First official group run

I am so excited that after 2 weeks of trying to get things organized, we finally had our first official group run on Sunday morning! Normally the runs are on Saturdays, but this past Saturday was a MESS outside. Rainy and just yucky! There was 6 of us originally that decided we would be out there to run, but there were a few last minute changes in some of the girls' schedules, so it ended up being Anni, an amazing young lady that I met up with for the first time, and myself.

The weather was still a little cloudy and was pretty chilly when we got out our cars to chit chat while waiting to see if anyone else was going to arrive. After we realized that it was just going to be the two of us, we started with a brisk walk. Then got into our running. I started to realize that something wasnt right. I did wear my skechers "go-runs" that (just remembering) that I had not worn them on pavement before. They encourage a mid-foot strike, so of course I thought it was the shoes because my legs felt like they were being toned. The last time I wore them, I felt the same thing. Its like they train your feet and lower legs to use different muscles.

I started feeling like I couldnt breathe - So naturally I think, "Man, i have to get back to these cold morning runs. It must be the cold air"....I had to take a few walk breaks and get back into the running. I finally figure out what is wrong. Anni has some fire in her feet! Her pace is faster than mine. I remember that she had not been over a certain amount of miles, so naturally for her pacing herself will come with time, trial and error. She told me that some of her miles are 8/9 minute miles! When I started running more than 3 miles, I had to learn to pace myself or I wouldnt last through all the miles

It was all fun though, as it really challenged me to keep up. I was definitely thinking "Gosh, here I am trying to put together this running group and I cant even keep up. What in the world". I am really looking forward to more group runs and having more people join us. I am a little scared for what it can become because I always expect the best. And this has totally been out of my comfort zone. I have always had the idea of starting a group, but was terrfied of the what ifs. What changed? God has been by my side the whole time. I believe that he has been shaping me into what he wants me to be and giving me the desires of my heart. Running, helping, inspiring, and motivating others is my passion. He is my confidence that gets me out there!

 I did meet another girl at my gym on Saturday and she has always wanted to learn how to be a runner. I told her that I would love to have her join us. Even though there will be a lot of us running, it is okay if someone may have to walk and then pick it back up. One thing people think when they just start out is that they have to keep up and run the whole time even if they are by themselves. That is when people get discouraged and think they are a failure and will never be able to run. The truth is you CAN always go at your own pace. When you are just starting out with running, it is so easy to want to quit. You have to think, say you just joined the gym and you want to try Zumba so bad, but you think you will never keep up. One day you try it and love it. So you keep going and each time you go you get better and can last longer. The same thing is with running - you have to start and keep going and you will get better with time. Our minds and thoughts will have us thinking all sorts of things to tell us that we cant do something. But I am going to tell you that you CAN do anything that you set out to do. It may not always be easy, but it is always possible. Run/walk intervals are the best way to start. Heck I still have to do that at times :-)

Much Love
Krissy

Healthier foods are good too

Time is FLYING as usual and February is almost over! One thing that I can say that I have improved on this month is portion control, more veggies and fruits with every meal and getting in more runs, ALONG with cutting back on sugar in my drinks - like coffee and tea! Awesome stuff to be proud of :-) Now, if I can just manage the water intake...... I dont drink sodas or juice at all. All I drink is water and hot green tea with the occasional coffee. I quit making coffee at home because I would become dependent on it and start making it all the time. Coffee all the time would lead to too much sugar intake - Flavored creamer and sugar - then a CRASH in the evenings when I got home.

I have started to try different options for veggie intake. Squash and Zuccini are a new veggie to add to my list of ones I like. I dont LOVE it yet, but its not bad. I found some veggie chips at our local Publix grocery store and totally love them. Funny thing is, I was in the groery store one day buying a few things after the gym and I started hinking that it would be awesome to find some greenbean chips/dryed green beans. Dont ask. I know that may be the weirdest thing ever, but I came across a variety pack that had other veggies in it as well. Great souce of vitamins!

Here is a look-sie at some of my other healthy meals/ food

 

Turkey Sandwich with mustard, lettuce and cucumbers - It was Yummy!

 

 

Peanuts and yogurt - Not bad together

 

 

Salad with shredded chicken breast, light italian dressing and grapes

 

 

LOVE this stuff! aka - My Crack!

 

 

Venison burger topped with a slice of cheese, spinach (and bbq sauce, not yet in picture) with no bun and cantaloupe slices - YUM

 

This is how I eat ice cream if I eat any - Lowfat Frozen Yogurt and stick to the serving size of 1/2 a cup! I bought this a week and half ago an it is still over half full! So yes my sugar/sweet intake has been so much better!! I used to drink my green tea with sugar, then i realized I can hardly taste the sugar when I do put it in there, so why not leave it out. When I did put sugar in it to make it sweeter, I knew it was way too much! Sugar free Green tea for me it is!

 

It has been a process to get better with my eating and be aware of how much I am eating along with Calorie intake. I try to eat veggies and fruits with every meal and so far I have been able to keep it up!

