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!!

Patience

So today is a "rest" day on the schedule.  My plan was to just walk.  Here's what came up for me today... I want to put in lots of miles for "Team Dylan" and, physically, I can walk forever (well, a long distance!) but... I find that I'm not patient when it comes to walking for many miles.  (I was thinking of putting in 7-8 miles today.) I just want to hurry up and finish because I have so many other things to do.  I haven't started my Christmas shopping. I need to work on my books and develop a marketing plan.  I need to complete the three certificates I am working toward.  I want to offer some classes and need to plan those.  The list goes on and on... So at first I was thinking that I just really need to work on walking faster so that I can finish quickly but then it occurred to me that the real issue is learning to be patient.  Learning to slow down and just enjoy the journey.  Learning to focus on one thing at a time.  Learning to be kind and gentle with myself. Does any of that sound like you?

In today's society, we are all "stressed out" and trying to do 20 things at once while thinking about our endless to-do list.  The thing that we lose sight of, is that we will always have things to do. Once we complete what we already had on our list then something else will come up to take its place. That's what life is all about. We need to learn to enjoy it and not try and finish our to do list because what's left when we have nothing to do? Really, do you want to have absolutely nothing to do?  Personally, I want to be around for a long time and have a lot to keep me busy.  We also have to remember that we choose our to-do list!!  It may not always seem like it when we have work to do to pay the bills but, we do have a choice.  Always.  We choose what jobs we take.  We choose how much money we need to make to support our choice of a lifestyle.  We choose whether or not to have children and then how we want to raise them and what we want to do with them.  No one else makes those choices for us - they may influence us but it's our choice to let them.  So I think, I really need to learn to be patient and just enjoy what I'm choosing to do.

The holidays are often extremely difficult and stressful for people and sometimes that is because they feel "obligated" to do things that they don't really want to do.  I have grown to have tons of respect for everyone who has learned to fill "obligations" in a way that still honors their own needs.  Life is meant to be enjoyed.  I am a huge proponent for being kind to others and being of service to others but I have come to realize that when we don't honor ourselves, the gesture is empty and we really are doing a disservice to everyone.  That was really hard for me to recognize since I've always been one to put others' needs before my own.  Many moms do that but I started when I was about 2!!  Literally.  When I was 5 my nickname at home was "Grandma" because I was trying to take of everyone else.  That's not a bad thing but I lost sight of my own needs and that is what causes a lot of stress.

Anyway, back to the importance of patience.  Many people who have weight to lose also give up based on a lack of patience.  I know I just want to be my desired weight but guess what, it took 40 years to get to this weight and it's not going to go away overnight! We need to enjoy the journey. We need to have fun. We need to accept what is. In short, we need to have patience. And with that,  I'm going to walk for 8 miles and let it take however long it takes.

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.