Random Rant with too many subjects!

Hey all,

So it's been a few weeks- I got through Thanksgiving with out too much damage made.  Since then I've come across some subjects I'd really like to talk a little bit about.

First, is a December Promise I came across on "Strong is the New Skinny" Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/StrongIsTheNewSkinny (if you haven't looked at it, you SHOULD).  Here's how it goes:

My December Promise...

I will keep eating right.

I will remember this is my dream.

I will work through the pain.

I will keep smiling.

I will wake up every morning determined to go to bed with satisfaction.

I will remind myself I'm not alone.

I will drink more water.

I will push harder.

I will NOT give up.

EVER.

I LOVE this and I've already put inside my planner, so that everyday I see it, even past December 31.  I want to remember why I'm doing what I'm doing when I see all those holiday sweets my mom starts baking.  That it will be hard to keep walking past all the chocolates, but it WILL be worth it.  So, if you feel up to it..join me!  Some tricks I have found and/or come up with myself to stop from holiday binging are: remember why I'm doing this, repeat in my head "this is not an option", and count down from 140 (what I used to weigh before I started x-country in high school) to 120 (what I weight currently)-- that one seems to work the best.

Next, subject I came across was actually on The Doctors (which I am first to say that I am not the biggest fan of the show because sometimes I feel like they freak/scare people out too much into thinking they have health issues), but the other day Jillian Michaels said when did people start using the words "working out" for exercise.  When did we make exercise work?  This is SOO true, even for me.  I got to the point that I felt like I had to go to the gym and/or run everyday or I felt guilty.  Then after hearing this I decided to have "fun" again in my exercise routine- I started adding more HIIT routines, switched them up even more than usual, and went to spin classes or did sprint workouts.  Now I am once again enjoying going to the gym, leaving with a smile, and a deeper burn in my muscles (I got 6 pull-ups without any weight or another person's assistance)!  I'm not only having more fun, but I'm also working harder and longer!

I also read another thing Jillian Michaels said about clean eating, "If it doesn't come from the ground or didn't have a mother, don't eat it."  Finally, clean eating clicked for me.  I have been having a hard time figuring out "clean" eating.  I've been trying to do it because I know it's much better for me, but for some reason it hasn't been clicking and then I read that quote and immediately had some "Oooh I get it!" moment or something like that.  I'm not sure why it clicked, but it did and now I'm starting to think before I eat: "Could I grow this?  or Would this have had a mother?" If my answer is no..I try and pass it by.  So, if you've had any confusion or trouble with "clean" eating maybe this will be your "Ah Ha" moment as well!

Along with probably millions of other people I watched parts of the Victoria Secret Fashion Show that was on a few days after Thanksgiving--BAD IDEA!  Not only did I start to feel bad about my body, but then I started wondering what I was doing wrong and they were doing right (LOTS of food and no exercise make you think crazy things).  So I decided to do some research on what the models do to get ready for the runway...and let me tell you I will take my curves, weigh more than them, and be much shorter than the models.  One of the girls starts personal training EVERY DAY starting in AUGUST!!!  Now, I train with my trainer 2x per week and that is enough for me.  Working that hard everyday of the week could actually be harming her body.  She's not giving her muscles time to heal and build themselves back up.  Then another stops eating carbs a couple weeks before the show, then 9 or 8 days before the show all she eats is protein shakes and eggs (YUCK!!), and then 12 hours before the show she stops ingesting EVERYTHING!  No food, no water, nothing!  To make matters worse those pretty wings they flaunt weigh around 50lbs each!  I know how weak and irritable I get from not eating every few hours- I could NOT imagine how I would act if I had to go through that insane diet, but I guess that's why she's on the runway and I'm watching it on TV.  

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/25/showbiz/tv/obsessions-victoria-secret-show/index.html

Then I found a blog by writers from Omaha aka the Momaha writers.  

http://blogs.momaha.com/2011/11/7526/

They mostly write about everything and anything from their perspective as mothers and wives, so usually I don't read it, but one of the women wrote a very interesting article about the Victoria Secret Show.  She had written that she was not going to be watching the show because she did not want her children getting the wrong idea about beauty.  That most women are not made like that. She also did not want to put herself in a position of feeling bad about herself or her body.  I really liked this article because the women that have the most pull on changing views of beauty (mothers) want their children to know that models aren't the only "beautiful" women.  

