Thursday, December 31, 2009

2010 New Year/New Passion

Continuing in true New Year's traditional fashion, this blog will contain goals/resolutions for the coming year.

My hope for each of you is that the start of a new year will bring excitement for all that you hope to accomplish, encouragement to start fresh, and a desire for new and better living choices in your life!

While I have already previously stated my goals for 2010 in regards to running and yoga, I want to take this time to focus on my resolution towards diet and healthy living.

I started gradually eliminating meat from my diet many months ago, and for the past two months I have been eating completely vegetarian. My goal for 2010 is to continue this eating habit but to take it to the next level. My body just responds so much better to a vegetarian diet and I feel a huge difference. I have been trying so many new recipes and enjoying the experiment of new grains/legumes and I want to continue down that path. I have given up sugar and chocolate and caffeine (with the exception of my tiny soy flat white which I have once a week.) My next phase is to give up all processed food. Right now the only real processed food that I eat is bread and salad dressing, but I want to eliminate even that. I want to eat more raw foods and focus on learning more about the various health benefits from vitamins/minerals that I eat. As I begin my nursing program, my study of nutrition will no doubt make me a better nurse as well.

Through yoga, I hope to gain a sense of balance and peace to carry with me each day and to embrace the present moment and the challenges that will come in those moments. Through running, I hope to gain strength and confidence within myself to accomplish that which I hope to achieve. Through diet, I hope to become healthier within my own body so that I can reach my goals for physical fitness and better focus for my studies. My desire is that together all of these will work towards creating a healthier/happier lifestyle.

I am so excited as I look towards this next year and all that it will bring. There will be so many challenges along the way, and yet I look forward to facing those challenges with a calm mind and with acceptance in that moment.

May each of your desires for 2010 come to pass, and may you embrace each moment with peace and calmness of mind! ~ Namaste

Friday, December 18, 2009

See It Done

I read this great book recently - which I have mentioned before...The 5 Rules of Thought - In that book it says that once you have set a goal for yourself you should spend some time each day meditating on the end result of that goal in order for it to become a reality. You should, in all ways, "See It Done".

In my mind I have a picture of the healthy body that I want to have and of myself running races and crossing the finish line. Every day I spend time meditating on this image and seeing the inside of my body healthy and whole. I think about this as I walk into the gym, as I warm up and get ready for my run etc.....

Secondly he also talks about once you have that goal in your mind and are meditating on it then you must do everything in your power to see it become a reality. It will not just happen on it's own. You must put forth the effort to see it completed. Taking that into consideration I have increased my mileage every week and the intensity at which I work out. I have been faithful to eating healthy and de-stressing every day.

As a result the weight is finally starting to drop off. I'm confident that it's a combination of everything, but either way I am very excited that I may actually stand a chance of meeting my goals to get back to the "healthy me" that I was at one time. This week I hit 145lbs and since October I have lost 14.5 inches in combination! I am overwhelmed by how strong my body feels and how great I feel in general. I don't have the headaches that I used to, and my other health problems have not been bothering me at all!

Just wanted to share that as I come upon the end of the year I'm excited that my goals are close at hand. I still have 13 lbs that I would like to lose between now and February, and I definitely have big goals for my running in 2010. But I must say that it is encouraging to finally start seeing results.

Set a goal, then "See It Done"!!! ~ Namaste

Monday, December 14, 2009

Cultivating a Healthy Life

Many of you know that my grandfather had triple bi-pass surgery a few weeks ago. Heart disease, obesity, and Alzheimer disease, among other health problems runs on both sides of my family. These are not things I want to ever deal with in my life, and I am determined to break the chains and create my own destiny. (I honestly believe that healthy living has the power to do this!)

I'm sure you have heard the saying, "You are what you eat". I really believe this is a statement of truth and that you can change your own health by dedicating yourself to major lifestyle changes. It's not something that is easy to adjust to (especially in the American culture.) but it is definitely worth the effort. Over the past few months my diet has changed drastically and I am continuing to make adjustments. Since arriving in New Zealand our access to fresh produce and organic food has been totally amazing. I am so grateful for this change. (Access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the remote areas of Alaska is virtually unheard of. - unless, of course, you have a green house in the few short summer months.)

The reason I bring up this topic is because of how different I feel. Today as I was walking home from the gym I was amazed by just how great I felt. It's hard to put into words, but my body feels "whole" In comparison to what I felt before. I do not know exactly what to attribute this to (Not sure if it's a certain food I have given up, or a combination of things), but I am here to say that eating healthy is definitely life changing.

I have been reading a lot of books lately on our toxic environment and cancer and health related issues. I am shocked, really, by the things that we willingly consume and surround ourselves with on a daily basis that we KNOW are killing us! How often do we eat something because it's so good in the here and now; but deep down we know that we will suffer from it later? I know I have done this many times in my past - never again! - For example, I am lactose sensitive and I KNOW that drinking milk, eating ice cream, eating a lot of cheesy food etc. is bad for me. I KNOW what it makes me feel like. Yet, somehow I eat it anyway - what is up with that? At what point do we wake up and realize that our long-term health is so much more important than our short-term pleasure?

After saying all of that, I also make note of the fact that once you kick the habit of something (which I have heard takes 40 consecutive days) you seriously do not crave it in the same way that you used to. I was so addicted to coffee that when I was in highschool I had a coffee pot in my room! No joke....I would drink tons of coffee all day long, every day! Kicking that habit was really hard, but gradually I did and I cannot tell you how much better I feel! The same thing goes for Dt. Coke - wow, what a difference this one made! - Giving up meat also helped me in turn to give up sugar. (When I eat meat it tends to trigger some kind of need for sugary desserts.) These are just a few examples. They were hard adjustments at first, but now I don't crave them or notice their absence at all.