Tiredness is trying to take over

 

Its Tuesday and this girl is quite tired! Hubby has come down with the sick bug and is completely miserable. We usually work together to keep our home in order, but I have been doing most everything, including trying to take care of him. It always nice to have that extra set of hands to get things done, but I am giving him all the rest he needs! We gotta get him better so he can start running with me again :-)

 

We also started this week to be a bit more firm with creating a routine for our daughter to get her to bed by a certain time and in her own bed. So far that has been a success! The hard part will be consistency after this week. I have never been a routine person, so thats challenging sometimes. I have so many intentions of doing so, just doesnt happen that way.

 

I did not go to the gym yesterday because I decided last minute that I would use it as a rest day. Boy did I need it because as soon as I sat on the sofa to watch  a movie (the Lorax) I was OUT! I woke up a little later to get my daughter in bed and read a bed time story and then I was out again!

 

 

I want to start posting pictures of at least one thing I ate for the day until I get good enough to remember to take the picture for everything that I put in this mouth of mine. Something to hold me accountable and help me watch my portions. So today for lunch I had a romaine and spinach salad with chicken breast, topped with a  light italian dressing and a small bag of grapes. It was really good!

 

 

Its getting late and I have accepted the accountability from my friend to get my booty in duty tonight with a workout before hitting the bed. So off I go for my 1 minute of jumping jacks, 50 push ups, 50 crunches, 1 minute of high knees, 50 squats and 50 chair step ups!



P.S. I have a hair appt tomorrow and I am changing out the color with my hair pop of color extension. what color should I get? I was thinking maybe a bright blonde or blue..... something awesome.

much love,
Krissy

Setting myself up for a successful week

This weekend has been a very low key, simple, family oriented weekend and I loved it. Friday when Constance and I got home from the day, we decided to clean off the patio and sit out there and enjoy some fresh air. I read a book or at least tried to, while she blew bubbles. I have always loved my patio, but have never used it like I had imagined I would. But that is changing, I will start using it more. I want to get back into plants and fill it up with live greenery - there is just something about live plants that just makes me feel good inside.

 

 

Our group run was cancelled on Saturday morning, so I decided to hit the gym for Zumba. I love me some Zumba, but I have decided to cut back on it some to focus on running more and other cross training. We spent time at 2 parks as a family and played. I used part of this weekend to stock back up on the healthy stuff! We headed to our favorite Publix grocery store and shopped for groceries. I normally would do this on Sunday, but I have decided to switch it to Saturdays. I just gives me a little bit of a restful Sunday if I dont have to grocery shop and food prep. I recently started prepping my foods to where everything I need for the week is ready to go. Here are some things before (i forgot to include a few other things in the picture).

 

 

 

How I set myself up for success?? Make a plan to eat healthy and prep everything. Before you start a new week, you should have a meal plan and shop for groceries according to that. (I didnt have my meal plan ready before we went) When you are done, there should be no whole veggies and fruits left- like cucumbers, celery and such. Cut everything and put small portions in small containers or mini sandwhich bags, so you can grab and go. even sandwhich meat - separate the portions according to serving size and put in mini bags!

 

 

 

Here is my food prep after

 

I still have some tweaking with food prep to do, but this is better than what I used to do, which was N.O.T.H.I.N.G.

There is sandwich meat, oranges, strawberries, lettuce, spinach, canteloup, cucmbers, celery, grapes amd yogurt. Its a work in progress! I also have my workouts planned for the week so I know what i am doing each day and not making up something last minute when I am tired.

I hope you have a fabulous week!

much Love,
krissy

Mind justa going!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. My mind is on overload and I should have started writing sooner! Running group is on the brain and just recently I have decided to start one. I have always wanted to create a workout group or a running group with some good friends or to help people learn how to run. My original idea was to do a 5k running /walkng group where we will cover three miles. Runners, walkers and any pace are welcome. Its just about getting out there and going.

Then I thought, well how am I helping others learn to run if we are covering 3 miles. What if they get discouraged and I am running the whole time instead of walking when they need to take a break. This running group is totally out of my comfort zone and this is me stepping out! All these what ifs going through my mind, but I know what to do. I just have to trust in Him, our heavenly father and he will lead the way. I know that I did not get to this point in my life on my own. My running has slacked since an accident back in October ( I will tell about that in another post sometime this week). Then there has been some other crimes around a trail that I used to run on regularly. So between all that, my mind has been using slight excuses to not fully get back out there on the road. I have been using the treadmill at my gym and doing a lot of Zumba (my other love- gotta shake it)!

I am planning for the group to start this coming saturday! I am so excited, but nervous at the same time! I know deep inside that it will be a blast and something that will grow with time. Its time to get back to my love of running, where I would get up way before sunrise, get dressed and hit the pavement. My fave time though was to be dressed and ready to go, peek out the window and see the sun slightly coming up. I would get this inside excitement and breath of freshness that woud come over me. It made me feel strong and that I could conquer anything. I loved breathing in the cold air and just letting go........

I will get there again. I WILL. its 12:10 am and I really should be in bed!

Much Love
Krissy