Magic May - Love note to curvy running sisters

Remember to be kind to yourself!!!  You are perfect the way you are - that doesn't mean you may not change and grow but NEVER underestimate how wonderful and important and perfect you are!!!

I love you!! Have a magical day and a magical May!!

Magical May

I'd like to invite you to join me this month for a magical month.  We will focus on how to live a magical life by changing our focus, adding new happiness habits, and releasing some old habits that no longer serve us.  I am committing to posting at least four times per week but hope to post every day and perhaps multiple times in a day as things come up for me.

First I want to focus on something that often robs us of joy... comparison!!  Comparing ourselves to others is completely useless.  As the saying goes, it's like comparing apples to oranges.  We are never exactly the same as another person nor would we really, truly want to be.  Think of how boring that would be if everyone was the same.  And that would imply that we all change in the same ways and at the same time which just isn't feasible.  So why do we do it?  It's human nature but that doesn't mean we have to keep doing it.  It may come up for us but we can choose to let it go.  We can look at others to see how we aspire to be ourselves but not in a comparison type of way rather think of it as window shopping.  I like that and want that for myself.  I don't like that.  I choose to be slender and fit.  I choose to be financially free.  I choose happiness and joy.  I choose to be my authentic self.  I choose to surround myself with loving, kind people.  I choose to have solid, close relationships.

As a health coach and runner, I often see people reaching for what they see as "perfection" immediately.  The key is to make small improvements daily, weekly, or even monthly in your own habits without comparing to "perfection" (which there really is no such thing but...).  One reason for this is to avoid overwhelm and discouragement.  If someone focuses on the fact they have 100 pounds to lose - it may seem overwhelming.  If they instead focus on the fact that they already lost 30 pounds, they can see progress.  Focusing on progress is empowering and uplifting rather than overwhelming and discouraging.

Also, I often see runners saying I ONLY did a 5K!  That's a huge accomplishment that not everyone can do.  IF and only IF you personally want to do a 10K, half marathon, marathon, or longer, build up to it.  You do NOT need to do longer distances to consider yourself a runner.  Don't compare and don't compare times either.  Whether you do a 5 minute mile or a 25 minute mile, just do the best you can.  Again, IF it is important to you to improve your time or distance do it because you want to not because someone else does it.

So today - look at one habit you would like to change and make a small change today!!  You can do it.  Let me know what you pick and give yourself a pat on the back.

Everything will work out magically this month!

Running

I haven't been posting much about my running but I've been running/jogging/walking regularly.  I completed my first half marathon on May 4th!  It was fun.  I definitely felt like I should have done more training and running longer distances but I felt great after it!

If you think you want to do that - I highly recommend it because it is truly a wonderful accomplishment.  Don't focus on your time, just focus on finishing the first one.  I read so many books and articles that talked about your first half marathon (or marathon) should be one with no time limits.  I panicked when I realized mine had one and if I didn't complete it within that time there was no record of my completing it!! Yikes!!  I wanted my medal :)  Luckily, I did fine and completed it on time but I highly recommend not putting that pressure on yourself.  If you run it fast, it doesn't matter but if you end up slowing down, you don't want to stress about the time limit.

The best advice I received from other runners is to make sure you enjoy the journey!!  I had a beautiful course to run and without that advice I can see myself not even noticing it.  That advice obviously can be applied to all areas of our life.  We don't want to be so focused on the end result that we don't enjoy life.

Have fun!!  Enjoy!!

Running to beat the snow

So at my son's basketball game this morning and my friend Judy asked if I had done my run for today. And I had to say, "no" but that motivated me to make sure I got it done before the 6 to 12 inches of snow that we're forecast to have. I really think that Santa needs to bring me some winter running clothes because after a little over a mile I felt like I couldn't really feel my legs. I certainly would not say that I was generally cold but my skin was extremely cold. I was thinking that it might look like a I have a nice windburn on my cheeks. And my legs and back side felt like I'd been playing in the snow without snow pants!!