These are just some observations that I have made in my own life this week. I am determined to carry these healthy lifestyle changes with me throughout my life and I hope that you will make some changes in your own diet as well. It will change your life forever! Cancer and disease are so prominent in our culture that it sometimes feels like people have given up the fight and are just willing to accept that it is just part of life - I am NOT willing to accept this for my future and I want to take whatever preventative measures that I can NOW. Hope you feel the same and will make the needed adjustments in your own lives. It's time we took responsibility for our own health and our future! No one can make these changes for us.

Namaste

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Finding Focus

This week I have been doing a lot of "focused" work outs and have been thinking a lot about the goals and ambitions that I have for my future. It has been a great week, and I feel that I have been renewed with the energy needed to meet my desired goals.

Last night I planned out my 2010 training plan and that was really motivational for me. I found several races - 7K, 10K, 13K, and Half Marathon - that I want to compete in throughout the year. My training will be towards the goal of 10K, but eventually I will train for a Half Marathon in August. I feel like in 9 months I should be ready for the big race.

More than just working out a plan, I have been focusing on the biggest challenge of all - The Mind - I read a wonderful book this week called, The 5 Rules of Thought, and it was very enlightening. Just to remind me to focus on what I want to accomplish and "see it done". To think positively about my goals, because you will indefinitely become that which you think you will be. It is amazing what the mind can do...

Also, I have been reading a lot of yoga books and taking my yoga practice to a new level. I feel like my life is really balanced right now and that is bringing healing to my life. My desire is for this "balance" to continue even in the midst of the more stressful moments once I start school. It is easy to get caught up in the challenges of the moment, and my desire is to stay non-reactive during those times.

It has been a great week - technically I still have one more day before week 3 is finished, but I wanted to blog tonight...

"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny."

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Week 3 of 14

The challenge continues - This week my real struggle was my silly hip that keeps bothering me. My right hip seems to be fighting against my desire to improve and increase my running distance. I believe this pain is from over training, and therefore this week I took a break from running and did the stationary bike every day instead. My hip seems to be healing from that, but still is weak.

My focus this whole week has been on strengthening exercises for all the muscles which support my hip. I have incorporated this into my daily yoga practice as well as my work outs. Hopefully it will make a difference.

Yesterday we did a 7 hour tramp up a steep mountain. (It was up hill most of the way with an occasional area of slight incline.) I was really worried about overdoing it on my hip so I tried really hard not to put too much pressure on it. I think by this focus I was able to accomplish that because my hip is feeling fine today. - Although as a consequence my knees are sore! I guess you just can't win until your body's muscles are ready to handle what you give them...

I feel great and felt like this past week was a good one despite my setbacks. This week I am continuing with my focus on healing and strengthening for my hip, but I will also try gradually bringing running back into the picture. (I still REALLY want to make a 5 miler by the end of December, and I'm getting so much closer!)

Friday, November 27, 2009

Week 2 of 14

Tomorrow will be the start of my second week of intense workout. This week was amazing...Having the time to put in really makes a difference. I have been working out between 2 and 3 hours a day with a variety of stuff from running/lifting/abs/yoga etc.....My muscles feel great. My legs are incredibly sore right now from so many lunges etc, but they will heal today as it is my FREE day. Tomorrow they should be ready to go again! - While I know this kind of work out isn't really sustainable, I want to build a strong base while I can. Besides, I will still try to keep most of it up once school starts by integrating in 1/2 hour sessions here and there throughout the day as "brain breaks"......We will cross that bridge when we get there.

Not much weight loss progress - I am only down to 68kg (roughly 149lbs) but at least I am under the 70kg threshold where I have stayed for a while. Mostly I have been gaining muscle. While I haven't lost much weight I actually look different and I feel great about that. It feels like my goals are really starting to come into reach. I still have about 17 lbs to loose, but I think that it is definitely doable.

Still holding true to my no sugar/no chocolate deal. I have successfully cut down to one latte a week now and no coffee. I have some green tea during the day and one cup of earl grey in the mornings, but otherwise I am off caffeine which feels great as well.

On and even brighter note, I have been cooking a lot of vegetarian meals lately and have convinced Travis to cut down on meat as well!!! (He gives it up really reluctantly so I still cook him some on the side most days.) I am certainly not a "strict" vegetarian, but eating more grains/legumes/vegetables etc makes a huge difference for me and I love it!

The other changes I have made is that I have cut way back on my alcohol intake. (While I never drank much anyway, it's still a change.) I don't even buy wine much anymore and if I do I just have a small glass every few days. It's been at least three weeks since I had a glass now.....Not giving it up for any reason other than to save money! haha.....I guess it still counts.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

14 Week Challenge

Well, I found that due to traveling around so much I couldn't really stick with my Body for Life challenge. I have been really faithful to running and yoga though so I have seen some great results from that. Not sure how much weight I have lost, but I can definitely tell my body is tightening up so that's awesome.

So, here is my new challenge since I am in a home now (well, apt.) and can stick to something more solid......It's 14 weeks until I start school so this is my challenge to stick to my program until school starts and by then I will have a good base to branch off and work out a new schedule at that point.

I found that BFL just doesn't have enough running involved so I am adapting my own program based on the "concept" of some of the principals I learned from BFL. Plus I want to try a new lifting routine so we will see how that goes......

I have a detailed schedule, but will spare you the details: suffice it to say that I will be running four days a week, (mixture of distance and speed) lifting upper body twice a week and lower body twice a week with two days of cross training at the gym (bike/elliptical) and one free day a week. Each day I also have a selected yoga practice to complete and abs interspersed. It's a lot, but I basically have a lot of free time right now so it's no big deal.....

That's where I'm at right now......Eating TONS of fresh vege and fruit and cooking a lot of grains etc. Really focusing on healthy meal choices and loving the availability of produce here!!!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Update

Well, we are back in Napier for the weekend. It was a great three weeks of working and looks like all that outdoor labor paid off with a few pounds shed. I'm down two more pounds. Although it's not much, it counts for something!!!