Which brings me to my last subject, another article written by another Momaha.  

http://www.omaha.com/article/20111205/LIVING/712059995

It was about a mother who went to go watch a Jr. High Girl's Basketball scrimmage and couldn't help but notice the young girls would change jerseys and flash the entire crowd their sports bras.  Some people were taken back by this and at first, so was the writer until she thought more about it.  These girls weren't trying to be "sexy" or trying to show off their bodies, but rather they were just playing the sport they loved and lived for.  Then, she made a GREAT point about what girls and women running around in sports bras really symbolizes: everything that is going on RIGHT in her life- her health, she's exercising, she's healthy enough to be playing sports and exercising, she doesn't do it for decoration or sex-appeal- she does it for self-respect.  Thank you, for writing this article!!  Maybe some other people will realize why I only wear my sports bra while I go running in the summer heat- it's not for looks or attention, it's because it's 100 degrees outside!!  

Well that's my rant for now!  Til next time and one step closer to a hardbody,

Mo

THANKSGIVING!!!!!

So I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to my "cleaner" diet.  It's weird how people say you feel better when you eat better AND they're right...haha.  I feel better and I think my body does to.  I feel stronger than ever and fresh because I'm never over-stuffing myself or putting highly processed foods in my body.  Which paid off during my race this past Saturday: The Living History Farms Race.

It's a 7 mile "mud run" through The Living History Farms in Urbandale, IA.  It should really just be categorized as a climb up and down and through creeks, creek beds, and woods.  I had no timer going, walked, and was in costume, BUT it was the MOST fun I've ever had at a race!!!  I loved realizing how strong I have become.  I was able to pull myself up the sides of muddy creek beds that went straight up and up the hills in the woods that most people had to use a rope for, and I didn't have to!  It was AMAZING!!

The finished product!

The "Running Bugs" team!!

The "smallest" creek

Then to add a cherry on top I was able to do 6 pull-ups all by myself with no help of a machine or someone else.  It's not much, but it is a start AND it was after an hour long upper body workout.

I am realizing how true the statement that to see success you have to have faith because nothing comes overnight.  Now, I have to bring this into Thursday's holiday: THANKSGIVING!!! In my family it IS the BEST holiday.  Christmas has NOTHING on my mom's Thanksgiving dinner and desserts.  Everything is made from scratch: from the casseroles, stuffing, and EVEN the pumpkin pie crusts...my mouth is already watering....(Sorry if I made yours too).  But since I do not want to set myself too far back with this I plan on still enjoying my favorite foods, but I plan on portion sizing and really controlling myself.  Filling my plate more with turkey, rather than green bean casserole and fruit "fluff" (cocktail fruit with marshmallows and sour cream).  So, I am not only challenging myself, but I want to challenge anyone else that is reading this to a healthier, controlled holiday.  Who's in with me?!!

"Cheat" and Off Days..and some more

So I have learned from my trainer that everyone needs a day off or a so-called "cheat" day.  Where you ignore your diet and your workouts for one day a week.  It allows your body, mind, and muscles to totally recoup from the weeks workouts and get ready for the upcoming week.  It also allows your to "cheat" on your diet, so that you don't go completely crazy from being so strict with yourself.

Of course, I have been making myself participate in these days and most the time I embrace them, but there are some days (like today) when I feel guilty about not working out or sticking to my diet.  Am I the only one with these thoughts??  Which is why I try and remind myself that these days are not making me weaker, but making me stronger.  I know it is because this thursday when I was at training we took measurements and I have put on 4 lbs, but lost inches everywhere.  Which means I'm losing fat and putting on more muscle- which I'm TOTALLY okay with.

This putting on muscle reminds me of a few blogs/facebook pages I have found and am completely inspired by.  One is "Strong is the New Skinny" and "Girls Gone Strong".  I love these because they are all about promoting women's strength as beautiful and sexy.  They aren't showing pictures of anorexic looking, 90lb, 6ft models.  They're applauding women throwing up weights with the guys, completing marathons, and living life to be healthy and happy.  I'm so glad that these are becoming a more common sight because I grew up short and stalky because of my genetics and never thought anything was wrong, but everyone in all the magazines and other places said you had to be extremely tall and skinny to be pretty.  I noticed very young how it affected young girls because I was in dance class growing up and girls when I was 10, 11, and 14 were talking about how they needed to lose weight and were too fat...REALLY???  We didn't even have boobs yet and girls wanted to go on diets?  That's why people like the ones running the blogs/facebook pages from above inspire me because I don't want little girls to ever think like that or if I ever have a daughter I never want that to run through her mind either.  These two pictures (from the mentioned pages) really explain the need for us to praise the strong, healthy women over stage models, not just for us, but for girls still to come.

