We all have a story...

One of the reasons I started this blog was because so many of the blogs I've been following make a complete lifestyle change sound...well, easy. And from my own experience, I disagree. There's nothing "easy" about losing weight or becoming a runner/swimmer/cyclist. There's nothing "easy" about overhauling the way you thought about food all your life and changing the way you eat. I've had (and still have!) plenty of struggles along the way, and I wanted to share them to (hopefully) help others with theirs.

Last week, I received this message (via Facebook) from a friend. It erased every doubt I've ever had about starting this blog. We all have a story to tell and telling it just might be what someone else needs to get started or keeping going (Note: I've changed the names).

*****************

Laura,
I read your blog the other day and have to tell you how much you've inspired me! First, I would have never imagined that you had ever dealt with some of the same issues I've dealt with. I think of you as beautiful, thin Laura, and had no idea that weight has been a strugle for you.

Since you've known me for a long time, you probably know that it has been a constant struggle in my life...I've been overweight for most of it and "normal" a little bit of it. The normal times were only after losing it the wrong way--like starving myself. I really hit bottom after my second child was born. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. It made me so sad to feel like I was the fattest person in the room everywhere I went (which may not have been the case, but I felt that way). I felt terrible physically and I was really mean to "Tom" --probably because I was so unhappy with my life. 

So, in September I finally decided to do something about it--more than just starving myself. I adopted a healthy lifestyle, and have lost 43 lbs. since then. I've still got 27 to go to get to my goal of 160, but I feel great. I've started doing Couch to 5K and my goal is to run a 5K...I've never been a runner, so that makes me really nervous, but I'm confident I can do it. I should be at my goal weight by then. I'm super excited and feel the best I've ever felt. And, I'm pretty sure "Tom" loves that I'm not mean anymore! And, seeing you do it just makes me all the more motivated. So...thanks Laura! You're amazing! :)

******************

One of the most important parts of a weight loss journey is to take as many people with you that you can. Our nation is hurting and dying from obesity - just a quick look around you will confirm that. So if you're running, cycling, walking, swimming and/or losing weight in your own little world, let me encourage you now to be open to opportunities to help others. We ALL need a little encouragement and accountability to keep moving. Plus, helping others will keep YOU motivated, too!

And don't try to use the "I don't have time" excuse with me, people! We can all make time to help others!

UPDATE: More Water - Less Dr. Pepper

It's day five of my "More-Water-Less-Dr.-Pepper" challenge and I'm still alive...and so are all those around me. I'm not going to lie - it's been rough, but I've gotten all 64 ounces down every day and have not had even a drink of Dr. Pepper after 2 p.m. I'm a little embarrassed at the level of my caffeine addiction as I really had no idea how much I was drinking until now or really how dependent I am on it to...well, function. I'm battling a pretty intense headache, but that just makes for a good "excuse" to go to bed earlier. I'm finding other substitutions (Crystal Light) when I get to the point I just can't drink another class of water.

I have two tweeps (@Ginny26_2 who blogs at Happy Feet26-2 and @JennRunsChi) who've joined me in the challenge and the accountability has been great! I really appreciate them checking on me and posting their progress reports. Jenn even found a great app to help track water consumption from Florida Hospital.

So, if you've taken part in the challenge and haven't let me know, keep going! There's just 19 more days left until February 1. If you haven't committed, jump on board! The more the merrier!

Oh, Lulu! Why can't you learn?

I ran 10 miles Saturday. That's a lot of time to think and A LOT of time for LuLu to do her thing in my head. At about 9.5 miles, I started thinking back to when I started the run and decided to do this post. It's the chronology of the battle in my head during most of my long runs...

8:30 a.m. Husband tells me that he's taking the boys to Wal-Mart with him, and I can "do whatever." He says the fumes from my "attempt" to clean the oven are more than he can handle (Possibly another post later, but some advice: Read the manual before engaging the "self-cleaning" oven).

9:15 a.m. Boys dressed and out the door. 

9:16 a.m. Process of getting dressed for 35 degree weather begins. Pieces scattered throughout the house and a few out in the car. Enter LuLu. "It's really cold out there. You've already done 12 miles this week. Why don't you just go back to bed and enjoy the quiet time." Hmmph. I keep searching. 

9:20 a.m. Most of my gear is on. I sit down in the floor to stretch a bit. Enter LuLu. "You could just curl up on the couch now and go later. Maybe when it's a little warmer." Knowing my husband is leaving for a trip with the youth group in the afternoon, this is NOT an option. I continue to stretch and think about my route.

