Runner's High

Like so many of the other firsts in my life, I remember my first "runner's high" as if it were yesterday. By Amby Burfoot From the June 2004 issue of Runner's World

This was the article I read today and was like “ah-ha, yeah, that’s it!”  When running on this past Sunday morning along the scenic HWY 66-I had a whirlwind of thoughts going through my mind.  It was the anniversary of 9/11/01.  I have experienced this “feeling” a couple of times since last April when I started running---the very first day I did “couch to 5K” was one, one other time this summer and Sunday….not only did I have  a whirlwind of thoughts-but a whirlwind of feelings.  And I ran….and ran and I experienced the elusive “Runner’s High”.    And I thought,  It has taken me a long time to be able to say that I am a runner, but I am and I am really proud of that.

 

I had friends running in Chicago in memory of their aunt and friend who died that day 10 years ago in the towers.  I also knew her.  One of her sisters is a dear friend-I thought of all of them and all of the heartache that was caused that day-to so many people.

10 years ago Tory was 10!!  And today,  she is engaged.  I thought about her wedding day, all the planning.  All the fun.   How lucky she is (as well as we are) to have found such a wonderful man ---and such a wonderful family.  It is heartwarming to know that you love your son-in-law and his family loves your daughter just the same.  And of course I couldn’t help but think of --- All the money we are about to spend!   I am so excited about helping her plan her special day but not so excited about “losing” my baby---if only just a little.

I thought of where I am today compared to where I was 10 years ago.  How my life had changed and in some ways how it is the same.  I thought of the people that I have lost , who have went on to higher and better places—especially my dad and my wonderful friend Traci.  I thought of who is a staple and who is still in my life now and then—my best friend Julie,  my husband, Ron and of course my mom and brother-how I can’t imagine life without any of them…..but I couldn’t imagine life without my dad either and it’s hard, but I am doing just fine.  I am so very thankful for the friends that I have, the very good friends that I am so blessed to have enjoying, living and mourning this life together.  I even have some people in my life that I didn’t have 10 years ago and they have blessed my life even more-The Rogers Family, Rosemary and The Casebolts; to name a very few.

My daughter Jenna was so little  10 years ago and today she is a long-legged, long haired blond who is truly one of my best friends.  Between her and my nephews and niece…my life is very full and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

So I have come very far in 10 years and even further during this past year.  I don’t have to look back 10 years to see huge changes in my life.   On this date a year ago, I weighed 63 pounds more than I do today, I hardly ever did anything active after I left work and I was TIRED.  Today I run 13-17 miles a week, Zumba twice a week and can’t wait to do any activities that the kids want to do and most importantly—I love my life!   Change occurs every day.  We need to live everyday to the fullest, love everyone the most we can and experience every morsel we can get into!  Tomorrow may never come, but today is ours to live—it is after all-the “present”.

Update to Bucket List

Now that we are over half way though the year I wanted to update my blog with an update to my bucket list.....I feel great with what I have accomplished and am looking forward to finishing my list and creating a new bucket list for 2012. 
~My Bucket list for 2011~
1. Get healthy-eat right, exercise and get my cholestrol down.--I  am no longer on cholestrol meds and I feel that I am making the right choices in eating...I run at least 2 miles a day; 6 days a week and I have lost 58 pounds!!!
2. Create "me" time. I have my "me time" every morning when I run, during my weight watcher meeting on Thursday nights and sometimes I even get to go to ZUMBA!!
3. Tell those closest to me how I feel about them more often  I think you can keep improving on this but I sure am telling people more often.....sometimes they wonder what I want!
4. Get the cabin finished and "move" in.  The cabin may not be 100% but it is a good 90% and we are "moved" in!!!
5. Create a blog-hopefully to help me with #1 Another one that I could do better on, but still here is the blog....but I want to be a better blogger!
6. Get on the river more than once this summer!  I have been a whopping 2x!  So I guess I've met this goal but still don't feel very "successful" on this one--hopefully we have a few more outings before the end of summer.
7. Go on an overnight trip with "my bestie"-Done!!  We went to Purdue to the Ms. Purdue pageant in February and we are going on another in October-still wish we could have more time together but hey--we are doing better!
8. Do something I have never done before--not sure what yet?  Wow!! I have probably succeeded this one too....I have become a runner where I have a list of accomplishments for myself and I have gone ZIPLINING!!  I am at a point in my life where I am not afraid to try anything and having sooooo much fun!!!  The new foods I have tried also is amazing!
9. Take my mom somewhere she wouldn't go by herself. I have done a lot with my mom this year, but not sure I have taken her somewhere she wouldn't go by herself....have to get to work on this one too!
10. Appreciate what I have and don't worry so much about what I don't.  A work in progress, but I am awfully thankful for the things and people God has given me in my life---I truly do have THE BEST FRIENDS!!!
BELIEVE IT TO ACHIEVE IT!!!