Well enough with that rant...my last subject: expanding my name and contacts with the fitness/ nutrition industry.  Like, I had mentioned in a previous post I want to start spreading my name out in the fitness community, so first off I am going to be a spin instructor starting next month (CAN'T WAIT) and until I can actually start personal training once I get my certification I have started this blog and now have a twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/HardbodyMaureen...so please "follow" it and share this with people you think might like it!

Til next time!

Mo

New Challenges, New Beginnings

Hey readers,

So it has been A WHILE!!  I guess life gets crazy sometimes :)  So what have I been up to since Chicago??

Since Chicago I've been busy with work (I got to go to The Nike Women's Marathon as a staff member for Team in Training.  It was so motivational and reminded me why I love running).

I've also changed up all my workouts and nutrition.  I've added a lot more cardio to my workouts, like burpees, windsprints, etc.  In my nutrition I've cut some carbs, since I'm not running 7+ miles a day, added more protein, and "greened up" my diet.  My trainer has also added weekly "challenges" with my nutrition.  So far I have done 1 gallon of water/day, no bread (doesn't mean no carbs), vegetarian, and this week I have to make 60% of my diet "greens" and the other 40% is to split between protein and carbs.

Now, I'm starting a 90-Day Challenge put out by "Blogilates."  It is a 90-Day Challenge to "clean-up" your diet.  So, today is Day 1!!  Here's to 90 days of eating as little non-processed foods as possible, lots and lots of veggies, and low-fat proteins!  I'll keep you updated on how this goes.  I want to keep myself in check especially with the holidays right around the corner, which means LOADS of homemade foods and pies!

Those are my physical changes and updates, but I've also made other changes.  I'm starting to see my long-term dreams/goals coming true!!  Starting in December I will be a spin instructor!!  I cannot wait to start and I know it will help me get my foot in the door to expand my personal training career, which I hope to start studying in the summer.  Getting this position has really fueled my passion for my future in fitness.

I cannot wait to see the effects of all these changes in my life and helping others change their lives too!!

Til next time (hopefully not as long) and one step closer to a hard body,
Mo

Chitown Marathon!

I DID IT!! Marathon #4 with a PR (4:29:48), not exactly what I wanted, but a PR is still a PR!

The city and race were AMAZING!  I've never been to a race where the ENTIRE city gets involved.  I had people tell me they couldn't wait to watch...and they didn't know any one racing it.  This is the reason I love the running community- people you don't even know are cheering for you and congratulating you!

Although right now I am still skating on my post-race high; that race was probably the hardest race I've ever participated in.  The course was not anything I hand't trained for, but mentally I was not in the game.  I hit my wall at mile 5!  From about mile 5-15 I was constantly making bargains with myself (if I could just make it to the next water/aid station I would stop and then once I got there I told myself okay we're just going to walk through this and wait til the next one).  It clearly showed in my mile times-  my mile times went from 9:44 (what I wanted) all the way to 11:20 (yikes!).  Then I'm not sure what happened but at mile 16 I was like, "Okay only 10 more miles I can do this, this is just a training run."  I finally got into my zone and finished my pace at 9:20.  Although, it was mentally not where I wanted to be I am SO proud of myself of pushing through that and finishing!!

Now this week I haven't done much of anything besides eating healthy and yoga, so that my body can fully repair itself, since this will be the first time in 4 years I don't have another marathon coming up.

Next week I'll be starting my new diet and new workout regime- more of that to come!

Til next time and one step closer to a hard body,
Mo

Chitown and more..

It's finally here!! Only 3 more days and I will be just a few miles from the finish line of the Chicago Marathon.  Like I've said before, those itching days before my races I find that burning passion for running I had the first time I laced up for endurance racing my freshman year of college.  It's the butterflies and knots in my stomach and knowing that 45,000 people this Sunday have the same feelings, dedication, and love I do that gets me pumped.