9:30 a.m. I'm out the door and in the driveway stretching when the wind picks up. Enter LuLu. "Wow! It's cold AND windy. This is going to be a rough run. Maybe you should take some time off from running altogether. You may burn out if you keep going at this pace." Did she seriously just suggest I quit running? Silly girl.

9:35 a.m. I start out walking up a hill to continue my stretching and warm-up. Enter LuLu. "You know, you could just walk today. Even though it's a scheduled long-run day...maybe just consider it cross-training? You'd be finished in 30 minutes and maybe still have time for a quick nap." Walk? You've got to be kidding me. Please go away, LuLu. I have miles to run.

9:40 a.m. I start my run. It's cold and windy, but the sun is shining and I have nothing but time and miles. Enter LuLu at about .5 miles. "Ok. Seriously? You're really going to do this today? I really think you need to consider some time off. Maybe knock off this long run stuff for a while. Just try to do 12-15 miles per week and then start training for another race later. Maybe when it's a little warmer? But, seriously, let's take some time off from this really long stuff. What do you say?" I say nothing. Zip my jacket up a little higher and keep running. 

9:50 a.m. Nike+ tells me "One mile completed." I'm finding a comfortable pace as I head out of our neighborhood and out onto the road. Hills ahead. Enter LuLu. "You're really slow on the hills. Maybe you should stick to flatter routes. Hilly routes are for 'real' runners." I run hard up the hill and focus on my breathing. I really dislike her sometimes.

10:00 a.m. Two miles down. Found my pace. Sun is shining and I'm planning out the rest of my route in my head. Knowing the Frostbite 1/2 marathon in Starkville is in two weeks, I'm trying to get in as many hills as possible to prepare. Enter LuLu. "Don't go that way. It's REALLY hilly. You could actually just turn right back into the neighborhood up here at 3 miles and call it good." I turn left and see the hills coming.

10:20 a.m. Two major hills behind me. Breathing is good. I feel great. Where's LuLu now? Probably back on the couch eating chips and taking that nap.

10:20-11:00 a.m. Run is amazing! Perfect layering to stay warm but not get hot. Running a route I haven't done in a while and loving it.

11:00 a.m. I'm about 8 miles down and approaching the two major hills again. Enter LuLu. "Seriously. You should turn left, do the little hill and then call it good."I turn right and maintain a 9-minute mile pace up them both. Take that, LuLu!

11:10 a.m. Nike+ tells me I've reached my goal of 9 miles. What? It's over? But I just started! I'll do 1 more mile...because I can.

I don't know what other runners go through mentally when they run, but this is pretty typically of every long run that I've ever done. LuLu doesn't seem to mind the shorter stuff, but man, does she object to the long runs.

My body doesn't hurt when I run (anymore)...but my mind can be brutal.

It's just water...What's the big deal?

Water. It's essential for most things to function, including my body. So, why can't I make myself drink it? There is no "taste" to speak of; I can't use that excuse. There is no "texture" so I can't really fall back on that one. I just can't seem to make myself drink the necessary 64 ounces a day...or more than about 8-10 ounces for that matter. When I express my frustrations to my husband, he says, "Well...that seems like it would be the easy part of running." Yeah, it does.

I know I need to: I feel better. My skin's clearer. I run better. I weigh less. Those are all good things, right? According to an article from WebMD.com, drinking water before a meal can actually help you lose weight. Uh. Hello? This is a win-win; there are no cons in this pro-con analysis (For a more scientific approach to the benefits of water, see this Mayo Clinic article).

Ok. There's one. Anyone who's been around me for any amount of time can attest to the fact that I have a serious caffeine addiction in the form of Dr. Pepper. Its 23 flavors are simply magical for me. I need it to start my day and as my students would probably tell you, my thoughts are incoherent until I've had it. My husband and children would probably tell you I need it to get through and finish the day, too. It's one of the last few "bad habits" I need to kick, but I can't seem to take that step. I start the process and then battle the withdrawal headache until I give in and drink one...or two...or three. But, hey! At that point, who's counting? **Note: Before you suggest I try Diet Dr. Pepper, please know that I have and I can't make that switch. The aftertaste is horrendous.

