Hunger Fit

So for the past few days I’ve been pretty damn mindful of my eating and saying no to myself a lot.  Right now I’m eating a 6oz container of Fage 0% yogurt and a bowl of grapes, and blueberries.  Sometimes the need for a slice of apple pie from Blue Stove is like needing water after a workout.  Yesterday I was saying no to myself left and right and I had a long day of running around the city.  Luckily, I threw a washed apple in my bag because by 4:00 p.m. I was famished.   Just a piece of advice, always carry snacks with you like a washed apple, or raw nuts.  When I get into a hunger fit and I have an apple in my bag, it’s always super satisfying and it keeps me from buying roasted nuts on the street or mini cupcakes from Baked by Melissa (No’s from yesterday).   Even a sandwich with almond butter or natural peanut butter is good to carry around because it doesn’t go bad.  I carry snacks for my son all the time so what’s good for him is good for me too.

Today I want to get a 25 minute run in.  If you’re trying to start an exercise routine START SMALL!  Sorry I didn’t mean to yell but i’m really reminding myself.  I always want to be where I was or what I see around me but it can be overwhelming.  For running, I would suggest making time goals instead of distance goals.  I started the week with a 10 minute run and ended the week with a 20 minute run.   A little goes a long way.  

Running for Peace

You know what I love about running? I love that you can have a million thoughts and a million worries but after a run you feel clear headed.  I don’t know anyone who has ever been able to hold onto thoughts after a run.  I also feel like it clears everything out so God can speak to me. 

After my run today I felt really emotional about the Boston Marathon bombing. When I ran my first half marathon I remember seeing the finish line and feeling so happy.  I sprinted across that finish line because I wanted to finish strong and fly to my goal.  I felt supported.  I felt loved.  I felt God.  I think this is a time where I can contribute with my prayers, kind words, or a positive action.  I want to run 26.1 miles before May 5th for all those affected by this tragedy.  

Never Giving Up!

Well where oh where has this baby been?  I have to be honest with you friends, I have been in isolation. Lately I haven’t been exercising and my eating has been the worst it’s been in a very long time.   Some of my old habits like fried food, cake and ice cream, diet coke, CHIPS,  were only sometimes food.  However, lately I’ve snuck some of this stuff into my daily diet.  The result of not exercising  and starting tomorrow with my healthy eating has added up to 10 pounds of weight gain.  Yes, I know this for a fact because the great part of all of this is, I haven’t given up and I still go to my weekly WW meetings.  So the scale tells me so.  The scale is just a measuring tool but the real effect is feel I tired, moody, short tempered and overwhelmed.  

The positive to all of this is I haven’t gone to the part of my self esteem that can really beat myself up about this.  Don’t get me wrong, the voices are there but I’m choosing to have more compassion for myself.  I imagine a woman who really wants to do well but the resistance is so overbearing that she just can’t push through the wall.  Do I tell this woman, “what’s wrong with you, just stop eating or go for a short run!”  No, I wouldn’t say this to a stranger.  Do I tell this woman, “Wow you’re hopeless you might as well stop trying.”  No, I sure as hell wouldn’t say that either.  I would say, “Theresa, this stuff is hard, you’re fucking awesome and maybe it didn’t happen today but you can give it another shot tomorrow.”  Yes, Ma'am!

So the stinkin thinkin part is the hardest but in an imperfect way I’ve been kind to myself through this struggle.  I’ve had the courage to sign up for races this Spring and I started last Thursday with short 10 minute runs.  Today I ramped it up to 17 minutes.  I’m going to try again with my eating and do my best to track.  I will keep it small and gentle.