...And Boy did I Run!

As my last post reflected, I was absolutely dreading my scheduled workout.  I purposefully vented my feelings to help find whatever motivation I could to push forward.  Even after publishing, I still moseyed about the house allowing my mind to humor all of the excuses that floated through...knowing all the while that I really didn't have choice in the matter; after all it was scheduled. 

In slow motion, I got myself ready, walked to the end of the driveway, started my watch and iPod, and literally forced myself to make the running motion.  About one minute in to it, I felt different. My abs were engaged, my posture in check, and my legs were moving - I felt strong.  Just one minute later  ... I couldn't believe how different I felt after only sixty seconds!

Two miles came quick and I decided to add the extra mile in for a total of five.  My mind was open and a massive brainstorming session was taking place - if only moments like this allowed for a note pad!

Adele 21 turned out to be great addition to the iPod.  I was surprised by how much it allowed my mind to get lost in the moment. 

I finished the five miles a whole three minutes faster than normal.  I can't believe that I actually was dreading this moment.  So glad that I did not allow myself to miss out on the best run that I have had in months!  

Kudos to my Brooks for taking a beating tonight!  Love these shoes!

As I was cooling down, I thought of five things that help me get through my runs...

1.  Telephone Pole Theory -  I thought for sure I was going to need to rely on this tonight - but as you now know my luck was different!  Telephone Pole Theory is simple and can be used with any landmark. It's especially helpful to those new to running.  As your running, just focus on the next goal - aka telephone pole - and as your reach that goal, immediately focus on the next closest goal.  It takes your mind off the fact that you have to finish a whole five (or whatever) miles and instead helps you stay in check and celebrate all the mini-accomplishments along the way.

2.  Get Lost in It - I love it when this happens!  Allowing your mind to get lost in the run is exciting and exhilarating.  To me, this means my mind is fully in-tune to my body and everything just feels right and in check...thus confidence ensues.  I knew I was running faster than normal tonight, yet I had so many exciting thoughts going through my head that each mile completed was almost a surprise.  I found myself thinking, "Wow, I'm already here!"  Mind you, this was coming from the same girl who was dreading the run just minutes before! Good music, such as Adele, certainly plays a big role in achieving this. 

3.  Solve the World's Problems - okay, maybe not the world's but yours will do!  Often, I will take one problem/issue, or even opportunity out on the pavement with me.  It's amazing what I can come up with while running.  Sometimes, it's hard to focus and other thoughts will try and flutter in, but I just force myself to circle back (repeatedly) to the task at hand.

4.  Run Like Someone is Watching - Okay, fess up, I know I am not the only one who does this!  When necessary, I pretend that all of the cars passing by are truly intrigued with my running...like I am inspiring them to go home and go for a run themselves!  I notice when I think they are watching, I typically pick up my pace and make sure my form is truly in check.  I like to pretend that conversations take place in the car about my running...such as, "Wow, she's in shape."  - or - "Man, she's cruising!" - othertimes, I pretend that someone I know is about to drive by (ie. my husband, personal trainer, etc).  Haha, I know it's silly but whatever works, right!?!

5.  Take a Partner - in my case, that usually means my pup, Miles.  He was named before we even knew him as I was bound and determined he would get a lot of miles under his belt throughout his life!  Most of the time, I love taking Miles as he normally pushes me, but tonight, as you know - I was in a funk and wanted to just be by myself.  Human partners are of course great too! I would love to have a local running partner...but that hasn't fallen into place yet! 

Dirty paws Miles pouting because I told him he didn't get to go with me.

The moral of this story - don't allow yourself to miss out on what could be your best run (or workout in general) yet.  Just get up and do it! I am oh so glad I did! All it took tonight was sixty seconds to a "new" me.   

Trust me, I too will need this reminder before too long... 

Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride
MSF

Today I Must Run

Today, I'm scheduled to run four miles...and I'm absolutely dreading it!  I know that if I don't get out the door in the next 15 minutes then it's just going to be that much harder to part from my never ending pile of work.  In an attempt to make the run more appealing, I've decided to download some new tunes to my iPod.  Got to give this girl something to look forward to!

Katy Perry - Last Friday Night
Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

and Adele 21 - yes, the whole album.  I hear it's amazing!

Okay, here's to No Excuses right!  Time to lace-up the running shoes, throw my hair back in a pony, visualize the fat melting off, and go out and pound some pavement. 

