Re-re-re-re-focusing

My last few posts have been about getting my mojo back, refocusing, and jump-starting myself.

Oops.

I haven't done it.  While I haven't completely fall off the wagon, but I'm barley hanging on with a pinkie finger.  I've exercised about once a week and I've let myself indulge on an almost daily basis.  I haven't stayed low-cal, clean, or even low-carb.

My eating habits are down the drain and so are my exercise habits!

After mentally beating myself up on daily basis and comparing myself to every successful fitness/weight-loss blogger and pinned out there, I have come to a realization.

There's no secret formula.  There isn't one perfect path that everyone should (or can) follow.  There are lots of paths that work for lots of people, but we are all different.

YOU MUST KNOW YOURSELF!

• What activities get your heart beating?  Do you LOATHE running but enjoy tennis?  Then don't run!!!  Go play some tennis!
• What makes you feel strong?  Free weights work for some, but if yoga makes your muscles burn, do some yoga!

What about food?  Does the thought of a Paleo diet make you want to eat an entire chocolate cake?  Then maybe Paleo isn't for you.  But, please don't eat a cake - unless you know what's really in there.

EDUCATE YOURSELF!

I've been reading a book called The End of Overeating.  I'm learning so much about how foods are engineered to become addictive.  You've probably heard the buzz words "obesogens" and "clean eating."  Obesogens are chemicals and processed ingredients in our foods that are making us fat.  Clean eating means you don't eat anything that is processed or unnatural.  I'm aware that this could be a fad, but I'm also making myself more aware of the research that backs these things up.

USE YOUR BRAIN

There are too many diets out there.  Most of them are fads and gimmicks.  If it is too good to be true, it is.  If it promises a rapid weight loss without changing your diet and exercise, it isn't going to work long-term and it isn't healthy.

Don't focus on the scale.  Focus on health and fitness.

If it isn't working for you, then try something else.  

Don't give up.

Ask for help.

That's my two cents - or whatever it's worth. I'm going to keep on keeping on and hope for the best!  This isn't about how I look compared to anyone else.  It isn't about how fast I reach my goal.  This is about treating my body like I would an expensive vehicle - take care of the engine, give it the best fuel, and shine up the exterior!

It's Too Hard

What do you do when somethings seems too hard?  Or when you feel like you aren't good at it?  Or when it seems you've done your best and it still isn't enough?

On my 2 mile run today, I had many thoughts of quitting running.

I feel like I've lost my passion and excitement for it.

And it's still hard.
So
    hard.

Then I got to thinking - every time I've been pushed or challenged in my life I've given up.

Don't get me wrong, I've been through a lot of hard times that I've really worked through, but that was because there was no other choice.  It was either push through or lose everything.

But, when the stakes aren't that high, I tend to give up.  I wasn't that great at dancing, so I quit.  I wasn't great at music, so I quit that.  I wasn't great at basketball, so I didn't try out when my friends did.

Why didn't I just try harder and enjoy the hard work?

Because then everyone would know I wasn't fabulous.  In my mind, not failing meant succeeding.  It doesn't mean that at all.  Not trying is a bigger failure!

Back to my running...I'm not a fabulous runner.  In fact, I'm a pretty terrible runner.  I'm slow and I'm pretty sure I look like Phoebe from behind.  (Friends fans will get that).
But I'm doing it!  I'm pushing through when it gets too hard.  I won't ever win a marathon.  I won't ever be the best runner on the trail.  But, I'm still a runner.  And I'm better than I was when I started!

So, when my legs are cramping, there's sweat dripping off of me, and it feels like my lungs may pop...I'll keep on running!
I've only got me to prove myself to!

Motivation Monday

My message for you today:

You Can Do It

You can do it - whatever your goal is.  

Want to lose weight?  Do it.

Want to get more organized?  Do it.

Want to exercise more?  Do it.

Want to learn to sew or knit?  Do it.

Our biggest obstacle is usually ourselves.  We make excuses, think negatively of our abilities, or let others convince us we aren't good enough.

Let me just remind you of this...

God created you.  He is the ultimate judge of everything - not your peers, your spouse, or even yourself.  If the greatest judge of all believes in you, who are you to disagree?

Motivation for you Monday: Commitment

I have been so dedicated to a healthy lifestyle...

until vacation...

and a mission trip...

and I got sick.

Well, vacation has been over for a couple of months, the mission trip was done over a month ago, and I'm almost done with my antibiotics.

It's time.

I made myself sit down this morning and come up with a schedule from today until December 31 of this year.  I am incorporating all of these things:
Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred - again!
Couch-to-5k - 2 weeks left
Yoga on Hulu
Active Trainer 5k Intermediate
5k-to-10k

Here is my calendar for August:

Link to make your own: WinCalendar

Wish me luck! :)

Motivation for your Monday

After a plateau that lasted over 2 weeks, I'm in a much better frame of mind.  I've done some thinking and treated myself a little by eating what I felt like eating, but keeping the portions small.  I've kept up the exercise and changed it up enough to keep it interesting.
Here's what's on my mind:

• The amount of food that I waste in a day (from ordering too much at a restaurant, but over-buying and throwing out food that went bad) is probably more than some people eat in a week.  I think about my friends in Honduras who make a 40 lb bag of beans, rice, and lard last a month for their family.
• My relationship with food has been all wrong.  It isn't entertainment, it is fuel.  That doesn't mean I shouldn't enjoy my food or enjoy a meal with friends, but the point of the food is to make my body work well.
• This isn't my body.  God created it and has put it in my care while I'm here.  Why would I ruin and abuse a gift from the One who loves me most?
• I'm perfectly capable of all that I've attempted and so much more.  I. Can. Do. This.

I'm sure you've heard about Claire Lomas in London. 

She is  a woman who has been paralyzed from the chest down since 2007 who decided to run the full London Marathon.  How on earth does a paralyzed woman run a marathon when I can barely do half a mile?  Go to this page and watch the video.  You will be motivated too!