During my last marathon in Minnesota, the pacer I was running made the most amazing statement that I will always remember, "Only 1 in 100,000 people will ever run a marathon."  Sometimes I forgot how truly amazing we, marathoners are because we tend to surround ourselves with other marathoners, so it seems normal.  In reality though we are a rare class of crazy people who will train for 16-20 weeks piling on mile after mile, running on ice and 10 degrees to heat exhaustion and 100% humidity because that's what was on our training schedule.  We will run 26.2 miles through tears, pain, joy, and accomplishment all for a little medal on a lanyard.  If that's not true love, I don't know what is?

So, if it wasn't clear enough yet- I pretty much can only think about the Chicago Marathon and only have motivation for things involving this.  But, I had some other fun news:  after I finish Chicago I am going to take a little time off of marathons, so that my body can heal and mentally marathons and I need a break.  I have been training since my freshman year of college for endurance races (and that doesn't include cross country and soccer all through high school and freshman year of college).  Now I'm in my senior year- and have yet to take any time off of training for some sort of full-marathon or half-marathon.  So, this upcoming June I'm going to switch it up a bit and participate in a TRIATHLON!!

I'm excited to push my body in a new way (and I think my body will enjoy a little change from just running ;) ).  After Chicago, I am going to try almost only no impact cardio like, cycling, swimming, elliptical, and anything else I can try.  Also, I'll be intensifying my workouts since I do not have to worry about wearing myself out before a long run.  I'm also going to switch up my nutrition entirely (with the help of my trainer, of course) so that I can tone up a little bit and I won't need so many carbs since I won't have to worry about getting up on a Saturday morning and having to run 15 miles.

Well,  that's about all I can get out for now since I can only seem to focus on Chicago!  I'll make sure to post some updates and pictures from Chicago.

So, I will leave you with a quote from one of the running coaches for Team in Training- Nebraska.  He and his wife are truly the most giving, unselfish people I know and they helped get me through my first marathon and find my true passion in running:
    It's an interesting passion we've chosen to pursue: it scares us, it thrills us, it introduces us to feelings us accomplishment we may have never thought possible. Cherish those knots in your stomach -- they're a sign you're on the verge of doing something remarkable." -Dan McCann

One step closer to a hardbody,
Mo

It's been a while....

It's been a while since I've been on here.  I guess that's what happens when you are going to school, training for a marathon, and working two part-time jobs!  Trying to stay sane...

A lot has gone on since I was last on here, so I'll try not to go on too many tangents!

First, wanted to update my marathon training:  I'm in tapering time YAY- less than two weeks till my fourth 26.2 (yikes) in Chicago.  This past Sunday I ran in The Omaha Half Marathon with several family members and friends from Team in Training.  I had a few hiccups during the race (hint hint Omaha Race director: get some MORE porta-johns!), but still managed a PR (personal record) at 2:03!  I'm hoping for a 4:15 marathon in Chicago since it's much flatter than this past race and it wasn't too taxing to run at that pace, so definitely doable.  I love races because they may just be a training run that I have to pay for, but it always reminds me why I started running: for the pure love and simplicity of it.  I love hearing people's stories during the race- there's a lot of time to talk and meet new people.  But it also gives me a lot of time to reflect and let all my stresses go.

Now that I've talked enough about running I want to bring up the next thing that has been on my mind the past week.  So, my personal trainer had recommended I watch Food, INC. (a documentary about our food industry) because it would change everything I had previously thought about how I eat.  So I watched it going into it with no preconceived notions (mostly because I had never heard of it before).  WOW, did it ever change what I feel about our food industry and how I want to eat in the future.  If you haven't watched the documentary yet I would recommend it, but get ready for some serious revelations!  So, from now on I am going to try and eat as natural as possible after seeing what I saw in that movie (won't give anything away for the people that would like to watch it).  I want to know what is exactly going into my body when ever I bite into a food and how it will effect me.  I know it will not be easy, but I want to give it my best shot.