But that's okay, I got in a little over 2 miles and I tried to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. I looked at the snow that's already on the ground and thought about how magnificent nature is. I also know that even though I really am impatient everything is working out perfectly.I am looking to find apps that will help me long-term to track my running progress and my goals. I love the run for good Mainly because of the fact that it's for a good cause but I think there are others that actually allow you to input your goals with timelines and see them regularly to make sure you maintain progress towards those goals. I have to look into that but if anybody has any suggestions please feel free to let me know.

And thank you Judy for making sure I got my running today!

Running In The Rain

Okay, today I really felt like I was starting my training. When I left the house to start my run it was only 29°

and there was some snow and slush on the ground.  But I did it. I got out there and I just started running. I know part of it is because I want to support my son in his goal to have 5000 miles logged into Saucony's Run4Good app during the month of December 2013. It's for a wonderful cause and I'm very excited to meet that goal, although I can't do it just myself. But in addition to that am very excited to really start to take care of myself and to lose the extra weight and to train for the marathon that I'm planning to run in 2015. I'm still feeling very excited and motivated from my friend Mayra's book which will be available on Amazon on December 12, 2013. I'm also excited by the challenge that I signed up for to run 14 races in the year 2014. And I'm excited to put to use all the information I've gained through all my certificate programs but haven't applied. Now is the time! I'm going to include all of you on my journey. For the first time in my life I'm going to acknowledge out loud that I don't always practice what I teach.  I'm going to acknowledge that I'm obese. It's kind of a funny thing, because it's not as if people can't notice that but I never wanted to admit it. Granted I think I also have so many kind friends who tell me I don't look 80 pounds overweight.  Perhaps they are just thinking I only look 75 pounds overweight ;). Actually I am fortunate to have the extra weight evenly distributed so I have been able to deny the problem all these years!  But now is the time to recognize it and change it.  I also hope to help others who struggle with their weight.  For those who need to learn about basic nutrition and lifestyle choices, I've got that down.  I'm also got the emotional "reasons" down to help recognize those and most importantly I'm learning to release everything that holds me back and help others do the same!  We are all in this together and I love you!  Please let me know how I can support you in your journey.

Running to combat Childhood Obesity (and adult obesity by running!)

So today I put in a little over 4 miles on Saucony's Run4Good app for "Team Dylan."  When he first picked 5,000 miles as the target goal, I thought that was very doable. We haven't seen as many miles logged as I would hope in order to reach that goal but I'm hoping people will spread the word and help out.  I may need to go out and do another 4 miles tonight.  This will force me to train for that marathon :)  If you know of anyone who wants to help us out, that would be wonderful.

Do you have any specific running goals? Other fitness goals?  Do you have someone holding you accountable to them?  Feel free to comment here and I'm happy to act as an accountability partner.  We can reach all of our goals!!  Don't forget it and don't give up!

It's also lots of fun to run with other people and that also keeps you accountable.  Are you part of a running/walking club?  There are so many free clubs and I highly recommend being in one.  I just started a local chapter of Moms RUN This Town - Metrowest, MA so that I will have the support I need and I will gladly help others to achieve their fitness goals, too.

Childhood Obesity - Run Miles to Decrease It

I wanted to ask for your assistance. My son, Dylan, is in 8th grade and doing a capstone project to raise awareness about and funds to decrease childhood obesity.

There is a free app called Run4Good by Saucony that donates money based on miles logged. He has a form to "pledge" miles to walk in December and a team on the app called "Team Dylan".  I wanted to ask you to join his cause by filling out the form and using the app while committing to walk or run a certain number of mile in December under Team Dylan.  It is great motivation to keep or get active during this holiday season and it is for a good cause.

If you would share this, too, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!!