WOW! It's been a while!

And what accomplishments I have made on my journey!  Today I am 54 pounds lighter than when I began this journey a little over 6 months ago....and I am a Runner!!  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be a runner.....the girl that couldn't figure it out...I thought someone had to chase you in order to run...but no more...I can not imagine not running.  It clears my mind and makes me strong.  Almost invinsible!  I love the feeling of accomplishment to go a little farther or a little faster.  I am not fast...and I can't go that far.  I have ran 4.6 miles and my fastest pace is 11.56 but I am a runner...and I am proud!
My bucket list has a few things knocked off of it...did an overnight with my best friend in February and I hope we can do another before the end of the year.  I have done A LOT of new things....the most important being running.  I will go over my bucket list accomplishments more in another post, but today I wanted to write about some things I think about as I run the roads of beautiful Perry County....

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10 things I have learned in the past 6 months

1.        You can do anything you set your mind to.

2.       A tenth of a mile is A LOT longer on foot than in a car

3.       There are a lot of UPHILLS in Perry County that you never realize

4.       Shopping in the smaller size sections, isn’t much easier than the “big girls” section-today’s fashions suck (in my opinion anyway)

5.       The saying is true “NOTHING tastes as good as fit feels”

6.       I will not be buying a “big girl” dress for my daughters wedding—I will be one HOT mother of the bride!!

7.       I have nothing but respect for ANYONE who runs

8.       Tennessee has nothing on Perry County....we live in a beautiful part of the world.

9.       You can live without sodas and snackcakes!

10.   I am Strong!

there are lots more but these are the ones that go over and over in my mind as I run along our scenic routes in Perry County....and for sure, you can't be on a run without seeing someone you know and getting a honk/wave....check out our part of the world...it's worth a second look! 

I hope to be able to jump on and update a little more often...thanks for reading!

WEEK 5

Hey, so yeah, this week was a little tough.  But I stayed on target and am still progressing along, slow and steady.  I am officially down 13 pounds total and have a HUGE goal this week of 4 pounds, but I am confident that I will succeed, I am going to work SUPER hard to achieve it.  But when I do it will be a milestone for me!!
Finding some new foods I like and that I can eat are making things better but there are always, always temptations. 
Walking outside the past 2 days has been wonderful, but I fear that I will not be able to do that very many more days this week, as the WINTERSTORM is coming!
Found the "Michael Jackson Experience" WII game and LOVE it and what a workout it is!!
Jenna has been really sick this week, so dealing with that added stress that was unwanted and unneeded; she was dignosed anemic, had strep and the flu.  She is much better today.
Tory is getting ready for the Miss Purdue pageant in a few weeks and Julie, Jenna, Kailynn and myself will be making the trip to root her on!
Not much else to report---be back next week~

WEEK 4

So, I was super worried about being out of town this week and the food choices that I would be given and......it wasn't that bad!  I am happy to report that I stayed on plan....the only small treat I had was a 1" square of Cheesecake, and I even counted it in my points for the day!  No WW meeting this week, due to the bad weather but if the scales at work are correct, which I am going by last Friday's weight on them.....I am pleased to report I am down another 2.2 pounds.  Slowly but surely.  I keep telling myself I didn't gain 2 pounds a week, so be happy I can lose it that way!  I have heard that if you lose it slow you are more likely to keep it off too, so there ya go!  Also I was told before that when you are hungary you are losing weight so I must be melting away today!  Never had this much trouble all week, but today I just want to eat and eat.  I am staying busy and trying to keep my mind off food so wish me luck!  The tax preparation begins today!  Have a great week!

Week 3

As I enter week 3 of this wonderful new year, I simply have a lot weighing on my mind this chilly, quiet Sunday morning.
I assisted at a fundraiser last night for one of my classmate's mother.  It was a wonderful turnout and everyone seemed to have a great time.  And it was a time of joy....for her mother is winning the battle with cancer.  Anyone who has ever been touched by this horrible disease knows that memories can spill over at any minute.  My mother too has won her battle with cancer.  She had an annual visit this week and was given the all clear sign for another year.  But you always have that fear that it will not be "all clear" and when you hear that "C" word it is a horrible thing.  What a helpless feeling....that is what I remember the most.  That is what I felt so deeply when I first found out about my mom.  But as for Steph and I---we have mothers that are fighters, and I know that she, just as I, am proud and grateful for that.  So for today, we will rejoice and be glad because today is a good day!

