, knowing what to expect, and often get comfortable in their lives. This economy has shaken us all, and even if you are lucky enough to have your job, you know someone, probably many, who have been affected. Here's the tricky part, most people are not going to share how much they have been affected - some may hide their struggles, some may show a happy face, but no matter how people deal with their new reality, there are internal struggles happening daily. Maybe it's at the grocery store, where you are no longer buying organic items or special treats. Maybe you haven't bought a new pair of shoes in a long time, because your old shoes will get you through another season. Maybe the little luxuries, such as mani/pedis, are much less frequent. Whatever is changing for you, the real question is, what have you learned from this economic climate, and what are you doing to change your situation? I'm talking about long-term strategic fixes, not band-aid solutions. Yes, you need the short-term plan as you need to keep the roof over your head, but you also need to paint the picture of what you want your life to look like.
That's not an easy thing to do, but it's critical for you and your significant other to discuss and get on the same page now. I know that if I am lucky enough to be 90, I don't want my husband in a home when I'm still healthy enough to live alone (with some assistance). If I'm growing old with him, we're doing it under the same roof. Maybe I'll be sick of him by then, but I can't imagine spending 50+ years together and then being apart, only to see each other a few hours a week. No thank you - not for me. I vowed to share my life with him, and that's what we'll do - no matter what it takes.
Easier said then done, but really, if we paint the picture of what we want to achieve, all we need to do is figure out the many steps it takes to get there, and then do it. Every time you get pushed down, you just have to get up and try again - but this time, try something new.
I think it's time for my daily gratitudes:
1. My health. Even though I'm not in the best shape of my life (once upon a time I ran a marathon), I'm healthy. Remember those goals of working out? Now is the time for me to act!
2. My ability to realize that every day is a chance for a fresh start. This has come in very handy during the tough times.
3. My husband's odd jobs. I don't know what we'd do if he didn't take all these random promotion jobs the past few months. He's been working hard and often long or odd hours. He's napping now because he got up at 5:15 am.
4. Little C's language development. He is a non-stop chatter box with full sentences, stringing logic together, and an ever expanding vocabulary. It is so much easier to deal with an irrational toddler when they can tell you what is upsetting them by using words.
5. September. I am glad that the summer is winding down. It was fun, and we had many great adventures, but it's time to get back to work! I just hope the winter isn't brutal this year!
What do you want your life to look like? What are you doing about it?
What makes you insane and are you going to do something to change the outcome?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Costly Conversations and Hot Muggy Nights
In case you were on the edge of your seats about our cell phone provider, I must confess that we did end up staying with AT&T after I spoke with a customer service rep that "gets it." She understood that I should not have had to endure 2-3 hours of my time dealing with AT&T and understands the value of keeping a customer happy. We ended up getting $100 for our troubles if we signed a new contract. So we are waiting for the iPhone to arrive at the AT&T store (7-10 days), and my husband will once again feel connected to the world in a week or so.
As a marketer, I thought about the cost of my interactions from AT&T's perspective. If AT&T had a different policy, where we weren't charged for the service once we shut it off, they would have only lost $39.99 ($30 for data, $9.99 for 2nd line). I have no idea what the cost of talking with reps for 2-3 hours is for AT&T, and we wound up getting $100 for our inconvience, $9.99 refund for his line, no charge for his data plan until we activate the service again (within 30 days). We've all heard it's more expensive to get a new customer than to keep an old one. AT&T could have avoided a lot of cost if they empowered their reps more, and understood their customer. We would happily provide a police report number to show we were not trying to work the system. Oh well, maybe someone at AT&T will read this and revise their policies if someone gets mugged; especially considering they have a Customer Satisfaction award they boast on their web site.
I continue to stop random people on the street that are so engrossed in their smart phones that they are just screaming "come and mug me" - and everyone seems to be appreciative of the advice. Just today, I stopped a woman walking down Southport Corridor, she was checking messages on her smart phone and had her purse over one shoulder, her wallet tucked under her other arm, and phone in hand. She pointed out to me how careless she was after I warned her, and hopefully she'll spread the word to be safe and be aware - we do live in a city after all.
As I'm writing today's post, my AC is getting fixed; a few nights ago it felt unusually warm (I'm normally frozen in our home). It turns out the pilot light went out, and the circuit board needed to be replaced. The pilot light affected the hot water heater, so poor little C had to take a cold bath one night, and he screamed his head off. My husband couldn't understand why...oy! Eventually, the screaming stopped, and we convinced our sweet little boy that it was okay to sleep naked since the AC was broken.
I should mention that our 2.5 year old likes to compare and check for similarities. So after we told him he would be sleeping naked, he promptly asked, "Mommy, you sleep naked too?" in his sweet little innocent voice. We instantly realized the precarious situation we were imposing on ourselves, and corrected our statement by saying, "well, you will sleep in your diaper, and mommy will sleep in her underwear. It's too hot for pajamas." We can only hope that he chose to talk about other things at daycare.
