Sunshiny Daze

Whew! What a relief to have accomplished a major goal. We completed our first season of Girls on the Run and put on the Spring 5K event. It feels wonderful to know you have done good in the world. The smiles on those girls’ faces brightened my day. I am moved that many of the parents were tearful watching their daughters’ accomplish their goal.

After seeing many pictures of myself at the event I realized that I do not look like I feel. So, now, back to our regularly scheduled program…getting myself fit!  I need to slim down and tone up. I measured myself on that fancy scale last night: 32.8% body fat. Considering that I was 33.7% in January and haven’t done all that much to concentrate on this effort, I figure it’s not all that bad.

I’m setting the short term goal of losing 5 pounds by June 1. I know it won’t be that easy as the end of the school year approaches. I will be trying to incorporate Clean Eating and being more consistent with my exercise.

I spent the most amazing four days being inspired the Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run and 300 other women from around the nation that believe in her mission. Now, the hardest part is continuing to breathe it in and out after I’ve left the comfort of being completely surrounded by it, and carrying it out into all aspects of my daily life.

I can’t believe how encouraging my family has been through all of this. Not only do they continue to ask me how everything is going and send me away to do this, as much for me as for the girls in our community, but they were outside waiting to greet me upon my return.

Returning to school for only two days was a very good start at pushing forward. I had the full support of my principal on an issue that had arisen and so that is settled. I was able to demonstrate near miraculous progress to my student support specialist. Things are just transformational in kindergarten - one just needs time and patience and not to be bogged down with parents and paperwork. Note to self: just close the door and teach!

The power of the weekend is enormous. When families make time to love and help each other it really does conquer all. I just can’t seem to get enough. The house is cleaner when we just spend a few minutes doing it together, making much more time for play. We dropped the kids off for a concert and enjoyed a “date” night wandering around Orlando and eating Ethiopian food.

I can’t believe the connection we still have after 23 years. It amazes me every day. And that, I suppose, is why it works - because not for one second do I take it for granted.

It was the week from hell!

First, work was the pits. The situation actually had me in tears and unable to sleep for 2 days. I sometimes wish I was the kind of person that didn’t let it bother me so much, but I guess that’s why I do what I do - I really care. I took it to the boss lady and hopefully it will be dealt with and over with by the end of next week. Gonna try to let it go until then.

Next, working with women leads to drama. In my own tiny way of trying to do good in the world, I think I have caused myself more stress. Just as our group is seeing the work of a year and a half come to fruition about half have backed out. Don’t get me wrong, I have certainly felt like quitting several times during that period, but I have committed to this and really want to see it through. Time to reorganize and move forward.

Then, the injury. As mentioned before, my right leg is hurting. I haven’t run since last Monday, really putting a damper on many of my New Year’s goals. The doctor has diagnosed posterior tibial tendon tendinitis. Ah, the words rest and strengthening do not bode well for a runner with upcoming races. And just when I finally got my favorite guy to sign up for a 5K with me!

So in the end, I’m lucky to have a 5 day break from work. I’m traveling across the state to attend what is hoped to be a motivational conference to get me inspired again on my “doing good” mission. And I’m going to wait out the injury and try to get some solid yoga and strengthening workouts in. I guess the plan would be to return to running slowly and focus on something a little farther out in the new year.

Deep breath, and begin again…

So, the first run of the year seems to have done me in! I am feeling lots of pressure in my lower right leg even when I walk. Feeling petrified that I just might break the leg when I run, I haven’t done so this week. I broke down today and scheduled an appointment for the doctor to get an x-ray. Keeping my fingers crossed that there will be an easy remedy and that it’s not a stress fracture. I had scheduled my first 5K of the year for January 14! Not to mention that I have a half marathon scheduled for the end of the month and this is seriously impeding my training! UGH!

I have done P90X for three days now. Tonight will be the fourth. I have decided to follow the Lean version of the program so that it might be just a bit easier for me to really complete the 90 days during this attempt. I’ve done the Core Synergistics, Cardio X and last night did the Legs and Back plus Ab Ripper. Of course, I am only stepping lightly while everyone is jumping since I just can’t do that with my leg right now, but at least I am feeling some benefit to my effort. I am sore all over so I know it’s working! Looking forward to Yoga tonight.

Food is my downfall! I’ve been using My Fitness Pal to keep track of calories. Most days that I am exercising I can keep within the calories. Of course, last night my husband offered dinner out and I accepted. I know I could have said no, but I just didn’t. Need to work on that willpower! I also need to work on the types of food that I take in, not just the calories. Hoping to get back to trying more vegetarian recipes once the boy goes back to college this weekend.

My lovely, fancy Tanita scale told me last night that my body fat is 33.7%. Isn’t that considered obese? YUCK!!

Why was my first run of the year not wonderful? My right leg hurts.

Not really wanting to return to work tomorrow…too much to do at home still! Really, I’d rather stay home and clean.

I enjoyed my pedicure today.

Day one of P90X Lean - Core Synergistics - oh my!

I’ve been off work for 12 days and return tomorrow, so why is it that everyone gave me their laundry today?

Happy New Year!

My goals for 2012:

1. Treat myself better instead of being so hard on myself

• Eat healthy (more fish and vegetarian meals, more fruits and veggies, take vitamins, drink more water)
• Lower body fat percentage
• Enjoy living in Florida (kayaking, beach, pool)
• Travel
• Treat myself to something special once per month (pedicure, facial, massage)

2. Get better at running

• Be more consistent
• Add in cross training (yoga, bosu, weights, bicycling)
• Complete one 5K per month
• PR in a half marathon
• Run 1,000 miles

3. Manage my time better

• Keep a cleaner, more organized house and classroom
• Don’t waste so much time on the phone and computer
• Make much more time to spend doing things with friends and family