It's been hard to cut back on food intake when you are working so much because you need that extra energy....It all balances out. Everything we have been eating has been very healthy and consists a lot of eggs and toast - our staple while WWOOFing! haha......

Still running faithfully and doing my yoga so things are going well. Hopefully the weight will drop off gradually and soon I will be back in shape again! =)

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Week Four

Okay, so technically I should be starting my fourth week on my Body For Life program. However, since we decided to start WWOOFing (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) - see my other blog for info on that - it has really thrown a wrench into my workout program because I am no longer able to go to the gym and lift weights......

So, in the mean time I am going back to running two days on, one day off. Gradually I want to increase my distance to 5 miles, but right now I am averaging between 3-4 a day. I have been really faithful to running and have been embracing the challenge of running in the rural country side.

The other big change has been my yoga. I have been really faithful to doing my yoga on a regular basis now. I am doing shorter sessions for now (around 30 min. on most days and then 60 min. on the days that I do "power" yoga) I decided that if I didn't have to do 90 min. then it would be a lot easier to stick with it EVERY day. Some days I even do it twice a day. This has been really big for helping me not be so sore when I'm doing harder outdoor labor. (I admit that I am NOT used to outdoor labor! haha.) Last week there was this one day that I weeded for four hours and my body was so incredibly sore and I just ached all over. I was so tired, but I did some yoga that night and was totally shocked when I woke up the next morning and was barely even sore!!! Yoga is amazing......

My diet has been challenging since we aren't really living in a situation where you can control your food......Basically instead of being able to eat small amounts all through the day, I only get to eat three meals so they are a little larger than I would normally eat. Still very healthy though, as all the places we have stayed so far eat very organic and healthy - lots of veggies!!! YES - Last week the host made dessert each night though so that sucked because it was so good and so hard to stick to my plan!!! (I allowed my self to cheat, but only to cheat SMALL.) Luckily we only had dinner there three nights. - She was a great cook though!!

Not planning to weigh myself until I get back to Napier, so we will see how that works out......Just trying to be faithful to myself and not be too hard on myself either. I won't be posting every week since I really won't have a way to tell if I'm making progress. Just updating on Daily Mile.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Week Two

It's been another great week on Body for Life and I am feeling so healthy and strong. I love eating healthy like this without all the processed foods and sugars, it just makes me feel lighter.

I ran really well this week and felt like I am finally past the "struggling" phase of my running. I am dedicated to keeping it strong and being faithful to my running so as not to have to go through the starting point again!! I am hoping that my health will hold out this time and allow me to keep with it.

Being back and in the gym is amazing and I totally love it. My only concern is that if I cannot stay in the gym I won't be able to stick to such a strict lifting program. Right now I'm doing a lot of weight lifting and I want to stay faithful to that, so my hope is that things will continue in this way...we will see.

This week I only lost one pound, but that's good considering that I'm probably putting weight on from lifting. I feel stronger and leaner, but the scale doesn't show that much difference.

It's really all about staying faithful to a healthy lifestyle and right now I'm meeting that goal so I'm happy.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Healthy Enchiladas

So, last night I made these amazing enchiladas for dinner and it turned out so well that I thought I would share the recipe since it's such a healthy version.....WARNING - it's very spicy. If you want to cut down the heat I highly recommend starting off with just 1Tbsp chilli powder and then adjust it accordingly. Of course, Travis loved it spicy.....Plus, there was enough sauce to freeze and use next time!!


Sauce:
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp Flour (I used wholemeal flour)
2 Tbsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 Cup tomato sauce
2 Cups water
1/4 tsp garlic powder - or minced garlic

Heat oil, stir in flour and chili powder. Cook 1 min. Add remaining ingredients and boil for 10 min. Pour 1/4 of sauce in bottom of pan.


Inside:
1 lb beef (I only used half and froze the other half)
1 small onion
6 whole wheat tortillas
2 cups shredded cheese (You actually need less than one)
1 can sliced olives
1/2 red pepper
1 can black beans
spinach
oregano
1 chopped tomato

Brown the beef with some ground oregano and then set aside. Mix the black beans with oregano, chopped tomato, red pepper and onion as a mixture. Set aside. Coat the tortillas in the remaining sauce and fill with either beef or bean mixture and cheese. (for mine I did just the black bean mixture with spinach....for the guys I did the meat mixture and then also added some of the bean mixture to theirs.) Cover with remaining sauce and olives and cheese. (I didn't use very much cheese, just enough to decorate.)


Preheat oven to 175c and cook until bubbly. Serve with brown rice on the side and some freshly chopped parsley or cilantro.


Anyway, this was a wonderful meal and just thought it would be worth sharing since it's so good for you!! Enjoy!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Week One

So, my first official week of following a strict exercise program - Body for Life - is finished! (I say that assuming that you know I have been working out for a year so far, this is just a NEW program that I am one week into! And while I mentioned the start of a 12 week program two weeks ago, I didn't actually get to stick with that because we spent a week hiking and stuff....So, I started it over this week and I am now calling THIS week my official start!)

I had a really wonderful week of running/lifting/yoga/and other cardio activities. It was wonderful being back at the gym and I am totally loving that! I don't think I can ever move to a place without a gym again. I just love all the variety of equipment and chances to change things up....besides all that, I LOVE the sauna!!! I also found these really cool logs that you can download from Body for Life and I have faithfully been writing in them all week. One is for keeping track of all of your work outs and what you lift and what intensity you ran at or whatever. The other one is a food log where you journal everything that you eat/drink and then you can get a better feel for how balanced your diet is.

I am now down to 156 which is pretty much back to square one - HOWEVER, my muscle content has grown tremendously over the past year and I think that accounts for a lot of it because my actual measurements are not far off from where I need to be. My goal is still to get down to 132, but it's a long time in coming and I'm okay with that. I am really happy with where I'm at in my life right now and I know that I am being faithful to myself and to my health by setting these goals.