Cheers to listening to my inner baddass...

Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride,

Mrs. Skinny Fat

Secret to Success: No Excuses!

In 2007, when I first changed my eating habits, I decided to go "Cold Turkey", as they say, for 6 months and fully adopted the vegan lifestyle.  During that time, I was so cautious of everything I ate ... and  most difficult - surprisingly - was that I completely gave up alcohol (this was hard for me because I loved enjoying a glass of wine with dinner, weekends, with my husband, etc!).  At my smallest, I weighed in at 115.  It's so odd reflecting on how I felt then because I felt soooo "skinny-fat" - I didn't work out so while yes, skinny (barely nothing), I was such a weakling. And everything felt so flabby. 

I then discovered clean eating - and I was awe-struck by its principles.  I felt like I had been handed a gift - everything just made so much sense! Eating real foods...- you know the ones that come from the earth - all the time - novel idea!  Over time (three years) I slowly started to incorporate foods back into my diet such as seafood, venison, quality eggs, and organic cheese (in moderation).  During this time, my passion truly ignited for clean eating and I can't seem to learn enough on this topic. 

Even though, I was very intentional and disciplined with my eating - I still was Skinny-Fat true and true.  I wasn't dedicated to a workout regimen.  On that front, I could seem to come up with every excuse under the sun as to why I wasn't going to workout.  Even though - when I did, it felt so good!  I love running (when I actually did it) - so I would run sometimes - even did several 1/2 marathons (ill prepared I should add), and then I decided to join aerobics (it lasted a couple weeks), I tried bootcamp - hmm it was okay, and then there was yoga...loved yoga but still...it only lasted a month.  With each of these down periods, I would constantly beat myself up.  Complaining always (mostly inside my head) about the way my clothes fit, or dreading getting in the bikini, dress shopping, etc.  I was a size 4 - weighing anywhere from 125 - 130 over this time  - abiding by clean eating principles 80% of the time (although socially drinking in moderation).  I say 80% because I was/am still learning - and sometimes was (who am I kidding - still am) tricked by flashy marketing on packaging... (more to come on this at a later time).  I am slowly learning that just because it's sold in a Health Food Store, does not make it Clean!

Finally, in June of 2011, I got a personal trainer.  Someone I aspired to be - she wasn't skinny fat but TRULY SKINNY & FIT.  She put together a workout regimen for me which only called for a band and a mat.  But to meet my goals, it required "No Excuses"  - no matter what.  The schedule calls for 4 days of running (anywhere from 3 to 5 miles), 2 days of strength training, and a rest day.  I am able to complete everything right at home (outside), and only see her every 3 weeks for a new strength training program.  It's been the best thing I have ever done for myself.  I have not allowed myself to miss a workout - even when it's the LAST thing I want to do - I force myself to tie up those laces and get it over with. Time after time, what I find, is about 5 minutes (often times less) into the workout, my whole attitude shifts...and I start feel, pardon my choice of words, like a badass.  Truly!  I journal my workouts and all over my calendar you'll see the words, "No EXCUSES" - and when I first started, I had a sticky notes every where to remind me that no matter how much I wanted to - I'm wasn't getting out it!

Since I have incorporated workouts into my clean eating lifestyle, I finally feel like I am on the path to ridding the fat and finding the fit....for good! I have lost 3 inches from around my waist and have lost 3lbs!  It's amazing - I get to eat all day long (5 to 6 small meals a day), and I'm in charge of molding my body to "perfection" -  and this so called perfection is defined by me.  Yep, just me.

It's a journey - and what I have learned is to be truly skinny and fit (in other words, healthy, happy & fit)- doesn't happen overnight. Adding muscle is a beautiful thing...but it's a process.  Quick fixes will only get you to be skinny fat - a place I have been far too long.

 

If you haven't already, commit to a No Excuses attitude - whether it's about eating changes or working out.  And remember,  change will happen but it's baby steps my friends! 

Mrs. Skinny Fit running a 1/2 marathon in Miami March 2011.
It was torture because I was so ill prepared!
Can't wait to get a race on the calendar now
that I have been so committed to a workout regimen! 

 

Mr. Miles - my new running partner. 
He's up for the challenge - never lets me down!

 

Mrs. Skinny Fat & Mr. Miles - These past few months, I have had the confidence to try "new" workout activities. Kayaking is one my favorite things to do!