This week I will be leaving home on Monday night to attend a quarterly managers meeting in Hoffman Estates, IL (Chicago).  I don't think I have ever been as apprehensive about attending a company event as this one.  (WELL...maybe the first time ever!).  Why? I am sure you are asking---one word, FOOD.  I will not be in control as I have been for the past few weeks and that worries me, I can only hope that there will be some good choices available and that I am able to hold strong and make the right ones.  I will tell you this, I am going to do my best!
I had another good week and my first weigh in at Weight Watchers was very successful.  I lost 3.8 pounds, which wasn't the 4.0 pounds I was looking for, but alas, I am trying to not be so "anal"!!!  :)  Tuesday is going to be my day when I don't think I will get any exercise in, I am trying to tell myself that running through O'hare will be enough....but on the other hand trying to convince myself that "one day" will be okay.  I will hit the fitness room on Wed and Thurs morning at the hotel but Tuesday is my one day, where I don't know if I can make it happen.....but again I am going to do my best!

So, after typing this I am actually feeling a little better, life is hard, but life is good!!  I hope anyone reading this has a good week and remember,
" today's moments are tomorrow's memories!"

Week 1

Now that we are officially through week 1 of 2011; I thought I would share my progress.  I said that I was going to try and update my blog weekly, so here we are go....
I have had a great week, a busy week but a great one!
I really didn't know what my weight was this time last week, but I was weighed at the dr. on 12/20/10...I  started watching what I was eating after Christmas, but started REALLY watching last Sunday. 
Last Sunday, I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew I was going to do something and I was going to do it well!!
So I started walking, Sunday I walked outside-2 miles, and EVERY day I have I walked on my Gazelle for 30 minutes!!!  I walked in the mornings, and that is when I like to, that way I am starting out the day with something positive and I have it done and then if I can fit some other exercise in, in the evening that is a bonus!  And I was able to do that 2x this past week! 
On Friday morning I went to Weight Watchers so that I could learn the new program.  My best friend, Julie,  is doing weight watchers too, as is Jennifer (whom I work with), and I have some other friends that have joined too...so I have a great support system.
But here is the BEST news.  When I weighed in on Friday morning, I was pleasantly surprised by what the reading was on the scale.  BUT I didn't know how that scale compared with the one at the Dr's.  So, after the WW meeting, I stopped at the Dr's office and weighed.  THE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME.
So, what does that mean-----it means that I am well on my weigh and I know I am making some Great choices!  I have lost 6 pounds!!!  And I do feel better and I know that just to see the numbers go down, no matter how slowly, I will be able to keep my motivation! 
And I am thinking about other things on my bucket list too...like what do I want to do that I haven't done before...I definately am starting to have some good ideas...and one of them is to go skiing....never done it and think I might like to try.  But that is not my final answer yet....still pondering!!
Thanks for reading and will post again next week!

The New Year

One of the things I wanted to accomplish was to create a blog in the new year.  In doing so, I created a "bucket list" for 2011.  I thought if I could think of 10 things I wanted to accomplish this year and be able to do that I would be proud!   So, here is my bucket list for 2011~

~My Bucket list for 2011~
1. Get healthy-eat right, exercise and get my cholestrol down.
2. Create "me" time.
3. Tell those closest to me how I feel about them more often
4. Get the cabin finished and "move" in.
5. Create a blog-hopefully to help me with #1
6. Get on the river more than once this summer!
7. Go on an overnight trip with "my bestie"
8. Do something I have never done before--not sure what yet?
9. Take my mom somewhere she wouldn't go by herself.
10. Appreciate what I have and don't worry so much about what I don't.

Of course the most important thing that I need to accomplish is #1. 
My cholestrol is high....too high.  I know I am heavy, any one that knows me, knows that.  BUT what has come into my head as of late is that I have never felt "unhealthy" before and I was happy, so my weight only bothered me when I needed to dress up or be with a group of strangers.  I think maybe with the loss of my father last year I have decided that maybe I am not as healthy as I should be (the cholestrol matter just validated my reasoning).  Not that I am sick or "feel" unhealthy...but let's face it people I have a 10 year old!  AND I will probably have grandchildren before she graduates--so I have a lot to get healthy for.  I want to be around for a long time~I have a lot of living to do! 
So if you know me and are reading this, you don't need a lot of background about my life.
  If you don't know me, you will get to through my blogs.  I plan to blog once a week.  I will in my next blog give you some background about me that you may or may not know.  BUT what I need you to know today, whether you know me or you don't~I need your help.  I have been on diets and lost weight before and it is hard, really hard~I love food, but I need to get my mindset and know that I need to eat to live and not live to eat.  So I am looking for some encouragement and maybe just a listening ear.  I am not sure what/how I am going to change my life, I just know that I have to....and that 2011 will be the year that I succeed.  I am putting it in black and white and putting it out there...so now I have to!  Wish me good luck and I will keep you posted!