It feels so good to have goals and to be faithful to my plan. I have still done really well with no sweets and chocolate. Lately we have been on a kick of making apple crisp at night, but it's just baked apples with oatmeal and nuts and spices - I don't add any sugar or butter or anything, so it's pretty healthy but gives the flavor of something sweet. I feel great and know that this is definitely a better way of life for me.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Feeling Faithful


So, this has been a great week for me. I'm feeling so faithful to my program and to the possibility of eventual success! I was reading the GI Diet book this week and ironically discovered that I was already completely following this diet without even knowing it (since I have focused on a vegetarian diet.) I am still using the guidelines from the book and allowing myself to continue to eat a healthy diet and exercise accordingly.

My real successes over the past week or so have been my dedication to no sugar and chocolate. I have totally kicked my chocolate habit and also done without any sugar. I feel so much better already and think that it will really make a difference in the long run. I was so tempted by ice cream and some of the very best chocolate that were offered to me this week, but I politely declined!!! (Not like me at all.)

I am determined to get back into good shape........We hiked three days this week so that was really good and really hard + I ran three days this week.

Just staying focused and trying to make progress one day at a time......

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

12 Week Challenge

Today I started my 12 Week Challenge. It got a little delayed since I have been so sick this week, but I felt well enough to run this morning so I kicked it off well.

Basically I'm going to follow the Body For Life fitness program that I did back in Korea - basics of running/cardio ,weight lifting, and eating healthy. Nothing really crazy, but just being dedicated and focused.

I am proud to announce that so far I have held true not only to my "No Chocolate" stance, but I have also been faithful to limiting my sweets intake. I have also been more faithful to my yoga - which I thoroughly enjoy having the privilege to do out on the front porch!!!

I don't suspect I will make any actual progress for a few weeks, but just knowing that I'm committed makes me feel good.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Goals and a New Beginning

Don't dream it, do it!!! - Be Committed

My short-term goals for the next two weeks: Stick to my running program and give up all chocolate for two weeks.

My mid-term goals for the next three months: Increase my yoga to no less than four times per week and start a new weight lifting program.

My six month goals: Lose 10lbs and get my arm muscles toned back up.

My long term Year Goal: Lose 20lbs of body fat and get back the toned muscles that I desire for my all around better health.


Some changes to make in my daily diet - I am giving up chocolate for two weeks initially to kick my sugar habit and then I want to really start limiting my intake of non-neccissary sweets and snacks. Also, to help lessen cravings, I want to lower my intake of carbs (mostly breads)

I will be posting weekly in the future as best as can be - mostly just to encourage myself to stay faithful to my personal committment towards a healthier and happier life. =)

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Starting Over

Hey, girls!! Hope your summers all went well. It seems like everyone has been making amazing progress and I'm so proud of each of you for sticking to your plans and working out and eating right! You go girls!!

As for me, well, I had a very challenging summer. While they had promised us a full on salad bar and fruit and healthy food every day, it turns out that it was just a load of crap to get us to come out there! The food was probably some of the worst food for your body that you could eat being that everything was drenched in heavy cream etc. I did my very best to avoid most of it, but it was hard since there was nothing else to eat! They would serve us old stale food and pretend like it was great. It sucked. Anyway, needless to say that despite my very best efforts I definitely gained weight this summer - about 10 lbs!!! - I'm so sad about that because I thought I had been doing pretty well, only to come home and weigh myself and find out otherwise. How sad!!! I decided that rather than beat up on myself and feel sad and depressed I'm just going to move right on past it and start over again from the beginning.....

So, here's to new beginnings - Cheers -

This summer I did a TON of hiking and walked and ran between 5-10 miles a day. (Yes, apparently that wasn't enough!)Since we are soon to move again I feel a fresh new energy that I will be able to get back in shape in no time. I am devoted to eating totally healthy and giving up all snacks and goodies for a long time. I just want to loose some weight because I know that I have strong muscles underneath it all from all the running and abs etc. that I have been doing.

I got up at 7am nearly every morning and did a half hour ab routine with my friend Hannah and then walked a ton every day too. Plus I was running and hiking and doing yoga. I want to continue being faithful to this sort of routine, but definitely adjusting the type of food I take in. Maybe some of it has to do with hormones or getting older too? I don't know. When I look back on my summer I thought that I had really done well in spite of what we had to work with.....I guess you never really know unless you have a scale to keep track! ha.....

Anyway, that's my latest update - sorry to disappoint, but life is just like that sometimes - I WILL eventually make my goal, it's just a very LONG time in coming...Never give up, and start fresh every day! I love you girls and enjoy hearing about where you are at as well! Any suggestions for me to get this weight off would be much appreciated, but I'm just going to stick with the old fashioned "exercise and eat less" philosophy for now.....Tomorrow is a new day!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Four Month Challenge

So....As I am leaving on Sunday for four months at Kennicott Glacier Lodge I wanted to wish you all a wonderful summer and a happy farewell for now.


I really don't expect to have any internet connection during my time at Kennicott and for SURE will not have a scale to keep track of progress etc.....So......As a result I decided to go on a four month challenge.....

Here's how it's gonna work. In between work hours I am committing myself to packing (hiking with between 20-40 lb backpack) hiking, walking, and running and at night I will do abs and yoga to relax. Due to the type of food available to us there I am also planning to go on an all vegetarian diet again.

We will see how my body has improved - hopefully - and whether or not I'm ready to physically handle the challenge of the long hikes in New Zealand when we leave in September!!! Here's hoping....

This past year has been HUGE for me as far as changing "on the inside" and I totally look at myself through different eyes now.....The completion of this whole journey though is to also have my outward body transformed into a healthier version of me!(The physical change has not yet happened) It's my goal and plan to really focus on getting into great physical condition while I'm away for four months - what better time to really focus on myself and get where I need to be!?