Ah, to be a parent of a toddler, it always keeps you on your toes. I will say there is much to be learned at this stage, and the biggest lesson I've taken away is how critical it is to communicate clearly about expectations, setting the context, and how to properly interact with each other. I'm no saint, by any means, and I do occassionally lose my patience (like when I have to go to the bathroom and he's stalling in the parking lot watching a bug in wonder) - but I continue to try and give my best effort and remind myself that he's the 2.5 year old, and I'm the adult. It's comical, really.
Speaking of the little bugger, it's time for me to pick him up from daycare, head over to Trader Joe's so he can push the grocery cart around (he's really good at it), and we can try a new recipe, a peanut inspired broccoli and beef dish - yum!
I thought I'd end with my daily gratitudes:
1. My husband - We had a fabulous date last night at Jazzin' at the Shedd (without the kid). We got to feel a live star fish, see a baby beluga (did you know they start out grey and as they age they turn white - truly beautiful animals), listen to Jazz, ran into a friend who now works there, and just enjoyed walking around and holding hands.
2. My parents - for always wanting little C to sleep over, and allowing us to enjoy some adult time (see #1).
3. Job search - all I'll say is that there is positive activity for both of us.
4. Health - my family is lucky that we are not dealing with anything serious - I've heard a few too many stories about people we know, or friends of friends - and we are sending prayers and well wishes for everyone to get healthy soon.
5. Time - the summer is flying by, but I also feel like I've enjoyed it. Next week the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so I'm planning on a few rollerblading and running sessions on the lake. Want to join me?
I hope you all have a safe and fun time these last few weeks of summer. I'll be writing again soon - especially after the exciting weekend plans we have!
As a marketer, I thought about the cost of my interactions from AT&T's perspective. If AT&T had a different policy, where we weren't charged for the service once we shut it off, they would have only lost $39.99 ($30 for data, $9.99 for 2nd line). I have no idea what the cost of talking with reps for 2-3 hours is for AT&T, and we wound up getting $100 for our inconvience, $9.99 refund for his line, no charge for his data plan until we activate the service again (within 30 days). We've all heard it's more expensive to get a new customer than to keep an old one. AT&T could have avoided a lot of cost if they empowered their reps more, and understood their customer. We would happily provide a police report number to show we were not trying to work the system. Oh well, maybe someone at AT&T will read this and revise their policies if someone gets mugged; especially considering they have a Customer Satisfaction award they boast on their web site.
I continue to stop random people on the street that are so engrossed in their smart phones that they are just screaming "come and mug me" - and everyone seems to be appreciative of the advice. Just today, I stopped a woman walking down Southport Corridor, she was checking messages on her smart phone and had her purse over one shoulder, her wallet tucked under her other arm, and phone in hand. She pointed out to me how careless she was after I warned her, and hopefully she'll spread the word to be safe and be aware - we do live in a city after all.
As I'm writing today's post, my AC is getting fixed; a few nights ago it felt unusually warm (I'm normally frozen in our home). It turns out the pilot light went out, and the circuit board needed to be replaced. The pilot light affected the hot water heater, so poor little C had to take a cold bath one night, and he screamed his head off. My husband couldn't understand why...oy! Eventually, the screaming stopped, and we convinced our sweet little boy that it was okay to sleep naked since the AC was broken.
I should mention that our 2.5 year old likes to compare and check for similarities. So after we told him he would be sleeping naked, he promptly asked, "Mommy, you sleep naked too?" in his sweet little innocent voice. We instantly realized the precarious situation we were imposing on ourselves, and corrected our statement by saying, "well, you will sleep in your diaper, and mommy will sleep in her underwear. It's too hot for pajamas." We can only hope that he chose to talk about other things at daycare.
Ah, to be a parent of a toddler, it always keeps you on your toes. I will say there is much to be learned at this stage, and the biggest lesson I've taken away is how critical it is to communicate clearly about expectations, setting the context, and how to properly interact with each other. I'm no saint, by any means, and I do occassionally lose my patience (like when I have to go to the bathroom and he's stalling in the parking lot watching a bug in wonder) - but I continue to try and give my best effort and remind myself that he's the 2.5 year old, and I'm the adult. It's comical, really.
Speaking of the little bugger, it's time for me to pick him up from daycare, head over to Trader Joe's so he can push the grocery cart around (he's really good at it), and we can try a new recipe, a peanut inspired broccoli and beef dish - yum!
I thought I'd end with my daily gratitudes:
1. My husband - We had a fabulous date last night at Jazzin' at the Shedd (without the kid). We got to feel a live star fish, see a baby beluga (did you know they start out grey and as they age they turn white - truly beautiful animals), listen to Jazz, ran into a friend who now works there, and just enjoyed walking around and holding hands.
2. My parents - for always wanting little C to sleep over, and allowing us to enjoy some adult time (see #1).
3. Job search - all I'll say is that there is positive activity for both of us.
4. Health - my family is lucky that we are not dealing with anything serious - I've heard a few too many stories about people we know, or friends of friends - and we are sending prayers and well wishes for everyone to get healthy soon.
5. Time - the summer is flying by, but I also feel like I've enjoyed it. Next week the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so I'm planning on a few rollerblading and running sessions on the lake. Want to join me?
I hope you all have a safe and fun time these last few weeks of summer. I'll be writing again soon - especially after the exciting weekend plans we have!
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