Here's the deal. I've been reading a lot of different fitness/health challenges to help everyone kick off the new year. So, here's mine and I'm putting it out there for all to read (and hold me accountable):

1. I'm going to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day until February 1.
2. I'm not going to drink any Dr. Pepper (yes, you read that correctly!) after 2 p.m. each day.

This is NOT going to be easy for me, people. I'm a working mom of two small children; caffeine at night = survival. But, I'm committing to it. I may be shooting Dr. Pepper at 1:45 p.m. each day and staying up late to drink all the water, but I'm doing it. I hope that by February 1, the new challenge will be one Dr. Pepper per day and then March will be...well, you get the picture. It's a process, folks. A process.

If you want in on the challenge, let me know and we'll be accountability partners. It's just water, right? What's the big deal?

So...are you in?

What's the plan for 2011?

Last year, I made one New Year's resolution for 2010: TO BE HEALTHIER BY 2011. And, for the first time in my life, I followed through with a resolution!

There were two things I did to make this happen:

1. Started exercising consistently
2. Ate healthier and smaller portions

Although 2010 was definitely a year of change, I'm not finished. I still have 5-10 pounds I'd like to shed, and I want to be a faster runner (not like Kenyan-fast, just consistently below a 10-minute mile pace!). I think the two might be related, so I'm hoping it's a "kill two birds with one stone" kind of thing.

So what's on my agenda for 2011?

1. To complete (at least) three half-marathons and get my time down to 2:10
2. To try three new vegetables (I am still learning to eat like an adult)
3. To drink more water (and less Dr. Pepper)

I'm still working on the plan of attack for the first (which I'm pretty sure you'll read about in the months to come!) and the second and third should be pretty easy to tackle. I'm battling caffeine withdrawals now from the Dr. Pepper reduction, but I know the benefit(s) will outweigh the temporary discomfort.

What are YOUR resolutions for the new year? Do you have a plan to achieve them? Nothing like posting them on the Internet for a little accountability...hmmm?

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2011!

"Perfect" running weather?

The weather has been on my mind a lot these last few days. We had some pretty rough storms move through my home state of Arkansas and then across Mississippi on New Year's Eve leaving lots of destruction. It has me thinking, which of course, has me blogging.

So, I've been running for almost a year now and have faced all kinds of weather. I loathe the "dreadmill" so almost all of my running has been outside on the road (I did a few runs around the track inside the Family Life Center at our church this summer when the temps were just unbearable!).

Each season has its advantages and disadvantages...

I loved spring because its warmer temperatures and sunshine are so welcome after the colder winter months. I didn't mind the rain, but the humidity before the rain was smothering at times. Spring also seems to encourage change and growth because I can see the world around me changing. Summer in the Deep South is pretty miserable - no way around it. I tried to get up early to run before the heat and humidity were just unbearable but had many short, slow runs in 90 degree heat. Fall weather is Mississippi is probably my favorite. The cool mornings and mild afternoons make running at any time of the day possible...a lot like spring but with less humidity? Long runs are enjoyable rather than exhausting, and there's nothing like the sound of leaves crunching under your feet as you run through the miles. Winter in Mississippi is probably my second favorite time to run. Our winters are relatively mild so running outdoors through the winter months is pretty enjoyable most of the time. I've even had a few runs recently wearing shorts - something my Northern neighbors may envy! I'm sure the next month or so may change my mind about winter running as the worst of our winter is likely yet to come. 

So, in the middle of winter - wherever you are - I ask:

What is YOUR "perfect" running weather?

And Her Name Is...

Thanks to everyone who submitted a name for my "name-my-fat-girl" contest. There were some really good ones and I loved the explanations that accompanied them. You guys are creative; I knew I could count on you!

Here are the entries:

Bertha (Big Butt Bertha or Bertha Big Butt)

Lurlene

Lulu

(Fatty) Mattie

Gertrude

Bertha Bell

Fatty Boombalatty (shortened to "Phatty")

Mardi

(See comments from "Shadow Boxing" post if you'd like the explanations!)

This was a very tough decision. All were viable options. So, I had to fall back on one of the tests that we used for naming both of our boys...the ability to yell it without hesitation or stumbling over it when angry or frustrated.
And the winner is...

LULU

I love that it's similar-sounding to my name and that her strength for change came from God (more on that in a later post, I'm sure!). So, congrats to Courtney for her winning submission! (Send me your new mailing address, and I'll be dropping you a "happy" in the mail Monday!).

Thanks for playing, friends! Happy New Year!