Kennicott, here I come....

Sunday, April 26, 2009

New Found Commitment

So, just wanted to post some of my new goals and commitments:

Definitely decided that while I've made accomplishments in the realm of running, I have done nothing by way of actually losing weight over this past year. While I really don't care that much about the actual weight lost, I do want to get in better hiking shape this summer. (And obviously it's easier to hike if you have less weight to carry around! ha) So......Off to the new training grounds I go.....

For starters my new commitment is to hike with a weight pack at least three nights per weeks. That is in addition to my running program.

Also, adding back my ab work out every other day and continuing my yoga nightly.

Biggest challenges and changes to make for me: NO MORE SUGAR!!!! Giving up chocolate and sweets except for maybe once every two weeks....GOT to cut down - I'm out of control!! Apparently I treat myself daily these days - not cool!!!!

My legs are definitely stronger (unfortunately that also has made them BIGGER so that part sucks)I feel great and I'm proud of where I've come, but now I need to set new goals and move forward!


Long Term Goal: Hike comfortably 5-6 miles with pack by September
Run 4 miles regularly for cardio work out by September
Short Term Goal: Add my ab routine into my weekly workouts and get back down to 29in waist by the end of May.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Tok Trot

Pictures will come soon, but I wanted to post real quick about the race and just for a moment take time to say that I DID IT!!! It wasn't fast, it wasn't anything special, but I DID IT!!! =) The bummer was that my shins had been bothering me and my left one started hurting really bad at the 1/2 mile marker - not a good sign!! - I worked through it and the pain from that finally went away around 3 miles then came the foot pain...my right foot was hurting so bad (not sure if my shoe was tied too tight or what but my muscles on the top of my foot were NOT happy) I just kept running because I could not bare to let myself down and I refused to walk. I had convinced myself that I could finish without walking and was not about to stop! I was running so slow that at one point a guy who was "power walking" passed me!! YIKES..ha.....It was pretty funny at the time. Anyway, end of story is that I FINISHED and I am so incredibly proud of myself. My 5K time was 39 min which is about what I ran it in Korea (I think in Korea I did a 38:54) and then my 6.2 mile finish was 1:21:02 (My goal was to finish in 1:20 so I was pretty close) I thought was going to puke at the last minute so I think that's why I slowed down! ha.....So far, no vomit so all is well on that front! haha.......Now for a long shower.......Love you girls, thanks for the encouragement!!!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Training

Well, this is it. It's my last official week of training before the 10K next Saturday. I'm very excited about my progress as today I ran 5 miles! (I ran the first 2.5 miles without stopping and then walked and jogged the remaining 2.5.)That's a pretty good idea of what it will be like because I plan to run the first 3.1 miles and then walk/jog the last 3.1 miles.

As I was out running today I was thinking back to where I was just 5 years ago...I stepped on the treadmill for the first time when I was living in Manhattan, KS. It was that day that I ran my first 2 minutes EVER! ha.....While I've had a lot of ups and downs and year long breaks in between I think I'm finally coming to a place where I can actually consider myself a runner. =)Today I ran for 30 minutes! While I'm still at a slow turtle speed, I'm actually enjoying the challenge and feeling great about the accomplishments I've made.

While I could easily compare myself to my many friends, both here in AK and on the web who have been so amazing at loosing weight and are just my heroes in that regard; I have to step back and take a moment to close my mind off to that possibility. The purpose of our blogs and our sharing with one another is not so that we can compare ourselves to one another; but rather that we can encourage one another and spur one another on towards becoming healthier and stronger women. Each of us does that in such a different way. For me it's definitely not through weight loss, but at the same time I'm totally happy with where I'm at because I feel like I have accomplished SOOO much over this past year. I have come a long way and it's been a struggle to get here, and I'm just glad I've made it this far! I feel happy and healthy, and strong. =)

Weight Loss: I guess a few weeks ago it was a "Fake out" because my four pounds only stayed off for like three days. My body seems to keep fluctuating between 144 and 147 lbs. Each day it is something different, so I guess as long as I stay in that range I'm making progress! ha.....

As for the detox and Bromalite. What a rip off - lucky for me I only did the free trial! ha....I have had no adverse reaction to any of it and I feel great, but definitely haven't seen any huge life altering results. No huge weight loss, no "flattening" of my belly! Nada!.....Such is life, at least maybe I have done some good for my colon!? ha

I am still doing my vitamins and stuff and that has made me feel great. Haven't had soda in over a month and am down to coffee only on occasion and not every day. Trying to give chocolate up again too - anyone want to join me on that challenge?! - I've been eating a lot of spinach and tuna and trying to make healthier adjustments all the time.

So, all in all, I'm pretty happy with the progress I've made this month. I do want to get back into my daily yoga. (I confess I've been lapsing to only a few times a week.)

Mantra: I am happy, I am healthy, I am Whole!! Consider yourself in this present moment.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Four Miles...

Just wanted to post because today I ran four miles!!! The first 2+ miles I ran without stopping (25 min.) then I walked for about 10 min. and then ran the rest of the way home. I was so full of energy and felt so great and it was such an awesome day!! I'm well on my way to making it to the 5K mark before the Tok Trot on April 18th. I really want to challenge myself to do that, but at the same time not push too hard.....I definitely think I run better outside!

Also, I started my Bromalite yesterday so I'll let you guys know what I think. No problems so far....

Monday, March 23, 2009

Progress

Well, I'm not entirely sure where the progress has come from, but this has been a really great week for me. I am four pounds down weighing in at 144 this morning, and I have managed to run 20 minutes straight twice this week!! (That's huge for me because my max has been 15 min...)

