tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86716204864946929162024-02-20T02:50:24.672-05:00my {open road} to healthJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811846014961541861noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8671620486494692916.post-71315291641835025742013-01-20T23:04:00.007-05:002023-04-03T07:43:32.649-04:00The Long Road Ahead...I spent most of my twenties <i>pretending</i> to work out and live a healthy lifestyle. I joined (and quit) three different gyms. I spent hundreds of dollars on fitness books, workout DVDs and healthy living books and cookbooks. I had a long list of healthy living blogs that I would spend hours reading. I loved reading the stories of women training for and completing races, I drooled over the delicious and healthy recipes they would whip up. They looked so happy and healthy. I dreamed of the time I would finally feel that way. I knew I'd never get there by just reading about it but I never did anything about it.<br />
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I just recently turned 31. Thirty one. I don't know how that happened but it's here. I'm officially in my thirties. When I was in my twenties I always envisioned my thirties a little differently than how they're starting but I'm learning to take it one day at a time. I try to be comfortable in my own skin. I'll get compliments and I just don't believe them. I've heard "you look great, you don't need to lose weight" from several friends and yes, on the outside I don't look all that unhealthy. I am able to squeeze myself into an average size but <b><i>I'm</i></b> not comfortable. I see pictures of myself and I cringe at the fat around my elbows or my double chin. I <i>rarely </i>wear shorts in the summer because I hate the way my legs look. It's not just about how I look. With a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and obesity I definitely need to take the reins on my health and lose the weight.<br />
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This morning I completed day 1 of the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">Couch to 5k</a> program and it was <b style="font-style: italic;">rough. </b>By rough I mean I had to stop twice to catch my breath and got extremely nauseous about halfway through.<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>I was not expecting it to be so difficult considering I had started this program once before about three years ago and jumped right in, even skipping the first week. But, like a lot of things I start, I quit before I could get to that 20 minute run. I'm about 12 hours post run/walk and other than sore thighs I feel great. I'm actually looking forward to W1D2 on Tuesday! You would think that great post-workout feeling would be enough to keep me going!<br />
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I'm also logging what I eat on <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/">My Fitness Pal</a>. I <b>know</b> when I log what I eat, I make better choices. <br />
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It's not going to be an easy road. There will be set backs. I'm going to miss a workout or grab fast food after work some days. I'm human. I just need to keep reminding myself that I have goals. Goals I cannot achieve by putting junk in my body and not moving. <br />
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For someone that can't even run a single mile without walking it might seem strange to have such big goals but it's nice to dream big :)<br />
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I want to cross the finish line in both <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/nashville">Nashville</a> and <a href="http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/las-vegas">Las Vegas</a><br /><div><br /></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811846014961541861noreply@blogger.com0