The form can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1A_kEYuQnHdoylfIL5ikAEBs6OMM72WrSgBN3IdAd194/viewform

Together we can make a difference!!  Also, by pledging miles, we are all getting more active and keeping ourselves healthier at the same time.  And for some us, this may lead to lowering the number of overweight and obese adults in the world :)

The following is taken directly from Saucony's Run For Good page (http://www.sauconyrunforgood.com/facts-about-childhood-obesity/).

CHILDHOOD OBESITY FACTS

• Government statistics show that over 30% of children and adolescents are obese or overweight. Almost 20% of children ages 6 to 11 and 18% of those 12 to 19 are considered obese.

• Obesity most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of 5 and 6, and during adolescence.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over the past three decades the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years. It has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years.

• Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has a 70 percent chance of becoming an obese adult. This increases to 80 percent if one or more parents are overweight or obese.

• Doctors agree that the two primary factors in creating obese children and teens are poor food choices and less exercise on a daily basis.

• Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. Overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.

• Researchers have found that overweight children are at a greater risk of school absenteeism than their normal-weight peers.

• According to the CDC, children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. Aerobic activity, such as brisk walking or running, should make up most of this daily activity.

• Doctors and other health care professionals are the best people to determine whether your child or adolescent’s weight is healthy.

14 Races in 2014 Challenge

I want to give a shout out for Marathon Mom's blog (www.runnershoe.blogspot.com). I just joined a challenge I saw on there.  She is asking people to commit to the challenge of running 14 races in 2014!  I couldn't pass that up :)  14 races in 2014.  Wow!!  You can commit to whatever type of race(s) you want to run.  Some people may be doing all full or half marathons but since I'm new to running I selected that I will do a combination of races.They may very well be mainly 5Ks but... It is going to be fun!  It's getting me out there and running and I'm so excited.  I should add that as I said, I have just started running and only completed 3 races in my lifetime.  Since it took me 45 years to run three races, running 14 in one year will definitely be a challenge :-) but I'm committed to it.  I signed up there and I'm putting it here to have you all hold me accountable.  (I know that I really hold myself accountable but I don't want to fail publicly!)  If you are interested, please visit her blog and sign up!



I am already signed up for 3 races!!  Two are 5Ks and one is a half-marathon which I plan to walk/run (in February).  I'd love any tips people have for me!

I am hoping to do three runDisney races this year!  I'm signed up for one already.  I don't think it was an accident that I found this picture of the winner of the Disney Princess Half Marthon, Rachel Booth, and the copy I found had the picture saved as "Rebecca" , my name :)  There is no such thing as a coincidence!  :)  As a newbie runner, I'm not really thinking I will do as well as Rachel Booth who has one three Disney half-marathons and competed in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials where she came in 31st!  I do, however, believe that with all the properly labeled versions of this picture on the web, I was meant to find the one mislabeled as Rebecca Booth in order to remind myself that my only limitations are the ones I put on myself!!  I can run a marathon with the proper training!!   

I must admit it, I got the marathon bug last month when I read a pre-released copy my friend Mayra's book, Run YOUR Race: A Guide to Making YOUR Impossibles Possible. Mayra and I have both studied with Jack Canfield and know very well that the only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves.  Mayra has written this awesome book exemplifying that.  The book absolutely drew me in and I read it in one day on my flight back from Pheonix, Arizona (after my last week of Jack Canfield's Train the Trainer program) to Boston, Massachusetts.  Although the purpose of the book is really to encourage us to "make our impossibles possible", it gave me the desire to run a marathon in addition to going after all my dreams.  I believe the book is coming out in January and I highly recommend it!

Anyway, I have the marathon "bug".  I am aware that I need to train and I want to train slowly and properly so I think I'm looking at January 2015 for my first full marathon.  I'm actually not opposed to walking part of it and I'm enjoying reading everyone's tips.  I find them inspiring and they help me remember that I don't need to get a record time, the point is simply to complete it and have fun!