So, it seems that the detox is going really well, although I don't really see how taking a few vitamins and swishing around oil in your mouth for 20 minutes can really make such a big difference. I guess it just seems so simple...It would appear, however, that these few adjustments are exactly what my body needed. I feel great and really have been able to tell a difference in my body. I do have a few days here and there that I have these odd aches and pains and stuff, but I was told that it is all a part of the detox process so you just have to press on and keep being faithful to your program. I am hoping my Bromalite comes in this week because I want to give that a try too.

Mantra for the week: Be faithful to who you are at all times.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Detox

Okay, so I met this new provider this week who encouraged me to do a detox (She is definitely not the first to mention this.) To really just clean my system out and see if I can better absorb vitamins. It seems that I am vitamin deficient mostly probably due to the lack of sunlight etc. She seems to think that these deficiencies have caused my kidneys and liver to not function properly thus straining my thyroid. All of this together has kind of just led to some poor health problems for me and is probably related to why after a year of working out and eating healthy I still haven't been able to lose any weight. I'm still weighing in at 148. =)

So, I'm doing a trial to see if I start feeling better and start seeing improvements to my health.......I'm trying this "oil pulling" technique with coconut oil in the mornings (look it up online if you are curious, it's pretty interesting. I will let you know what I think. So far, so good.) Drinking Psyllium Husk in the morning. Taking 10,000 IU of Vitamin D and also 2.5mg Melatonin at night. Other than that just keeping with my normal healthy diet and exercising as normal. I also signed up for a free trial of Bromalite, and will let you know what I think of that once it comes in. =)

I'll keep you posted on how I feel. It's been two days since I started it and I feel really great right now, so I guess that's good. =)

Sunday, March 8, 2009

15 Degrees is Too Darn Cold...

While common sense should tell ANYONE that running outside when it's 15 Degrees isn't a great idea, it seemed innocent at the time. The sun was shinning and Travis was headed out to run. Since I managed to do okay yesterday with minimal soreness it was so beautiful that I said, "You know, I think I'm gonna go for a run too."

Off I go and once again did really well for the first mile or so (Not sure the exact distance, but Travis said it's a little over a mile to the Alaskan Highway - with round trip being somewhere around 2.1 miles.) Here's the kicker....my shins and quads were sore from yesterday so I slowed down to a walk for a few minutes and then realized that it wasn't a good idea because with the sweating I had done I was now freezing! =) So, despite my discomfort I began to run again. The wind was picking up and really blowing hard (Yes, weather changes around here within minutes.) As I turned down the road to run the last quarter mile or so the wind was REALLY kicking up and I was freezing my butt off. I felt like I was running for my life! haha...Travis would definitely get a kick out of this if he were to read it (Which is why I don't let him read this blog! haha) He runs when it's 30 below and snow and ice are building on his lashes - NOT ME!!!

Anyway, I did manage to make it safely home and now am very content to be in the warmth of my cabin. =) I write this to say one real observation.....Like many things in life, sunshine can be deceptive!!!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

I DID IT!!!

It's Saturday and a very nice, calm 20 degrees outside. Because it's rarely this nice I decided that today I would challenge myself to run outside for the first time this winter.

I headed out in my usual gear (It's usually cold in the garage where I run, so I figured I would be good with what I usually wear.- Cotton yoga pants, a synthetic long sleeve shirt, zip up sweatshirt, and cotton gloves. To this I added a stocking cap) I took off down the road and it was SOOOOO cold. Oh my gosh, the wind was beating against my face and my eyes were watering. I was thinking, "What kind of idiot does this?" I was so tempted to turn around and head back home and hop on my treadmill. The snow was like running on a sandy beach and my feet were slipping quite a bit. I pressed on and after the first quarter mile I turned down a side road that was much better packed down. By changing directions I was sheltered from the wind and immediately warmed up. I started feeling great and just kept running. I was going at an alarmingly slow rate, and yet felt really great about where I was at. I was breathing in the fresh air, enjoying the crisp winter day and just feeling great!!! I ran the entire first mile without stopping for a moment and then continued running the mile in return with an occasional 30 sec rest. I could not believe the challenge on my lungs and muscles in my legs that I don't usually use. The most amazing part was that when I reached my front steps I felt alive and refreshed and OH SO PROUD!!! I know it's not a huge accomplishment, but I was starting to feel like I wasn't really getting anywhere with my running, and after today I know that eventually I really will be a good runner!!!

All this to say that while running in Alaska is challenging, it is not impossible!

MANTRA: Love and accept yourself in the present moment.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Reality Check

Having realistic expectations is about looking at what is - not what you'd like to be - and using that information to shape and mold a positive, yet honest expectation for change. - from an article on yahoo.com that was really awesome!
It seems that lately we have all been struggling with accepting where we are at in this present moment. We are so hard on ourselves for the small indulgences and set backs - May I just take a second to say that you girls are all so amazing and I just think you are each so beautiful and special and I admire so much your dedication and motivation to strive towards living healthier and more energy filled lives!! GO GIRLS!!!

I too had a week of "straying" from my original plan!!! Sorry, Cherry, I confess that I had a few M&M's and Hershey Kisses without even realizing that I was eating chocolate!!! YIKES.......Lets see, I had fried chicken for the first time in six years, french fries, and BBQ pork!!! Again, YIKES......Those were my only real "oops" moments, oh yeah, and Tiramisu! YIKES.....haha.....Otherwise I tried to make healthy food choices while on vacation and I faithfully woke up each morning and worked out in the gym at the hotel.

Now it's back to my daily exercising, yoga, and healthy eating. Sometimes I think we just have to relax and give ourselves a break....It's only life.

While I am 10 lbs heavier than I was 7 years ago, SERIOUSLY, it was SEVEN YEARS AGO. The real question is, why compare ourselves to what we were before? Why not be grateful for the life, reality, stresses and growth that have molded us into the women we are today? I mean, why are we always looking back trying to be what we were in highschool or before children, or when we got married!? I mean, shouldn't we just be glad for those extra wrinkles, those extra rolls? I mean, isn't that due to all the hardships and life that we have experienced? Just something to ponder.......For me, when it gets down to it, I'm really happy where I'm at. I feel probably the happiest I've ever been, and I'm okay with those extra 10 lbs. Someday I hope they disapear, but for now I'm going to drink my wine and smile! haha...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Peer pressure at it's best...