This brings me to my last subject- Body by Vi.  After reading more into Body by Vi and reading the ingredients (in depth) I do NOT believe it is the way to go for weight loss.  I'm not saying it doesn't work, I know people lose weight using it, but I don't think it's the RIGHT way to do it.  I feel the only way (properly) to lose weight is through a good, healthy (mostly natural) diet and regular exercise.  I just don't like the idea that Body by Vi gives you a shake powder and says, "Here you go- eat this and you'll lose weight."  I think the only company that is really teaching a proper way to lose weight is WeightWatchers- they show you how to eat correct portions (with REAL food) and regular exercise.  Plus, with Body by Vi and all those other shake weight loss programs out there, do we really know how they're going to effect our bodies 10 years down the road??  BUT if you choose to go the route of eating natural foods, in smaller portions, with regular exercise you will lose the weight AND keep it off.  Plus, you will have forever changed your life and live longer, healthier.  Who doesn't want that??  Unfortunately, Americans have been conditioned to want the "quick fix", but I will tell you that it DOES NOT exist-  if it took you 5 or 10 years to put on that extra weight- why would you EVER think taking it off in 90 days could be healthy??  We're not contestants on Biggest Loser- they're working out at least 8 hours a DAY.  That's why they see those large numbers each week, but most gain a few pounds after they leave the show because they're not working out that much anymore, but they're all over healthier because the trainers show them how to eat properly and naturally and incorporate exercise into their daily routine.

Okay, sorry for the rant, but I feel very strong about people eating naturally as a means to lose weight because it's the only way we know will work (long-term) for weight loss- that does not have any ramifications in 10 years.  The only ramifications from eating naturally and exercising regularly is being 60-yrs-old and people wondering if you're 50, I don't see any problems with that- do you??

Till next time and one step closer to a Hardbody,
Mo

Look Back and Forward

So this past week I did really well getting myself out of bed early to run each morning, then go to class and work and still kick my butt to the gym to get in some strength training.   I also almost made it through the entire week with a stellar food diary, but had a stressful day Friday and decided to indulge in a large chocolate chip cookie with my mom.  Which made me realize how much of an emotional eater I am- any extreme negative emotion and I want to eat whatever sweet is in front of me!  It's not the best thing since I want to reach a hardbody, but at least now I know what triggers my sweet binges, so hopefully in the future I can stop this before I start into a cookie or big bowl of ice cream.

Saturday morning I hit a new treadmill record: 17 miles (or about 3 hours)!  It almost cracked me, but I just wanted to get it done and I couldn't believe how proud I was of myself immediately afterwards for mentally sticking with it!  So I decided to treat myself with some protein pancakes..YUM!  Only 5 weeks till Chicago- where did the time go?

Then today I was watching the World Indoor Track and Field Championships.  Those athletes are AMAZING!  I know I will never be at their level, but I hope to put the same passion they have for their sport into my training and running because then I know I can't and won't fail on my journey!

So last week had it's ups and downs, but I can't wait to get this week started with what I've learned:
1.  I'm going to keep getting up to run- I seem to feel better and more energized throughout the day.
2. Pushing myself to the gym at night, no matter how much I can't stand it.  I always feel better afterwards.
3. No letting myself slip with emotional eating or getting off my diet regime, so I am currently making my entire weeks diary of food to keep myself from wandering.
4.  I'm starting Meatless Mondays- to incorporate some variety in my diet- it's going to be much harder than I thought.
5. Remember why I do what I do to keep my passion and motivation up- even after running, classes, and work!

The beginning!

My name is Maureen and I am a 21 yr-old college senior!  Whoop!!  I've been active and in sports my entire life, but about 3 years ago after I quit collegiate soccer I fell head over heels in love with running.  I loved lacing up my running shoes and hitting the pavement more than anything in the world.  Well, three years later and 3 marathons and 1 half marathon later I still love running.  This year is also when it hit me, mostly because I realized I'll be in the real world before I know it, that I want to be a personal trainer.

So once I graduate I plan on getting my personal training certification because I want to share my passion for a healthy lifestyle with others.  I would really love to be a trainer for college athletes.  But I know my journey towards that goal needs to start now.  I have always been active, so I'm not by any means over weight, but I want to make my body the best it can be, so starting tomorrow I'm doing a major cleanse on my diet and eating and clean as I can.

I hope you follow me through my journey of which I know will be tough and I'll want to quit or cheat, but I'll have to stay disciplined.  I'll be updating with what I'm eating, my workouts, and how I'm feeling that day about everything because I'm not only trying to live healthier, but I'm trying to do it while going to school full-time, working 2 part-time jobs, and training for The Omaha Half-Marathon and Chicago Marathon!

If you have encouraging words or like/dislike anything that is posted please let me know!

Til next time and one step closer to a hardbody,
Maureen