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!