So, as it seems in the case of our wonderful blog-sites; peer pressure is actually benefiting us!!! I am so pleased that we have been able to encourage one another to give up "something" in dedication to each others efforts......So, in honor of Cherry and the rest of you, my "no chocolate" plan is still in motion.

Here's where I'm at today: I struggle back and forth between wanting to be something that I'm not, and just being happy with who I am.........At this point in my life I'm finally coming to a place where I can be content in this moment. It's hard because our culture teaches us that we should always be striving towards something else - being thinner, tanner, our hair should look a certian way(if it's straight, we want curly, if it's curly we want straight etc.), our clothes should be a certain brand, our makeup should always be done etc. etc. etc......If we aren't these things then we won't be loved or appreciated.........Definitely not a good mentality to have, but something that is ingrained in us as children and throughout adulthood we are forced to continue to face. I have decided that today I am NOT going to buy into that mentality. Today I'm going to be at peace with where I'm at and not expect more.

I guess some of this has come from my daily yoga practice where I have taken time out to just relax and love myself. Before everything was always so stressful and so focused on getting things "accomplished" and now I take just an hour out of my day to quiet my mind and tell myself positive things that help remind me that God created me EXACTLY the way I am and that He never intended me to be/look any differently than I am right now.

I know that I still tend to judge myself based on past pictures or weights or measurements that I once had, but each day I feel myself growing closer to finding contentment......

Mantra: Today I will love myself for the gift of life that God has given me.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Sweat More, Eat Less = More Power

So, this week has been more of a relaxing week for me. I struggled through some migraines at the beginning of the week which left me weak and just not feeling well. I still did some light running and yoga, but took it kind of easy this week. Today I did a more challenging run and have gotten to the point where I can do the full 15 min. without breaking. My second 15 min. set is a little more tricky, but I'm still working on it. I have been consistently running 2+ miles so that is an improvement for me.

In April is the Tok Trot which is a traditional 10K run here in Tok. I would really love to participate this year even if I can't run the whole thing. This is my goal and I'll keep working towards it. Somehow I am very slow at progressing into a more distance runner, but eventually I will get there!

I'm still weighing in around the same, but that's totally normal for me. I'm pretty much the same weight/size that I've always been my whole life, so I've just accepted that this is where I am! Obviously I'd still love to lose another 10 lbs, but I'm okay with where I'm at and just focusing on challenging myself each week.

Since Cherry gave up chocolate for a few weeks I've decided that I'm going to try to do the same - Maybe I will be more successful knowing that someone else is doing it with me!?

Mantra for the week: Make a choice: You can either settle or sweat(I choose to sweat!)

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Question Mark

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?' "


So, this week was another really refreshing one for me. I've just been so encouraged by the way I feel - just healthier and stronger! I am still holding steady at around about the same weight/measurements (I keep going between 143/144 so not sure if I lost one or two pounds this week. Every day I weigh something different! haha....) While I haven't really lost that much weight, my body is TOTALLY different this month. - It feels like all my fat has been replaced by muscle or something -

Anyway, I just feel so refreshed and healthy and I'm just loving that feeling and it presses me onwards towards continuing to be faithful.

Also, I've noticed that keeping a training log on a calendar is SOOO exciting and encouraging to me. I would suggest that each of you start keeping track too if you don't already. Looking at a full month where you have exercised and done something (if not several things) each day is just so fulfilling to know that you accomplished this!!!! It's like a really awesome report card!!


Thanks, Amber, for your suggestion too about the sweets thing. I am totally digging what you said and it HAS actually helped! I just let myself have that little something that I feel I need and then I'm okay!

My mantra this week is: Challenge yourself without judgment

Monday, January 19, 2009

Moving Past The Edge

It's been interesting coming to the point in my exercise routine where the endorphins are really popping and I'm feeling so motivated and ready to just keep going and going.......It's taken me 11 months to get to this point where it actually feels wonderful to work out! haha.

It seems like this past week has really been the breaking point for me where I've come to my "edge" and found some way to just keep going.

Having said that about my feelings of accomplishment through running/yoga.........I cannot seem to break the whole "sweets" thing. It's as if I have not an ounce of self control! I mean, I only have to have a tiny bite of something, but I have just GOT To have SOMETHING....I'm trying really hard to push those feelings away, but can't seem to give it up........Any advice?



Mantra of the week:
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
Buddha

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Run, Run, Run

So, today I ran the best ever and it was a real challenge but felt great! Maybe this program really does work after all?

My biggest struggle is still giving up the sweets, but I have improved a lot and can really tell a difference.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Challenge of Balance

Being faithful to your workout is sometimes a challenge. Challenging yourself without over-achieving is an even harder task.......I'm struggling with this right now. I'm doing a running plan that is supposed to increase your run time, but it seems to increase too rapidly for me and I'm pushing myself too hard. (Like I can do the first two cycles, but by then I reach my edge and just can't keep going!) My desire is to move further and challenge myself, but at the same time remain comfortable enough to enjoy my exercise. So, this week I'm struggling to find that balance.


"You can have anything you want, if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, if you hold that desire with singleness of purpose."

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Yoga vs. Pilates

Okay, so after trying to answer your questions on the difference between Yoga and Pilates I feel that I really didn't clearly say what I was trying to say.....So, I looked on the internet at various articles talking about this very debate - Yoga vs. Pilates

Here are the highlights taken from various web sources.

