Run, Laugh, Eat, Repeat

This one really struck me as I love the feel of my coffee mug in my hand each morning.  As I start the day, this sentiment reminds me that that's really all there is .. Faith, Hope, Love.  And when we are in a place of having all three it can be extremely powerful. And of course I must acknowledge where the mug comes from .. Trust Your Journey !  Just the name is an inspiration on its own.  As I continue on my journey that has led me through tears, laughter, pain, joy and inspiration, I find that trust is a big part of it.  When I continue to be curious and not impatient it helps me with the 'getting there' part.  And isn't that the fun part - the getting there? So as I begin my day with foot pain and continued blisters, I will have faith, hope and love on my journey.  And know that the best is yet to come ...

This one really hit home for me.  For years I've been preaching, BUT I AM A GIRL! How would you like me to do something other than #LikeAGirl?? As the mother of a pre-teen daughter I have been messaging this to her for years.  Instilling in her the belief that she can do anything.  Yes, like a girl!  I encourage her to be who she is and do what she believes in ... and this is such an empowering message for all young girls! Last weekend I got new running shoes because mine were worn out and hurting my feet.  I took her with me to the store.  To show her what it looks like to take care of yourself, believe in yourself and support what's important to me.  I didn't ask her to want to run.  Or take care of herself.  I SHOWED her what it looks like when I do it. And of course you know the next part.  She also wanted a new pair of sneakers.  "Mommy, can I get running shoes too?"  And so I made sure she was fitted and has a sup...

New in the box! I'm thrilled to have my new FitBit on my wrist.  Finally an app focused on ways to improve my life!  I've found it to be easy to use, comfortable to wear and motivating to just keep going! And I've grown to love the vibration and light display when I reach 10,000 steps for the day.  It's even better when that  happens before noon.  And yet, I'll take it anytime! I'm hopeful that it helps keep me on track and continues to motivate me to reach new goals.  As my best competition is myself, it allows me to monitor and track not only steps, but food, water, workouts and more!  And stylish?  Doesn't get any better than this, right? Perhaps I can even get my husband one to motivate him to take 10,000 steps a day! Day One accomplishments!

I'm thrilled to have my new Saucony this morning to get a few miles in before the rest of the day begins.  They feel good, and better than that my feet feel good too. As I was expressing my excitement yesterday for saying goodbye to blisters and hello to the miles of road therapy ahead, I experienced a big ah-ha.  These miles to me are truly therapy.  And these days I can use it.  I find that I'm constantly reminding myself that each of us is fighting a battle inside.  We don't know of each other's battles.  Yet we know of our own and those aren't always easy ... And as a way to think mine through, I find the miles are like therapy.  Without the validating voice across the room.  That voice is this case is the one in my head.  And the sound of my feet hitting the ground. With each passing mile it seems to provide a clearer path, a more enlightened view of how to deal with all those thoughts.  It's amazing what those miles can d...

#FindYourStrong My feet have been taking a beating in the new routine of 5am walk/runs.  Having been consistent for the last several weeks to make it 4-5 days a week has caused some awful back pain, and then many blisters on my poor, tired feet! And if I've learned anything - that is a sign of something - and in this case it was a sign to get new running shoes!  I asked the advice of a couple runners and guys with running wives.  They confirmed my thoughts about trying Run On , a local running shop in nearby Murphy.  In my research I found they had lots of great brands and boasted an experienced staff. So off I went .... And very successfully purchased a new pair of Saucony running shoes!  Ellie knew I would be thrilled when my salesperson told me the ones that I preferred best were on sale!  But she couldn't understand how a pair of sneakers could cost $100!  I assured her the value of taking good care of our feet when we hit the pavement....

I have been nursing a sore, aching lower back without relief from ibuprofen.  And in my desire to solve the cause, I determined I need to take a few days off from the treadmill in order to get things back in good working order.  It bothered me to have to take a rest.  I didn't like that the momentum I had built was going to lose steam. And then I took a breath.  Was all this worry worth injury?  Or contributing to further injury of my back?  Of course not. So I took the weekend off.  And to be honest did a bit of exploring and walking with my family instead.  We found places in our new city that we hadn't seen before and walked.  By no means am I suggesting that it was a workout, and yet it allowed me to move without the pressure of 'miles to complete'. Sometimes you need to rest. That time for me was this weekend.  And when I got back on the treadmill this morning, I was pain free and able to get my miles in early.  It ...

I approached a new colleague at work two weeks ago with a personal question.  Since I can tell you're in better shape today than the last time your work photo was taken, how are you doing it?  And most importantly in this crazy off-hours work environment, how do you fit it all in? This person was flattered and explained that photo was taken a few years and about 50 pounds ago.  And i heard an answer that I knew I could make work.  "Its all about consistency.  I get on the treadmill every morning at 5am." And with that I knew I could do it too. Find your rhythm.  Do what works for you.  The thing is I have have to do it.  Consistently.  So for the past two weeks I've been up and on the treadmill at 5am.  I found a new series to watch on Netflix to make those miles go by a bit easier. My feet are suffering as I break them back in.  My hips are aching as they're not use to the daily miles.  And yet I know that I'm doin...

So the 30 Day Ab Challenge didn't work out the way I had hoped.  And the routine of getting up to be on the treadmill at 5am each morning has not been consistent either.  No excuse. Let's just say that the Ab Challenge was hard!  And although I haven't done it every day ... I was hit or miss over the weekend, but I have gotten back on the treadmill for my 5am workouts!  That does feel good when it's over - that's for sure! Some times things just don't go as planned. That's called life. And it's how we bounce back that matters most.

Today is Day 6 of the 30 AB Challenge, and I am proud to say that I have completed each and every day without fail!  I had wondered about my commitment to the program and in my ability to add more sit-ups and crunches each day, and yet I'm nearly a week in and it's working! Additionally, I'm back to the treadmill as well.  Yup, I am! After talking to a co-worker about how do you fit everything in with such a busy workday, he confided that if he didn't get up and on the treadmill at 5am he didn't get it done.  So that helped me change my mindset.  Set the the alarm for 4:50 and get on the treadmill by 5am. And I'm now into Day 3 of that as well.  Although that's not an official challenge, it feels as though I've committed to making it work.  And once there is a path to success I'm sure to stay on it!

Yes, I'm in. Yes, I'm still committed. Yes, it hurt the second day. What I love about the 30 Day Ab Challenge is that it starts slowly with small numbers, but progresses quickly into heavy sit up and crunches!  Yowza! My eight-year old daughter couldn't imagine not being a part of things, so she's on the floor each evening with me as we make our way through the challenge.  She was very proud of herself when she asked her father how long he could plank, and he didn't know what a plank was! I'm looking forward to the rest days, and she's looking forward to each evening we get to complete the challenge together! Here's to teamwork, and getting it done! Us on the floor after Day One!