  • Yoga is based on the Eastern idea of moving energy through your body. The more freely the energy flows, the healthier and more energetic you feel. Physical tension hinders the flow; over time, areas of tension in your body can become tight and rigid, even painful. The goal of yoga is to keep the body supple through movement and stretching. But there's another dimension. Yoga is a holistic spiritual discipline with its roots in Eastern forms of meditation. The physical postures, although they condition the body, are really aimed at the mind. They symbolize the goal of living your life in a state of balance and composure. When I spend an hour in a yoga class, I melt into a kind of meditative state and emerge wonderfully relaxed and refreshed.
  • Pilates on the other hand is physical conditioning first and foremost. There's also a new form of Pilates, the Pilates mat class, which relies more on callisthenic-style exercises and stretches. This form is physically more similar to a yoga class though the emphasis is still on physical change rather than on spiritual development through postures and breathing.
  • Yoga is a lifestyle, rather then simply an exercise.
  • Pilates mainly concentrates on cultivating core strength in the body and lengthening the spine. Also, Pilates is a valuable tool for increasing strength, definition and proper posture.
  • Pilates instructs one to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth; while in yoga, one is taught to inhale and exhale through the nose only.
Basically both are fabulous exercise techniques, but totally different with a lot of the same results. =) I think the major difference is that Pilates is more about what you get out of it physically where as Yoga is more of the mental result firstly and THEN the physical result comes.

Anyway, I got curious since I didn't quite understand the difference myself so I did a little research. Either way, they are both wonderful options for someone looking to de-stress and tone the muscles. I still never found an answer on how often you can practice pilates. (I have a friend that I can ask though because she is a professional pilates instructor in Florida.)

Don't know if that helps clarify or not, but no mater what you do, it's really about HOW you do, what you do!!! - Accept where you are at right now in the present moment and hang out with it and gain strength by being faithful to where you are at in your life! =)

Namaste

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Mantra

This is a beautiful mantra to remind us of who we are and the body that God has given us - our body is not the same as the person next to us, but created for US and for the purpose that God intended.

"Your body has been with you all your life, and will be with you all your life. It has seen you through love and loss, pleasure and pain, challenge and growth. Your body deserves to be appreciated for every experience it has given you, and every way it has supported you."

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Appreciation

I just wanted to share this motivational thought. It was part of a "focus" for a yoga session. The focus being on acceptance of your own personal body and appreciation for what it does for you and for it's uniqueness. I just found it very encouraging and beautiful, so thought I would share it with you all.


" This is an invitation to love and accept your body, knowing that radiant good health and beauty will transcend your body type. When this inner beauty shines through, it can surpass that of people with a supposedly ideal body shape, but who have not accessed their own inner shine, their glow of health. It is also an invitation to honor diversity, to celebrate your uniqueness and that of others. So why not permit yourself to live in the glow of your health and well-being? "


Love and appreciate yourself for who you are right now, in the present moment........

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Very Exciting

So, I got a massage yesterday and my therapist says, "wow, your arms are really toned up!" Then she said that my legs were really toning up too and that she could tell a difference all over!!! She said that the yoga must really be working well for me because my back felt unbelievable to her!! She said that the tension was NOTHING like it usually is and that she could seriously not believe the difference in the way my energy flowed! haha.......(I have really bad tension spots in my back and neck from injuries etc....) I was very excited by this because that is what I had been feeling myself, but having someone totally on the outside saying the same things was huge for me! She said she was actually motivated to start doing yoga herself just because of the difference she felt in my back! =)

I share this simply because it's the first real "difference" that I've had anyone notice and it also goes to support the flow of energy from yoga and the difference it can make in the way you feel! I love it!!!

Oh, and I'm changing my 2009 Challenge to this: Only treating myself to one sweet per week! (The Chocolate thing was great and everything, but since I've been limiting my chocolate it just means that I've been substituting anything and everything resembling a sweet or dessert! haha....Somethings gotta give and I think I need to take the challenge one step further!)

Friday, January 2, 2009

I need a new job!!!

Darn these work folks bringing in goodies even after the new year!!! It makes me crazy becuase I just don't have enough self control to say "NO!!!!".........I had good intentions this morning, but it's only 11:00 and I've already fallen.........Such is life

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Year - New Progress!?

Well, Happy New Year to all.......I haven't updated this blog very often mostly due to the fact that I have no real wieght-loss progress to tell about.

I have to say, however, that I am very happy with where I'm at right now because I have been so faithful to my exercising routine and have not given up yet!!! I started working out regularly back in February and have been faithful ever since.

As a result, this year I have lot 10 lbs. Not much, but something. The progress has been painfully slow and I haven't lost anything over the past two months, but I did lose another 1/2 inch around my thigh's and arms, so that was progress in my eyes.

I have now added an hour of yoga to my routine daily. This new addition has been so amazing and by being faithful to my yoga practice I have felt SOOO wonderful. My back and neck have not been bothering me as much and I just can't say how much I love doing yoga. As a result of doing so much yoga my abs and arms are toning up a lot.

I still run two days on, one day off and I have been doing that faithfully now for about two months. (before I was running every other day) Still, the progress with running is VERY slow. I am still only doing between 1-2 miles and it's still a horribly exhausting effort, but at the same time I'm starting to feel better about it and I know that soon it will really start to pay off.......

As I said, I'm happy with where I'm at right now. I'm sure I could lose weight if I did some fancy diet or something, but I want to do it slow and by changing my lifestyle so that it will actually STAY off.

Changes for this year - LESS CHOCOLATE!!!! I am going to try to cut back to treating myself once a week........(That should be a huge challenge for me...)



I am still drinking around 64 oz of water a day and have totally given up all soda so that's awesome. I also drink a LOT of green tea and black tea, and so far I've been very healthy this winter season. I have cut down to one (maybe 2) cups of coffee a day so that is also a huge step for me......YES, I do drink a lot!

So, I guess that's my update! My goal is still another 10 lbs away, but I figure if I keep being faithful somethings gotta give....=) Happy New Year to you all and good luck with your own personal goals and desires for a healthier lifestyle!!!